Assessment of potentially toxic elements in Swiss chard and sediments of Akaki River,Ethiopia

For the determination of 15 potentially toxic elements (V, Cr, Fe, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Ag, Cd, Sn, Hg, and Pb) in plant and sediment samples of the Akaki River, Ethiopia, inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectrometry, and a RA-915+ mercury analyzer were applied. Sediment and plant samples were mineralized using a closed-vessel microwave-assisted digestion system. The elemental concentrations varied considerably in plant and sediment samples. The minimum concentration was observed for known toxic elements (As, Hg, and Cd) while the highest concentration was observed for the elements of relatively low toxicity Zn, Mn, and Fe. The concentration of Cr, Fe, Pb, Zn, and As in Swiss chard surpassed the maximum permissible levels at specific sites. At some of the sites, the sediment quality guidelines are surpassed for Cu, Zn, and Pb.     

Integrated process approach for degradation of p-cresol pollutant under photocatalytic reactor using activated carbon/TiO2 nanocomposite: application in wastewater treatment

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Over the years, biodegradation has been an effective technique for waste water treatment; however, it has its own limitations. In order to achieve a...     

Assessing the potential impact of fly ash amendments on Indian paddy field with special emphasis on growth, yield, and grain quality of three rice cultivars

Proper disposal and/or recycling of different industrial waste materials have long been recognized as a prime environmental concern throughout the world, and fly ash is major amongst them. In the present study, we tried to assess the feasibilities of possible effective and safe utilization of fly ash as soil amendment in Indian paddy field and its impact on rice plants, especially at growth and yield level. Our results showed that certain doses of fly ash amendments have significantly improved the physico-chemical and mineralogical properties of paddy field soil, and at lower level of amendments, fly ash induced the growth performances of three rice cultivars too. Grain yield and grain quality also responded similarly as per the growth responses. However, differential cultivar response was observed accordingly, and cultivar Sugandha-3 showed higher yield as compared with cultivars Sambha and Saryu-52. Based on the observed results, it was concluded that up to a certain level, fly ash amendments could be beneficial for Indian paddy field and can be utilized as feasible management strategy for the disposal of this major industrial waste.     

Effect of dust load on the leaf attributes of the tree species growing along the roadside

Dust is considered as one of the most widespread air pollutants. The objective of the study was to analyse the effect of dust load (DL) on the leaf attributes of the four tree species planted along the roadside at a low pollution Banaras Hindu University (BHU) campus and a highly polluted industrial area (Chunar, Mirzapur) of India. The studied leaf attributes were: leaf area, specific leaf area (SLA), relative water content (RWC), leaf nitrogen content (LNC), leaf phosphorus content (LPC), chlorophyll content (Chl), maximum stomatal conductance (Gs_max), maximum photosynthetic rate (A _max) and intrinsic water-use efficiency (WUEi). Results showed significant effect of sites and species for DL and the leaf attributes. Average DL across the four tree species was greater at Chunar, whereas, the average values of leaf attributes were greater at the BHU campus. Maximum DL was observed for Tectona grandis at Chunar site and minimum for Syzygium cumini at BHU campus. Across the two sites, maximum value of SLA, Chl and Gs_max were exhibited by S. cumini, whereas, the greatest value of RWC, LNC, LPC, A _max and WUEi were observed in Anthocephalus cadamba. A. cadamba and S. cumini exhibited 28 and 27 times more dust accumulation, respectively, at the most polluted Chunar site as compared to the BHU campus. They also exhibited less reduction in A _max due to dust deposition as compared to the other two species. Therefore, both these species may be promoted for plantation along the roadside of the sites having greater dust deposition.     

Role of microbes,metabolites and effector compounds in host–microbiota interaction: a pharmacological outlook

Environmental Chemistry Letters - Microbial cells react with intestinal surfaces and produce enzymes and metabolites that influence human health, host metabolism and immunity. Gut...     

Delineating shallow saline groundwater zones from Southern India using geophysical indicators

A geophysical survey was conducted over an industrial belt encompassing 80 functional leather factories in Southern India. These factories discharge untreated effluents which pollute shallow groundwater where electrical conductivity (EC) value had a wide range between 545 and 26,600 μS/cm (mean, 3, 901 μS/cm). The ranges of Na⁺ and Cl^? ions were from 46 to 4,850 mg/L (mean, 348 mg/L) and 25 to 10,390 mg/L (mean, 1,079 mg/L), respectively. Geoelectrical layer parameters of 37 vertical electrical soundings were analyzed to demarcate fresh and saline water zones. However, the analysis not did lead to a unique resolution of saline and fresh waters. It was difficult to assign a definitive value to the aquifer resistivity of any area. Thus, geophysical indicators, namely longitudinal unit conductance (S), transverse unit resistance (T), and average longitudinal resistivity (R _s), were calculated for identifying fresh and saline waters. Spatial distributions of S, T, and R _s reflected widely varying ranges for the saline and fresh water zones. Further, the empirical relation of formation factor (F) was established from pore-water resistivity and aquifer resistivity for fresh and saline aquifers, which may be used to estimate local EC values from the aquifer resistivity, where well water is not available.     

Organizational resilience and social-economic sustainability: COVID-19 perspective

Environment, Development and Sustainability - COVID-19 has affected the global economy like no other crisis in the history of mankind. It forced worldwide lockdown and economic shutdown to the...     

Uncurtaining the pivotal role of ABC transporters in diabetes mellitus

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The metabolic disorders are the edge points for the initiation of various diseases. These disorders comprised of several diseases including diabetes,...     

Effects of arsenic on reactive oxygen species and antioxidant defense system in tomato plants

In this study, the generation of reactive oxygen species, the induction of oxidative stress, and the response of the antioxidative system in hydroponically grown tomato plants as the cause of arsenic-induced phytotoxicity are investigated. Reduction in plant growth was measured in terms of dry weight and length of roots and shoots, the latter accumulating more arsenic than the roots. The treatment resulted in increased formation of superoxide anion (O₂^.?), H₂O₂, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, which indicate augmented lipid peroxidation. Superoxide dismutase, catalase (CAT), and ascorbate peroxidase activities were increased in arsenic-treated tomato plants while CAT activity was insignificantly increased.     

Redox processes in water remediation

Groundwater is the main source of drinking water and water for agricultural and industrial usage. Therefore, groundwater contamination is prevented and contaminated groundwater is remediated to protect public health and the environment. Methods to remediate groundwater contamination have been recently developed. The use of redox processes in water remediation technologies has not been properly reviewed. Numerous water remediation technologies, such as ultrasonication, bioremediation, electrokinetics and nanotechnology, are closely related to redox processes. Redox processes control the chemical speciation, bioavailability, toxicity, mobility and adsorption of water pollutants in environment. Here, we review (1) general introduction of redox processes, (2) applicability of redox processes in water remediation, and (3) catalytic enhancement of redox potentials to explore its wide applicability in environmental remediation.