The potential protective role of apigenin against oxidative damage induced by nickel oxide nanoparticles in liver and kidney of male Wistar rat,Rattus norvegicus

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Nickel oxide nanoparticles (NiONPs) are involved in several applications but still have some adverse effects. Apigenin (APG) is a widespread natural...     

Influence of tourism,governance, and foreign direct investment on energy consumption and CO2 emissions: a panel analysis of Muslim countries

The empirical linkages from tourism, governance, and FDI have been quantified on CO₂ emission and energy use over 2002–2014 for a panel of 13 Muslim countries. To this end, we have examined the data for cross-sectional dependence (CD) and panel heterogeneity and employed panel algorithms, which account for both CD and panel heterogeneity. The results from Pedroni, Westerlund, and Kao tests supported the existence of a cointegration association between the chosen variables. In the CO₂ model, we observed that tourism positively, and governance negatively, influences the CO₂ emission. However, in the case of the energy model, the results of tourism pose a negative relationship, and governance indicates a positive relationship with energy use. The results supported the pollution haven phenomenon, finance, and energy triggered pollution in the study area. Further, the research supported a two-way causality between tourism and CO₂, where there is a unilateral causality from governance to CO₂. Similarly, a unidirectional causality was obtained from energy towards tourism. Lastly, the key policy recommendations based on the outcomes of the study are encouraging clean energy investment, enhancing good governance, and sustainable tourism development for improving environmental quality.

     

铜胁迫对两种地衣植物生理生化特征的影响

以中国树花（Ramalina sinensis Jatta.）和亚花松萝（Usnea subfloridana Stint.）为材料,研究了铜胁迫对这两种地衣植物生理生化特性的影响。结果表明：在Cu2＋的作用下,中国树花和亚花松萝体内叶绿素质量分数和过氧化物酶（POD）活性发生一系列的变化,且表现出明显的剂量效应关系和时间效应关系。随着处理浓度的加大和处理时间的延长,中国树花体内叶绿素质量分数呈现先降后升再降。在处理的48 h,当Cu2＋质量浓度为0.1 mg.mL-1时中国树花体内叶绿素a质量分数下降为0 mg.mL-1时的16.34%,叶绿素总质量分数下降为42.54%,而当Cu2＋质量浓度为0.5 mg.mL-1时叶绿素a质量分数下降为22.95%,叶绿素总质量分数下降为60.39%,亚花松萝体内叶绿素质量分数呈现先升后降的趋势,当Cu2＋质量浓度为0.1 mg.mL-1时,处理48 h后的亚花松萝体内叶绿素质量分数比36 h下降18.82%;当Cu2＋质量浓度为0.5 mg.mL-1时,处理48 h后的亚花松萝体内叶绿素质量分数比36 h下降23.52%。随着处理浓度的加大和处理时间的延长,中国树花过氧化物酶活性呈现上升的趋势,当Cu2＋质量浓度为0.1 mg.mL-1时,处理24、36、48 h后过氧化物酶的活性分别增加为88.1%、64.83%和65.49%;当Cu2＋质量浓度为0.5 mg.mL-1时,分别增加为69.83%、82.05%和82.57%。而亚花松萝过氧化物酶活性呈现先下降后上升等波动性变化,Cu2＋质量浓度为0.1 mg.mL-1时,处理24、36、48 h后过氧化物酶的活性先下降62.56%,后增加7.93%,又下降42.28%;当Cu2＋质量浓度为0.5 mg.mL-1时,比对照组分别下降72.92%、33.49%和62.56%。对比两种地衣植物发现,中国树花体内生理指标的变化较亚花松萝的明显,说明中国树花对铜胁迫反应较敏感,有利于监测重金属铜污染。     

Remediation rates and translocation of heavy metals from contaminated soil through Parthenium hysterophorus

The potential translocation of heavy metals by Parthenium hysterophorus over 30 and 90 days and its effect on biomass, chlorophyll content and photosynthetic activity were studied on 0, 10, 25, 50 and 100% fly-ash-amended soil (FAS). The results showed a decrease in chlorophyll content and photosynthetic area on exposure to 50–100% FAS. Heavy metal reduction was in the order Pb>Cd>Zn>Fe>according to accumulation trends. The plant exhibited good biomass growth on exposure to 25–50% FAS, but this decreased at>100% FAS. Heavy metal concentrations in P. hysterophorus after 90 days of the experiment were in the order Fe>Zn>Cu>Pb>Cd>Ni. Parthenium hysterophorus was suitable for translocating Fe, Zn and Cu based on translocation factors (TF=1.5, 1.3 and 1.05), but was more efficient for Pb, Ni and Cd (TF=8.5, 4.3 and 3.3). Plant uptake of Pb, Ni and Cd was high, whereas translocation of Fe, Zn and Cu was poor. These results indicated that P. hysterophorus can efficiently reduce heavy metal pollution in soil.     

Determination of pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables in Islamabad market

Pesticide residues in fruits and vegetable from Islamabad market, Pakistan were determined by GLC using Perkin Elmer Autosystem equipped with 63NECD and capillary column. Dimethoate was determined in the quantity of 0.032 mg kg-1 in apple, 0.110 mg kg-1 in banana, 0.004 mg kg-1 in brinjal, 1.80 mg kg-1 in cauliflower and 0.13 mg kg-1 in arvi, fenvalerate 0.010 mg kg-1 in apple and chlorpyrifos 0.004 mg kg-1 in brinjal. The importance of these pesticide residues with reference to human health is also briefly discussed.     

Impact of industrial effluent on growth and yield of rice (Oryza sativa L.) in silty clay loam soil

Degradation of soil and water from discharge of untreated industrial effluent is alarming in Bangladesh. Therefore, buildup of heavy metals in soil from contaminated effluent, their entry into the food chain and effects on rice yield were quantified in a pot experiment. The treatments were comprised of 0, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% industrial effluents applied as irrigation water. Effluents, initial soil, different parts of rice plants and post-harvest pot soil were analyzed for various elements, including heavy metals. Application of elevated levels of effluent contributed to increased heavy metals in pot soils and rice roots due to translocation effects, which were transferred to rice straw and grain. The results indicated that heavy metal toxicity may develop in soil because of contaminated effluent application. Heavy metals are not biodegradable, rather they accumulate in soils, and transfer of these metals from effluent to soil and plant cells was found to reduce the growth and development of rice plants and thereby contributed to lower yield. Moreover, a higher concentration of effluent caused heavy metal toxicity as well as reduction of growth and yield of rice, and in the long run a more aggravated situation may threaten human lives, which emphasizes the obligatory adoption of effluent treatment before its release to the environment, and regular monitoring by government agencies needs to be ensured.     

Minimization of socioeconomic disruption for displaced populations following disasters

In the aftermath of catastrophic natural disasters such as hurricanes, tsunamis and earthquakes, emergency management agencies come under intense pressure to provide temporary housing to address the large‐scale displacement of the vulnerable population. Temporary housing is essential to enable displaced families to reestablish their normal daily activities until permanent housing solutions can be provided. Temporary housing decisions, however, have often been criticized for their failure to fulfil the socioeconomic needs of the displaced families within acceptable budgets. This paper presents the development of (1) socioeconomic disruption metrics that are capable of quantifying the socioeconomic impacts of temporary housing decisions on displaced populations; and (2) a robust multi‐objective optimization model for temporary housing that is capable of simultaneously minimizing socioeconomic disruptions and public expenditures in an effective and efficient manner. A large‐scale application example is optimized to illustrate the use of the model and demonstrate its capabilities ingenerating optimal plans for realistic temporary housing problems.     

Potential health hazard of drinking water in restaurants and tea stalls

Potable and equitable drinking water (DW) is a fundamental human right and essential for human health. This study is conducted to assess the groundwater and jar water quality of the roadside restaurants and tea stalls used for drinking by the local people around the Gazipur City area in Bangladesh. Water samples from 173 restaurants and tea stalls are collected. The physico-chemical and biological parameters are analyzed according to the guidelines and standards. The results illustrate that the color, EC, and Mn of 41%, 80%, and 62% of the samples, respectively, exceed the WHO and Environmental Conservation Rules (ECR) standards. In addition, E. coli and total coliform exceeding the threshold standards are found in 47% and 64% of the water samples, respectively. The contamination of DW by fecal coliforms is confirmed and supported by prior studies, which indicates that the DW supplied in restaurants and tea stalls are unsafe because of the possible presence of pathogens. These may cause potential health hazards to consumers from various water-borne diseases. Poor sanitation, unhygienic practices, and improper disposal of wastewater are responsible for the microbial contamination of DW. So, the authorities in charge of these places should take the right regulatory steps, such as regular sanitation inspections, DW quality monitoring, hand-washing practices, and better sanitation in these places.     

Cost-effective treatment of sludge conditioning using supernatant fluid polyelectrolyte

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Treatment of activated sludge using pure polyelectrolyte and its supernatant fluids for sludge dewatering was examined. The supernatant was used for...