Groundwater quality assessment of Nawa Tehsil in Nagaur district (Rajasthan) with special reference to Fluoride

In recent years, the problem of fluoride in Nawa tehsil (Nagaur district) has reached at an alarming proportion. In the last decades, the water table of the Nawa tehsil has fallen. With the lowering of the water table, the amount of fluoride has increased in the subsoil water which is used by the villagers when drawn through hand pumps, tube wells etc. So the present study illustrates the groundwater quality of randomly selected villages of Nawa tehsil. The highest fluoride concentration was found in Rulaniyo ki Dhani i.e. 14.62 ppm. The excessive intake of fluoride resulted in dental and skeletal fluorosis.     

Removal of Ultrafine and Fine Particulate Matter from Air by a Granular Bed Filter

Abstract

The removal efficiency of granular filters packed with lava rock and sand was studied for collection of airborne particles 0.05–2.5 μm in diameter. The effects of filter depth, packing wetness, grain size, and flow rate on collection efficiency were investigated. Two packing grain sizes (0.3 and 0.15 cm) were tested for flow rates of 1.2, 2.4, and 3.6 L/min, corresponding to empty bed residence times (equal to the bulk volume of the packing divided by the airflow rate) in the granular media of 60, 30, and 20 sec, respectively. The results showed that at 1.2 L/min, dry packing with grains 0.15 cm in diameter removed more than 80% (by number) of the particles. Particle collection efficiency decreased with increasing flow rate. Diffusion was identified as the predominant collection mechanism for ultrafine particles, while the larger particles in the accumulation mode of 0.7–2.5 μm were removed primarily by gravitational settling. For all packing depths and airflow rates, particle removal efficiency was generally higher on dry packing than on wet packing for particles smaller than 0.25 μm. The results suggest that development of biological filters for fine particles is possible.     

Impact of fertilizer factory effluent on seed germination, seedling growth and chlorophyll content of gram (Cicer aeritenum)

In the present study effect of fertilizer factory effluent on seed germination, seedling growth and chlorophyll content of gram (Cicer aeritenum) has been carried out, at different concentration of the effluent and time intervals. The effluent is alkaline in nature with strong ammonia odour. The germination percentage of seed, seedling growth and chlorophyll content showed a gradual decline with increase in effluent concentration. At 25% concentration of the effluent, growth promotion in terms of root, shoot length and increase in chlorophyll content recorded at 21 days. However, at higher concentrations of the effluent toxic effects were observed at 21 days. The study suggests that the effluent can be used safely for Cicer aeritenum cultivation, only after proper treatment and dilution.     

Effect of complete and skeleton photoperiods in baya weaver, Ploceus philippinus

A study was performed to investigate the effects of complete and skeleton photoperiods on gonadal stimulation in baya weaver, Ploceus philippinus. In August 2003, five groups of acclimatized birds (n = 7 each) were exposed to 6L: 13D: 1L: 4D, 6L: 6D: 1L: 11D, 11L: 13D and 13L: 11D. Birds were refractory and their exposure to 6L:13D:1L:4D, 6L:6D:1L:11D, 11L:13D and 13L:11D did not evoke any response. This clearly indicates that the birds were insensitive to the stimulatory effects of these photoperiods and perceived them as short days. An attempt was made to test the responsivity by subjecting all these groups to long day exposure after 16 weeks of experiment. Under 16L: 8D, birds did not show a response during the first 4 weeks of exposure (week 16 to week 20), but thereafter there was a significant photoinduction except 11L:13D (week 24), but the rate and magnitude was different. Until the end of the experiment (32 weeks), all groups of birds had maximum testicular volume except 11L:13D. Birds pre-exposed to 6L:13D:1L:4D, 6L:6D:1L:11D, 11L:13D and 13L:11D responded to 16L:8D, which suggests that these photoperiods helped the birds in recovering their photosensitivity. The results from this experiment indicate that baya weaver interprets a light period depending when the light falls relative to its endogenous circadian system.     

Persistence of carbaryl and its risk assessment through consumption of treated grapes

The average initial deposits of carbaryl were observed to be 1.4 and 3.1?mg?kg^?1, respectively, following four applications of the insecticide at 4.95 and 9.9?kg active ingredient per hectare. Residues of carbaryl dissipated below its limit of quantification of 50?µg?kg^?1 after 7 and 10 days at single and double the application dosage, respectively. The half-life values (t _1/2) of carbaryl were worked out to be 1.3 and 0.7 days, respectively, at single and double dosages. The acceptable daily intake (ADI) for carbaryl has been fixed at 8?µg?kg^?1 body weight per day. Keeping in view the residues of carbaryl observed one day after the last application, a child of 10?kg and an adult of 60?kg will have an intake of 77 and 154?µg carbaryl after consumption of 100 and 200?g grapes, in comparison to its ADI of 80 and 480?µg; thus, no health risk is to be expected. Therefore, a waiting period of 1 day has been suggested for the safe consumption of carbaryl-treated grapes to avoid any health hazards.     

Removal of ultrafine and fine particulate matter from air by a granular bed filter

The removal efficiency of granular filters packed with lava rock and sand was studied for collection of airborne particles 0.05-2.5 microm in diameter. The effects of filter depth, packing wetness, grain size, and flow rate on collection efficiency were investigated. Two packing grain sizes (0.3 and 0.15 cm) were tested for flow rates of 1.2, 2.4, and 3.6 L/min, corresponding to empty bed residence times (equal to the bulk volume of the packing divided by the airflow rate) in the granular media of 60, 30, and 20 sec, respectively. The results showed that at 1.2 L/min, dry packing with grains 0.15 cm in diameter removed more than 80% (by number) of the particles. Particle collection efficiency decreased with increasing flow rate. Diffusion was identified as the predominant collection mechanism for ultrafine particles, while the larger particles in the accumulation mode of 0.7-2.5 microm were removed primarily by gravitational settling. For all packing depths and airflow rates, particle removal efficiency was generally higher on dry packing than on wet packing for particles smaller than 0.25 microm. The results suggest that development of biological filters for fine particles is possible.     

Agroecotoxicological Aspect of Cd in Soil–Plant System: Uptake,Translocation and Amelioration Strategies

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Cadmium (Cd) is considered to be one of the most toxic pollutants persistent in soil for thousands of years and is ranked on seventh position among...     

Perspective on the Therapeutic Applications of Algal Polysaccharides

Journal of Polymers and the Environment - Algae are an enormous source of polysaccharides and have gained much interest in human flourishing as organic drugs. Algal polysaccharides have aroused...     

Variation of Aulacoseira granulata as an eco-pollution indicator in subtropical large river Ganga in India: a multivariate analytical approach

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Aulacoseira granulata (Ehrenberg) Simonsen 1979 are considered as the eco-variable species which varies in density and diversity along with their...