The biosorption of two Arsenic (As) species [As (III) and As (V)] from aqueous solution onto activated biochar derived from Cassia fistula, belonging to Fabaceae family was studied. SEM/EDX characterization of the adsorbent showed an irregular, porous, and heterogeneous surface morphology with calcium and iron available for As binding. FTIR also showed the presence of groups responsible for As adsorption. Batch adsorption experiments were conducted to determine the optimum conditions for As adsorption to the biomass with optimum adsorbent dose, ambient temperature, initial concentration of As, pH, and stirring rate. Under optimized conditions, the maximum removal percentage was 78.1% [uptake capacity (q e) = 0.78 mg/g] for As (III) and 84.8% [uptake capacity (q e) = 0.42 mg/g] for As (V). The Freundlich isotherm model, characteristic of multilayer binding, fit the data best with R 2 values of 0.92 for As (III) and 0.96 for As (V). Fitting of the data to the Dubinin-Radushkevich model indicated physisorption, while the kinetics study suggested a pseudo-second-order reaction. Thermodynamic parameters indicated adsorption was spontaneous. In aqueous solutions, phosphate hindered As removal more than the any other ions. Regeneration studies showed a 23.0% and 21.1% recovery for arsenite and arsenate, respectively, indicating limited leaching under both acidic and alkaline conditions. The absorptive capacity of C. fistula biomass for arsenic removal was compared with a number of other reported biosorbents and was found to be considerably efficient.

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A critical analysis has been made on the long-term yearly and seasonal variations of ozone concentration at Varanasi (25 • N, 83 • E), India and Halley Bay (76 • S, 27 • W), a British Antarctic Service Station. The effect of O 3 depletion on night airglow emission of Li 6708Å line at Varanasi and Halley Bay has been studied. Calculations based on chemical kinetics show that the airglow intensity of Li 6708Å line has also been affected due to the depletion of O 3 concentration. The yearly variations and seasonal variations of intensities of Li 6708Å line for the above two stations are shown and compared. It has been shown that the rate of decrease of intensity of Li 6708Å line was comparatively more at Halley Bay due to dramatic decrease of Antarctic O 3 concentration.

Background: Though opioid abuse is a common clinical entity, only few published articles are available in Nepal.

A critical analysis has been made of the long-term yearly and seasonal variations of ozone concentration at Ahmedabad (23°N, 72.5°E), India and Halley Bay (76°S, 27°W), a British Antarctic Service Station. The effect of O 3 depletion on night airglow emission of Li 6708 Å line at Ahmedabad and Halley Bay has been studied. Calculations based on chemical kinetics show that the airglow intensity of Li 6708 Å line has also been affected due to the depletion of O 3 concentration. The nature of yearly variation and seasonal variation of intensity of Li 6708 Å line for the above two stations have been shown and compared. It has been shown that the rate of decrease of intensity of Li 6708 Å line was comparatively higher at Halley Bay due to dramatic decrease of Antarctic O 3 concentration.