Pollution

Rapid globalization lead us on the way to industrialization. Sugar industry is one of the biggest consumer of water, and can also introduce serious pollutant to the environment. Chemical as well as biological treatment to these waste waters are in practice since long. Powdered Activated Carbon (PAC) prepared from wood and nutshell charcoal with specific surface area of 5602.352 cm2/gm and particle size 44 ? m is used as an adsorbent to the combined waste water of Sugar mill at room temperature. The different dosage of PAC is kept in contact for 24 hours, then they will analyzed before and after treatment. The results of COD removal follow the Freundlich and Langmuir adsorption isotherm.

This research work aimed at evaluating the degree of metal contamination in the weija lake and the extent to which the quality of the sediment has deteriorated. The dam is a source of drinking water and is also utilized for fishing and irrigation. It however receives agricultural runoff and municipal wastewaters. The concentrations of ten metals (Cu, Co, Cr, Fe, K, Mn, Ni, Pb, V and Zn) in sediments from thirteen sampling points from the Weija dam in Accra, Ghana, were investigated using energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF). Elevated concentrations (in µg/g) of toxic and potentially toxic elements (Cu, 19.80±3.77; Co, <19.80; Cr, 87.62±19.69; Fe, 141245.5±1765.39; K, 25363.08±3740.08; Mn, 433.61±60.71; Ni, 58.65±8.81; Pb, 20.03±1.19; V, 77.35±24.02; and Zn, 19.07±3.41) were recorded in the sediments of the dam. The enrichment factor ( Apart from K with EF=1.20 showing minor enrichment) and geoaccumulation index values calculated indicated that these metals were generally from natural sources with insignificant contribution from anthropogenic sources.  The geology of the dam, been characterized by granite, shale and phyllite might have contributed to the elevated levels through weathering and leaching. Concentrations of Co were however below detection limit in all the samples. The pollution load index values show that the sediment was unpolluted with respect to Cu, Co, Cr, Fe, K, Mn, Ni, Pb, V and Zn.

The adsorption behavior of Nickel (II) ions from aqueous solution on ODINA WODIER (OW) bark carbon was investigated as a function of parameters such as adsorbent dose, initial Nickel (II) ions concentration, effect of solution PH, contact time and temperature. The Freundlich and Langmuir adsorption models were applied to describe the equilibrium isotherms. From these experimental data and RL value indicate the adsorption process is favourable. The thermodynamic parameters such as ?H0, ?S0, and ?G0 were evaluated and the adsorption process was physical adsorption. The pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, Elovich kinetic models and the intra-particle diffusion model were used to fit the experimental data by using linear regression analysis method. The high correlation coefficient (?) values indicate the fitness of the model. The kinetic of this process having high correlation coefficient (?) were pseudo-second-order and intra-particle diffusion models. The adsorption mechanism is proved by FT-IR, XRD and SEM images. The OW bark carbon has high adsorption capacity and adsorption rate for the removal of Nickel (II) ions from aqueous solution.

Carbon dioxide is thought to be one of the contributing factors in the rise of global warming. Consequently the discovery for an efficient and economically valuable gas capturing system is highly in demand. Therefore there have been various recent developments in creating new, efficient and adaptable gas capturing materials. Microporous organic based materials received great research efforts in the field of environmental related applications such as gas storage and separations due to their permanent porosity, low density (i.e. composed of light weight elements) and remarkable physicochemical stability. Three anthracene microporous polymers (AMPs)1,2 bridged by imide links were successfully prepared by conventional nucleophilic substitution reaction between different 9,10-dihydro-9,10-ethanoanthracenes and 2,3,5,6-tetrachlorophalonitrile (instead of fluoro-monomer)2. AMPs display a BET surface area in the range of 711-796 m2 g–1, and adsorb reach to 1.70 wt. % H2 at 1.09 bar/77 K. The enhanced microporosity, in comparison to other organic microporous polymers originates from the macromolecular shape of framework, as dictated by the anthracene units, which helps to reduce intermolecular contact between the extended planar struts of the rigid framework. The impressive hydrogen adsorption capture of these materials verified by Horvath?Kawazoe (HK) and NLDFT analyses of low-pressure nitrogen adsorption data, which expected to be use in transportation as a source of green chemistry. A novel synthesis method for AMPs was done by Flow Injection System (FIS). This method has the advantage over conventional synthesis method as saving time-solvent and lowering synthesis cost of. Optimizing conditions (sample & reagent volumes, 0.1 ml/min flow rate, with 0.5 m coil length and 0.5 mm i.d) were used for increasing percentage yield of the product.

Soil and water contamination by endosulfan, an organochlorine pesticide was experimented in lysimeters in 2010 and 2011. These lysimeters were filled in with alfisol brought from Korokoro watershed (60.6 km2, Mali), a small agricultural one where cotton and cereals are the main crops. In the present experimentation, cotton was grown in lysimeters and treated with endosulfan which is frequently used in cotton production by some farmers although its agriculture use has been banned worldwide. After rainfall events subsequent to endosulfan application on cotton, runoff and infiltration were always sampled. Similarly, after each rainy season, composite soil samples were also collected in each lysimeter box. In 2010, soil samples were collected in surface horizon (0-20 cm) and depth one (20-40 cm) but in 2011, they were sampled in the whole soil profile about 1 m. Soils were analyzed by gas chromatography associated to a mass spectrometer at UMR Metis, Université Pierre et Marie Curie (France) but water ones were analyzed at University of Bamako (Mali). The results showed that soil and water are contaminated by endosufan residues. Water contamination was mostly explained by runoff events in 2010 than 2011 ones (6.5 ± 2.9% against 0.1± 0.09% of exported matters) but infiltration events in 2010 were low than those of 2011 (0.1 ± 0.09% against 0.2± 0.04% of exported matters). However, in 2010 and 2011, endosulfan residues were more stocked in soil surface horizons (22 ± 15% and 43.6 ± 12.6%) than depth ones (3 ± 1.4% and from 15.3 ± 17.5% to 28.5 ± 24.8%).

In the present work, chitosan was coated onto the activated carbon and characterized by FT-IR study. The FT-IR spectra of all three chitosan coated carbon showed the characteristic adsorption peaks, which are shifted to lower wave number. The -OH stretching of pure chitosan were observed at 3454 cm-1, whereas the composite showed -OH peak at lower frequency. Due to this, the strong interaction between chitosan and carbon made the bio sorbent effective material for the removal of toxic metal ions from water.

River Cauvery is the major river system of south India. The nature of the quality of river water were studied for 11 physico-chemical parameters at four locations of the River Cauvery near Bhavani region of erode district, for a period of one year (January-December 2012) at monthly intervals. Over the years of time, river has been subjected to human interference regularly and water quality was getting deteriorated profoundly. Major anthropogenic activities practiced were in and around the study area. Agriculture, abstraction of water for irrigation and drinking, washing cloths, discharging of sewage waste, sand mining, boating, fishing, open defecation and religious ritual activities along the stretch were generating serious threat to the biota of the river by altering the physico-chemical concentration of the river system. The seasonal and yearly trends were discussed to comprehend anthropogenic interferences on the river. The Temperature, pH, Turbidity, Total Suspended Solids (TSS), Electrical Conductivity (EC), Phenolphthalein Alkalinity, Total Alkalinity and Total Hardness levels indicate the moderate quality of water. The values of Dissolve Oxygen (DO), Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) levels indicate the presence of major organic pollution sources. The possibility is that since there are major industries in the study area, the major source of organic pollutants could be from these industries and domestic source. Thus present study concludes that river water was not severely polluted. Almost all the results are within the permissible limit when compared with Bureau of Indian Standards. However, it is suggested adequate treatment measures for the industrial effluents so as to reduce the organic pollutants before the situation becomes alarming.

Radon 222 is a radioactive gas that evolves from the radioactive decay of uranium and thorium in rocks and soils and is dangerous when inhaled indoors. Although some areas in the United Kingdom are at higher risks than the others, the effect on the health of its victims is generally devastating as several studies have linked radon to lung cancer. This research was carried out by administering structured questionnaire to voluntary participants dwelling in Loughborough, Leicestershire. The result showed that one out of every seven survey participants had never heard of radon and the effect on health. In addition to this, majority of the participants do not have an idea of the cost of monitoring radon in the home and therefore have never tested for radon. Also, one out of every eight smokers is not aware of the health effects of radon. This study concluded that there is the need for greater awareness of indoor radon health effect in the home. Further studies may be extended to other parts of the UK. Furthermore, there is also the possibility of wider study of assessing the level of indoor radon awareness amongst smokers in the United Kingdom.

Muthupet mangrove ecosystem (Lat.10o15’N; Long.79o30’E) is located at the southern end of the Cauvery delta on the eastcoast of India. Halophilic bacteria play an important role in mangrove ecosystem due to their role in decomposition of mangrove litter. In the mangrove swamp at Muthupet, a total of 32 isolates of bacteria were identified. Of these 32 species of bacteria, characterized by presence of 5 genus namely Bacillus, Carnybacterium, Vibrio, Micrococcus and Pseudomonas. The above five are dominant bacterial groups and were found to be present lagoon of Muthupet mangrove forest. Fluctuation values in bacterial density (39x103 spc.ml-1 to 99x104 spc.ml-1) and (144x103 spc.gm-1 to 175x104 spc.gm-1) in water and sediment at two stations was noticed respectively. Higher values were recorded during the premonsoon season and sudden decrease during the summer season. The bacterial population was found to be higher than that of the water, which may be due to the biodegradation processes of sediment mangrove leaves and vegetation, as well as due to high nutrient accumulation, precipitation of organic compounds and settlement of the dead organic matter in sediment. The paper identifies the seasonal distribution of Halophilic bacteria in few selected species in mangrove area of Muthupet.

Wetlands have played a significant role as natural purification systems. The aim of this study was to analyze the phytoremoval effectiveness by Typha angustata and Phragmites australis to treat Pharmaceutical industry effluent in CW systems as vertical flow subsurface treatment. Local wetland soil in CW showed significant improvement in all parameters. Phragmites australis gave 98.36% reduction in COD and 98.93% BOD whereas Ammonical Nitrogen and organic Nitrogen were 99.39% and 86.84% respectively. Treatment using Typha angustata reduces COD 94.18% and 72.17% BOD while Ammonical Nitrogen and organic Nitrogen were reduced 97.3% and 41.21% respectively. The results were also statistically verified using one-way ANOVA and 2 tailed Student’s t test Analysis. The study shows that Pharmaceutical industry effluents can be treated in vertical flow subsurface wetland with Phragmites australis,as it gives best reduction in all the parameters of water with retention time of 7HRT. KEYWORDS: Ammonical Nitrogen, Constructed wetlands (CW),COD, Subsurface-flow.