Pratiksha Patnaik

Bio: Pratiksha Patnaik is an academic researcher from Pondicherry University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Prosopis & Greywater. The author has an hindex of 2, co-authored 13 publications receiving 13 citations.

SHEFROL® bioreactor enhances the ability of pistia (pistia stratiotes) in the phytoremediation of greywater

Abstract: The efficacy of the well-known phytoremediation plant pistia (Pistia stratiotes), also called water lettuce or water cabbage, in treating sewage (greywater) was tested by its use as the main bioage...

A novel high-rate vermicomposting machine for downstream processing of biorefinery waste and other forms of organic solid waste

Abstract: A novel machine, with the acronym HEVSTOW (high-efficiency vertically stacked vermicomposting system for treating organic waste), of which a patent has recently been granted, is described. It is capable of rapid, inexpensive, and emission-free processing of biorefinery waste and other forms of organic solid waste. The machine is based on the paradigm of high-rate vermicomposting earlier developed by the authors. It makes it possible to rapidly process biorefinery waste of plant origin, as also paper, which the conventional vermireactors are not able to handle without elaborate pre-treatment and/or augmentation of animal manure. The machine also makes it possible to simultaneously vermicompost different forms of biowaste as also use different species of earthworms in such a manner that each batch operates independently without one batch interfering with the other. The applicability of the machine has been demonstrated by its application in simultaneous yet independent processing of a biorefinery waste, and paper waste, each with two epigeic species of earthworms Eisenia andrei and Lumbricus rubellus.

Ability of Indian pennywort Bacopa monnieri (L.) Pennell in the phytoremediation of sewage (greywater).

Abstract: The freely and abundantly available amphibious plant Indian pennywort Bacopa monnieri (L.) Pennell was able to phytoremediate sewage (greywater) quickly and substantially in SHEFROL® (“sheet flow root level”) bioreactors, achieving reductions in the levels of several indicator parameters: suspended solids, chemical oxygen demand, biological oxygen demand, nitrogen, phosphorus, zinc, copper, nickel, and manganese to the extents of about 90%, 76–77%, 80%, 65%, 55%, 56%, 42%, and 41%, respectively at hydraulic retention times of just 6 h. As these indicators of primary, secondary, and tertiary treatments were achieved simultaneously in a single reactor compartment, the system presented in this paper promises to be simple, rapid, and economical, in achieving significant treatment of greywater.

Salvinia (Salvinia Molesta) and Water Hyacinth (Eichhorniacrassipes): Two Pernicious Aquatic Weeds with High Potential in Phytoremediation

Abstract: The two free-floating aquatic weeds—salvinia (Salvinia molesta) and water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) —feature among the world’s 100 most invasive plants and animals. Both occur widely in India as also in most other countries of the tropical and sub-tropical region. In this brief review the attributes of the two weeds, with special reference to their role in phytoremediation, are presented.

Insights into the Use of Phytoremediation Processes for the Removal of Organic Micropollutants from Water and Wastewater; A Review

Abstract: Greater awareness of micropollutants present in water and wastewater motivates the search for effective methods of their neutralization. Although their concentration in waters is measured in micro- and nanograms per liter, even at those levels, they may cause serious health consequences for different organisms, including harmful effects on the functioning of the endocrine system of vertebrates. Traditional methods of wastewater treatment, especially biological methods used in municipal wastewater treatment plants, are not sufficiently effective in removing these compounds, which results in their presence in natural waters. The growing interest in phytoremediation using constructed wetlands as a method of wastewater treatment or polishing indicates a need for the evaluation of this process in the context of micropollutant removal. Therefore, the present work presents a systematic review of the effectiveness in the removal of micropollutants from polluted waters by processes based on plant used. The article also analyzes issues related to the impact of micropollutants on the physiological processes of plants as well as changes in general indicators of pollution caused by contact of wastewater with plants. Additionally, it is also the first review of the literature that focuses strictly on the removal of micropollutants through the use of constructed wetlands.

Impact of the Invasive Prosopis juliflora on Terrestrial Ecosystems

Abstract: Invasive non-native plants are changing ecosystems and native biodiversity, and modifying soil microbial feedback. The invasive species Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) D.C. (mesquite) has been introduced into several ecosystems, especially in tropical and subtropical regions, causing economic, ecological and health problems. This article reviews P. juliflora ecophysiological and reproductive attributes, such as phenology, vegetative, seed germination and dispersal, allelopathy and invasion mechanisms. We found that P. juliflora invasion has negative impacts on native biodiversity, ecosystem structure and function, bulk soil, seed bank, and hydrological cycle. We discuss P. juliflora as a ruminant food and for human use, and new management techniques. The easy naturalization P. juliflora in tropical regions has been explained by allelopathy, repeated flowering, vegetative propagation, production and dispersal of huge viable seeds. In particular, P. juliflora produces allelochemicals that are not produced in close relatives. Such chemicals have facilitative effects on associated vegetation in the native range, but have detrimental effects in the introduced range. Management strategies are presented to control P. juliflora invasion.