The effects of temperature on decomposition and allelopathic phytotoxicity of boneseed litter

Decomposition of plant litter is a fundamental process in ecosystem function, carbon and nutrient cycling and, by extension, climate change. This study aimed to investigate the role of temperature on the decomposition of water soluble phenolics(WSP), carbon and soil nutrients in conjunction with the phytotoxicity dynamics of Chrysanthemoides monilifera subsp. monilifera(boneseed) litter. Treatments consisted of three factors including decomposition materials(litter alone, litter with soil and soil alone), decomposition periods and temperatures(5–15, 15–25and 25–35°C(night/day)). Leachates were collected on 0, 5, 10, 20, 40 and 60 th days to analyse physico-chemical parameters and phytotoxicity. Water soluble phenolics and dissolved organic carbon(DOC) increased with increasing temperature while nutrients like SO-24 and NO-13 decreased. Speed of germination, hypocotyl and radical length and weight of Lactuca sativa exposed to leachates were decreased with increasing decomposition temperature. All treatment components had significant effects on these parameters. There had a strong correlation between DOC and WSP, and WSP content of the leachates with radical length of test species. This study identified complex interactivity among temperature, WSP, DOC and soil nutrient dynamics of litter occupied soil and that these factors work together to influence phytotoxicity.     

Hydrogen gas production in a microbial electrolysis cell by electrohydrogenesis

Electrohydrogenesis is a bio-electrochemical process where organic material is microbially oxidized to protons and electrons, which in turn are reduced to form hydrogen gas (H₂). The reactor in which these reactions occur is termed a microbial electrolysis cell (MEC). The microorganisms that colonize the anode are known as electricigens and behave as biological catalysts, significantly reducing the energy required to drive this process. Electricigens are capable of complete substrate degradation, leading to very high cathodic H₂ recovery efficiencies from sources previously considered organic waste. In this short review, the origination of the bio-electrochemical system (BES) is introduced, mechanisms for electron transfer between microbe and electrode are discussed, the challenges these electrochemical systems face are presented, and finally an overview of current MEC systems and their respective performance is evaluated. Electrohydrogenesis has established itself as a promising technology for sustainable H₂ production from renewable sources.     

Copper chloride inhibits brush border membrane enzymes,alters antioxidant and metabolic status and damages DNA in rat intestine: a dose-dependent study

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Copper (Cu) is an extensively used heavy metal and an indispensible micronutrient for living beings. However, Cu is also toxic and exerts multiple...     

Deciphering the impact of novel coronavirus pandemic on agricultural sustainability,food security,and socio-economic sectors—a review

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The Spanish flu, Asian flu, Hong Kong flu, HIV/AIDS, SARS, Ebola, and Swine flu, among others, have had a significant impact on agriculture,...     

Removal of selected natural and synthetic estrogenic compounds in a Canadian full-scale municipal wastewater treatment plant.

The effect of a full-scale municipal wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) and each of the treatment units within the stream on the removal of endocrine-disrupting compounds was evaluated by tracking 17-beta-estradiol (E2), estrone (E1), and 17-alpha-ethinylestradiol (EE2). The overall performance of the WWTP compared well with other plants, as 90.5% removal of E1+E2 and 74.9% removal of EE2 were observed. A larger fraction of EE2 entered the plant in particulate form than E1 and E2, while a lower fraction of EE2 left the plant in particulate form than soluble form. The activated sludge units reduced the concentration of E1+E2 and EE2 in the liquid phase by 88.2% and 44.6%, respectively. The UV treatment process did not reduce the amount of estrogens. The aqueous phase of the tertiary lagoon solids contained higher levels of estrogens compared with the lagoon influent.