Rouf Ahmad Bhat

Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir | SKUAST-K · Division of Environmental Sciences

Arbuscular mycorrhiza-forming fungi make necessary feeding upon the host plant cells without killing the plant and derive their food from host-plant. Arbuscular mycorrhiza generates the mass on the root cells and forms some peculiar structures (arbuscules) within the cell. These cell structures are actually the sites where the give-and-take of nutr...

The study showed that the current scenario of municipal solid wastes in the Yusmarg health resort of Kashmir valley is due to open dumping practices undertaken by the residents, tourists, shopkeepers, and hoteliers for MSW disposal. Reliable estimates of solid waste generation along with estimation of their physical and chemical characteristics are...

The present study was carried out at Yusmarg, a forest ecosystem and tourist resort, in the Kashmir valley during 2012 with the objectives of determining the municipal solid waste (MSW) generation rates per capita and on a daily basis, and assessing the existing MSW system. It was estimated that daily generation of MSW at Yusmarg by tourists, as we...

The increasing municipal solid waste (MSW) generation along with high fraction of organic, recyclable and other types of wastes is the current scenario in religious places and many tourist resorts of Kashmir valley in India. As a response to this problem, we carried out a study on municipal solid waste (MSW) generation and present scenario of munic...

In an effort to determine vehicular impact on soil quality, soil samples were collected from three different zones (Pahalgam, Batakote, and Chandanwari) in Pahalgam forest ecosystem. Results showed that a significant decrease in moisture content, organic carbon, available nitrogen, and potassium was observed in nearby road side soils. However, pH w...

Chapter submission deadline: 20th July 2023

Most imperative environmental concerns are Cultural eutrophication pertaining to industrialization and urbanization which lead to proliferation of weeds in aquatic environs disturbing these ecosystems. Alarming increase in CO2, CH4, CFC’s, N2O and water vapour in the atmosphere cause enhanced greenhouse effect, among all these CO2 is accountable fo...

Abstract Rare earth elements (generally abbreviated as REEs) are the name used to define 17 metals with special physicochemical features. In general, REEs are interest of chemists mainly because of their peculiar chemical abilities. However, this situation started to change, and REEs, recently, turn out to be a hotspot also for environmental biolog...

Rare earth elements (generally abbreviated as REEs) are the name used to define 17 metals with special physicochemical features. In general, REEs are interest of chemists mainly because of their peculiar chemical abilities. However, this situation started to change, and REEs, recently, turn out to be a hotspot also for environmental biologist, plan...

One of the most important elements of the physical environment and the living world is carbon. As one of the main constituents of all cellular life forms and the precursor of all metabolic processes, carbon serves as the foundation of all living systems in the world of living things. Additionally, it contributes significantly to keeping the Earth’s...

Since the Industrial Revolution, anthropogenic activities like industrial, economic, land use, and population growth have significantly impacted climate by increasing atmospheric CO2 and other heat-trapping gases. In 2010, CO2 continued to be the main anthropogenic GHG, contributing 76% (383.8 Gt CO2 eq/year) of all anthropogenic GHG emissions. CH4...

Carbon is one of the most essential components of biological world and the associated environment (physical attributes). From the time immemorial, carbon has occupied the forefront position in operating a varied array of functions ranging from “cellular level (e.g., precursor in metabolic processes) to ecosystem functioning (e.g., temperature regul...

In recent years, there has been a growing concern about climate change all across the globe. The increasing average global temperatures, the rising of sea level and submerging of low-lying islands, the loss of biodiversity, and shrinking of hotspots all over the world have led to increasing distress about the changing climate (Ozturk et al. 2015)....

Organisms depend upon nutrients for survival, growth, and reproduction. Autotrophs rely upon inorganic nutrients (carbon dioxide, nitrate, and phosphate), the visible solar radiation, and through photosynthesis formulate the organic molecules that make cell organelles and facilitate growth, survival, and reproduction. In contrast to autotrophs (alg...

Carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and water vapor are examples of the greenhouse gases that trap solar energy and keep the Earth habitable. However, a few synthetic materials also exhibit this ability to absorb infrared wavelengths, such as sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), and ch...

Aquatic contamination due to nutrient enrichment is a worldwide concern which is an aftermath of domestic and agricultural runoff. Nowadays, in the present era of industrialization and urbanization, aquatic environs are heavily loaded with contaminants like nitrogen (N) and phosphorous (P) which lead to proliferation of macrophytes (Fig. 10.1).

In the upcoming decades, climate change will have an impact on both people and ecosystems, according to a number of scientific literatures, including the IPCC’s Fourth Assessment Report. In comparison to the developed nations, the developing countries are significantly impacted (Ozturk et al. 2015). According to Stern (2006), three factors contribu...

The climate is the average weather over a long period of time that affects a vast area, possibly the entire globe. The state of the atmosphere over a specific area is represented by the weather on an hourly or daily basis. The major elements of the climate include the atmosphere, ocean, snow and ice cover, land surface, rotation and revolution of t...

Nutrient pollution refers to overloading of aquatic environs by excessive influx of nutrients. Every creature has to taste death. The aging of surface waters is an inevitable fact. The life cycle of aquatic environs surpasses oligotrophic, mesotrophic, eutrophic, and dystrophic stage; each stage proceeds at a very slow rate (Ozturk et al. 2005). Bu...

Concern has arisen regarding the environmental impact caused by some nanomaterials, as well as their possible toxicity to cells. A new generation of eco-friendly nanomaterials has been developed in response to these concerns. Green synthesis of nanoparticles is revealing how environmentally friendly nanoparticles can be synthesized from different b...

Phytohormones and Stress Responsive Secondary Metabolites provides a deep dive into the signaling pathways associated with phytohormones and phytometabolites. With a strong focus on plant stress responses and DNA technology, the book highlights plant biotechnology and metabolic engineering principles. Biotechnology, by using DNA editing technologie...

Human interference is rising day by day which adds more problems to conserve valuable forest resources. Vehicular exhausts are the main source of heavy metals that have detrimental impacts on the vegetation. The research provides comprehension about the increase in vehicular traffic along the Pahalgam highway, which is disturbing the balance of the...

Aluminum is an abundant metal in the earth's crust that turns out to be toxic in acidic environments. Many plants are affected by the presence of aluminum at the whole plant level, at the organ level, and at the cellular level. Tobacco as a cash crop (Nicotiana tabacum L.) is a widely cultivated plant worldwide and is also a good model organism for...

In order to tackle the amplified stress on potable hydrological assets because of multiple factors like population explosion, meager fresh water availability, globalization and disparity in supply and demand of water, the proper management strategies and governance should play an indispensable role in its management. Planning of water resources wit...

Modern‐day pollutants comprising pharmaceuticals products, endocrine‐interrupting chemicals, radionuclides and other infectious pollutants are setting first‐hand and grave trials to established wastewater management procedures. These newly emerging pollutants are spreading throughout the various realms of our aquatic environs from a number of anthr...

Wastewater that is discharged from processing industries has been found to be of a quality that has an impact on both biotic as well as abiotic components of the surrounding environment. Heavy metals including nitrates, sulphates, phosphates, chlorides and oxalates in addition to polynuclear hydrocarbons, halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons, oils, gr...

Water is a precious and scarce resource on earth, and is recycled endlessly within the water cycle. Water can be considered as wastewater when its physical, chemical or biological properties have been altered by the addition of pollutants such as organic/inorganic products, bacteria, heavy metals or other toxins that make it toxic to the environmen...

Sewage sludge (SS), also termed “biosolids”, is a derivative of handling processes carried out for sewage sludge. Sewage sludge is a basin of organic material and nutrients, so it encompasses a possible substrate for selection of probable circumstances. Much water, a high amount of organic matter and the presence of high amounts of pathogenic micro...

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are an advanced biological, chemo‐electric process for the treatment of wastewater. Exploring this process is economically feasible as it can be used to produce electric energy using bacteria‐mediated electrons through biochemical reactions. Scientists estimate that MFCS have the potential to supply the optimum electrici...

Phytorestaurations are an environmental friendly technology to restore the degraded environment by using plants and their corresponding microbes for the accumulation and detoxification of contaminants. Phytoremediation requires the application of large amounts of toxic metals in their overgrown refinable components of fast‐growing biomass‐free plan...

Water is an important physical factor that is essential for the maintenance of structural and functional attributes of an ecosystem. Industrial effluents, agricultural runoff and domestic sewage add up to the quantum of pollution in aquatic environs which trigger disturbances in an ecosystem. In order to monitor and remediate the polluted waters, R...

New challenges have arisen as a result of the advancement of technology and the global demand for various commodities. Various types of pollution are posing a serious threat to the environment and to human health. These pollutants need to be removed from the environment but in an eco‐friendly way. Bioremediation is an environmentally friendly metho...

Photocatalysis is a novel approach with enormous potential to degrade environmental contaminants to treat wastewater, but fewer attempts were made in studying the applicability to decompose complex wastewaters in terms of carbon disposal. A complicated pathway is involved in photochemical reactions which is affected by various factors in wastewater...

Genetic engineering is used to improve responsive genotypes and helps to makes the process of “phytoremediation” possible for heavy metal contaminated sites. Plant transformation is actually its modification by the use of various genes that perform the function of metal transport and homeostasis of metals, and defense responses of plants to oxidati...

Bioelectrochemical systems (BESs) are electrochemical systems in which biocatalysts (microbial cells or enzymes) catalyze electrochemical reactions at one or both electrodes. Electrons flow from the anode to the cathode through an external circuit in such systems, which are followed by substrate oxidation at the anode and reduction reactions at the...

In order to attenuate the loss of crop yield caused by insect damage while decreasing the quantity of pesticides needed, the primary generation of commercially viable transgenic plants are produced (e.g. Bt. toxin expressing plants). The incorporation of xenobiotics that degrade genes through the root system of sufficient plant species for improved...

Fish supply people with long-term benefits, including food and the direct financial benefits of providing employment, profits, and saving money. More indirect but equally valuable benefits of fish and aquatic ecosystems include recreational boating, sport fishing, swimming, and relaxation. Consumption of seafoods has taken place from ancient times....

Fossil hydrocarbons are needs of the global economy to function. Fossil hydrocarbons are required for producing light, heat and transportation. With the increase in our population and economy, there will be the increase in the use of fossil fuel. Additionally, atmospheric CO2 concentration was increased, and the potential for major greenhouse gas-m...

Rapid industrialization and urbanization the world has experienced caused several consequences that negatively impact life on Earth. Environmental pollution is a severe consequence that threatens the survival of several species and disrupts the balance of ecosystems. Soil, water and air containing organic (e.g. hydrocarbons) and inorganic pollutant...

The biodiesel obtainment through transesterification of fat and oils from animal or vegetable sources can be optimized to allow quality and quantity enhancements, important to attend the increasing demand for this eco-friendly fuel. World population is expected to rise up to nine billion people by 2050 increasing energy demand preferentially in a w...

The utilization of non-renewable sources of energy has directly affected the economies of developing countries. So far, man has succeeded to utilize nature’s renewable forms of energy to a large extent. However, deriving energies from such kind of sources involves the huge amount of costs. In the recent times, energy production from bio-sources has...

Biofuel is a chemical generated by biological processes. Mainly living organism biomasses (microalgae, pants and bacteria) are the source of it. An increase of population needs more energy for the betterment of life, and to fulfil their needs, biofuel is the best example of source globally. Since many years ago, the fossil fuels are the major sourc...

Plants and algal metabolites are believed to be the potential source of biofuel. High cellulose and lignin content in plant biomass is the major obstruction towards the sustainable fuel production. Owing to expensive pretreatment methods for lignin and cellulose degradation have raised several questions on the use of plants biomass for energy produ...

The economy of algae biomass is probably affected due to the extraction and auction of natural co-products and algal oil. There can be the addition of proteins or many other purification products or an increase in these facilities if the infrastructure for the generation of algal biofuel is in place.KeywordsEconomic benefitsEnergy securityAlgal bio...

Energy scarcity is a worrying problem for the global population. The limited fuel reserve has pressed for the utilization of renewable fuel sources, mainly biomass. Biomass is considered as the potential substrate for renewable fuel, and several crops and plants have been utilized as the source of renewable fuel. Owing to certain constraints, the b...

There is also an increasing concern regarding sustainability of biofuel generation/use that will influence on raw material preferences and consequently influence on biofuel’s obtainment chosen protocol. This chapter will explore main challenges related to biofuel obtainment presenting also interesting strategies to surpass some of these difficultie...

Dumping waste materials into aquatic ecosystems leads to pollution, which directly and indirectly poses a danger to all life forms. Currently, huge quantities of wastes are generated at a global scale with varying constituents, including organic fractions, emerging contaminants and toxic metals. These wastes release concentrated contaminants (leach...

As the environmental pollution is a major concern for human beings worldwide, different strategies have been developed over the years to try to mitigate the dangers associated with environmental pollutants and/or to efficiently remove them from contaminated areas, thus recovering the balance of the ecosystem. Phytoremediation is an efficient, well-...

Immunity is an individual’s ability in which an individual recognizes their self-molecules that makeup their own body and have the potential to differentiate from other molecules which are found in infectious microorganisms and toxic substances. Genomic foundation of unusual genetic disorders including deficits in the inborn and acquired immune rea...

Indiscriminate and incessant use of synthetic pesticides is becoming an increasing global concern. No doubt, the application of conventional synthetic pesticides has enhanced the quality and quantity of agricultural products. However, accumulation of pesticides in freshwater resources has negative effects on aquatic ecosystem and human health. The...

Microplastic (MP) accumulation in the environment and its contamination in food products has become a global threat to both environmental and human health. But nowadays, the heavy use of plastic food containers, plastic packaging, plastic bottles, disposable cups, infant feeders, plastic-coated metal, and paper cartons has provoked the issue with d...

Background : Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is an under-recognized, under-diagnosed and under-studied disorder; its prevalence varies between 5-26%, 6-10% of reproductive age (NIH) criteria, and 15% (Rotterdam's criteria). Various allopathic drugs (metformin and clomiphene) that are used for the treatment of PCOS have various limitations and ar...

The productivity of plants is a direct variant of the countless biotic and abiotic stresses to which a plant is exposed in an environment. This study aimed to investigate the capabilities of leguminous plant garden pea (Pisum sativum L.) to resist water deficit conditions in arid and semi-arid areas when applied with varied doses of sludge for grow...

The natural dyes play a prominent role in maintaining the sustainability of any ecosystem due to their eco-friendly characteristics and relative non-toxicity over synthetic dyes. The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible dyeing capacity of the natural dye extracted from leaves of Juglans regia in association with mordant obtained...

Freshwater habitats are under serious threat due to the diverse pressures of development and restoration of these ecosystems is an important challenge in the present era. With a number of scientifically advanced methods available for restoration of these systems, phytoremediation finds its unique space as an ecologically sustainable technique. In t...

The present study aims at quantification of the quality of three varieties of composts made from municipal solid waste, green waste and combined waste by critically evaluating their physicochemical attributes, effect on soil fertility and metal pollution risk. Each waste type was treated with effective micro-organisms to compare the compost quality...

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The productivity of plants is a direct variant of the countless biotic and abiotic stresses to which a plant is exposed in an environment. This study aimed to investigate the capabilities of leguminous plant garden pea ( Pisum sativum L.) to resist water deficit conditions in arid and semi-arid areas when applied with varied doses of sludge for gro...

This study was conducted to determine the impact on the nutrient status of soil and vegetable crops irrigated with the treated sewage water. Three samples of water and five samples of soil and five commonly grown vegetables viz. radish, carrot, spinach, cauliflower, and potato were collected from Ganjia, Arail and Dandi located in Naini, Allahabad...

Arsenic is a well-known element because of its toxicity. Humans as well as plants and animals are negatively affected by its exposure. Some countries suffer from high levels of arsenic in their tap water and soils, which is considered a primary arsenic-linked risk factor for living beings. Humans generally get exposed to arsenic by contaminated dri...

Owing to mounting requirement of non-toxic, contamination-free plus nourishing food, organic agriculture has achieved great significance globally. Besides the finite natural resource, countries have become self-sufficient in food and agricultural production due to Green Revolution. Therefore, demand has shifted from “resource degrading” chemically...

We have witnessed the doubling of human population during the past four decades along with the continuous replication of food production as well. In this scenario of increasing demand for the supply of food, plant nutrition has played a very important role. Man-made fertilizers have made it possible that there has been an increase in crop productio...

In 2050, the population of the world is expected to be 9 billion, which means we have to produce six times more food. With this population explosion and increase in food demand, the agricultural land is depleting at an alarming rate, jeopardizing future progress. In order to overcome this problem, the soil organic matter plays a dynamic role in the...