University of TehranPollution2383-451X1320150701Hematological responses of Goldfish (Carassiusauratus) to different acute concentrations of Silver Sulfate as a toxicant2472565392710.7508/pj.2015.03.001ENSafouraAbarghoeiDepartment of Fisheries, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Goran, IranSeyed AliakbarHedayatiDepartment of Fisheries, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Goran, IranHamedGhafari FarsaniYoung Researchers and Elite Club, Shahrekord Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shahrekord, IranMohammad HasanGeramiYoung Researchers and Elite Club, Shiraz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shiraz, IranJournal Article20141104This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of silver sulfate (AgSO4) as a toxicant in goldfish (Carassiusauratus). One hundred and forty-seven live specimens of C. auratus were obtained and exposed to 1, 10, 100, 500, 1000 and 2000 ppm of AgSO4for 96 hours. There was one control group (no AgSO4) and three replicates. The physicochemical properties of water and the following parameters were constant: pH: 7.56±0.45 (TS1); temperature: 19±1°C; hardness: 293±2.35 ppm and dissolved oxygen: 8.80 ±0.06 mg L-1 (DO-5510). LC1, LC10, LC30, LC50, LC70, LC90 and LC99 were calculated in 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours. For assessing the impact ofAgSO4 on physiological responses of goldfish hematological indices, blood glucose and cortisol levels were measured. Results showed that LC50 96-h of AgSO4 for goldfish was 687.81 ppm. In addition, the use of AgSO4induces a significant decrease in MCHE after 48 hours, MCV and MCH after 96 hours and lymphocyte after 96 hours in contrast to the control group (P<0.05). Furthermore, increased lymphocyte was significant after 24 hours exposure (P<0.05). In addition, glucose increased significantly at P<0.05 with time increase24 hours after experiment but this (). In conclusion, the study showed that acute toxicity of AgSO4induced hematological alterations in goldfish and offers a tool for the evaluation oftoxicity-derived alterations.University of TehranPollution2383-451X1320150701Speciation of four heavy metals in agricultural soils around DraaLasfarmine area in Marrakech (Morocco)2572645392810.7508/pj.2015.03.002ENBarkouchYassirLaboratoire de Toxicologie et d’hygiène Industrielle, 1 rue Gaston Veil, 44035, Nantes Cedex, France0000-0003-0683-9141PineauAlainLaboratoire Régional du diagnostic épidémiologique et d’hygiène du milieu, Rue AbdelouahabDerraq ,Marrakech , MarocJournal Article20141121This study was carried out to 1. determine spatial variations of heavy metal deposition in agricultural soils of two rural communities (OuledBouAicha and Tazakourte) of about 5790 ha in a mining area near Marrakech city in Morocco; 2. to assess the extent of metallic pollution generated by the mining activity and; 3. to identify the key mechanism responsible for this contamination and its relation to mining activity. Soil pollution assessment was carried out on one hand by measurement of the total metal concentration and on the other hand by studying four heavy metals speciation of the studied soils. The chemical forms of four heavy metals in soils around DraaLasfar mine were studied by determining soil Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn species using standard solvent extraction and Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometric techniques. The chemical pools of the metals indicated that the metals were distributed into six fractions with most of them residing in the non-residual fractions thus suggesting how readily the metals are released into the environment. Considering that the metals occur in the most available forms, we suggested that it is most likely that the metals must have been derived from anthropogenic sources especially from the mining activity in the studied region.University of TehranPollution2383-451X1320150701Assessing environmental contamination of River Ganga using correlation and multivariate analysis2652735392910.7508/pj.2015.03.003ENRakeshBhutianiDepartment of Zoology and Environmental Science Gurukula Kangri University, Haridwar, IndiaD.R.KhannaDepartment of Zoology and Environmental Science Gurukula Kangri University, Haridwar, IndiaBhartiTyagiDepartment of Zoology and Environmental Science Gurukula Kangri University, Haridwar, IndiaPrashantTyagiDepartment of Zoology and Environmental Science Gurukula Kangri University, Haridwar, IndiaDipaliKulkarniDepartment of Zoology and Environmental Science Gurukula Kangri University, Haridwar, IndiaJournal Article20150113The aim of this study was to assess the environmental impact of socio-cultural practices on the water quality of River Ganga at the foothills of the Garhwal Himalayas in Uttarakhand State, India. The physico-chemical parameters that contributed to the temporal variation and pollution in the river were identified in this study. Principal component analysis (PCA) and Cluster analysis (CA) were used in the identification of anthropogenic factors (industrial, urban sewage, agricultural, land use and mining activities) and natural factors (soil erosion, weathering). The results of this study show that total coliform, fecal coliform, nitrate, sodium, phosphate, sulphate, TDS (Total dissolved solids), temperature, BOD (Biochemical oxygen demand), calcium and chloride are parameters significantly contributing to pollution load.University of TehranPollution2383-451X1320150701Development of a new low-cost procedure for wind farm maintenance with a view to decrease soil pollution2752855393010.7508/pj.2015.03.004ENAngel M.CostaUniversidade da Coruña. Escuela Técnica Superior de N. y M. Departamento de Energía y P. M. Paseo de Ronda, 51, 15011. A Coruña, EspañaFelicianoFraguelaUniversidade da Coruña. Escuela Técnica Superior de N. y M. Departamento de Energía y P. M. Paseo de Ronda, 51, 15011. A Coruña, EspañaJosé A.OrosaUniversidade da Coruña. Escuela Técnica Superior de N. y M. Departamento de Energía y P. M. Paseo de Ronda, 51, 15011. A Coruña, EspañaGholamrezaRoshanDepartment of Geography, Golestan University, Shahid Beheshti 49138-15759, Gorgan, IranJournal Article20150116The purpose of this article is to present the development of a wind farm, with a condition monitoring system (CMS) based on control charts as the algorithm, centred on a new index, to prevent soil pollution by oil spills in wind farms. To this end, temperature sensors can be considered as one of the more significant sensors to be employed in this study, because the information obtained with regard to anemometers and electrical power output counters can be employed by the control system. As a result, among the other variables, oil temperatures sampled in multipliers used in the wind turbines of a real wind farm were employed. Statistical analyzes were developed and the relationship between wind farm maintenance (usually related to wind farm oil spills) and oil temperature was obtained. Furthermore, a practical case study, centered in the statistical process control, based on the low-cost sample variable was developed and showed that this new procedure would improve deficiencies in the maintenance process, thus, reducing the failure detection time under low sensor cost, as also the related soil pollution.University of TehranPollution2383-451X1320150701Isolation and molecular characterization of bacteria to heavy metals isolated from soil samples in Bokaro Coal Mines, India2872955393110.7508/pj.2015.03.005ENVikramGandhiCentre of Biological Sciences (Biotechnology), School of Earth, Biological and Environmental Sciences, Central University of Bihar, BIT Campus, Patna 800014, Bihar, IndiaAnshuPriyaCentre of Biological Sciences (Biotechnology), School of Earth, Biological and Environmental Sciences, Central University of Bihar, BIT Campus, Patna 800014, Bihar, IndiaSumanPriyaCentre of Biological Sciences (Biotechnology), School of Earth, Biological and Environmental Sciences, Central University of Bihar, BIT Campus, Patna 800014, Bihar, IndiaVivekDaiyaCentre of Biological Sciences (Biotechnology), School of Earth, Biological and Environmental Sciences, Central University of Bihar, BIT Campus, Patna 800014, Bihar, IndiaJitendraKesariDiscipline of Marine Biotechnology and Ecology, Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Bhavnagar, 364 002 Gujarat, IndiaKrishnaPrakashCentre of Biological Sciences (Biotechnology), School of Earth, Biological and Environmental Sciences, Central University of Bihar, BIT Campus, Patna 800014, Bihar, IndiaAmritKumar JhaDepartment of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi 834 006, Jharkhand, IndiaKundanKumarDepartment of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology & Science Pilani, K. K. Birla Goa Campus, Goa-403726, IndiaNitishKumarCentre of Biological Sciences (Biotechnology), School of Earth, Biological and Environmental Sciences, Central University of Bihar, BIT Campus, Patna 800014, Bihar, IndiaJournal Article20150119In recent years, environmental pollution by coal mining is a long-established human activity affecting all levels of life with various environmental impacts by generating heavy metals. The presence of heavy metals even in trace amount is toxic and detrimental to all living organisms. The coal mine area in Bokaro is one of the “Toxic Hotspot” in India. Bacteria have evolved uptake and efflux mechanisms to adapt in heavy metals contaminated environments and thus represent a potential source for bioremediation processes. In the present study, we isolated and characterized eight heavy metal resistant bacteria (NK-1 to 8) from soil sample in Bokaro coal mines, India. Isolates were selected based on high level of heavy metal resistance and its biochemical characterization. The following bacteria were identified based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing Enterobacter ludwigii (KM029957; NK-1), Klebsiella pneumonia (KM029958; NK-2), Enterobacter ludwigii (KM029959; NK-3), Enterobacter ludwigii (KM029960; NK-4), Klebsiella oxytoca (KM029961; NK-5), Enterobacter cloacae (KM029962; NK-6), Acinetobacter gyllenbergii (KM029963; NK-7), Enterobacter cloacae (KM029964; NK-8). A high degree of metal resistance associated with multiple antibiotic resistances was also detected in the selected isolate which was confirmed by the presence of plasmid. These isolates can further be used for bioremediation of heavy metals from contaminated site.University of TehranPollution2383-451X1320150701Effect of a thermal power plant waste fly ash on leguminous and non-leguminous leafy vegetables in extracting maximum benefits from P and K fertilization2973045393210.7508/pj.2015.03.006ENAkhtarInamPlant Physiology and Biochemistry Section, Department of Botany, Women’s College Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh (U.P), IndiaSeemaSahayPlant Physiology, Biochemistry and Environmental Botany Section, Department of Botany Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh (U.P), IndiaJournal Article20150115Although the Indian population is largely vegetarian, not much attention has been given to the cultivation of vegetables, as compared to other crops like cereals, pulses and oil seeds. Therefore, the present study was conducted on two leafy vegetables, spinach (Spanacia oleracea L.) and methi (Trigonella foenum graecum L.) commonly grown in Aligarh, as the two popular vegetables of Indian diet. The study was conducted for two successive years and during the first year, phosphorus and fly ash interactions with a uniform dose of nitrogen and potassium on both vegetables was observed. During the second year, while keeping nitrogen and phosphorus uniform, potassium and fly ash combinations were studied again with both vegetables, to determine the optimum dose of inorganic fertilizers and fly ash combination. It was observed that fly ash applied at the rate of 15 t ha-1 along with N40P15K20, proved optimum for spinach while in the case of methi, N20P30K40 + FA10 was sufficient. Therefore, both vegetables can safely be grown with 10 to 15 t ha-1 of fly ash and a comparatively lower quantity of NPK.University of TehranPollution2383-451X1320150701Natural radioactivity in virgin and agricultural soil and its environmental implications in Sungai Petani, Kedah, Malaysia3053135393310.7508/pj.2015.03.007ENNisarAhmadSchool of Physics, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800, Pulau Pinang, MalaysiaMohamadJaafarSchool of Physics, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800, Pulau Pinang, MalaysiaMohammedAlsaffarSchool of Physics, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800, Pulau Pinang, MalaysiaJournal Article20150212A study on natural radioactivity in virgin and agricultural soil samples collected from Sungai Petani was conducted using high-purity germanium. The mean activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K in virgin soils were 51.06±5.83, 78.44±6.42, and 125.66±7.26 Bq kg−1, respectively, while those in agricultural soils were 80.63±5.78, 116.87±7.87, and 200.66±18.24 Bq kg−1, respectively. The corresponding activity concentrations in agricultural soils were higher than those in virgin soils and those reported for other countries of the world. The average values of radium equivalent activity (Raeq), external hazard index (Hex), internal hazard index (Hin), outdoor annual effective doses (Eout), and indoor annual effective doses (Ein) in agricultural soils were 258.38 Ba kg−1, 0.708, 0.925, 0.162 mSv y−1, and 0.669 mSv y−1, respectively. The average values of outdoor external dose (Dout) and indoor absorbed dose (Din) rate in agricultural soils were 116.04 and 218.46 nGy h−1, respectively, which were higher than the permissible limit. Soil with Hex and Hin less than unity are suitable for use as building materials and in agriculture.University of TehranPollution2383-451X1320150701Radioactivity analysis in underground drinking water sources in Niger State University of Nigeria3153245393410.7508/pj.2015.03.008ENRaymondNjingaPhysics Department, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, Niger State, NigeriaVivaIbrahimCentre for Energy Research and Training, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, NigeriaIbialeIshoryiyiPhysics Department, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, Niger State, NigeriaJournal Article20150119The activity concentration of gross alpha and gross beta particles in four samples of borehole drinking water consumed in Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBU), Lapai, Niger State-Nigeria was measured, using a portable single channel gas free proportional counter (MPC2000B-DP) detector. This study focused on cancer related problems and the bio-data of the environment was discussed as well as the radiological effect of the water on consumers. Higher concentration of alpha and beta were observed in Hostel block A (DD) with values of 0.085 0.024 and 11.229 0.901 BqL-1, respectively. However, lower concentration of alpha and beta particles were observed in the Faculty of Management Science (AA) with values of 0.006 0.005 and 0.001 0.276 BqL-1, respectively. Out of the four sampling sites studied, only the Faculty of Management Science fall below the guideline levels of gross alpha (0.5 BqL-1) and gross beta (1.0 BqL-1) in drinking water, established by the World Health Organization. These results show that, consumption of groundwater from the other three major borehole sources, may pose significant radiological health hazards to the population.University of TehranPollution2383-451X1320150701Assessment of indoor cancer linked to accumulated radiation dose from different types of television sets in dwellings3253325393510.7508/pj.2015.03.009ENRaymondNjingaDepartment of Physics, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, Niger State, NigeriaSameulMammanDepartment of Physics, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, Niger State, NigeriaJournal Article20150310Exposure to radiation from different types of television sets was measured to ascertain the levels of hazards posed to the human biological system. Measurement of the annual radiation dose hazards was performed using a halogen-quenched GM tube with thin mica end window having a density of 1.5 mg/cm2, effective window diameter of 0.360 inch and side wall of 0.012 inch thick. The GM tube was placed for 180 minutes and the sensor faced the screens of the various TV sets, one meter apart. The annual radiation dose ranged from 0.012 ± 0.006 mSv/yr for plasma-SONY to 0.13 ± 0.012 mSv/yr for SHARP and SAMSUNG 24 inch TV sets, containing cathode ray tubes. The annual doses from the 15 and 24 inch-LG TVs (manufactured with cathode ray tubes) were relatively low, with values of 0.031 ± 0.017 and 0.035 ± 0.005 mSv/yr, respectively. The 21 inch THERMOCOOL and PROTECH (with cathode ray tubes), produced annual doses of 0.110 ± 0.052 Sv/yr and 0.063 ± 0.002 mSv/yr, respectively. This provides an insight into the amount of radiation generated by different TV sets in households, on an annual basis. After some years of exposure to TV radiation, health complications such as carcinogenesis or other adverse cellular events may occur, due to cumulated (but does not always) doses which may result in DNA damage, to the human biological system.University of TehranPollution2383-451X1320150701Vulnerability assessment of surface water quality with an innovative integrated multi-parameter water quality index (IMWQI)3333465393610.7508/pj.2015.03.010ENMd.Sikder1Graduate School of Environmental Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan;
2 Department of Public Health and Informatics, Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka, BangladeshShunitzTanakaGraduate School of Environmental Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, JapanTakeshiSaitoFaculty of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, JapanToshiyukiHosokawaResearch Division for Higher Education, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, JapanSulminGumiriAgricultural Faculty of the University of Palangka Raya, Palangka Raya, IndonesiaArdianorArdianorUniversity of PalangkaRaya, Palangka Raya, IndonesiaMd.UddinDepartment of Environmental Sciences, Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka, BangladeshShafiTareqDepartment of Environmental Sciences, Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka, BangladeshMashuraShammiDepartment of Environmental Sciences, Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka, Bangladesh0000-0001-5449-4761AKKamalDepartment of Environmental Sciences, Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka, BangladeshMasaakiKurasakiGraduate School of Environmental Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, JapanJournal Article20150301The development of a surface water evaluation index is a critical factor in the assessment, restoration and protection of stream water quality. Quantifying water pollution in specific grade using dominant parameters is important, as this can explain the current state of water pollution with accuracy. As a result, an integrated multi-parameter water quality index has been developed. It is based on the 10 most prevailing parameters (pH, conductivity, nitrate ions, phosphate ions, Escherichia coli number, cadmium, chromium, lead, copper and manganese) with a scale of 1 to 4, wherein the grades are classified into 1: good; 1.1-1.5: slightly polluted; 1.6-2.0: moderately polluted; 2.1-2.9: heavily polluted and 3.0-4.0: gravely polluted. The measuring stick used was according to the 2011 background values of the World Health Organization (WHO) in which a value of 0.1 was attributed for each, so that the final grade can be calculated. Water quality data were successfully fitted in an integrated multi-parameter water quality index to measure the river water level of pollution, and effectively represented every water bodies. This innovative index is able to quantify pollution with respect to seasons, geography and geomorphology of the respective rivers. Although operative, this index still lacks scientific integrity and as such, more synoptic experiments in the rivers of developing countries are recommended to attain a pragmatic feature.