Implications of solid waste dumps on the microplastic abundance in groundwater in Kollam, India.

Water pollution caused by microplastics has garnered increasing attention in recent years due to its potential ecological and human health risks. However, there are very limited studies and a general lack of consensus regarding the presence and negative impacts of microplastics in groundwater. Due to their small size, microplastics can easily be transported at surface as well as subsurface levels, potentially reaching the groundwater table and contaminating the groundwater system This contamination is expected to occur more rapidly in landfill areas and other locations where plastic waste is dumped. In this study, we examined well water samples collected from areas near various dumping sites to assess the abundance and characteristics of microplastics. An average of 12 items/L of microplastics were found in groundwater wells near eight dumping sites in Kollam Corporation. The predominant shape of microplastics in the groundwater samples was fibres, followed by flakes, with black being the predominant colour. The areal extent of solid waste dumping was observed to have an influence on the abundance of microplastics. Additionally, the pH of groundwater near heavy dumping sites was found to be in the acidic range, indicating the intrusion of leachate from dumps into groundwater. The study revealed that the leachate from solid waste dumps is the primary source of microplastics in groundwater. Furthermore, a risk assessment of the microplastic pollution was carried out using an index namely Microplastic Pollution Index and the areas of high risks were identified. The locations having heavy solid waste dumping and those near coastal areas were observed to be at high risk, thereby indicating that both the leachate from dumps and sea water intrusion can cause higher microplastic pollution risk in the groundwater system. The findings of this study are expected to support managers in formulating and implementing effective solid waste management plans to mitigate microplastic pollution in the groundwater system.

Ecotoxicity of micro- and nanoplastics on aquatic algae: Facts, challenges, and future opportunities.

The production of plastic has exponentially increased in recent years, leading to the release of millions of tons of plastic waste into the environment annually. This waste can break down into smaller micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) that are toxic and reactive to life forms, including humans. MNPs are particularly concerning for marine biologists and environmental scientists due to their toxic impacts on aquatic organisms, including algae, which are the foundation of the food chain. The review provides a comprehensive overview of the (eco)toxicity assessment of MNPs on aquatic algal communities, highlighting the novel insights gained into the ecotoxicity of various MNPs on algae and the associated health risks for aquatic ecosystems, food chains, and humans. This article also discusses current challenges and future research opportunities to address these challenges, making it a valuable contribution to the field of environmental science. Overall, this work is one of the first efforts to comprehensively assess the effects of MNPs on aquatic algae, emphasizing the significant risks that MNPs pose to essential ecosystems and human health.

Effect of preventive measures in the containment of SARS-CoV-2 epidemic: a comparative study.

From the time when the first cases of COVID-19 were reported in Wuhan City, China, in December 2019, strict regulations are being implemented by policy makers to contain the spread of the virus. The measures taken in different countries spanned from complete isolation and lockdown to different degrees of restrictions to people's movement, contact between people, hygiene and sanitation. Accordingly, the success in containing the virus also differed. Italy was one among the worst-affected countries in the world despite the lockdown measures adopted. A combination of lockdown and Level-3 State of Emergency measures were adopted in Portugal and South Africa, which helped to delay and flatten the epidemic curve. The timely application of Level-3 State of Emergency in Mozambique resulted in recording low infection rates. Above all the tripod, orderly movement of people, social distance and hygiene and sanitation is the keystone measure to prevent spread of the virus. However, for successful outcome, the measures have to be tailored to the local context.

Primary clear cell adenocarcinoma of the vagina not associated with diethylstilbestrol: A case report.

Primary vaginal cancers are rare and clear cell adenocarcinoma is a malignant tumor that is all the more rare when the woman has not been exposed in utero to synthetic diethylstilboestrol (DES). We report the case of a 60-year-old woman with a history of balanced essential hypertension and partial mastectomy for neoplasia, who presented with a recurrent left inguinal adenopathy. Clinical examination revealed a 3 cm bulging lesion of the anterior vaginal wall in the lower third with indurated left inguinal adenopathy. Biopsy of the nodule showed an invasive clear cell adenocarcinoma. The extension bialn is negative and the multidisciplinary decision is to perform a partial colpectomy with bilateral inguinal curage. The patient is currently undergoing radiochemotherapy. This is a rare case with a poor prognosis. A poor response to adjuvant therapy with a high frequency of distant metastases is reported in the literature. Due to the rarity of this pathology, individual experience based on case reports is the main source of information. The most effective mode of treatment therefore remains unknown and depends on patient-specific factors such as tumor size, surgeon and oncologist team experiences.

A rare case of limb body wall complex.

Limb body wall complex (LBWC) is a complex and rare poly-malformative syndrome. We report a case of this syndrome diagnosed antenatally in a 37-year-old primiparous woman, by a first obstetrical ultrasound performed at 22 weeks of amenorrhea and one day. After termination of pregnancy, macroscopic examination revealed a male newborn with all the diagnostic criteria of LBWC.