Bioavailability of calcium from sweetpotato and soy flour supplemented diets in hamsters

The bioavailability of calcium from two varieties of sweetpotatoes and supplementation of sweetpotatoes with soy flour was investigated in hamsters using plasma calcium concentration and femur calcium content as indicators. Five different diets were fed to five groups of animals for 28 days. There was no significant difference in plasma calcium concentrations of hamsters in all the diet groups. However, the femur calcium content of hamsters with transgenic sweetpotato flour (TSPF) and parent nontransgenic (from which transgenic was produced) sweetpotato flour (NTSPF) diets was significantly higher than that of the transgenic sweetotato flour supplemented with soy flour (TSPF + SF) and parent nontransgenic sweetpotato flour supplemented with soy flour (NTSPF + SF) diets. The relative bioavailability of calcium from the control (100%), TSPF+SF (30%), NTSPF+SF (23%), TSPF (57%) and NTSPF (46%) indicated that sweetpotatoes could be the better source of calcium, however, supplementation with soy flour might reduce the bioavailability of calcium.     

Effect of combustion variables on PAHs emission from incineration of cellulose waste filters from acrylic industry

Incineration of cellulose waste filter from acrylic industry showed the presence of 13–16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from the list of 16 priority pollutants with an airflow rate of 1, 2, 3, and 4 L min^???1 in laboratory scale quartz tube vertical incinerator at 700–1,000°C at an interval of 100°C. The amount of total 16 PAHs increases with the increase in temperature with airflow rate of 1 L min^???1 and was found to be 9.4 times at 1,000°C than at 700°C. Studies at 800–1,000°C showed the decrease in total 16 PAHs with increase in airflow rate from 1 to 2 L min^???1. The amount of total 16 PAHs increases at 700, 800, and 1,000°C with increase in airflow rate from 2–4 L min^???1. At 900°C, amount of 16 PAHs decreases with increase in flow rate from 1 to 3 and increases at 4 L min^???1. The lesser amount of 2A PAHs was found at 700–900°C with airflow rates of 1–3 L min^???1, while less amount of 2B PAHs was found at 700°C and 800°C (with airflow rate of 1–2 L min^???1), at 900°C (with airflow rate of 1–3 L min^???1) and at 1,000°C (with airflow rate of 3 L min^???1). However, the sum total of 2A and 2B PAHs were found to be less at 700–900°C with airflow rate of 1–2 L min^???1.     

Arsenic accumulation in native plants of West Bengal, India: prospects for phytoremediation but concerns with the use of medicinal plants

Arsenic (As) is a widespread environmental and food chain contaminant and class I, non-threshold carcinogen. Plants accumulate As due to ionic mimicry that is of importance as a measure of phytoremediation but of concern due to the use of plants in alternative medicine. The present study investigated As accumulation in native plants including some medicinal plants, from three districts [Chinsurah (Hoogly), Porbosthali (Bardhman), and Birnagar (Nadia)] of West Bengal, India, having a history of As pollution. A site-specific response was observed for Specific Arsenic Uptake (SAU; mg kg(-1) dw) in total number of 13 (8 aquatic and 5 terrestrial) collected plants. SAU was higher in aquatic plants (5-60 mg kg(-1) dw) than in terrestrial species (4-19 mg kg(-1) dw). The level of As was lower in medicinal plants (MPs) than in non-medicinal plants, however it was still beyond the WHO permissible limit (1 mg kg(-1) dw). The concentration of other elements (Cu, Zn, Se, and Pb) was found to be within prescribed limits in medicinal plants (MP). Among the aquatic plants, Marsilea showed the highest SAU (avg. 45 mg kg(-1) dw), however, transfer factor (TF) of As was the maximum in Centella asiatica (MP, avg. 1). Among the terrestrial plants, the maximum SAU and TF were demonstrated by Alternanthera ficoidea (avg. 15) and Phyllanthus amarus (MP, avg. 1.27), respectively. In conclusion, the direct use of MP or their by products for humans should not be practiced without proper regulation. In other way, one fern species (Marsilea) and some aquatic plants (Eichhornia crassipes and Cyperus difformis) might be suitable candidates for As phytoremediation of paddy fields.     

Residual fate and persistence of endosulfan (50 WDG) in Bengal gram (Cicer arietinum)

A detailed study has been presented on heavy metal content of the Iture Estuary. Waters of the Sorowie and Kakum rivers that supply water into the Estuary were investigated to ascertain heavy metal pollution levels due to anthropogenic activities. Concentration s of Cd, Zn, Se and Pb were measured. The study shows pre-occupying pollution levels that constitute a threat to both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. The abundance of metals in the Estuary is in the order Zn > Pb > Cd > Se. The level of Cd in the Iture Estuary ranged between 0.011 mg/l and 0.041 mg/l while Se was in the range 0.018 mg/l to 0.029 mg/l, Pb 0.020 mg/l to 0.075 mg/l and Zn 0.040 to 2.45 mg/l. The impact of contaminated water from the Sorowie River on the Iture Estuary was outstanding and the study points out the importance of the Sorowie River as a primary pollution source to the Iture Estuary. The pollution of the Iture Estuary was found to be connected to human activities in its catchments.     

Establishment of a constructed wetland in extreme dryland

Background, aim, and scope

The project was set to construct an extensive wetland in the southernmost region of Israel at Kibbutz Neot Smadar (30°02′45″ N and 35°01′19″ E). The results of the first period of monitoring, summary, and perspectives are presented. The constructed wetland (CW) was built and the subsequent monitoring performed in the framework of the Southern Arava Sustainable Waste Management Plan, funded by the EU LIFE Fund. The specific aims were: (1) To end current sewage disposal and pollution of the ground, the aquifer, and the dry river bed (wadi) paths by biologically treating the sewage as part of the creation of a sustainable wetland ecosystem. (2) Serve as an example of CW in the Negev highlands and the Arava Valley climates for neighboring communities and as a test ground for plants and building methods appropriate to hyper arid climate. (3) Serve as an educational resource and tourist attraction for groups to learn about water reuse, recycling, local wildlife and migrating birds, including serving the heart of a planned Ecological–Educational Bird Park. This report is intended to allow others who are planning similar systems in hyper arid climates to learn from our experience.

Materials and methods

The project is located in an extreme arid desert with less than 40 mm of rain annually and temperature ranges of ?5°C to +42°C. The site receives 165–185 m³ of municipal and agricultural wastes daily, including cowshed and goat wastes and winery outflow.

Results

The CW establishment at Neot Smadar was completed in October 2006. For 8 months, clean water flowed through the system while the plants were taking root. In June 2007, the wetland was connected to the oxidation pond and full operation began. Because of seepage and evaporation, during the first several months, the water level was not high enough to allow free flow from one bed to the next. To bed A, the water was pumped periodically from the oxidation pond (Fig. 1) and from there flowed by gravitation through the rest of the system. The initial results of the monitoring are promising. In nearly all measurements, the system succeeded as expected to reduce levels of contaminants at least to the level acceptable for irrigating fruit trees and often to the level of unlimited irrigation. The introduction of the plants in the system and their physiological performance were evaluated and were found to correlate well to the quality of water in the various beds.

Discussion

It should be said at the outset that evaluation of the performance of a CW system is a long-term process. Thus, the main aim of this report is to present the problems, difficulties, preliminary results, and concepts concerned with the first stage of establishment of CW in an extremely dry region.

Conclusions

The CW system was designed to dispose of municipal and agricultural wastes in a way that not merely reduces pollution, but adds to environmental quality by creating accessible parkland for local residents and tourists. Several factors affected the performance of the system at the initial stages of operation: ecological balance between microbes and plants, big seasonal variations, seepage and evaporation reduced the flow in the initial operation of the system. Despite the initial difficulties, the quality of water coming out the system is acceptable for irrigation.

Recommendations and perspectives

The CW can function well under extreme dryland conditions. The oxidation pond was the major source of evaporation and bad odors. Therefore, alternatives to the oxidation pond are needed. Cost effectiveness of the system still has to be evaluated systematically.     

Climate change mitigation policy paradigms—national objectives and alignments

The aim of this paper is to assess how policy goals in relation to the promotion of green growth, energy security, pollution control and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions have been aligned in policies that have been implemented in selected countries during the last decades as a basis for discussing how a multi objective policy paradigm can contribute to future climate change mitigation. The paper includes country case studies from Brazil, Canada, China, the European Union (EU), India, Japan, Mexico, Nigeria, South Africa, South Korea and the United States covering renewable energy options, industry, transportation, the residential sector and cross-sectoral policies. These countries and regions together contribute more than two thirds of global GHG emissions. The paper finds that policies that are nationally driven and that have multiple objectives, including climate-change mitigation, have been widely applied for decades in both developing countries and industrialised countries. Many of these policies have a long history, and adjustments have taken place based on experience and cost effectiveness concerns. Various energy and climate-change policy goals have worked together in these countries, and in practice a mix of policies reflecting specific priorities and contexts have been pursued. In this way, climate-change mitigation has been aligned with other policy objectives and integrated into broader policy packages, though in many cases specific attention has not been given to the achievement of large GHG emission reductions. Based on these experiences with policy implementation, the paper highlights a number of key coordination and design issues that are pertinent to the successful joint implementation of several energy and climate-change policy goals.     

Municipal solid waste management in Kolkata,India – A review

Kolkata is one of four metropolitan cities in India. With an area of 187.33 sq km and a population of about 8 million, it generates around 3,000 t d^?1 of municipal solid waste (MSW) at a rate of 450–500 g per capita per day. With rapid urbanization as a result of planned and unplanned growth and industrialization, the problems associated with handling MSW have increased at an alarming rate over the past few years. No source segregation arrangement exists; there is only limited (60%) house-to-house collection; and 50–55% open vats are used in the present collection system. The operational efficiency of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) transport system is about 50%, with a fleet composed of about 30–35% old vehicles. The majority (80%) of these, particularly the hired vehicles, are more than 20 years old. The newly added areas covered by KMC have even lower collection efficiencies, and only an informal recycling system exists. The waste collected has a low energy value (3,350–4,200 kJ kg^?1) with high moisture and inert content. A 700 t d^?1 compost plant set up in 2000 has not been functioning effectively since 2003. Open dumping (without liners and without a leachate management facility) and the threat of groundwater pollution, as well as saturation of an existing landfill site (Dhapa) are the most pressing problems for the city today. KMC spends 70–75% of its total expenditures on collection of solid waste, 25–30% on transportation, and less than 5% on final disposal arrangements. The Kolkata Environmental Improvement Project, funded by the Asian Development Bank, is seen as only a partial solution to the problem. A detailed plan should emphasize segregation at the source, investment in disposal arrangements (including the use of liners and leachate collection), and an optimized transport arrangement, among improvements.