Pollution

Constructed wetlands (CWs) have a great potential for the treatment of wastewater. These systems consist of beds or channels which have been planted with helophytes (water loving plants), which rely upon physical, chemical and biological processes to remove contaminants from wastewater. CWs are generally classified into two categories: surface-flow and subsurface-flow. Both the systems are capable of removing nitrogen, phosphorus, biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, total suspended solids, metals and pathogens from different types of domestic and industrial wastewaters. This paper provides a review of the mechanism of removal of contaminants from wastewaters in the root zone of constructed wetlands which includes both aerobic and anaerobic microbiological conversions, sedimentation, mineralization, chemical transformations, physicochemical adsorption, chemical precipitation and ion exchange. This technology act as a natural and low cost treatment facility for wastewaters of different origin.

Abstract The present study was carried out with an aim to emphasis on the effects of radio-frequency electromagnetic radiations from cell towers on human beings. Questionnaire based survey was conducted by means of interviews and general discussions with a population size of 181 inhabitants residing in five different localities (viz., Gangondahalli, Nagarabhavi, Moodalpalya, Chandra layout, Guddadahalli) of Bangalore south taluk. The participants themselves filled the self-administered questionnaire by entering their response data on the health effects faced due to establishment of mobile towers. Exposure assessment was based on the distances from base stations (less than 10 m, 10-50 m, 50-100 m, 100-200 m, 200-300 m, > 300 m) and their location in relation to the antennas (facing, beside, behind, beneath in the case of antennas placed on rooftops). Based on results congregated, it was evident that headache, irritability, nausea, appetite loss, discomfort, sleep disturbance, depression, memory loss difficulty in concentration and dizziness, etc., are more frequently observed symptoms of ill-health in the exposed groups. It is concluded that the cell phones and cell phone tower radiation are a strong risk factor for all the adverse health effects.

The main aim of this study has been to assess the variability of groundwater parameters to develop water quality of Sanayapalem area. The ground water is a major source for irrigation in many arid and semi arid regions of India. A total of 30 groundwater samples were collected and analyzed for major cations and anions. The parameters like sodium absorption ratio (SAR), percent sodium, potential salinity, residual sodium carbonate, non carbonate hardness, Kelly’s ratio, permeability index, indices of base exchange and Gibbs ratio were also calculated. Major ionic relationships indicate that weathering reactions have significant role in the hydrochemical processes of the groundwater system. Hydrogeochemical processes controlling the water chemistry are rock- water interaction. Various determinants such as Sodium Absorption Ratio (SAR), Percent Sodium (Na %), Residual Sodium Carbonate (RSC), and Kelley’s Ratio revealed that most of the samples are suitable for irrigation.

Carbon monoxide is a significant air pollutant worldwide. Its poisoning causes hazards to health and damages in body. This study was conducted in Alkamleen area where a lot of red brick factories are located along the Blue Nile river bank in the east of the area. The study aimed to investigate the hematological parameter about Hb, RBC sand PCV at a high CO concentration area.the study area was divided by two lines parallel to the river bank, 500 meters distance from each other into three zones A, B and C from north to south. Also it was divided from east to west by five imaginary lines to give six squires in each zone. The reading for CO concentration was determined for each square. Blood samples were collected from the habitants in the study area. Hb was determined by the Drab kin’s method, Read by photoelectric colorimeter, RBCs was used improved Neubauer (chamber), to calculate the TRBC, PCV was determined by Micro-Haematocrit centrifuge. CO in air was found to be significantly higher levels of CO concentration in air were detected throughout the year in all zones. Mean+/-SD of RBCs among the study group in winter were 5.6±0.8, Mean+/-SD of RBCs among the study group in summer were 5.2±0.8. Hb, RBCs, PCV were significantly higher for study group in winter as compared to control group.air CO was significantly exceeds the WHO recommended standards. Higher reading in winter and summer of Hb, RBCs and PCV were associated to high CO concentration which emitted from red brick kilns in Alkamleen area.

Five brands of cigarette were randomly sampled and analyzed for heavy metals. The brands include Aspen, Benson, Dunhill, Pall-mall and Rothmans. From the result obtained, concentration of Zinc was found to range between 11.1 - 4.15 mg/kg, concentration of Copper ranges between 13.65 - 4.55 mg/kg and Iron concentration ranges between 7.4 - 1.85 mg/kg. Nickel and Lead concentrations were found to range between 30.75 - 7.7 mg/kg and 32.6 - 17.4 mg/kg respectively. Lead was found to be highest in three brands (Rothmans, Pall-mall and Benson) respectively while Nickel was highest in two brands (Aspen, Rothmans) respectively. Generally the levels of the content of some of the metals in all the brands were low compared with the values set by world health organization (WHO) and accepted by standard organization of Nigeria (SON), it was believed that continuous bio-accumulation of heavy metals through smoking of cigarette may lead to additional health complication apart from the inherent dangers to which cigarette is known for.

Nigerian Children are still exposed to lead from the environment, food, drinking water, cosmetics, parents’ occupation, and the use of residual lead painted woods. Although, lead poisoning outbreak in Zamfara and Kaduna which claimed the life of several children, occurred in villages and amidst the lower societal class. Recent studies have however revealed that lead exposure is still a prevalent issue in urban and rural areas with the continued production of leaded paint by the Nigerian paint industries, and the discovery of high lead contents in some canned foods and other food products in Nigeria. Lead exposure and poisoning may be eradicated in the nearest future in Nigeria with greater awareness on its health implications, the use of cleaner fuel for cooking or heating, and with the proactive and collaborative approach by the government, parents, the Ministry of Health and Environment, the food industries, the paint manufacturing industries, and other stakeholders’ in the society. There is also the need to encourage the use of cleaner fuel in households. There is the possibility of future study on lead exposure in Nigerian children through the application of leaded beauty products such leaded eye pencils on their eyes by some mothers.

The purpose of this study was to assess the heavy metals in blood and urine samples of some selected electronic miners (e-miners) in Accra-Ghana. An assessment of heavy metal concentrations in exposed workers is essential in order to monitor and reveal the impact of these metals on human health. Fifty (50) samples of human blood and urine were taken to the laboratory and stored at 4°C until digestion and analysis processes. The results obtained showed that, generally, respondents had more amounts of Cu in their urine (Mean = 0.1844, SD = 0.1245), Cr (Mean = 3.373, SD = 0.8229) in their blood. The study concluded that there is the need for immediate intervention by government and stakeholders for the sake of the community and environment at large. Based on the findings it was recommended immediate government intervention in terms of controlling and regulating the activities of the metal scrap miners with regards to both means of collection and disposal/burning. Further, NGOs, corporate organisation and individuals with the necessary resources can provide capacity training for the elderly involved with such trades. Finally, the capacity of the metal scrap recycling plant has to be enlarged or more of such plants should be built by the government.

At different stages of their development, we studied the bioaccumulation of lead and cadmium residues in fish species Tilapia guineensis, Sarotherodon melanotheron, Hemichromis fasciatus in Nokoué lake and Dicentrarchus labrax, Selene dorsalus and shrimp in Cotonou Channel. The methodology adopted was to identify the species and collect the muscles in these different species of fish and shrimp at different stages of their life's development. Fishery products in situ and water samples taken are sent to the laboratory in coolers maintained at 4 ± 5 ° C for the quantitative analysis of lead and cadmium residues by spectrophotometry. The results of the analysis show that lead residues are more accumulated in younger species than in adults in Sarotherodon melanotheron and Hemichromis fasciatus, unlike Tilapia guineensis. On the other hand, cadmium is weakly present in water and in aquatic fauna and some traces of cadmium residues are found in the Cotonou Channel, notably at the height of Dantokpa market. The water-based lead bioconcentration factors are significantly greater than the unit showing the predominance of particulate lead exposures of sedimentary origin. The lifestyle of the fish species would be the main factor explaining these results.

Small sized iron oxide nanoparticles with were successfully synthesized on the surface of cellulose acetate (CA) by precipitation method. The cellulose acetate were dispersed in deionized water, after that ferric and ferrous chloride was added to this mixture and stirred. After the absorption of iron ions on the surface layer of the fibers, the iron formed was reduced with NaOH by a quick precipitation method. The mean diameter and standard deviation of iron oxide synthesized in cellulose/iron oxide nano-composites (CIONC) were 35 ± 2.42 nm. The prepared nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and vibrating-sample magnetometer (VSM) and FT-IR. XRD indicated the sole existence of inverse cubic spinel phase of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles. The cellulose acetate/iron oxide prepared by this method has magnetic properties. The removal efficiency of iron and copper from wastewater by the new synthesized cellulose/ iron oxide nanocomposite after treatment were observed to be 92.96 % and 88.44 %, respectively in synthesized solution. Reduction percent of nitrate and phosphate from wastewater were 86.07% and 91.77 %, respectively. The new prepared cellulose/iron oxide nanocomposite had new physical and chemical characterization by new additives methodology that had high removal efficiency of heavy metals, nitrates and phosphates upon 86-92 % of inorganic pollutants. This research concerned with copper and iron removal from wastewater using magnetic nanoparticles of cellulose/iron oxide.

Iron oxide nanoparticles with TiO2 with PVA were synthesized by co- precipitation. Removal efficiency of iron, manganese and copper in wastewater by nano iron oxide after treatment was 91.10 %, 82.66 % and 94.03 %, respectively. Removal efficiency of Fe, Mn and Cu in synthesized solution after treatment was 91.42 %, 92.96 % and 90.81% respectively. Reduction percent of nitrate and phosphate in wastewater after treatment was observed to be 87.65 % and 91.07 % respectively. B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) indicated that PVA became more reactive as metals oxides are interacted with it as blending and complexing or both types of interaction.