Copper, zinc, iron and manganese in sediments and in the rock oyster Saccostrea cucullata in Mumbai coast

Sediment and oyster (Saccostrea cucullata) samples were collected at Dhanda, a fishing village in Mumbai, Maharashtra. The samples were analysed for copper, zinc, iron and manganese contents. Metal concentrations in the sediments and bioaccumulated levels in oysters were correlated. There is no positive correlation between the total sedimentary levels of metals analysed and the bioaccumulated levels of respective metals in oyster. A positive correlation between the bioavailable fractions of zinc, iron and manganese, and the bioaccumulated levels exists. Copper, however, shows a negative correlation with respect to the bioaccumulated levels.

Acute toxicity of copper, zinc and mercury on intertidal gastropods of Mumbai coast

The acute toxicity test conducted by static bioassay techniques have revealed that among selected heavy metals, copper is more toxic than zinc and mercury to Planaxis sulcatus and Trochus radiatus. The natural availability of heavy metals in the surrounding environment of these organisms is found to be deciding factor for their toxicity. Natural habitat of the animal also contributes to the sensitivity of a particular animal to the heavy metals tested. In addition the tendency of the animal to overcome the adverse conditions in their surrounding also plays a significant role in toxicity of pollutants.

Erratum: "Zinc oxide nanostructures and high electron mobility nanocomposite thin film transistors" (IEEE Transactions on Electron Devices (2009))

In the above entitled paper (ibid., vol. 55, no. 11, pp. 3001-3011), two errors were noticed after the paper went to press. The errors are corrected here.

Effect of phosphorous supplementation in the formulated fish feed on carcass quality of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus L.

A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of phosphorus supplementation in the formulated fish diet on carcass quality of Nile tilapia in net-cages suspended in fertilized earthen ponds. In the experiment 3% di-calcium phosphate (DCP), 3% triple supper phosphate (TSP) and 7% 16:20 inorganic fertilizer were added as phosphorous sources to three diets containing fish meal as main protein ingredient. Feeding tilapia in net-cages with these diets significantly (psupplementation and fish given no feed. The final body composition and bone phosphorous content of Nile tilapia fed with DCP, TSP and 16:20 grade fertilizer supplemented diets were comparable.

Flexible array sensors based on zinc oxide nanowires for touch displays

Recent efforts towards the fabrication of touch sensing systems are presented, in which zinc oxide nanowire arrays are embedded in a polymer matrix to produce an engineered composite material. In the future, these sensor systems will be fully flexible and multi-touch as intended for Nokia's 'Morph' concept device.

Concentration and distribution of heavy metals (lead, cadmium, chromium, copper, nickel, zinc) in Karachi shore and offshore sediments

A study to measure the heavy metal pollution level in the sediment of coastal and offshore area indicates that high concentration of heavy metals were found around Manora channel and eastern coast of Karachi. In comparison with coastal areas, relatively low concentration of heavy metals was recorded in the offshore area. The result shows that sewage and industrial wastes are the main source of heavy metal pollution in the coastal area. The concentration of heavy metals in the sediments is as follows: Chromium 10.4-33.69, nickel 13.3-47.6, lead 10.0-39.04, cadmium 0.08-0.21, zinc 7.4-73.2 and copper 9.44-18.56 mg/kg. In the offshore areas strong correlation was observed between copper and organic carbon, and calcium carbonate and cadmium. In the shore area such correlation has been recorded among nickel, chromium, zinc, and chromium and copper. The Karachi. coast is viewed as moderately polluted when compared to other continental coastal areas.

Genotoxic effect of nickel chloride and zinc sulphate on fish Hypophthalmichthys molitrix

The present investigation is to assess the genotoxic potential of nickel chloride and zinc sulphate on gill cells of silver carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix. Fishes were exposed in sublethal concentration of nickel chloride 5. 7 mg/1 and zinc sulphate 6.8 mg/1, and sampled at 10, 20 and 30 days. Nickel chloride and zinc sulphate treated fishes exhibited an apparent increase in the aberration frequency and a decrease in the mitotic index as compared to control. Acentric fragment, chromatid break, endoreduplication, chromatid gap, centromeric fusion, ploidy, sticky plate, dicentric chromosome, clumping and partial sticky plates were some of the abnormalities observed. The chromosomal aberrations in the treated fishes were significant compared to control.

Effect of dietary supplementation of tocoferol acetate alone and with varying combinations on growth, survival and fatty acids profile of Macrobrachium rosenbergii larvae through Moina micrura enrichment

A study was carried out to determine the effect of tocopherol acetate along with cod liver oil astaxanthin enriched Moina micrura (MC- control, Ml- tocopherol acetate enriched, M2-tocopherol acetate combined with cod liver oil (CLO) enriched and M3- tocopherol acetate combined with astaxanthin enriched) on growth, survival and fatty acid composition of M. rosenbergii (de Man) larvae (TC- unenriched Moina fed larvae, Tl- tocopherol acetate enriched Moina fed larvae, T2- tocopherol acetate + CLO enriched Moina fed larvae to T3 – tocopherol acetate+ astaxanthin enriched Moina fed larvae). Growth was expressed as the time taken in to the settlement of 95% post larvae. Maximum growth i.e., the lowest time taken to the 95% PL settlement (40 days) and the maximum survival percentage (61%) was observed in both T2 and T3 treatments fed with M2 and M3 Moina respectively. Minimum growth and survival was observed in unenriched Moina fed larvae (TC). In larval treatments T2, (larvae fed with (M2) vitamin E + CLO enriched Moina), showed a higher percentage of EPA, DHA and higher HUFA level than other treatments.

Catalyst-free synthesis of zinc oxide nanostructures by microheaters in the ambient environment

This paper demonstrates a catalyst-free synthesis of ZnO nanostructures using platinum microheaters under ambient environmental conditions. Different morphologies of ZnO nanostructures are synthesized from the oxidization of Zn thin film by local heating. The synthesized ZnO structures are characterized by the SEM, EDX and Raman spectra. The characterization of two shapes of Pt microheaters is investigated and the relationship between the applied heating power and ZnO nanostructures synthesis is investigated under ambient conditions. We observe that the density and morphology of ZnO nanostructures can be controlled through applied heating voltages. Furthermore, a connected composite structural (Zn-ZnO-Zn) layer is synthesized using combinative microheaters. © 2011 IEEE.

Oxygen consumption under copper and zinc stress in Perna viridis

The rate of oxygen consumption by Perna viridis pre-exposed to copper and zinc was studied. Those test individuals pre-exposed to various zinc concentrations showed variability in oxygen consumption irrespective of concentrations and pre-exposure period. While those animals pre-exposed to various copper concentrations registered decrease in oxygen consumption at concentrations above 0.06 p.p.m. copper, pre-exposure to concentrations below 0.02 p.p.m. copper did not result in any clear cut change in the rate of oxygen consumption.