Design of reaction conditions for the enhancement of microbial degradation of dyes in sequential cycles

The present study evaluated the potential of white-rot fungal strain Coriolus versicolor to decolorize five structurally di erent dyes in sequential batch reactors under optimized conditions. The experiments were run continuously for seven cycles of 8 d each. High decolorizing activity was observed even during the repeated reuse of the fungus, especially when the old medium was replaced with fresh medium after every cycle. Biodegradation was the dominating factor as the fungus was able to produce the enzyme laccase mainly, to mineralize synthetic dyes. The nutrients and composition of the medium played important roles in sustaining the decolorisation potential of the fungus. Corncob was found be an easy and cheap substitute for carbon source for the fungus. Glucose consumption by the fungus was in accordance to its decolorisation activity and chemical oxygen demand (COD) reduction.     

Biocatalytic polymeric membranes to decrease biofilm fouling and remove organic contaminants in wastewater: a review

The presence of recalcitrant contaminants in wastewater is major challenge to decrease pollution and associated health issues. As a consequence, membrane technologies have recently attracted industrial attention, yet a major setback of membrane employment is membrane fouling which leads to frequent discarding of membrane modules. More than 45% of all membrane fouling cases are caused by biofilms that are resistant to antimicrobial agents. Here we review polymeric membranes with antifouling properties, with focus on surface properties, fabrication, characterization, biocatalysis using enzymes and application towards the removal of dyes, phenol, pesticides and fertilizers. Nano-engineered fabrication of polymeric membranes allow to decrease fouling by 80–90%. Immobilized oxidoreductases in polymeric membranes allow 65–98% removal contaminants in wastewater.

     

Free radical biology in neurological manifestations: mechanisms to therapeutics interventions

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Recent advancements and growing attention about free radicals (ROS) and redox signaling enable the scientific fraternity to consider their involvement...     

Statistical analyses of coastal water quality for a port and harbour region in India

A long-term study of temperature, pH, turbidity, suspended solid, salinity, dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand and ammonia nitrogen has been performed in a port and harbour region in India for four years from December 1996 to November 2000. Marine water quality results showed no regular trend. The mean monthly values of temperature, pH, turbidity, suspended solid, salinity, dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand and ammonia nitrogen were in the range of 22.64 ± 0.4 to 29.05 ± 1.37 °C; 7.65 ± 0.04 to 7.81 ± 0.13; 28.8 ± 14.7 to 64.2 ± 32.0 NTU; 283.5 ± 81.8 to 356.0 ± 159.7 mg/L; 29.78 ± 7.18 to 29.78 ± 1.04 ppt; 4.67 ± 0.50 to 6.01 ± 1.02 mg/L; 5.41 ± 1.92 to 7.56 ± 2.1 mg/L; and 0.25 ± 0.07 to 0.63 ± 0.49 mg/L, respectively. The results of correlation analysis showed that biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) was inversely correlated dissolved oxygen (DO) and poorly correlated with all other parameters. Turbidity and suspended solid were moderately correlated with each other while salinity was moderately correlated with other water quality parameters. In factor analysis, four factors were drawn out of the eight variables, which represented 74% of the variance of the original data. Factor I was related to suspended solid and turbidity. Factor II represented mainly temperature and DO showing inverse relation between these two. Factor III implied the degree of pollution at any monitoring station. Factor IV included pH and salinity. It could be concluded that the factor model represented almost all the variables.     

Unboxing the molecular modalities of mutagens in cancer

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The etiology of the majority of human cancers is associated with a myriad of environmental causes, including physical, chemical, and biological...     

Carbon and polymer-based magnetic nanocomposites for oil-spill remediation—a comprehensive review

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Oil spills are a major contributor to water contamination, which sets off a significant impact on the environment, biodiversity, and economy....     

Release behavior and bioefficacy of imazethapyr formulations based on biopolymeric hydrogels

Controlled release formulations of imazethapyr herbicide have been developed employing guar gum-g-cl-polyacrylate/bentonite clay hydrogel composite (GG-HG) and guar gum-g-cl-PNIPAm nano hydrogel (GG-NHG) as carriers, to assess the suitability of biopolymeric hydrogels as controlled herbicide release devices. The kinetics of imazethapyr release from the developed formulations was studied in water and it revealed that the developed formulations of imazethapyr behaved as slow release formulations as compared to commercial formulation. The calculated diffusion exponent (n) values showed that Fickian diffusion was the predominant mechanism of imazethapyr release from the developed formulations. Time for release of half of the loaded imazethapyr (t_1/2) ranged between 0.06 and 4.8 days in case of GG-NHG and 4.4 and 12.6 days for the GG-HG formulations. Weed control index (WCI) of GG-HG and GG-NHG formulations was similar to that of the commercial formulation and the herbicidal effect was observed for relatively longer period. Guar gum-based biopolymeric hydrogels in both macro and nano particle size range can serve as potential carriers in developing slow release herbicide formulations.     

Magnetic nanocomposites for sustainable water purification—a comprehensive review

Numerous contaminants in huge amounts are discharged to the environment from various anthropogenic activities. Waterbodies are one of the major receivers of these contaminants. The contaminated water can pose serious threats to humans and animals, by distrubing the ecosystem. In treating the contaminated water, adsorption processes have attained significant maturity due to lower cost, easy operation and environmental friendliness. The adsorption process uses various adsorbent materials and some of emerging adsorbent materials include carbon- and polymer-based magnetic nanocomposites. These hybrid magnetic nanocomposites have attained extensive applications in water treatment technologies due to their magnetic properties as well as combination of unique characteristics of organic and inorganic elements. Carbon- and polymer-related magnetic nanocomposites are more adapted materials for the removal of various kinds of contaminants from waterbodies. These nanocomposites can be produced via different approaches such as filling, pulse-laser irradiation, ball milling, and electro-spinning. This comprehensive review is compiled by reviewing published work of last the latest recent 3 years. The review article extensively focuses on different approaches for producing various carbon- and polymer-based magnetic nanocomposites, their merits and demerits and applications for sustainable water purification. More specifically, use of carbon- and polymer-based magnetic nanocomposites for removal of heavy metal ions and dyes is discussed in detail, critically analyzed and compared with other technologies. In addition, commercial viability in terms of regeneration of adsorbents is also reviewed. Furthermore, the future challenges and prospects in employing magnetic nanocomposites for contaminant removal from various water sources are presented.