Identification and characterization of extracted microplastics from agricultural soil near industrial area: FTIR and X-ray diffraction method

Microplastics have been found in large quantities in agricultural soil and now become a major global issue. Different types of microplastic have adverse effects on agricultural soil. The most widely used method for the extraction of microplastics in agricultural soil is the density floatation method by using saturated NaCl solution. This method includes the pre-digestion of soil samples with H₂O₂ to remove all the organic matter present in the soil. Different types of microplastic particles were extracted and identified by using ATR-FTIR viz polypropylene, polybutylene tetrapthalate, polyethylene, polystyrene, and polyethylene tetrapthalate. The crystalline nature of extracted microplastic was checked by employing XRD analytical technique. Floatation with higher density saturated sodium chloride (NaCl) solution recovered approximately 80% MPs from soil. Floatation methods were found to be effective for extracting microplastics from soils.     

Nickel and copper accumulation strategies in Odontarrhena obovata growing on copper smelter-influenced and non-influenced serpentine soils: a comparative field study

The present investigation is the first in situ comparative study for the identification of Ni and Cu accumulation strategies involved in Odontarrhena obovata (syn. Alyssum obovatum (C.A. Mey.) Turcz.) growing in Cu-rich smelter-influenced (CSI) and non-Cu-influenced (NCI) sites. The total and Na₂EDTA (disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid)-extractable metal concentration in soils and plant tissues (roots, stem, leaves and flowers) were determined for CSI and NCI sites. High concentrations of total Ni, Cr, Co and Mg in the soil suggest serpentine nature of both the sites. In spite of high total and extractable Cu concentrations in CSI soil, majority of its accumulation was restricted to O. obovata roots showing its excluder response. Since the translocation and bioconcentration factors of Ni?>?1 and the foliar Ni concentration?>?1000 μg g^?1, it can be assumed that O. obovata has Ni hyperaccumulation potential for both the sites. No significant differences in chlorophyll content in O. obovata leaves were observed between studied sites, suggesting higher tolerance of this species under prolonged heavy metal stress. Furthermore, this species from CSI site demonstrated rather high viability under extreme technogenic conditions due to active formation of antioxidants such as ascorbate, free proline and protein thiols. The presence of Cu in higher concentration in serpentine soil does not exert detrimental effect on O. obovata and its Ni hyperaccumulation ability. Thus, O. obovata could act as a putative plant species for the remediation of Cu-rich/influenced serpentine soils without compromising its Ni content and vitality.

     

Dissipation behavior of propargite--an acaricide residues in soil, apple (Malus pumila) and tea (Camellia sinensis)

Propargite, recently introduced in India, is an effective acaricide on a large number of crops most of which are consumed by human beings directly or after processing. Therefore, it has become important to check the dissipation behavior of propargite in edible raw commodities, processed products and in the environment. In the present study, dissipation of residue of this acaricide in soil, apple fruit and tea (green tea leaves, manufactured tea, infusion and spent leaves) was studied. Analysis was carried out using high performance-liquid chromatography with UV detection system. The dissipation rate was found to vary with the nature of studied crop/sample. In soil, half-life ranged from 43 to 45 days, while in plant matrices (tea and apple) it ranged 1.66-2.61 days. The percent transfer of propargite residue from manufactured tea to infusion was 23.60-40.00; however, 35.71-53.20% of the residues remained stuck to the spent leaves.     

Biochemical responses,growth and reproduction of earthworm in low density polyethylene (LDPE)

There is an unprecedented production of plastic that is accelerating its disposal while affecting the fitness of the terrestrial as well as the aquatic environment. The term microplastics refers to plastic fragments that are less than 5 mm in size and are widely distributed in the environment. Therefore, the present study intends to explore the biological response of earthworms (Eisenia fetida) toward different concentrations of low-density polyethylene. E. fetida treated with low-density polyethylene concentration (Control), 250 mg kg⁻¹, 1000 mg kg⁻¹, 6000 mg kg⁻¹, 12,000 mg kg^−1, and 25,000 mg kg⁻¹. The above ratios were thoroughly mixed with 1kg of artificial soil and tested for growth, reproduction (cocoons and hatchling count), and enzymatic activities namely superoxide dismutase, guaiacol peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase, and glutathione reductase and molecular docking studies. No mortality was observed during the exposure period at any concentrations. On the 28th day, when compared to the control the highest decrease in body weight of earthworms was observed in 25,000 mg (28.4%) followed by 12,000 mg (12.2%) and 6000 mg (3.4%). The cocoon and hatchlings significantly declined as the dose of microplastics increases. Enzymatic activity such as SOD and POD showed declined trend as the dose increased, while GST and GR increased with an increase in microplastic concentrations on 28th day. Furthermore, molecular docking showed that LDPE can modulate the activity of all four enzymes significantly.     

Biodiversity variability and metal accumulation strategies in plants spontaneously inhibiting fly ash lagoon,India

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Out of 29 plant species taken into consideration for biodiversity investigations, the present study screened out Cyperus rotundus L., Calotropis...     

Genotoxic assessment and optimization of pressmud with the help of exotic earthworm Eisenia fetida

Genotoxicity of pressmud (PM) to Allium cepa was investigated to assess its toxic potential and to elucidate the effect of vermicomposting to reduce its toxicity. The PM produced as a waste by product of the sugar cane industry was mixed with cow dung (CD) at different ratios of 0:100 (V₀), 25:75 (V₂₅), 50:50 (V₅₀), 75:25 (V₇₅) and 100:0 (V₁₀₀) (PM:CD) on a dry weight basis for vermicomposting with Eisenia fetida. Different concentrations of 100 % PM sludge extract (10 %, 20 %, 40 %, 60 %, 80 % and 100 %) and negative control (distilled water) and positive control (maleic hydrazide) were analyzed with A. cepa assay to evaluate frequency of chromosomal aberrations before and after vermicomposting. Percent aberration was greatest (30.8 %) after exposure to 100 % PM extract after 6 h but was reduced to 20.3 % after vermicomposting. Exposure to the extract induced c-mitosis, delayed anaphase, laggards, stickiness and vagrant aberrations. Microscopic examination of root meristem exposed to PM sludge extract showed significant inhibition of mitotic index. Also, the mitotic index decreased with increase in concentration of PM sludge extract. After vermicomposting the mitotic index was increased. However, increasing percentages of PM significantly affected the growth and fecundity of the worms and maximum population size was reached in the 25:75 (PM:CD) feed mixture. Nitrogen, phosphorus, sodium, electrical conductivity (EC) and pH increased from initial feed mixture to the final products (i.e., vermicompost), while organic carbon, C/N ratio and potassium declined in all products of vermicomposting. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was recorded to identify the changes in texture with numerous surface irregularities and high porosity that proves to be good vermicompost manure. It could be concluded that vermicomposting could be an important tool to reduce the toxicity of PM as evidenced by the results of genotoxicity.     

Vermiremediation of dyeing sludge from textile mill with the help of exotic earthworm Eisenia fetida Savigny

The aim of present study was for the vermiremediation of dyeing sludge from textile mill into nutrient-rich vermicompost using earthworm Eisenia fetida. The dyeing sludge was mixed with cattle dung in different ratios, i.e., 0:100 (D₀), 25:75 (D₂₅), 50:50 (D₅₀), 75:25 (D₇₅), and 100:0 (D₁₀₀) with earthworms, and 0:100 (S₀), 25:75 (S₂₅), 50:50 (S₅₀), 75:25 (S₇₅), and 100:0 (S₁₀₀) without earthworms. Minimum mortality and maximum population build-up were observed in a 25:75 mixture. Nitrogen, phosphorus, sodium, and pH increased from the initial to the final products with earthworms, while electrical conductivity, C/N ratio, organic carbon, and potassium declined in all the feed mixtures. Vermicomposting with E. fetida was better for composting to change this sludge into nutrient-rich manure.     

Extraction of earthworm from soil by different sampling methods: a review

Earthworms are so closely incorporated into the soil structure that they are not calculated easily from the soil. Due to this property, their extraction from soil is tedious and time-consuming. Different methods have been used for their extraction from the soil, and efficiency of each method is affected by physical properties, viz., temperature and moisture of the soil. This study explored the advantage and disadvantage of different sampling methods for the extraction of earthworms such as hand sorting, octet method, formalin method, mustard extraction method, allyl isothiocyanate (AITC), and onion extraction method. Extraction efficiency of formalin is 20–60 times more as compared to hand sorting, but hand sorting gives satisfactory results for earthworms of more than 0.2 g live weight, and cocoons can also be recovered by this method. Octet method is effective in extracting anecic species and could easily be applied to site where chemical extraction is not a viable option. Extraction by mustard and AITC is simple, low cost, and more efficient for the extraction of deep-burrowing anecic species. The onion extraction solution is low cost and nontoxic which can be used as alternative to formalin. Like mustard, the onion solution is also inexpensive and not harmful to the earthworms and environment.     

Comparing the nutrient changes,heavy metals,and genotoxicity assessment before and after vermicomposting of thermal fly ash using Eisenia fetida

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Fly ash (FA) is available in an unstable state and can be ameliorated by vermicomposting. The different ratios of FA viz (FA10, FA15, FA20, FA25,...     

Agricultural injuries in Etawah district of Uttar Pradesh in India

Increased use of farm machinery along with other agricultural inputs has enhanced the production and productivity of Indian farms. Simultaneously, it has also increased occupational health hazards on the farms. Major occupational health hazards are farm related injuries. Very little information is available about the type and nature of agricultural injuries on Indian farms. In the present study, agriculture injuries data were collected for the period 1996–2000 for the Etawah district of Uttar Pradesh in India. It has a total population of 1.4 million while 0.75 million were associated with agricultural activities. The agricultural injuries incidence rate was 0.8 per thousand workers per year in the study area. Out of all agricultural injuries, 9% injuries were fatal. The highest number of injury victims were in the age group of 30–44 years. The highest percentages of injured victims were literate but non-matric. The monetary loss due to agricultural injuries in the study area was estimated to be about US $730,000 per year. To minimize agricultural injuries, development of interventions and trainings needs to be organized at block levels for proper and safe operation of agricultural equipment.