Comparative evaluation of a bioluminescent bacterial assay in terrestrial ecotoxicity testing

Despite the widespread and successful use of luminescence-based bioassays in water testing, their applications to soils and sediments is less proven. In part this is because such bioassays have mainly been carried out in an aqueous-based medium and, as such, favour contaminants that are readily water-soluble. In this study, aqueous solutions and soils contaminated with heavy metals (HM), polar organic contaminants and hydrophobic organic contaminants (HOCs) were tested using a range of luminescence-based bioassays (Vibrio fischeri, Escherichia coli HB101 pUCD607 and Pseudomonas fluorescens 10586r pUCD607). For the first two chemical groups, the assays were highly reproducible when optimised extraction procedures were employed but for HOCs the bioassay response was poor. Quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSARs) obtained from aqueous solutions had a linear response although correlation for the chemicals tested using bacterial bioassays was significantly less sensitive than that of sublethal tests for Tetrahymena pyriformis. Bacterial and Dendrobaena veneta bioassay responses to extracts from HM amended soils showed that a clear relationship between trophic levels could be obtained. There is no doubt that the wide range of bioluminescent-based bioassays offers complementary applications to traditional testing techniques but there is a significant need to justify and optimise the extraction protocol prior to application.     

Sensitivity of veliger larvae of Mytilus edulis and mussel of various sizes to chlorination

The blue mussel Mytilus edulis is one of the dominant fouling organisms in cooling water systems. In this work, how veliger larvae and different size groups of the mussels responded against chlorine dosage was examined. Veliger larvae mortality was studied at different residual chlorine concentrations (0.05–0.5 mg L^?1), and it was found that a chlorine dose of 0.5 mg L^?1 is 4 times as effective as 0.05 mg L^?1 and twice as effective as 0.1 mg L^?1. Mortality of 100% for three size groups (1.4, 14, and 25 mm) and relative physiological activities of two size groups (14 and 25 mm) were observed. The exposure duration for 100% mortality of mussels decreased with the increasing residual chlorine concentration (0.1–4.0 mg L^?1). Mussel size was also found to be an important factor, considering that the continuation times for mussel mortality were 28 h for the 1.4 mm and 410 h for the 25 mm size groups. All size groups showed progressive reduction in physiological activities, such as oxygen consumption, foot activity, and byssus thread production with increasing chlorine dose (0.05–1.0 mg L^?1); the two data-sets were strongly correlated with each other. The results of this study should be of significance for optimizing the chlorine content, and minimize the environmental threat to industries where mussels are the dominant fouling organisms.     

The effects of temperature on decomposition and allelopathic phytotoxicity of boneseed litter

Decomposition of plant litter is a fundamental process in ecosystem function, carbon and nutrient cycling and, by extension, climate change. This study aimed to investigate the role of temperature on the decomposition of water soluble phenolics(WSP), carbon and soil nutrients in conjunction with the phytotoxicity dynamics of Chrysanthemoides monilifera subsp. monilifera(boneseed) litter. Treatments consisted of three factors including decomposition materials(litter alone, litter with soil and soil alone), decomposition periods and temperatures(5–15, 15–25and 25–35°C(night/day)). Leachates were collected on 0, 5, 10, 20, 40 and 60 th days to analyse physico-chemical parameters and phytotoxicity. Water soluble phenolics and dissolved organic carbon(DOC) increased with increasing temperature while nutrients like SO-24 and NO-13 decreased. Speed of germination, hypocotyl and radical length and weight of Lactuca sativa exposed to leachates were decreased with increasing decomposition temperature. All treatment components had significant effects on these parameters. There had a strong correlation between DOC and WSP, and WSP content of the leachates with radical length of test species. This study identified complex interactivity among temperature, WSP, DOC and soil nutrient dynamics of litter occupied soil and that these factors work together to influence phytotoxicity.     

Source identification, contamination status and health risk assessment of heavy metals from road dusts in Dhaka, Bangladesh

In this study, concentrations of Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb were determined in road dusts collected from different locations in Dhaka to assess source, contamination status and health risk. Energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy were used to determine Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb and their mean concentrations were 162.27 ± 29.46, 721.18 ± 180.14, 35.65 ± 12.55, 104.56 ± 128.33, 515.32 ± 321.90, BDL, and 342.82 ± 591.20 mg/kg, respectively. Among the heavy metals, highest concentrations of Cu, Zn and Pb were found at urban sites-7 (municipal waste dumping) and 8 (medical waste incineration). Highest concentration of Cr followed by Cu and Zn was found at site-5 (Tejgaon, urban). Principal component analysis revealed that anthropogenic activities are the potential sources for Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn and Pb while earth crust for Mn. Pollution index and pollution load index results suggested that all the sites were contaminated and/or degraded by Cr, Cu, Zn and Pb except sites-9 (urban), 10 (sub-urban), 11 (rural) while sites-7 and 8 (urban) were extremely degraded. For noncarcinogenic health risk, hazard quotient values for dermal were higher compared to that of inhalation/ingestion. Though hazard index values were less than 1 at all the sites, these were at least one order of magnitude higher for children group than that of adult group, thus the children group may face more noncarcinogenic health risk at sites-7 and 8. Values of incremental lifetime cancer risk were from 10⁻⁹ to 10⁻¹¹ showed no carcinogenic health risk by road dusts contaminated with the heavy metals.     

Insecticide substitutes for DDT to control mosquitoes may be causes of several diseases

Malaria continues to be a public health problem in Bangladesh, despite efforts in the 1960s to eradicate the vectors through the use of DDT. At one point, eradication of malaria was acclaimed but later on it reappeared. The use of DDT is no more legally allowed in Bangladesh, which has been officially replaced by a number organophosphates and/or synthetic pyrethroids and their combinations in addition to the integrated vector management (IVM) package. IVM being a community approach is still to go a long way to be mass popular. Adulticides, larvicides, residual sprays, mosquito coil, insecticide-impregnated curtain, aerosol, etc. still serve as the major weapons of mosquito control. Thus, mosquito control still mostly depends on chemical insecticides. Although the use of DDT is banned in Bangladesh, there are reports on its illegal use in different forms. Moreover, there is tons of leftover DDT in Bangladesh, which is likely to cause several diseases. As per one report, about 500 MTs of DDT stockpiles are lying in the Medical Sub-Depots at Chittagong for over a period of 26 years. DDT is a persistent organic pollutant pesticide, which can cause diseases like cancer, endocrine disorder, disruption of immune system, embryonic abnormality, reproductive disorder, etc. Other chemical insecticides, which are replacing DDT, are also not free of hazardous impacts. IVM thus appears to be a wise approach requiring concerted efforts for the management of mosquito to control malaria. Such an IVM comprises use of Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner var. israelensis, methoprene, biocontrol agents, cleaning of breeding sites, pyrethroid-impregnated curtain, etc. Therefore, a wise effort should be adopted to completely stop the use of DDT, eliminate its stockpiles wherever they are in Bangladesh and to popularise the IVM, not the chemicals-based alternatives throughout the country.     

Utilization of Cellulosic Wastes in Textile and Garment Industries: 2. Synthesis and Characterization of Cellulose Acetate from Knitted Rag

Cellulose acetate (CA) was synthesized from knitted rag, a cellulosic waste of Textile and Garment industries, in the glacial acetic acid, and subsequently acetic anhydride (Ac₂O) in presence of concentrated H₂SO₄ reaction medium. A low to high substitution products were obtained from single step up to seven steps acetylation of cellulose. In this way, it was possible to produce low cost and different grades or substituted acetylation derivatives of cellulose. The synthesized CA was characterized and investigation of its physical characteristics was done. Solubility, acetyl content, acetic acid content, degree of substitution, and molecular weight of CA increased gradually with the increase of the number of reaction steps attaining optimum value at the fourth step. The acetyl and acetic acid content of CA were increased from 39.95 % to 44.25 %, and from 55.73 % to 61.73 % respectively. Similarly, degree of substitution and molecular weight of CA were increased from 2.47 to 2.94, and from 74,249 to 121,437 respectively.     

Contrasting structure and composition of the understory in species-rich tropical rain forests

In large samples of trees > or = 1 cm dbh (more than 1 million trees and 3000 species), in six lowland tropical forests on three continents, we assigned species with >30 individuals to one of six classes of stature at maturity (SAM). We then compared the proportional representation of understory trees (1-2 cm dbh) among these classes. The understory of the three Asian sites was predominantly composed of the saplings of large-canopy trees whereas the African and American sites were more richly stocked with trees of the smaller SAM classes. Differences in class representation were related to taxonomic families that were present exclusively in one continent or another. Families found in the Asian plots but not in the American plot (e.g., Dipterocarpaceae, Fagaceae) were predominantly species of the largest SAM classes, whereas families exclusive to the American plots (e.g., Melastomataceae sensu stricto, Piperaceae, and Malvaceae [Bombacacoidea]) were predominantly species of small classes. The African plot was similar to Asia in the absence of those American families rich in understory species, while similar to America in lacking the Asian families rich in canopy species. The numerous understory species of Africa were chiefly derived from families shared with Asia and/or America. The ratio of saplings (1-2 cm dbh) to conspecific canopy trees (>40 cm dbh) was lower in American plots than in the Asian plots. Possible explanations for these differences include phenology, moisture and soil fertility regimes, phyletic constraints, and the role of early successional plants in forest development. These results demonstrate that tropical forests that appear similar in tree number, basal area, and the family taxonomy of canopy trees nonetheless differ in ecological structure in ways that may impact the ecology of pollinators, dispersers, and herbivores and might reflect fundamental differences in canopy tree regeneration.     

Graphical estimation of the dual-enzyme kinetic parameters for Cr(VI) reduction

Chromium(VI) (Cr(VI)) contamination of soil and groundwater is a major environmental concern. Bioreduction of Cr(VI) by Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 (MR-1) can be considered a feasible option to reduce the toxic and mobile Cr(VI) to the less toxic and less mobile chromium(III) (Cr(III)). The reaction rate expression for Cr(VI) reduction is nonlinear and the rate constants are evaluated by employing nonlinear optimization techniques. The outcome of the optimization techniques, in general, depends on the initial estimate of the kinetic parameters which is not always available. A graphical approach based on sound mathematical reasoning has been developed which is accurate, simpler to use, and can provide the best initial estimate for nonlinear optimization.     

Performance of Cow Dung Reinforced Biodegradable Poly(Lactic Acid) Biocomposites for Structural Applications

In this work, performance of cow dung (CD) reinforced poly(lactic acid) (PLA) biocomposites was investigated for the potential use in load bearing application. CD of average 4 mm size was blended with PLA at different CD ratios (0–50 wt%) and their effects on the biocomposite properties were studied. The results showed an improvement in the flexural properties, while the tensile and impact strength dropped by 20 and 28% with the addition of 50% CD. The decline in the tensile and impact strength was due to micro-cracking and voids formation at higher CD content. Also, the incorporation of CD slightly decreased the thermal stability of the biocomposite. However, dynamic mechanical properties of the biocomposites generally improved. SEM analysis of tensile and impact fractured surfaces indicated that the CD had a reasonable adhesion with matrix. Moreover, the SEM micrographs of soil burial studies showed an accelerated degradation of higher CD wt% biocomposites.