Chromium induced lipid peroxidation in the plants of Pistia stratiotes L.: role of antioxidants and antioxidant enzymes

In the plant, Pistia stratiotes L., the effect of different concentrations of chromium (0, 10, 40, 80 and 160 microM) applied for 48, 96 and 144 h was assessed by measuring changes in the chlorophyll, protein, malondialdehyde (MDA), cysteine, non-protein thiol, ascorbic acid contents and superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and guiacol peroxidase (GPX) activity of the plants. Both in roots and leaves, an increase in MDA content was observed with increase in metal concentration and exposure periods. In roots, the activity of antioxidant enzymes viz. SOD and APX increased at all the concentrations of Cr at 144 h than their controls. The GPX activity of the treated roots increased with increase in Cr concentration at 48 and 96 h of exposures, however, at 144 h its activity was found declined beyond 10 microM Cr. The level of antioxidants in the roots of the treated plant viz. cysteine and ascorbic acid was also found increased at all the concentrations of Cr at 144 h than their respective controls, however, an increase in the non-protein thiol content was recorded up to 40 microM Cr followed by decrease. The chlorophyll content decreased with increase in Cr concentrations and exposure periods. However, the protein content of both roots and leaves were found decreased with increase in Cr concentrations at all the exposure periods except an increase was recorded at 10 microM Cr at 48 h. In Cr treated plants, the no observed effect concentration (NOEC) and lowest observed effect concentration (LOEC) for leaves chlorophyll and protein contents were 40 and 80 microM Cr, respectively after 48 h exposure while NOEC and LOEC for root protein content were 10 and 40 microM, respectively after 48 h. The analysis of correlation coefficient data revealed that the metal accumulation in the roots of the plant was found positively correlated with antioxidant parameters except SOD after 48 h of exposure, however, negatively correlated with most of all the parameters studied at 144 h in both part of the plant. It may be suggested from the present study that toxic concentrations of Cr cause oxidative damage as evidenced by increased lipid peroxidation and decreased chlorophyll and protein contents. However, the higher levels of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants suggest the reason for tolerating higher levels of metals.     

Effect of water regimes and organic matters on transport of arsenic in summer rice （Oryza sativa L.）

The arsenic contamination in soil-water-plant systems is a major concern of where, the groundwater is being contaminated with arsenic (above 0.01 mg/L) in the Indian subcontinent. The study was conducted with organic matter to find out the reducing e ect on arsenic load to rice (cv. Khitish). It was observed that intermittent ponding reduced arsenic uptake (23.33% in root, 13.84% in shoot and 19.84% in leaf) at panicle initiation stage, instead of continuous ponding. A decreasing trend of arsenic accumulation (root > straw > husk > whole grain > milled grain) was observed in di erent plant parts at harvest. Combined applications of lathyrus + vermicompost + poultry manure reduced arsenic transport in plant parts (root, straw, husk, whole grains and milled grain) which was significantly at par (p > 0.05) with chopped rice straw (5 tons/ha ) + lathyrus green manuring (5 tons/ha) in comparison to control and corresponding soils. A significant negative correlation of arsenic with phosphorus (grain P with arsenic in di erent parts R2= 0.627–0.726 at p > 0.01) was observed. Similarly, soil arsenic had a negative correlation with soil available phosphorus (R2 = 0.822 at p > 0.001) followed by soil nitrogen (R2= 0.762 at p > 0.01) and soil potassium (R2 = 0.626 at p > 0.01). Hence, e ective management of contaminated irrigation water along with organic matter could reduce the arsenic build up to plants and soil.     

Biodiversity conservation through faith and tradition in India: some case studies

SUMMARY

In India, since ancient times, several members of the flora and fauna have been identified with particular personalities of the Hindu pantheon and are worshipped. Many wild animals, such as tigers, lions and elephants, and birds such as the peacock, owl and swan have been revered as the vehicles of Gods and Goddesses and worshipped. Several trees, such as mango, coconut, khejri, emblica, tamarind, ashoka, madhuca and wood apple, and herbs such as basil are considered highly sacred and worshipped. This belief and these practices continue in one form or another even today in certain sections of Indian society, particularly the rural folk and the aboriginal tribes living in the forest. Nature worship is a form of tribal belief and the faith of these laymen has helped to conserve many natural ecosystems in India. They have preserved many pristine forests—called ‘sacred groves’ in their original forms. Sacred groves are rich in biodiversity. They are the last refuge of the rare flora and fauna which have otherwise disappeared from the modern world. Sacred groves have become part of the ‘biosphere reserves’ of India.     

Modulation of cadmium uptake and toxicity in Spirodela polyrrhiza (L.) schleiden due to malathion

Fronds of Spirodela polyrrhiza were treated with different concentrations of Cd and malathion singly and in combinations. Results showed that Cd toxicity was more than malathion. The chlorophyll content was more severely affected by Cd (EC-50 of >1.0 µg ml^–1); however, its toxicity was ameliorated in the presence of malathion (EC-50 of 2.0 µg ml^–1). Although biomass and frond numbers were least affected by these toxicants, at initial treatment durations fronds multiplication was more severely affected than biomass with an increase in treatment durations. The importance of these findings have been discussed in relation to metal abatement and biomonitoring.NBRI Publication No. (432) NS.     

Persistent Organochlorine Pesticide Residues in Soil and Surface Water of Northern Indo-Gangetic Alluvial Plains

This study reports the concentration levels and distribution pattern of the organochlorine pesticide (OCPs) residues in the soil and surface water samples collected from the northern Indo-Gangetic alluvial plains. A total of 31 soil and 23 surface water samples were collected from the study region in Unnao district covering an area of 2150 km² and analyzed for aldrin, dieldrin, endrin, HCB, HCH isomers, DDT isomers/metabolites, endosulfan isomers (α and β), endosulfan sulfate, heptachlor and its metabolites, α-chlordane, γ-chlordane and methoxychlor. In both the soil and surface water samples β- and δ-isomers of HCH were detected most frequently, whereas, methoxychlor was the least detected pesticide. The results showed contamination of soil and surface water of the region with several persistent organic pesticides. The total OCPs level ranged from 0.36–104.50 ng g^–1 and 2.63–3.72 μg L^–1 in soil and surface water samples, respectively.     

Developments in forward osmosis and membrane distillation for desalination of waters

Membrane technology has become a common separation technology over the past decennia. Membranes are used more and more for the production of drinkable water from groundwater, surface water and wastewater. Membranes are now competitive versus conventional techniques. Desalination is predominantly used to eradicate the problem of water scarcity. The sustainability of all desalination processes depends mainly on the reduction of energy costs (production cost) and the increase in water recovery. Forward osmosis and membrane distillation are emerging technologies for sustainable desalination. Here we review membrane processes of forward osmosis and membrane distillation and the advancements in membrane material and modules. We also discuss the capability of membrane distillation in treating highly concentrated aqueous solutions derived from other desalination processes. Furthermore, the advancements in fabrication of high-performance membrane is reviewed and the performance of different membranes and optimization of membrane distillation process are summarized.     

The disaster warning process: A study of the 1981 Gujarat cyclone

This paper reports on the channels through which warning of the impending disastrous cyclone of October–November 1981 was received and disseminated in the districts and villages of Gujarat in Northwest India. The process is slow and laborious, and efforts are in hand to improve the speed and efficiency of warning methods. Some of the problems likely to be encountered are discussed.     

Identifying conservation priorities for threatened Eastern Himalayan mammals

To augment mammal conservation in the Eastern Himalayan region, we assessed the resident 255 terrestrial mammal species and identified the 50 most threatened species based on conservation status, endemism, range size, and evolutionary distinctiveness. By using the spatial analysis package letsR and the complementarity core‐area method in the conservation planning software Zonation, we assessed the current efficacy of their protection and identified priority conservation areas by comparing protected areas (PAs), land cover, and global ecoregion 2017 maps at a 100 × 100 m spatial scale. The 50 species that were most threatened, geographically restricted, and evolutionarily distinct faced a greater extinction risk than globally nonthreatened and wide‐ranging species and species with several close relatives. Small, medium‐sized, and data‐deficient species faced extinction from inadequate protection in PAs relative to wide‐ranging charismatic species. There was a mismatch between current PA distribution and priority areas for conservation of the 50 most endangered species. To protect these species, the skewed regional PA distribution would require expansion. Where possible, new PAs and transboundary reserves in the 35 priority areas we identified should be established. There are adequate remaining natural areas in which to expand current Eastern Himalayan PAs. Consolidation and expansion of PAs in the EH requires strengthening national and regional transboundary collaboration, formulating comprehensive regional land‐use plans, diversifying conservation funding, and enhancing information sharing through a consolidated regional database.     

Ranked set sampling: an annotated bibliography

The paper provides an up-to-date annotated bibliography of the literature on ranked set sampling. The bibliography includes all pertinent papers known to the authors, and is intended to cover applications as well as theoretical developments. The annotations are arranged in chronological order and are intended to be sufficiently complete and detailed that a reading from beginning to end would provide a statistically mature reader with a state-of-the-art survey of ranked set sampling, including historical development, current status, and future research directions and applications. A final section of the paper gives a listing of all annotated papers, arranged in alphabetical order by author.This paper was prepared with partial support from the United States Environmental Protection Agency under a Cooperative Agreement Number CR-821531. The contents have not been subject to Agency review and therefore do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Agency and no official endorsement should be inferred.