Riverscape Approach and Forestry Interventions for Ganga River Rejuvenation

Rivers have been degraded globally due to various reasons over centuries and limiting their ecological health and value, including Ganga River in India. Riverscape approach can provide relevant information on riverine resources needed in river restoration programmes. We propose a conceptual riverscape model to rejuvenate the holy river Ganga in India through forestry interventions after due consideration of ecological processes, mosaic of landforms, communities and environment within the large landscape of Ganga basin. The select riverscape area includes the area of 5 km and 2 km on either side of the river Ganga and important tributaries, respectively, all along the rivers in five stakeholder states of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal in the country. The width of the riverscape was taken from the maximum bank line in recent years on either side of river in the concerned state. However, all micro-watersheds in the hills of Uttarakhand state, being the origin place of river, have been included in riverscape area up to Haridwar. Here riverscape is a mosaic of different land uses viz., natural ecosystems, rural and agricultural ecosystems and built-up urban environment including flood plain and is an ecologically sustained system developed during the last 30 years due to river meandering all along the river. Geospatial modelling and GIS data on land use pattern, soil erosion rates, slope of the topography, etc. were used to classify riverscape area into high, medium and low priority areas to implement forestry interventions in delineated riverscape. Thereafter, forestry interventions were planned and carried out in three identified landscapes viz., Natural (forests), Agriculture (agroforestry), and Urban along with conservation activities. Forestry interventions in delineated riverscape are expected to increase water recharge and decrease the sedimentation load in the Ganga River and its tributaries.

Application of heat shock protein expression for detecting natural adaptation and exposure to stress in natural populations

Heat-shock proteins （HSPs） play an undisputed role for maintaining cellular functioning under environmental challenges and protein denaturing conditions. Compelling evidence points to an evolutionary important role of HSPs and a strict evolutionary control of these proteins as a balance between benefits and costs. While there is a great potential for using HSP expression for detecting natural adaptation and exposure to stress in natural populations, some obstacles and key issues await investigation. From an ecological perspective these key issues needs to be resolved in order to fully appreciate the complex responses and adaptations to stress and to increase our understanding of HSPs and other molecular chaperones for stress adaptation and potential use as biomarkers. Here, the current knowledge and understanding of HSPs is reviewed and a number of key issues including the interpretation of elevated HSP levels, the complications of extrapolating between laboratory and field conditions, the effects of choice of traits and methodology and the larger intra-and extracellular networks of interactions that HSPs participate in are discussed [Current Zoology 56 （6）： 703-713, 2010].

Impact of some chlorinated pesticides on the haematology of the fish Cyprinus carpio and Puntius ticto

The effects of pesticides on blood characteristics and histological changes in erythrocytes of the fish species Cyprinus carpio and Puntius ticto were studied. The fishes were exposed to sub lethal concentrations of different chlorinated pesticides namely aldrin, dieldrin, DDT, BHC and chlordane for 10, 20 and 30 d in continuous flow-through test. The LC 50 values were calculated based on acute toxicity tests and the sublethal doses were arrived at for chronic bioassay studies. Results showed an increase in haemoglobin content of both Cyprinus carpio and Puntius ticto in case of aldrin and dieldrin. Haemoglobin content reduced from an initial 13 g/100 ml to 8.07 and 10.15 g/100 ml in case of Cyprinus at the end of ten days exposure to aldrin and dieldrin respectively, and gradually increased to 8.7 g/100 ml and 10.15 g/100 ml after 20 d of exposure. The haemoglobin content after 30 d exposure to aldrin and dieldrin was 10.15 g/100 ml and 11.6 g/100 ml respectively. In case of Puntius ticto, the haemoglobin content in control fishes recorded was 12.8 g/100 ml while in case of fish exposed to aldrin, the haemoglobin content reduced initially on ten days exposure to 10.15 g/100 ml and increased to 11.6 g/100 ml and 13.0 g/100 ml during twenty days and thirty days exposure respectively. This trend was also observed with dieldrin in both the fishes studied. Red blood cells were also counted in case of all the pesticides and exposure periods with respect to Cyprinus carpio and Puntius ticto. Irrespective of the species and pesticide, the RBC counts uniformly showed decreasing trend with the increase in exposure period, while packed cell volume, PCV(%) showed increasing trend with respect to increase in exposure period in case of aldrin and dieldrin in both the fishes. But DDT, BHC and chlordane showed decreasing trend in PCV(%) values with increasing periods of exposure.

Genotoxic Effects of PAH Containing Sludge Extracts in Chinese Hamster Ovary Cell Cultures

Objective Many studies have been conducted in order to evaluate the genotoxicity of chemicals and waste materials, which utilized in vivo test protocols. The use of animals for routine toxicity testing is now questioned by a growing segment of society. Methods Keeping the above fact in mind, we have conducted in the present study the genotoxicity evaluation of oily sludge samples generated from a petroleum refinery and petrochemical industry and ETP sludge from petroleum refinery using DNA damage, chromosomal aberration, p53 protein induction and apoptosis in short term in vitro mammalian Chinese Hamster Ovary cell cultures. Results It is evident from the results that the oily sludge compounds derived from petroleum refinery and petrochemical industry could cause DNA damage, chromosomal aberration, p53 protein accumulation and apoptotic cell death on exposure to oily sludge extracts in the presence of metabolic activation system (S-9 mix), however, ETP sludge extract could not cause significant genotoxicity in comparison to oily sludge extract and negative control. Conclusion The effect may be attributed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons present in the samples as evidenced from GC-MS.

Protective Effect of Distillate and Redistillate of Cow’s Urine in Human Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes Challenged With Established Genotoxic Chemicals

Objective From the ancient period cow’urine has been used as a medicine. In Veda, cow’urine was compared to the nectar. In Susrut, several medicinal properties of cow’ urine have been mentioned and are known to cause weight loss, reversal of certain cardiac and kidney problems, indigestion, stomach ache, edema, etc. However, the literature and scripture did not mention the antigenotoxic properties of cow’urine. Methods In the present investigation, the antigenotoxic/ antioxidant properties of cow’ urine distillate and redistillate were studied in vitro. The antioxidant status and volatile fatty acid levels were determined. Actinomycin-D (0.1ol/L) and hydrogen peroxide (150 mol/L) were used for inducing DNA strand break with 0.1% DMSO as negative control. Dose for the antigenotoxic effect of cow’ urine was chosen from the dose response study carried out earlier. Results Both actinomycin-D and H2O2 caused statistically significant DNA unwinding of 80% & 75% respectively (P<0.001) as revealed by fluorimetric analysis of DNA unwinding (FADU), and the damage could be protected with the redistilled cow urine distillate (1, 50 & 100 ) in simultaneous treatment with genotoxic chemicals. Conclusion The redistillate of cowurine was found to possess total antioxidant status of around 2.6 mmol, contributed mainly by volatile fatty acids (1500 mg/L) as revealed by the GC-MS studies. These fatty acids and other antioxidants might cause the observed protective effects.

Genotoxicity of Pesticide Waste Contaminated Soil and Its Leachate

Objective Improper land disposal of hazardous waste can result in leaching of hazardous constituents which may contaminate ground and surface water leading to adverse impact on human health and environment consequences. The present study utilized mammalian cell culture for the genotoxicity assessment of waste and its leachate. Methods Genotoxic potential and chemical analysis of pesticide derived tarry waste contaminated soil extract and its leachate was assessed using in vitro human lymphocyte cultures and GC-MS. Results The investigation revealed that the soil extract could cause significant to highly significant genotoxicity in the form of DNA strand break at 25 mL (P<0.01), 50 mL, 100 mL and 200 mL (P<0.001) and chromosomal aberration at 25 mL (P<0.01) and 50 mL and 100 mL (P<0.001). The leachate could cause significant DNA strand break and chromosomal aberration only at 100 mL and 200 mL (P<0.01) dose levels. Conclusion The genotoxicity observed is attributed to carbaril and tetra methyl naphthyl carbamate, the major ingredients of the extracts, as revealed by GC-MS.

Modulatory Effect of Distillate of Ocimum sanctum Leaf Extract (Tulsi) on Human Lymphocytes Against Genotoxicants

Objective To study the modulatory effect of distillate of Ocimum sanctum （traditionally known as Tulsi） leaf extract （DTLE） on genotoxicants. Methods In the present investigation, we studied the antigenotoxic and anticlastogenic effect of distillate of Tulsi leaf extract on （i） human polymorphonuclear leukocytes by evaluating the DNA strand break without metabolic activation against mitomycin C （MMC） and hexavalent chromium （Cr^＋6） and （ii） human peripheral lymphocytes （in vitro） with or without metabolic activation against mitomycin C （MMC）, hexavalent chromium （Cr^＋6） and B[a]P by evaluating chromosomal aberration （CA） and micronucleus assay （MN）. Three different doses of DTLE, 50 μL/mL, 100 μL/mL, and 200 μL/mL were selected on the basis of cytotoxicity assay and used for studying DNA strand break, chromosomal aberration and micronucleus emergence. The following positive controls were used for inducing genotoxicity and clastogenicity MMC （0.29 μmol/L） for DNA strand break, chromosomal aberration and 0.51 μmol/L for micronucleus assay; Potassium dichromate （Cr^＋6） 600 μmol/L for DNA strand break and 5 μmol/L for chromosomal aberration and micronucleus assay; Benzo[a]pyrene （30 μmol/L） for chromosomal aberration and 40 μmol/L for micronucleus assay. The active ingredients present in the distillate of Tulsi leaf extract were identified by HPLC and LC-MS. Results Mitomycin C （MMC） and hexavalent chromium （Cr^＋6） induced statistically significant DNA strand break of respectively 69% and 71% （P〈0.001） as revealed by fluorometric analysis of DNA unwinding. Furthermore, the damage could be protected with DTLE （50 μL/mL, 100 μL/mL, and 200 μL/mL） on simultaneous treatment. Chromosomal aberration and micronucleus formation induced by MMC, Cr^＋6 and B[a]P were significantly protected （P〈0.001） by DTLE with and without metabolic activation. Conclusion Distillate of Tulsi leaf extract possesses antioxidants contributed mainly by eugenol, luteolin and apigenin as identified by LC-MS. These active ingredients may have the protective effect against genotoxicants.

环境催化中的陶瓷材料:应用与可能性(英文)

Environmental catalysis has been steadily growing because of the advances in its scientific and engineering aspects,as well as due to the new environmental challenges in the industrial era.The development of new catalysts and materials is essential for new technologies for various environmental applications.Ceramics play important roles in various environmental applications including the identification,monitoring,and quantification of pollutants and their control.Ceramics have important applications as sensors and photocatalysts,and they are extensively used as catalyst carriers and supports.Many ceramics are being explored as catalysts for pollution control applications.Their low cost,thermal and chemical stability,and capability of being tailored make them especially attractive for pollution control applications.Although a wide variety of materials have been developed as catalyst supports,this area is still of interest with new or modified catalyst supports being frequently reported.It is of equal importance to develop new or modified processes for the loading of catalysts on specific supports.Applications like chemical looping combustion(CLC) and other catalytic combustion processes are raising the demands to a new scale.We have been working on the development of both new and modified support materials,including mesoporous materials without structural order for possible applications in CLC and other catalytic reactions.Successful attempts have been made in the modification of conventional γ-Al2O3 and improved synthesis processes for supporting perovskite type catalysts.Our research on environmental catalysis applications of ceramic materials and processes are also briefly discussed.

DNA Damage Caused By Pesticide-contaminated Soil

Objective To determine the DNA damaging potential and the genotoxicity of individual compounds in pesticide contaminated soil. Methods In the present study, DNA damaging potential of pesticide-contaminated soil and the genotoxicity of individual compounds present in the soil were assessed using fluofimetdc analysis of DNA unwinding assay. Results The contaminated soil sample showed 79% （P〈0.001） of DNA strand break, whereas technical grade of major catbaryl and α-naphthol constituents of the contaminated soil showed 64% （P〈0.01） and 60% （P〈0.02） damage respectively. Conclusion Our results indicate that the toxicity caused by contaminated soil is mainly due to carbatyl and α -napthol, which are the major constituents of the soil sample analyzed by CrC-MS.

Anticlastogenic Effect of Redistilled Cow's Urine Distillate in Human Peripheral Lymphocytes Challenged With Manganese Dioxide and Hexavalent Chromium

Objective To study the anticlastogenic effect of redistilled cow＇s urine distillate （RCUD） in human peripheral lymphocytes （HLC） challenged with manganese dioxide and hexavalent chromium. Methods The anticlastogenic activity of redistilled cow＇s urine distillate was studied in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes （HPNLs） and human peripheral lymphocytes in vitro challenged with manganese dioxide and hexavalent chromium as established genotoxicants and clastogens which could cause induction of DNA strand break, chromosomal aberration and micronucleus. Three different levels of RCUD： 1 μL/mL, 50 μL/mL and 100 μL/mL, were used in the study. Results Manganese dioxide and hexavalent chromium caused statistically significant DNA strand break, chromosomal aberration and micronucleus formation, which could be protected by redisfilled cow＇s urine distillate. Conclusion The redistilled cow＇s urine distillate posseses strong anfigenotoxic and antielastogenic properties against HPNLs and HLC treated with Cr^＋6 and MnO2. This property is mainly due to the antioxidants present in RCUD.

Effect of Thermal Discharge of Cool Water Outfall from Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Plant into Sea Using CORMIX

The numerical modeling for the cool water outfall discharge from the LNG Plant is undertaken using CORMIX to evaluate the design of diffuser for discharge. The hydrodynamic data tide and currents are used inputs to the model. It is then calibrated using monitored data. The software has been run to calculate the mixing zone and dilution patterns for various flow conditions. Model result shows that ambient condition is achieved within 64 m from the proposed outfall locations. From the results of the modeling studies it can be concluded that the proposed diffuser design and outfall locations are suitable for all tide conditions. It also shows that there is no significant impact on the marine life due to the proposed cool water discharge, beyond the small area around the discharge location, as the parameters are attaining near ambient water quality within the acceptable space and time.

Water and Energy Footprint Assessment of Bottled Water Industries in India

Assessment of water and energy footprint for eight bottled water industries was carried out. The investigation showed that one litre of bottled water has a water footprint of 17.41 litres and energy footprint of 7.08 MJ. Water consumption by the industry comprises 61% during material production, 17% in processes, 16% in energy and only 6% in the actual product. Hence, maximum consumption of water is in material production, while the processes required a smaller fraction of the total water and energy consumed. Therefore, water footprint can be reduced through optimization of water consumption in material production.

Temperature-Induced Stress on Growth and Expression of Hsp in Freshwater alga Scenedesmus quadricauda

Objective To investigate the impact of various levels of sublethal temperature （26℃, 31 ℃, 33℃, 36℃, and 39℃） on growth and heat shock protein （hsp） expression in freshwater green alga Scenedesmus quadricauda. Methods Impact of selected levels of temperature on growth rate （based on optical density）, population count, chlorophyll-a and biomass of the alga was evaluated in artificial growth medium for 19 days. To determine the induction of hsp in the alga, it was exposed to selected temperature levels for 3 h and further kept for 6 h at culturing condition at 26℃. Induction of hsp was confirmed by immuno-detection followed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Results The selected growth parameters such as growth rate, population count, chlorophyll-a and biomass were reduced significantly （P〈0.001） at 39℃. However, hsp 70 expression was observed only at 39℃. Conclusion Temperature up to 36℃ may be considered as the limit of safe exposure for thermal, stress for the alga Scenedesmus quadricauda.

Angiotensin Ⅱ stimulates expression of transcription factors c-Jun and c-Fos in cyclosporine induced human gingival fibroblasts

The present study demonstrates that the expression of c-Jun and c-Fos are elevated in gingival fibroblast cells treated with angiotensin Ⅱ and cyclosporine.The healthy human gingival tissues were collected and gingival fibroblasts were isolated and cultured.We used RT-PCR and Western blot analysis to identify the expression of c-Jun and c-Fos in cyclosporine and angiotensin II treated human gingival fibroblast cells.We found that angiotensin Ⅱ in combination with cyclosporine induces c-Jun and c-Fos expressions significantly;however,the angiotensin Ⅱ antagonist losartan inhibits the expression of c-Jun and c-Fos(p<0.01).The data suggest that angiotensin Ⅱ in combination with cyclosporine modulates the expression of c-Jun and c-Fos in human gingival fibroblast cells.

Pytoremediation of fluoroquinolone group of antibiotics from waste water

The study involved selection of wetland plant species hyper efficient in removing fluoroquinolone group of antibiotics so that they can be used in a constructed wetland system patented by NEERI, India (European Patent Office (EPO) Pub. No.: WO2004087584) or any other constructed wetland. Phyto removal of these antibiotics at such high concentrations without any toxic effect on the plant species is very useful as incomplete removal of certain antibiotics such as Ciprofloxacin, and Ofloxacin from waste waters is of concern due to their health effects if they do persist in finished waters even at ng/l levels. Five different wetland plant species which were also tested for their efficiency to treat municipal wastewater were used to test their efficiency to scavenge commonly used fluoroquinolone antibiotics (which are not degraded easily) namely Ciprofloxacin, Gemifloxacin mesylate, Ofloxacin and Gatifloxacin from aqueous medium (Hoagland-Arnon solution). EC double beam UV-VIS spectrophotometer was used to obtain lambda max of Ciprofloxacin, Gemifloxacin mesylate, Ofloxacin and Gatifloxacin in Hoagland-Arnon solution. The most efficient plant species for each antibiotic were selected and tested again for confirmation of antibiotic removal efficiency at a high concentration of 50 mg/l of each antibiotic. Taxodium distichum was found to be the most suitable for the removal of Ofloxacin, Gatifloxacin and Ciprofloxacin showing maximum removal of 32 mg/l (on 6th day), 21 mg/l (on 8th day), 32 mg/l (on 9th day), respectively and Canna indica was found to be the most suitable for removal of Gemifloxacin mesylate showing maximum removal of 38 mg/l (on 8th day).

Real Time Ambient Air Quality Status during Diwali Festival in Central, India

In India, festivals are celebrated with lot of enthusiasm and Diwali is the major festival of light. In this festival, houses are illuminated by lights and sky is illuminated by fireworks. These fireworks though create lot of amusement but also pollute the atmosphere in terms of air pollution. The continuous air pollution monitoring was undertaken during Diwali festival (2014) at residential site NEERI, Nagpur. Air quality parameters were compared with CPCB standard. On Diwali day, PM10 and PM2.5 concentration achieve its highest value of 900 μg/m3 and 950 respectively μg/m3. This high concentration is maintained in atmosphere for two days of this festival in atmosphere which is approximately 8 - 9 times more than that regulatory standard. These particles carry all the components of the cracker including heavy metals, alkali metals, alkaline earth and change the atmosphere with positive and negative ions apart from impaction of sulfur and other acid gases to the atmosphere.

Comparative Study of Removal of Hexavalent Chromium from Water Using Metal Oxide Nanoparticles

Hexavalent chromium is one of the important heavy metals found in water and wastewater. The hexavalent form of chromium is considered to be a human carcinogen because of its mutagenic and carcinogenic properties. This work has focused on the comparison of copper oxide nanoparticles and aluminium oxide nanoparticles for the removal of chromium(VI) from water. The cooper oxide nanoparticles (CuNP) and aluminium oxide nanoparticles (AlNP) were synthesised by sol gel method. Both the adsorbents were evaluated for the adsorption capacity using Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption model. The CuNP and AlNP were characterized for X-ray diffraction and SEM. The study indicated that the AlNP showed better removal as compared to CuNP and can be further explored as potential adsorbent for hexavalent chromium removal.

Development of GIS-based environmental information system: an Indian scenario

Ideally,scientists should be able to format,explore,analyse,and visualise data in a simple,powerful and fast application that would seamlessly integrate georeferenced data from a variety of data sources into an intuitive visualisation.The focus of an Environmental Information System is providing environmental information to decision makers,policy planners,scientists and engineers,research workers,etc.which ensures integration of data collection,collation,storage,retrieval and dissemination to all concerned.All such queries should be responded to supplying substantive information in the form of reports.The paper presents an innovative way to utilise the geographic information associated with the environmental data.The stand-alone application is the integration of using ArcObjects Environmental System Research Institute ArcGIS Engine 9.1 and VB.Net.The geographic information system(GIS)-based application,a framework of digital earth in terms of environmental information system provides a user-friendly query interface,which gives information about various environmental parameters in tabular as well as on map display.It also provides the visual interpretation to make further analysis and future decisions at multiple scales,locations and extents.The facility for modifying the map attributes and corresponding databases is integrated to update the information system.Output spatial data are produced in the form of reports using selected fields with display on map.

Evaluation of growth and reproduction as indicators of soil metal toxicity to the Collembolan, Sinella curviseta

Laboratory studies evaluated the sensitivity of Sinella curviseta Brook （Collembola： Entomobryidae） to selected heavy metals （Cu, Pb and Zn）. Survival, reproduction and growth of S. curviseta were determined in a 4-week exposure test in an agricultural soil amended with metals to concentrations of 100, 200, 400, 800, 1 600 and 3 200 mg/kg. Results showed reduction in adult survival and reproductive failure at the highest concentrations （3 200 mg/kg） of Cu and Zn. EC50reproduction values for Cu and Zn were approximately 442 and 2 760 mg/kg, respectively. Application of Pb at all levels resulted in large numbers of progeny and no significant mortality compared to controls. Adult growth rate decreased for all metal treatments compared to the controls, suggesting that metals affect S. curviseta metabolism and result in slower growth. We showed that reproduction is a slightly more sensitive parameter than growth. Since a growth test needs fewer juveniles and takes less time than a reproduction test, we conclude that the two parameters are complementary and could be used for a better ecotoxicological evaluation of contaminant levels. However, relative growth and reproduction sensitivities should be tested with more chemicals before a growth test is accepted as a faster sublethal test than a reproduction test.

Combustion synthesis of Ce^(3+), Eu^(3+) and Dy^(3+) activated NaCaPO_4 phosphors

The preparation of NaCaPO4 doped with rare earth （RE） ions Ce3＋, Eu3＋ and Dy3＋ by combustion method was described. Under UV excitation （251 nm） of NaCaPO4：Ce3＋ showsd emission （367 nm） in UV range. When NaCaPO4：Dy3＋ phosphor was excited at 349 nm, the emission spectrum showed intense bands at 482 nm （blue） and 576 nm （yellow）. In Eu activated NaCaPO4 phosphor, the emission spectrum showed a dominant peak at 594 nm （orange） while others were at 614 and 621 nm （red） when excited at 393 nm. The prepared phosphor was characterized by X-ray diffraction （XRD）, scanning electron microscope （SEM） and photoluminescence （PL） measurement. Thus, the photoluminescence behavior of NaCaPO4：Ce3＋ was strongly suggested for scintillator. Likewise, Eu3＋ and Dy3＋ activated NaCaPO4 phosphors were recommended for near-UV white light-emitting diodes （LEDs）.