Using tree leaves and barks collected from contaminated and uncontaminated areas as indicators of air metallic pollution

Abstract

The aim of this study was to show the usefulness of woody species in assessing air pollution by cadmium, copper, lead, and zinc. For this, washed leaves, unwashed leaves, and barks of a coniferous species (Cupressus sempervirens var. fastigiata) and a broadleaved one (Eucalyptus cladocalyx F. Muell) were analyzed for cadmium, copper, lead and zinc contents. A transect sampling approach was carried out during spring 2016. Fifty stations were selected along an intensive traffic road, and three in a control area. The results showed that the highest concentrations were recorded in barks for copper (21.86?µg/g, 23.33?µg/g) and lead (14.53?µg/g, 63.33?µg/g), and in unwashed leaves for cadmium (0.57?µg/g, 1.19?µg/g) and zinc (48.94?µg/g, 47.6?µg/g) for E. cladocalyx F. Muell, and C. sempervirens var. fastigiata, respectively. Lead and zinc are the most accumulated metals compared to cadmium and copper in all samples. The studied metal contents in urban area were significantly higher than that of the control one. This represents that traffic road has influenced the metals contamination of the surrounding area. Results of the bioconcentration factor (BCF) for both species indicate that the studied species could be used as biomonitors to identify ecological problems and to predict effect on wildlife habitats. The highest values of metal accumulation index (MAI) indicate the effectiveness of these trees for controlling the air metals in the polluted areas. Result shows too that the studied species could be used for phytoextraction of heavy metals from the polluted soils and/or air.     

Elevated levels of urinary 17-ketosteroids in central Indian children residing near sewage treatment plant and solid waste disposal plant: A preliminary study

Urinary excretion of 17-ketosteroid (17-KS) was assessed in male pre-pubertal subjects aged (8–11 years; n = 90). Children living near sewage treatment plant and solid waste disposal plant (Group P) showed significantly higher levels of urinary 17-KS (Group P: 3.27 ± 1.63 µg/mL/CRE; p < 0.01) than children living in cleaner area (0.50 ± 0.53 µg/mL/CRE; Group C). Occurrence of urinary dibutyl phthalate in representative subjects of Group P (odds ratio: 9; p < 0.05; 95% of Confidence interval (CI) 1.93–72.99) was higher compared to Group C. Urinary concentrations of Cd (0.85 µg/g CRE ± 0.11), Mn (24.25 µg/g CRE ± 6.11) and Pb (12.39 µg/g CRE ± 2.86) in Group P were significantly (p < 0.01) higher than those found in Group C (Cd (0.28 µg/g CRE ± 0.03), Mn (13.33 µg/g CRE ± 3.20) and Pb (5.67 µg/g CRE ± 0.53)). Analyses of ambient air samples (PM₁₀) in polluted area revealed major occurrence of phthalates, whereas derivatives of trifluoromethyl, dione, etc. were identified in PM_2.5 fraction. Metal (Cd, Co, Mn and Pb) concentrations in ambient air (24 h, PM₁₀) were higher in polluted area compared to cleaner area. We conclude that elevated levels of urinary 17-KS in Group P could be attributed to higher exposure of these subjects to Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) compared to Group C.     

In vitro biochemical evaluation of cadmium tolerance mechanism in callus and seedlings of Brassica juncea

In vitro grown callus and seedlings of Brassica juncea were treated with equimolar concentrations of cadmium and compared for their respective tolerance to cadmium. Calli cultures were grown on Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with α 6-benzyl aminopurine (200 µg L^?1, naphthalene acetic acid 200 µg L^?1) and 2,4-dichloro-phenoxy acetic acid (65 µg L^?1) while the seedlings grown on Hoagland's nutrient solution have been carried out. Cellular homeostasis and detoxification to cadmium in B. juncea were studied by analyzing the growth in terms of fresh weight and dry weight, lipid peroxidation, proline accumulation, and antioxidative enzymes (superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and catalase (CAT)). At 200 µM cadmium, callus and seedlings showed 73.61% and 74.76% reduction in tolerance, respectively. A significant increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) content was found in both calli and seedlings; however, the amount of MDA content was more in seedlings. Proline content increased on lower concentration of cadmium (up to 50 µM), and it further decreased (up to 200 µM). But the accumulation of proline was higher in callus cultures. The overall activity of antioxidative enzymes (SOD, CAT, and APX) was found to be higher in callus in comparison to seedlings of B. juncea. Callus and seedlings showed a significant (P?≤?0.5) increase in SOD activity in a concentration-dependent manner up to 50 µM cadmium concentration but decreased further. APX activity increased significantly at low cadmium levels but CAT activity decreased significantly throughout on increasing cadmium concentrations from 5 to 200 µM, respectively. Hence, it was observed that callus of B. juncea was more tolerant in comparison to seedlings exposed to equimolar concentrations of cadmium. Thus, from the present studies, it is concluded that calli were more tolerant toward cadmium-induced oxidative stress. Hence, it is suitable material for the study of cadmium tolerance mechanisms and for the manipulations within them for better understanding of cadmium detoxification strategies in B. juncea.     

Utilization of Mentha aquatica L. for removal of fecal pathogens and heavy metals from water of Bosna river,Bosnia and Herzegovina

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential of Mentha aquatica L. for phytoremediation of water contaminated with heavy metals and fecal pathogens from Bosna river. The water was treated with M. aquatica for 5, 10, and 15 days consecutively after which it was analyzed for the various physicochemical and microbiological parameters.

The initial concentration of cadmium (Cd) ranged from 3.644 to 6.108?µg/l, while lead (Pb) varied between 0.1 and 1.386?µg/l. After treatment, M. aquatica accumulated significant amounts of cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) with the highest removal rates of 96.49% for Cd and 45.72% for Pb. Values of several physicochemical parameters were decreased after 15 days treatment period.

All water samples were analyzed for enumeration of aerobic heterotrophic bacteria, total coliforms, and fecal coliforms by the membrane filtration. Removal efficiency was greater than 80% for microbiological parameters. The concentration of heavy metals was determined in different plant parts and subsequently, the translocation factor was determined. In M. aquatica plant parts, concentrations of Pb and Cd were increased after 15 days of treatment. Our results demonstrated that M. aquatica could be good candidates for the removal of fecal pathogens and heavy metals present in surface water.     

Biological exploration of a novel 1,2,4-triazole-indole hybrid molecule as antifungal agent

Abstract

(2-(2,4-Dichlorophenyl)-3-(1H-indol-1-yl)-1-(1,2,4-1H-triazol-1-yl)propan-2-ol (8?g), a new 1,2,4-triazole-indole hybrid molecule, showed a broad-spectrum activity against Candida, particularly against low fluconazole-susceptible species. Its activity was higher than fluconazole and similar to voriconazole on C. glabrata (MIC₉₀ = 0.25, 64 and 1?µg/mL, respectively), C. krusei (MIC₉₀ = 0.125, 64 and 0.125?µg/mL, respectively) and C. albicans (MIC₉₀ = 0.5, 8 and 0.25?µg/mL, respectively). The action mechanisms of 8?g were also identified as inhibition of ergosterol biosynthesis and phospholipase A2-like activity. At concentration as low as 4 ng/mL, 8g inhibited ergosterol production by 82% and induced production of 14a-methyl sterols, that is comparable to the results obtained with fluconazole at higher concentration. 8?g demonstrated moderate inhibitory effect on phospholipase A2-like activity being a putative virulence factor. Due to a low MRC5 cytotoxicity, this compound presents a high therapeutic index. These results pointed out that 8?g is a new lead antifungal candidate with potent ergosterol biosynthesis inhibition.     

Biological cost of tolerance to heavy metals in the mosquito Anopheles gambiae

The global rate of heavy metal pollution is rapidly increasing in various habitats. Anopheles malaria vector species (Diptera: Culicidae) appear to tolerate many aquatic habitats with metal pollutants, despite their normal proclivity for ‘clean’ water (i.e. low levels of organic matter). Investigations were conducted to establish whether there are biological costs for tolerance to heavy metals in Anopheles gambiae Giles sensu stricto and to assess the potential impact of heavy metal pollution on mosquito ecology. Anopheles gambiae s.s. were selected for cadmium, copper or lead tolerance through chronic exposure of immature stages to solutions of the metals for three successive generations. Biological costs were assessed in the fourth generation by horizontal life table analysis. Tolerance in larvae to cadmium (as cadmium chloride, CdCl₂), copper [as copper II nitrate hydrate, Cu(NO₃)₂ 2.5 H₂O] and lead [as lead II nitrate, Pb(NO₃)₂], monitored by changes in LC₅₀ concentrations of the metals, changed from 6.07 µg/L, 12.42 µg/L and 493.32 µg/L to 4.45 µg/L, 25.02 µg/L and 516.69 µg/L, respectively, after three generations of exposure. The metal‐selected strains had a significantly lower magnitude of egg viability, larval and pupal survivorship, adult emergence, fecundity and net reproductive rate than the control strain. The population doubling times were significantly longer and the instantaneous birth rates lower in most metal‐selected strains relative to the control strain. Our results suggest that although An. gambiae s.s. displays the potential to develop tolerance to heavy metals, particularly copper, this may occur at a significant biological cost, which can adversely affect its ecological fitness.     

The Effect of Groundwater Aeration on PCE Natural Attenuation Patterns

Attempts to remediate ground water contaminated with tetrachloroethylene at a Superfund site in Minnesota included the installation of a vacuum vaporizer well. Prior to the remedial system installation, the contaminant source half-life was approximately 0.3 years. Aquifer aeration by the vacuum vaporizer well unintentionally disrupted the ambient natural attenuation rate. Although the overall plume size did not increase, concentrations of the anaerobic breakdown products of tetrachloroethylene—trichloroethylene, cis-dichloroethylene, and vinyl chloride—all increased in downgradient monitoring wells after startup of the vacuum vaporizer well. At a well 360 feet downgradient of the source, trichloroethylene increased from concentrations below 10?µg/L to over 35?µg/L, while cis-dichloroethylene concentrations increased from 70?µg/L to 370?µg/L. Vinyl chloride, which was below detection limits at this location prior to operation of the vacuum vaporizor well, increased in concentration to 83?µg/L. Concentrations of these contaminants returned to pre-sparging levels after deactivation of the system, indicating that existing anaerobic natural attenuation processes play an important role in the remediation of ground water at this site. Investigations should routinely assess the role of natural attenuation in remediation before implementing engineered remedies that may disrupt existing beneficial attenuation processes.     

Embedded lead shots in birds of prey: the hidden threat

In French wildlife rescue centers, veterinarians or volunteers often note embedded lead projectiles in X-rayed birds of prey that are not the cause of admission. To know if embedded lead in birds of prey may result in lead poisoning, 77 individuals admitted in three wildlife rescue centers in France were X-rayed and separated into two groups and then submitted to a blood lead level analysis. Blood lead levels of birds of prey with embedded lead projectiles are significantly higher (224.2 μg/L, 95% confidence interval 197.0–251.4 μg/L) than those without (142.9 μg/L, 95% confidence interval 124.1–161.7 μg/L). Among the birds of prey included in this study, the same difference was demonstrated in two species, the common buzzard and the common kestrel, when analyzed separately. Clinical lead poisoning was not observed but birds of prey with embedded lead have a mean blood level higher than the threshold of 200 μg/L defining the risk of subclinical effect occurrences and 60% of the lead-exposed birds had blood lead concentrations above the threshold. This result suggests that embedded lead projectile may release lead and induce some long-term detrimental effects.     

Schwermetalle in Organen und Federn von Graureihern (Ardea cinerea) und Kormoranen (Phalacrocorax carbo)

Zusammenfassung Mittels der Atomabsorptionsspektroskopie wurden Lebern, Nieren und Federn von Graureihern und von diesjährigen Kormoranen auf Cadmium und Blei untersucht.Cadmium war in Geweben der Kormorane höher konzentriert als in gleichaltrigen Graureihern (Leber 0,063 bzw. 0,039, Niere 0,113 bzw. 0.104 mg/kg Frischmasse; Federn 0,077 bzw. 0,025 mg/kg Trockenmasse). Dies könnte auf unterschiedliche Nahrung oder unterschiedliche physiologische Situation der Vögel zurückzuführen sein. Als Maximum wurden in der Niere eines Kormorans 0,375 mg/kg gemessen. Bei den Graureihern konnte in Lebern und Nieren eine Altersakkumulation erkannt werden. Blei war in den Geweben beider Arten unterschiedlich hoch konzentriert. Kormorane enthielten in Lebern 0,124 und in Nieren 0,147 mg/kg Frischmasse sowie in Federn 0,442 mg/kg Trockenmasse, Graureiher 0,110, 0,157 bzw. 0,739 mg/kg. Die höchsten Konzentrationen wurden in Federn gemessen und betrugen bei einem Graureiher 4,525 mg/kg. Eine Altersakkumulation konnte bei Graureihern in Lebern nachgewiesen werden. Zusammenhänge zwischen Feder- und Organbelastungen wurden nur bei diesjährigen Graureiher- erkannt: Federcadmium und Lebercadmium korrelierten positiv miteinander.

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Heavy metals in tissue and feathers of Grey Herons (Ardea cinerea) and Cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis)

Summary The livers, kidneys and feathers of 40 Grey Herons and 20 Cormorants were investigated by AAS to determine the extent of contamination with cadmium and lead. The birds had been shot in autumn 1979–1986 in Schleswig-Holstein. All results are given in mg/kg (ppm) wet mass (liver, kidney) or dry weight (feather). On the average, the contamination by cadmium in the livers (0.063), kidneys (0.113) and feathers (0.077) was higher in Cormorants than in Grey Herons (0.039, 0.104 and 0.025). These differences may be the result of different food or physiology. The livers and kidneys of young Grey Herons contained less cadmium than the tissue of older birds. The feathers of male Grey Herons contained more cadmium than feathers of females do. This was also the case in kidneys of male Cormorants as compared to the females. Cadmium values in livers and kidneys were positive correlated. No general tendency was detectable in regards to lead contamination. The results concerning Cormorants were 0.124 (liver), 0.147 (kidney), 0.442 (feather) and concerning Grey Herons 0.110, 0.157 and 0.739. The livers of old Grey Herons were more highly contaminated by lead than livers of young ones. The feathers of male Herons contained two times more lead than the feathers of females do.In general, a concentration of heavy metals in feathers does not indicate a contamination of livers or kidneys. A correlation between the values in feathers and tissue was evident only in one case, where a positive correlation was found between feather- and liver cadmium in young male Grey Herons.

     

Biosynthesis of phytohormones from novel rhizobacterial isolates and their in vitro plant growth-promoting efficacy

The health of the plant and soil fertility is dependent on the plant–microbes interaction in the rhizosphere. Microbial life tends to endure various rhizosphere plant–microbe interactions. Phytohormones such as auxins, cytokinins, gibberellic acid, ethylene and abscisic acid are termed as the classical group of hormones. Out of the 70 rhizobacterial strains isolated from the Coleus rhizosphere, three different rhizobacterial strains Pseudomonas stutzeri MTP40, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia MTP42 and Pseudomonas putida MTP50 having plant growth-promoting attributes were isolated and characterized for its phytohormone-producing ability. The phytohormones such as indole 3-acetic acid (IAA), gibberellic acid and cytokinin (kinetin and 6-benzyladenosine) were affirmed in culture supernatant of the above isolates. IAA was detected in all the three isolates, where in highest production was found in S. maltophilia MTP42 (240?µg/mL) followed by P. stutzeri MTP40 (250?µg/mL) and P. putida MTP50 (233?µg/mL). Gibberellic acid production was found maximum in MTP40 (34?µg/mL), followed by MTP42 (31?µg/mL) and MTP50 (27?µg/mL). The cytokinin production from the isolates, namely, MTP40, MTP42 and MTP50 were 13, 11 and 7.5?µg/mL, respectively. The isolates showing the production of plant growth enhancing phytohormones can be commercialized as potent bioformulations.     

Elemental composition of ambient air particles in Taiyuan,China: evaluation of lifetime cancer and non-cancer risks

Abstract

Shanxi is a heavily polluted area in China. Our aim was to analyze the elemental concentration (71 elements) in ambient air in Taiyuan and evaluate cancer and non-cancer risks. Air was sampled in four urban sites and one rural site in the heating season (winter/spring) and summer season (totally 118?days sampling time). Mean total suspended particles (TSP) across all sampling sites were 248 µg/m³ in summer and 478 µg/m³ in winter. The heating season had higher levels of S, Pb, Br, Mn, Se, As, Ni, Cd, and Hg (23.3 µg/m³, 821?ng/m³, 725?ng/m³, 460?ng/m³, 79?ng/m³, 65?ng/m³, 34?ng/m³, 17?ng/m³, and 3.5?ng/m³, respectively) than the summer season (9.6 µg/m³, 276?ng/m³, 138?ng/m³, 283?ng/m³, 0?ng/m³, 21?ng/m³, 21?ng/m³, 6.8?ng/m³, and 0?ng/m³, respectively), except for Cr and Co, of which the levels were higher in summer. Many elements had a high correlation with the TSP level (r?=?0.70–0.96) and S (r?=?0.61–0.95). A health risk assessment demonstrated that Mn and Cr could have a risk of non-cancer effects. Estimated lifetime cancer risks (R_i>10^?6) were observed for As, Cd, Co, Cr, and Ni, indicating that cancer risks from air pollution were relatively high in Taiyuan.     

Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in tissues of selected fish species from Ganga river,India, and risk assessment for human health

The study measured the concentration of Cd, Cr, Pb, Cu, and Zn in various fish tissues (muscle, gills, and liver) of 18 fish species (C. gachua, C. marulius, C. punctatus, C. nama, C. ranga, H. fossilis, C. batrachus, P. ticto, P. phutunio, L. rohita, L. calbasu, L. gonius, T. putitora, T. tor, R. rita, G. chapra, H. ilisa, and N. botia) collected from Ganga river. It is the survey regarding metal concentration in fish tissues increasing day by day. The metal concentration in different fish tissues varied on the following range: Cu (0.45–8.54 µg/g wet wt), Zn (0.07–2.2 µg/g wet wt), Pb (0.20–2.62 µg/g wet wt), Cd (0.07–2.32 µg/g wet wt), and Cr (0.09–1.74 µg/g wet wt). The results show the concentration of Pb, Cd, and Cr metals to be higher than internationally recommended standard limits (as determined by the WHO and FAO) and other similar studies. Generally, higher concentrations of metals were found in liver and gills than muscles. Despite lower estimated daily intake (EDI) of fish in the area (per recommended daily allowance guidelines), values of daily average consumption were lower than the recommended values by FAO/WHO/EFSA, and in fish samples these were below the provisional permissible levels for human consumption. The continuous exposure to heavy metals has been linked to the development of mental retardation, kidney damage, various cancers, and even death in instances of very high exposure in human body.     

Toxicity Reference Values for the Toxic Effects of Polychlorinated Biphenyls to Aquatic Mammals

Threshold tissue residue concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin equivalents (TEQs) were derived from the published results of semi-field (i.e., field collected food items were used as a medium of exposure to PCBs in laboratory reared animals) or field toxicity studies conducted with seals, European otters and mink. Based on biomagnification factors (BMFs) and concentrations of PCBs or TEQs measured in fish fed in the diet of experimental aquatic mammals, dietary threshold concentrations were estimated. Hepatic vitamin A, thyroid hormone concentration, suppression of natural killer (NK) cell activity and proliferative response of lymphocytes to mitogens were the toxicity endpoints measured in aquatic mammals. Threshold concentrations for PCBs or TEQs in livers of aquatic mammals to elicit the physiological effects ranged from 6.6 to 11?µg PCBs/g (geometric mean: 8.7?µ/g) and 160 to 1400?pg TEQs/g (geometric mean: 520?pg/g), lipid weight, respectively. The BMFs for PCBs and TEQs varied depending on the marine mammal species, and therefore the dietary threshold concentrations could be referred only by a range of values (rather than a mean value), which were 10 to 150?ng PCBs/g and 1.4 to 1.9?pg TEQs/g, wet weight, for PCBs and TEQs, respectively.     

Adult:Child Differences in the Intraspecies Uncertainty Factor: A Case Study Using Lead

Adults and children differ in their susceptibility to the toxic effects of lead. Lead was therefore used as a case study to evaluate intraspecies differences by comparing the adult and child minimal Lowest Observed Adverse Effect Level (LOAEL) or the No Observed Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL), allowing an evaluation of the ten-fold intraspecies uncertainty factor (UF). The lead intakes (in µg/kg/d) necessary to achieve target blood lead (PbB) levels reflecting the minimal LOAEL or NOAEL were determined using biokinetic slope factors (BKSFs), which relate lead uptake to PbB levels. The analyses assumed chronic, low-level oral exposure to lead, and the response of a typical adult and child. Child analyses used a target geometric mean (GM) PbB of 4.6?µg/dL (95% of population <10?µg/dL), resulting in lead intakes of 1.9?µg/kg/day (assuming 100% soluble lead) and 4.9?µg/kg/day (assuming 25% soluble lead and 75 % soil lead). Adult analyses assumed intake of 100 % soluble lead, and used target GM PbB levels of 4.2?µg/dL (95% of population <11.1 µg/dL) and 11.4?µg/dL (95% of population <30?µg/dL), resulting in lead intakes of 1.9?µg/kg/day and 5.1?µg/kg/day, respectively. The results indicate that despite the greater vulnerability of young children to the effects of lead as compared to adults, the minimal LOAEL or NOAEL for lead is remarkably similar between children and adults. In this case, the application of a tenfold intraspecies uncertainty factor to adjust the adult minimal LOAEL or NOAEL for a child would be unnecessary, despite the well-established vulnerability of children to lead.     

The Application of Adsorption Modeling and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy to the Comparison of Two Species of Plant Growth–Promoting Rhizobacteria as Biosorbents of Cadmium in Different pH Solutions

Batch experiments were performed to determine the cadmium absorption capacity of two plant growth–promoting rhizobacteria at different pH levels and in different cadmium concentrations. Comparison of the mean metal removal from two species of bacteria studied showed that Pseudomonas florescence is the superior species for removing cadmium at all cadmium concentrations. The maximum cadmium absorption by P. florescence and P. putida were at 5 mg/L of cadmium concentration in pH 6 and 7, respectively. The applicability of the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models was surveyed. Comparison of two isotherm parameters (Q _m and a) further confirmed that P. fluorescence was better at binding cadmium ions (52.6 and 7.7 mg/g, respectively). Adsorption reaction also was considered by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The FTIR analysis implied that the principal functional sites in the bacterial cell walls were phosphoryl and hydroxyl, carboxyl, amide I, amide II, and amine groups.     

Degradation and Detoxification of Nicosulfuron by a Pseudomonas Strain Isolated from a Contaminated Cornfield Soil

ABSTRACT

The dissipation and detoxification of nicosulfuron (NS) by Pseudomonas aeruginosa B9 isolated from a cornfield soil was investigated. The fastest decline of NS occurred at 40 µg ml^?1 in liquid media with 0.25% glucose plus 0.05% yeast extract (DT₅₀ = 4 days) with a notable pH reduction (pH ? 5). Bioassay tests showed considerable phytotoxicity of NS for Cress (Lepidium sativum L.) with 50% shoot growth inhibition (SGI) at 40 µg ml^?1. The dissipation of NS (40 µg ml^?1) by the B9 isolate reduced the SGI significantly (SGI: up to 45 ± 3%) compared to the non-inoculated media (SGI: up to 58 ± 4%). In soils with the B9 isolate, NS dissipation, especially at 0.3 µg g^?1, was faster with a more significant SGI reduction (k = 0.08 ± 0.00 day^?1; SGI = 2 ± 1%) compared to non-inoculated samples (k = 0.03 ± 0.00 day^?1; SGI = 8 ± 1%). NS initially inhibited soil respiration, microbial biomass carbon, and dehydrogenase activity. The effect was however transient, and these parameters recovered within 10 days, especially in the presence of the isolate. Overall, this study proves Pseudomonas aeruginosa B9 as a suitable candidate for bioremediation of NS in contaminated sites.     

Factors associated with blood zinc,chromium, and lead concentrations in residents of the Nam Pong River in Thailand

This cross-sectional analytical study aimed to determine the blood levels of zinc (B-Zn), chromium (B-Cr), and lead (B-Pb) and to identify the factors influencing these levels in the blood of residents of the Nam Pong River. Quantitative data collection was utilized, and systematic random sampling was conducted to obtain 420 samples for measuring serum heavy metals, including B-Zn, B-Cr, and B-Pb. Multiple regression analysis was used to identify factors influencing the accumulation of heavy metals in the population, reported mean differences, 95% confidence intervals, and p values. The average levels of heavy metals were 74.38 ± 14.00 µg/dL (95% confidence interval [CI]: 73.03–75.72) for zinc, 0.28 ± 0.23 µg/L (95% CI: 0.26–0.30) for chromium, and 2.80 ± 1.60 µg/dL (95% CI: 2.64–2.95) for lead, which all were within normal limits. Factors influencing zinc levels included occupational exposure (batteries) (mean diff = 11.56; 95% CI: 1.81–21.32, p value = 0.02) and consumption of fish from the river exceeding 300 grams/meal or three times/week (mean diff = 4.68; 95% CI: 0.09–9.45, p value = 0.05). Factors influencing chromium levels included a history of past illness (mean diff = 0.19; 95% CI: 0.05–0.34, p value = 0.01) and dust/chemical exposure from industry (mean diff = 0.05; 95% CI: 0.00–0.11, p value = 0.05). Factors influencing lead concentrations included gender (mean diff = 1.82; 95% CI: 0.26–1.98, p value = 0.001), smoking (mean diff = 1.03; 95% CI: 0.60–1.45, p value < 0.001), and occupational exposure (garage) (mean diff = 1.11; 95% CI: 0.27–1.94, p value = 0.01).     

Ex vitro rescue,physiochemical evaluation,secondary metabolite production and assessment of genetic stability using DNA based molecular markers in regenerated plants of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Decalepis salicifolia</Emphasis> (Bedd. ex Hook.f.) Venter

To ensure replenishment, a refine protocol for micropropagation of Decalepis salicifolia (Bedd. ex Hook.f.) Venter a critically endangered and endemic medicinal plant was developed using mature nodal explants. A high frequency shoot regeneration system was obtained on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium comprised of 6- benzyladenine (BA) (5.0 µM)?+?α-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) (0.5 µM)?+?adenine sulphate (ADS) (30.0 µM) corresponds to a highest mean number of 9.97?±?0.01 shoots/explants with maximum shoot length of 6.46?±?0.1 cm. Successful rooting in microshoots was achieved on half strength MS medium supplemented with indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) (2.5 µM). A maximum of 6.10?±?0.07 roots/microshoot with average root length of 2.30?±?0.06 cm was obtained. As much as 90% plantlets survived when Soilrite^? was used as planting substrate and finally established in soil without any casualty and morphological variation. Acclimatized plantlets were screened for pigment content, net photosynthetic rate (PN), stomatal conductance (Gs) and transpiration rate (E) during subsequent days of acclimatization as well as the changes in antioxidant was also evaluated. A steady rise was observed in the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) for initial 21 days and then after a decrease was found showing improved acclimatization efficiency of the plant. Similarly, the activities of catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and glutathione reductase (GR) enzyme shows reliable increase as the days of acclimatization advanced which play their precautionary role against oxidative damage to the plant. The genetic fidelity of the in vitro raised plantlets with that of mother plant was further confirmed using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and inters simple sequence repeats (ISSR) analysis. Additionally, the effect of acclimatization on the biosynthesis of 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde (2H4MB) in the root system was also evaluated in relation to their biomass production. Maximum fresh weight (4.9 g/plant), dry weight (0.65 g/plant) of roots and 2H4MB content (6.8 µg ml^?1 of root extract) was obtained after 10 weeks of acclimatization. Accelerated multiplication rate with the stability of genetic virtue, physiological and biochemical parameter assure the efficacy of the protocol developed for the propagation of this critically endangered medicinal plant.     

A non-invasive genetic evaluation of population size,natal philopatry,and roosting behavior of non-breeding eastern imperial eagles (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Aquila heliaca</Emphasis>) in central Asia

Roughly one-third of all eagle species are considered to be threatened or endangered, but the ecology of most eagles remains poorly understood. While the pronounced territoriality of breeding adults facilitates behavioral studies, the demography of non-breeding individuals (pre-adults and non-territorial floaters) is almost completely unknown. Traditionally, limited data on pre-adult and floater movement come from wing-tagging and/or telemetry studies. As an alternative to these methods we used genetic analyses of non-invasively collected feathers to investigate the population biology of non-breeding eastern imperial eagles (Aquila heliaca) in Kazakhstan. Microsatellite profiles of shed feathers indicate that eastern imperial eagles roost communally with other raptors. Furthermore, roosts are large and dynamic: 287 non-breeding eastern imperial eagles were detected in our sample, and a mark-recapture analysis estimated the total number to be 308 ± 8. The natal origins of these individuals were investigated by comparing their microsatellite profiles to those available for >90% of the eastern imperial eagle chicks hatched at the study site over the six previous breeding seasons. Only 4% of the individuals genetically matched a chick, suggesting that the reserve may serve as a critical refugium for pre-adults and itinerant floaters. Feathers have long been recognized as a suitable source of DNA, but few studies have used wide-scale, non-invasive collections of feathers (>1,000 samples) to investigate fundamental aspects of avian biology. Our research demonstrates that non-invasive genetic analyses of feathers can be used to evaluate population size, natal philopatry, and local movements of birds that are difficult to study using traditional means.     

Mutagenic,genotoxic and bioaccumulative potentials of tannery effluents in freshwater fishes of River Ganga

The tannery industries are the reason of major environmental concerns as they release toxic heavy metals, like chromium, in rivers posing risks of genotoxicity and mutagenicity in aquatic organism and indirectly in humans through food chain. In the present analysis, the freshwater inhabitant fishes of River Ganges, viz., Labeo calbasu, Puntius sophore, and Mystus vittatus, were examined for assessing the genotoxic, mutagenic, and bioaccumulative potentials of tannery effluents. For genotoxicity assessment, the blood and gill samples of fishes prevailed from polluted sites of River Ganges adjoining Kanpur city were utilized for comet assay and micronucleus test. The present investigation revealed the presence of significantly (p < 0.05) higher micronuclei induction and % tail DNA in erythrocytes and gill cells of the fishes collected from the polluted sites. The bioaccumulation studies revealed chromium concentration in muscle (0.89 µg/g) and gill tissues (0.24 µg/g) of L. calbasu; muscle (0.44 µg/g) and gills (1.23 µg/g) of P. sophore; and muscle (0.9617 µg/g) and gills (0.3628 µg/g) of M. vittatus, quite higher than the permissible limits of the World Health Organization. Consequently, the present study indicates strongly that River Ganges is contaminated with harmful tannery pollutants causing genotoxicity and mutagenicity in freshwater fishes.