Evaluation of heavy metal speciation in waters of Hirakud reservoir: a Ramsar site in India.

The growing concern of aquatic heavy metal (HM) pollution is dependent on the toxic nature of its bio-available form. Thus, bio-availability is guided by the HM fractionation in water. This study was therefore conducted to evaluate the spatial impact on physicochemical fractionation of HM (Zn, Mn, Cu, and Fe) in the waters of the Hirakud reservoir in India.

Particle and heavy metal accumulation by two plant species in a coal mining area of Odisha, India.

Mining activities lead to severe particulate matter (PM) pollution that consequently has a detrimental effect on ecosystem. A study was therefore conducted in a coal mining area of Odisha, India with an objective to assess the particulate matter pollution on the basis of differential aerodynamic size (PM and PM) of the particles, the metallic (Zn and Fe) composition, and also to evaluate their nature of deposition on two identified plant species. The results suggest a significant variation in particle and heavy metal fractions in the ambient air of different sites ( < 0.

Altitude governs the air pollution tolerance and heavy metal accumulation in plants.

Plant response to changing air pollution is a function of various factors including meteorology, type of pollutants, plant species, soil chemistry, and geography. However, the impact of altitude on plant behavior has received little attention to date. A study was therefore conducted to evaluate the impact of altitude on the air pollution tolerance index (APTI), heavy metal accumulation, and deposition in plant species.

Soil organic carbon fractionation of spoiled and unspoiled soils under different land use and land cover systems.

Alteration in land use and land cover is the key factor affecting the soil carbon fractions and its distribution. A study was carried out to estimate the carbon fractions in soils of agricultural, forest and pasture lands in two different areas separated on the basis of industrial activities (spoiled and unspoiled) to get an insight on the long-term soil carbon storage potential. The results showed that the mean values of the total organic carbon (TOC) and various fractions are significantly different between the land use types (p < 0.

Effect of fly ash and vermicompost amendment on rhizospheric earthworm and nematode count and change in soil carbon pool of rice nursery.

Fly ash application to the soil at lower doses with organic substrates has been advocated by researchers due to its beneficial soil ameliorative properties. But its xenobiotic effects in presence of vermicompost have not yet been studied fully. The hypothesis of the present study was to ascertain the ameliorative effects of fly ash and vermicompost amendment on the soil nematode and earthworm count and change in the soil carbon pool of the rice nursery.

Seasonality, atmospheric transport and inhalation risk assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in PM and PM from industrial belts of Odisha, India.

This study is the first attempt to assess the presence of 16 priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) enlisted by the US Environmental Protection Agency in PM and PM from industrial areas of Odisha State, India. During 2017-2018, bimonthly sampling of PM and PM was carried out for 24 h in the industrial and mining areas of Jharsuguda and Angul in Odisha during the pre-monsoon, monsoon, and post monsoon seasons. Highest mean concentration of ∑PAHs in PM was observed during the post monsoon (170 ng/m) period followed by pre-monsoon (48 ng/m) and monsoon (16 ng/m ) periods, respectively.

transcriptome profile of two earthworms and during regeneration.

Earthworms have remarkable ability to regenerate its tail and head region. However the list of genes expressed in this regeneration process has been less explored baring a few species. The current study involves the transcriptome sequencing of intact tail and regenerating tail (15 day post amputation) of earthworms belonging to two different genera (Kinberg, 1867) and (Gates, 1945).

Seedling growth and physicochemical transformations of rice nursery soil under varying levels of coal fly ash and vermicompost amendment.

Fly ash is an inevitable by-product from the coal-fired power plants in many developing countries including India that needs safe, timely and productive disposal. The addition of fly ash alters physicochemical properties of soil and hence could be used as a soil conditioner or modifier along with the appropriate level of vermicompost to support plant growth. Several studies have focalized sole use of fly ash and vermicompost in agricultural production systems lacking information on combined application effects.

Meteorology drives ambient air quality in a valley: a case of Sukinda chromite mine, one among the ten most polluted areas in the world.

The ambient air quality (AAQ) assessment was undertaken in Sukinda Valley, the chromite hub of India. The possible correlations of meteorological variables with different air quality parameters (PM10, PM2.5, SO2, NO2 and CO) were examined.