Science Heritage Journal | Galeri Warisan Sains (GWS)

Groundwater pollution is a significant environmental issue globally, particularly in large cities, and trace heavy metals are the most significant groundwater pollutants. Pakistan is particularly affected by groundwater contamination, which poses a major threat to public health. Many industrial facilities in Pakistan discharge untreated wastewater into nearby drains, which has a direct impact on the quality of surface water, soil, and groundwater. Bahawalpur, the 11th most populous city in Pakistan, is the focus of this research, which examines how residential areas in the city affect groundwater. The research area was carefully studied, and groundwater sampling locations were collected from 45 distinct locations throughout Bahawalpur’s residential area. Groundwater samples were then analyzed for various parameters, including pH, turbidity, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, calcium, magnesium, iron, total hardness, total alkalinity, and chloride content. The results of these tests were compared to World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations, and the outcomes of the elements were displayed using ArcView GIS v10.7.1 and raster interpolation with IDW. The study found that the concentration of pollutants in groundwater exceeded the permitted level, and the water quality index for drinking water was determined to be only 65 percent in terms of pH, turbidity, electrical conductivity, iron, calcium, magnesium, total dissolved solids, total alkalinity, and total hardness. The characteristics of the groundwater did not comply with WHO standards. These findings suggest that there is a pressing need to address water pollution in Bahawalpur. The data collected and analyzed in this study could be used to design and construct a filtration plant facility to reduce water pollution in the area.

Fewer water resources and Wastewater is the main problem these days. There are many methods to treat water, one of them is coagulation and flocculation, used to remove impurities, turbidity, and absorbed metals in water. Aluminum, iron coagulant, charcoal, alum, and many other chemical methods are used for this purpose in industries. But these coagulants have bad effects on human health. So this study is to focus on alternatives of these coagulants by finding efficient natural coagulants. Good natural coagulants are those that contain protein soluble properties and basicity. Some of the Alternative coagulants are chosen; Moringa seed, neem leaves, eggshells, orange peels, and banana peels. Different coagulants are used to reduce TDS and other dissolved impurities from an industrial outlet water sample, to check the characteristics and efficiency of natural coagulants. These natural coagulants were then compared with commercially used coagulants. Each coagulant was studied in the spectrometer at a different wavelength and dilution, the sample was tested at different times after 5,10,15,20 minutes and by changing coagulant concentration. Moringa seed is most efficient, it shows up to 97% turbidity removal and 73% TDS removal. The controlled amount of banana peel absorbs up to 97% methyl orange dye. These Natural coagulants are easily available, cheap rates and have no side effects. Natural coagulants are a good alternative to commercially available natural coagulants. These can be prepared locally to treat sewage water and rainwater before discharge into groundwater or for use in agriculture purpose.

This comprehensive review elucidates the intertwined relationship between safety, quality control, and sustainability within the construction sector, highlighting the critical need for integrating these elements to promote optimal project outcomes and long-term industry advancement. The study commences with an in-depth exploration of existing literature, focusing on diverse methodologies, strategies, and frameworks employed to enhance safety and enforce stringent quality control, thus contributing to the overall sustainability of construction projects. Safety is identified as a paramount concern in construction, significantly influencing both quality and sustainability. The lack of safety not only jeopardizes human lives but also results in cost overruns and project delays, undermining the overall quality and sustainability. Quality control, herein, is discussed in relation to its pivotal role in minimizing errors and rework, ensuring adherence to standards, and facilitating the attainment of sustainability goals through resource efficiency and waste reduction. Sustainability in construction is dissected through its three foundational pillars: economic viability, social equity, and environmental integrity. This review details how the integration of safety and quality control significantly impacts these pillars, highlighting the synergy between construction practices, resource optimization, stakeholder well-being, and ecological preservation. Empirical studies, theoretical frameworks, and case studies form the basis of this review, providing a multifaceted understanding of the interdependence between safety, quality control, and sustainability in construction. The assessment reveals that the construction industry is progressively acknowledging the inherent connection between these components, with contemporary practices and policies increasingly reflecting an integrated approach. The article concludes by underscoring the imperative for continuous research and development, innovations, and policy interventions to strengthen the nexus between safety, quality control, and sustainability in construction. It also advocates for a holistic approach that unifies these elements to drive industry resilience, promote sustainable development, and ensure the well-being and prosperity of communities and the environment.

The modern taxonomical consideration is used for seven coarse-grained agglutinated benthic foraminiferal species which are belonging to six genera from four countries in the Tethys around the Atlantic Ocean USA and Europe (Spain, France and Poland). These species are believed here to be new: Bathysiphon alegretae, Gaudryina pozaryskai, G. stasseni, Dorothia sztrákosae, Siphogaudryina ortizae, Pseudoclavulina thomasae and Clavulina sztrákosae. Tubular taxa (e.g. Bathysiphon) are rare in neritic settings but common in bathyal facies, while elongated serial taxa (e.g. Gaudryina, Siphogaudryina, Dorothia, Pseudoclavulina, Clavulina) are most common in the upper to middle bathyal assemblages.

Animal biotechnology represents a cutting-edge field that has revolutionized our interactions with the animal kingdom. Recent advancements encompass various domains, including genetic editing techniques like CRISPR-Cas9, which allow precise genetic modifications for improved animal health and product quality. Cloning and reproductive technologies offer opportunities to preserve rare genetic traits and enhance livestock production, albeit accompanied by ethical and genetic diversity challenges. Transgenic animals, engineered with foreign genes, serve purposes from increased productivity to disease modeling, raising ethical and regulatory concerns. Disease resistance strategies involve selective breeding and gene editing to bolster animals’ immunity, promoting sustainable farming practices. Biopharming utilizes genetically modified animals for large-scale pharmaceutical production, balancing potential benefits with containment and safety issues. Conservation efforts employ advanced genetic and reproductive techniques to protect endangered species, necessitating careful ethical and ecological considerations. Animal biotechnology promises transformative possibilities but underscores the importance of responsible progress and ethical frameworks.

Weed management in agricultural fields is an important operation for better yield. The recent study was mainly focused on weed diversity, dynamics and control measures in mustard fields at Bheriganga Municipality of Surkhet district. The weeds on the field compete for nutrients, water, and sunlight with major crops. The study mainly focused on weed management practices in mustard fields conducted by a defined experimental plot. By adopting a randomized block design, the plots were prepared and assigned various treatments such as weed check, hand weeding at different intervals, and the application of herbicides like Pendimethalin, Oxyfluorfen, Isoproturon, Quizalofop, Oxadiaryzl, and Clodinoflop. Weed populations were observed at different growth stages, and weed dry matter was measured to assess biomass production. Weed control efficiency (WCE) and a Weed Index (WI) were calculated to quantify the effectiveness of different control methods. The results highlight the significant efficacy of hand weeding, with a control efficiency of 94.1%. Among the herbicides tested, Pendimethalin showed the highest control efficiency at 73.42%, followed by Oxyfluorfen, Isoproturon, and Quizalofop. The study concluded that integrated weed management strategies with herbicides and manual weeding contributed to successful weed control and enhances the productivity of the mustard crop in Ramghat Surkhet.

The third-most important food crop in Nepal after rice and maize is wheat, widely known as the “king of cereals” and the most important food crop in the entire globe. The actions and combinations of several direct and indirect features lead to grain yield. While path coefficient analysis identifies direct and indirect effects of one variable on another and analyses cause-and-effect linkages among the characteristics, correlation coefficient is a measure of the degree of association between yield and yield attributing components. Plant breeders employ both correlation and path analysis to help them find qualities that may be used as selection criteria to increase crop output. In a number of investigations, earlier researchers measured relationships between yield and yield-attributing characteristics. This study was conducted with the intention of reviewing a few such studies on the correlation and path coefficient analysis of wheat production conducted by other researchers. The number of grains per spike, the length of the spike, the biomass yield, the harvest index, the number of spikes per square metre, the effective tiller, the weight of a thousand grains, the height of the plant, etc. all had a positive direct impact on the yield, whereas the days until flowering, the days until booting, and the days until heading had a positive indirect impact. The maximum negative direct impact shown by chlorophyll concentration on grain yield. The features to be chosen for the hybridization programme should have a direct and positive impact on the yield.

Wheat serves as the number one crop for ensuring food and nutritional security in the world. The production and productivity of wheat have been greatly influenced by global warming and climate change which have created environments such as drought, heat stress, and saline conditions. To address the advances in the study of the response of wheat against such climatic implications, this review was done. Abiotic stress mainly affects the morphology, phenology, and physiology of wheat. Abiotic stress induces reactive oxygen species (ROS) in wheat causing a reduction in root, shoot, and reproductive growth. Impact on important yield-related traits such as spike length, grains per spike, grain weight, thousand-grain weight, and reduces the yield of wheat. The plant has earliness as a phenological, rolling of leaves as morphological, waxiness as physiological, and production of heat shock proteins and proline content as a biochemical defense. A proper study of these effects and responses at the genetic and molecular level is necessary to cope with the existing yield gap in a farmer’s field as compared to normal conditions. The study of wheat against such circumstances would help plant breeders identify stress-tolerant genotypes that could significantly contribute to eradicating existing hunger and malnutrition in the world.

The study was undertaken to assess how the growth and yield of the NS-1701 chili variety were impacted by different nitrogen doses in the Lamjung district’s Rainas area. The study involved arranging five different treatment combinations within a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD), with each combination being replicated four times. The application consisted of doses (0 kilograms per hectare, 30 kilograms per hectare, 60 kilograms per hectare, 90 kilograms per hectare, 120 kilograms per hectare). Various parameters related to plant growth and yield were observed throughout the study timeframe. The data underwent statistical analysis utilizing Microsoft Excel and R-studio software. Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT) was applied to distinguish means at a significance level of 5% for the purpose of separation. Growth characteristics such as plant height and the quantity of branches, along with yield-related attributes like fruit length, number of fruits per plant, individual plant weight, and yield (tons per hectare), displayed noteworthy variations until the point of harvest. Among varying nitrogen quantities, the most pronounced plant height (82.40 cm), branch count (8.38), fruit length (11.41 cm), fruits per plant (116.55), per-plant yield (475.5 gm), and overall yield (31.70 t/ha) were achieved with the application of 120 kilograms of nitrogen per hectare. Across all characteristics studied, the analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated a noteworthy disparity between the various nitrogen doses concerning both yield and growth parameters. Among the range of nitrogen doses tested, the utilization of 120 kilograms of nitrogen per hectare resulted in enhanced growth and yield characteristics. This outcome could be proposed as a beneficial approach for cultivating chili in both the Lamjung district and comparable agro-ecological circumstances.

Ophiocordyceps sinensis is fungus species that is found in the Himalayas and on the Tibetan plateau. It has a complex life cycle which gets completed in two-phase. Fungus infects the host in late summer before it goes into hibernation but for the mode of infection, different thoughts are addressed.
The oral mode of infection and the ecdysis phase of infection are two thoughts that prevail in the life cycle. The oral mode of infection is predicted to occur while consuming fungus-contaminated food while the ecdysis phase of infection is supported to be due to contact of fungus to the skin. This paper will also provide certain knowledge about the feeding of caterpillars of host species to fungi. Moreover, the review explores the various preference of fungal hosts, fungal distribution and abundance, and fungal life cycle, shedding light on prevailing threats to the fungus in its natural vegetation.