This aim of this research was to isolate and characterize mold species capable of degrading Phenol Red. The soil sample was collected from an abbatoir site in Amansea Awka and the fungal isolates were characterized by examining their colony morphology and the isolates were identified to be Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus and Fusarium oxysporum. These isolates were further examined on their ability to degrade phenol red at different concentrations by the isolates. It showed that the three isolates are potential decolorizers of phenol red and are good biosorbents. Aspergillus niger showed higher degradability than Aspergillus flavus and Fusarium oxysporum in the degradation of phenol red. The fungi were isolated from soil samples and cultured on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA). Their ability to degrade the dye was assessed at different concentrations (0.1 %, 0.01%, and 0.001 %) by measuring the zone of clearance over a period of 10 days. The results indicated that Fusarium oxysporum demonstrated a high degradation efficiency across concentrations 0.01 % and 0.001% with an average degradation of 12 % and 15 % respectively by day ten whereas Aspergillus flavus showed effective degradation at 0.001 % concentration with an average of 22 % degradation by day ten but was less efficient at higher concentrations. These findings suggest that Aspergillus flavus is a promising candidate for the biodegradation of low-concentration dye effluents, while Fusarium oxysporum may be more suitable for environments with higher dye concentrations.

This study investigated the effects of sublethal concentrations of aqueous crude leaf extract of Vernonia amygdalina on oxidative stress biomarkers, liver histopathology, and histomorphometry in juvenile Clarias gariepinus. Juvenile African catfish were exposed to 0.00, 0.40, 0.80, and 1.60 g/L of the extract for 56 days in a static-renewal bioassay system. Liver superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were determined using standard biochemical procedures. Liver tissues were also examined using routine paraffin-wax processing and haematoxylin and eosin staining, while histomorphometric parameters, including hepatocyte diameter, hepatic cytosurface area, hepatic nuclear surface area, and hepatic surface area, were measured using image analysis software. The results showed a concentration-related reduction in SOD activity, with the lowest value recorded at 1.60 g/L. GPx activity varied significantly among the treatment groups (p < 0.05), whereas the variation in MDA was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Histological examination revealed normal hepatic architecture in the control fish, mild central venous and sinusoidal congestion at lower concentrations, and moderate sinusoidal congestion with diffuse hepatocellular degeneration at 1.60 g/L. Significant alterations (p < 0.05) were also observed in the measured liver histomorphometric parameters. The findings demonstrate that prolonged exposure to sublethal concentrations of V. amygdalina leaf extract can induce oxidative imbalance and structural alterations in the liver of juvenile C. gariepinus. Therefore, the use of V. amygdalina as a piscicide or pesticide near aquatic ecosystems should be carefully regulated to minimise potential adverse effects on fish health and aquatic biodiversity.

Haryana has an important source of drinking water, irrigation and industrial supply in ground water. However, the quality of groundwater varies considerably throughout the state because of variations in geology, geomorphology, rainfall, aquifer characteristics, agricultural intensity, urbanization and groundwater extraction. This mini-review compiles the findings of government reports and peer-reviewed studies on the spatial distribution, sources and impacts of salinity, fluoride and nitrate contamination in Haryana. Evidence available suggests that relatively fresh groundwater is generally found in the north-eastern districts and areas affected by river and canal recharge. Saline and sodic groundwater is more common in the arid and semi-arid western, south-western and poorly drained central districts. Parts of Panipat, Bhiwani, Hisar, Jhajjar, Rohtak, Mahendragarh and adjoining areas have reported fluoride enrichment. Nitrate contamination is more spatially diffuse and is mostly associated with fertilizer application, livestock waste, sewage leakage, septic systems and poor sanitation. These contaminants reduce the safety of drinking-water, increase non-carcinogenic health risk and affect agricultural productivity through soil salinization, sodicity and ion toxicity. Children may be especially vulnerable to health risks from fluoride and nitrate. Hence, Haryana requires aquifer-specific monitoring, village-level water-quality mapping, conjunctive use of canal and groundwater, regulation of agrochemical inputs, managed aquifer recharge, and locally appropriate water-treatment systems. The decline in ground water quality in Haryana should be viewed as an integrated problem of geography, environment, agriculture & public health, not just as a water treatment issue.