Surface water and groundwater samples of certain locations namely Kallambella, Bugudanahalli, Maidala, Honnudike, Kunigal, Kadaba and Hebbur, situated around Tumkur were assessed in the month of September 2008 for pH, EC and heavy metals Cd, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Zn and Ni. The pH vales of surface waters were in alkaline range of 7.8-8.2 and are well within safe limits for crop production. The pH of groundwater was in the range of 7.6-8.4. The conductivity was in the range of 0.20-0.68 mS/cm and 0.34-2.44 mS/cm for surface and groundwaters respectively. High EC value of Kallambella groundwater accounts for its salinity. All surface waters except Honnudike and Hebbur samples contain low concentrations of these metals and are ideal for irrigation. Though the samples from Honnudike, Kadaba and Hebbur have high iron concentration, only Honnudike and Hebbur samples have exceeded the limit of 5 mg/L required for irrigation. In groundwaters the concentrations of all these heavy metals except copper are also well in permissible limits and suitable for drinking. Cu, Fe, Ni and Zn were detected in all the samples and found in the range of 0. 094-0.131, 0.958-12.537, 0.020-0.036 and 0.082-1.139 mg/L respectively in surface waters and these are in the range of 0.132-0.142, 0.125-1.014, 0.028-0.036 and 0.003-0.037 mg/L in ground-waters. The elements cadmium, mercury and manganese are absent in all the samples.

Hussainsagar Lake in the heart of Hyderabad City (India) receives toxic substances through five streams draining from a catchment area of 245 km(2). Of particular interest are heavy metals received from urban runoff as well as municipal sewage and industrial effluents. Heavy metals entering the lake get adsorbed onto the suspended sediments, which eventually settle down in the bottom of the lake. In this study, fractionation of metal ions has been studied on the bed sediments of Hussainsagar Lake in order to determine the ecotoxic potential of metal ions. Comparison of sediments with average shale values indicated anthropogenic enrichment with copper, nickel, lead, cadmium, and zinc. The risk assessment code as applied to the present study reveals that 10-17% of manganese, 10-18% of nickel, 14-24% of chromium, 10-19% of lead, 21-30% of cadmium, and 18-28% of zinc exist in exchangeable fraction and, therefore, comes under medium risk category and may enter into food chain. The association of these metals with the exchangeable fraction may cause deleterious effects to aquatic life. The present database will help in formulating guidelines for carrying out dredging operations under restoration programs in the Hussainsagar Lake.

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AIM: This study was carried out to estimate the concentrations three microelements in enamel of deciduous normal and carious teeth using atomic emission spectrometry. METHODS: A total of 80 deciduous molar teeth indicated for extraction  from children between the age group of 7-13 yrs. were taken for this study. The specimens were divided into four groups and the samples  were prepared using centrifuge flotation technique. They were analyzed for Manganese, Strontium and Zinc using inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy. RESULTS: This study shows that  sound enamel contains more of strontium when compared to the carious enamel. Carious enamel contains more of manganese, and zinc when compared to the normal enamel. Elements zinc and strontium occur in high concentrations, whereas elements manganese occur in low concentrations in enamel. The concentrations of elements  manganese, strontium and zinc does not vary in relation to sex of individual. CONCLUSION: The microelements strontium and zinc are present in high concentration. Further  studies are necessary to see their potential in mineralization and anticariogenic process.