Productivity,exergy, exergoeconomic,and enviroeconomic assessment of hybrid solar distiller using direct salty water heating

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - In this work, experimental work is presented on the performance of a hybrid solar distiller comprising solar still (SS) combined with parabolic trough...     

Application of geoaccumulation index and enrichment factor for assessing metal contamination in the sediments of Kafrain Dam, Jordan

An investigation is reported of the degree of metal pollution in the sediments of Kafrain Dam and the origin of these metals. Fourteen sampling sites located at Kafrain Dam were chosen for collecting the surface, cutbank, and dam bank sediment samples. The sediment samples have been subjected to a total digestion technique and analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometer for metals including Pb, Zn, Cd, Ni, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, and Fe. XRD analyses indicate that the sediments of Kafrain Dam are mainly composed of calcite, dolomite, quartz, orthoclase, microcline, kaolinite, and illite reflecting the geology of the study area. The enrichment factor (EF) and geoaccumulation index (I _geo) have been calculated and the relative contamination levels assessed in the study area. The calculations of I _geo are found to be more reliable than of those of EF. The enrichment of metals in the study area has been observed to be relatively high. I _geo results reveal that the study area is not contaminated with respect to Ni, Co, Cr, Cu, and Mn; moderately to strongly contaminated with Pb; and strongly to extremely contaminated with Cd and Zn. The high contents of Pb, Cd, and Zn in the study area result from anthropogenic activities in the catchment area of the dam site. These sources mainly include the agricultural activities, sewage discharging from various sources within the study area (effluent of wastewater treatment plants, treated and untreated wastewaters, and irrigation return water), and the several industries located in the area. Degrees of correlations among the various metals in the study area are suggested by the results and the intermetallic relationship.     

草甘膦和铅联合暴露对入侵蓝藻—拟柱孢藻（Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii）联合毒性评价

为探究农药和重金属对拟柱孢藻（Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii）的联合毒性效应, 本试验研究了草甘膦和铅单一及联合暴露对其生长、叶绿素含量、光合系统和抗氧化酶的影响. 结果表明：和对照相比,拟柱孢藻的生长率在低浓度草甘膦（0.7 mg·L^-1）和铅（0.1和10 mg·L^-1）单一暴露时显著升高, 而在高浓度草甘膦（17.1 mg·L^-1）暴露时明显降低. 同时, 草甘膦和铅联合暴露与单一暴露相比生长率也显著下降, 表明联合暴露后对拟柱胞藻毒性增强. 联合暴露后荧光诱导曲线初始斜率（M₀）、相对可变荧光（V_J）、单位反应中心天线色素吸收的光能（ABS/RC）、反应中心的热耗散能量（DI₀/RC）、用于还原Q_A的能量（TR₀/RC）和能量耗散量子比率（φ_D0）和草甘膦或铅单一暴露相比均显著升高;以吸收光能为基础的性能指数（PI_ABS）、PSII 潜在活性（F_V/F₀）、最大光化学效率φ_P0、t = 0时传递链中超过Q_A的其他电子受体的概率ψ₀和用于热耗散的量子比率φ_E0则显著降低,说明联合暴露能减少有活性的光合反应中心, 减缓电子传递速率, 造成Q_A^-大量累积. 低浓度的草甘膦和铅单一暴露后和对照组相比叶绿素a含量、PI_ABS和φ_E0升高而ABS/RC和DI₀/RC降低,表明拟柱孢藻整体光合活性增加. 同时, 草甘膦和铅单一或联合暴露均影响了SOD和CAT活性. 因此,草甘膦与铅联合暴露和单一暴露相比PSII反应中心损伤和电子传递速率抑制加大, 光合效率下降更加明显, 最终影响拟柱孢藻生长.     

Cytotoxicity of single-walled carbon nanotubes,multi-walled carbon nanotubes,and chrysotile to human lung epithelial cells

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have found numerous applications in various industries. Recently, adverse effects of these materials on human and animal cells in vitro have been reported. In the present study, the cytotoxicity of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), and chrysotile asbestos in human lung epithelial cells has been studied using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. The cells were exposed for 6 h and 24 h to between 0.97 and 1500 μg mL^?1 of CNTs and chrysotile fibers prepared in two culture media containing 5% serum and 0.5% dimethylsulfoxide. Dose–response curves were obtained to determine the nonobservable adverse effect concentration and the half-maximum inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀). The way of dispersion affects the cytotoxicity of CNTs. For MWCNT, the toxicological indexes were lower than for SWCNT. Chrysotile fibers were even less cytotoxic than CNTs. Therefore, workplace control measures are recommended as priority for occupational and environmental conditions.     

Responses of three grass species to creosote during phytoremediation

Phytoremediation of creosote-contaminated soil was monitored in the presence of Tall fescue, Kentucky blue grass, or Wild rye. For all three grass species, plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) were evaluated for plant growth promotion and protection of plants from contaminant toxicity. A number of parameters were monitored including plant tissue water content, root growth, plant chlorophyll content and the chlorophyll a/b ratio. The observed physiological data indicate that some plants mitigated the toxic effects of contaminants. In addition, in agreement with our previous experiments reported in the accompanying paper (Huang, X.-D., El-Alawi, Y., Penrose, D.M., Glick, B.R., Greenberg, B.M., 2004. A multi-process phytoremediation system for removal of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from contaminated soil. Environ. Poll. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2003.09.031), PGPR were able to greatly enhance phytoremediation. PGPR accelerated plant growth, especially roots, in heavily contaminated soils, diminishing the toxic effects of contaminants to plants. Thus, the increased root biomass in PGPR-treated plants led to more effective remediation.     

Protective effects of isoflavone on some biochemical parameters affected by cypermethrin in male rabbits

Effect of isoflavone on cypermethrin-induced changes in enzyme activities and free radicals was studied in plasma, liver, brain and testes of male New Zealand White rabbits. Rabbits were orally given sublethal dose of cypermethrin (24 mg/kg BW; 1/100 LD50), while isoflavone (2 mg/kg BW) was given alone or in combination with cypermethrin. The tested doses were given to rabbits every other day for 12 weeks. Results obtained showed that cypermethrin significantly (P < 0.05) induced free radicals in plasma, liver, brain and testes. The activities of glutathione S-transferase (GST) (liver, brain and testes), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (liver and testes), and alkaline phosphatase (AlP) (liver) were significantly (P < 0.05) decreased due to cypermethrin administration. Contrariwise, the activities of GST, AST, ALT and AIP were increased in plasma. The activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) did not change in plasma and brain of treated rabbits with cypermethrin. Isoflavone alone significantly (p < 0.05) decreased the levels of free radicals in plasma, liver, brain and testes, while did not produce any significant effect on the investigated enzymes. However, isoflavone is able to reverse the changes in enzyme activities due to the effect of cypermethrin. Results concluded that isoflavone confers marked protection against cypermethrin-induced oxidative stress in rabbit's plasma, liver, brain and testes.     

Impact of ginseng on neurotoxicity induced by cisplatin in rats

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Over the years, many researches have shown the potential protective effects of ginseng for preventing and treating neurological damage and their...     

Zinc oxide nanoparticles: potential effects on soil properties,crop production,food processing,and food quality

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The use of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) is expected to increase soil fertility, crop productivity, and food quality. However, the potential...     

A new antidiabetic foot bacteria formula from marine chitosan nanosilver-metal complex

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - In more than two-thirds of the diabetic foot ulcer (DFUs) cases, lower limb amputation of foot ulceration is caused by the infection. The role of...