Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX) are commonly encountered as industrial contaminants.

The present study observed variations in the morphological traits of hill trout, Barilius bendelisis (Hamilton, 1807) from Alaknanda basin of Central Himalaya. A total of 124 samples of B. bendelisis were collected from three different tributaries, Dugadda Gad, Khankhra Gad and Khandah Gad of Alaknanda river between March 2015 to April 2016. Ninety morphometric characters were measured for each specimen. Statistical tools, univariate analysis of variance (ANOVA), principal component analysis (PCA) and discriminant function analysis (DFA) were used to differentiate the populations of B. bendelisis. PCA extracted eight significant morphometric traits explaining 87.9% of total variation among the three populations. DFA revealed that 83.1% specimens were retained into their original groups. Environmental factors were attributed to phenotypic variations among closely related populations. The present study is a first attempt on stock structure of B. bendelisis from different tributaries of Alaknanda river. The study will help in future conservation and management of this fish species across Uttarakhand region, India.

The pervasive issue of lead contamination in water systems necessitates the development of advanced and sustainable remediation methodologies. Powdered activated carbon synthesized from Pinus roxburghii has been meticulously evaluated as a high-performance capture medium to remove sequestration of lead ions from aqueous systems through batch adsorption studies. These adsorption dynamics were optimized by Response Surface Methodology integrated with Central Composite Design, enabling precise calibration of crucial influential factors such as pH, contact time, and adsorbent dosage. Morphological analysis conducted using Scanning Electron Microscopy confirmed a highly porous structure, while Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy identified functional groups, such as hydroxyl groups coupled with carbonyl groups, which exhibit strong metal affinity. Under optimal conditions, a pH of 8.2, a time of 140 min, and an adsorbent dosage of 0.03 g/L resulted in a maximum lead removal efficiency of 99.86%. Validation trials substantiated the reproducibility of the process, yielding a marginally diminished efficiency of 98.62 ± 1.24%. The integration of RSM not only validated the statistical significance of the experimental outcomes but also reinforced the predictive accuracy. This study demonstrates the critical interplay of adsorption parameters and highlights the physicochemical properties of Pinus roxburghii-based activated carbon, emphasizing its potential for advanced water purification processes.

Manganese contamination in drinking water poses a significant environmental and public health concern, particularly in regions impacted by industrial discharges and geogenic leaching. This study investigates the potential of activated biochar derived from Pinus roxburghii pinecones (PCB), an abundant forestry residue, as a sustainable and cost-effective adsorbent for the removal of Mn(II) from aqueous systems. The biochar was chemically activated using potassium hydroxide to enhance its adsorption properties. Comprehensive characterization using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the development of a highly porous structure and the presence of oxygen-containing functional groups responsible for metal binding. To optimize the adsorption process, Response Surface Methodology (RSM) based on a Box–Behnken Design (BBD) was employed, considering key operational parameters such as pH, adsorbent dosage, stirring speed, and contact time. The optimal conditions were determined to be pH 8.0, adsorbent dosage of 5 g/L, stirring speed of 230 rpm, and contact time of 45.6 min. Under these conditions, a maximum Mn(II) removal efficiency of 83.59% was achieved. The developed quadratic regression model demonstrated strong predictive capability, with a coefficient of determination (R²) of 0.9614. The findings highlight the effectiveness of pinecone-derived activated biochar as a low-cost and environmentally sustainable adsorbent for manganese removal. This approach not only supports efficient water remediation but also aligns with circular economy principles through the valorization of forestry waste. Graphical abstract