International Journal of Environment and Waste Management (51 papers in press)

Special Issue on: “Landfill Leachate Management and Control”
Guest Editors: Dr. Hamidi Abdul Aziz and Dr. Mohd. Nordin Adlan, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysia Prof. Yung-Tse Hung, Cleveland State University, USA

• WET SCRUBBING OF SULFUR DIOXIDE IN A COUNTER-CURRENT SPRAY COLUMN WITH INTERNALS BY USING A TWIN FLUID AIR ASSIST ATOMIZER
  by B Rajmohan 
  Abstract: Spray scrubbers are used in scrubbing both particulate and gaseous pollutants. An attempt has been made to scrub lean SO2 gas using fine water droplets produced by a twin fluid air assist atomizer in a spray scrubber with simple internal structure to increase the residence time of the gas. The efficiency of the spray column decreases with increase in gas flow rate and increases with increase in SO2 concentration and liquid flow rate. The maximum efficiency obtained in this spray scrubber is 89.65 % for 1200ppm SO2 gas flow rate at 3.584 x 10-3 m3/s and liquid flow rate at 33.34 x 10-6 m3/s (AWR = 30).
  Keywords: Sulfur dioxide; Absorption; Atomizer; Spray scrubbers; Sauter mean diameter; Air water ratio
   
• A brief review on pollution and ecotoxicologic effects on Sundarban mangrove ecosystem in Bangladesh
  by Mohammed Mahabubur Rahman, Yan Chongling, Kazi Shakila Islam, Lu Haoliang 
  Abstract: Abstract: Mangrove ecosystems all over the world have been subjected to considerable environmental stresses from increasing urbanization and industrialization. The natural ecosystem of Sundarban mangrove wetland is under threat due to anthropogenic activities. The Sundarban mangrove ecosystem has become vulnerable to pollution such as oil spillage, heavy metals, agrochemicals–especially pesticides and nutrient pollutants–which may have changed the mangrove ecosystem’s biogeochemistry. Direct and indirect effects of pollution may damage the entire biodiversity of Sundarban. In this paper, the present status of Sundarban mangrove pollution is reviewed. Ecotoxicologic effect on its aquatic and terrestrial flora and fauna, and pollution management problems are also discussed. Conservation and environmental pollution management for protecting this worlds’ largest mangrove ecosystem are immediately needed. Environmentally sound technology should be adapted for pollution prevention, control and remediation in Sundarban mangrove wetland.
  Keywords: Key words: Sundarban mangrove ecosystem; Pollution; Pollutants; Ecotoxicologic effect; Biodiversity.
   
• Coupling of a Probabilistic Cellular Automata and a Stochastic Algorithm for a Reactive Transport Simulation in Porous Media
  by Jegathambal Palanichamy 
  Abstract: Once the contaminant is released into the subsurface it starts interacting within other contaminants, native water and solid matrix based on the conditions existing in the subsurface media. The hydrogeological processes (advection, diffusion, dispersion) and geochemical processes (all chemical reactions) distribute and redistribute the contaminants in the porous media. The one step approach requires the simultaneous solution of significant number of equations and demands excessive CPU memory and CPU time. They can remain as a research tool for one dimensional applications. They also require highly stable solvers when applied to multidimensional .Since the nonlinear equilibrium and kinetic reactions are point equations (like batch system), the approach of independently and sequentially solving transport and geochemical equations provides the realistic, practical application for two and three dimensional problems. The two step method or Operator Splitting (OS) approach takes the advantage of easiness to implement, low computational cost and the independent optimization of transport scheme. Here the transport and reaction steps are decoupled. In this paper, different methods of coupling such as Cellular Automata Gillespie Algorithm (CA-GA) and Finite Difference Ordinary Differential Equation (FD-ODE) are presented. Also the simulation results obtained by applying these schemes to one dimensional transport of BTEX along with the degradation by Double-Monod-Kinetic reactions have been detailed
  Keywords: Multicomponent reactive transport, operator splitting; Probabilistic Cellular Automata; Double Monod Kinetics
   
• CONJUCTIVE USE OF COFFEE EFFLUENT AND FRESH WATER ON THE PERFORMANCE OF ROBUSTA COFFEE AND SOIL PROPERTIES
  by shiva prasad 
  Abstract: A field experiment was conducted using coffee effluent as an irrigation water on established robusta coffee to study its effect on the performance of coffee yield and nutrient contribution to the soil. The microbial activity in the soil on account of irrigation is also monitored. The results revealed that the plots irrigated with coffee effluent from aerobic tank having COD of 1009 mg/L, recorded higher microbial population of bacteria, yeast, fungi, actinomycetes and PSB (122, 52, 12, 34 and 6 x 104/g respectively) ) when compared to the plots irrigated with fresh water (87, 22, 5, 24 and 2 x 104/g respectively). The nutrient contents in the soil also increased in the effluent treated blocks viz., per cent organic carbon, available P, K (kg/ha), Cu, Zn, Ca and S (ppm) (2.60, 57.2, 401.60, 4.09, 4.78, 695.31 and 5.33 respectively). The plots irrigated with coffee effluent from aerobic tank did not have any adverse impact on soil microorganisms and soil nutrients at the same time it did not affect the yield of clean coffee (1309 kg/ha) which is on par with the plots irrigated with fresh water (1310 kg/ha).
  Keywords: Coffee effluent, Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), microbial population, clean coffee.
   
• Removal of Nickel(II) from electroplating rinse waters using cation exchange resins; Batch and column studies.
  by Gomathi priya ponnaiah 
  Abstract: Abstract In the present study, an understanding of Ni (II) adsorption has been attempted through batch and column mode studies for recovery of nickel from electroplating nickel rinse waters using Indion 225 and Dueolite C 20 cation exchange resins, which showed a remarkable increase in sorption capacity as 11.32mg/g and 45.98mg/g for nickel ions, are subjected to static mode adsorption studies. Based on isotherm analysis; more efficient adsorbent is chosen for column mode adsorption studies. The aim of carrying out the continuous-flow studies was to investigate the effect of various process variables, like bed height, and hydraulic loading rate on breakthrough and adsorption capacity. An attempt has also been made to model the data generated from column studies using the empirical relationship based on Bo hart–Adams approach to achieve the ultimate objective of scaling up and designing of adsorption system at the pilot plant level for recovery of nickel and recycle of water for rinsing
  Keywords: Keywords: adsorption; Ion exchange resins; Bohart–Adams Model; Regeneration
   
• The Use of Step and Pulse Tests to Design Activated Carbon Adsorption Columns for Recovery of Copper Ions from Aqueous Industrial Effluents
  by suwassa pongamphai 
  Abstract: Dynamic experiments were carried out on the adsorption of copper ions in a laboratory packed bed of activated carbon. Both pulse and step change inputs were used. Measurements were reproducible and replicate measurements furnished nearly identical parameters for a conventional heterogeneous model of the activated carbon bed assuming a Langmuir adsorption isotherm. Bed depth had little effect on parameters. Hydraulic loading affected dispersion and the volumetric mass transfer coefficient, but, unexpectedly, also changed the effective diffusivity. This apparently comes from incorporation of errors due to measurement noise and model approximations in the parameter. Parameter differences between pulse and step inputs likely arise from concentration differences. These affected the Langmuir adsorption isotherm constants and diffusivity as expected from their concentration dependency. Step change and pulse simulations support the reliability of the novel design and the procedures proposed even though comparison of the model parameters extracted with literature values was inconclusive.
  Keywords: Adsorption; Copper; Breakthrough curve; Modelling; Dynamic experiments
   
• Arsenic concentrations in irrigation water, soil and selected vegetables in Bangladesh
  by Muhammad Ashraf Ali, Ganesh Chandra Saha 
  Abstract: The effect of As concentration in irrigation water on As accumulation in 6 selected vegetables (which included 1 tuber, 1 fruit vegetable, 1 non-leafy and 3 leafy vegetables) grown during the dry season (December-May) in Bangladesh has been assessed. Three field sites were selected for the assessment, which included 2 As affected areas (Chandpur and Narayanganj) where the selected vegetables are grown with both low As bearing surface water and high As bearing groundwater irrigation. The third site (Bogra) is free from As contamination of groundwater. The irrigation water used in the selected vegetable fields in Bogra contained very little As (<1 to 8.3 µg L-1), while those in Chandpur and Narayanganj contained significantly higher As (63-267 µg L-1) when they were from groundwater source, and relatively lower As (<1 to 25.3 µg L-1) when they were from surface water source. The As concentrations in edible parts of the selected vegetables have been found to be strongly correlated with As concentrations in both irrigation water and root-soil. Total As concentrations in most selected vegetables irrigated with As contaminated groundwater in Chandpur and Narayanganj exceeded the Chinese food safety standard of 0.05 mg kg-1 inorganic As (wet weight basis) by a large margin. Estimation of dietary intake, assuming a consumption of 130 g vegetable per person per day, suggests that As from vegetables could account for about 8% of the WHO suggested Maximum Tolerable Daily Intake (MTDI) of As (which is 126 µg for a 60 kg person) in Bogra, and 19 to 34% in the As affected area of Narayanganj. Thus, depending on the As concentration in irrigation water and quantity of vegetable consumption, the intake of As from vegetables could constitute an important part of the overall As intake for population living in the As affected areas of Bangladesh.
  Keywords: Arsenic, groundwater, irrigation, soil, vegetable
   
• Levels of Aromatic Volatile Organic Compounds in Public Transportation Modes in Bangkok, Thailand
  by Maneerat Ongwandee 
  Abstract: This study investigated concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in four public transportation modes in Bangkok, Thailand during two rush hour periods (7:00 – 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.). The four modes included an air-conditioned bus (A/C bus), non -air-conditioned bus (non-A/C bus), electric sky train, and a passenger boat traveling along the canal. Comparison among three important bus routes was also studied. In-vehicle air samples were collected using charcoal sorbent tubes, desorbed by carbon disulfide, and then analyzed by a gas chromatography-mass spectrometer. Results show that the transportation modes significantly influenced the abundance of in-vehicle benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and m,p-xylene (BTEX). Median concentrations of BTEX were 11.7, 103, 11.7, and 42.8 in A/C bus; 37.1, 174, 14.7, and 55.4 in non-A/C bus; 2.0, 36.9, 0.5, and 0.5 in sky train; and 3.1, 58.5, 0.5, and 6.2 μg m-3 in boat, respectively. Wilcoxon rank sum test indicated that toluene and m,p-xylene in the sky trains were statistically lower than in the other three modes at a p-value of 0.05. There were statistical differences in TEX concentrations among the bus routes in the non-A/C buses. Furthermore, the B/T ratios implied that tail-pipe emissions were important contributor to the abundance of in-vehicle VOCs.
  Keywords: benzene; public transportation; commuting; vehicle exhaust
   
• Adsorption thermodynamics and kinetics of Nickel (II) ions onto Na-ZSM-5 and mordenite zeolites
  by Tao Jin, Dao-Hong Xia, Ming-Xia Liu, Yu-Zhi Xiang, Xi-Qiang Si, Bin Liu, Bin Xu 
  Abstract: The potential to remove nickel (II) ions from water using Na-ZSM-5 and mordenite was thoroughly investigated. The effects of relevant parameters, such as adsorbent dose, ionic concentration, and temperature on nickel (II) adsorption capacity were examined. The sorption data followed the Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin–Radushkevich (D–R) isotherms. Thermodynamic parameters free energy (ΔGθ), enthalpy (ΔHθ) and entropy (ΔSθ), have also been evaluated and the results show that the sorption processes were spontaneous and endothermic in nature. Compared with the pseudo-first-order kinetic model and the intraparticle diffusion model, these sorption processes all follow the pseudo-second-order kinetic model best. The rate constants of this kinetic model for all the adsorption processes increase with the temperature ranging from 298 K to 318 K. The value of activation energy (Ea) indicated a chemical sorption process involving weak interactions between sorbent and sorbate. Mordenite was found to be a more effective sorbent for the removal of nickel (II) ions.
  Keywords: Adsorption; Kinetic; Nickel (II); Thermodynamic.
   
• Business Viability of Biomass Co-Firing and Gasification for Electricity Generation
  by Dana Johnson, Robert Froese, Jillian Waterstraut, Abraham Martin-Garcia, James Whitmarsh, Chris Miller 
  Abstract: Greenhouse gas reduction occurs as a result of substitution of woody biomass for coal because coal is the worst amongst fossil fuels in terms of greenhouse gas emission. Recent concerns related to the environmental impact of greenhouse gases from using fossil based feedstock have driven the need to identify alternative bio-based energy technologies in the US, UK, Germany. The objective was to determine business attractiveness of utilizing biomass resources to produce electricity through biomass co-firing and gasification. Case study analysis included economic, cost, financial, and business risk for each country. The biomass resources were limited to the lignocellulosic species of miscanthus, switchgrass, and forest resources for the regions/countries studied. There were two predominant technologies using the biomass resources that were evaluated: biomass co-firing and biomass gasification for electricity generation. Based on the analysis, the co-firing case was the most financially viable alternative because of lower initial capital investment.
  Keywords: Biomass; co-firing, gasification; electricity generation; economic feasibility
   
• Effects of bioadditive in the form of yeasts and zeolite on the composting process and odor emission
  by Anthony Lau, Wenxiu Zhang 
  Abstract: Odor pollution is considered a major problem for composting facilities. The objectives of this paper are to determine the effectiveness of bioadditive in the form of yeasts and zeolite in reducing odor and ammonia emissions during the active phase of poultry manure composting and to assess its effects on the composting process. Two series of experiments were conducted for testing the bioadditive. Set I tests involved the application of yeasts in combination with zeolite, whereas only yeasts were used in the Set II tests. In both sets of tests, the higher dosage treatments reached thermophilic temperatures sooner than the control treatments and the high temperatures stayed for a longer time period. The application of yeast and zeolite at 10% (w/w) resulted in a greater degree of degradation, and it was very effective in reducing ammonia emission by 50%. Odor emission analysis generates mixed results in response to the addition of yeast and zeolite, and to yeast alone, though lower odor concentrations up to day 4 were observed with the higher dosage treatment of yeast and zeolite, resulting in a decrease in total odor emission by 12%.
  Keywords: poultry manure; active phase composting; bioadditive; yeasts; zeolite; odor emission; ammonia emission; olfactometry; degree of degradation; thermal performance
   
• On Sol-Gel Approach to Geopolymerization
  by Hwai-Chung Wu, Peijing Sun 
  Abstract: Geopolymers, a special case of inorganic polymers, have attracted much attention since the 1980’s due to its superior properties. In this paper, several prominent geopolymerization models were first discussed. Then the sol-gel chemistry of aluminosilicate solution was reviewed. It is revealed that the sol-gel chemistry of aluminosilicates could be used to understand the mechanisms of geopolymerization in more detail. Preliminary studies on mix design for fly ash based geopolymers provide a strong support to the importance of the SiO2/Al2O3 and Na2O/Al2O3 ratio.
  Keywords: Geopolymer; Geopolymerisation; Fly ash; Waste; Inorganic polymer; Sol-gel; Aluminosilicates
   
• The Effects of Industrialisation on Water Quality and Livelihoods in Lesotho
  by Deepa Pullanikkatil 
  Abstract: African Growth and Opportunities Act (AGOA) has been a major incentive for industrialisation in Lesotho and as a result, several “wet” industries (those using more than 2000m3 of water per day) have been established in the country over the past decade. The large water requirements of these industries result in large wastewater discharges, some of which are being released untreated into the environment causing water pollution. This study investigates the extent and impacts of industrial water pollution in Lesotho and the associated effects on human livelihoods in the region. Data was collected through combination of desk studies, in-field water sampling and a socio-economic survey covering three industrialised areas (Ha Thetsane, Ha Nyenye and Mafeteng) and one unindustrialised area (Butha Buthe) was used as a counterfactual. Laboratory analyses of water samples in water bodies were done. Data analysis involved comparison of treatment and control samples and descriptive comparison of survey results. The results showed that industrial effluents have had significant effects on surface water quality in Ha Thetsane, Ha Nyenye and Mafeteng with knock-on effects on availability of potable water and household incomes in the region. Instances of livestock mortality and increased cost of potable water in the communities were reported. Water samples from the industrialized areas were also significantly polluted (Turbidity, phosphates, calcium and conductivity significant at 5% p value, and chromium (VI) and total dissolved solids significant at 1% p value.) compared with the control samples. In comparison with South African water quality guidelines, surface water in the industrialised areas is highly polluted. In conclusion, industrialization in Lesotho has had negative environmental externalities and mixed socioeconomic consequences on Basotho livelihoods.
  Keywords: Water pollution, environment, Lesotho, industrial wastewater, effluent, AGOA, water quality.
   
• Acid Dye Removal from Industrial Wastewater by Adsorption on Treated Sewage Sludge
  by M.N. RASHED 
  Abstract: This study investigated the suitability of sewage sludge reuse for the removal of Acid Blue 93 from polluted water and industrial wastewater. Washed sewage sludge and sludge activated carbon were used as adsorbents. The effect of pH, contact time, adsorbent dose, and adsorption temperature were studied. Equilibrium isotherms for the adsorption were analyzed by Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm models using the non-linear regression technique. The pseudo-first order, pseudo-second order, intra-particle diffusion and Bangham models were used to describe the adsorption kinetics. The results reveal that adsorption using sludge activated carbon show better results (removal 96.57 %) than washed sewage sludge, while both adsorptions depended on pH, contact time and adsorbent dose. It is concluded that washed sewage sludge and sludge activated carbon has considerable adsorption potential for the treatment of industrial wastewater containing Acid Blue 93 dye.
  Keywords: adsorption; wastewater; treatment; dyes; sewage sludge; pollution; recycling; environment
   
• A SURVEY OF WASTE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN EDO STATE
  by Sunday Oke 
  Abstract: In many urban and rural communities of developing countries, waste disposal is increasingly becoming a challenge. This problem is further compounded by the increasing rate of urbanization, poor and inadequate data for planning, and funding. It thus becomes difficult for waste management boards to ascertain the level of waste generated and disposed. This paper addresses the important problem of waste management practices in Edo State, Nigeria. The study evaluates industrial and domestic wastes generated and determine segregation options and methods of waste disposal and management in the state. The work also examines the existing waste disposal networks, evaluates the existing waste handling situation and institutional arrangements, and determines the management and ownership of waste facilities. A total number of 9 local government areas were selected from the three senatorial districts in the state. Results show that the weights of domestic waste generated in the households in the urban differ from that of the rural areas due to waste composition. It was also observed that household waste is significantly high since households generate a lot of agricultural wastes, which are biodegradable. It is reported that the range of weight for household waste is 10.1 to 15 kg/household/week. Furthermore, there is a little difference between the volume of waste generated in the semi-rural local government areas and the rural ones. Also the per capita waste estimates of 0.12 kg/cap/year is influenced by the functional structure of the city. It is noted that within a current estimated population of 3,000,000, Edo State (which has an average of 0.24 kg per capita household waste generation rate per day) has the potential to generate 266,000 tonnes of waste per annum.
  Keywords: waste, waste generation, rural and urban areas, waste disposal, Nigeria
   
• Seasonal variation in the suspended particulate matter vis-a-vis meteorological parameters at Kolar Gold Fields, India
  by Surendra Roy, G.R. Adhikari 
  Abstract: After the closure of underground gold mines of Kolar Gold Fields (KGF), India, feasibility studies for setting up some other industries are being undertaken. It is felt that new industries will further deteriorate the air quality in this area. Therefore, total suspended particulate (TSP) and particulate matter less than 10 m (PM10), and meteorological parameters were monitored in three seasons at KGF. PM10 was the highest in winter due to the influence of gold mill tailings dumps while TSP was generally higher in spring probably due to the influence of open and uncovered area nearby the monitoring station. Thus the wind direction played an important role. In summer, intermittent rain lowered the particulate concentrations. Since some of the dust samples showed higher than the permissible limit, the present situation is likely to be worse without adequate pollution control measures. Simple coorelations of particulate with wind speed, temperature, humidity and solar radiation were poor but multiple regression analysis showed better correlations.
  Keywords: air pollution; particulate matter; meteorological parameters; gold mill tailings; Kolar Gold Fields
   
• Pollution and its impact on Noyyal river basin, India – An integrated approach of Remote Sensing and Biotechnology using GIS.
  by Govindaraju M., Palanikumar L, Muthukumaran V.R., Visvanathan P, Ganesh kumar R.S. 
  Abstract: Recent years have witnessed significant attention being paid to the problems of environmental contamination by a wide variety of industrial pollutants. Number of resources like the surface and ground water has been polluted by industries located around the river Noyyal. In this study, surface water and Ground water quality has been estimated to define the presence of contaminants. Fish sample O.mosaambicus have been collected from different locations, haematological parameters have been studied. Elevated levels in the RBC, WBC counts and change in percentage is estimated. Xenobiotic metabolizing enzyme, Glutathione peroxidase in Gill and muscle samples has shown profound changes in activity. Relative changes in banding pattern and intensity has been noted in protein sample of Gills and Muscles. Remotely sensed data, Environmental and Biological data have been integrated in GIS platform to study the impact. The predicted impact has shown the serious level of damage in the study area.
  Keywords: Noyyal river, O.mosaambicus, Remote sensing, GIS, Glutathione peroxidase, Protein, SDS-PAGE
   
• Application of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) in Optimization of Waste Collection for Alandur Municipality in South Chennai, India
  by Kanchanabhan Thirumalai Eachambadi, Srinivasan. M R, Lenin Kalyanasundaran, J. Abbas Mohaideen 
  Abstract: The population outburst coupled with rapidly changing lifestyle in urban and rural areas had resulted in a substantial increase in the generation of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) in our country over the last few years. The urban local bodies were challenged with the problem of effectively managing the MSW. Issam A et al pointed out that most cities and villages currently burn their waste in open dumps or use random open dumping, lacking proper health and safety requirements. Alandur in southern suburb is a fast developing municipality and is about 20 km from Chennai, the state capital Tamilnadu in India. The disposal of MSW had been going on in an indiscriminate and irrational manner in Alandur Municipality Corporation (AMC) and at present AMC generate nearly 80 Metric Tonne (MT) of MSW every day. Hence in this work an attempt had been made for the engineered design of solid waste disposal using Geographic Information System (GIS). Optimization of the routing system for collection and transport of solid waste constitute an important component of an effective solid waste management system. This paper describes an attempt to design and develop an appropriate storage, collection and transportation of MSW for the municipality. The study applies a revised multi objective programming to analyze an optimum path between given origin and destination in a waste collection network. This model will optimally allot limited collection vehicle in the network.
  Keywords: Municipal Solid Waste (MSW); Geographic Information System (GIS)
   
• Mapping the spatial variability of Groundwater quality in Urmia (Iran): comparison of different interpolation methods
  by Ruhollah Taghizadeh Mehrjardi, Mojtaba Zareian Jahromi, Farrokh Asadzadeh, Shahla Mahmoodi, Manoochehr Gorji, Ahmad Heidari 
  Abstract: Groundwater deterioration hazard assessments are needed for clearer appreciation of the actions needed to protect groundwater quality. Water quality mapping is the main procedure of this assessment. At present research, we compare efficiency of three interpolation techniques included IDW, kriging and cokriging for predicting of groundwater quality indices such as: Na+, TH, EC, SAR, Cl- and SO42-. Data were related to 97 wells in Urmia plain. After normalization of data, variograme was computed. Suitable model for fitness on experimental variograme was selected based on less RSS value. Then the best method for interpolation was selected, using cross-validation, ME and RMSE. Results showed that for three groundwater quality indices, SO42-, Na+ and SAR, cokriging performed better than kriging and IDW techniques and for the rest of them included TH, EC and Cl-, IDW technique had better result than geostatistical method to simulate groundwater quality indices. Finally, using cokriging and IDW methods, map of Groundwater were prepared in GIS environment.
  Keywords: groundwater quality, interpolation, geostatistics, Urmia plain
   
• Studies on Adsorption and Decolorization of Reactive Dye on TiO2 Surface
  by Suman Dutta, S.A. Parsons, Chiranjib Bhattacharjee, Siddhartha Datta, Sibdas Bandyopadhyay, Peter Jarvis 
  Abstract: Treatment of dye house effluent containing reactive dyes is a serious problem because these dyes are not biodegradable and is visible even in small concentration. Adsorption is very well accepted process, but disposal and/or regeneration of spent adsorbent are the major drawbacks and drawing much attention from research community over the years. Regeneration and reuse of adsorbent can reduce the cost of sludge disposal, consequently the water treatment cost. In this study TiO2 was used as adsorbent, which can be regenerated efficiently using UV illumination. Dye used for this study is reactive brown 18 (RB18), which is used for dyeing and printing. Adsorbed dyes on the TiO2 surface was oxidized by photocatalytic reaction and the nontoxic final products can be discharged to the environment. Experimental results show that adsorption is much effective at acidic condition (pH 3) and optimum TiO2 dose is 1 g.l-1 for a feed solution with 100 mg.l-1 initial dye concentration. Decolorization was performed with high initial dye concentration, results showed that more than 80 % dye removal is possible after 15 min dark adsorption and 1 hr 45 min UV illumination and regenerated adsorbent can be used further.
  Keywords: Reactive dye; Reactive brown 18; Adsorption; Photocatalysis; Water Treatment
   
• Use of aquatic plants in removing heavy metals from wastewater.
  by Bhupinder Dhir 
  Abstract: Phytotechnologies involving the use of plants for pollutant removal gained importance during the last two decades. Plants, both terrestrial and aquatic possess high metal sorption capacity and hence find their use as inexpensive materials for removing metals from environment. Aquatic biomass irrespective living or dead exhibit capacity to absorb large amounts of nutrients, filter toxins and pollutants including heavy metals. Features such as high growth rate and productivity with high metal accumulation and retention capacity widen the scope of aquatic plants for use as potential low-cost, non-conventional sorbents and further strengthen their role in developing cost-effective eco-friendly wastewater treatment technologies.
  Keywords: Aquatic plants; Heavy metals; Biosorption; Bioaccumulation; Wastewater
   
• Quantification of transient flux decline during membrane separation of tanning effluent from tannery
  by Chandan Das, Sunando DasGupta, Sirshendu De, Yung-Tse Hung 
  Abstract: Cake filtration model is described to establish/quantify transient flux decline mechanism for membrane separation of tanning effluent collected from tannery. Two membrane operations, nanofiltration (NF) followed by reverse osmosis (RO), are adopted to treat tanning effluent. The experiments are conducted in a continuous cross flow mode of operation. Three flow regimes, namely, laminar, laminar with promoter and turbulent are investigated. Both for NF and RO, maximum cake resistance is observed in laminar flow regime followed by laminar with promoter and is the least in case of turbulent regime. For the nanofiltration process, the contributions of cake resistance towards total resistance are 85 to 88% for turbulent flow regime, 90 to 91% for laminar with turbulent promoter and maximum for purely laminar flow regime which is 92 to 93%. In reverse osmosis, cake resistance varies between 70 to 75% for turbulent flow regime whereas it is 81% for laminar flow regime and 77% for laminar with turbulent promoter regime.
  Keywords: tanning effluent, cake filtration model, transient flux decline, cake resistance, turbulent regime
   
• Remediation of simazine from water through low pressure thin film composite membrane using surfactants
  by Amit Bhattacharya, Yogesh Kumar, Harshad Brahmbhatt 
  Abstract: The investigation was carried out to remediate simazine from water by the pressure drive filtration techniques (viz. nanofiltration, reverse osmosis). The separation of simazine through the membranes showed similar trend as glucose (organic marker) and salt. Surfactant mediated filtration showed better performance of the membranes, though it depends on the nature of membranes and surfactants. The membranes having more porous (in terms of glucose and water permeability) structure showed improvement in separation of simazine. The sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) added water having contaminated with simazine shows better separation with respect to cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB). Pure water flux recovery ratio is higher for the membranes dealt with sodium dodecyl sulfate with respect to CTAB.
  Keywords: thin film composite membrane, simazine, glucose, sodium dodecyl sulfate, cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide
   
• Hydrodynamics and Batch Degradation of Phenol in an Internal Loop Airlift Reactor
  by Pichiah Saravanan, Kannan Pakshirajan, Prabirkumar Saha 
  Abstract: Hydrodynamic characterization in terms of residence time distribution and oxygen volumetric mass transfer coefficient (kLa) determination in an internal loop airlift reactor for both living and non-living system was investigated in this study. While for the non-living system, deionized water was used, fermentation medium supporting growth of an indigenous mixed culture, predominantly Pseudomonas species, was used in case of living system in the reactor. Investigations on the residence time distribution and mixing pattern in the reactor, using potassium chloride as the tracer and at various inlet gas flow rates between 1.0 and 3. 0 l•min-1, revealed an optimum gas flow rate of 2 l•min-1. The estimate kLa value by the dynamic gassing out method for nonliving system in the reactor was found to be 0.004 s-1, and for living system involving the mixed culture, the value was higher at 0.017 s-1 at 27C. The determined kLa values in the study showed a good mass transfer effect between the gas and liquid in the reactor. The mean diameter of the bubbles, partly responsible for mixing in the reactor riser and downcomer sections was also determined to be in the range of 1.6 - 0.35 cm. At the optimum gas flow rate of 2 l/min batch biodegradation of phenol by the mixed culture in this reactor system resulted in very high degradation rate of 0.16 mg/l/h at an initial concentration of 300 mg/l. However, above this concentration, phenol was found to inhibit the culture specific growth and phenol degradation rates. And variations in these two rates with respect to phenol concentration in the study were found to be well explained by Haldane’s substrate inhibition model. At the best operating hydrodynamic condition, the bioreactor system using the indigenous mixed culture showed good potential in treating industrial wastewater containing phenolics even at high concentrations.
  Keywords: Internal loop airlift reactor; volumetric mass transfer coefficient; residence time distribution; bubble diameter; phenol; biodegradation, Haldane substrate inhibition model.
   
• Abatement of Cr(VI) rich wastewater in a novel multistage external loop airlift reactor using acidified activated carbon
  by Kaustubha Mohanty, Debabrata Das, M N Biswas 
  Abstract: In the present investigation, a multistage external loop airlift reactor has been used for the treatment of Cr(VI) rich wastewater using acidified activated carbon as the adsorbent. The multistaging has been achieved by hydro-dynamically induced continuous bubble generation, breakup and regeneration. The continuous rupture and bursting of bubbles creates localized turbulence and recirculation, which helps in faster transfer of Cr(VI) to the active sites of the solid adsorbents. The effect of different process parameters like contact time, adsorbent dose, superficial gas velocity on the removal of Cr(VI) was studied and it was found that the removal time for this system is quite lower as compared to simple batch adsorption systems. The kinetic data were fitted to the models of intra-particle diffusion, pseudo-second-order, and Lagergren, and followed more closely the Lagergren pseudo-first-order model.
  Keywords: external loop airlift reactor, Cr(VI) removal, wastewater treatment, adsorption
   
• Characterization of Activated Carbon Prepared from Tamarind Wood for Wastewater Treatment
  by B. C. Meikap 
  Abstract: Activated carbon has several important uses in chemical industries and especially in the down stream processes for wastewater treatment. It is produced from a variety of carbonaceous source materials, mainly from coal and agriculture by-product of lignocelluloses materials. Recently attempts are made by researchers to find source materials of lost cost like agricultural wastes to produce activated carbon. In this paper an attempt has been made to produce activated carbon from Tamarind wood. The characterization of the activated carbon is done based on carbonization time, temperature, pore volume and BET surface area under various operating conditions. The SEM analysis is also done to study the morphological changes of the chemically activated carbon. The best condition for the production of the high BET surface area of 1240m2/g activated carbon from tamarind wood by chemical activation is found to be 100% chemical ratio (activated agent/precursor) at a carbonization time of 60 minutes and carbonization temperature of 500oC.
  Keywords: activated carbon; wastewater treatment; adsorption; tamarind wood; surface area
   
• PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT OF DEFORMATION BEHAVIOUR OF LANDFILL BARRIERS AT THE ONSET OF DIFFERENTIAL SETTLEMENT
  by Rajesh S, Viswanadham V S Bhamidipati 
  Abstract: Imperviousness of containment systems is essential in landfills in order to safeguard the environment from contamination. In case of landfills, various impervious barriers like, Compacted Clay Liner (CCL), geomembrane, Geosynthetic Clay Liner (GCL), mineral liner, asphalt liner form as one of the key components of containment systems. Response of these impervious barriers of cover systems to the anticipated large differential settlements resulting due to on-going process of decomposition of waste is an important issue during post-closure of landfills. Hence the main objective of this paper is to assess the performance of various types of impervious barriers of cover systems subjected to differential settlements in a centrifuge at 40 gravities. Three types of impervious barriers were selected, namely CCL, GCL and Fiber Reinforced Clay Liner (FRCL) and they were subjected to differential settlements artificially in a centrifuge with the help of a hydraulic trap-door mechanism. The performance of the barriers as an effective hydraulic barrier was monitored throughout the deformation process. Limiting maximum distortion at which water breakthrough onsets through tested barriers could be established with the help of miniature pore pressure transducers. Distinct delay in water breakthrough was observed for a clay liner reinforced with discrete and randomly distributed fibers. Limiting maximum distortion level of 0.068 was registered for a 0.6 m thick clay liner. In comparison, this was observed to occur at 0.078 for a FRCL of identical thickness. Even after inducing distortion level of 0.125, GCL has not shown any distress. For the type of impervious barriers tested the ability of GCLs to withstand differential settlement was found to be superior to that of compacted clay liners.
  Keywords: Landfills, Municipal Solid Waste, Clay liners, Geosynthetic Clay Liner, Fiber reinforcement, Centrifuge modelling, Differential settlements, Cracking, Hydraulic conductivity.
   
• Removal of trivalent chromium from dilute aqueous solutions and industrial effluents using emulsion liquid membrane technique
  by sivaramu venkatesan, Meera Sheriffa Begum 
  Abstract: This paper reports a study of batch extraction of trivalent chromium from dilute aqueous solutions as well as electroplating and tannery effluent by emulsion liquid membrane (ELM) technique. Effects of various parameters such as time and speed of emulsification, internal phase (strip phase) reagent concentration, extractant concentration (carrier), concentration of surfactant and phase ratio (aqueous to organic (A/O) phase ratio) on the emulsion stability time and break up was studied in detail and reported. An experimental study was performed to optimize the pH of the aqueous external phase based on distribution coefficient of solute between aqueous external phase and organic (membrane) phase.The batch extraction was carried out under various experimental conditions such as agitation time, agitation speed, treat ratio (M/E ratio), solute concentration in the feed phase, internal phase reagent concentration and carrier concentration in membrane phase on the percentage recovery of trivalent chromium from dilute aqueous solutions and industrial effluents. The membrane phase consists of kerosene as diluent, Bis-(2-ethyl-hexyl)-phosphate as extractant, sorbiton monooleate (Span 80) as surfactant and H2SO4 solution as the internal stripping phase. It was found that more than 96% of chromium removed from aqueous solution with a concentration factor of 5. It was also found that ELM pertraction of chromium from chrome plating effluent was 4 % less and chrome tanning effluent was 6 % less than that of synthetic solution at optimum conditions.
  Keywords: Emulsion; pertraction; surfactant; carrier; electroplating effluent; tannery effluent
   
• An Overview of Wastewater treatment in Distillery Industry
  by Ramalingam Kanimozhi, Namasivayam Vasudevan 
  Abstract: Distilleries generate large volumes of high strength wastewater that is of serious environmental concern. Anaerobic digestion is an attractive primary treatment due to its high biogas production. Spentwash disposal even after conventional treatment is hazardous and has high pollution potential due to the accumulation of recalcitrant compounds. Various physico-chemical and biological treatment options are available for the treatment of distillery wastewaters, but most of them could not find their application in the industry due to their technical limitations or exorbitant cost. This review presents an account of the problem and a detailed overview on the existing scenario on the treatment of distillery wastewater, advances in the treatment including colour removal. The review also focuses on the future issues requiring further research in the field of distillery wastewater treatment.
  Keywords: Distillery; Molasses; Spentwash; Wastewater treatment
   
• Development of Resistivity Probes for Continuous Monitoring of Pollutant in Porous Media
  by P. Rajasekhar, Eldho T.I., B.V.S> Viswanadham 
  Abstract: In this study an attempt has been made to develop resistivity probes and an experimental setup capable of simulating the field conditions concerned with the migration of pollutant through the porous media. The porous media chosen for the present study is commercially available clean uniformly graded sand having 90 % silt and 10 % fine sand fractions; while Sodium Chloride solution has been considered as the pollutant. For the continuous monitoring of pollutant transport, miniature resistivity platinum wire probes and a multiplexing system capable of reading the concentration values in terms of voltage drop without the interference of the adjacent probes have been developed. Also, the movement of the pollutant was monitored with a digital camera, through the transparent wall of the Plexiglas container. Model tests pertaining to pollutant movement in soils were conducted to simulate spill from a leaking underground storage tank, and the subsequent subsurface migration of the pollutant. The developed probes have been found to be very effective to continuously monitor the pollutant movement in the porous media. Further, it is shown that the concentration of the pollutant within the soil will reach a peak value at a specified time and will then decrease with subsequent time. The magnitude of this peak concentration and the time required for it to occur are highly dependent upon the pollutant mass and the soil.
  Keywords: Contaminant transport; Model tests; Pollutant movement; resistivity probes; multiplexer; breakthrough curves
   
• HAZARDOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT: CURRENT STATUS AND FUTURE STRATEGIES IN MALAYSIA
  by Mohanad El-Harbawi 
  Abstract: Malaysia is today a model for economical success, attaining significant financial growth rates amongst the Southeast Asian countries and continues to take big strides towards becoming an industrialized nation by the year 2020. While the achievements over the last 36 years have been creditable and impressive, such rapid pace of development has not been without its detrimental effects on the natural environment. The most apparent of these effects is the drastic increase in the amount of hazardous wastes being generated. The required regulations and systems regarding the management of hazardous wastes are currently still not in place. Based on the analysis of the characteristics of hazardous waste pollution and pollution trends, this paper highlights Malaysia’s current status in regards to hazardous waste management, and emphasizes further about the potential major difficulties which may arise. The principles and objectives, and the action plan for hazardous waste pollution control in Malaysia are also explained in detail. These principles and objectives have been stipulated in the Environmental Policies on Hazardous Waste Pollution Control, as issued by the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Ministry Malaysia.
  Keywords: Hazardous waste, Malaysia, current status and future action plan
   
• Groundwater Remediation Using Simulation-Optimization Approach -A Review
  by RAM KAILASH PRASAD, Shashi Mathur 
  Abstract: Optimal design of a remediation system has been an active and important area of research since the past several years due to its potential to reduce the remediation cost substantially. The paper presents the state-of-the-art for application of simulation-optimization approach to design an optimal groundwater remediation system. In the simulation-optimization approach, the researchers have used embedded techniques, response matrix approach and direct coupling of simulation model in optimization procedures. The studies conducted so far as reported in the literature on the application of these methods are reviewed. The review shows that the simulation-optimization approach promise for a cost-effective solution to groundwater remediation problems. Further, the methods dealing with uncertainty in model parameters are also discussed. It is observed that future research in this area should be directed to efficient solution methods incorporating uncertainty in groundwater remediation.
  Keywords: Groundwater Remediation; Bioremediation; Simulation-OPtimization; Uncertainty Analysis
   
• Heavy metals in wet scrubber residue from a medium-sized (32 MW) municipal district heating plant incinerating wood and peat in a fluidized bed boiler
  by Risto Pöykiö, Hannu Nurmesniemi, Olli Dahl 
  Abstract: Due to the low total concentrations of heavy metals and extractable compounds, it is recommended to use the wet scrubber residue as an earth construction agent instead of dumping it in landfills. According to five-stage sequential extraction, the highest concentrations of most of the heavy metals occurred in the residual fraction (i.e. HF + HNO3 + HCl), which means that the heavy metals in the wet scrubber residue are tightly bound to the matrix. This is a favourable phenomenon if the residue is utilized in earth construction.
  Keywords: ash; earth construction; extraction; flue gas; heavy metals; scrubber
   
• Membrane Bioreactor for the Treatment of Natural Rubber Wastewater
  by Nik Meriam Sulaiman, Shaliza Ibrahim, Sarah Lim Abdullah 
  Abstract: A membrane bioreactor (MBR) was set up using two pieces of Kubota flat sheet membranes, with nominal pore size of 0.4 micrometer and a total effective area of 0.2m2. Wastewater from a latex concentrate processing factory was used as the raw feed. For biomass acclimatisation, steady state MLSS concentration was reached at 8500 mg/L. A critical flux level of 0.01224 m3/m2h was observed using the flux step method and an optimum operating flux of 0.009 m3/m2h was obtained from the sub-critical flux region for fouling minimisation. At optimum flux, the optimum COD loading concentration was 3500 mg/L. The MBR system has slightly better removal efficiency over the oxidation ditch process in parameters such as COD, BOD3, ammoniacal nitrogen and total nitrogen. The BOD3 and COD removal efficiency were 96.78 % and 96.99 %, respectively. Initial and final permeability tests were conducted to verify the integrity of the membrane.
  Keywords: Membrane bioreactor; natural rubber wastewater; critical flux; optimal flux; COD loading rate
   
• Coal mine gas uses for hazardous waste management in India
  by Ajay Kumar Singh, J. N. Sahu, B. C. Meikap 
  Abstract: The methane associated with the coal has caused disaster in underground coalmines all over the world. Methane is a potent green house gas as its adverse impacts are felt more intensively due to its shorter residency and higher potency in the atmosphere than CO2. However, methane is a remarkably clean fuel when burnt, and its combustion produces no SO2 or particulate and only about half of the CO2 associated with coal combustion. Its utilization is not only helpful in reduction of Green House Gas (GHG) in the atmosphere but also abate the methane problem in underground coal mines. It is useful to explore the entire range of uses for all forms of coal mine gas to maximize the viability of each opportunity. Coal mine gas utilization/mitigation technologies are divided into five board categories: natural gas substitution, direct use at or near the mine site, electricity generation and cogeneration, chemical feedstock and simple destruction. Opportunities of implementation of these options in India have been discussed in this paper.
  Keywords: coal mine gas; hazardous; methane; mine ventilation air; gas drained from seam; goafs.
   
• Sampling and characterization of modified respirable particulate matter at Kharagpur, West Bengal, India
  by Gaurav Anand, J. N. Sahu, B. C. Meikap, M. N. Biswas 
  Abstract: Suspended Particulate Matter constitutes one of the major air pollutants and cause many respiratory diseases including the dreaded silicosis. Considering the above effects of airborne particulate matter to human and animal life, it is imperative that the concentration of airborne particles to be determine and check whether it is below the limits specified by EPA. Sampling of total suspended particulate alone is an unsatisfactory exercise considering that we concern ourselves with effects on health of humans by particulate matter, which is actually respirable particulate matter. Thus the need for respirable particulate matter sampling is primary while sampling airborne particles. The primary objective of this study the characteristics of a modified respirable particulate matter sampler and evaluate its working by comparing the experimental results to those of a standard and conventional high volume. Both samplers are to be run simultaneously sampler at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kharagpur, West Bengal, India; finally a conclusion on the requirement of novel modified respirable particulate matter sampler must be made using the existing information and experimental results.
  Keywords: suspended particulate matter; respirable particulate matter sampler; high volume sampler; air pollutant.
   
• PERFORMANCE OF A BIOFILTER IN TREATING A MIXTURE OF P-XYLENE LOADED AIR STREAM UNDER VARIABLE LOADING CONDITIONS
  by saravanan Viswanathan, Rajamohan Natarajan 
  Abstract: Biofiltration of air stream containing xylene has been studied in a lab scale biofilter packed with sieved sugar cane bagasse. Biofilter achieved maximum Removal Efficiency (RE) of 99% throughout its operation at an inlet gas flow rate of 0.02m3h-1 for an inlet concentration of 0.2 gm-3, which is quite significant than the values reported in the literature. A maximum Elimination Capacity (EC) of 41gm-3h-1 of the biofilter was obtained at inlet xylene load of 97 gm-3h-1 in phase IV. EC of xylene increased with the increase in influent p-xylene loading, but an opposite trend was observed for the removal efficiency. Results indicate that the removal efficiency was more in the bottom part than in middle and upper part of the biofilter. The production of CO2 in each phase (gm-3h-1) was also observed at steady state (i.e. at maximum removal efficiency).
  Keywords: Biofiltration; xylene vapor; Elimination capacity; Sugar cane bagasse, Removal Efficiency, Volatile Organic Compounds, sugar cane bagasse, biofiltration, xylene loading
   
• Investigation on morphological characterization of particulates in suspended particulate matter at Rourkela industrial sector, Orissa, India
  by Dr. A. K. Swar 
  Abstract: There is increasingly growing evidence linking urban air pollution to acute and chronic illnesses amongst all age groups. Therefore, monitoring of ambient concentrations of various air pollutants as well as quantification of the dose inhaled becomes quite important, specially in view of the fact that in many countries, policy decisions for reducing pollutant concentrations are mainly taken on the basis of their health impacts. Suspended particulate matter (SPM) was collected from fifteen different locations situated along a dust transport path of nearly 10km in Rourkela, Orissa, India studied. In this study morphology analysis has been used to understand the relationship among different variables relating to source in SPM.
  Keywords: suspended particulate matter; morphology; source; air pollutant
   
• Utilisation of teawaste carbon for copper removal from water’
  by Jayanta Basu 
  Abstract: The adsorption characteristics of bivalent copper from water were studied using the carbon prepared from the teawaste by wet process activation with phosphoric acid. The adsorption capacity of developed carbon was compared with the commercial carbon. Experimental results of the equilibrium data was fitted satisfactorily to the Fritz-Schlunder isotherm and the rate data was fitted to a pseudo second-order adsorption kinetic model. Adsorption was found to be better at slightly alkaline pH. An adsorption of 62.02 mg/g of adsorbent was achieved using initial concentration of Cu(II) 198.3 mg/L in water at 303K. The adsorption efficiency was compared with the commercial activated carbon.
  Keywords: copper removal; teawaste; carbon; adsorption isotherm; kinetic study
   
• Developed activated carbon from Tamarind wood by chemical activated with zinc chloride
  by Jyotikusum Acharya, J. N. Sahu, B. C. Meikap 
  Abstract: Activated carbon adsorption is an effective means for reducing organic chemicals, chlorine, heavy metals and unpleasant tastes and odours in effluent or coloured substances from gas or liquid streams. The increasing usage and competitiveness of activated carbon prices, has prompted, a considerable research work has been done in the search of inexpensive adsorbents especially developed from various agricultural waste materials i.e. the usage of agricultural by-products such as Tamarind wood. The low-cost activated carbon was prepared from Tamarind wood an agricultural waste material, by chemical activation with zinc chloride. The influence of activation temperature, chemical ratio of zinc chloride to Tamarind wood and activation time on the chemical activation process of Tamarind wood has been studied. To calculate the optimum operating conditions for production of activated carbon the yield (48-52 wt%) of the activated carbon produced at these operating conditions.
  Keywords: Tamarind wood; Activated carbon; Chemical activation; Zinc chloride; Adsorption
   
• Distribution of heavy metals like chromium, manganese and iron in the ambient air of industrial area of Rourkela, Orissa, India
  by A. K. Swar 
  Abstract: Metallic element transfer through the atmosphere is a significant part of the biogeochemical cycle of these elements. Natural and anthropogenic were two processes which can increase heavy metal concentrations in the atmosphere. The purpose of this study arranges the atmospheric metallic elements investigations in Rourkela regions in Orissa state of India. The data obtained here can also help to understand the sources, concentration, phase distribution and health impact of atmospheric metallic elements in Rourkela regions in Orissa state of India. The concentrations of major heavy metals such as chromium, manganese and iron are covered in this paper.
  Keywords: Heavy metals; Chromium; Manganese; Atmosphere pollution
   
• Evaluation of the impact of marine vessels on ambient air quality in a coastal urban airshed of South Texas
  by Zuber Farooqui, Kuruvilla John, Ashok Gupta 
  Abstract: Air emissions from non-road mobile sources such as ocean going vessels (OGV), barges and pleasure crafts impact the urban air quality in Corpus Christi. A comprehensive air emission inventory was developed for this urban area. Combined emissions from OGV, barges, and pleasure-crafts contributed approximately 4.68% of the total NOx and 1.38% of the total VOC emission in the urban airshed during 1999. It was estimated that approximately 66% of the NOx and 41% of VOC of OGV emissions were during berthing/docking operation. A regional-scale photochemical model was used to evaluate the air quality impact of ozone precursor emissions from these non-road sub-categories on the ground level ozone concentrations in Corpus Christi and the surrounding areas. Several “zero-out” runs were completed for each of the sub-category and the analysis showed that the impact from marine emission on the 8-hour ozone levels was approximately 3.4 ppb within the urban airshed.
  Keywords: emissions inventory; marine vessel emissions; NOx; ozone; photochemical modelling.
   
• Source apportionment of PM2.5 in a coastal urban region of South Texas using a chemical mass balance model
  by Saritha Karnae, Priya Subramoney, Kuruvilla John, Ashok Gupta 
  Abstract: Source apportionment analysis was performed using Chemical Mass Balance (CMB 8.2) on speciated PM2.5 data collected during 2003-2005 at an industrialized urban site and a coastal rural site within Corpus Christi, Texas, to identify key sources affecting air quality in this region. Secondary sulphate were identified to be the major contributor at both urban and rural monitoring sites and this accounted for 42% and 37% of the apportioned PM2.5 mass. The other key sources impacting the air quality included mobile sources (21 – 23%) and secondary organic aerosols (13 – 19%). Being near the coast, higher contribution of marine aerosols was observed at the coastal rural site than at the industrialized urban site. Other minor contributions were attributed to crustal matter, paved and unpaved road dust, field burning and residential wood combustion.
  Keywords: aerosols, chemical mass balance, coastal urban region, PM2.5, source apportionment modelling.
   
• Geochemical Dynamics of Gaseous Pollutants Over Two Indian Urban Centers
  by Ashok Gupta, Sulaiman Ayoob, Kuruvilla John, S Nag, U Mukhopadhyay 
  Abstract: The quality of air environment turns out to be one of the pivotal issues for the developing world in future. The quality of air environment in the Kolkata metropolitan area, India, has been under constant threat from multitudinous pollutants. The rapid increase in population density coupled with accelerated growth of urban infrastructure makes the situation too aggressive for the habitations of this urban setting. This study evaluates the propagation of some important gaseous pollutants, believed contributing much to this problem, among two crowded and visibly polluted urban centers of Kolkata. The ambient concentrations of sulphur dioxide (SO2), oxides of nitrogen (NOx), and carbon monoxide (CO), along with all metrological parameters were measured from March 2003 to February 2004. The monthly average concentrations of SO2, NOx and CO were observed to be 13.677.56 µg/m3, 62.8630.66 µg/m3, and 0.960.55 mg/m3, respectively. The observed prevalence of their maximum concentrations in winter and minimum in monsoon may be indicative of a synergistic effect of meteorological conditions and photochemical activities. The ratio of CO/NOx (~21) and SO2/NOX (~0.3) indicates the predominance of vehicular front and point sources in contributing respective pollutants. Statistical analysis of the data was carried out to have an understanding of the general characteristics of the ambient air pollution and its impact and influence from meteorological factors. The propagation of these gaseous pollutants shows monthly, weekly and daily variations in all seasons. Stepwise multiple regression equations for air pollutant concentrations (APCs), and meteorological parameters, were developed to a have fundamental understanding on their geochemical variations and interrelations
  Keywords: Carbon monoxide; Meteorology; Oxide of nitrogen; Statistical analysis; Sulphur dioxide; Urban region
   
• ALKALINE HYDROTHERMAL CONVERSION OF AGRICULTURAL WASTE BAGASSE FLY ASH INTO ZEOLITE: UTILIZATION IN DYE REMOVAL FROM AQUEOUS SOLUTION
  by Bhavna Shah, Harendra Patel, Ajay Shah 
  Abstract: Sorption of methylene blue (MB) was studied using zeolite (ZFA) synthesized from Bagasse fly ash (BFA). BFA, a sugar industry waste, was effectively and efficiently used to synthesize zeolite by alkaline hydrothermal method. ZFA and BFA were characterized using various techniques such as X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, etc. Batch sorption studies were conducted to evaluate the effect of various operational variables such as pH, sorbent dose, contact time, temperature and initial MB concentration, affecting the mechanistic purpose of ZFA for removal of MB. Equilibrium sorption data on ZFA were analyzed by Freundlich, Langmuir, Dubnin-Radushkevich, and Temkin isotherm equations. The Dubnin-Radushkevich isotherm best-fits the equilibrium data for sorptive removal of MB by ZFA.
  Keywords: sorption kinetics; methylene blue; dye removal, zeolite, bagasse fly ash
   
• An experimental study on film fraction in a rectangular horizontal Venturi scrubber
  by Maristela A.F. Daher, Vadila G. Guerra, José A. S. Gonçalves, José Renato Coury 
  Abstract: The performance of a Venturi scrubber is significantly affected by the fraction of liquid which flows as a film attached to the equipment walls. This paper reports experimental data on wall film fraction in a rectangular laboratory scale venture scrubber, mounted horizontally, with liquid injected as jets. The throat cross section was 27 x 40 mm. Throat gas velocity varied from 59 m/s to 74 m/s. Liquid-to-gas ratio ranged from 0.06 to 0.31. Liquid was injected though one to four 1.0 mm orifices, each located on a different wall of the throat (top, bottom, right and left). A special test section containing a slot was used to extract the film. The slot was positioned 100 mm after the injection point. The results indicate that film fraction depends on the number and location of the injection orifices used, on the relative jet penetration and on gas velocity.
  Keywords: Venturi scrubbers; film fraction; annular flow; gas cleaning.
   
• Assessment of Physico – Chemical Behaviour and Geotechnical Management of Pharmaceutical Effluent laden Clay soils
  by Vijayarangam Murugaiyan, Raman Saravanane, Sundararajan 
  Abstract: Single soil – column studies were carried out to understand the influence of pharmaceutical effluent (industrial type) on the physico – chemical behaviour and on the index and strength properties of five soils (two commercial and three natural soils) due to artificial contamination extending to nearly 250 days period. Two modes of operation, two HRTs and two concentrations of effluents, were the parameters considered. The unique role played by the above ‘organic and toxic’ effluent in influencing the physico – chemical behaviour and the index properties of soils are highlighted. It is found that the strengths of the soils have reduced by about 20%, within the period of concentration. Suitable geotechnical remedial measures were suggested
  Keywords: Pharmaceutical, effluent, natural, commercial soils; artificial contamination; physico-chemical behaviour
   
• ARAL SEA PARTIAL RESTORATION. I. A CASPIAN WATER IMPORTATION MACROPROJECT
  by Viorel Badescu, Richard Cathcart 
  Abstract: A comprehensive control strategy to partially recreate the endorheic Aral Sea is offered which involves several hydrological factors: (1) overland pipeline conveyance of water extracted from the Caspian Sea and deposited into the Aral Basin; (2) overland pipeline conveyance of brine extracted from the Aral Sea and deposited into the Caspian Sea; (3) overland pipeline importation of seawater from the Black Sea to the Caspian Sea. A few comments are included about the effects of the real-time hydrological management of the freshwater inputs from the Syr Darya river and the regulated evaporation in the Western Basin of the Aral Sea. A simple technical and economical model is proposed.
  Keywords: Aral Sea; Caspian Sea; Black Sea; inter-basin water transfers
   
• ARAL SEA PARTIAL RESTORATION. II. SIMULATION OF TIME-DEPENDENT PROCESSES
  by Viorel Badescu, Richard Cathcart 
  Abstract: Three scenarios are used to analyze the Aral Sea natural stabilization process. The water level stabilizes to 28.9 m, 27.2 m and 25.7 m for these three scenarios. The water surface area reduces to a few thousand square kilometers while the salinity increases two or three times as reported to the 2005 value, depending on the scenario. Several scenarios are analyzed when the macro-engineering solution has been considered. Increasing the fresh water flow rate from rivers yields an increase of the Aral Sea free water surface level (by 1.4 to 3.5 m). The water surface area stabilizes to about 60-80 % of the 2005 Aral Sea surface, depending on the scenario. The water salinity is higher than its 2005 value. Importing seawater from the Caspian Sea at flow rates exceeding 14 km3/year is associated to a stabilized free water surface level of the order of ~32 m, which is about one meter below the 2005 level. A few considerations about the ecological, cultural and social consequences of the macro-project are presented.
  Keywords: Aral Sea; Caspian Sea; Black Sea; Water inter-basin water transfers change
   
• Investigation on Heavy Metal Distribution Characteristics of Nickle, Copper and Zinc and its impact on the ambient air quality of Industrial Steel City Rourkela, Orissa, India
  by A K Swar 
  Abstract: There is increasingly growing evidence linking urban air pollution to acute and chronic illnesses amongst all age groups. Therefore, monitoring of ambient concentrations of various air pollutants as well as quantification of the dose inhaled becomes quite important, specially in view of the fact that in many countries, policy decisions for reducing pollutant concentrations are mainly taken on the basis of their health impacts. Metallic element transfer through the atmosphere is a significant part of the biogeochemical cycle of these elements. Natural and anthropogenic were two processes which can increase heavy metal concentrations in the atmosphere. The purpose of this study arranges the atmospheric metallic elements investigations in Rourkela regions in Orissa state of India. The data obtained here can also help to understand the sources, concentration, phase distribution and health impact of atmospheric metallic elements in Rourkela regions in Orissa state of India. The concentrations of major heavy metals such as Nickle, Copper and Zinc are covered in this paper.
  Keywords: Heavy metals; Nickle; Copper; Zinc; Atmosphere pollution
   

• Soil treatment by solvent extraction and catalytic hydrodehalogenation
  by Hun-Young Wee, Jeffrey Cunningham 
  Abstract: Halogenated hydrophobic organic contaminants (HHOCs), such as chlorinated benzenes and polychlorinated biphenyls, are common soil contaminants. A proposed new method for treating soils contaminated by HHOCs is to extract the contaminants with a solvent, then destroy the contaminants catalytically, enabling the solvent to be re-used. Here, we investigated both the extraction process and the catalytic hydrodehalogenation process in batch systems, using water/ethanol mixtures as the solvent and using two HHOCs (pentachlorophenol and 1,2,4,5-tetrachlorobenzene) as target contaminants. Consistent with previous findings, the efficiency of extraction improved with increasing contact time and/or increasing ethanol fraction in the solvent. Surprisingly, the extent of extraction was not observed to increase with increasing solvent volume. Tetrachlorobenzene extracted from the contaminated soil could be dehalogenated catalytically, with no apparent interference or inhibition caused by the extraction process. This suggests that the proposed technology (called remedial extraction and catalytic hydrodehalogenation, or REACH) should be technically viable. Based on the observed results, we suggest that a water:ethanol composition of 50:50 (vol:vol, before mixing) may be optimal for combined extraction and catalytic hydrodehalogenation
  Keywords: soil; solvent; ethanol; extraction; palladium; catalyst; dechlorination; hydrodehalogenation; tetrachlorobenzene; pentachlorophenol; remediation