The present investigation was carried out for 21 days to explore the sub-lethal toxicity of bisphenol A (BPA) of concentration 0.714, 1.428 and 2.142 mg/L (1/10, 1/20 and 1/30 % of 96 h LC50) on haematological and serum biochemical parameters of Heteropneustes fossilis. Routine haematological parameters like total erythrocyte count (TEC), total leukocyte count (TLC), haemoglobin content (Hb), haematocrit (Hct), erythrocyte indices, total serum protein, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), albumin, globulin, uric acid, and creatinine were examined as toxicological endpoints. The findings of this study revealed that BPA had a negative effect on both the haematological and serum biochemical parameters of Heteropneustes fossilis. The study revealed a significant decrease in red blood cell count, haemoglobin concentration and haematocrit percentage (anaemia) while white blood cell count showed a significant increase in all treatment groups (p < 0> 0.05). The results of serum biochemistry in BPA exposed fish showed enhanced serum AST, ALT, urea, uric acid and creatinine but decreased serum total protein and albumin. This might be due to the possible disruption of haemopoietic tissue or impairment of liver and kidney function. Based on the results, we conclude that BPA is toxic to Heteropneustes fossilis and its occurrence in the environment may threaten the health of aquatic species. Accordingly, it suggests that haematological and serum biochemical parameters could be effectively used as reflective bioindicators in ecotoxicological studies.

Freshwaters are highly vulnerable to pollution since they act as immediate sinks for the consequences of human activity always associated with the danger of accidental discharges. Heavy metals constitute a core group of aquatic pollutants and additional concentrations of these metals accumulate in the aquatic ecosystems as a result of land-based activities. Fish mostly tend to bioaccumulate heavy metals, and humans can be at great risk, sometimes even lethal, through contamination of the food chain. An attempt has been made in the present investigation to determine the acute toxicity of lithium and its toxicological effects on survival, physiological, haematological and biochemical parameters of the widely consumed spotted sneak head Channa punctatus and Nile Tilapia Oreochromis niloticus. Short-term acute toxicity tests were performed by exposing the test species to different concentrations of lithium chloride. The results showed that the normal respiratory activity of the fish was significantly affected and there was a depression in the metabolic rate at the end of 24, 48, 72 and 96h exposure. Appreciable decline changes occur in haematological parameters and biochemical profiles of the fish. This study reflects the extent of the toxic effects of lithium and the metal-induced cumulative deleterious effects at various functional levels in the widely consumed freshwater fish, Channa punctatus and Oreochromis niloticus.

Cryptosporidium can transport from the soil to the water resulting in the contamination of the surrounding water bodies. However, there are few pieces of research on the transport of Cryptosporidium from the slope soil to the surrounding water. The experiment simulated the transport of Cryptosporidium surrogate, carboxylate YG polystyrene, influenced by the rainfall intensity, rainfall pattern, soil type, and land slope, from the soil to water, to understand the transport of Cryptosporidium surrogate under these different conditions. The results showed that the transport of Cryptosporidium surrogate was affected by the surface runoff factors, that is, the high rainfall intensity, high rainfall frequency, steep slope and high sand content soil that resulted in the high transport of the Cryptosporidium surrogate.

The present study was aimed to characterize the bacterial isolate DDI(I)1 isolated from the rhizospheric soil of Ocimum grown in New Delhi (India). The isolate exhibited multiple plant growth promoting activities namely ammonia production, production of phytohormones, hydrogen cyanide, solubilization of minerals, tolerance against heavy metals, etc. The isolate was morphologically and biochemically characterized and it was found that DDI(I)1 belongs to genus Pseudomonas. Further, 16S rRNA sequencing revealed that the isolate shared 99% homology with Pseudomonas fluorescens.

The prosperity of the entire biotic community depends on two broad components of nature; land and water. The basaltic rock is known to have poor storage and transmission capability. It gets fully saturated during monsoon but a situation of rejected recharge results in post-monsoon and early summer months. These aquifers also drain naturally due to high water table gradient formed by sloping and undulating topography. The available and new groundwater recharge potential zones can better augment by adopting a scientific and multi-sectoral approach for making the future plan. The study area encompasses Manganga River basin, bounded between Lat. 17°54’ N to 17°00’ N and Long. 74°27’ E to 75°31’ E. The study area is in basaltic terrain with undulating topography. The spatial and non-spatial data generated based on various thematic maps such as geology, lineament density, geomorphology, slope, drainage buffer, land-use land-cover, soil texture and soil erodibility have been prepared using satellite data. The groundwater prospects maps generated by overlay analysis of the spatial thematic maps were grouped into five classes and their distribution are: very good/excellent, good, moderate, poor and very poor. The results show that a major portion of the study area falls in the category ‘poor’ followed by ‘very poor’. Based on the outputs derived from groundwater recharge potential zones, an action plan for watershed development in the study area has been suggested like the development of percolation/water retention ponds at the identified sites and tube/bore/open wells along the dense lineament zones. The aspect related to conjunctive use, groundwater legislation, the involvement of NGO’S, women and community participation, mass awareness, adoption of advanced irrigation system etc. will play an important role in conserving and developing the precious water resources.

This study deals with the adsorption capacity of the powder of Aspergillus versicolor (Ascomycota) as a bioadsorbent for the removal of manganese ion from polluted water samples. The effect of various experimental parameters such as the effect of pH, quantity of the fungus powder, contact time with the manganese (II) ion solution and its concentration on the biosorption capacity was conducted to optimize them. Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) plates amended with 100 ppm of Mn(II) ions were used for growing the fungus isolates and standard spread plate method was applied. The plates were incubated at 27°C for 4 to 7 days, then the grown fungi were killed by adding 0.5 N NaOH, washed with doubly distilled water, dried out in hot air oven and finally ground into a very fine powder. The results verify that the optimum pH value for manganese biosorption was 6. The rate of adsorption of manganese by Aspergillus versicolor was very fast reaching a maximum within 15 min at 31°C. Maximum removal efficiency occurred on the use of 0.3 g A. versicolor powder. The maximum metal uptake was relatively observed at 90 ppm manganese concentration. Manganese removal process decreased with increasing metal concentration. The desorption study showed that manganese was recovered up to 81.53% using 0.1 N HCl rendering the possibility of the adsorbent regeneration. Experimental results have been analysed using a Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherm models. Surface morphology study of A. versicolor powder using SEM analysis, assured its irregular surface nature.

To evaluate the green performance of Chinese new energy enterprises, a performance evaluation system entailing four dimensions of social responsibility, management of liabilities, market-related responsibility, safety, and environmental responsibility was constructed. This system was subsequently applied to analyze and assess the green performances of 18 energy enterprises in China with their social responsibility. Results show that the green performances of most of the energy enterprises with social responsibility are hierarchically based. Specific countermeasures were proposed for promoting the health of energy enterprises and their sustainable development. These measures to be implemented by energy enterprises include establishing and perfecting systems for managing liabilities, sustaining the market, strengthening responsibility for security, and making diligent efforts to fulfil their environmental responsibilities.

Temporal and spatial analysis of air particulates sampling collection from the in and outside the Al-Tuwaitha, south of Baghdad, was carried out to measure daily gross alpha and beta activity concentrations (AAC and BAC) during the period from January to April of 2017. The results show that most frequencies are within the interval 1-1.49 Bq/m3 for AAC and 3-3.49 Bq/m3 for BAC. Also, the radioactivity levels within the site for both AAC and BAC were found to be higher than those around the outside. Across all air samples at the studied site, the monthly arithmetic means were 3.0 ± 0.5 and 6.7 ± 0.9 Bq/m3 for both AAC and BAC. It was found that a hotspot for both AAC and BAC in air layer with values of 4.0 and 8.5 Bq/m3 respectively situated at ITR-5000 reactor northwest of the site, which is a major source of radioactive contamination, but with wind action. This contamination disperses according to its prevailing direction that is southeast. 6.7 ± 0.9

The inhibitive properties of the extracts of Cascabela thevetia and Jatropha curcas were comparatively studied on corrosion of mild steel in H2SO4 acid. The extracts of both plants contained active phytochemical constituents such as tannins, saponins, alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenes and phenols which made them useful as good corrosion inhibitors. The extract concentrations were varied from 0.3 to 1.5 g/L during both the gravimetric and gasometric analyses for an exposure time of 7-28 days. The weight loss of the coupon, corrosion rate, surface coverage and inhibitive efficiency was evaluated for both the extracts. The results of the gravimetric and gasometric analyses indicated that inhibitive efficiency increased with an increase in the concentration of inhibitors and the highest was 55.77% for Jatrophas curcas at the concentration of 1.5 g/L. The weight loss was a little lower for Cascabela thevetia (4.36 g) compared to Jatrophas curcas (4.66 g) at the highest exposure time used (28 days). Cascabela thevetia has a better surface coverage (0.68) than Jatropha curcas (0.61), hence, Cascabela thevetia inhibits better for a 7-day exposure time. However, when the mild steel was further exposed for more than 7 days, Jatropha curcas exhibited a better inhibitive property. The highest and least hydrogen gas evolution was obtained at 0.3 g/L concentration (7 minutes) and 1.5 g/L concentration (1 minute) for both Cascabela thevetia and Jatropha curcas leaves extracts, respectively. Based on the results, the utilization of extracts of Cascabela thevetia and Jatropha curcas leaves as replacements for toxic organic inhibitors in industries are recommended.

The present study investigated the pathological effects of trace metals in organs of Wistar rats fed with extracts of grasses collected from areas surrounding mining industries. The rats were examined for clinical signs during the experimental period and the concentration of trace metals in organs was examined using ICP-MS. The kidneys were analysed for pathological changes under Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). Generally, trace metal concentration in the organs of the rats followed the order Zn > Cu > Mn > As. These trace metals were bio-accumulated more in the spleen than kidneys and livers. Clinical signs such as hair loss, reduced fluid intake, pale ears and feet and skin irritation were observed. TEM investigation of kidney glomeruli showed pathology such as the presence of mesangial deposits, as well as the villous formation and effaced foot processes of the podocytes. Trace metals were bioaccumulated in the organs of the rats and spleen had a higher concentration, which might have negative effects on the organs. It was concluded from the study that plants harvested from polluted sites might be harmful when consumed as they have the potential to induce organ dysfunction.