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Jayasekera J, El Kefi S, Fernandez JR, Wojcik KM, Woo JMP, Ezeani A, Ish JL, Bhattacharya M, Ogunsina K, Chang CJ, Cohen CM, Ponce S, Kamil D, Zhang J, Le R, Ramanathan AL, Butera G, Chapman C, Grant SJ, Lewis-Thames MW, Dash C, Bethea TN, Forde AT. Opportunities, challenges, and future directions for simulation modeling the effects of structural racism on cancer mortality in the United States: a scoping review. J Natl Cancer Inst Monogr 2023; 2023:231-245. [PMID: 37947336 PMCID: PMC10637025 DOI: 10.1093/jncimonographs/lgad020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Structural racism could contribute to racial and ethnic disparities in cancer mortality via its broad effects on housing, economic opportunities, and health care. However, there has been limited focus on incorporating structural racism into simulation models designed to identify practice and policy strategies to support health equity. We reviewed studies evaluating structural racism and cancer mortality disparities to highlight opportunities, challenges, and future directions to capture this broad concept in simulation modeling research. METHODS We used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses-Scoping Review Extension guidelines. Articles published between 2018 and 2023 were searched including terms related to race, ethnicity, cancer-specific and all-cause mortality, and structural racism. We included studies evaluating the effects of structural racism on racial and ethnic disparities in cancer mortality in the United States. RESULTS A total of 8345 articles were identified, and 183 articles were included. Studies used different measures, data sources, and methods. For example, in 20 studies, racial residential segregation, one component of structural racism, was measured by indices of dissimilarity, concentration at the extremes, redlining, or isolation. Data sources included cancer registries, claims, or institutional data linked to area-level metrics from the US census or historical mortgage data. Segregation was associated with worse survival. Nine studies were location specific, and the segregation measures were developed for Black, Hispanic, and White residents. CONCLUSIONS A range of measures and data sources are available to capture the effects of structural racism. We provide a set of recommendations for best practices for modelers to consider when incorporating the effects of structural racism into simulation models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinani Jayasekera
- Division of Intramural Research at the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Safa El Kefi
- NYU Langone Health, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jessica R Fernandez
- Division of Intramural Research at the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Kaitlyn M Wojcik
- Division of Intramural Research at the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jennifer M P Woo
- Epidemiology Branch at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences at the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Adaora Ezeani
- Health Behaviors Research Branch of the Behavioral Research Program, Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Jennifer L Ish
- Epidemiology Branch at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences at the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Manami Bhattacharya
- Cancer Prevention Fellowship Program, Division of Cancer Prevention, and the Surveillance Research Program, Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Kemi Ogunsina
- Epidemiology Branch at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences at the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Che-Jung Chang
- Epidemiology Branch at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences at the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Camryn M Cohen
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Stephanie Ponce
- Division of Intramural Research at the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Dalya Kamil
- Division of Intramural Research at the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Julia Zhang
- Division of Intramural Research at the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Sophomore at Williams College, Williamstown, MA, USA
| | - Randy Le
- Division of Intramural Research at the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Amrita L Ramanathan
- Diabetes, Endocrinology, & Obesity Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Gisela Butera
- Office of Research Services, National Institutes of Health Library, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Christina Chapman
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Baylor College of Medicine, and the Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness, and Safety in the Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine and the Houston Veterans Affairs, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Shakira J Grant
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Marquita W Lewis-Thames
- Department of Medical Social Science, Center for Community Health at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Chiranjeev Dash
- Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities Research at the Georgetown-Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Traci N Bethea
- Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities Research at the Georgetown-Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Allana T Forde
- Division of Intramural Research at the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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Majumdar J, Biswas JK, Santra SC, Ramanathan AL, Tack FMG. Sedimentation of metals in Sundarban mangrove ecosystem: Dominant drivers and environmental risks. Environ Geochem Health 2023; 45:1555-1572. [PMID: 35532837 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-022-01277-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Metal contamination from upstream river water is a threat to coastal and estuarine ecosystem. The present study was undertaken to unveil sedimentation processes and patterns of heavy metal deposition along the salinity gradient of a tropical estuary and its mangrove ecosystem. Sediment columns from three representative sites of differential salinity, anthropogenic interference, and sediment deposition pattern were sampled and analyzed for grain size distribution and metal concentrations as a function of depth. Sediments were dominantly of silty-medium sand texture. A suite of fluvial and alluvial processes, and marine depositional forcing control the sediment deposition and associated heavy metal loading in this estuary. The depth profile revealed a gradual increase in heavy metal accumulation in recent top layer sediments and smaller fractions (silt + clay), irrespective of tidal regimes. Alluvial processes and long tidal retention favor accumulation of heavy metals. Enrichment factor (0.52-15), geo-accumulation index (1.4-5.8), and average pollution load index (PLI = 2.0) indicated moderate to higher heavy metal contamination status of this estuary. This study showed that alluvial processes acted as dominant drivers for the accumulation of metals in sediments, which prevailed over the influence of marine processes. Longer tidal retention of the water column favored more accumulation of heavy metals. Metal accumulation in the sediments entails a potential risk of bioaccumulation and biomagnification through the food web, and may increasingly impact estuarine ecology, economy, and ultimately human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jayjit Majumdar
- Department of Ecological Studies, University of Kalyani, Kalyani, Nadia, West Bengal, 741235, India.
| | - Jayanta Kumar Biswas
- Department of Ecological Studies, University of Kalyani, Kalyani, Nadia, West Bengal, 741235, India.
- International Centre for Ecological Engineering, University of Kalyani, Kalyani, Nadia, West Bengal, 741235, India.
| | - Subhas Chandra Santra
- Department of Environmental Science, University of Kalyani, Kalyani, Nadia, West Bengal, 741235, India
| | - A L Ramanathan
- School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Filip M G Tack
- Department of Green Chemistry and Technology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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Kaushik H, Soheb M, Biswal K, Ramanathan AL, Kumar O, Patel AK. Understanding the hydrochemical functioning of glacierized catchments of the Upper Indus Basin in Ladakh, Indian Himalayas. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2023; 30:20631-20649. [PMID: 36255575 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-23477-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Recent studies have endorsed that surface water chemical composition in the Himalayas is impacted by climate change-induced accelerated melting of glaciers. Chemical weathering dynamics in the Ladakh region is poorly understood, due to unavailability of in situ dataset. The aim of the present study is to investigate how the two distinct catchments (Lato and Stok) drive the meltwater chemistry of the Indus River and its tributary, in the Western Himalayas. Water samples were collected from two glaciated catchments (Lato and Stok), Chabe Nama (tributary) and the Indus River in Ladakh. The mildly alkaline pH (range 7.3-8.5) and fluctuating ionic trend of the meltwater samples reflected the distinct geology and weathering patterns of the Upper Indus Basin (UIB). Gibbs plot and mixing diagram revealed rock weathering outweighed evaporation and precipitation. The strong associations between Ca2+-HCO3-, Mg2+-HCO3-, Ca2+-Mg2+, Na+-HCO3-, and Mg2+-Na+ demonstrated carbonate rock weathering contributed to the major ion influx. Principal component analysis (PCA) marked carbonate and silicates as the most abundant minerals respectively. Chemical weathering patterns were predominantly controlled by percentage of glacierized area and basin runoff. Thus, Lato with the larger glacierized area (~ 25%) and higher runoff contributed low TDS, HCO3-, Ca2+, and Na+ and exhibited higher chemical weathering, whereas lower chemical weathering was evinced at Stok with the smaller glacierized area (~ 5%). In contrast, the carbonate weathering rate (CWR) of larger glacierized catchments (Lato) exhibits higher average value of 15.7 t/km2/year as compared to smaller glacierized catchment (Stok) with lower average value 6.69 t/km2/year. However, CWR is high in both the catchments compared to silicate weathering rate (SWR). For the first time, in situ datasets for stream water chemical characteristics have been generated for Lato and Stok glaciated catchments in Ladakh, to facilitate healthy ecosystems and livelihoods in the UIB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Himanshu Kaushik
- School of Environmental Science, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India.
| | - Mohd Soheb
- School of Environmental Science, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Kalyan Biswal
- School of Environmental Science, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - A L Ramanathan
- School of Environmental Science, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Om Kumar
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Lakshmibai College, University of Delhi, Delhi, 110052, India
| | - Arbind Kumar Patel
- School of Environmental Science, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India
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Kumar M, Srivastava V, Mazumder P, Deka JP, Gupta S, Goswami R, Mutiyar PK, Dave S, Mahanta C, Ramanathan AL, Joshi M. Spectre of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the ambient urban waters of Ahmedabad and Guwahati: A tale of two Indian cities. Environ Res 2022; 204:112067. [PMID: 34543636 PMCID: PMC8445884 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.112067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2021] [Revised: 09/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
COVID-19 positive patients can egest live SARS-CoV-2 virus and viral genome fragments through faecal matter and urine, raising concerns about viral transmission through the faecal-oral route and/or contaminated aerosolized water. These concerns are amplified in many low- and middle-income countries, where raw sewage is often discharged into surface waterways and open defecation is common. Nonetheless, there has been no evidence of COVID-19 transmission via ambient urban water, and the virus viability in such aquatic matrices is believed to be minimal and not a matter of concern. In this manuscript, we attempt to discern the presence of SARS-CoV-2 genetic material (ORF-1ab, N and S genes) in the urban water (lakes, rivers, and drains) of the two Indian cities viz., Ahmedabad (AMD), in western India with 9 wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and Guwahati (GHY), in the north-east of the country with no such treatment facilities. The present study was carried out to establish the applicability of environmental water surveillance (E-wat-Surveillance) of COVID-19 as a potential tool for public health monitoring at the community level. 25.8% and 20% of the urban water samples had detectable SARS-CoV-2 RNA load in AMD and GHY, respectively. N-gene > S-gene > ORF-1ab-gene were readily detected in the urban surface water of AMD, whereas no such observable trend was noticed in the case of GHY. The high concentrations of SARS-CoV-2 genes (e.g., ORF-1ab; 800 copies/L for Sabarmati River, AMD and S-gene; 565 copies/L for Bharalu urban river, GHY) found in urban waters suggest that WWTPs do not always completely remove the virus genetic material and that E-wat-Surveillance of COVID-19 in cities/rural areas with poor sanitation is possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manish Kumar
- Sustainability Cluster, School of Engineering, University of Petroleum & Energy Studies, Dehradun, Uttrakhand, 248007, India.
| | - Vaibhav Srivastava
- Discipline of Earth Science, Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar, Gujarat, 382 355, India
| | - Payal Mazumder
- Centre for the Environment, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Assam, 781039, India
| | - Jyoti Prakash Deka
- Discipline of Environmental Sciences, Gauhati Commerce College, Guwahati, Assam, 781021, India
| | - Shilangi Gupta
- Discipline of Earth Science, Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar, Gujarat, 382 355, India
| | - Ritusmita Goswami
- Centre for Ecology, Environment and Sustainable Development, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Guwahati, Assam, 781013, India
| | - Pravin K Mutiyar
- National Mission for Clean Ganga, Department of Water Resources, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Govt. of India, New Delhi, India
| | - Shyamnarayan Dave
- UNICEF Gujarat State Office, Sector- 20, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, 382021, India
| | - Chandan Mahanta
- Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Assam, 781039, India
| | - A L Ramanathan
- School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Madhvi Joshi
- Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre (GBRC), Sector- 11, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, 382 011, India
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Panda B, Chidambaram S, Snow D, Malakar A, Singh DK, Ramanathan AL. Source apportionment and health risk assessment of nitrate in foothill aquifers of Western Ghats, South India. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 2022; 229:113075. [PMID: 34923327 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2021.113075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2021] [Revised: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The present research reports the level of nitrate (NO3-), associated health risks and possible sources of contamination in groundwater from south India. Many samples (32%) are above or approaching the recommended level of NO3- for safe drinking water. The correlation analysis indicates different sources of NO3- contamination in different regions rather than a common origin. The isotopic measurements provide information about potential nitrogen sources contributing NO3- to the groundwater. Based on isotope analysis, the sources of NO3- in the groundwater of this region are likely to be from (a) septic sewage (b) organic nitrogen (animal and livestock excreta) (c) sewage (domestic & chemical fertilizers). Among the sample analyzed sewage, manure and septic sewage contribute 46%, 23% and 31% NO3- to groundwater. The HQ > 1 indicates non-carcinogenic health risk due to consumption of high NO3- in drinking water. Among the studied age groups, infants are exposed to higher risk than children and adults. Results indicate that groundwater of this region is polluted with NO3- due to anthropogenic activities. Continuous consumption of such water may pose serious health risk to the residents.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Daniel Snow
- University of Nebraska-Lincoln, United States
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Chidambaram S, Panda B, Keesari T, Prasanna MV, Singh DK, Ramanathan AL. Isotopic signatures to address the groundwater recharge in coastal aquifers. Mar Pollut Bull 2022; 174:113273. [PMID: 35090268 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.113273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Revised: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The dynamics of the coastal aquifers are well-expressed by geochemical and isotopic signatures. Coastal regions often exhibit complex groundwater recharge pattern due to the influence of depression in the Bay of Bengal, tidal variations on surface waters, saline water intrusion and agricultural return flows. In this research, groundwater recharge processes occurring in coastal Tamil Nadu, South India were evaluated using major ion chemistry and environmental isotopes. A total of 170 groundwater samples were collected from shallow and deep aquifers during both post-monsoon (POM) and pre-monsoon (PRM) seasons. The isotopic results showed a wide variation in the shallow groundwater, suggesting contribution from multiple recharge sources. But, the deeper groundwater recharge is mainly from precipitation. The northern part of the study area showed more depleted isotopic values, which rapidly changed towards south from -6.8 to -4.4‰. Alternatively, central and southern parts exhibited relatively enriched isotopic content with variation from -0.58 to -2.7‰. Groundwater was discerned to be brackish to saline with chloride content, 600-2060 mgL-1 and δ18O ranging from -5.8 to -4.5‰, suggesting influence of the saline water sources. A minor influence of anthropogenic activities was also observed in the deeper groundwater during PRM, which was confirmed by tritium and Cl- trends. The old groundwater with depleted isotopic content infer recharged by distant sources while modern groundwater with enriched isotopes points to the influence of evaporated recharge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabarathinam Chidambaram
- Water Research Centre, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, Safat, Kuwait; Department of Earth Sciences, Annamalai University, Tamilnadu 608002, India.
| | - Banajarani Panda
- Department of Earth Sciences, Annamalai University, Tamilnadu 608002, India.
| | - Tirumalesh Keesari
- Isotope and Radiation Application Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai 400 085, India; Homi Bhabha National Institute, DAE, Mumbai 400094, India.
| | - M V Prasanna
- Department of Applied Geology, Faculty of Engineering and Science, Curtin University, Malaysia, CDT 250, 98009 Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia..
| | | | - A L Ramanathan
- School of Environmental Sciences, JNU, New Delhi, India.
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Kumar P, Dubey CS, Kumar O, Shekhar S, Shukla DP, Ramanathan AL. Deciphering the role of meteorological parameters controlling the sediment load and water discharge in the Sutlej basin, Western Himalaya. J Environ Manage 2021; 298:113413. [PMID: 34352482 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.113413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2020] [Revised: 06/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The Sutlej River basin of the western Himalaya (study area), owing to its unique geographical disposition, receives precipitation from both the Indian summer monsoon (ISM) and the Westerlies. The characteristic timing and intensity of the ISM and Westerlies, leaves a distinct footprint on the sediment load of the River. Analysis with the last forty years data, shows an increasing trend for temperature. While for precipitation during the same period, the Spiti watershed on the west has highest monthly accumulated precipitation with long term declining trend, in contrast to the other areas where an increasing trend has been observed. Thus, to probe the hydrological variability and the seasonal attributes, governed by the Westerlies and ISM in the study area, we analyzed precipitation, temperature, snow cover area (in %), discharge, suspended sediment concentration (SSC) and suspended sediment load (SSL) for the period 2004 - 2008. To accomplish the task, we used the available data of five hydrological stations located in the study area. Inter-annual shift in peak discharge during the monsoon period is controlled by the variation in precipitation, snow melt, glacier melt and temperature. Besides seasonal variability has been observed in generation of the sediments and its delivery to the river. Our analysis indicates, dominance of the Westerlies footprints in the hydrological parameters of the Spiti region, towards western part of the study area. While, it is observed that the hydrology of the Khab towards eastern part of the study area shows dominance of ISM. Further downstream, the hydrology of Nathpa station also shows dominance of ISM. It also emerged out that the snowmelt contribution to the River flow is mostly during the initial part, at the onset of the monsoon, while for rest and major part of the summer monsoon season, the River flow is augmented by the precipitation, glacial melt and some snow melt. We observed, that the SSC increases exponentially in response to increase in temperature and correlates positively with River discharge. The average daily SSL in the summer monsoon is many times more than that in the winter monsoon. The downstream decrease in steepness of the sediment rating curve is attributed to either a change in the River-sediment dynamics or on account of the anthropogenic forcing. The top 1% of the extreme summer monsoon events (only 4 events) in our study area contribute up to 45% of SSL to the total sediment load budget. It has also been observed that the River-sediment dynamics in the upstream catchments are more vulnerable and sensitive to the extreme events in comparison to the downstream catchments. The present study for the first time gives a holistic insight in to the complex dynamics of the hydrological processes operational in the study area. The research findings would be crucial for managing the water resources of the region and the linked water and food security.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prem Kumar
- Department of Geology, University of Delhi, Delhi, 110007, India.
| | | | - Om Kumar
- Lakshmibai College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India; School of Environmental Science, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Shashank Shekhar
- Department of Geology, University of Delhi, Delhi, 110007, India.
| | - D P Shukla
- School of Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Mandi, India
| | - A L Ramanathan
- School of Environmental Science, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India
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Parween M, Ramanathan AL, Raju NJ. Assessment of toxicity and potential health risk from persistent pesticides and heavy metals along the Delhi stretch of river Yamuna. Environ Res 2021; 202:111780. [PMID: 34329638 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The present study aims at the assessment of environmental quality of the most polluted stretch of river Yamuna along the megacity of Delhi. The study was conducted in order to examine toxicity and health hazards associated with persistent pollutants present in the fluvial ecosystem. Eighty four sediment and 56 vegetable samples from same locations were collected from the Delhi segment of river Yamuna flood plain in order to examine 20 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and 9 heavy metals (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn). Both the organic and inorganic groups of persistent toxic substances were monitored and analysed for the extent of eco-toxicological as well as dietary health risks posed to the local population. Eco-toxicological assessment was done based on sediment quality guidelines, enrichment factor, geo-accumulation index, degree of contamination and Pollution Load Index. The dietary-risk was assessed with the help of translocation factors (TF) of these pollutants in vegetables. Carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risks from consumption of vegetables were also investigated. The level of concern for heavy metals was greater than that of OCPs as per the sediment quality guidelines. DDT, Cd, Pb and Zn had maximum concentrations corresponding to level 3 of concern, while Cr and Ni reached up to the highest i.e., 4th level of concern. Sediment samples were found to be enriched and contaminated significantly with Cd and moderately with Pb, as represented respectively by enrichment factors and contamination factors (CF). CF for metals lied in order Zn > Cd > CrNi > PbCu. Pollution load index was highest at the location lying on the exit point of Yamuna in Delhi. TF values greater than 1 were observed in majority of samples analysed for Ni, Cr, Cu and Zn. Spinach topped among vegetables in terms of metal contamination. Cd, Ni and Pb accumulated more in the roots, as against Mn, Zn, Cu and Cr which had higher accumulation in the shoots. Translocation factors were substantially high in vegetables for most of the OCPs, clearly indicating bioaccumulation and potential health risk to the consumers. Health risk to humans was assessed for non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic potentials from ingestion of vegetables. Hazard Quotient (HQ) > 1 due to radish (roots and leaves) and cauliflower consumption in children indicated non-carcinogenic risk. Hazard Index (HI) beyond 1 for all the vegetables (except onion leaves) confirmed substantial cumulative risk. Lifetime cancer risk (LCR) revealed moderate (spinach, radish, beet root and cauliflower) to low (all the others) levels of carcinogenic risk to humans. Cancer risks from γ-HCH, β- HCH, Hept, Hept Ep, Ald, p,p'-DDT, and Cr exposure through the food chain could be well established.
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Affiliation(s)
- Musarrat Parween
- National Institute of Advanced Studies, Indian Institute of Science Campus, Bengaluru, Karnataka, 560012, India.
| | - A L Ramanathan
- School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - N Janardhana Raju
- School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India
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Kumar M, Ramanathan AL, Mukherjee A, Sawlani R, Ranjan S. Delineating sources of groundwater recharge and carbon in Holocene aquifers of the central Gangetic basin using stable isotopic signatures. Isotopes Environ Health Stud 2019; 55:254-271. [PMID: 31012329 DOI: 10.1080/10256016.2019.1600515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2018] [Accepted: 01/30/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Stable isotopes of water (δ2H, δ18O) and δ13CTIC were used as a tool to trace the recharge processes, natural carbon (organic and inorganic) source and dynamics in the aquifers of the central Gangetic basin, India. Stable isotope (δ2H, δ18O) record of groundwater (n = 105) revealed that the groundwater of Piedmont was recharged by meteoric origin before evaporation, while aquifers of the older and younger alluvium were recharged by water that had undergone evaporation loss. River Ganges and its tributaries passing through this area have very little contribution in recharging while ponds play no role in the recharging of adjacent aquifers. The connectivity of shallow aquifers of aquitard formation (comprised of clay/sandy clay with thin patches of fine grey sand), i.e. 25-60 m below ground level (bgl) with the main upper aquifer (at a depth of >120 m bgl) was found to be higher in older and younger alluvium. Negative values of δ13CTIC (median -9.6 ‰; range -13.2 to -5.4 ‰) and high TIC (median 35 mM; range 31-46 mM) coupled with low TOC (median 1.35 mg/L; range 0.99-1.77 mg/L) indicated acceleration in microbial activity in the younger alluvium, especially in the active floodplain of river Ganges and its proximity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manoj Kumar
- a School of Environmental Sciences , Jawaharlal Nehru University , New Delhi , India
- b Department of Environmental Science, School of Earth, Environment & Space Studies , Central University of Haryana , Jant-Pali , India
| | - A L Ramanathan
- a School of Environmental Sciences , Jawaharlal Nehru University , New Delhi , India
| | - Abhijit Mukherjee
- c Department of Geology and Geophysics , Indian Institute of Technology , Kharagpur , India
| | - Ravi Sawlani
- d Radio and Atmospheric Sciences Division (RASD) of CSIR-National Physical Laboratory , New Delhi , India
| | - Shyam Ranjan
- a School of Environmental Sciences , Jawaharlal Nehru University , New Delhi , India
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Ghosh S, Bakshi M, Kumar A, Ramanathan AL, Biswas JK, Bhattacharyya S, Chaudhuri P, Shaheen SM, Rinklebe J. Assessing the potential ecological risk of Co, Cr, Cu, Fe and Zn in the sediments of Hooghly-Matla estuarine system, India. Environ Geochem Health 2019; 41:53-70. [PMID: 29744698 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-018-0119-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2017] [Accepted: 05/04/2018] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Hooghly-Matla estuarine system along with the Sundarbans mangroves forms one of the most diverse and vulnerable ecosystems in the world. We have investigated the distribution of Co, Cr, Cu, Fe and Zn along with sediment properties at six locations [Shamshernagar (S1), Kumirmari (S2 and S3), Petuaghat (S4), Tapoban (S5) and Chemaguri (S6)] in the Hooghly estuary and reclaimed islands of the Sundarbans for assessing the degree of contamination and potential ecological risks. Enrichment factor values (0.9-21.6) show enrichment of Co, Cu and Zn in the intertidal sediments considering all sampling locations and depth profiles. Geo-accumulation index values irrespective of sampling locations and depth revealed that Co and Cu are under class II and class III level indicating a moderate contamination of sediments. The pollution load index was higher than unity (1.6-2.1), and Co and Cu were the major contributors to the sediment pollution followed by Zn, Cr and Fe with the minimum values at S1 and the maximum values at S5. The sediments of the Hooghly-Matla estuarine region (S4, S5 and S6) showed considerable ecological risks, when compared with effect range low/effect range median and threshold effect level/probable effect level values. The variation in the distribution of the studied elements may be due to variation in discharge pattern and exposure to industrial effluent and domestic sewage, storm water and agricultural run-off and fluvial dynamics of the region. The study illuminates the necessity for the proper management of vulnerable coastal estuarine ecosystem by stringent pollution control measures along with regular monitoring and checking program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Somdeep Ghosh
- Department of Environmental Science, University of Calcutta, 35, Ballygunge Circular Road, Kolkata, 700 019, India
| | - Madhurima Bakshi
- Department of Environmental Science, University of Calcutta, 35, Ballygunge Circular Road, Kolkata, 700 019, India
| | - Alok Kumar
- School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
- Department of Environmental Science, Central University of Rajasthan, Rajasthan, India
| | - A L Ramanathan
- School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Jayanta Kumar Biswas
- International Centre for Ecological Engineering and Department of Ecological Studies, University of Kalyani, Kalyani, Nadia, West Bengal, 741235, India
| | | | - Punarbasu Chaudhuri
- Department of Environmental Science, University of Calcutta, 35, Ballygunge Circular Road, Kolkata, 700 019, India.
| | - Sabry M Shaheen
- Department of Soil and Water Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Kafrelsheikh, Kafr El-Sheikh, 33 516, Egypt
- School of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Institute of Foundation Engineering, Water- and Waste-Management, Soil- and Groundwater-Management, University of Wuppertal, Pauluskirchstraße 7, 42285, Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Jörg Rinklebe
- School of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Institute of Foundation Engineering, Water- and Waste-Management, Soil- and Groundwater-Management, University of Wuppertal, Pauluskirchstraße 7, 42285, Wuppertal, Germany
- Department of Environment, Energy and Geoinformatics, Sejong University, Seoul, 05006, Republic of Korea
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11
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Singh UK, Ramanathan AL, Subramanian V. Groundwater chemistry and human health risk assessment in the mining region of East Singhbhum, Jharkhand, India. Chemosphere 2018; 204:501-513. [PMID: 29679871 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.04.060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2017] [Revised: 03/20/2018] [Accepted: 04/11/2018] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Groundwater chemistry of mining region of East Singhbhum district having complex contaminant sources were investigated based on heavy metals loads and other hydrochemical constituents. This study aimed to identify the degree of heavy metals exposure and their potential health risk to local population. The results of hydrochemical analysis showed that Na+, K+, and Ca2+ ions are the dominant cations in the groundwater, while HCO3-, F- and Cl- ions dominate the anionic part of the groundwater. The weathering process was considered the dominant factor to determine the major ionic composition in the study area. Compositional analysis for heavy metal has identified that groundwater of the study area is contaminated by Cd, Pb and Cr elements. Source of these metals have been identified as an anthropogenic inputs from mining activities and mineral processing units. Health risk analysis of individual heavy metal for chronic daily intake (CDI) and hazard quotient (HQ) was found in the order of Cr > As > Cd > Pb which is indicating high health risk for the population. In addition, Hazard Index (HI) analysis for heavy metals was found significantly high (>1) which is considered as a threat for human population because they have the tendency to accumulate in the body and cause variety of diseases like kidney problem, dysfunction of liver and renal cortex as well as cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Umesh Kumar Singh
- School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India.
| | - A L Ramanathan
- School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - V Subramanian
- School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India
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12
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Rao K, Priya N, Ramanathan AL. Impact of seasonality on the nutrient concentrations in Gautami-Godavari Estuarine Mangrove Complex, Andhra Pradesh, India. Mar Pollut Bull 2018; 129:329-335. [PMID: 29680555 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.02.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2017] [Revised: 02/13/2018] [Accepted: 02/24/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Spatiotemporal variations of dissolved nutrients were studied along Gautami-Godavari mangrove ecosystem to delineate their sources and fate. Average values of nitrate (NO3-), dissolved silica (DSi) and phosphate (PO43-) is 2.09 mg/l, 12.7 mg/l and 0.16 mg/l in wet season and 0.47 mg/l, 6.96 mg/l and 0.29 mg/l in dry season respectively. In wet season river discharge has significant influence on NO3- and DSi. In dry season, NO3- and PO43- are controlled by groundwater discharge, benthic exchange and various in situ processes owing to sediment redox condition. Mixing model shows net addition of phosphate in Coringa mangroves (95%) and Lower estuary (13%) and net removal of nitrate (24.79%) in Coringa mangrove and in estuary (58.9%). Thus present mangrove acts as net source for phosphate and net sink for nitrate and DSi. Nutrient ratio shows seasonal switching between potential Phosphorus and Nitrogen limitation in wet and dry season respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karuna Rao
- School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Namrata Priya
- School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - A L Ramanathan
- School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India.
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13
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Ranjan P, Ramanathan AL, Kumar A, Singhal RK, Datta D, Venkatesh M. Trace metal distribution, assessment and enrichment in the surface sediments of Sundarban mangrove ecosystem in India and Bangladesh. Mar Pollut Bull 2018; 127:541-547. [PMID: 29475695 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.11.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2017] [Revised: 11/17/2017] [Accepted: 11/22/2017] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Comparative study of trace metals distribution in the surface sediment of Sundarban mangrove ecosystem in India and Bangladesh is one of the primary baseline study done so far. Trace metal distribution assessment covering lower salinity zone to higher salinity zone was done along Matla River (tidal river) in Indian side and freshwater zone to higher salinity zone along Passur River in Bangladesh side of Sundarban; representing anthropogenic influenced area, agricultural area, tourist site and pristine area. Trace metals distribution in the surface sediments of Sundarban mangrove ecosystem shows relatively higher value of trace metals, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb and Zn in Indian part when compared to Bangladesh. Enrichment factor shows the highest enrichment of Pb in both parts of Sundarban mangroves. Co, Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn show EF>1 indicates sediment contamination from anthropogenic activities. Cr, Ni and Pb were found to have moderate accumulation in geoaccumulation index with Fe showing high accumulation. Normalized data of trace metals shows 87.5% from Indian site and 80% of Bangladesh site as outlier, indicating anthropogenic influence. Out of total sampling site 50% of Indian and 40% of Bangladesh site show trace metal values enriched more than predicted value of trace metals indicating Indian part have more polluted sites than Bangladesh side of Sundarban, which is also confirmed by enrichment factor, I-geo and normalization values in both the sides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prabhat Ranjan
- School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India.
| | - A L Ramanathan
- School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India.
| | - Alok Kumar
- Department of Environmental Science, Central University of Rajasthan, Kishangarh, Ajmer, Rajasthan, India.
| | - R K Singhal
- Analytical Chemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai, India.
| | - Dilip Datta
- Environmental Science Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna 9208, Bangladesh.
| | - M Venkatesh
- Analytical Chemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai, India.
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14
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Kumar M, Ramanathan AL. Vertical Geochemical Variations and Speciation Studies of As, Fe, Mn Zn, and Cu in the Sediments of the Central Gangetic Basin: Sequential Extraction and Statistical Approach. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2018; 15:E183. [PMID: 29360767 PMCID: PMC5858258 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15020183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2017] [Revised: 01/18/2018] [Accepted: 01/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
A geochemical and speciation study of As, Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu was performed using sequential extraction and statistical approaches in the core sediments taken at two locations-Rigni Chhapra and Chaube Chhapra-of the central Gangetic basin (India). A gradual increase in the grain size (varying from clay to coarse sands) was observed in both the core profiles up to 30.5 m depth. The concentrations of analyzed elements ranged as follows: 6.9-14.2 mg/kg for As, 13,849-31,088 mg/kg for Fe, 267-711 mg/kg for Mn, 45-164 mg/kg for Cu for Rigni Chhapra while for Chaube Chhapra the range was 7.5-13.2 mg/kg for As, 10,936-37,052 mg/kg for Fe, 267-1052 mg/kg for Mn, 60-198 mg/kg for Zn and 60-108 mg/kg for Cu. Significant amounts (53-95%) of all the fractionated elemental concentrations were bound within the crystal structure of the minerals as a residual fraction. The reducible fraction was the second most dominant fraction for As (7% and 8%), Fe (3%), Mn (20% and 26%), and Cu (7% and 6%) respectively for both the cores. It may be released when aquifers subjected to changing redox conditions. The acid soluble fraction was of most interest because it could quickly mobilize into the water system which formed the third most dominating among all three fractions. Four color code of sediments showed an association with total As concentration and did not show a relation with any fraction of all elements analyzed. The core sediment was observed enriched with As and other elements (Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn). However, it fell under uncontaminated to moderately contaminate which might exhibit a low risk in prevailing natural conditions. X-ray diffraction analyses indicated the availability of siderite and magnetite minerals in the core sediments in a section of dark grey with micaceous medium sand with organic matter (black).
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Affiliation(s)
- Manoj Kumar
- Department of Environmental Science, School of Earth, Environment & Space Studies, Central University of Haryana, Jant Pali, Mahendergarh 123029, India.
- School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India.
| | - A L Ramanathan
- School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India.
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15
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Kumar M, Ramanathan AL, Tripathi R, Farswan S, Kumar D, Bhattacharya P. A study of trace element contamination using multivariate statistical techniques and health risk assessment in groundwater of Chhaprola Industrial Area, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, India. Chemosphere 2017; 166:135-145. [PMID: 27693874 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2016.09.086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2016] [Revised: 08/17/2016] [Accepted: 09/20/2016] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
This study is an investigation on spatio-chemical, contamination sources (using multivariate statistics), and health risk assessment arising from the consumption of groundwater contaminated with trace and toxic elements in the Chhaprola Industrial Area, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, India. In this study 33 tubewell water samples were analyzed for 28 elements using ICP-OES. Concentration of some trace and toxic elements such as Al, As, B, Cd, Cr, Mn, Pb and U exceeded their corresponding WHO (2011) guidelines and BIS (2012) standards while the other analyzed elements remain below than those values. Background γ and β radiation levels were observed and found to be within their acceptable limits. Multivariate statistics PCA (explains 82.07 cumulative percent for total 6 of factors) and CA indicated (mixed origin) that natural and anthropogenic activities like industrial effluent and agricultural runoff are responsible for the degrading of groundwater quality in the research area. In this study area, an adult consumes 3.0 L (median value) of water therefore consuming 39, 1.94, 1461, 0.14, 11.1, 292.6, 13.6, 23.5 μg of Al, As, B, Cd, Cr, Mn, Pb and U from drinking water per day respectively. The hazard quotient (HQ) value exceeded the safe limit of 1 which for As, B, Al, Cr, Mn, Cd, Pb and U at few locations while hazard index (HI) > 5 was observed in about 30% of the samples which indicated potential health risk from these tubewells for the local population if the groundwater is consumed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manoj Kumar
- School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - A L Ramanathan
- School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India.
| | - Ritu Tripathi
- School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Sandhya Farswan
- School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | | | - Prosun Bhattacharya
- KTH-International Groundwater Arsenic Research Group, Department of Sustainable Development, Environmental Science and Engineering, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
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16
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Kumar M, Ramanathan AL, Rahman MM, Naidu R. Concentrations of inorganic arsenic in groundwater, agricultural soils and subsurface sediments from the middle Gangetic plain of Bihar, India. Sci Total Environ 2016; 573:1103-1114. [PMID: 27643742 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.08.109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2016] [Revised: 07/21/2016] [Accepted: 08/16/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Concentrations of inorganic forms [arsenite, As(III) and arsenate, As(V) of arsenic (As) present in groundwater, agricultural soils and subsurface sediments located in the middle Gangetic plain of Bihar, India were determined. Approximately 73% of the groundwater samples (n=19) show As(III) as the dominant species while 27% reveals As(V) was the dominant species. The concentration of As(III) in agricultural soil samples varies from not detectable to 40μg/kg and As(V) was observed as the major species (ranging from 1050 to 6835μg/kg) while the total As concentration varied from 3528 to 14,690μg/kg. Total extracted concentration of As was higher in the subsurface sediments (range 9119-20,056μg/kg in Methrapur and 4788-19,681μg/kg in Harail Chapar) than the agricultural soil, indicating the subsurface sediment as a source of As. Results of X-ray diffraction (XRD) and environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM) revealed the presence of hematite and goethite throughout the vertical section below while magnetite was observed only in the upper oxidized layer at Methrapur and Harail Chapar. Alteration of Fe-oxides and presence of fibrous goethite indicating presence of diagenetic sediment. Siderite plays a crucial role as sinks to the As in subsurface sediments. The study also concluded that decomposition of organic matter present in dark and grey sections promote the redox conditions and trigger mobilization of As into groundwater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manoj Kumar
- Global Centre for Environmental Remediation (GCER), Faculty of Science and Information Technology, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Cooperative Research Centre for Contamination Assessment and Remediation of the Environment (CRC-CARE), University of Newcastle, ATC Building, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - A L Ramanathan
- School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Mohammad Mahmudur Rahman
- Global Centre for Environmental Remediation (GCER), Faculty of Science and Information Technology, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Cooperative Research Centre for Contamination Assessment and Remediation of the Environment (CRC-CARE), University of Newcastle, ATC Building, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Ravi Naidu
- Global Centre for Environmental Remediation (GCER), Faculty of Science and Information Technology, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Cooperative Research Centre for Contamination Assessment and Remediation of the Environment (CRC-CARE), University of Newcastle, ATC Building, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia.
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Kumar M, Das N, Goswami R, Sarma KP, Bhattacharya P, Ramanathan AL. Coupling fractionation and batch desorption to understand arsenic and fluoride co-contamination in the aquifer system. Chemosphere 2016; 164:657-667. [PMID: 27635649 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2016.08.075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2016] [Revised: 08/02/2016] [Accepted: 08/15/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The present work is an attempt to study As and F+ coevality using laboratory based assays which couples fractionation and batch dissolution experiments. Sequential extraction procedure (SEP) resulting into five "operationally defined phases", was performed on sediment and soil samples collected from the Brahmaputra flood plains, Assam, India. High correlation between the Fe (hydr)oxide fraction and total As content of the soil/sediment sample indicates the involvement of Fe (hydr)oxides as the principal source of As. F- being an anion has high potential to be sorbed onto positively charged surfaces. Findings of the SEP were used to design the batch desorption experiments by controlling the Fe (hydr)oxide content of the soil/sediment. Desorption of As and F- was observed under acidic, neutral and alkaline pH from untreated and Fe (hydr)oxide removed samples. Highest amount of As and F- were found to be released from untreated samples under alkaline pH, while the amount leached from samples with no Fe (hydr)oxide was low. The study showed that the Fe (hydr)oxide fraction commonly found in the soils and sediments, had high affinity for negatively charged species like F- oxyanions of As, AsO43- (arsenate) and AsO33- (arsenite). Fe (hydr)oxide fraction was found to play the major role in co-evolution of As and F-. Two sorption coefficients were proposed based on easily leachable fraction and As present in the groundwater of sampling location for understanding of contamination vulnerability from the leaching.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manish Kumar
- Department of Environmental Science, Tezpur University, Assam, 784028, India.
| | - Nilotpal Das
- Department of Environmental Science, Tezpur University, Assam, 784028, India
| | - Ritusmita Goswami
- Department of Environmental Science, Tezpur University, Assam, 784028, India
| | - Kali Prasad Sarma
- Department of Environmental Science, Tezpur University, Assam, 784028, India
| | - Prosun Bhattacharya
- KTH-International Groundwater Arsenic Research Group, Department of Sustainable Development, Environmental Science and Engineering, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Teknikringen 76, SE-100 44 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - A L Ramanathan
- School of Environmental Science, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India
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Dhame S, Kumar A, Ramanathan AL, Chaudhari P. Elemental composition, distribution and control of biogenic silica in the anthropogenically disturbed and pristine zone inter-tidal sediments of Indian Sundarbans mangrove-estuarine complex. Mar Pollut Bull 2016; 111:68-85. [PMID: 27480337 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.07.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2016] [Revised: 07/12/2016] [Accepted: 07/16/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Spatial distribution and interrelationship among organic nutrients - silica and carbon - and various lithogenic elements were investigated in the surficial sediments of Matla estuary and Core Zone of Indian Sundarbans Reserve Forest using spatial analysis and multivariate statistics. Biogenic silica (BSi), an important parameter for coastal biogeochemisry, was measured using Si-time alkaline leaching method. BSi concentration ranged from 0.01% to 0.85% with higher concentrations in upstream region of Matla estuary and attenuated values towards the bay, seemingly due to changes in hydrodynamics and land use conditions. Spatial distribution of BSi did not exhibit significant correlation with sediment parameters of organic carbon (OC), elemental composition and clay content. However, it showed significant contrasting trends with total phosphorus (TP) and total silica of human influenced Matla estuary sediments as well as the dissolved silica (DSi) of its surface waters. Anthropogenic influence on sediment geochemistry is discernable with the presence of higher concentrations of organic and inorganic elements in Matla estuary than in Core Zone sediments. Spatial variation trends are often challenging to interpret due to multiple sources of input, varying energy and salinity conditions and constant physical, chemical and biological alterations occurring in the environment. Nonetheless, it is certain that anthropogenic activities have a substantial influence on biogeochemical processes of Sundarbans mangrove-estuarine complex and potentially the coastal ocean.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shreya Dhame
- School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Alok Kumar
- School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India; Department of Environmental Science, Central University of Rajasthan, Kishangarh, Ajmer, 305817, Rajasthan, India
| | - A L Ramanathan
- Department of Environmental Science, Central University of Rajasthan, Kishangarh, Ajmer, 305817, Rajasthan, India.
| | - Punarbasu Chaudhari
- Department of Environmental Science, University of Calcutta, Ballygunge Campus, Kolkata, India
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Kumar M, Rahman MM, Ramanathan AL, Naidu R. Arsenic and other elements in drinking water and dietary components from the middle Gangetic plain of Bihar, India: Health risk index. Sci Total Environ 2016; 539:125-134. [PMID: 26356185 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.08.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2015] [Revised: 08/08/2015] [Accepted: 08/10/2015] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
This study investigates the level of contamination and health risk assessment for arsenic (As) and other elements in drinking water, vegetables and other food components in two blocks (Mohiuddinagar and Mohanpur) from the Samastipur district, Bihar, India. Groundwater (80%) samples exceeded the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline value (10μg/L) of As while Mn exceeded the previous WHO limit of 400μg/L in 28% samples. The estimated daily intake of As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn from drinking water and food components were 169, 19, 26, 882, 4645, 14582, 474, 1449 and 12,955μg, respectively (estimated exposure 3.70, 0.41, 0.57, 19.61, 103.22, 324.05, 10.53, 32.21 and 287.90μg per kg bw, respectively). Twelve of 15 cooked rice contained high As concentration compared to uncooked rice. Water contributes (67%) considerable As to daily exposure followed by rice and vegetables. Whereas food is the major contributor of other elements to the dietary exposure. Correlation and principal component analysis (PCA) indicated natural source for As but for other elements, presence of diffused anthropogenic activities were responsible. The chronic daily intake (CDI) and health risk index (HRI) were also estimated from the generated data. The HRI were >1 for As in drinking water, vegetables and rice, for Mn in drinking water, vegetables, rice and wheat, for Pb in rice and wheat indicated the potential health risk to the local population. An assessment of As and other elements of other food components should be conducted to understand the actual health hazards caused by ingestion of food in people residing in the middle Gangetic plain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manoj Kumar
- Centre for Environmental Risk Assessment and Remediation (CERAR), University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes Campus, Mawson Lakes, SA 5095, Australia; School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Mohammad Mahmudur Rahman
- Centre for Environmental Risk Assessment and Remediation (CERAR), University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes Campus, Mawson Lakes, SA 5095, Australia; Cooperative Research Centre for Contamination Assessment and Remediation of the Environment (CRC-CARE), P O Box 486, Salisbury South, SA 5106, Australia
| | - A L Ramanathan
- School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Ravi Naidu
- Centre for Environmental Risk Assessment and Remediation (CERAR), University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes Campus, Mawson Lakes, SA 5095, Australia; Cooperative Research Centre for Contamination Assessment and Remediation of the Environment (CRC-CARE), P O Box 486, Salisbury South, SA 5106, Australia; Global Centre for Environmental Remediation (GCER), Faculty of Science and Information Technology, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia.
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20
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Prasad KS, Ramanathan AL, Paul J, Subramanian V, Prasad R. Biosorption of arsenite (As(+3)) and arsenate (As(+5)) from aqueous solution by Arthrobacter sp. biomass. Environ Technol 2013; 34:2701-2708. [PMID: 24527632 DOI: 10.1080/09593330.2013.786137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
In this study we investigated the role of arsenic-resistant bacteria Arthrobacter sp. biomass for removal of arsenite as well as arsenate from aqueous solution. The biomass sorption characteristics were studied as a function of biomass dose, contact time and pH. Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R) models were applied to describe the biosorption isotherm. The Langmuir model fitted the equilibrium data better than the Freundlich isotherm. The biosorption capacity of the biomass for As(+3) and As(+5) was found to be 74.91 mg/g (pH 7.0) and 81.63 mg/g (pH 3.0), respectively using 1 g/L biomass with a contact time of 30 min at 28 degrees C. The mean sorption energy values calculated from the D-R model indicated that the biosorption of As(+3) and As(+5) onto Arthrobacter sp. biomass took place by chemical ion-exchange. The thermodynamic parameters showed that the biosorption of As(+3) and As(+5) ions onto Arthrobacter sp. biomass was feasible, spontaneous and exothermic in nature. Kinetic evaluation of experimental data showed that biosorption of As(+3) and As(+5) followed pseudo-second-order kinetics. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) analysis indicated the involvement of possible functional groups (-OH, -C=O and -NH) in the As(+3) and As(+5) biosorption process. Bacterial cell biomass can be used as a biosorbent for removal of arsenic from arsenic-contaminated water.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - A L Ramanathan
- School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Jaishree Paul
- School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | | | - Ram Prasad
- Amity Institute of Microbial Technology, Amity University, Noida, India
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Kumar A, Ramanathan AL, Prabha S, Ranjan RK, Ranjan S, Singh G. Metal speciation studies in the aquifer sediments of Semria Ojhapatti, Bhojpur District, Bihar. Environ Monit Assess 2012; 184:3027-3042. [PMID: 21717202 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-011-2168-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2010] [Accepted: 06/03/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
The pollution of aquifer sediments by heavy metals has assumed serious concern due to their toxicity and accumulative behavior. Changes in environmental conditions can strongly influence the behavior of both essential and toxic elements by altering the forms in which they occur and therefore quantification of the different forms of metal is more meaningful than total metal concentrations. In this study, fractionation of metal ions in aquifer sediments of Semria Ojhapatti area, Bhojpur district, Bihar has been studied to determine the ecotoxic potential of metal ions. The investigations suggest that iron, copper, and arsenic have a tendency to remain associated in the following order residual > reducible > acid-soluble > oxidizable; manganese and zinc have tendency to be associated as residual > acid-soluble > reducible > oxidizable. The risk assessment code reveals that manganese and zinc occur in significant concentration in acid-soluble fraction and therefore comes under the high risk category and can easily enter the food chain. Most of the iron, copper, and arsenic occur as immobile fraction (i.e. residual) followed by its presence in reducible fraction and would pose threat to the water quality due to changing redox conditions. The metal enrichment factor in the study area shows moderate to significant metal enrichment in the aquifer sediments which may pose a real threat in near future. The geo-accumulation index of metals also shows that the metals lie in the range of strongly contaminated (for iron at shallow depths) to moderately contaminated to uncontaminated values.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alok Kumar
- Biogeochemistry, Hydrogeochemistry and Glaciology Laboratory, School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India
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Kumar P, Kumar M, Ramanathan AL, Tsujimura M. Tracing the factors responsible for arsenic enrichment in groundwater of the middle Gangetic Plain, India: a source identification perspective. Environ Geochem Health 2010; 32:129-146. [PMID: 19551476 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-009-9270-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2008] [Accepted: 06/02/2009] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Arsenic contamination in groundwater is of increasing concern because of its high toxicity and widespread occurrence. This study is an effort to trace the factors responsible for arsenic enrichment in groundwater of the middle Gangetic Plain of India through major ion chemistry, arsenic speciation, sediment grain-size analyses, and multivariate statistical techniques. The study focuses on the distinction between the contributions of natural weathering and anthropogenic inputs of arsenic with its spatial distribution and seasonal variations in the plain of the state Bihar of India. Thirty-six groundwater and one sediment core samples were collected in the pre-monsoon and post-monsoon seasons. Various graphical plots and statistical analysis were carried out using chemical data to enable hydrochemical evaluation of the aquifer system based on the ionic constituents, water types, hydrochemical facies, and factors controlling groundwater quality. Results suggest that the groundwater is characterized by slightly alkaline pH with moderate to strong reducing nature. The general trend of various ions was found to be Ca(2+) > Na(+) > Mg(2+) > K(+) > NH(4) (+); and HCO(3) (-) > Cl(-) > SO(4) (2-) > NO(3) (-) > PO(4) (3-) > F(-) in both seasons. Spatial and temporal variations showed a slightly higher arsenic concentration in the pre-monsoon period (118 microg/L) than in the post-monsoon period (114 microg/L). Results of correlation analyses indicate that arsenic contamination is strongly associated with high concentrations of Fe, PO(4) (3-), and NH(4) (+) but relatively low Mn concentrations. Further, the enrichment of arsenic is more prevalent in the proximity of the Ganges River, indicating that fluvial input is the main source of arsenic. Grain size analyses of sediment core samples revealed clay (fine-grained) strata between 4.5 and 7.5 m deep that govern the vertical distribution of arsenic. The weathering of carbonate and silicate minerals along with surface-groundwater interactions, ion exchange, and anthropogenic activities seem to be the processes governing groundwater contamination, including with arsenic. Although the percentage of wells exceeding the permissible limit (50 microg/L) was less (47%) than that reported in Bangladesh and West Bengal, the percentage contribution of toxic As(III) to total arsenic concentration is quite high (66%). This study is vital considering that groundwater is the exclusive source of drinking water in the region and not only makes situation alarming but also calls for immediate attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pankaj Kumar
- School of Environmental Sciences, JNU, New Delhi, 67, India
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23
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Nagaraj G, Sukumar A, Nandlal B, Vellaichamy S, Thanasekaran K, Ramanathan AL. Tooth element levels indicating exposure profiles in diabetic and hypertensive subjects from Mysore, India. Biol Trace Elem Res 2009; 131:255-62. [PMID: 19352596 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-009-8371-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2009] [Accepted: 03/25/2009] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Element contents of teeth elucidate exposure nature, but less is known about association of tooth element concentrations of diabetics and hypertensives with exposure profile. Present study aims to estimate copper, chromium, iron, zinc, nickel, and lead concentrations in the permanent teeth of control, diabetic, and hypertensive subjects from Mysore. The results show that lead levels of teeth (Pb-T) are higher in the hypertensives and diabetics, whereas copper levels of teeth (Cu-T) are lower in the hypertensives and users of stainless steel utensils than that of controls and users of mixed utensils. The elevated Cu-T levels found in the users of mixed utensils that being made of several metals are ascribed to leaching effect of sour and spicy food of Indian cuisine. The element levels were influenced by diet (Zn-T), place of living, sex and income (Pb-T) of the subjects, but not by age, drinking water from different sources, and certain habits viz., smoking, alcohol consumption, chewing betel, and nut. Thus, it is evident that high Pb-T and low Cu-T levels may be related with diabetes and hypertension and high Pb-T and Cu-T levels, respectively, in the urbanites, and the users of mixed utensils may show different exposure profiles from environment and utensils.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Nagaraj
- Department of Education in Science and Mathematics, Regional Institute of Education, National Council of Educational Research and Training, Mysore, 570006, India
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Bose S, Jain A, Rai V, Ramanathan AL. Chemical fractionation and translocation of heavy metals in Canna indica L. grown on industrial waste amended soil. J Hazard Mater 2008; 160:187-193. [PMID: 18433999 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2008.02.119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2007] [Revised: 02/27/2008] [Accepted: 02/28/2008] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
A pot experiment was carried out to assess the effect of different amendments of industrial sludge on the growth of Canna indica L. as well as the translocation potential of heavy metals of this plant. The accumulation of metals (Cr, Fe, Cd, Cu, Ni, Zn, Mn and Pb) in different parts of C. indica L. grown on industrial sludge-amended soil increased with time and increasing doses of sludge amendments. Sequential extraction method was followed to estimate the different fractions of heavy metals in sludge-amended soils collected from different periods of this study. The results showed that Mn, Zn, Cd, Cr and Pb were mostly associated with Fe-Mn oxide fraction in all amendments, whereas, Ni was mostly found in residual (RES) fraction. Cu and Fe were found to be higher in organically bounded form (OM) and RES fraction. The metal concentration in C. indica L. after 90 days of experiment started, was in the order of Fe>Cr>Mn>Zn>Ni>Cu>Cd>Pb and the metal translocation was found lesser in shoot. With the increasing percentage of sludge amendments in soil the metal concentrations increased in different parts of plants. Overall, the plant C. indica L. was found to be well adapted in industrial sludge amendments and it may be recommended that this plant was found suitable for phytoremediation of most of the studied metals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sutapa Bose
- School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India.
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Bose S, Chandrayan S, Rai V, Bhattacharyya AK, Ramanathan AL. Translocation of metals in pea plants grown on various amendment of electroplating industrial sludge. Bioresour Technol 2008; 99:4467-75. [PMID: 17904360 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2007.08.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2007] [Revised: 08/13/2007] [Accepted: 08/15/2007] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
A pot-culture experiment was conducted to observe the effects of acidic sludge addition to the soils on bioavailability and uptake of heavy metals in different parts of pea plant as well as its influence on the growth of that plant. It is observed from our result the abundances of total and bio-available heavy metals in sludge vary as follows: Fe>Mn>Cr>Ni>Cu>Pb>Zn>Cd and Fe>Ni>Mn>Cr>Cu>Zn>Pb>Cd. Sludge applications increased both the total metals, DTPA-extractable metals and total N in the soils. On the other hand lime application has decreased the bioavailability of heavy metals with no change in total N in sludge amended soils. Organic carbon showed positive correlation with all metals except Zn, Cr and Pb. CEC also showed a strong positive correlation (R(2)>0.7) with the low translocation efficiency of pea plants. The value of translocation factor from shoot to seed was found to be smaller than root to shoot of pea plants. Our study thus shows that pea plants were found to be well adapted to the soil amended with 10% sludge with 0.5% lime treatment, minimizing most of the all metal uptake in the shoot of that plant. So, on the basis of the present study, possible treatment may be recommended for the secure disposal of acidic electroplating sludge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sutapa Bose
- School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110 067, India.
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Bala Krishna Prasad M, Ramanathan AL, Shrivastav SK, Saxena R. Metal fractionation studies in surfacial and core sediments in the Achankovil River Basin in India. Environ Monit Assess 2006; 121:77-102. [PMID: 16758286 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-005-9108-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2005] [Accepted: 11/04/2005] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
The Fractionation of Fe, Zn, Cu, Pb, Mn and Cd in the sediments of the Achankovil River, Western Ghats, India using a sequential extraction method was carried out to understand the metal availability in the basin for biotic and abiotic activities. Spatial distribution of heavy metals has been studied. Sediment grain size has significant control over the heavy metal distribution. The fluctuations in their concentration partly depend upon the lithology of the river basin and partly the anthropogenic activities. The sediments are dominated by sand and are moderately to strongly positively skewed and are very leptokurtotic in nature. The quartzite and feldspars are abundant minerals along with significant amount of mica with low clay content. The core sediments show increasing trend of heavy metal concentration with depth due to the recent addition of anthropogenic sources and post-diagenic activities. Significant amount of Cd (18%) was found in carbonate fraction, which may pose environmental problems due to its toxic nature. Small concentrations of metals, except Cd and Cu, are in exchangeable fraction, which indicate low bio-availability. Enrichment Factor (EF) for individual metals shows the contribution from terrregious and in part from anthropogenic sources. Selective Sequential Extraction (SSE) study shows the variation in specific metal distribution pattern, their distribution in different phases and their bio-availability. Maximum amount of the metals were bound to the non-residual fractions (mainly Fe-oxides). Overall, bio-availability of these micronutrients from sediments seems to be very less. Non-residual phase is the most important phase for majority of heavy metals studied. Among the non-residual fraction, maximum amount of the heavy metals bound to Fe-oxides. The study high lights the need for in-depth study of heavy metals distribution and fractionation in the smaller river basins to get precise information on the behavior and transport of heavy metals in the fluvial environment and their contribution to the world ocean.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Bala Krishna Prasad
- School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110 067, India
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Abstract
At present in India more than thirty mines are in operation. It produces 2800 tones of asbestos per month (mainly chrysotile and tremolite) and in recent years substantial quantity (-70%) is imported from Canada. The quality of asbestos produced in India is very poor. The mining and milling and other related processes expose the people to cancer and related diseases. Women are more affected by their exposure in processing unit compared to male who are generally working in mines. Direct and indirect employment in asbestos related industry and mine is around 100,000 workers. Latency period (length of the time between exposure and the onset of diseases) in India is estimated to be 20-37 yr. The causes for lung and breathing problem are mainly due to obsolete technology and direct contact with the asbestos products without proper precaution, because in India asbestos are sold without statutory warning. This paper reviews health effects (such as fibrosis, sequelae, bronchogenic cancer, and malignant mesothelioma) on the Indian mine workers caused due to asbestos mining related activities with respect to their present day condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- A L Ramanathan
- School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
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