Optimization and assessment of an electrochemical advanced oxidation system for synthetic stormwater treatment

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Electrochemical advanced oxidation processes (eAOPs) such as the current advanced oxidation system (AOS) are a type of electrochemical wastewater...     

The Indus Irrigation System,Natural Resources,and Community Occupational Quality in the Delta Region of Pakistan

This study examines the impact of an elaborated irrigation system on the natural resources and society in the deltaic part of the Indus River in Pakistan. Time series information was collected to analyze the ecological and natural resource dynamics, and their impacts on the structure and quality of the occupations of the people in the Indus delta during pre- and post-irrigation system development periods. The information was collected through literature review, reconnaissance, structured questionnaire survey, focus group discussions, and interviews. The findings revealed that the expansion of the irrigation system and the resulting reduction in the downstream flow had their differential impacts on the various segments of downstream ecology and society. Some of the resources, for example the agricultural mudflats have been adversely affected due to the accelerated seawater intrusion that severely impinged on the paddy farms. On the other natural resources like mangroves, the impacts had been both negative and positive. On one hand, the diversity of the mangroves species had deteriorated while on other hand, the mangroves have benefited from such development because of the alleviated pressure of camel grazing as a result of the occupational change on the part of the camel herders. Furthermore, changes in the hydrological regimes had forced the paddy farmers and camel herders to switch to fishing as an alternative source of employment and income. Considering that currently about 87% people are already engaged primarily in marine fishery, this scenario is threatening the sustainability of the fishery resources as well as the livelihoods of all, the traditional and converted fishermen. The findings of the study are therefore meant to advocate the different treatments which should be accorded to the various segments of the downstream ecology and society during the planning of any remedial irrigation projects in order to mitigate the adverse impacts of the previous irrigation development strategies and of any water resources development to be carried out in the future.     

Influence of lead on growth and nutrient accumulation in canola (Brassica napus L.) cultivars

Canola (Brassica napus L.) is commonly used as a hyper-accumulator for phytoextraction of heavy metals from soil and water. Like many other heavy metals, lead (Pb) contaminates soil, water and air and thus it is a great problem. This study was conducted to investigate toxic effects of Pb on growth and nutrient uptake in four canola cultivars. Each of four cultivars of canola (Con-II, Con-III, Legend and Shiralee) was subjected to four levels of Pb (0, 30, 60 and 90 mg Pb kg(-1) of soil) from lead chloride [PbCl2]. Due to Pb toxicity, plant growth was adversely affected and relatively a severe reduction in root biomass (45.7%) was recorded. The Pb accumulation increased both in shoot and root, the highest being in root. The uptake of different nutrients, i.e., N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Zn, Cu and Mn was reduced (38.4, 32.8, 33.1, 49.6, 7.78, 52.0, 42.6 and 45.9%, respectively) in the shoots and that of N, Fe, Zn, and Cu in the roots (48.5, 33.2, 24.3 and 44.8%, respectively) of all canola cultivars. The root K, P, Zn and Mn and shoot P, Mg and Fe contents were less affected, the concentration of Pb, Ca and Mg in roots of all cultivars. Among canola cultivars Con-II and Con-III performed better than Legend and Shiralee in terms of growth (26.03%) and nutrient accumulation. Overall, plant growth and nutrient accumulation in the canola cultivars was hampered due to the presence of Pb.     

Aerosol size distribution and mass concentration measurements in various cities of Pakistan

During March and April 2010 aerosol inventories from four large cities in Pakistan were assessed in terms of particle size distributions (N), mass (M) concentrations, and particulate matter (PM) concentrations. These M and PM concentrations were obtained for Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Peshawar from N concentrations using a native algorithm based on the Grimm model 1.109 dust monitor. The results have confirmed high N, M and PM concentrations in all four cities. They also revealed major contributions to the aerosol concentrations from the re-suspension of road dust, from sea salt aerosols, and from vehicular and industrial emissions. During the study period the 24 hour average PM(10) concentrations for three sites in Karachi were found to be 461 μg m(-3), 270 μg m(-3), and 88 μg m(-3), while the average values for Lahore, Rawalpindi and Peshawar were 198 μg m(-3), 448 μg m(-3), and 540 μg m(-3), respectively. The corresponding 24 hour average PM(2.5) concentrations were 185 μg m(-3), 151 μg m(-3), and 60 μg m(-3) for the three sites in Karachi, and 91 μg m(-3), 140 μg m(-3), and 160 μg m(-3) for Lahore, Rawalpindi and Peshawar, respectively. The low PM(2.5)/PM(10) ratios revealed a high proportion of coarser particles, which are likely to have originated from (a) traffic, (b) other combustion sources, and (c) the re-suspension of road dust. Our calculated 24 hour averaged PM(10) and PM(2.5) concentrations at all sampling points were between 2 and 10 times higher than the maximum PM concentrations recommended by the WHO guidelines. The aerosol samples collected were analyzed for crustal elements (Al, Fe, Si, Mg, Ca) and trace elements (B, Ba, Cr, Cu, K, Na, Mn, Ni, P, Pb, S, Sr, Cd, Ti, Zn and Zr). The averaged concentrations for crustal elements ranged from 1.02 ± 0.76 μg m(-3) for Si at the Sea View location in Karachi to 74.96 ± 7.39 μg m(-3) for Ca in Rawalpindi, and averaged concentrations for trace elements varied from 7.0 ± 0.75 ng m(-3) for B from the SUPARCO location in Karachi to 17.84 ± 0.30 μg m(-3) for Na at the M. A. Jinnah Road location, also in Karachi.     

Chemical and toxicological evaluation along with unprecedented transformation products during photolysis and heterogeneous photocatalysis of chloramphenicol in different aqueous matrices

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - As the presence of antibiotics in environmental waters enhances antimicrobial resistance, photolysis and heterogeneous photocatalysis of...     

Prenatal diagnosis of mucopolysaccharidosis type VII facilitating treatment in neonatal period

Duo exome testing was performed on a fetus conceived via in vitro fertilization with an egg donor. The fetus presented with non-immune hydrops fetalis (NIHF) at 20 + 0 weeks gestation. Two variants were detected in the GUSB gene. Biallelic pathogenic variants cause mucopolysaccharidosis type VII (MPS-VII), which can present with NIHF prenatally. At the time of analysis and initial report, one variant was classified as likely pathogenic and the other as of uncertain clinical significance. Biochemical testing of the amniotic fluid supernatant showed elevated glycosaminoglycans and low β-glucuronidase activity consistent with the diagnosis of MPS-VII. This evidence allowed the upgrade of the pathogenicity for both variants, confirming the diagnosis of MPS-VII. The infant was born at 36 + 5 weeks and enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) using vestronidase was initiated at 20 days with planning for hematopoietic stem cell transplant ongoing. The ERT therapy has been well tolerated, with decreasing quantitative urine glycosaminoglycans. Long-term follow up is required to determine whether treatment has been successful. This case demonstrates the utility of alternative testing methods to clarify the pathogenicity of variants and the clinical utility of obtaining a diagnosis antenatally in facilitating treatment in the neonatal period, and specifically highlights MPS-VII as a treatable cause of NIHF.     

The nexus between environmental regulations,economic growth,and environmental sustainability: linking environmental patents to ecological footprint reduction in South Asia

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Environmental sustainability has become a major concern for policymakers across the globe. In this regard, understanding the factors responsible for...     

Environmental impact and diversity of protease-producing bacteria in areas of leather tannery effluents of Sialkot,Pakistan

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Massive discharge of wastes produced by the processing of leather so far confers the most important environmental challenge facing the tanneries...     

Ultrastructure changes in hepatocytes of catfish Clarias gariepinus from Lake Mariut, Egypt

In the present study, specimens of catfish (Clariidae) were collected from a polluted location (Main Basin) and a relatively clean area (East Basin) in Lake Mariut, one of the Nile Delta Lakes in Egypt. Fifteen fish were taken from each site. Liver preparations of fish from the two sources were comparatively examined for cellular changes using transmission electron microscopy. Fish hepatocytes from the polluted area showed accumulation of the heterochromatin, enlarged nucleoli, and an extremely folded nuclear envelope. Perichromatin granules were increased and progressively formed small clusters closely associated with patches of heterochromatin. In the cytoplasm, fractionation, dilation, and vesiculation of rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER), and elevated amounts of smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER) tubules were noted. The most frequent pathological modifications were the swelling of mitochondria, cristae regression and changes in the electron-transparency of the matrix. Lysosomes showing myelin-like stacks of membraneous material (phospholipidosis), glycogenosomes (i.e., glycogen rosettes enclosed by membranes) and cytoplasmic myelinated bodies were strongly developed. Furthermore, increasing numbers of secondary lysosomes with degraded cell organelles were found. With reference to the storage vesicles, there appeared to be an increase in the lipid droplets (lipidosis) within many hepatocytes. This study reinforces the need to select representative sentinel species from different habitats for biomonitoring purposes and it provides further support for the use of biomarkers in assessing the health of aquatic ecosystems.     

岩溶区不同水体有机氯农药对比研究

为研究岩溶区地下水、地表水之间有机氯农药的差异,用气相色谱-微池电子捕获检测器(GC-μECD)分析了水中OCPs含量.结果表明:研究区水样中有机氯农药检出率达100%.OCPs浓度范围32.13~319.53ng/L,均值为134.17ng/L.OCPs浓度季节差异明显,枯水期高于丰水期.水井(sj)中OCPs,DDTs、HCHs浓度均大于水池(sc).通过采样点间的对比可知,雨季水池、水井间OCPs含量相当,旱季水池小于水井.水池、水井间DDTs、HCHs对比没有明显的季节性,表现为水池的DDTs含量小于水井,但HCHs含量大于水井.水井中的OCPs、DDTs、HCHs的最小值与水池相比均表现出了滞后性.地表水与地下水有机氯农药表现出的差异,是由于两采样点的环境不同.通过比值法得出HCHs来自于混合源,地表水的比值更能准确的反映出HCHs的来源.DDTs可能来自于混合DDTs,且为历史残留,降解环境为好氧环境.水井中DDTs、HCHs百分比组成由于土壤的影响发生了变化.