Effect of Humic Acids and Fungal Inoculations on Cesium and Lead Concentrations in Lettuce Plants Grown in Contaminated Soils

A study was carried out to evaluate the effect of humic acid additives, applied either individually or in combination with Fusarium oxysporum fungi, on uptake and translocation of cesium and lead in cultivated Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) grown on Mostorud (clayey) and El‐Gabal El‐Asfar (sandy loam soil) soils in a complete randomized block experimental design. The selected soils from contaminated areas (Mostorud soil was irrigated with contaminated industrial water for more than 30 years and El‐Gabal EL‐Asfar soil was irrigated with sewage effluent for more than 50 years). The results indicated that the cesium and lead content was reduced by all treatments of humic acid application individually or when combined with Fusarium oxysporum inoculations, especially at 200 mmol/kg compared to a control and other treatments. On the other hand, retention of cesium and lead occurred in roots more than shoots. ©2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Ziziphus spina-christi leaf extract attenuates mercuric chloride-induced liver injury in male rats via inhibition of oxidative damage

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Heavy metal contamination including mercury (Hg) has become one of the most serious environmental problems facing humans and other living organisms....     

Aluminum interaction with human brain tau protein phosphorylation by various Kinases

Abstract

Phosphorylation is an indispensable process for energy and signal transduction in biological systems. AlCl₃ at 10 nM to 10 uM range activated in‐vitro [γ‐³²P)ATP phosphorylation of the brain (tau) T protein in both normal human or E.coli expressed T forms; in the presence of the kinases P34, PKP, and PKC. However, higher concentrations of ALCl₃ inhibited the T phosphorylation with P34, PKP, and PKC to a maximum at 1 mM level. AlCl₃ at 100 uM to 500 uM range induced non‐enzymatic phosphorylation of T with γ‐ATP, γ‐GTP, and α‐GTP. AlCl₃ activated histone phosphorylation by P34 in a similar pattern. The hyperphosphorylation of T by Al³⁺ was accompanied by molecular shift and mobility retardation in SDS‐PAGE. This may demonstrate the mechanism of the longterm neurological effect of Al³⁺ in human brain leading to the formation of the neurofibrillary tangles related to Alzeheimer's disease.     

Considerable hazards produced by heavy fuel oil in operating thermal power plant in Assiut, Egypt

Heavy fuel oil and ash samples were collected from the Assiut thermal power plant in Egypt and subjected to gamma spectrometry analysis for natural radioactivity contents. Considerable results were observed where the ash contains nearly 1,000 times natural radionuclides more than raw oil. The results were confirmed by measuring the samples via using different devices in different institutions. All ash samples had radium equivalent activities and external hazard index values more than 370 Bq/kg and unity respectively. The mean absorbed dose rate was10,650 nGy/h which is nearly 190 times higher than the global average value of 55 nGy/h. The corresponding annual external effective dose is estimated to be 13 mSv/year, which is nearly 30 times higher than that in areas of natural background radiation (0.46 mSv/year).     

Residues of carbofuran and its two carbamate metabolites in field‐treated rutabaga 1

Abstract

Carbofuran was applied over seeded rutabaga cv. York and residues (corrected for recovery) of carbofuran, 3‐hydroxy‐ and 3‐ketocarbofuran in the harvested roots averaged 0.15, 0.23 and 0.07 ppm in peel and 0.09, 0.14 and 0.05 ppm in pulp, respectively. Samples were extracted by hot acid digestion, partitioned in methylene chloride and cleaned up on Florisil. The 3‐hydroxy‐carbofuran was ethoxylated and the compounds were converted into their dinitrophenyl ethers and analysed by electron capture gas chromatography using 3% OV‐3 column.     

Modeling trihalomethane formation for Jabal Amman water supply in Jordan

A mathematical model that expresses Total trihalomethane (TTHM) concentration in terms of initial chlorine concentration, total organic carbon, bromide ion concentration, contact time, and pH is developed for Zai water treatment plant which supplies water to Jabal Amman. The developed mathematical model is for constant temperature of 20°C. To adjust model calculated TTHM concentrations for temperatures other than 20°C, another mathematical model that expresses TTHM growth rate as function of temperature is also developed. To test the ability of the two developed models in predicting TTHM concentrations throughout water supplies, a sampling program that aimed at measuring TTHM concentrations in addition to the predictors in the two developed mathematical models namely; chlorine concentration, bromide ion concentration, total organic carbon, temperature and pH throughout Jabal Amman water supply was conducted. The two developed mathematical models and WaterCad, which was used to determine water age, were used to predict TTHM concentrations throughout Jabal Amman water supply. Predicted TTHM concentrations were compared to actual TTHM concentrations measured during the sampling program. Results showed that there is good agreement between measured and, calculated TTHM concentrations, which means that the method presented in this paper, can be used to obtain good estimates of TTHM concentrations throughout networks.     

Sustainable Development and Environmental Impact Assessment in Egypt: Historical Assessment

The achievement of sustainable development demands the integration of environment and development. To achieve sustainable development requires a close collaboration and cooperation between environmentalists and the decision-makers. The evidence is that in developing countries (Egypt, as an example) the gap is widening rather than closing. Intensive research programs are needed, for instance in the field of sustainable development and urban environmental management, to narrow that gap. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has become a management tool for achieving acceptable forms of environmentally sound development and sustainability; at best it is proving nothing more than a permit to move a project ahead.It is recommended that indicators for sustainable development and their progress be fully monitored. Performance indicators should always be established, not only for project implementation, but also during and after the implementation process to make sure that all mitigation measures are satisfactorily implemented. This can be achieved by linking the license granting authority for action to the actual implementation of these measures. To secure the environmental sustainability of an environmental project, it is also important to have the EIA document as an integral part of the license application document, and to make it available to inspectors during their necessarily frequent inspection visits.     

城市能源管理：马来西亚的举措

无论遵循哪种发展模式,城市的增长都会给能源的使用和管理施加巨大的压力.基于可持续性的城市发展需要使这些模式具有有效性,包括考虑它们已经产生的影响.有一点是可以说服人的,城市能源问题的解决办法（比如能源效率和减少使用化石燃料）需要基于适合可持续发展的经济和商业原则.