Fluoride contamination in and around selected geothermal sites in Odisha,Eastern India: assessment of ionic relations,fluoride exposure and remediation

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Fluoride contamination in groundwater is a major problem throughout the world as well as in India. High-fluoride content was reported in the hot...     

Putting affected people at the centre of humanitarian action: an argument for the principle of humanitarian subsidiarity

The humanitarian system has grown organically over the course of a generation to become a complex system bound by a common primary mandate. Its guiding principles provide it with a unique identity and separate humanitarian actors from other aid-related stakeholders. However, all of the evidence suggests that humanitarian actors will extend their reach and engage in new and unprecedented ways with an expanded mandate in years to come. Now, more than ever, they are challenged to retain the moral high ground and to put disaster-affected people at the centre of humanitarian action. Consequently, this paper proposes that the humanitarian system introduce a new principle: humanitarian subsidiarity. It moves the conception of subsidiarity beyond meanings ascribed by the Catholic Church and the European Union and links it instead to the attributes of agency, accountability, and trust to find accommodation with the core humanitarian principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, and independence.     

Flow cytometric analysis of fish leukocytes as a model for toxicity produced by azadirachtin-based bioagrocontaminant

Azadirachtin is one of the most promising natural biopesticide used to overcome the hazardous effects of different organic pesticides and believed to be more environmentally friendly due to the unique nature of biodegradability. In the present study, the impact of no-observed-effect level (NOEL) dose of an azadirachtin-based bioagrocontaminant, Neemsheild, on the blood profile of Indian major carp, Labeo rohita, was examined. The 96-hr LC₅₀ value of Neemsheild was found to be 44.61 ppm. The total erythrocyte count (TEC), hematocrit (Hcrt), and Hb (hemoglobin) values showed a gradual decrease throughout the experimental period, whereas total leukocyte count (TLC) showed an initial increase followed by decline. Flow cytometric analysis subdivided the entire leukocyte population into four separate groups: thrombocytes together with small lymphocytes, monocytes, neutrophils, and basophils. The fluctuation in leukocyte subpopulation indicated an immunotoxicological effect due to azadirachtin. Clustering of different cell types and similarity percentage values were found to differ greatly from control. It was evident from the study that the cell population comprising small lymphocytes and thrombocytes indicated predominant changes as physiological response of fish to different doses of azadirachtin. Thus, flow cytometric analysis of leukocyte populations may be considered as a biomarker to assess fish toxicity.     

Removal of mercury(II) from aqueous solutions using the leaves of the Rambai tree (Baccaurea motleyana)

This study was undertaken to evaluate the biosorption potential of a natural, low-cost biosorbent, Rambai leaves (Baccaurea motleyana), to remove trace amounts of Hg(II) from aqueous solutions. It was found that the amount of Hg(II) biosorption by Rambai leaves increased with initial metal ion concentration, contact time, and solution pH but decreased as the amount of biosorbent increased. The maximum biosorption capacity was 121.95 mg/g for an initial concentration range of 5 to 120 ppb. Overall, kinetic studies showed that the Hg(II) biosorption process followed pseudo-second-order kinetics based on pseudo-first-order and intraparticle diffusion models. Isotherm data revealed that the biosorption process followed both Freundlich and Langmuir isotherms. The value of separation factor, R(L), from the Langmuir equation and rate of biosorption, n, from the Freundlich model also indicated favorable adsorption.