Phytoremediation of contaminated soil Lead and Cadmium by Brassica júncea (L.) Czern plant

Many remediating strategies are used for polluted soils, however, but mostly the essential phytoremediation is a less expensive, organically satisfying technique that is generally reasonable for various countries. Pot tests were managed to dissect the Brassica júncea plant biomass cultivated on Pb as well as Cd polluted soils as well to survey its ampleness for the evacuation of Pb and Cd. Samples of picked plants developed at a blend of alluvial soil and sand were moved with vessel of pots the earth finishing extents as well allowed make with time regenerative development. Through acid digestion, Pb and Cd extraction was settled from the plant. Consequently, they were collected and afterwards examined for chosen metals through utilizing Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS). Generally, the current examination results demonstrated that no hyperaccumulators of Pb as well Cd were recognized in the region. Body parts of the plant were categorized as Pb low accumulators, moderate accumulators and excluder, as well as Cd low accumulator, excluder. Additionally, Cd concentration was high up than the allowable range in species of plant. In plants, allowable range of Pb and Cd is 0.2 - 20 and 0.1 -2.4 mg kg – 1. In Brassica júncea plant the Pb as well Cd both were no hyperaccumulators. Hence, this local plant had the suitable ability to use for phytoremediation of contaminated soils around the Hayatabad Industrial area, Peshawar. All experimental Results demonstrated that from the medium of soil by Brassica júncea (L.) Czern plant the maximum lead and cadmium removals were 94 % and 94.26 %, respectively in the open environment, while in the control environment this removal was 82 % for Pb and 93.16 % for Cd .The present research work observes that brassica júncea (L.) Czern plant was more helpful for Cd take-up contrasted with Pb, and thus it is capacity we suggest Pb as well Cd for remediation from polluted soils. Keywords: Lead, Cadmium, Contaminated soil, Removal

Chitral Gol National Park; A paradise or threat for biodiversity conservation and socio-economic conditions of local societies

The current study was conducted to investigate the Chitral Gol National Park, as a bliss or risk for biodiversity safeguarding and socio-economic situations of regional people in the park region. The Chitral Gol National Park indicates a vital part in the improvement of the socio-economic situation and also in the management of the biodiversity in park area. The key aim of the park area is generally to enhance the societies’ link in the park area for its better management and conservation through community-based conservation. For this aim, 160 open ended questionnaires were equally distributed and collected in the park area. Results revealed that the local public much satisfied from the park area. 11 villages openly profited from the park area in case of cash, employments and wood fuel etc. The local public greatly concerned in the management of park area. The ecological profits from park were reported well. The administration maintenance was noble in the park area and show energetic role in the management of plantation, flora cover, fauna species etc. Public education and awareness about park areas via education, workshops, seminars, walk campaign, and local government must take obligatory stages for their safeguard and management. Keywords: Chitral Gol National Park, Local Community, Biodiversity Conservation, Socio-economic Conditions, Protected areas

Utilization of Construction and Demolition Waste Along with Fly Ash waste in Preparing Non-Autoclaved Aerated Concrete

China’s construction industries are rapidly increasing, and with that generation of Construction and Demolition waste is also growing, and another side industrial waste such as fly ash produced by a thermal power plant, Associated environmental issues, it is essential to utilize in any form; Studies by concrete experts have indicated the feasibility of suitably handling and recycling such waste in new concrete, mainly for basic-level applications. Non-autoclaved aerated concrete is a lightweight substance that could be used as substitute building materials; it is generally made up of raw materials such as Cement, quicklime, gypsum, sand, and expansion agent like an aluminum powder; in this study, 40% waste utilized, Construction and demolition waste (5%,10%,15%,20% ………40%) and Fly ash (35%,30%,25%,20%......0%) accordingly, while expansion agent maintained constant at 0.06%. The compressive strength of the final material checked after (7,14,21 and 28 days) respectively, obtained maximum strength after 28 days; this study goals to design a low cost, Non-autoclaved aerated concrete material and to reuse the waste produced from different sectors, mainly from the construction sector Keywords: Non-Autoclaved concrete, Lightweight concrete, Eco-friendly, Construction and Demolition waste, Fly ash

Variations in tick-borne disease incidence rate by rural-urban county classification

Background: Surveillance data of tick-borne disease (TBD) incidence in the United States are compiled at the county level, yet few studies have classified TBD risk using established county classification systems. Objective: Determine if significant differences in TBD incidence rates exist between Indiana counties based on population size classification (i.e. urban, rural, and rural-mixed). Methods: County TBD data for the period 2009 to 2016, were obtained from the Epidemiology Resource Center at the Indiana State Department of Health. Using the 2010 decennial population census, we normalized TBD counts to derive incidence rates per 1,000 population. We classified Indiana counties as either rural, rural-mixed, or urban based on population size. We used Kruskal-Wallis nonparametric test to determine if median TBD incidence rates differed between urban, rural, and rural-mixed urban counties. We used choropleth maps in ESRI ArcGIS to display TBD incidence rate by county classification. Results: Kolmogorov-Smirnov pairwise comparisons test results, revealed no evidence of a difference in TBD incidence rates between rural, rural-mixed, and urban counties (p≥ 0.1208 ± 0.0065). Furthermore, Kruskal-Wallis test showed no evidence of a difference in the median TBD incidence rates by county classification (p = 0.9754). Higher TBD incidence rate counties occur in the western region, while lower rate counties occur in the eastern region. Although no differences exist in incidence rates by county classification, the two highest incidence rates were recorded in rural counties. Conclusion: A classification of Indiana counties based on population size is inadequate in identifying counties with a greater or lesser risk of TBD incidence. For a better understanding of county population-level TBD risk, future studies should aim at obtaining and exploring TBD incidence data at more granular, sub-county population levels such as zip codes, census- blocks and tracts.