Cyanobacterial Flora from Polluted Marine Shores

Citation of cyanobacterial cultures from the shores of south west coast of Gujarat, India and their relationship with sea water quality, influenced by extensive pollutant runoff is reported in this study. Intensity of pollution was evaluated by physico-chemical analysis of water. Higher load of suspended solids (60–1000 mg l⁻¹) and nutrients (PO₄ ⁻P: 1.3–4 μmole l⁻¹ and NO₃ ⁻N: 12.5–17.8 μmole l⁻¹) were persistent throughout the analysis. Community structure is seen to be influenced by such persistent pollution. Twenty nine cyanobacterial species were isolated belonging to 9 genera of 4 families, with an elevated occurrence of Oscillatoria and Lyngbya species. No heterocystous cyanobacteria were isolated throughout the study.     

Multivariate analysis of trace metal levels in tannery effluents in relation to soil and water: a case study from Peshawar, Pakistan

Tannery effluents and relevant ground water and soil samples collected from various tanning industries of Peshawar were analyzed for Na, Ca, K, Mg, Fe, Mn, Cr, Co, Cd, Ni, Pb and Zn by the AAS method. The metal concentration data for the three media are reported in terms of basic statistical parameters, metal-to-metal correlations and linear regression analyses. Metal distributions in the three media were quite divergent and showed non-normal distributions with high standard deviation and skewness parameters. Sodium exhibited the highest mean levels of 1,277mg/L, 881mg/L and 12,912mg/kg in the effluent, ground water and soil samples, respectively. Among other metals, Cr concentrations were 410mg/L, 0.145mg/L, 100mg/kg and Ca, 278mg/L, 64.8mg/L, and 2,285mg/kg in the effluent, ground water and soil samples, respectively. Some significant correlations were observed between effluent and soils in terms of Na, Cr, Ni, Co and Pb. The ground water-soil interrelationship suggested that Na levels in the soil and ground water were significantly correlated with each other (r=0.486, P<0.01). Similarly, Cr in the soil is strongly correlated with Ca in ground water (r=0.486, P<0.01). These results were duly supported by the linear regression analysis of data. The source identification studies conducted using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Cluster Analysis (CA) evidenced that ground water and soil were being contaminated by the toxic metals emanating from the tannery effluents.     

Emission characteristics of offshore fishing ships in the Yellow Bo Sea, China

Maritime transport has been playing a decisive role in global trade. Its contribution to the air pollution of the sea and coastal areas has been widely recognized. The air pollutant emission inventories of several harbors in China have already been established. However,the emission factors of local ships have not been addressed comprehensively, and thus are lacking from the emission inventories. In this study, on-board emission tests of eight diesel-powered offshore fishing ships were conducted near the coastal region of the northern Yellow Bo Sea fishing ground of Dalian, China. Results show that large amounts of fine particles( 0.5 μm, 90%) were found in maneuvering mode, which were about five times higher than those during cruise mode. Emission rates as well as emission factors based on both distance and fuel were determined during the cruise and maneuvering modes(including departure and arrival). Average emission rates and distance-based emission factors of CO, HC and PM were much higher during the maneuvering mode as compared with the cruise mode. However, the average emission rate of Nitrous Oxide(NOx) was higher during the cruise mode as compared with the maneuvering modes. On the contrary, the average distance-based emission factors of NOxwere lower during the cruise mode relative to the maneuvering mode due to the low sailing speed of the latter.     

Greenbelt conservation as a component of ecosystem,ecological benefits and management services: evidence from Peshawar City,Pakistan

Environment, Development and Sustainability - Conservation of greenbelts is the most enduringly successful and popular basic need for today to protect green land, preserve ecological landscape and...     

Heavy metals from soil and domestic sewage sludge and their transfer to Sorghum plants

We studied the mobility and transport of heavy metals such as Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Cr, Ni, and Pb, from soil and soil amended with sewage sludge to sorghum plants. The total and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) extractable heavy metals in agricultural soil and untreated domestic sewage sludge (DWS) samples were determined. The correlation between the total and extractable metals in soil and sewage sludge was investigated. The total and extractable heavy metals in soil, sewage sludge and sorghum grain were analysed by flame and electro thermal atomic absorption spectrometer (FAAS/ETAAS), after digestion in microwave oven. Statistically good correlations were obtained between the total contents of all heavy metals and their respective extractable fractions in soil and domestic wastewater sludge. Transfer factors of all heavy metals from domestic sewage sludge to sorghum grains were determined.     

Antenatal corticosteroids and outcomes in gastroschisis: A multicenter retrospective cohort study

Objective

In gastroschisis, there is evidence to suggest that gut dysfunction develops secondary to bowel inflammation; we aimed to evaluate the effect of maternal antenatal corticosteroids administered for obstetric reasons on time to full enteral feeds in a multicenter cohort study of gastroschisis infants.

Methods

A three center, retrospective cohort study (1992-2013) with linked fetal/neonatal gastroschisis data was conducted. The primary outcome measure was time to full enteral feeds (a surrogate measure for bowel function) and secondary outcome measure was length of hospital stay. Analysis included Mann-Whitney and Cox regression.

Results

Of 500 patients included in the study, 69 (GA at birth 34 [25-38] weeks) received antenatal corticosteroids and 431 (GA at birth 37 [31-41] weeks) did not. Antenatal corticosteroids had no effect on the rate of reaching full feeds (Hazard ratio HR 1.0 [95% CI: 0.8-1.4]). However, complex gastroschisis (HR 0.3 [95% CI: 0.2-0.4]) was associated with an increased time to reach full feeds and later GA at birth (HR 1.1 per week increase in GA [95% CI: 1.1-1.2]) was associated with a decreased time to reach full feeds.

Conclusion

Maternal antenatal corticosteroids use, under current antenatal steroid protocols, in gastroschisis is not associated with an improvement in neonatal outcomes such as time to full enteral feeds or length of hospital stay.     

Implementing Ecosystem-basedManagement: Lessons from the Great Lakes

Under the US-Canada Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, a Remedial Action Plan (RAP) Program was formalized to identify and implement actions needed to restore beneficial uses in the most polluted areas of the Great Lakes (i.e. Areas of Concern). It was further required that individual RAPs embody a systematic and comprehensive ecosystem approach (i.e. an approach which accounts for interrelationships among land, air, water and all living things, including humans, and involves user groups in comprehensive management). Careful review and analysis of the RAP Program offers an opportunity to gain a better understanding of ecosystem-based management for other watersheds, and to identify important principles and elements which contribute to effective implementation. Principles which are considered essential for effective implementation of ecosystem-based management include: (1) broad-based stakeholder involvement; (2) commitment of top leaders; (3) agreement on information needs and interpretation; (4) action planning within a strategic framework; (5) human resource development; (6) results and indicators to measure progress; (7) systematic review and feedback; and (8) stakeholder satisfaction. The Great Lakes RAP experience with ecosystem-based management also demonstrates the need for a transition from a traditional,command-and-control,regulatory approach of governmentalagencies toward a more co-operative,value-added,support-basedrole. Review of RAPs in all 42 Areas of Concern provides compelling evidence that successful application of ecosystem-based management is dependent on broad-based stakeholder involvement in decision making, along with strong partnerships which encourage collaboration, co-operation and adaptability in management actions.     

我国土地污染防治法律问题探讨

随着我国工业化和城市化进程的快速发展,土地污染问题日益严重,给我国经济、社会、生态等各方面带来了严重的危害。文章针对土地污染的现状,分析了土地污染产生的原因,并且从土地污染防治基本法、土地污染的预防机制、行政管理体制、法律责任、公众参与等方面提出了相应的完善对策。     

Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD) projects: lessons for future policy design and implementation

In response to the pressing global challenges of climate change, initiatives under the auspices of ‘reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation’ (REDD) have been implemented in over 30 developing and least-developed countries since 2005. The initiatives cover nearly every significant and vulnerable forest ecosystem worldwide. In this study we review six representative initiatives, two each from Africa, Asia and Latin America. Strength, weakness, opportunity and threat analysis is done to evaluate each initiative's policy framework, design, implementation and results thus far. The main policy and project implementation factors that appear to lead to effective and successful REDD project outcomes include having clearly formulated project design; governance, land tenure rights and capacity; equity and transparency; indigenous peoples' rights and knowledge; local–international coordination; and enhancing local and institutional capacities. Based on these findings, we provide recommendations for future REDD policy action and project implementation to make it work for the poor and achieve its intended goals.     

Development of a complex-based flow injection spectrophotometric method for determination of the herbicide pinoxaden in environmental samples

A flow injection (FI) spectrophotometric method for the determination of the herbicide pinoxaden (PXD) has been proposed. PXD was converted in alkaline media with hydroxylamine hydrochloride to the hydroxamate salt. The salt was reacted with iron(III) chloride, and the absorbance of the red colored tris iron hydroxamate complex was measured at 500?nm using a FI system. The method was found to be linear between 0.5 and 40?mg?L^?1 with a molar absorptivity of 1.53?×?10^4?L?mol^?1?cm^?1. The limit of detection and limit of quantification were found to be 0.1?±?0.01?mg?L^?1 and 0.6?±?0.05?mg?L^?1, respectively. Any interference of fenoxaprop-p-ethyl (FE) was avoided by the separation of PXD by liquid chromatography with a mixture of dichloromethane and n-hexane (1?:?1) as eluent. The method was applied to the determination of PXD in soil, water, and wheat grains with percent recoveries of 98?±?2, 100?±?2, and 98?±?5, respectively. Sample throughput of 60 samples per hour was achieved under optimized conditions.