Solid waste management of temple floral offerings by vermicomposting using Eisenia fetida

Recycling of temple waste (TW) mainly comprising of floral offerings was done through vermitechnology using Eisenia fetida and its impact on seed germination and plant growth parameters was studied by comparing with kitchen waste (KW) and farmyard waste (FYW) vermicompost (VC). The worm biomass was found to be maximum in TW VC compared to KW and FYW VCs at both 40 and 120 days old VCs. Physico-chemical analysis of worm-worked substrates showed better results in TW VC especially in terms of electrical conductivity, C/N, C/P and TK. 10% TW VC–water extract (VCE) showed stimulatory effect on germination percentage of chickpea seeds while KW and FYW VCE proved effective at higher concentration. Variation in growth parameters was also observed with change in the VC–soil ratio and TW VC showed enhanced shoot length, root length, number of secondary roots and total biomass at 12.5% VC compared to KW and FYW VC.     

A spore-based miniaturized novel assay for rapid aflatoxin detection in milk

Environmental Chemistry Letters - Aflatoxin M1 contamination in milk and dairy products is a major issue worldwide. Aflatoxin is a carcinogen that enters into the milk through animals feed. Here,...     

Oxygen scavenging films in food packaging

Eating safe and healthy food is a rising consumer awareness. Oxygen-sensitive foods can now be better protected using oxygen scavenging films, an emerging technology that extends the shelf life and maintains the quality and freshness of food products. The use of oxygen-absorbing materials in packaging is a current trend in active packaging, especially in food packaging. Some oxygen scavenging films have shown excellent oxygen absorbance and become commercial successes. Here, we review oxygen scavenging films used in food packaging, such as novel natural oxygen scavenging agents and active barrier films.     

Current trends in diagnosis and treatment strategies of COVID-19 infection

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Coronaviruses are terrifically precise and adapted towards specialized respiratory epithelial cells, observed in organ culture and human volunteers...     

Second International Conference on “Recent Trends in Environment and Sustainable Development” (RTESD 2019)

Environmental Science and Pollution Research -     

Carbon nanotube-based nano-biosensors for detecting heavy metals in the aquatic environment

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The identification of harmful metal ions in aquatic environments is a global concern since these contaminants can have serious consequences for...     

Development and operation of immobilized cell plug flow bioreactor (PFR) for treatment of textile industry effluent and evaluation of its working efficiency

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The release of untreated/partially treated effluent and solid waste from textile dyeing industries, having un-reacted dyes, their hydrolysed products...     

Sorption and leaching of flucetosulfuron in soil

Abstract

The adsorption–desorption and leaching of flucetosulfuron, a sulfonylurea herbicide, was investigated in three Indian soils. Freundlich adsorption isotherm described the sorption mechanism of herbicide with adsorption coefficients (K_f) ranging from 17.13 to 27.99 and followed the order: Clayey loam?>?Loam?>?Sandy loam. The K_f showed positive correlation with organic carbon (OC) (r?=?0.910) and clay content (r?=?0.746); but, negative correlation with soil pH (r = ?0.635). The adsorption isotherms were S-type suggesting that herbicide adsorption was concentration dependent and increased with increase in concentration. Desorption followed the sequence: sandy loam?>?clayey loam?>?loam . Hysteresis (H) was observed in all the three soils with H?<?1. Leaching of flucetosulfuron correlated positively with the soil pH; but, negatively with the OC content. Sandy loam soil (OC- 0.40%, pH ?7.25) registered lowest adsorption and highest leaching of flucetosulfuron while lowest leaching was found in the loam soil (pH ? 7.89, OC ? 0.65%). The leaching losses of herbicide increased with increase in the rainfall intensity. This study suggested that the soil OC content, pH and clay content played important roles in deciding the adsorption–desorption and leaching behavior of flucetosulfuron in soils.