The aim of this study was to determine the distribution pattern, pigments and biochemical composition of various seaweed species collected from the Gopnath coast in Gujarat, India from August 2021 to December 2021 as well as to examine physico-chemical variables in marine waters. Besides, the relationship between the pigment, biochemical content of seaweed species and hydrochemical characters was also investigated with principal component analysis (PCA). There are total of nine species with the highest number of Chlorophyta species. During the investigation period, the distribution and occurrence of the species changed greatly. Results indicate that the chlorophyta had the highest chlorophyll content, on the other hand carotenoids were found greater in Rhodophyta members. According to a statistical analysis (Correlation) computed among environmental parameters and pigment, it was observed that the chlorophyll content was positively correlated with pH, salinity and hardness whereas carotenoid shows positive correlation with temperature and dissolved oxygen of selected site. Moreover, the principal component analysis shows that the pH, electrical conductivity (EC), salinity, hardness and alkalinity are the main factor for marine water quality whereas principal component analysis of metabolites of seaweed shows that the carbohydrate and amino acids are the main principal components of Chlorophyta species. Protein is the main principal component of Rhodophyta specie. Based on the results obtained, we can conclude that the hydro-chemical characters may play a role in the biosynthetic pathways of seaweed.

Organic contaminants linked to atmospheric particulate matter have been a major source of worry across the world since the last decade. The ambient air samples were collected from three sites in Ahmedabad city for spatial and temporal variation using a High-Volume Air Sampler (HVAS) to examine the morphology and elemental composition of fine and ultrafine particles by using a Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and an energy dispersive X-ray system (EDAX) from PM2.5. The Si, C, O, Cl, Na, Al, K, Ca and Mg were found to be quite abundant in the EDAX spectra. Transition elements such as Ti, Zn, Cu, S and Fe were registered, indicating the influence of industry in liberating the abundance of fine and ultrafine particles. In addition, the organic chemical compounds were screened by using GC–MS. A total of 230 organic chemicals were detected, including 187 aliphatic and 43 aromatic chemical compounds at three different locations. Results show that aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbon compounds were found maximum in the urban area followed by industrial and rural areas.

Rapid urbanization is essential for growth and economic viability at global level, promoting the extensive industrialization. Rapid industrialization also comes with more water demand with higher water pollution. Industrial wastewater may contain heavy metal, carcinogens, mutagens and radioactive materials which must be prevented to be incorporated into the food chain. Therefore, treatments of wastewater for removal of these toxicants are a necessary and unavoidable measure. There are various modes of treatments for removal of toxicants depending on the type of contaminants. It includes physical, chemical and biological treatment alone or in combination. Here a review is carried to identify major sources of industrial wastewaters with their major pollutants. Various studies are also considered in the review for determination of the hazardous effect of wastewater on ecosystems and biological systems. Details about treatments of wastewater based on the sources were also included. More emphasis has been given on the role of microorganisms for removal of pollutants. Not limited to this, details of methods for biological removal contaminations and treatability studies are also discussed in detail. Based on the review it is found that generation of wastewater from industries must be pretreated with suitable methods before discharging into the environment to protect life on mother earth.

Plankton diversity plays an essential role in aquatic wetlands. Phytoplankton and zooplankton communities were assessed in three permanent water bodies: Petli (S1), Deva (S2) and Heranj (S3) of the Anand and Kheda districts. Sampling was done from December 2020 to March 2021. Collection of plankton and identification of planktons was done using various published plankton manuals. A total of 32 phytoplankton have been recorded during the study period, from which 36 % belong to class Chlorophyta, 32 % belong to class Bacillariophyta, 16 % belong to Cyanophyta, 10 % belong to Charophyte, 3 % belong to Dinophyta, and 3 % belong to Euglenophyta. In addition, a total of 27 zooplankton species have been found, from which 46 % belong to Maxillopoda, 23 % belong to Monogononta, 19 % belong to Branchiopoda, 8 % belong to Eurotatoria, and 4 % belong to Hexanauplia. S1 has the maximum number of phytoplankton (24), followed by S3 with 18 and S2 with 15 species. Zooplankton were at the maximum in S1 (19), followed by S2 with 16, and S3 with 11 species. Results of the present study indicate that the studied wetlands have rich plankton diversity.

Most cities throughout the world are suffering from severe air pollution as a result of fast economic expansion and urbanization. Long-term air pollution data with high temporal and geographical resolutions are required to assist the study of the physical and chemical processes that determine air quality, as well as the health hazards associated with them. The study was performed to assess the air pollution status of Ahmedabad and its impact on the air quality index and human health. The gaseous pollutants NO 2 , SO 2 , NH 3 , PM 2.5 , and PM 10 were measured using HVAS for the Post-monsoon, Pre-Monsoon and Monsoon seasons in three different study areas (Industrial, Urban, and Rural) of Ahmedabad. All the gases and particulate matter concentration values were observed in exceeding amounts as per the CPCB standards which may lead to various health effects like respiratory infections, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), stroke and lung cancer.

The organic pollutants associated with atmospheric particulate matter (PM) in the environment, especially PM2.5 (particles <2.5 μm) have become a major issue worldwide in the past decade. The ambient air samples of four different sizes of particles were collected using an active air sampler (cascade impactor) from three cities of Gujarat: Anand, Ahmedabad and Surat. To study morphology and elemental composition, Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Energy dispersive X-ray system (EDX) were used for fine particle size <1.0 μm. Besides, organic pollutants associated with particulate matter were analyzed using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS). Total 54 organic chemicals including 29 aliphatic (alkanes and alkanoic acids) and 25 aromatic chemical compounds were identified qualitatively. Phthalate, the well-known plasticizer was found in the atmosphere of all three study sites. In addition, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) such as naphthalene and fluorene were quantified at high concentrations in Ahmedabad (315 ng/m3 and 509 ng/m3 respectively) followed by Surat (310 ng/m3 and 382 ng/m3) and Anand (76.1 ng/m3 and 123 ng/m3). The distribution of organic chemicals was found diverse at three locations which might be influenced by the different sources and landmass usage in each city. The presence of the carbonaceous elements in the particles indicates biomass burning emissions during the winter season which might be a source of pollutants in the studied areas.

This paper revises the fundamental facts about potentially toxic elements belonging to the group of heavy metals. The study highlights the ongoing soil pollution status affected by these non-biodegradable elements, the basic characteristics of these metals that make them toxic, their mode of accumulation in different trophic levels, their toxic effect on human beings and the probable remediation technologies being used to remediate soils contaminated with heavy metal when the pollution problem has evolved. The technologies focused on solidification, soil washing, soil flushing, electro-kinetic remediation and phytoremediation are presented. The choice of the technology to be used for remediation depends on the condition of the soil and the extent of contamination. Conventional electro-kinetics is the most effective and rapid technology, but on the scale of ecosystem restoration, phytoremediation is an eco-friendly, green and cost-effective solution.

This study presents the phytoremediation potential of two species Acalypha indica and Amaranthus viridis grown over soil spiked with two doses of paint industry effluent (i.e., 50% and 100%) containing four heavy metals Pb, Zn, Cr and Cu. The species were allowed to grow in the effluent spiked soil for a period of 45 days in which they were harvested and given for heavy metal analysis. The species were checked for the accumulation of Pb, Zn, Cr and Cu in its root, shoot and the residual in the soil. The accumulation across all the treatments was highly significant (P < 0.05) in case of both the species. In 50% treatment, A. indica accumulated 15.33 mg/kg and 5.14 mg/kg in the root and shoot, respectively, whereas in 100% treatment, it accumulated 58.52 mg/kg and 10.39 mg/kg Zn in root and shoot, respectively. Amaranthus viridis accumulated 2.81 mg/kg and 15.83 mg/kg Zn in the root and shoot exposed to 50% treatment and 27.08 mg/kg and 41.08 mg/kg Zn in root and shoot exposed to 100% treatment; it also accumulated 5.54 mg/kg and 12.0 mg/kg Cr in the root and the shoot zones, respectively, pertaining to 50% treatment and 17.84 mg/kg and 21.45 mg/kg in 100% treatment. Hence, the TF value obtained in the case of A. indica was > 1 only for Cr, while it was < 1 for Pb, Zn and Cu, whereas in the case of A. viridis, it was > 1 for Zn and Cr and < 1 for Pb and Cu.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) represent an important group of pollutants, which are known to be mutagenic, teratogenic, carcinogenic and relatively unwavering in the environment. The photocatalytic decomposition employing nano-based semiconductor photocatalyst has been a promising method for the elimination of organic pollutants in water and atmosphere. Photocatalytic remediation of pyrene (Py) and phenanthrene (Phe) by TiO2 in aqueous solutions was investigated under UV light irradiation along with chemical oxygen demand (COD) measurements. Moreover, UV-vis spectrophotometry and gas chromatography (GC) techniques were used to monitor the degradative reaction process. Fast and effective removal of pyrene and phenanthrene was achieved in this system. Catalyst TiO2 accelerated the photoremediation of Py and Phe significantly, with their half-lives being 40.005 and 60.0086 min(-1), respectively. Statistical analysis showed high correlation coefficient and significant negative relation with COD and concentration of PAHs with time. All results indicated that the photocatalytic method in the presence of TiO2 nanoparticles is an advisable choice for the treatments of PAHs polluted wastewaters in nature.

A systematic investigation was carried out to assess the nutritional composition of 18 different seaweeds belonging to Chlorophyta, Rhodophyta and Phaeophyta collected from Okha coast of Gujarat, India. The results showed that the carbohydrate content ranged from 0.50 ± 0.01 to 34.89 ± 0.02%, protein from 0.429 ± 0.7 to 20.2 ± 0.1%, lipid from 1.0 ± 0.05 to 4.8 ± 0.2% and ash content was in the range of 20 ± 0.2–50 ± 0.5%. Total free amino acid content was fluctuated between 3.36 ± 1.2 and 364.8 ± 8.67 mg/g dry weight basis. In the mineral composition, brown seaweeds contained high calcium and potassium values than the red and green seaweeds. Red seaweeds showed higher concentration of Na and Fe among three groups. Heavy metals were found to be below the detectable levels.

The apparent pollution seems to be external from the windows of our houses, but recent studies and researches have shown that the four walls in which we live are no less than sources of air pollutants emitted from different and basic activities which includes cooking, cleaning, painting, washing and many more which are unavoidable. Several air purifiers and filters are available in the market, but they seem to be miles away from the hands of an ordinary man, hence for a sustainable management of this dilemma there are few indoor plants having an inherent capacity of purifying the indoor air quality by the plant mechanism termed as phytoremediation.

This study was carried out to investigate the response and relationship between nitrogen fixing enzymes during the remediation of different concentrations of high molecular weight four rings Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) Pyrene by microalgae Synechocystis sp. (cyanobacteria) with artificial developed indigenous bacterial consortium. One axenic microalgal culture of Synechocystis sp. and two pyrene degrading indigenous bacteria with efficient removal capabilities viz. Pseudomonas indoxyladons and Bacillus benzoevorans isolated from crude oil polluted site and common industrial effluent canal were used to construct the consortium. The effect of pyrene on algal growth in terms of chlorophyll-a was measured and it was found that in the presence of bacteria, the growth and bioremediation capacity of Synechocystis sp. raised tremendously, whereas Synechocystis sp. monoculture exhibited concentration dependent decrease. Moreover, the nitrogen fixing enzymes; nitrate reductase (NR), glutamine synthetase (GS), and succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) showed chronological decrease by 93%, 90%, and 98%, respectively. Increased Bioremediation of pyrene by consortium JPNKA7B2 (Mix culture of Synechocystis sp., Pseudomonas indoxyladons, and Bacillus benzoevorans) was eliminated at 94.1% in 50mg/L, which indirectly retarded the nitrogen fixing enzymes - NR, GS, and SDH. However, Synechocystis sp. monoculture could remediate up to 36% at 1.5mg/L after 16days of incubation.

Some unavoidable drawbacks of traditional technologies have made phytoremediation a promising alternative for the removal of heavy metals from contaminated soil and water. Phytoremediation is a cost-effective and eco-friendly method. Aquatic macrophytes attain a good interest in the field of phytoremediation. They have great potential to accumulate heavy metals. Spirodela polyrhiza is one of such most common macrophyte growing in wetlands because of large uptake of nutrients and contaminants. Most of the heavy metals are harmful or carcinogenic in nature and may create a threat to human health and therefore the environment at higher concentrations. To carry out this study, 12 plastic tubs with 15 litter capacity were taken and labeled for a treatment i.e. 5ppm, 10ppm and 15ppm of Zinc, Cadmium, and Lead. Fifty gm of biomass was inoculated in every tub. The plants were allowed to grow for a period of eight days. The Heavy metals Cd, Pb, and Zn were measured at the end of treatment period using ICP analyzer from water as well as plant samples. The biological parameters recorded decline with increasing concentrations as well as the treatment period. Plant species was proved to be good hyperaccumulator for heavy metal Lead. The lead was completely absorbed from every treatment. In case of Cadmium, the plant was not able to tolerate 15 ppm concentration but successfully absorbed and accumulated 10 ppm concentration. While for Zinc, plants accumulated up to 9.66 ppm from 15 ppm dosage. The findings revealed Spirodela polyrhiza efficient hyperaccumulator of heavy metals with high accumulation potential of Pb> Cd >Zn.

It was observed that seaweeds were not found continuously during study period but some species were observed only for short periods whereas other species occurred for two to three months. A total of 70 species has been recorded with highest number of Rhodophyta (51.42%) species than Phaeophyta (25.71%) and Chlorophyta (22.85%). From the recorded groups of seaweeds, carbohydrate and chlorophyll contents were higher in Chlorophyta while protein was maximum in Phaeophyta and Rhodophyta, respectively. On the other hand, phenol, flavonoids and carotenoids were recorded more in members of Phaeophyta.

Global brain ischemia/reperfusion induces neuronal damage in vulnerable brain regions, leading to mitochondrial dysfunction and subsequent neuronal death. Induction of neuronal death is mediated by release of cytochrome c (cyt c) from the mitochondria though a well-characterized increase in outer mitochondrial membrane permeability. However, for cyt c to be released it is first necessary for cyt c to be liberated from the cristae junctions which are gated by Opa1 oligomers. Opa1 has two known functions: maintenance of the cristae junction and mitochondrial fusion. These roles suggest that Opa1 could play a central role in both controlling cyt c release and mitochondrial fusion/fission processes during ischemia/reperfusion. To investigate this concept, we first utilized in vitro real-time imaging to visualize dynamic changes in mitochondria. Oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) of neurons grown in culture induced a dual-phase mitochondrial fragmentation profile: (i) fragmentation during OGD with no apoptosis activation, followed by fusion of mitochondrial networks after reoxygenation and a (ii) subsequent extensive fragmentation and apoptosis activation that preceded cell death. We next evaluated changes in mitochondrial dynamic state during reperfusion in a rat model of global brain ischemia. Evaluation of mitochondrial morphology with confocal and electron microscopy revealed a similar induction of fragmentation following global brain ischemia. Mitochondrial fragmentation aligned temporally with specific apoptotic events, including cyt c release, caspase 3/7 activation, and interestingly, release of the fusion protein Opa1. Moreover, we uncovered evidence of loss of Opa1 complexes during the progression of reperfusion, and electron microscopy micrographs revealed a loss of cristae architecture following global brain ischemia. These data provide novel evidence implicating a temporal connection between Opa1 alterations and dysfunctional mitochondrial dynamics following global brain ischemia.

This study encompasses the biodegradation capacity of Anabaena fertilissima to model PAH (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon) compounds namely Anthracene (ANT) and Pyrene (PYR) at different LC50 concentrations viz., 5.0mg/L and 3.0mg/L, respectively, on growth in terms of Chlorophyll-a and protein. Depletion in chlorophyll-a and protein content was registered with rise in PAHs concentration while the inhibition of nitrogen fixing enzymes such as nitrate reductase and glutamine synthetase activity was also concentration dependent and showed more sensitivity for high molecular weight aromatic compound PYR as compared to ANT. GC/MS analysis explained the degradation of ANT by 46% and PYR by 33%, at 5.0mg/L and 3.0mg/L, respectively. Moreover, the common degraded product for ANT was 2, 4-Dimethyl-1-heptene and for PYR it was 2, 3, 4-Trimethylhexane. Results indicate that PYR was more stable and recalcitrant compared to ANT. This study suggests that Anabaena fertilissima could be used for bioremediation of ANT and PYR pollution in surface waters and terrestrial environments.

*Corresponding author: Nirmal Kumar JI, P.G. Department of Environmental Science and Technology, Institute of Science and Technology for Advanced Studies and Research, Vallabh Vidyanagar-388 120, Gujarat, India. Tel/Fax: +91 02692 234955 E-mail: nirmalkumar@istar.edu.in Foundation Project: Supported by University Grant Commission (UGC-F No. 42415), New Delhi, India. The journal implements double-blind peer review practiced by specially invited international editorial board members.