Plants Of Bangladesh Research Articles

Effects of plant growth regulators on virus-free plantlet regeneration from Abroma augustum (L.) seeds

Abroma augusta is a popular folk therapeutic plant in Bangladesh, rightly called Devil’s cotton in English. The present study was performed to evaluate the in vitro multiple shoot and root generation of Abroma augustum plants. In vitro seed germination, shoot proliferation and root induction were performed following previous methods. The highest percentage of seed germination was 90±0.0% after seven days of inoculation, after which the plants were sterilized with 0.1% NaOCl for 2 min. The longest shoot length was 7.6±0.6 cm at the MS+2+0.3 mg/L BAP+NAA concentration. The greatest number of roots per shoot was 12.0±1.0 cm, and the greatest length of roots was 6.8±1.6 cm in MS media supplemented with 1.0 mg/L IBA. Both the shoots and roots were vigorous and sufficient in length and number. The present study established an efficient in vitro micropopagation process for Abroma augustum plantlet production through seeds. The findings of the present research will be helpful for rapidly regenerating disease-free plantlets.

In vitro and in vivo pharmacological evaluation of polygonum persicaria l.

The present study was designed to investigate the in vitro antioxidant, cytotoxic, anthelmintic and in vivo analgesic, anti-diarrheal, hypoglycemic and CNS anti-depressant properties of different solvent fractions of methanol extract of leaf and flower of Polygonum persicaria L., a notable medicinal plant in Bangladesh. The crude methanol extracts were partitioned separately to petroleum-ether, carbon tetrachloride, chloroform and aqueous fractions. In DPPH scavenging assay for antioxidant test, the aqueous fraction of flower extract showed maximum antioxidant activity with IC50 of 0.60 μg/ml. Most of the fractions revealed prominent lethality (LC50) against brine shrimp nauplii. The test samples also exhibited dose-dependent anthelmintic activity against Pheretima posthuma. The leaf extract and flower extract (200-and 400 mg/kg b.w.) can decrease the painful sensation in mice. Leaf extracts and flower extracts displayed 57.69 and 50% reduction of diarrhea induced by castor oil in mice, respectively. The plant samples exhibited hypoglycemic effect and CNS anti-depressant effect in mice. Based on the possibility of bioactivity, the plant can be thoroughly examined to determine its potential efficacy and to support its traditional uses. Bangladesh J. Bot. 53(3): 475-485, 2024 (September)

Pioneering study of radioactivity in soil near the Payra 1320 MW Thermal Power Plant, the largest coal-fired thermal power plant in Bangladesh

ABSTRACT Coal combustion increases atmospheric radioactivity, harming those live in the periphery of coal-fired thermal power plants (CFTPPs). A pioneering study has been performed using a high-purity germanium detector by analysing 30 soil samples collected from distances of 50, 600, 1200, and 3000 metres in the periphery of the largest 1320 MW CFTPP, Payra, Bangladesh. The activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K ranged from 19–32, 31–90, and 420–870 Bq/kg, respectively, with most of the samples show 232Th and 40K levels above global averages. Elevated levels of 232Th and 40K in soil around Payra thermal power plant stem from natural minerals, granitic rocks, ash disposal, coal combustion residues, and environmental factors. Radiological hazard indices, including dose rates and cancer risk, exceed global averages, indicating unsafe radiation exposure for coal miners and locals. These findings are crucial for planning coal-fired power plants and stress the need for municipal regulation of fly ash and health monitoring to mitigate risks for workers and residents.

Toxicity assessment of heavy metals translocation in maize grown in the Ganges delta floodplain soils around the Payra power plant in Bangladesh

As a cereal crop, maize ranked third place after wheat and rice in terms of land area coverage for its cultivation, and in Bangladesh, it ranked second place after rice in its production. As the substitution of wheat products, maize has been used widely in baking for human consumption and animal fodder. However, maize grown in this soil around the coal-burning power plant may cause heavy metals uptake that poses a risk to humans. The study was conducted at the maize fields in the Ganges delta floodplain soils of Bangladesh to know the concentration of eight heavy metals (Ni, Cr, Cd, Mn, As, Cu, Zn, and Pb) in soil and maize samples using an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) and to estimate the risk of heavy metals in maize grains. Mean concentrations of heavy metals (mg/kg) in soil were in decreasing order of Zn (10.12) > Cu (10.02) > Mn (5.48) > Ni (4.95) > Cr (3.72) > As (0.51) > Pb (0.27) > Cd (0.23). The plant tissues showed the descending order of heavy metal concentration as roots > grains > stems > leaves. BCF values for As, Cd, Pb, and Mn in roots were higher than 1.0, indicating considerable accumulation of these elements in maize via roots. Total hazard quotient (ƩTHQ) of heavy metals through maize grain consumption was 3.7E+00 and 3.9E+00 for adults and children, respectively, indicating non-cancer risk to the consumers. Anthropogenic influences contributed to the heavy metals enrichment in the Ganges delta floodplain soils around the thermal plant, and potential risks (non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic) were observed due to the consumption of maize grain cultivated in the study area.

Evaluating a Computerized CCS Model Against Current Technologies to Optimize Environmental Conservation for the Patuakhali Power Plant in Bangladesh.

The burgeoning focus on power generation in Bangladesh has spurred the government to embark on ambitious plans for the installation of power plants. Among these developments is the impending operation of a 2*660MW coal-power station in Patuakhali which will operates end of the month in December 2024. There is concern about this plant's carbon-dioxide emission and mitigation in the atmosphere surrounding this area, which may cause a variety of health problems as well as threaten the biodiversity of the plant zone. The proposed technology will not cover all situations and may present some challenges when compared to other technologies. Utilizing an established operational model sanctioned within the country, our assessment revealed an approximate daily carbon emission of 4.806 million kilograms from the power plant. Employing the Sundarbans' sequestration rate, we calculated a carbon tolerance level of around 4.2 million kilograms per day for the plant area. Despite the emission levels being considered marginal, given the Sundarbans' capacity for carbon sequestration, our study highlights the potential of computerized Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technology to significantly mitigate emissions, potentially reducing them to near-zero levels. This research also compares a computerized CCS model with exiting model which can optimize environmental conservation by simulating and analyzing the effectiveness of different carbon capture technologies, selecting optimal storage sites, and assessing the lifecycle impact of CCS projects. Among the most notable solutions is carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology, which can cut carbon emissions by over 90%. Furthermore, the incorporation of a computerized system can reduce emissions by over 90% as well as stop CO2 leaks and lessen related risks. It enhances operational efficiency, reduces costs, and supports policy compliance through precise data-driven insights. However, the security of the entire carbon capture, transportation, and storage process is guaranteed by this all-encompassing strategy. Recognizing the Sundarbans' critical role in sustaining a diversity of life and nature, it is crucial to strike a balance between environmental preservation and economic development. If the system is fully integrated and functional, advanced technologies like computerized carbon capture and storage have the potential to minimize carbon emissions to zero. It also offers economic benefits as well as carbon credits, and improves air quality and ocean health by mitigating pollutants and CO2 emissions.

Nutritional and biofunctional characterizations of four novel edible aquatic plants of Bangladesh

Aquatic plants are a cheap and renewable biomass rich in bioactive and biofunctional compounds, holding valorization prospects for use in food and pharmaceuticals. Four commonly found edible aquatic plants in Bangladesh, namely red water lily (Nymphaea nouchali), white water lily (Nympheae alba), malancha (Alternanthera philoxeroides), and red seaweed (Gracilaria tenuistipitata), were compared in terms of proximate composition, bioactive compounds, antioxidant activity, mineral and heavy metal contents, and amino acid composition. The crude protein content was the highest in A. philoxeroids (26.96 %), followed by G. tenuistipitata (25.21 %), N. nouchali (25.14 %), and N. alba (23.54 %). The sequence of crude lipid content of four aquatic plants was A. philoxeroids (4.8 %) > N. nouchali (4.0 %) > G. tenuistipitata (3.4 %) > N. alba (2.4 %). The aquatic plants were rich in carbohydrates, with G. tenuistipitata having 37.02 %, significantly (P < 0.05) lower than N. alba (46.12 %), N. nouchali (45.73 %), and A. philoxeroids (42.88 %). The ash content in the studied plants varied between 14.63 % and 24.97 %. Substantial numbers of bioactive compounds were identified in these plants: 42 in N. alba, 41 in N. nouchali, 40 in A. philoxeroides, and 36 in G. tenuistipitata, as determined by GC-MS analysis. G. tenuistipitata showed the highest amount of total phenolic (121.05 ± 2.43 mg gallic acid equivalent/g) and flavonoid (128.03 ± 0.79 mg quercetin equivalent/g) content. The DPPH, hydrogen peroxide, and ferric reducing power assays showed the free radical scavenging ability increased in a dose dependent manner. These aquatic plants contained substantial amounts of minerals, namely Ca ranging from 42.05 ± 2.34 to 441.65 ± 4.67 mg/kg, K ranging from 80.15 ± 1.82 to 97.81 ± 1.74 mg/kg, and Na ranging from 41.16 ± 1.32 to 53.37 ± 1.64 mg/kg. The heavy metal contents of Cu, Ni, and Pb were 0.93 ± 0.06 to 1.25 ± 0.09 mg/kg, 0.44 ± 0.02 to 3.86 ± 0.56 mg/kg, and 0.22 ± 0.02 to 0.67 ± 0.05 mg/kg, respectively. Thirteen different amino acids were identified, with leucine, glycine, alanine, lysine, and phenylalanine dominating, and their contents varying by species. Therefore, regular consumption of these aquatic plants might be a healthy approach to addressing malnutrition and enhancing biofunctional activities.

In vitro antifungal activities of Cymbopogon citratus, Cymbopogon martini, Pogestemon cablin and Curcuma longa essential oils against spoilage fungi isolated from tomatoes

Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum L.) have highmoisture content (93–95%), making them more vulnerable to various types of spoilage fungi. Numerous medicinal plants' essential oils are known to have antifungal properties that combat these spoilage fungi. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the potential antifungal activity of essential oils from some indigenous plants in Bangladesh to prevent the fungal attack on tomatoes. Using potato dextrose agar medium, 4 species of spoilage fungi from tomatoes were identified. ITS (Internal transcribed spacer) region-specific sequencing was used to identify the fungal species as Aspergillus welwitschiae, Aspergillus tamari, Penicillium citrinum and Rhizopus arrhizus. Assessment on antifungal activity was conducted for four essential oils extracted from plants: turmeric leaf (Curcuma longa), patchouli (Pogestemon cablin), palmarosa (Cymbopogon martini) and lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus). The GC-MS method was used to analyze these essential oils to ascertain their chemical content. A pathogenicity test determined the severity and % of rot on tomatoes. A. welwitschiae caused the most severe spoilage (80%) after 21 days, while R. arrhizus damaged 26% of the tomatoes within 5 days. The minimal fungicidal concentration (MFC) and minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the essential oils were determined after analysis. Lemongrass oil fully suppressed the growth of all the isolates at a concentration of 12 ????l/ml. Finally, the essential oils of palmarosa and lemongrass may be used as a preventative measure against tomato fungal rot.

Nuclear energy in Bangladesh: A SWOT analysis

Zero-emission energy sources like nuclear energy are taken into account worldwide due to the negative environmental consequences of fossil fuels and their limited availability over the years. Bangladesh plans to add nuclear energy to its portfolio of energy sources by 2024. Under the scope of this study, the country's nuclear energy strategy was looked at in terms of its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. This was done using a method known as SWOT analysis. It has come to light that Bangladesh has a significant number of aspects in terms of strengths as well as opportunities that make the possibility of doing an investment in the construction of a nuclear power plant a realistic choice. Difficulties such as a culture of poor maintenance, financial burden, lack of skilled manpower, a poor power grid, radioactive waste management, and corruption are the weaknesses and threats to the effective construction, operation, and maintenance activities of the nuclear power plant in Bangladesh. By mitigating these difficult aspects, Bangladesh's journey to adopt nuclear energy can be more smooth.

Particulate matter concentrations around natural gas-fired power plants and their associated health impact assessment

The quantification and prediction of particulate matter (PM) concentrations in the air are essential due to their negative impacts on human health and the environment. This study quantified PM concentrations and associated health effects at four natural gas-based power plants in Bangladesh. The measurement of PM2.5 and PM10 using the respirable dust samplers APS-113NL and APS-113BL, respectively from the year of 2015 to 2021 revealed that the concentration of both types of particles fluctuated over the years. The highest recorded levels of particles were in 2019, with PM2.5 at 126 µg/m3 and PM10 at 283 µg/m3 and the lowest recorded levels of particles were in 2017, with PM2.5 at 76.3 µg/m3 and PM10 at 203.3 µg/m3. In 2021, PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations were 88.5 and 225 µg/m3, respectively, lower than in the past two years. Statistical modeling assessed atmospheric contaminants analyzed time series data, and projected air quality. ARIMA, ETS, and ANN modeling methods have been used to predict the monthly average of PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations. RMSE, MAPE, MASE, and MAE have been utilized for model orders, time series analysis, and forecasting validation. There is a significant variation between the forecasting models and forecasts for average PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations in natural gas-fired power plants from 2022 to 2024. This study also conducted a face-to-face interview with over 100 employees using a structured questionnaire to assess the health effects they are facing due to poor air quality in the power generation complex and found that 2 and 13 % of employees had respiratory and skin issues, respectively. Nonetheless, regular health checks, air filtration, and renewable energy consumption may benefit residents and the environment.

Carbon footprint analysis of fossil power plants in Bangladesh: measuring the impact of CO2\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$${CO}_{2}$$\\end{document} and greenhouse gas emissions

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have increased substantially due to industrialization and the rapid growth in energy demand in Bangladesh. The aim of this study is to conduct a comprehensive carbon footprint analysis of fossil power plants in Bangladesh, focusing on the impact of GHG emissions. We evaluate the carbon footprint of fossil power plants based on their power generation capacity, fuel type, specific emission rates, and global warming potential (GWp) for various GHGs. The emission factor approach has been used in conjunction with the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) methodology. Findings of the study indicate that fossil power plants in Bangladesh contribute significantly to the country's overall carbon footprint, with CO2\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$${CO}_{2}$$\\end{document} and other GHG emissions being the primary drivers. Furthermore, we evaluate Bangladesh's GHG emissions in comparison with neighbouring countries to determine its position. In terms of greenhouse gas emissions from fossil-based power plants, we find that Bangladesh has relatively low emissions compared to its neighbours and developing countries in Asia. Nevertheless, Bangladesh has witnessed a significant increase in coal-fired power generation in recent years, which has emerged as a significant contributor to emissions. Following an analysis of GHG emissions from fossil fuel power plants, we recommend adopting advanced technologies such as carbon capture and storage (CCS) with improved energy efficiency systems and integrating renewable energy sources into the power generation mix. We conclude our analysis by highlighting the importance of transitioning to cleaner, sustainable energy sources to reduce future carbon emissions.

Microfiber prevalence and removal efficiency of textile effluent treatment plants in Bangladesh

Bangladesh is one of the hubs of the textile industry in the world; consequently, microfibers are an emerging threat to the aquatic ecosystem. Traditional effluent treatment plants (ETPs) might not be capable of removing most emerging pollutants like surfactants, dyes, and additives, including microfibers, and the textile industry may be a major source of microfiber pollution through products and ETPs. This study investigated the eleven woven, knit, and denim industries' ETP microfiber abundance and removal efficiency. The average (range) of microfibers found in influent, effluent, and sludge samples was 615.45 ± 377.52 particles/L (170−1460), 212.72 ± 80.14 particles/L (130−380), and 10545.45 ± 7989.54 particles/kg (4400−31000), respectively. The abundant shape was fiber, and most microfibres had sizes between 0 and 100 μm. Eight distinct colors of microfibers were found in the samples; black was the most abundant color among all the samples, followed by brown and blue. The studied ETPs showed a 23.52 % to 82.19 % microfiber removal rate, which is not satisfactory for minimizing pollution. The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis revealed that the main polymers in the samples were nylon, ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), polyethylene terephthalate (PETE), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), cellulose acetate (CA), low-density polyethylene (LDPE or linear LDPE), and high-density polyethylene (HDPE). The contamination factor (CF) and pollution load index (PLI), which assess ecological risks, showed that samples were moderately to very highly contaminated by microfiber and could pose a threat to the aquatic ecosystem. The findings would help identify transformative challenges required for minimizing microfiber pollution from industrial sectors and improving ETP systems.

Demarcation of suitable site for solar photovoltaic power plant installation in Bangladesh using geospatial techniques

The major goal of this research is to adopt analytical hierarchy process (AHP) based geospatial technique to select suitable zone for the solar photovoltaic (PV) power plants. Nine thematic layers altogether—slope, global horizontal irradiation (GHI), relative humidity, direct normal irradiation (DNI), elevation, distance from major roads, distance from protected areas, rainfall, and land use/land cover (LULC)—are combined through overlay analysis in ArcGIS to create the final map of suitability for the placement of solar photovoltaic (PV) power plants in Bangladesh. This map has been classified into five categories namely, restricted zone, less suitable zone, moderate suitable zone, good suitable zone, and excellent suitable zone. These categories are covered by 7.28%, 16.61%, 28.51%, 27.77%, 21.83% land of total area in Bangladesh respectively. The findings of this research have been presented that ‘the excellent suitable’ and ‘good suitable’ areas for the construction of solar power plants are in the western and northwestern part (Rajshahi, Pabna, Sirajganj, Natore, Naogaon, Chapainawabganj, Bogura, Faridpur, Jessore, Jehenaidha, Magura, Kushtia, Choudanga, Meherpur) of the study area which contain a high value of global horizontal irradiation, direct normal irradiation, elevation and low value of slope, rainfall, temperature, relative humidity. Besides the restricted and less suitable zone for installing solar photovoltaic (PV) power plants indicates a high value of rainfall, slope, temperature, relative humidity and low value of global horizontal irradiation, direct normal irradiation, and elevation. Bangladesh's currently operational solar plants were taken into consideration for this study's validation purposes. The proposed framework may potentially be used in different locales on a national and worldwide scale. This study offers a consistent GIS process for the accurate, inexpensive implementation of a solar energy plan to achieve environmentally friendly goals.

Harnessing Bangladesh's Undeveloped Geothermal Potential: A Case Study of the Barapukuria Coal Basin

Despite its vast potential, geothermal energy still needs to be tapped in Bangladesh. This study addresses this gap by employing a data-driven, systematic approach to evaluate the Barapukuria Coal Basin as a candidate reservoir for the nation's first geothermal power plant. While existing research mainly focuses on resource identification, this work utilizes geotechnical data from the well-studied Barapukuria region to conduct a comprehensive and thorough analysis. The aim is to quantify the available geothermal power and assess the project's lifetime, energy output, and capacity. The methodology leverages the high geothermal gradient (&gt;48°C/km) observed in the area and existing information on reservoir and fluid properties. This enables the estimation of the recoverable thermal energy and subsequent validation of geothermal system models with empirical data. With no operational or planned geothermal plants in Bangladesh, this study represents a crucial step toward unlocking the resource's potential. The initial results are promising, suggesting the Barapukuria basin is a viable location for transitioning toward cleaner baseload power generation.

Prospect of Solar Thermal Power Plant in Bangladesh

Prospect of Solar Thermal Power Plant in Bangladesh

Prospect of Solar Thermal Power Plant in Bangladesh

Prospect of Solar Thermal Power Plant in Bangladesh

Using Deep Learning and Machine Learning: Real-Time Discernment and Diagnostics of Rice-Leaf Diseases in Bangladesh

Bangladesh is heavily reliant on rice production, but a staggering annual decline of 37% in rice output due to insufficient knowledge in recognizing and managing rice plant diseases has raised concerns. As a result, there is a pressing need for a system that can accurately identify and control rice plant diseases automatically. CNNs have demonstrated their effectiveness in detecting plant diseases, thanks to their exceptional image classification capabilities. Nevertheless, research on rice plant disease identification remains scarce. This study offers a comprehensive overview of rice plant ailments and explores DL techniques used for their detection. By evaluating the advantages and disadvantages of various systems found in the literature, the study aims to identify the most accurate means of detecting and controlling rice plant diseases using DL techniques. We present a real-time detection and diagnostic system for rice lead diseases that utilizes ML methods. This system is designed to identify three prevalent rice plant diseases, specially leaf smut, bacterial leaf blight and brown spot diseases. Clear images of affected rice leaves against a white background serve as input data for the system. To train the dataset, several ML algorithms were employed including KNN, Naive Bayes, J48 and Logistic Regression. Following the pre-processing stage, the decision tree algorithm demonstrated an accurateness of over 97% when claimed to test dataset. In conclusion, implementing an automated system that leverages ML techniques is vital for reducing the time and labor required for detecting and managing rice plant diseases. Such a system would contribute significantly to ensuring the healthy growth of rice plants in Bangladesh, ultimately boosting the nation’s rice production.

Techno-Economic Feasibility Study of a 1.5 MW Grid-Connected Solar Power Plant in Bangladesh

This study addresses the pressing energy constraints in nations like Bangladesh by proposing the implementation of photovoltaic (PV) microgrids. Given concerns about environmental degradation, limited fossil fuel reserves, and volatile product costs, renewable energy sources are gaining momentum globally. Our research focuses on a grid-connected solar PV system model at Char Jazira, Lalpur, Natore, Rajshahi, Bangladesh. Through PVsyst 7.1 simulation software, we assess the performance ratio (PR) and system losses, revealing an annual solar energy potential of 3375 MWh at standard test condition (STC) efficiency. After considering losses, the system generates 2815.2 MWh annually, with 2774 MWh exported to the grid. We analyze an average PR of 78.63% and calculate a levelized cost of energy (LCOE) of 2.82 BDT/kWh [1 USD = 110 BDT]. The financial assessment indicates a cost-effective LCOE for the grid-connected PV system, with an annual gross income of 27,744 kBDT from selling energy to the grid and operating costs of 64,060.60 BDT/year. Remarkably, this initiative can prevent 37,647.82 tCO2 emissions over the project’s 25-year lifespan.

Site suitability assessment for solar power plants in Bangladesh: A GIS-based analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) approach

Solar power plants are important alternatives to fossil fuel-based power plants because they reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the effects of climate change. The potential of harnessing solar energy is highly dependent on selecting the optimal locations for plant installation. This study primarily aims to select optimal sites for solar energy plant installation using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) of Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) in a Geographic Information System (GIS) environment. In the underlying processing phase, the AHP method was used to calculate the relative weights of the study area's physiographic, utility, and climate data. These weights were then used in the MCDA to identify the optimal locations for solar plants. The results of the MCDA were presented in the form of a solar plant suitability map, which showed that 44.59 % (66506.49 km2) of the study area in the south and southwest of Bangladesh is highly suitable for the development of utility-scale solar power plants. In contrast, there are substantial areas of about 31.18 % (46507.37 km2) of the country where the installation of any type of power plant is completely prohibited. This research can help authorities and stakeholders decide where to invest in solar energy.

Measurement of radioactivity in soils of Karamjal and Harbaria mangrove forest of Sundarbans for establishment of radiological database.

This work presents the first in-depth study of soil radioactivity in the mangrove forest of Bangladesh part of the Sundarbans. It used HPGe gamma-ray spectrometry to measure the amount of natural radioactivity in soil samples from Karamjal and Harbaria sites of the world's largest mangrove forest. The activity concentrations of most of the 226Ra (14±2 Bqkg-1 to 35±4 Bqkg-1) and 232Th (30±5 Bqkg-1 to 50±9 Bqkg-1) lie within the world average values, but the 40K concentration (370± 44 Bqkg-1 to 660±72 Bqkg-1) was found to have exceeded the world average value. The evaluation of radiological hazard parameters revealed that the outdoor absorbed dose rate (maximum 73.25 nGyh-1) and outdoor annual effective dose (maximum 0.09 mSvy-1) for most samples exceeded the corresponding world average values. The elevated concentration of 40K is mainly due to the salinity intrusion, usage of fertilizers and agricultural runoff, and migration of waste effluents along the riverbanks. Being the pioneering comprehensive research on the Bangladesh side of the Sundarbans, this study forms a baseline radioactivity for the Sundarbans before the commissioning of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant in Bangladesh.

An empirical study of the risk-benefit perceptions between the nuclear and non-nuclear groups towards the nuclear power plant in Bangladesh

Public perception of benefit over risk is the de facto factor in planning, construction, operation, halting, or phase-out of a nuclear power plant in any country. Even if there are multiple pathways of perceiving risk/benefit among different stakeholders, the perception of nuclear and non-nuclear groups needs to be individually tracked to help understand sectoral influence. Related studies were basically performed between the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and non-STEM groups. However, there are no such studies between the nuclear and non-nuclear groups. This study investigated the risk-benefit perceptions between the nuclear group (N = 102) and the non-nuclear group (N = 467) using survey data to measure their stake and identify the underlying factors by validating the hypotheses, through descriptive analysis, and structural equation modeling (SEM). Results showed that risk perception is significantly high in the non-nuclear group (as the P-value is > 0.001 to <0.01) while the benefit perception is slightly low in the nuclear group (as the P-value is > 0.01 to <0.05). The non-nuclear group was significantly influenced by risk perception due to a lack of involvement in nuclear activities. Notably, the nuclear group is less interactive in disseminating nuclear energy benefits to the non-nuclear group. Surprisingly, misperceptions and lack of confidence about the benefits of nuclear energy also exist in the nuclear group. The study emphasizes debunking nuclear myths in the nuclear and non-nuclear groups through meaningful interactions and demands effective public awareness-building programs by competent authorities for the growth of the nuclear industry.