联合基于野外的代谢组学和化学分析手段筛选优先关注新兴污染物：在五大湖流域的案例研究

由于毒性评估项目很难与日渐增长的需要测试的污染物保持同步,所以较难将关注点集中在影响水生生态系统的最为生物相关的污染物上。由于评估潜在毒性污染物所造成的生物影响已被证明是有效的,内生性代谢物的研究（代谢组学）对于剔除那些较低可能造成生物影响的污染物或许有一定帮助,从而找出生物重要性最高的污染物。本研究在北美五大湖流域的18个地点针对置于笼中的黑头软口鲦（Pimephales promelas）进行实验。我们测定了水体温度和水样中的污染物浓度（目标污染物132种,检出86种）,并使用1H-NMR谱测量了肝极性提取物中的内生性代谢物。利用偏最小二乘法回归来比对内生性代谢物的相对丰度与污染物浓度和环境温度。结果表明内生性极性代谢物的指标与最多49种污染物存在共同变化。因此我们认为至多52%的检出污染物与内生性代谢物变化的共同变化不显著,表明这些污染物很可能不会在这些地点造成可以检测到的影响。这是通过缩短对于实验地点有着潜在影响的污染物列表从而扫描出检出污染物生物相关性的第一步。类似的信息有助于风险评估者区分不同污染物的重要性并将重点毒性测试放在最为生物相关的污染物上。
精选自Nicol Janecko, Lucie Pokludova, Jana Blahova, Zdenka Svobodova, Ivan Literak. Linking field-based metabolomics and chemical analyses to prioritize contaminants of emerging concern in the Great Lakes basin. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry: Volume 35, Issue 10, pages 2493–2502, October 2016. DOI: 10.1002/etc.3409
详情请见http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/etc.3409/full
     

腐殖酸可降低纳米银的水生生物毒性

本文作者主要研究了腐殖酸对聚乙烯吡咯烷酮包覆的纳米银颗粒(polyvinylpyrrolidone-coated AgNPs)毒性的影响,受试生物涵盖了水生系统不同的营养级别,包括藻类(Raphidocelis subcapitata)、水蚤类(Chydorus sphaericus)以及淡水鱼类(Danio rerio)。结果显示,腐殖酸可降低AgNPs对本研究中所有水生生物的毒性,并具有明显的剂量效应关系。原因为：1）腐殖酸使AgNPs表面带有更多负电荷,这阻碍了AgNPs与藻细胞的接触,使毒性降低;2）腐殖酸抑制了AgNPs中Ag⁺的溶出,而本研究显示自由Ag⁺的毒性高于团聚的纳米银颗粒。
精选自Zhuang Wang, Joris T.K. Quik, Lan Song, Evert-Jan Van Den Brandhof, Marja Wouterse and Willie J.G.M. Peijnenburg. Humic substances alleviate the aquatic toxicity of polyvinylpyrrolidone-coated silver nanoparticles to organisms of different trophic levels. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry: Volume 34, Issue 6, pages 1239–1245, June 2015. DOI: 10.1002/etc.2936
详情请见http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/etc.2936/full
     

基于非本地物种毒性数据推导出的水质基准可为本地物种提供适当保护吗？

基于非本地物种的毒性数据推导出的水质基准一直存在争议,质疑者提出应有针对不同生物区系的水质基准。而这个问题在中国尤为突出。本文作者搜集了38种污染物对本地物种和非本地物种的毒性数据,比较了这些生物的HC₅和物种敏感度分布,结果显示,基于非本地物种推导的水质基准有74%的确定性可以有效保护中国的水生态系统。如果采用评价因子(AF=5)来校正基准,那么可以获得90%的确定性。
精选自Xiaowei Jin, Zijian Wang, Yeyao Wang, Yibing Lv, Kaifeng Rao, Wei Jin, John P. Giesy and Kenneth M. Y. Leung. Do water quality criteria based on nonnative species provide appropriate protection for native species? Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry: Volume 34, Issue 8, pages 1744–1750, August 2015. DOI: 10.1002/etc.2985
详情请见http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/etc.2985/full     

腐殖酸可降低纳米银的水生生物毒性

本文作者主要研究了腐殖酸对聚乙烯吡咯烷酮包覆的纳米银颗粒(polyvinylpyrrolidone-coated AgNPs)毒性的影响，受试生物涵盖了水生系统不同的营养级别，包括藻类(Raphidocelis subcapitata)、水蚤类(Chydorus sphaericus)以及淡水鱼类(Danio rerio)。结果显示，腐殖酸可降低AgNPs对本研究中所有水生生物的毒性，并具有明显的剂量效应关系。原因为：1）腐殖酸使AgNPs表面带有更多负电荷，这阻碍了AgNPs与藻细胞的接触，使毒性降低；2）腐殖酸抑制了AgNPs中Ag⁺的溶出，而本研究显示自由Ag⁺的毒性高于团聚的纳米银颗粒。
精选自Zhuang Wang, Joris T.K. Quik, Lan Song, Evert-Jan Van Den Brandhof, Marja Wouterse and Willie J.G.M. Peijnenburg. Humic substances alleviate the aquatic toxicity of polyvinylpyrrolidone-coated silver nanoparticles to organisms of different trophic levels. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry: Volume 34, Issue 6, pages 1239–1245, June 2015. DOI: 10.1002/etc.2936
详情请见http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/etc.2936/full
     

基于非本地物种毒性数据推导出的水质基准可为本地物种提供适当保护吗？

基于非本地物种的毒性数据推导出的水质基准一直存在争议,质疑者提出应有针对不同生物区系的水质基准。而这个问题在中国尤为突出。本文作者搜集了38种污染物对本地物种和非本地物种的毒性数据,比较了这些生物的HC₅和物种敏感度分布,结果显示,基于非本地物种推导的水质基准有74%的确定性可以有效保护中国的水生态系统。如果采用评价因子(AF=5)来校正基准,那么可以获得90%的确定性。
精选自Xiaowei Jin, Zijian Wang, Yeyao Wang, Yibing Lv, Kaifeng Rao, Wei Jin, John P. Giesy and Kenneth M. Y. Leung. Do water quality criteria based on nonnative species provide appropriate protection for native species? Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry: Volume 34, Issue 8, pages 1744–1750, August 2015. DOI: 10.1002/etc.2985
详情请见http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/etc.2985/full     

基于非本地物种毒性数据推导出的水质基准可为本地物种提供适当保护吗？

基于非本地物种的毒性数据推导出的水质基准一直存在争议,质疑者提出应有针对不同生物区系的水质基准。而这个问题在中国尤为突出。本文作者搜集了38种污染物对本地物种和非本地物种的毒性数据,比较了这些生物的HC₅和物种敏感度分布,结果显示,基于非本地物种推导的水质基准有74%的确定性可以有效保护中国的水生态系统。如果采用评价因子(AF=5)来校正基准,那么可以获得90%的确定性。
精选自Xiaowei Jin, Zijian Wang, Yeyao Wang, Yibing Lv, Kaifeng Rao, Wei Jin, John P. Giesy and Kenneth M. Y. Leung. Do water quality criteria based on nonnative species provide appropriate protection for native species? Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry: Volume 34, Issue 8, pages 1744–1750, August 2015. DOI: 10.1002/etc.2985
详情请见http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/etc.2985/full     

腐殖酸可降低纳米银的水生生物毒性

本文作者主要研究了腐殖酸对聚乙烯吡咯烷酮包覆的纳米银颗粒(polyvinylpyrrolidone-coated AgNPs)毒性的影响,受试生物涵盖了水生系统不同的营养级别,包括藻类(Raphidocelis subcapitata)、水蚤类(Chydorus sphaericus)以及淡水鱼类(Danio rerio)。结果显示,腐殖酸可降低AgNPs对本研究中所有水生生物的毒性,并具有明显的剂量效应关系。原因为：1）腐殖酸使AgNPs表面带有更多负电荷,这阻碍了AgNPs与藻细胞的接触,使毒性降低;2）腐殖酸抑制了AgNPs中Ag⁺的溶出,而本研究显示自由Ag⁺的毒性高于团聚的纳米银颗粒。
精选自Zhuang Wang, Joris T.K. Quik, Lan Song, Evert-Jan Van Den Brandhof, Marja Wouterse and Willie J.G.M. Peijnenburg. Humic substances alleviate the aquatic toxicity of polyvinylpyrrolidone-coated silver nanoparticles to organisms of different trophic levels. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry: Volume 34, Issue 6, pages 1239–1245, June 2015. DOI: 10.1002/etc.2936
详情请见http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/etc.2936/full
     

“生物有效性测量”与“全沉积物毒性识别评估(TIE)”联用有效识别出沉积物中主要致毒污染物

沉积物中污染物种类繁多,准确判断其中产生生物毒性的主要来源是个难点,本文作者先采用TIE法初步判断出主要致毒污染物为有机物和重金属(毒性描述阶段(相I)),传统的毒性单位分析结果显示Cr、Cu、Ni、Pb和Zn主要致毒重金属,而为氯氰菊酯、氯氟氰菊酯、溴氰菊酯和氟虫腈为主要致毒有机物中(毒性鉴定阶段(相II))。采用4步分级提取法和Tenax提取法分析了重金属和有机物的生物有效性。生物有效性毒性单位分析更加准确地锁定了毒性主要贡献重金属为Zn、Ni和Pb,毒性主要贡献有机物为氯氰菊酯、氯氟氰菊酯和氟虫腈。沉积物的稀释降低了重金属的毒性并使其毒性贡献鉴定变得复杂,生物有效性测量可以有效地提高TIE结果的准确性。
精选自Xiaoyi Yi, Huizhen Li, Ping Ma and Jing You. Identifying the causes of sediment-associated toxicity in urban waterways in South China: Incorporating bioavailabillity-based measurements into whole-sediment toxicity identification evaluation. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry: Volume 34, Issue 8, pages 1744–1750, August 2015. DOI: 10.1002/etc.2970
详情请见http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/etc.2970/full     

21世纪可替代脊椎动物进行生态毒性测试的方法：过去二十年的发展和现状综述

替代脊椎动物进行化学物质和污染物危害评估的方法已成为越来越重要的需求。现在首先要考虑的是当启动一个脊椎动物生态毒性测试,必须确保不必要的脊椎动物生物的使用尽可能最小化。对于一些监管目的,脊椎动物的使用对环境风险评估(ERA)已经被禁止,而在其他情况下生物测试的数量已经大大减少了,或者测试程序严格精简了。然而,想要获得能够完全替代脊椎动物提供环境危害数据的方法仍有很长的路要走。动物替代品的发展不仅仅是基于道德的考虑,也可以降低执行脊椎动物生态毒性测试的成本以及在某些情况下能够提供更好的信息旨在改进环境风险评估。本文集中综述了在过去的几十年里生态毒性评估替代方法所发生的重大的进展。
精选自Adam Lillicrap, Scott Belanger, Natalie Burden, David Du Pasquier, Michelle R. Embry, Marlies Halder, Mark A. Lampi, Lucy Lee, Teresa Norberg-King, Barnett A. Rattner, Kristin Schirmer, Paul Thomas. Alternative approaches to vertebrate ecotoxicity tests in the 21st century: a review of developments over the last two decades and current status. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry: Volume 35, Issue 11, pages 2637–2646, November 2016. DOI: 10.1002/etc.3603
详情请见http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/etc.3603/full
     

“生物有效性测量”与“全沉积物毒性识别评估(TIE)”联用有效识别出沉积物中主要致毒污染物

沉积物中污染物种类繁多,准确判断其中产生生物毒性的主要来源是个难点,本文作者先采用TIE法初步判断出主要致毒污染物为有机物和重金属(毒性描述阶段(相I)),传统的毒性单位分析结果显示Cr、Cu、Ni、Pb和Zn主要致毒重金属,而为氯氰菊酯、氯氟氰菊酯、溴氰菊酯和氟虫腈为主要致毒有机物中(毒性鉴定阶段(相II))。采用4步分级提取法和Tenax提取法分析了重金属和有机物的生物有效性。生物有效性毒性单位分析更加准确地锁定了毒性主要贡献重金属为Zn、Ni和Pb,毒性主要贡献有机物为氯氰菊酯、氯氟氰菊酯和氟虫腈。沉积物的稀释降低了重金属的毒性并使其毒性贡献鉴定变得复杂,生物有效性测量可以有效地提高TIE结果的准确性。
精选自Xiaoyi Yi, Huizhen Li, Ping Ma and Jing You. Identifying the causes of sediment-associated toxicity in urban waterways in South China: Incorporating bioavailabillity-based measurements into whole-sediment toxicity identification evaluation. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry: Volume 34, Issue 8, pages 1744–1750, August 2015. DOI: 10.1002/etc.2970
详情请见http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/etc.2970/full     

Consideration of translocation into a growth model of a plant organ

Taking account of the Bertalanffy's differential equation on animal growth, plant growth is also considered as the net result of anabolism and catabolism. When we, however, consider the growth of a plant organ, it is necessary to add a term of translocation because it plays an important role in the growth of plant organs, such as leaf and fruit. Considering translocation, therefore, a growth model of a plant organ was proposed on the basis of the compartment model for estimating the carbon balance in the organ by using the experimental data on translocation, photosynthesis and respiration of a tropical fruit of durian (Durio zibethinus Murray). The present growth model of a plant organ belongs to an extended Bertalanffy's growth equation, and was possible to be transformed into the simple Bertalanffy's growth equation on the basis of the proportionality between the growth and translocation rates. The Bertalanffy's growth equation of a plant organ was also possible to apply to that of the whole plant on the assumption of the allomeric relationship between a plant organ and the whole plant.     

模拟和光谱相互验证2'-OH-BDE-28对HSA构象的影响

利用分子对接、分子动力学模拟(molecular dynamics simulation,MD)和光谱法研究2'-羟基-2,4,4'-三溴二苯醚(2'-OHBDE-28)与人血清白蛋白(HSA)的作用机制。MD模拟研究表明2'-OH-BDE-28诱导HSA的内部疏水性增强,结构松散膨胀,致使其二级结构发生改变;圆二色光谱实验与MD模拟结果相吻合,验证2'-OH-BDE-28可诱导HSA的构象变化。荧光光谱实验表明,2'-OH-BDE-28能通过静态猝灭和非辐射能量转移机制引起HSA荧光猝灭。分子对接推断2'-OH-BDE-28以氢键和疏水作用力键合在HSA的位点I处;热力学分析和竞争实验结果一致验证分子对接结果。本文将计算模拟和光谱实验相结合,从模拟和实验2个角度共同探讨2'-OH-BDE-28与HSA的作用机制,结果高度吻合。     

Assessment of heavy metals contamination in soils surrounding a gold mine: comparison of two digestion methods

This study investigated two digestion methods (USEPA 3051: microwave, HNO₃ or Hossner: hot plate, HF–H₂SO₄–HClO₄) for heavy metals analysis in contaminated soil surrounding Mahad AD'Dahab mine, Saudi Arabia. Moreover, contamination metal levels were estimated. The Hossner and USEPA 3051 methods showed, respectively, average total contents of 17.2 and 18.1 mg kg^?1 for Cd, 11.6 and 10.6 mg kg^?1 for Co, 45.7 and 34.7 mg kg^?1 for Cr, 1030 and 1100 mg kg^?1 for Cu, 33,300 and 27,400 mg kg^?1 for Fe, 963 and 872 mg kg^?1 for Mn, 33.2 and 22.8 mg kg^?1 for Ni, 791 and 782 mg kg^?1for Pb, and 6320 and 2870 mg kg^?1 for Zn. A lack of significant differences and a high correlation coefficient (>90%) for Cd, Pb and Cu between the two digestion methods suggest that the total-recoverable method (USEPA 3051) may be equivalent to the total-total digestion method (Hossner) for determining these metals in the studied soil. However, significantly higher concentrations of Cr, Fe, Ni and Zn were found by the Hossner method comapred with the USEPA 3051 method. The soil samples have very or extremely high levels of Zn, Cu, Cd and Pb contamination, indicating very high potential ecological risk.     

Concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo‐p‐dioxins and dibenzofurans in outdoor air of North‐Rhine‐Westphalia,Germany

Measurements of polychlorinated dibenzo‐p‐dioxins (PCDD) and dibenzofurans (PCDF) in outdoor air of North‐Rhine‐Westphalia were carried out. Fifty‐six samples were taken at different sites in areas of different land use and emission structures. A special filter system allowed analysis of the gas and particle phases separately. It was found that higher chlorinated PCDD/PCDF (7 or 8 chlorine atoms) are collected on glass fiber filter and lower chlorinated PCDD/PCDF (tetra‐ and penta‐CDD/CDF) are absorbed on polyurethane foam. The following isomers were determined: OCDD, OCDF and 11 isomers with chlorine substitution in 2,3,7,8‐position as well as the sum of TCDD, PeCDD, HxCDD, HpCDD, TCDF, PeCDF, HxCDF, HpCDF and the sum of PCDD (4–8) and PCDF (4–8). No 2,3,7,8‐TCDD could be detected but 2,3,7,8‐TCDF was found at 15 sites. Mean concentration in the Rhine‐Ruhr‐District for the sum of PCDD (4–8) and PCDF (4–8) was 3.2pg/m³ and 5.5pg/m³ respectively. Detection limit for TCDD and PCDD/PCDF (5–8) was 0.1–0.2 pg/m³ and 0.005–0.015 pg/m³ respectively. There is no significant indication that 2,3,7,8‐chlorinated isomers of PCDD/PCDF are predominantly decomposed by photochemical reactions in outdoor air.     

Rehabilitation of degraded community lands for sustainable development in Himalaya: a case study in Garhwal Himalaya,India

SUMMARY

An approach to the rehabilitation of degraded community lands built on people's perceptions and traditional knowledge was developed, implemented on a small scale (6 ha plot), and evaluated in terms of economic and ecological costs and benefits over a period of 5 years in a mid-altitude (1200 m) village of Garhwal Himalaya. Rehabilitation comprised establishment of water harvesting tanks, organic management of soil, agroforestry (native multipurpose trees t traditional crops), and decision making by the whole village community. Costs and benefits under irrigated and unirrigated conditions were compared. The total cost of establishing the irrigated agroforestry system was 1.23 fold that of the unirrigated one, whereas the total benefit was 2.09 fold. The average standing above-ground biomass of the 4-year-old plantation in the irrigated agroforestry system was 11.69 t/ha compared to 8.34 t/ha in the unirrigated system. Improvement in soil properties was more pronounced in the irrigated system than in the unirrigated one. Nutrient input, an input derived largely from forest biomass, in the unirrigated system was nearly 3 times higher than that in the irrigated system. It is concluded that, considering the local and national/regional/global interests in an integrated manner, agroforestry incorporating water management would be a more effective option for rehabilitating degraded community lands than the afforestation currently being attempted by the government in the mid-altitudes of Indian Himalaya.     

A Study on Ionizing Emissions from Limestone Samples using CR-39 Solid State Nuclear Track Detector

Limestone is an item most commonly consumed by the people in the Barak Valley area of Assam along with betel leaves. Also limestone chips are extensively used for water treatment in filter beds of these areas. A preliminary investigation on the activity of the samples of limestone, collected from the local market at Silchar, Assam, indicated the presence of beta and gamma-ray activity, prompting further investigations for the presence of alpha particle emitting radionuclides. Also the study of the ionising emissions from these samples using solid state nuclear track detector (SSNTD) has revealed the presence of spontaneous fission fragments along with alpha particles. This paper presents an account of the results obtained from the SSNTD studies of these limestone samples.     

Frequency of abnormal heavy metal blood levels in Wegener's granulomatosis

Previous studies suggested environmental exposures, including mercury (Hg) and lead (Pb), may be related to Wegener's granulomatosis. In this study, investigations were extended to include the measurement of heavy metals in blood samples from patients diagnosed with Wegener's. Diagnosis was confirmed by using the 1990 Classification Criteria for Wegener's granulomatosis established by the American College of Rheumatology (ACR). Using commercial lab testing, whole blood heavy metal screenings were obtained from patients, and results were then compared with validated subject self-report questionnaire estimates of exposure. Thirty-eight Wegener's patients were enrolled; 10 of the 38 exhibited abnormal lab values. In those 10 subjects 3 had elevated nickel (Ni), 7 with increased cobalt (Co), 3 with higher manganese, 1 with elevated copper, and 1 with increased Hg. Overall, the questionnaire results did not correlate with the blood heavy metal analysis. Approximately 26% of Wegener's subjects in this study displayed abnormal heavy metal levels. These findings are likely underestimates since blood levels are an insensitive means for assessing total body burden of heavy metals. From these preliminary studies it appears that elevated Co is a common finding in Wegener's patients but Ni and Hg were also found to be increased. The proportion of patients with abnormal heavy metal levels is more than expected by chance alone. In order to yield more definitive results, further analysis is needed with a larger data set, more controls and more sensitive measurements (hair, urine, or nail samples).     

Valuing eco-assets: A note on valuation methods

SUMMARY

The valuation of eco-assets should take into account the perceptions and judgments of the public. However, the value of eco-assets based on conventional calculations has often been unreliable as a result of differing situations and individuals involved. Therefore, a reasonable and efficient method for valuing eco-assets is needed. In this paper, a brief summary of the history of valuing eco-assets is provided, followed by a summary of conventional methods of valuation. This summary of the currently used methods revealed that they do not take into account the effect of the stage and development of the population determining the value of the eco-assets. Therefore, we have developed a social development stage coefficient (l), based on Engel's coefficient. A new valuation method was then created by integrating the development stage coefficient (l) with a conventional model. Finally, possible future strategies for valuing eco-assets are discussed.     

Assessment of groundwater quality in Kavaratti Island in the Lakshadweep Archipelagos,India

This study attempts to address the processes controlling the chemical composition of the Kavaratti aquifer system of Lakshadweep Island in India. Major ions and other physico-chemical parameters were determined for the premonsoon period in the Kavaratti of the Lakshadweep Island system. The trilinear diagram confirms the ingress of sea water into the shallow lens of freshwater in the islands by the changing water types. The abundance of major cations varied in the order Na>Ca>Mg>K and anions in the order Cl>HCO₃>SO₄. The ionic relations suggest that the higher concentration Na and Cl are the results of ion exchange and evaporation. The plots of data on the Gibbs diagram suggest that chemical weathering of rock-forming minerals and evaporation are the dominant factors controlling groundwater chemistry in the area. The hydrochemistry concept was deduced by the multivariate analysis for better understanding on the dynamic and complexity of the groundwater chemical processes. By the multivariate analytical techniques, the samples were grouped into two: one with saline water dominance and the other with freshwater characteristics. Thus proper management of these aquifers should be assured to retain their freshwater yield in the future.     

Extraction,isolation, and identification of various environment friendly components from cock's comb (Celosia argentea) leaves for allelopathic potential

In this study, the aqueous extract of leaves of the plant cock's comb (Celosia argentea) was fractioned into five batches using n-hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, and n-butanol, respectively. High performance liquid chromatography analysis of the methanol re-dissolved residues of 3 polar fractions, including dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, and n-butanol separately which exhibited altogether 12 compounds identified as 4-hydroxycinnamic acid (p-coumaric acid), 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, protocatechuic acid, caffeic acid, m-coumaric acid, gallic acid, 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde, m-hydroxybenzaldehyde, 2,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid, pyrogallol, 3,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid, and genetic acid was categorized by retention time using known compounds. Similarly, the mass confirmation of most of the identified compounds was achieved by injecting 20 µl of composite sample of these three polar fractions into liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. Similarly, the physiochemical analysis of C. argentea aqueous extract showed the presence of various constituents such as phenols, flavonoids, tannins, and glycosides. All four organic fractions were examined for phytotoxicity against Lepidium sativum. Analysis of variance showed significant differences among these fractions against germination and growth of L. sativum. Further allelopathic effects appeared to be concentration dependent. Thus, C. argentea may prove effective as a substitute of herbicides to control the weeds like L. sativum from attacking crops and to protect the environment from the health hazard effects of herbicides.