Development of a novel mathematical model using a group contribution method for prediction of ionic liquid toxicities

A new mathematical model has been developed that expresses the toxicities (EC₅₀ values) of a wide variety of ionic liquids (ILs) towards the freshwater flea Daphnia magna by means of a quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR). The data were analyzed using summed contributions from the cations, their alkyl substituents and anions. The model employed multiple linear regression analysis with polynomial model using the MATLAB software. The model predicted IL toxicities with R² = 0.974 and standard error of estimate of 0.028. This model affords a practical, cost-effective and convenient alternative to experimental ecotoxicological assessment of many ILs.     

Anomalous low tropospheric column ozone over Eastern India during the severe drought event of monsoon 2002: a case study

Background, aim, and scope  

The present study is an attempt to examine some of the probable causes of the unusually low tropospheric column ozone observed over eastern India during the exceptional drought event in July 2002.     

Water quality index modeling using random forest and improved SMO algorithm for support vector machine in Saf-Saf river basin

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The water quality index is one of the prominent general indicators to assess and classify surface water quality, which plays a critical role in river...     

A large scale survey of trace metal levels in coastal waters of the Western Mediterranean basin using caged mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis)

A large scale study of trace metal contamination (Hg, Cd, Pb and Ni) by means of caged mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis was undertaken along the coastal waters of the Western Mediterranean Sea within the context of the MYTILOS project. Individual mussels from an homogeneous population (shell size 50 ± 5 mm) obtained from an aquaculture farm were consecutively caged and deployed at 123 sites located in the Alborán, North-Western, South-Western and Tyrrhenian sub-basins for 12 weeks (April-July) in 2004, 2005 and 2006. After cage recoveries, both the metal content in the whole mussel tissue and the allometric parameters were measured. Statistical analysis of the datasets showed significant differences in concentrations between sub-basins for some metals and mussel condition index (CI). Linear regression models coupled to the CI were revisited for the data adjustment of certain trace metals (Hg, Cd and Ni), and four level categories were statistically derived to facilitate interregional comparison. Seawater masses surrounding coastal areas impacted by run-off from land mineralised coasts and industrial activities displayed the highest concentration ranges (Hg: 0.15-0.31 mg kg(-1) dw; Cd: 1.97-2.11; Ni: 2.18-3.20 and Pb: 3.1-3.8), although the levels obtained in most of the sites fitted within moderate or low categories, and they could be considered as baseline concentrations. However, few sites considered little-influenced by human activities, at present, showed high concentrations of Cd, Ni and Pb, which constitute new areas of concern. Overall, the use of active biomonitoring (ABM) approach allowed to investigate trace metal contamination in order to support policy makers in establishing regional strategies (particularly, with regard to the European Marine Strategy Directive).     

Role of multidrug resistance-associated proteins in cancer therapeutics: past,present, and future perspectives

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Cancer, a major public health problem, is one of the world’s top leading causes of death. Common treatments for cancer include cytotoxic...     

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles: synthesis,characterisations and aquatic ecotoxicity effects

Little information is available on the potential ecotoxicity of nanomaterials in the marine environment. In particular, the aquatic ecotoxicity impact of titanium dioxide (TiO₂) has been rarely reported. To carefully address this issue, we report on the synthesis of TiO₂ NPs using solvothermal process. The structure and morphology of the prepared TiO₂ nanoparticles were characterised using different techniques. To study the potential ecotoxicity effect of TiO₂, antioxidant system of mediterranean bivalves (Mytilus galloprovincialis) was used, measuring three oxidative biomarkers (ROS production, SOD activity and GSH/GSSG level). No considerable effect was found in the digestive glands of any of the groups treated with TiO₂ with concentration gradients ranging from 1 to 100?mg/L. Thus, the level of the superoxide anion, the activity of an antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the GSH/GSSG ratio showed no significantly differences in digestive glands of all treated groups compared to the control. However, slight modifications were observed in the gills at high concentrations. These results demonstrated that TiO₂ appears to exert little toxicity on marine mussels after a short-term exposure at high concentration. However, before considering the use of this nanomaterial in various applications, further complementary studies are required in order to ensure the environmental safety of these NPs.     

Bioconversion of sugarcane bagasse into a protein-rich product by white rot fungus

The fungus Pleurotus ostreatus NRRL-2366 degraded 56.7% and 45.9% of untreated and chemically pretreated (delignified) sugarcane bagasse, respectively, during 14-day incubation in a submerged fermentation process. The biodegradation percentages of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin were 33.0%, 72.5% and 14.5%, respectively. An increment of 22.6% of crude protein content in the residual fermented material was observed. Chemical composition of the end-product and its amino acids profile were reported.     

A microbiological study of the self-cleaning potential of oily Arabian Gulf coasts

Background, aim, and scope  

Due to the active production and transport of crude oil in the Arabian Gulf region, the Arabian Gulf coasts are routinely polluted with oil. Therefore, such coasts have been subject of studies aiming at assessing the roles of indigenous microbial consortia in cleaning these environments. In the present study, epilithic microbial communities along Kuwait coasts were studied for their oil degradation potential.