bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Concentration and Enrichment Factor of Trace Metals in the Coal	Electric Power Station Sediments of Kapar, Selangor, Malaysia
Authors: Shafie Azlina , Ahmad Zaharuddin , Ali Masni Mohd , Mohamed Che Abd Rahim
Published: November 2024

The concentrations of trace elements such as Zn, Mn, Cu, Co, Pb, Cr, Fe and Al in the interval of three cm were detected using the Atomic Absorption Spectrometry in three sediment cores at Kapar coastal area, nearby the coal-fired power plant. The range of these metals were 14.0 ± 1.37 – 58.1 ± 4.94 μgg $^{-1}$ (Zn), 192 ± 13 – 350 ± 23 μgg $^{-1}$ (Mn), 4.5 ± 0.53 – 12.4 ± 0.79 μgg $^{-1}$ (Cu), 12.7 ± 0.35 – 40.4 ± 1.08 μgg $^{-1}$ (Co), 14.5 ± 0.22 – 59.1 ± 0.59 μgg $^{-1}$ (Pb), 3.5 ± 0.11 – 15.6 ± 0.52 μgg $^{-1}$ (Cr), 0.84 ± 0.03 – 1.91 ± 0.06% (Fe) and 1.2 ± 0.00 – 5.2 ± 0.01% (Al) in dry weight, where Al is used to normalize these metals in order to calculate the enrichment factors (EF). The EF values obtained were in the range of 0.26 to 1.23 for all metals and not exceeded the ratio of 1:3, which indicate that the equilibrium condition was due to the origin of crust material or natural processes. This proves that Kapar coastal was not affected by the contamination of heavy metals neither from the coal-fired power plant operations nor the river discharges.
A Case Study on Bulking Problems in Paper Recycling Effluent	Treatment Plant in Malaysia
Authors: Redzwan Ghufran , Ying Lisa Lee Siew , Ibrahim Shaliza , Annuar Suffian
Published: November 2024

This study was conducted to investigate the cause of bulking problem at the effluent treatment plant (ETP) of a paper recycling plant in Malaysia. Hypothetically, the effluent is lacking nutrients and could induce the overpopulation of filamentous bacteria, and further cause the bulking problem during the effluent treatment using activated sludge process. Experiment to simulate treatment operations had been set up at laboratory. The simulation showed that the bulking started to occur after the first cycle of the fed-batch operation with the typical effluent. To make up the lacking of nutrients in the effluent, urea (N) and phosphate (P) were added as supplements with the ratio of BOD:N:P equal to 100:1.0:0.7. The supplemented effluent was again tested by a simulation study and showed that the bulking problem started to take place after the third cycle of feeding regime. Bulking problem also periodically took place in the actual operation when the same supplemented formula was applied; however the frequency of occurrence was lesser. Therefore, this study has shown that other than the lack of nutrients, there are other factors that could cause bulking problem.
Comparative Studies of Concentrations of Cu and Zn in the Surface	Intertidal Sediments Collected from East, South and West Coasts of Peninsular	Malaysia
Authors: Yap C.K. , Cheng W.H. , Tan S.G.
Published: November 2024

Malaysia is one of the fast economic developing nations in the region. From the ecotoxicological points of view, many environmental concerns are expected to continually rise up due to the potential anthropogenic inputs such as industries and urbanization. Although the heavy metal concentrations had been reported in the sediments from the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia, the east coast receives lesser attention since it is not as populous and industrialized as in the west coast. In this study, concentrations of Cu and Zn for surface sediments were determined and the samples were collected between 2002 and 2004, from west (five sites), south (five sites) and east (10 sites) intertidal area of Peninsular Malaysia. Total Cu concentrations ranged from 3.80 to 117 μg/g dry weight with south coast recording the highest mean concentration (38.8 μg/g dry weight), followed by west (31.13 μg/g dry weight) and east coasts (12.96 μg/g dry weight). Total Zn concentrations ranged from 36.6 to 395 μg/g dry weight with west coast recording the highest mean concentration (137 μg/g dry weight), followed by south (111 μg/g dry weight) and east coasts (73.8 μg/g dry weight). Apart from the comparison based on the conventional total concentrations of metals, three geochemical fractions (EFLE, acid-reducible and oxidisable-organic) were also useful in identifying the polluted sites in which the three geochemical fractions in the sediments of the west and south coasts of Peninsular Malaysia had significantly (P < 0.05) higher concentrations of Cu and Zn when compared to those in the east coastal sediments. This had strengthened our previous assumption that the east coast is less polluted by anthropogenic Cu and Zn when compared to the west and south coasts of Peninsular Malaysia.
Renewable Energy-based BTS for Remote Locations in	Bangladesh
Authors: Kaiser M. Shamim , Rahman M. Mostafizur , Rahman M. Arifur
Published: November 2024

In this paper, energy efficient renewable energy-based Base Transceiver System (BTS) for an isolated location, such as Saint Martin's Island, has been proposed. Saint Martin's is one of the most beautiful tourist islands in Bangladesh where grid connected electric system for the residents and for the telecommunication system will not be possible to launch even in future. Thus the telecommunication network coverage does not exist. The residential consumers use diesel, kerosene and wood for fulfilling their energy demand. Solar and wind resources are the hybrid options for the island. HOMER, a software for optimization of renewable energy-based hybrid systems, has been used to find out the finest technically, economically and environmentally viable renewable energy-based efficient system. Analysis has been done for operating a BTS which consumes a constant power of about 1.5 kW all the days of the year.
Dissipation Behaviour of Spinosad Insecticide in Chilli and Soil
Authors: Sharma Anjali , Srivastava Anjana , Ram Bali , Srivastava P.C.
Published: November 2024

The persistence of Spinosad insecticide in chilli fruits was evaluated at two application rates (73.0 g a.i./ha and 146.0 g a.i./ha) by high performance liquid chromatography. The dissipation of the insecticide from chilli fruits appeared to occur in two phases. Each phase followed first-order kinetics. Half life values of Spinosad for the first and second phase on green chilli were found to be 1.48 d and 0.70 d respectively for 73.0 g a.i./ha application rate, and 6.72 d and 5.55 d respectively for 146.0 g a.i./ha application rate. No detectable residues (<0.05 μg/g) were found in red chilli and soil, sampled on the 15th day of application which depicts that spinosad is environmentally safe as regards soil pollution.
Thai's Monitoring Mechanism as a Tool for Pollution Control
Authors: Swangjang Kanokporn
Published: November 2024

The research report in this paper focusses on environmental monitoring through a comparison of project for which Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is mandatory (paper production) and those for which EIA is not required (fish processing). The content of an EIS was found to be a key determinant in defining the monitoring procedures for projects requiring EIA. Generally, more comprehensive, an EIS results in extensive requirements for project monitoring. For non-EIS projects, monitoring provisions are more uniform and determined by other provisions, such as pollution control regulations. For both types of project, agencies are responsible for ensuring the performance of both projects that require EIA and those that do not. The results of study confirm that monitoring procedures for projects requiring EIA are more satisfactory since EIS can supply the basic prescription of the project performance.
Estimation of Fluoride Content in the Edible Vegetables of an	Industrial Area in Orissa
Authors: Ravichandran B. , Roychowdhury A. , Mukerjee A.K. , Gangopadhyay  , Saiyed H.N.
Published: November 2024

The excessive fluoride intake through food and water is harmful to human as well as animals. The present paper is an attempt to analyze the fluoride content in the vegetables of a polluted area where endemic and industrial fluorosis co-exist. The common vegetables consumed in the local area were selected and analysed. The results showed that the fluoride content in the vegetables of the study area were higher than the samples from control area.
Fixed Bed Column Study for the Removal of Zn(II) from Aquatic	Waste by Sodium Carbonate Treated Rice Husk
Authors: Kumar Upendra
Published: November 2024

The fixed bed of sodium carbonate treated rice husk (NCRH) was used for the removal of Zn(II) from water environment. The NCRH was found to be a efficient media for the removal of Zn(II) from wastewater. The column having a diameter of 2 cm, with bed depth 10 cm can treat 2.28 litre of Zn(II) bearing wastewater with Zn(II) concentration 10 mg/l and flow rate 9.5 ml/min. A method has been shown to predict the theoretical breakthrough curve using the data obtained from the batch isotherm studies and theoretical breakthrough curve was compared with experimental breakthrough curve.
Effect of Inorganic Pollutants on Body Structures of the Pomfret, Pampus argenteus (Stromatidae: Perciformes)
Authors: Bu-Olayan Ah , Thomas B.V. , Husseini M.S.
Published: November 2024

The intensification of environmental stress greatly contributes to the significant rise of trace metal pollution in Kuwaiti water resources making threats on aquatic life. This instigated us to determine the trace metals (Pb, Ni, V, Cd and As), on the commercially relished Pomfret, Pampus argenteus and also in relation to nutrient levels in seawater. The sequence of Pb>Cd>Ni>V>As levels was observed in both Kuwait Bay and coastal waters sites. Nutrient levels were observed in the sequence of Silicate>Nitrate>Phosphate in both the sites. Observations showed high trace metals and nutrient levels in Kuwait Bay than in the coastal waters. Among the three body parts, observation showed high trace metal concentrations in otolith followed by dorsal fin and eye lens. This study showed significant correlation between fish length (15-30 cm) and the body parts. The overall bioaccumulation factor (BAF) in their body parts was in the sequence of As>V>Ni>Cd>Pb and high in Kuwait Bay than in the coastal waters. High trace metals bioaccumulation was observed in dorsal fins followed by otolith and eye lens. These results validate hard parts of P. argenteus as an indicator of trace metal pollution other than its use in the aging studies.
Awareness, Attitude and Behavioural Status of Waste Management: A	Profile of Malaysian Contractors
Authors: Begum Rawshan Ara , Pereira Joy Jacqueline
Published: November 2024

This paper highlights the awareness, attitude and behavioural status of local contractors in the Malayisan construction industry with respect to waste management. It is pointed out from the findings that the contractors' behaviour, which is reflected by their attitude and awareness, tends to be different depending on their registration category to the CIDB such as large, medium or small contractors. The results also show that contractors are relatively less familiar with source reduction compared to recycling. Thus, the efforts to increase awareness among contractors in the Malaysian construction industry should be intensified as it will create a positive attitude and lead to improvements in their waste management practices. The findings of this study could help environmental and waste management planners in their decision making for managing construction waste and reducing environmental pollution in Malaysia.
Performance Evaluation of the Wastewater Treatment Plant of Sfax	City (Tunisia): Influence of Intrinsic and Extrinsic Factors
Authors: Azri Chafai , Abida Habib , Medhioub Khaled
Published: November 2024

This study detailed the effect of simultaneous multiple intrinsic and extrinsic factors on the characteristics of an aerated lagoon, located in a semi-arid Mediterranean region (Sfax city, Tunisia). The plant performance was evaluated through descriptive and statistical analysis of quantity and quality data of both raw wastewaters and treated effluents over a period of six years (1991-1996). Poor performance was shown to be attributed to raw wastewaters quality, expansion of the population and its activities, rainwater, bad functioning of the grit chamber and ventilation conditions. Furthermore, the influence of other factors related to the industrial atmospheric contribution appeared to be non-negligible.
Environmental Noise Pollution in the City of Tabriz, Iran
Authors: Khosravian G.R. , Kavei G.
Published: November 2024

There are many reports on the noise pollution and its hazards from many cities around the world. The aims of these investigations were the environmental noise pollution in the populated cities in the world. This issue is not looked at as a severe problem and has not been paid much attention to in Iran. However, we intended to study noise pollution in the urban city of Tabriz ‐ one of the crowded and prominent cities of Iran. We carried out our research at 1000 stations over the city and found that sound level was lower than 65 dB in 7.7% of stations, over 75 dB in 59.8% of stations and 37.5% in the range of 65-75 dB (in particular in the service zones and city centre) during the day.
ANN-based Model for Aiding Leak Detection in Water Distribution	Networks
Authors: Sivapragasam C. , Maheswaran R. , Venkatesh Veena
Published: November 2024

Industrial and municipal water distribution networks often have a considerable amount of water lost in transit, particularly in a country like India. Several attempts are being made to detect leaks, of which the physical methods are more commonly employed. However, such methods are reported to be less efficient and time consuming. This paper presents a Neural Network based approach to aid the physical methods. The methodology is demonstrated in a hypothetical unsymmetrical water distribution network. EPANET is chosen to model the hydraulic behaviour of the system. The effect of non-operative/defective pressure meter in the leaking pipe is also studied. It is seen that the proposed methodology performs remarkably well in predicting the exact leaking pipe, the location of leak in the pipe and the leak size. The prediction of leak location in the leaking pipe is more sensitive to the pressure signals from the leaking pipe. Thus, it is concluded that a simple simulation study can be very effective in considerably reducing the time in field methods of leak identification.
Infiltration on Canal as a Method for Recharging Groundwater	Storage
Authors: Sunjoto S.
Published: November 2024

Water losses in a designed irrigation area for paddy fields is necessary to be examined. Water losses in conveyance canal consists of evaporation and infiltration. The infiltrating water becomes groundwater storage and is distributed along the canal.

Semi-empiric equation of infiltration on canal was developed by Moritz (1913) and the semi-graphic equation was developed by Bouwer (1965). Forchheimer (1930) has developed a formula based on dynamic balance of water flow to calculate the permeability coefficient value of soils and was continued by Dachler (1936) and Sunjoto (2002) that computed the shape factor of a well based on those formulas. Further, it can be developed a formula of water losses in the conveyance canals to complete the two existing formulas of Moritz and Bouwer.

This research aimed to get a field data and had measured water losses directly in the canal of Sukawati Irrigation Region in Comal, Central Java, Indonesia. The results of the measurement are compared to the calculating results derived from the three formulas of Moritz, Bouwer and the proposed formula, based on the field data and for soil coefficient of permeability is 8.333 × 10 $^{-6}$ m/s. An analysis of the result is conducted using a least square and linear regression method. The result of the comparison are as follows: the proposed formula has the smallest deviation, followed by the Bouwer formula in the middle, and finally the Moritz formula has the biggest deviation.
Data and Information for Integrated Water Resources Management	(IWRM): Needs and Challenges
Authors: Elfithri Rahmah , Mokhtar Mazlin B. , Saad Nik Mohd Noor Faizul B. Md.
Published: November 2024

Perspectives on data and information sharing and management are varied amongst individuals, organizations and countries. It refers to different needs and challenges among them to collect and keep the data in sustainable ways and practices. The big challenges related to data and information in Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) is to acquire and compile data and information in a timely manner. These need to be discussed in order to better understand the needs of data and information to be packaged in the appropriate way for various stakeholders i.e. government, private sector, NGO, academia, public, etc. in order to overcome barriers in data and information sharing exercise. Challenges in differences of software and hardware matters of data and information management are also important to be discussed and streamlined in order to facilitate the implementation of IWRM in our countries and regions. Collaboration among agencies and all related stakeholders is very much needed to realize this aspiration. Collaborative Decision Making (CDM) is seen to be a suitable mechanism for data and information sharing and exchange among agencies, where data and information need to be obtained through consensus and consultation mechanism. CDM needs involvement of relevant stakeholders to work together as partners and make decisions collaboratively in aspects related to various issues in water resources management. CDM will also ensure a more informed and holistic decision-making in water resources management.
Application of Ultrafiltration Membrane Technology in Pulp and	Paper Mills in Indian Context: A Review
Authors: Shukla Sudheer Kumar , Kumar Vivek , Bansal M.C.
Published: November 2024

In general, Indian pulp and paper mills generate 25–225 m $^3$ wastewater/tonne of paper. Pulp and paper mill effluent carries high pollution load in terms of COD, BOD, absorbable organic halides (AOX) and is dark brown in colour mainly due to the lignin and lignin derivatives. Stringent application of new environmental norms in the form of CREP (Corporate Responsibility for Environmental Protection) has forced many mills to close down their operation. Hence, large proportion of water now being discharged need to be recycled back into the system at the appropriate intake points with/without treatment. There are several conventional treatment processes employed in Indian paper industry which effectively remove BOD, TSS, and also COD but do not remove colour, AOX, heavy metal and process chemicals as per the desired level to recirculate the process water in good condition.

Membrane technology is being adopted increasingly in the paper mills for closing their mill production process. Application of membrane technology is one such option which can improve the recycled water quality by removal of heavy metal contaminates, COD, TSS, colour, AOX, and lignin. This shall reduce the load on conventional recovery evaporation system with no significant loss of inorganic compounds. Membranes also provide an effective method of closing the chelating stages and allow the filtrates to be used as bleach plant wash liquors. Membrane filtration also allows efficient recycling of white water. The present paper reviews current status of ultrafiltration in terms of R efforts and its application to the paper industry with due focus of system closure in Indian pulp and paper mills.
Seasonal Changes and Major Cation Composition in Individual Rain	Events at Ballarat, Central Victoria (Australia)
Authors: Sultan Khawar
Published: November 2024

Rainfall events (n = 120, representing 702.7 mm rain) were collected at the Mount Helen site in Ballarat, Central Victoria (Australia) from November 2002 to November 2003 and analysed for rainfall amount, pH, electric conductivity (EC), temperature and major cation (Ca, Na, Mg and K) composition. The pH exhibited large variations, from 4.2 (in winter) to 7.7 (in summer) with an average value of 6.0. Twenty-one percent of the recorded rain events were acidic (pH < 5.5) and 29% were neutral to alkaline (pH > 6.5). The mean dissolved concentrations of major cations varied in the order: Na>>Ca>K>Mg. All major cations varied significantly (Na and K >50-fold, Ca >100- fold and Mg >450-fold) in the individual rain events. While Na and Mg were the most and least abundant cations in all seasons, respectively, Ca recorded the second dominant cation in spring and winter, and K in summer and autumn seasons. About 3-fold higher K concentration in summer (average ∼65μeq/L) as compared to the winter season (average ∼21μeq/L), pointed to possible biogenic emissions and forest burnings in the area. The rainwater chemistry appeared to be controlled mainly by terrestrial sources; however, the higher value of Na (upto 434.9 μeq/L in summer season) pointed to the influence of marine sources in few rain events. More than 15% of rain events recorded >300 μeq/L of Na, which could be significant from the agricultural and environmental point of view for both quality and quantity.
Temporal, Spatial and Depth Variation of Nutrients and Chlorophyll	Content in an Urban Wetland
Authors: Kapil Nibedita , Bhattacharyya Krishna Gopal
Published: November 2024

The Deepor Beel is a permanent, freshwater lake at the southwest corner of Guwahati in the southern bank of the Brahmaputra River and the Beel serves as the major storm water storage basin for Guwahati city. It is recognized as a Ramsar site (No. 1207) in 2002. The water quality of the Beel is threatened in recent times by excessive fishing activities, hunting of water birds, pollution from pesticides and fertilizers, and infestation by water hyacinth Eichhornia crassipes. The present work reports on bimonthly monitoring of macro and micro nutrients including nitrate, phosphate, potassium, boron, copper, iron, zinc at 13 different sites and three different depths of the water column. The impact of the nutrients on chlorophyll (a, b and c) contents of the wetland were also monitored. Each parameter was monitored 202 times in total. The measured values were subjected to analysis of variance test, which indicated important temporal, spatial and depth-wise correlations for the parameters. The ratios of total nitrogen to total phosphorus for the water is mostly <10 and the Trophic State Index is >70.0, both of which point to a phosphorus-enriched state and water approaching eutrophic conditions. The results indicate a serious degradation in quality of the water mostly due to human interferences.
Adsorption of Heavy Metals from Water and Waste Water Using Low	Cost Adsorbents from Agricultural By-Products
Authors: Utomo Handojo Djati , Salim Mohd Razman
Published: November 2024

The use of agricultural by-products have been widely investigated as a replacement for current conventional methods for removing heavy metals from waste water, such as chemical precipitation, ion exchange, membrane technologies and electrochemical treatment. Although adsorption process using activated carbon are successfully applied for purification of potable water and the removal of organic pollutants in waste water, the expensive cost of the adsorbent material is still an issue for developing countries. Alternative adsorbents using low cost agricultural by-products are now becoming emergent. The application of low cost adsorbent for treating various adsorbate contaminants such as colour, trace metals, trace organics or chemical oxygen demand have been investigated worldwide. A focus on heavy metals contamination in waste water is a major concern due to their potential toxicity, persistence and tendency to become concentrated in food chains. With sources from more than 100 published papers low cost agricultural by-products have demonstrated outstanding capabilities in adsorbing heavy metal ions from aqueous solution. In this review, an extensive list of adsorbent literature has been compiled to provide a summary of information on a wide range of low-cost agricultural by-product adsorbents. The adsorption capacities depend largely on the characteristics of the adsorbent, pretreatment of the adsorbents, pH and the initial metal concentration.
Investigations of Hygienic State of Drinking Water at Different	Tourist Places of Alwar District of Rajasthan (India)
Authors: Chandrawat M.P.S. , Gupta Jaya , Mudhoo Ackmez , Sharma Sanjay K.
Published: November 2024

Tourist places in the Alwar District of the Rajasthan State are places of significant cultural and historical heritage and are also for pilgrimage. Evaluations of the chemical quality and hygienic status have been carried out to know the risk factor of drinking water in these different tourist places. The pH, chloride, fluoride, nitrate, total dissolved solids (TDS) and total hardness (TH) have been monitored and assessed. This study was performed to bring out a drinking water quality status report of the tourist places of Alwar district. Eight important tourist places of the district were taken into consideration to take the chemical investigation of drinking water: Jai Samand, Siliserh, Sariska, Kali Ghati, Pandupole, Bhathariji, Tal-Vriksha and Naldeshwar. Eleven samples have been analyzed, compared and assessed. It was concluded that there was a severe presence of particular constituents in all the tourist places. The results of this comparative study are compiled in the present article.
Dissolved Heavy Metals and Water Quality in the Surface Waters of	Rivers and Drainages of the West Peninsular Malaysia
Authors: Yap C.K. , Fairuz M.S. , Yeow K.L. , Hatta M.Y. , Ismail A. , Ismail A. Rahim , Tan S.G.
Published: November 2024

The dissolved concentrations of metals (Cd, Cu, Pb, Ni, Fe and Zn), temperature, total dissolved solids, pH, dissolved oxygen, salinity and conductivity were determined in the surface waters of 24 geographical sampling sites including city and urban drainages and rivers, from the west Peninsular Malaysia, collected in January to April 2005. From these sampling sites, the ranges (min-max) of dissolved metal concentrations (mg/L) were Cd: 0.001-0.055, Cu: 0.001-0.1773, Pb: 0.001-1.523, Ni: 0.001-0.246, Fe: 0.001-35.67 and Zn: 0.0001-0.609 while for the water quality are pH: 4.96-9.81, dissolved oxygen (0.39-7.26 mg/L), total dissolved solids (0.002-10.02 mg/L), salinity (0.00-8.93 ppt), conductivity (3.33-17423 μS/cm) and temperature (27.8-35.3�). Some sites with elevated dissolved concentrations of heavy metals and poor water quality indicated the anthropogenic inputs of industrial and urban wastes. Regular monitoring of water quality in all drainage waters is recommended.
Evaluating Externally Funded Water Supply Projects in	Nigeria
Authors: Okereke P.A. , Onyenechere E.C.
Published: November 2024

Hitherto, most policy issues in connection with water supply were usually without any detailed financial and economic feasibility studies. This has been so because of the popularly held misconception that water is a social commodity, which should be provided free of charge by government. With the now common resort to external loans to fund water project, the issue of project evaluation has become a precondition by foreign creditors such as the World Bank and the African Development Bank. This paper examines the necessity for evaluating externally funded water supply projects in Nigeria using the National Water Rehabilitation Project (NWRP) in some States as a case study. It examines some popular methods used in evaluating projects, noting that these methods are not suitable for water projects because SWAs in Nigeria have no investment options than in water supply for now. The paper suggests the adoption of the "priority index" approach.
Food Industry Effluent Treatment: An Advance Anaerobic	Method
Authors: Pathak Jyotsana , Srivastava R.K.
Published: November 2024

In present study a food industry effluent was studied to find out its pollutants concentrations and to suggest a modified anaerobic treatment method which has a low cost technology for treatment of effluent. The performance of this modified method was compared with conventional anaerobic treatment method. Various experiments have been performed to find out suitability of this modified technology which was named as Up flow anaerobic sludge filter reactor (UFASFR). It was found that removal efficiency of pollutants was higher with UFASFR as compared with Conventional anaerobic reactor (CAR). It was also envisaged that hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 12 hrs was best suited for the treatment of food industry effluent by UFASFR treatment method.
Treatment of Slaughterhouse Waste by an Anaerobic Hybrid	Reactor
Authors: Farooqi I.H. , Asifuzzaman  , Basheer Farrukh
Published: November 2024

The study was carried out to assess the feasibility of using an anaerobic hybrid reactor for the treatment of slaughterhouse wastewater. The reactor, consisting of an Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB) at the bottom and an anaerobic filter at the top, was seeded with the digested sewage sludge and was initially fed with neutralized acetic acid for the activation of methanogens. Subsequently slaughterhouse waste was fed to the reactor. The experiments were conducted in five different phases by varying the hydraulic retention time (HRT) from 24 hours to 18, 12, 8 and 4 hours. Influent chemical oxygen demand (COD) was increased from 760 mg/L to a maximum of 4200 mg/L. The organic loading was progressively increased from a low of 0.76 kg COD/m $^{3}$ d $^{-1}$ to a maximum of 20.24 kg COD/m $^{3}$ d $^{-1}$ . In the first phase of the study the organic loading rate (OLR) was increased from 0.76 kg COD/m $^{3}$ d $^{-1}$ to 2.88 kg COD/m $^{3}$ d $^{-1}$ and an HRT of 24 hours was maintained. The COD removal efficiency increased from 47.3% to 96% when the reactor achieved steady state conditions. For the next three phases the OLR was increased from 2.24 kg COD/m $^{3}$ d $^{-1}$ to 12.6 kg COD/m $^{3}$ d $^{-1}$ by decreasing the HRT to 18, 12 and 8 hours. The COD removal efficiency dropped for few days but regained within a short time and was around 95% for each loading rate. However, as OLR was increased to 20.24 kg COD/m $^{3}$ d $^{-1}$ and HRT was decreased to four hours, the COD removal efficiency decreased (64%). It is seen that the reactor performed well over a wide range of OLR and a COD and BOD removal efficiency of 95% was achieved till an HRT of eight hours. The solids removal efficiency was 73%. It is concluded that higher organic loadings can be applied to the reactor up to an HRT of eight hours and slaughterhouse waste can be successfully treated using anaerobic hybrid reactor. However additional units in series are required to bring the BOD level to permissible values.
Assessment of Water Pollution through Its Electrical Conductivity	and pH Measurement
Authors: Tiwari Ramesh Chandra
Published: November 2024

The studies related to water pollution assessment has rarely been done for Mizoram, the remotest northeastern state of India. In this hilly state, only 60% people of the state have the access to safe drinking water, in spite of high annual rainfall. The main sources of drinking water for the people in Mizoram are through streams, tap water, rain water and river water. In the present investigation, an attempt has been made to assess the pollution of water obtained from different sources for thirty samples. The electrical conductivity and pH values of the collected samples have been measured at room temperature and analyzed. It has been found that the amount of pollution is highest in the stream water which is located in the vicinity of the drainage and garbage disposal point, while the fresh rain water has been found to be more polluted than stored rain water and the quality of tap water is even better than stored rain water. The measured pH values of various water samples also provide information about the acidic or basic character of water samples.
Degradation of Petroleum Hydrocarbon in the Wetlands by Estuarine	Biofilms
Authors: Kigigha Lovet T. , Underwood Graham J.C.
Published: November 2024

As a result of increased generation of energy from fossil fuel in recent times, there is increased contamination of sensitive ecosystems (such as the estuaries) worldwide. The human population is not exposed to the severity of the impact of pollutants due largely to the activities of microorganisms. The survival of mankind from increasing pollution inevitably depends on the constant monitoring of the environment. The estuaries exhibit interesting features as choice human habitats in which pollutants are circulated continuously. The biota (especially the microalgal and bacterial biofilms) in such ecosystems become hardy and are very valuable agents in pollutant biodegradation. This paper reviews the peculiar nature of the estuaries in recycling pollutants; the interaction between the resilient estuarine biofilms and recalcitrant PHC in the wetlands and the field evaluation of in situ bioremediation.
Groundwater Arsenic Variations in Bangladesh: The Role of Depth,	Seasons, Locations and Age of Tube Wells
Authors: Iqbal M.T.
Published: November 2024

Groundwater arsenic contamination is now one of the most significant problems in Bangladesh. Role of depth, seasons, locations and age of tube well for groundwater arsenic variation in Bangladesh was studied. MERCK arsenic test kit was used to determine arsenic concentration variation. Tube well water depth was measured with the help of an avometer, measuring tap and plastic insulated wire. Also, depth and age of the tube wells were determined through asking questions, secondary sources of DPHE and Union Council. Results indicate that arsenic concentration levels are about 41.31% under WHO guideline (0.01 mg/l), 29.69% are within the permissible level (0.05 mg/l) and 29% exceed the permissible level (> 0.05 mg/l). No relation was observed between arsenic concentration and water table depth. At depth below 15 m, 92.68% of tube wells were arsenic level under WHO guideline (0.01 mg/l), 4.88% within permissible limit (0.05 mg/l) and 2.44% exceeding permissible limit (>0.05 mg/l). At depth between 15 and 30 m, 40.43% of tube wells were arsenic levels under WHO guideline, 34.04% within the permissible limit and 25.53% exceeding the permissible limit. At depths between 31 and 46 m, 25.49% of tube wells were arsenic levels under WHO guideline, 39.22% within the permissible limit and 35.29% exceeding the permissible limit. At depth between 46 and 76 m, no tube well was arsenic level under WHO guideline, 40% within permissible limit and 60% exceeding permissible limit. But, there were many significant changes observed in each depth from below 30 m to above 70 m. Less arsenic concentration was observed in the dry season as compared to the wet season. Less significant difference was observed within locations. Result showed that from less than 15 m to 76 m depth arsenic concentration trend is higher in each tube well that was installed since eighties.
Sediment Characteristic and Concentration of Heavy Metals in Water	and Sediment of the Effluent Discharging Water Body of Nagaon Paper Mill,	Assam, India
Authors: Sarma K.P. , Talukdar B.
Published: November 2024

The impact of Nagaon Paper Mill effluent on the sediment of the effluent discharging water course in water and sediment was studied. Analysis of bed sediment samples showed a general decreasing trend of pH, alkalinity, EC, organic carbon, and organic matter from sampling stations 1 to 6. Water holding capacity, water content, bulk density, Ca $^{2+}$ , Mg $^{2+}$ , and sulphate of bed sediment samples collected from sampling station 1 to 6 has an increasing trend. This means that the upstream of the beel was polluted with respect to reference sampling station at 7. It was revealed from the analysis of the results of heavy metals concentration in effluent, beel water and sediment that their concentration lies far below the tolerance limit. However, the heavy metals concentrations in beel water and sediment samples at different sampling stations were higher than the concentration of heavy metals at reference sampling station 7. Analysis of bed sediment samples showed a general decreasing trend of heavy metals viz., Cu, Cd, Pb and Zn from sampling station 1 to 6.
Lead Concentrations in the Blood of Residents of the Mineralized	and Mining Environs
Authors: Onyedika G.O. , Nwankwo C.S. , Ajaero C. , Ejike E.N. , Iwu I.C.
Published: November 2024

Lead ion concentration in blood samples of the hospitalized patients of the mineralized area of Ishiagu environs, were assayed. Ishiagu has lead and zinc deposits and active mining of these minerals. Lead concentration in the blood of selected hospital patients range between 0.40 and 2.00 ppm. The lead (Pb) concentration varied with age. Residents within the age of 5-20 years have lead concentration of 0.40-1.00 ppm while age within 21-60 years have lead concentration of 1.00-2.00 ppm. A correlation between length of exposure and age was established. A group within 33-44 years has the highest lead concentration in their blood.
Alternatives to Salt Preservation: Preservation by Reducing	Moisture Content
Authors: Suguna Lonchin , Rathinasamy Veerappan , Iyappan Kuttalam , Chandrababu N.K. , Baran Mandal Asit
Published: November 2024

The first step in leather processing is the preservation or curing of hides and skins. Conventionally 40-50% of common salt is used to preserve the skins and hides, which leads to an increase in the Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) and chlorides (Cl) in the tannery effluent. Hence, researchers are demanded to look for alternative methods of preservation with less salt or salt-less preservation. In this paper, we report the results of the investigations carried out by reducing the moisture content of the skins using acetone and preserving them using low concentrations of boric acid. The properties and qualities of the crust leather are at par with the salt preserved skins. Also, this method offers significant reduction in TDS in the tannery effluent. The results obtained in this study substantiated that reducing the moisture content of the skins and hides to certain extent and applying boric acid helps in preserving the hides and skins for more than a month.
Aral Sea Crisis: Large Scale Irrigation and Its Impact on Drinking	Water Quality and Human Health
Authors: Abdullayev Iskandar
Published: November 2024

The Central Asia, home of 40 million people, is located in the land locked region with extreme continental climate. The agriculture feeds almost all population. The decisions during Soviet times on making Central Asia cotton basket of Soviet Union had on-going impacts even today. Millions of people left their home places due to environmental crisis. Every year millions are suffering without drinking water and water for irrigation. The human environment of the basin has also been totally changed. The Aral Sea region now is a completely artificial territory, governed by unnatural processes. The extent of these changes is so great that natural rehabilitation is impossible. More than 2.5 million people live in this disaster zone. The purpose of this paper is to reflect on (i) socio-economic, ecological and institutional changes that contributed to the Aral Sea crisis, and (ii) present status of water resources use and possible developments in the region. The research is based on author's extensive field trips and research during 2001–2006 to the Aral Sea area, and extensive literature review on impacts of large-scale irrigation, e.g. soil salinity and high groundwater levels on human health. The research has indicated that in Central Asia, the irrigation systems are unsustainable, tend to create still huge risks to the human health and the large scale systems, created during the Soviet era became both economically and socially unfitting into the new systems of economy.
Modelling of Pumping Station in Conjunction with Kuching Barrage,	Malaysia for Flood Mitigation
Authors: Mah Darrien Yau Seng , Bateni Norazlina , Putuhena Frederik Josep , Lai Sai Hin
Published: November 2024

Singapore had amazed the engineering communities with the completion of Marina Barrage, particularly its pumping stations claimed to be the largest pumps in the world. This paper is an attempt of benchmarking the Marina Barrage's pumps to be applied in Kuching of Sarawak State, Malaysia. Kuching Barrage was deprived of a pumping station in its design, while Marina Barrage was equipped with seven pumps each with 40 m $^3$ /s in pumping rate, 120 rpm in speed and 3.5 m in head. The modelling efforts had indicated that Kuching Barrage would need five times the number of Marina's pumps to drain out the historical January 2004 major flood volumes to bankful levels. For many years, the local communities cried foul to the authorities on the lacking of a pumping station. This inference had explained the dilemma of situation obviously.
Monitoring the Atmospheric Deposition of Heavy Metals at Source	and Non-Source Oriented Sites of Varanasi, India
Authors: Pandey J. , Shubhashish K. , Pandey Richa
Published: November 2024

We measured the atmospheric depositions of total particulates and seven heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) at twentytwo urban and sub-urban locations of Varanasi, a holy city of India. Heavy metals in bulk deposits were measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Atmospheric depositions of Zn remained highest (31.65 to 636.15 g ha $^{-1}$ y $^{-1}$ ) followed by Mn (8.1 to 379.5 g ha $^{-1}$ y $^{-1}$ ), Pb (5.0 to 140 g ha $^{-1}$ y $^{-1}$ ), Cu (4.5 to 122.7 g ha $^{-1}$ y $^{-1}$ ), Ni (2.0 to 58.1 g ha $^{-1}$ y $^{-1}$ ), Cr (5 to 55 g ha $^{-1}$ y $^{-1}$ ) and Cd remained the lowest (0.45 to 17.7 g ha $^{-1}$ y $^{-1}$ ). The deposition of heavy metals remained highest during winter and lowest during rainy season. Atmospheric emissions coupled with wind actions appeared to have raised atmospheric loadings of heavy metals even in areas far away from source oriented sites. Since the city of Varanasi is flanked by a vast stretch of holy river Ganga at one side and agricultural lands at other sides, our data have relevance establishing air-soil-water-vegetable continuum of heavy metals from a human health perspective.
Air Pollution and Its Impact on Physical Fitness Level in Relation	with Nutritional Status
Authors: Das Paulomi , Chatterjee Pinaki , Debnath Parimal , Chatterjee Pratima , Datta (De) Santa
Published: November 2024

The present study was carried out with an objective to find out relationship between nutritional status and physical fitness level of junior sportspersons, age ranging between 14 and 16 years, in two different ambient air pollutant zones in West Bengal, India. The sample consisted of 50 sprinters (trained boys) (25 from Kolkata and 25 from Sonarpur) and 80 untrained boys (40 from Kolkata and 40 from Sonarpur) of West Bengal. Ambient air quality of two zones was monitored. Air pollutants' levels were higher in Kolkata than Sonarpur. The physical fitness parameters included agility, leg muscle power, speed and handgrip strength. Nutritional status was measured by oral questionnaire method and nutritive values (energy, carbohydrate, protein, fat, vitamin C, β-carotene, vitamin B $_1$ ) were calculated. Result revealed that physical fitness parameters were significantly higher in both sprinters and untrained boys of Sonarpur than Kolkata. No significant difference was observed in energy, carbohydrate, protein and fat intake between the groups. But vitamin C, β-carotene and vitamin B $_1$ intake showed significant higher values in both sprinters and untrained boys of Sonarpur. It was concluded that environmental air pollutants have adverse effect on physical fitness components and higher intake of vitamins helped both sprinters and untrained boys of Sonarpur to improve the performance level against the impact of air pollution.
Study of Physico-chemical Characteristics of Water Bodies of	Burdwan Municipal Area, West Bengal, India
Authors: Mondal N.K. , Sinha M. , Datta J.K. , Gupta S.
Published: November 2024

A study has been undertaken to evaluate the physico-chemical parameters (colour, temperature, pH, DO, COD, alkalinity, hardness, sodium, potassium, nitrate-nitrogen, phosphate) in surface water bodies (pond water) in Burdwan municipal area of West Bengal. Water samples collected from Ranisayar, Shyamsayar, Raj College pond, Laldighi, Krishnasayar, Kamalsayar, Gopalsayar, Hatipukur, Gargarghat and Bashbera were analyzed in laboratory. Results reveal that Ranisayar has less dissolved oxygen; COD of Ranisayar, Shyamsayar, Laldighi, Gopalsayar and Bashbera are high. All these ten ponds have high sodium and potassium concentration and the Krisnasayar has the highest phosphate level among these five ponds. Ultimately it is concluded that Ranisayar, Shyamsayar, Laldighi, Gopalsayar and Bashbera are more polluted than remaining five ponds.
Bioaccumulation of Cadmium and Lead by Lycopersicum Esculentum	(L.): Impact on Uptake of Nutritional Elements
Authors: Harikishan Uma , Kumar Ashok
Published: November 2024

Phytoextraction is an important technique used for the decontamination of areas polluted by lead and cadmium. Consequently, an understanding of the physiological responses to tolerance of tropical species subjected to increasing levels of contamination is fundamental before considering their use as phytoextractors in contaminated areas. The objective of this study was to assess the lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) uptake and the tolerance of Lycopersicum esculentum L. The outcome of this study corroborate that L. esculentum is a suitable candidate for the phytoremediation of Cd(II) and Pb(II) contaminated soils. Furthermore, the concentration of Cd and Pb determined in the dry root tissue indicates that L. esculentum could be considered as a potential Cd and Pb hyperaccumulator.
Physico-chemical Characterization of Water Quality of Eutrophied	Surface Water Body and Ground Water around the Field Crop Research Station,	Burdwan, West Bengal
Authors: Datta J.K. , Layek S. , Banerjee A. , Mondal N.K. , Gupta S.
Published: November 2024

A study on water quality of eutrophied surface water body of Kalna farm as well as ground water quality of the area was done to investigate the level of pollution and contamination that have occurred in these two sources of fresh water systems. Several physicochemical parameters viz., pH, temperature, TDS, turbidity, nitrate nitrogen, phosphate, sodium and potassium content were measured in groundwater samples. For surface water analysis, DO, BOD and COD were mediated to evaluate the pollution load of the surface water bodies surrounding the Kalna farm. Results indicate that all the surface water body was nutrient enriched in terms of sodium (14.73-27.98), potassium (6.59-10.31 mg/L) and phosphate content (0.52-0.73 mg/L) in the water whereas ground water contains more salt content than its surface water counterpart. Surface water body was found to be alkaline in nature (8.09-8.68) whereas ground water was found to be little acidic to neutral range (6.52-7.89). COD values (142-224 mg/L) were found to be higher than BOD values (2.42-5.64 mg/L) indicating presence of higher load of non-biodegradable wastes in the surface water bodies around Kalna farm.