Edaphic components of Mangrove Dominated Lothian And Prentice Island In Sundarbans North -East Coast of India.

Physico-chcmical analysis of mangrove soils in two islands (Prentice and Lothian) in sundarban areas were carried out and compared to highlight the quality of the soils that facilitate the existence as well as survival various flora and fauna to play immense role in the stability of the environment. Study revealed that there were slight differences in the grain size, pH, organic carbon and exchangeable calcium (Ca12) and magnesium (Mg12) content in soils of these two islands. The litter of the mangrove forest might. play vital role not only on the variation of carbon to nitrogen ratio (C/N) and carbon to phosphorous ratio (C/P) but also retention ability of these essential nutritional elements in soils. Ca+2 and Mg+2 were the principal cations as observed in exchange reactions. Potassiun ion (K+) recorded comparatively higher values than the sodium ion (Na+) in these soils probably due to more amnily for K+ uptake in the existing biotic community as well as trapping capacity by edaphic components in these areas.

Indian sacred groves: Floristic diversity, Ecology and conservation

Practice of conservation of biological diversity in India had been carried out since dates back and sacred groves, the socially protected forest patches, are such classic evidence. Since pre-Vedic period, India has its legacy of harbouring numerous sacred groves almost in every part ofthe country especially in the Western Ghats , and North-East Himalayan region. These small fragmented forest patches are well known especially for sustaining rich biological heritage, entailing ecological history of the region and being a local biodiversity hotspot through in-situ conservation of both floral and faunal components especially the rare and endemic ones. Sacred groves also represent ideal community organization for functioning of many ecological processes providing valuable ecosystem services like soil and water conservation, nutrient cycling and many more. Tn India, various systems of traditional conservation practices have been reported as the country is known for its socio-cultural diversity. In the past few decades, the existence of sacred groves is being challenged through serious lhrcals like cncroachment, loss of belief in taboos and many modern developmental practices. It is the need of hour to protect these ecological heritage by adopting integrated sustainable management practices through communlity involvement and convergence of various schemes of different sectors.

Review on Graphene Nanoparticle Composites

In recent years, graphene has attracted atlcntion. Grapheneis a thick planar sheet of Sp2 bonded carbon atoms. Its lattice is honey comb structure. Graphene is one of the most rising material due to its various fascinatingl properties. From recent study it is proved that graphene based composites with different nanoparticle show extensive applielltion. In this review we focus on recent developement in the synthetic approach, properties and the facilities of use of graph nanoparticle comosites. The advantages of graphene-nanupartide composites are specifically observed in catalytic reactions, electrochemical sensing, detection by surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy, purification of waterusing adsurbent and other applications are discussed here.

Study of Antimicrobial Resistance in Recreational Water Bodies

Thc development and proliferation of antibiotic resistance in pathogen, commensal and environmcntal microorganisms is a major heallh conccrn. The natural environment may act as a site of propagation and maintenance of antibiotic resistance and greatly depends on various human activities. The anthropogenic activities leading to rise and dissemination of antibiotic resistance should be studied extensively. Recreational water bodies can act both as the recipient and reservoir of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and thus serve as a potent site of horizntal transfer of antibiotic resistant genes and dissemination of the same to environmental microbes. In the current study, water samples of recreational water bodies were investigated as possible sources of antibiotic resistant bacterial population. Water samples from RabindraSarobar of Kolkata was surveyed and antibiotic resistance patern of gram negative fecal coliforrnswere mainly evaluated. Many of them were found to be Multidrug resistant(MDR) which is of great concem to the public health.

Review On Arsenic Toxicity: Effect On Human Health And Biochemical Aspects

Looking at the global scenario, it has been found that a huge perccntage of population around the globe consider groundwater as their main source for drinking. But unfortunately, this main source is being heavily exposed to various heavy metals like mercury, cadmium, arsenic making it unfit for consumption, ultimately posing threat to human health out there. Although groundwater is considered as safe, but high concentrations of heavy metals like arsenic (As) (above the permissible limit) in ground water can pose risk to human health. Toxicity level of inorganic arsenic is more than the organic one. Arsenic contamination is having a worldwide effect. Arsenic is found to be carcinogcnic in nature, genotoxic as well as cytotoxic. Prolonged exposure to arsenic causes various health hazards like arsenicosis, skin cancer, pigmentation, neurobehavioral effects, impaired intellect and various other chronic illness. Creating awareness and providing proper medical care still remains a big challenge. The biomarkers of arsenic exposure include nails, hair, urine and blood sample. This paper provides an overall overview of ground water arsenic contamination, its health hazards, its toxicity and metabolism in human body. The paper also reviews various analytical techniques that are being used to detect arsenic, the collective steps required to eradicate this global problem and provide high quality safe drinking water for the future generations to come.