Pollution tolerance and distribution pattern of plants in surrounding area of coal-fired industries

Higher concentration of SO2 and particulate matters was reported in surrounding areas of coal-fired industries which influences the distribution pattern of plants. Sensitive plant species are abolished from such areas, however, only pollution tolerant species survive under stress conditions. The present study was designed to investigate the vegetation composition around coal-fired industries i.e. brick industries. To categorise plants as sensitive or resistant air pollution tolerance index (APTI) value was calculated. Out of 99 plants studied, Ricinus communis with APTI 81.10 was found to be the most resistant wild plant showing uniform distribution at all the polluted sites. On the other hand, Lepidium sativum with APTI 5.27 was recorded as the most sensitive plant and found to be present only at the less polluted sites.     

Effect of air-borne heavy metals on the biochemical signature of tree species in an industrial region,with an emphasis on anticipated performance index

The present study demonstrates elevated concentrations of air-borne heavy metals (Fe, 4.791; Cr, 3.142; Pb, 1.718; Cd, 0.069 μg·m^?3) in an industrial region and their subsequent accumulation in tree species grown in that area. Lagerstomia speciosa showed the highest leaf metal concentrations, whereas the lowest metal concentration was observed in Acacia moniliformis. Air accumulation factors (AAF) for heavy metals were in the sequence Cd>Cr>Pb>Fe. Plants exposed to air-borne heavy metals showed a significant (p<0.01, p<0.05) decrease in total chlorophyll and soluble sugars content, with higher synthesis of cellular antioxidants compared with ascorbic acids, proline and thiols (NP-SH). Plants with higher air-borne metal accumulation factors (AAF) generally have a high air pollution tolerance index (APTI) value. Assessment of the anticipated performance index (API) gave Alstonia scholaris as the ‘best variety’ and A. moniliformis and Shorea robusta as ‘very good’ for plantation and greenbelt development in an industrial region.     

Cross‐sectional epidemiological study on arsenic excretion in urine of children and workers in Greece

An investigation was undertaken to study the exposure of children in areas with different air pollution and of adults working in three different plants (lead processing, battery plant, oil refinery) using arsenic in urine as a biological parameter. The arsenic excretion of the children are in agreement with the air pollution in the investigated areas. The workers in the lead processing plant are found to have the highest urine excretion values of the three worker collectives. The mean excretion values is nearly ten times higher than that found in the normal population.     

Effect of marble dust on plants around Vishwakarma Industrial Area (VKIA) in Jaipur, India

The paper describes the effect of marble dust on plants in and around Vishwakarma Industrial Area (VKIA) Jaipur, Rajasthan (India). Trees species growing in and around VKIA area were selected and various morphological characteristics were studied such as leaf area dry weight ratio (LADWR), Dust retaining capacity (DRC) and Chlorophyll content. In the study the effects of marble dust on selected tree species was observed. LADWR was recorded maximunm 217.90 cm2 g(-1) dry wt. in Polyalthia longifolia in VKIA and minimum 98.74 cm2 g(-1) dry wt. in Ficus religiosa in Nindar whereas The DRC was observed maximum 178.51 mg cm(-2) in Azadirachta indica in VKIA as well as minimum recorded 66.41 mg cm(-2) in Thevetie pervvianain in Vidyadher Nagar. However the Total Chlorophyll Content was also determined and it was found maximum in Bougainvillea i.e. 2.949 mg g(-1) (fresh wt.) in VKIA whereas minimum for Nindar i.e. 0.784 mg g(-1) (fresh wt.) in Ficus religiosa.     

Autecology of the tailed jay butterfly Graphium agamemnon (Lepidoptera : Rhopalocera : Papilionidae)

The Tailed Jay Graphium agamemnon is one of the attractive papilionid butterflies that enliven the environment of Visakhapatnam. It occurs throughout the year. It lays eggs singly on young leaves of the mast tree Polyalthia longifolia var. pendula (Annonaceae). The eggs take 3-4 days to hatch. The larvae go through 5 instars over a period of 15-16 days. The pupal period is 13-14 days. The total period from egg to adult emergence spans over 33-36 days. Based on this short life cycle, and larval and pupal development success studied every month, this butterfly can be multivoltine with a minimum of 7-8 broods in a year. Both CI and GR decreased with the age of larva, their average figures being 3.78 and 0.43 respectively. AD values are high (average 92%) and decreased through successive instars. Both ECD and ECI followed a similar pattern with an increase from instar I up to II, then a decrease up to IV and again an increase in instar V and the highest value is with fifth instar. Adults frequently visited flowers (12-35 flowers in a min) spending 1.0 to 3.2 seconds on a flower. The nectar concentration ranged between 16 and 58%. Peak foraging activity mostly fell between 0900-1000 h. The proboscis received pollen in most of the floral species visited, thus satisfying one of the characteristics of butterfly pollination. Being a fast and strong flier it is treated as "high energy" pollinator promoting cross-pollination.     

Phytoremediation potential of indigenous plants from Thai Nguyen province, Vietnam

This study was focused on determining Arsenic (As), Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd) and Zinc (Zn) in 33 indigenous plants and 12 soil in-situ plant samples in Thai Nguyen Province, Vietnam. The results showed that the soils of surveyed mining areas contained 181.2- 6754.3 mg kg(-1) As, 235.5-4337.2 mg kg(-1) Pb, 0.8- 419 mg kg(-1) Cd and 361.8-17565.1 mg kg(-1) Zn depending on the characteristics of each mining site. These values are much higher than those typical for normal soil. The heavy metal uptake into shoots and roots of 33 indigenous plant species was also determined. Two species of the plants investigated, Pteris vittata L. and Pityrogramma calomelanos L. were As hyperaccumulators, containing more than 0.1% heavy metals in their shoots. Eleusine indica L., Cynodon dactylon L., Cyperus rotundus L. and Equisetum ramosissimum (Vauch) accumulate very high Pb (0.15-0.65%) and Zn (0.22-1.56%) concentration in their roots. Additional experiments to clarify the potential of six these plants as good candidates for phytoremediation of heavy metal pollution soil are being carried out in our laboratory.     

Impacts of de-icing salt pollution on urban road greenspace: a case study of Beijing

De-icing salt contamination of urban soil and greenspace has been a common issue of concern in many countries for years. In the 2009/2010 winter, Beijing experienced a contamination accident resulting from the overuse of deicing salt, reported as almost 30000 tons, which severely damaged urban vegetation alongside roadways. The methods of sampling and rating for both soil contamination and response of the plant populations were developed to rapidly assess this emergency environmental event. Results showed that the shrubs were more severely damaged than the arbors in terms of both degree and extent, as almost all of the surveyed shrubs were severely damaged from the salt contamination, while only about 1/4 of the recorded arbors were rated as ＂severely injured＂ according to the integral plant injury index. The rating of the injury level showed that the trees like Pinus bungeana, Sophora japonica, and the shrubs like Euonymus japonicus, Sabina vulgaris showed less tolerance to de-icing salt pollution. The patterns of vegetation damage demonstrated that the ever-green shrubs alongside roads and the deciduous arbors in the center of roads were most vulnerable to the salt damage.     

土壤微生物污染诱导群落耐性研究进展

污染诱导群落耐性(PICT)是指生物群落为了在污染环境中继续生存,通过生理生化与遗传特征的改变或以耐性类群生物代替敏感类群,从而使整个群落产生耐性.目前人们已将PICT作为一项指标,从群落耐性方面来评价污染生态学的效应.目前PICT研究已涵盖了水生生物、陆地植物、微生物等,其中土壤微生物是PICT研究的重要群落对象.对土壤微生物群落PICT的研究始于上世纪90年代,并已在多方面取得进展,包括在研究方法上的一些突破和改进.在PICT产生和变化机理等方面也有新发现,如发现了土壤微生物群落PICT与污染物浓度存在较好的正相关关系,并且污染物能够引起土壤微生物群落对其他污染物的共耐性等.在PICT影响因素研究方面发现不仅环境因素会影响PICT的形成,而且检测方法也会影响对PICT的判断.论文较为全面地综述了国际上针对土壤微生物群落PICT的研究进展,包括PICT的概念、研究方法、污染物影响PICT的内在机制及影响PICT的关键因素等,最后提出了研究展望.     

Methylmercury tolerance of killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus) embryos from a polluted vs non-polluted environment

We have previously found great differences in susceptibility to methylmercury (meHg) among batches of eggs produced by different females. This study compares the range and distribution of susceptibility in two populations of killifish, one from a creek in Montauk, New York, USA a rather pristine area, the other from Pile's Creek in Linden, New Jersey, an area heavily impacted by metal and oil pollution. After treatment with 0.05 ppm meHg, the distribution of craniofacial defects in embryos of the Montauk population ranged from very tolerant to very susceptible. The distribution of cardiovascular defects also ranged from very tolerant to very susceptible. Skeletal defects were prevalent in most batches of eggs. However, in the Pile's Creek population, very few females produced susceptible eggs, and most batches were tolerant with respect to the three types of malformations, especially the craniofacial defects. The ability to adapt to pollution is one reason that this species has remained abundant in such a highly polluted area. The ability of some species to adapt to chronic pollution by developing tolerance is a phenomenon that should be considered in choosing organisms for routine bioassay procedures, since the results will depend on the degree to which the population has become tolerant to the toxicant.     

Biochemical parameters of plants as indicators of air pollution

In the present study species like Mangifera indica, Linn., Cassia fistula, Linn., and Eucalyptus hybrid were exposed to different air pollution load for short duration (active biomonitoring). Variation in biochemical parameters like chlorophyll, protein, soluble sugar free amino acid, ascorbic acid, nitrate reductase, superoxide dismutase and peroxidase in the leaves were found to be pollution load dependent. These variations can be used as indicators of air pollution for early diagnosis of stress or as a marker for physiological damage to trees prior to the onset of visible injury symptoms. Just by analyzing these biochemical indicators air quality can also be assessed.     

桂北锰矿废弃地主要植物种类调查及土壤重金属污染评价

采用样方法和实地勘查法调查了桂北荔浦锰矿区废弃地自然定居和人工种植的植物,并且对8个区的主要植物及其土壤重金属含量进行了分类、测试。并采用污染指数评价法对矿区废弃地土壤重金属的污染程度进行了评价。结果表明,白茅(Imperata cylindrica)、马唐(Digitaria sanguinalis)、飞蓬(Erigeron acer)、苍耳(Xanthium sibiricum)、耳草(Hedyotisauricularia)对重金属有较强的耐性,而且能适应废弃地的不良环境,可作为锰矿废弃地生态恢复的先锋植物;用3种不同的背景值对废弃地土壤重金属污染程度的评价结果是一致的,除Pb外,5种重金属元素单项污染指数均大于2,表示被污染,其中以Mn、Zn、Cd污染最为严重。锰矿废弃地人工复垦采用典型的农业恢复模式,以种植果树和经济作物为主,果实中Cr、Cd的含量均超过食品卫生限量标准,因此矿山恢复的早期不宜直接种植果树和食用经济作物。以上研究结果可为锰矿废弃地的生态恢复和植被重建提供科学依据。     

Studies on seed germination and growth in weed species of rice field under salinity stress

An investigation was made to see the salt tolerance of 10 weed species of rice. Properly dried and treated seeds of weed species were placed on 9 cm diameter petridishes lined with Whatman No. 1 filter paper under 6 salinity regimes, viz. 0 (control), 4, 8, 16, 24 and 32 dS m(-1). The petri dishes were then kept in germinator at 25 +/- 1.0 degrees C and 12 hr light. The number of germinated seeds were recorded daily. The final germination percentage, germination index (GI), seedling vigour index, mean germination time and time for 50% germination were estimated. Root and shoot lengths of the weed seedlings were measured at 20 days after salt application and relative growth values were calculated. Results revealed that salinity decreased final germination percentage, seed of germination as measured by GI, and shoot and root length in all the species. Germination of most of the weed seeds was completely arrested (0) at 32 dS m(-1) salinity except in E. colona (12%) and C. iria (13.9%). The species C. iria, E. colona, J. linifolia and E. crusgalli showed better germination (above 30%) upto 24 dS m(-1) salinity level and were regarded as salt-tolerant weed species. J. linifolia, F. miliacea, L. chinensis and O. sativa L. (weedy rice) were graded as moderately tolerant and S. zeylanica, S. grosus and C. difformis were regarded as least tolerant weed species.     

元江干热河谷植物群落特征及土壤肥力研究

对云南省元江县境内元江河谷山坡上的5种主要植被类型的群落特征、植物多样性现状、植物区系组成以及不同群落土壤理化性质进行了比较研究.结果表明:干热河谷区内,植物群落生活型组成主要以小乔木、灌木和草本植物为主,基本没有高大的乔木树种和大型藤本植物.草本植物生长旺盛,物种多样性和丰富度均较乔灌层高,但均匀度较其低.5种群落之间的相似性程度较低,且各群落均处于相对稳定的状态.各群落中共记录有61个科,144个属,194个物种,其植物区系的泛热带特征比较明显,其中泛热带分布科有31个,占除去广布科以外所有科的77.5%,泛热带分布属有50个,占除去广布属以外所有属的38.2%.蝶形花科Papilionaceae、禾本科Gramineae、大戟科Euphorbiaceae、菊科Compositae、锦葵科Malvaceae等科在元江干热河谷植被中占有极为重要的地位.群落土壤理化性质的研究表明,元江干热河谷各类植被的土壤元素中,除了磷元素极其缺乏以外,大多数处于中等以上水平.土壤肥力状况与植被的生长状况之间关系紧密,其中,土壤肥力最好的是群落结构比较复杂、残存的稀树旱生林.     

The effects of hyper-and hypo-chlorinities on members of the wood-boring genus Limnoria

Three species of the marine wood-boring genus Limnoria were subjected to hypo-and hyper-chlorinities under laboratory conditions for a 28-day period. L. lignorum was more tolerant to hypo-chlorinities and L. tripunctata more tolerant to hyper-chlorinities. L. quadripunctata was the most sensitive species. L. tripunctata had the highest burrowing rate at all chlorinities and L. quadripunctata the lowest rate.     

Association studies for agro-physiological and quality traits of triticale x bread wheat derivatives in relation to drought and cold stress

Correlation coefficient analysis conducted on 22 triticale x bread wheat derivatives along with six checks to select true- breeding derivative(s) for future hybridization programme with tolerance to drought and cold stress conditions as well as better quality traits revealed significant correlation of grain yield with spikelets per spike, biological yield, harvest index, leaf area index. Interestingly, the grain yield and drought susceptibility index showed no association. However, with cold tolerance it showed significant positive correlation indicating the desirability of certain plant traits under cold stress. The grain yield exhibited no association with quality traits which might assist in the predictability of high yielding varieties with high protein, total sugars, reducing sugars and non-reducing sugars. Path coefficient analysis revealed that biological yield had the highest positive direct effect on grain yield followed by harvest index, specific leaf weight, stomatal number, 1000 grain weight, stomatal size, spikelets per spike and days to heading. Therefore, indirect selection for these plant traits in order should be exercised in selecting drought tolerant genotypes. Two genotypes (RL-124-2P2 and RL 111P2) were found to be drought and cold tolerant with high grain yield, spikes per plant, spikelets per spike and leaf area index.     

植物根际微生态区域中铝的环境行为研究进展

铝毒是酸性土壤(pH<5.0)中影响植物生长的重要因素.根系环境中的铝离子可影响矿物营养的获取,增加植物对铝胁迫的风险.植物通过根系分泌有机酸、生物酶和其他物质来解除或减轻铝的毒害.从铝胁迫对根系分泌系统的影响、根际微环境中铝的毒理效应和根际微环境中铝的抗毒机制等3个方面对植物根际微生态区域中铝的环境行为研究进展进行了综述,并对今后该领域的研究方向进行了展望.     

Cu、Cd污染背景下加拿大一枝黄花叶水提液对莴苣种子萌发和生长的生态毒理效应

在重金属污染加重及多样化的背景下,入侵植物对本地植物种子萌发和生长的生态毒理效应可能发生改变甚至增强。因此,本文探究了Cu和Cd单污染及其复合污染下入侵植物加拿大一枝黄花叶水提液对其本地近缘种莴苣种子萌发和生长的生态毒理效应。结果表明:加拿大一枝黄花叶水提液处理及3种重金属污染类型和加拿大一枝黄花叶水提液复合处理均显著降低莴苣种子发芽指数,表明重金属和加拿大一枝黄花叶水提液均对莴苣的种子萌发和生长产生明显生态毒理效应。Cu和Cd复合污染下加拿大一枝黄花叶水提液对莴苣幼苗株高产生的生态毒理效应显著大于在Cu和Cd单污染下的生态毒理效应,而在Cu和Cd复合污染下加拿大一枝黄花叶水提液对莴苣幼苗发芽速度指数产生的生态毒理效应也大于在Cu和Cd单污染下的生态毒理效应(未达到显著水平)。这表明在Cu和Cd复合污染下加拿大一枝黄花叶水提液对莴苣种子萌发产生的生态毒理效应大于在Cu和Cd单污染下的生态毒理效应,即Cu和Cd复合污染可能对加拿大一枝黄花对本地植物种子萌发和生长产生的生态毒理效应具有一定的叠加效应。     

Algal community used for assessment of water quality of Haranbaree dam and Mosam river of Maharashtra

An algal community was used to assess the quality of water of Haranbaree dam and Mosam river of Maharashtra. Pollution tolerant genera and species of 4 groups of algae from each of 3 stations of Haranbaree dam and Mosam river were recorded. By using Palmer's index of pollution for rating of water samples the total score of each station of study area was greater than 20 indicating the confirmed high organic pollution. 34 pollution tolerant genera were recorded at all stations of dam and river. Out of 34 pollution tolerant genera, 27 genera and 33 genera were observed at the dam and river sites respectively. In present study 22 pollution tolerant species are observed at dam and river sites.     

A study on the activities of a few free radicals scavenging enzymes present in five roadside plants

The road side plants are continuously exposed to the high levels of oxides of nitrogen and sulphur dioxide, emitted from automobile. Resistance to automobile exhaust pollution was studied with Nerium indicum Mill, Boerhaavia diffusa L., Amaranthus spinosus L., Cephalandra indica Naud., and Tabernaemontana divaricata L., growing on the edges of Delhi Road, National Highway 2 (NH 2) near Dankuni, West Bengal. By analysing the activities of a few enzymes like superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, glutathione reductase and phenolic peroxidase, it appears that among the five plants examined,Amaranthus and Cephalandra are equipped with a very good scavenging system to combat effects of air pollution.     

The impact of gasoline emission on plants – a review

This review presents the status of knowledge about gasoline exhaust pollution and its impact biochemical and physiological characteristics of plants. Parameters on such as leaf conductance, membrane permeability, ascorbic acid, chlorophyll and relative water content have been used as indicators to assess the impact of gasoline exhaust pollution on plant health. Tolerant plants such as Mangifera indica Linn. are reported showing an insignificant decrease in the percentage of chlorophyll content (3.6%) and a significant increase in the percentage of ascorbic acid (84.6%) and sensitive plants such as Cassia fistula are reported showing a significant decrease in the percentage of chlorophyll (66.4%) as well as ascorbic acid (32.9%). In the case of ornamental plants, Dracaena deremensis has been reported to show an insignificant decrease in the chlorophyll content but a significant increase in the ascorbic acid, pH and relative water content, which were found to be in tolerant category, while Dianthus caryophyllus showed sensitive characteristics. Such plants can be used as sinks and bioindicators for gasoline exhaust pollution. Though several studies reported biochemical impacts of individual or combined exhaust gases on plant species, the cumulative effect of gasoline exhaust on plant species has not been studied extensively, especially in the developing countries.