The potential protective role of apigenin against oxidative damage induced by nickel oxide nanoparticles in liver and kidney of male Wistar rat,Rattus norvegicus

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Nickel oxide nanoparticles (NiONPs) are involved in several applications but still have some adverse effects. Apigenin (APG) is a widespread natural...     

Influence of tourism,governance, and foreign direct investment on energy consumption and CO2 emissions: a panel analysis of Muslim countries

The empirical linkages from tourism, governance, and FDI have been quantified on CO₂ emission and energy use over 2002–2014 for a panel of 13 Muslim countries. To this end, we have examined the data for cross-sectional dependence (CD) and panel heterogeneity and employed panel algorithms, which account for both CD and panel heterogeneity. The results from Pedroni, Westerlund, and Kao tests supported the existence of a cointegration association between the chosen variables. In the CO₂ model, we observed that tourism positively, and governance negatively, influences the CO₂ emission. However, in the case of the energy model, the results of tourism pose a negative relationship, and governance indicates a positive relationship with energy use. The results supported the pollution haven phenomenon, finance, and energy triggered pollution in the study area. Further, the research supported a two-way causality between tourism and CO₂, where there is a unilateral causality from governance to CO₂. Similarly, a unidirectional causality was obtained from energy towards tourism. Lastly, the key policy recommendations based on the outcomes of the study are encouraging clean energy investment, enhancing good governance, and sustainable tourism development for improving environmental quality.

     

Movement of unlined landfill under preloading surcharge

As organic solid waste is decomposed in a landfill and mass is lost due to gas and leachate formation, the landfill settles. Settlement of a landfill interferes with the rehabilitation and subsequent use of the landfill site after closure. This study examined the soil/solid waste movement at the Al-Qurain landfill in Kuwait after 15 years of closure as plans are underway for redevelopment of the landfill site that occupies about a km(2) with an average depth of 8-15m. Field experiments were conducted for 6 mo to measure soil/solid waste movement and water behavior within the landfill using two settlement plates with a level survey access, Casagrande-type piezometers, pneumatic piezometers, and magnetic probe extensometers. Previous results obtained indicated that biological decomposition of refuse continued after closure of the landfill site. The subsurface water rise enhanced the biological activities, which resulted in the production of increasing quantities of landfill gas. The refuse fill materials recorded a high movement rate under the imposed preloading as a result of an increase in the stress state. Up to 55% of the total movement was observed during the first 2 weeks of fill placement and increased to 80% within the first month of the 6-mo preloading test. Pneumatic piezometers showed an increase in water head, which is attributed to the developed pressure of gases escaping during the preloading period.     

Quality assessment of various bottled waters marketed in Saudi Arabia

This study focuses on the chemical analysis of the available brands of domestic bottled water in Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia. The distribution of the chemical constituents (major, minor, and trace elements) is determined and compared with the chemical content labeled on the bottles and with drinking water standards of Saudi Arabian, World Health Organization, and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The obtained results indicated that except for fluoride and bromate, the concentrations of dissolved salts, soluble cations and anions, nitrate, and trace elements of most bottled waters on sale were within the permissible limits set by standards used. On the other hand, the comparison between determined and reported label values recorded a substantial variation in some parameter values. Results indicated that more than 18 % of the sampled bottled waters exceeded the allowable limits for drinking water. Generated Piper diagrams revealed that the majority of investigated waters were sodium chloride–sulfate type; however, the hydrochemical modeling indicated that all water samples were undersaturated for anhydrite, gypsum, and halite.     

Ecotoxicological assessment of oil-based paint using three-dimensional multi-species bio-testing model: pre- and post-bioremediation analysis

The present study validates the oil-based paint bioremediation potential of Bacillus subtilis NAP1 for ecotoxicological assessment using a three-dimensional multi-species bio-testing model. The model included bioassays to determine phytotoxic effect, cytotoxic effect, and antimicrobial effect of oil-based paint. Additionally, the antioxidant activity of pre- and post-bioremediation samples was also detected to confirm its detoxification. Although, the pre-bioremediation samples of oil-based paint displayed significant toxicity against all the life forms. However, post-bioremediation, the cytotoxic effect against Artemia salina revealed substantial detoxification of oil-based paint with LD₅₀ of 121 μl ml^?1 (without glucose) and >?400 μl ml^?1 (with glucose). Similarly, the reduction in toxicity against Raphanus raphanistrum seeds germination (%FG?=?98 to 100%) was also evident of successful detoxification under experimental conditions. Moreover, the toxicity against test bacterial strains and fungal strains was completely removed after bioremediation. In addition, the post-bioremediation samples showed reduced antioxidant activities (% scavenging?=?23.5?±?0.35 and 28.9?±?2.7) without and with glucose, respectively. Convincingly, the present multi-species bio-testing model in addition to antioxidant studies could be suggested as a validation tool for bioremediation experiments, especially for middle and low-income countries.

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铜胁迫对两种地衣植物生理生化特征的影响

以中国树花（Ramalina sinensis Jatta.）和亚花松萝（Usnea subfloridana Stint.）为材料,研究了铜胁迫对这两种地衣植物生理生化特性的影响。结果表明：在Cu2＋的作用下,中国树花和亚花松萝体内叶绿素质量分数和过氧化物酶（POD）活性发生一系列的变化,且表现出明显的剂量效应关系和时间效应关系。随着处理浓度的加大和处理时间的延长,中国树花体内叶绿素质量分数呈现先降后升再降。在处理的48 h,当Cu2＋质量浓度为0.1 mg.mL-1时中国树花体内叶绿素a质量分数下降为0 mg.mL-1时的16.34%,叶绿素总质量分数下降为42.54%,而当Cu2＋质量浓度为0.5 mg.mL-1时叶绿素a质量分数下降为22.95%,叶绿素总质量分数下降为60.39%,亚花松萝体内叶绿素质量分数呈现先升后降的趋势,当Cu2＋质量浓度为0.1 mg.mL-1时,处理48 h后的亚花松萝体内叶绿素质量分数比36 h下降18.82%;当Cu2＋质量浓度为0.5 mg.mL-1时,处理48 h后的亚花松萝体内叶绿素质量分数比36 h下降23.52%。随着处理浓度的加大和处理时间的延长,中国树花过氧化物酶活性呈现上升的趋势,当Cu2＋质量浓度为0.1 mg.mL-1时,处理24、36、48 h后过氧化物酶的活性分别增加为88.1%、64.83%和65.49%;当Cu2＋质量浓度为0.5 mg.mL-1时,分别增加为69.83%、82.05%和82.57%。而亚花松萝过氧化物酶活性呈现先下降后上升等波动性变化,Cu2＋质量浓度为0.1 mg.mL-1时,处理24、36、48 h后过氧化物酶的活性先下降62.56%,后增加7.93%,又下降42.28%;当Cu2＋质量浓度为0.5 mg.mL-1时,比对照组分别下降72.92%、33.49%和62.56%。对比两种地衣植物发现,中国树花体内生理指标的变化较亚花松萝的明显,说明中国树花对铜胁迫反应较敏感,有利于监测重金属铜污染。     

Remediation rates and translocation of heavy metals from contaminated soil through Parthenium hysterophorus

The potential translocation of heavy metals by Parthenium hysterophorus over 30 and 90 days and its effect on biomass, chlorophyll content and photosynthetic activity were studied on 0, 10, 25, 50 and 100% fly-ash-amended soil (FAS). The results showed a decrease in chlorophyll content and photosynthetic area on exposure to 50–100% FAS. Heavy metal reduction was in the order Pb>Cd>Zn>Fe>according to accumulation trends. The plant exhibited good biomass growth on exposure to 25–50% FAS, but this decreased at>100% FAS. Heavy metal concentrations in P. hysterophorus after 90 days of the experiment were in the order Fe>Zn>Cu>Pb>Cd>Ni. Parthenium hysterophorus was suitable for translocating Fe, Zn and Cu based on translocation factors (TF=1.5, 1.3 and 1.05), but was more efficient for Pb, Ni and Cd (TF=8.5, 4.3 and 3.3). Plant uptake of Pb, Ni and Cd was high, whereas translocation of Fe, Zn and Cu was poor. These results indicated that P. hysterophorus can efficiently reduce heavy metal pollution in soil.     

Determination of pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables in Islamabad market

Pesticide residues in fruits and vegetable from Islamabad market, Pakistan were determined by GLC using Perkin Elmer Autosystem equipped with 63NECD and capillary column. Dimethoate was determined in the quantity of 0.032 mg kg-1 in apple, 0.110 mg kg-1 in banana, 0.004 mg kg-1 in brinjal, 1.80 mg kg-1 in cauliflower and 0.13 mg kg-1 in arvi, fenvalerate 0.010 mg kg-1 in apple and chlorpyrifos 0.004 mg kg-1 in brinjal. The importance of these pesticide residues with reference to human health is also briefly discussed.     

Impact of industrial effluent on growth and yield of rice (Oryza sativa L.) in silty clay loam soil

Degradation of soil and water from discharge of untreated industrial effluent is alarming in Bangladesh. Therefore, buildup of heavy metals in soil from contaminated effluent, their entry into the food chain and effects on rice yield were quantified in a pot experiment. The treatments were comprised of 0, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% industrial effluents applied as irrigation water. Effluents, initial soil, different parts of rice plants and post-harvest pot soil were analyzed for various elements, including heavy metals. Application of elevated levels of effluent contributed to increased heavy metals in pot soils and rice roots due to translocation effects, which were transferred to rice straw and grain. The results indicated that heavy metal toxicity may develop in soil because of contaminated effluent application. Heavy metals are not biodegradable, rather they accumulate in soils, and transfer of these metals from effluent to soil and plant cells was found to reduce the growth and development of rice plants and thereby contributed to lower yield. Moreover, a higher concentration of effluent caused heavy metal toxicity as well as reduction of growth and yield of rice, and in the long run a more aggravated situation may threaten human lives, which emphasizes the obligatory adoption of effluent treatment before its release to the environment, and regular monitoring by government agencies needs to be ensured.