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Scattering of dipole field by a perfect electromagnetic conductor (PEMC) cylinder is studied theoretically. Electric dipole and magnetic dipole are considered separately as source of excitation. Plots are given for different values of admittance parameter of the PEMC cylinder.

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Context Soil salinity mitigation with nanoparticles enriched biochar (Bc) can be a better strategy to resolve the uprising threat against food security. Aim The present study was designed to prepare silicon nanoparticles enriched biochar (Si-En-Bc) and zinc nanoparticles enriched biochar (Zn-En-Bc), which may not only reduced the toxic effects of NaCl stress on initial growth of radish crop but also improved its physiology and defensive mechanism. Method Seeds were germinated in pots with six treatments under normal and NaCl stress, (100 mM NaCl), Zn-En-Bc (1% w/w), and Si-En-Bc (1% w/w). Twenty days old seedlings were harvested and their fresh weight and various germination and biochemical parameters were tested. Key results A significant reduction in malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) contents was observed with Si-En-Bc + NaCl relative to NaCl stress. It might be due to the significant increase in the antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) (42%), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) (38.7%), catalase (CAT) (30.9%) and shoot phenolics (59%) with Si-En-Bc + NaCl over NaCl stress. Application of Zn-En-Bc also caused a maximum increase in root and shoot Zn concentration (76.8 and 54.9%, respectively) under NaCl stress. Conclusions Hence, Si-En-Bc proved to be the best treatment for the radish plant to complete its early growth stage under NaCl stress while Zn-En-Bc not only compensated NaCl stress but also enhanced Zn availability. Implications This study implies that Si-En-Bc or Zn-En-Bc should be applied to the salt affected soil before the crop sowing so seedling can grow under the ameliorative effects of applied amendments. Also, Si-En-Bc or Zn-En-Bc should be tested on a degraded soils at larage scale such as field level.

Freshwater ecosystems are being contaminated by heavy metals pollution. The primary source of contamination is wastewater discharged from urban, industrial, and agricultural facilities. The contaminated water contains hazardous amounts of heavy metals mixed in the freshwater ecosystem, causing deleterious impacts on marine life and humans. This review paper highlights the contamination of the freshwater ecosystem of Pakistan with heavy metals. Heavy metals concentration in sediments, water, and fish were assessed in the food chain, and their relationship with sites and sources was explored. It was observed that heavy metals present in freshwater and sediments bio-accumulate into fish organs. It was also found that some parts of freshwaters like River Ravi, Chenab, Kabul, and Indus were highly contaminated, and they posed negative impacts on fish and human health. River Ravi, receiving a huge amount of industrial and sewage wastewater from urban centers and industries of Central Punjab, was highly contaminated compared to other Rivers of Pakistan. The ecosystem health of River Indus was the best among all the rivers of Pakistan due to the enormous volume of water flow and less number of industrial units along with it. Freshwater fish of River Indus, Chenab, and Jhelum are consumable for humans. The presence of heavy metals also causes social, environmental, and economic problems. Therefore, the wastewater should be treated before discharge into freshwater streams and rivers to lessen the harmful impacts of heavy metals on marine life and human beings.

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