Characterization, source identification and risk associated with polyaromatic and chlorinated organic contaminants (PAHs, PCBs, PCBzs and OCPs) in the surface sediments of Hooghly estuary, India.

The spatial distribution, source identification and ecotoxicological impact of a group of persistent organic pollutants (POPs: dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs), polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs), polychlorobenzenes (PCBzs)), and polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were investigated in surface sediment samples (0-5 cm, <63 µm grain size) along the ecologically stressed Hooghly River estuary, East India. The results demonstrated a wide range of concentrations (ng/g dry weight) with the following decreasing order: ∑16PAHs (3.3-630) > ∑6DDTs (0.14-18.6) > ∑7PCBs (0.28-7.7) > ∑2PCBzs (0.01-1.3) > ∑5HCH (0.10-0.6), with a dominance of p,p'-DDT and higher molecular weight PAHs. Selected diagnostic ratios indicated a mixture of both pyrolytic and petrogenic sources of PAHs, inputs of weathered DDT and their degradation in oxidizing environment, and a predominance of industrial input over the agricultural wastes. The cumulative impact of the pollutants (effective range medium quotient (ERMq): 0.01-0.16) reflected minimal to low ecotoxicological risk, with highest probability of toxic effects towards surrounding biota at Barrackpore (21%). ∑6DDTs exceeded the effect range low value resulting occasional adverse impact to the sediment dwelling organisms. Among the PAHs, the 4-ringed compounds accounted for 68% of the PAHs. Further, carcinogenic PAHs (BaA, Chry, BbF, BkF, BaP, DahP, Inp) possessed highest cancer risk (CR = 2.09 × 10-3) to the local population when exposed to the sediments from the studied area and ingestion was found to be the primary process of contamination. The study strongly recommends a systematic monitoring of POPs and PAHs, being the Hooghly River water used by local people for their livelihood.

Dissolved trace elements in Hooghly (Ganges) River Estuary, India: Risk assessment and implications for management.

The study presents a spatio-seasonal distribution of 13 trace elements in the surface water (0-5 cm) along the north-south gradient of Hooghly River Estuary, India, and subsequently evaluates the human health risk by adopting USEPA standards. An overall homogeneous spatial distribution of elements was pronounced, whereas an irregular and inconsistent seasonal pattern were recorded for the majority of the elements. The concentration range (µg/l) of the elements and their relative variability were obtained as follows in the decreasing order: Al (55,458-104,955) > Fe (35,676-78,427) > Mn (651.76-975.78) > V (85.15-147.70) > Si (16.0-153.88) > Zn (26.94-105.32) > Cr (21.61-106.02) > Ni (19.64-66.72) > Cu (34.70-65.80) > Pb (26.40-37.48) > Co (11.16-23.01) > As (0.10-8.20) > Cd (1.19-5.53). Although Pb, Ni, Cr, Al, Fe, and Mn exceeded the WHO prescribed threshold limit for drinking water, Metal Pollution Index values (8.02-11.86) superseded the upper threshold limit endorsing adverse impact on biota. The studied elements were justified to have a non-carcinogenic risk as derived from hazard quotient and hazard index values. However, the trace elements As, Cd, Pb, and Cr exceeded the upper limit of cancer risk (10-4), thereby leading to carcinogenic risk concern for both children and adult population groups, where children are more susceptible than the adults. Hence, evaluation of bioavailable fractions of the elements is required for proper management of this stressed fluvial system.

Hair mercury concentrations in residents of Sundarban and Calcutta, India.

Few studies on hair mercury have been conducted in India despite the fact that India is the world's third largest producer of coal and coal is India's primary energy source. No studies have been conducted in the Indian state of West Bengal which has a coastline with the Bay of Bengal. This study examined the concentration of mercury in hair in two diverse populations in West Bengal, India: Sundarban, a mangrove wetland where fishing is a common occupation, and Calcutta, a megacity and India's oldest functioning port. Individuals from whom scalp hair was collected (N=100) were asked a series of questions on occupation, education, age, smoking and alcohol consumption, and fish consumption. SAS was utilized to generate descriptive statistics including frequency and univariate analyses and to perform regression analyses to determine significant predictors of hair mercury in this population. The mean hair mercury increased across the first three age categories (<21, 21-30, 31-45) and decreased in the fourth category (>45). Hair mercury concentration was significantly higher among residents of Sundarban compared to Calcutta (p=0.0005). In multivariable analysis, location (Sundarban vs. Calcutta) and age were significant predictors of hair mercury concentration (p=0.0120 and p=0.0161, respectively). Average hair mercury concentrations in this study were not particularly elevated. Smoking and alcohol consumption were predictors of hair mercury concentration. The hair mercury in Sundarban residents compared to Calcutta residents may be elevated due to greater consumption of fish and type of fish consumed.

Human health risk assessment of heavy metals in tropical fish and shellfish collected from the river Buriganga, Bangladesh.

Although fish, crustacean, and shellfish are significant sources of protein, they are currently affected by rapid industrialization, resulting in increased concentrations of heavy metals. Accumulation of heavy metals (V, Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Mo, Ag, Cd, Sb, Ba, and Pb) and associated human health risk were investigated in three fish species, namely Ailia coila, Gagata youssoufi, and Mastacembelus pancalus; one crustacean (prawn), Macrobrachium rosenbergii; and one Gastropoda, Indoplanorbis exustus, collected from the Buriganga River, Bangladesh. Samples were collected from the professional fishermen. Cu was the most accumulated metal in M. rosenbergii. Ni, As, Ag, and Sb were in relatively lower concentrations, whereas relatively higher accumulation of Cr, Mn, Zn, and Se were recorded. Mn, Zn, and Pb were present in higher concentrations than the guidelines of various authorities. There were significant differences in metal accumulation among different fish, prawn, or shellfish species. Target hazard quotient (THQ) and target cancer risk (TR) were calculated to estimate the non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks, respectively. The THQ for individual heavy metals were below 1 suggesting no potential health risk. But combined impact, estimated by hazard index (HI), suggested health risk for M. pancalus consumption. Although consumption of fish at current accumulation level is safe but continuous and excess consumption for a life time of more than 70 years has probability of target cancer risk.

A high molecular weight protein extract of Mastobranchus indicus (Mi-64) having antiarthritic activity in experimental animals.

Mi-64, a high molecular weight protein (130 kDa), obtained from the tissue homogenate of marine polychaete (Mastobranchus indicus) collected from the Indian Sunderban has antiarthritic activity in experimental animals. The FCA-induced arthritis model was developed in Wistar albino rats to evaluate the antiarthritic effects of Mi-64. After FCA induction, the rats were treated with Mi-64 (0.25 and 0.5 mg kg(-1) body weight) for 10 days. We have determined the paw/ankle swellings, urinary hydroxyproline and glucosamine, serum acid and alkaline phosphatases to assess the antiarthritic activity. The levels of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1ß), IL-6, cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant-1 (CINC-1), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and IL-10 were measured by ELISA. Results showed that Mi-64 significantly reduced paw/ankle swellings and restored the urinary hydroxyproline/glucosamine and serum phosphatases. Mi-64 significantly inhibited the overproduction of IL-1ß, IL-6, CINC-1, and TNF-α and augmented IL-10 production. The data suggest that Mi-64 produced significant antiarthritic effects that may be mediated by balancing the pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines.

Leiomyomatosis peritonealis disseminata--a rare case report.

An infertile female aged 34 years was admitted with an abdominopelvic lump of 16 weeks size. On laparotomy innumerable nodular seedlings, in addition to uterine fibroid, simulating disseminated intra-abdominal malignancy were found. Histopathology of removed specimen of uterus and omentum revealed leiomyomatosis peritonealis disseminata.

Conservation of biodiversity of the coastal resources of Sundarbans, Northeast India: an integrated approach through environmental education.

The Indian Sundarbans, a diversified coastal wetland on the southern fringe of the State of West Bengal, harbors a luxuriant biodiversity and acts as a potential refuge of living marine resources. Girdled with thick mangrove foliage, this estuarine delta system offers an excellent nursery ground for most of the brackishwater finfish and shellfish. Since supply of hatchery-produced tiger prawn seed (Penaeus monodon) is highly inadequate in West Bengal, the aquaculture farms of this region largely depend on the supply from natural resources. Being motivated by a regular cash income, the majority of coastal people from Sundarbans have adopted prawn seed collection as their profession almost throughout the year as an important source of earning. The users are neither trained nor guided at any stage from collection to marketing and are fully dependent on traditional methods. They first sort out the tiger prawn seeds (mainly the postlarval stage PL 20) accounting only 0.25-0.27% of the total catch and thereafter the major portion of the haul are thrown away on the beach flats or the tidal mudflats. This wasted by-catch contains the juveniles of economic and uneconomic varieties of finfish and shellfish along with a bulk of holoplankters and meroplankters (non-target species). This practice causes several ecological and occupational consequences, namely, (i) the huge destruction of the pelagic biota that can lead to severe stock depletion as well as hamper the energy transference through the marine ecosystem food webs; (ii) constant dragging of nets along the coast and tidal creeks paves the way for soil erosion, uprooting the mangrove seedlings and saltmarsh vegetation; (iii) the water quality is deteriorating in the catchment areas due to mud erosion and (iv) due to constant contact with the seawater, the collectors are affected with waterborne diseases, skin infections, reproductive tract disease in women and many other contagious diseases. This paper, in addition to identifying the challenge to environmental quality and resource abundance, emphasizes the need for grass-root public education so that local people come to understand, support and implement sustainable resource conservation and environmental protection activities now and in the future. As a follow-up course of action, the authors have initiated a general awareness program for developing consciousness among the coastal people regarding proper use of natural resources. Initiatives are taken for educating coastal people by holding workshops and seminars with the use of educational resource materials. Exclusive awareness camps and grass root level training for coastal people are also being proposed as a future course of action by means of exhibitions, audiovisuals etc. It is proposed that local government bodies come forward to mitigate this problem with scientific and rational approaches and to take proper actions towards conservation.