Assessment of genotoxic and humoral immune system alterations in silica exposed workers from pottery industries in South India

Chemicals, especially silica, have been suspected to cause genetic alterations in pottery industry workers. The present study aims to analyze the frequency of chromosomal aberrations (CA), micronucleus (MN) and DNA damage (comet assay) in the peripheral blood lymphocytes and the immunological alterations workers chronically exposed to silica and in control subjects. In our study, 50 silica exposed workers and 35 control subjects were recruited and silica level was measured by respirable dust and respirable quartz concentrations of badge dosimeter. The serum immunoglobulins (IgM, IgG, and IgA) of all the subjects were measured by using ELISA method. The individuals exposed to silica have a significant increase in the frequency of CA, MN and the total DNA damage (p < 0.05). Immunoglobulin elevation on silica exposed workers was statistically significant (p < 0.05) on comparison with their respective controls. Investigation of the smoking and alcohol habitats coupled with silica exposure in exposed and control subjects represents alcohol consumption and smoking as additional risk factors and must be avoided. Multiple linear regression analysis obtained for CA, MN and comet assay confirm these tests as biomarkers for silica exposed pottery workers. Some confounding factors also showed significant influence on exposed subjects. These results indicate the mutagenic risk in the working environment has a high probability of association with the silica dust exposure in pottery industries. Nevertheless, the present study will create awareness and public concern not only among the silica exposed workers but also to the welfare of their progeny.     

Multivariate statistical approach to identify significant sources influencing the physico-chemical variables in Aerial Bay,North Andaman,India

Aerial Bay is one of the harbor towns of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the union territory of India. Nevertheless, it is least studied marine environment, particularly for physico-chemical assessment. Therefore, to evaluate the annual spatiotemporal variations of physico-chemical parameters, seawater samples collected from 20 sampling stations covering three seasons were analyzed. Multivariate statistics is applied to the investigated data in an attempt to understand the causes of variation in physico-chemical parameters. Cluster analysis distinguished mangrove and open sea stations from other areas by considering distinctive physico-chemical characteristics. Factor analysis revealed 79.5% of total variance in physico-chemical parameters. Strong loading included transparency, TSS, DO, BOD, salinity, nitrate, nitrite, inorganic phosphate, total phosphorus and silicate. In addition, box-whisker plots and Geographical Information System based land use data further facilitated and supported multivariate results.     

Developing a biosorbent from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aegle Marmelos</Emphasis> leaves for removal of methylene blue from water

Dried, mature leaves of Aegle Marmelos tree were converted to a powder, which was used as a biosorbent for dyes in water with methylene blue as a case study. The biosorbent had a surface area of 52.63 mg/g, and FTIR spectra showed the presence of –COOH, –NH₂, –R–SC=O (thioester) and R1–S(=O, =O)-N(–R2, –R3) groups on the surface. The particles were found to be porous in nature from scanning electron micrographs, and EDX measurements showed the elements C, O, Na, Mg, K, Ca and Fe on the surface. Batch adsorption experiments showed that the adsorption of the dye was preferred at near-neutral conditions. Adsorption equilibrium was achieved in ~120 min with maximum dye uptake of 19.9 mg/g. Investigation into the kinetics of adsorption indicated that second-order kinetics gave the best fit to the experimental data, and a rate coefficient of 8.0 × 10^?2 to 32.3 × 10^?2 g mg^?1 min^?1 was obtained.     

Delineation of groundwater potential zones and electrical resistivity studies for groundwater exploration

The electrical resistivity method is widely used in groundwater exploration studies. The method is particularly well suited to carry out groundwater studies in hard-rock terrains. The popular Schlumberger method of electrode configuration was applied in the study area. In all, 112 vertical electrical soundings (VESs) were carried out at different locations in the study area. VES interpretations were used to generate a top-layer contour map and a depth-to-basement map. Finally, a groundwater quality/potential map for the study area was generated using the depth-to-bedrock map, a water-level fluctuation map, and the second-layer thickness. Furthermore, this groundwater potential map was classified into three sectors, i.e. poor, moderate and good zones with respect to the prospects of finding groundwater in the study area. This map has a practical value, as it provides guidance to farmers in selecting favourable well sites, thereby avoiding unnecessary financial losses.     

Modelling of 2016 Kumamoto earthquake by integrating site effect in semi-empirical technique

Natural Hazards - The 2016 Kumamoto earthquake (MJMA7.3) struck central area of Kyushu Island, Japan. The presence of near surface low velocity layer greatly amplified the ground motions and caused...     

Geospatial modelling for identification of potential ecological corridors in Orissa

Development of forest connectivity and corridors are critical for biodiversity conservation and also ensures energy and genetic exchange across greater spatial extent. A model has been developed to geospatially identify the potential ecological corridors based on the vegetation type and land cover data in association with spatial disturbance profile. The model formulates the route of least impedance due to (1) disturbance (a function of fragmentation, juxtaposition, Interspersion & proximity to roads/settlements) and (2) vegetation type and land cover. This is because the movement of genetic information and materials follow the path of least resistance across a landscape. The paper explores the utility of the approach to spatially generate ecological corridors connecting 14 protected areas of Orissa. The model has been able to identify the potential route connecting the different protected regions with 85–87% of the corridor in the natural areas. Of the 14 protected areas, only 12 could be connected by the model as they confirm to the criteria for the corridor establishment.     

Fabrication of Nanoparticle-Doped Polyvinyl Alcohol-Cellulose Acetate Membrane and Characterization of the Surface Enhancement

In the present study, nanocomposite polymeric membranes are fabricated using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), cellulose acetate (CA) as polymers, and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as the solvent. To enhance the performance of the membrane, nanoparticles like TiO₂, CaO, CdO, and ZrO are added to the polymeric solution and the doped polymeric solution is cast on a glass plate. Nine combinations of membranes are fabricated with two different concentrations (0.1% and 0.2%) of nanoparticles. The basic properties of the membranes such as density, porosity, viscosity, permeability, pure water flux, and water content are studied for the samples. Membrane pore structure and surface properties are identified and it is found that doping nanoparticles on the surface of membranes improve mechanical strength, stability, pore size, etc., allowing the membranes to perform better in extreme industrial-level effluent treatment applications. High-resolution scanning electron microscopy (SEM) shows the homogeneous dispersion of ZrO, TiO₂, CaO, and CdO nanoparticles on the surface of the PVA-CA membrane. The doping of nanoparticles on the PVA-CA membrane results in improved mechanical strength and good chemical oxidation stability. In comparison, the PCD-TiO₂ sample shows high thermal stability and oxidation stability at high temperatures until 200°C, which has a high potential for treating industrial effluents.     

Storm Time Ionospheric-Tropospheric Dynamics: a Study Through Ionospheric and Lower Atmospheric Variability Features of High/Mid and Low Latitudes

Geomagnetism and Aeronomy - Geomagnetic storm is one of the major disturbances in Earth’s magnetosphere and its effect on ionosphere is a well studied area, yet there are a few aspects still...     

A study on zinc speciation of Tungabhadra River sediments,Kurnool, south India: A tool in metal pollution monitoring

The Tungabhadra River is one of the sacred rivers in south India. Industrial and mining operations on its banks generate enormous amounts of effluent that have led to substantial metal and nutrient contamination of the aquatic system. In the present investigation an attempt has been made to assess variation in the physico-chemical characteristics and speciation of zinc in the water and sediment of the Tungabhadra River. Most of the metal ions in the collected samples were in high concentrations compared to the applicable standards. The Individual Contamination Factor (ICF) of Zn was found to be more at Site-B compared to sites A and C. Zinc-bearing particles were characterized by the different morphologies measuring from large colloidal to small particles which were associated with biological structures or may be present in amorphous nature which were observed by Transition electron microscopy (TEM) with X-EDS (Energy dispersive spectrometry). In conclusion, the level of Zn contamination in the Tungabhadra River is increasing at an alarming rate due to industrial activities.     

Causal viscous universe coupled with zero-mass scalar field in higher derivative theory

Cosmological solutions in the presence of an imperfect fluid and zero-mass scalar field are obtained in higher derivative theory. We investigate both power law and exponential expansion of the universe described by full causal theories proposed by Israel and Stewart. It is observed that energy density, co-efficient of bulk viscosity decrease with time in the presence of massless scalar field and temperature increase with expansion of universe.