Assessment of potential health risk of fluoride consumption through rice,pulses, and vegetables in addition to consumption of fluoride-contaminated drinking water of West Bengal,India

A study was conducted in fluoride-affected Bankura and Purulia districts of West Bengal to assess the potential health risk from fluoride exposure among children, teenagers, and adults due to consumption of rice, pulses, and vegetables in addition to drinking water and incidental ingestion of soil by children. Higher mean fluoride contents (13–63 mg/kg dry weight) were observed in radish, carrot, onion bulb, brinjal, potato tuber, cauliflower, cabbage, coriander, and pigeon pea. The combined influence of rice, pulses, and vegetables to cumulative estimated daily intake (EDI) of fluoride for the studied population was found to be 9.5–16%. Results also showed that intake of ivy gourd, broad beans, rice, turnip, fenugreek leaves, mustard, spinach, and amaranth grown in the study area is safe at least for time being. The cumulative EDI values of fluoride (0.06–0.19 mg/kg-day) among different age group of people of the study area were evaluated to be ~10⁴ times higher than those living in the control area; the values for children (0.19 and 0.52 mg/kg-day for CTE and RME scenarios, respectively) were also greater than the “Tolerable Upper Intake Level” value of fluoride. The estimated hazard index (HI) for children (3.2 and 8.7 for CTE and RME scenarios, respectively) living in the two affected districts reveals that they are at high risk of developing dental fluorosis due to the consumption of fluoride-contaminated rice, pulses, and vegetables grown in the study area in addition to the consumption of contaminated drinking water.     

Feeding ecology of three species of Astropecten (Asteroidea) coexisting on shallow sandy bottoms of the northwestern Mediterranean Sea

Predation and competition are important biotic interactions influencing populations and communities in marine soft sediments. Sea stars are ubiquitous predators with diverse diets that play functionally important roles in the benthos. In this study, we examined the diet and the ecological roles of three sympatric species of the genus Astropecten (A. aranciacus, A. irregularis pentacanthus and A. platyacanthus). The study was performed between March 2010 and February 2011 on the Maresme coast (northwestern Mediterranean Sea). Results showed that their main diet consisted on gastropods and bivalves, such as Glycymeris glycymeris, Callista chione, Gibbula guttadauri and Cyclope neritea. Food competition between species was avoided by partition of prey resources. Intraspecific differences in the dietary compositions between seasons were found, but not between size classes. Ontogenetic patterns of prey size consumption were recognized in the three species. A large diet overlap was detected between A. aranciacus and A. platyacanthus in winter, due to changes in prey availability. Nevertheless, the analysis of the infaunal community composition and stomach contents indicated that food selection was not associated with prey availability.     

Towards more sustainable future: assessment of sustainability literacy among the future managers in India

The present study attempts to assess the literacy levels of future managers of India in social, economic, and environment sustainability issues both at national and global levels among the students from Management Education Institutions (MEIs) located in Bengaluru, Chandigarh, and New Delhi. Additionally, a comparative study between the MEIs situated in Bengaluru, Chandigarh, and New Delhi, India, is undertaken. Interestingly, participants of the study specified more professional importance and personal relevance of sustainability. The study's outcome shows a higher level of sustainability knowledge among future managers from MEIs in New Delhi and Bengaluru. Future managers based out in New Delhi and Bengaluru are more aware of social and economic sustainability and having less awareness of environmental issues. Sustainability knowledge and awareness of the future managers are the first steps to engage them in building a sustainable future. It compels them to remain fully dedicated to creating a prosperous society and encourages them to make knowledgeable and successful choices to that end. The study's findings indicate a difference found in the levels of sustainability literacy among the Postgraduate students of Business Administration based in India's three metropolitan cities, including Chandigarh: Bengaluru and Delhi. The awareness about the local, national, or global eco-system, pollution, and other problems concerned with the environment was low among students based in Chandigarh, moderate among Delhi students, and high among the Bengaluru students.

     

An appraisal of the potential use of fly ash for reclaiming coal mine spoil

Growing dependence on coal-fired power plants for electrical generation in many countries presents ongoing environmental challenges. Burning pulverized coal in thermal power plants (TPPs) generates large amounts of fly ash (FA) that must be disposed of or otherwise handled, in an environmentally-sound manner. A possible option for dealing with fly ash is to use it as an amendment for mine spoil or other damaged soil. It has been demonstrated through studies in India and other countries that FA alone or in combination with organic or inorganic materials can be used in a productive manner for reclamation of mine spoil. The characteristics of FA, including silt-sized particles, lighter materials with low bulk density (BD), higher water holding capacity, favorable pH and significant concentrations of many essential plant nutrients, make it a potentially favorable amendment for mine spoil reclamation. Studies have indicated that the application of FA has improved the physical, chemical and biological qualities of soil to which it is applied. The release of trace metals and soluble salts from FA could be a major limitation to its application. This is particularly true of fresh, un-weathered FA or acidic FA, although perhaps not a concern for weathered/pond ash or alkaline FA. Some potential contaminants, especially metals and other salt ions, could be immobilized and rendered biologically inert by the addition of certain inorganic and organic amendments. However, in view of the variability in the characteristics of FAs that are associated with location, feed coal, combustion conditions and other factors, the suitability of a particular FA for a specific soil/mine spoil needs to be critically evaluated before it is applied in order to maximize favorable results and eliminate unexpected consequences. FA generated in India tends to be mostly alkaline, with lower levels of trace elements than are often found in FAs from other countries. The concentrations of potential chemical stressors, predominantly metals, in Indian FAs are often less than established or proposed permissible limits and are thus better suited for soil application. A major logistic limitation to the use of FA could be the cost involved in transport of ash from production to utilization sites.     

Amberlite XAD-7 impregnated with morpholine dithiocarbamate as trace metal extractant

Application of Amberlite XAD-7 impregnated with morpholine dithiocarbamate (MDTC) for separation and preconcentration of trace amounts of lead, copper, cobalt, iron, nickel, cadmium and zinc and determination by ICP-AES has been described. The optimum experimental parameters, such as pH, sample flow rate, eluent and effect of matrix ions on the preconcentration were investigated. Simultaneous enrichment of the seven metals was accomplished. The t _1/2 values for sorption are 2.9, 3.3, 3.7, 3.6, 2.8, 4.1 and 2.8 respectively for Pb(II), Cu(II), Co(II), Fe(III), Ni(II), Cd(II) and Zn(II). The method was applied for the determination of trace metal ions in seawater and natural water samples. The results have been compared with extraction GFAAS method.     

Hydrogeochemistry for the assessment of groundwater quality in Varanasi: a fast-urbanizing center in Uttar Pradesh, India

The hydrogeochemical parameters for groundwater samples of the Varanasi area, a fast-urbanizing region in India, were studied to evaluate the major ion chemistry, weathering and solute acquisition processes controlling water composition, and suitability of water quality for domestic and irrigation uses. Sixty-eight groundwater samples were collected randomly from dug wells and hand pumps in the urban Varanasi area and analyzed for various chemical parameters. Geologically, the study area comprises Quaternary alluvium made up of an alternating succession of clay, silty clay, and sand deposits. The Total dissolved solids classification reveals that except two locations, the groundwater samples are desirable for drinking, and all are useful for irrigation purposes. The cationic and anionic concentrations indicated that the majority of the groundwater samples belong to the order of Na > Ca > Mg > K and HCO₃ > Cl > SO₄ types, respectively. Geochemical classification of groundwater based on the Chadha rectangular diagram shows that the majority (81%) of groundwater samples belong to the calcium?Cbicarbonate type. The HCO₃/ (HCO₃ + SO₄) ratio (0.87) indicates mostly carbonic acid weathering process due to presence of kankar carbonate mixed with clay/fine sand. The high nitrate concentration (>45?mg/l) of about 18% of the groundwater samples may be due to the local domestic sewage, leakage of septic tanks, and improper management of sanitary landfills. In general, the calculated values of sodium adsorption ratio, percent sodium, residual sodium carbonate, and permeability index indicate good to permissible use of water for irrigation, and only a few locations demand remedial measures for better crop yields.     

Impact of pregnancy and other factors including smoking on the urinary levels of triclosan

Data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were used to evaluate the impact of pregnancy on the levels of triclosan (TCS) in urine. Regression models were fitted to evaluate this association with adjustment for other factors that may affect the levels of TCS. Pregnant females had higher levels of TCS than non-pregnant females but the differences were not statistically significant. Levels of TCS were statistically significantly lower during the second trimester than during the third trimester. Smoking was associated with statistically significantly lower levels of TCS. The reasons for the association between smoking and the levels of TCS are not known. Further research is needed in this area.     

Syntrophic co-culture of Bacillus subtilis and Klebsiella pneumonia for degradation of kraft lignin discharged from rayon grade pulp industry

In order to search the degradability of kraft lignin, the potential bacterial strains Bacillus subtilis (GU193980) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (GU193981) were isolated, screened and applied in axenic and co-culture conditions. Results revealed that mixed culture showed better decolorization efficiency (80%) and reduction of pollution parameters (COD 73% and BOD 62%) than axenic culture. This indicated syntrophic growth of these two bacteria rather than any antagonistic effect. The HPLC analysis of degraded samples of kraft lignin has shown the reduction in peak area compared to control, suggesting that decrease in color intensity might be largely attributed to the degradation of lignin by isolated bacteria. Further, the GC–MS analysis showed that most of the compounds detected in control were diminished after bacterial treatment. Further, the seed germination test using Phaseolus aureus has supported the detoxification of bacterial decolorized kraft lignin for environmental safety. All these observations have revealed that the developed bacterial co-culture was capable for the effective degradation and decolorization of lignin containing rayon grade pulp mill wastewater for environmental safety.     

Sorption kinetics and leachability of heavy metal from the contaminated soil amended with immobilizing agent (humus soil and hydroxyapatite)

Release of heavy metals onto the soil as a result of agricultural and industrial activities may pose a serious threat to the environment. This study investigated the kinetics of sorption of heavy metals on the non-humus soil amended with (1:3) humus soil and 1% hydroxyapatite used for in situ immobilization and leachability of heavy metals from these soils. For this, a batch equilibrium experiment was performed to evaluate metal sorption in the presence of 0.05 M KNO(3) background electrolyte solutions. The Langmuir isotherms applied for sorption studies showed that the amount of metal sorbed on the amended soil decreased in the order of Pb(2+)>Zn(2+)>Cd(2+). The data suggested the possibility of immobilization of Pb due to sorption process and immobilization of Zn and Cd by other processes like co-precipitation and ion exchange. The sorption kinetics data showed the pseudo-second-order reaction kinetics rather than pseudo-first-order kinetics. Leachability study was performed at various pHs (ranging from 3 to 10). Leachability rate was slowest for the Pb(2+) followed by Zn(2+) and Cd(2+). Out of the metal adsorbed on the soil only 6.1-21.6% of Pb, 7.3-39% of Zn and 9.3-44.3% of Cd leached out from the amended soil.