Effect of mercuric chloride on terrestrial slug Semperula maculata and histopathology of reproductive organs: a comprehensive study

Since the last few decades, terrestrial diversity is found to be under stress due to the contamination by various chemicals and gases of aquatic and agricultural media. The bioaccumulation of these compounds at certain concentrations in different tissues produces histopathological changes leading to behavioral changes in target animals. This study focused on terrestrial molluscan slug, Semperula maculata, against lethal concentrations of mercury chloride (HgCl₂). Bioaccumulation of Hg was highest in ovotestis, while lowest in the molluscan penis. Histopathological changes were observed in the cellular arrangement of reproductive organs. Alterations in the penis and the dart gland included dilated unicellular, multicellular glands, and muscular dystrophy, dilated peripheral glandular cells, respectively; dilation being maximal in the prostate gland. Ovotestis showed depleted number of gametocytes. Vacoulized pre-vitellogenic oocytes with early vitellogenic oocytes were noted under light microscopy. Mercury produced toxicity on secretory functions and lowered the rate of reproduction in animals. Evidence indicates that Hg produced gamete degeneration, impacted reproductive capacity and survival of this species in the ecosystem.     

The Mass and Energy Exchange of a Tibetan Glacier: Distributed Modeling and Climate Sensitivity

Most glaciers in the Tibetan Plateau (TP) are not closely monitored for mass balance (MB) due to their inaccessibility, which makes it difficult to better understand the dynamics of glacial advancement or retreat. Surface energy budget, MB, and the resulting melt runoff were calculated for Zhadang glacier (5,710 m above sea level) of the central TP. Energy balance was calculated on 30‐m square grids for the summers of 2007 and 2008. On average, net radiation dominated the total energy source (66%) while the residual was supplied by sensible heat flux. More than 67% of the energy sink was available for melting on the glacier. Thus, less than 33% of the total energy was consumed by latent heat flux. A large and a slightly negative summer MB were calculated for the 2007 and 2008 summers, respectively. The high sensitivity of the glacier to air temperature may indicate that the lower than average seasonal temperature was more important than the increased precipitation for the slightly negative MB in the summer of 2008. Comparisons of glacial melt runoff indicated that rainfall and snowmelt were the dominant contribution to total runoff in the glacierized basin and the ice melting is also very important. Glacial melt calculation provides a basis for quantifying glacial melt‐runoff contribution to the river streamflow in the TP.     

Synthesis of chlorinated dibenzofurans and chlorinated amino-dibenzofurans from the corresponding diphenyl ethers and nitro-diphenylethers

The synthesis of five chlorinated dibenzofurans and three chlorinated animodibenzofurans from easily available diphenyl ethers is described. Also reported is the preparation of the diphenyl ethers. The ¹H-NMR and mass spectra data for the compounds are also reported.     

Spatial distribution of fossil fuel derived CO2 over India using radiocarbon measurements in crop plants

Examining the contribution of fossil fuel CO₂to the total CO₂changes in the atmosphere is of primary concern due to its alarming levels of fossil fuel emissions over the globe,specifi cally developing countries.Atmospheric radiocarbon represents an important observationa constraint and utilized to trace fossil fuel derived CO₂(CO_2ff) in the atmosphere.For the firs time,we have presented a detailed analysis on the spatial distribution of fossil fuel der...     

Larvicidal activity of neem and karanja oil cakes against mosquito vectors, Culex quinquefasciatus (say), Aedes aegypti (L.) and Anopheles stephensi (L.)

Larvicidal effect of neem (Azadirachta indica) and karanja (Pongamia glabra) oil cakes (individuals and combination) was studied against mosquito species. Both the oil cakes showed larvicidal activity against the mosquito species tested. The combination of neem and karanja oil cakes in equal proportion proved to have better effect than the individual treatments. The combination of the two oil cakes recorded an LC95 of 0.93, 0.54 and 0.77% against the mosquitoes, Culex quinquefasciatus, Aedes aegypti and Anopheles stephensi respectively The increase in efficacy of the combination treatment over individuals in all the mosquito larvae tested was found to range about 4 to 10 fold in terms of LC50 and 2 to 6 fold in terms of LC95.     

A spore-based miniaturized novel assay for rapid aflatoxin detection in milk

Environmental Chemistry Letters - Aflatoxin M1 contamination in milk and dairy products is a major issue worldwide. Aflatoxin is a carcinogen that enters into the milk through animals feed. Here,...     

Riverbank stabilization based on the modulation of the near bank turbulence scales

Environment, Development and Sustainability - Sundarban area of the lower Gangetic plain experiences embankment failure almost every year due to the formation of toe undercuts. Waves generated due...     

Hydrogen Peroxide and Ultraviolet Irradiations in Water Treatment

Trihalomethanes (THMs) the by-products of chlorination in water treatment are recognised as a threat to public health due to their carcinogenicity. The photodegradation of THMs using hydrogen peroxide has been found to give increased removal efficiency and the outcome of the study may find, its application in designing a unit process for water treatment. Batch experiments were carried out using UV lamp of 83 W and 40% w/w Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) in test waters between 2.5–10 pH range of chloroform, bromodichloromethane, dibromochloromethane and bromoform at 50–200 μg L⁻¹ initial concentration. 92–100% removal of chloroform, bromodichloromethane, dibromochloromethane and bromoform were found with 0.1% of H₂O₂ and 90 min of UV exposure.     

Biochemical changes in plant leaves as a biomarker of pollution due to anthropogenic activity

The air pollution due to anthropogenic activities seriously affected human life, vegetation, and heritage as well. The vegetation cover in and around the city mitigates the air pollution by acting as a sink for pollution. An attempt was made to evaluate biochemical changes occurred in four selected plant species, namely Azadirachta indica, Mangifera indica, Delonix regia, and Cassia fistula of residential, commercial, and industrial areas of Nagpur city in India. It was observed that the correlated values of air pollutants and plant leaves characteristics alter foliar biochemical features (i.e., chlorophyll and ascorbic acid content, pH and relative water content) of plants due to air pollution. The changes in air pollution tolerance index of plants was also estimated which revealed that these plants can be used as a biomarker of air pollution.