Sustainable use of groundwater is becoming critical in India and requires effective participation from local communities along with technical, social, economic, policy and political inputs. Access to groundwater for farming communities is also an emotional and complex issue as their livelihood and survival depends on it. In this article, we report on transdisciplinary approaches to understanding the issues, challenges and options for improving sustainability of groundwater use in States of Gujarat and Rajasthan, India. In this project, called Managed Aquifer Recharge through Village level Intervention (MARVI), the research is focused on developing a suitable participatory approach and methodology with associated tools that will assist in improving supply and demand management of groundwater. The study was conducted in the Meghraj watershed in Aravalli district, Gujarat, and the Dharta watershed in Udaipur district, Rajasthan, India. The study involved the collection of hydrologic, agronomic and socio-economic data and engagement of local village and school communities through their role in groundwater monitoring, field trials, photovoice activities and education campaigns. The study revealed that availability of relevant and reliable data related to the various aspects of groundwater and developing trust and support between local communities, NGOs and government agencies are the key to moving towards a dialogue to decide on what to do to achieve sustainable use of groundwater. The analysis of long-term water table data indicated considerable fluctuation in groundwater levels from year to year or a net lowering of the water table, but the levels tend to recover during wet years. This provides hope that by improving management of recharge structures and groundwater pumping, we can assist in stabilizing the local water table. Our interventions through Bhujal Jankaars (BJs), (a Hindi word meaning "groundwater informed" volunteers), schools, photovoice workshops and newsletters have resulted in dialogue within the communities about the seriousness of the groundwater issue and ways to explore options for situation improvement. The BJs are now trained to understand how local recharge and discharge patterns are influenced by local rainfall patterns and pumping patterns and they are now becoming local champions of groundwater and an important link between farmers and project team. This study has further strengthened the belief that traditional research approaches to improve the groundwater situation are unlikely to be suitable for complex groundwater issues in the study areas. The experience from the study indicates that a transdisciplinary approach is likely to be more effective in enabling farmers, other village community members and NGOs to work together with researchers and government agencies to understand the groundwater situation and design interventions that are holistic and have wider ownership. Also, such an approach is expected to deliver longer-term sustainability of groundwater at a regional level.

During transurethral prostatectomy 1-5% glycine in water is commonly used to irrigate the bladder. Absorption of small quantities of this solution is inconsequential. Occasionally, however, large amounts may be absorbed, leading to severe hyponatraemia. Such severe sodium depletion is associated with electrocardiogram (ECG) changes that include a widened and increased amplitude of QRS complex, T wave inversion," and bradycardia. We report on three patients in whom absorption of irrigation fluid during transurethral resection of the prostate led to the death of one and cardiovascular collapse in the other two. Case reportsThree patients aged 76, 62, and 75 admitted with acute retention of urine were treated initially by urethral catheterisation. They were otherwise fit patients, but in one (case 3) the ECG showed ST depression in V4-6 compatible with myocardial ischaemia. All underwent transurethral resection of benign prostate with the Travenol Intermittent Irrigation System using 1-5% glycine solution.Case 1-After roughly 30 minutes of resection under general anaesthesia, during which 18 g of prostatic tissue was removed, the patient's pulse rate fell to 35/min and systolic blood pressure to 60 mm Hg. Myocardial infarction was diagnosed and 1 mg intravenous atropine and 2 units of blood were given without effect, and asystole followed. Cardiac resuscitation failed. Necropsy examination did not show the cause of death. A venous blood sample taken during bradycardia had a sodium concentration of 86 mmol(mEq)/l (normal range 132-144 mmol/l(mEq)/l). Plasma glycine concentration was 80 mmol/l (600 mg/100 ml) (normal range 0-162-0-335 mmol/l; 1-22-2-52 mg/100 ml).Case 2-Under spinal anaesthesia 60 g of prostatic tissue was resected in one hour, and during this the patient became confused and disorientated. The pulse fell to 50/min, and systolic blood pressure fell to 80 mm Hg. A clinical diagnosis of hyponatraemia was made and a blood sample taken for immediate electrolyte analysis. A total of 300 ml of 8-4% sodium bicarbonate was given followed by 1 5 litres of Hartmann's solution. Frusemide 40 mg was given intravenously when the systolic blood pressure had risen to 100 mm Hg. The patient's mental state improved rapidly with this treatment. Blood taken at the time of the diagnosis of hyponatraemia and three hours later showed sodium concentration of 107 and 130 mmol(mEq)/l respectively.The plasma glycine concentration was 50 mmol/l (375 mg/ 100 ml) in the initial blood sample. The total bicarbonate concentration was 32 mmol(mEq)/l (normal range 23-32 mmol (mEq)/l) in the second sample.Case 3-Under general anaesthesia a total of 35 g of prostatic tissue was resected in one hour. The patient was then sent to the recovery room and roughly 10 minutes later had a respiratory arrest, with a bradycardia of 50/min. He was intubated and resuscitated with 200 ml of 8-4% sodium bicarbonate and 2 units of blood. An ECG tracing at this time showed ventricular ectopics, right bundle-branch block, and deep T wave inversion in V4-6...

Widespread multinutrient deficiencies in the semi-arid tropics (SAT) are among major factors for large gaps between farmers' current crop yields and potential yields. In this study, we adopted a stratified soil sampling method to assess soil fertility-related constraints in farmers' fields in eight districts of Andhra Pradesh in the semi-arid tropics of India. Most of the fields across all eight districts were critical in sulfur (61%-98% deficient fields); and up to six districts each in boron (83%-98% deficient fields), zinc (50-85% deficient fields), and soil organic carbon (55-97% deficient fields). Low soil organic carbon specifically indicates nitrogen deficiency. Phosphorus deficiency was critical in three districts (60-84%) while potassium in general was adequate. Soil test-based nutrient balancing through the application of sulfur, boron, and zinc in addition to farmers' practice of adding only nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium increased crop productivity by 8%-102%. Benefit-cost ratio (1.60-28.5) proved favourable to scale-up balanced nutrition. Better post-harvest soil health and residual benefits of sulfur, boron, and zinc up to four succeeding seasons indicated sustainability of the practice. Results showed that balanced nutrition is a way forward for sustainably improving farm productivity and livelihoods.

The groundwater of Nalgonda district is well known for its very high fluoride content for the past five decades. Many researchers have contributed their scientific knowledge to unravel causes for fluoride enrichment of groundwater. In the present paper, an attempt has been made to relate the high fluoride content in the groundwater to hydrogeochemical characterization of the water in a fracture hard rock terrain--the Wailpally watershed. Groundwater samples collected from all the major geomorphic units in pre- and post-monsoon seasons were analyzed for its major ion constituents such as Ca(2+), Mg(2+), Na(+), K(+), CO3-, HCO3-, Cl(-), SO4(-2), NO3-, and F(-). The groundwaters in the watershed have the average fluoride content of 2.79 mg/l in pre-monsoon and 2.83 mg/l in post-monsoon. Fluoride concentration in groundwater does not show perceptible change neither with time nor in space. The ionic dominance pattern is in the order of Na(+) > Ca(2+) > Mg(2+) > K(-) among cations and HCO3- Cl(-) > SO4(-2) NO3- F(-) among anions in pre-monsoon. In post-monsoon, Mg replaces Ca(2+) and NO3- takes the place of SO4(-2). The Modified Piper diagram reflect that the water belong to Ca(+2)-Mg(+2)-HCO3- to Na(+)-HCO3- facies. Negative chloralkali indices in both the seasons prove that ion exchange between Na(+) and K(+) in aquatic solution took place with Ca(+2) and Mg(+2) of host rock. The interpretation of plots for different major ions and molar ratios suggest that weathering of silicate rocks and water-rock interaction is responsible for major ion chemistry of groundwater in Wailpally watershed. Chemical characteristics and evolution of this fluoride-contaminated groundwater is akin to normal waters of other hard rock terrain; hence, it can be concluded that aquifer material play an important role in the contribution of fluoride in to the accompanying water. High fluoride content in groundwater can be attributed to the continuous water-rock interaction during the process of percolation with fluoride-bearing country rocks under arid, low precipitation, and high evapotranspiration conditions.

Transurethral prostatectomy (TURP) and, more recently, percutaneous nephrolithotomy and endoureteric procedures for stones in the kidney and ureter have justifiably become popular because of the many advantages offered by these less invasive procedures. Any surgical operation has its attendant complications and absorption of irrigant fluid is a major and potentially fatal complication of all of these endoscopic techniques. This review examines the incidence, the causes and the pathological sequelae of excessive fluid absorption and suggests some ways to prevent it.