A review of global outlook on fluoride contamination in groundwater with prominence on the Pakistan current situation

Several million people are exposed to fluoride (F^?) via drinking water in the world. Current review emphasized the elevated level of fluoride concentrations in the groundwater and associated potential health risk globally with a special focus on Pakistan. Millions of people are deeply dependent on groundwater from different countries of the world encompassing with an elevated level of fluoride. The latest estimates suggest that around 200 million people, from among 25 nations the world over, are under the dreadful fate of fluorosis. India and China, the two most populous countries of the world, are the worst affected. In Pakistan, fluoride data of 29 major cities are reviewed and 34% of the cities show fluoride levels with a mean value greater than 1.5 mg/L where Lahore, Quetta and Tehsil Mailsi are having the maximum values of 23.60, 24.48, > 5.5 mg/L, respectively. In recent years, however, other countries have minimized, even eliminated its use due to health issues. High concentration of fluoride for extended time period causes adverse effects of health such as skin lesions, discoloration, cardiovascular disorders, dental fluorosis and crippling skeletal fluorosis. This review deliberates comprehensive strategy of drinking water quality in the global scenario of fluoride contamination, especially in Pakistan with prominence on major pollutants, mitigation technologies, sources of pollution and ensuing health problems. Considering these verities, health authorities urgently need to establish alternative means of water decontamination in order to prevent associated health problems.     

Poly[β-(1→4)-2-amino-2-deoxy-D-glucopyranose] based zero valent nickel nanocomposite for efficient reduction of nitrate in water

Chemical reduction of nitrate using metal nanoparticles has received increasing interest due to over-dependence on groundwater and consequence health hazard of the nitrate ion. One major drawback of this technique is the agglomeration of nanoparticles leading to the formation of large flocs. A low cost biopolymeric material, poly [β-(1 → 4)-2-amino-2-deoxy-D-glucopyranose] (β-PADG) obtained from deacetylated chitin was used as stabilizer to synthesize zero valent nickel (ZVNi) nanoparticles. The β-PADG-ZVNi nanocomposite was characterized using infra red (IR), UV-Vis spectrophotometric techniques and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The morphology of the composite showed that β-PADG stabilized-ZVNi nanoparticles were present as discrete particles. The mean particle size was estimated to be (7.76 ± 2.98) nm and surface area of 87.10 m²/g. The stabilized-ZVNi nanoparticles exhibited markedly greater reactivity for reduction of nitrate in water with 100% conversion within 2 hr contact owing to less agglomeration. Varying the β-PADG-to-ZVNi ratio and the ZVNi-to-nitrate molar ratio generally led to a faster nitrate reduction. About 3.4-fold difference in the specific reaction rate constant suggests that the application of the β-PADG-stabilizer not only increased the specific surface area of the resultant nanoparticles, but also greatly enhanced the surface reactivity of the nanoparticles per unit area.     

Recapitulating potential environmental and industrial applications of biomass wastes

Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management - The generation of biomass wastes is a huge concern as they have to be properly managed to ensure environmental wellbeing. This article examined...     

Distribution and ecotoxicological significance of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in sediments from Iko River estuary mangrove ecosystem

The distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in epipelic and benthic sediments from Iko River estuary mangrove ecosystem has been investigated. Total PAHs ranged from 6.10 to 35.27 mg/kg dry weight. Quantitative difference between the total PAHs in epipelic and benthic sediments showed that the benthic sediment known for higher capability to serve as sink for chemical pollutants accumulated less PAHs. This implies that PAHs in the epipelic sediment may plausibly be from industrial sources via runoff and/or of biogenic origin. A strong pyrolytic source fingerprint has been detected with slight influence of petrogenic sources. Total organic carbon normalized PAHs (sum of 16 PAHs, 59.7 to 372.4 mg/kg OC) were under (except for ES3 and BS3) the threshold effects concentrations (TEC, 290 mg/kg OC). Total PAHs in Iko River estuary sediments were in the range between ERL and ERM.     

Process enhancing strategies for the reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) via photocatalytic pathway

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - This discourse aimed at providing insight into the strategies that can be adopted to boost the process of photoreduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III). Cr(VI)...     

The antiproliferative and apoptotic potential of Clinacanthus nutans against human breast cancer cells through targeted apoptosis pathway

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Clinacanthus nutans dichloromethane fraction (CN-Dcm) extract has previously been proven to suppress breast cancer (MCF7) cell proliferation. Despite...