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Background Habitat heterogeneity clearly distinguished in terms of availability of food and habitat resources and landscape features (natural or human-modified) play a crucial role in the avian species composition and population structure. To examine this, a study was carried out in Bhubaneswar, India, to understand the ecological niche distinction in birds based on habitat heterogeneity. Regular sampling was conducted in 30 sampling sites covering six different habitat types in a predominantly urban landscape of Bhubaneswar for understanding the ecological niche in birds. The birds were classified into 11 types of foraging guilds. Results The insectivorous guild had the highest bird species richness (181 species) and the omnivorous guild had the lowest (11 species). The piscivorous guild and wetland habitat had the strongest linkage, followed by the insectivorous guild and agricultural land. The frugivorous guild was significantly correlated with forest habitats (r = 0.386, p < 0.01) and park and garden habitats (r = 0.281, p < 0.01). This urban area hosted a higher number of bird species in certain habitat types, viz., agricultural lands (52%, 115 species) and forest patches (50%, 111 species). Conclusion The present study highlights the importance of agricultural lands, forest patches, parks and gardens, and wetlands inside the cityscape for supporting avifauna. It is therefore suggested that such habitats should be conserved inside an urban area to protect native avifauna. Thus, the city development plan must invariably include strategies for conserving the forest patches inside the urban area. Measures must be taken to restrain the degradation of agricultural lands and reduce their utilization for non-agricultural purposes, which will help in further reducing the bird population decline in the urban landscape.

A routine survey in blackbuck habitats in Bhetnoi region of Ganjam district in Odisha, India revealed an interesting behaviour of blackbucks, with a sub-adult male blackbuck licking and consuming the termite mound’s soils. To the best of our knowledge, this phenomenon has never been observed for blackbucks. This finding was reconfirmed on subsequent visits, with this behaviour being observed in 30% of total survey periods. This phenomenon is seen in a variety of mammals, birds, reptiles, butterflies, and isopods, especially herbivorous isopods. It serves as a mineral supplement for the animal, as well as providing gastrointestinal relief and lowering gut toxicity. This observation provides impetus to articulate research questions regarding blackbucks' dietary habits in relation to termite mounds, and any knowledge on the nutrient/element composition of such termite mounds will reveal interesting facts and information that will help in a better understanding of the function of termite mounds in the diet of antelopes, especially blackbucks.

Phytoextraction is an economic, environment-friendly and growing technology for clean-up of metal-contaminated soil. Several factors play pivotal role in making phytoextraction a successful technique. Soil fraction is an important parameter that may affect phytoextraction potential. There has been an increased realization on the role of chelates in accelerating metal uptake by plants. Thus, the present study examined the influence of different soil fractions, spiked metal concentrations and chelate dosages on Cu accumulation by Helianthus annuus L. (common sunflower), Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek (mung bean) and Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br. (pearl millet). To mimic the mill tailings of various mined-out sites in India, five soil fractions containing different proportions of garden soil and silica were prepared (S1: 100% soil; S2: 75% soil + 25% silica; S3: 50% soil + 50% silica; S4: 25% soil + 75% silica; and S5: 100% silica) and each fraction was spiked with known Cu (100, 250, 500 and 1000 mg kg−1) concentration. Upon maturity of the plant, EDTA and NTA in different dosages (0.25, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 g kg−1) were applied to each pot. Bioconcentration factor (BCF), bioaccumulation coefficient (BAC) and translocation factor (TF) were estimated for each set. The accumulation of Cu by H. annuus, V. radiata and P. glaucum indicated direct relation between soil fractions and harvesting periods. Better plant growth and Cu uptake were observed in pots with silica 75%. The Cu accumulation varied significantly (p

Scientific investigations on levels of Organochlorine Pesticide (OCP) residues in plants largely consider the edible parts (crops, vegetables, and fruit plants). Though the non-edible parts of plants are not eaten by human beings directly, these parts are consumed by livestock and other animals, thereby facilitating the flow of chemical residues through the food chain. The objective of the present investigation was to evaluate the concentration of OCP residues in non-edible plant parts to provide insights on their potential ecotoxicological impacts. Eighteen OCP residues were extracted in nine different plant species (banana Musa acuminate, brinjal Solanum melongena, Casuarina equisetifolia, Eucalyptus globulus, lotus Nelumbo nucifera, paddy Oryza sativa, sugarcane Saccharum officinarum, tapioca Manihot esculenta, tomato Lycopersicon esculentum) following QuEChERS method. The concentrations of OCP residues in plant extracts were determined using Gas Chromatography coupled with Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS). The OCP residues, namely: γ-HCH (lindane), heptachlor epoxide isomer, dieldrin, endrin, endrin aldehyde and endrin ketone were found predominantly in seven plant species. Residues of γ-HCH (lindane) were reported in different parts of plant species such as stem (581.14 ng/g in paddy and 585.82 ng/g in tapioca) and leaf (583.3 ng/g in tomato). Seven samples contained residues of heptachlor epoxide isomer (512.53 to 1173.8 ng/g). Dieldrin was found in paddy stem (489.97 ng/g), tapioca stem (490.21 ng/g) and tapioca leaf (490.32 ng/g). The detected OCPs in the present study were 10–50 times higher than the Maximum Residue Limits (MRL, 0.01–0.1 mg/Kg) as prescribed in the Codex Alimentarius of the FAO/WHO. Their elevated concentrations in the plant parts therefore pose risk of contamination to the consumers in the food chain, including human beings those are dependent on the animals as source of protein. The findings of this study are the first report on residue levels of OCPs in non-edible plant parts in the agricultural landscape of Puducherry region, India. Since, this study assumes significance for the strategic location of Oussudu Lake, an interstate lake spread over Puducherry and Tamil Nadu states, regular monitoring of OCP residues in different environmental segments in strategic locations in both the states is suggested, which will help the authorities in devising a comprehensive environmental management plan aiming at the ecosystem at large.

Mobilization of metals in wetland ecosystems is a function of the behaviour of a specific metal species and is dependent largely on the prevailing micro-environmental conditions. Apparently, five different chemical forms of metals are known with varying affinity to binding sites, mobility, bioavailability and toxicity. Quantification of these forms of metals in the soils is imperative in predicting their biogeochemical fate and toxicity. In this context, we examined the association of Cu, Pb and Zn, with various geochemical phases in the soil profile of wetland system of Keoladeo National Park, a Ramsar site in India. The assessment covered the soil profile until 100 cm depth at every 25-cm intervals. Different operationally defined geochemical phases in the soil at different depths were examined during the study for respective metal concentrations. Hydrous oxides of Fe-Mn were the major carrier for all the three metals and the fraction associated with exchangeable phase was the least. The low organic matter content in the soil seems to be influencing the metal association with the organic matter (OM-S) phase, which was also a less preferred carrier for metals. For Cu (5.8-78.4%) and Pb (33.5-88.5%), Fe-Mn hydroxide phase was an important binding site and for Zn (31.02-79.03%), it was the silicate mineral matrix (RES phase). This suggests the importance of micro-environmental conditions in the wetland bed such as redox and pH in mobilization of metals. As metals such as Pb have high eco-toxicological potential, an assessment of fractional concentrations of metals provides insights into their mobility and bioavailability in aquatic ecosystems. This aids wetland managers to develop appropriate strategy to maintain quality of inflow water, the single most crucial factor for a wetland ecosystem, and thus controls the micro-environmental conditions.

A network of Protected Areas (PAs) has been the main strategy adopted in India for conservation of biodiversity and wildlife. Thus, more than 600 PAs are established; however, pressures from the human settlements in the proximity have been a serious concern for their management. To appreciate the interplay of governance of PAs and human settlements around them, we selected Keoladeo National Park (KNP), a Ramsar and world heritage site in India, as a model. We compared the socio-economic state of the inhabitants in the 13 villages and their dependency on KNP for resources two decades ago with that of the present. Information on socio-economic indicators was collected from the villagers using a customized questionnaire. Data was also collected from concerned government departments. Significant changes in human population, literacy, households, fuel use, water level, agriculture, occupations and irrigation techniques were seen. Much of the traditional agricultural fields are now open for other uses. The changes reflect reconciliation by the neighborhood community with the governance strategy and a shift in their resource utilization. The major local driver for the changes was an abrupt change in conservation praxis in the KNP.

Trace metals in soils may be inherited from the parent materials or added to the system due to anthropogenic activities. In proposed mining areas, trace metals become an integral part of the soil system. Usually, researchers undertake experiments on plant species selection (for the restoration plan) only after the termination of mining activities, i.e. without any pre-mining information about the soil-plant interactions. Though not shown in studies, it is clear that several recovery plans remain unsuccessful while carrying out restoration experiments. Therefore, we hypothesize that to restore the area effectively, it is imperative to consider the pre-mining scenario of metal levels in parent material as well as the vegetation ecology of the region. With these specifics, we examined the concentrations of trace metals in parent soils at three proposed bauxite locations in the Eastern Ghats, India, and compared them at a spatio-temporal scale. Vegetation quantification and other basic soil parameters accounted for establishing the connection between soil and plants. The study recorded significant spatial heterogeneity in trace metal concentrations and the role of vegetation on metal availability. Oxidation reduction potential (ORP), pH and cation exchange capacity (CEC) directly influenced metal content, and Cu and Ni were lithogenic in origin. It implies that for effective restoration plant species varies for each geological location.

In this study, 24 breast milk samples, obtained from rural Maya women, from municipalities of Yucatan, Mexico, were analyzed for organochlorine pesticide (OCP) residues by gas chromatography. Recent studies have shown that Maya communities have a poor perception about the proper usage and handling of OCP. The karstic soil in this area has a high vulnerability to groundwater pollution by the use of OCP in agriculture and livestock activities. The impact of the ecosystem on human health is much more critical due to the prevailing poverty and a very low educational level of these communities. About 30% of the Maya population consumes water directly from contaminated wells and sinkholes, resulting in a chronic exposure to OCP. The samples served to identify and quantify high levels of OCP residues (18.43 mg/kg of heptachlor epoxide and 1.92 mg/kg of endrin in the metropolitan zone; 2.10 mg/kg of dieldrin, 0.117 mg/kg of endosulfan II, 0.103 mg/kg of heptachlor, 0.178 mg/kg of endrin, and 0.127 mg/kg of endrin aldehyde in the main agricultural zone and on the west coast). The detected levels of OCP residues are a major concern and represent a potential risk to women and children in the region. This could be associated with the high rates of cervical uterine and breast cancer mortality in Yucatan. Thus, regulations on the usage of OCP and their enforcement are necessary, and it is important to establish a yearly monitoring program for OCP residues in breast milk and groundwater, as well as to implement health promotion programs for women in particular and the general population in general.

The ambient air quality (AAQ) assessment was undertaken in Sukinda Valley, the chromite hub of India. The possible correlations of meteorological variables with different air quality parameters (PM10, PM2.5, SO2, NO2 and CO) were examined. Being the fourth most polluted area in the globe, Sukinda Valley has always been under attention of researchers, for hexavalent chromium contamination of water. The monitoring was carried out from December 2013 through May 2014 at six strategic locations in the residential and commercial areas around the mining cluster of Sukinda Valley considering the guidelines of Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). In addition, meteorological parameters viz., temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, wind direction and rainfall, were also monitored. The air quality data were subjected to a general linear model (GLM) coupled with one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test for testing the significant difference in the concentration of various parameters among seasons and stations. Further, a two-tailed Pearson’s correlation test helped in understanding the influence of meteorological parameters on dispersion of pollutants in the area. All the monitored air quality parameters varied significantly among the monitoring stations suggesting (i) the distance of sampling location to the mine site and other allied activities, (ii) landscape features and topography and (iii) meteorological parameters to be the forcing functions. The area was highly polluted with particulate matters, and in most of the cases, the PM level exceeded the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The meteorological parameters seemed to play a major role in the dispersion of pollutants around the mine clusters. The role of wind direction, wind speed and temperature was apparent in dispersion of the particulate matters from their source of generation to the surrounding residential and commercial areas of the mine.

Generation of baseline information about ambient air quality of any given region assumes significance, when the area is 1) an active mine site, 2) proposed to be mined out in future, and 3) industrialization in the area is in fast pace. Ambient air quality monitoring (with respect to SPM, RPM, SO2, NOx and CO) was carried out in and around two mining complexes in western parts of Kachchh district in Gujarat to generate baseline air quality status of the area. This area has two major mine complexes and various large scale industrial projects (thermal power plants, cement plants and several ports and jetties) are also in pipeline. Ambient air sampling was carried out in eight locations within five km radial distance from two major mine sites, i.e. Panandhro and Mata-na-Madh, with four locations for each mine site. Air Quality Indexing was done for all the locations, since it is a simplest way for the prediction of ambient air quality status of any region with respect to industrial, residential and rural areas. Of the eight locations studied the air quality for six locations fell under fairly clean (Light Air Pollution, AQI 25-50) category, while the rest (rural areas in the region), had relatively better air quality and fell under clean (Clean Air, AQI 10-25) category.

Mining activities lead to the destruction of soil properties and productivity. Accomplishment of soil properties which existed before mining can be used for successful reclamation of the mined out area. With this aim proposed bauxite mines in the Eastern Ghats, India, were studied with respect to the exchangeable fraction of Na, K, Li, Ca and Mg. Na in the soils ranged from 4 to 82 mg/kg, K 15.2–746 mg/kg, Ca 119.6–2875.2 mg/kg, Li 1.2–14 mg/kg and Mg 349.8–2391.9 mg/kg. The elements studied varied significantly among the locations (ANOVA, P < 0.05). Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) was negatively correlated with most of the variables. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) accounted for 95.6% of the total variance. PC1 (first principal component) formed of pCa, rMg, Mg:Ca, rCa and pMg, indicated Ca type enrichment in the system. PC2 and PC3 reflected the influence of SAR, pNa, rNa and Na, and Mg and CEC, respectively. The study, aimed at documenting the background concentrations of base cations in the Araku soil system, India, will be useful in later years during mine restoration programme. It would also form a base document for the mine managers during mine restoration.

The chemical partitioning of Cu, Pb and Zn was examined in the soil profile of the woodland system in Keoladeo National Park, India using a five-step sequential extraction procedure (SEP). Metal pa...

Heavy metal contamination in soil has received much attention and extensive research has been conducted on estimation of metals in soils. Several heavy metals are known to accumulate in water, soil, sediments and tissues of organisms (Chaphekar, 1991; Lambou & Williams, 1980; Ramadan, 2003) and cause chronic to acute toxicity in due course of time. For evaluation of the heavy metal burden in the environment, it is not sufficient to measure only total metal concentrations, it is also very important to establish the proportions of heavy metals present in various soil solid phase forms their bioavailability and toxicity. Quantifying the geochemical phases of metals associated with soil is an important step in predicting the ultimate fate, bioavailability, and toxicity of metals (Azeez et al., 2006; Lu et al., 2005; Prusty et al., 1994). Easily soluble fractions that are bioavailable and most mobile in the environment are commonly investigated by single extraction procedures such as that of Deely et al. (1992), while the partitioning of heavy metals between easily and sparingly soluble fractions in soils and sediments is investigated by sequential extraction procedures.

In view of the depleting oil reserves and exponential rise in petroleum prices, the search for alternative sources of fuel is very timely and important. The present paper addresses the underlying issues in biodiesel production from biomaterials and sustainable production and supply of first-generation biofuels, especially the one from jatropha. The agencies and research institutions involved in the production of biofuels and the national and international efforts made in this regard are discussed here. There is also a dire need of a step towards large-scale production and supply of second-generation biofuels, although in infant stage, to strengthen the world economy in general and Indian economy in particular. However, the production of biofuels are likely to have serious socio-economic implications especially to the lesser developed societies. This needs serious attention from policy makers and public at large.

We measured the background level and spatial variation of carbon (C), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and sulfur (S) and associated basic soil parameters along the depth profile for 3 years, in 3 habitats (woodland, wetland, and grassland), in Keoladeo National Park (KNP), an important water fowl reserve and a world heritage site in India. The study examined soils at 5 depths (0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1.0 m) for 3 years, i.e. from 2003 to 2005. Total organic C (TOC), total N (TN), total available P (TAP), and total available S (TAS), irrespective of the habitat type and year, were found to be highest in the litter layer, gradually declining with depth. Elemental ratios (C : N, C : P, and C : S) followed the same declining trend, whereas the N : P ratio increased down the soil profile. The high C : N and C : S ratios in the litter layer suggest the relatively low mobilisation of N and S from the decaying detritus layer. All the variables studied varied significantly among the soil layers (GLM-ANOVA, P

We examined the ammonium acetate extractable forms of alkali (Na, K) and alkaline earth (Ca, Li, and Mg) metals in the soil system in a world heritage site, Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur, India for 3 consecutive years—2003, 2004, and 2005. The metals were assessed along the soil profile, from surface to 1.00 m depth (as 5 layers, at 0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, and 1.00 m). Sodium and K were negatively correlated (P