Statistical evaluation of the influence of flow conditions and sampling techniques on water quality data.

The purpose of this study is to statistically evaluate the influence of various sampling methodologies and flow conditions on the quality and comparability of total phosphorus concentration data collected over the course of 27 months at the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) S-65E structure. The data was obtained from the following sampling methodologies: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) (Reston, Virginia) equal width increment spatially composite grab samples, USGS replicate samples, SFWMD grab samples, and SFWMD autosampler samples. Both significant and insignificant differences were reported from these comparisons. Parametric and nonparametric standard statistical tests for significance were carried out to evaluate the differences between the data. To avoid invalid conclusions of insignificant differences, we conducted tests for equivalence of the means and variances. The results from the data analysis revealed that both flow conditions and sampling methodology affected the water quality data.     

Reactive solute transport in macroscopically homogeneous porous media: analytical solutions for the temporal moments

In this work, we investigate one-dimensional solute transport affected by rate-limited sorption, first-order mass transfer, and first-order transformation. Analytical expressions are obtained for the temporal moments of the solute in the solution phase. The effect of various rate coefficients on the temporal moments is examined. It was found that, in the presence of transformation reactions, the mean arrival time, and the spread and skewness of the breakthrough curves, are not monotonic functions of the rate coefficients. These solutions will be useful as a preliminary analysis tool for ascertaining the relative importance of various processes under given conditions. They may also be used to analyze the accuracy of various numerical techniques used for simulation of reactive transport.     

Bio-efficacy evaluation of nanoformulations of β-cyfluthrin against Callosobruchus maculatus (Coleoptera: Bruchidae)

In the present investigation, bioefficacy of developed β-cyfluthrin formulations, utilizing laboratory synthesized poly(ethylene glycols) based amphiphilic copolymers, were evaluated against Callosobruchus maculatus (Coleoptera: Bruchidae). The bioefficacy data indicated that the formulations developed by utilizing polymers having PEG - 1500 (3c) and PEG - 2000 (3d) as the hydrophilic segment showed greater efficacy after 14 days as evident from EC(50) values (2.2 and 1.58 mg L(-1) respectively). Also, release from the commercial SC formulation was faster than developed formulations as the commercial formulation had the lowest EC(50) value on the first day (0.51 mg L(-1)). The mean EC(50) of the commercial formulation against C. maculatus was quite high as compared to those of developed formulations. The results suggest that depending upon the polymer matrix used, the application rate of β-cyfluthrin can be optimized to achieve insect control at the desired level and period. The results described in this paper are promising and provide a comparison of developed formulations with the commercial one showing an earlier degradation of β-cyfluthrin in the latter and relatively prolonged activity in the former.     

Uptake and translocation of selenium by maize (Zea mays) from its environmentaly important forms

Pot culture studies were conducted to examine the effect of selenite (SeO3(2-)) and selenate (SeO4(2-)) on the uptake and translocation of root absorbed selenium in maize Zea mays plants grown in sand and soil culture. Increasing selenium supplementation (0.5-6.00 microg/ml), increased the selenium retention in roots, but there was little transfer of selenium from shoot to grains. The study indicates that selenite species (less mobile) also accumulates in maize plants when supplied in solution form. Selenium does not cause any adverse effect on the maize plants (dry matter yield vs concentration, no significant correlation, p>0.05).     

Effects of deltamethrin on serum calcium and corpuscles of Stannius of freshwater catfish,Heteropneustes fossilis

Adult male deer mice were exposed every other day for a period of 11 days to either 7,12-dimethylbenzanthracene (DMBA; CAS# 57-97-6) or benzo[b]fluoranthene (BbF; CAS# 205-99-2) (0, 0.3, 1, 3, 10, or 30?mg?kg^?1). Immune endpoints assessed were lymphocyte proliferation, macrophage pinocytosis, and the antibody plaque-forming cell (PFC) response. Cytochrome P450 (CYP450) activity was assessed using ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) and pentoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (PROD). Macrophage pinocytosis was not altered by either compound. Both T- and B-cell proliferations were significantly increased by DMBA at 0.3 or 1?mg?kg^?1 and by BbF at 10 or 30?mg?kg^?1, but decreased by DMBA at 30?mg?kg^?1. Sheep red blood cell (SRBC)-specific-IgM production, as measured by the PFC response, was the most striking adverse immune effect observed and was significantly suppressed compared to control at all treatment concentrations for both compounds. EROD activity was markedly induced by DMBA at 30?mg?kg^?1, while BbF produced induction at 1, 10, or 30?mg?kg^?1. No marked effect on PROD activity was noted following DMBA treatment, but BbF-induced PROD activity at 1, 10, or 30?mg?kg^?1. Unexpectedly, four of six mice in the 30?mg DMBA?kg^?1 group did not survive to the end of the experiment, and one animal died in both the 3 and 10?mg?kg^?1 treatments. The calculated LD₅₀ was 20.8?mg DMBA?kg^?1. The PFC response in deer mice was a more sensitive endpoint than CYP450 activity, suggesting that utilization of CYP450 endpoints in risk assessment without assessment of immune function, specifically antibody production, might possibly underestimate the risk to wild rodents environmentally exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.     

Influence of aspect and location of stands on biodiversity in a Sal mixed broadleaved forest in Kumaun central Himalaya

In the present study total 21 forest stands on different aspects and locations (Hill base, mid slope and ridge top) on the slope were studied to assess the importance of these two parameters in supporting species regeneration and biodiversity in a mixed broadleaved forest between 380 and 850 m elevation in the Kumauau Himalayan region. A total of 36 tree species were recorded in the forest. In all aspects the tree, sapling and shrub richness was higher at hill base stands in comparison to mid slope and ridge top stand. Maximum tree richness (average across all aspects) was 9.7 and shrub richness was 9.3. Higher richness at hill base may be attributed to more soil moisture and deeper soils which accumulate the hill base where the slope steepness declines. The tree richness was higher in the northern aspect whereas southern aspect was more suitable for the shrub species. From the present study it becomes evident that the base of the hills can support higher biodiversity and are instrumental in supporting regeneration of several tree and shrub species in sal mixed broadleaved forest.     

Chelation in metal intoxication XVI: Influence of chelating agents on chromate poisoned rats

The ability of selective polyaminocarboxylic acids and common drugs to reduce the body burden of chromium and restore Cr induced biochemical alterations in chromate intoxicated rats was investigated. 1,2 Cyclohexylene dinitrilotetraacetic acid (CDTA) and triethylenetetramine hexacetic acid (TTHA) were more effective than p-aminosalicylic acid (PAS) and isoniazid (INH) in enhancing urinary excretion of Cr, lowering hepatic and blood levels of Cr and restoring inhibited activity of hepatic aldolase. The chromate antidotal property of chelators seem to be related to the combination of nitrogen and oxygen as the electron donating centres.     

The mating system of Hanuman langurs: a problem in optimal foraging

Using data from 23 populations of Indian langurs (Presbytis entellus), we show that the proportion of one-male groups is a function of the males’ ability to defend groups of females, as predicted by the monopolisation model of Emlen and Oring (1977). However, we show that in addition to the number of females in the group and their reproductive synchrony, home range size is also a factor, probably because it affects a male’s willingness to search for other groups. These variables in turn are shown to be functions of environmental parameters (rainfall volume and seasonality, and mean ambient temperature) which probably act via the density of resources and refuges in habitats. Received: 3 March 1994 / Accepted after revision: 24 June 1996     

Batch and continuous biosorption of Cu by immobilized biomass of Arthrobacter sp.

The ability of free and polysulphone immobilized biomass of Arthrobacter sp. to remove Cu²⁺ ions from aqueous solution was studied in batch and continuous systems. The Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models were applied to the data. The Langmuir isotherm model was found to fit the sorption data indicating that sorption was monolayer and uptake capacity (Q^o) was 175.87 and 158.7 mg/g for free and immobilized biomass respectively at pH 5.0 and 30 °C temperature, which was also confirmed by a high correlation coefficient, a low RMSE and a low Chi-square value. A kinetic study was carried out with pseudo-first-order reaction and pseudo-second-order reaction equations and it was found that the Cu²⁺ uptake process followed the pseudo-second-order rate expression. The diffusivity of Cu²⁺ on immobilized beads increased (0.402 × 10⁻⁴ to 0.435 × 10⁻⁴ cm²/s) with increasing concentration from 50 to 150 mg/L. The maximum percentage Cu²⁺ removal (89.56%) and uptake (32.64 mg/g) were found at 3.5 mL/min and 20 cm bed height. In addition to this the Bed Depth Service Time (BDST) model was in good agreement with the experimental data with a high correlation coefficient (>0.995). Furthermore, sorption and desorption studies were also carried out which showed that polysulphone immobilized biomass could be reused for up to six sorption–desorption cycles.