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World's largest glaciers lie in Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) outside polar region, are the source of fresh water which accommodates the needs of millions of people living downstream. Impact of changing climate on cryosphere can be measured critically from glacier movement due to global warming. Due to complex terrain and unpredictable weather, it is not feasible to measure glaciers' velocity and movement through field surveys physically. For this purpose, the current study aimed to assess the variation of glaciers velocity using advance geospatial technique like the co-registration and correlation (COSI-CORR) of optically sensed satellite images. Time-series analysis on the Landsat-8 data (2013-2020) revealed successfully for computing the surface ice velocity of glaciers of Hunza Basin. Results show that the velocity of a glacier increases with the altitude whereas speed decreases at the terminus. Moreover, it has been noted from spatial patterns of glacier surface ice velocity that the tributary glaciers contribute to the mainstream glacier velocity significantly, which increases at the terminus. Subsequently, the varying ice velocity was determined by orientation, debris cover, glacier size, and altitude for glaciers. The study recommended to regularly monitor the dynamics of glaciers in this region to cater the impacts of global warming and climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study focuses on the health risk assessment and spatial distribution of arsenic in Hudaira Drain and its adjoining areas using GIS techniques. For this purpose, surface water, groundwater, and soil samples were collected from the nine transects across the drain. The results of the present study indicated that two of the examined transects were situated in a high arsenic concentration zone and this area was dominated by industrial activities. A strong correlation at 95% confidence level exists among drain water, ground water, and soil. Furthermore, Hazard quotient (HQ) was calculated and results indicated that about 75% of children and 50% of adults may be affected by arsenic through drinking of groundwater. The presence of arsenic in groundwater, which is a major source of drinking water in this area, may cause excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR)> 10-4 in 44.4% of the resident human population. There is an urgent need to focus on the arsenic contamination issue in this area in order to protect the groundwater, surface water, and soil resources from arsenic contamination for better human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some rhizobacteria are capable of improving metal tolerance and growth of plants under heavy metal stress. The objective of the current study was isolation and subsequent application of cadmium-resistant rhizobacteria in phytoremediation by Catharanthus longifolius. The screened bacterial isolate exhibited growth-promoting attributes, including phosphate solubilization, ACCD activity, auxin, and siderophores production. The inoculation of Acinetobacter sp. CS9 under greenhouse trial improved growth and phytoextraction capability of C. longifolius plants in soils contaminated with different concentrations (0, 100, and 200 mg kg-1) of Cd. The plants exhibited reduced quantity of total soluble protein, soluble sugars, and chlorophyll contents under Cd stress. On the other hand, improved chlorophyll, soluble protein, and sugar contents were observed in Acinetobacter sp. CS9-treated plants. The inoculated plants exhibited improved activity of antioxidant enzymes (SOD and CAT) and reduced malondialdehyde levels. Moreover, higher Cd uptake and translocation ratio was observed in Acinetobacter sp. CS9-inoculated plants as compared to un-inoculated ones. The current study showed that Acinetobacter sp. CS9 reduced Cd-induced oxidative stress and improved the phytoremediation capability of C. longifolius. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During our current study we evaluated the effect of ethylenediaminetetracetic acid (EDTA) and Enterobacter sp. CS2 on nickel stress alleviation and phytoextraction by Impatiens balsamina L in spiked soil. Nickel resistant Enterobacter sp. CS2 was isolated from soil polluted by industrial effluents. The I. balsamina seeds primed with Enterobacter sp. CS2 were raised in EDTA-supplemented soil (10 mM) contaminated with 0, 100, 200, and 300 mg kg-1 Ni for 50 days. The effect of different treatments on plant growth attributes, nickel tolerance index, bioconcentration factor, and translocation factor were evaluated. The Ni stress reduced plant growth, carotenoids, and chlorophyll (chl) content. However, higher Ni uptake and proline contents were observed in plants growing in Ni-contaminated soils. The Enterobacter sp. CS2 inoculation further enhanced Ni uptake and proline contents in I. balsamina plants growing under Ni stress. The inoculated plants showed improved shoot length, root length, carotenoid content, chl 'a' and 'b' contents, root and shoot dry weight. The Ni tolerance index in Enterobacter sp. CS2-assisted plants was much higher compared to un-inoculated ones. The inoculated plants supplemented with EDTA enhanced 39%, 34%, and 30% Ni uptake in roots respectively under 100, 200, and 300 mg kg-1 of Ni treatment as compared with un-inoculated plants. The data regarding bioconcentration factor and translocation factor showed that Ni phytoextraction capability of I. balsamina plants was significantly enhanced with the supplementation of Enterobacter sp. CS2 and EDTA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flonicamid is an insecticide which is frequently used in agriculture practices these days. However the excessive use of this chemical insecticide exhibit toxic effects on ecosystem as well as on mammals. Therefore, the present study was conducted to evaluate flonicamid median lethal dose which is 180 mg/kg body weight. Further, investigations involved the repeated oral administration of safe dose of flonicamid i.e 18 mg/kg body weight/day to various groups of rabbits alone, in combination with vitamin C and E for partial sub chronic study of 30 days. Significant increase (P<0.05) in hepatic enzymes such as alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase were observed whereas animal body weight, serum protein and serum albumin exhibited significant decrease (P<0.05) in rabbits given only flonicamid. In addition, histological examination of liver tissues of treated rabbits showed alterations of hepatocytes morphology from severe level to mild depending upon type of treatment either given flonicamid only or co-administered with vitamin C/vitamin E. We conclude that supplementation of vitamin C alone and in combination with vitamin E each at 100 mg/kg body weight/day dose significantly reduces the toxicopathetic effects of flonicamid in exposed rabbits and ameliorates the hepatic marker enzymes as well as histological aspects of liver tissues near the control group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present research deals with the synthesis and viability of Sawdust biochar/Fe3 O4 nanocomposite toward textile waste water treatment. The structure, functionality, and morphology of the nanocomposite were determined by FT-IR, powder XRD, and SEM. Removal of the textile dye Reactive Blue 21 (RB21) was almost 75% under optimum conditions. The value of Langmuir dimensionless separation factor RL indicated a favorable adsorption (01), hence denoting favorable sorption. The negative values for free energy indicated a spontaneous reaction. Positive value for enthalpy suggested the endothermic nature of adsorption. The kinetic data showed a pseudo first-order kinetic model. The calculated value of qt agreed with the experimental value of qt at equilibrium. The results depicted that sawdust biochar/Fe3 O4 nanocomposites are efficient adsorbents for removing RB21 and has potential application in treatment of textile wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The enzyme cellulase, a multi enzyme complex made up of several proteins, catalyses the conversion of cellulose to glucose in an enzymatic hydrolysis. In this study biomass alkali-pretreatment followed by enzymatic hydrolysis was carried out using crude cellulase enzyme produced from screened bacillus strain (Bacillus cellulosilyticus) having 1,998.79 IU/ml/min CMCase and 1,621.16 IU/ml/min FPase enzyme activity. The production of cellulase enzyme using an economical medium has been a significant achievement in the field of industrial biotechnology. The maximum yield of sugars in the form of total sugars (179.84±0.2 mg/ml), reducing sugars (126.72±0.1 mg/ml), and glucose (105.40±0.1 mg/ml) was achieved at 48 h incubation time, 50ºC, 5 pH, 6% enzyme concentration, 4% substrate loading, and PEG 3350 as a surfactant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated physico-chemical drinking water quality of 115 water supply schemes of of District Mianwali along with estimating the health risks associated with the intake of arsenic and flouride in drinking water. One sample was collected from the source end while two samples were collected from consumer ends of each scheme. Overall results showed that 81% of the water samples were safe while 19% were unsafe for drinking purposes. Results showed that TDS (30%), chloride (15%), sulphate (40%), calcium (40%), sodium (14.2%), hardness (24%), nitrate (13%), flouride (30%), and arsenic (7%) exceeded World Health Organization (WHO) standards. Pearson correlation matrix also showed statistically significant relationships (p<0.01) between various physico-chemical parameters and statistically strong significant positive relationships (r = 0.68-1.00, p<0.01) between TDS, Ca, SO4 2-, and hardness.There was no variation in the source and consumer end water quality. Risk assessment revealed a low potential health risk to the population of Mianwali for arsenic at source 0.4309<1 (mean) and consumer ends 0.70438<1 (mean), and F- 0.4339<1 at source (mean) and 0.4068<1 (mean) at consumer ends. Hence, this study is in time for the authorities to act immediately, as Mianwali groundwater quality is deteriorating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We evaluated morphometric parameters of the Haro River drainage network to determine flooding potential in the river basin. The drainage network is derived from topographic maps while using shuttle radar topography mission digital elevation model (SRTM-DEM) and geographic information systems (GIS). A total of 2917 streams (dendritic to semi-dendritic) are recognized, among which 1,536 are identified as first-order streams, followed by 731 as second order, 360 as third order, 173 as fourth order, 78 as fifth order, and 39 as sixth order. Linear and areal morphometric parameters revealed lower values for form factor (0.25), stream frequency (0.99), and drainage density (0.84 km/sq.km), which suggest that the basin is being elongated with permeable strata; whereas lower values of mean bifurcation ratio (2.0) and relief ratio (20.68) indicate less potential for flooding in the main river channel. Understanding drainage morphometry could bring better hydrological solutions for similar studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pakistan is currently facing a severe energy crisis. According to the latest 2016 figures issued by the government of Pakistan (GOP), electricity demand of the country is about 21,200 MW against the maximum generation 16,000 MW, with a shortfall of about 5,000 MW. The presented study was carried out to find an environmentally friendly renewable source of energy to fill this gap. For this purpose Lahore municipal solid waste was used to calculate the power generation potential. Sampling was completed from all three economic zones – high income (H), medium income (M), and low income (L) – during the whole year, capturing the impacts of all seasons. These samples were brought to a laboratory and analyzed for their calorific values with the help of a bomb calorimeter according to WTE-thermal treatment process. Gross calorific and theoretical energy recovery potential value (from H, L, and M) areas were 3,670, 2,753, and 1,960 kcal/kg, and 5,872, 4,405, and 3,136 kwh/ton, respectively. This waste-to-energy (WTE) treatment is the most suitable solution for pollution-free LMSW conversion into a renewable energy generation source. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]