Loam examples were gathered through the 2020-2021 rising periods, and the following measurements were made: Viable bacterial count by reducing root colonization. The outcomes of reviewing the impact of the fungicide Benomyl on development and viable microflora count revealed that the highest microbial count was in Al-Madaein 80 ×103 CFU/mL was recorded ., and the lowest count was 60 ×103 CFU/mL for the Aushtar area, The microbial viable count values for the affected microorganisms with Benomyl were decrease to 27×103 and 65 × 103 CFU/mL respectively. Those consequences specify that Benomyl has a robust choosiness contrary to microflora, especially when compared to the benomyl effect as folded dose, the microflora l count decreases to 25 ×103 CFU /mL in the Aushtar area and increases to 60 ×103 CFU/mL in Al-Madaein area. Whereas the study estimated the level of eight elements in soil (Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, NO3, P, K, and NH4) cultured with Cyperus rotundus L. Which mentioned the effect of benomyl on these levels after three days of treatment. Mn concentration ranged between 5.96 to 9.11 ppm, while after fungicide benomyl, it decreased to 5.63 -6.53 ppm similar results were observed for other elements. The highest affected element was Mn in the Aushtar area. Those consequences designate that Benomyl has a stout fussiness in contrast to soil nutrients. The greatness of benomyl impacts on loam ingredients and procedures were minor, qualified to impact on mycorrhizal root foundation (reduction through benomyl).

This study aimed to investigate the underlying anthropogenic driving factors of forest landscape degradation in the Kilimanjaro World Heritage Sites (WHS), Tanzania using survey-based data. The essence is to support strategic policies for forest landscape protection and natural heritage sustainability. The research employed empirical data using mixed questionnaires of experts and residents to identify various indirect anthropogenic driving factors of forest degradation, analyze rural poverty and causal mechanisms as indirect anthropogenic drivers of forest degradation, and evaluate the level of awareness and community involvement in forest protection. ArcGIS was used to generate the Maps. About 140 sample sizes were utilized for this study. Using purposive and simple random techniques, about 46 and 100 mixed questionnaires were distributed to experts in forest guard and residents, respectively. Data were analyzed using quantitative and qualitative techniques. Findings showed that indirect factors of forest degradation include high tourism demand, poverty, culture and tradition of local communities, lack of forest protection and conservation education, and insufficient land availability. Also, findings showed that rural poverty as an indirect anthropogenic driving factor of forest degradation is attributed to unemployment in rural areas, inadequate land for agriculture, and insufficient productive forestry availability. Additionally, this study revealed that residents are aware that the forest is under the government’s protection, and most people in local communities are not involved in activities for forest protection. Therefore, the study suggests that the locals should be involved in the activities that promote forest protection for effective control and management. Alternative heating methods should also be explored to reduce much pressure on the available forest to improve the natural heritage sustainability of natural WHS found in Sub-Saharan Africa and other parts of the Global South.

Oil spills in the Niger Delta could exert environmental pressures on the soil component. We investigated the impacts of oil spills and the effect of the Enhanced Natural Attenuation (ENA) remediation method on contaminated soil and resident microbial populations in the Odhiaje community in Rivers State, Nigeria. Soil samples for microbiological studies were collected weekly during a 17-week remediation period, while those for edaphic parameters were taken before and after remediation, all at 4 sampling points (SPs). Serial dilution of the oil-impacted soils for microbial density enumeration was carried out according to standard methods. Results revealed that mean concentrations of Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon Contents (THC) (Sig.value = 0.009), SO42- ions (Sig.value = 0.001), and sand compositions (Sig.value = 0.045) all differed markedly across the sampling points at p<0.05. Mean levels of EC (Sig.tvalue = 0.039) and ΣN (Sig.tvalue = 0.058) & K+ ions (Sig.tvalue = 0.004) differed significantly before and after the remediation exercise at the 95% confidence interval. Application of nutrients was rapidly accompanied by microbial population increases, leading to the consumption of oil contaminants in soils to levels comparable to control over the remediation period. Total Heterotrophic Bacteria counts correlated with pH (r = 0.501) and SO42- ions (r = 0.500) (p<0.05), and K+ ions (r = -0.800) (p<0.01); Total Heterotrophic Fungi correlated with pH (r = 0.520) (p<0.05), and Mg2+ ions (r = 0.820) (p<0.01); Hydrocarbon Utilizing Bacteria correlated with available P (r = 0.530) and silt composition (r = -0.504) (p<0.05), and K+ (r = 0.626) and Mg2+ ions (r = 0.733) (p<0.01); and Hydrocarbon Utilizing Fungi correlated with K+ (r = 0.500) & Mg2+ ions (r = 0.506) (p<0.05). Results indicate improvement in C/N ratios and effectiveness of the current cost-effective bioaugmentation technique in the restoration of arable soil productivity in the Odhiaje community.

In the present study, biodegradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was examined using two fungal strains, namely P. chrysosporium and P. citrinum, isolated from locally contaminated soil. These two fungal strains were compared based on degradation properties under standardized conditions (pH 7.0, temperature 30oC, carbon source yeast extract) using PAH sole and a mixture of five different PAHs. In liquid media, PAH degradation was higher as compared to spiked soil by P. chrysosporium, followed by P. citrinum. In liquid culture, maximum degradation was 96.13% phenanathrene, 86.34% fluoranthene, 72.75% pyrene, 52.25% chrysene, and 40.16% benzo(a)pyrene by P. chrysosporium. PAH degradation in spiked soil was 78.5% phenanthrene, 65.91% fluoranthene, 61.73% pyrene, 48.2% chrysene, and 26.82% benzo(a)pyrene within 28 days by P. chrysosporium. Both local fungal isolates showed potential for degradation of PAHs alone and in PAH mixtures.

The stabilization of toxic metals in the stable matrices is quite well-known. Research on copper and cadmium stabilization in the CaO-CuO-SiO2 and CaO-CdO-SiO2 composites was conducted to study the characteristics of CaO-CuO-SiO2 and CaO-CdO-SiO2 composites as well as the Cu and Cd metals stabilization in the hydrated composites. The composites of CaO-CuO-SiO2 and CaO-CdO-SiO2 were synthesized by the solid-state reaction method. A stoichiometric amount of CaO, SiO2, Cu(NO3)2, and CdO were calcined at 1050°C for 4 hours. The synthesized compounds were further hydrated in a soaking time of 30, 60, and 90 days. The hydration produced calcium silicate hydrate that can stabilize metals. The Cu and Cd stability in CaO-CuO-SiO2 and CaO-CdO-SiO2, respectively, were tested using the Toxicity Leaching Procedure (TCLP) method. The hydrated and hydrated composite characterizations were performed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infra-Red Spectrophotometer (FTIR), and Scanning Energy Mocroscopy-Energy Dispersive X-ray analyzer (SEM-EDX) and the Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) methods. The composites mainly consist of Ca3SiO5, Ca2SiO4, Ca(OH)2, SiO2, and metal oxide of CuO, Cu2O, and CdO. The composites were able to stabilize ~100% of the heavy metals of Cu and Cd.

This study aimed to check how herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) affects the production of EPS and its composition, growth, and biomass, as well as morphology in a cyanobacterial species isolated from a rice field in Meghalaya, India. Compared to the control cells, the growth of the organism measured in terms of chlorophyll concentration increased after being exposed to 10 and 20 ppm 2,4-D. However, cultures treated with 30 and 40 ppm experienced a decrease in their growth. Likewise, the biomass content of the organism experienced a minuscule increase in content upon exposure to 10 and 20 ppm 2,4-D but was compromised upon exposure to higher doses. When exposed to 10 ppm, the total EPS content, which includes the RPS and CPS content, showed a substantial increase. Maximum EPS production was seen at 20 ppm 2,4-D. However, exposure to 30 and 40 ppm 2,4-D, EPS production in the organism experienced a significant reduction, respectively. All components of EPS, such as uronic acid, neutral sugar, and proteins, individually showed an increase in 10 and 20 ppm 2, 4-D. A similar trend was seen in the organism’s bio-flocculating activity, which increased when exposed to 10 and 20 ppm, respectively. However, this activity in cells exposed to 30 and 40 ppm 2,4-D was severely reduced. Not only the content of EPS but the rate of EPS production was also enhanced in lower concentrations of 2,4-D. Although exposure to 30 ppm 2,4-D, the rate of EPS production was not significantly compromised, 40 ppm exposure adversely affected the rate of EPS production. Furthermore, visualization using scanning electron microscopy revealed the morphological changes induced by the herbicide 2,4-D.

The primary goal of this research is to isolate mycotoxin-producing fungus from the Nagavali River. Examining isolated fungi involved analyzing their mycelium growth on culture media and detailed microscopic inspection. We employed PCR analysis utilizing universal primers ITS1 and ITS4 to accurately identify the species. Furthermore, we sequenced the amplified ITS region and rigorously analyzed the sequences using NCBI-BLASTn and the ITS2 database. The analysis found a high 96.38% genetic similarity to the Aspergillus flavus strain, resulting in a 600-base pair fragment size. The sequence was given the accession number OR536222 in the NCBI GenBank database. Phylogenetic analysis was performed to ascertain the particular strain of A. flavus and its source. Remarkably, this analysis led to the identification of a single new strain gene, which represents a novel discovery in the field of fungal research. These results underscore the vital significance of molecular techniques in promptly and precisely identifying organisms. This research enhances our understanding of mycotoxin contamination in water, providing valuable insights to improve detection and prevention strategies. It accentuates the overarching importance of conserving our water resources and upholding ecological equilibrium, ultimately safeguarding the well-being of both humanity and the environment.

This study explores the electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) using tin (Sn) and zinc (Zn) catalyst-loaded gas diffusion electrodes (GDEs). The research explores the influence of electrolytic potential and catalyst loading on the efficiency of CO2 conversion to valuable chemicals, specifically formic acid and carbon monoxide. The best Sn loading for Sn-loaded GDEs, according to the morphological study, is 7 mg.cm-2, which results in higher current density (0.33 mA.cm-2) and current efficiency (36%). An electrolytic potential of -1.3 V Vs. Ag/AgCl is identified as optimal for Sn GDEs, offering a balance between high current efficiency (35%) and controlled current density. For Zn-loaded GDEs, an optimal loading of 5 mg.cm²- yields the highest current efficiency of 19.4% and a peak current density of 0.28 mA.cm²- at an electrolytic potential of -1.55 V Vs. Ag/AgCl, in addition to highlighting the crucial role that catalyst loading and electrolytic potential play in enhancing CO2 reduction efficiency, this research offers insightful information for environmentally friendly CO2 conversion technology.

The consumption of contaminated fruits and vegetables is the prime cause of outbreaks of various human diseases. Although fruits and vegetables have high nutritional value, today because of their contamination during handling while performing harvesting and post-harvesting techniques, they are harmful to human health. Most of them are eaten raw without being washed or without providing any treatment. Vegetables and fruits, being rich nutritional sources, can act as carriers or vectors of pathogenic microorganisms, which can create a serious issue for the health of the community targeted. This entire research is based on an emerging field of Forensic Microbiology. Various types of microbial agents can be utilized as bioweapons to conduct the bio crime or bioterrorism through food and water. This research also represents that the identification of microbial agents is very much necessary for the welfare of humans. Identification and isolation of different pathogenic bacteria from raw vegetables and fruits can also shed some light on the terms of the necessity of Forensic Microbiology.

The rapid development of industry has led to the generation of a large amount of electroplating wastewater. The direct discharge of untreated electroplating wastewater may lead to the formation of toxic metal-organic complexes, which is a challenging problem for human health and the living environment of organisms. Due to the high solubility of heavy metals in aquatic environments and their easy absorption by organisms, effective treatment of electroplating wastewater is of great significance. The ultimate goal of electroplating wastewater treatment should be to recover metals and water from electroplating wastewater. In indoor experiments, pilot tests, and industrial applications of electroplating wastewater treatment, membrane treatment technology commonly used in wastewater terminal treatment has attracted great attention. Membrane treatment technology seems to be the most promising method for removing heavy metals and organic pollutants from electroplating wastewater. This article reviews the membrane treatment technologies for electroplating wastewater, introduces the advantages and disadvantages of various membranes in the treatment of electroplating wastewater, the removal efficiency of pollutant types, and their comparison. The focus is on the treatment effects of nano-filtration membrane, ultra-filtration membrane, micro-filtration membrane, reverse osmosis membrane, ceramic membrane, biofilm, etc., on electroplating wastewater. Compared with a single treatment method, the combination of different processes shows higher efficiency in removing various pollutants.