Quantitative environmental impact assessment of the Open cast mining in Sonbhadra district, Uttar Pradesh, India

The district Sonbhadra, previously a part of Mirzapur district in Uttar Pradesh, India, was created as a separate district in 1991.Geologically the area consists of Vindhyan supergroup, Mahakoshal group and Dudhi granitoid complex.The district Sonbhadra has rich mineral resources and their potential. The area is known for production of cement grade Limestone and Dolomite; the other minerals are Clay, Calcite, Silimanite and base metals for more than last three decades. These mining areas show impacts on the environmental status of the district. In the present study, the different mining and environmental parameters have been considered for analysing the environmental impact assessment (EIA). A matrix method has been used to delineate the quantitative EIA in the area. Finally, the resulted assessment impact value index (-2861.76), shows significant impact on environment such as degradation of forest land, air contamination due to mining dust, water quality and related health aspect of the area. Thus, major environmental control measures should be taken for sustainable development of the study area such as improvement of mining equipments, proper dumping of the mining waste and large scale plantation

ADMET Investigations On A Synthetic Derivative Of Genistein, And Molecular Docking Experiments Targeting Estrogen Receptor-α (ER-α) In The Pancreas

The main goal of the current research was to perform ADMET and molecular docking studies for a synthetic genistein derivative that can imitate Estrogen and function as an endocrine disruptor, activating the ER receptor on beta-cells in the pancreas to release insulin. The created molecule was molecularly docked using the online molecular docking research tool Dockthor. NGL viewer, an online program for viewing Dockthor data, displayed the docking experiment results. The 2D legend-protein interactions were estimated with BIOVIA Discovery Studio Visualizer. Estrogen-Receptor Alpha was the targeted target, while Compound-A was employed as the legend. In this study, we created a synthetic derivative of genistein, an analogue of Estrogen in terms of ER-α receptor binding. We used molecular docking to evaluate the affinity of compound-A binding to the ER-α and its 2D interactions and Ramachandran plots. We then ran ADMET experiments on the molecule, which revealed a substantial relationship with the molecule's Estrogen Receptor binding capabilities, as well as scores for absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity

Solvent extraction and separation of zinc and cobalt from ammoniacal solution

A process was developed to recover Zn and Co by solvent extraction from the raffinate generated during processing of sea nodules. From a model ammoniacal solution containing 0.2 g/L Zn or 0.2 g/L Co, extraction of Zn and Co by Versatic acid was studied. A maximum of 87% Zn was extracted with 1M Versatic acid in single stage, whereas extraction of Co was negligible due to its higher oxidation state. When Co(III) was reduced to Co(II) by the addition of cobalt powder, 1M Versatic acid extracted 76% Co in a single stage. From the McCabe Thiele diagram number of counter current extraction stages required for complete recovery of Zn and Co from ammoniacal solution was determined. Simulation of counter current extraction of Zn and Co was also carried out. Thus, this process can be used to recover Zn, leaving Co in the raffinate. Then Co can be recovered by solvent extraction with Versatic acid after reducing Co(III) to Co(II) state

Role of yoga and meditation on serum DHEAS level in first year medical students

Background: Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), secreted by adrenal cortex, acts in the human body as a neurosteroid, cardio-protective, anti-diabetic, anti-obesity and immune-enhancing agent. It is also reported as a youth hormone. But due to various stimulators of stress, and also as an antagonist of cortisol, DHEAS level decreases. Yoga and meditation regulates the level of hormones and neurotransmitters that affect physiological function.Methods: This study was performed on 1st yr. medical students whose DHEAS level was low due to acute stress. 55 medical students were selected as participants through counseling and were divided into Yoga group (n= 27) and control group (n=28). Their morning serum DHEAS level was assessed and yoga group were instructed to practice Yoga (1hr/day for 12 weeks) under supervision of Yoga instructor. No such instruction was given to control group.Results: As a marker of youth and immunity, increase in DHEAS level decreases susceptibility to infections, reduces aging process as well as improves other functions. Yoga and meditation is documented to increase DHEAS level in regular practitioners. Statistical analysis has shown an increase in morning S. DHEAS level in yoga practitioners. Pre-study and post study values were 3.5±2.48 and 3.61±1.73 respectively in yoga group (overall 3.1% increase, P Value = 0.025, significant at 0.05) whereas 3.36±1.98 and 2.58±1.49 respectively in control group (23.2% decrease, P Value =0.84, not significant).Conclusions: This study concludes that practicing Yoga has significantly raised S. DHEAS level in medical students and improved their immunological status as well as enhances mood and behavior

Solvent extraction in copper metallurgy recovery of acid and metals from copper bleed stream

Solvent extraction in copper metallurgy has been the first major application for producing nonferrous metals beyond the production of rare earths/nuclear metals. With the advent of solvent extrac-tion (SX), several lean grade, complex, rnultimetal and pocket deposits including byproducts could be processed to produce copper economically. Though, the SX technology is proven internationally, it has yet to find an industrial application in the Indian context. This paper outlines the possibility of using solvent extraction in copper metallurgy particularly in the Indian scenario. Specific example of the processing of copper bleed stream has also been mentioned. Some of the details and the flowsheet coven here shows how the sulphuric acid can be recov-ered from the copper bleed stream for recycling in the system. Besides, the recovery of copper and nickel in convenient form like metal sulphates and electrolytic grade metal cathodes can be taken u

Recovery of Cu and Ni from a Secondary Resource by Hydrometallurgical Route

A high iron containing copper and nickel based secondary resource analysing 22.43% Cu, 7.94% Ni and 36.28% iron has been treated to recover valuable metals by leaching with sulphuric acid. It was found that recovery of copper and nickel increased with increase in temperature and sulphuric acid concentration and in a two-stage leaching with 20% (v/v) sulphuric acid at 368 K above 99.9% copper and 82.35% nickel were recovered. The leaching data best fitted into chemical controlled kinetic model showing chemical reaction at the surface of the solid matrix. Activation energy of 20 kJ/mol and 44 kJ/mol were acquired for dissolution of copper and nickel, respectively. Attempts were also made to separate iron from the leach liquor by using Versatic 10 and recovery of copper and nickel in the form of their sulphate by solvent extraction; the copper and nickel could then be recovered as salts, metal cathodes or metal powder

Processing of spent tanning and chrome plating solutions for chromium recovery

Use of chromium in metal plating and leather tanning industries generates a lot of effluent containing Cr(III) and Cr(VI). Besides severe water pollution, substantial amount of chromium is lost due to the prevalent practice of removal-disposal technique followed world over. Processes based on recovery and reuse methodology are currently projected as ex¬cellent means of meeting the environmental regulations while producing chromium salts/solutions for recycling. This paper details the composi¬tion, conditions and quantity of spent liquors/effluents generated in elec¬troplating and leather tanning industries and their treatment by removal¬disposal as well as recovery-reuse methods. The approach based on pre¬cipitation, ion exchange and liquid-liquid extraction particularly for chro¬mium recovery is highlighted. The results of solvent extraction with D2EHPA and CYANEX 272 for chromium recovery from spent tanning baths are also summarised

Bio-hydrometallurgical approach in processing of low grade Indian uranium ore in Column Reactor

In order to augment the supply of uranium for electricity generation, bioleaching is being considered for exploiting a low-grade uranium ore (with 0.024% U3O8 of Turamdih Mines, Jharkhand, India). This ore contains silicate and magnetite as the main minerals and uraninite and hematite as minor minerals. At NML, efforts have been made to use Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans (Ac.Tf) initially on bench scale in shake flask and then in column to recover uranium. In shake flasks, ~98% uranium dissolution was achieved in 30days at 1.7pH, 35oC temperature and 20% (w/v) pulp density. In a laboratory scale column containing 2.5kg ore, uranium bio-recovery of 55.48% was obtained in 30 days at 1.7pH. To scale up the process, the bio-leaching experiments carried out on 80kg ore showed uranium recovery of 69.8% as against a recovery of 55.12% in control set at 1.7 pH in 50 days. Bio-recovery of uranium has been correlated with the change in redox potential (Eh) and ferric ion concentration

Biosorption of trivalent chromium from a model tanning solution by adapted aspergillus niger

Industrial effluents containing metallic species are responsible for environmental degradation which have been prioritised as major inorganic contaminants. Conventional methods are quite expensive resulting in need for cost-effective process for removing heavy metals from discharging effluents. The use of microbial biomass for removal of heavy metals from aqueous solutions (biosorption) is one such approach gaining increasing attention. Trivalent chromium ion present in tannery effluents has been the targeted ionic species for removal due to its exceeding limits in industrial discharges (<--0.3 ppm as per WHO). At NML, efforts were made for biosorption of trivalent chromium from tannery effluents with Cr (III) concentration in the range 1500-5000ppm. Aspergillus niger, obtained from a culture bank has been used in biosorption of trivalent chromium of tannery effluents. The fungal species grown in Czapek Dox Medium and adapted on Cr(III) ions ranging from 10-2000ppm at 2.5 pH and 35°C, was used for biosorption of chromium from a model tanning solution. A.niger was used in forms such as live, adapted and pre-treated (autoclaved, alkali-treated) for biosorption at pH 2.5 and 35°C. At Cr(IlI) conc. of 2000ppm in the aqueous solution, the adsorption efficiency followed the order: alkali treated (52%)>live(38%)>autoclaved dead mass(27%). The varying biosorption capacities may be attributed to exposed metal binding sites in alkali treated fungus causing high biosorption efficiency which also obeyed the sorption isotherm

Development and validation of a robust high-performance thin layer chromatographic (HPTLC) method for the analysis of Lovastatin in Higher Basidiomycetous mushrooms

Hypercholesteromia is one of the main risk factors of cardiovascular disease, causing high blood pressure and atherosclerosis. This has necessitated development of methods or substances which would reduce cholesterol uptake from the digestive tract or destroy cholesterol by enzymatic reactions. One of the practical approaches to protect the human body from high cholesterol levels is to inhibit the cholesterol-synthesizing ability of the organism. Lovastatin is a metabolite of mold fungi from the different genera. However, its presence has also been detected in fruiting bodies and submerged cultivated mycelia of some species of Higher Basidiomycetous fungus, especially in the species of genus Pleurotus – P. ostreatus and P. eryngii. We are screening Higher Basidiomycetous mushrooms for identification of commercially recoverable quantities of lovastatin.&nbsp;&nbsp;Since lovastatin quantification in a large number of fungal samples is required, a simple, rapid and accurate analytical method was required. Use of HPTLC for quantitative measurements of lovastatin in fungal biomass has not yet been reported. In the present study a simple, precise, specific and accurate TLC Densitometric method for estimation of lovastatin in Higher Basidiomycetous mushrooms was developed, validated and used for estimation of lovastatin content in the cultured mycelia of Pleurotus spp. The develop method was validated for linearity, accuracy, precision, LOD, LOQ, spiking, robustness as per the ICH guidelines. The Rf and % recovery value for Lovastatin 0.52 and 99.15 respectively. Developed analytical methods showed good separation and recovery of Lovastatin