Water quality and phytoplankton characteristics in the Palk Bay, southeast coast of India

The present study was carried out to determine the water quality in terms of physicochemical characteristics and plankton distribution in the coastal waters of Kattumavadi, Palk Bay for a period of one year from April 2002 to March 2003. Air and surface water temperatures varied from 28 degrees C to 32.50 degrees C and from 27.5 to 32.0 degrees C while light extinction coefficient (LEC) varied between 0.95 and 1.85. Salinity ranged from 26.0 to 34.5 per thousand and the pH ranged between 7.95 and 8.35. Variation in dissolved oxygen content was from 4.15 to 7.18 ml(-1), and the particulate organic carbon (POC) content varied between 0.49 and 2.28 mgCl(-1). Concentrations of nutrients viz. nitrate (2.15 to 8.28 microM), nitrite (0.12 to 0.62 microM), inorganic phosphate (1.28 to 2.15 microM) and reactive silicate (5.15 to 12.52 microM) also varied independently. Chlorophyll a content ranged from 0.28 to 1.48 mg m(-3) and the primary productivity, from 4.19 to 16.08 mgCm(-3) hr(-1). The present study recorded a total of 43 species of planktonic diatoms and two species of blue-green algae. Population density of phytoplankton varied from 18,000 to 34,000 cells l(-1). Percentage composition, of the diatoms showed minimum values during the monsoon season and the maximum values during the premonsoon season.     

Characterization of trace organic contaminants in marine sediment from Yeongil Bay, Korea: 1. Instrumental analyses

Concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine (OC) pesticides (HCB, HCHs, CHLs, and DDTs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), alkylphenols (APs), and bisphenol A (BPA) were measured in 26 marine sediments collected from Yeongil Bay, Korea, in order to characterize their spatial distribution and sources. PCBs (2.85-26.5 ng/g, dry wt.) were detected mainly in the inner bay locations Mean OC pesticide ranged from 1.16 ng/g dry wt. for HCH to 0.05 ng/g dry wt. for HCB). PAH concentrations ranged from <10.0 to 1870 (mean: 309)ng/g dry wt., and were predominated 3- and 4-ring congeners. Concentrations of APs, such as nonylphenol, octylphenol, butylphenol (means 89.1, 4.61, 11.0 ng/g dry wt., respectively), were greater at locations proximal to municipal wastewater discharges. Concentrations of PCBs and PAHs were great near shipyards and industrial complexes. Vertical profiles of PAHs and APs indicated that they have been associated with sediments since the 1950s.     

Pesticide modelling for a small catchment using SWAT-2000

Pesticides in stream flow from the 142 ha Colworth catchment in Bedfordshire, UK were monitored from October 1999 to December 2000. About 47% of the catchment is tile-drained and different pesticides and cropping patterns have recently been evaluated in terms of their effect on nutrient and pesticide losses to the stream. The data from Colworth were used to test soil and water assessment tool (SWAT) 2000 predictions of pesticide concentrations at the catchment outlet. A sound model set-up to carry out pesticide modelling was created by means of hydrological modelling with proper simulation of crop growth and evapotranspiration. The pesticides terbuthylazine, terbutryn, cyanazine and bentazone were modelled. There was close agreement between SWAT-predicted pesticide concentration values and observations. Scenario trials were conducted to explore management options for reducing pesticide loads arriving at the catchment outlet. The results obtained indicate that SWAT can be used as a tool to understand pesticide behavior at the catchment scale.     

In vitro development of resistance to arsenite and chromium-VI in Lactobacilli strains as perspective attenuation of gastrointestinal disorder

Inadvertent intake of inorganic arsenic and chromium through drinking water and food causing their toxic insults is a major health problem. Intestinal bacteria including Lactobacilli play important regulatory roles on intestinal homeostasis, and their loss is known to cause gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. Probiotic Lactobacilli resistance to arsenite and chromium-VI could be an importantfactorfor the perspective attenuation of Gl-disorders caused by these toxic metals/metalloid. In the present study resistance of arsenite (up to 32 ppm), Cr-VI (up to 64 ppm), and arsenite plus Cr-VI (32 ppm each) were developed under in vitro condition following chronological chronic exposures in Lactobacilli strains. Comparative study of biochemical parameters such as membrane transport enzymes and structural constituents; dehydrogenase and esterase activity tests, which are respective indicators for respiratory and energy producing processes, and the general heterotrophic activity of cells, of resistant strains showed similarities with their respective normal parent strains. The resistant strains were also found to be sensitive to antibiotics. Findings indicate that these resistant probiotic Lactobacilli would be useful in the prophylactic interventions of arsenic and chromium GI-toxicity.     

Occurrence and exposure assessment of perchlorate, iodide and nitrate ions from dairy milk and water in Japan and Sri Lanka

Perchlorate is known to competitively interfere with iodide uptake by the thyroid gland and thereby human exposure to perchlorate is a public health concern. Prevalence of perchlorate in dairy milk is documented; nevertheless, co-occurrence of perchlorate with other thyroid-binding monovalent ions such as iodide and nitrate is not well understood. In this study, we analyzed perchlorate, iodide, and nitrate-N in dairy milk, water and other dairy-related samples collected from Japan and Sri Lanka. Concentrations of perchlorate in Japanese dairy milk samples ranged from 1.03 to 14.1 ng ml(-1); the corresponding concentrations in dairy milk and powdered milk from Sri Lanka were 1.14-38.5 ng ml(-1). Perchlorate concentrations in commercial milk were significantly higher in Japan than in Sri Lanka, while iodide and nitrate levels in milk between the two countries were comparable. All three ions were ubiquitously found in water samples from Japan and Sri Lanka. Analysis of colostrum and raw milk collected from cows fed with the same feed for over 30 days showed no significant temporal variations in perchlorate, iodide and nitrate-N concentrations. A significant positive correlation was found between the concentrations of perchlorate and iodide in Japanese commercial milk. The concentrations of perchlorate and nitrate-N in water samples analyzed from both countries also showed a significant positive correlation. The exposure estimation revealed that dairy milk provides a greater source for perchlorate and iodide, while water predominantly contributes nitrate-N intake for all age groups in both counties. Infants and children demonstrated the highest estimated perchlorate, iodide and nitrate-N intake on a body weight basis in comparison to other age groups. Therefore, further studies of risk associated with perchlorate may need to reconsider co-existence of iodine and other iodide transport inhibitors in food.     

Mercury remediation potential of a mercury resistant strain Sphingopyxis sp. SE2 isolated from contaminated soil

A mercury resistant bacterial strain SE2 was isolated from contaminated soil.The 16 s rRNA gene sequencing confirms the strain as Sphingopyxis belongs to the Sphingomonadaceae family of the α-Proteobacteria group.The isolate showed high resistance to mercury with estimated concentrations of Hg that caused 50%reduction in growth(EC_(50)) of 5.97 and 6.22 mg/L and minimum inhibitory concentrations(MICs) of 32.19 and 34.95 mg/L in minimal and rich media,respectively.The qualitative detection of volatilized mercury and the presence of mercuric reductase enzyme proved that the strain SE2 can potentially remediate mercury.ICP-QQQ-MS analysis of the remaining mercury in experimental broths indicated that a maximum of 44%mercury was volatilized within 6 hr by live SE2 culture.Furthermore a small quantity(23%) of mercury was accumulated in live cell pellets.While no volatilization was caused by dead cells,sorption of mercury was confirmed.The mercuric reductase gene merA was amplified and sequenced.Homology was observed among the amino acid sequences of mercuric reductase enzyme of different organisms from a-Proteobacteria and ascomycota groups,     

Landfill soil leachates from Nigeria and India induced DNA damage and alterations in genes associated with apoptosis in Jurkat cell

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Landfill soil leachates, containing myriad of xenobiotics, increase genotoxic and cytotoxic stress–induced cell death. However, the underlying...     

Analysis of a solar still with photovoltaic modules and electrical heater - Energy and exergy approach

The availability of drinkable water, along with food and air, is a fundamental human necessity. Because of the presence of higher amounts of salt and pollution, direct use of water from sources such as lakes, sea, rivers, and subsurface water reservoirs is not normally suggested. Solar is still a basic technology that can use solar energy to transform accessible waste or brackish water into drinkable water. Exergy analysis is a strong inferential technique for evaluating the performance of thermal systems. Exergy is becoming more popular as a predictive tool for analysis, and there is a rising interest in using it. In this paper, performance analysis on the aspect of energy and exergy from the proposed solar still (PSS) (conventional solar still with the photovoltaic modules-AC heater) was analyzed on three different water depths (W_d) conditions (1, 2, and 3 cm). Using a solar still with an electric heater, the daily potable water production was found as 8.54, 6.37, and 4.43 kg, for the variations in water depth (W_d) of 1, 2, and 3 cm respectively. The energy and exergy efficiency of the PSS at the W_d of 1, 2, and 3 cm were 75.67, 51.45, and 37.21% and 5.08, 2.29, and 1.03%, respectively. At 1 cm W_d, PSS produced the maximum freshwater yield as compared to the other two water depths. When the W_d is increased from 1 to 2 cm and from 1 to 3 cm, the yield is decreased up to 27.3 and 52.7%, respectively. Similarly, the energy and exergy efficiency is decreased up to 36.8 and 53.2% and 50.4 and 80.6%, respectively. The water cost of the modified solar still is calculated as 0.028 $/kg for the least water thickness.

     

Organochlorine insecticides, polychlorinated biphenyls, and metals in water, sediment, and green frogs from southwestern Michigan.

In an attempt to explain the etiology of frog deformities and population declines, many possible causative factors have been examined, including the input of synthetic chemicals into aquatic systems, where frogs spend much of their lives, including their entire developmental stages. Deformities in populations of green frogs in wetlands of southwestern Michigan that are influenced by agricultural, urban, or industrial inputs were assessed in this study. Of the 1445 green frogs (Rana clamitans) examined, only four (0.3%) exhibited morphological deformities. This deformity rate is less than the recognized background level of deformities for this species, which is approximately 1%. Concentrations of organochlorine insecticides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and metals were determined in water, sediment, frog eggs, tadpoles, and adult green frog tissues. Concentrations of all individual organochlorine insecticides in tissue were less than 6 ng/g, wet wt. Concentrations of sigmaPCBs in tissue did not exceed 100 ng/g, wet wt. Concentrations of toxic metals were less than the limits of detection. Because no significant numbers of green frog deformities were observed in this region, it can be assumed that at these low concentrations, physical malformations in green frogs should not be observed. Significance of study. This study provides information on the incidence of deformities in green frog populations in southwestern Michigan and offers background data on chemical residues in green frogs and their environment.     

Intracellular biosynthesis of Au and Ag nanoparticles using ethanolic extract of Brassica oleracea L. and studies on their physicochemical and biological properties

In this present study, we reported broccoli (Brassica oleracea L.) as a potential candidate for the synthesis of gold and silver nanoparticles (NPs) in green chemistry method. The synthesized metal nanoparticles are evaluated their antimicrobial efficacy against different human pathogenic organisms. The physico-chemical properties of gold nanoparticles were analyzed using different analytical techniques such as a UV-Vis spectrophotometer, Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and a Fourier Transform Infrared spectrophotometer. In addition, gold and silver NP antimicrobial efficacy was checked by disc diffusion assay. UV-Vis color intensity of the nanoparticles was shown at 540 and 450 nm for gold and silver nanoparticles respectively. Higher magnification of the Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy image shows the variable morphology of the gold nanoparticles such as spherical, rod and triangular shapes and silver nanoparticles were seen in spherical shapes. The average spherical size of the particles was observed in 24- 38 nm for gold and 30-45 nm for silver NPs. X-ray diffraction pattern confirmed the presence of gold nanoparticles and silver nanoparticles which were crystalline in nature. Additionally, the functionalmetabolites were identified by the Fourier TransformInfrared spectroscopy. IR spectra revealed phenols, alcohols, aldehydes (sugar moieties), vitamins and proteins are present in the broccoli extract which are accountable to synthesize the nanoparticles. The synthesized gold and silver NPs inhibited the growth of the tested bacterial and fungal pathogens at the concentration of 50 μg/mL respectively. In addition, broccoli mediated gold and silver nanoparticles have shown potent antimicrobial activity against human pathogens. © 2015 The Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences.