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This paper reports the concentrations of uranium and heavy metals in drinking water samples from Garhwal Himalaya, India determined using LED Fluorimeter and Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS), respectively. The radiological (carcinogenic) and chemical (non-carcinogenic) risks associated with the consumption of uranium in water were estimated for the public. The concentrations of natural uranium in the analyzed drinking water samples vary from 0 to 21.57 ppb with a mean value of 1.54 ppb. The average concentrations of heavy metals in the analyzed drinking water samples were found to be in the order of iron (3.99 ppm) > zinc (0.32 ppm) > copper (0.04 ppm) > nickel (0.01 ppm) > chromium and lead (Below Detection Level). The estimated risk quantities were found to be lower than World Health Organization (WHO) and United State Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) guideline values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mining activities lead to severe particulate matter (PM) pollution that consequently has a detrimental effect on ecosystem. A study was therefore conducted in a coal mining area of Odisha, India with an objective to assess the particulate matter pollution on the basis of differential aerodynamic size (PM10 and PM2.5) of the particles, the metallic (Zn and Fe) composition, and also to evaluate their nature of deposition on two identified plant species. The results suggest a significant variation in particle and heavy metal fractions in the ambient air of different sites (p < 0.05). Fe dominated the finer particle (PM2.5) fraction while Zn dominated the coarser counterpart (PM10) in the ambient air. When evaluated for the particle and heavy metal deposition on leaf surface, Shorea robusta performed better in trapping the coarser particles (PM10) while Holarrhena floribunda was found to be an efficient scrubber of the finer particles (PM2.5). Fe deposition on surface of leaves was comparatively higher than Zn irrespective of plant species or size fractions. Therefore, it is concluded that both S. robusta and H. floribunda should be planted in a schematic manner to tackle the particulate pollution in coal mining areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beedi is the most common smoking form of tobacco used in India. The rolling of beedis is performed primarily by women in settings that lack occupational safeguards. The aims of this protocol are to establish methods for the study of occupational exposures among women beedi workers and their experiences and challenges working with unburnt tobacco. This protocol employs a convergent parallel mixed-methods approach. Qualitatively, we plan to explore the experiences and challenges faced by women beedi workers using photovoice, a community based participatory method. Occupational exposures to pesticides will be assessed through the use of silicone wristbands worn for seven days by workers, and exposure to toxic metals and metalloids will be assessed in dust samples collected in the homes of workers. The outcomes will be analyzed to form policy recommendations to improve the occupational health of women beedi workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The study has a bifold objectives, firstly to determine the concentration of iron (Fe) in the soil and pond water within the vicinity of a historical gold mine region located in the Kolar Gold fields (KGF), Karnataka, India. Secondly, the study seeks to investigate the process of bioaccumulation of the heavy metal, iron in the muscles of Zebrafish inhabiting the same area. Methods: To achieve the objectives, the study employed Thermo Scientific's Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) and ICP-AES using Iteva software to evaluate and statistically analyze the distribution of iron in the soil, pond water and muscles samples. Four soil sample sites (A, B, C and D) were selected based on their proximity to residential area. Soil samples were examined from January to December, 2022, while pond water samples were analyzed between April and October, 2022 following a southwest monsoon rain. Result: During the study, the analysis of soil samples taken from the four mine landfills revealed elevated levels of heavy metals, with the highest mean concentration of 41915.17 mg/kg found in Site A. In the pond water, sample site B exhibited an exceedingly high Fe concentration during October with 5.56 mg/L followed by sample site D, A and C with 4.89, 3.89 and 3.54 mg/L, respectively against 0.98 mg/L in the control site. The concentration of Fe in the muscles was exceedingly high in the sample site B with 10457 mg/Kg on day 30 of October to that of 8219 mg/Kg on day 30 of April month, which is far above the threshold value of 100 mg/kg as per the regulatory bodies (WHO 1993). The outcome of this experiment will facilitate the assessment of surface soil contamination levels and the likelihood of contaminants entering the aquatic environment, resulting in the bioaccumulation of heavy metals in the aquatic organisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The enrichment of heavy metals and mixing with groundwater resources, which makes a serious threat to human health and the environment. The present study was conducted to determine the enrichment of heavy metals in groundwater, geochemical modelling, and to estimate the probable health risks (non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic) of a coal mining region, in eastern India. The relative abundance of mean heavy metal concentration was in the order of Fe > Zn > Al > Ba > Mn > Sr > Ni > Ag > Cu > Pb > V > Cr > Co > Cd, and are within the WHO standards limits for drinking water values. Groundwater shows pH values as generally acidic to alkaline in nature, while Eh values indicate an oxidising environment. Principal component analysis indicates, metal concentration in the groundwater to be mainly derived from the geogenic sources and in-situ leaching of mine overburden materials. Hydrogeochemical modelling indicates heavy metals are in supersaturation to near neutral state in the groundwater with oxide and carbonate mineral phases. Based on (HPI), and (HEI) values, the majority of groundwater samples are low to moderately contaminated. The health risk assessment model based on hazard quotient (HQ) and hazard index (HI) values show few groundwater samples as crossing the reference limit and have non-carcinogenic health risks for both children and adults. The study identifies the chemical characterisation and potential health risks due to the presence of heavy metals in the groundwater of the coal mining region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Horizontal and vertical distributions of heavy metals (Al, Fe, Mg, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn) and magnetic susceptibility of Vaigai river sediment have been assessed to know the heavy metal toxicity and magnetic behavior of the sediment. The present study intentionally shows the magnetic susceptibility as proxy for metal concentrations and their risk levels of sediment. Univariate statistical analysis is carried out to confirm the spatial distribution of the heavy metals. The metal concentrations in present sediment are compared with iportant toxic reference values such as TEL, PEL, ERL, ERM and TRV to predict the toxicity of metals. The result shows that the frequent biological effect can be possible due to Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn in all feet sediments. Some interesting pollution factors such as PLI, PER and mPEC-Q are calculated to know the pollution status of the river. High magnetic susceptibility values in S16, S18 and S25 indicate the presence of various magnetic minerals. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) is carried out to show magnetic susceptibility as proxy for measuring heavy metals and their risk levels. Since magnetic susceptibility is strongly associated with heavy metals and their risk levels, this may be proxy for determining heavy metals and their risk levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study assessed the presence of heavy metals (HMs) in Yamuna River water across different locations, seasons, and years, while also examining the efficacy of resident microalgae in HMs removal. High HM concentrations were found, with peak levels in Faridabad during the summer of 2022: Cr(II) at 132.064 µg/L, Pb(II) at 93.034 µg/L, Cu(II) at 218.6 µg/L, and Ni(II) at 347.1 µg/L. In Kalindi Kunj during the same season and year, As(lII) measured 8.05 µg/L and Cd(II) reached 31.587 µg/L. The study identified microalgae species proficient in HMs removal. Scenedesmus sp. achieved 76.11% Cr(II) and 59.83% Pb(II) removal, while Klebsormidium sp. displayed the highest rates with 78.49% Cd(II) and 64.00% As(lII) removal. Oocystis sp. and Chlorococcum sp. absorbed up to 86.53% Cu(II) and 58.54% Ni(II), respectively. This research highlights the variability of HMs in Yamuna River water and the potential of resident microalgae for HMs remediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Heavy metal tolerant and PGPR rhizobacteria (Bacillus cereus, Bacillus safensis, Bacillus pumilus, Serratia marcescens, Lelliottia amnigena, Pseudomonas koreensis and Klebsiella variicola) isolated from Musa rhizosphere growing in coal mining area. • Inoculation of the PGPR consortia in the Brassica sp. and Helianthus annuus growing in Cd/Cu contaminated soil has improved its tolerance to these heavy metals over the control. • PGPR can be used for the bioremediation of the contaminated soil. In soils polluted with heavy metals, plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) with heavy metal tolerance can aid plants to adapt to heavy metal contaminated conditions. Heavy metal tolerant rhizobacteria were isolated from Musa rhizosphere growing the Tsurang Riverbank, Nagaland, India, a coal mining area. A total of 26 bacterial isolates/strains were tested for heavy metals and salt tolerance and some growth-promoting traits like IAA, siderophore production and phosphate solubilisation. Of the 26 strains, 7 strains (TSU1, TSU11, TSU12, TSU3, TSU4, TSU7, and TSU8) supported better plant growth. Different isolates displayed variable heavy metal tolerance (30 to 8070 μg/ml). Strains TSU8 and TSU4 exhibited the highest salt tolerance (12 %). Based on the 16S rRNA sequencing, the isolates were identified as TSU3 (Bacillus cereus) (OQ547230), TSU4 (Bacillus safensis) (OQ547231), TSU8 (Bacillus pumilus) (OQ547232), TSU11 (Klebsiella variicola) (OQ947091), TSU12 (Lelliottia amnigena) (OQ947097), TSU7 (Pseudomonas koreensis) (OQ947088) and TSU1 (Serratia marcescens) (OQ726408). A successful consortium of bacterial isolates was formulated and inoculated on Brassica juncea and Helianthus annuus with heavy metal Cd/Cu (150 µgml−1) in the potted soil. This consortium improved growth performance significantly in both fresh and dry weight basis. In B. juncea, enhancement in root length and weight were recorded by 53 and 93 % respectively against control, while, fresh weight of shoot was improved by 72 % on soil adjunct with PGPR and 67 % with PGPR in heavy metal contaminated condition. Similar trend was also registered on dry weight basis. Whereas, PGPR consortia treated H. annuus registered increased shoot and root lengths both fresh and dry weight basis. This consortium with these seven bacterial isolates may contribute to microbe assisted phytoremediation under heavy metal polluted area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heavy metals from mica waste not only deteriorate the soil quality but also results in the uptake of metals in the crop. The present investigation was conducted to evaluate the effects of different fractions of metals on the uptake in rice, soil microbial and biochemical properties in mica waste-contaminated soils of Jharkhand, India. From each active mine, soil samples were randomly collected at distances of < 50 m (zone 1), 50–100 m (zone 2), and >100 m (zone 3). Sequential metal extraction was used to determine the fractions of different metals (nickel (Ni), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr) and lead (Pb)) including water-soluble (Ws) and exchangeable metals (Ex), carbonate-bound metals (CBD), Fe/Mn oxide (OXD) bound metals, organically bound metals (ORG), and residues (RS). The Ni, Cr, Cd and Pb in rice grain were 0.83±0.41, 0.41±0.19, 0.21±0.14 and 0.17±0.08 mg/kg respectively. From the variable importance plot of the random forest (RF) algorithm, the Ws fraction of Ni, Cr and Cd and Ex fraction of Pb was the most important predictor for rice grain metal content. Further, the partial dependence plots (PDP) give us an insight into the role of the two most important metal fractions on rice grain metal content. The microbial and enzyme activity was significantly and negatively correlated with Ws and Ex metal fractions, indicating that water-soluble and exchangeable fractions exert a strong inhibitory effect on the soil microbiological parameters and enzyme activities. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Groundwater contamination due to the leaching of harmful pollutants such as heavy metals, xenobiotic compounds, and other inorganic compounds from solid waste dumping sites has become a major health concern in recent times. Therefore, to assess the effects of the Bandhwari landfill site, groundwater samples from the surrounding region of the dumping site were collected and analyzed for heavy metals and physicochemical properties. The total dissolved solids (TDS) of 67% of samples exceeded the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) permissible limits which makes it unfit for drinking purposes. The groundwater samples were also analyzed for iron (Fe), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), and chromium (Cr) concentrations and results of heavy metal concentration in the groundwater around the Bandhwari landfill follow the concentration trend of Pb.Cd.Ni.Cu.Zn.Fe.Cr. Risk assessment of consumers' health was done using target hazard quotient calculations which were less than unity (threshold value of ,1), indicating that heavy metal concentrations do not pose any serious health effect according to total hazard quotient values. The results of the study made it evident that groundwater is not suitable for drinking purposes due to excess values of water quality parameters but poses no risk due to studied metal concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluates spatial trend and distribution history of selected metals in the complex coastal environment of Odisha, India. The main objective is to analyse metal enrichment and level of contamination in sediment deposits. It is also attempted to evaluate the past depositional environment and prevailing process leading to metal enrichment and contamination. Three sediment cores up to a depth of 10 m were collected from older beach deposit of Chandbali (CB) and paleochannels of Agiviligan (AG) and Kasturikaran (KK) villages located along River Baitarani, coastal Odisha. The study area, to a large extent, is a transition zone of terrestrial and marine sediments. The assessment of metal contamination is based on spatial and down-core variability of selected metals- Al2O3, MnO, Cr, Co, Cu, Zn, and Pb against their background values. Contamination is examined using enrichment factor (EF), contamination factor (CF) and geo-accumulation index (Igeo). The study exhibits a complex pattern of metal distribution over space and time. The sediments are enriched and contaminated with MnO, Cr, and Pb not only in the surface layers but also in the deeper layers such as CBL4 (–7.3 m), CBL5 (–7.9 m), CBL6 (–10 m), AGL3 (–6 m), AGL5 (–10 m) and KKL3 (–8 m). Metal enrichment in deeper layers can be associated with the past depositional environment, prevailing processes, geology and geomorphology of the region. In the surface layers, metal contamination can result from recent anthropogenic activities like untreated industrial waste from Ferro-alloys Corporation Ltd. (FACCOR) and domestic waste. There is a decline in contamination levels as we move from inland (CB) to coast (KK). The samples are also analysed for grain size and geochemistry to differentiate between sedimentary layers deposited under distinct depositional environments in the past. The results reveal the existence of humid and dry climatic phases along with oscillating sea levels in the past, influencing metal enrichment and contamination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study attempts to assess the spatio-temporal distribution of total organic carbon (TOC) and heavy metals in one of the Ramsar wetlands of Indo-Burmese province. Water samples were collected from 10 sampling points during the premonsoon, monsoon and postmonsoon season of 2016 and 2017. The general water parameters such as low DO, high BOD, and high fluoride imply the wetland water's deteriorated quality. The mean TOC of water was estimated to be 2.4 ± 0.33 ppm, the first report from Deepor Beel. Pearson's correlation coefficient showed a significant positive relation (> 0.7) between TOC, phosphate, and nitrate, which indicates the seasonal inflow of these parameters from a similar source. The computed heavy metal indices revealed that most of the water samples were highly contaminated by metals. The metal concentration recorded in the selected macrophytes and fishes species was far above the concentration of the respective metal in the water samples. Metal distribution in plant samples disclosed that Euryale ferox showed better accumulation ability than Hydrilla verticillata and Eichhornia crassipes. Among the fish species, the highest metal accumulation was recorded in Xenentodon cancila (zinc, iron, manganese, and nickel) and Channa punctatus (lead and cadmium). In the fish samples, metal accumulation was found to be higher in the organs (particularly in the kidney) than in the muscles. Bioconcentration factor revealed a high metal accumulation in the submerged type plants and surface feeder fishes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil is one of the great reservoirs of microorganisms. A multiple-metal resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain isolated from arable soil was screened for lipase activity since it plays a crucial role in bacterial cellular metabolism. This strain showed higher minimum inhibitory concentrations for the metal Ni, Zn and Cd. The effect of these heavy metals on lipase production was studied by examining qualitative and quantitative aspects of lipase activity in tributyrin agar base medium and lipase production media, respectively. The lipase activity was found to be 304.45 U/L in the control group (without heavy metals), which was higher than in the groups treated with heavy metals. A statistically significant difference was detected in the metal-induced alteration of the lipolytic activity of the studied strain. The inhibitory effect of the heavy metals on lipase production was assessed, with Zn showing the highest inhibition, while Ni exhibited the lowest inhibitory effect among the three metals studied. The lipolytic activity of the strain was altered by the heavy metals, as demonstrated by ATR-FTIR analysis that revealed changes in the functional groups involved in lipase production under heavy metal stress compared to the control. This study is the first attempt to investigate the extracellular lipase activity of a multiple heavy metal-resistant Pseudomonas strain isolated from arable soil of Uttar Dinajpur region of West Bengal, India, which requires further research for future utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The modern agricultural work mainly involves the use of synthetic fertilizers and large scale deforestation. The numerous agricultural activities around the Darna and the Gangapur Reservoirs of the Nashik Distirct, India have started the environmental issues such as an early or rapid eutrophication and heavy metal accumulations. Agricultural runoff and industrial wastes are proved to be the potential sources of heavy metals. The heavy metals may accelerate the effect of pollution on the environment with the decline in the biodegradability of the organic pollutants. The impacts of the anthropogenic activities with the passing time have been recorded in the form of geochemical elements accumulated as the part of bottom sediments of the reservoirs. The present study has revealed that the heavy metal concentration from the core sediments of the reservoirs displays the moderately high to highly positive inter-correlation. The historical profiles of both the reservoirs show the highest enrichments for Cr, Ni, Cu, Co, V, Sc and Eu. The impact of metal pollutants on both the reservoirs is explored with regard to the ages derived from the 210Pb geochronology and the constant rate of supply (CRS) model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Consumption of wild edible plants has played a significant role in supplying food and nutritional requirements and increasing the health status of underprivileged communities in many rural parts of the world. The present investigation was to evaluate the nutritive value, mineral content, vitamin content, and toxicological status of ten wild edible plants viz. Phlogocanthus thrysiflorus, Lasia spinosa, Eriosema chinense, Polygonum microcephalum, Nasturtium indicum, Spinacia oleracea, Malva parviflora, Leucaena leucocephala , Elsholtzia blanda, and Sonchus oleraceus , consumed by the tribal people of Meghalaya State in India, as their nourishment. All investigated plants were collected from different areas of Meghalaya state, and their nutraceutical potential was evaluated following the standard food analysis methods described in the Association of Official Analytical Chemists. Protein contents were very high in several species, especially in N. indicum (24.75%). Carbohydrate content ranged from 5.86% (S. oleracea) to 21.28% (E. chinense). All plants contained significant amounts of minerals (Na, K, Ca, Fe, Zn, Mg), and water soluble vitamins such as vitamin C (0.24–5.79 mg/100 g of dry plant material), B1, B2, B3, B5, B6 and B9. Antinutrients such as oxalate, phytate, saponin and heavy metal (Pb, Cr, Cd, Hg) levels in all plants were estimated below fatal levels. The consequences of haemolytic toxicity, cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of water extracts of wild edible plants ensure safety for human consumption. Therefore, this study focuses on the utilization of wild edible plants as a source of dietary supplements, which may result in the commercialization of the produce; hence, it assesses consumer perceptions towards wild edible plants in India. [Display omitted] • Evaluation of nutritive value, minerals content, vitamin content, anti-nutritional properties and toxicity studies of five wild edible plants. • The result showed that these plants are rich wellsprings of protein, carbohydrate, minerals and vitamins. The heavy metals and anti-nutrients were recognized which are below the harmful levels. • The result of haemolytic toxicity, cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of aqueous extracts of each wild plants ensure the safety at cell and genomic level and furthermore safe to consume and sustainable utilization. • So the development of these wild edible plants should be incorporated in enormous scale, which will deliver financial advantages for poor farmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable river ecosystem is the fundamental backbone of all civilizations of the world. Water contamination through heavy metals and metalloids causes wide environmental and public discontent which makes it a global concern. With this view, 20 km stretch of Gomti River encompassing 5-locations was selected for determination of 16-physicochemical parameters and 11-heavy metals in water and bed-sediment samples during two consecutive years 2019–2020 covering three seasons supplemented by indices and statistics. Bed-sediment characterization was done through scanning electron microscope–energy dispersive X-rays and attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared analysis. River is significantly contaminated with Fe, Mg, Mn, Zn, Pb, Cu, Ni, Cr, Co, Cd, Hg having corresponding mean values 10.1 ± 1.8, 31.7 ± 6.2, 1.4 ± 0.5, 0.42 ± 0.07, 0.09 ± 0.03, 0.03 ± 0.02, 0.17 ± 0.02, 0.41 ± 0.14,0.19 ± 0.01, 0.18 ± 0.01, 0.002 ± 0.001 mg/l in water and 3418.7 ± 529.9, 1839.9 ± 417.6, 194.3 ± 49.1, 112.2 ± 37.5, 42.5 ± 15.7, 36.1 ± 10.6, 23.4 ± 8, 16.7 ± 5.9, 8.4 ± 3.2, 8.2 ± 3.3, 0.002 ± 0.001 µg/g in bed-sediment, respectively. Corresponding order of heavy metals concentration was Mg > Fe > Mn > Zn > Cr > Co > Cd > Ni > Pb > Cu > Hg and Fe > Mg > Mn > Zn > Pb > Cu > Ni > Cr > Co > Cd > Hg, respectively. Higher values of indices for risk quantification; geo-accumulation index (5.0), contamination factor (1191.8), enrichment factor (46.5) and potential ecological risk index (393.8) were found for Cd in bed-sediment samples. Principal component analysis (λ > 1) scored 3-factors having 65%, 19% and 11% variance for water and 75%, 10% and 7% variance for bed-sediment samples. Strong positive correlations (≥ 0.8) were observed among Mn, Cd, Co, Cr, Pb, Cu for water and sediment samples. Study could be beneficial in providing knowledge regarding heavy metal induced ecological risk to aquatic organisms and suggest ways to reduce the burden of potential influx sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Heavy metal speciation in soil-like material of degraded solid waste was studied. • Zn and Pb have shown highest leaching potential. • Cr was highly linked to the residual fraction showing a low risk of pollution. Landfill mining, often referred to as "bio-mining", enables the recovery of resources, including combustible, compostable, and recyclable fractions from landfills. However, most of the materials mined from old landfills mainly consist of soil-like materials (SLM). The reuse of SLM depends on the concentration of contaminants, such as heavy metals, soluble salts, etc. A sound risk assessment requires sequential extraction to determine the bioavailability of heavy metals. This study focuses on the mobility and chemical speciation of heavy metals in SLM from four old municipal solid waste dumpsites in India by performing selective sequential extraction. Additionally, the study compares the results with those of four previous investigations to identify international similarities. It has been observed that Zn was mainly available in the reducible phase (average 41%), whereas Ni and Cr proved to have the highest distribution in the residual phase (64% and 71%, respectively). Pb analysis showed a large portion in the oxidizable phase (39%), while Cu was mainly present in the oxidizable (37%) and residual (39%) phases. Similarities with previous investigations were observed for Zn (primarily reducible 48%), Ni (residual 52%), and Cu (oxidizable 56%). Correlation analysis showed that Ni correlated with all heavy metals (ρ = 0.71–0.78), except with Cu. The present study suggested that Zn and Pb are associated with a high risk of pollution due to their maximum distribution in the bioavailable phase. The findings of the study can be used to assess the heavy metal contamination potential of SLM prior to its reuse in offsite applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Goa, a biodiversity hotspot, is also a major iron ore producing state in India. This study investigated total heavy metal (HM) contamination in 65 georeferenced soil samples through inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrophotometer (ICP-AES) for assessing risk of mining activity on agricultural soils. The mean concentrations of copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe) and cobalt (Co) were 125.60, 75.60, 96.40, 51.20, 69.30, 25.77, 2091, 162638 and 21.20 mg kg−1, respectively. Lower pH, higher organic carbon (OC) and fine-textured soil augmented metal accumulation processes. Boxplot of geoaccumulation index (Igeo) values indicated that lead (Pb) metal had more variation in the study area. Mean Igeo values of metals in descending order are Fe (4.24) > Mn (3.08) > Cu (2.84) > Co (2.47) > Pb (1.85) > Cd (0.7) > Zn (0.58) > Ni (0.45) > Cr (0.16). Mean values of modified degree of contamination (mCdeg) (10.4) and pollution load index (PLI) (6.19) revealed high contamination with deteriorating soil quality. Combined approach of correlation, principal component (PC) and cluster analysis indicated the source of origin by describing association of metals with Fe. PC biplot showed that impact of mining was more on lowland agro-ecosystem rather than natural due to slope factor which led to clogging of pores by mining overburden mixed soil deposition from uphill as evidenced from the presence of waterlogged fallow lands. Fuzzy k-mean clustering yielded three contamination zones (CZs) of low (CZ2), moderate (CZ1) and high (CZ3) degree of contamination. The CZs-based site-specific land management plan might lead to a sustainable ecosystem through coexistence of both mining and agricultural activity by arresting contamination and restoring fallow lands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pookode, the freshwater lake in the Western Ghats, is a well-known tourist place in southern India, and human interference has turned the otherwise serene environment into a polluted one. This paper discusses the geochemical and textural characteristics of the Pookode lake and by determining the sedimentation rate, an attempt is made to predict the useful life of the lake. The predominance of mud fraction and high organic matter content in sediments favour the accumulation of heavy metals as indicated by the different indices. The sedimentation rate was determined using 137Cs dating method and the maximum lifespan of the lake maintaining its hydrological and ecological functions is estimated as ∼700 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogeological investigations have been carried out in an area of about 777 km2 in parts of Purba Bardhaman district and adjoining Nadia district, in West Bengal State, India. The area is occupied by Quaternary Alluvium, underlain by the Tertiaries. N–S flowing mighty Bhagirathi River lies in the east of the study area. Arsenic infestation and a decline in groundwater levels have been reported in the area. Present work has been aimed to study the bearings of components of the physical environment, viz., river meandering, landform elements, etc. on groundwater contamination by arsenic (As). The relation of As-contamination with other potentially toxic metals in varied landforms is another objective of this study. Besides, the severe decline of water level in the aquifer has also been dealt in the present work. Groundwater in shallow aquifers shows sporadic arsenic contamination in and around meanders. However, this contamination is not encountered away from those meanders and at higher elevations. Generally, the higher concentration of arsenic is associated with higher contents of other toxic metals. Groundwater in phreatic and deeper aquifers is generally potable. This study shows that this contamination is related to landforms, lithology of host formation and stage of drainage evolution. Research highlights: Sporadic arsenic contamination is encountered only in shallow aquifers occurring near river meandering and absent away from this zone at higher elevations. Higher concentration of arsenic is associated with higher contents of other toxic metals. Potable groundwater occurs in the ground water of phreatic and deeper aquifers all over the area. This contamination is, however, related to the process of landforms of the host formation and the stage of evolution of drainage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to assess heavy metals in the surface sediments of the Bharalu river, India. Metal concentrations ranged from 6.65−54.6 mg/kg for Ni, 25.2−250.0 mg/kg for Zn, 83.3−139.1 mg/kg for Pb, and 11940.0−31250.0 mg/kg for Fe. The level of metal contamination was assessed using sediment quality guidelines, geo-accumulation index (Igeo), enrichment factor (EF), pollution Load Index (PLI),Nemerow's pollution index (PIN), and potential ecological risk index. Pb exceeded the sediment quality guidelines at all sites indicating a potential threat to the river ecosystem. (Igeo) and EF also showed moderate to severe enrichment for Pb. Potential ecological risk (RI) showed low risk in the sediments, and Pb is the major contributor to ecological risk. Overall, pollution indices revealed comparably higher contamination of the sediments in the downstream sites than in the upstream site. PCA and correlation matrix analysis indicated both anthropogenic and natural origins for metals. Among anthropogenic sources, urban discharges and waste dumping could be mainly attributed to metal contamination in the river sediments. These findings may aid in developing future river management methods explicitly aimed at tackling heavy metal pollution to prevent further damage to the river ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plants are the major source of energy for humans. Leafy vegetables are rich sources of nutrients, fibers, minerals and trace elements which help in treatment of diseases and maintaining good health. However heavy metal contamination due to environmental pollution results in poisonous and hazardous effects. This study is based on the concentration of heavy metals in leafy vegetables in a village named Kundra located in district Koraput, 42 kilometers from Koraput of Odisha, India, which has a population of about 5326.About 130 samples were examined and studied from the local market of Kundra. These leafy vegetables commonly called Lal bhaji sago (Red Spinach), Muniga Sago (Drumstick Leaves) and Methi sago (Fenugeek leaves) were used for this study. The samples were cut air dried for four days. Next it was washed in 20% v/v solution of nitric acid, dried sample was then grounded into powder, it was sieved through nylon sieve of size 2mm. The digestion of the sample involves 20 ml of concentrated nitric acid, perchloric acid, and hydrochloric acid in the ratio of 10:1:3, followed by drying at 105 degree Celsius on a hot plate. The obtained solution was than filtered, the residue was than analyzed using digital spectrophotometer by continuous dilution method. The concentration of Iron, copper and zinc was determined, which constituted below permissible limit according to World Health Organization. Monitoring heavy metals in vegetables is essential; as these are considered to be a major indicator of environmental pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water quality index (WQI) of Narora channel and health of endemic fish Bagarius bagarius and plant Eichhornia crassipes, district Bulandshahar, Uttar Pradesh, India were studied. Among the physicochemical properties of water, pH, D.O, Cr, Fe, Ni, and Cd were above the recommended standards. These factors lead to high WQI (4124.83), indicating poor quality and not suitable for drinking and domestic usage. In fish tissues, the highest metal load was reported in the liver (58.29) and the lowest in the kidney (33.73). Heavy metals also cause a lowering of condition indices. As expected, decreased serum protein (− 63.41%) and liver glycogen (− 79.10%) were recorded in the exposed fish. However, blood glucose (47.22%) and serum glycogen (74.69%) showed elevation. In the plant, roots (21.50) contained the highest, and leaves (16.87) had the lowest heavy metal load. Bioaccumulation factor (BAF) > 1, indicates hyperaccumulation of all metals. E. crassipes roots showed the highest translocation factor (TF) > 1 for Ni (1.57) and Zn (1.30). The high mobility factor (MF) reflected the suitability of E. crassipes for phytoextraction of Mn, Cd, Zn, Fe, Ni, and Cu. Moreover, Bagarius sp. consumption could not pose any non-cancer risk. Although, lower cancer risk can be expected from Ni and Cr. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focuses on heavy metals distribution and their ecological risk in river water, bed sediment, and suspended particulate matter (SPM) along the Ganga River basin. Overall abundance of the metals followed the sequence, Fe > Al > Mn > Pb > Ni > Cd > Cr > Zn > Co in water, Al > Fe > Mn > Zn > Cr > Cu > Ni > Co > Pb > Cd in bed sediment, while Al > Fe > Mn > Cr > Zn > Ni > Cu > Pb > Co > Cd in SPM. Among the abundant metals, Fe and Mn average concentrations exceeded BIS and WHO limits in river water. Similarly, Fe, Cd, and Zn, and most metals exceeded local background concentrations in bed sediment and SPM, respectively. Major ion chemistry in water signified carbonate weathering dominance during the time of sampling. Generally, Mn, Ni, Cu, Cr, and Co were derived from natural weathering and erosion, while Zn, Cd, and Pb were derived from both natural and anthropogenic sources. Metal index (MI) for river water showed that 27% of the locations were anthropogenically affected, whereas contamination factor and ecological risk assessment indicated highest contamination and risk from Cr and Cd in suspended sediments around urban centers in the middle basin. Furthermore, the confluence of Chambal and Yamuna increased heavy metal load in Yamuna and Ganga, respectively. The study highlighted the role of the water–sediment interaction indicating SPM is acting as a sink for metals followed by bed sediment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unplanned urbanization, industrial enhancement, and tremendous increase in motor vehicle traffic lead to exponential rise in pollution. Air pollutants, such as nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO), particulate matter (PM 2.5 and PM 10), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), ozone (O3), and heavy metals are found at a high concentration in the atmosphere. Particulate matter with 10 µm or less in diameter (PM10) is known to have adverse effects on human health and the environment. Particle pollution is known to have many environmental effects from poor visibility to more serious consequences such as acid rain, which pollutes soil and water. Heavy metal determination in ambient air is an important area for environmental researchers because of their toxicity to human beings. Some heavy metals (hexavalent chromium (Cr), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd) and nickel (Ni)) have been listed as carcinogens. Furthermore, heavy metals in the atmosphere can accumulate in various plants and animals and enter humans through the food chain. Heavy metals have toxic effects when they are involved in biochemical reactions in living organisms. The Government of India has proposed National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)—a powerful step in acknowledging and resolving the problem of deteriorating ambient air quality. This study reports the major sources of particulate matter and heavy metals in the atmosphere, their effects and control for sustainable environment. [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]

This paper discusses the relation between the heavy metal and radionuclide activity concentration in beach sand samples collected from East Coast of Tamilnadu. The elemental composition in beach sands is determined by EDXRF technique. The mean concentrations of elements followed in the order of Si > Ca > Fe > Al > Mg > K > Ti > Mn > Zr > Sr > Zn > Pb > Ni > Cu > Cd > Co in the study area. A NaI(Tl) gamma-ray spectrometer has been used to determine activity concentration of 238U, 232Th and 40K in sand samples. The measured activity in the sand samples ranged from 3.0 to 1766.8 Bqkg−1, 3.0 to 8326.88 Bqkg−1 and 11 to 1434.9 Bqkg−1 for 238U, 232Th and 40K, respectively. The measured natural radioactivity concentration was compared with worldwide average values as reported by UNSCEAR. The interrelation between the natural radioactivity and heavy metal concentration is determined using Pearson correlation coefficient, factor and cluster analysis for finding existing relation between them. The results showed that there is a significant relation of heavy metals for heavy minerals which can contribute radioactivity concentration based on the correlation and factor analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, the issue of microbial resistance to medicines and heavy metals is getting worse. There are few reports or data available for Proteus vulgaris (P. vulgaris), particularly in India. This investigation intends to reveal the bacteria's ability to transmit genes and their level of resistance as well. The wastewater samples were taken from several hospitals in Lucknow City, India, and examined for the presence of Gram-negative bacteria that were resistant to antibiotics and heavy metals. The microbial population count in different hospital wastewaters decreases with increasing concentrations of metal and antibiotics. Among all the examined metals, Ni and Zn had the highest viable counts, whereas Hg, Cd, and Co had the lowest viable counts. Penicillin, ampicillin, and amoxicillin, among the antibiotics, demonstrated higher viable counts, whereas tetracycline and erythromycin exhibited lower viable counts. The MIC values for the P. vulgaris isolates tested ranged from 50 to 16,00 μg/ml for each metal tested. The multiple metal resistance (MMR) index, which ranged from 0.04 to 0.50, showed diverse heavy metal resistance patterns in all P. vulgaris isolates (in the case of 2–7 metals in various combinations). All of the tested isolates had methicillin resistance, whereas the least number of isolates had ofloxacin, gentamycin, or neomycin resistance. The P. vulgaris isolates displayed multidrug resistance patterns (2–12 drugs) in various antibiotic combinations. The MAR indexes were shown to be between (0.02–0.7). From the total isolates, 98%, 84%, and 80% had urease, gelatinase, and amylase activity, whereas 68% and 56% displayed protease and beta-lactamase activity. Plasmids were present in all the selected resistant isolates and varied in size from 42.5 to 57.0 kb and molecular weight from 27.2 to 37.0 MD. The transmission of the antibiotic/metal resistance genes was evaluated between a total of 7 pairs of isolates. A higher transfer frequency (4.4 × 10−1) was observed among antibiotics, although a lower transfer frequency (1.0 × 10−2) was observed against metals in both the media from the entire site tested. According to exponential decay, the population of hospital wastewater declined in the following order across all sites: Site II > Site IV > Site III > Site I for antibiotics and site IV > site II > site I >site III for metal. Different metal and antibiotic concentrations have varying effects on the population. The metal-tolerant P. vulgaris from hospital wastewater was studied in the current study had multiple distinct patterns of antibiotic resistance. It could provide cutting-edge methods for treating infectious diseases, which are essential for managing and assessing the risks associated with hospital wastewater, especially in the case of P. vulgaris. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Papadkhar, an efflorescent ash, is an essential ingredient in papad manufacturing which enhances texture. This study is comprised of two parts: Initially, papadkhar samples were collected from various regions of India and evaluated for physicochemical parameters and heavy metals. Cadmium (<2.29 mass%), mercury (<2.48 mass%) and lead (<32.38 mass%) were detected. However, the regulations for heavy metal contamination in papadkhar are inexplicit. The study suggested the need to evaluate toxicity and regulate heavy metal contamination below the threshold value. Optimal papadkhar concentration was found to be 3% (w/w). Furthermore, literature emphasising the role of salt components on papad quality is scanty. The second part of the study focused on deciphering the role of cationic and anionic salt component(s) on physicochemical properties of papads. To study the effect of cations, varying levels (0.5%–1.5%) of sodium, calcium, magnesium and potassium carbonates were used. Sodium salts were chosen for further studies considering lower dough hardness (136.3–123.0 g). Hereinafter, sodium salt of sulphate, phosphate, chloride and carbonate (0.5%–1.5%) were selected. A blend of 3:1 ratio of sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate at 1% (w/w) showed the best organoleptic acceptability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The consumption of different food-based goods produces a considerable amount of waste that needs to be conserved in an eco -friendly manner. A study was carried out on food waste compost made from the in-vessel compost process for use in agriculture and its marketability for its fertility and contamination potential. Food waste samples were collected from the canteen and hostels of GITAM University, Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh), India and were transferred to a 125Kg in-vessel food waste composter (Molten Mind F125) and allowed to digest for 24 hrs followed by curing for seven days. After curing, the samples were characterized for nutrient content for fertility index (FI) and heavy metal contamination for clean index (CI). The compost quality index was derived from FI and CI to assess its suitability for agriculture. The pH of the food waste compost sample was reported as 8.4 and the C/N ratio was 28, which was higher than the standard ratio (15-20). The other physicochemical characteristics were analyzed using the standard methods and the concentration of metals was analyzed using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICPMS). From the analysis, it was evident that heavy metal concentrations were well within the permissible limits. Further, the compost was characterized to know the fertility index (FI) and contamination index (CI) and its suitability to the soil. FI value was reported as more than 3.1 and CI value more than 4, which indicated that compost was best in quality, having high-value potential and low heavy-metal content, which will be suitable for high-value crops such as organic farming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analyses the heavy metal contamination in freshly deposited sediment of 210 km stretch of River Ganga between Kanpur and Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh (U.P.), India. As per APHA (2012)30 digested samples were prepared after collecting from 10 sampling sites. Then the samples were analyzed for 8 heavy metals namely Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr), Copper (Cu), Iron (Fe), Manganese (Mn), Nickel (Ni), Lead (Pb), and Zinc (Zn) by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) (Shimadzu AA-6300). Risk assessment was done by employing four pollution indices. The average values of contamination factor (CF) indicate that the level of contamination by Pb is moderate (1 < CF < 3) and significant by Cd (3 < CF < 6). Whereas, the average value of Geo-accumulation index (Igeo) indicates that the sediments are uncontaminated or in a moderate level of contamination by Pb (0 < Igeo < 1) and in a moderate level of contamination by Cd (1 < Igeo < 2), which may have harmful effects on Ganga River ecology. The values of Pollution load index (PLI) indicate that the Ganga River sediment has a low level of contamination. Based on various pollution indicators, it has been observed that concentrations of Cd and Pb in the river sediment is a matter of concern and may lead to further deterioration of sediment quality in near future due to increasing anthropogenic activities in the river basin, hence proper management strategies should be taken to control the direct dumping of both domestic and industrial wastewater in the river. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The occurrence of heavy metals (HMs) in drinking water has been a critical water quality concern for a long time and can compromise its aesthetic value to the larger extent. Chronic exposure of human beings to these toxic and non-toxic HMs through water ingestion can result in significant health risks. To assess these associated health risks, the present study was planned, designed and carried out for analyses of nine HMs namely, Al, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb in the potable water samples collected from different sources located across the Mandakini valley of Garhwal Himalaya, India using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry. The measured values of Al, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb were found in the range of BDL–27.4 µg l−1, 0.26–4.5 µg l−1, BDL–139 µg l−1, 0.02–0.9 µg l−1, 0.4–5.5 µg l−1, 0.07–9.2 µg l−1, BDL–4164 µg l−1, BDL–0.8 µg l−1, and BDL–11.2 µg l−1, respectively. The observed values of analyzed HMs except Zn and Pb were found below the reference values prescribed by the WHO, USEPA and BIS. In addition, Zn concentration exceeded its maximum permissible limit (4000 µg l−1) recommended by WHO for infants at one station only. The observed indices show that there are no health risks from HMs contamination via drinking water in the region. Moreover, the estimated hazard quotients for children and adults also revealed no potential health risks. The results of present study will be useful as baseline data for state and national regulatory agencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we analyse the impact of the indiscriminate spilling of spent oil by garages on the surrounding soils. Physico-chemical, biological and heavy metal (HM) profiles of the spent oil-contaminated soils were compared with control samples in Guwahati city, Assam, India. The results revealed that the spent oil-contaminated soils show an increase in the abundance of HMs (varying from 58 to 18,400 mg/kg), total oil and grease (77,000-161,000 mg/kg) and a decrease in bacterial load (68.2-76.2%) and enzymatic activities (18.02-98.4%) when compared with control samples. Site-specific remediation strategies are needed to mitigate this problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heavy metal contamination has a significant impact on the environment and is a matter of global concern. Microorganisms, particularly bacteria, have evolved specific resistance mechanisms to metabolize and convert heavy metals into less toxic forms. The primary goal of this study was to explore naturally occurring indigenous bacteria from arable land and investigate their role in the eco-friendly recovery of heavy metal pollutants from arable land. In this study, 18 heavy metal resistant bacterial isolates were obtained from the arable soil of Dakshin Dinajpur region of West Bengal, India. A potent bacterial isolate (Bacillus tropicus MCCC 1A01406), was obtained demonstrating resistance against multiple heavy metals like Pb, Cr, Cd, Cu, Ni, Fe, Zn, and Co. The effect of heavy metals on the growth kinetics, heavy metal uptake, and antibiotic susceptibility of the isolate was studied in detail. The isolate was found to be efficient in Pb uptake and demonstrated relatively higher biological Pb removal efficiency and capacity in comparison to other Bacillus strains reported in the literature. The Pb biosorption capability of the isolate was interpreted using Langmuir and Freundlich's adsorption isotherms. The experimental data fitted well with the Langmuir model, suggesting monolayer type adsorption. The isolate also demonstrated resistance against antibiotics like doxycycline, nalidixic acid, kanamycin, imipenem, metronidazole, ceftriaxone, and amoxicillin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the pollution of soil by chromium using statistical analysis and Empirical Bayesian Kriging (EBK) modeling around the leather tanning industries of Southern India. Sixty-four soil samples were collected from agricultural lands and analyzed for their major ions and trace elements using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. It is observed that the concentration of trace elements, decreases in the following order: Cr > Fe > Ni > Pb > Mn > Cu > Zn. Also, the chromium present in the soil samples ranged between 0.1 and 2459 mg/kg. The higher concentration of Cr, Pb, Ni, and Zn observed in this study exceeds the permissible limit around tannery regions, indicating tannery effluents' impact. The positive correlation of Cr with Ca, Mg, Pb, and Mn specifies the discharge of tannery wastewater into the open land, thus contaminating the soil in the study area. The root mean square error (RMSE) values derived from the EBK model for Cr, Pb, Fe, and Ni are close to 1, indicating the model's validity. Moreover, the soil pollution index and Geo-accumulation index results around the tannery region show a profound impact of tannery effluent. The obtained results clearly emphasize the presence of toxic heavy metals in the study area that may cause extensive degradation of productive agricultural land. Hence, it is essential to make an appropriate strategy and implement a suitable remediation technique to solve the heavy metals pollution problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to rapid urbanization and industrialization, road dust enriched with heavy metals (HMs) emerges as a global problem as it poses a series of threats to the human health of all age groups. The present study investigates the concentration, contamination, spatial distribution, ecological and health risks associated with road dust HMs. Seventy road dust samples were collected for three different seasons (winter, summer, and monsoon) from Dehradun city, Uttarakhand, India. The road dust samples were subjected to acid digestion and rigorously analyzed through inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to determine the concentrations of seven potentially toxic HMs, i.e. Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu), Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr), Nickel (Ni), and Arsenic (As). The average concentration of Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd, Cr, Ni, and As were 172.14, 59.64, 109.83, 1.80, 32.69, 23.29, and 2.72 mg-kg−1 respectively. The concentration of Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd, and As was found higher than the Indian natural soil background value and continental upper crust value. The principal component analysis shows that the HMs come from mixed sources such as Zn, Cu, Pb, and Ni mainly come from different traffic activities whereas Cd, Cr, and As mainly come from paint abrasion, fuel burning, and pesticides and fertilizers containing Cd and As compounds. The pollution index (PI) shows that Cd, Pb, Cu, and As come under the high contamination category. The spatial distribution of PI shows that the extent of pollution is highest in central, eastern, and northeastern zones as compared to other zones of the Dehradun city. Potential ecological risk results show that Cd accounts for 87.12% of the risk followed by Pb (5.32%) and Cu (3.43%). The health risk assessment showed that there is no non-carcinogenic risk of the studied HMs for children and adults. The ingestion pathway is turned out to be the major route of exposure for all the studied HMs calculated for carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk in children and adults followed by dermal contact and inhalation. The results also showed that children are more susceptible to HMs contamination in comparison to adults. The descending order of lifetime cancer risk (LCR) for four studied HMs is found as follows: Cd > NI > Cr > As for both children and adults. The LCR results reveal that the value of Cd, Cr, Ni, and As were greater than 1 × 10–6 for both age groups, indicating the possibility of cancer development in near future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wetlands are one of the most important ecosystems on earth, which help sustain life, yet they are reported to be at the receiving end of the high rate of pollution. The state of Kerala on the southwest coast of India is bestowed with several wetlands including Ramsar sites. Although the larger wetlands have been extensively studied, smaller or local wetlands have often been neglected; however, the environmental problems will be first reflected in the small wetlands. In this study, the ecological risk assessment of core sediments of one such site, the Biyyam wetland, a wetland of national importance, is reported for the first time. Sediment core samples were collected from four different stations of Biyyam wetland, and concentrations of heavy metals such as Ni, Zn, Mn, Cu, Cd, and Pb were determined. Statistical analysis indicated that correlation among different metals differed with respect to stations, but the percentage of organic matter showed a positive correlation with the concentration of the metals. The mean concentrations of Ni, Pb, and Cd exceeded the global average shale value. The quality of the sediments was assessed based on numeric Sediment Quality Guidelines. The degree of Contamination, Pollution Load Index, Enrichment Factor, Geoaccumulation Index, Ecological Risk Index, Toxic Unit, and Toxic Risk Index were used to evaluate the ecotoxicity of the heavy metals in the sediment core samples. The results inferred serious anthropogenic pollution in the wetland, and Cd was reported as the prominent metal contributing to heavy metal toxicity and ecological risk in the study area, which may in long run be toxic to the aquatic ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present investigation attempts to assess the harmful heavy metals and uranium exposure in shallow aquifers of the highest populated district Nagaon in the central Brahmaputra floodplain of Assam, India. Spatial distribution using the inverse distanced weighted interpolation method in Arc GIS, various pollution indices and health risk assessment indices pooled with statistical studies were employed to appraise the pollution scenario and potential health risk. The contamination degree index for the three locations was 14.09, 21.43 and 25.95, signifying a considerable degree of contamination. The excess cancer risk due to the radioactivity of uranium in adults and children of Nagaon district is negligible compared to the prescribed limit of 1.67×10−4 set by the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board. The average concentration of the analyzed heavy metal follows the order Mn > Fe > Zn > Cu > Ni > U > Pb > Cr > Cd. The notch box plot study reveals that the risk associated with the ingestion of water contaminated with heavy metals is higher than the dermal absorption. The HQIngestion of manganese in children shows a higher range (0.003–6.85) than in adults (0.002–4.12), with a median value of 0.14 compared to 0.08 in adults. Both adults and children are vulnerable to non-carcinogenic risks, and the risk is higher in children than in adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents spatial distribution, sources and toxicological risks of As, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, and Zn in the surface sediments from north-western Karnataka, southern India. Heavy metals (except Hg) are 1–5 times enriched than upper continental crust. High concentration of Cr, Ni, Cu, and Zn is in the central Kudalgaon, Devarayi, and Tavargatti and in the south-western Ganeshgudi area, whereas Arsenic is enriched in the north-eastern Alnavar, Kakkeri,Tavargatti and Pb, and Hg in the north-western Kapoli, Devarayi, Manjarpal villages. The ecological risk index, toxic risk index, and mean probable-effects-levels quotient of heavy metals suggest that ~ 40% of the area is prone to very high risk especially for Cr and As to the hydrological, biological, and ecological systems. Multivariate statistical analysis suggests possible geogenic sources for Ni, Cr, Cu, and Zn and anthropogenic sources such as emissions from vehicles and agricultural sectors for As, Hg, and Pb. This study is the first of its kind in the area, which will help, in better formulation of environmental pollution and risk related remedial measures to conserve the natural ecosystem and the well-being of humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

River Yamuna is one of the most sacred major tributaries of river Ganga. This study aimed to assess the level of heavy metals in monsoon and non-monsoon season in river Yamuna in Uttar Pradesh, India and to assess the possible source of contamination and its associated health risk. Except for iron (Fe), the mean levels of all metals were within drinking water safe limits in both seasons. Except for chromium (Cr), lower values were observed for other metals in the monsoon season could be attributed dilution effect. Multivariate analysis indicated that both geogenic and anthropogenic sources contribute to heavy metals in river Yamuna in monsoon and non-monsoon seasons. The health risk in terms of hazard index (HI) and fuzzy-logic hazard index (FHI) demonstrated that both HI and FHI values among children exceeded the safe limit in most of the sites in non-monsoon seasons and in few in monsoon season. For adults, HI and FHI values were within safe limit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Anthropogenic risk factors contribute worldwide to an unfavorable environmental situation, which in the population can lead to cancer and other environmental-related diseases. Heavy metals accumulate in tissues and affect human health. Objectives: This review evaluates data for the possible role of uranium (U), barium (Ba), and lead (Pb) in the cancer development in people living in the Malwa Region of Punjab, India. Methods: A literature search was performed using the databases PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus. Publications in English were included. Preference was given to studies of high methodological quality (systematic reviews and surveys of studies of various designs). The results of cross-sectional studies were taken into account. Discussion: A study has shown that cancer patients in the Malwa region of Punjab, India have unexpectedly high concentrations of U, Ba, and Pb in hair. We hypothesize that higher hair concentrations of U and other bone-seeking elements in hair of cancer patients may be due to the release of these elements from the skeleton, partly because of the patients age (following the menopause in women) and partly due to disease factors such as bed rest, bone metastases, and enhanced glucocorticoid secretion. Conclusions: Further research is needed to distinguish the effect of age on bone-seeking elements from real disease associations, regardless of the relationship with the pathology is a causal one or not. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study investigated the influence of geotechnical properties of bed sediments on the resuspension potential in the Ashtamudi estuary, India. Bed sediment samples collected from different locations were analyzed for grain size distribution, atterberg limits, consolidation coefficient and shear strength. The suspended sediment concentrations (SSC) and flow velocity at three different depths such as near-bed, mid-depth, and near-surface were also measured. The locations having lower shear strength and coefficient of consolidation and with higher sand content exhibited higher SSC in the water column. The sediment with weak particle–particle bonding demonstrated higher resuspension leading to a higher concentration of SSC in the water column. The higher current in the near-bed region also contributed to the resuspension of bed sediments. The laboratory experiments conducted using consolidated soil specimens in a jar test apparatus at different turbulence rates ascertained that the bed sediments, from those locations of the estuary with higher SSC in the water column, exhibited a higher rate of erosion. It was further observed that the resuspension of bed sediments has an impact on the heavy metal partitioning in the Ashtamudi estuary, whereby the resuspension leads to the uptake of Fe and possible release of Cr in the water column. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Landfilling is considered to be a safe and economical approach for waste disposal but this is true only for engineered landfills. Engineered landfills are seldom found in developing countries like India. The generation of leachate from the landfilled municipal solid waste (MSW) is a major concern nowadays. Leachate is the result of two main phenomena occurring in a landfill: infiltration of water in the deposited waste mass and mass transfer of substances from waste to infiltrating water. This leachate can cause severe environmental degradation and also pollute natural resources like soil and soil microbes. In the present study, the physical and chemical parameters and ciliate diversity of leachate contaminated soil from the Okhla landfill (Okhla L) and non-contaminated soil from human inhabitant site Acharya Narendra Dev College (ANDC) were compared. It was observed that the physical and chemical parameters namely, water holding capacity, pH, electrical conductivity, calcium and magnesium, calcium carbonate, soil organic matter, nitrogen and cation exchange capacity of soil contaminated with leachate from Okhla L was found to be significantly different from the ANDC. The concentration of various heavy metals such as Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb were found to be significantly different at both sites. Heavy metals viz, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb were found to be much higher than permissible limits at Okhla L site. The various diversity indices for ciliate diversity were found to be significantly higher at ANDC. It is therefore affirmed that the disposal of municipal solid waste significantly alters the physical and chemical parameters of leachate contaminated soil. This study might help to understand that how MSW dumping affects physical and chemical parameters of soil and also its biological properties. The study also affirms that ciliates can act as bioindicators for assessing soil health and quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A systematic study of background radiation in southeast Haryana, India, i.e. the Jhajjar, Sonipat and Rohtak districts, was initiated to establish reliable baseline data on the background radiation level of the region. Worldwide many areas have been found with high background gamma radiation, leading to several types of disorders in human beings. So the present study was carried out as a precautionary step. There are two natural sources of ionizing radiation -- cosmic and terrestrial. Isotopes of heavy elements and their decay products present in the Earth's crust are the major sources of terrestrial radiation. A radiation survey meter was used for the analysis of gamma radiation. In total, 50 locations were chosen for the survey. Gamma radiation showed variation from 82 to 184 nSv/h, with the mean value of 131.64 ± 5.56 nSv/h. An independent t-test at a significance level of 5% was applied for comparison. Annual effective dose and excess lifetime cancer risk were computed to determine the number of cancer cases due to outdoor radiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the groundwater using the Entropy Weightage Quality Index model (EWQI). Eighteen samples were taken from the different wellbores during premonsoon seasons in 2021. The present study is aimed at developing a comprehensive approach for groundwater quality assessment and associated health risk along with the cancer risk due to the presence of heavy metals. The water quality of Ranchi city was found to be better except in the western zone. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that arsenic (As) was the most influencing element that deteriorated the potability of water which supports our study. The study looked at cancer and noncancer health hazards connected with heavy metal music. The value of hazardous quotient (HQ) was observed to be relatively higher in As (HQ > 1) and Ni, followed by Mn > Fe > Zn > Cu. Also, the children were at higher risk than adults. The cancer risk associated with arsenic was investigated and found that the northern part and southeast-west (lapung block) of the study are at higher risk. Prolonged ingestion of As causes diseases like arsenicosis that leads to enhanced chances of cancer risk. This research provides an immense research database to assess the potability of drinking water in a similar city like Ranchi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal contamination in drinking water has drawn attention since it gravely jeopardizes human health. This study was conducted in pre- and post-monsoon season in 2021 at Dhemaji, Assam, India. It characterized metal pollutants in groundwater, their distribution, possible sources, and evaluated the potential toxicity and associated health risk assessment. The seasonal mean concentration of Fe in both seasons is observed highest followed by Mn , Zn, Cu, As, and Ni. Furthermore, the metal concentrations during pre-monsoon are comparatively higher. The geogenic processes and agricultural practices are the major sources of groundwater metal contamination as evident from the statistical analysis. The different pollution indices viz. Heavy-metal Pollution Index (HPI), Heavy-metal Evaluation Index (HEI) and Degree of Contamination (Cd) suggested that groundwater is not suitable for drinking uses. The Heavy Metal Toxicity Load (HMTL) suggesting As, Co, Mn and Hg should be removed from the groundwater to ensure safety. Water pollution indices (WPI) suggest that Fe, Mn, As and Ni are the main pollution-causing metals in the study area which may be restored under the BIS and WHO limit by diluting the water. The human health risk has been calculated by carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk assessment. The non-carcinogenic risk for adults and children is within the threshold limit. The carcinogenic risk shows that continuous exposure of As and Ni may give rise to cancer among adults and children in the region. Therefore, comprehensive groundwater quality monitoring with well-planned treatment should be needed to provide safe and clean drinking water in the studied area. [Display omitted] • Heavy metal distribution and evaluation in the groundwater during pre and post-monsoon seasons at Dhemaji, Assam. • The average value of metals (As, Fe, Mn, Ni and Hg in both seasons) surpassed the WHO and BIS limits. • Most of the pollution indices showed that groundwater is not suitable for drinking uses. • Natural and anthropogenic inputs significantly control metals in groundwater. • justified that As and Ni can cause cancer in adults and children due to prolonged consumption of contaminated water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The threat of heavy metals in soil due to rapid urbanization, intensive agricultural practices, vehicular emission, and industry-related activities is increasing day by day, causing high risk to environmental health. The present study assessed the heavy metal pollution (Cr, Co, Ni, Co, Zn, As, Cd, and Pb) in the soil of Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar District, Punjab, India, through the index of geoaccumulation (I geo), contamination factors (CF), degree of contamination (DC), pollution load index (PLI), ecological risk factor (Er) and potential ecological risk indices (PRI). The results showed the concentration of heavy metals in the soil in the order of Pb > Zn > Ni > Cr > Cu > As > Co > Cd. The pollution risk assessment indices: I geo , CF , and Er indicated that most soil samples were moderately contaminated with Pb. The village Majra showed considerable contamination as evidenced by the C d. The multivariate statistical analysis revealed the anthropogenic sources (agricultural practices and discharges from micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) industries) to be the possible sources of Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Pb. The health risk assessment studies indicated that carcinogenic risks were higher for children than the adults. The cancer risk (CR) for all heavy metals in decreasing order is As > Cr > Pb > Ni > Cd. Likewise, the non-carcinogenic risks calculated as HQ followed the order of Pb > As > Cr > Cd > Ni > Cu > Co > Zn. The significant disparities in heavy metal concentrations underscore the necessity of establishing appropriate baseline levels for toxic trace metals in soils. [Display omitted] • Eight heavy metals dominated the soil of urban, suburban, and agricultural landuse. • Lead predominated the soil samples. • Cr, As, and Pb have proven to be associated with unacceptable health risks. • Children were more susceptible to non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks than adults. • PCA and HCA indicated the anthropogenic origin of most metals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]