Microplastics and heavy metal contamination along a land-use gradient in a Himalayan foothill river: Prevalence and controlling factors.

The co-occurrence of microplastics (MPs) and heavy metals in aquatic systems has raised significant concerns, yet their relationship in freshwater ecosystems remains poorly understood. This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of MPs and factors controlling their distribution in both water and sediment in the Markanda River, Northwest India. MPs were extracted from sediment and water samples using density separation and classified through fluorescence microscopy and Raman spectroscopy.

Organic matter sources and distribution along land-use gradient in a Himalayan foothills River: Insights from molecular markers.

The analysis of hydrocarbon biomarkers in surface sediments along the Markanda River in the foothills of the Indian Himalayas was conducted to gain insights into the distribution and composition of organic matter (OM) within the sediments. This investigation is essential for comprehending how anthropogenic changes are influencing the OM dynamics in river systems. The study involved identification and quantification of various compound groups such as n-alkanes, hopanes, steranes, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), linear alkyl benzenes (LABs) and phthalate esters along with their respective parametric ratios.

The potential of R. toruloides mevalonate pathway genes in increasing isoprenoid yields in S. cerevisiae: Evaluation of GGPPS and HMG-CoA reductase.

The enzymes of the mevalonate pathway need to be improved to achieve high yields of isoprenoids in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The red yeast Rhodosporidium toruloides produces high levels of carotenoids and may have evolved to carry a naturally high flux of isoprenoids. Enzymes from such yeasts are likely to be promising candidates for improvement.

Glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase variants increase NADPH pools for yeast isoprenoid production.

Isoprenoid biosynthesis has a significant requirement for the co-factor NADPH. Thus, increasing NADPH levels for enhancing isoprenoid yields in synthetic biology is critical. Previous efforts have focused on diverting flux into the pentose phosphate pathway or overproducing enzymes that generate NADPH.

Occurrence, distribution and sources of petroleum contamination in reef-associated sediments of the Gulf of Mannar, India.

The distribution of saturated hydrocarbons and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was assessed in superficial sediment samples collected from Mandapam island groups, Gulf of Mannar, India. The hydrocarbon distribution pattern and the n-alkane indices (e.g.

Distribution and characteristics of microplastics and phthalate esters from a freshwater lake system in Lesser Himalayas.

The occurrence, distribution, characterization and quantification of microplastics (MPs) and phthalic acid esters (PAEs) from the freshwater aquatic environment are not thoroughly explored in the Indian Himalayas despite concern over their adverse effects on human health and ecosystem. In this study, we have investigated the presence of MPs and PAEs in an aquatic system from Indian subcontinent. The MPs were detected in all water and sediment samples with abundances ranging from 02-64 particles/L and 15-632 particles/kg dw, respectively.