Effect of harvesting operations on fungal spore populations of air

Agricultural practices such as harvesting of crops cause the pathogens to disseminate in abundance and may cause diseases, like skin and respiratory allergies in an epidemic form. Also the farm workers were likely to be exposed repeatedly to high doses of fungal spore allergens from crop harvesting operations. At Srikakulam, located in North Coastal Andhra Pradesh, India, the major crops grown include rice and sugarcane. As part of a major study on the airspora of Srikakulam the effect of harvesting of these two crops on aerial spore concentrations was studied through rotorod trappings. The results showed an enormous increase in the spore load not only of the fungi pathogenic to the crop but also saprophytic fungi while the crop was harvested. The increase in the pathogenic fungal spores was large as evidenced by the increase of the rice crop pathogens as Trichoconis padwickii, Ustilaginoidea virens, Cochilobolus oryzae etc.     

Chemical climatology of high elevation spruce-fir forests in the southern Appalachian mountains

The physical and chemical climatology of high elevation (> 1500 m) spruce-fir forests in the southern Appalachian mountains was studied by establishing a weather and atmospheric chemical observatory at Mt Mitchell State Park in North Carolina (35 degrees 44' 05" N, 82 degrees 17' 15"W). Data collected during the summer and autumn (May-October) of 1986, 1987, and 1988 are reported. All measurements were made on or near a 16.5 m walk-up tower extending 10 m above the forest canopy on Mt Gibbes (2006 m msl), which is located approximately 2 km SW of Mt Mitchell. The tower was equipped with standard meteorological instrumentation, a passive cloud water collector, and gas pollutant sensors for O3, SO2, NOx. The tower and nearby forest canopy were immersed in clouds 25 to 40% of the time. Non-precipitating clouds were very acidic (pH 2.5-4.5). Precipitating clouds were less acidic (pH 3.5-5.5). The dominant wind directions were WNW and ESE. Clouds from the most common wind direction (WNW) were more acidic (mean pH 3.5) than those from the next most common wind direction (ESE, mean pH 5.5). Cloud water acidity was related to the concentration of SO4(2-), and NO3- ions. Mean concentration of H+, NH4+, SO4(2-), and NO3- ions in the cloud water varied from 330-340, 150-200, 190-200 and 120-140 micromol litre(-1) respectively. The average and range of O3 were 50 (25-100) ppbv (109) in 1986, 51 (26-102) ppbv in 1987, and 66 (30-140) during the 1988 field seasons, respectively. The daily maximum, 1-h average, and 24-h average concentrations were all greatest during June through mid-August, suggesting a correlation with the seasonal temperature and solar intensity. Throughfall collectors near the tower were used to obtain a useful estimate of deposition to the forest canopy. Between 50-60% of the total deposition of SO4(2-) was due to cloud impact.     

Riverine pollution in some northern and north eastern states of india

Water samples from 30 rivers in northern and north-eastern hilly states of India were analysed for bacteriological and physicochemical parameters along with metals and pesticide residues. It was found that 34% of samples had >50 coliforms/100 ml, while 24% of samples demonstrated >50 thermotolerant (faecal) coliforms/100 ml. Among the metals, iron was found to be above maximum permissible limits in the rivers of all the states, while manganese was found to be above the maximum permissible limit in the rivers of Tripura and some northern states. Zinc, lead, nickel, chromium, copper, cobalt and cadmium plus physicochemical parameters and residual pesticides, however, were within their maximum permissible limits.     

Modeling of high step-up converter in closed loop for renewable energy applications

A majority of small-scale renewable energy sources including the solar PV modules, fuel cells gives out output voltage in the range of around 15–40 V DC. This needs to be stepped up to suit load requirements using a high voltage gain converter. Since renewable sources inherently generate sudden variations in input voltage, a good output voltage profile even during such random variations in input conditions is essential. This paper presents modeling of a high step-up converter configuration with closed loop control. The converter topology is designed to operate with moderate duty ratios and the simple coupled inductor. The converter is capable of high step-up and can find application in solar PV systems. The controller response is good with low steady state error and required dynamics. The modeling and simulation is carried out using MATLAB/Simulink software package.     

Garcinia gummi-gutta (L.) Robs.: A promising feedstock for biodiesel production

In the present study crude Garcinia gummi-gutta seed oil was evaluated as a potential feedstock for biodiesel production. Due to the high acid value (29.73 mg KOH/g) the oil was converted to biodiesel by using acid catalyzed esterification process. Further, biodiesel properties of the sample were evaluated, which fulfilled the biodiesel specifications laid by ASTM D6751, EN 14214 and IS 15607. The biodiesel possessed excellent cetane number (66.09) and a high flash point (158°C). In addition, the calorific value (41.03 MJ/kg) was very close to diesel fuel. The results suggest that the G. gummi-gutta can be an alternative source for diesel and can be used as a potential feedstock for biodiesel in India.     

Do alternate bacterial indicators and pathogens increase after centrifuge dewatering of anaerobically digested biosolids?

The objectives of this research were to evaluate the potential for sudden increase and/or regrowth of alternative bacteria as either indicators or pathogens after dewatering of thermophilic and mesophilically digested biosolids. The results showed that, in general, for thermophilic processes, even when a statistically significant (p < 0.05) sudden increase and regrowth occurred for fecal coliforms, Escherichia coli, and Enterococci, it did not occur for Salmonella or Aeromonas. For the mesophilic process evaluated, sudden increase did not occur, but regrowth occurred for fecal coliforms, E. coli, Enterococci, and Salmonella. The results have implications for Class A and B biosolids regulations, as both fecal coliform and Salmonella are part of the regulatory limits. The results also suggest that the public health risks are minimal, as a result of the potential sudden increase and regrowth that may occur.     

Assessment of organochlorine pesticide residues in Indian flue-cured tobacco with gas chromatography-single quadrupole mass spectrometer

Presence of pesticide residues in tobacco increases health risk of both active and passive smokers, apart from the imminent potential health problems associated with it. Thus, monitoring of pesticide residue is an important issue in terms of formulating stringent policies, enabling global trade and safeguarding the consumer’s safety. In this study, a gas chromatography-single quadrupole mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method based upon quantifier-qualifier ions (m/z) ratio was employed for detecting and assessing ten organochlorine pesticide residues (α-HCH, β-HCH, γ-HCH, δ-HCH, 2,4-DDT, 4,4-DDT, endrin, α-endosulfan, β-endosulfan and endosulfan sulphate) in 152 flue-cured (FC) tobacco leave samples from two major tobacco growing states, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, of India. In the majority of samples, pesticide residue levels were below the limit of quantification (LOQ). In few samples, pesticide residues were detected and they found to comply with the guidance residue levels (GRL) specifications of the Cooperation Center for Scientific Research Relative to Tobacco (CORESTA). Detection of the phase out pesticides like DDT/HCH might be due to transfer of persistent residues from the environmental components to the plant. This is the first report on these ten organochlorine pesticide residues in Indian FC tobacco.     

Monitoring conservation effectiveness in a global biodiversity hotspot: the contribution of land cover change assessment

Tropical forests, which play critical roles in global biogeochemical cycles, radiation budgets and biodiversity, have undergone rapid changes in land cover in the last few decades. This study examines the complex process of land cover change in the biodiversity hotspot of Western Ghats, India, specifically investigating the effects of conservation measures within the Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary. Current vegetation patterns were mapped using an IRS P6 LISS III image and this was used together with Landsat MSS data from 1973 to map land cover transitions. Two major and divergent trends were observed. A dominant degradational trend can be attributed to agricultural expansion and infrastructure development while a successional trend, resulting from protection of the area, showed the resilience of the system after prolonged disturbances. The sanctuary appears susceptible to continuing disturbances under the current management regime but at lower rates than in surrounding unprotected areas. The study demonstrates that remotely sensed land cover assessments can have important contributions to monitoring land management strategies, understanding processes underpinning land use changes and helping to inform future conservation strategies.