Arsenic speciation in polychaetes (Annelida) and sediments from the intertidal mudflat of Sundarban mangrove wetland, India

This paper documents the concentration of total arsenic and individual arsenic species in four soft-bottom benthic polychaetes (Perenereis cultifera, Ganganereis sootai, Lumbrinereis notocirrata and Dendronereis arborifera) along with host sediments from Sundarban mangrove wetland, India. An additional six sites were considered exclusively for surface sediments for this purpose. Polychaetes were collected along with the host sediments and measured for their total arsenic content using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Arsenic concentrations in polychaete body tissues varied greatly, suggesting species-specific characteristics and inherent peculiarities in arsenic metabolism. Arsenic was generally present in polychaetes as arsenate (As^V ranges from 0.16 to 0.50 mg kg^?1) or arsenite (As^III ranges from 0.10 to 0.41 mg kg^?1) (30–53 % as inorganic As) and dimethylarsinic acid (DMA^V <1–25 %). Arsenobetaine (AB < 16 %), and PO₄-arsenoriboside (8–48 %) were also detected as minor constituents, whilst monomethylarsonic acid (MA^V) was not detected in any of the polychaetes. The highest total As (14.7 mg kg^?1 dry wt) was observed in the polychaete D. arborifera collected from the vicinity of a sewage outfall in which the majority of As was present as an uncharacterised compound (10.3 mg kg^?1 dry wt) eluted prior to AB. Host sediments ranged from 2.5 to 10.4 mg kg^?1 of total As. This work supports the importance of speciation analysis of As, because of the ubiquitous occurrence of this metalloid in the environment, and its variable toxicity depending on chemical form. It is also the first work to report the composition of As species in polychaetes from the Indian Sundarban wetlands.     

Selective separation and preconcentration studies of chromium(VI) with Alamine 336 supported liquid membrane

Chromium compounds have received considerable attention because these are used extensively in such industrial applications as electroplating, steelmaking, tanning of leather goods, and corrosion inhibition. The use of supported liquid membranes (SLMs) to remove metals from wastewaters has actively been pursued by the scientific and industrial community. In the present work, the selective separation and preconcentration of Cr(VI) ions has been studied by using a commercial amine as the membrane liquid on the porous polypropylene support. Permeation experiments were conducted on a laboratory scale batch reactor made up of perspex, with a memberane fixed amid the two chambers. The flux of Cr(VI) ions was found to be maximum (3.15?×?10^?5?mol?cm^?2?s^?1) around pH 1. Above and below this pH the flux decreases. Distribution studies show that an increase in the amine concentration leads to higher distribution coefficients at fixed pH values. At pH around unity, the distribution of Cr(VI) ions into the organic phase was found to be maximum, of the order of 56.3. The Cr(VI) transport through the membrane increases with rise in temperature. In order to check the long-term efficiency of the flat sheet SLM, an experiment was conducted with higher Cr(VI) concentration (5000?ppm) for 24?h, at optimised parameters. It was observed that in 24?h, about 1/5th of the feed Cr(VI) is left over while the rest is transported. However, minute organic droplets were also seen in the feed and strip compartments, after 1 day. This observation suggested the loss of membrane liquid. The feasibility of preconcentration of Cr(VI) by using the proposed SLM parameters, was also studied by using the hollow fibre (HF) system. Highest enrichment factor (E.F) value was obtained for 50?mg?L^?1 whereby all of the metal was transported to the stripping phase and the resulting Cr concentration was 688?mg?L^?1 (E.F?=?13.8). It was observed that while treating more diluted solutions, the enrichment factor decreases. The values of E.F equal to 8.9 and 11.3 were found for initial Cr concentration of 10 and 30?mg?L^?1.     

Ameliorated effects of garlic (Allium sativum) on biomarkers of subchronic acrylamide hepatotoxicity and brain toxicity in rats

Acrylamide (ACR) exerts its toxicity through stimulation of the oxidative stress; yet, its effect on neurotransmitter catabolic enzymes has not been elucidated. We investigated the effects of ACR exposure on brain and hepatic tissues antioxidant enzymes activities and different markers such as, acetylcholinesterase (AChE), nitric oxide (NO), monoamine oxidase (MAO), and lipid profile, and to evaluate the protective effects of garlic against ACR toxicity. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to ACR (1 mg kg^?1 body weight) with or without diet containing 1.5% of garlic powder for 40 days. ACR administration showed a decrease in AChE activity associated with an increase in MAO activity in both brain and hepatic tissues. In addition, ACR administration increased the lipid peroxidation and NO levels of both tissues while decreased the activities of glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase, and glutathione-S-transferase (GST). On the other hand, the activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase activities increased as a consequence of GSH depletion after ACR exposure. Finally, ACR exposure increased the brain and liver lipid profile of cholesterol, triglycerides and total lipid, while phospholipids level was decreased. Coadministration of garlic powder with ACR significantly attenuated oxidative stress, MAO activity, and inflammation in brain and hepatic tissues but did not ameliorate AChE activity. In conclusion, our results emphasized the role of garlic as a potential adjuvant therapy to prevent ACR neurotoxicity and hepatotoxicity.     

Total petroleum hydrocarbon burden in fish tissues from the Arabian Gulf

The levels of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) and lipid contents have been reported for eight commercially important fish species from the Arabian Gulf. GC-FID has been used as quantification technique. Out of the species analyzed, Scarus ghabon showed the highest level of TPH (7.4 ± 3.2 µg g^?1) in the muscle tissue followed by Epinephelus tauvina (6.8 ± 3.6 µg g^?1). Except for E. microdon (4.8 ± 2.1 µg g^?1), all other fish species showed a similar level of TPH concentration. Significant correlations were obtained between lipid contents and TPH levels in the muscles of the fish. Body weight of the fish was also found to be strongly correlated with TPH concentration in the muscle tissue. There is a tendency of accumulating higher TPH in the winter season as compared to in the summer season.     

Phytotoxicity assessment of phenanthrene and pyrene in soil using two barley genotypes

This study investigated the toxicity extent of phenanthrene and pyrene to two cultivars (CM-72 and Gairdner) of barley (Hordeum vulgare). Germination of barley seeds was evaluated in 69-d aged soil, separately spiked with phenanthrene at extractable concentrations of 0.95, 6.3, 59, and 300 mg kg^?1 (dry soil) and pyrene at 1.0, 9.0, 73, and 400 mg kg^?1 (dry soil). Although germination was not inhibited, significant (P < 0.05) reduction in root and shoot length occurred at concentrations of phenanthrene ≥6.3 mg kg^?1 and pyrene ≥9.0 mg kg^?1 after both 72 and 240 h. Fresh and dry biomass of both cultivars reduced with increasing concentrations of both polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Barley cultivar CM-72 was more sensitive than Gairdner, and it can be considered suitable for toxicity assessment of PAH-contaminated soils.     

Identification of the sex pheromone of Conogethes pluto: a pest of Alpinia

In recent years, Conogethes pluto (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) has become a major pest of Alpinia and other ornamental gingers in the Northern Territory and Queensland, Australia. This pest damages the flowers and bores into the stems, causing substantial losses to production. Currently, no synthetic sex pheromone is available to monitor or control this pest. This work aims at the identification of the sex pheromone of this pest. Analysis of the sex pheromone gland of female C. pluto by gas chromatography/electroantennogram detector revealed the presence of seven candidate pheromone compounds that elicited electroantennogram responses. Using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis and micro-derivatization reactions, six compounds were identified as (E)-10-hexadecenal, as the main pheromone compound, (Z)-10-hexadecenal, hexadecanal, (E)-10-hexadecen-1-ol, (10E,12E)-hexadeca-10,12-dienal and (3Z,6Z,9Z)-tricosa-3,6,9-triene as minor pheromone compounds. In two-field trapping experiments, C. pluto responded to the six-component blend, and three of six compounds, i.e., (E)-10-hexadecenal, (3Z,6Z,9Z)-tricosa-3,6,9-triene, and (10E,12E)-hexadeca-10,12-dienal were shown to be necessary for attraction. In a subsequent experiment testing various doses (i.e., 0.01, 0.1, and 1 mg) of the six-component blend, the largest number of males was captured in traps baited with a lure loading of 1 mg. The availability of the sex pheromone of C. pluto will enable monitoring and provides the basis for additional control options for this pest.     

Effect of different inorganic and organic compounds on sorption of 2,4-D and atrazine

In this study, the effects of size of adsorbent, temperature, pH of solution, ionic strength, presence of inorganic substances such as calcium ion, magnesium ions, chloride ions, fertilizers and presence of organic substances such as dissolved organic matter, surfactant, other herbicides on sorption of 2,4-D and atrazine onto rubber granules were investigated. The removal efficiency was more for fine adsorbent particles. Temperature played an important role in sorption process. Temperature effect was endothermic for 2,4-D and exothermic for atrazine, respectively. The removals were maximum at pH 4 for 2,4-D and at pH 6 for atrazine. The presence of other herbicide (butachlor) reduced sorption capacity of rubber granules by approximately 10% for both 2,4-D and atrazine. All other factors had insignificant effect on sorption capacity. The mathematical expressions were developed for predicting the overall percentage removal of 2,4-D and atrazine on the basis of major four controlling factors viz. adsorbent size, temperature, pH and presence of other herbicide.     

Optimization of process parameters using response surface methodology for bioconversion of activated sludge by Penicillium corylophilum

The optimization of process parameters for the bioconversion of activated sludge by Penicillium corylophilum was investigated using response surface methodology （RSM）. The three parameters namely temperature of 33℃, agitation of 150 r/min, and pH of 5 were chosen as center point from the previous study of fungal treatment. The experimental data on chemical oxygen demand （COD） removal （%） were fitted into a quadratic polynomial model using multiple regression analysis. The optimum process conditions were determined by analyzing response surface three-dimensional surface plot and contour plot and by solving the regression model equation with Design Expert software. Box-Behnken design technique under RSM was used to optimize their interactions, which showed that an incubation temperature of 32.5℃, agitation of 105 r/min, and pH of 5.5 were the best conditions. Under these conditions, the maximum predicted yield of COD removal was 98.43%. These optimum conditions were used to evaluate the trail experiment, and the maximum yield of COD removal was recorded as 98.5%.     

Cyclone disaster vulnerability and response experiences in coastal Bangladesh

For generations, cyclones and tidal surges have frequently devastated lives and property in coastal and island Bangladesh. This study explores vulnerability to cyclone hazards using first‐hand coping recollections from prior to, during and after these events. Qualitative field data suggest that, beyond extreme cyclone forces, localised vulnerability is defined in terms of response processes, infrastructure, socially uneven exposure, settlement development patterns, and livelihoods. Prior to cyclones, religious activities increase and people try to save food and valuable possessions. Those in dispersed settlements who fail to reach cyclone shelters take refuge in thatched‐roof houses and big‐branch trees. However, women and children are affected more despite the modification of traditional hierarchies during cyclone periods. Instinctive survival strategies and intra‐community cooperation improve coping post cyclone. This study recommends that disaster reduction programmes encourage cyclone mitigation while being aware of localised realities, endogenous risk analyses, and coping and adaptation of affected communities (as active survivors rather than helpless victims).     

Potential health hazard of drinking water in restaurants and tea stalls

Potable and equitable drinking water (DW) is a fundamental human right and essential for human health. This study is conducted to assess the groundwater and jar water quality of the roadside restaurants and tea stalls used for drinking by the local people around the Gazipur City area in Bangladesh. Water samples from 173 restaurants and tea stalls are collected. The physico-chemical and biological parameters are analyzed according to the guidelines and standards. The results illustrate that the color, EC, and Mn of 41%, 80%, and 62% of the samples, respectively, exceed the WHO and Environmental Conservation Rules (ECR) standards. In addition, E. coli and total coliform exceeding the threshold standards are found in 47% and 64% of the water samples, respectively. The contamination of DW by fecal coliforms is confirmed and supported by prior studies, which indicates that the DW supplied in restaurants and tea stalls are unsafe because of the possible presence of pathogens. These may cause potential health hazards to consumers from various water-borne diseases. Poor sanitation, unhygienic practices, and improper disposal of wastewater are responsible for the microbial contamination of DW. So, the authorities in charge of these places should take the right regulatory steps, such as regular sanitation inspections, DW quality monitoring, hand-washing practices, and better sanitation in these places.