Targeting cellular batteries for the therapy of neurological diseases

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The mitochondria, apart from being known as the cell’s “powerhouse,” are crucial in the viability of nerve cells. Any damage to...     

Mitigation of yield-scaled greenhouse gas emissions from irrigated rice through Azolla,Blue-green algae,and plant growth–promoting bacteria

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Irrigated transplanted flooded rice is a major source of methane (CH4) emission. We carried out experiments for 2 years in irrigated flooded rice to...     

Degradation activity of Clostridium species DC-1 in the cis-1,2-dichloroethylene contaminated site in the presence of indigenous microorganisms and Escherichia coli

We showed the cis-1,2-dichloroethylene (cis-1,2-DCE) dechlorination ability of Clostridium species DC-1 in association with other bacteria. Result of denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis showed the dominant band pattern of DC-1 during the degradation time of cis-1,2-DCE and dominance of some other Clostridium species. Experiment with addition of Escherichia coli (E. coli) showed that dechlorinating activity of DC-1 was not inhibited by the presence of E. coli. Pour plate experiment with DC-1 and E. coli revealed that the dominance of Clostridium species caused the decrease of E. coli growth in a bioremediation state. This result suggested the possibility of Clostridium species DC-1 as a degrader of cis-1,2-DCE, in a cis-1,2-DCE contaminated site where an indigenous microbial community is present. Experiment conducting with E. coli suggested that the strain in the contaminated site did not inhibit the degradation of cis-1,2-DCE and during the degradation period, rather some other Clostridium species became dominant and the growth of E. coli would be decreased. This finding could be a very positive approach for implementing the dechlorinating bacteria at aliphatic chlorinated component contaminated sites.     

A global perspective on the biology,impact and management of Chenopodium album and Chenopodium murale: two troublesome agricultural and environmental weeds

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Chenopodium album and C. murale are cosmopolitan, annual weed species of notable economic importance. Their unique biological features, including high...     

Property-enhanced paraffin-based composite phase change material for thermal energy storage: a review

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Research on phase change material (PCM) for thermal energy storage is playing a significant role in energy management industry. However, some hurdles...     

Amelioration of arsenic toxicity by phosphate salts in mungbean seedlings

Sodium arsenate (Na2HAsO4.7H2O) is a potent inhibitor of mungbean seed germination and seedling growth. Germination is totally stopped at or above 50 microM Na2HAsO4.7H2O. Inhibition of seedling elongation started at a lower concentration of 5 microM As(V) and was drastically reduced at 20 microM As(V). Nutrients like salts of macroelements viz., NaH2PO4.2H2O, KH2PO4, K2SO4, MgSO4.7H2O, CaCl2.2H2O, (NH4)2SO4 NH4NO3 solutions at a concentration of 10mM and microelements viz., ZnSO4, CuSO4.5H2O, Na2MoO4.2H2O, MnCl2.4H2O, CoCl2.6H2O, FeSO4.7H2O solutions at a concentration of 1mM could help to ameliorate the toxic effects of As(V) to different degrees. Amelioration of As(V) toxicity was possible only when the mungbean seeds were pretreated with the above mentioned nutrients for 24 hr and then transferred to sodium arsenate. Simultaneous treatment of nutrients with As(V) or using nutrient solutions following As(V) treatment were of no help to reverse the toxic effects of sodium arsenate.     

Cloning and expression of α-amylase in E. coli: genesis of a superior biocatalyst for substrate-specific MFC

One of the most practical approaches for establishing a successful microbial fuel cell (MFC) is to fasten the oxidation rate of the substrate by the microorganisms to get quick paced electron transfer between microbes and electrode. A genetically modified Escherichiacoli, overexpressing α-amylase, is constructed and applied as biocatalyst in MFC using starch as substrate. The results are compared with nonrecombinant, native E.coli. The results show better performance for the MFC containing the recombinant strain demonstrated by higher power density (PD), lower resistance, and significant electrochemical activity. Maximum PD has been recorded as 279.04 mW m^?2 compared to 120.33 Mw m^?2 for the MFC operated with nonrecombinant E.coli. The impedance results also suggest the effectiveness of the recombinant strain by lowering the internal resistance by more than half order as compared to the nonrecombinant one. These results affirm that the engineered strain can be used as a superior biocatalyst in contrast to the native strain and by using the technique of genetic alteration; gene of interest can be inserted based on the substrate to be treated. So, this work gives a useful insight for accomplishing successful MFC operation with the use of bacterial stains engineered at the molecular level.     

An assessment to prioritise the critical erosion-prone sub-watersheds for soil conservation in the Gumti basin of Tripura,North-East India

Erosion-induced land degradation problem has emerged as a serious environmental issue across the world. Assessment of this problem through modelling can generate valuable quantitative information for the planners to identify priority areas for proper soil conservation measures. The Gumti River basin of Tripura falls under humid tropical climate and experiences soil erosion for a prolonged period which has turned into a major environmental issue. Increased sediment supply through top soil erosion is one of the major reasons for reduced navigability of this river. Thus, the present study is an attempt to prioritize the sub-watersheds of the Gumti basin by estimating soil loss through the USLE (Universal Soil Loss Equation) model. For that purpose, five parameters of the USLE model were processed, computed and overlaid in a GIS environment. The result shows that potential mean annual soil loss of the Gumti basin ranges between 0.03 and 114.08 t ha^?1 year^?1. The resultant values of soil loss were classified into five categories considering the minimum and maximum values. It has been identified that low, moderate, high, very high and severe soil loss categories occupy 68.71, 8.94, 5.86, 5.02 and 11.47% of the basin respectively. Moreover, it has been recognised that sub-watersheds like SW7, SW8, SW12, SW21, SW24 and SW29 fall under very high priority class for which mitigation measures are essential. Therefore, the present study recommends mitigation measures through terrace cultivation, as an alternative of shifting cultivation in the hilly areas and through construction of check dams at the appropriate sites of the erosion prone sub-watersheds. Moreover, proper afforestation programmes that have been implemented successfully in other parts of Tripura through the Japan International Cooperation Agency, Joint Forest Management, and National Afforestation Programme should be initiated in the highly erosion-prone areas of the Gumti River basin.     

Indifference curves as a tool for environment impact assessment

Use of indifference curves, defined as functionality between development index and pollution load to evaluate environmental impact, is proposed. Existing Battelle environmental evaluation methodology is subjective in its approach. The use of indifference curves lends a more objective approach to environment assessment methodology. The extent of environmental damage we are prepared to accept, for a development, can be explained by Willingness to Pay and Willingness to Accept approach. The application of proposed approach has been demonstrated taking an example of Power plant set up in forest area. The curves clearly show that cost of EMP considering mitigation of ecological damage is higher than the EMP mitigating impacts of air and water pollution only. The example stresses the need for willingness to accept along with willingness to pay.