Achieving sustainable development goals through participatory forest management: Examples from South-Eastern Bangladesh

Forests managed through peoples' participation can help to achieve a number of sustainable development goals (SDGs). This paper, drawing data from four participatory forest management (PFM) projects in south-eastern Bangladesh, explored: (a) the factors that influenced the outcomes of PFM; and (b) contribution of PFM towards achieving selected SDGs. The research used observation, semi-structured household interviews, group discussions, vegetation survey and Ostromʼs design principles for data collection, Divergent forest conditions and factors in four PFM sites have had differential contribution to SDGs. Heterogeneity of user groups, insufficient coordination, absence of motivation, and land tenure conflicts had affected the attainment of SDGs. The PFM helped to achieve 9–11 SDGs comprising poverty reduction (Goal 1), improving food security (Goal 2), maintaining health and well-being (Goal 3), enhancing childrensʼ education (Goal 4), fair access to jobs and committees (Goals 5 and 10), sources of clean drinking water (Goal 6), affordable energy for cooking (Goal 7), increased household economy (Goal 8), climate change through carbon sequestration (Goal 13), forest conservation (Goal 15), and partnerships with relevant institutions (Goal 16). In order to achieve SDGs, PFM could be viewed as an integral part of government development strategies, which needs sectoral coordination and integration of relevant policies.     

Cytochrome P450 BM3 of Bacillus megaterium—A possible endosulfan biotransforming gene

Computing chemistry was applied to understand biotransforrnation mechanism of an organochlorine pesticide, endosulfan. The stereo specific metabolic activity of human CYP-2B6 （cytochrome P450） on endosulfan has been well demonstrated. Sequence and structural similarity search revealed that the bacterium Bacillus megaterium encodes CYP-BM3, which is similar to CYP-2B6. The functional similarity was studied at organism level by batch-scale studies and it was proved that B. megaterium could metabolize endosulfan to endosulfan sulfate, as CYP-2B6 does in human system. The gene expression analyses also confirmed the possible role of CYP-BM3 in endosulfan metabolism. Thus, our results show that the protein structure based in-silico approach can help us to understand and identify microbes for remediation strategy development. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report which has extrapolated the bacterial gene for endosulfan biotransformation through in silico prediction approach for metabolic gene identification.     

Combined effects of cadmium and composted manure to aquatic organisms

To evaluate the interactive toxicity of cadmium (Cd) and composted manure to aquatic organisms 96 h static bioassays were conducted in the laboratory with fry of common carp (Cyprinus carpio), copepod (Diaptomusforbesi) and oligochaete worm (Branchiura sowerbyi). Five concentrations of composted manure (0, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0 and 6.7 g/l) were prepared from the aquatic weed, Pistia stratiotes and each of them was combined with several concentrations of Cd to determine 96 h LC-50 values of Cd for the test organisms. Addition of composted manure, irrespective of concentration, significantly reduced the LC-50 value of Cd to the copepod and common carp fry while it increased the LC-50 value of Cd to the worm. Increased susceptibility of the worm to combined treatment of composted manure and small concentrations of Cd could be revealed only from the dose mortality curve. Results of acute toxicity bioassays were different from the results of bioassays conducted with small concentrations of Cd. Worms, exposed to 2.5 mg/l Cd, accumulated more Cd than did the carp fry and copepod. Accumulation of Cd by worms was increased by the addition of 6.7 g/l composted manure while it decreased in the carp fry and copepod. Food consumption rate of common carp fingerling was significantly reduced relative to the control by exposure to 2.5 mg/l Cd. No change in feeding rate was observed when Cd was combined with composted manure (6.7 g/l).     

Origin,occurrence, and biodegradation of long-side-chain alkyl compounds in the environment: a review

Long-side-chain alkyl compounds, such as those present in oil and oil products, either of natural or of anthropogenic origin or released by industrial activities, are a ubiquitous group of chemicals in the environment. Among them, long-side-chain alkylmonocycloalkanes, alkylbenzenes, and alkyl organic sulfur compounds are largely found in fossil fuels while long-side-chain alkylbenzene sulfonates and alkylphenols are released into the environment primarily due to domestic activities. The present article briefly summarizes the advances that have occurred in this field in terms of the identity, abundance, possible origin and significance of these long-side-chain alkyl compounds found in the environment. In addition, the susceptibility to biodegradation and the fate of these chemicals in the environment are discussed.     

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Expatiating the impact of anthropogenic aspects and climatic factors on long-term soil monitoring and management

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - This article is an extensive collection of scientific literature related to the impact of fertilizers on soil microbial and enzymatic activity. Due to...     

Temporal variation in density and diversity of cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins in lakes at Nagpur (Maharashtra State), India

Toxic cyanobacteria (TCB) are known worldwide for the adverse impacts on humans and animals. Species composition and the seasonal variation of TCB in water bodies depend on interactions between physical and chemical factors. The present investigation delineates temporal variations in physico-chemical water quality parameters, viz. nutrients and density, diversity, and distribution of toxic cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins in Lake Ambazari (21°7′52″N, 79°2′22″E) and Lake Phutala (21°9′18″N, 79°2′37″E) at Nagpur (Maharashtra State), India. These lakes are important sources of recreational activities and fisheries. Toxic cyanobacterial diversity comprised Anabaena, Oscillatoria, Lyngbya, Phormidium, and Microcystis, a well-known toxic cyanobacterial genus, as dominant. Chlorophyll-a concentrations in the lakes ranged from 1.44 to 71.74 mg/m³. A positive correlation of Microcystis biomass existed with orthophosphate-P (p?<?0.05) and nitrate-N (p?>?0.05). Identification and quantification of microcystin variants were carried out by high performance liquid chromatography equipped with photodiode array detector. Among all the tested toxin variants, microcystin-RR (arginine–arginine) was consistently recorded and exhibited a positive correlation (p?<?0.05) with Microcystis in both the water bodies. Microcystis bloom formation was remarkable between post-monsoon and summer. Besides nutrient concentrations governing bloom formation, the allelopathic role of microcystins needs to be established.     

Targeting natural products against SARS-CoV-2

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The human coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is caused by a novel coronavirus; the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2)....     

Anticipated pharmacological role of Aviptadil on COVID-19

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is a neuropeptide that is produced by the lymphoid cells and plays a major role in immunological functions for...     

Exploration of potential role of Rho GTPase in nicotine dependence-induced withdrawal syndrome in mice

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The RhoA gene showed an important genotypic association with nicotine dependence and smoking initiation. The current study aims to investigate the...