Institutional Repository

Scholar@UOC is the primary academic repository of the University of Calicut.

This repository is aimed to collect, preserve and distribute the research output of the members of our University. This is an open access system hosted and managed by the University Library.

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Now showing 1 - 5 of 38

Recent Submissions

Surveillance of Groundwater Quality in Relation to Geochemistry in Selected Districts of Kerala, with Special Reference to Fluoride and Arsenic Contamination,
(Department ofBotany, University of Calicut, 2024) Sheeja K.M.; Harilal,C. C.
Groundwater is considered the safest source of drinking water, and 89% of the world's population relies on it. India is one of the largest consumers of groundwater worldwide, accounting for around one-fourth of the global share and exceeding 230 km3/annum. Globally, and particularly in India, arsenicosis and fluorosis are two emerging health problems linked to groundwater. Fluoride and Arsenic are present in the earth's crust, but elevated concentrations in the groundwater are the result of human-triggered activities. The combination of Fluoride and Arsenic may cause health consequences. Fluoride, Arsenic, salinity, and heavy metals were assessed quantitatively and qualitatively in this study under various climatic, geological, and topographical circumstances. This study evaluated the occurrence and distribution pattern fluoride, arsenic, salinity, and heavy metals in distinct climatic, geological, and topographical conditions. The study also focused on the quantitative availability of groundwater reserves in the two Districts. The groundwater availability in Palakkad District is 434.17 MCM and 249.32 MCM in Malappuram District during the study period. Fluoride contamination is severe in the eastern part of the Palakkad District and south eastern part of the Malappuram District. Arsenic pollution is also dominant in these regions. In contrast to the coastal system, the inland system has a higher salinity. Mg-Ca-HCO3 type water predominates due to rock-water interaction in the Palakkad District, while precipitation-induced calcium sulphate type water predominates in the MalappuramDistrict. Heavy metal contamination was severe in both Districts, and Cd and Pb pollution were dominant. The mean heavy metal pollution index (HPI) indicates that the highest heavy metal incidence occurred in the Pr period and the least during the Po period in the study area. Cd, Pb, and Ni have concentrated in urban areas in the study area, whereas iron-mediated issues are higher in coastal region associated with fluvial deposits. The metal index was high in Malappuram and highly concentrated along the coastal line. WQI indicates 48% of the groundwater is poor in Palakkad,while the majority of the Malappuram groundwater is of good quality. 11% of the groundwater in Palakkad is unsuitable for irrigation. High Mg ion concentration, high alkalinity, and a lengthy groundwater residence period in the aquifer are the factors that enhanced the solubility of Fluoride. Silicon oxide is the dominant component in mineral samples. The XRD and XRF data reveal that the hornblende-biotite gneiss is indicative of the Fluoride source. Moreover, the trace amounts of Fluorite and Arsenic in the mineral sample are indicative of these contaminants in the study area. The mineralogical study of Fluoride and Arsenic contaminated areas demonstrated that the causes of Fluoride and the majority of Arsenic contaminations were geological in nature.
Monsoon in colonial malabar: Histories, memories and everyday life
(Department of History Farook College, 2025) Febin Sithara, C.; Anaz, C.A.
Today, climate change has emerged as the most important environmental issue worldwide. climate influences all aspects of life on the earth. The monsoon circulation dominates the climate of India and Kerala in particular. “monsoon” comes from the Arabic word ‘mausim’ meaning season. It describes a seasonal wind shift over a region that is usually accompanied by a dramatic increase in precipitation. The South Asian monsoon, also known as the Indian summer monsoon, is one of the most spectacular phenomena of the global climate system occurring with remarkable regularity year after year. Any changes in monsoon seasonal rainfall can impact the socio-economic conditions of the densely populated country. Kerala’s agricultural economy largely depends on monsoon rainfall, and the changes in rainfall and temperature badly affected farmers' enthusiasm and Initiative for cultivation. Therefore, there is a need to study rainfall and temperature trends across the state in detail and their impact on the production of crops in Malabar. The monsoon has long shaped the social, economic, and cultural fabric of Malabar, influencing both historical and everyday experiences. This study explores the role of the monsoon in colonial Malabar, analyzing how it intersected with imperial policies, agrarian economies, maritime trade and local livelihoods. Drawing from archival records, oral histories and indigenous narratives, the research examines how colonial governance responded to and was challenged by monsoonal rhythms. It also delves into the memories and lived experiences of communities, revealing how seasonal changes were embedded in daily practices, belief systems, and resilience strategies. By bridging environmental history with social memory, this thesis offers a nuanced understanding of the monsoon’s enduring significance in shaping colonial and postcolonial Malabar. The monsoon in colonial Malabar was far more than a seasonal weather phenomenon -it was a force that shaped governance, economy and everyday life. This study has highlighted how the monsoon influenced colonial policies, disrupted and sustained agrarian and maritime economies, and became deeply embedded in the cultural memories of local communities. By analyzing historical records and oral traditions, the research underscores the resilience and adaptability of Malabar’s people in the face of monsoonal uncertainties. Contemporary analysis highlights how shifts in monsoon behaviour, influenced by climate change, have transformed livelihoods, societal structures and cultural practices. This inquiry demonstrates that the monsoon is not merely a climatic event but a pivotal force shaping human existence. Ultimately, this thesis demonstrates that the monsoon was not just a backdrop to colonial history but an active agent in shaping the lived realities of the region, leaving an enduring impact on both its colonial past and postcolonial present.
Green business practices of event management firms in Kerala
(Government College Madappally, 2025) Shajim, M. S.; Udayakumar O.K.
The event management industry is one of the fastest-growing service sectorsworldwide, and in India, it has expanded rapidly, creating numerous jobs andentrepreneurs. Despite this growth, the industry remains resource-intensive,consuming substantial materials, energy, water, and transportation, raising significantenvironmental concerns amid increasing climate pressures driven by human activities.As a result, adopting sustainable and environmentally friendly practices has becomeessential for industries with large environmental footprints. The current study, titled"Green Business Practices of Event Management Firms in Kerala," examines theextent of Green Business Practice (GBP) adoption, the key drivers and barriersinfluencing this adoption, the level of sustainable performance of these firms, and therelationships between drivers, barriers, GBPs, and Sustainable Performance. Thestudy uses descriptive statistics, independent samples t-tests, ANOVA, and PartialLeast Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) based on primary datacollected from 226 event management firms in Kerala via a structured questionnaire.Results show that firms exhibit a moderate level of GBP adoption, with notablestrengths in waste management, green managerial commitment, and green marketing.However, practices related to energy efficiency, water conservation, and greentransportation are comparatively weak. The study also finds that certain drivers, suchas Environmental Awareness, Organizational Values, Stakeholder Pressure,Technological Expertise and Infrastructure, and Regulatory Mechanisms, have astrong positive influence on GBP adoption, indicating that values, expectations, andsupportive systems encourage firms to go green. Conversely, barriers liketechnological and infrastructural challenges, lack of knowledge, financial constraints,stakeholder support issues, and weak regulatory systems negatively impact GBPadoption, highlighting persistent structural, financial, and informational hurdles tosustainable change. Regarding performance, social sustainability is relativelystronger, economic performance is moderate, and environmental performance remainsweak. The analysis confirms that practices such as Green Waste Management, GreenManagement and Strategy, and Green Marketing have the most significant impact onoverall sustainability. Overall, this study provides valuable insights for policymakers,sector organizations, and industry players interested in promoting green eventmanagement practices in Kerala.
Development and validation of psychometric scale to measure financial intelligence of entrepreneurs of Kerala a multidimensional analysis
(PSMO College, Tirurangadi,University of Calicut, 2025) Abdurahiman Karuthedath; Abdul Naser V
Entrepreneurship is increasingly recognized as a viable solution to unemployment, particularly in states like Kerala, which faces high levels of joblessness. Entrepreneurs require financial intelligence—the ability to make informed financial decisions—as improper financial management is a primary reason for business failures. Despite its importance, no comprehensive scale exists to measure the financial intelligence of entrepreneurs. This study addresses that gap by developing and validating a multidimensional scale to measure the financial intelligence of small entrepreneurs in Kerala, with seven identified dimensions: financial attitude, financial literacy, financial behaviour, financial management, financial decision-making, financial discipline, and financial locus of control. The study employed a rigorous methodology beginning with literature review, focus group discussions, and expert consultations to identify relevant dimensions and subdimensions. Data were collected through cluster sampling across all districts of Kerala, using BNI networks, resulting in 854 valid responses. Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analysis were performed to test the reliability and validity of the scale. Findings revealed strong interconnections among the dimensions, with financial attitude, financial literacy, financial behaviour, and financial discipline significantly influencing financial management, financial decision-making, and financial locus of control. Regression analysis highlighted financial discipline and financial literacy as strong predictors across multiple dimensions. Partial mediation effects were found in relationships involving financial management, financial decision-making, and financial locus of control. Demographic analysis revealed that younger, unmarried, and more experienced entrepreneurs, as well as those with commerce backgrounds and higher education, demonstrated higher levels of financial intelligence. While gender, residence, and business type showed variations, they were not strong predictive factors. The study concludes that the financial intelligence of entrepreneurs in Kerala is generally moderate, underscoring the need for training and awareness programs. The validated scale not only contributes to theory by providing a comprehensive measurement tool but also holds practical value for training, curriculum development, and policymaking. It can serve as a model for developing similar instruments in other geographical locations, thereby enhancing entrepreneurship development and supporting economic growth
Molecular taxonomy and phylogeny of orb weaving spiders araneae araneidae in Kerala
(St. Joseph s College (Autonomous), Irinjalakuda, 2025) Shilpa K.R; Sr.Anis K.V; Sudhikumar A.V
The family Araneidae, commonly known as orb-weaving spiders, represents the third-largestspider family in the world and the second-largest in India. These spiders inhabit a wide range ofecosystems and are distributed across all landmasses except Antarctica. Ongoing revisions arenecessitated by challenges such as extreme sexual size dimorphism, colour polymorphism, andabdominal variability among conspecifics, as well as the existence of cryptic species. This studypresents a focused investigation on the araneids of Kerala, aiming to make a substantialcontribution to the taxonomy, molecular data, and phylogenetic understanding of the group.Detailed morphological examination and barcoding of COI and H3 genes have resulted in anupdated checklist of araneids in Kerala, including 59 species belonging to 23 genera.Leviaraneus viridiventris and Chorizopesoides orientalis were reported from India for the firsttime. A total of 109 barcodes were generated, among these, 38 were new additions to GenBank.Species identity of certain morphologically challenging species and the existence of colourmorphs in Nephila pilipes were confirmed. Three pairs of cryptic species were identified.Phylogenetic trees were reconstructed using different methods such as Neighbour Joining,Maximum Parsimony, Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian Inference. The placement andmonophyly of nephilines and zygiellines were confirmed. The monophyletic origin of Acusilas,Arachnura, Argiopinae, Bijoaraneus, Araneilla, and Plebs was revealed. The genera Araneusand Cyclosa exhibited polyphyly. The study is the first comprehensive, successful attempt todate the divergence of araneids. The present study underscores the effectiveness of COIbarcoding in species-level identification and demonstrates the value of incorporating multiplegenetic markers to resolve phylogenetic relationships.