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Bioaccumulation of metals was analyzed in the various tissues (muscles, liver, kidneys, and gills) of three fish species of Ganges River namely Labeo rohita, Rita rita and Pangasius pangasius collected from Bithoor, Ganga Barrage, and Jajmau at Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India. The most contaminated site was Ganga Barrage where the metal concentration was found highest. The bioaccumulation of metals in all tissues of each of the three fish followed the same order at each site but their amount vary with fishes of different spots. Among the fishes, the cumulative bioaccumulation of metals in all tissues was highest in L. rohita followed by R. rita and P. pangasius. However, the health risk indices applied for evaluating the carcinogenic threat (CR > 10-4 to 10-6) in human showed that health risk could occurred due to the consumption of metal contaminated Ganges River fish. Also, it was found that Ganga Barrage fish were comparatively more dangerous than the fish of remaining two sites mainly because of Cr, Cd, Co and Ni. However, among the three fish, P. pangasius consumption at Ganga Barrage might cause noncarcinogenic (HI > 1.16) health problems in children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The review paper, summaries the results of heavy metal concentration reported by several authors in the soils of North Indian states viz. Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, and crop response towards different heavy metal exposure. The metals which are included in this review study are mainly Fe, Mn, Zn, Ni, Cu, Co, Mo, V, Cr, Pb, Cd,, and As. Different essential and non-essential metals in soil pose different toxic effects on the plants if present in exceeded concentrations. The level of toxicity varies from crop to crop and from metal to metal. Also the physico-chemical parameters of soils viz., pH, CEC, texture and organic matter influence the uptake of metals. Studies reveal that although the soils of North India are highly productive in nature, but the concentration of some heavy metals was found crossing the permissible limits at different locations. The cause of heavy metal contamination in different regions of North India is anthropogenic which includes the discharge of sewage sludge, fly ash, untreated industrial waste disposal on agricultural land, extensive use of agrochemicals, fertilizer, pesticides used in the agriculture processes. As the soils of Northern India are highly fertile and are in a threat of contamination, a detailed literature survey has been carried out to assess the contamination level and crop response to bring the attention of regulatory bodies and policy makers to take possible measures to prevent further contamination of the soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

East Kolkata Wetlands (EKW) is an important site for fish culture in sewage-fed areas, which are major receivers of pollutants and wastages from Kolkata. EKW is internationally important as the Ramsar site was declared on Aug 2002 with an area of 125 km2. EKW is a natural water body where wastewater-fed natural aquaculture has been practiced for more than 70 years. It is ecologically vulnerable due to the discharge of toxic waste through sewage canals from cities. Assessing the EKW to understand the inflow and load of the toxic metal (s) in fish, water, and sediments samples is essential. The field (samples collection from 13 sites) and lab (determination of toxic level of metals) based research were carried out to assess metal toxicity and health risk assessment in EKW. The levels of eighteen metals (18), namely Chromium, Vanadium, Cobalt, Manganese, Copper, Nickel, Zinc, Silver, Molybdenum, Arsenic, Selenium, Tin, Gallium, Germanium, Strontium, Cadmium, Mercury, and Lead, were determined using Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) in five fish tissues viz. muscle, liver, kidney, gill and brain, along with the water samples and soil sediments in 13 sampling sites. The bioaccumulation and concentration of metals in fish tissues, soil sediments, and water samples were well within the safe level concerning the recommendation of different national and international agencies except for a few metals in a few sampling sites like Cd, As, and Pb. The geoaccumulation index (Igeo) was also determined in the soil sediments, indicating moderate arsenic, selenium, and mercury contamination in a few sites. The contamination index in water was also determined in 13 sampling sites. The estimated daily intake (EDI), reference dose (RfD), target hazard quotient (THQ), slope factor and cancer risk of Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Cd, Pb and Hg from fish muscle were determined. Based on the results of the present investigation, it is concluded that fish consumption in the East Kolkata Wetland (EKW) is safe. The effects of bioaccumulation of metals in muscle tissue were well within the safe level for consumption as recommended by WHO/FAO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present investigation has been conducted to study of the effect of acute exposure of sublethal doses of arsenic tri-oxide (AsO) on blood glucose level in an Indian teleost, Clarias batrachus, during their post-breeding season (October to January). The effect was correlated with the sex and doses used with time. Acute exposure of AsO of 5, 10 and 15 mg/l for six consecutive days (i.e., 144 h) has been conducted on both sexes of C. batrachus. During the present investigation, it was noticed that the females were more reactive to arsenic in producing hyperglycemia compared to their male counterparts. The difference between males and females to produce hyperglycemia on exposure to arsenic appears to be dose dependent, as lower doses of 5 and 10 mg/l exhibit less difference between the two sexes compared to the highest dose order of 15 mg/l. After 96 h of treatment, a normoglycemic condition was observed in both sexes. However, no significant differences in average normal blood glucose levels were noticed in male and female C. batrachus during the post-breeding season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A cadmium-resistant bacterium designated as CdSP9 was isolated from the slag disposal site of IISCO, Burnpur, West Bengal, India. The isolate was identified as Ochrobactrum sp. on the basis of 16S rDNA sequence-based molecular phylogenetic approach and phenotypic characteristics. It is a Gram negative, short rod (0.5–1.0 $$\upmu$$), aerobic bacterium, growing well in LB medium between temperatures 10–42°C, pH 6.0–9.0, and between 2 and 6% NaCl. The most preferred nitrogen and carbon sources for the strain are l-proline, l-lysine and fructose, maltose, respectively. Superoxide toxicity minimization by increased level of SOD activity also occurs in this bacterium. The heavy metal accumulation efficiency as determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy was found to be 0.214 mg/g of the dry weight at late log phase. The accumulation efficiency was directly proportional to the optimum growth conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pollution of soil is a source of danger to the health of people, even to those living in cities. The anthropogenic pollution caused by heavy industries enters plants then goes through the food chain and ultimately endangers human health. In the context, the knowledge of the regional variability, the background values and anthropogenic vs. natural origin of potentially harmful elements in soils is of critical importance to assess human impact. The present study was undertaken on soil contamination in Surat, Gujarat (India). The aims of the study were: i) to determine extent and distribution of heavy metals (Ba, Cu, Cr, Co, Ni, Sr, V and Zn) ii) to find out the large scale variability, iii) to delineate the source as geogenic or anthropogenic based on the distribution maps and correlation of metals in soils. Soil samples were collected from the industrial area of Surat from top 10 cm layer of the soil. These samples were analysed for heavy metals by using Philips PW 2440 X-ray fluorescence spectrometer. The data reveal that soils in the area are significantly contaminated, showing higher levels of toxic elements than normal distribution. The heavy metal loads of the soils in the study area are 471.7 mg/kg for Ba, 137.5 mg/kg for Cu, 305.2 mg/kg for Cr, 51.3 mg/kg for Co, 79.0 mg/kg for Ni, 317.9 mg/kg for Sr, 380.6 mg/kg for V and 139.0 mg/kg for Zn. The higher concentrations of these toxic metals in soils need to be monitored regularly for heavy metal enrichment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a growing public concern over the potential accumulation of heavy metals in soil, owing to rapid urban and industrial development in the last decade in India. Therefore, an attempt was made to investigate the pollution caused due to excessive accumulation of heavy metals in soils near Thane–Belapur industrial belt of Mumbai. Soil samples were collected from surrounding industrial areas and were analyzed for toxic/heavy metals by X-ray fluorescence spectrometer. The analytical results indicate that the soils in the study area were enriched with Cu, Cr, Co, Ni and Zn. The concentration ranges were: Cu 3.10–271.2 mg/kg (average 104.6 mg/kg), Cr 177.9–1,039 mg/kg (average 521.3 mg/kg), Co 44.8–101.6 mg/kg (average 68.7 mg/kg), Ni 64.4–537.8 mg/kg (average 183.6 mg/kg) and Zn 96.6–763.2 mg/kg (average 191.3 mg/kg). The visualization of spatial data is made by preparing distribution maps of heavy metal concentration in soils and co-relation diagrams. These results highlight the need for instituting a systematic and continuous monitoring of the study area for heavy metals and other forms of pollution to ensure that pollution does not become a serious problem in future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]