Effect of salicylic acid on morphological and biochemical attributes in cowpea

Effects of salicylic acid (SA) on seed germination, seedling growth, flowering and biochemical activities were studied out in four cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) genotypes in control environments. The results revealed that both germination and seedling growth were negatively affected by 0.02%. SA application, however did not affect the size of full expanded buds, time of 50% flowering and date of flower initiation. A maximum increase in peroxidase (EC1.11.1.7) activity was observed in UPC 4200 over other genotypes. No significant change in the content of total soluble and intercellular fluid proteins was observed except in UPC 4200 genotype. SA induced accumulation of total soluble sugars more at flowering stage than at seed setting stage. It is evident from the present study that UPC 4200 genotype was more responsive to salicylic acid both in terms of increased peroxidase activity and less negative effect on morphological attributes, thus suggesting its wider use without negative impact on environment as salicylic acid has been reported in plants.     

Comparison of the Photodegradation of Imazethapyr in Aqueous Solution,on Epicuticular Waxes,and on Intact Corn (Zea Mays) and Soybean (Glycine Max) Leaves

A direct, controlled comparison of the photodegradation of imazethapyr has been made between imazethapyr in aqueous solutions, imazethapyr on the surface of epicuticular waxes of corn and soybean plants, and imazethapyr on the surface of intact corn and soybean plant leaves. In some experiments, the imazethapyr solutions were allowed to evaporate partially or fully after application to better model environmental conditions. The photodegradation of imazethapyr was fastest in aqueous solutions (k?=?0.16?±?0.02?h^?1) and slowest on the surface of corn and soybean plants (k_corn?=?0.00048?±?0.001?h^?1 and k_soy?=?0.00054?±?0.003?h^?1). Experiments allowing evaporation during irradiation have intermediate rate constants (e.g., k_corn?=?0.082?±?0.005?h^?1). Finally, identification of photoproducts was also examined on epicuticular waxes of corn and soybean plants for the first time.     

Removal of substituted phenols onto iron‐treated Nostoc sp. biomass

This study explored the possibility of removing 4‐nitrophenol (4‐NP) and 2,4‐dichlorophenol (2,4‐DCP) from water by using a dead blue‐green algae, Nostoc sp., dried and untreated and dried and treated with iron (Fe‐treated with 0.1 M ferric chloride solution for 1 day). The Nostoc sp. untreated and Fe‐treated biomass were used to study the sorption and desorption of 4‐NP and 2,4‐DCP. The effects of solute concentration, ionic strength, and temperature on sorption and desorption in the presence of untreated and treated Nostoc sp. biomass were investigated. The Fe‐treated Nostoc sp. biomass sorbed higher amounts of both 4‐NP and 2,4‐DCP than the untreated biomass. The percent cumulative desorption decreased from 6.41% to 0.28% and 1.84% to 0.19%, respectively, for 4‐NP and 2,4‐DCP for the Fe‐treated biomass. Biosorption of 4‐NP and 2,4‐DCP onto untreated and Fe‐treated Nostoc sp. biomass conformed to Freundlich isotherms. Iron treatment of Nostoc sp. biomass increased the value of ln K from 8.07 to 8.59 for 4‐NP and from 8.04 to 8.51 for 2,4‐DCP but decreased their desorption. An increase in ionic strength (0.003–0.03) increased the biosorption of both substituted phenols and decreased their percent desorption. An increase in temperature in the range of 15–35°C decreased the sorption of 4‐NP and 2,4‐DCP onto both untreated and Fe‐treated Nostoc sp. biomass and increased their desorption, indicating that the biosorption of both substituted phenols onto untreated and Fe‐treated Nostoc sp. biomass was principally a physical process. The results of this study suggest that Fe‐treated dried Nostoc sp. biomass could be explored as an inexpensive and eco‐friendly material for the effective removal of these phenols and, potentially, other chemicals from industrial wastewater and contaminated groundwater.     

Induction of enhanced methane oxidation in compost: temperature and moisture response

Landfilling is one of the most common ways of municipal solid waste disposal. Degradation of organic waste produces CH(4) and other landfill gases that significantly contribute to global warming. However, before entering the atmosphere, part of the produced CH(4) can be oxidised while passing through the landfill cover. In the present study, the oxidation rate of CH(4) was studied with various types of compost as possible landfill cover. The influence of incubation time, moisture content and temperature on the CH(4) oxidation capacity of different types of compost was examined. It was observed that the influence of moisture content and temperature on methane oxidation is time-dependent. Maximum oxidation rates were observed at moisture contents ranging from 45% to 110% (dry weight basis), while the optimum temperature ranged from 15 to 30 degrees C.     

Study of Geochemical Association of Some Trace Metals in the Sediments of Chilika Lake: A Multivariate Statistical Approach

In order to establish the natural processes and geochemical factors responsible for enrichment of trace metal ions (Cu, Co, Ni, Zn and Cr) with respect to textural parameters (sand, silt and clay weight percentages) along with depth, multivariate statistical approach has been carried out for sediments in different water zones of Chilika lake, the largest brackish water lagoon in Asia. The rotated varimax factor results reveal that Cobalt enrichment is controlled by both textural parameters as well as adsorption mechanism. In fresh and saline water region, textural parameters and in mixed water, adsorption phenomenon predominates. Zn in fresh water is related to clay, whereas it is in adsorbed state in mixed water. Cu in fresh water sediments is in absorbed state and in mixed water it is related to depth and Co concentration. Cr does not show any specific association in fresh water, but in both mixed and saline water it is associated with clay minerals. Although both textural parameters and adsorption mechanism play an important role for the enrichment of trace metal ions in these lagoonal sediments, their relative importance varies with specific metal ions as well as the water quality. Sequential extraction technique was used to characterize the various forms of metals in the < 63μ size sediments of Chilika lake. The concentrations determined indicated selective accumulation of the various metals in the different phases with spatial variability in different water zones. Slightly higher availability of Co and Zn near Balugaon township in exchangeable phase may be related to anthropogenic activities. Among the non-lithogenous (NL) phases, reducible phase associated with higher concentration of Ni, Cu and Cr. Organic bound Zn and Co contributed highest percentages among NL fractions. Residual fraction contributed more than 50% in most of the cases, reflected the predominance of physical weathering, high erosion rate along the drainage basin.     

Geospatial strategy for sustainable management of municipal solid waste for growing urban environment

This paper presents the implementation of a Geospatial approach for improving the Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) disposal suitability site assessment in growing urban environment. The increasing trend of population growth and the absolute amounts of waste disposed of worldwide have increased substantially reflecting changes in consumption patterns, consequently worldwide. MSW is now a bigger problem than ever. Despite an increase in alternative techniques for disposing of waste, land-filling remains the primary means. In this context, the pressures and requirements placed on decision makers dealing with land-filling by government and society have increased, as they now have to make decisions taking into considerations environmental safety and economic practicality. The waste disposed by the municipal corporation in the Bhagalpur City (India) is thought to be different from the landfill waste where clearly scientific criterion for locating suitable disposal sites does not seem to exist. The location of disposal sites of Bhagalpur City represents the unconsciousness about the environmental and public health hazards arising from disposing of waste in improper location. Concerning about urban environment and health aspects of people, a good method of waste management and appropriate technologies needed for urban area of Bhagalpur city to improve this trend using Multi Criteria Geographical Information System and Remote Sensing for selection of suitable disposal sites. The purpose of GIS was to perform process to part restricted to highly suitable land followed by using chosen criteria. GIS modeling with overlay operation has been used to find the suitability site for MSW.     

Spatial variability and temporal changes in the trace metal content of soils: implications for mine restoration plan

Trace metals in soils may be inherited from the parent materials or added to the system due to anthropogenic activities. In proposed mining areas, trace metals become an integral part of the soil system. Usually, researchers undertake experiments on plant species selection (for the restoration plan) only after the termination of mining activities, i.e. without any pre-mining information about the soil-plant interactions. Though not shown in studies, it is clear that several recovery plans remain unsuccessful while carrying out restoration experiments. Therefore, we hypothesize that to restore the area effectively, it is imperative to consider the pre-mining scenario of metal levels in parent material as well as the vegetation ecology of the region. With these specifics, we examined the concentrations of trace metals in parent soils at three proposed bauxite locations in the Eastern Ghats, India, and compared them at a spatio-temporal scale. Vegetation quantification and other basic soil parameters accounted for establishing the connection between soil and plants. The study recorded significant spatial heterogeneity in trace metal concentrations and the role of vegetation on metal availability. Oxidation reduction potential (ORP), pH and cation exchange capacity (CEC) directly influenced metal content, and Cu and Ni were lithogenic in origin. It implies that for effective restoration plant species varies for each geological location.     

Seasonal perspective of dietary arsenic consumption and urine arsenic in an endemic population

Exposure to arsenic in arsenic endemic areas is most remarkable environmental health challenges. Although effects of arsenic contamination are well established, reports are unavailable on probable seasonal variation due to changes of food habit depending on winter and summer seasons, especially for endemic regions of Nadia district, West Bengal. Complete 24-h diets, drinking–cooking water, first morning voided urine samples, and diet history were analyzed on 25 volunteers in arsenic endemic Chakdah block of Nadia district, once in summer followed by once in winter from the same participants. Results depicted no seasonal variation of body weight and body mass index. Arsenic concentration of source drinking and cooking water decreased (p?=?0.04) from 26 μg L^?1 in summer to 6 μg L^?1 in winter season. We recorded a seasonal decrease of water intake in male (3.8 and 2.5 L day ^?1) and female (2.6 and 1.2 L day^?1) participants from summer to winter. Arsenic intake through drinking water decreased (p?=?0.04) in winter (29 μg day^?1) than in summer (100 μg day^?1), and urinary arsenic concentration decreased (p?=?0.018) in winter (41 μg L^?1) than in summer (69 μg L^?1). Dietary arsenic intake remained unchanged (p?=?0.24) over the seasons. Hence, we can infer that human health risk assessment from arsenic needs an insight over temporal scale.     

Isolation and characterization of Bacillus cereus IST105 from electroplating effluent for detoxification of hexavalent chromium

Purpose

Electroplating industries are the main sources of heavy metals, chromium, nickel, lead, zinc, cadmium and copper. The highest concentrations of chromium (VI) in the effluent cause a direct hazards to human and animals. Therefore, there is a need of an effective and affordable biotechnological solution for removal of chromium from electroplating effluent.

Methods

Bacterial strains were isolated from electroplating effluent to find out higher tolerant isolate against chromate. The isolate was identified by 16S rDNA sequence analysis. Absorbed chromium level of bacterium was determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometer (ICP-AES), atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX). Removal of metals by bacterium from the electroplating effluent eventually led to the detoxification of effluent confirmed by MTT assay. Conformational changes of functional groups of bacterial cell surface were studied through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.

Results

The chromate tolerant isolate was identified as Bacillus cereus. Bacterium has potency to remove more than 75% of chromium as measured by ICP-AES and AAS. The study indicated the accumulation of chromium (VI) on bacterial cell surface which was confirmed by the SEM-EDX and TEM analysis. The biosorption of metals from the electroplating effluent eventually led to the detoxification of effluent. The increased survivability of Huh7 cells cultured with treated effluent also confirmed the detoxification as examined by MTT assay.

Conclusion

Isolated strain B. cereus was able to remove and detoxify chromium (VI). It would be an efficient tool of the biotechnological approach in mitigating the heavy metal pollutants.     

A Calibrated,High‐Resolution GOES Satellite Solar Insolation Product for a Climatology of Florida Evapotranspiration1

Paech, Simon J., John R. Mecikalski, David M. Sumner, Chandra S. Pathak, Quinlong Wu, Shafiqul Islam, and Taiye Sangoyomi, 2009. A Calibrated, High‐Resolution GOES Satellite Solar Insolation Product for a Climatology of Florida Evapotranspiration. Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) 45(6):1328‐1342. Abstract: Estimates of incoming solar radiation (insolation) from Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite observations have been produced for the state of Florida over a 10‐year period (1995‐2004). These insolation estimates were developed into well‐calibrated half‐hourly and daily integrated solar insolation fields over the state at 2 km resolution, in addition to a 2‐week running minimum surface albedo product. Model results of the daily integrated insolation were compared with ground‐based pyranometers, and as a result, the entire dataset was calibrated. This calibration was accomplished through a three‐step process: (1) comparison with ground‐based pyranometer measurements on clear (noncloudy) reference days, (2) correcting for a bias related to cloudiness, and (3) deriving a monthly bias correction factor. Precalibration results indicated good model performance, with a station‐averaged model error of 2.2 MJ m^?2/day (13%). Calibration reduced errors to 1.7 MJ m^?2/day (10%), and also removed temporal‐related, seasonal‐related, and satellite sensor‐related biases. The calibrated insolation dataset will subsequently be used by state of Florida Water Management Districts to produce statewide, 2‐km resolution maps of estimated daily reference and potential evapotranspiration for water management‐related activities.