Environmental Science Archives

  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)...