Chemical Approach to Study the Environmental Implications of Humic Acid and Gamma-Hch Interaction

Pesticide-humic interactions are known to have environmental significance in modifying the toxicity and mobility of agricultural chemicals. to test this, interaction between gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane (gamma-HCH) released from the sand coated with gamma-HCH and humic acid was investigated using thin layer chromatography and spectral studies such as UV (ultraviolet), IR (infrared), mass and FAB (fast atom bombardment) mass spectrometry. These studies revealed the evidence of loose interchelation between gamma-HCH and humic acid. the significance of the results in relation to detoxification of gamma-HCH in aquatic ecosystems are discussed.     

An IoT-based waste management system monitored by cloud

Clever solid waste bin is important to create a well-organized and dynamic waste management system. This paper presents the novel way of carrying out an integrated sensing system which automates the solid waste management process. The proposed smart waste bin is based on ultrasonic-level sensor and various gas sensors which automatically sense the hazardous gases and the maximum limit of waste. The approach is unique and uses cloud and mobile app-based monitoring. Two important features of work are it not only checks the maximum waste level of the bin but also checks various stinky gases. The other part of the work is conveying the information to the responsible authority. This unique approach takes the assistance of cloud sever because of its advantages in field of usability, accessibility and disaster recovery. The information can be linked with municipality web server for immediate action. The waste bins are tracked by a unique number which represents its location. The eccentric technique gives all information related to physical condition of a particular bin and can easily reach the corresponding authority. The whole information is interconnected with a cloud-based web-information system at the host server.     

Changes in lipid profiles of liver microsomes of rats following intratracheal administration of DDT or endosulfan

Abstract

The effect of intratracheal administration of DDT (5 mg/100 g body weight) or endosulfan (1 mg/100 g body weight) to rats for three consecutive days, has been studied on liver lipid metabolism. The administration of DDT but not endosulfan significantly increased the liver weight and the microsomal protein contents. Both DDT and endosulfan treatments significantly increased the contents of microsomal phosphatidylcholine (PC), total‐free‐ and esterified cholesterol. The distribution of unsaturated fatty acids of microsomal PC and PE was increased by DDT treatment. The intratracheal administration of DDT caused fatty infiltration of liver which was probably due to increased synthesis of triglycerides (TG). This is supported by the increased incorporation of radioactive palmitate‐l‐¹⁴C into microsomal TG. However, the increased incorporation of palmitate‐l‐¹⁴C into microsomal PC and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) after the DDT treatment, was due to the increased transacylation reaction supported by the decreased activity of microsomal phospholipase A. The intratracheal adminstration of endosulfan did not has pronounced effect on liver fatty infiltration, or transacylation reaction in microsomal PC and PE. However, the results have shown that the treatments of DDT or endosulfan increased the PC contents and the incorporation of radioactive [methyl‐³H]choline into PC of microsomes, resulting the increased synthesis of PC via CDPcholine pathway. Thus, the intratracheally administered DDT or endosulfan to rats showed that both the insecticides cause manifestations in the biochemistry of microsomal membrane lipids, although the effects of DDT being more pronounced. Therefore, the translocation effects of these insecticides or metabolites from lung to liver is established.     

Novel Biodegradable Cast Film from Carbon Dioxide Based Copolymer and Poly(Lactic Acid)

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC) blends with different levels of chain extender were prepared and cast into films. The effect of chain extender on the mechanical, thermal and barrier properties of the films were investigated. With the inclusion of the chain extender, the compatibility and interfacial adhesion between the two polymer phases were significantly improved by a mean of forming a PLA–chain extender–PPC copolymer. Reactions between the chain extender, PLA and PPC were observed through FTIR study. SEM study also confirmed the improved compatibility and interfacial adhesion. The elongation at break of the compatibilized film with optimal amount of chain extender showed dramatic increase by up to 1940 %. DSC studies revealed that chain extender hindered the crystallization of the film which explained the decrease in both water and oxygen barrier when adding chain extender. PLA was found to be able to enhance both oxygen and water barrier of the blend as compared to neat PPC, while in the case of the blend with chain extender, oxygen and water barrier properties exhibited reduction at the beginning. However, when increasing chain extender concentration, these two barrier performance exhibited an upward trend. It was found that PLA/PPC blend showed much better oxygen barrier property than both parent polymers, which can be ascribed to the acceleration effect of PPC on the crystallization of PLA.     

Agriculture,dairy and fishery farming practices and greenhouse gas emission footprint: a strategic appraisal for mitigation

Rising global population would force farmers to amplify food production substantially in upcoming 3–4 decades. The easiest way to increase grain production is through expanding cropping area by clearing uncultivated land. This is attained by permitting deadly loss of carbon (C) stocks, jeopardizing ecosystem biodiversity and deteriorating environmental quality. We aim to propose key agronomical tactics, livestock management strategy and advance approaches for aquaculture to increase productivity and simultaneously reduce the environmental impacts of farming sector. For this, we considered three major sectors of farming, i.e. agriculture, fishery and dairy. We collected literatures stating approaches or technologies that could reduce GHG emission from these sectors. Thereafter, we synthesized strategies or options that are more feasible and accessible for inclusion in farm sector to reduce GHG emission. Having comprehensively reviewed several publications, we propose potential strategies to reduce GHG emission. Agronomic practices like crop diversification, reducing summer fallow, soil organic carbon sequestration, tillage and crop residue management and inclusion of N2-fixing pulses in crop rotations are some of those. Livestock management through changing animals’ diets, optimal use of the gas produced from manures, frequent and complete manure removal from animal housing and aquaculture management strategies to improve fish health and improve feed conversion efficiency could reduce their GHG emission footprint too. Adapting of effective and economic practices GHG emission footprint reduction potential of farming sector could make farming sector a C neutral enterprise. To overcome the ecological, technological and institutional barriers, policy on trade, tax, grazing practice and GHG pricing should be implemented properly.     

Fresh water blue green algae from three agro-climatic zones of Uttar Pradesh, India: distribution pattern with seasonal variation

The paper deals with 45 species of 21 genera of fresh water blue green algae (BGA) from three different agro-climatic zones of Uttar Pradesh. Samples were collected from different habitats varying in physico-chemical properties. Out of 45 species, 13 species belonged to order Chroococcales, 31 to order Nostocales, while only 1 species belonged to order Stigonimatales i.e. Fischerella mucicola. The physico-chemical parameters like pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, electrical conductivity, nitrate, nitrite and rainfall play an important role in the periodicity of BGA. A positive correlation was found between dissolved oxygen (DO) of different ponds and species diversity, except in the case of western region of Uttar Pradesh (Farukhabad and Mahoba districts) where a positive correlation was found in electrical conductivity and total dissolved solids.     

Effect of Sequential Mixing and Compounding Conditions on Cellulose Acetate/Layered Silicate Nanocomposites

Injection molded nanocomposites have been successfully fabricated from cellulose acetate (CA), eco-friendly triethyl citrate (TEC) plasticizer, and organically modified clay with and without maleic anhydride grafted cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB-g-MA) as a compatibilizer. The effects of processing conditions such as mixing methods, pre-plasticizing times, extruder retention times (RT) and addition of compatibilizer on the performance of these nanocomposites have been evaluated. The cellulosic plastic with CA/TEC (80/20 wt%) was used as the polymer matrix for nanocomposite fabrication. The morphologies of these nanocomposites were evaluated through X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies. The mechanical properties of the nanocomposites were measured and have been correlated with the XRD and TEM observations. From all of the sequential mixing methods used, powder–powder mixing leads to the most transparent nanocomposites. Cellulosic plastic-based nanocomposites obtained using increased pre-plasticizing times and RT showed better exfoliated structures. In the system containing compatibilizer, the minimum retention time required for obtaining almost completely exfoliated hybrid nanocomposites was shorter than in the system without compatibilizer.     

Sustainable Bio-Composites from Renewable Resources: Opportunities and Challenges in the Green Materials World

Sustainability, industrial ecology, eco-efficiency, and green chemistry are guiding the development of the next generation of materials, products, and processes. Biodegradable plastics and bio-based polymer products based on annually renewable agricultural and biomass feedstock can form the basis for a portfolio of sustainable, eco-efficient products that can compete and capture markets currently dominated by products based exclusively on petroleum feedstock. Natural/Biofiber composites (Bio-Composites) are emerging as a viable alternative to glass fiber reinforced composites especially in automotive and building product applications. The combination of biofibers such as kenaf, hemp, flax, jute, henequen, pineapple leaf fiber, and sisal with polymer matrices from both nonrenewable and renewable resources to produce composite materials that are competitive with synthetic composites requires special attention, i.e., biofiber–matrix interface and novel processing. Natural fiber–reinforced polypropylene composites have attained commercial attraction in automotive industries. Natural fiber—polypropylene or natural fiber—polyester composites are not sufficiently eco-friendly because of the petroleum-based source and the nonbiodegradable nature of the polymer matrix. Using natural fibers with polymers based on renewable resources will allow many environmental issues to be solved. By embedding biofibers with renewable resource–based biopolymers such as cellulosic plastics; polylactides; starch plastics; polyhydroxyalkanoates (bacterial polyesters); and soy-based plastics, the so-called green bio-composites are continuously being developed.     

增加粮食需求,减少对无机氮的依赖性

较高的作物产量通常需要较高的养分使用率,因此就使无机氮的使用增加.到2030年,估计粮食的年需求量约为28亿t,相应的无机氮消耗量为9600万t(在1995～1997年间,无机氮的年消耗量为7800万t).从全球范围来讲,由于使用无机肥料而流失到周围环境中去的无机氮目前为每年3600万t,价值117亿美元,它们对环境保护起反作用.但是,新型的提高肥料使用效率(FUE)技术可以增加产量但不使无机氯的使用成比例增加.并且,含氮养分的供应可以通过改进农业生产系统和开发如生物固氮(BNF)等可替代资源而扩大.到2030年,随着出台适当的政策、实施技术转让、对研究和投资提供支持以及在农田采用化肥使用效率(FUE)和生物固氮(BNF)技术等,可以使无机氯每年节省1000万t,价值33亿美元.     

Climate change impact, mitigation and adaptation strategies for agricultural and water resources, in Ganga Plain (India)

Agriculture consumes more than two-thirds of global fresh water out of which 90 % is used by developing countries. Freshwater consumption worldwide is expected to rise another 25 %by 2030 due to increase in population from 6.6 billion currently to about 8 billion by 2030 and over 9 billion by 2050. Worldwide climate change and variability are affecting water resources and agricultural production and in India Ganga Plain region is one of them. Hydroclimatic changes are very prominent in all the regions of Ganga Plain. Climate change and variability impacts are further drying the semi-arid areas and may cause serious problem of water and food scarcity for about 250 million people of the area. About 80 million ha out of total 141 million ha net cultivated area of India is rainfed, which contributes approximately 44 % of total food production has been severely affected by climate change. Further changing climatic conditions are causing prominent hydrological variations like change in drainage density, river morphology (tectonic control) & geometry, water quality and precipitation. Majority of the river channels seen today in the Ganga Plain has migrated from their historic positions. Large scale changes in land use and land cover pattern, cropping pattern, drainage pattern and over exploitation of water resources are modifying the hydrological cycle in Ganga basin. The frequency of floods and drought and its intensity has increased manifold. Ganga Plain rivers has changed their course with time and the regional hydrological conditions shows full control over the rates and processes by which environments geomorphically evolve. Approximately 47 % of total irrigated area of the country is located in Ganga Plain, which is severely affected by changing climatic conditions. In long run climate change will affect the quantity and quality of the crops and the crop yield is going to be down. This will increase the already high food inflation in the country. The warmer atmospheric temperatures and drought conditions will increase soil salinization, desertification and drying-up of aquifer, while flooding conditions will escalate soil erosion, soil degradation and sedimentation. The aim of this study is to understand the impact of different hydrological changes due to climatic conditions and come up with easily and economically feasible solutions effective in addressing the problem of water and food scarcity in future.