Aqsa kanwal

My research aims to identify the biodegradation of polymers to get rid of plastic pollution caused by conventional polymers. During my Ph.D., I studied the biodegradation of PBAT using CALB lipase and isolated soil bacteria and their ultimate effect on plant growth and soil microbial diversity. First, enzymatic degradation of PBAT copolymer using CALB lipase. The degradation rate was characterized using mass loss, change in pH, FTIR, XRD, TGA, and SEM. The mechanism of PBAT degradation by CALB lipase was also studied. Second, PBAT-degrading lipase-producing bacteria were isolated from Shaanxi (yuan jia sun) soil. Three strains (SUST B1, SUUST B2, and SUST B3) were selected based on lipase-producing characteristics. Phylogenetic trees were made for all three strains. Strains were subjected to physiological and biochemical experiments like gram staining, methyl red, Voges-Proskauer (V-P reaction), starch hydrolysis, catalase reaction, and lipid hydrolysis. After that, the effect of different growth conditions i.e. temperature, pH, degradation products, and inoculum concentration on lipase activity and PBAT degradation was studied. Third, the PBAT degradation was studied using three isolated lipase-producing strains SUST B1, SUST B2, and SUST B3, and the degradation rate was characterized by measuring mass loss, change in pH, FTIR, XRD, TGA, and SEM. Fourth, the symbiotic degradation of SUST B1, SUST B2, and SUST B3 was studied in a co-culture system. The main objective was to improve the degradation of PBAT. The degradation rate was characterized by recording mass loss rate, and change in pH, FTIR, XRD, and SEM. The PBAT degradation mechanism and factors affecting the rate of degradation were also studied. Fifth, the effect of PBAT degradation products on plant growth and soil microbial diversity was studied in separate experiments that explored the effects of different particle sizes and additive amounts of PBAT microplastics on the soil microbial communities. Address: Village Dreak, Tehsil, and district Rawalakot, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan. Email: [email protected] Phone: 0355-6483072 During my masters, I investigated the effect calcium carbide along with urea nitrogen on plant growth, and yield. Nitrate pollution has become a serious environmental concern all over the world including in China due to the mismanagement of water resources and human activities. Agricultural runoff is among the major sources of nitrate pollution. The study aimed to examine the effect of calcium carbide in minimizing the nitrification rate of nitrogenous fertilizers and its ultimate effect on the growth, yield, and N-use efficiency of pepper (Capsicum annum L.) grown in pots under greenhouse conditions. The effects of calcium carbide on NH4 + -N, NO3 - -N, and total mineral nitrogen (TMN) were determined during the incubation study. Results demonstrated that it is an efficient nitrification inhibitor and can be used along with nitrogenous fertilizers to reduce nitrification-related losses ultimately reducing groundwater pollution.