Unavailability Of Water Research Articles

Design and Development of g-C3N4/ZnO/CdS Ternary Photocatalyst for the Removal of Environmentally Hazardous Organic Dyes under Visible Light

The processing of wastewater has emerged as a primary focus of research owing to the unavailability of clean water to satisfy the current population’s needs. In this work, a ternary nano-photocatalyst, g-C3N4/ZnO/CdS exhibiting visible light activity has been fabricated via a dual-step process that involved a pyrolytic transformation of urea to g-C3N4 subsequently followed by the solid state mechanochemical method to fabricate g-C3N4/ZnO/CdS. The synthesized nanomaterial underwent characterization using advanced techniques such as XRD, FTIR, FE-SEM/EDAX and UV-DRS techniques. The decomposition of Indigo Carmine dye was performed under the illumination of visible light, resulting in 99.6% degradation using a 50-mg photocatalytic dosage. Kinetic studies indicate that the photodegradation process followed pseudo-first-order where the phenomenon of adsorption adhered to the Langmuir–Hinshelwood model. This work attempted the generation of a multi pathway of electron migration by combining more than one Type-II heterojunction, which can effectively delay the electron-carrier recombination.

Should we value rain harvesting more in Türkiye for mitigating precipitation extremes

Mitigating precipitation extremes is a major issue due to destructive global warming and climate change. Heavy rainfall and drought have posed a threat to human life and ecology. That said, new strategies and new action plans are needed at local and global levels through needed cooperation from different stakeholders to handle the possible risks associated with precipitation extremes. Turkey has become one of the most vulnerable countries involved in climate change due to its geographical location, rapid urbanization, and deforestation. Many forests have been destroyed to make room for agriculture, animal grazing as well as for manufacturing and construction. The impact has caused complications in landscapes. Precipitation extremes, such as heavy rainfalls and drought, are posing significant threats for many cities in Turkey. In recent years Turkey has faced a large number of extreme events regarding precipitation. In this line, the present study aims to explore the potential benefits of rainwater harvesting (RHH) in mitigating precipitation extremes by overviewing regulatory actions of rainwater harvesting and best practices worldwide. In addition an interview-based survey was conducted with domain experts in the water management field to better understand the current challenges of stormwater management in Turkey and discuss the role of rainwater harvesting against precipitation extremes. The results of the study have shown that Turkey has several problems with infrastructure to mitigate precipitation extremes, such as shortcomings in capacity and old water management systems, unseparated water collection and sewage systems, and lack of green infrastructure. In addition to urbanization, expansion in industry and tourism may cause water unavailability. The study has also indicated that many authorities around the globe try to boost RWH use by stipulating or encouraging RWH through incentives to save a large amount of water by implementing different projects. This research has argued that RWH promises several benefits thanks to its cost-effectiveness and contribution to water storage. Therefore, this study has recommended that policymakers should take immediate action against precipitation extremes by introducing new regulations, such as mandating rainwater harvesting for old buildings, industrial and touristic places. Preparing new guidelines and applying rooftop RWH systems that comply with Building Code requirements should also be considered for the widespread use of rainwater in rural and urban areas.

A Comparative Study of Household Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Covariates Across Socioeconomic Strata

Background: Water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) are essential for a healthy and productive life. High-quality access to these services reduces disease occurrence and spread in communities. Developing countries, including Pakistan, face significant challenges in providing these facilities. This study aims to highlight WASH-related service disparities in Pakistani households based on socioeconomic strata. Methodology: A stratified random sampling strategy was used, with a sample size of 1200 households based on the PDHS 2019 special survey. Descriptive analysis and chi-square tests were conducted to assess the association between wealth quintiles and WASH access. Results: The study found that 82.4% of households had access to improved sources of drinking water. Only 4.8% of households in the lowest quintile had access to improved drinking water sources. Water unavailability for at least one day per week was 13% higher among the lower quintiles. Forty-four percent of households using improved sanitation facilities belonged to the two highest strata, while poorer households predominantly used unimproved sanitation facilities. Conclusion: Lower-quality WASH access is more prevalent among lower wealth quintiles, increasing the risk of disease and infection. Further research is needed to inform policymakers and develop plans to reduce inequalities in access to WASH services.

HOUSEHOLD WATER INSECURITY EXPERIENCES (HWISE) SCALE: THE PROTOCOL OF CULTURAL ADAPTATION AND STATISTICAL VALIDATION

Annually Sri Lanka experiences substantial rainfall; but, the availability of water within the island nation is unbalanced. Lack of an appropriate system view, suitable national-level policy, and bimodal rainfall have resulted in Sri Lankans experiencing medium to high water stress. Considering the impact individual households have to endure due to the unavailability of water, the following study presents a protocol to culturally adapt and statistically validate the Household Water Insecurity Experiences (HWISE) scale to the Sinhala language. The protocol critically discusses the application of classical test theory (CTT) and item response theory (IRT) and documents all relevant steps for the scale validation process. Through this study protocol, the authors attempt to demonstrate the procedural rigor of the adaptation and validation process of the HWISE scale to the Sinhala language in Sri Lanka. The availability of a valid scale to evaluate household water insecurity experiences will assist public health experts, policymakers, and the government in understanding the nature and severity of water stress and the consequences across health, economic, and psychosocial contexts. Similarly, preventative interventions and key policies could be implemented to further support the initiatives of responsible authorities.<p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/soc/0758/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

Maternal Handwashing with Soap Practices and Associated Risk Factors in Nepal: A Systematic Review

Handwashing with soap is a fundamental practice for preventing communicable diseases, particularly in resource-constrained settings like Nepal, where various factors influence maternal handwashing behaviours. A systematic search encompassing PubMed/Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL and grey literature source was conducted. Extracted eligible articles underwent descriptive analysis and their quality assessment was carried out following STROBE guidelines. From the initial screening of 187 database articles and 18 from grey literature, a total of 120 full text articles and records were retrieved to evaluated for inclusion in the review, identifying nine articles meeting the inclusion criteria for the review. Maternal handwashing with soap frequencies varied during critical moments ranging from 6% to 100%, and a 47% availability of soap and water at the household level was reported. Factors influencing handwashing included education, wealth, ecology, and participation in health promotion campaigns. Barriers included knowledge gaps, contrary beliefs, unavailability of soap and water, financial constraints, maternal demotivation, and low participation in decision-making. Limitations include study design heterogeneity (cross-sectional, Randomized Controlled Trials-RCT, Cohort), sample size variability, and geographical bias, potentially limiting generalizability of this study, limited reporting on soap and water availability for mothers at the household level is noted, and temporal variability introduces study inconsistency. Availability of soap, water, and effective health education is crucial for promoting sustained handwashing practices. Community-based interventions involving mothers in decision making and policy initiatives are essential for overcoming barriers and promote behavioural change to improve public health outcomes. This paper aims to determine the rates of handwashing with soap among mothers in Nepalese households and explore the factors associated with the uptake of handwashing.

Constraints and coping strategies of urban agriculture households in Namibia's informal settlements during COVID‐19

AbstractThe global outbreak of the unprecedented COVID‐19 pandemic has posed numerous challenges in the agro‐food systems worldwide urging the need to build resilient food systems for food security. Urban agriculture (UA) has the potential to contribute to resilient and sustainable food systems. This study investigated the impact of COVID‐19 on UA practices in the informal settlement of Windhoek, Namibia. Samora Machel and Tobias Hainyeko constituencies were purposively selected using a stratified two‐stage probability sampling design within each constituency to select the study sites and a sample of 59 households were interviewed using a structured questionnaire with open‐ and closed‐ended questions. Descriptive statistical analyses were performed to identify constraints and coping strategies employed by urban farmers in informal settlements. Households that participated in the study were engaged in UA with 60.4% male‐headed households. Horticultural crop production (67.2%) and mixed farming (18.2%) were the main activities. The major constraints were high input costs (74.6%), inadequate land (61%), and unavailability of water (59%). The major coping strategies were intensified/started production (43%), use of alternative locally available inputs and resources (22%), changed marketing strategy (11%), and reduced hired labor (8%). The community resilience was weakened during the COVID‐19 pandemic. A holistic and integrated approach to urban planning and policy that recognize UA within the broader food system is required. There is a need to strengthen policy on land use and infrastructure planning that incorporates both formal and informal food systems and enhances disaster risk preparedness.

Sustainable Development Goal-Six (SDG-6) Water and Sanitation, Impact on Nigeria, Assessing the Intersection with Public Health and Globalization: A Systematic Literature Review

Aim and scope: The important developmental encounter in the low-income country such as Nigeria has created challenges to make available and sustain the management of safe water and adequate sanitation for the citizenry. The poor access to portable drinking water, and inadequate sanitation practices poses a huge problems in Nigeria predominantly the public health burden linked with the polluted water and its sources, and poor sanitation practices. In this systematic review, the nature and scale of water availability, contamination and transmission of water borne disease and their intersection with public health in Nigeria were explored. The review further evaluated the effectiveness of global community intervention in addressing the anomalies in relation to the Sustainable Development Goals Six (SDG 6)-water and sanitation, and issues hampering the progress in Nigeria towards the target date of 2030. Methods: I searched through the MEDLINE database to select the research articles associated with water availability, water contamination, water quality, sanitation practices, waterborne disease transmission, water (i.e., WASH-Water Sanitation and Hygiene), public health, portable water and sustainability. An analysis of both observational and interventional studies was undertaken. For each study, content analysis was performed to identify the relevant terms such as portable water availability, WASH, disease transmission, public health related outcomes, and to the keydeductions of the study. Results: Strategic themes arising through the search included that about 66.3 million Nigerians lacks access to safe drinking water with no substantial progress in providing portable water for all in Nigeria. Despites various approach by government and other agencies in ensuring water quality and its safety, waterborne disease remains one of the significant public health challenges. Availability of water and the poor sanitation specifically among the rural dwellers are of great importance, being a vital factor in the spread of waterborne disease. The review revealed the common diseases associated with drinking water, and typhoid with the highest occurrence, others are cholera, dracunculiasi, hepatitis and Filariasi. Awareness, adequate funding, infrastructural development and interventions programme are recommended approach to reduce WASH and public health outcomes. Conclusions: Significant water unavailability and poor sanitation practicescumulate as public health burdens, presenting solid evidence that shown water unavailability and sanitation intersecting with public health. Hence, addressing portable water availability and environmental sanitation has a potential of reducing public health diseases with significant impact on SDG achievement.

Human–river interaction and perceived morbidities: A cross-sectional study on River Killi, Kerala

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Almost all water resources around the world have been polluted by human activities. River pollution from industries and agricultural/domestic areas is ultimately affecting human life. It is important to understand such a problem from a public health angle as well as from the perspective of the river bank population. OBJECTIVE: The study examines the public health dimensions of human-river interaction in relation to the riverbank population and to assess their morbidity profile with respect to river Killi in Trivandrum district, Kerala. METHODOLOGY: The full stretch of the river was divided into grids for every 3 kms. and houses from alternate grids within 50 meters from the river edge were selected for the study. Data collection among 302 riverbank residents was done based on a pre-tested, semi-structured interview schedule in addition to in-depth interviews among 15 stakeholders. RESULTS: The study results showed that 161 (53.3%) households belonged to the Below Poverty Line (BPL) and 169 (56%) respondents were from low socioeconomic status. The human-river interaction was significantly associated with the place of residence (rural/urban) and their economic status. Common self-reported morbidities include itching on the skin (16.2%) and fungal infections (12.9%). The riverbank population also stated their vulnerability to flooding during the rainy season and the unavailability of fresh water during dry summer. The cleaning program by the government had a positive impact on river cleanliness. However, in many places along the stretch of the river, sewage drainage, waste dumping and aquatic weeds are still a problem. CONCLUSION: This study shows several factors that disturbed the positive human-river interaction. A collaborative approach including stakeholders and the riverbank population for better river management and persistent surveillance on river water quality and health evaluation of the riverbank population are needed.

Neutronic evaluation of initial NuScale-like core loaded with reprocessed fuel

The present study evaluates the potential insertion of reprocessed fuel in a NuScale-like core. The main idea consists of assessing the beginning of life (BOL) safety parameters of the core loaded with reprocessed fuel and comparing them to the reference case using conventional uranium-based fuel. Two different reprocessed fuels were studied: one of them reprocessed using the GANEX process, while the other one used the UREX+ process. Overall, the cases in which the core was simulated with reprocessed fuel achieved better results than conventional UO2 for fuel temperature coefficient and normalized peak factor. Furthermore, the usage of reprocessed fuel could also reduce the dependence on chemical control for reactivity, which is a desired condition in the event of borated water unavailability. The Serpent code version 2.1.32 developed by VTT was used to perform the simulations.

Implementation of BERSABAR Method for Students to Achieve Clean and Healthy Schools in Al Ikhlas Private Elementary School Medan

Sanitation conditions in the school environment in Urban Village Sitirejo II were not well managed. The school had adequate facilities, but these facilities were not optimally utilized as seen from the unavailability of clean water, unclean toilets, and scattered garbage. These conditions can lead to diseases such as diarrhea and others. The formation of cadres from students needs to be done to overcome these problems. The cadre was named Bocah Cinta Lingkungan or "Bocil" or the Environmentalist Child Cadres, 10 people were selected and formed through "Bersabar" method. The play method used is with the modification of the Snakes and Ladders game, the game is communicative and easy to understand, with eye-catching visualization, attractive, and fun to use as learning media. In addition, snakes and ladders are modified with interesting and full-color illustrated questions and answers. After the cadres are formed, their role is to instill clean and healthy living behaviors for themselves and their peers. Promotive efforts in school children groups can be done with peer education. Furthermore, this program also involves principals and teachers by providing a "Bersabar" method tools to Al Ikhlas Private elemntary School. Teachers have a role to monitor the cadres and then also be able to form the cadres independently.

Fresh water management in coastal Bangladesh: preparedness and adaptation

Water management is very significant because of changing the pattern of rainfall, seasonal variation of rainfall, sea level rising, water consumption pattern, acceleration of water quality and unavailability of fresh water in the coastal areas of Bangladesh due to adverse impacts of natural calamities. The aims were to investigate fresh water management with preparedness and adaptation strategies. Household data were collected from respective union parisad and total 338 households (out of 2789) were determined considering 95% significance level from three shoreline (Bagerhat), interim (Khulna) and inland (Satkhira) coastal regions of Bangladesh which distributed proportionately. Data were collected with self-administrated semi-structured questionnaire and three FGDs and analyzed with SPSS. Map was drawn by Arc GIS software. The study resulted that plastic bottle was dominantly used as conservation system for drinking (58.28%) and rainwater (44.08%). Besides, plastic drum, silver pots, earthen and ferro cement container were also used to conserve water. The mean weighted average index of preparedness of household and homestead agriculture is moderate (0.332) in inland and poor in shoreline (0.313) and interim (0.309) area. About 25.15% households satisfied with current water supply system. Individually, about 65.76% respondents adopted pond sand filter technology in the shoreline, followed by 16.90% (interim) and 37.35% (inland) area. Other adaptation strategies (rainwater harvesting, pond water conservation, potable jar water use, re-excavation of pond, boiling pond/canal water) were adopted by households and institutions with seasonal variations. Proper adaptation strategies should be taken with involving the local stakeholders for better performance in the study area.

Evaluation of groundwater contamination and associated human health risk in a water-scarce hard rock-dominated region of India: Issues, management measures and policy recommendation

Groundwater is the most precious resource on the earth's surface, providing fresh drinking water for human beings and supplying water for plants to survive. The shortage, unavailability, and pollution of fresh drinking water is an emerging issue in almost every part of the world. To this end, the present study intends to evaluate the quality of groundwater and the associated health hazard risk of the Bankura district. To conduct the present study, 55 groundwater samples were collected across the Bankura district with intensive field investigation in the dry season, 2021 to assess the groundwater quality and associated health risks. For this study, we have selected 15 groundwater causative parameters to seek the NO3−, F− and Fe heavy metal groundwater quality (GWQ) status and impact of GWQ on human health by utilizing the degree of contamination (CD), GWQI and human health hazard index. Gibbs's diagram confirmed that the source of the groundwater pollutants is more geogenic than anthropogenic inputs for the Bankura district. The study's findings indicate that the GWQ of 25% area of the Bankura district is poor and unsafe for drinking purposes. In comparison, 15% of the groundwater contains good quality and is safe for drinking, and various pollutants moderately contaminate the remaining areas. The human health hazard index exhibited the same pattern as the GWQI map of the Bankura district. This unique finding of the present study will be helpful for the decision-makers, local well-being authorities and disaster management team to manage and mitigate the issue of GWQ of Bankura district and surroundings more sustainably.

Farmers’perception of veterinary services in Bangladesh

Farmers’ perception of veterinary services at the Upazila (Sub-district) Veterinary Hospital (UVH), and constraints of livestock farming in Bangladesh were studied. Data from 135 livestock farmers which were obtained, using a pretested questionnaire. Most of the farmers (99.3%) had small families. Most were illiterate (60.0%), 22.2% had Secondary School Certificate and 17% had Higher Secondary Certificate or above. Mostly, stall feeding system was practised (76.9%), concentrated feed (71.9%) and water (68.9%) were supplied twice daily and animals were dewormed at regular intervals (51.1%). Irregular vaccinations were followed by 15.6% farmers. Only 55.2% of farmers called on veterinary surgeons when their animals were sick. About 77.6% farmers were satisfied with the existing public veterinary services.About 32.1% farmers got veterinary services at their door step by the veterinary surgeons whereas 29.9, 28.4 and 8.2% farmers received drugs, services, and free vaccination, respectively. Poor knowledge of farming (71.3%), feeds and fodder scarcity (55.6%) and unavailability of safe water (64.4%) were the main constraints identified. It is suggested that more training and veterinary extension programmes for farmers are required. Bangl. vet. 2022. Vol. 39, No. 1-2, 26–33

Water Charge and Conservation of Natural Areas: An Ex‐Ante Assessment of a Policy Proposal for the Mantiqueira Region, Brazil

AbstractWater plays a central role in several socioeconomic and environmental nexuses. Faced with various anthropogenic pressures that act as water scarcity drivers and knowing that the unavailability of water can be a limiting factor for economic development, there is an urgent need for the design and evaluation of economic instruments that help in the management of water resources. This article presents a proposal and assessment for a Pigouvian water charge instrument. The instrument suggests imposing a charge based on the amount of water consumed, targeting the agriculture, livestock, forest extraction, and aquaculture sectors. The revenue generated from this charge could be utilized to fund reforestation initiatives and support government expenditures, thereby creating both environmental and economic advantages. Based on a calibrated static computable general equilibrium economic model for the Brazilian Mantiqueira region, it was possible to estimate that a water charge policy at a rate of R$ 0.10/m3 (US$ 0.026/m3) could lead to an increase in the Brazilian GDP in the benchmark year by US$ 10.7 million. Economic benefits could also be verified at the regional level, especially in those areas where there are water‐intensive economic activities. On the environmental side, the water charge could incentivize actions capable of recovering approximately 80 km2 of natural areas.

Algal Diversity in Paddy fields of Subbavaram Mandal, Visakhapatnam District, Andhra Pradesh

Data on algal diversity and composition was collected for one season in the paddy fields of Subbavaram Mandal during the year 2019. In Subbavaram Mandal paddy was cultivated for one time in a year only due to unavailability of water. Water samples were collected randomly from different villages of this Mandal. A total of 28 species were reported from the paddy fields of the study sites and belongs to Chlorophyceae (16), Bacillariophyceae (5), Cyanophyceae (3).

Physiological and proteomic changes of Castanopsis fissa in response to drought stress

Castanopsis fissa is a native, broadleaf tree species in Guangdong with characteristics of barrenness and fast growth and is often used as a pioneer species for vegetation restoration with excellent ecological benefits. To explore the response of C.fissa to drought, this study investigated the drought tolerance mechanism of C.fissa using physiological and proteomic assessments. Using a potted continuous drought experimental method with normal water supply as a control, we measured photosynthetic parameters, antioxidant enzyme activities, and osmoregulatory substances of C. fissa in response to drought stress for 1 to 4 weeks, respectively. In addition, we used TMT quantitative proteomics to identify differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) between the drought-stress-treated C. fissa leaves and the control leaves. With the extension of drought stress time, the photosynthetic indexes and peroxidase (POD) activity of C. fissa leaves showed a decreasing trend. The malondialdehyde (MDA) content; superoxide Dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities; and proline (Pro), soluble sugar (SS) and soluble protein (SP) contents showed an overall increasing trend, all of which reached significant differences at 4 w of stress. We identified 177 and 529 DEPs in the 2 and 4 weeks drought-stress leaves, respectively, in reference to the control leaves. These DEPs were closely related to physiological metabolic processes such as photosynthesis, energy and carbohydrate metabolism, stress response and defense, transcriptional regulation, and signal ion transduction. Drought stress mainly affects photosynthesis, carbohydrate metabolism, and protein synthesis and degradation in C. fissa leaves. At 2 weeks of stress, the expression of carbon metabolism, pyruvate metabolism and ribosome-related proteins was significantly changed, however, and at 4 weeks of stress, protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum and spliceosome-related proteins were significantly increased in plant leaves. To alleviate the effect of water unavailability, the drought-stressed C.fissa leaves increased its oxidative protective enzyme system to eliminate excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) and also increased its Pro and SP contents to maintain the intracellular osmotic potential balance.

Indigenously produced biochar retains fertility in sandy soil through unique microbial diversity sustenance: a step toward the circular economy.

Agricultural productivity in the arid hot desert climate of UAE is limited by the unavailability of water, high temperature, and salt stresses. Growing enough food under abiotic stresses and decreasing reliance on imports in an era of global warming are a challenge. Biochar with high water and nutrient retention capacity and acid neutralization activity is an attractive soil conditioner. This study investigates the microbial community in the arid soil of Dubai under shade house conditions irrigated with saline water and the shift in the microbial community, following 1 year of amendment with indigenously prepared biochar from date palm waste. Amplicon sequencing was used to elucidate changes in bacterial, archaeal, and fungal community structures in response to long-term biochar amendment. Samples were collected from quinoa fields receiving standard NPK doses and from fields receiving 20 and 30 tons ha-1 of biochar, in addition to NPK for 1 year. Water holding capacity, pH, electrical conductivity, calcium, magnesium, chloride, potassium, sodium, phosphorus, total carbon, organic matter, and total nitrogen in the soil from biochar-treated and untreated controls were determined. The results show that soil amendment with biochar helps retain archaeal and bacterial diversity. Analysis of differentially abundant bacterial and fungal genera indicates enrichment of plant growth-promoting microorganisms. Interestingly, many of the abundant genera are known to tolerate salt stress, and some observed genera were of marine origin. Biochar application improved the mineral status and organic matter content of the soil. Various physicochemical properties of soil receiving 30 tons ha-1 of biochar improved significantly over the control soil. This study strongly suggests that biochar helps retain soil fertility through the enrichment of plant growth-promoting microorganisms.

Hand Hygiene: major panacea for prevention of the spread of Covid-19 in a Nigerian south-western university

Introduction: An essential component of the Covid-19 response and a crucial public health intervention is the promotion of better hand hygiene. While several studies contend that good hand cleanliness is essential for lowering the prevalence of infectious diseases worldwide, college students have been found to inadequately wash their hands, which increases their chances of contracting the Covid-19 virus. This study aims to assess the knowledge and practice of hand hygiene among undergraduates of Osun State University, Osogbo campus.Methods: This study utilized a descriptive cross-sectional design to elicit a response from 271 male and female undergraduates of the University. A 34-item self-developed questionnaire comprising open and closed-ended questions served as the instrument for data collection. Data were analyzed in SPSS 25 using descriptive and inferential statistics at a 0.05 level of significance.Results: The study revealed that half (53%) had a fair knowledge of hand hygiene towards Covid-19 prevention, (51%) had low practice and (41%) perceived unavailability of soap and water as a barrier to its practice. The result also showed that there is a significant relationship between knowledge of hand hygiene and gender (x2=8.681; df=3; P=0.001). Also, a significant relationship exists between knowledge and practice of hand hygiene in the prevention of Covid-19 (x2=144.775, P=0.00). However, there is no significant relationship between the course of study and knowledge of hand washing among respondents (x2= .871, P=0.647).Conclusions: The study revealed that fair knowledge and moderate practice of hand hygiene exists among the respondents, coupled with many barriers such as lack of soap that hindered adequate practice, which calls for careful and immediate action through public health involvement.

Real-Time PCR based Rapid and Culture-Independent Detection of Citrobacter: ‘An Alarming State for Environment and Human Health’

The changing global scenario of environmental conditions and altered microbial community has severely deteriorated the quality of water which enforced an elevated health risks on human beings due to unavailability of safe and pristine water. Citrobacter is one of the fecal coliform bacteria of family Enterobacteriaceae. It is an opportunistic pathogen formerly used as an indicator bacterium along with other fecal coliforms namely Escherichia coli, Klebsiella and Enterobacter, but is now known to cause several diseases in human beings. In present study we collected 135 samples from potable water and riverine-systems and confirmed the existence of Citrobacter using the conserved sequence of gnd (6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenate) gene with the application of SYBR green real-time PCR, which demonstrated extremely high specificity, fidelity and stringency in detection strategy. The Citrobacter counts in potable water were in the range of zero to 1.54 x104 ± 572.88 cfu/100ml. The Citrobacter levels in surface water were 2.18 x104 ±848, 1.54 x104 ±462, 3.53 x104 ±1299, 2.57 x104 ±912, 8.78 x103 ±201, 1.28 x104 ±370, CFU/100ml; associated with hydrophytes were 6.24 x104 ±1535, 8.42 x104 ±2711, 1.19 x105 ±4792, 1.12 x105 ±4177, 8.32 x104 ±2329, 8.08 x104 ±2149 CFU/10g and in the sediments the counts were 2.50 x104 ±647, 5.02 x104 ±1852, 3.26 x104 ±1186, 7.65 x104 ±2884, 1.50 x104 ±355, and 2.56 x104 ±737 CFU/10g at sampling site # 1, site # 2, site # 3, site # 4, site # 5 and site # 6, respectively. The present assay could be applied in the detection and regular monitoring of potable water and other environmental samples to check waterborne diseases and outbreaks caused by Citrobacter.

Assessment of soil water content variability using electrical resistivity imaging in an Oxisol under conservation cropping systems

Agricultural systems are increasingly challenged of achieving high yields while optimizing plant water consumption. Soil conservation practices are preponderant in rain-fed agriculture for increasing water infiltration, water storage in the soil, and for promoting root development. This study aimed to assess the spatial-temporal soil water content (θ) dynamics identified by the application of electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) surveys in an Oxisol under grain production systems in the Brazilian Cerrado. The utilized cropping systems were: soybean monoculture (SS); maize monoculture (MM); maize/soybean rotation (MS); maize/soybean rotation with intercropped brachiaria (MBSB); maize/soybean rotation with high fertilizer investment (MS-HI), and MBSB and high fertilizer investment (MBSB-HI). ERT measurements were performed at field conditions using different time-steps during the rainy (March, 2019) and dry seasons (July 2018 and 2019). Logarithmic and power models were tested for evaluating the relationships between θ and the electrical resistivity (ρ). Results showed ERT was adequate for monitoring the spatial-temporal θ variation and for inferring soil-plant related processes (i.e., water uptake and macro-porosity due to roots development). The power model was more suitable in depicting the θ - ρ relationship, and for imaging the water unavailability for plants during the dry periods. Intercropped brachiaria positively affected the θ dynamics due to its aggressive root systems. MBSB-HI showed the highest θ values in the rainy season, demonstrating that ecological intensified cropping systems can help overcome severe dry spells, in the Brazilian Cerrado.