Tetracycline (TC) antibiotics are one of the class of drugs widely used in clinical practice but also constitute a significant environmental concern. However, the adverse effects of TC on non-target organisms have not been well studied. The aim of this study was to examine the influence of exposure to high levels of TC on thalli of lichens to determine the impact on (1) physiological parameters including integrity of cell membranes, photosynthetic efficiency and viability, (2) oxidative stress response such as membrane lipid peroxidation, and (3) enzymatic antioxidant activities as catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and glutathione reductase (GR). Data demonstrated that exposure to tetracycline did not markedly affect the lichen membrane damage as indicated by no change in conductivity. This antibiotic diminished the potential photosystem II efficiency (FV/FM) indicating enhanced susceptibility as evidenced by lower chlorophyll fluorescence and chlorophyll content. The viability of lichens exposed to high concentrations of tetracycline was significantly reduced. The concentrations of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances were markedly elevated with increasing concentrations of antibiotics. At higher TC concentrations, 500 mg/L SOD activity was significantly elevated. In the case of CAT, APX and GR, TC at higher concentrations significantly decreased these enzymic activities. The findings of this study contribute to the knowledge that TC antibiotics exert adverse ecotoxicological effects on lichens at high concentrations and provided a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying toxicity. Data also indicates that lichens may serve as an effective biomonitoring species for TC antibiotic exposure.

AimHigh temperatures during forest fires can cause significant damage to tropical dry forest areas and alter their ecological stability, particularly by affecting seed viability and seedling emergence. This study evaluates the seedling emergence response of 18 dry forest species to fire-simulated temperatures, aiming to assess their potential for restoration in fire-prone Colombian ecosystems.LocationThe seeds used in this study were obtained from three tropical dry forests in Colombia.MethodsA total of 9832 seeds from 18 dry forest species were collected directly from the soil seed bank in three tropical dry forests in Colombia. These seeds were then exposed to simulated forest fire temperatures (100 degrees C, 150 degrees C, and 200 degrees C) for 10 min. Seed viability was analyzed using the 2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride reagent (tetrazolium test) and assessed using a generalized linear model. Seedling emergence and mean emergence time were evaluated using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with temperature treatments as factors.ResultsThe study revealed that seedling emergence significantly decreased with higher heat shock temperatures. Notably, Hura crepitans and Parkinsonia aculeata tolerated temperatures up to 100 degrees C, while Caesalpinia pulcherrima and Enterolobium cyclocarpum showed increased emergence at that temperature. Based on their emergence responses, species were classified as stimulated, tolerant, sensitive, or vulnerable. Seed viability declined with rising temperatures, and the mean emergence time increased in species like Cordia alba, Crescentia cujete, and Lonchocarpus violaceus.ConclusionsThis study shows that heat shocks at 150 degrees C and 200 degrees C significantly reduced seed bank viability for most Colombian dry forest species. However, Caesalpinia pulcherrima and Enterolobium cyclocarpum were stimulated by 100 degrees C heat shocks, while Hura crepitans and Parkinsonia aculeata showed no adverse effects. Vulnerable species like Coccoloba acuminata and Pithecellobium dulce exhibited no viable seeds at higher temperatures, suggesting potential local extinctions. These results emphasize the need to focus on heat-tolerant species for restoration efforts in fire-prone ecosystems.

This study delves into a comprehensive review of coal mining, production, and consumption in India, focusing on thermal power plants and the generation of coal fly ash (CFA). It assesses CFA's physicochemical properties and potential applications, as well as its environmental and technological management aspects. CFA, an industrial by-product, has gained importance due to increasing disposal challenges and environmental concerns. Reviewing global trends, the study highlights the economic, environmental, and sustainability implications of CFA utilization, emphasizing both opportunities and challenges. CFA has valuable properties for use in construction materials, agriculture, water purification, wastewater treatment, metal recovery, ceramics, and paint, contributing to environmental pollution mitigation and waste recycling. However, challenges such as metal leaching variability and logistical barriers hinder its widespread adoption. Regulatory support, including preferential recycling policies, is identified as critical to promoting CFA utilization. The future of CFA utilization in India looks promising, bolstered by initiatives like the Swachh Bharat Mission and the National Clean Energy Fund. Recommendations include optimizing CFA's agricultural applications by studying long-term effects on soil health and productivity. Emerging technologies, such as blending CFA with organic and industrial wastes, biosolids, and innovative materials, hold the potential for enhancing sustainability, highlighting the need for further research.

A new sustainable approach was aimed to explore the damage caused to legume grown in cadmium (Cd) polluted soil. Owing to the importance of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) as a source of protein which is exposed to Cd that imposes severe health hazards. A greenhouse pot experiment was designed to evaluate the potential of Rhizobium application in the amelioration of cadmium stress (Cd; 50 and 100 mg kg(- 1) soil) on chickpea cultivar namely Pusa-BG372 on growth (plant length; plant dry biomass; leaf area; and nodule number), photosynthetic pigments (total chlorophyll and carotenoids), stress biomarkers (malondialdehyde, MDA; superoxide radicles; cell viability), defense (proline, superoxide dismutase, SOD; peroxidase, POD; catalase, CAT; stomatal behaviour), and the major enzymes involved in nitrate assimilation (nitrate reductase; NR) and Calvin Cycle (carbonic anhydrase; CA). Among the different tested concentrations, 100 mg kg(-1) of Cd reduced the growth, photosynthetic variables, biochemical enzymes activity and increased oxidative stress under Cd stress. However, chickpea plants supplemented with Rhizobium-inoculation under the Cd toxicity revealed significantly increased chlorophyll, carotenoid, and proline contents, activity of CA, NR, and antioxidant enzymes. Aside from improved antioxidant enzyme performance and lower lipid peroxidation, cell viability and stomatal functioning were also improved in Rhizobium-inoculated plants. These observations depicted that application of Rhizobium inoculation to seeds could be useful approach to assist stress tolerance against Cd in crop plants grown in Cd contaminated sites.

Purpose Fly ash (FA) is a waste byproduct produced in large quantities by coal-fired power stations. Its accumulation causes environmental issues, so it needs safe disposal of FA to reduce its accumulation. Herbal medicines like Mentha arvensis are being investigated worldwide for the prevention and treatment of a wide range of disorders because of their remarkable therapeutic benefits and absence of side effects when compared to current medications. Methods The aim of the study was to determine the effect of different concentrations of fly ash on growth, biochemical parameters, and constituents of essential oils of M. arvensis. Results The findings demonstrated that FA improved some important physical and chemical properties of soil. The use of FA-amended soil (10%) significantly improved the growth performance, photosynthetic pigments, protein, proline, antioxidant activity, and mineral contents. Conversely, the higher fly ash doses (25%) resulted in oxidative stress by increasing lipid peroxidation and electrolytic leakage levels, which negatively affected all of the aforementioned parameters. A confocal microscopic examination of the roots of M. arvensis revealed that fly ash at concentration of 25% resulted in membrane damage. In addition, alcohols, phenols, allenes, ketenes, isocynates, and hydrocarbons were among the functional groups found in the control and 10% of fly ash. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of essential oils of M. arvensis treated with 10% fly ash revealed the presence of 32 bioactive components. Conclusions It is possible to use the 10% FA concentrations to increase plant growth and decrease the accumulation of FA that pollutes the environment.