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Boron Isotopic Systematics and Its Significance in Natural Processes: An Overview
2023
Srivastava, Tanya | Wanjari, Nishchal
In recent years, interest in boron has expanded from microscopic to macroscopic levels, and several studies have contributed to understanding the role of boron in earth and natural processes. The boron isotopic composition provides a unique perspective into the crystallization process in granites, pegmatites, and temperature variations. Boron isotopic studies have been used as a tracer to understand geothermal systems, rivers, rock processes, reconstruction of pH and pCO2, groundwater pollution, and further help in understanding the changes which have occurred in oceans through geological time. Furthermore, boron isotopes have also been utilized to understand the genesis of ores and understanding subduction processes and as a tracer in groundwater pollution. In plants, it acts as a micronutrient. However, its deficiency and the excessive amount may inhibit the growth of plants, bacteria, and fungi and may also affect the soil and aquatic microflora. Boron maintains and regulates several metabolic pathways, and its quantity above a certain level may prove detrimental to the environment. This overview explains boron isotope variations and their implications in earth sciences and natural processes.
Afficher plus [+] Moins [-]Measurement of Black Carbon Absorption Coefficients Using an Aethalometer and Their Association with Visibility
2023
Hamasha, Khadeejeh M.
Black carbon (BC) is a pollutant aerosol affecting climate and human health. Light absorption coefficients of black carbon (Babs) were measured using an aethalometer model AE33 at wavelengths 370, 470,520,660,880, and 950 nm. Babs for the seven wavelengths at seven sites in Jordan fluctuated with time and peaked at rush hours. The daily average values for all sites were inversely proportional to the wavelength. The average daily visibility values in the seven Jordan sites varied between 72 km and 211km. In the Irbid site, the daily average visibility values for 7-13 Nov. 2021 varied between 43 km and 107 km. BC varied from hour to hour and from day to day. The daily average values of BC in Irbid for the period of 7 -13 Nov. 2021 varied between 2.24 μg.m-3 and 4.66 μg.m-3. BC peaked at the rush hour and had the lowest values on Friday. About 90% of the measured BC was from fossil fuel sources and 10% from biomass-burning sources.
Afficher plus [+] Moins [-]Negative Effects of the Urban River Pollution on the Environment and Human Health in Bangladesh
2023
(Babu), Kudrat-E-Khuda | ., Md. Riaduzzaman | Akter, Tahmina | Akther, Sumaia
Based on research findings, Bangladesh’s river water, crucial for domestic, agricultural, and industrial use, has long been in a terrible situation. There have been numerous instances of significant contamination in the waterways surrounding Dhaka city, including the Buriganga River, and in Chattogram city, including the Karnaphuli River, over the past 40 years. The existing data demonstrate that other urban rivers, particularly Karatoa, Teesta, Rupsa, Pasur, and Padma, are also in severe condition due to the disposition of huge pollutants. Contaminants flowing with the water have severely polluted the downstream areas of the rivers. High metal concentrations are frequently observed in river water during the dry season. In the Buriganga River and at certain locations in the Turag, Balu, Sitalakhya, and Karnaphuli Rivers, the presence of dissolvable oxygen (DO) is nearly zero. NO3, NO2, and PO4-3 pollution has also occurred in many rivers. Most rivers have Cr, Zn, Fe, Pb, Cu, Cd, Mn, As, and Ni concentrations beyond the legal limit for drinking water. In contrast, some rivers have metal concentrations above the legal irrigation water limit. The majority of the rivers, particularly the peri-urban rivers in Dhaka city, Teesta, Korotoa, Rupsha, Karnaphuli, and Meghna Rivers, have significantly higher metal concentrations, according to sediment data. Metal concentrations in sediment are generally higher than USEPA standards in most rivers. Metal concentrations in fish and crops demonstrate metal bioaccumulation. The trend in metal concentration follows the order of water, fish, and sediment. It has been shown that crops irrigated with tainted water contain dangerous metals. The analysis of daily intake data on carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic substances reveals that consuming contaminated food can seriously impact human health.
Afficher plus [+] Moins [-]Preparation and Characterization of Slow-Release Zinc and Iron Fertilizer Encapsulated by Palm Stearin
2023
Mohd Nasir, Maizatiey Farizza | Uddin, Md. Kamal | Kamarudin, Mohd Salleh | Syukri Ismail, Muhammad Fadhil | Abdul Sukor, Arina Shairah Bt | Abubakar, A.
Using granular form application in the pisciponic system, this study investigates the effects of supplementation in the pisciponic system on plant growth performance. This study was conducted at the Aquaculture Experimental Station in Puchong, Selangor. The experiment was set up in a greenhouse with a plastic liner at the bottom. The coated fertilizers were immersed in 500 mL of distilled water in the beakers. The immersion times were analyzed for each 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 42, 48, 54, 60, 66, and 72 hours. Insoluble solids and water were then filtered using filter paper and dried in the oven, followed by the drying process to obtain a constant weight before being put in the desiccators. During the release test, the distilled water was taken at every 48-hour interval, and the concentration of nutrients was determined from the atomic absorption spectrometer. The findings indicate that the weights of release fertilizers, specifically Zn and Fe, significantly decreased over time. At the lowest concentration, the coated zinc and iron weights decreased as time increased. Referring to the curve results, the Zn fertilizer started drastically decreasing its weight at hour 24, which decreased approximately to 0.002 for every subsequent hour. Meanwhile, Fe fertilizer decreased drastically at hour 66, where the weight dropped from 0.10467 to 0.039. However, the final weights for both fertilizers at hour 72 were about the same.
Afficher plus [+] Moins [-]Assessment of Noise Pollution and Health Impacts of the Exposed Population in an Urban Area of Chhattisgarh, India
2023
Kumar, Vishal | Ahirwar, Ajay Vikram | Prasad, A. D.
The present study aimed to evaluate the possible impact of noise pollution. This study was conducted in Raipur, the capital of Chhattisgarh state, India, to analyze the relationship between noise pollution and health complaints. A total of 18 locations were selected for monitoring noise pollution levels in the morning (9:00-10:30 AM) and evening (7:00-8:30 PM). Noise maps were prepared for both the time interval, and it was found that the highest equivalent noise level (Leq)of 81.31 dBA was observed at location L3 whereas the lowest Leq of 63.25 dBA was observed at L16 in the morning and in the evening 77.33 dBA at L3 and 60.14 dBA at L16 were observed. A questionnaire survey was performed on the population (n = 400) exposed to noise and analyzed through a variance-based partial least square (PLS) structural equation model (SEM). From the survey, it was found that most of the respondents are exposed to higher noise levels and are facing health issues of “pain in the ear,” “rise in blood pressure,” “loss of sleep,” “whistling and buzzing” in their ear, “headache,” “heaviness” and “efficiency problem.” A total of 109 hypotheses were proposed and analyzed through bootstrapping with a subsample size of 5000 in SmartPLS software. 18 hypotheses were found to be significant in the proposed model. SEM analysis revealed an interrelation between noise pollution and health effects. It is recommended that strict regulation in nearby sensitive areas must be imposed and an awareness drive on a large scale shall be conducted to enlighten the city’s population regarding noise effects as well as various measures for controlling.
Afficher plus [+] Moins [-]Perception Versus Actual Value of Quality of Drinking Water: A Case Study of Iron and Steel Industry in West Bengal, India
2023
Rajak, Rahul | Jana, Arup | Chattopadhyay, Aparajita | Singh, Sushmita | Prasad, Jitender
The study aims to understand employees’ knowledge, awareness, and overall perception of drinking water quality in the Iron and Steel Industry in Burnpur, India. Further, this study evaluated drinking water’s physicochemical and bacteriological properties collected from different company sites. This study uses a mixed-method approach with individual interviews of selected employees (n=342) and the laboratory test of eight selected drinking water sites. The results show that most employees considered drinking water acceptable to be excellent. However, only 30% of employees in Site 1 (Coke Oven By-Product department) have reported organoleptic properties of water under the excellent category. The result explained that other physicochemical and bacteriological properties are in good status in all sites except for a colony count, expressing their suitability for drinking purposes. In summary, employees’ perception of water quality aligns with their drinking water’s physicochemical and bacteriological properties.
Afficher plus [+] Moins [-]Chemical Pretreatment of Rice and Wheat Straws to Reduce the Recalcitrant Structure: Comparative and Kinetic Studies with Different Chemicals for Biogas Production
2023
Kanaujia, Nikita | Rawat, Shalu | Singh, Jiwan
In this study, a comprehensive comparison of two different chemical pretreatments of wheat straw (WS) and rice straw (RS) was made. The pretreatment was performed using piranha solution and p-toluenesulfonic acid (PTSA) to dissolve the biomass’s complex lignin and hemicellulose matrix to enhance its methane production. Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopes (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, were used to analyze the characteristics of untreated and pretreated feedstock. WS and RS treated with piranha solution showed maximum methane yield (1234 mL and 1196 mL, respectively). The piranha pretreatment increased the methane yield of wheat straw by 2.37 folds and rice straws by 2.31 folds. The maximum VFA concentration was observed in WS on the 14th day in the piranha-treated sample, 1553.33 ± 2.8 mg.L-1, while in RS on the 21st day in the untreated sample, 676 ± 5.77 mg.L-1. SEM analysis of piranha-treated WS indicated a reduction in recalcitrant structure. Deformation of C-O, C=C, C-C-O, and C-H bonds in cellulose, hemicellulosic, and lignin as a result of chemical pretreatment in WS and RS was also indicated by FTIR analysis. The modified Gompertz model (MGM) and logistic function model (LFM) appropriately defined the degradation process and explained cumulative biogas’ kinetic. Pretreatment with piranha solution reduces the complexity of WS and RS, thus increasing methane production by reducing the retention time.
Afficher plus [+] Moins [-]A Master Plan Realization for an Integrated and Sustainable Management System for Household and Similar Wastes in Morocco’s Landfills by Sizing a Methanation and Composting Unit
2023
Farhat, Akram | Aziz, Ayoub | Lagliti, Kaoutar | Fekhaoui, Mohammed
This work is a decision support contribution in Morocco’s household and similar waste management. This management based on total waste landfilling leads to several environmental impacts, such as the use of large land areas, also the gaseous pollutants released, such as methane. Our first action was to collect reference data on the composition of this waste through a physicochemical characterization in the landfill in the city of Mohammadia. We sorted the waste generated by four types of populations with different living standards. A quantity of 500 to 2315 kg was treated, which allowed us to classify the household waste studied into nine main components. The sorting results are (organic matter 54.94%, plastic 15,18%, paper and cardboard 9,72%, textiles 7,46%, sanitary textiles 5,82%, metals 2,20%, glass 1, 89%, Wood 1,82% and Other 1,28%). Thus, these results revealed organic matter dominance and an increase in the plastic rate, which did not exceed 8% in the past. Added to this, the physicochemical parameters results are (volatile matter 60,26%, Humidity rate 59,05%, a total organic carbon (TOC) 33,47%, and a lower heating value (LHV) 1840,3 kcal.kg-1). From these data, we can easily deduce that installing a sorting platform with a methanation and composting unit is the most suitable choice for recovering our waste. Therefore, we have chosen the methanation technology that meets the results obtained (dry batch and mesophilic) and sized this unit to assess its electricity production capacity that can be produced in our landfills. We carried out a scenario with a load factor of 0,9 and an electrical efficiency of 39%. The study results are 9 digesters to be built, 6.700 MW.y-1 of electrical energy produced, 14.523 tons.y-1 of refined compost, and 2.128.680 m3.y-1 of biomethane produced. By offering our own integrated and sustainable management system for household and similar waste, we have connected the landfill bins and the digesters to the same motor to avoid biogas leaks from the bins to the atmosphere and increase electrical efficiency by controlling the gas flow.
Afficher plus [+] Moins [-]Role of Eco-Enzymes in Sustainable Development
2023
Varshini, B. | Gayathri, V.
Globally organic wastes are generated from fruits, vegetables, and their peels. It is mostly decomposed in landfills or by composting methods. Food processing industries, vegetable markets, and restaurants produce a huge amount of organic waste daily, generally disposed of in the environment or composted. Producing an eco-enzyme from organic kitchen waste was an innovative solution for domestic waste pollution. It is an enzyme solution obtained from an organic waste substance that contains organic acids, enzymes, and mineral salts. It is produced by performing a simple batch fermentation that involves a mixture of brown sugar, fruit or vegetable waste, and water in the ratio of 1:3:10. Two types of the eco-enzyme were produced by a fermentation process using vegetable and fruit peels for about 90 days involving Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The ultimate liquid or enzyme obtained was brown. Eco-enzyme 1 from (Cucurbita maxima) contained hydrolytic enzymes like amylase and lipase. The microbial diversity was observed, and bacteria like Yersinia sp., Bacillus sp., and fungi like Trichoderma sp. and Penicillium sp. No enzymes and microorganisms were observed in Eco-enzyme 2 (Citron). Eco-enzyme 1 with 50% dilution effectively reduced various parameters like BOD, COD, TDS, Nitrate, Nitrite, and Ammonium in the effluent. Also, it promoted plant growth within 10 days compared to the control. Therefore, the present study outlines how the eco-enzyme could be used to treat industrial effluent cost-effectively and environmentally friendly.
Afficher plus [+] Moins [-]Spatial Model of Post-Earthquake Spring Performance in the Watershed Areas
2023
Akhbar, Akhbar | Naharuddin, Naharuddin | Malik, Adam | Akhbar, Rahmat Kurniadi | Massiri, Sudirman Daeng
The 7.4 Mw of tectonic earthquake caused liquefaction in Pasigala on September 28, 2018, happened due to the fault movement of Palu-Koro. It affected the water availability every spring. The research aim is to determine the spatial model of water production every spring after the natural tectonic disaster, especially in Palu and Poboya watersheds-a model built based on the integration between the spatial data overlaying and the statistical regression correlation. The sites are purposively selected at six springs spots and divided into four clusters (Poboya, Uemanje, Ranjuri Beka, Mantikole). The model assessment was generated based on the springs’ performance from x variables (catchment area, land cover, aquifer, free-ground water depth, fault, number of springs users) and the y variable (water discharge). The result shows that Poboya’s performance is bad-disturbed, while Uemanje, Ranjuri, Beka, and the performance of Mantikole are disturbed. The bad performance of springs requires conserving watershed areas through forest and land conservation, tree enrichment planting, wise land management, and good water use.
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