Qualitative assessment on premature human mortality due to the emission of fine particulate matter from the Matarbari coal power plant

This study reports the probability of increased mortality of people within the political border of Bangladesh due to the emission of fine particulate matter with diameters of 2.5 microns or less (PM_2.5) from the Matarbari coal power plant (MCPP). A Gaussian plume dispersion model has been used for this estimation. The PM_2.5 emission rate data are unavailable as the construction of MCPP is still in its initial stage; therefore, the anticipated PM_2.5 emission rate has been estimated based on data from a number of coal‐fired power plants in India and China. To make this study more meaningful, two different emission rates have been considered representing the best‐case and worst‐case scenarios. In both cases, the intake fraction has been found to be 0.12×10^?2, and the value of relative risk varies between 1.134 and 1.374, respectively. Finally, it is estimated that approximately 11.5 million people inside Bangladesh will be exposed to the PM_2.5 emission from MCPP, and between 7,667 and 17,675 people will experience premature death every year.     

People’s dependency on forest resources and contributions of forests to the livelihoods: a case study in Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) of Bangladesh

The study was conducted to investigate people’s forest dependency and contributions of forests to the livelihoods in the three hill districts of Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT), Bangladesh. The study revealed that forest resources contribute significantly to rural community’s livelihoods and economic well-being. Using generalized logistic regressions, this study has also investigated the socioeconomic factors that affect people’s dependency on forest resources of CHT. The study revealed that people’s income from forest and forest-related occupation was positively aligned with their forest dependency. However, their education level significantly reduced their dependency on forest resources. Thus, educating the forest-dependent people and supporting alternative income generation activities should be appreciated for effective forest management in CHT. This study will be helpful to forest and environmental policy makers for CHT.     

Role of non-timber forest products in sustaining forest-based livelihoods and rural households' resilience capacity in and around protected area: a Bangladesh study†

People in the developing world derive a significant part of their livelihoods from various forest products, particularly non-timber forest products (NTFPs). This article attempts to explore the contribution of NTFPs in sustaining forest-based rural livelihood in and around a protected area (PA) of Bangladesh, and their potential role in enhancing households' resilience capacity. Based on empirical investigation, our study revealed that local communities gather a substantial amount of NTFPs from national park despite the official restrictions. Twenty seven percent households (HHs) of the area received at least some cash benefit from the collection, processing and selling of NTFPs, and NTFPs contribute to HHs' primary, supplementary and emergency sources of income. NTFPs also constituted an estimated 19% of HHs' net annual income, and were the primary occupation for about 18% of the HHs. HHs' dependency on nearby forests for various NTFPs varied vis-à-vis their socio-economic condition, as well as with their location from the park. Based on our case study, the article also offers some clues for improving the situation in PA.     

Subcellular distribution op neurotoxic esterase activity in lamb and mouse brain

Abstract

Brain tissue samples of nice (7.5 g from 25 mouse brains and lamb (25 g) were homogenized and subcellular fractions prepared in order to assay the distribution of neurotoxic esterase (NTE) activity. The specific inhibitor, N,N‐diisopropylphosphorodiamidic fluoride (mipafox) was synthesized and purified. Maximum specific activity of NTE was reached in the microsomal fraction (110,000 g) while the enzyme activity in the soluble fraction (110,000 g) was extremely low. This subcellular distribution of NTE activity in mammal brains is an original contribution. Brain microsomal fraction is suggested to be a more reliable source for the highest activity of NTE. The specific activity of NTE of lamb brain was much higher than that of mouse brain. This night help interpretation of the characteristic species variation in susceptibility to NTE inhibitors which are known to be potent delayed neurotoxic agents.     

Deltamethrin degradation and effects on soil microbial activity

Deltamethrin [(S)-cyano-3-phenoxybenzyl-cis-(1R,3R)-2,2-dimethyl) cyclo–propane carboxylate),1] labelled at gem-dimethyl groups of the cyclopropane ring was applied on two Egyptian soils at a level of 10 mg/kg soil for a laboratory incubation experiment under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. A steady decrease of soil extractable¹⁴C-residues, accompanied by a corresponding increase of non- extractable bound ¹⁴C-residues was observed over a 90-day incubation period. The percentage of evolved ¹⁴CO₂ increased with time under aerobic and anaerobic conditions in both soils. The effect of deltamethrin on soil microorganisms as well as the counter effect of microorganisms on the insecticide was also investigated. As the incubation period increased, the inhibitory effect of the insecticide on the microorganisms decreased and the evolution of carbon dioxide depended on the applied dose. The nature of soil methanol soluble residues was determined by chromatographic analysis which revealed the presence of the parent insecticide as the main product in addition to four metabolites: 3-(2′,2′-dibromovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropane carboxylic acid (II); 3-phenoxybenzaldehyde (III); 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (IV); 3-phenoxybenzyl alcohol (V).     

Integrating livelihoods and conservation in protected areas: understanding the role and stakeholder views on prospects for non-timber forest products,a Bangladesh case study

Protected areas (PAs) represent a key global strategy in biodiversity conservation. In tropical developing countries, the management of PAs is a great challenge as many contain resources on which local communities rely. Collection and trading of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) is a well-established forest-based livelihood strategy, which has been promoted as a potential means for enhanced conservation and improved rural livelihoods in recent years, even though the sustainability or ecological implications have rarely been tested. We conducted an exploratory survey to understand the role and stakeholder views on conservation prospects and perceived ecological feasibility of NTFPs and harvesting schemes in a northeastern PA of Bangladesh, namely the Satchari National Park. Households (n?=?101) were interviewed from three different forest dependency categories, adopting a stratified random sampling approach and using a semi-structured questionnaire. The study identified 13 locally important NTFPs, with five being critically important to supporting local livelihoods. Our study suggests that collection, processing and trading in NTFPs constitutes the primary occupation for about 18% of local inhabitants and account for an estimated 19% of their cash annual income. The household consensus on issues relating to NTFPs and their prospective role in conservation was surprisingly high, with 48% of respondents believing that promotion of NTFPs in the PA could have positive conservation value. The majority (71%) of households also had some understanding of the ecological implications of NTFP harvesting, sustainability (53%) and possible management and monitoring regimes (100%). With little known about their real application in the field, our study suggests further investigations are required to understand the ecological compatibility of traditional NTFP harvesting patterns and management.     

Structural Characterization of Natural Fiber Reinforced Polymeric (NFRP) Laminates for Building Construction

This study focuses on the structural characterization of Natural Fiber Reinforced Polymeric (NFRP) laminates for their potential application in structural insulated panels in order to replace traditional Oriented Strand Board (OSB) laminates. To this end, mechanical testing such as bending test and low velocity impact test were performed on the laminates made up of bleached and unbleached jute fibers and the results were compared with OSB laminates and Glass/Polypropylene (G/PP) laminates. The results showed significant improvement in the mechanical properties of the resulting laminates such as bending strength by 176%, the modulus of elasticity by 129% and, the load carrying capacity by 179%. The energy absorbed by NFRP was 18% higher than OSB and 26% higher resistance to impact loading.     

A simple extraction procedure for determination of total mercury in crude oil

The determination of mercury in crude oil and petroleum products is particularly difficult due to the volatile nature of both mercury and the matrix, which may lead to significant loss of the analyte. A simple extraction method for total mercury has been developed to determine total mercury in crude oil using cold vapor atomic fluorescence spectrometry. The homogenized crude oil sample was diluted to 5, 10, and 20 % (w/w) in toluene. The diluted crude oil samples were spiked with 10 and 40 μg/kg (w/w). The samples were extracted using an oxidant/acid solution, BrCl/HCl. The mercury was extracted into the aqueous phase; the ionic mercury was then reduced to volatile elemental mercury (Hg⁰) by stannous chloride (SnCl₂). The mercury vapor was detected by Merlin cold vapor atomic fluorescence spectrometry at a 253.7-nm wavelength. The average recoveries for mercury in spiked diluted crude oil (10 and 40 μg/kg, w/w) were between 96 and 103 %, respectively, in 5 and 10 % spiked diluted crude oil. Whereas, low recoveries (<50 %) were recorded in 20 % diluted spiked crude oil. The method detection limit was calculated as t _{(0.01)(n ? 1)}?×?SD where t is the student's value for 99 % confidence level and standard deviation estimate with n???1 degrees of freedom. The method detection limit was found to be 0.38 μg/kg based on 5 g of diluted crude oil sample. The method is sensitive enough to determine low levels of mercury in crude oil.     

Acidification in Arabian Gulf--insights from pH and temperature measurements

The detrimental effects of increasing atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide (CO(2)) and other greenhouse gases since the industrial revolution has led to a concerted international effort to control their release and abate the environmental and human health impacts. CO(2) is removed from the atmosphere by photosynthesis of plants in the terrestrial environment and by aquatic sequestration. In the Middle East and other arid countries, terrestrial removal is minimal. The most likely removal pathway for CO(2) in arid regions around the world is by aquatic sequestration. In the Middle East the major sink is the Arabian Gulf which leads to acidification of the marine environment. Biweekly pH concentration measurements in surface waters of the northern Arabian Gulf over a four year period in this study suggest that the Arabian Gulf waters are becoming increasingly acidic with time. Supporting evidence for increased CO(2) sequestration comes from increased marine primary productivity over the past decade. Biological effects, such as coral bleaching, observed during this period suggest that urgent action is required to reverse the trend and protect marine life. The data highlight the fact that this semi-enclosed sea is undergoing a rapid degradation which may affect the oceanic chemistry and biogeochemical cycle much earlier than predicted for most oceanic waters.     

Adsorption of methylene blue from aqueous solution by jackfruit (Artocarpus heteropyllus) leaf powder: A fixed-bed column study

Continuous fixed-bed studies were undertaken to evaluate the efficiency of jackfruit leaf powder (JLP) as an adsorbent for the removal of methylene blue (MB) from aqueous solution under the effect of various process parameters like bed depth (5–10 cm), flow rate (30–50 mL/min) and initial MB concentrations (100–300 mg/L). The pH at point of zero charge (pH_PZC) of the adsorbent was determined by the titration method and a value of 3.9 was obtained. A FTIR of the adsorbent was done before and after the adsorption to find the potential adsorption sites for interaction with methylene blue molecules. The results showed that the total adsorbed quantities and equilibrium uptake decreased with increasing flow rate and increased with increasing initial MB concentration. The longest breakthrough time and maximum MB adsorption were obtained at pH 10. The results showed that the column performed well at low flow rate. Also, breakthrough time and exhaustion time increased with increasing bed depth. The bed-depth service time (BDST) model and the Thomas model were applied to the adsorption of MB at different bed depths, flow rates, influent concentrations and pH to predict the breakthrough curves and to determine the characteristic parameters of the column that are useful for process design. The two model predictions were in very good agreement with the experimental results at all the process parameters studied indicating that they were very suitable for JLP column design.