Effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles on the trace element contents of soils

In the last few decades, metal oxide nanoparticles have shown impact in various areas, and such an impact causes an increased release in a different environment like soil, water, or air. A limited number of studies on soils showed that the biochemical parameters were affected by the metal oxide nanoparticles. However, the influence of metal oxide nanoparticles on soil elements has not been investigated. For this aim, zinc oxide nanoparticles were applied to two different soils; also, the effect of planting on soil elements was investigated via the cultivation of various plants roots (taproots, fibrous, bulb). Soils were treated with zinc oxide nanoparticles at 0, 1.0 and 20.0?mg during 4 weeks. Then, surface soil samples were collected and digested using an acid digestion procedure. Some biochemically important elements (Ca, Zn, Mg, Fe, Al, Cu, Co, Ni) were determined using a microwave plasma atomic emission spectrometer. The effect of time and dose-dependent zinc oxide nanoparticles on the element contents of different soils was investigated during planting, and the results were statistically evaluated.     

Response of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) to salinity in the early growth stages for agricultural cultivation in saline environments

Salinity is a serious environmental problem. Growing of plants like tomato can be solution for coping with soil salinity. For this purpose, response of tomato to salinity has been tested in the early growth stages. Characteristics of germination (percentage and period; length and fresh-dry weight of radicle and hypcotyl) and seedling (length and fresh-dry weight of root, shoot and whole plant; leaf number and area based on Relative Growth Rate); Na+ and K+ content of leaf; K+/Na+ rate of leaf has been studied at the 0, 50, 100 and 150 mM NaCl levels. Thus, it determined that tomato can be indicator for agricultural cultivation at the salinity environments at the early growth stages.     

The effects of a coal power plant on the environment and wildlife in southeastern Turkey

This study was carried out to determine the possible effects of the Afsin-Elbistan Coal Power Plant (AECPP) on the environment.. The soil and plant samples were collected, based on the dominant wind direction, which is from northeast to southwest and we defined the northeast part of the plant as the less contaminated direction (LCD) and the southwest part as the more contaminated direction (MCD). The results indicated that the AECPP created environmental problems and caused contaminations especially in the MCD. The results of the statistical analysis for the measured attributes between the LCD and the MCD showed that there were significant differences for pH, SO4(-2)-S, Ni and Pb. Significant correlations were found between the distance from the AECPP and some of the measured soil and plant parameters in the MCD. The concentrations of SO4(-2)-S, Ni and Pb decreased as the distance increased. The discharge water carries a potential risk for the aquatic life and soil health in the area. The honey quality was also affected negatively by fly ash and emission.     

Potential neoplastic effects of parathion-methyl on rat liver

The mutagenic and carcinogenic effects of parathion-methyl were examined by bacterial reverse assay and a long term experiment with Wistar rats. The potential mutagenic effect of parathion-methyl in Salmonella typhimurium TA100 bacterial cells was observed without rat liver S9 metabolic activation. Parathion-methyl was further investigated for pathological changes in rat pancreas and liver. The long-term rat experiments showed that parathion-methyl exposure for 3 months can cause pathological changes in rat pancreases acinar cells and pancreatic hepatocytes. Atypical acinar cell focuses (AACF) were determined in the liver and pancreas of the rats. The results from short-term Ames test and long-term rat experiments suggest that parathion-methyl would be potential carcinogenic.     

Project level analysis of special trade contractor fatalities using accident investigation reports

Introduction

Construction is among the most dangerous industries in the United States accounting for thousands of fatalities every year. Although there is data available on high risk work types and areas, the project-level detail is not readily available.

Method

This paper uses the accident investigation reports to categorize project types and presents project level analysis of 350 fatal accidents for special trade contractors.

Results

The results showed that Residential and Commercial projects lead the fatalities where Falls are observed as the leading cause. However, when the fatality causes and project categories are analyzed for each work type, the results showed different fatality cause proportions for each project type.

Impact on Industry

Project level analysis approach has a direct impact on identifying high risk work types and areas for special trade contractors by making it possible to focus the prevention and intervention efforts more accurately, while highlighting training and education needs.     

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.     

Fishers’ local knowledge on impact of climate change and anthropogenic interferences on Hilsa fishery in South Asia: evidence from Bangladesh

The anadromous fish species Hilsa (Tenualosa ilisha) constitutes the largest single fishery in Bangladesh and West Bengal, India. River Meghna is the important habitat for Hilsa as the major breeding and nursing grounds are situated along this portion of the river. In this paper, we investigate fishers’ perceptions on effect of climate change and anthropogenic impact on Hilsa fishery at lower Meghna. Fishers’ ecological knowledge indicates that the stock of Hilsa is declining due to several adverse climatic conditions such as increased water temperature, salinity intrusion and low freshwater discharge from upstream. Fishers believe that dams and polders have immense effect on river sedimentation which already blockade several upward migratory route of Hilsa. Fishers’ experience shows that intensity of coastal cyclone is gradually increasing, which causes severe physical and economical damage. The study also indicates that the major constraints to adopt with the change situation are low level of human capital and restricted access to the formal credit system. Therefore, incorporation of local knowledge in governmental policy formulation and public support to improve human skill are essential for the adaptive management.     

Modeling binomial amphibian roadkill data in distance sampling while accounting for zero-inflation,serial correlation and varying cluster sizes simultaneously

Roadkill is of ecological importance so that there is increasing academic research to understand the causes and patterns of roadkills and their impact on ecosystems. This work is motivated by the study on roadkills of endangered Bufo calamita (B. calamita) (The natterjack toad) out of amphibian roadkills. The status of B. calamita is regarded as unfavorable due to large population declines. In the mentioned study, B. calamita and total amphibian roadkills were recorded via distance sampling on a National Road of Southern Portugal between March 1995 and March 1997. The traditional binomial modeling of these data are challenged by three issues. First, the zeros in B. calamita counts far exceeded its nominal level. Second, there is likely serial correlation among observations along the road. Finally, there is varying number of total amphibian roadkills at each sampling location; therefore, there is likely randomness in the number of total amphibian roadkills. All these features may contribute to overdispersion in the binomial observations. These three issues are routinely addressed one at a time separately, the first through zero-inflated binomial models, the second, for example, by means of random effects models for serially correlated binomial data and the third by models for binomial data with random cluster sizes. Therefore the data cannot be adequately modeled by any of these separate models. In this paper, we propose a new model to tackle these three issues simultaneously in the binomial analysis of B. calamita roadkills out of amphibian roadkills. Our approach is generally applicable to other binomial data with these three features.     

Sustainable pesticide governance in Bangladesh: socio-economic and legal status interlinking environment,occupational health and food safety

Pesticides, regardless of their known toxic impacts to human health and environment, are widely used in the rapid growing agricultural sectors of developing countries. As an agricultural country with small lands and enormous population to feed, a developing country like Bangladesh rely heavily on the uses of pesticides to increase crop yields. Nevertheless, during the past decades, Peoples’ Republic of Bangladesh has experienced 26.46% decrease in total pesticide consumption. However, the presence of unregistered pesticides in the environmental samples and agricultural products has pointed out the weakness in the existing legal regime of the pesticide governance. This, in turn, is threatening the livelihood and health of the farmers, food safety and consumer health. This paper reviews the antiquity of the status of pesticide consumption, evolution and drawbacks of pesticide in the context of existing socio-economic position of Bangladesh. A consolidated uniform system is lacking to project pesticide management in the country. Existing legal policy, rules and regulations in the context of international agreements regarding pesticide management have been reviewed and suggested for further amendment. Moreover, role of green microfinance in sustainable management of pesticides and food safety were recommended. A framework is proposed for pesticide governance with a stronger pesticide surveillance program and coordination of ministries interlinking environmental, occupational health and food safety.     

Quantifying Carbon Budgets Of Conifer Mediterranean Forest Ecosystems, Turkey

Abstact Aboveground biomass, aboveground litterfall, and leaf litter decomposition of five indigenous tree stands (pure stands ofPinus brutia,Pinus nigra,Cedrus libani,Juniperus excelsa, and a mixed stand ofAbies cilicica,P. nigra, andC. libani) were measured in an eastern Mediterranean evergreen needleleaf forest of Turkey. Measurements were converted to regional scale estimates of carbon (C) stocks and fluxes of forest ecosystems, based on general non-site-specific allometric relationships. Mean C stock of the conifer forests was estimated as 97.8± 79 Mg C ha⁻¹consisting of 83.0 ± 67 Mg C ha⁻¹in the aboveground and 14.8 ± 12 Mg C ha⁻¹in the belowground biomass. The forest stands had mean soil organic carbon (SOC) and nitrogen (SON) stocks of 172.0 ± 25.7 Mg C ha⁻¹and 9.2 ± 1.2 Mg N ha⁻¹, respectively. Mean total monthly litterfall was 376.2± 191.3 kg C ha⁻¹, ranging from 641 ± 385 kg C ha⁻¹forPinus brutiato 286 ± 82 kg C ha⁻¹forCedrus libani. Decomposition rate constants (k) for pine needles were 0.0016 forCedrus libani, 0.0009 forPinus nigra, 0.0006 for the mixed stand, and 0.0005 day⁻¹forPinus brutiaand Juniperus excelsa. Estimation of components of the C budgets revealed that the forest ecosystems were net C sinks, with a mean sequestration rate of 2.0 ± 1.1 Mg C ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ranging from 3.2 ± 2 Mg C ha⁻¹forPinus brutiato 1.6 ± 0.6 Mg C ha⁻¹forCedrus libani. Mean net ecosystem productivity (NEP) resulted in sequestration of 98.4 ± 54.1 Gg CO₂ yr⁻¹from the atmosphere when extrapolated for the entire study area of 134.2 km²(Gg = 10⁹ g). The quantitative C data from the study revealed the significance of the conifer Mediterranean forests as C sinks