Toxicity and degradation of the insecticide monocrotophos

Environmental Chemistry Letters - Monocrotophos, commonly named Azodrin or Nuvacron, is an organophosphate insecticide, which in spite of ban is preferred due to its high efficacy against...     

Fluoride contamination in drinking water in rural habitations of Northern Rajasthan, India

This study was carried out to assess the fluoride concentration in groundwater in some villages of northern Rajasthan, India, where groundwater is the main source of drinking water. Water samples collected form deep aquifer based hand-pumps were analysed for fluoride content. Fluoride in presently studied sites was recorded in the ranges of 4.78 and 1.01 mg/l. The average fluoride concentration for this region was recorded 2.82 mg/l. As per the desirable and maximum permissible limit for fluoride in drinking water, determined by WHO or by Bureau of Indian Standards, the groundwater of about 95 of the studied sites is unfit for drinking purposes. Due to the higher fluoride level in drinking water several cases of dental and skeletal fluorosis have appeared at alarming rate in this region. The middle and eastern parts of the Hanumangarh, a northern most district of the state, can be classified as higher risk area for fluorosis; due to relatively high concentrations of fluoride (3-4 mg/l) in groundwater of this region. After evaluating the data of this study it is concluded that there is an instant need to take ameliorative steps in this region to prevent the population from fluorosis.     

Photocatalytic degradation of N-heterocyclic aromatics—effects of number and position of nitrogen atoms in the ring

This study demonstrates the influences of position, number of nitrogen (N) atoms and –C–N– or –N=N– linkage present in the six membered heterocyclic compounds such as pyridine, pyrazine, and pyridazine on their photocatalytic degradation by Au, Ag, and Fe⁺² deposited TiO₂ photocatalyst. The photodegradation rate of these heterocyclic compounds follow the order pyridine > pyrazine > pyridazine due to the different extent of hydroxylation and difference in position and number of N atoms in the aromatic moiety. The Au photodeposition significantly improved the TiO₂ photoactivity as compared to Ag and Fe⁺² loading. The presence of two N atoms in pyrazine and pyridazine as compared to one N atom in pyridine hamper the nucleophilc attack of OH radicals in comparison to easy hydroxylation of pyridine ring. There is 1 N atom, 4C–C, 1C–N and 1C=N bond in pyridine, 2 N atoms in the 1 and 4 positions, 2C–C, 2C–N bonds and 2C=N bonds in pyrazine, and pyridazine ring contains 2 N atoms in the 1 and 2 positions, 3C–C, 1N–N bond and 2C=N bonds. The bond strength/energy decreases gradually as: C=N– (615 KJ/mol)?>?–N=N– (418 KJ/mol)?>?–C–C– (347 KJ/mol)?>?–C–N– (305 KJ/mol)?>?–N–N– (163 KJ/mol). As pyridine has 1C–N, 1C=N, and no N–N bond, it photodegrades easily as compared to 1 N–N and 2C=N bonds of pyridazine of lowest photodecomposition rate. The improved photoactivity of Au–TiO₂ is explained on the basis of its favorable redox potential, work function, and electron-capturing capacity, etc.     

Productivity of rainfed wheat as affected by climate change scenario in northeastern Punjab, India

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is grown as a rainfed crop in the sub-mountainous region of the Punjab state of India, with low crop and water productivity. The present study aims to assess the effect of climate change scenario (A1B) derived from PRECIS—a regional climate model—on wheat yield and water productivity. After minimizing bias in the model climate data for mid-century (2021–2050), evapotranspiration (ET) and yield of wheat crop were simulated using Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer, version 4.5, model. In the changed climate, increased temperature would cause reduction in wheat yield to the extent of 4, 32 and 61 % in the mid-century periods between 2021–2030, 2031–2040 and 2041–2050, respectively, by increasing water stress and decreasing utilization efficiency of photosynthetically active radiation. The decreases in crop water productivity would be 40, 56 and 76 %, respectively, which are caused by decreased yield and increased ET. Planting of wheat up to November 25 till the years 2030–2031 seems to be helpful to mitigate the climate change effect, but not beyond that.     

Dosimetric impact of natural terrestrial radioactivity on residents of lower Himalayas,India

Environmental Geochemistry and Health - A comprehensive radio-ecological evaluation of soil samples of Solan and Shimla districts of Himachal Pradesh has been carried out for risk and dose...     

Targeting natural products against SARS-CoV-2

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The human coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is caused by a novel coronavirus; the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2)....     

Anticipated pharmacological role of Aviptadil on COVID-19

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is a neuropeptide that is produced by the lymphoid cells and plays a major role in immunological functions for...     

Potential of flavonoids as anti-Alzheimer’s agents: bench to bedside

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Developing therapies for neurodegenerative diseases are challenging because of the presence of blood–brain barrier and Alzheimer being one of...     

Artificial intelligence as a fundamental tool in management of infectious diseases and its current implementation in COVID-19 pandemic

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The world has never been prepared for global pandemics like the COVID-19, currently posing an immense threat to the public and consistent pressure on...     

Pertinence of nutriments for a stalwart body

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Nutrition plays a significant role in the prevention and treatment of common diseases. Some superb dietary choices such as functional foods and...