Identifying the suitable managed aquifer recharge (MAR) strategy in an overexploited and contaminated river basin

Managed aquifer recharge (MAR) is a promising adaptation measure to reduce vulnerability to climate change and hydrological variability. However, in areas where the basin is highly polluted, densely populated, and intensely cultivated, implementing suitable MAR strategies is a significant challenge. This study used a geographic information system-based multicriteria decision analysis (GIS-MCDA) approach to delineate the MAR potential sites using seven thematic layers describing surface and subsurface features. Further, basin-specific MAR approach was developed using information such as polluted water areas, canal network distribution for water supply, and cropping patterns. The results of this study indicate that only 17% of the area is highly suitable, while 54% and 29% were found moderately suitable and unsuitable for the MAR approach. Since most highly and moderately suitable sites were falling in the agricultural areas, agricultural-based MAR (AgMAR) was considered a preferred option. AquaCrop model for sugarcane was developed considering excess canal water supply during the grand growth stage to understand the AgMAR potential in the study area. It was observed that the potential recharge under normal irrigation scenarios varies from 135.5 to 272 mm/year, which can be increased through AgMAR up to 545 mm/year depending on the water availability for excess irrigations. This study provides an improved understanding of the parameters that should be considered for MAR site selection and post-GIS-MCDA analysis to assess the basin-specific MAR strategy.

Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Fatty Hydrazides of By-products of Oil Processing Industry

Some new 2-alkyl-5-mercapto-1,3,4-Oxadiazoles and 3-alkyl-5-mercapto-1,2,3-4H triazoles were synthesized from hydrazides of acid oil and oil recovered from spent bleaching earth. These newly synthesized compounds were characterized on the basis of elemental analysis and evaluated for biological properties. Certain derivatives exhibited fairly high antibacterial and antifungal activities when compared with streptomycin and immidil used as standard antibacterial and antifungal agents respectively.

Fasciola gigantica cathepsin-L cysteine proteinase in the detection of early experimental fasciolosis in ruminants

Cathepsin-L cysteine proteinase was purified from Fasciola gigantica regurgitant by two-step alcoholic fractionation, followed by ion-exchange chromatography. The purification strategy was evolved to eliminate other contaminating proteins co-precipitating with the purified proteinase during alcoholic fractionation. The enzyme was stable on long-term storage at -20 degrees C rendering it more suitable for field diagnostic use. The purified cathepsin-L cysteine proteinase was assayed for detection of F. gigantica experimental infection in sheep and buffaloes and could detect infection, as early as 4 weeks post-infection by ELISA, Western blotting and Dipstick ELISA. The 28-kDa cathepsin-L cysteine proteinase seems a promising antigen for the diagnosis of tropical fasciolosis in domestic animals.