Impact of linear alkyl benzene sulphonate (LAS) on phosphatase activity in testis of the teleostean fish,Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch)

Fishes are sensitive indicators of pollutants present in water.These pollutants cause various physical and physiological alterations in fishes. In the present work alteration in the activity of acid and alkaline phosphatase was evaluated in testicular tissue of fresh water fish Heteropneustes fossilis exposed to LC50 value of linear alkyl benzene sulphonate (LAS) for different exposure periods [24 h, 48 h, 72 h and 96 h] With increase in the concentration of chemical LAS, the activity of acid phosphatase (ACP) was reported elevated while a significant fall in the activity of alkaline phosphatase (ACP) was recorded for same exposure period. Elevated activity of ACP, one of the important hydrolases of lysosomes, is quite suggestive of bringing about gross necrosis and dysarchitecture. ALP is involved in various metabolic activities including gonadal maturation and as such decreased activity of this enzyme is definitely one of the important causative factors for reproductive impairment of the fish.     

MODELING OF LEAKAGE THROUGH CRACKED CLAY LINERS -I: STATE OF THE ART1

ABSTRACT: The existence and importance of macro-pores to the containment efficiency of cover clay liners at waste landfills is documented. Macro-pores exist as voids, or cracks, and act to increase the volume and rate of leakage through cover liners. Existing numerical models used to simulate flow through clay liners are shown to neglect the macro-pore aspect of the problem. Current theories of macro-pore flow developed from related areas of research are presented, and applications to the landfill liner problem are considered.     

Intensification of degradation of aqueous solutions of rhodamine B using sonochemical reactors at operating capacity of 7 L

In the present work, degradation of rhodamine B, a typical dye effluent commonly observed in chemical processing wastewaters has been investigated using a sonochemical reactor with capacity of 7 L. The reactor consists of an ultrasonic bath equipped with a single large transducer having longitudinal vibrations with operating frequency of 25 kHz and rated power output of 1 kW. The effect of operational conditions such as the rhodamine B initial concentration, operating pH and use of additives such as H(2)O(2), CCl(4) and TiO(2) has been investigated initially. A mathematical model has also been fitted to estimate the rate constant for rhodamine B removal under different operating conditions. Intensification studies have been carried by combining sonochemical oxidation with photocatalytic oxidation under optimized conditions. In all the investigated systems, complete removal of rhodamine B (10 ppm initial concentration) was obtained using a combination of sonochemical reactor and CCl(4). Sonocatalysis (in the presence of TiO(2)) of rhodamine B showed 92% degradation, while sonophotocatalysis gave degradation of 93%. TOC analysis at various optimum conditions was also performed to quantify the extent of mineralization and it was observed that the extent of mineralization is always lower than the extent of removal of parent compound.     

Influence of real and synthetic municipal solid waste leachates on consolidation and shear strength behaviour of bentonites

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - For safe disposal of wastes in landfills, compacted bentonite is recommended as bottom liners due to their significant cation exchange (CEC) and...     

Nanomaterials for biofuel production using lignocellulosic waste

Production of biofuels using second-generation, non-food, lignocellulosic waste biomass is a sustainable approach that solve the economic issues of fossil fuels and environmental pollution. The major issues of biofuel production are biomass complexity, pretreatment, enzyme denaturation and cost. This article reviews the application of nanomaterials for biofuel production from various lignocellulosic wastes.     

Electrospinning production of nanofibrous membranes

Environmental Chemistry Letters - Electrospinning has attracted a worldwide interest as a technique for the production of nanofibrous membranes with diameter ranging 2 nm to several...     

Quantification of transition metals in biological samples and its possible impact on ferro-alloy workers

Increased risk of ill-health and diseases has been associated with employment in the ferro-alloy factory. Since measurement of transition metals in human blood and hair along with respective exposure rates, provides a means of assessing individual risk, it has been the most important part of the study. In the study majority of the elements in the transition series, such as, vanadium (V), chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), cobalt, (Co) nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), molybdenum (Mo) and cadmium (Cd) were considered which are randomly emitted from the source, that is, manganese ore (used during ferro-alloy manufacturing process). The commonly available transition, metals, observed in biological samples of ferro-alloy workers, were found to be Fe, Zn, Co, Ni, Cu, Cr, Cd, V Mn and Mo in blood, while in hair, Mn, Fe, Zn, Co, Ni, Cu, Cr, Cd, V and Mo were present in decreasing order Surveillance of bio-concentration of these metals in workers, exposed to close proximity of the coke-ovens and smelting furnaces, revealed that the workers were prone to several physical disorders.     

A comprehensive review on textile waste valorization techniques and their applications

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - An increase in population compels the textile industry to expand production to fulfill the apparel requirement, resulting in huge textile waste. These...