Spatial variation of salts in a Gyanpur canal command area

This study was aimed to establish background and reference values of total heavy metals in soils from a representative area of Albania (Tirana). Thirty-eight soil samples collected from genetic horizons of major soil types of Tirana were analyzed for important physicochemical properties by standard methods and for total contents of Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb, Zn, and Cu by atomic absorption spectrometer, after extraction with aqua regia. The results showed that the total contents of Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb, Zn, and Cu in surface horizons varied widely with respective mean values of 0.3 (??0.6), 174.2 (??63.7), 305.9 (??133.0), 19.7 (??12.4), 95.5 (??26.3), and 42.7 (??6.8) mg/kg. The highest metal contents were found in two soils developed in limestone. The depth distribution of metals showed a tendency for accumulation of Cd and Pb in the surface horizons of three soils, suggesting that these metals partially come from anthropogenic inputs. Correlation analysis indicated that the metal contents of soils were controlled by soil properties, including pH, CaCO₃, clay, organic matter, cation exchange capacity, and Fe oxides. The background values (given as the 90th percentile) were much higher than those reported in the literature, showing that the levels of respective metals were naturally higher. The total metal contents of some soils were above background levels, suggesting metal pollution. The reference values for all the analyzed metals were quite consistent with those of the Dutch system. The proposed background and reference values can be used to evaluate the soil pollution with these elements.     

Heterogeneous photocatalysis for removal of microbes from water

Increasing water pollution by microbes has become a source of serious health concern across the globe. Production of potentially carcinogenic disinfection by-products has marred credibility of traditional water purification techniques like chlorination. Photocatalysis has emerged as a promising alternative technique for the disinfection of water with minimal risk of harmful by-products. The process involves a wide band gap semiconductor material which, upon irradiation of light, produces electrons and holes with high redox potential to degrade organic contaminants and microbes. In this review, we analyze the research trends in photocatalytic inactivation of water borne microorganisms. This report analyzes the major factors that affect the disinfection efficiency using this process. The discussion also includes plausible mechanisms of microbial degradation as well as a kinetic model of the inactivation process. Different approaches, like doping of semiconductors or energy band engineering or plasmon coupling, have been reported for the enhancement and utilization of ambient solar light. Photocatalysis could be a cost-effective and environmentally friendly water purification technique though further research is required to enhance its efficiency with the use of solar light.     

Elevated blood lead levels and cytogenetic markers in buccal epithelial cells of painters in India

Background, aim, and scope  

Lead, a major contaminant, is highly used in paint manufacturing due to its anticorrosive properties. Recent reports indicated high lead content among Indian paints used for commercial purposes. Painters are continuously exposed to these lead containing paints during painting of both commercial as well as residential buildings. Lead is well-known for its genotoxicty in occupational workers; however, in Indian painters the genotoxic effects of lead have not been reported to date. Therefore we aimed to study the genotoxic end points in painters due to their long-term exposure to these high lead-containing Indian paints.     

Effects of DDT and piperonyl butoxide on the metabolic alterations in pigeon (columba livia)

Abstract

Effect of acute doses of technical grade of dichloro diphenyl trichloro ethane (DDT) and piperonyl butoxide (PB) on hepatic micro‐somal cytochrome P₄₅₀ (Cyt. P450) and cytosolic glutathione‐S‐transferase (GST) activity in pigeon were studied after 24 hours of treatment. A completely reverse trend of changes in Cyt. P450 and GST activity were found as increase in Cyt. ?450 paralleled with decrease in GST activity following exposure to DDT. However, intensity of changes in Cyt. P450 was greater than that of GST. A dose dependent decrease in Cyt. ?450 and GST activity was observed after PB treatment. The study may, therefore, throw some light on metabolic alterations in wild birds resulting from environmental pollution by DDT and allied chemicals.     

Foliar uptake of arsenic nanoparticles by spinach: an assessment of physiological and human health risk implications

Atmospheric contamination by heavy metal(loid)–enriched particulate matter (metal-PM) is highly topical these days because of its high persistence, toxic nature, and health risks. Globally, foliar uptake of metal(loid)s occurs for vegetables/crops grown in the vicinity of industrial or urban areas with a metal-PM-contaminated atmosphere. The current study evaluated the foliar uptake of arsenic (As), accumulation of As in different plant organs, its toxicity (in terms of ROS generation, chlorophyll degradation, and lipid peroxidation), and its defensive mechanism (antioxidant enzymes) in spinach (Spinacia oleracea) after foliar application of As in the form of nanoparticles (As-NPs). The As-NPs were prepared using a chemical method. Results indicate that spinach can absorb As via foliar pathways (0.50 to 0.73 mg/kg in leaves) and can translocate it towards root tissues (0.35 to 0.68 mg/kg). However, health risk assessment parameters showed that the As level in the edible parts of spinach was below the critical limit (hazard quotient <?1). Despite low tissue level, As-NP exposure caused phytotoxicity in terms of a decrease in plant dry biomass (up to 84%) and pigment contents (up to 38%). Furthermore, several-fold higher activities of antioxidant enzymes were observed under metal stress than control. However, no significant variation was observed in the level of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), which can be its possible transformation to other forms of reactive oxygen species (ROS). It is proposed that As can be absorbed by spinach via foliar pathway and then disturbs the plant metabolism. Therefore, air quality needs to be considered and monitored continuously for the human health risk assessment and quality of vegetables cultivated on polluted soils (roadside and industrial vicinity).

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Biodegradation of Coproducts from Industrially Processed Corn in a Compost Environment

Information pertaining to biodegradability of renewable polymeric material is critical for the design and development of single-use biodegradable consumer products. The rate and extent of biodegradation of corn fiber, corn zein, cornstarch, distillers grain, and corn gluten meal were evaluated in compost environments under variable temperature, pH, and moisture conditions. Generally, composts with higher temperature (40°C), neutral pH (7.0), and 50%–60% moisture appeared to be ideal for corn coproduct biodegradation, particularly for corn gluten meal and corn zein. Low moisture conditions slowed biodegradation considerably, but degradation rates improved when moisture content increased up to 60%. Thereafter, increased moisture particularly slowed the degradation of corn gluten meal and corn zein, whereas cornstarch degradation remained unaffected. At low pH (4.0) and high pH (11.0) the rate of degradation of most coproducts was slowed somewhat. Cornstarch degradation was slower at pH 7.0, but degradation improved with increased temperatures. Increase in compost temperature from 25 to 40°C (in 5°C increments) also improved biodegradation of corn fiber and distillers grain. Addition of 1% urea to compost as a nitrogen source decreased the extent of biodegradation nearly 40% for corn gluten meal and corn zein, and 20% for cornstarch samples. Treatment of compost with 0.02% azide inhibited biodegradation of all coproducts, suggesting that the presence of metabolically active microbial cells is required for effective degradation of biobased materials in a compost environment.     

Microbial phytotoxins as potential herbicides

Abstract

Microbes are sources of a diverse array of phytotoxic compounds. These compounds are generally structurally different from commercial herbicides, targeting different molecular sites of action within the plant. These novel structures and sites can be excellent leads for the discovery and development of safer synthetic herbicides. Microbial phytotoxins are often more environmentally benign than synthetic herbicides. Examples of phytotoxins from fungi (AAL‐toxin, cornexistin, cyperin, and tentoxin) with novel structures and sites of action are discussed. AAL‐toxin is toxic to a wide variety of weeds at very low dose rates. AAL‐toxin and many of its analogues kill plants by inhibiting a ceramide synthase‐like enzyme, causing rapid accumulation of free sphingoid bases that disrupt membranes. Cornexistin appears to be metabolically cnverted to an inhibitor of certain aspartate amino transferase isoenzymes. Its activity can be reversed by feeding aspartate and glutamate or with tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates. Its activity is much like that of (aminooxy)acetate. Cyperin is a diphenylether phytotoxin that inhibits protoporphyrinogen oxidase, but does not kill plants by this mechanism. It appears to have other effects on porphyrin metabolism. Tentoxin is toxic by two mechanisms. It disrupts chloroplast development by inhibiting the processing of a nuclear‐coded plastid protein, and it also inhibits photophosphorylation by acting as an energy transfer inhibitor of coupling factor 1 ATPase. Other examples of phytotoxins from microbes with promise as herbicides will be mentioned.