Partha Pratim Chakravorty
Biography
He is Associate Professor, Post Graduate Department of Zoology, Raja Narendra Lal Khan Women’s College( Autonomous), Midnapore, West Bengal, India o Specialisation : Entomology & Ecology o Educational Background : a) Ph.D. (Zoology), 1991, Visva Bharati, Santiniketan, West Bengal. Title of the thesis : Studies on the ecological hazards and residual toxicity of some insecticides on non target soil microarthropode fauna. b) Master of science (Life Science) with Entomology special paper, 1985, Visva Bharati, Santiniketan, West Bengal. c) Bachelor of Science (Zoology major), 1982, Burdwan University, Burdwan, West Bengal. Teaching Experience: Undergraduate level : 21+ years. Post Graduate level: 17+ years. Research Experience: 35years ( 6 years post Doc. Experience).
Research Interest
Areas of Interest- Teaching: Ecology, Entomology, Environmental Science
Specific area of research:
1. Effect of pesticides & heavy metals pollution on soil inhabiting, ecological beneficial soil micro and meso fauna.
2. Usefulness of enzymes and molecular biological techniques like gene sequencing of spring tail and earthworms as biomarker to detect pesticides & heavy metals pollution in soil.
3. Establishment of ecological safe doses of selected pesticides to enhance the Biological Diversity of Soil and also help the productivity of crop and maintained the insect pests attack below the ETL
Abstract
Stress Biomarkers and Bioconcentration in Xenylla welchi Exposed to Lead-Contaminated Soil: Implications for Collembola under Pollution Stress
Abstract:
This study analyses the physiological and biochemical stress responses of the microarthropod Xenylla welchi to various sublethal doses of lead-contaminated garden soil in microcosms, with the goal of determining the impact of metallic contamination in tropical ecosystems. X. welchi, a soil-dwelling collembola, is part of a diverse and ecologically important group of microarthropods that improve soil health by cycling nutrients, decomposing organic materials, and interacting with microbes. However, increased soil pollution, particularly heavy metal contamination, is causing a reduction in collembola biodiversity by reducing population density, species richness, and community balance in impacted locations. The 24-hour LC50 for lead acetate was 2653.23 mg/kg, according to this study. Chronic exposure to various sublethal concentrations (1/2, 1/4, 1/6, and 1/8 of LC50) resulted in significant reductions in exuvia production, fecundity, and lifespan, especially at higher lead levels. Several biochemical indicators were tested to better understand lead-induced stress responses. A marked decrease in glutathione (GSH) levels indicated oxidative stress, while glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity displayed temporal variations, initially increasing and then declining with prolonged exposure. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity was consistently decreased in all treatment groups, indicating neurotoxicity. Furthermore, metallothionein (MT) levels increased dramatically following prolonged lead exposure, indicating an adaptive response to metal detoxification. Bioconcentration study revealed lead buildup in X. welchi tissue, with bioconcentration factors (BCFs) demonstrating a clear dose-dependent metal intake from the soil. This accumulation not only poses physiological risks to the organism, but also highlights its potential as a bioindicator species for monitoring heavy metal contamination. The cumulative physiological, biochemical, and bioconcentration responses of X. welchi emphasize the species' susceptibility to lead exposure and provide essential insight into the broader ecological consequences of heavy metal contamination. These findings highlight the decline in collembolan biodiversity as a result of soil pollution and emphasize the need of preserving soil faunal variety for ecosystem resilience and sustainability.
