Influence of mercury from fly ash on cattle reared nearby thermal power plant

Cattle grazing nearby coal-fired power stations are exposed to fly ash. The present investigation aims to assess the environmental and health impacts of fly ash containing mercury emitted from thermal power plant. The health effect of fly ash were studied using 20 lactating cattle reared within a 5-km radius of s thermal power plant for the possible effect of fly ash such as the alterations in hematological and biochemical parameters of blood, milk, and urine. Results indicated that the hemoglobin levels (6.65?±?0.40?g/dl) were significantly reduced in all the exposed animals. Biochemical parameters viz., blood urea nitrogen (27.35?±?1.19?mg/dl), serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (43.39?±?3.08?IU/l), albumin, and creatinine were found to be increased, whereas serum glutamate pyruvic transaminase (29.26?±?2.02) and Ca²⁺ were observed to be statistically insignificant in exposed animals. Mercury concentrations estimated in the blood, milk, and urine of exposed (n?=?20) and control (n?=?20) animals were 7.41?±?0.86, 4.75?±?0.57, 2.08?±?0.18, and 1.05?±?0.07, 0.54?±?0.03, 0.20?±?0.02?μg/kg, respectively. The significant increase (P?<?0.01) in the levels of mercury in blood, milk, and urine of exposed animals in comparison to control indicated that the alterations of biochemical parameters in exposed cattle could be due to their long term exposure to fly ash mercury which may have direct or indirect impact on human populations via food chain.     

Mapping aboveground woody biomass using forest inventory,remote sensing and geostatistical techniques

Mapping forest biomass is fundamental for estimating CO₂ emissions, and planning and monitoring of forests and ecosystem productivity. The present study attempted to map aboveground woody biomass (AGWB) integrating forest inventory, remote sensing and geostatistical techniques, viz., direct radiometric relationships (DRR), k-nearest neighbours (k-NN) and cokriging (CoK) and to evaluate their accuracy. A part of the Timli Forest Range of Kalsi Soil and Water Conservation Division, Uttarakhand, India was selected for the present study. Stratified random sampling was used to collect biophysical data from 36 sample plots of 0.1 ha (31.62 m?×?31.62 m) size. Species-specific volumetric equations were used for calculating volume and multiplied by specific gravity to get biomass. Three forest-type density classes, viz. 10–40, 40–70 and >70 % of Shorea robusta forest and four non-forest classes were delineated using on-screen visual interpretation of IRS P6 LISS-III data of December 2012. The volume in different strata of forest-type density ranged from 189.84 to 484.36 m³ ha^?1. The total growing stock of the forest was found to be 2,024,652.88 m³. The AGWB ranged from 143 to 421 Mgha^?1. Spectral bands and vegetation indices were used as independent variables and biomass as dependent variable for DRR, k-NN and CoK. After validation and comparison, k-NN method of Mahalanobis distance (root mean square error (RMSE)?=?42.25 Mgha^?1) was found to be the best method followed by fuzzy distance and Euclidean distance with RMSE of 44.23 and 45.13 Mgha^?1 respectively. DRR was found to be the least accurate method with RMSE of 67.17 Mgha^?1. The study highlighted the potential of integrating of forest inventory, remote sensing and geostatistical techniques for forest biomass mapping.     

Synthesis,characterization, and systematic studies of a novel aluminum selective chelating resin

A procedure is detailed for the selective analysis of trace aluminum by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer coupled with off-line column separation and preconcentration. Chelating resin was synthesized by covalent functionalization of Amberlite XAD-16 by 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl) benzoxazole. The modified resin was characterized using FT-IR spectroscopy, energy dispersive x-ray analysis, elemental analysis, thermogravimetric analysis/differential thermal analysis, and minimum energy run. The optimum sorption was at pH 9?±?0.1 with corresponding t _1/2 of only 7 min. Many competitive anions and cations studied did not interfere at all in the selective determination of Al(III), at the optimized conditions. The resin shows maximum sorption capacity of 21.58 mg g^?1 and can be regenerated up to 75 cycles without any discernible capacity loss. The Langmuir isotherm model provides the better correlation of the experimental data (r ²?=?0.999) in comparison to Freundlich isotherm model, while the Scatchard analysis revealed homogeneous binding sites in the chelating resin. Analytical figures of merit were evaluated by accuracy (standard reference materials and recovery experiment), precision (RSD <5 %), and detection limit (2.8 μg L^?1). The applicability was demonstrated by analysis of trace aluminum in biological, environmental, and food samples.     

Pesticide-induced impairment of thyroid physiology in the freshwater catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis

Effects of BHC (8 mg litre(-1)) and malathion (10 mg litre(-1)) exposure for 96 h have been studied on T(3) and T(4) concentrations in plasma, and in pharyngeal thyroid tissue preparations. Thyroid peroxidase (TPO) activity in the pharyngeal thyroid tissue, along with the extra-thyroidal conversion of T(4) into T(3) were measured in a freshwater catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis. BHC stimulated TPO activity in this fish, during both in vitro and in vivo studies. In contrast, malathion was found to stimulate TPO activity during the in vitro experiments but to inhibit it in the in vivo study. Concentrations of T(3) and T(4) increased in the thyroid gland, as well as in the plasma, in response to BHC exposure. However, in both these tissues, malathion increased T(3) concentrations and reduced T(4) concentrations. The extrathyroidal conversion of T(4) into T(3) was stimulated by malathion and inhibited by BHC.     

Hexavalent chromium reduction and plant growth promotion by Staphylococcusarlettae strain Cr11

Cr(VI), a mutagenic and carcinogenic pollutant in industrial effluents, was effectively reduced by an indigenous tannery effluent isolate Staphylococcus arlettae strain Cr11 under aerobic conditions. The isolate could tolerate Cr(VI) up to 2000 and 5000 mg L⁻¹ in liquid and solid media respectively. S. arlettae Cr11 effectively reduced 98% of 100 mg L⁻¹ Cr(VI) in 24 h. Reduction for initial Cr(VI) concentrations of 500 and 1000 mg L⁻¹ was 98% and 75%, respectively in 120 h. The isolate was also positive for siderophore, indole acetic acid, ammonia and catalase production, phosphate solubilization and biofilm formation in the presence and absence of Cr(VI). The isolate showed halotolerance (10% NaCl) and cross tolerance to other toxic heavy metals such as Hg²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺. Bacterial inoculation of Triticum aestivum in controlled petri dish and soil environment showed significant increase in percent germination, root and shoot length as well as dry and wet weight in Cr(VI) treated and untreated samples. This is the first report of simultaneous Cr(VI) reduction and plant growth promotion for a S. arlettae strain.     

Concentration and recovery of coliphages from water with bituminous coal.

Coliphages represent a process indicator for fecal pollution. The coal bed concentration method prepared for enterovirus was refined for a concentration of coliphages. A bed made from 1.5 g of 120-mesh coal powder was used for concentrating coliphage from 200 mL of a water sample with or without the addition of aluminum chloride at different pH values. The isolated E. coli strain EC-R8 was found to be more susceptible to the desired coliphage and showed significant coliphage-coliform response, with clear plaque used for further studies. The complete coliphage adsorption was achieved with the addition of 0.0005 M AlCl3 at pH 6.0. Adsorbed coliphages were eluted with 3% beef extract in Mcllvaine buffer at pH 7.1, with an average recovery of 78.74%. This concentration technique was applied for the detection of coliphages from the well water of Nagpur city (India) and found to contain coliphages in the range of 2 to 28 plaque-forming units per liter (PFU/L).     

Persistence and Dissipation of Readymix Formulations of Insecticides In/On Okra Fruits

Dissipation behaviour of ready mix polytrin C 44EC (profenophos 40% + cypermethrin 4%) and spark 36EC (triazophos 35%+.deltamethrin 1%) applied at 1 L/ha in okra crop during Kharif in year 2000 was studied at 0, 1, 3, 5 and 7 days after treatment. Dissipation on 7th day was found to be maximum (98.4%) for profenophos followed by triazophos (86.2%), cypermethrin (73.5%) and deltamethrin (55.7%). Half life (t1/2) values for the above insecticides were 1.35, 2.55, 4.11 and 7.60 days, respectively. All the insecticides followed a first order kinetics. Profenophos and triazophos followed a biphasic dissipation pattern with faster dissipation in phase I (0–1 days) and manifesting slower rate of dissipation in phase II (1–7 days).     

Vermicomposting of source-separated human faeces for nutrient recycling

The present study examined the suitability of vermicomposting technology for processing source-separated human faeces. Since the earthworm species Eisenia fetida could not survive in fresh faeces, modification in the physical characteristics of faeces was necessary before earthworms could be introduced to faeces. A preliminary study with six different combinations of faeces, soil and bulking material (vermicompost) in different layers was conducted to find out the best condition for biomass growth and reproduction of earthworms. The results indicated that SVFV combination (soil, vermicompost, faeces and vermicompost – bottom to top layers) was the best for earthworm biomass growth indicating the positive role of soil layer in earthworm biomass growth. Further studies with SVFV and VFV combinations, however, showed that soil layer did not enhance vermicompost production rate. Year-long study conducted with VFV combination to assess the quality and quantity of vermicompost produced showed an average vermicompost production rate of 0.30 kg-cast/kg-worm/day. The vermicompost produced was mature as indicated by low dissolved organic carbon (2.4 ± 0.43 mg/g) and low oxygen uptake rate (0.15 ± 0.09 mg O₂/g VS/h). Complete inactivation of total coliforms was noted during the study, which is one of the important objectives of human faeces processing. Results of the study thus indicated the potential of vermicomposting for processing of source-separated human faeces.     

Coupling between meteorological factors and ambient aerosol load

The coarser (CPM) and respirable (RPM) fractions of aerosol loads collected in a time sequence, during the onset of winter season in Delhi region, were subjected to Principal Component Analysis (15 elemental variables, 39 samples); the absolute mass contributed by each identified source to the CPM and RPM was quantified by using Absolute Principal Component Score (APCS) and Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) method. Interestingly, the mass contributed by the local crustal source (material) to both fractions manifested undulating periodic behavior, a dominating harmonic corresponding to 24-h period was detected by using Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT). The corresponding harmonics, of varying strengths, were also detected in the recorded meteorological factors: Planetary Boundary Layer (PBL), Surface Level Temperature (T), Surface Level Relative Humidity (RH) and Wind Speed (WS). The analysis of the respective harmonic strength within the CPM, RPM, and meteorological factors suggested that the undulation observed in both size fractions of aerosol load from the local crust was affected by the meteorological factors. The large proportion of undulating loads (CPM and RPM), explained by the dominating harmonic, was fully accounted for by the empirical relation involving the discrete coupling parameters, and the recorded meteorological factors: PBL, T, RH and WS. The analysis suggests that the magnitude and the direction (‘positive’ load increase and ‘negative’ the reverse) of coupled meteorological factors'(s) effect on ambient CPM, RPM load is determined by the phase difference between the harmonic explaining the aerosol fraction's load and the corresponding harmonic present in the respective meteorological factor. The absolute mass contributions arising from the identified sources (APCS and PMF) allowed us to calculate the baseline ambient concentrations of undulating CPM and RPM loads, in the region of this study, affected by meteorological factors only.     

Non-timber forest products certification in India: opportunities and challenges

Forest certification has emerged as a marketing tool for linking the good forest management practices with the environmentally conscious consumers. Its genesis can be attributed to the society’s concern for the social and environmental significance of forests. Forest management certification when coupled with the chain-of-custody certification; then, the supply chain stages for such forest products can carry an ecolabel. Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) are of socio-economic and cultural importance for the forest dwelling communities, particularly for the tropical countries like India. India is home to an amazing diversity of plants, with over 46,000 plant species recorded to occur there. NTFP’s availability, utilization, commercialization, exploitation, management practices, policies and tenure systems in different parts of India have high diversity and variability. There is concern, however, that collection methods for most of NTFP species are destructive and wild populations are declining as a result. Thus, the harvest of NTFPs is coming under increasing scrutiny from certification programmes, as it plays a key role in the sustainable management of forest resources and community benefit worldwide. Thus, the present research paper highlights the issues relevant to certification of NTFPs in India, based on more than a decadal experience in dealing with this subject at Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal.