Assessment of pollution of river Ganges by tannery effluents using genotoxicity biomarkers in murrel fish, Channa punctatus (Bloch).

River pollution due to rapid industrialization and anthropogenic activities adversely affects the aquatic organisms, especially fish. Here, we assessed the genotoxicity, mutagenicity and bioaccumulative aspects of tannery effluents in freshwater murrel, Channa punctatus, an inhabitant of river Gange. Test specimens were collected from three different polluted sites of the river within and nearby Kanpur area during different seasons and blood samples of these specimens were processed for comet assay and micronucleus test as genotoxicity biomarkers. A significantly (P <0.05) higher micronuclei induction, nuclear abnormalities and % tail DNA was observed in the specimens collected from the polluted sites. Bioaccumulation studies in the muscle (1.202 µg/g) and gill tissues (<0.300 µg/g) of the specimens revealed the concentration of chromium (core component of tanning industry) above the maximum permissible limits as prescribed by World Health Organization (WHO). The findings of the present analysis indicated contamination of river Ganges with tannery effluents which induce genotoxicity in fish with seasonal variation.

Chromium accumulation potential of Zea mays grown under four different fertilizers.

Chromium (Cr) contamination in soil is a growing concern in sustainable agriculture production and food safety. We performed pot experiment with chromium (30 mg/ soil) to assess the accumulation potential of Zea mays and study the influence of four fertilizers, viz. Farm Yard Manure (FYM), NPK, Panchakavya (PK) and Vermicompost (VC) with respect to Cr accumulation. The oxidative stress and pigment (chlorophyll) levels were also examined. The results showed increased accumulation of chromium in both shoots and roots of Zea mays under FYM and NPK supply, and reduced with PK and VC. While the protein and pigment contents decreased in Cr treated plants, the fertilizers substantiated the loss to overcome the stress. Similarly, accumulation of Cr increased the levels of antioxidant enzymes such as catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and peroxidase (POD) indicating the enhanced damage control activity. However, these levels were relatively low in plants supplemented with fertilizers. Our results confirm that the maize can play an effective role in bioremediation of soils polluted with chromium, particularly in supplementation with fertilizers such as farm yard manure and NPK.

Effect of leather industry effluents on soil microbial and protease activity.

Release of leather industry effluents into the agricultural fields causes indicative changes in nutrient cycling and organic matter processing. In the present study, leather industry effluent discharged soil (test) and undischarged soil (control) were collected from the surrounding areas of industry. The physico-chemical, biological properties and soil protease activity were examined. The study reflected the average mean value of pH, electrical conductivity and water holding capacity of the test soil was found to be 7.94, 0.89 =Mhos cm-1 and 0.51 ml g-1, respectively. In chemical parameters, organic matter, total nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium has the mean of 6.73%, 0.23 g kg-1, 4.28 mg g-1 and 28 =g g-1, respectively. In all the respects, the test soil showed higher values than the control. The soil protease enzyme activity was determined by using substrate casein and the activity was found to be higher (180 =g TE g-1 24 hr-1) in test soil than the control soil (63 =g TE g-1 24 hr-1).

Optimization studies on production of a salt-tolerant protease from Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain BC1 and its application on tannery saline wastewater treatment

Treatment and safe disposal of tannery saline wastewater, a primary effluent stream that is generated by soaking salt-laden hides and skin is one of the major problems faced by the leather manufacturing industries. Conventional treatment methods like solar evaporation ponds and land composting are not eco-friendly as they deteriorate the ground water quality. Though, this waste stream is comprised of high concentration of dissolved proteins the presence of high salinity (1-6 percent NaCl by wt) makes it non-biodegradable. Enzymatic treatment is one of the positive alternatives for management of such kind of waste streams. A novel salt-tolerant alkaline protease obtained from P.aeruginosa (isolated from tannery saline wastewater) was used for enzymatic degradation studies. The effect of various physical factors including pH, temperature, incubation time, protein source and salinity on the activity of identified protease were investigated. Kinetic parameters (Km , Vmax) were calculated for the identified alkaline protease at varying substrate concentrations. Tannery saline wastewater treated with identified salt tolerant protease showed 75 percent protein removal at 6 h duration and 2 percent (v/v) protease addition was found to be the optimum dosage value.

Seed germination characteristics of broad bean, lentil and common bean irrigated with different dilutions of pre-tanning effluents / Características de la germinación de semillas de haba, lenteja y frijol irrigadas con diferentes diluciones de efluentes de preteñido de tenería / Características da germinação de sementes de feijão-fava, lentilha e feijão comum irrigadas com diferentes diluições de efluentes de pre tingimento de curtume

Leather manufacturing is a worldwide industry that has been carried out for centuries and has achieved great importance in Turkey. However, the leather industry is associated with the generation of large amounts of waste water and solid wastes that are a threat to the environment. A germination experiment was conducted to determine the effect of different dilutions of pre-tanning effluents on the germination characteristics of broad bean, lentil and common bean. The experiment was designed as a completely randomized block with three replications. Seeds of each species were sown and irrigated with different dilutions of pre-tanning effluents (1:10, 1:40 and 1:80 tap water:effluent), undiluted pre-tanning effluent, and tap water (control). Number of germinated seeds, germination percentage, root length, root weight, shoot length, shoot weight and root+shoot weight were measured at 15days after planting. All germination properties varied considerably, and significant differences among them were determined (P<0.05). Undiluted pre-tanning effluent had adverse effects and no germination occurred for any of the tested plant materials. Except for the undiluted pre-tanning effluent, no significant differences were detected in the number of germinated seeds and germination percentage, whereas some differences among treatments were observed for the remaining characteristics.

La manufactura del cuero ha sido practicada por siglos en el mundo entero y en Turquía reviste gran importancia. No obstante, la industria del cuero se asocia con la generación de grandes cantidades de aguas residuales y residuos sólidos que constituyen una amenaza para el ambiente. Se llevó a cabo un experimento de germinación para determinar los efectos de diferentes diluciones de efluentes del preteñido de una tenería sobre las características germinativas de habas, lentejas y frijol común. El experimento fue diseñado como un bloque completamente al azar con tres réplicas. Las semillas de cada especie fueron sembradas e irrigadas con diferentes diluciones de efluentes (1:10, 1:40 y 1:80 agua corriente:efluente), efluente sin diluir y agua corriente (control). A los 15 días después de la plantación se midieron el número de semillas germinadas, porcentaje de germinación, longitud de la raíz, peso de la parte aérea y peso de la planta entera. Todas las propiedades de germinación variaron considerablemente, determinándose diferencias significativas (P<0,50) entre ellas. El efluente de preteñido sin diluir tuvo efectos adversos y no hubo germinación en ninguna de las plantas ensayadas. Exceptuando el del efluente sin diluir, no hubo diferencias significativas en el número de semillas germinadas y porcentaje de germinación, mientras que se observaron diferencias entre los tratamientos en las demás características.

A manufatura do couro tem sido praticada por séculos no mundo inteiro e na Turquía reveste grande importância. No entanto, a indústria do couro está associada à geração de grandes quantidades de águas residuais e resíduos sólidos que constituem uma ameaça para o ambiente. Realizou-se um experimento de germinação para determinar os efeitos de diferentes diluições de efluentes do pre tingimento de um curtume sobre as características germinativas de feijões de fava, lentilhas e feijão comum. O experimento foi desenhado como um bloco completamente aleatório com três réplicas. As sementes de cada espécie foram plantadas e irrigadas com diferentes diluições de efluentes (1:10, 1:40 e 1:80 água corrente:efluente), efluente sem diluir e água corrente (controle). Aos 15 dias após a plantação foram medidos; o número de sementes germinadas, porcentagem de germinação, longitude da raíz, peso da parte aérea e peso da planta inteira. Todas as propriedades de germinação variaram consideravelmente, determinando-se diferenças significativas (P<0,50) entre elas. O efluente de pre tingimento sem diluir teve efeitos adversos e não houve germinação em nenhuma das plantas ensaiadas. Com excesão do efluente sem diluir, não houve diferenças significativas no número de sementes germinadas e porcentagem de germinação, enquanto que se observaram diferenças entre os tratamentos nas demais características.

Niveles de cromo y alteraciones de salud en una población expuesta a las actividades de curtiembres en Bogotá, Colombia / Chromium levels and their relationship with alterations in the health of tannery workers living and working in Bogotá, Colombia

Objetivo Determinar si los niveles de cromo en orina están más altos de los permitidos y contrastarlos con alteraciones de salud en personas del barrio San Benito en Bogotá. Métodos En una muestra de 827 personas, se cuantificó cromo total en orina como biomarcador de exposición y se contrastó con alteraciones de salud atribuibles a exposición a cromo. La exposición se definió, por la "Ocupación actual" relacionada con la labor en curtiembres. Se definieron dos estratos: "Directamente expuestos" 26 por ciento y "Potencial alta exposición" 73 por ciento. Resultados Un 6,3 por ciento presentó niveles de cromo >10 ug/L (intervalo de confianza: 4,64-7,96 por ciento). No se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre los dos estratos. El 34,3 por ciento presentó diagnósticos posiblemente atribuibles a la exposición a cromo. El 23,3 por ciento otorrinolaringológico; 6,5 por ciento dermatológico; 2,9 por ciento oftalmológico; 1,6 por ciento cavidad oral y el 65,7 por ciento no relacionados. Se halló asociación entre niveles >10ug/L y residir en la zona (OR 4,94 IC:1,2- 20,7 por ciento). Los resultados sugieren asociación entre ocupación y alteraciones de salud atribuibles a la exposición a compuestos de cromo. Conclusiones Las personas que participan del proceso productivo del cuero tienen un riesgo significativo de presentar hallazgos clínicos posiblemente atribuibles a la exposición a cromo, OR 4,33 (3,12-6,02). La población general se esta viendo expuesta de manera no diferente a aquella con ocupación relacionada con las curtiembres, lo que puede deberse a que los habitantes del sector están en contacto con cromo o compuestos por vías diferentes a la ocupacional, como contaminación ambiental.

Objective Determining whether chromium levels in urine samples were higher than limits and contrasting them with alterations in the health of people living and working in the San Benito neighbourhood of Bogotá. Methods The total amount of chromium in urine was measured as a biological marker of exposure in a sample of 827 people. This was contrasted with health alterations attributed to chromium exposition. Exposure was defined by being whether current economic activity was related to working in a tannery. Two groups were defined: being directly exposed (26 percent) and having potentially high exposure (73 percent). Results 6.3 percent presented >10 ug/L chromium levels (4.64 percent to 7.96 percent confidence interval). No significant statistical differences were found between both groups. 34.3 percent presented a diagnosis of possible attribution to chromium exposure, of whom 23.3 percent were due to otorhinolaryngologic issues, 6.5 percent to dermatological ones, 2.9 percent to ophthalmologic ones and 1.6 percent to oral cavity issues. The remaining 65.7 percent of cases were not related. >10ug/L levels and living in the particular neighbourhood in question were associated (4.94 odds ratio; 1.18 percent-20.69 percent CI). The results suggested a connection between economic activity and health alterations due to chromium components. Conclusions The people involved in producing leather have a significant risk of presenting clinical conditions attributed to chromium exposure (4.33 OR; 3.12-6.02 CI). San Benito´s inhabitants are being exposed to chromium as if they were actually working in a tannery as they are in daily contact with chromium or its components through non work-related activities, such as environmental contamination. Concern at such exposure should lead to further in-depth studies.