Susceptibility of epigeic earthworm Eisenia fetida to agricultural application of six insecticides

Ecotoxicological risks of agricultural application of six insecticides to soil organisms were evaluated by acute toxicity tests under laboratory condition following OECD guidelines using the epigeic earthworm Eisenia fetida as the test organism. The organochlorine insecticide endosulfan (LC₅₀ - 0.002 mg kg⁻¹) and the carbamate insecticides aldicarb (LC₅₀ - 9.42 mg kg⁻¹) and carbaryl (LC₅₀ - 14.81 mg kg⁻¹) were found ecologically most dangerous because LC₅₀ values of these insecticides were lower than the respective recommended agricultural dose (RAD). Although E. fetida was found highly susceptible to the pyrethroid insecticide cypermethrin (LC₅₀ - 0.054 mg kg⁻¹), the value was higher than its RAD. The organophosphate insecticides chlorpyrifos (LC₅₀ - 28.58 mg kg⁻¹), and monocrotophos (LC₅₀ - 39.75 mg kg⁻¹) were found less toxic and ecologically safe because the LC₅₀ values were much higher than their respective RAD.     

Co-composting of alkaline tissue digester effluent with yard trimmings

Alkaline digestion of animal carcasses is gaining popularity as a method of disposing of animals because of its very effective pathogen control and general ease of operation. Once completed, the resulting high-strength effluent can be released into the municipal sewer systems. In some cases where the municipal system is unable to handle this high-strength wastewater, alternate methods of treatment are required. Co-composting with a low-moisture substrate such as yard trimmings can be an effective option. This paper reports the results of absorption tests to determine the amount of digester effluent (from the Tissue Digestortrade mark process) that can be added to yard waste before leachate production begins. In addition, a low dosage of liquid effluent was added to yard trimmings and composted in laboratory bioreactors. Results show that leachate production begins when 0.6L-effluent is added per kg-unamended yard waste at an original moisture content of 55.6%. The amount of leachate produced increases exponentially following the empirical equation: leachate in mL/kg=0.145 e(6.007Effluent dosage in L/kg) (valid in the effluent addition range of 0-1.2L/kg). Composting of yard waste with effluent showed that the initial pH did not inhibit microbial activity up to 9.39 pH. Variability was high and there was no statistically significant difference in dry matter degradation between treatments (measured range was 1.3-6.0% of initial dry matter). Final compost had nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations of approximately 1% and 0.1%, respectively. The potassium concentration increased with increasing effluent addition and was 1.84% in the 0.2-L/kg treatment. All regulated heavy metals were several-fold below US EPA limits.     

Studies on the Uptake of Heavy Metals by Various Plant Species on Chromite Minespoils in Sub-tropical Regions of India

The presence of heavy metals (Cr, Ni and Fe) in soil and accumulated by herbs, shrubs and trees regenerated naturally on the minewaste-dumps of Sukinda chromite mines (TISCO sector) were investigated. There was significant correlationship between Cr and Fe in the soil where a tree species (Catunaregam spinosa) occurred. Guazuma ulmifolia and Diospyros montana also did show significant correlation between leaf, stem and soil for Cr, Ni and Fe. Among the shrubs (Calotropis gigantea, Chromolaena odorata, Phyllanthus reticulatus and Woodfordia fruticosa) significant and positive correlations were obtained for Cr and Ni in soil and iron and nickel in leaf and chromium and nickel in stem. Among the annual herbs, whole plant of tephrosia purpurea and Borrevia articularis showed significant and positive correlation with chromium and nickel with the maximum correlation coefficient value. It was concluded that the above information would be useful in revegetation programmes in subtropical regions having seasonal rainfall.     

Diclofenac disposition in Indian cow and goat with reference to Gyps vulture population declines

Gyps vultures across India are declining rapidly and the NSAID diclofenac has been shown to be the major cause. Vultures scavenge livestock carcasses that have been treated with diclofenac within the days preceding death. We present data on diclofenac disposition in Indian cow and goat, and field data on the prevalence of diclofenac in carcases in the environment. In the disposition experiment, animals were treated with a single intramuscular injection of diclofenac at 1000 microg kg-1 bw. In cow, diclofenac was detectable in liver, kidney and intestine up to 71 h post-treatment; in plasma, half-life was 12.2 h. In goat, tissue residues were undetectable after 26 h. Prevalence of diclofenac in liver from 36 dead livestock collected in the field was 13.9%. Data suggest that diclofenac residues in Indian cow and goat are short-lived, but diclofenac prevalence in carcasses available to vultures may still be very high.     

Chlorine emission during the chlorination of water – case study

This paper deals with the incident of the excessive use of chlorine and leakage of unused chlorine from an industrial chlorination cistern and the lesson learned.     

Additional danger of arsenic exposure through inhalation from burning of cow dung cakes laced with arsenic as a fuel in arsenic affected villages in Ganga-Meghna-Brahmaputra plain

In arsenic contaminated areas of the Ganga-Meghna-Brahmaputra (GMB) plain (area 569,749 sq. km; population over 500 million) where traditionally cow dung cake is used as a fuel in unventilated ovens for cooking purposes, people are simply exposed to 1859.2 ng arsenic per day through direct inhalation, of which 464.8 ng could be absorbed in respiratory tract.     

Effect of thiobencarb and pretilachlor on microorganisms in relation to mineralization of C and N in the Gangetic alluvial soil of West Bengal

An experiment was conducted under laboratory conditions to investigate the effect of two pre-emergence herbicides, viz., thiobencarb (at 1.5 and 4.5 kg active ingredient (a.i.) ha^?1) and pretilachlor (at 0.5 and 1.5 kg a.i. ha^?1), on the growth and multiplication of some microorganisms (bacteria, actinomycetes and fungi) in relation to transformations and availability of C and N in the Gangetic alluvial soil (Typic Haplustept) of West Bengal, India. Application of both the herbicides, in general, significantly increased microbial biomass, resulting in greater retention, mineralization and availability of oxidizable organic C and N in soil, and the stimulations were more pronounced when the herbicides were applied at their lower concentrations (recommended field application rates), more so with thiobencarb, as compared to pretilachlor. Compared to untreated control soil, the application of thiobencarb at lower concentration increased the proliferation of total bacteria, actinomycetes and fungi by 57.3, 36.6 and 55.2 %, respectively, and released the highest amount (40.2 %) of soluble NO₃ ^? in soil, while pretilachlor at field application rate induced the growth and multiplication of bacteria and fungi by 58.3 and 17.6 %, respectively. Irrespective of the concentrations, the stimulations were at par for both the herbicides towards the retention of oxidizable organic C, total N and exchangeable NH₄ ⁺ in soil.     

Assessment of heavy metal status and identification of source in soils under intensive vegetable growing areas of Brahmaputra valley,North East India

Environmental Monitoring and Assessment - Evaporation is an important meteorological variable that has a great impact on water resources. In the current research, climatology data, and seasonal...     

Microplastics pollution in Bangladesh: current scenario and future research perspective

ABSTRACT

Microplastics are emerging environmental pollutants that have gained tremendous scientific interest in recent years. These micropollutants are omnipresent both in the terrestrial and aquatic environments posing a deleterious threat to the ecosystem and biodiversity. So, it is important to develop a deep understanding of the environmental fate and potential adverse impacts of microplastics on the aquatic and terrestrial environments. By critically reviewing the previously published scientific literature, the present synthesis briefly outlines the characteristics, occurrence and potential toxic effects of microplastics on terrestrial and aquatic biota. The article also focuses on some innovative approaches for sustainable remediation of macroplastics as well as microplastics. Since the concept of microplastics pollution has yet in its infancy in Bangladesh, this synthesis provides an overview of the current scenario of microplastics pollution and some future research recommendations in the context of Bangladesh which might be helpful to the novice researchers of this field.