Evaluation of reproductive and developmental toxicity of cypermethrin in male albino rats

The ever-increasing use of pesticides in the agricultural and public health has become a major cause of sterility in human and various other animals particularly in males. This study was sought to screen the toxic impacts of cypermethrin (synthetic pyrethroid) on reproduction and development. Twenty-four Wistar male rats divided into four groups were orally administered cypermethrin of daily doses 50, 75, or 100 mg?kg^?1 bwt per day for 45 days; and for developmental toxicity, 12 female rats were separated into two groups. Maternal rats (experimental) were administered cypermethrin (100?mg?kg^?1) by gavage daily from 6th to 17th day of gestation, and the control group was dosed only vehicle (olive oil). The body weights, fertility index, biochemical, enzymatic, hormonal, and histopathological parameters were the criteria used to evaluate the toxicity of cypermethrin. Study showed significant decline in the weight of testes, epididymises, seminal vesicles, and ventral prostate, and reduction in sperm counts both in epididymises and testes in chemical-treated animals. Pre- and post- fertility test showed 50%, 80%, and 100% negative results after treatment. A significant degenerative reduction in testicular glycogen and sialic acid was also noted. In contrast, protein and cholesterol levels of testes were significantly increased. In addition, acid phosphatase activity was significantly increased, while alkaline phosphatase, testosterone, leutinizing hormone (LH), and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels were diminished. Histology of testes showed degenerative changes in seminiferous tubules. Cypermethrin exposure during gestation produced adverse effects markedly in females and fetuses.     

Life cycle assessment of natural gas combined cycle power plant with post-combustion carbon capture,transport and storage

Hybrid life cycle assessment has been used to assess the environmental impacts of natural gas combined cycle (NGCC) electricity generation with carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS). The CCS chain modeled in this study consists of carbon dioxide (CO₂) capture from flue gas using monoethanolamine (MEA), pipeline transport and storage in a saline aquifer.Results show that the sequestration of 90% CO₂ from the flue gas results in avoiding 70% of CO₂ emissions to the atmosphere per kWh and reduces global warming potential (GWP) by 64%. Calculation of other environmental impacts shows the trade-offs: an increase of 43% in acidification, 35% in eutrophication, and 120–170% in various toxicity impacts. Given the assumptions employed in this analysis, emissions of MEA and formaldehyde during capture process and generation of reclaimer wastes contributes to various toxicity potentials and cause many-fold increase in the on-site direct freshwater ecotoxicity and terrestrial ecotoxicity impacts. NO_x from fuel combustion is still the dominant contributor to most direct impacts, other than toxicity potentials and GWP. It is found that the direct emission of MEA contribute little to human toxicity (HT < 1%), however it makes 16% of terrestrial ecotoxicity impact. Hazardous reclaimer waste causes significant freshwater and marine ecotoxicity impacts. Most increases in impact are due to increased fuel requirements or increased investments and operating inputs.The reductions in GWP range from 58% to 68% for the worst-case to best-case CCS system. Acidification, eutrophication and toxicity potentials show an even large range of variation in the sensitivity analysis. Decreases in energy use and solvent degradation will significantly reduce the impact in all categories.     

Seed maturity indices in Aisandra butyracea--a multipurpose tree species of lower Himalaya

Fruits of Aisandra butyracea (Roxb.) Lamb. were collected from two sites located at different altitudes in Kumaun Himalaya for analyzing the seed maturity in relation to various fruit and seed characters. The mean seed size (length x width) across the collection dates varied between 186.44 +/- 0.05 and 238.17 +/- 0.5 mm2 across both the elevations. The fruit colour changed from dark green in the beginning to pale yellow on the maturity. The range of seed moisture content (62.83 +/- 1.33 to 63.46 +/- 0.89%) coincided with maximum germination. The colour change and seed moisture content appear to be the major indicators of seed maturation in A. butyracea.     

Cold plasma technology: advanced and sustainable approach for wastewater treatment

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Cold plasma has been a potent energy-efficient and eco-friendly advanced oxidation technology which has gained attention in recent decades as a...