005087   RICHTER C, REJMANEK M, MILLER J E D, WELCH K R, WEEKS J M, SAFFORD H (Evolution and Ecology Dep, California Univ, California, USA, Email: cjrichter@ucdavis.edu) : The species diversity x fire severity relationship is hump-shaped in semiarid yellow pine and mixed conifer forests. Ecosphere 2019, 10(10), 1-16.

The combination of direct human influences and the effects of climate change are resulting in altered ecological disturbance regimes, and this is especially the case for wildfires. Many regions that historically experienced low–moderate severity fire regimes are seeing increased area burned at high severity as a result of interactions between high fuel loads and climate warming with a number of negative ecological effects. While ecosystem impacts of altered fire regimes have been examined in the literature, little is known of the effects of changing fire regimes on forest understory plant diversity even though understory taxa comprise the vast majority of forest plant species and play vital roles in overall ecosystem function. We examined understory plant diversity across gradients of wildfire severity in eight large wildfires in yellow pine and mixed conifer temperate forests of the Sierra Nevada, California, USA. We found a generally unimodal hump-shaped relationship between local (alpha) plant diversity and fire severity. High-severity burning resulted in lower local diversity as well as some homogenization of the flora at the regional scale. Fire severity class, post-fire litter cover, and annual precipitation were the best predictors of understory species diversity. Our research suggests that increases in fire severity in systems historically characterized by low and moderate severity fire may lead to plant diversity losses. These findings indicate that global patterns of increasing fire size and severity may have important implications for biodiversity

6 illus, 3 tables, 100 ref

005082   KALAISELVI B, JEYALEELA G D, PRATHIBA K, RAMYASRI R, SHIYAMLI S, VIMALA S (PG & Research Chemistry Dep, Holy Cross Coll, Tiruchirappalli- 620 002, Email: kalaihemaprakash@gmail.com) : Growth evaluation of marine microalgae Chlorella sp. BDU G91771 in calcium rich ossein effluent–A bioremediation perspective. Asian J Chem 2019, 31(10), 2361-6.

The aim of the present work is to study the growth and effluent parameters of the two ossein effluents. Growth parameters studied in this article are protein, chlorophyll, carbohydrate, moisture and the effluent parameters are alkalinity, nitrates, nitrites, ammonia, phosphates, sulphates, sulphites, calcium and magnesium. Calcium-rich effluent ossein was collected at three different clarifications stages from pioneer Jellice Industries Pvt, Ltd, Cuddalore, which is gelatin manufacturing industry. The algae selected for the study was Chlorella vulgaris BDU G91771 which was obtained from the culture collection of National Facility for Marine Cyanobacteria (NFMC), Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirapalli, India. The culture was maintained in F/2 medium under the continuous white light at an intensity of 20 µmol photon m^-2 s^-1 at 25 ± 2 ºC in a controlled culture room. The chosen organisms were grown in effluent diluted with seawater (1:1, 2:2 and 3:1) amended with fertilizer grade nutrient enrichment and phosphorus sources. The untreated effluent parameters were analyzed. Chlorella vulgaris was inoculated in F/2 medium and allowed to grow in ossein effluent for 7 days. The growth of the organism was measured by calculating its culture density, dry weight, carbohydrate, protein and chlorophyll. The growth parameters of microalgae revealed that the higher content of nitrate and ammonia in HTDS effluent served as the nitrogen source and supported microbial growth.

4 illus, 3 tables, 26 ref

005085   KUMAR S, ARORA J, SINGH V, SETH N, LAKHANPAUL S (Botany Dep, Delhi Univ, New Delhi- 110 007) : A baseline study of an abandoned mine site in Purnapani, Odisha: A step towards ecological restoration. Vegetos 2019, 32(3), 275-80.

The human influences on biodiversity and ecosystem functioning have deleterious impacts resulting in significant changes in land and resource sustainability. Ecological restoration is the process of overcoming damage caused by humans to the diversity and dynamics of an ecosystem. This can be done more successfully using artificial interventions if they mimic and accelerate the natural processes. A holistic approach is required to mitigate the impact of anthropogenic activities such as mining operations on the natural habitats. Purnapani, a valley situated in Sundargarh district of Odisha had an abandoned open cast limestone and dolomite quarry; without any restoration efforts for the last about 40 years. In order to initiate an effective restoration effort, community analysis was conducted to generate a base line status of the degraded abandoned site. Two sites were selected viz., a 40 years old abandoned overburden dump and a nearby stabilized area as a reference site. The analysis of community structure revealed a general decrease in species richness with an increase in disturbance. Species composition markedly varied among both the sites. Invasive plants like Chromalaena odorata (L.) R.M.King & H.Rob., Parthenium hysterophorus L. and Ludwigia octovalvis L. sp. were the dominant taxa to invade the over-burdened site. Also, it was evident that Margalef and Menhinick indices along with rank-abundance curve were the useful indicators for detecting and quantifying the extent of damage to the disturbed site.

34 ref

005075   DAS A, KAMLE M, BHARTI A, KUMAR P (Civil Engineering Dep, North Eastern Regional Institute of Science and Technology, Nirjuli- 791 109) : Nanotechnology and it’s applications in environmental remediation: An overview. Vegetos 2019, 32(3), 227-37.

In the last few decades, nanotechnology has come to the fore as a crucial and significant domain in the scientific realm owing to its multidisciplinary nature. The enhanced properties of materials in the nanoscale make them a viable option for different applications in different fields. The conventional method viz. the physical and chemical methods of nanoparticle production, however, pose hazardous risks to the environment. To redress these concerns, researchers have diverted their focus towards the more favourable green method of synthesis which is free from any toxic precursor or strenuous process conditions making it an economical and nature-friendly method. Nanoparticles showed a wide range of application in environmental biotechnology like reduction of pollution, water treatment, remediation, dye degradation and water purification development. This review focuses on the various biogenic precursors for fabrication of nanoparticles and also emphasizes their potential applications in environmental remediation.

137 ref

005090   SRIKANTH M, RAO G R, LAKSHMI G V, RANI I U (Environmental Sciences Dep, APGC, Guntur, A.P) : A study on composting of aquaculture sludge from Patapalem (SPSR Nellore) and its suitability to different crops. Andhra Agric J 2019, 66(3), 453-9.

The physico-chemical characteristics of aqua sludge collected from the bottom of aquaculture ponds in Patapalem, Nellore district (Andhra Pradesh), paddy straw from Live stock Research Station, Lam, Guntur and water hyacinth from Agricultural College Farm, Bapatla were used to make compost in various proportions and tested for their suitability as substrates in different crops. The sludge was acidic in nature and high in organic carbon, total nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium contents. The composting products with different combinations of aquatic sludge, paddy straw and water hyacinth were used to test the germination percent, height and weight of the three species of plants i.e., Cicer arietinum, Gossypium species and Vigna mungo. The highest percent of germination, height and fresh weight of the plants were achieved at a ratio of 60:40 (aqua sludge: paddy straw) for sludge-straw composts, at a ratio of 60:40 (aqua sludge: water hyacinth) for the sludge-hyacinth composts and at a ratio of 70:10:20 (aqua sludge-paddy straw-water hyacinth) for sludge-straw-water hyacinth composts. Overall the results indicated that the sludge from aqua ponds has a potential to be used as compost material when mixed with either rice straw or water hyacinth.

2 illus, 3 tables, 24 ref

005077   GUPTA B, MISHRA T K (Environmental Science Dep, Calcutta Univ, Kolkata- 700 019, Email: bindidebi@gmail.com) : Ethnoecology of different plant species in use by tribal communities of the lateritic region of West Bengal, India. Ambient Sci 2019, 6(2), 38-42.

Though tropical dry forests are less rich in species than tropical rainforests, they continue to be utilized on a large-scale for various purposes and hence the most endangered tropical ecosystems. In this context, the study of interactions between forest fringe people and 40 highly extracted plant species in the dry deciduous forests of Jhargram in Bengal yielded noteworthy results. The overstory species were more exploited by the locals than the understory species in provisions of “food” (U= 81.5, W= 487.5, Z= -3.09, exact p= 0.009), “other uses” (U= 98, W= 504, Z= -2.72, exact p= 0.039) and “total uses” (U= 99, W= 505, Z= -2.11, exactp= 0.042). Women were found to be more knowledgeable than men. There was a moderately strong and highly significant positive correlation between use values and relative frequencies of plant species found in the study area. We recommend more active participation of women in forest management activities, least human interference during natural regeneration to maintain species richness and controlled the exploitation of forest resources in order to ensure their sustainability.

2 illus, 3 tables, 16 ref

005092   VIJAYAKUMARI V, PRASAD G (Zoology Dep, Kerala Univ, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, Email: vidyaveee@gmail.com) : Seasonal variation of phytoplankton Cherthala-Aroor-Edakochi coastal belt of Kerala, India. Ambient Sci 2019, 6(1), 21-5.

A seasonal variation of plankton and its relation to the physico-chemical parameters in Cherthala-Aroor-Edakochi coastal belt of Kerala, where maximum numbers of seafood processing industries are located is studied. The phytoplankton samples were collected from ten preselected sites. Nine of the selected sites were closely associated with the discharge mouth of seafood processing plants and one kept as the reference site which is free from the seafood plant discharge. From all the study sites, a total of 38,472 phytoplankton individuals belonging to 11 classes were identified on the basis of standard keys. The major classes obtained were Bacillariophyceae (21,812 individuals), Chlorophyceae (7111 individuals), Cyanophyceae (6118). The correlation analysis showed that physico-chemical parameters like DO, BOD, COD, transparency and pH significantly influenced the distribution of phytoplankton.

10 tables, 31 ref

005073   BEYAZ A (Agricultural Machinery and Technologies Engineering Dep, Diskapi Children Hospital, Ankara, Turkey, Email: abdullahbeyaz@gmail.com) : Air quality evaluation with a low-cost dust sensor for a hencoop. Agric Sci Dig 2019, 39(3), 236-43.

A hygenic working environment is essential for human health. It includes environmental conditions like light, air flow, gasses, sound, and rubble. It became more important for agricultural indoor and outdoor applications. For example; the dust intensity in a hencoop sometimes negatively affects human and animal health as an environmental component. On account of this ground, dust concentration measurement is crucial for agricultural indoor and outdoor applications. Because of this reason, the intensity of dust have been evaluated and analyzed in this research. For this purpose, a microcontroller based dust intensity measurement unit was developed. The dust intensity measurement unit contains an Arduino based development board and Sharp dust sensor. Additionally, an SD card module and a Real-Time Clock (RTC) was utilized for a data logging operation. The addition of air stream, air filtering technique and dust removing machines can be qualified regarding the dust intensity or dust balance.

18 ref

003825   ANUSREE R P, PATHROSE B, CHELLAPPAN M (Kerala Agricultural Univ, Thrissur- 680 656, Email: berin.pathrose@kau.in) : Malathion resistance in red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum) (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) from FCI godowns of Kerala, India. J Trop Agric 2019, 57(2), 201-5.

Laboratory studies were conducted during 2018-2019 in the Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur, to evaluate the susceptibility of different populations of Tribolium castaneum Malathion (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) collected from five FCI godowns of Kerala viz., Thikkodi, Olavakkode, Mulangunnathukavu, Angamaly and Valiyathura to malathion with respect to the laboratory maintained susceptible strain from IARI, New Delhi. Residual film bioassay was carried out using technical grade malathion. Angamaly population of T. castaneum showed 13.34 fold resistance with the highest LC₅₀ value of 6949.80 ppm, while the IARI strain had the lowest LC₅₀ of 520.76 ppm. Resistance ratios for Mulangunnathukavu, Valiyathura, Olavakkode and Thikkodi population were 11.82, 11.27, 10.99 and 10.95, respectively. Resistance to malathion in all field collected populations were uniform and homogenous.

1 illus, 2 tables, 20 ref

003834   RATHI P, MADAN S (Zoology and Environmental Science Dep, K.G.P Gurukul Kangri Vishwavidyalaya, Haridwar- 249 404, Email: rathi.pr94@gmail.com) : Effect of glass industry effluent on seed germination and biochemical parameters of Glycine max (Soyabean). Indian J Agric Res 2019, 53(4), 468-72.

Effluent generated by various processes in factories is directly discharged without any end point treatment into drains and used for irrigation purposes. The present study was carried out to assess the effects of glass industry effluent on seed germination and seedling growth of Glycine max. Different physico-chemical parameters of effluent were analysed. The pot culture laboratory experiment was conducted with the different effluent concentrations viz., 25 %, 50 %, 75 % and 100 % along with control (ground water) used as irrigation for Glycine max crop on different time interval. The growth parameters and biochemical parameters of Glycine max were measured as root length shoot length, vigour index, chlorophyll content, ascorbic acid, fresh biomass and dry biomass on 21^st day of sowing period. Maximum results of plant parameters were obtained in 25 % effluent concentration diluted with 75 % ground due to optimum level of nutrients present in it.

10 ref

003837   SUMA R (Soil and Water Management Dep, Agriculture Research Station, Mandya- 571 405, Email: sumassac@gmail.com) : Assessing the changes in soil properties and possible ground water pollution with application of primary treated distillery spentwash. Indian J Agric Res 2019, 53(4), 383-90.

To assess the ground water pollution with varied amounts of primary treated distillery spentwash (DSW) application, locally prepared piezometer were installed in the field at various depths (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 m) and the collected leachate was characterized. Leachate was collected in piezometers upto 0.5 m depth with lower levels of DSW application (<750 m³ha^-1) and upto 1.0 m depth with >750 m³ha^-1 after 30 days of DSW application and indicated that increasing quantities of DSW application increased the pH, EC, COD, NO₃^-, HCO₃^-, Cl^-, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ and Na⁺ contents in leachate. Leachate collected in piezometers after 60 days of DSW application showed increased leaching of NO^3-, HCO^3-, Cl^- and Na⁺ with increasing depth, while leaching of Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ decreased with depth. Chemical oxygen demand of percolating water decreased with increasing depth of soil column. However, application of DSW @ 1500 m³ha^-1 increased all the parameters in leachate indicating its possible contamination over the period to underground water. Further, the effect of percolating DSW on soil was studied by opening the soil vertical profile upto 120 cm depth. The soil reaction and soluble salt content increased with soil depth upto 90 cm and with increased rate of DSW application. Organic carbon, Available primary nutrients viz., N, P₂O₅, K₂O, Exchangeable Ca, Mg and Na  and DTPA micronutrient content (Fe, Zn, Mn and Cu) increased in surface soil (upto 30 cm) with increased rate of DSW application and while sub surface soil (60-120 cm) content showed insignificant variation. Organic carbon in soil surface increased with increasing quantity of DSW application. The spentwash application at the rate below 750 m³ha^-1 increased soil nutrient content with lower percolating leachate indicating its beneficial use for agriculture purpose. However, the application rate of 1500 m³ha^-1 may cause detrimental effect on surface soil electrochemical properties and percolating leachate may cause contamination of underground water under higher water table condition.

8 tables, 29 ref

003830   OKELEYE B I, NTWAMPE S K O, OKUDOH V I (Biotechnology Dep, Cape Peninsula Univ of Technology, Cape Town- 8000, Email: ben_okeleye2005@yahoo.com) : Analysis of metals and persistent organic pollutants in ethyl acetate extract of Peltophorum africanum. Indian J Nat Prod Resour 2019, 10(2), 143-9.

This study was aimed to analyze the metals and persistent organic pollutants (POPs) accumulated in the ethyl acetate extract (EAE) of Peltophorum africanum a medicinal plant commonly used in South Africa. Metal analysis revealed the presence of aluminum (Al) [17.2 %], chlorine (Cl) [2.7 %], sodium (Na) [5.7 %], nitrogen (N) [1.3 %], sulphur (S) [3.0 ], carbon (C) [6.5 %], oxygen (O) [6.5 %], titanium (Ti) [6.1 %], silicon (Si) [17.2 %], gold (Au) [15.9 %], copper (Cu) [2.9 %], zinc (Zn) [3.0 %], and potassium (K) [4.3 %]. The functional group of phosphorus-oxy (P=O); halogenated compounds (C-F, C-Cl), thiols and thio-substituted (C-S/C-I, S-S/ClCN) organic pollutants with the frequency wavelength range of 420.23– 1287.62 cm^-1 were identified. Colchicine, n-hexadecanoic acid, lanosta, nitroanthraquinone, stigmasterol, octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane, and ferrocene were also detected with percentage quantity of 0.4, 6.4, 2.9, 0.2, 1.6, 0.6 and 0.1% respectively. Some of the metals and POPs identified from the EAE of Peltophorum africanum in this study have been linked or associated with various human health risks.

1 illus, 2 tables, 56 ref

003831   QIU G, RUI Y, REHMAN M U, HUANG S, LI K, LIU S, LI J (Animal Science, XiZang Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Coll, Linzhi-860 000, People’s Republic of China, Email: lijk210@sina.com) : Seasonal variation of Ca, P, Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn, and Se contents in Tibetan pigs. Indian J Anim Res 2019, 53(8), 1036-41.

The aim of this study was to detect the levels of calcium(Ca), phosphorus(P), iron(Fe), copper(Cu), manganese(Mn), zinc(Zn) and selenium(Se) in the Tibetan pigs (>6-months-old) in Nyingchi Region(Tibet Autonomous region, P.R.China) in 2016, to discover abnormal contents of several macro- and microelements of Tibetan pigs. Liver tissue and whole blood samples were analyzed for Ca, P, Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn, and Se content by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The measured values were compared with reported values to discover any mineral imbalances of the Tibetan pigs. Whole blood and hepatic contents of calcium, iron, copper, manganese, zinc and selenium were significantly lower, and the phosphorus content significantly higher, than the reported values in pig bodies. The iron content in Tibetan pig liver in spring was as low as 235.50 ± 65.54 mg/kg, and the phosphorus content as high as 1537.75 ± 194.07 mg/kg; significant differences were found compared to other seasons (P < 0.05). The results indicate that mineral deficiency and imbalance was widespread in Tibetan pigs and there were seasonal effects.

32 ref

003838   SYPHARD A D, BRENNAN T J, KEELEY J E (Conservation Biology Institute, Oregon- 973 33, USA, Email: asyphard@sageunderwriters.com) : Extent and drivers of vegetation type conversion in Southern California chaparral. Ecosphere 2019, 10(7), e02796.

The native chaparral shrublands of Southern California support exceptional biodiversity and provide critical ecological services, but increased fire frequency threatens to extirpate much of the chaparral due to long regeneration times needed between fires for many species. When short fire intervals inhibit shrub recovery, this favors invasion of exotic herbaceous species, and vegetation type conversion from woody shrubs to grassland is therefore a serious ecological concern in this biodiversity hotspot. Despite a history offield studies documenting the detrimental effect of short-interval fire, the extent of vegetation type conversion and the conditions under which it occurs have not been documented at a landscape scale. Our objective was thus to provide an unbiased assessment of how and how much vegetation type conversion is occurring in Southern California chaparral. We used a chronosequence of aerial photographs to quantify percentage woody and herbaceous cover change from 1953 to 2016 across randomly sampled plots in San Diego County, then related conversion and decline to a range of explanatory variables including fire, proximity to human disturbance, and biophysical landscape characteristics. Within the 63-yr study period, there was substantial net woody cover loss, and in the plots that were initially more than 75% woody cover in 1953, 59% experienced a decline, with a mean woody cover loss of 22.5%. Of these,28% heavily type-converted to the point that herbaceous vegetation covered more than 50% of the plot. The top drivers for woody conversion and decline included a fire interval shorter than 15 yr and total number of fires, actual evapotranspiration, and elevation. Although human land use variables were not strong independent contributors to either chaparral conversion or decline, 26% of the initial vegetated plots were directly converted to development or other human disturbance types. The combination of direct habitat loss and unintentional vegetation type conversion represents a substantial ecological impact in Southern California that can have far-reaching impacts via loss of ecological services and by increasing the Flammeability of the landscape in general. Efforts to reduce fire frequency will be key to preventing further losses.

5 illus, 1 table, 59 ref

003840   YANO Y, QUBAIN C, HOLYMAN Z, JENCSO K, HU J (Ecology Dep, Montana State Univ, Montana- 597 17, USA, Email: yuriko.yano@montana.edu) : Snowpack influences spatial and temporal soil nitrogen dynamics in a western U.S. montane forested watershed. Ecosphere 2019, 10(7), e02794.

Declines in winter snowpack have increased the severity of summer droughts in western U.S. forests, with the potential to also impact soil available nitrogen (N). To understand how snowpack controls spatiotemporal N availability, we examined seasonal N dynamics across elevation, aspect, and topographic position (hollow vs. slope) in a forested watershed in the northern Rocky Mountains. As expected, peak snow-water equivalent (SWE) was generally greater at higher elevations and on north-facing aspects. However, the effects of topographic position and snowdrift led to variability in snow accumulation at smaller spatial scales. Spatial patterns of the snowpack, in turn, influenced soil moisture and temperature, with greater SWE leading to generally higher soil moisture levels during the summer and smaller temperature fluctuations throughout the year. Wetter conditions in spring or fall generally supported greater inorganic N pools, but at the driest locations (low-elevation slope), pulses of N mineralization in summer may have played important roles in overall N dynamics. More importantly, soil moisture during the summer appeared to be more influenced by antecedent snowpack from the previous year than by current-year summer rain. Subsequently, N mineralization under snowpack may be strongly influenced by soil moisture and temperature conditions from the previous fall, before snowpack accumulation. Together, our results indicate that snowpack strongly influences N dynamics beyond the current growing season in western coniferous forests through mediation of soil moisture and temperature, and suggest that further decline in winter snowpack may affect these forests through constraints in both water and N availability.

8 illus, 2 tables, 64 ref

003828   MCLAREN J R, BUCKERIDGE K M (Biological Sciences Dep, Texas Univ, Texas- 79968, USA, Email: jennie.mclaren@gmail.com) : Decoupled above- and belowground responses to multi-decadal nitrogen and phosphorus amendments in two Tundra ecosystems. Ecosphere 2019, 10(7), e02735.

Global change in the Arctic promotes deeper soil thaw and enhanced soil microbial activity, increasing nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) availability to plants and microbes in strongly nutrient-limited ecosystems. This critical, positive climate feedback has been examined through fertilization experiments that describe short-term (<10 yr) above- or below ground responses to combined NP additions, with evidence of enhanced shrub growth, nutrient availability, and soil organic matter decomposition. There has been less opportunity for long-term comparisons of both above- and below ground responses with factorial N and P additions in different systems, despite broad awareness that ecosystem response can shift with time, and the potential for decoupled above- vs. below ground or N vs. P responses, currently and with further predicted global change. We examined the response of the plants, soil microbes, and soil nutrients, to factorial N and P additions in the moist acidic tundra (MAT; 26 yr of nutrient additions) and moist non-acidic tundra (MNT; 16 yr). Above ground, the MAT plant community continues to change as predicted by earlier studies: Functional groups responded independently to N and P, but NDVI-biomass, especially of Betula nana, only increased with N addition. Unlike shorter-term MNT studies, the MNT vegetation, which does not include B. nana, shows few new fertilization responses. Below ground responses were not predicted by above ground responses in either MAT or MNT. In contrast to the N response above ground, MATmicrobial biomass responded positively and microbial phosphatase activity negatively to P additions, implying possible release from microbial P limitation. Critically, earlier published results of declines in soiltotal carbon (C) with combined NP addition in the MAT are not present in the long term. We make two conclusions: (1) Arctic ecosystems are not universally N-limited but also exhibit complex responses to Palone or in combination with N; and (2) the presence or absence of key vegetation species can cascade from above ground to below ground and restrict the extrapolation of responses of nutrient addition in a single arctic ecosystem to other arctic ecosystems, the short-term to the long term, or above ground to below ground.

6 illus, 2 tables, 60 ref

003826   EL-MERGAWY T M A E-A, MIKHAIL W Z A, NASR I N, DIEN W M S E (Natural Resources Dep, Cairo Univ, Egypt, Email: wafai47@hotmail.com) : Occurrence of organochlorine pesticide (OCP) residues in chicken skin, liver and muscle in Egypt. Biosci Biotech Res Asia 2019, 16(3), 659-67.

This study was conducted for determination of organochlorine (OCPs) pesticide residues in muscle, skin and liver of chickens (laying hens). The examined samples were collected from three laying hen farms (white Hy- Line breed) in El- Dakahlia, El-Sharkia and El-Giza Governorates, Egypt. Five samples of each tissue were collected at 3 stages; start, peak and end, of egg production from the three farms with the total of 45 samples for each tissue type. The examined samples were extracted and prepared to organochlorine pesticide detection by gas Chromatography system equipped with electron capture detector (ECD). Exactly 14 of organochlorine pesticide residues were analyzed. The obtained results revealed that the Methoxychlor, PP-DDE, Dieldrin, Aldrin, Heptachlor epoxide and á-BHC residues were not detected in all the examined samples. Meanwhile, PP-DDT, PP-DDD, Endrin, Endosulfan, Heptachlor, Ä-BHC, d-BHC (lindane) and d-chlordane were detected in the examined samples in different concentrations. No considerable difference in organochlorine residues could be noticed either between the different Governorates or between the different stages of egg production. The results exhibited relatively higher levels of these residues in skin and liver samples comparing with those in the muscle samples.

1 illus, 5 tables, 20 ref

003836   SHARMA D K, RAJ P, SUMAN S (Chemistry Dep, Himachal Pradesh Univ, Shimla- 171 005, Email: sapanasuman307@gmail.com) : New differential pulse polarographic method for the determination of isoproturon herbicide in environmental samples. Asian J Adv Basic Sci 2019, 7(2), 14-9.

The excessive use of isoproturon herbicide in agriculture can cause some serious health and environmental hazards. This necessitates the development of some simple methodologies for its determination in various environmental samples. A new differential pulse polarographic method based on the measurement of dimethyl amine (formed from hydrolysis of isoproturon with potassium tert. butoxide) as dimethyldithiocarbamate complex through reaction with carbon disulphide and copper(II) perchlorate yielding an analytically useful diffusion controlled peak at -96 mV has been developed. The analysis has been accomplished by constructing calibration graph between peak current and concentration showing linear relationship in the range 0.21-4.13 µg mL^-1 of isoproturon solution. The method has been validated for the determination of this herbicide in its commercial formulation, water, soil and agricultural produces to monitor environmental pollution. The proposed method is accurate and precise as shown by the high recoveries (97.09-99.02 %) with low relative standard deviation values (0.42-1.47 %). The method has also been validated to evaluate the leaching behaviour of this herbicide for assessing ground water contamination risk. The value of ground water ubiquity score (2.30-2.67) showed that it is a transition leacher herbicide and poses a potential risk towards environmental pollution.

3 illus, 7 tables, 27 ref

003839   YADAV R, SHARMA K K, MAITRA J (Applied Chemistry Dep, Gautam Buddha Univ, Greater Noida- 201 310, Uttar Pradesh) : Persistence, dissipation and GC-MS analysis of tebuconazole residues in/on cabbage. Ann Plant Prot Sci 2019, 27(2), 295-301.

The fungicide, tebuconazole was applied at recommended (258 g a.i./ha) and double the recommended (516 g a.i./ha) dose on cabbage. The fungicide residues in/on cabbage head and soil were periodically analysed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The analytical method was validated for quantifying the residues of tebuconazole in cabbage, with regression coefficient (R² ) of 0.999, the method displayed excellent linearity over a concentration range 0.05^-1 mg kg^-1. Limit of determination (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) of the method were 0.01 and 0.05 mg kg^-1, respectively. Percentage recovery of tebuconazole spiked at three fortification levels in cabbage and soil ranged from 88 % to 100 %. On the basis of persistence and dissipation studies, the half-life (t1/2) of tebuconazole on cabbage was 1 day and 1.2 days for the recommended and double the recommended dose, respectively. The residue levels in soil samples collected after 25 days of last application were below the quantification limit of 0.05 mg kg^-1 .

4 illus, 3 tables, 16 ref

003832   RANA M, MITTAL S K, BEIG G, RANA P (Thapar Univ, Patiala- 147 004, Email: smittal@thapar.edu) : The impact of crop residue burning (CRB) on the diurnal and seasonal variability of the ozone and PM levels at a semi-urban site in the north-western Indo-Gangetic plain. J Earth Syst Sci 2019, 128(6), 166.

Ozone and particulate matter (PM), PM₁₀ and PM_2.5, were monitored along with meteorological parameters at a semi-urban location, Patiala, in the north-western Indo-Gangetic plain from December 2013 to November 2014. The annual mean concentration levels of PM₁₀,PM_2.5 and ozone were recorded as 178 μg m⁻³, 88 μg m⁻³ and 39 ppb, which also exceeded the national standards on a 24-h average basis, by 77.3 % (335 days), 53.2 % (338 days) and 20 days, respectively. High levels of PM (PM₁₀ and PM_2.5) were observed in winter (58–381 and 42–270 μg m⁻³) and in the post-monsoon (71–320 and 39–320 μg m⁻³) season and a rise in the level of ozone was observed in summer (22–72 ppb) and in the post-monsoon season (23–73 ppb), respectively. The rate of ozone production was the highest during the post-harvest fire period (3.94 ppb O₃/h in May and 4.23 ppb O₃/h in November). A Pearson correlation study showed the strong dependency of PM and ozone on meteorological variables. Relative humidity has the highest ranking for ozone and PM₁₀, while wind speed has the lowest rank for ozone, PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 in the order of factors affecting the level of pollutants. The generalised linear model and the neural network model (for ozone) and the random forest model (for PM) outperformed on the basis of performance indices and further cross-validation was done.

10 illus, 5 tables, 55 ref

003827   IKECHUKWU U R, OKPASHI V E, OLUOMACHI U N, PAULINUS N C, OBIAGELI N F, PRECIOUS O (Chemical Science Dep, Cross River Univ of Technology, Calabar, Nigeria, Email: vic2reshu@gmail.com) : Evaluation of heavy metals in selected fruits in Umuahia market, Nigeria: Associating toxicity to effect for improved metal risk assessment. J Appl Biol Biotechnol 2019, 7(4), 39-45.

The cases of metabolic disorder and diseases have been linked to the toxicity of heavy metals in foods crops. This study evaluates the degree of heavy metals in selected fruits sold at Umuahia market in Nigeria. Ten different fruits were randomly selected. The fresh fruits comprised Solanum lycopersicum (Tomatoes), Cucumis sativus (Cucumber), Solanum melongena (Nigerian Egggarden), Citrullus lanatus (Watermelon), Dacryodes edulis (African bush pear), Juglans regia (Walnut), Syzgium malaccense (Mountain apple), Annona muricata (Soursop), Pachycarpa kschum (Monkey kola), and Dennettia tripetala (Pepper fruit), respectively. These fruits were slices to pieces and air dried; they were ground and digested. The heavy metals were screened with atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Their health risk assessment was analyzed based on established models. Results showed that zinc and lead were undetected in fruits such as C. sativus, S. melongena, C. lanatus, D. edulis, S. malaccense, S. melongena, J. regia, A. muricata, P. kschum, and D. tripetala. Nickel was undetected in S. melongena, J. regia, A. muricata, P. kschum, and D. tripetala and the absence of cobalt in C. lanatus and J. regia. The concentration of copper, chromium (Cr), and cadmium (Cd) was higher compared to their respective permissible limits in fruits. Iron concentration was 2.914 ± 0.002 ppm in P. kschum, with the fruits hazard index less than one (0.3434). Cr and Cd concentration falls within tolerance level in all the fruits with acceptable cancer risk - (10−6, suggesting zero chance of developing cancer. This study suggests that most fruits are unsafe for human consumption and consumers should proffer a method of reducing the level of heavy metals in fruits.

6 tables, 42 ref

003829   NISHU, RAMPAL R K (Environment Sciences Dep, Jammu Univ, Jammu, Jammu & Kashmir, Email: rajkrampal@gmail.com) : Indoor air pollution of PM_2.5 in urban households of Jammu (J&K). J Appl Nat Sci 2019, 11(3), 680-3.

The rising problem of Respirable Particulate Matter i.e. PM_2.5 and smaller is catching attention of the policymakers, stakeholders as well as common man. The study of the Indoor PM_2.5 of the particular area is very important as it is having direct impact on the human health because PM _2.5 is absorbed into lung alveolar tissues during breathing and causes respiratory and cardiovascular problems. In present study attempt has been made to assess the status of Indoor PM_2.5 in Urban Households of Jammu, (J&K). The average indoor PM_2.5 in all the sampled households of Jammu was observed to be 99.49 ± 35.84 μg/m³ which is above the permissible limits of PM _2.5 as prescribed by CPCB. This type of study has been done for the first time in the northern region of India. The data generated in present study will act as base line data for further studies pertaining to its ionic analysis as well as suggesting mitigation measures.

1 illus, 4 tables, 10 ref

003835   SHARMA A, SUMBALI G (Botany Dep, Jammu Univ, Jammu- 180 006, Email: geetasumbalippl@yahoo.co.in) : Ecobiology of coal mines and spoils. J Appl Nat Sci 2019, 11(3), 624-31.

Coal is an important non-renewable source of energy, which is being constantly used by mankind for various purposes. Coal mining activities affect the surrounding ecosystem by contaminating it with traces of toxic metals, which may accumulate and affect the diversity and abundance of biological communities. A number of microorganisms, such as, fila-mentous fungi, yeasts and bacteria are known to degrade coal by their enzymatic action and use it as the sole source of carbon. In addition, the indoor environments of coal mines possess bioaerosols, which may include living or dead allergens, pathogenic or non-pathogenic bacteria, fungi, viruses, mycotoxins, bacterial endotoxins, peptidoglycans, etc., that may cause skin, respiratory tract and other health problems. This article throws light on the impact of coal mining on the surrounding ecosystem, degradation of coal by the microbial inhabitants and their effects on the health of miners.

94 ref

003833   RANI S, RAMPAL R K (Environmental Sciences Dep, Jammu Univ, Jammu, Jammu & Kashmir, Email: rajkrampal@gmail.com) : Biomedical waste generation, composition and management: A case study of Shree Maharaja Gulab Singh Hospital (SMGS) Shalamar, Jammu (J&K). J Appl Nat Sci 2019, 11(3), 596-600.

For the life, health and general well-being, good medical care play vital role and hospitals are health institutions that provide these services. Wastes generated from the hospitals, medical care units, blood banks and medical laboratory is called biomedical waste. Prop-er management of biomedical waste is important for good health of not only the patients but also for residents living in the vicinity of hospitals. The present study, has been made to study biomedical waste management in SMGS Hospital Jammu (Jammu and Kashmir). The average biomedical waste per bed per day of SMGS Hospital was observed to be 116.37 g, whereas maximum value of average biomedical waste per bed per day was observed to be 315.61 g in Gynecology and Obstetric, 68.34 g in ENT wards, 37.28 g in Paedriatic wards and 44.27 g in Dermatology wards The average per bed per day biomedical waste generation in SMGS hospital appears to be is less as compared with work of other workers because their evaluations were based on Biomedical Waste (Management and Handing) Rules, 1998 in which both infectious and non-infectious waste were includ-ed whereas present study was based on Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules which included only infectious waste.

4 tables, 9 ref

002572   OKELEYE B I, NTWAMPE S K O, OKUDOH V I (Biotechnology Dep, Cape Peninsula Univ of Technology, Cape Town- 8000, South Africa, Email: ben_okeleye2005@yahoo.com) : Analysis of metals and persistent organic pollutants in ethyl acetate extract of Peltophorum africanum. Indian J Nat Prod Resour 2019, 10(2), 143-9.

This study was aimed to analyze the metals and persistent organic pollutants (POPs) accumulated in the ethyl acetate extract (EAE) of Peltophorum africanum a medicinal plant commonly used in South Africa. Metal analysis revealed the presence of aluminum (Al) [17.2 %], chlorine (Cl) [2.7 %], sodium (Na) [5.7 %], nitrogen (N) [1.3 %], sulphur (S) [3.0 ], carbon (C) [6.5 %], oxygen (O) [6.5 %], titanium (Ti) [6.1 %], silicon (Si) [17.2 %], gold (Au) [15.9 %], copper (Cu) [2.9 %], zinc (Zn) [3.0 %], and potassium (K) [4.3 %]. The functional group of phosphorus-oxy (P=O); halogenated compounds (C-F, C-Cl), thiols and thio-substituted (C-S/C-I, S-S/ClCN) organic pollutants with the frequency wavelength range of 420.23–1287.62 cm^-1 were identified. Colchicine, n-hexadecanoic acid, lanosta, nitroanthraquinone, stigmasterol, octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane, and ferrocene were also detected with percentage quantity of 0.4, 6.4, 2.9, 0.2, 1.6, 0.6 and 0.1 % respectively. Some of the metals and POPs identified from the EAE of Peltophorum africanum in this study have been linked or associated with various human health risks.

1 illus, 2 tables, 56 ref

002571   KRISHNAN P (VIT Univ, Vellore, Tamil Nadu) : Sustainable development from energy alternatives to mitigate climate change due to faunal emissions - A review. Nat Environ Pollut Technol 2019, 18(2), 679-84.

This is a study of an environmental event that brings out a significant but so far ignored contributions to global warming and climate change, viz. that of flatulence by faunal living beings and livestock in particular. A conservative estimate is arrived at on the fraction of contribution by flatulence to the total Green House Gas (GHG) emissions. Factors contributing to the increasing influence of flatulence on GHG emissions are discussed, which is observed to affect sustainable development in a significant way. Humans living in big cities breath-in air that might contain up to 20 % flatulence by weight . A query is raised as to why global organizations like the WRI and EPA have ignored this fact in the past. A significant role played by The United Nations on this topic from 2006, is highlighted. The status of flatulent contributions to climate change and environmental impact in emerging economies like India, Brazil, Argentina and China are discussed with emphasis on demography and population growth over the years. Life cycle analyses of the faunal emissions are provided taking dissociation into account and by products generated, which are the major points for concern. Due comparisons are made to GHG emissions through other sources. Generation and use of methane fuel and sequestration of carbon di oxide from flatulence through novel methods is illustrated as an alternative to the existing biogas technologies, thereby contributing to a more stable sustainable development. The measures being taken by the authorities in the western economies are highlighted and legislations discussed. Some basic diet based remedies to reduce flatulence, planting saplings, population control and harnessing flatulence are deliberated that would raise the bar on sustainable development.

1 illus, 1 table, 6 ref

002579   SUN R, FAN L, CHEN Z (Guizhou Normal Univ, Guiyang 550 025, China) : Temporal and spatial distribution characteristics of atmospheric PM_2.5 concentrations in Guiyang, China. Nat Environ Pollut Technol 2019, 18(2), 663-71.

The temporal and spatial variations of ambient particulate matter (PM_2.5) concentrations, effects of meteorological parameters and air mass trajectories in Guiyang were studied. The results showed that the overall average atmospheric PM_2.5 concentrations in Guiyang were calculated to be 33 µg.m^-3 in 2017, and were comparatively lower in northeast region and relatively higher in other regions among the four seasons. Monthly atmospheric PM_2.5 concentrations decreased in the first half of 2017 and increased in the second half as a whole. The frequencies of occurrence of atmospheric PM_2.5 concentrations exceeding the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline value, China’s Ambient Air Quality Standard grade I, and grade II were 53%-67%, 33%-46%, and 7%-9%, respectively. These results suggested that a significant difference of temporal and spatial distribution characteristics of atmospheric PM_2.5 concentrations presented in Guiyang, and the situation of atmospheric PM_2.5 pollution in Guiyang according to WHO guideline value is still grim. Atmospheric PM_2.5 concentrations had a significant positive relation to other air quality indexes and were involved by atmospheric temperature, relative humidity, wind velocity, and surface temperature, demonstrating that atmospheric PM_2.5 pollution is the result of joint action of various factors. The 72 h backward trajectories pointed out that there were no long distance sources for Guiyang dust events. The results of potential source contribution function, concentration-weighted trajectory, and clustering analysis of air mass trajectories showed that endogenesis source was the major source for air pollution in Guiyang.

5 illus, 5 tables, 33 ref

002577   SINGH A, DIVEKAR R, KAZI R (Constituent of Symbiosis International Univ, Pune) : A study on environmental understanding, attitude and practices gap in Indian higher education - An overview and theoretical framework. Nat Environ Pollut Technol 2019, 18(2), 651-5.

The purpose of this paper is to identify practices gap existing between environmental understanding and environmental attitude of students with respect to Indian higher education. Researchers have proposed a theoretical framework using systematic literature review and interpretive structural modelling to understand and analyze environmental concern. Proposed research study has utilized primary and secondary data. In order to gather primary data, interview schedule and questionnaire was provided for expert opinion from environmental experts and academicians to understand the influence of identified variables. The practices of environmentally responsible behaviour need to be in concert with education. The authors have attempted to discuss and debate the relationship among variables using interpretive structural modelling (ISM). Environmental governance and sustainable development attitude emerged as the most significant factors. All variables were interconnected and mutually influencing each other. Three levels were derived from the model. A sustainable development environmental education model for Indian higher education has been derived and proposed by the authors showcasing a contextual relation between the identified variables having practical implications.

1 illus, 8 tables, 26 ref

002580   SUN R, WAN W (Wuhan Univ of Technology, Wuhan- 430 070, China) : Government strategy for environmental pollution prevention and control based on evolutionary game theory. Nat Environ Pollut Technol 2019, 18(2), 563-7.

Controlling environmental pollution efficiently has become the common goal of the entire society. To explore whether the strategy of environmental pollution prevention and control formulated by the central government can effectively prevent the failure of traditional environmental regulation, the central and local governments were selected as the participants of a game model. The incentive mechanism was introduced into the constraints, the evolutionary game model of governments and enterprises was established, and the optimal regulation strategy of both sides was constructed from the effect of environmental pollution prevention and control. Results show that the key to preventing the failure of pollution control strategies is to introduce the constraints of the central government, allocate the cost of pollution control, and provide financial support for the prevention and control of environmental pollution. In addition, the central and local governments should adopt different prevention strategies. The optimal allocation strategy of the special funds for environmental pollution prevention and control at the central government level should be to correlate positively the amount of funds with the amount declared by the local government and show a marginal decreasing relationship. Local governments should not impose severe penalties on enterprises for excess discharge of pollutants. With the escalating discharge, imposing reasonable environmental taxes and reducing the marginal emission reduction costs of enterprises are better regulation means than increasing penalties.

15 ref

002566   GE M (Zhejiang Shuren Univ, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310018, China) : Dynamic relationship between technology innovation of industrial enterprises and environmental pollution: A case study of Zhejiang Province, China. Nat Environ Pollut Technol 2019, 18(2), 531-6.

Industrial enterprises are rising in China, but their backward technological level, poor independent innovation capability, excess production capacity, and low utilization efficiency of resources and energy have resulted in serious environmental pollution. The overall technology innovation efficiency of industrial enterprises in China can be effectively improved to reduce the industrial “three-waste” discharge but only when the enterprises promote structural optimization and adjust themselves toward industrial services through technology innovation. The influence of R&D expenditures of large- and medium-sized industrial enterprises on industrial “three-waste” discharge was estimated based on the panel data of 11 prefecture-level cities in Zhejiang Province during 2005-2016. In addition, technology innovation measures for environmental pollution control of industrial enterprises were proposed. The results demonstrated that enterprise technology innovation has an environmental protection effect, and improved enterprise production efficiency contributes to the reduction of pollutant discharge. Besides, enterprise R&D expenditures in most cities in Zhejiang Province are negatively correlated with environmental pollutant discharge, and the influence is significant. Moreover, the technology innovation input of industrial enterprises can reduce industrial pollutant discharge in Hangzhou, Ningbo, Wenzhou, Huzhou, and Taizhou due to their good economic foundations. The study results in this paper have a direct and realistic significance in analysing the influence mechanism for the technology innovation of ecological environmental pollution of enterprises, promoting optimization and upgrading of industrial structures in different regions, and elevating regional environmental pollution governance level.

1 illus, 1 table, 13 ref

002578   SUN L, ZHOU J, MAI Z, ZHANG Z (Chongqing Univ, Chongqing, 400045, China) : Experimental study on removing inorganic salts from groundwater through nanofiltration membrane process under low operating pressure. Nat Environ Pollut Technol 2019, 18(2), 503-8.

The existence of excessive inorganic salts is a great threat to water security for the surrounding residents in the northwest of China where the groundwater is widely used as the main source of drinking water. Aiming at the target water quality, in order to achieve the economic and efficient desalination and provide guidance for choosing membrane components in the practical membrane process, the performance of water production and ion separation characteristics of the two kinds of nanofiltration (NF) membranes (NF270 and NF90) were studied. The influence of operating pressure and inlet flow on water purifying efficiency by the two commercial NF membranes were also evaluated. The results revealed that under the optimized conditions (0.5 MPa, 350 L·h^-1), the ion rejection rates by NF270 reached 99.42%, 81.69%, 34.65% for SO₄ ^2-, F^- , Cl^- , respectively, whereas the rejection rates by NF90 for SO₄ ^2-, F^- , Cl^- , NO^3- were up to 99.76%, 98.16%, 96.31%, 84.66%, respectively. Consequently, NF270 possesses a stronger ion selective separation property which is more suitable for the removal of bivalent ion with a high permeate flux. While the NF90 can remove nitrate effectively in particular.

7 illus, 2 tables, 14 ref

002583   WANG L, YANG Y, GUO G, LUO K, MAO J, WANG B (Soochow Univ, Suzhou, 215123, China) : Purification efficiency of eutrophic water by different aquatic plant combinations. Nat Environ Pollut Technol 2019, 18(2), 479-83.

Purification efficiency of three combinations of aquatic plants was studied for eutrophic water samples. Combination A was penny grass (Hydrocotyle vulgaris), water pack (Sagittaria sagittifolia) and water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes); combination B was loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria), watermifoil (Myriophyllum verticillatum) and water lettuce; and combination C was cattail (Typha orientalis), water fennel (Oenanthe stolonifera) and water lettuce. The control treatment did not contain aquatic plants. The results indicated that the plant combinations had a higher pollutant removal rate than did control. All aquatic plants had higher biomasses in the eutrophic water and performed well in decreasing total phosphorus (TP) and total nitrogen (TN) in eutrophic water. The removal rates of TP and TN in combination A were 83.05% and 67.19%; and correspondingly 88.70% and 67.97% for combination B and 60.45% and 66.41% for combination C. The dissolved oxygen content in the water of each combination showed a downward trend with time, and pH in all treatments remained weakly alkaline. The results suggested that combination B was preferable for purification of eutrophic water and for plant landscaping.

6 illus, 20 ref

002574   PENG A, WANG W (Renmin Univ of China, Beijing 10082, China) : Hotspots identification of heavy metals in sediments and revelation of the relationship between heavy metal contents and environmental variables. Nat Environ Pollut Technol 2019, 18(2), 459-69.

The aim of the study was to identify the hotspots of heavy metals in sediments for exploring possible sources and understand the relationship between heavy metals and environmental variables. West Chaohu Lake was selected as the study area, 38 surface sediment samples and 4 river mouth sediment samples were obtained and analysed for three typical metals (i.e. Co, Mn and Pb). Local indicators spatial associate (LISA) analysis detected spatial clusters and spatial outliers of enrichment factor (EF) values of the three metals and found the samples with pollution belong to high-high clusters, low-low clusters, even low-high outliers. Geostatistics and local Moran’s I were combined, and the results indicated that Co is mainly from natural sources, Mn is influenced by upward migration and reprecipitation, and Pb is influenced by anthropogenic sources. Furthermore, Pb was chosen as an example to understand the relationship between heavy metals and environmental variables. Compared to ordinary least squares (OLS) model, spatial autoregressive regression (SAR) model performed better and accounted for the phenomenon of spatial autocorrelation. Grain particle percent, loss on ignition (LOI), distance to Nanfei River mouth has a significant influence on the variation of Pb concentrations in sediments. Hotspots identification and spatial regression analysis can play an important role in understanding the pollution process for pollution management and restoration.

3 illus, 7 tables, 36 ref

002562   BRRAICH O S, AKHTER S (Zoology and Environmental Science Dep, Punjabi Univ, Patiala-147 002) : Diversity and distribution of zooplankton in Ropar wetland (Ramsar site) Punjab, India. Nat Environ Pollut Technol 2019, 18(2), 451-8.

The present study reveals the diversity, abundance and composition of zooplankton in Ropar wetland. A total of 17 genera of zooplankton population were recorded and categorized into 5 different groups, i.e. Protozoa, Rotifera, Cladocera, Copepoda and Ostracoda at all the sites (S1, S2, S3 and S4) from October 2015 to September 2017. Among these, Protozoa and Rotifera were the dominant groups consisting of 6 genera each. Of all the seasons, summer season depicted the highest density of zooplankton at all the sites and lowest diversity during monsoon season. The diversity indices were observed to be maximum at S2 and S4 sites as compared to S1 and S3 sites indicating that the wetland is moderately polluted as the values of Shannon-Weaver diversity index for zooplankton are above two in different seasons. This signifies that this wetland receives pollution from various sources, but still has low impact. The correlation of zooplankton population has also been studied with different pyhsico-chemical parameters, which showed a negative correlation with dissolved oxygen (DO) and free CO₂ at all the sites and also with total dissolved solids (TDS) at S3 site.

1 illus, 9 tables, 53 ref

002585   ZHANG H (Huanghuai Univ, Zhumadian- 463 000, China) : Environmental pollution generated by architectural engineering construction and environmental management and control measures. Nat Environ Pollut Technol 2019, 18(2), 445-50.

Rapid urbanization in China has driven prosperous development in the building industry. Resource consumption is enormous, given the lack of effective environmental management and reasonable planning in the building construction process, thereby causing severe environmental disruption. Building construction activities are one of the main production activities that destroy environmental resources and pollute the environment. In this study, environmental pollution types generated by the architectural engineering construction were analysed, environmental management and control features in the construction process were summarized, and environmental management and control measures for pollutants arising out of construction projects were proposed. Site operation is the phase that requires the longest time in the entire construction project. It features long duration, considerable resource consumption, and high quantity waste generation. Atmospheric, water, noise, and waste pollution are mainly generated in the architectural engineering construction. Environmental management and control in the building construction are characterized by integrality, durability, dynamics, and diversity. Environmental pollution caused by architectural engineering construction can be effectively relieved through various measures, such as strictly controlling the discharge of atmospheric pollutants generated in the construction, avoiding arbitrary wastewater treatment, controlling continuous noise pollution, and optimizing waste treatment processes and flows. The study results have provided policies and suggestions to implement effective management and reasonable planning of the architectural engineering construction environment, thereby effectively reducing environmental pollution degree through reasonable management and assessment of building projects and leading to the formulation of building management systems that control and reduce environmental pollution.

2 illus, 15 ref

002584   YU Q, WU F, CHEN Y (Hohai Univ, Nanjing- 211 100, China) : A spatio-temporal dynamics analysis of water resouces carrying capacity based on panel data: Evidence from Qinghai province, China. Nat Environ Pollut Technol 2019, 18(2), 425-34.

Water resources carrying capacity (WRCC), an important component of natural resources carrying capacity, has a crucial influence on the social and economic development of a country or a region. This paper use panel data to evaluate regional WRCC based on the new requirements of the Most Stringent Water Resources Management System (MSWRMS) in China. Firstly, under the “Three Red Lines” constraints from the MSWRMS, we propose a new concept, the Strictest Water Resources Carrying Capacity (SWRCC), and build an evaluation index system for SWRCC. Secondly, in the field of panel data analysis, a grey time clustering evaluation model of SWRCC is proposed based on CompactCenter-point Triangular Whitenization Weight Function (CCTWF). By using the grey time clustering coefficient to characterize the temporal dimension of panel data, the temporal characteristics of SWRCC assessment and the importance degree of the evaluation index are reflected. Finally, we take Qinghai Province as an example to carry out empirical research. The empirical results show that the SWRCC presents obvious regional differences in the eight administrative districts of Qinghai Province. Regions subjected to lower levels of SWRCC will be restricted by problems of water use efficiency. By contrast, due to rapid socioeconomic development, regions with higher SWRCC will face significant water resource problems of high total water consumption and poor water quality.

3 illus, 5 tables, 29 ref

002560   BANTACUT T, AULIA A N (Agroindustrial Technology Dep, Bogor Agricultural Univ, Bogor, Indonesia) : Assessment of chemical oxygen demand balance for energy harvesting in sugar mills wastewater treatment. Nat Environ Pollut Technol 2019, 18(2), 413-23.

Sugar production process consumes a substantial quantity of water, and generates a huge amount of wastewater. It requires a lot of energy for the wastewater treatment process. The wastewater contains nutrients and a substantial amount of biomass containing energy as indicated by chemical oxygen demand (COD). The objectives of this study were to analyse the COD (mass) balance, assess the energy content of wastewater and propose an energy recovery model from the sugar mill wastewater treatment process. An Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB) reactor was used as the basis of model development. The results showed that processing wastewater of 3,000 ton cane per day, sugar mills generate methane as much as 913.94 m³ /day. The energy potential for the methane was about 33,333 kJ/day and able to meet the energy needs of wastewater treatment plant of 478 kW h/day, with an energy excess of 2 kW /day. This study explained that wastewater treatment process of sugar industry can be self-sufficient by optimizing the use of generated biogas.

5 illus, 9 tables, 39 ref

002582   VERMA C, VERMA R (Environmental Science Dep, Gurukul Kangri Univ, Haridwar-249 401) : Leaching behaviour of fly ash: A review. Nat Environ Pollut Technol 2019, 18(2), 403-12.

Disposal of fly ash produced in a large quantity is a major problem in coal fired thermal power plants. The coal quality depends upon its rank and grade. Fly ash content in Indian coal ranges from 35% to 50% consisting of a variety of toxic elements including heavy metals that damage the surrounding environment. During transportation, disposal and storage phases, the residues from coal combustion may pollute both ground and surface waters through leaching. The fly ash enriched in Ca, Ni and Fe showed greater leachability in acidic or ion exchangeable conditions. Principal mechanisms of metal leachability are the dissolution of primary solids under aggressive environment and/or precipitation sorption reactions, which are primarily dependent on pH. Fe is found to be tightly bound to the ash and does not leach easily while Ca is highly soluble and leaches out almost all the mediums. The leachabiltiy of trace elements in fly ash is time dependent and pH values of the leachant.

4 tables, 56 ref

002581   SUYASA W B, SUPRIHATIN I E, SUASTUTI G A D A, PANCADEWI G A S K (Biotechnology of Wastewater Treatment of Research Group Udayana Univ, Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia) : Deposition of heavy metals on sulphate reducing bacteria bioreactor treatment. Nat Environ Pollut Technol 2019, 18(2), 395-402.

Heavy metal sedimentation of acid mine waste (AMW) with sulphate reducing bacteria (SRB) isolated from estuary dam ecosystem sediment of Denpasar was studied in detail. Three isolates of SRB namely DPS 1703, DPS 1705 and DPS 1711 were selected. The bacterium was straight rods, motile, spore-forming and able to grow in simple or defined media. According to physiology and biochemical characterization, the isolates were identified as Desulfotomaculum orientis. The bacterium survived at pH 3 and showed abundant growth at pH 4.0 to 7.0. Reactor with SRB consortium was applied to precipitate heavy metal ions from acid mine waste. The experiment used compost as a simple organic matter source. Growth of SRB in the anaerobic reactor significantly reduced sulphate to sulfide (92.77 -94.52%) and increased the pH from 3 to 6.2-6.7. Soluble heavy metal ions reduced to the much less mobile or insoluble state. The efficiency achieved for Cd(II) was 85.45-90.00%, Pb(II) 95.10-97.95%, Mn(II) 99.79-99.89%, Zn(II) 99.87-99.90%, Cu(II) 99.23-99.43% and Fe(III) 99.93-99.96%.

7 illus, 5 tables, 8 ref

002563   CHUNLING L, SHENGLI G, XINYU Z, LINGLING Z (Surveying and Planning Dep, Shangqiu Normal Univ, Shangqiu, 476000, P. R. China) : Comprehensive evaluation and improvement strategy for the carrying capacity of resource environment in Shandong Province, China. Nat Environ Pollut Technol 2019, 18(2), 379-86.

Crises, such as resource shortage, environmental pollution, and ecological damage, restrict the sustainability of regional economic and social development. A comprehensive evaluation on the carrying capacity of resource environment (CCRE) based on a scientific system is beneficial to determining the background, constraints, and potentials of the carrying capacity of regional resource environments, comprehending economic and social development, and realizing harmonious development between ecological civilization and economic society. For deeply understanding the carrying capacity level of regional resource environment and mastering its variation trend accurately, an evaluation system was constructed in this study based on Shandong Province in China. This system covered 11 indexes of economic, resource, and environment subsystems. CCRE in Shandong Province from 2005 to 2016 were evaluated and estimated comprehensively through the TOPSIS model based on entropy rights. Results showed that the general CCRE in Shandong Province increased significantly from 2005 to 2016, with an annual average growth rate of 5.23%. The development level of the economic subsystem was increased yearly, which basically conformed to the variation trend of CCRE. The economic development laid a solid economic foundation for improving CCRE in Shandong Province. The overall levels of resource and environment subsystems increased yearly, which showed annual growth rates of 4.15% and 2.15%, respectively. Specific countermeasures, including reasonable development and utilization of natural resources, improving the regional ecological environment, and accelerating the technological development and construction of conservation-minded society were proposed. Research conclusions can provide certain references for constructing a long-term evaluation mechanism of CCRE, formulating spatial planning of resource utilization, and strengthening ecological civilization construction.

2 illus, 1 table, 16 ref

002569   JOSE J M, VATS A, RAJENDRAN S, MILTON M C J (PG and Research Dep, Loyola Coll, Chennai, Tamil Nadu) : Biomonitoring effluents from Perungudi MSW/STP facility and its impact on surface waters of Pallikaranai wetland, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. Nat Environ Pollut Technol 2019, 18(2), 369-78.

The presence of a major MSW landfill and sewage treatment plant operated in the ecologically sensitive areas of Pallikaranai marshland poses a great threat to the biodiversity of the wetland. The mutagenic potential of Perungudi MSW leachate and STP effluents on the receiving waters into which they are discharged was monitored using bacterial reverse mutation assay. Oreochromis mossambicus inhabiting the surface waters was also sampled and subjected to single cell gel electrophoresis. At the vicinity of the discharge point (i.e. from Perungudi dumping ground and sewage treatment facility) the ecology of the receiving waters showed marked increase in the mean revertant colony counts in both the tested strains, TA98 and TA100, with and without metabolic activation system. On the basis of the study results obtained, Pallikaranai surface waters pose ecological hazards, and the olive tail moments of O. mossambicus have further validated the presence of genotoxic compounds.

7 illus, 2 tables, 48 ref

002570   KHAIRNAR C, SHAJI S R G, KHEMNAR D, VYAS S, GADKARI A, DEVI S (Bharati Vidyapeeth Univ, Pune, Maharashtra) : Assess the awareness regarding hazards of plastic bag use among adults. Pharma Innov 2019, 8(6), 139-43.

Plastic bags have become a staple commodity in our day-to-day life. They are easily available, light weight, strong and cheap because of which they are popularly used. After usage, haphazard disposal of plastic bags is bound to have severe repercussions in the near future. A study was undertaken to assess the awareness regarding hazards of plastic bag use among adults in selected areas of Pune city. The objectives of the study were to assess the awareness regarding hazards of plastic bag use among adults and associate the awareness scores with the selected demographic variables. The study adopted descriptive research design. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to assess the awareness regarding the hazards of plastic bag use among adults. The reliability of questionnaire was determined by test-retest method. The value of ‘r’ was found to be 0.789; the value ranges anywhere from 0.0 to 1 with higher values indicating greater degree of reliability. A structured questionnaire was developed which was validated by experts. A descriptive non-experimental study was conducted on 200 adults. After doing the pilot study the tool was found to be feasible. For the main study the data was collected by non-probability sampling method. The collected data was analysed and interpreted based on the objectives. In this study descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse data. The findings of the study show that 95% of the samples were aware regarding hazards of plastic bag use and 5% samples were unaware regarding hazards of plastic bag use. Out of demographic variables such as age, gender, education and occupation there was a significant association between awareness score of adults and their education (p<0.05) of the samples.

3 illus, 4 tables, 22 ref

002567   HILALI M, BELMAGHRAOUI W (Mohamed-V Univ, Av. Ibn Battouta, BP 1014 Agdal-Rabat, Morocco, Email: hilali400@yahoo.com) : Contribution to the study of polluting emissions on the environment and anti-pollution standards in diesel and gasoline engines. J Ind Pollut Control 2019, 35(1), 2271-4.

The vehicle is an important part of air pollution. Some of these pollutants can be dangerous for our health but also for our planet, to limit the emissions of harmful gases released by vehicles, European regulations have been taken since the early 1970s. Called Euro standards, research on Euro standards have made it possible to develop technological progress on engines to reduce the average fuel consumption of vehicles, so pollutant emissions such as nitrogen oxides, CO, CO₂, and particles have all been reduced by 75% between 1993 and 2019. Thus, thanks to stricter standards, the global quantities of pollutants emitted by the park have been considerably reduced.

3 illus, 3 tables, 7 ref

002564   FIKRI E, MUKTIE K L, PUJIONO (Environmental Health Dep, Bandung Health Polytechnic, Cimahi Utara, Indonesia, Email: elandafikri@yahoo.com) : Difference of electrocoagulation contact time on sulfide decrease and color in waste water in Sipatex Putri Lesari Company, Bandung, West Java, Indonesia. J Ind Pollut Control 2019, 35(1), 2244-50.

PT Sipatex Putri Lestari is an industry engaged in the textile sector. In the production process, this industry produces alkaline wastewater and there are several parameters that exceed NAB including sulfides and colors. From the results of laboratory tests it was found that sulfide levels were 1.3 mg/l, the sulfide content of this wastewater exceeded the predetermined quality standard, which was 0.3 mg/l. The high levels of sulfide in waste water cause an unpleasant odor and can disrupt the concentration of employees in work and the color of the waste water after processing is still a little thick. The purpose of this study was to determine the differences in the electrocoagulation contact time of 30 minutes, 60 minutes and 90 minutes against the reduction of sulfides and colors in wastewater. The type of research used in this study was an experiment with the design of pre and post control. From the results of the ANOVA test it was found that the electrocoagulation process can reduce sulfide and color in wastewater (p value <0.05). Electrocoagulation contact time 30 minutes, 60 minutes, 90 minutes respectively can reduce sulfide 35.29%, 60.33%, 76.28%. And the color decrease was 42.28%, 52.28%, 80.62%. The most effective reduction in sulfide and color is at 90 minutes of contact time, with 12 volt electricity voltage, 3 A electric current and 3 cm between electrodes. This electrocoagulation method can be a simple alternative to processing liquid waste with several other considerations. The electricity tariff used in the electrocoagulation process with a oltage of 12 volts, a current of 3 amperes and a time of 90 minutes is: 0.054 kWh × Rp.1,420.12/kWh = Rp.76,14648.

4 illus, 6 tables, 6 ref

002561   BISHT K L, DOBRIYAL A K, SINGH H R (Zoology Dep, H N B Garhwal Univ Campus, Pauri Garhwal -246001, Uttarakhand, Email: anoopkdobriyal@rediffmail.com) : A note on the ecosystem health of a glacier-fed river Pinder from Chamoli Garhwal, Uttarakhand. J Mountain Res 2019, 14(2), 9-17.

The paper deals with a summarized account of ecological characteristics and biological productivity of river Pinder which is well known for its water quality conducive for the most important schizothoracine fishery of Uttarakhand. It was observed that the low water temperature and clarity of water favours good populations of phytobenthos and macrozoobenthos which in their turn supports the population quality of fishes. Overall 32 plankton species, 23 macrozoobenthic and 24 fish species were recorded.

2 illus, 5 tables, 45 ref

002576   SARKATE P P, BERA P, KAUNDAL N, LOVEKESH, SOOD S, SINGH S K, PRAKASH C (National Centre for Disease Control, Delhi– 110 054, Email: drprakashcharu@gmail.com) : Sewage analysis as a tool for environmental surveillance of SARS-CoV-2: Experience from Delhi, India. J Commun Dis 2019, 53(2), 1-13.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 has resulted in more than 150 thousand deaths in India. SARS-CoV-2 is known to be excreted in stool samples in the range of 10² to 10⁸ gene copies per gram of faeces. Waste-water Based Epidemiology has been advocated by researchers all over the world as a method for environmental surveillance of COVID-19. The present study was carried out to determine the presence of SARS-CoV-2, and to quantify it in sewage samples in Delhi, and to estimate the Sensitivity of WBE for COVID-19 Surveillance. A total of 49 wastewater samples from seven different sites in Delhi were each concentrated by three different methods, Ultrafiltration, PEG precipitation and Two-phase separation method. RT-qPCR was done for N1, N2, and E gene of SARS-CoV-2. The minimum number of infected individuals required to yield a positive result was calculated. Out of the 49 samples tested in triplicate, 35 (71.43 %) were positive for at least one of the three primers for SARS-CoV-2 (N1, N2 or E) by Method A and 33 (67.35 %) by Method B. The average concentration calculated for Delhi, using data of the seven sites, was 1.25 x 10⁴ g.c./L of sewage. Approximately 7.5 active cases per 1000 population are required to yield a positive result for Environmental Surveillance. SARS-CoV-2 RNA could be successfully isolated from sewage samples in Delhi using Ultrafiltration and PEG precipitation for concentration. The practical limit of detection of the virus in wastewater is low enough to make this a highly sensitive method for Environmental Surveillance of COVID-19. The detection of SARS-CoV-2 in sewage is a very useful tool with immense public health significance. It can provide an early warning signal of the presence of disease, and facilitate preparedness for the same.

1 illus, 3 tables, 57 ref

002565   GARG S, THAKUR D, SINGH R, RAJOR A, DHIR A (Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology Univ, Punjab- 147 004) : Seasonal and spatial variation of particulate aerosols and carbonaceous species in PM_2.5 in the periphery of Chandigarh, India. Mapan - J Metrol Soc India 2019, 34(2), 217–24.

Present study highlights the seasonal and spatial variation of particulate aerosols (PM₁₀ and PM_2.5) and carbonaceous species (organic tarry matter, organic and elemental carbon) in PM_2.5. The ambient air samples for particulate aerosols were collected from tricity of Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula in India during summer (April’15–May’15) and winter (December’15–January’16). The mass levels of particulate aerosols and carbonaceous species show significant variation both seasonally and spatially. Average mass levels reported as higher in winter than summer were attributed to stagnant atmospheric and poor dispersion conditions. The mass levels were also found to be higher in industrial area as compared to residential and commercial areas. Average mass levels varying from 107.6 to 137.8 µg m⁻³ for PM₁₀ and 46.6–59.5 µg m⁻³ for PM_2.5 during the study period indicate alarming situation of particulate aerosols in this tricity. Carbonaceous species contributing as 42.5–47.5% OTM, 25.4–29.9% OC and 3.4–4.7% EC in PM_2.5 indicate larger in fraction at all sites during both summer and winter.

42 Ref

002573   PARAMASIVAM M, BHUVANESWARI K (Agricultural Entomology Dep, Tamil Nadu Agricultural Univ, Coimbatore 641003, Tamil Nadu, Email: sivam25@gmail.com) : Simultaneous determination of pyrethroids residues in green tea leaves, processed tea, tea infusion and spent tea leaves. Pestic Res J 2019, 31(1), 20-7.

A simple method for the simultaneous determination of pyrethroids residues in green tea leaves, processed tea, tea infusion and spent tea leaves is reported. The target analytes were extracted from selected tea matrices with ethyl acetate followed by dispersive solid phase extraction (d-SPE) based on QuEChERS procedure of clean up with primary secondary amine sorbent to remove co-extractives prior to analysis by gas chromatography with electron capture detector (GC-ECD). The recoveries ranged from 76 to 106 per cent with relative standard deviations below 11 per cent. The limits of quantification for pyrethroids ranged from 0.01 to 0.05 µg g^-1. The method was successfully applied to analyse residues of pyrethroids insecticides in actual processed tea samples.

3 illus, 3 tables, 15 ref

002568   HOLE N T, SALUNKE R J (Bhairavnath Vidnyan Mahavidyalaya, Khutbav, Pune, Maharashtra) : To study drinking water quality supplied by the grampanchayat in Daund taluka. J Pharmacogn Phytochem 2019, 8(3), 809-11.

It has been studied whether the water quality from few of the villages in Daund taluka is suitable for drinking. Nine samples were collected from different villages, the tap water sample supplied by grampanchayat. Each sample was studied for physio-chemical parameters. In physio-chemical analysis, according to WHO (World Health Organization) standards of water quality various quality parameters were measured for example PH, Temperature, Specific conductivity, Total dissolved solid. The PH of all water samples were found almost neutral to slightly basic. The PH, TDS, temp & conductivity, changed from sample to sample. All parameters were within the permissible limit.

1 table, 7 ref

002575   RAJESWARI P, RAMESH P T, ARUNA N, JOTHIMANI P (Sericulture Dep, Forest Coll and Research Institute, Mettupalayam, Tamil Nadu) : Environmental monitoring: Assessment of irrigation water quality of agricultural research farms, Killikulam. J Pharmacogn Phytochem 2019, 8(3), 703-5.

The ground water quality of Agricultural Research Farms, Killikulam was assessed to test its suitability for irrigation. Eleven ground water samples were collected from different blocks of Agricultural College and Research Institute, Killikulam and analysed for various water quality characteristics. The suitability of ground water for irrigation purpose was evaluated based on conductivity, salinity, Sodium Adsorption Ration (SAR), Residual Sodium Carbonate (RSC). The study, as per the standards prescribed by CGWB and CPCB, revealed that 90% of test samples from Agricultural Research Farms, Killikulam is suitable for irrigation.

1 illus, 2 tables, 15 ref