Abiotic stress tolerance in mangroves with a special reference to salinity

Since mangroves are found near extremely transitional ecosystems, they face a lot of physico-chemical perturbations. As mangroves possess a unique ecotone, they experience many abiotic stressors viz. salinity, metal, oil, humidity temperature, nutrient and a wide range of biotic interactions. Amongst all, salinity is the most important factor affecting mangrove physiology and biochemistry, and thereby regulating the organic matter contribution to the consumers underneath. Exploitation by human, being a dominant biotic interference, is above the rate at which natural replacement of mangrove vegetation occur. Mal-nutrition is a limiting factor in growth and reproduction of many mangroves whereas nutrient replenishment reduces the phytotoxicity of heavy metals. Different environmental pollutants including heavy metals, recalcitrant, cosmetics, petroleum oil and endocrine disrupters have reported impact on various mangroves and associated biota. Stress tolerance in mangroves involves various mechanism including morphological and anatomical features, osmoregulation, water use efficiency, salt secretion, salt exclusion and salt accumulation and molecular regulations. Various aspects of salt tolerance strategies of mangroves related to their growth, biochemical anatomy and physiology were reported by many researchers

A calcified epidermoid cyst within right lateral ventricle: A report of a rare case

A young patient reported to neurosurgery outdoor department with symptoms of increased intracranial pressure. Noncontrast computed tomography examination showed a single calcified mass within right lateral ventricle with mild hydrocephalus. Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging revealed nonenhancing single mass within right lateral ventricle with mild hydrocephalus. Intraventricular calcified choroid papilloma/calcified epidermoid were radiological differentials. The mass was excised, removed from the lateral ventricles and found to be calcified epidermoid on gross and microscopic examination, which is rare

India's global powerhouses: How they are taking on the world

Translated into Simplified Chinese and audiobook in Englis

The Interaction of Seasons and Biogeochemical Properties of Water Regulate the Air–Water CO₂ Exchanges in Two Major Tropical Estuaries, Bay of Bengal (India)

The exchange of CO2 between the air–water interfaces of estuaries is crucial from the perspective of the global carbon cycle and climate change feedback. In this regard, we evaluated the air–water CO2 exchanges in two major estuaries—the Mahanadi estuary (ME) and the Dhamra estuary (DE) in the northern part of the Bay of Bengal, India. Biogeochemical properties of these estuarine waters were quantified in three distinct seasons, namely, pre-monsoon (March to May), monsoon (June to October), and post-monsoon (November to February). The significant properties of water, such as the water temperature, pH, salinity, nutrients, dissolved oxygen, chlorophyll-a (chl a), and photosynthetic pigment fluorescence of phytoplankton, were estimated and correlated with CO2 fluxes. We found that the ME acted as a source of CO2 fluxes in the monsoon and post-monsoon, while DE acted as a sink during the monsoon. The stepwise regression model showed that the fluxes were primarily driven by water temperature, pH, and salinity, and they correlated well with the phytoplankton characteristics. The chl a content, fluorescence yield, and phycobilisomes-to-photosystem II fluorescence ratios were major drivers of the fluxes. Therefore, for predicting air–water CO2 exchanges precisely in a large area over a seasonal and annual scale in the estuaries of the Bay of Bengal, India, critical key parameters such as water temperature, pH, salinity, chl a, and fluorescence yield of phytoplankton should be taken into consideration. However, the responses of phytoplankton, both in terms of production and CO2 capture, are critical research areas for a better understanding of air–water CO2 exchanges in coastal ecology under climate change scenarios

Intra-annual Variability of CO2 Flux in the Mahanadi Estuary- A Tropical Estuarine System, India

The inorganic carbon dynamics and the CO2 flux of estuarine system are strongly influenced by the productivity and nutrient regime of water. This study provides full seasonal coverage of assessment of the physicochemical variables of Mahanadi estuary, mainly focusing on the carbonate system through the measurement of pH, Total Alkalinity (TA), Dissolved Inorganic Carbon (DIC), both aqueous and air fCO 2, Dissolved Oxygen (DO) and chlorophyll a (chl a). The relationship of TA and DIC were found conservative throughout the study period. The estuary was found to be over-saturated with CO2 and acted as a net source. However, the magnitude of flux varied from season to season with a range between -8.14 to 8.09 μmol m-2 h-1 indicating ephemeral sink phase in the estuary. The air-water CO2 flux was primarily governed by fCO2 (water) although other factors such as temperature, pH, salinity, total alkalinity, wind speed and fCO2 (air) noticeably affected CO2 flux. A strong positive correlation was observed between temperature and inorganic nutrients during the study period. The study of net ecosystem metabolism justifies the heterotrophic nature of Mahanadi estuarine system.</p

First and New Record of <em>Ceratium vulture v. sumatranum</em> and <em>Pediastrum species</em> from coastal waters of Paradip, Bay of Bengal, East Coast of India

1169-1171Plankton diversity studies were carried out in the coastal waters of Paradip, Bay of Bengal from January 2015 to October 2015. There was broad variation in plankton diversity and water quality indices. Higher number of plankton taxa was reported in the month of October when SST, DO and nutrient (NO3 and SiO3) concentration was also higher.  In the month of October the SST value was 30.80°C  and dissolved oxygen varied from 3.28mg/l to 5.21mg/l. Nitrate and silicate both show maximum in October month i.e., 76.89µM/l and 36.67µg/l respectively. Salinity was maximum in the month of March (37.21ppt) and minimum in the month of October (23.95ppt). Phosphate was maximum in January month (0.113mg/l) and minimum in March (0.08mg/l). Nutrients (nitrate and silicate), SST, DO and Salinity act as limiting factor in the distribution pattern of planktons

Physicochemical characteristics of the <i>Lasiococca comberi</i> Haines seeds

<p>Physicochemical characteristics and fatty acid composition of <i>Lasiococca comberi</i> Haines (Euphorbiaceae), an endangered forest tree species, were determined for the first time. The oil, protein, crude fibre and carbohydrate contents in seeds were 41.5, 13.8, 22.2 and 11.6%, respectively. The refractive index, pH, specific gravity, saponification value, iodine value, peroxide value and <i>p</i>-anisidine value of seed oil were 1.4781, 6.4, 0.9, 178.4 mg KOH/g, 196 g I₂/100 g of oil, 5.1 mEq O₂/kg and 188.4, respectively. The predominant fatty acids were linolenic acid (65.3%), oleic acid (13.8%), linoleic acid (7.1%) and palmitic acid (5.3%). HPLC analysis revealed the presence of <i>α</i>-tocopherol (13.2 mg/100 g) and <i>γ</i>-tocopherol (6.3 mg/100 g) as the major tocopherols. The results indicated that <i>L. comberi</i> seed oil can be classified as drying oil having possible applications in different industries and as an important dietary source of omega-3 fatty acids.</p