Concentrations and trends of benzene in ambient air over New York State during 1990–2003

Since 1990s, a systematic program to measure air toxics has been active in New York State with monitors located both in urban and rural areas. In this study we examined the spatial and temporal characteristics of benzene, a known human carcinogen that is emitted by many source categories. The analysis indicates that ambient concentration levels of benzene have decreased by as much as 60% over this period not only in the ozone non-attainment area of New York City that had the reformulated gas (RFG) requirements, but also over the rest of the state as well. Although the rate of decrease appears to have flattened out in recent years, the annual average concentration levels are found to be above the health risk threshold even at the remote location, Whiteface Mountain, suggesting the need for further reductions in benzene emissions.     

Effects of the level of dietary protein on the toxicity of hexachlorocyclohexane in rats

Male albino rats were fed for 28 days from weaning on diets containing 5% (group 1), 10% (group 2) and 21% (group 3, normal protein) protein as casein. At the end of dietary period, HCH was administered daily for 30 days to investigate the interaction between protein deficiency and pesticide toxicity. The results indicated that rats fed a lower protein diet and HCH had a higher mortality, lower rate of growth, increased liver weight and deposition of the pesticide in blood and tissues in larger amounts. Blood pressure (systolic and diastolic) was significantly increased and the heart rate showed tachycardia in low protein exposed animals. A significant increase of total lipids, cholesterol, triglycirides, free fatty acids in serum and tissues of animals exposed to low protein was observed. A close correlation existed between lipid accumulation and storage of HCH in tissues and dietary protein seemed to play an important role in detoxification.     

Experimental study of solar energy–based water purifier of single-slope type by incorporating a number of similar evacuated tubular collectors

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - This research paper deals with the experimental investigation of solar energy–based water purifier (SEBWP) of single-slope type by incorporating...     

Isolation of Thiobacillus sp from aerobic sludge of distillery and dairy effluent treatment plants and its sulfide oxidation activity at different concentrations

In the present study two strains of Thiobacillus sp were isolated from aerobic sludge of distillery and dairy effluent treatment plant using standard methods of isolation and enrichment. Experiments were conducted using isolated cultures in batch bioreactor with initial sulfide concentration of 75 and 150 mg/l. The effect of initial sulfide concentration on the activity of isolated Thiobacillus sp was studied. Sulfide oxidizing capacity was also determined at different initial sulfide concentrations. The results from the study indicate the possible isolation of Thiobacillus cultures from native source and application in the full-scale reactor     

Determination of pesticide residues in IPM and non-IPM samples of mango (Mangifera indica)

Studies were conducted to analyze the residue of commonly used pesticides viz. methyl parathion, chloropyrifos, endosulfan, cypermethrin, fenvalerate, carbendazim, imidacloprid and carbaryl in mango, Dashehari variety, integrated pest management (IPM) and non-IPM samples were collected from the IPM and non-IPM orchards, Lucknow, India. We also present a method for the simultaneous determination of these pesticides in mango samples. Residues of methyl parathion, chloropyriphos, endosulfan, cypermethrin, fenvalerate were extracted from the samples with acetone: cyclohexane: ethyl acetate in the ratio 2:1:1 followed by cleanup using neutral alumina. Analysis was performed by gas chromatography-electron capture detector (GC-ECD) with a megabore column (OV-1). Residues of carbendazim, imidacloprid and carbaryl were extracted with acetone and after cleanup, analysis was performed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using photo diode array (PDA) detector. Recoveries of all the pesticides ranged between 72.7 – 110.6%, at 0.1 and 1.0 μg g^{? 1} level of fortification. The residues detected in non-IPM samples of mango were found to be below the prescribed limits of maximum residue limit (MRL) while IPM samples were free from pesticide residues.     

Recycling and utilization of metabolic wastes for energy production is an index of biochemical adaptation of fish under environmental pollution stress

The activity levels of lactate dehydrogenase andlactic acid were assessed in various tissues of the fishduring exposure to lethal concentration of group-IIPyrethroids (deltamethrin, cypermethrin, fenvalerate andfluvalinate) for a period of 72 hours. The results showedsteady increased levels in all the tissues (blood,muscle, brain and liver) with response patterncharacteristic of their own. The increased LDH activityand lactic acid levels indicate the shifting of aerobicglycolysis to anaerobiosis and its further utilizationfor energy production during adaptation to toxic stress.     

Effect of Heavy Metals on the Blood Protein Biochemistry of the Fish CYPRINUS CARPIO AND ITS USE AS A BIO-INDICATOR OF POLLUTION STRESS

Cyprinus carpio were exposed to two non-essential (Hg and Pb)and two essential (Cu and Ni) heavy metal salts at lethal andsub-lethal concentrations. Blood serum total protein, serum globulinand serum albumin was analysed every 2 hr for 24 hrs andagain at 48 and 72 hrs. Serum protein and globulin level showedan intial sharp increase from 2 to 20 hrs, followed by decline thatextend over a period of 72 hrs. Serum albumin showed an initialimmediate decline from 2 to 4 hrs, followed by an intermittent period of recovery and decline that extend over a period of 72hrs. Both lethal and sub-lethal concentrations of metal salts elicited asimilar pattern of response varying only in magnitude. The use offish blood serum protein, albumin and globulin measurements as general indicators of pollutant stress response isdiscussed.     

Recycle of bio-waste banana and sisal fiber filled harmlessness epoxy hybrid composite for automotive roof application

Insists of polymer matrix composite is prepared by using natural fiber facilitates high tensile, flexural, and impact toughness properties. The natural fiber utilization in the polymer matrix can overcome the synthetic fiber demerits of poor compatibility, high moisture absorption, and high cost. The present research investigates developing a low-cost, environmentally eco-friendly epoxy hybrid composite using different volume percentages of chopped natural waste banana (0Vol%, 5Vol%, 10Vol%, and 15Vol%) and sisal fiber (0Vol%, 15Vol%, 10Vol%, and 5Vol%) through hand mould hot compression technique. The presence of natural waste banana and sisal fiber on tensile strength, flexural strength, and thermal adsorption properties of the epoxy hybrid composite are evaluated by ASTM test standards. The ASTM standard measured test results of epoxy hybrid composite with and without natural waste banana and sisal fiber were compared and sample three was identified by good tensile strength, flexural strength, and better thermal adsorption properties compared to all others. The sample three epoxy hybrid sample is recommended for automotive roof application.     

Water quality assessment of Majhiaon block of Garwa district in Jharkhand with special focus on fluoride analysis

Fluoride in groundwater is known to contaminate the water sources globally. Jharkhand, one of the states in the eastern part of India, is known to have excessive fluoride content in groundwater sources. The present work involves assessment of water quality with special reference to fluoride in Majhiaon block of Garwa district in Jharkhand. Iron, nitrate and arsenic were also tested for the water samples collected from site. Eight hundred forty samples were tested for fluoride on site using colourimetry method, and one tenth of the samples were brought to laboratory for iron, nitrate, arsenic and fluoride analysis. Results show that 402 samples were having fluoride above permissible limit. Iron and nitrate were found to be beyond permissible limits in 302 and 286 water samples, respectively. More than 50% of samples collected from school had fluoride levels above permissible limits. Arsenic was well within the limits. However, few samples shown were excessive of iron and nitrate.     

Studies on urban drinking water quality in a tropical zone

Anthropogenic activities associated with industrialization, agriculture and urbanization have led to the deterioration in water quality due to various contaminants. To assess the status of urban drinking water quality, samples were collected from the piped supplies as well as groundwater sources from different localities of residential, commercial and industrial areas of Lucknow City in a tropical zone of India during pre-monsoon for estimation of coliform and faecal coliform bacteria, organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and heavy metals. Bacterial contamination was found to be more in the samples from commercial areas than residential and industrial areas. OCPs like α,γ-hexachlorocyclohexane and 1,1 p,p-DDE {dichloro-2, 2-bis(p-chlorophenyl) ethene)} were found to be present in most of the samples from study area. The total organochlorine pesticide levels were found to be within the European Union limit (0.5 μg/L) in most of the samples. Most of the heavy metals estimated in the samples were also found to be within the permissible limits as prescribed by World Health Organization for drinking water. Thus, these observations show that contamination of drinking water in urban areas may be mainly due to municipal, industrial and agricultural activities along with improper disposal of solid waste. This is an alarm to safety of public health and aquatic environment in tropics.