Ag nanoparticle-decorated chitosan/SrSnO3 nanocomposite for ultrafast elimination of antibiotic linezolid and methylene blue

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Effective design of ultrafast new-generation photocatalysts is a challenging task that requires highly dedicated efforts. This research focused on the...     

Foliar Metal Content and Changes in Epidermal Traits of LAGERSTROEMIA PARVIFLORA (L.) Roxb.

A comparative study of the physico-chemical properties of soil, leafmetal content and foliar surface traits in Lagerstroemia parviflora(L.) Roxb. plants, growing in an iron-rich mineralized and anon-mineralized area was carried out. Metal accumulation wasmaximum in summer; in the peak growing season, it declined duringthe rainy season but picked up again in winter. In leaves sampled froma mineralized region, epidermal cells were much smaller in size buthigher in number per unit area. Changes in the number and size of glandular papillae were also observed. Characteristic non-glandular,elongate trichomes with acute tip were also recorded in mineralizedpopulations. Scanning electron microscopic examination of the foliarsurface configuration revealed distortions in epicuticular wax structuresand wider cuticular striations with typically parallel arrangement inthese populations.The present study shows that high Fe-accumulation in leaves of L.parviflora during the exponential growth phase as well as changes inthe epicuticular structures may be indicators of metal stress in the populations of the mineralized area.     

Photosensitized Inactivation of Cyst Forms of the Freshwater Amoeba <Emphasis Type="Italic">Vahlkampfia hartmanni</Emphasis> by Aluminium (III) Phthalocyanine Tetrasulfonate

Summary In this work we attained a successful cysticidal effect against Vahlkampfia hartmanni cysts using mild to moderate experimental conditions, regarding light energy delivered and concentrations of aluminium phthalocyanine tetrasulfonate (AlPCS4). The dark and phototoxic activity of AlPCS4 towards the cyst forms of Vahlkampfia hartmanni, a freshwater amoeba previously isolated from keratitic patients, were tested. The photosensitized deactivation of the cyst form of this amoeba depends mainly on the concentration of AlPCS4 and the light fluence rate as well as the total fluence delivered during the irradiation process. Upon irradiation of the cyst suspension at 100 mW/cm² for 10 minutes in the presence of 3 μ M AlPCS4, a complete photodamaging effect on the cysts was induced. The photodamaging effect on Vahlkampfia cysts induces a state of inability of the cysts to excyst, vacuolation of the inner contents as well as a significant damage of the outer cyst wall upon microscopic examination.     

Value of arsenic-free drinking water to rural households in Bangladesh

Using contingent valuation survey data for about 2700 households in rural Bangladesh, and applying a multinomial logit model, the paper estimates the value of arsenic-free drinking water to the rural people. The estimates indicate that the rural people in arsenic-affected areas of Bangladesh place a low value on arsenic-free drinking water. It is about 10-14 percent of the amount they are willing to pay for piped water and only about 0.2-0.3 percent of the average household income. The implication of the result is that robust but costly arsenic reduction technologies such as activated alumina technology may find little social acceptance, unless heavily subsidized.     

Experimental Investigation of Long Term Seawater Durability and Shear Properties of Pultruded GFRP Composite

Journal of Polymers and the Environment - The effect of long term immersion in seawater at different temperatures on the properties of pultruded glass fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) composite...     

Arachis hypogaea derived activated carbon steered remediation of Benzimidazole based fungicide adsorbed soils

Sorption characteristics of the Benzimidazole fungicide Carbendazim were assessed in seven different soils using batch equilibrium method and analysed by UV-Vis spectrophotometer. The values of adsorption co-efficient K_d ranged from 14.3 to 39.8?µg/mL depending upon unique physiochemical properties of soils. Negative values for Gibbs free energy (ΔG) proposed an exothermic and low interaction between Carbendazim and soil samples leading to physiosorption. Statistical analysis showed a negative correlation of soil pH and K_d (R²= ?0.80) and a positive correlation with organic matter (R^2?=?0.77). Activated carbon prepared from Arachis hypogaea (peanut shells) by acid activation for Carbendazim removal from soils was characterised by FTIR spectrometry, indicating the change in functional groups. The highest percentage removal observed was 70% in 5?ppm initial Carbendazim concentration while 65% in 7.5?ppm concentration. This method can be implied in agricultural soils as an efficient and cheap technique for removing the hazardous pesticides from the environment.