• Applied Microscopy
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.21-29
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• 2011

Balneotherapy has been widely used for the treatment of skin diseases in the world. The purpose of this study was to determine the bath effect of the alkaline reduced spring water with the properties of high pH and low oxidation reduction potential (ORP) on the skin injury induced by ultra violet (UV) irradiation. For this purpose, hairless mice were irradiated with UV-B to cause skin injury, and individually taken a bath in spring water (experimental group) and tap water (control group) once a day for 40 min during 21 days. We observed histological changes of the back skin through macro- and microscopic methods compared to the control group. We found that skin injury of the experimental group was more quickly recovered than that of the control group. Under the light microscope, the experimental group showed that epidermal thickening (p<0.01) and the mast cell activation (p<0.001) were lower compared with the control group, in addition infiltration of inflammatory cells and degranulation of mast cells were less observed. These results suggest that regular bath in the spring water with the properties of high pH and low ORP has a positive effect on the skin injury induced by UV irradiation.

• ALGAE
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.185-193
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• 2009

Geothermal springs in India, formed as a result of volcanic or tectonic activities, are characterized by high temperature and relatively abundant reduced compounds. These thermal springs are inhabited by characteristic thermophilic organisms including cyanobacteria. Cyanobacteria are among the few organisms that can occupy high temperature aquatic environments including hot springs. In alkaline and neutral hot springs and streams flowing from them cyanobacteria can form thick colourful mats that exhibit banding patterns. The present investigation involves study of mat forming cyanobacterial flora from hot springs located in Bakreswar, West Bengal, India. The important species found are Synechococcus bigranulatus, S. lividus, Gloeocapsa gelatinosa, G. muralis, Phormidium laminosum, P. frigidum, Oscillatoria princes, O. fragilis, Lyngbya lutea, Pseudanabaena sp., Calothrix thermalis, and Fischerella thermalis. Their distribution pattern in relation to physico-chemical parameters of spring water has also been studied. Three cyanobacterial strains of the above mentioned list were grown in culture and their pigment content and nitrogen fixing capacity were also studied. Nitrogen fixing capacities of Calothrix thermalis, Nostoc sp. (isolated in culture) and Fischerella thermalis are 5.14, 0.29, and 2.60 n mole $C_2H_4/{\mu}g$ of Chl-${\alpha}$/hr respectively. Carotenoid : Chlorophyll-${\alpha}$ ratio of four mat samples collected from Kharkunda, Suryakunda, Dudhkunda and bathing pool are 2.45, 1.60, 1.48, and 1.34, respectively. Higher value of Carotenoid : Chlorophyll-${\alpha}$ ratio coincided with higher temperature.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.26 no.8
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• pp.993-998
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• 2017

De-icing salts applied to roads during winter enable safe driving conditions. However, these salts are eventually displaced to roadside areas at which they can negatively impact soil, vegetation, and water resources. This purpose of this study is to determine the relationship between foliar damage ratio (NY = 0-25%, SY = 26-50%, CY = 51-75%) on roadside trees (Ginko biloba) and seasonal impact of de-icing salts on soil and vegetation. Thirty roadside trees were selected at 8 m intervals between the Konkuk and Judeok intersections in Chung-ju city. The results reveal that seasonal soil acidity is relatively alkaline for foliar damage ratio of Ginko biloba was CY compared to NY. Also, electronic conductivity of each seasonal sampling was recorded as high in winter and spring, whereas the opposite trend is observed in summer. Various plants species were identified in abundance under roadside trees within NY roadside sections. These same species were observed in reduced numbers within CY sections. Strong negative correlations were identified between foliar damage ratio on roadside trees and vegetation. This relationship may be a method to use in predicting the accumulation of de-icing salt and visible injuries on roadside trees.