Genotoxic fungicide methyl thiophanate as an oxidative stressor inducing 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2′ -deoxyguanosine adducts in DNA and mutagenesis

Dimethyl 4,4′ -(O-phenylene)bis(3-thioallophanate), commonly known as methyl thiophanate (MT), is a systemic fungicide and suspected carcinogen to humans. In this study, the oxidative potential of this category-III acute toxicant has been ascertained based on its capacity of inducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) and promutagenic 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2′ -deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG) adducts in DNA. The discernible MT dose-dependent reduction in fluorescence intensity of a cationic dye rhodamine (Rh-123) in human lymphocytes and increased fluorescence intensity of 2′,7′-Dichlorodihydro fluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) treated cells signifies decreased mitochondrial membrane potential (Δ Ψ m) due to intracellular ROS generation. The ³²P-post-labeling assay demonstrated the MT-induced 8-oxodG adduct formation in calf thymus DNA. Thus, it is concluded that MT, as a potent oxidative stressor, produces ROS leading to mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative DNA damage and mutagenesis.     

Gypsum treated fly ash as a liner for waste disposal facilities

Fly ash has potential application in the construction of base liners for waste containment facilities. While most of the fly ashes improve in the strength with curing, the ranges of permeabilities they attain may often not meet the basic requirement of a liner material. An attempt has been made in the present context to reduce the hydraulic conductivity by adding lime content up to 10% to two selected samples of class F fly ashes. The use of gypsum, which is known to accelerate the unconfined compressive strength by increasing the lime reactivity, has been investigated in further improving the hydraulic conductivity. Hydraulic conductivities of the compacted specimens have been determined in the laboratory using the falling head method. It has been observed that the addition of gypsum reduces the hydraulic conductivity of the lime treated fly ashes. The reduction in the hydraulic conductivity of the samples containing gypsum is significantly more for samples with high amounts of lime contents (as high as 1000 times) than those fly ashes with lower amounts of lime. However there is a relatively more increase in the strengths of the samples with the inclusion of gypsum to the fly ashes at lower lime contents. This is due to the fact that excess lime added to fly ash is not effectively converted into pozzolanic compounds. Even the presence of gypsum is observed not to activate these reactions with excess lime. On the other hand the higher amount of lime in the presence of sulphate is observed to produce more cementitious compounds which block the pores in the fly ash. The consequent reduction in the hydraulic conductivity of fly ash would be beneficial in reducing the leachability of trace elements present in the fly ash when used as a base liner.     

Hybridized Biocomposites from Agro-Wastes: Mechanical,Physical and Thermal Characterization

Agricultural wastes, oil palm trunk (OPT) veneer and oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) mat were used for the preparation of hybridized plywood using 250 and 450 g/m² of urea formaldehyde (UF) as gluing agent. The mechanical (flexural strength, flexural modulus, screw withdrawal, shear strength), physical (density, water absorption, thickness swelling and delamination) and thermal (TGA) properties of the biocomposites were studied. Images taken with a scanning electron micrograph (SEM) indicated an improvement in the fiber–matrix bonding for the laminated panel glued with 450 g/m² of UF.     

Potentially toxic elements in soil of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and Tribal areas,Pakistan: evaluation for human and ecological risk assessment

Environmental Geochemistry and Health - Potentially toxic elements (PTEs) contaminations in the soil ecosystem are considered as extremely hazardous due to toxicity, persistence and bioaccumulative...     

Social and economic considerations in conserving wetlands of indo-gangetic plains: A case study of Kabartal wetland,India

The Kabartal wetland situated in the upper Indo-Gangetic flood plains in northern India is significant because of its hydrological and ecological services, and the socio-economic and cultural values that it represents. Despite being designated as a wildlife sanctuary, this wetland is under threat from anthropogenic pressures. As in the case of most wetlands, the reason is incomplete information on its ecological services and functions, breakdown of traditional management structures and the lack of appropriate and recognized property rights. Our study assesses the economic linkages between the Kabartal wetland and the local people living around it, through socio-economic surveys and Contingent Valuation Method (CVM). The major objective of the study was to determine the importance of this wetland to the local people and to give an indication of the distribution of the benefits among various stakeholders. The people in the region are poor, have low literacy levels and high dependence on Kabartal and more than 50% want that the wetland should be drained and the land used for agriculture. However, they are willing to participate in collaborative management initiatives with the state. The willingness of people to accept compensation, as an alternative to access to Kabartal wetland, regressed on various socio-economic and attitudinal parameters, gave an estimated mean value of US $27,500 per household over a period of 60 years. This value is a pointer of the total value of access to Kabartal wetland to the surrounding villagers and would be useful when decisions to compensate people for lost access to Kabartal are made.     

ESTIMATES OF THE ECONOMIC VALUE PRODUCTIVITY OF IRRIGATION WATER IN PAKISTAN FROM FARM SURVEYS1

Data from two cross-sectional surveys totaling over 2000 farmers in Pakistan are analyzed with regression techniques to estimate the value productivity of irrigation water and related resources. Returns to irrigation water vary by province, but in general are found to be high relative to estimated costs of obtaining water. Salinity of water supplies is an important productivity depressant. The results will be useful in determining the economic feasibility of various means for augmenting supplies and for improving delivery and application efficiencies.     

Catalyst assisted destruction of trichloro ethylene and toluene in corona discharges

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Monitoring of Carbon Abatement in Forestry Projects — Case Study of Western Ghat Project

The forestry sector is being increasingly considered for abatement of greenhouse gases. A number of projects are likely to be implemented, particularly in tropical countries. It is essential to measure, record, and verify the carbon sequestered or emission avoided due to implementation of the forestry mitigation options. In this paper a set required parameters to be monitored for estimating carbon flows, monitoring methods, and institutional arrangements are presented along with a case study of the Western Ghat Forestry and Environment project. Monitoring carbon flows in forestry sector projects is different due to a long gestation period and location- or site-specific variations in various parameters, particularly rates of C sequestration and emission. Parameters to be monitored include C sequestration in vegetation and soil, rates of wood extraction, wood use related emission, litter, production, decomposition from litter, and soil. Methods include field vegetation monitoring, soil study, houschold and industry surveys, and laboratory investigation. Investigations, analysis, and report writing should be carried out using local educational institutions, NGOs, and consultaney firms. Verification could be taken care of by external agencies. Case studies of the Western Ghat Forestry and Environment project showed that less than 10% of the project budget may be adequate for intensive monitoring of carbon flows. The parameters to be monitored and methods required for any forestry mitigation project is nearly identical to that of any typical forest conservation or reforestation project.     

Destruction of VOCs by combination of corona discharge and catalysis techniques

The catalytic effect of alumina on the destruction of toluene, benzene, acetone and methanol, in DC pulsed corona discharge reactor was studied. In the presence of alumina the inlet concentration of the VOCs was varied from 5 x 10-6 mol/L to 80% x 10-6 mol/L, and their decomposition efficiency (conversion %) was found to be 99%-80% for toluene, 99%-97% for benzene, 95%-92% for acetone, and 72%-85% for methanol. Corresponding decomposition in the absence of alumina was 90%-38% for toluene, 89%-57% forbenzene, 42%-30% for acetone, and 47%-19% for methanol. Feed gas flow rate was 400 cm3/min and power reading from DC source was 7.4 W in all of the experiments. Alumina also shifted the CO/CO2 ratio in the by-products in favor of CO2. Ozone concentration at the reactor outlet was higher in the presence of alumina. Enhancement in VOCs decomposition by alumina was explained on the basis of higher concentration of ozone and its precursor atomic oxygen [O].Decomposition efficiency (conversion %) for individual compounds was found to be inversely proportional to the ionization potential of the compound, under identical conditions. Double DC high voltage sources pulse generator was tested and found to improve VOCs decomposition compared with the conventional single DC high voltage source.     

Seasonal succession and diversity of phytoplankton in a eutrophic lagoon (Liman lake)

The seasonal succession, composition and diversity of phytoplankton in a eutrophic lagoon (Liman lake) were studied between January 2002 and November 2003. Samples were collected from surface water and deeper (1 m depth) at stations and species diversity (Shannon-Weaver, H) and evenness were calculated. Shannon Diversty was similar at Station 1 and Station 2. Minimum and maximum diversity values (0.101 and 0.765 bits. mm3) were recorded in June and July 2003 at Station 2. Cluster analysis and NMDS (Non metric multidimensial scaling) were applied to the phytoplankton community. The lagoon exhibits high conductivity (7211-10757 microScm(-1)), mean temperature of 17.7 degrees C, varying concentrations of dissolved oxygen (3.3-8.4 mg l(-1)). Light, temperature, rainfall, turbidity and salinity were expected to be the main factors affecting the seasonal succession. The seasonal succession of phytoplankton were similar at surface water and 1 m depth. A total of 130 taxa belonging to Bacillariophyta, Chlorophyta, Euglenophyta, Cyanophyta, Dinophyta, Xantophyta, Chrysophyta and Cryptophyta divisions were identified. Pseudanabaena limnetica, Kirchneriella obesa, Kirchneriella lunaris, Ankistrodesmus falcatus and Ankistrodesmus spiralis were highly represented.