Publications by authors named "Ajay Harit"
Article Synopsis
- The degradation of larger plastic debris into microplastics (MPs), which are less than 5 mm in size, has been driven by natural factors like wind, waves, UV exposure, and biological action, leading to their wide presence in marine environments, including the Arctic Ocean.
- Research on MPs has focused more on water columns and marine life rather than sediment, making studies on sedimentary MPs in Arctic regions, particularly Kongsfjorden, less common.
- In Kongsfjorden, sediment analysis showed MPs present at three sampling sites, with a maximum of 24 MPs/kg, predominantly consisting of high-density polyethylene (HDPE), indicating a need for further study to determine their sources and environmental impacts.
Termites are amongst the main macroinvertebrate decomposers in tropical ecosystems and they exert additional impacts through the creation of biostructures (mounds, galleries, sheetings, etc.) with different soil physical and chemical properties, thereby impacting positively on numerous ecosystem services for humankind. Unfortunately, this positive or 'bright' role of termites is often overshadowed by their 'dark' side, that is, their status as pests threatening agriculture and constructions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTermites are undoubtedly amongst the most important soil macroinvertebrate decomposers in semi-arid environments in India. However, in this specific type of environment, the influence of termite foraging activity on soil functioning remains unexplored. Therefore, this study examines the link between the quality of litter and the functional impact of termite feeding preferences on soil properties and soil hydraulic conductivity in a deciduous forest in southern India.
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