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Need for an Evolved Groundwater Justice in Rural Areas of Uttar Pradesh, India
2024
V. S. Tari, N. Siddiqui, D. Rathi, N. N. Siddiqui and D. K. Wahyuni
As groundwater is the primary element of life, countries all over the world are experimenting with legal reforms. The degree to which law reforms combine justice and sustainability is a crucial question. In response to this question, the present article focuses on a case study of Uttar Pradesh, India. Our response is based on a content analysis of the Uttar Pradesh Groundwater (Management and Regulation) Act, 2019, and the Uttar Pradesh Groundwater (Management and Regulation) Rules, 2020. Three conclusions emerged from our investigation. First, the 2019 Groundwater Act and the 2020 Draft Groundwater Rules are primarily motivated by concerns about resource sustainability, particularly in areas where the water table is steadily declining. Still, neither the 2019 Groundwater Act nor the 2020 Draft Groundwater Rules propose any proactive groundwater justice measures. Second, we suggest that some locally defined basic elements are critical in supporting sustainability and – to a lesser extent – groundwater justice. These characteristics include a community’s ability to (1) recognize a crisis and show a willingness to address it; (2) establish a rule-bound community groundwater resource; (3) demonstrate leadership and a sense of community; and (4) make use of awareness, information, and knowledge. Our third conclusion is that there is a need for community practices and state-led groundwater law to co-evolve; this co-evolution has the potential to create groundwater arrangements that support both groundwater justice and sustainability.
Show more [+] Less [-]An Eco-friendly Mangifera indica Leaves Extract Corrosion Inhibitor for Stainless Steel in Acidic Medium
2024
Dharampal Bajaj and Pratiksha D. Khurpade
Corrosion of metals and alloys is one of the most frequent problems encountered in chemical and process industries. Inefficient corrosion control measures typically lead to an increased risk of unplanned downtime, huge economic loss, environmental damage, and health and safety hazards. Hence, it is essential to develop environment-friendly and cost-effective corrosion inhibitors over existing toxic anticorrosive agents. The main objective of this work is to examine the efficacy of eco-friendly ethanolic extract of Mangifera indica leaves (MIL) in different concentrations as a green corrosion inhibitor for stainless steel (SS-316L) under an acidic environment. The inhibition efficiency of Mangifera indica leaves extract in 1 M hydrochloric acid (HCl) was evaluated by conventional weight loss method along with adsorption isotherm analysis. Chemical compounds present in leaf extract and changes in surface morphology of SS-316L samples were assessed using Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM) provided with elemental analysis. The results of the weight loss method revealed that the inhibition efficiency increases with increasing MIL extract concentration due to higher surface coverage. The highest inhibition efficiency of almost 63.43% in 14 days and minimum corrosion rate of 0.433 mm per year was obtained for SS-316 L in 1.0 M HCl with 1000 ppm concentration. The adsorption of MIL extract on SS-316L surface followed Freundlich adsorption isotherm, and the obtained value of free Energy of adsorption (ΔG˚ads = – 9.20 kJ.mol-1) indicates the physical adsorption mechanism. The developed regression-based models can predict the corrosion rate as a function of inhibitor concentration and exposure time with good accuracy (>80%). Thus, the present findings demonstrate that Mangifera indica L. leaves extract can suitably be applied as an inexpensive, non-toxic, biodegradable, efficient green corrosion inhibitor for the protection of stainless steel in acidic media.
Show more [+] Less [-]Will Development and Temperature be Reconciled?
2024
Faradiba Faradiba, St. Fatimah Azzahra, Endah Yuniarti, Lodewik Zet, Tris Kurniawati Laia and Rini Wulandari
The country’s advancement is fueled by regional growth. It frequently has many detrimental effects in its application, including contamination. Climate, notably temperature, is negatively impacted by the ensuing pollution. This study uses the Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA) method to measure the pollution index, followed by the instrumental variable (IV) method to calculate the effect of development on pollution and temperature. Rural data from Podes 2018 is among the data used in this investigation. The findings of this study show that developed and developing areas are where the negative pollution index forms the most frequently. The construction and the resulting pollution index have a negative impact on temperature. The development process should pay attention to environmental aspects to anticipate worse temperature changes in the coming period.
Show more [+] Less [-]Evaluation of the Contaminated Area Using an Integrated Multi-Attribute Decision-Making Method
2024
A. Mohamed Nusaf and R. Kumaravel
Air pollution affects public health and the environment, creating great concern in developed and developing countries. In India, there are numerous reasons for air pollution, and festivals like Diwali also contribute to air contamination. Determining the polluted region using several air contaminants is significant and should be analyzed carefully. This study aims to analyze the air quality in Tamil Nadu, India, during the Diwali festival from 2019 to 2021, based on multiple air pollutants. The study models the impact of air pollution as a Multi-Attribute Decision-Making (MADM) problem. It introduces a hybrid approach, namely the Analytical Hierarchy Process-Entropy-VlseKriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje (AHP-Entropy-VIKOR) model, to analyze and rank the areas based on the quality of air. A combined approach of AHP and entropy is employed to determine the weights of multiple air pollutants. The VIKOR approach ranks the areas and identifies the areas with the worst air quality during the festival. The proposed model is validated by performing the Spearman’s rank correlation with two existing MADM methods: Combinative Distance Based Assessment (CODAS) and Weighted Aggregates Sum Product Assessment (WASPAS). Sensitivity analysis is carried out to assess the effects of the priority weights and the dependency of the pollutants in ranking the regions. The highest air pollution level during the festival was seen in Cellisini Colony (2019), Rayapuram (2020), T. Nagar and Triplicane (2021) in their respective year. The results demonstrate the consistency and efficiency of the proposed approach.
Show more [+] Less [-]Recent Progress of Novel Porous Materials in Wastewater Treatment
2024
Deqi Kong, Hua Chen, Zhen Xiang and Bin Wang
Unavoidably, the expansion of industry causes the release of numerous heavy metals, radionuclides, and organic pollutants into the environment. Due to these pollutants, the extremely toxic, highly carcinogenic chemicals provide a serious risk to people and aquatic life. Wastewater pollutants must be removed to safeguard the ecology. A huge specific surface area, multiple binding sites, a plethora of functional groups, variable pore size, and simplicity of surface modification are just a few advantages of porous materials. They are considered viable candidate materials for the efficient and selective removal of contaminants from aqueous solutions in a range of difficult circumstances due to their benefits. This work reviews the characteristics, methods of functionalization, and ways of modification of many novel porous materials in recent years. The use of these porous materials in the treatment of wastewater was examined. The development potential of porous materials is finally summed up.
Show more [+] Less [-]Integrated Riverside Development Along Adyar River, Chennai
2024
S. Indhu Kirthika and R. Shanmuga Priyan
Integrated Riverside Development (IRD) is a planning approach that aims to achieve sustainable development of urban areas located along riverbanks. To implement this IRD with controlled regulations, the study is focused on developing a comprehensive riverside development and river zoning regulatory framework that integrates all five main elements, with particular emphasis on economic, ecological, and social factors, in order to reduce encroachment and pollution in the study area. The objectives of the study include analyzing the current land use, recreational parks, encroachments, pollution levels, sewage disposal patterns, and solid waste dumping zones in the study area, as well as studying the socio-economic and eco-environmental aspects of the area. Additionally, identifying and analyzing the major threats to the river and developing a river zoning regulatory framework using the land use matrix technique is also included in the study objectives. The study area (Adyar River) was chosen based on social, ecological, and economic factors, and data was collected through surveys and from government offices. Using the land use matrix method, proposals for riverside development were made, and the zones were classified into development-prohibited, development-restricted, and development-optimized zones. The zones were classified based on the calculated values of Eco sensitivity for each of the three zones. Proposals were then given based on these classified zones, and the levels of development potential were determined. The proposed zoning regulatory framework is expected to have a significant impact in reducing further encroachments and improving connectivity between the city and the river. By considering socio-economic, ecological, and environmental aspects, the study recommends appropriate zoning regulations for riverfront developments that promote sustainable growth.
Show more [+] Less [-]Mapping and Quantifying Integrated Land Degradation Status of Goa Using Geostatistical Approach and Remote Sensing Data
2024
V. G. Prabhu Gaonkar, F. M. Nadaf and Vikas Kapale
Globally, land degradation is becoming a grave concern. Over the years, conditions such as drought, extreme weather events, pollution, changes in land use land cover, and desertification have intensified and led to land degradation, affecting both ecological and economic processes. Equally, during the last two centuries, population and urbanization have amplified manifold and increased the demand for additional food and shelter, resulting in alteration in land use land cover, over-grazing, and over-cultivation, loss of nutrient-rich surface soil, greater runoff from the more impermeable subsoil, and reduced water availability. Geographically, Goa is a highly diversified state. It is sandwiched between the West Coast and the Western Ghats. The state is blessed with beaches, mangroves, backwaters, wetlands, wildlife sanctuaries, evergreen forests, barren lands, and other vital ecosystems. The State of Goa, on average, receives more than 3000 millimeters of rainfall annually with high surface runoff. Using both primary and secondary data, this study sought to investigate and quantify the state’s land degradation. Secondary data came from satellites and other sources, while primary data came from field observation and ground truthing. Land degradation factors related to soil loss and the spatial pattern of soil erosion are predicted and evaluated using the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) method. Landsat-8 OLI-TIRS images were utilized to decide land use and cover (C factor), while DEM information was utilized to assess (LS factor). A soil map and rainfall data were collected to acquire a better understanding of soil erodibility (K factor) and rainfall erosivity (R factor). The kriging interpolation technique was used to gain a deeper comprehension of land degradation.The purpose of this paper is to comprehend the concept of integrated land degradation and how it affects the environment of Goa. Using remote sensing data and geostatistical methods, the study creates a comprehensive map of land degradation in the region by identifying and analyzing the various forms of land degradation in Goa. The paper also looks at how rainfall and the amount of land cover affect the rate of soil erosion in Goa. According to the findings, intense rainfall makes the eastern part of Goa particularly susceptible to soil erosion, and bare soil has a greater potential for erosion than vegetated land. The paper concludes that comprehensive land degradation mapping can be a useful tool for developing efficient land management strategies to preserve soil and encourage sustainable development in the region.
Show more [+] Less [-]Water Resource Impacts of Irrigation: The Case of the Main Irrigation Canal from the M’Pourie Plain to Rosso in Mauritania
2024
Mewgef El Ezza dite Hanane Djieh Cheikh Med Fadel B. A. Dick, E. C. S’Id, M. B. Ammar, Y. M. Sidi, L. S. Mohamed, A. Semesdy, M. L. Yehdhih and M. Fekhaoui
An important factor in determining agricultural production is the availability of irrigation water in the main canal of the M’Pourie plain. This factor affects both the intensification of crops and the size of the irrigation areas. The main Senegal River canal in Rosso, Mauritania, runs across the Plaine of M’Pourie. This study aims to assess the physicochemical quality of the water used for irrigation and agriculture in the main irrigation canal on the M’Pourie plain. The measurements were made from 2021 to 2022, and the following physical and chemical parameters were monitored: pH, temperature, electrical conductivity, salt content, calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium; ammonium bicarbonate; chloride; nitrite; nitrate; nitrogen; sulfate; and sodium adsorption ratio (SAR). These measurements were analyzed using volumetric, spectroscopic, and spectrophotometric methods. After conducting statistical analysis and comparing the results with Moroccan quality standards for surface water utilized in irrigation, it has been discovered that the average pH value is 7.51, indicating a neutral state. However, the average nitrite and ammonium values exceed Moroccan standards at 5.16 mg.L-1 and 0.41 mg.L-1, respectively. The water’s low mineralization is attributed to its low electrical conductivity, with an average of 52.2 μS.cm-1. Based on the analysis of the Senegal River water used for irrigation in the M’Pourie plain, it has been determined that its sodium adsorption ratio and electrical conductivity classify it as belonging to class C1S1. This indicates that the water has low salinity and is excellent for irrigation, with a low risk of alkalinization.
Show more [+] Less [-]Machine Learning-based Calibration Approach for Low-cost Air Pollution Sensors MQ-7 and MQ-131
2024
L. R. S. D. Rathnayake, G. B. Sakura, N. A. Weerasekara and P. D. Sandaruwan
Air quality is a vital concern globally, and Sri Lanka, according to WHO statistics, faces challenges in achieving optimal air quality levels. To address this, we introduced an innovative IoT-based Air Pollution Monitoring (APM) Box. This solution incorporates readily available Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) sensors, specifically MQ-7 and MQ-131, for measuring concentrations of Carbon Monoxide (CO) and Ozone (O3) ,Arduino and "ThingSpeak" platform. Yet, those COTS sensors are not factory-calibrated. Therefore, we implemented machine learning algorithms, including linear regression and deep neural network models, to enhance the accuracy of CO and O3 concentration measurements from these non-calibrated sensors. Our findings indicate promising correlations when dealing with MQ-7 and MQ-131 measurements after removing outliers.
Show more [+] Less [-]Sustainability Analysis of Landfill Cover System Constructed Using Recycled Waste Materials by Life Cycle Assessment
2024
G. Sanoop, Sobha Cyrus and G. Madhu
The sustainability of using industrial by-products for the construction of landfill cover was determined using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). LCA was carried out on four materials: sand- bentonite mix, red earth- bentonite mix (amended soil), Waste Foundry Sand (WFS)- Bentonite mix, and WFS- marine clay mix. The former two are commonly used cover soils and the latter two are alternative materials proposed. Environmental impacts based on the extraction of resources, processing, transportation to the site, and site preparation were considered using the ‘cradle to site’ approach. Analysis was carried out in OpenLCA software using the ReCiPe (H) Midpoint method of impact assessment. Required data for analysis was taken from the Ecoinvent database supplemented with inputs from a field survey. The use of WFS in landfill cover systems was found to be sustainable using LCA studies when compared to conventional materials.
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