Collisional rates for vib-rotational transitions in diatomic molecules

A number of diatomic molecules have been found in vibrationally excited states in several cosmic objects. The molecules in vibrationally excited states provide valuable information about the physical conditions prevailing near star forming regions and in circumstellar envelopes of late-type stars. To analyze the spectrum of such molecules, some of the important parameters required are the collisional rate coefficients for vib-rotational transitions in the molecule. Currently, knowledge of collisional rate coefficients is very poor. Here, we discuss a method for calculating the collisional rate coefficients for vib-rotational transitions in a diatomic molecule, where the colliding partner H2 is considered as a structureless particle. This method is quite good for high temperatures (usually found in star-forming regions and in circumstellar envelopes of late-type stars), but may be questioned for low temperatures. As an example, calculations for the CS molecule at 500 K for three vibrational states are presented

Suggestions for an interstellar cyclopropene search

Following tentative detection of cyclopropene (C3H4) in Sgr B2 through its transition 3$_{22}{-}2_{21}$, several attempts to confirm the presence of cyclopropene in astronomical objects (including Sgr B2 itself) have been made. We suggest that cyclopropene may be observed in astronomical objects through its transition 2$_{20}{-}2_{21}$ at 3.67218 GHz, in absorption, even against the cosmic 2.7 K background, in a region having low density and low kinetic temperature

Radiative transfer in silylidene molecule

In order to search for silylidene (H2CSi) in the interstellar medium, Izuha et al. (1996) recorded microwave spectrum of H2CSi in laboratory and made an unsuccessful attempt of its identification in IRC +10216, Ori KL, Sgr B2, through its 717-616 transition at 222.055 GHz. For finding out if there are other transitions of H2CSi which may help in its identification in the interstellar medium, we have considered 25 rotational levels of ortho-H2CSi connected by collisional transitions and 35 radiative transitions, and solved radiative transfer problem using the LVG approximation. We have found that the brightness temperatures of 919-818, 918-817, 101,10-919, 1019-918, 111,11-101,10, 111,10-1019 and 121,12-111,11 transition are larger than that of 717-616 transition. Thus, these transitions may help in detection of H2CSi in the interstellar medium

Distillery wastewater detoxification and management through phytoremediation employing Ricinus communis L.

This study aimed to assess the phytoremediation potential of Ricinus communis L. for heavy metals remediation via rhizospheric bacterial activities for distillery wastewater detoxification and management. Results revealed that distillery wastewater contained high levels of metals and other physico-chemical pollution parameters that could cause environmental pollution and aquatic toxicity. The identified bacterium produced several plant growth-promoting compounds including siderophores, ligninolytic enzymes, and indole acetic acid that resulted in nutrient enhancement and improved mineralization of metals in the plants during stress conditions. The bioconcentration factor (BCF) of all the metals examined were > 1, which showed that these metals are accumulating in the root, shoot, and leaves of Ricinus communis L. Most of the metals are stabilised in the roots but Pb, Cd and Zn were translocated more to the shoots (TC>1). The ability of Ricinus communis L. to grow in metals- containing distillery wastewater and reduce heavy metals and organic contaminants suggests that it can be used to provide an effective treatment of distillery wastewater. The use of Ricinus communis L. is an eco-friendly tool for the reduction of organometallic contamination and protecting agricultural land

Integrating phytoremediation into treatment of pulp and paper industry wastewater: Field observations of native plants for the detoxification of metals and their potential as part of a multidisciplinary strategy

This work aimed to explore the use of native herbs for the removal of heavy metals from pulp and paper industry wastewater, with the view of applying them as part of a multidisciplinary approach for detoxification. Results showed that after in-situ phytoremediation by the native herbs, the heavy metal, and metalloid contents in the wastewater were reduced by almost 60%. Heavy metal analysis of the plant tissues revealed that Fe accumulation was highest in all the tested plants. In general, the bioconcentration factor (BCF) was higher than one (>1) for all the metals except for Cd, suggesting most of the metals were concentrated in the plant tissues. In particular, As was concentrated significantly in Momordica doica and Cannabis sativa with elevated BCF of 269.46 and 131.20, respectively. High translocation factor (>1) was observed in P. hysterophorus and Tribulus terrestris for Cr (5.63) and Cd (7.53), respectively. Results showed most of the native plants examined in this study had hyperaccumulating tendency. Transmission electron microscope analysis of plant root tissues showed abundant metal depositions in the root cell wall, cytoplasm, and vacuole as strong evidence of the in-situ phytoremediation capability of these plants. Antioxidants activities of the plants such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, hydrogen peroxidase, peroxidase, and ascorbate peroxidase production were also noted to be higher than the control. These results support the use of native plants as a novel green process that can be integrated into the multidisciplinary treatment of hazardous industrial wastewater in the polluted sites