Physiological and Biochemical Aspects of Tolerance in Lepidium sativum (cress) to Lead Toxicity
Sameera
Bafeel
Biology Department, Faculty of Science, King Abdul-Aziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
author
text
article
2010
eng
The present study was undertaken to assess the toxicity of Pb2+ on photosynthetic pigments, total soluble protein and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents as well as the activities of superoxide dismutase SOD (EC 1.15.1.1), catalase CAT (EC 1.11.1.6) and peroxidase POD (EC 1.11.1.7) in Lepidium sativum L. leaves after 10-days of supplying Lead (0-600 ppm) in the nutrient solution. The results indicated that Lead treatment adversely affected plant growth and disturbed the cell metabolism seriously. The development of toxic symptoms, corresponded to a high accumulation of Pb2+, was due to the increase in H2O2 and MDA contents decrease in protein content and to the much elevated SOD and POD activities in leaves. In addition, the results demonstrated that the high concentration of lead (Pb2+ > 400 ppm) could result in a disintegration of the antioxidant system in Lepidium seedlings. Also, the significant decrease in the contents of photosynthetic pigments was related to high-level of metal stress. High concentrations of Pb2+, especially 400 and 600 ppm, resulted in a great variation in protein pattern distribution. It can be concluded that Lepidium sativum can tolerate low levels of lead in contaminated soil.
Catrina: The International Journal of Environmental Sciences
Egyptian Society for Environmental Sciences
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https://cat.journals.ekb.eg/article_18476_e3d8dc995f19478bf1e11b593ab3a2f8.pdf
Evaluation of Antioxidative Activity of Phenolics in Methanolic Extracts of Blue Green Algae
Normala
Halimoon
Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Environmental Studies,
University Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
author
Roslina
Ali
Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Environmental Studies,
University Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
author
text
article
2010
eng
A phenolic rich extract has been isolated from the algae species, Arthrospira platensis. The objectives
of this study were to determine the total amount of phenolics extracted from blue green alga and to
evaluate the antioxidative activity of phenolic extracts in different concentrations of methanolic solvent
using free radical scavenging assay. This study began with extraction of the Arthrospira with liquid
nitrogen into powder after filtration and overnight drying in the oven. This is followed by determination
of total phenolics in different concentrations of methanolic solvent and studied for free radical
scavenging activity using 2, 2-diphenyl-picrylhyldrazyl assay. The concentrations of total phenolics
determined by the folin-ciocalteu method was found to be 252.72 mg.l-1 gallic acid equivalent in
aqueous extracts which showed that phenolic compounds can dissolve more in water medium. The
100% methanolic extracts showed significantly higher antioxidative activities in all assays while in
different concentrations of 100% methanolic extracts, the concentration of 120 mg.l-1 showed the
highest free radical scavenging activity. This study showed that blue-green algae is rich in phenolic
compounds, which are natural antioxidants and may help reduce the problem of climate change by
absorption of CO2 from the atmosphere.
Catrina: The International Journal of Environmental Sciences
Egyptian Society for Environmental Sciences
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https://cat.journals.ekb.eg/article_18477_52fff6155896a071a540cce93ced0265.pdf
Differential Gene Expression and Physiological Adaptation of Two Triticum aestivum Cultivars for Drought Acclimation
Mohamed
Ibrahim
Science Department (biology section), Teachers college, King Saud University, Riyadh, KSA
author
Ibrahim
Alaraidh
Science Department (biology section), Teachers college, King Saud University, Riyadh, KSA
author
text
article
2010
eng
Gene expression as a valuable stress marker in ecophysiological studies and rapid changes in gene
expression in plants in response to stress are important for environmental adaptation. Two Triticum
aestivum cultivars [drought sensitive (Sids-1) and drought tolerant (Veery)] were exposed to drought
stress interrupted by rehydration period. The differentially expressed gene in drought stressed seedlings
was strongly and rapidly induced in leaves of tolerant wheat (cvVeery) especially after rehydration,
whereas induction was delayed and transcripts accumulated to a low level in sensitive one (cv Sids-1).
Drought induced alteration in the expression of genes involved in signaling and in oxidative stress
responses. A significant variability in drought tolerance was found between the two cultivars: while
drought sensitive (Sids-1) oxidative stress indices were significantly increased after 4 days drought stress
compared to the control, drought tolerant cultivar (Veery) indices increased after 8 days. After 2 days
rehydration, plants exposed to 12 days drought showed better cultivar-dependent behavior, compared to
those exposed to drought without rehydration and Veery cultivar showed better drought tolerance than
Sids-1. This may be related to their antioxidant activity (smaller IC50 values for both 1,1-diphenyl-2-
picrylhydrazyl and superoxide scavenging), associated with lower leaf MDA accumulation in comparison
to sensitive cultivar. Taken together, results suggest that wheat may be interesting for production of
antioxidant compounds, and that the cultivar-dependent capacity to induce antioxidative mechanisms in
response to drought, may result in a corresponding variability for growth sustainability.
Catrina: The International Journal of Environmental Sciences
Egyptian Society for Environmental Sciences
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https://cat.journals.ekb.eg/article_18478_7dffdd4023e822a316ee9bb67c134719.pdf
Effect of Drought and Habitat Condition on some Physiological and Biochemical Constituents of Ficus carica L. Fruits
Amal
Abdel-Rahman
Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
author
text
article
2010
eng
The current study aimed to explore the variation in some physiological and biochemical constituents in
Ficus carica L. fruits under the influence of two irrigation systems (irrigated and rainfed) and habitat
conditions (non saline depression and sand dunes). Samples of syconium were collected from four
orchards at Burg El-Arab and Omayed North West of Alexandria. The soil moisture and texture was
widely differed from one locality to another. Carbohydrates, proteins, amino acids and proline attained
their higher concentration in rainfed orchards under the conditions of the two habitats. On the other
hand, the photosynthetic pigments ( chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and carotenoids) and fruit dry weight
(economic yield) attained the highest values in irrigated orchards under the two different habitats (sand
dunes > non-saline). Leaf area attained slightly higher values in irrigated orchards which may reflect
the highest economic yield of these trees. Concerning the nutrient content, generally, Ca exhibited the
highest concentration in syconium in most studied orchards followed by Na and K while Fe showed the
lowest concentration. This possibly will reflect the ability of fig trees to accumulate Ca in their tissues
and this is one of the adaptative responses to the habitats with high concentration of CaCO3
(sand
dunes).
Catrina: The International Journal of Environmental Sciences
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https://cat.journals.ekb.eg/article_18479_799560d6c0921f8ccab655ecb8bcf0b8.pdf
The consideration of water resources within environmental impact assessment process in Egypt
El-Sayed
Badr
Environmental Sciences Department, Faculty of Science at Damietta, Mansoura University, New Damietta City, PO
Box 103, Egypt
author
text
article
2010
eng
Water impact assessment (WIA) is a sub-discipline of environmental impact assessment (EIA),
focusing on potential impacts of a proposed development on the water environment. This study aimed
to evaluate "how well" the EIA process is working in practice, particularly for water resources section.
Forty randomly selected environmental impact statements (EISs) produced between 2000 and 2007
were reviewed for the quality of addressing water resources by using a quality review package. The 40
EISs were randomly selected for various project types including industry, tourism, infrastructure,
energy, landfill and agriculture. The review concluded that about 60% of the EISs sampled were found
to be of satisfactory quality in assessing potential impacts on water environment. WIA proved to be
poorer in quality in relation to EISs overall quality. Scoping, alternatives, impact predication,
significance evaluation and monitoring proved to be the main weakness areas for WIA. It is inferred
that WIA is less problematic for certain development categories (i.e., energy and infrastructure) than
others. The paper identified main strengths and shortcoming regarding assessing potential impacts of
proposed developments upon water resources.
Catrina: The International Journal of Environmental Sciences
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https://cat.journals.ekb.eg/article_18480_75048c79b8db93e1d5af02b84561323e.pdf
Biological Pollution: Molecular Identification of Non-Native Species in the Central Tyrrhenian Sea
Giulia
Guerriero
Department of Biological Sciences, Federico II University of Naples, Via Mezzocannone, 8, 80134 Napoli (I)
author
Alessandra
Di Finizio
Department of Biological Sciences, Federico II University of Naples, Via Mezzocannone, 8, 80134 Napoli (I)
author
Gaetano
Ciarcia
Department of Biological Sciences, Federico II University of Naples, Via Mezzocannone, 8, 80134 Napoli (I)
author
text
article
2010
eng
In the Mediterranean, numerous and frequent bio-invasions by non-native species have occurred in recent decades. Among the reasons for this biological pollution there is the recent trend of global warming, which led to the extension of distribution area of tropical and/or thermophilic species. The present investigation describes analyses of 12S and 16S mt-rRNA gene fragments conducted on fresh muscle tissues of Tyrrhenian Sea fishes that confirm the morphological records of Fistularia commersonii, Sphoeroides pachygaster and Trachipterus trachipterus and provides a 12S mt-rRNA fragments database for future investigations on Remora osteochir, Tetragonurus cuvieri, Pomadasys incisus and Sudis hyalina. Among the species examined, Fistularia commersonii and Sphoeroides pachygaster are allochthonous species penetrated into the Mediterranean through Suez Canal (Red Sea) and Gibraltar Strait respectively. Pomadasys incisus is thermophilus species basically restricted to the southern parts of the Mediterranean. The others, Sudis hyalina, Tetragonurus cuvieri, Trachipterus trachipterus, and Remora osteochir are all autochthonous species of sporadic occurrence. Accordingly, the present work proposes the unequivocal non-native species discrimination by polymerase chain reaction that may be used as an index of biological pollution.
Catrina: The International Journal of Environmental Sciences
Egyptian Society for Environmental Sciences
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https://cat.journals.ekb.eg/article_18481_b79b6376bf8ab1bc76841c3345992cd4.pdf
Impact of Some Human Activities on the Biodiversity of Bird Species at Damietta Region, Egypt
Basma
Sheta
Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University, New Damietta, Egypt
author
Gamal
Orabi
Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, 41522 Ismailia, Egypt
author
Mohamced
Bedir
Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, 41522 Ismailia, Egypt
author
Mohamed
El-bokl
Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University, New Damietta, Egypt
author
Lotfi
Habbk
Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University, New Damietta, Egypt
author
text
article
2010
eng
The present study aims to assess the impact of some human activities on the bird community. Birds were
sampled, using line transect and point count method, in six different localities on Damietta coast, Egypt,
for 15 months (from July 2007 to September 2008). Species diversity varied spatially and temporally
among the different localities during the study period. Nevertheless, the control site had the highest
richness and abundance, while agriculture site and urbanized site had the lowest richness and abundance
respectively. In contrast, urbanized site recorded the highest species evenness, while sparsely vegetated
fish farm site (deserted and densely vegetated fish farm) had the lowest one. Otherwise fish farm site had
the highest diversity while agriculture site had the lowest one. The different localities had distinct and
characteristic groups of bird species reflecting the different human activities.
Catrina: The International Journal of Environmental Sciences
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https://cat.journals.ekb.eg/article_18482_08f55a990414d7ff2ed876141e5d694b.pdf
Climate Change, Food Shortage and War: A Quantitative Case Study in China during 1500 – 1800
David
Zhang
Department of Geography, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong
author
Harry
Lee
Department of Geography, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong
author
text
article
2010
eng
Although global warming and its future possible consequences for human societies have been thoroughly examined in recent years, quantitative studies about the notable effects of climate changes upon human societies in history are almost absent. Recently, the authors scientifically explored the relationship between climate change and wars by comparing high-resolution paleo-climate reconstructions with known war incidences in history. They found that in most of the geographic regions worldwide war frequencies showed a cyclic pattern that closely followed the paleo-temperature changes. In this research, the authors proposed a conceptual model to exemplify how climatic fluctuations are translated into war peace cycles via socio-economic mechanism, with China during 1500 – 1800 to be a case study. The model was quantitatively verified by time series analysis and Pearson‟s correlation analysis. Statistical results confirmed that, cooling impeded agricultural production brought about a series of social problems including food price inflation, then successively war outbreak, famine and population decline. The findings indicate that war-peace, population and price cycles in agrarian societies in recent centuries have been driven mainly by long-term climate change, which may challenge those socio-economic theories about historical cycles, human demography and wars. The observed temperature-war relationship may give some indication of future societal impacts from climate warming.
Catrina: The International Journal of Environmental Sciences
Egyptian Society for Environmental Sciences
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https://cat.journals.ekb.eg/article_18483_d4199100b0087e372150363426259974.pdf
Antifeedant activity of spindle tree Euonymus europaeus (Celastraceae) seed extract against diamond back moth Pluttella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae)
Shereen
Elbanna
Zoology Dept., Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt
author
text
article
2010
eng
The diamond back moth; Plutella xylostella (L.) was long considered a relatively significant pest. Its impact was overshadowed by such serious defoliators as Pieris rapae (Linnaeus). It attacks plants in the family Cruciferae causing serious damages. In this research for new insect naturally occurring antifeedant substances, spindle tree Euonymus europaeus (Celastraceae) seeds was assayed for antifeedant and/or insecticidal activities. The alkaloid fraction, isolated from the seeds of the spindle tree was found to be responsible for the significant antifeedant activity of this tree using crude extract against 4th instar larvae of the diamond back moth.
Catrina: The International Journal of Environmental Sciences
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https://cat.journals.ekb.eg/article_18484_984227572e8905f01a40c7291eb71af8.pdf
Weed communities of field crops at El-Tina Plain, Egypt
Hoda
Abd El–Hamid
Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University
author
Kamel
Kamel
Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University
author
text
article
2010
eng
The present study aims to analyze the weed communities associated with cultivated crops at El-Tina Plain area, which lies in the north-western Mediterranean coast of Sinai Peninsula, between longitudes 320 35′ and 320 45′ E and latitudes 310 00′ and 310 25′ N. Forty sampled stands cultivated by clover, wheat, broad bean, sugar beet and winter vegetables in winter season and maize, sesame, watermelon, citrus, olive and summer vegetables in summer season were randomly selected in the villages of El-Tina Plain area. These stands were seasonally surveyed during the period between autumn 2008 and summer 2009. Ten random (1x1m2) quadrats were used in sampling of the weeds in each stand. The existing species were evaluated throughout; absolute and relative densities and frequencies. The relative values of density and frequency of each recorded species were summed up to give an estimate of its importance value, I.V (out of 200). Physical and chemical analyses of soil samples were carried out. A total of 55 associated species belonging to 20 families (3 Monocots and 17 Dicots) were recorded in the study area. The application of TWINSPAN classification led to the recognition of four vegetation groups in winter and three in summer crops. These groups were dominated by Sarcocornia fruticosa, Spergularia marina, Polypogon monspeliensis and Lolium regidum (in winter crops), whereas, Digitaria sanguinalis, Portulaca oleracea and Echinocloa colona (in summer crops). The ordination plan of stands given by Detrended Correspondence Analysis illustrated that the vegetation groups obtained by Two Way Indicator Species Analysis classification are distinguishable and have a clear pattern of segregation. The correlation between both stands and species with environmental variables is displayed on the ordination biplot produced by Canonical correspondence Analysis. This biplot showed that soil texture, chloride, sulfate, bicarbonate, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, EC (salinity) and calcium carbonate are the most effective soil variables in weed vegetation composition in the study area.
Catrina: The International Journal of Environmental Sciences
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https://cat.journals.ekb.eg/article_18485_a7ad831a7999cfbe5d32c79fa97e597f.pdf
Vegetation and Soil Conditions of Phytogenic Mounds in Subiya Area Northeast of Kuwait
Raafat
Abd El-Wahab
Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt
Science Department, Faculty of Basic Education, Public Authority for Applied Education and Training, Adailiya 73251, Kuwait
author
Ahmad
Al-Rashed
Science Department, Faculty of Basic Education, Public Authority for Applied Education and Training
Adailia, Kuwait
author
text
article
2010
eng
Phytogenic mounds, nabkas, or hillocks are stabilized dunes formed around many perennial plants
growing in desert and salt marsh, sabkha, habitats. The present study aims to analyze the vegetation
structure and soil conditions of phytogenic mounds formed around two dominant perennial plants;
Haloxylon salicornicum representing desert Nabkas and Nitraria retusa representing sabkha nabkas.
Twenty sites were randomly chosen in the study area for vegetation measurements, soil sampling, and
human activities description. Fifty surface soil samples were taken from the phytogenic mounds and
interspaces for physical and chemical analysis. Signs of human impacts in the study area were also
considered. Nabkas play crucial roles in soil fixation and limiting dunes migration. They are considered
islands of fertile soil that are richer in organic matter, and silt and clay contents than soils of the
interspaces. In addition, phytogenic mounds provide important niches for many types of animals and
birds. Climatic conditions, soil salinity, and soil fine fractions are the main environmental gradients
controlling the distribution of Haloxylon salicornicum and Nitraria retusa. Human impacts are the
main threats affecting the health and abundance of phytogenic mounds causing land degradation and
species loss. Management and conservation plan for phytogenic mounds should rely on the
understanding of the potential and status of the vegetation structure and soil conditions.
Catrina: The International Journal of Environmental Sciences
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https://cat.journals.ekb.eg/article_18487_fd8de6105421f9a4bbc07b1d47705ade.pdf
Implications of Environmental Monitoring of Oil Pollution in Sharm El-Maya Bay, Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt
Mona
Morsy
Geology Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, 41522 Ismailia, Egypt
author
Farouk
Soliman
Geology Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, 41522 Ismailia, Egypt
author
Rafat
Khattab
Marine Science Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, 41522 Ismailia, Egypt
author
Mohamed
Rashed
Geophysics Department, Faculty of Earth Sciences, King Abdul-Aziz University, 21589 Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
author
Nabil
El-Masry
Geological Hazards Research Unit, Faculty of Earth Sciences, King Abdul-Aziz University, 21589 Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
author
text
article
2010
eng
The peculiar environment of Sharm El-Sheikh area, upon which its tourism industry is based, is undoubtedly threatened by different sources of pollution that are directly related to the rapid growth of the city, the influx of millions of tourists every year, and to the increased maritime activities in the Gulf of Aqaba and the Red Sea. The 1999’s oil spillage in Sharm El-Maya Bay represented an extreme example of one of these threats. Although the spillage itself was promptly contained, only few studies were conducted to investigate the source of the pollution and its spatial and temporal variations. The present study, therefore, aimed to determine the extent of the pollution, its spatial variation, and its source. Three different types of samples were collected and analyzed for petroleum hydrocarbons. They included sediment samples from the headland, and samples of seabed sediments and seawater from the subtidal zone. Total hydrocarbons were determined using conventional gravimetric techniques. The results showed that the average concentration of the total hydrocarbons was 661.7±383.16 μg/g in the headland, 170±128.59 μg/g in the seabed, and 37.99±17.45 mg/L in the seawater. The results also indicated that the average content of total hydrocarbons in seawater samples was considerably higher than that estimated earlier. Spatial and temporal variations in the total hydrocarbon contents are suggestive of a land-based source of pollution related to damaged-underground fuel-storage tanks and pipelines that are actively polluting the bay.
Catrina: The International Journal of Environmental Sciences
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https://cat.journals.ekb.eg/article_18488_3a2caa6683d53db65bd14289d197a6aa.pdf