Development and validation of a spectrophotometric method for soil adsorption study of malathion on three Indian soils

In view of the widespread use of pesticides in agriculture and its associated toxic effects on environment and human beings, the fate of these chemicals in soil is of major concern. The pesticide adsorption process is one of the major factors affecting its persistence and movement in the soil. With a view of studying the fate of malathion in soil, the adsorption of this insecticide was studied on three Indian soils by using batch equilibrium method. To carry out the adsorption study, a new simple, sensitive, and rapid method was developed, based on microwave-assisted alkaline hydrolysis of insecticide to the dimethyl dithiophosphate and its subsequent reaction with copper(I) perchlorate in acetonitrile. On mixing the reagents, a yellow color developed, which was stable for 120?min and was measured at 419?nm. The adsorption of malathion was studied by using Freundlich's adsorption equation and n _f values were observed less than 1 in all the soils. The leaching behavior of the insecticide was studied in terms of ground ubiquity score, which was below 1.8, classifying malathion as non-leacher pesticide, and hence it is not hazardous.     

Applications of natural polysaccharide-based beads for slow release herbicide formulation

This work deals with the use of polysaccharide-based beads for controlled release of the herbicide atrazine. This article discusses the release of the herbicide atrazine from neem-alginate-clay-based beads. Formulation characteristics such as entrapment efficiency, bead size, and diffusion mechanism for release of atrazine have been evaluated.     

Synthesis and characterization of an ion exchanger based on tamarind kernel powder and its application for removal of some metal ions from industrial effluents

A resin synthesized from tamarind kernel powder possesses high selectivity for metal ions. Distribution coefficients for some metal ions has been determined by the batch method. The influence of pH on ion exchange capacity and K _d value of metal ions were studied. The resin has been characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, chemical composition and ion exchange capacity (IEC). The selectivity order is Pb²⁺?>?Cu²⁺?>?Fe²⁺?>?Zn²⁺?>?Ni²⁺. Removal of metal ions from the aqueous solution and from effluents of a steel mill has been studied.     

Role of nano-powder of Azadirachta indica leaves to regulate the physiological responses and metal uptake in Triticum aestivum seedlings

In the present study different doses (0.05, 2.0 and 5.0?mg per 30?ml nutrient medium) of nano-powder (Azadirachta indica leaves) were applied in Cd contaminated (6?ppm) hydroponic system to regulate the metal uptake in Triticum aestivum (wheat) seedlings. Other physiological attributes including oxidative biomarkers, antioxidants and photosynthetic responses were also assessed. The level of Cd was maximally reduced at the dose of 2.0?mg nano powder per 30?ml nutrient medium by 45 and 49% in the shoot and root, respectively. With the maximum reduction in the Cd uptake at this dose, the generation of oxidative stress markers such as H₂O₂ (12%), MDA (26%) and SOR (20%) content showed maximum reduction in treated seedlings. At different doses of nano-powder, the activities of antioxidative enzymes were also showed significant variation. Further, the photosynthetic O₂ evolution rate was improved with the treatment of nano-powder and the best response was noted at 2.0?mg per 30?ml nutrient medium with the maximum value of fresh shoot biomass (38%). The overall results suggest that, this technique could be easily applied for reducing the metal content and increasing the quality of agricultural crops.     

Pollution level in distillery effluent and its phytotoxic effect on seed germination and early growth of maize and rice

The effluent from a Lucknow- based distillery (Mohan Meakin Distillery) was analyzed for physico-chemical and biological parameters of pollution and concentration of potentially toxic heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Ni and Zn) and the effect of the distillery effluent, as such and on 50% dilution with tap water was studied on seed germination and seedling growth of maize (Zea mays L.) and rice (Oryza sativa L.). The effluent was wine red in colour and highly acidic (pH approximately 55) and possessed decaying alcoholic smell. The effluent contained high values of different pollution parameters, particularly total solids, 3450 mgl(-1) (soluble plus suspended solids), alkalinity 1500 mgl(-1), biological oxygen demand (BOD, 1649 mgl(-1)) and chemical oxygen demand (COD, 2036 mgl(-1)). It had very low values of dissolved oxygen (DO, 0.34 mgl(-1)). The heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Ni and Zn) content, particularly the nickel concentration (0.029 mg l(-1)) was high. Use of the distillery effluent, even on 1:1 dilution with tap water inhibited germination and early seedling growth of maize and rice. In both maize and rice, more so in the former germination % of seeds, length of radicle and plumule and the fresh and dry weight of the seedlings were significantly reduced. The emerging leaves of the seedlings also developed visible effects of toxicity some of which resembled the symptoms of nickel toxicity. Our observations suggest that the effluent, as discharged from the distillery carry a heavy load of pollutants. Its discharge into the river Gomti poses a potential threat to the aquatic life, perticularly during the summer months when the water flow in the river is drastically reduced. The distillery effluentis also harmful for irrigating crops grown along the drain carrying it.     

Study of bio-physico-chemical parameters of Mothronwala swamp, Dehradun (Uttarakhand)

Aquatic biodiversity is one of the most essential characteristics of the aquatic ecosystem formaintaining its stability and a means of coping with any environmental change. The entire stretch of the Mothronwala swamp has rich riparian vegetation for providing conducive environment for the growth of aquatic organisms. The present work has been undertaken to study the bio-physico-chemical characteristics of the swamp. The data on physico-chemical environmental variables (temperature, total dissolved solutes, size and composition of substratum, pH, dissolved oxygen, alkalinity chlorides, and hardness) have been given under the present contribution. A total of 16 genera of aquatic insects belonging to orders Trichoptera, Coleoptera, Hemiptera, Ephemeroptera, Odonata and Phylum Mollusca represented the macroinvertebrates of Mothronwala swamp. The fresh water swamp of Mothronwala is under threat due to human interference and other anthropogenic activities. Some of the natural and anthropogenic environmental problems of the Mothronwala swamp have been identified and the ameliorative measures for the protection of aquatic environment and the conservation measures for the swamp have been suggested. The qualitative study revealed the present status of the aquatic biodiversity of the swamp and also about the physico-chemical parameters, which would be very helpful for policy makers to take precautionary measures to save the swamp.     

Histopathological changes in testis of the freshwater fish, Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch) exposed to linear alkyl benzene sulphonate (LAS)

The objective of this study was to use the freshwater food fish, Heteropneustes fossilis, as a model to evaluate the concentration-dependent effects of LAS on the testicular structure through short-term static bioassays. Concentration mediated histopathological leisions were observed in testis of H. fossilis, treated with four different concentrations of LAS for 24, 48, 72 and 96 hr Inference drawn from the study is that the cytotoxic damage is more pronounced in fish exposed to higher concentrations of LAS for shorter durations than lower concentrations of LAS for longer durations. Gross damage of germinal epithelium, inflammatory response, intertubular vacuolations and contraction and condensation in the cells of tubules under all sets of intoxication and exposures are quite suggestive of reproductive impairment leading to delayed gonadal maturity.     

Toxic mine drainage from Asia’s biggest copper mine at Malanjkhand,India

This paper has studied the environmental deterioration due to copper mining in Malanjkhand at Central-east India. No data is available on environmental degradation at the studied site although geological aspects are well studied. Mine drainage from the mines is definitively toxic. The site is also undergoing various stages of acid mine drainage (AMD) particularly from the heap leaching sites and the tailing area. AMD impacted water steam and sediment were also analysed. Results show substantial level of contamination of almost all segments of environment. Presence of elevated level of other heavy metal viz. Au, Ag, Pb, Cr, Cd, Fe, Cu and base metals like Na, K in AMD impacted water and sediments is due to metal leaching effect of AMD. Bio monitoring with the help of benthic macro invertebrates and metal accumulation in plants was also carried to know the impact of the toxic drainage. Results prove a very significant impact on the environmental health.     

Population dynamics of vibrio species in the river Narmada at Jabalpur

Several studies on the presence and ecology of various Vibrio sp have been reported in coastal and estuarine waters throughout the world, but there is trifling information available on the distribution of this organism of colossal pathogenic potential in the fresh water riverine environment. Thus, we conducted a multiyearenvironmental study to scrutinize the occurrence of members of genus Vibrio in the largest west flowing river of the Indian subcontinent, which is also the largest river of central India, the Narmada. Statistical analysis was done to reveal major environmental factors controlling the presence of Vibrio sp in the river Narmada. Monthly field samplings were conducted between January 2002 and December 2003 at four different sites in Jabalpur (MP), India. At each site, water samples were taken and physicochemical and bacteriological parameters were measured. The identity of the isolates was confirmed by employing 16S rRNA analysis. The organisms were found to be widely distributed in the river with regular seasonal variations. The density of Vibrio was found to be correlated with temperature, coliforms and other heterotrophic bacteria. Water temperature accounted for most of the variability in the concentration of Vibrio spAs typical fecal pollution indicators may not access public health risk from potential pathogens such as vibrios, hence special monitoring programme for vibrios may adequately be included in the water quality management.     

Water quality index and suitability assessment of urban ground water of Hisar and Panipat in Haryana

Ground water quality in two well-developed cities of Haryana, viz. Hisar and Panipat was assessed for drinking purpose based on water quality parameters like pH, EC, turbidity, TDS, alkalinity, total hardness, calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), potassium (K), chloride (Cl), nitrate (NO3), phosphate (PO4), sulphate (SO4) and fluoride (F) with respect to different land-use areas viz. residential, industrial, commercial and agricultural. Water quality index based on 9 parameters showed that at Panipat, underground water in all the land-use zones was fit for consumption (WQI < 50), whereas at Hisar, water in agricultural areas was good in quality, but that in other areas varied in magnitude of pollution (WQI > 50 to 100).