Planting trees to combat global warming

Environmental Chemistry Letters -     

Impact of mining industries on the groundwater level fluctuation in Singrauli coalfield area by using remote sensing and GIS,India

The coal mining industries influence hydro-geological parameters, which affect the aquifer recharge in the coal mining areas. This research aimed to evaluate the impact of various hydro-geological parameters on fluctuation of groundwater level in the study area. The various hydro-geological parameters such as soil, geology, drainage pattern, elevation and slope have been considered to accomplish the objective. A comparative analysis was performed by comparing the groundwater level fluctuation (WLF) map with the GIS-based various hydro-geological parameter maps to assess the combined influence of different hydro-geological parameters on groundwater level fluctuation. A total of eighty-six (86) dug-wells were chosen to monitor the level of the groundwater for around ten blocks of Singrauli coalfield, and these wells were examined during the months of dry and wet seasons for 2016. Based on the comparative analysis between the WLF map and thematic maps of various hydro-geological parameters, it has been found that WLF in the south-western and some portions of the north-eastern showed moderate to a higher value. This may be because most of the non-hilly areas come under gentle to moderate slope category, with lower elevation in the area forming the suitable hydro-geological condition for recharging groundwater. It was observed that the northwest, south-east and central part of the study area showed lower WLF, which may be due to the presence of overburden dump, presence of higher elevation and steep slope. Thus, the combined effect of slope, elevation, geology, drainage and mining activities on the WLF in the study region is moderate.     

Exfoliation and Decoration of Graphene Sheets with Silver Nanoparticles and Their Antibacterial Properties

High quality graphene sheets (GRP) have been exfoliated using facile one pot method through direct ultrasonication of graphite in the presence of polyvinyl alcohol. The GRP were decorated with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) producing graphene–silver nanoparticle composites. The effect of variation of graphite and silver salt mass ratios on the morphology and performance of produced composites was studied. The size of AgNPs decorated on GRP has been tuned with synthesis method optimization. The average size of AgNPs was found to be in the range of 8.6–15.6 nm. Cotton–polyester blend textile fabrics were treated with the new smart developed composite as antibacterial agent producing new composites. A significant inhibition of bacterial growth has been observed for graphene–silver nanoparticle composite and the antibacterial efficiency was optimized. The clear inhibition zone for textiles treated with new developed composite and AgNPs alone was recorded as 12 and 1.75 mm respectively, achieving more than six fold improvement.     

Appraisal of the groundwater balance components from multi-remote sensing datasets in a semi-arid region

Semi-arid regions across the globe are fronting water crises, signaling a challenge to ensure future water security. Given the high inter-seasonal rainfall variability and unrestrained groundwater extraction, the precise quantification of groundwater flow components in an aquifer system is a priority. To address this challenge, we used high-resolution remote sensing (RS) data (Landsat and IRS) and GIS modeling (SEBAL, ArcCN) to spatially quantify major groundwater balance (GWB) components, viz., evapotranspiration (ET), rainfall recharge (R), surface runoff (Q), groundwater extraction (PG), irrigation return flow (IRF), and ultimately changes in groundwater storage (ΔS) in a small semi-arid crystalline representative watershed. Results show that a total of ~?230 mm of groundwater is extracted during 2008–2009, creating a negative impact on the groundwater resource, which is further enhanced by limited recharge and high ET. A decrease of approximately 65 mm in groundwater storage is observed in a single hydrological year, and given a very low specific yield, this decrease will introduce large water level decline. The study establishes that declining groundwater level in the watershed is a direct result of over-extraction, and owing to this scenario, efficient irrigation and land use policies are suggested as potential approaches to minimize extraction specifically in the dry season. Our methodology provides a systematic assessment of vital GWB components at a high spatial resolution and an insight on various sustainable mitigation methods. This methodology is useful in the planning and management of groundwater resources, particularly in water-stressed areas.     

Occupational exposure to pesticides and associated health effects among greenhouse farm workers

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The number and production capacities of greenhouse farms have been increased across the globe, driven by an effort for addressing food security...     

Radical scavenging and antiproliferative effect of novel phenolic derivatives isolated from Nerium indicum against human breast cancer cell line (MCF-7)—an in silico and in vitro approach

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Multiple drug resistance and increased side effects due to allopathic drugs has warned scientific community with a global alarm to identify molecules...     

Senna alexandrina extract supplementation reverses hepatic oxidative,inflammatory, and apoptotic effects of cadmium chloride administration in rats

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Senna alexandrina is traditionally used for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, but little information is available concerning its...     

Empirics on heterogeneous links among urbanization,the intensity of electric power consumption,water-based emissions,and economic progress in regional China

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - This study investigates the heterogeneous causal linkages between urbanization, the intensity of electric power consumption, water-based pollutant...     

TiO2-assisted degradation of a perfluorinated surfactant in aqueous solutions treated by gliding arc discharge

The plasma–chemical degradation of Forafac 1110, a perfluorinated non-ionic surfactant, in aqueous solutions was investigated using TiO₂ catalysts. The considered plasma was the gliding arc in humid air, which results from an electric discharge at atmospheric pressure and quasi-ambient temperature. Two titanium dioxide powders were used and their synergistic effects on the Forafac degradation were compared. The results were discussed through the evolution of the pH, the conductivity, the fluoride ions concentration released in solutions, the surfactant concentration remaining after treatment and the chemical oxygen demand (COD) measurement.

The combination of the plasma–chemical treatment with heterogeneous catalysis through the use of TiO₂ accelerated the Forafac degradation, since only 60 min was sufficient to remove 96% instead of 360 min needed in the absence of TiO₂. The use of anatase and rutile under the trade-name of Rhodia TiO₂ and Merck TiO₂, respectively, led to different results, because Rhodia TiO₂ has proven to be more efficient. It would seem that the crystalline phase as well as the crystallite size, explain the efficiency of anatase. The advantage of the plasma-catalysis is due to the fact that there is a significant production of the OH^• radicals not only generated by the gliding arc discharge but also by TiO₂.     

Evaluation of the host-specificity and prevalence of enterococci surface protein (esp) marker in sewage and its application for sourcing human fecal pollution

The suitability of the enterococci surface protein (esp) marker to detect human fecal pollution was evaluated by testing 197 fecal samples from 13 host groups in Southeast Queensland, Australia. Overall, this marker was detected in 90.5% of sewage and septic system samples and could not be detected in any fecal samples from 12 animal host groups. The sensitivity of the esp primer to detect the human-specific esp marker in sewage and septic samples was 100 and 67%, respectively. The overall specificity of this marker to distinguish between human and animal fecal pollution was 100%. Its prevalence in sewage was also determined by testing samples from the raw sewage, secondary effluent, and treated effluent of a sewage treatment plant (STP) over five consecutive days. Of the 15 samples tested, 12 (80%) were found to be positive for this marker. In contrast, it was not found in three samples from the treated effluent and these samples did not contain any culturable enterococci. The PCR limit of detection of this marker in freshwater samples was up to dilution 1 x 10(-4) and the number of culturable enterococci at this dilution was 4.8 x 10(1) +/- 7.0 x 10 degrees colony forming unit (CFU). The utility of this marker was evaluated by testing water samples from three non-sewered catchments in Pine Rivers in Southeast Queensland. Of the 13 samples tested, eight were positive for this marker with the number of enterococci ranging between 1.8 x 10(3) to 8.5 x 10(3) CFU per 100 mL of water. Based on the results, it can be concluded that the esp marker appears to be sewage specific and could be used as a reliable marker to detect human fecal pollution in surface waters in Southeast Queensland, Australia.