Prevalence of multidrug-resistant,coagulase-positive Staphylococcus aureus in nasal carriage,food, wastewater and paper currency in Jalandhar city (north-western), an Indian state of Punjab

Eighteen sites impacted by abandoned mine drainage (AMD) in Pennsylvania were sampled and measured for pH, acidity, alkalinity, metal ions, and sulfate. This study compared the accuracy of four acidity calculation methods with measured hot peroxide acidity and identified the most accurate calculation method for each site as a function of pH and sulfate concentration. Method E1 was the sum of proton and acidity based on total metal concentrations; method E2 added alkalinity; method E3 also accounted for aluminum speciation and temperature effects; and method E4 accounted for sulfate speciation. To evaluate errors between measured and predicted acidity, the Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE), the coefficient of determination (R ²), and the root mean square error to standard deviation ratio (RSR) methods were applied. The error evaluation results show that E1, E2, E3, and E4 sites were most accurate at 0, 9, 4, and 5 of the sites, respectively. Sites where E2 was most accurate had pH greater than 4.0 and less than 400 mg/L of sulfate. Sites where E3 was most accurate had pH greater than 4.0 and sulfate greater than 400 mg/L with two exceptions. Sites where E4 was most accurate had pH less than 4.0 and more than 400 mg/L sulfate with one exception. The results indicate that acidity in AMD-affected streams can be accurately predicted by using pH, alkalinity, sulfate, Fe(II), Mn(II), and Al(III) concentrations in one or more of the identified equations, and that the appropriate equation for prediction can be selected based on pH and sulfate concentration.     

Green energy generation through PEHF – a blueprint of alternate energy harvesting

In this work, an attempt has been made to harvest green energy from piezoelectric material using fluid flow in a conduit. Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting using Fluid Flow (PEHF) experimental model has been designed and the outputs obtained are compared with results obtained from simulations using ANSYS (computational fluid dynamics) and also with the mathematical modeling. The PEHF model has been utilized to analyze the effect of flow rate of water with reference to energy extracted. The full wave bridge rectifier and voltage doubler circuits have been used to obtain the direct current (DC) from the PEHF model. It is observed that the output obtained using experiments holds good in agreement with the results retrieved through simulations and mathematical results. The increase in flow rate of fluid leads to initially increase and then decrease in output of PEHF model as the maximum energy generated when flow rates (external force) matches with the frequency of excitation of the systems, i.e., at its resonance. The maximum energy output is generated at its resonance frequencies. It is observed that the full wave bridge rectifier circuit gives greater output as compared to a voltage doubler circuit.     

Health impact and noise exposure assessment in the cricket bat industry of Kashmir,India

Aim. The aim of the present study was to identify and evaluate predominant noise sources in the cricket bat industry of Kashmir, India. Methods. Sound levels were measured at operator’s ear level in the working zone of the workers of seven cricket bat factories. The impact assessment was made through personal interviews with each worker separately during their period of rest. Results. On average, 62.5% of the workers reported difficulty in hearing and 24.1% of the workers have become patients for hypertension. Only 58.1% of the workers complained of headache due to high noise level. Conclusions. The workers engaged in the cricket bat industry of Kashmir are exposed to high noise levels. It is suggested that personal protective equipment like ear plugs and ear muffs be used by these workers as a protection against this hazard.     

Can rare positive interactions become common when large carnivores consume livestock?

Livestock populations in protected areas are viewed negatively because of their interaction with native ungulates through direct competition for food resources. However, livestock and native prey can also interact indirectly through their shared predator. Indirect interactions between two prey species occur when one prey modifies either the functional or numerical responses of a shared predator. This interaction is often manifested as negative effects (apparent competition) on one or both prey species through increased predation risk. But indirect interactions can also yield positive effects on a focal prey if the shared predator modifies its functional response toward increased consumption of an abundant and higher-quality alternative prey. Such a phenomenon between two prey species is underappreciated and overlooked in nature. Positive indirect effects can be expected to occur in livestock-dominated wildlife reserves containing large carnivores. We searched for such positive effects in Acacia-Zizhypus forests of India's Gir sanctuary where livestock (Bubalus bubalis and Bos indicus) and a coexisting native prey (chital deer, Axis axis) are consumed by Asiatic lions (Panthera leo persica). Chital vigilance was higher in areas with low livestock density than in areas with high livestock density. This positive indirect effect occurred because lion predation rates on livestock were twice as great where livestock were abundant than where livestock density was low. Positive indirect interactions mediated by shared predators may be more common than generally thought with rather major consequences for ecological understanding and conservation. We encourage further studies to understand outcomes of indirect interactions on long-term predator-prey dynamics in livestock-dominated protected areas.     

Irrigation with domestic wastewater: responses on growth and yield of ladyfinger Abelmoschus esculentus and on soil nutrients

Domestic wastewater is generated continuously and in large quantities. It can serve as an alternative water nutrient source for irrigation. In the present study Abelmoschus esculentus L. (Ladyfinger) was irrigated using untreated wastewater (T1), treated wastewater (T2) and rainwater (T3) in pot experiments. The effect was seen on nutrient fortication, growth and yield of the plant and the nutrient status of the soil. Additionally the build up of Cr, Cu and Zn from the irrigation water were anlayzed in different parts of the plant biomass and in the soil. The sapling survival rate was found to be 87% in T1 followed by T2 and T3. Root shoot ratio under different treatments was found in the order T3 (0.46) >T2 (0.35) >T1 (0.31). The chlorophyll a, b and carotene content in the leaves (mg g(-1)) was found to be 6.3, 0.5, 0.9 under T1, 4.8, 0.4, 0.8 under T2 and 3.2, 0.3, 0.5 under T3 respectively and all the three varied in the order T1>T2>T3. The same trend was found in case of total dry matter (g) T1 (6.3) >T2 (3.7) >T3 (2.3) at p < or = 0.05. There was a considerable increase in nutrients in the soil under T1 and T2 as compared to T3 after final harvest. The organic matter (%), NO3-N and PO4(3-) (mg kg(-1)) content post harvest soil was found to be 3.4, 71, 90 under T1 and 2.9, 52, 63 under T2 respectively. Also, there was an increase in cations Na, K, Ca and Mg in the soil irrigated with T1 and T2 after the final harvest. Thus irrigation with wastewater generally increased soil fertility. Only a small percentage of the heavy metal was bioaccumulated by the plant parts from the irrigation water. There was hardly any metal accumulation in fruits. Bulk of the metal ions remained in the soil.     

Spatial analysis of soil resources in the Mewat district in the semiarid regions of Haryana,India

The soil characteristics are critical for crop health and its yield and therefore for agriculture. The soil properties are spatially variable and therefore soil resources should be managed as per location-specific requirements. An integrated spatial analysis of the soil resources of Mewat district was conducted to identify the soil resource management zones to develop site-specific soil management plan which might lead to sustained and enhanced crop yield. Spatial analysis of soil resources was conducted by modeling soil fertility and erosion which determines the crop productivity in the region. Soil fertility of the region was modeled using weighted overlay approach using 10 soil parameters, namely nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, iron, zinc, manganese, organic carbon, electrical conductivity, and pH. Each parameter was assigned weights based on their relative importance to agricultural productivity. The modeled soil fertility was classified into three fertility zones, low, medium, and high. Soil fertility was found to be low to moderate in 65% of the area, largely because of the low nitrogen, soil organic carbon, phosphorus concentration, and excessive salinity. Soil erosion was modeled using the universal soil loss equation (USLE) model by estimating rainfall erosivity factor (R), the soil erodibility factor (K), the topographic factors (L and S), cropping factor (C), and the conservation practice factor (P). Soil erosion problems were limited to areas having high elevation with barren land and areas with minimal management practices. The severity of soil erosion was found high in 15% of the region, while the remaining 85% showed low to moderate erosion. Soil fertility and erosion were integrated using the multivariate clustering method to identify soil management zones. The region was delineated into three soil management zones. Zone I (29%) which covers majorly Tarou block, was characterized by high soil fertility and low soil erosion. Zone II (18%) with medium soil fertility and high erosion covers villages of Taoru, Nuh, Nagina, FP Jhirka, and Punhana, which are located in the foothills of Aravalli ranges. Zone III represents the major part of the region, covering Nuh, Nagina, and FP Jhirka blocks (54%) with low soil fertility and erosion conditions. Thus, within the study area, the soil management domains are spatially variable in terms of fertility and soil erosion, and thus zone-specific soil management measures are required to improve the soil condition in order to sustain and improve agriculture production. The study would help the policy makers to design site-specific planning for identified soil resource management zones.     

Assessment of contribution of SO2 and NO2 from different sources in Jamshedpur region, India

Contribution of pollution from different types of sources in Jamshedpur, the steel city of India, has been estimated in winter 1993 using two approaches in order to delineate and prioritize air quality management strategies for the development of region in an environmental friendly manner. The first approach mainly aims at preparation of a comprehensive emission inventory and estimation of spatial distribution of pollution loads in terms of SO₂ and NO₂ from different types of industrial, domestic and vehicular sources in the region. The results indicate that industrial sources account for 77% and 68% of the total emissions of SO₂ and NO₂, respectively, in the region, whereas vehicular emissions contributed to about 28% of the total NO₂ emissions. In the second approach, contribution of these sources to ambient air quality levels to which the people are exposed to, was assessed through air pollution dispersion modelling. Ambient concentration levels of SO₂ and NO₂ have been predicted in winter season using the ISCST3 model. The analysis indicates that emissions from industrial sources are responsible for more than 50% of the total SO₂ and NO₂ concentration levels. Vehicular activities contributed to about 40% of NO₂ pollution and domestic fuel combustion contributed to about 38% of SO₂ pollution. Predicted 24-h concentrations were compared with measured concentrations at 11 ambient air monitoring stations and good agreement was noted between the two values. In-depth zone-wise analysis of the above indicates that for effective air quality management, industrial source emissions should be given highest priority, followed by vehicular and domestic sources in Jamshedpur region.     

Comparison of weight assignment procedures in evaluation of environmental impacts

Environmental impact evaluation is an essential component in environmental impact assessment (EIA) study for any developmental project, wherein importance assignment to various parameters depends on human judgement/experts opinion, which involves a high order of subjectivity. In order to minimise bias and subjectivity in evaluation of impacts, and hence in decision making, three different methods, viz. Battelle environmental evaluation system (BEES), importance scale matrix (ISM), and a combination of both, are considered in the present study. A case study for a development project (setting up a new industry) in an industrial belt situated in a region, which is rich in biological resources with good agricultural productivity and having high potential for further industrial development, is presented. The results of the other two methods are compared with the widely used method of BEES. Both methods are found comparable to the BEES method. However, it is observed that the ISM approach provides a better tool for reducing bias and subjectivity occurring in human judgement.     

Persistence of fipronil and its metabolites in soil under field conditions

Fipronil belongs to phenylpyrazole class of chemical compounds. Degradation of fipronil in sandy loam soil was investigated under field conditions by applying fipronil (Regent 5 % SC) at 50 (T ₁) and 100 g a.i. ha^?1 (T ₂) in field. Samples were drawn periodically in triplicate on 0 (1 h after treatment), 1, 3, 7, 10, 15, 30, 60, and 90 days after treatment and analyzed on GC-ECD system equipped with capillary column. The residues of fipronil in both the doses dissipated in the range of 93.33–100 % in 90 days. Limit of detection (LOD) and limit of determination (LODe/LOQ) were 0.0003 and 0.001 mg kg^?1, respectively. Dissipation followed a biphasic first-order kinetics with half-life values of 10.81 and 9.97 days for fipronil alone and 8.14 and 13.05 days for fipronil along with metabolites in soil at (T ₁) and (T ₂) treatments, respectively.