International Journal of Environment and Health (6 papers in press)
Regular Issues
Restoration scenario analysis of Hindon River in India using water quality model, WASP8  by Vasker Sharma, Himanshu Joshi Abstract: The river restoration scenario analysis was carried out using steady-state US-EPA Water Quality Analysis Simulation Program (WASP8) for the Hindon River in India which has been classified as Class E by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Restoration scenarios for load reduction, flow augmentation, reaeration and dredging were generated after fairly calibrating and validating the model. The scenario analysis indicated that reductions in municipal waste load and reduction in sediment oxygen demand would significantly improve the water quality along the river. Flow augmentation scenario also seemed to improve the water quality to some extent; however, it does not fulfil the criteria set by CPCB for the propagation of wildlife and fisheries. However, it may prevent stagnation of water along the river stretch. Therefore, high levels of sewage treatment work are required to strengthen the restoration activities and render the water quality better. Keywords: pollution; river restoration; water quality modelling; scenario analysis.
Special Issue on: AA2019 Environment and Sustainable Development A Multidisciplinary Approach
Location of areas of emission of pollutants when poor urban air quality is detected  by Daniela Mellado, María A. Gutiérrez, Jorge E. Colman Lerner, Pablo M. Demetrio, Andrés A. Porta, Pablo M. Jacovkis, Erica Y. Sanchez Abstract: Air pollution constitutes an environmental risk, evidenced in large urban centres. This work applies a methodology capable of detecting the areas of emission of pollutants when episodes of poor urban air quality are observed. This is carried out by coupling air quality indices proposed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency with the receptor model known as Nonparametric Trajectory Analysis. As a control case, observed concentrations (2013-2015) in Bahia Blanca (Argentina) were analysed, highlighting particulate matter as a dominant pollutant for episodes of poor air quality. Likewise, the application of the methodology allowed to reduce the number of possible stationary emission sources by 75%, and to highlight the implication of nearby linear sources. The strength of the methodology lies in visualising in real time, or in diagnostic mode, the potential areas of emission and their significance. Keywords: air quality indicators; criteria pollutants; receptor model; episodes of high concentrations.
Bentonite/carbon composite development for the treatment of agroindustrial effluents  by M. Celeste Legarto, Alberto Scian, M. Bárbara Lombardi Abstract: The diphenylamine antiscale (n-phenylbencenamine) is an agrochemical widely used in the post-harvest treatment of stone fruits in the Upper Rio Negro Valley, Argentina, and the discharge exceeds the allowable limits in the water courses. Removal was evaluated using a composite whose matrix allows bentonite to maintain its adsorbent capacity without thereby reducing the porosity of the bed. This was formed in self-supporting, porous and adsorbent monoliths, emulating the operation in fixed bed columns with the advantage over a conventional fixed bed filled column of reducing the packing variables being the pressure drop, bed height, porosity, and others. Compared with batch operation, what is proposed requires less adsorbent material and reduces the generation of liquid waste. Also, removal was evaluated and compared using a bentonite composite with carbon added. The composites had a maximum adsorption capacity of 80% and desorption of 15% in 1 hour. Keywords: composite; bentonite; carbon; sol-gel; TEOS; resin; adsorption; desorption; agrochemical; diphenylamine.
Development of modified kaolins for the removal of As(III) in waters  by Estefanía Baigorria, Leonardo Cano, Karim Sapag, Vera Alvarez Abstract: Arsenic (As) present in waters is highly dangerous for human health. Adsorption technique is considered a promising technology for the selective elimination of As from aqueous systems. Iron (Fe), and iron-containing clays are adsorbents commonly used for the elimination of arsenic owing to their strong affinity for As inorganic species. Kaolinites, from natural and acid-treated kaolinites, impregnated with iron oxides (30% and 20% of Fe(III)) were developed in the present work. The as-prepared clays were physicochemically characterised, and the As adsorption capability was tested. Arsenic removal studies showed 97% effectiveness for the 30% iron sedimented kaolinite at 1 h of treatment, being the most effective developed material. These preliminary results showed that the Fe(III) impregnated kaolinites could be considered as promising adsorbent materials for As removal from aqueous systems. Keywords: arsenic; kaolinite; remediation; waters; iron; removal; pollution; aqueous systems; kaolins; adsorption.
Development of eco-compatible polymers with cyclodextrins for the treatment of wastewater from the textile industry  by Micaela Parra, Laura Guadalupe Lima, Ana Lía Rossi, Mónica G. Parisi, Adriana M. Rosso, Jorgelina A. Rodriguez Gaston Abstract: Textile industries generate polluting effluents that affect both soil and water quality. Dyes present in wastewater are considered important contaminants; these are not biodegradable. Indigo dye in fabric dyeing generates contaminated wastewater, which is the case in Luj Keywords: Sepharose; cyclodextrin; indigo dye; removal; polymers; inclusion complexes; textile industry; wastewater; polluting effluents; starch; cyclodextrin glucosyltransferase; adsorption.
Enhancement of methane production and wastewater treatment from algae  by Marcos Astorga, Margarita Cesano, Marcela Noemí Gatti, Alberto Camacho Abstract: In this study, the synergy between wastewater treatment and anaerobic co-digestion (AC) was evaluated. To fulfil this objective, urban wastewater and pig effluents were treated by means of microalgae and macroalgae sampled from Limay River, Neuquen, Argentina. Comparison between macroalgae, aquatic and terrestrial plants to find the best co-substrate in the AC process was performed, using the Biochemical Methane Potential (BMP) method. To understand their contributions to methane production, Biological Nutrient Removal Model N Keywords: co-digestion; biochemical methane potential; pig slurry; macroalgae; microalgae; BNRM2; wastewater depuration.
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