Longitudinal variations of coral reef features in the Marine National Park,Gulf of Kachchh

The Gulf of Kachchh is characterised by a strong tidal variation and the reef communities are capable of higher exposure time during negative tides. About 11 sites located along the Marine National Park (MNP) from west to east were studied for assessing the present status of live coral cover along with other life-form categories. In the present study, the maximum live coral cover was recorded in Pirotan Island, followed by Laku Point, Mithapur and Boriya reef. Multivariate analyses such as Principal Component Analysis and Correspondence Analysis supported that the contribution of live coral cover was more towards Pirotan Island whereas the contribution of coral species cover was more towards Laku Point. Bray-Curtis cluster analysis categorized all the study sites into four major clusters with 78 % similarity based on life-form categories. Among them, two clusters from western region (one forming site from Mithapur Reef to Lakku Point and another one forming from Ashaba Gugar Reef to Dabdaba Island), the third one combines the western and eastern regions (Boriya Reef to Kalubar Island), the fourth one comprises the eastern region (Narara Reef to Sikka), and one outlier Pirotan Island. Based on coral species cover, two major clusters with 55 % similarity were formed. Among them, one cluster was formed from Pirotan Island to Kalubar Island in the eastern side of MNP and the second one comprised the western region of MNP (Boriya Reef to Laku Point), and one outlier Mithapur Reef. Thirty one species of live corals belonging to 8 families and 18 genera were recorded in the Marine National Park itself during the study period.     

A comparative study on valuable products: bio-oil,biochar, non-condensable gases from pyrolysis of agricultural residues

Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management - In this study, pyrolysis of agricultural residues, such as rice straw (RS), wheat straw (WS), and sugarcane bagasse (SB), was performed in a...     

The promise of Beijing: Evaluating the impact of the 2008 Olympic Games on air quality

To prepare for the 2008 Olympic Games, China adopted a number of radical measures to improve air quality. Using the officially reported air pollution index (API) from 2000 to 2009, we show that these measures improved the API of Beijing during and a little after the Games, but a significant proportion of the effect faded away by October 2009. For comparison, we also analyze an objective and indirect measure of air quality at a high spatial resolution – aerosol optimal depth (AOD), derived using the data from NASA satellites. The AOD analysis confirms the real but temporary improvement in air quality, it also shows a significant correlation between air quality improvement and the timing and location of plant closure and traffic control. These results suggest that it is possible to achieve real environmental improvement via stringent policy interventions, but for how long the effects of these interventions will last will largely depend on the continuation of the interventions.     

Source identification of particulate matter and associated intake of elements through inhalation in an industrial area of Odisha,India

Particulate matter concentrations were measured in an industrial region in the Ganjam district of Odisha. The average levels of suspended particulate matter (SPM) were measured to be 142 ± 8 and PM₁₀ of particulate matter with a size of less than 10 micrometers (PM₁₀) to be 50 ± 15 μg m^?3. Out of the 14 elements determined, Ca, Na, Mg, Fe, and K contributed more than 95% of the total weight. In enrichment factors, the trace elements, i.e., Zn, Pb, Cd, and Hg were observed to be highly enriched in the SPM and PM₁₀. Factor analysis indicates that more than 75% of the variance was due to five component factors, which have eigenvalues greater than 1. Intake of elements through inhalation route to adults has been estimated.     

Treatment of textile dye wastewater using ozone combined with photocatalyst

Ozonolysis combined with photocatalysis was used as a new approach for the treatment of textile dye wastewater containing azo dyes. The color reduction was very fast when only ozone was used for the treatment, but a 90% Total Organic Carbon (TOC) reduction was obtained only during a combined treatment. Reactive Black 5 dye containing two different percentages of NaCl was used for the experiment. The color reduction was fast in the neutral and basic pH. However for a fast TOC reduction acidic pH was found to be more effective. On‐line UV‐Vis spectrophotometry was used to measure the color reduction.     

Blood lead level in the children of western Uttar Pradesh,India

The objective of this study was to determine the blood lead levels (blls) of children under an age of 5 years living in western Uttar Pradesh, India. A total of 100 blood samples, 100 drinking water samples, and 21 vegetable samples were assessed for lead contamination. Blood levels in the range of 30–116?µg?L^?1 were observed at Kazipur village. The levels of lead in water samples were reported to be in the range of 0.006–0.095?ppm and identified at up to 9.5 times the stated permissible limit. A significant positive correlation (+0.679) was obtained between blls and water lead levels. All vegetable samples were also contaminated with lead up to 12 times higher than the permissible limit of 2.5?mg?kg^?1 of Prevention of Food Adulteration Act (PFA) 1954. The cottage lead battery industry, industrial effluents, and lead paints were identified as possible factors for lead incidence in the study area. Lead may be associated with increased antisocial activities of the children living in western Uttar Pradesh. Children with elevated blls had poorer nutritional status than those with normal levels, and parents did not know that lead causes health problems. A national population-based study is recommended to determine the prevalence of elevated blls.     

Visual disturbances with cholinesterase depletion due to exposure of agricultural pesticides among farm workers

In this study, risk assessment for visual disturbances among farm workers spraying agricultural pesticides in farms have been assessed. A cross-sectional study for the assessment of visual disturbances was undertaken using questionnaire survey and clinical examination among agricultural workers exposed to pesticides. Two hundred and thirty nine pesticide sprayers participated in the study. The study was compared to 110 controls not occupationally exposed to pesticides with similar socio-economic status. The prevalence of ocular morbidity was found to be 40% among pesticide sprayers which was significantly higher (p?p?相似文献   

Metabolic fate of mancozeb in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum)

The metabolic fate of mancozeb in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) fruits was evaluated. Results indicate rapid dissipation of mancozeb and its metabolic conversion to ethylenethiourea (ETU), the carcinogenic metabolite. Treatment with mancozeb at flowering stage resulted translocation of ETU in newly emerged fruits indicating the systemic nature of ETU. ETU was detected within one hour of final spraying of mancozeb at the doses of 1.5 and 3?kg a.i./ha. The residue level of ETU increased up to 3-day for both the treatments, which then rapidly dissipated to safer metabolite ethyleneurea (EU) and reached the below detectable limit within 25 days. Cooking of fresh tomatoes caused decontamination of mancozeb residues, which was associated with simultaneous increase in ETU residues. The degradation pattern of ETU after application of mancozeb was slower as compared to the spraying of ETU as such on the crop. A pre-harvest interval of 25 days is recommended.     

Scrap Iron Filings assisted nitrate and phosphate removal in low C/N waters using mixed microbial culture

• Microbes enhance denitrification under varying DO concentrations and SIF dosages. • Abiotic nitrate reduction rates are proportional to SIF age and dosage. • Over 80% of the simultaneously loaded NO₃⁻-N and PO₄³⁻ is removed biologically. This study focuses on identifying the factors under which mixed microbial seeds assist bio-chemical denitrification when Scrap Iron Filings (SIF) are used as electron donors and adsorbents in low C/N ratio waters. Batch studies were conducted in abiotic and biotic reactors containing fresh and aged SIF under different dissolved oxygen concentrations with NO₃⁻-N and/or PO₄^3- influent(s) and their nitrate/phosphate removal and by-product formations were studied. Batch reactors were seeded with a homogenized mixed microbial inoculum procured from natural sludges which were enriched over 6 months under denitrifying conditions in the presence of SIF. Results indicated that when influent containing 40 mg/L of NO₃⁻-N was treated with 5 g SIF, 79.9% nitrate reduction was observed in 8 days abiotically and 100% removal was accomplished in 20 days when the reactor was seeded. Both abiotic and seeded reactors removed more than 92% PO₄³⁻ under high DO conditions in 12 days. Abiotic and biochemical removal of NO₃⁻-N and abiotic removal of PO₄³⁻ were higher under independent NO₃⁻-N/PO₄³⁻ loading, while 99% PO₄^3- was removed biochemically under combined NO₃⁻-N and PO₄³⁻ loading. This study furthers the understandings of nitrate and phosphate removal in Zero Valent Iron (ZVI) assisted mixed microbial systems to encourage the application of SIF-supported bio-chemical processes in the simultaneous removals of these pollutants.     

Nanomaterials for agriculture,food and environment: applications,toxicity and regulation

Nanotechnology is expected to have a beneficial influence on agriculture, food and environment, due to the unique properties of nanomaterials. However, little is known about their safety and potential toxicity. Here we review metal nanoparticles, nanometal oxides, carbon nanotubes, liposomes and dendrimers. We present the application of these nanomaterials in agriculture, food and environment for plant protection; disease treatment; packing materials; development of new tastes, textures and sensations; pathogen detection; and delivery systems. We discuss risk assessment of nanomaterials and toxicological impacts of nanomaterials on agriculture, food and environment. We then provide regulatory guidelines for the safer use of nanomaterials.