Efficient DDT and trichlorophenol detoxification using NaBH4 and Devarda alloy

DDT—1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethane—is a pesticide that has been widely used to control insects in agriculture. TCP—2,4,6-trichlorophenol—has been used in pesticide formulations as a preservative, disinfectant and antiseptic. Detoxification of DDT and TCP is very difficult due to their stable chemical structure. Here, a mixture of NaBH₄ and Devarda alloy was applied for the first time to detoxify DDT and TCP. Results show 94 % dechlorination of DDT at 100 °C and 97 % dechlorination of TCP at 80 °C. The presence of diphenyl ethane suggests the complete dechlorination of DDT. The formation of benzene suggests a strong reduction. The method is efficient, cost-effective and may be applied at the industrial-level.     

Trace metals in Ganges soft-shell turtle (Aspideretes gangeticus) from two barrage: Baloki and Rasul, Pakistan

The concentration of nine metals was measured in liver, kidney, heart, muscle, plastron, and carapace of Aspideretes gangeticus from Rasul and Baloki barrages, Pakistan. The results indicated that metal concentration were significant different among tissues of Ganges soft-shell turtles. However, higher concentrations of Co (5.12 μg/g) and Ni (1.67 μg/g) in liver, Cd (0.41 μg/g) in heart, Fe (267.45 μg/g), Cd (2.12 μg/g) and Mn (2.47 μg/g) in kidney, Cd (0.23 μg/g), Cu (2.57 μg/g), Fe (370.25 μg/g), Mn (5.56 μg/g), and Pb (8.23 μg/g) in muscle of A. gangeticus were recorded at Baloki barrage than Rasul barrage. Whereas mean concentrations of Pb (3.33 μg/g) in liver, Co (1.63 μg/g), Cu (11.32 μg/g), Pb (4.8 μg/g) and Zn (144.69 μg/g) in heart, Co (4.12 μg/g) in muscle, Ni (1.31 μg/g), Pb (2.18 μg/g), and Zn (9.78 μg/g) in carapace were recorded higher at Rasul barrage than Baloki barrage. The metals followed the trend Fe > Zn > Ni > Cu > Mn > Pb > Cr > Co > Cd. Metals of toxicological concern such as Cr, Pb, and Cd were at that level which can cause harmful effects to turtles. The results provide baseline data of heavy metals on freshwater turtle species of Pakistan.     

Geochemical assessment of metal concentrations in sediment core of Korangi Creek along Karachi Coast, Pakistan

Sediment core from Korangi Creek, one of the polluted coastal locations along the Karachi Coast Pakistan, was collected to trace the history of marine pollution and to determine the impact of industrial activity in the area. Down core variation of metals such as Ca, K, Mg, Al, S, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu and Zn was studied in the 72.0 cm core. Nuclear analytical techniques, proton induced X-rays emission (PIXE), was employed to ascertain the chemical composition in sediment core. Grain size analysis and sediment composition of cored samples indicated that Korangi creek sediments are clayey in nature. Correlation matrix revealed a strong association of Ni, Cu, Cr and Zn with Fe and Mn. To infer anthropogenic input, enrichment factor (EF), degree of contamination and pollution load index were calculated. EF showed severe enrichment in surface sediment for Ni, Cu, Cr and Zn, indicating increased industrial effluents discharge in recent years. The study suggests that heavy metal discharge in the area should be regulated. If the present trend of enrichment is allowed to continue unabated, it is most likely that the local food web complexes in the creek might be at highest risk.     

Determination of mercury and arsenic levels in fish caught in the Beheshtabad River,Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province,Iran

Mercury and arsenic pollution has been recognized as a potential environmental and public health problem for over 40 years. The major source of exposure to mercury for humans is the ingestion of fish. This study was conducted with the aim of determining the levels of mercury and arsenic in the muscles of four fish species caught in the Beheshtabad River and comparing the results with the maximum tolerance levels for mercury and arsenic. The samples of 90 fish were used for the determination of both the metals by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. The results showed that the concentrations ranged from 1.5 to 3.8 µg kg^?1 for mercury and from 35 to 70 µg kg^?1 for arsenic, with means of 2.7 ± 0.5 and 57 ± 12 µg kg^?1, respectively. Both mean levels were lower than the threshold limits acceptable by WHO standards.     

High dechlorination of PCBs catalysed by carbon under mild conditions

This article reports high dechlorination of toxic polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) under mild conditions. PCBs are priority pollutants acting as endocrine disruptors, human carcinogens and environmental estrogens. Previous remediation methods involving high temperature and pressure have drawbacks such as high cost, de novo dioxins synthesis and difficult recovery of vaporized PCBs. On the other hand, dechlorination methods using mild conditions show the problem of catalyst deactivation. Here, activated carbon was used for the first time as catalyst to dechlorinate 2,4,5 trichlorobiphenyl. High dechlorination, of 87%, was achieved under mild conditions. 2,4,5 trichlorobiphenyl was treated at 40–150°C with calcium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide and sulfur in mixed water and organic solvents. Dechlorination products were biphenyl, orthohydroxy biphenyls, 2,4 dihydroxy biphenyls and biphenyl-2-thiol. Dichlorobiphenyl and orthochlorobiphenyls were found in trace quantities. We found that carbon particles catalysed dechlorination by substitution reactions and suppressed further chlorination. Dechlorination at biphenyl ortho position was preceded by substitution reaction by hydroxyl and thiol ions. Moreover, in the absence of carbon, dechlorination was lower and substituted products were not observed. These findings may be applied at industrial scale to remediate PCB-contaminated waste.     

Effect of slow release nitrogenous fertilizers and biochar on growth,physiology, yield,and nitrogen use efficiency of sunflower under arid climate

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Sunflower plants need nitrogen consistently and in higher amount for optimum growth and development. However, nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of...     

Plastics in the environment as potential threat to life: an overview

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Plastics have become inevitable for human beings in their daily life. Million tons of plastic waste is entering in oceans, soil, freshwater, and...     

Description and evaluation of imposex in Strombus canarium Linnaeus, 1758 (Gastropoda, Strombidae): a potential bio-indicator of tributyltin pollution

Strombus canarium Linnaeus, 1758 is an important gastropod species within the study area and was traditionally collected for food by the locals. The objective of the present study is to assess the incidence of imposex and its severity in this species. Adult conchs were sampled during their main reproductive period, from October 2005 to January 2006, at Sungai Pulai estuary, Johor Straits, Malaysia. A total of 32.81% of adult females showed imposex characteristics, with varying degrees of severity though. The relative penis size (RPS) index ranged from 1.74 to 33.29 (mean = 13.40 ± 2.27, n?=?21), while the relative penis length (RPL) index ranged from 6.28 to 55.19 (mean = 25.83 ± 3.33, n?=?21). The use of vas deferens sequence (VDS) index was however cannot be applied as the presence of egg groove obscured any vas deferens development in affected females. Sequence of imposex (male penis) development in female conch, from merely a small stump to an advance male penis homologous was therefore carefully analyzed and described, and an alternative imposex classification scheme was proposed. S. canarium can be a good indicator for monitoring of organotin pollution within the study area. However, more studies are needed in order to further develop and test its validity and application, such as its correlation with levels of pollutant within the tissues and the environment, as well as its application on other Strombus species.     

Metal pollution status of Tajan River – Northern Iran

The monitoring of surface water quality of rivers is crucial to protect aquatic life and receiving water bodies of economic importance. The aim of the current study was to examine selected physicochemical parameters of River Tajan due to its ecological importance in Iran. Water samples from nine points covering the entire Tajan River and Caspian Sea estuary were collected and analyzed for pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), carbonates, chlorides and selected heavy metals including zinc, cadmium, lead and chromium. The pH and levels of EC, TDS, chlorides, carbonates and all metals were within the USEPA reference guidelines for surface water quality standards. Although these water quality parameters are considered safe, continuous monitoring and assessment is recommended in order to protect the coastal receiving waters of Caspian Sea which serves as a tourist attraction in northern Iran.     

Slow-release nitrogen fertilizers enhance growth,yield, NUE in wheat crop and reduce nitrogen losses under an arid environment

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Higher demands of food led to higher nitrogen application to promote cropping intensification and produce more which may have negative effects on the...