Environmental Science Archives

 Urbanization and industrialization mainly contribute to the rise in Carbon Dioxide (CO2) concentration in the atmosphere, which has become a challengingly important issue to the stability of the global climate. This paper is an analysis of the efficiency and effectiveness of Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) and Calcium Hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) solutions as the solvent of a Direct Air Capture (DAC) machine. In order to do this, a specially designed direct air capture device was built to mimic an air filtration device to feed the ambient air into the solvent chamber.  The turbidity measurements were used to quantify the CO2 absorption, with higher turbidity corresponding to a more significant carbonate precipitation, and thus, it could be used as a proxy to capture efficiency. The potential of Calcium and Sodium hydroxide as a potential solvent to capture and store ambient carbon dioxide in efficient way is investigated in the study, thus helping to contribute to reducing atmospheric CO2 lev...

 Guava is a delicious fruit loaded with essential nutrients; in addition, its leaves are equally beneficial. It contains various nutritional and bioactive compounds that offer a range of health benefits and can be used as a complement to medicines. The experiments were carried out and replicated thrice to evaluate the concentration of bioactive compounds in the dried leaves. Guava leaves were dried in shade under ambient conditions as well as using tray (50°C, 60°C and 70°C) and microwave drying (360 W, 540 W and 720 W).  To explain the drying process, nineteen available models were evaluated for the best fit. The drying data were best explained by the Page model and Verma model in shade drying; Midilli and Kuck model, as well as the Jena and Das model at 700C tray drying; Midilli and Kuck and Logarithmic model for 360 W microwave drying of Purple guava and Shweta guava, respectively. In both guava varieties, L*, a*, b* values were higher in fresh leaves in comparison to shade...

  Dead branching coral samples were collected in Nha Trang Bay to isolate benthic dinoflagellates. The identification and taxonomic observation of benthic dinoflagellates were based on cell size, shape, surface morphology, and thecal plate structure using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. A total of 27 benthic dinoflagellate species belonging to 5 orders were identified from dead corals. The cell density of dinoflagellates varied spatially. During the dry season, the highest density reached 17.8 cells/cm², while in the rainy season, the highest density was 15.7 cells/cm². Five species of Gambierdiscus australes, G. carpenteri, G. caribaeus, G. polynesiensis, G. belizeanus, which are known to cause Ciguatera Fish Poisoning (CFP), were also detected, although their cell densities were low, reaching 2.8 cells/cm² in the dry season and 0.5 cells/cm² in the rainy season.

  Aluminum (Al3+) toxicity is a significant limitation to chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) productivity in acidic soils by impairing root growth and increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS). Class III peroxidases are major antioxidant enzymes important for ROS scavenging; however, the structural and functional role of peroxidases in chickpea under Al³⁺ stress remains unclear. This study conducted comprehensive bioinformatics and molecular docking of the chickpea peroxidase 43 isoform X2 gene. BLASTn and BLASTx analyses confirmed that the gene encodes a peroxidase-like protein. Further comparative analysis of peroxidase 43 from nine legumes revealed a high degree of sequence conservation, especially with Medicago truncatula, Pisum sativum, and Vigna radiata. Multiple sequence alignment with phylogenetic analysis highlighted conserved motifs for the catalytic mechanism and evolutionary divergence, with Cajanus cajan having the lowest conservation. The analysis of conserved domains confi...

  Fluoride is very abundant in the Earth’s crust. Its usefulness ranges from several industries, agriculture to human health. The significance and use of fluoride in plants and human bodies vary and lack established conviction. However, with concentrations higher than the permissible limit, it poses a threat to soil quality, plants, microbes, and human health. This non-metal can often originate from various sources, posing a grave danger to different ecosystems and the health of organisms. Fluorosis caused by excessive fluoride is endemic in several nations, including India. To mitigate fluoride toxicity effects, conventional methods and now more sustainable biological defluoridation methods are gaining popularity. For decontamination, plants or/microorganisms are employed to remove pollutants such as fluoride. In this review, we analyzed the microbial remediation strategies to evaluate the potential of microbes towards improving soil health and environmental sustainability. READ M...

  Mustard is an essential oilseed crop belonging to family Brassicaceae (Cruciferae). In the present study, out of a total of 50 actinobacterial isolates (30 from rhizospheric soil and 20 from endophytic tissues) obtained from mustard plant, two promising isolates (rhizospheric MRS-15 and endophytic MER-33) were evaluated for the plant growth promoting potential and endophytic occurrence in in-vitro assay. The MRS-15 isolate was observed to form biofilm-like structure on root epidermis while MER-33 reached inside the root outer cortex on seed inoculation in mustard seedlings. In the field study, Azotobacter was applied as a reference culture along with the two best isolates (MRS-15 and MER-33). The results revealed significant enhancement of various growth parameters (plant height, fresh and dry shoot and root weight, chlorophyll content) and yield attributes by the two actinobacterial cultures. Whereas seed weight/plant and seed yield were enhanced by all three inoculants over the...

  Coral reefs are crucial ecosystems that support marine biodiversity and provide invaluable services to human communities. The Indo-Pacific region boasts the greatest coral reef diversity worldwide, with over 600 species of reef-building corals and 2,000 species of reef fishes. In India, the four primary coral reef regions include the Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay, the Gulf of Kachchh, the Lakshadweep Archipelago, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Despite their importance, these reefs face significant threats from climate change, ocean acidification, pollution, and overfishing, leading to a decline in coral cover and diversity, which undermines the productivity and resilience of these ecosystems. Information on coral coverage in Andhra Pradesh, however, remains limited. A recent study conducted from 2019 to 2023 surveyed four sites (15 subsites) along the Visakhapatnam coast using SCUBA diving and digital photography to document coral diversity. The findings revealed that Chintap...

  Insects, often overlooked due to their small size and ubiquity, are the unsung heroes of global ecosystems. Playing pivotal roles as pollinators, decomposers, nutrient cyclers, and food sources for countless animals, insects underpin the stability of both natural and agricultural systems. However, recent decades have seen an alarming decline in insect populations worldwide; a phenomenon that has far-reaching implications for biodiversity, ecosystem function, and human well-being. This editorial explores the current state of global insect populations, the environmental factors contributing to their decline, and the potential consequences if these trends continue. It has been tried to present an overview how environmental changes, including habitat loss, pesticide use, climate change and pollution are driving this silent crisis. READ MORE: https://www.envsciarch.com/volume4issue2/alarming-decline-in-insect-population-a-reflection-of-changing-world-environment

  In recent years, the mismanaged disposal of waste into water resources has increased, leading to the generation of an estimated 360–380 billion cubic meters (BCM) of wastewater annually across the globe. This wastewater contains a range of harmful and persistent contaminants from agricultural, industrial, and domestic activities, posing significant risks to public health, the environment, and ecosystems. This review highlights the policies implemented by various nations for wastewater disposal and reuse, with a focus on bioremediation technologies adopted by urban regions to address water stress and inconsistencies in water management and discharge practices. The application of newer technologies along with statistical computer systems for predictive modeling and analytics are crucial in achieving sustainable wastewater treatment and reuse. These advancements are critical for mitigating water crises and enabling the safe use of treated wastewater for irrigation, aquaculture, agro...

  Papaya is highly perishable due to the higher moisture content and water activity present in it. The postharvest losses are higher because of this reason. These losses can be reduced by converting them into intermediate moisture fruits by osmosis, followed by other dehydration methods. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of microwave energy, immersion duration, and osmotic solution on the intermediate moisture papaya var. Red Lady is prepared by osmotic dehydration followed by vacuum drying. Papaya fruits of mature and firm ripe stage were collected, and the juice of the fruits was concentrated to 50 °brix in microwave oven at power levels 180, 300 and 450 W. Mature and firm ripe papaya fruits were sliced and immersed in the osmotic solutions for 6, 12 and 24 hrs and then dried in vacuum oven at 40 °C. The physical characteristics were determined, and results were expressed as the mean of the triplicates. The results revealed that the intermediate moisture (IM)...

  Fresh produce is considered as highly beneficial for human health. Post harvest losses and improper storage cause quality related issues. Factors like dehydration, browning, microbial growth, firmness loss, etc contribute to quality loss of fresh-cut fruit. Hence, there are technologies developed to reduce like modified atmospheric packaging, disinfectant washing, and edible coatings have been used to prevent post-harvest losses for quality loss prevention. The use of edible coatings is an area of focus in food industries. Edible coatings have gained considerable attention due to their ability to extend fruit and vegetables shelf life. These coatings are a novel type of primary packaging made up of polysaccharides, proteins, lipids or mixture of these types. They are known to improve quality and appearance of fresh products by decreasing aroma loss and by maintaining its structural integrity. Active coatings can carry supplementary ingredients like antimicrobials, antioxidants, a...

  Plastic pollution can have negative effects on human health as well as serious effects on marine ecosystems. The widespread production of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) single-use plastics poses a significant threat to aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems in terms of plastic waste. PET is a strong, clear and light plastic that is typically used for food and beverage packaging, as well as for other single-use applications. As a result, removing plastic from the environment is not only difficult but also ineffective financially. Numerous strains of bacteria are capable of biodegrading a variety of plastics. Utilizing beneficial micro-organisms that are capable of breaking down plastic could be an effective and long-term solution to all of the problems. Ideonella sakaeinsis 201-F6 is the most well-known heterotrophic bacteria that can use PET as its primary source of energy and carbon to degrade plastic in the environment. It has a place with the sort of Ideonella and the family Com...

  Nilufar Yasmin Liza and Md. Habibur Rahman Coccolithophores, a special group of calcifying phytoplankton in the Indian Ocean, their distribution and productivity are strongly mediated by monsoonal dynamics, and they are a key player in the oceanic biogeochemical cycles. Our study explores the multifaceted dynamics between monsoon-driven environmental variability and coccolithophores, examining the influences of upwelling, nutrient accessibility and stratification. Normally, the Southwest (SW) monsoon is characterized by strong winds and substantial upwelling of nutrients and promotes coccolithophore blooms. In contrast, the population density is often lower with reduced upwelling of the northeast (NE) monsoon. This driving force is also noted in the analysis as different responses across regions of the Indian Ocean highlight the local environmental conditions. In addition, it highlights the importance of detailed long-term monitoring and innovative methods, including remote sensi...

Electronic waste (e-waste) has become a major environmental issue due to its hazardous contents, such as toxic substances like Mercury, Brominated Flame Retardants (BFRs), and Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs), which pose significant risks to human health and ecosystems. The rapid pace of technological advancement and the increasing consumption of electronic devices have caused a substantial surge in e-waste generation. In 2019, global e-waste production reached 53.6 million metric tons, with projections suggesting it will double by 2050. High-income countries have made strides in developing policies and infrastructure for e-waste recycling; however, a significant portion of this waste is exported to low-income countries, where improper processing methods lead to serious environmental and health hazards. Although recycling e-waste has substantial economic value, with raw material recovery potentially worth $57 billion, only 17.4% of global e-waste was properly recycled in 2019, emphasi...

Arsenic has mutagenic, teratogenic and epigenetic effects Puri et al., 2024 Heavy metals can be described as those naturally occurring metals or metalloids which have considerably high atomic weight. Generally, Arsenic (As), Lead (Pb), Mercury (Hg), Cadmium (Cd) and Chromium (Cr) are regarded as heavy metals in matters concerning public health due to their significant ill effects on the environment. Heavy metals including arsenic result in biomagnification involving a significant increase in their concentration as we move from lower to higher trophic levels across the food chain up to humans. The toxic effects depend upon many factors like the chemical nature, route, duration and dose of exposure along with the age, gender, genetic makeup and nutritional status of the exposed animals. Arsenic exists both in organic and inorganic forms and is considered to be one of the systemic toxicants known to cause damage to multiple organs even at minuscule levels of exposure. Arsenic is a necessa...