The heavy metal contamination of soil and groundwater is a serious threat to environment worldwide. The survival of human being primarily relies upon soil and groundwater sources. Therefore, the ...remediation of heavy metal-contaminated soil and groundwater is a matter of utmost concern. Heavy metals are non-degradable and persist in the environment and subsequently contaminate the food chain. Heavy metal pollution puts a serious impact on human health and it adversely affects our physical body. Although, numerous in situ conventional technologies have been utilized for the treatment purpose, but most of the techniques have some limitations such as high cost, deterioration of soil properties, disturbances to soil native flora and fauna and intensive labour. Despite that, in situ phytoremediation is a cost-effective, eco-friendly, solar-driven and novel approach with significant public acceptance. The past research reflects rare discussion addressing both (heavy metal in situ phytoremediation of soil and groundwater) in one platform. The present review article covers both the concepts of in situ phytoremediation of soil and groundwater with major emphasis on health risks of heavy metals, enhanced integrated approaches of in situ phytoremediation, mechanisms of in situ phytoremediation along with effective hyperaccumulator plants for heavy metals remediation, challenges and future prospects.
It is imperative to investigate the effect of addition of different size metallic ions in HAp and study the changes in biocompatibility and mechanical properties. Silver and magnesium ions are two ...vital ions needed in our body. Silver ions are known to inhibit the microbes, while magnesium ions are known to increase the mechanical properties. The present study reports the comparative properties of MgHAp and AgHAp synthesised by sol-gel wet chemical method. Changes in the morphology, phase analysis, corrosion resistance, dielectric properties, hardness and the thrombus behaviour of HAp doped Ag and Mg ions has been investigated. In this work, we have presented a comparative study of both the metal doped ionsto find which of the ions and which weight percent of the ions can be best suited to be incorporated into the HAp matrix for hard tissue implants. All wt% AgHAp showed the better corrosion resistance than all the MgHAp samples. However, MgHAp showed higher value of hardness in comparison to AgHAp samples. The mechanical strength was found to increase with the increase in Mg wt% in MgHAp but for AgHAp the hardness value decreased with increase in the concentration. The impedance and dielectric loss decreased with increasing frequency for both the samples. Both the ion doped hydroxyapatite showed moderate clotting behaviour as compared to pure HAp. But 2 wt% MgHAp and 4 wt% AgHAp showed better thrombogenic behaviour.
Graphical abstract
It is imperative to investigate the effect of addition of different size metallic ions in HAp and study the changes in biocompatibility and mechanical properties. Silver and magnesium ions are two vital ions needed in our body. Silver ions are known to inhibit the microbes, while magnesium ions are known to increase the mechanical properties. The present study reports the comparative properties of MgHAp and AgHAp synthesised by sol-gel wet chemical method. Changes in the morphology, phase analysis, corrosion resistance, dielectric properties, hardness and the thrombus behaviour of HAp doped Ag and Mg ions has been investigated. In this work we have presented a comparative study of both the metal doped ions to find which of the ions and which weight percent of the ions can be best suited to be incorporated into the HAp matrix for hard tissue implants. All wt% AgHAp showed the better corrosion resistance than all the MgHAp samples. However, MgHAp showed higher value of hardness in comparison to AgHAp samples. The mechanical strength was found to increase with the increase in Mg wt% in MgHAp but for AgHAp the hardness value decreased with increase in the concentration. The impedance and dielectric loss decreased with increasing frequency for both the samples. Both the ion doped hydroxyapatite showed moderate clotting behaviour as compared to pure HAp. But 2 wt% MgHAp and 4 wt% AgHAp showed better thrombogenic behaviour.
Nanotechnology is a completely unique branch of technology that offers with substances in a very small size between (1–100 nm) with various crystal shapes. Metals have ability to produce large number ...of oxides. These metal oxides play a major role in many areas of chemistry, physics, material science and food science. In this research, Zinc Oxide (ZnO) and Copper (II) oxide nanoparticles were synthesized via sol–gel process using zinc nitrate and copper (II) nitrate as precursor respectively. The characterization of CuO and ZnO nanoparticles was done by using various techniques. X-ray Diffraction (XRD) indicates the crystallinity and crystal size of CuO and ZnO nanoparticle. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) was used to get the infrared spectrum of the sample indicating composition of the sample which contains various functional groups. XRD result shows the particle size of CuO at highest peak 29.4014
0
was 61.25 nm and the particle size of ZnO at highest peak 36.2476° was 21.82 nm. FT-IR spectra peak at 594.56 cm-
1
indicated characteristic absorption bands of ZnO nanoparticles and the broad band peak at 3506.9 cm
−1
can be attributed to the characteristic absorption of O–H group. The analysis of FT-IR spectrum of CuO shows peaks at 602.09, 678.39, and 730.19 cm
−1
which refer to the formation of CuO. SEMimages indicate the morphology of CuO and ZnO nanoparticles. Result of EDX characterization indicates that the both synthesized nanoparticles have good purity with very less amount of impurities. EDX data indicates that Cu content was 54.56%, oxygen content was 33.75% in CuO nanoparticles and Zn determined by EDX was 40.77 and O was 45.82 in ZnO.
Graphical Abstract
This study aimed to estimate the, exhalation rate, and natural radioactivity in the soil of Roopnagar district, Punjab. The radon mass and surface exhalation rate ranged from 1.18 mBq kg
−1
h
−1
to ...5.72 mBq kg
−1
h
−1
, with an average value of 2.68 mBq kg
−1
h
−1
, and from 4.89 mBq m
−2
h
−1
to 23.58 mBq m
−2
h
−1
, with an average value of 11.09 mBq m
−2
h
−1
, respectively. The activity concentration of
226
Ra,
232
Th, and
40
K was found to be 31.9 Bq kg
−1
, 44.1 Bq kg
−1
, and 419.0 Bq kg
−1
, respectively. The air absorbed dose rates of radionuclides
226
Ra,
232
Th, and
40
K had an average value of 14.88 nGyh
−1
, 27.4 nGyh
−1
, and 5.89 nGyh
−1
, respectively. The total air absorbed dose from all radionuclides ranged from 19.5 nGyh
−1
to 87.7 nGyh
−1
, with an average value of 48.1 nGyh
−1
, which is discovered to be well below the levels considered dangerous by the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiations.
Evaluating groundwater uranium concentration is crucial for assessing the radiological impact on human health due to radionuclide ingestion. This study quantifies uranium concentration in groundwater ...samples collected from various sources in the Patiala district, Punjab. LED Fluorimeter is employed for direct determination of uranium. Results reveal that 78% of locations have uranium concentration below the WHO limit of 30 µg/L, while 22% exceed the safe limit. However, all samples are below the AERB-recommended 60 µg/L limit. The uranium concentration in the groundwater ranges from 5.59 to 57.53 µg/L, with an average concentration of 24.57 µg/L. The variation in uranium concentration is influenced by factors such as pH and the water source. Radiation dose, cancer risk, and daily intake are calculated, suggesting most samples are safe for drinking, but prolonged consumption in high-uranium areas poses health risks.
This study explores age-dependent ingestion doses arising from uranium accumulation in drinking water sources (both groundwater and surface water) in Rupnagar, Punjab, and Una, Himachal Pradesh. ...Physicochemical parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity, and total dissolved solids were assessed in collected water samples to calculate the water quality index, indicating good water quality in both regions. The study also analyzed uranium concentration in groundwater at varying depths, revealing no significantly high values. The average radiological risk was found to be consistent with reported values, and chemical risk hazard quotient data indicated no adverse health effects from uranium ingestion.
This report focuses on assessing the human health risks associated with radioactivity in the environment. It presents data on the concentration of radionuclides (Ra-226, Th-232, and K-40), as well as ...radon and thoron exhalation rates from agricultural soils in Punjab's Patiala and Fatehgarh Sahib Districts. The study found that the radionuclides present in the soil contribute significantly to inhalation doses. The concentration of these radionuclides in the soil affects indoor radon and thoron levels, as they are a source of indoor gas. Soil samples were collected from ten agricultural fields and analyzed using gamma spectroscopy technique. The results provide information on specific activity, radon exhalation rates, thoron surface exhalation rates, radium equivalent activity, external, and internal index, annual effective dose, and excess life time cancer risk.
The study assessed natural radioactivity in Rohtak and Jind districts, Haryana, India. Concentrations of radionuclides in soil and building materials were measured using gamma-ray spectroscopy. The ...“Canister Technique” was employed to estimate radon mass exhalation and surface exhalation rates. Results showed low radiation doses from soil radioactivity, with activity concentrations ranging from 3.7 to 51.7 Bq/kg for radium, 7.3 to 96 Bq/kg for thorium, and 52.2 to 585 Bq/kg for potassium. The findings also calculated radium equivalent activity, annual effective dose rate, hazard indices, and excess life time cancer risk. This research highlights the importance of understanding natural radioactivity for assessing environmental radiation exposure.
Street foods play an important role in the lives of urban population members in developing countries. The food industry provides many job opportunities. The food safety knowledge, attitude, and ...practices of vendors are important aspects, as these individuals provide food and nourishment at very low prices to people all over the world. Most street foods are unhealthy because of the high risk of contamination, which poses a serious threat to food safety. The present study aimed to assess the food safety knowledge, attitudes and practices of vendors and the most significant influencing factors of these aspects with the help of cluster analysis to categorize vendors. The present study focused on 100 vendors who were randomly selected from different locations in Lucknow city. The information was collected through a structured questionnaire using the KAP (Knowledge Attitude Practice) scale for food safety. Vendors were clustered on the basis of the KAP using two-step cluster analysis and a chi -square test to assess the impact of various personal factors on the KAP. The results of the study indicated that street vendors are significantly differentiated on the basis of qualifications, knowledge, attitude and practices. Awareness and training programs should be implemented to improve the food safety knowledge, attitudes and practices among vendors. Once food safety standards are acceptable, it will then be critical to ensure that poor people in developed cities such as Lucknow can earn a living through a "convenient" enterprise such as street food vending.
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•Street foods are selling through vendors in a different public places, for immediate consumption without any further processing.•Street foods serve an important role in the living of the urban population and provides job opportunity.•Street foods are unhygienic due to food contamination, posing a serious threat to food safety.•Food safety for the vendors are important aspect because provide safe food.•Vendors are significantly differentiated on the basis of education, knowledge, attitude and practice.
