Cattle egrets as a biosentinels of persistent organic pollutants exposure

We investigated selected chlorinated pollutants (β-HCH, γ-HCH, DDDs, DDEs, o,p′-DDT, p,p′-DDT, heptachlor, aldrin, dieldrin, and endrin) in the Lahore and the Sialkot districts of Pakistan, using eggs of cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis) collected during May and June 2007. The pollutant with highest level and frequency was ΣDDT, followed by β-HCH, γ-HCH, heptachlor, aldrin, dieldrin, and endrin in descending order. The concentration(s) were significantly higher in Sialkot heronry for all the pollutants (except p,p′-DDT) than in Lahore. The values for DDTs, β-HCH, γ-HCH, and heptachlor were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the egg(s) than in sediment(s) and in the chicks’ diet, due to biomagnification. Among DDTs analogues, p,p′-DDD was the major contaminant with >60 % of total DDT burden, reflecting the widespread aged as well as recent use of DDT as well as anaerobic degradation (DDD/DDE > 1 in many cases) in the nearby paddy soils. In few samples, p,p′-DDT/(DDD + DDE) > 0.5 suggested the recent emission patterns from surrounding contaminated areas of demolished DDT units and obsolete pesticide stores. The higher levels of HCHs (i.e., β-HCH) in the samples collected from Sialkot indicate exposure from long-term agricultural use. Overall, concentrations of all studied POPs were less than the threshold levels known to affect reproduction. Nevertheless, total DDTs and/or HCHs burdens in some eggs contained concentrations of greater than what would educe adverse effects on birds. This is among few studies on OCPs exposure to avian species, which provide the evidence of Pakistan’s contribution toward the Global POPs emission.     

Immunoprotective effect of curcumin on cypermethrin-induced toxicity in rats

Immunotoxicological effects of cypermethrin and their reversal by curcumin following oral administration were evaluated in rats. Mature male Wistar rats were orally administered cypermethrin (25?mg?kg^?1 body wt), curcumin (100?mg?kg^?1 body wt) or both daily for 4 weeks. At the end of fourth week, hematological, serum biochemical, and immunological parameters were studied. Subchronic exposure to cypermethrin significantly reduced body weight, total leukocyte count, lymphocyte count, serum total protein, serum albumin, serum globulin, antibody titer against sheep red blood cells, and cell-mediated immunity. Concomitant curcumin administration restored the changes in the body weight, hematological parameters, and serum biochemical indices and significantly increased the antibody titer, and cell mediated immunity. These results suggest that concurrent curcumin treatment has a beneficial role in mitigating immunotoxicological and other adverse effects of cypermethrin.     

Metals contamination in the foraging area of Milky Stork: evidence of anthropogenic inputs in the aquatic environment of Kuala Gula,Malaysia

The rapid decline of the wild Milky Stork population in Malaysia has led to the reintroduction of the captive bred species in Kuala Gula, Perak. The area is known as an important migratory stopover and sanctuary for both visitors and resident birds. Although Kuala Gula and its adjacent areas are regarded as pristine and unpolluted, recent study suggested that accumulation of certain pollutants is occurring in the aquatic environment of the area. Surface sediment samples from five foraging areas considered important to the reintroduced Milky Storks have been analyzed for metals contamination. The results show that elevations of Cu, Zn, and Pb ranging from 9.7 to 57 mg kg^?1, 71 to 120 mg kg^?1, and 28 to 47 mg kg^?1 have occurred, except for Cd (0.9–1.7 mg kg^?1). The accumulation of these metals is site-specific which reflects continuous anthropogenic inputs into the aquatic environment of Kuala Gula. In addition, metal levels in some areas have exceeded the effects range low values, and thus urgent action is needed to ensure good practice and sustainable management of Kuala Gula by responsible parties.     

Sol-gel immobilisation of methyl parathion degrading bacteria isolated from agricultural areas of Pakistan

The following areas are discussed in this paper: immobilisation of bacterial consortium in sol-gel; methyl parathion degradation and bioremediation applications; evaluation of indigenous bacterial isolates of contaminated soils. Bacterial strains were isolated from agricultural areas of Pakistan which were contaminated with methyl parathion. A bacterial consortium of seven (out of 64) Enterobacteriaceae isolates including Citrobacter, Enterobacter and Proteus vulgaris capable of degrading methyl parathion (enzyme activity ranging 410–675 mU mL^?1 for individual isolates and 982 mU/mL for consortium) was selected and subsequently immobilised in tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) and sodium-silicate-based sol-gel matrices. Cell viability of suspended and immobilised bacterial consortium was monitored using a minimal salt medium supplemented with methyl parathion. The results indicate that sol-gel immobilisation can be helpful to increase the shelf life of methyl parathion degrading bacterial strains along with preservation of biological activity for bioremediation applications in field.     

Mercury contamination in selected foodstuffs and potential health risk assessment along the artisanal gold mining,Gilgit-Baltistan,Pakistan

This study investigates the mercury (Hg) contaminations in soil and foodstuffs along the artisanal gold mining areas, Gilgit-Baltistan Province, Pakistan. For this purpose, soils were analyzed for Hg concentrations and evaluated for the enrichment/contamination using enrichment factor or contamination factors (CF). The CF values ranged from 18.9 to 153 showed multifold higher levels of Hg contamination as compared to background or reference site. Foodstuffs including vegetables, seeds or grains and fish muscles showed Hg accumulation. Results revealed that Hg concentrations in foodstuffs were higher than the critical human health value set by European Union. The Hg in foodstuffs was consumed and, therefore, evaluated for the risk assessment indices using the daily intake (DI) and health risk index (HRI) for the exposed human population both children and adults. Results of this study revealed that cumulative HRI values through foodstuffs consumption were <1 (within safe limit), but if the current practices continued, then the Hg contamination could pose potential threat to exposed population in near future.     

Entomotoxic effect of silicon dioxide nanoparticles on Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) under laboratory conditions

The use of higher dosage and repeated applications of conventional pesticides have led to the rapid development of insect resistance to pesticide and adverse effects on human health and environment. Accordingly, researchers are prompted to identify an alternative entomotoxic agent for crop protection. Nanocides are being considered as alternatives to conventional insecticides because they are expected to lessen the application rate and reduce the chances of resistance development in pests. In this study, we evaluated the entomotoxic effects of nanosilica on larvae of Plutella xylostella, in a laboratory by using dust spray, larva dipping, leaf dipping, and solution spray methods. Dust treatment showed a more highly significant effect than the other three treatments. The mortality percentage increased up to 58% and 85% at 24 and 72 h after treatment, respectively, when nanosilica was applied at a rate of 1 mg cm^?2. In all four bioassays, mortality rate increased with both increased time after nanosilica exposure and increased concentration. Light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy images showed that larval death was due to desiccation, body wall abrasion, and spiracle blockage. These results suggested that nanosilica can be an alternative to conventional pesticides if dust formulation would be properly used.     

Elements of fishing community resilience to climate change in the coastal zone of Bangladesh

Resilience has been conceptualized in various ways by anthropologists, ecologists, systems scientists and engineers; the boundaries of resilience are subjective and context dependent. Consequently, choosing the standards and metrics for assessing resilience remains key challenges for policy makers. In this study, using multicriteria evaluation of 40 basic criteria of human, physical, financial, natural and social assets, we have identified several elements, such as experienced fishermen, natural abundance of hilsa (Tenualosa ilisha), ability to assert decision on fish selling, nets and boats ownership, social harmony and capacity of buying food as essential livelihood assets for the fishermen at Hatiya Island, Bangladesh. These assets may enhance the relative resilience of the fishing community of the island to climate change by as much as 20–40%. The results of this study will improve our understanding of the elements that lead to resilience at the community level.     

黄渤海气溶胶光学厚度的多源卫星遥感产品精度分析和时空分布特征研究

以黄渤海上空大气为目标研究区,基于AERONET观测网,获取该区域2015—2017年的气溶胶光学厚度（AOD）实测数据,并对可见红外成像辐射计VⅡRS,中分辨率成像光谱仪MODIS,静止水色卫星成像仪GOCI与新一代地球同步气象卫星AHI H8的AOD遥感产品展开精度验证.同时,利用长时间的遥感影像探究并分析AOD在不同时空尺度下的分布特征与变化情况.结果表明：同其它AOD遥感产品相比,GOCI AOD展示出了高采样频率及高精度的特性.此外,在研究区域AOD的逐小时遥感影像中未发现明显的变化规律,而月平均图则显示出从黄渤海西部至中部再到东部AOD逐渐递减的趋势,且该趋势在研究区域不同的地方是具有差异的.不仅如此,本文还尝试分析影响AOD反演精度的潜在因子,发现其可能与地表反射率提取的准确度与预设气溶胶模型设置的合理性有关.     

Effect of calcium against salinity-induced inhibition in growth, ion accumulation and proline contents in Cichorium intybus L

This study assesses the effect of NaCl (80 and 160 mM) and CaCl2 (10 mM) solutions, alone and in combination, to 30-day-old seedlings of Cichorium intybus L. Observations were made at 30 day intervals from the time of treatment till harvest (180 days after sowing). Application of NaCI resulted in significant decreases in lengths of root and stem, in dry weights of root, stem and leaves and in the leaf area, as compared with control. The reduction was less with the combined application of NaCI and CaCI2 than with the NaCI treatment alone. On the contrary treatment of CaCl2, alone promoted the above variables. Proline content in the leaves was enhanced with NaCl and CaCI, alone as well as with the NaCI + CaCI2 treatments; the maximum (six-fold) enhancement was observed with the combined treatments, compared with NaCl (four-fold increase) and CaCl2 (two-fold increase) alone. The sodium (Na+) and Chloride (CI) contents in different plant parts increased both with NaCI and with NaCI+ CaCI2 treatments. The maximum accumulation was observed in leaves, followed by that in stem and root. The potassium (K+) and calcium (Ca2+) contents decreased under NaCl stress, but increased with CaCI2 treatment. Thus, calcium ameliorated the deleterious effects of NaCI stress and stimulated the plant metabolism and growth.