Temporal variation in density and diversity of cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins in lakes at Nagpur (Maharashtra State), India

Toxic cyanobacteria (TCB) are known worldwide for the adverse impacts on humans and animals. Species composition and the seasonal variation of TCB in water bodies depend on interactions between physical and chemical factors. The present investigation delineates temporal variations in physico-chemical water quality parameters, viz. nutrients and density, diversity, and distribution of toxic cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins in Lake Ambazari (21°7′52″N, 79°2′22″E) and Lake Phutala (21°9′18″N, 79°2′37″E) at Nagpur (Maharashtra State), India. These lakes are important sources of recreational activities and fisheries. Toxic cyanobacterial diversity comprised Anabaena, Oscillatoria, Lyngbya, Phormidium, and Microcystis, a well-known toxic cyanobacterial genus, as dominant. Chlorophyll-a concentrations in the lakes ranged from 1.44 to 71.74 mg/m³. A positive correlation of Microcystis biomass existed with orthophosphate-P (p?<?0.05) and nitrate-N (p?>?0.05). Identification and quantification of microcystin variants were carried out by high performance liquid chromatography equipped with photodiode array detector. Among all the tested toxin variants, microcystin-RR (arginine–arginine) was consistently recorded and exhibited a positive correlation (p?<?0.05) with Microcystis in both the water bodies. Microcystis bloom formation was remarkable between post-monsoon and summer. Besides nutrient concentrations governing bloom formation, the allelopathic role of microcystins needs to be established.     

Seasonal variations and source profile of <Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-alkanes in particulate matter (PM<Subscript>10</Subscript>) at a heavy traffic site,Delhi

Delhi is one of the most polluted cities in the world. The generation of aerosols in the lower atmosphere of the city is mainly due to a large amount of natural dust advection and sizable anthropogenic activities. The compositions of organic compounds in aerosols are highly variable in this region and need to be investigated thoroughly. Twenty-four-hour sampling to assess concentrations of n-alkanes (ng/m³) in PM₁₀ was carried out during January 2015 to June 2015 at Indira Gandhi Delhi Technical University for Women (IGDTUW) Campus, Delhi, India. The total average concentration of n-alkanes, 243.7 ± 5.5 ng/m³, along with the diagnostic tools has been calculated. The values of CPI₁, CPI₂, and CPI₃ for the whole range of n-alkanes series, petrogenic n-alkanes, and biogenic n-alkanes were 1.00, 1.02, and 1.04, respectively, and C _max were at C₂₅ and C₂₇. Diagnostic indices and curves indicated that the dominant inputs of n-alkanes are from petrogenic emissions, with lower contribution from biogenic emissions. Significant seasonal variations were observed in average concentrations of n-alkanes, which is comparatively higher in winter (187.4 ± 4.3 ng/m³) than during the summer season (56.3 ± 1.1 ng/m³).     

Seasonal variation, source, and regional representativeness of the background aerosol from two remote sites in western China

Using observations from two remote sites during July 2004 to March 2005, we show that at Akdala (AKD, 47° 06′ N, 87° 58′ E, 562 m asl) in northern Xinjiang Province, there were high wintertime loadings of organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon (EC), and water-soluble (WS) ${\rm SO}_{4}^{2-}$ , ${\rm NO}_{3}^{2-}$ , and ${\rm NH}_{4}^{+}$ , which is similar to the general pattern in most areas of China and East Asia. However, at Zhuzhang (ZUZ, 28° 00′ N, 99° 43′ E, 3,583 m asl) in northwestern Yunnan Province, the aerosol concentrations and compositions showed little seasonal variation except for a decreasing trend of OC from August to autumn–winter. Additionally, the OC variations dominated the seasonal variation of PM₁₀ (particles ≤10 μm diameter) level. Chemical characteristics combined with transport information suggested sea salt origin of ionic Na^?+?, Mg^2?+?, and Cl^??? at ZUZ. At AKD, ionic Ca^2?+?, Mg^2?+?, Na^?+?, and Cl^??? primarily originated from salinized soil. Furthermore, the WS Ca^2?+? contributions (5.4–6%) to the PM₁₀ mass during autumn, winter, and early spring reflected a constant dust component. The results of this study indicated that both sites were regionally representative. However, the representative regions and scales of these background sites may vary seasonally as the regional atmospheric transport patterns change. Seasonal variations in the background aerosol levels from these two areas need to be considered when evaluating the regional climate effects of the aerosols.     

Hazard assessment of metals in invasive fish species of the Yamuna River,India in relation to bioaccumulation factor and exposure concentration for human health implications

Monitoring of heavy metals was conducted in the Yamuna River considering bioaccumulation factor, exposure concentration, and human health implications which showed contamination levels of copper (Cu), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), and chromium (Cr) and their dispersion patterns along the river. Largest concentration of Pb in river water was 392 μg L^?1; Cu was 392 μg L^?1 at the extreme downstream, Allahabad and Ni was 146 μg L^?1 at midstream, Agra. Largest concentration of Cu was 617 μg kg^?1, Ni 1,621 μg kg^?1 at midstream while Pb was 1,214 μg kg^?1 at Allahabad in surface sediment. The bioconcentration of Cu, Pb, Ni, and Cr was observed where the largest accumulation of Pb was 2.29 μg kg^?1 in Oreochromis niloticus and 1.55 μg kg^?1 in Cyprinus carpio invaded at Allahabad while largest concentration of Ni was 174 μg kg^?1 in O. niloticus and 124 μg kg^?1 in C. carpio in the midstream of the river. The calculated values of hazard index (HI) for Pb was found more than one which indicated human health concern. Carcinogenic risk value for Ni was again high i.e., 17.02?×?10^?4 which was larger than all other metals studied. The results of this study indicated bioconcentration in fish due to their exposures to heavy metals from different routes which had human health risk implications. Thus, regular environmental monitoring of heavy metal contamination in fish is advocated for assessing food safety since health risk may be associated with the consumption of fish contaminated through exposure to a degraded environment.     

Abundance pattern of wedge clam Donax cuneatus (L.) in different spatial scale in the vicinity of a coastal nuclear power plant

Impact of thermal discharge from a coastal power station (Madras Atomic Power Station, southeast coast of India) on the spatial variability of Donax cuneatus abundance was assessed to determine the impact boundary. Totally, 20 sites were selected both on south and north side in increasing spatial scale from mixing zone, 12 locations were selected toward south side at a distance from 0 (near mixing point) to 2,000 m and eight location were selected toward north from the effluent mixing zone. Mean water temperature along the coast ranged from 29.1 ±0.15°C to 31.2 ± 0.15°C. Total organic carbon content in the sediment ranged from 0.27% to 0.70%. D. cuneatus population on the swash zone was ranged between 1.3 ± 1.5 and 88.3 ± 9.6 m^???2. Meager population of wedge clam was observed up to 100 m (S100) south from mixing point and abundance gradually increased in different spatial scale. Comparatively high abundance was observed from S400 and reached maximum at S1000 (64.0 ± 3.6 m^???2). Similar pattern was observed on north side too but less abundance was observed only up to 80 m (N80). Maximum abundance was observed at control location C3-N500 (88.3 ± 9.6 m^???2). Forty meters on either side of discharge point was highly impacted, 80 to 100 m toward plume flow (south) was moderately impacted, and 80 m north of mixing point also witnessed moderate impact. After 100 m (N100), north was not affected by effluents, whereas between 100 and 400 m, south was influenced slightly. Multivariate clustering pattern on the environmental variables of all sampling locations and population trend of D. cuneatus at those stations showed similarity. Present investigation unambiguously showed that the abundance pattern of D. cuneatus on the sandy beach of east coast of Kalpakkam is not governed by single major factor but due to the result of multiple interacting factors. The population size of the wedge clam with reference to the effect of power plant effluents and other features of habitats of the beach ecosystem are also discussed.     

A rapid extractive spectrophotometric determination of copper(II) in environmental samples, alloys, complexes and pharmaceutical samples using 4-N,N(dimethyl)amino]benzaldehyde thiosemicarbazone

Composite samples of septage discharging at the Khirbit As-Samra municipal wastewater treatment plant were analyzed during the period from February to the end of October 2007. Septage showed difference in concentrations of pollutants between summer and winter. The average total chemical oxygen demand (COD) of 6,425 mg/L during summer was 2.16 times greater than that in winter, which is 2,969 mg/L. The total biochemical oxygen demand (5 d) represented 45% of total COD in both winter and summer. Anaerobic biodegradability was 75% after 81 d of digestion at 35°C with a biodegradation rate constant (k) of 0.024 d^???1, which was lower compared with 0.103 d^???1 calculated for wastewater with domestic origin in Jordan. Aerobic biodegradability for septage was 48%??COD basis??after 7 d of digestion at 35°C. The lower anaerobic biodegradation rate of septage compared with that of raw wastewater of domestic origin suggested that septage could have a negative effect on the performance of a domestic wastewater treatment plant if septage discharges are not taken into account in the original design of the treatment plant.     

Biological response to physical processes in the Indian Ocean sector of the Southern Ocean: a case study in the coastal and oceanic waters

The spatial variation of chlorophyll a (Chl a) and factors influencing the high Chl a were studied during austral summer based on the physical and biogeochemical parameters collected near the coastal waters of Antarctica in 2010 and a zonal section along 60°S in 2011. In the coastal waters, high Chl a (>3 mg m^?3) was observed near the upper layers (～15 m) between 53°30′E and 54°30′E. A comparatively higher mesozooplankton biomass (53.33 ml 100 m^?3) was also observed concordant with the elevated Chl a. Low saline water formed by melting of glacial ice and snow, as well as deep mixed-layer depth (60 m) due to strong wind (>11 ms^?1) could be the dominant factors for this biological response. In the open ocean, moderately high surface Chl a was observed (>0.6 mg m^?3) between 47°E and 50°E along with a Deep Chlorophyll Maximum of ～1 mg m^?3 present at 30–40 m depth. Melt water advected from the Antarctic continent could be the prime reason for this high Chl a. The mesozooplankton biomass (22.76 ml 100 m^?3) observed in the open ocean was comparatively lower than that in the coastal waters. Physical factors such as melting, advection of melt water from Antarctic continent, water masses and wind-induced vertical mixing may be the possible reasons that led to the increase in phytoplankton biomass (Chl a).     

GC estimation of organic hydrocarbons that threaten shallow Quaternary sandy aquifer Northwestern Gulf of Suez,Egypt

Soil and groundwater contamination is one of the important environmental problems at petroleum-related sites, which causes critical environmental and health defects. Severe petroleum hydrocarbon contamination from coastal refinery plant was detected in a shallow Quaternary sandy aquifer is bordered by Gulf in the Northwestern Gulf of Suez, Egypt. The overall objective of this investigation is to estimate the organic hydrocarbons in shallow sandy aquifers, released from continuous major point-source of pollution over a long period of time (91 years ago). This oil refinery contamination resulted mainly in the improper disposal of hydrocarbons and produced water releases caused by equipment failures, vandalism, and accidents that caused direct groundwater pollution or discharge into the gulf. In order to determine the fate of hydrocarbons, detailed field investigations were made to provide intensive deep profile information. Eight composite randomly sediment samples from a test plot were selected for demonstration. The tested plot was 50 m long?×?50 m wide?×?70 cm deep. Sediment samples were collected using an American auger around the point 29° 57′ 33″ N and 32° 30′ 40″ E in 2012 and covered an area of 2,500 m² which represents nearly 1/15 of total plant area (the total area of the plant is approximately 3.250 km²). The detected total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs) were 2.44, 2.62, 4.54, 4.78, 2.83, 3.22, 2.56, and 3.13 wt%, respectively. TPH was calculated by differences in weight and subjected to gas chromatography (GC). Hydrocarbons were analyzed on Hewlett–Packard (HP-7890 plus) gas chromatograph equipped with a flame ionization detector (FID). The percentage of paraffine of the investigated TPH samples was 7.33, 7.24, 7.58, 8.25, 10.25, 9.89, 14.77, and 17.53 wt%, respectively.     

Inter-seasonal and spatial distribution of ground-level greenhouse gases (CO<Subscript>2</Subscript>, CH<Subscript>4</Subscript>, N<Subscript>2</Subscript>O) over Nagpur in India and their management roadmap

Ground-level concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and nitrous oxide (N₂O) were monitored over three seasons, i.e., post-monsoon (September–October), winter (January–February), and summer (May–June) for 1 year during 2013–2014 in Nagpur City in India. The selected gases had moderate to high variation both spatially (residential, commercial, traffic intersections, residential cum commercial sites) and temporally (at 7:00, 13:00, 18:00, and 23:00 hours in all three seasons). Concentrations of gases were randomly distributed diurnally over city in all seasons, and there was no specific increasing or decreasing trend with time in a day. Average CO₂ and N₂O concentrations in winter were higher over post-monsoon and summer while CH₄ had highest average concentration in summer. Observed concentrations of CO₂ were predominantly above global average of 400 ppmv while N₂O and CH₄ concentrations frequently dropped down below global average of 327 ppbv and 1.8 ppmv, respectively. Two-tailed Student’s t test indicated that post-monsoon CO₂ concentrations were statistically different from summer but not so from winter, while difference between summer and winter concentrations was statistically significant (P < 0.05). CH₄ concentrations in all seasons were statistically at par to each other. In case of N₂O, concentrations in post-monsoon were statistically different from summer but not so from winter, while difference between summer and winter concentrations was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Average ground-level concentrations of the gases calculated for three seasons together were higher in commercial areas. Environmental management priorities vis a vis greenhouse gas emissions in the city are also discussed.     

Residue levels of hexachlorocyclohexane and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane in human milk collected from Beijing

Forty-eight human breast milk samples were collected from mothers in Beijing. The hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) (including α-HCH, β-HCH, γ-HCH, δ-HCH, p,p′-DDE, p,p′-DDD, o,p′-DDT, and p,p′-DDT) contents of the samples were determined by gas chromatography/electron capture detection and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. α-HCH, β-HCH, γ-HCH, p,p′-DDE, p,p′-DDD, and p,p′-DDT were detected at rates of 20, 100, 10, 100, 10, and 22 %, respectively. The average residue levels in the samples were 174.6 ng/g fat for β-HCH, 333.8 ng/g fat for p,p′-DDE, 6.57 ng/g fat for α-HCH, 7.67 ng/g fat for γ-HCH, 4.18 ng/g fat for p,p′-DDD, and 11.4 ng/g fat for p,p′-DDT. The results showed that the infants’ daily intake levels of HCH and DDT were 0.95 and 1.76 μg/kg body weight/day, respectively. Our result suggested that the total residue level of these organochlorine pesticides in breast milk from Beijing decreased and was lower than that from other coastal and heavy industrial cities in China. On the other hand, the levels of HCH and DDT were higher than those from some developed countries, but lower than those from other developing countries such as India.     

Seasonal availability and sensitivity of two field-collected mayflies for the development of a standardized toxicity test

Ecologically relevant toxicity tests may provide the best protection of sensitive aquatic fauna, but without established culturing or test methodology for such organisms, results may be unreliable and difficult to repeat. Further, field-collected organisms may not be feasible for routine testing purposes, as often required for permitted discharges. This study examined the feasibility of testing two field-collected mayflies, Isonychia bicolor and Maccaffertium spp., over a 1-year period. Seasonal comparisons of availability indicated I. bicolor and Maccaffertium spp. were most abundant during the winter months, resulting in 31 and 49 % of total organisms collected in 2009, while summer was the most difficult time to collect either species. Initial testing in January 2009 resulted in the highest no observable effect concentration (NOEC) values for survivorship (8 g NaCl for I. bicolor and 4 and 8 g NaCl/L for Maccaffertium spp.) when tested at 9°C. Subsequent tests conducted at 20–23°C resulted in 7-day NOEC values substantially lower (mean?=?1.44 and 1.59 g NaCl/L). Geometric means of exuviae indicated a dose-dependent response for I. bicolor exposed to NaCl, while no dose-dependent response was observed for Maccaffertium spp. with average number of molts varying from 4.93 in the 0.5 g NaCl/L concentration to 3.80 for control organisms followed by 2.24 (1 g NaCl/L). Averages again increased to 3.09 in the 2 g NaCl/L concentration, but declined in the highest concentrations (4–10 g NaCl/L). Based on the results of this feasibility study, field-collected mayflies appear to be too unpredictable in test responses, and therefore, such tests would be unreliable as stand-alone indicators of effluent toxicity.     

Analysis of a high PM10 episode observed at a coastal site nearby Shanghai, China

A high PM₁₀ episode observed at a coastal site nearby Shanghai during 18–19 January 2007 was analyzed in this study. The maximum hourly averaged PM₁₀ concentrations for the 2 days were 0.58 and 0.62 mg/m³, respectively. The meteorological condition during the episode was favorable for air pollution with large-scale stagnation. There was no dispersing effect by high wind, no scavenging function by precipitation, and no diluting process by clean marine air during the episode. The trajectories for 16–19 January all came from the northern region and kept in low levels, and during the episode peak time, from the morning of 18 to the morning of 19 January, trajectories all came from the northern inland areas and had passed over the coastal region of Jiangsu province before arriving at the site. The variation of the air pollution indexes (APIs) in the cities located in the upwind direction of the site during the episode days clearly shows a process of large-scale air pollution from north to south. The liner correlation coefficient for PM₁₀ and SO₂ concentrations is 0.774 during the episode, while for PM₁₀ and CO, it even reaches 0.995, which indicated that the high PM₁₀ was mainly emitted from the coal burning for domestic heating in winter. Therefore, the observed episode was caused by the transport of domestic heating pollutants accumulated in the boundary layer from northern continental areas.     

Dispersion and bioaccumulation of elements from an open-pit olivine mine in Southwest Greenland assessed using lichens, seaweeds, mussels and fish

This study investigated dispersion and bioaccumulation of mining-related elements from an open-pit olivine mine at Seqi in Southwest Greenland (64°?N) using lichens (Flavocetraria nivalis), seaweeds (Fucus vesiculosus), mussels (Mytilus edulis) and fish (Myoxocephalus scorpius). The mine operated between 2005 and 2009, and samples were taken every year within a monitoring area 0–17 km from the mine during the period 2004–2011. A total of 46 elements were analysed in the samples. After mining began, highly elevated metal concentrations, especially nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr), iron (Fe) and cobalt (Co), were observed in lichens relative to pre-mining levels (up to a factor of 130) caused by dust dispersion from the mining activity. Elevated metal concentrations could be measured in lichens in distances up to ~5 km from the mine/ore treatment facility. Moderately elevated concentrations of Ni and Cr (up to a factor of 7) were also observed in seaweeds and mussels but only in close vicinity (<1 km) to the mine. Analyses of fish showed no significant changes in element composition. After mine closure, the elevated metal concentrations in lichens, seaweeds and mussels decreased markedly, and in 2011, significantly elevated metal concentrations could only be measured in lichens and only within a distance of 1 km from the mine.     

The source of DDT and its metabolites contamination in Turkish agricultural soils

The concentration and impact of 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)-ethane (DDT) and its metabolites (DDE: 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethylene) on the environment was expected to decrease after its ban in the mid-1980s. Unfortunately, DDT contamination via its presence as an impurity in dicofol (2,2,2-trichloro-1,1-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethanol) has led to a new source of contamination. This is particularly true especially in cotton production in Söke Plain, Turkey, where difocol-based pesticides are being used. The aim of this research was to investigate the extent and source of DDT contamination in cotton soils. Söke Plain soil samples were collected from 0–30, 30–60, and 60–90-cm depth and analyzed by GC/MS/MS. o,p′-DDT and p, p′-DDE were detected at 16.2 % and 17.6 % of the sites in the 0–30-cm depth of soils. In the 30–60 cm, p, p′-DDT (14.9 %), o, p′-DDE (8.1 %) and p, p′-DDE (2.7 %) were found in soil samples, and p, p′-DDT was the most prevalent with 9.5 % of the sampling sites. The dominant source of DDT particularly in the 60–90-cm depth was due to historic use of DDT. The presence of p, p′-DDE, o, p′-DDE and p,p′-DDT in the topsoil was attributed to recent dicofol applications.     

Assessment of Ambient Air Quality in Urban Centres of Haryana (India) in Relation to Different Anthropogenic Activities and Health Risks

Considering the mounting evidences of the effects of air pollution on health, the present study was undertaken to assess the ambient air quality status in the fast growing urban centres of Haryana state, India. The samples were collected for total suspended particulate matter (TSPM), respirable suspended particulate matter (PM₁₀), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), and oxides of nitrogen (NO₂) during different seasons from 8 districts of Haryana during January, 1999 to September, 2000. The four types of sampling sites with different anthropogenic activities i.e. residential, sensitive, commercial and industrial were identified in each city. The ambient air concentration of TSPM and PM₁₀ observed was well above the prescribed standards at almost all the sites. The average ambient air concentrations of SO₂ and NO₂ were found below the permissible limits at all the centres. Comparatively higher concentration of SO₂ was observed during winter seasons, which seems to be related with the enhanced combustion of fuel for space heating and relatively stable atmospheric conditions. Air Quality Index (AQI) prepared for these cities shows that residential, sensitive and commercial areas were moderately to severely polluted which is a cause of concern for the residents of these cities. The high levels of TSPM and SO₂ especially in winter are of major health concern because of their synergistic action. The data from Hisar city reveals a significant increase in the total number of hospital visits/admissions of the patients with acute respiratory diseases during winter season when the level of air pollutants was high.     

Seasonal perspective of dietary arsenic consumption and urine arsenic in an endemic population

Exposure to arsenic in arsenic endemic areas is most remarkable environmental health challenges. Although effects of arsenic contamination are well established, reports are unavailable on probable seasonal variation due to changes of food habit depending on winter and summer seasons, especially for endemic regions of Nadia district, West Bengal. Complete 24-h diets, drinking–cooking water, first morning voided urine samples, and diet history were analyzed on 25 volunteers in arsenic endemic Chakdah block of Nadia district, once in summer followed by once in winter from the same participants. Results depicted no seasonal variation of body weight and body mass index. Arsenic concentration of source drinking and cooking water decreased (p?=?0.04) from 26 μg L^?1 in summer to 6 μg L^?1 in winter season. We recorded a seasonal decrease of water intake in male (3.8 and 2.5 L day ^?1) and female (2.6 and 1.2 L day^?1) participants from summer to winter. Arsenic intake through drinking water decreased (p?=?0.04) in winter (29 μg day^?1) than in summer (100 μg day^?1), and urinary arsenic concentration decreased (p?=?0.018) in winter (41 μg L^?1) than in summer (69 μg L^?1). Dietary arsenic intake remained unchanged (p?=?0.24) over the seasons. Hence, we can infer that human health risk assessment from arsenic needs an insight over temporal scale.     

Chemical, biochemical, and biological impact of untreated domestic sewage water use on Vertisol and its consequences on wheat (Triticum aestivum) productivity

In the peri-urban areas of central India, sewage water is a valuable resource for agricultural production. In this study, impact of domestic sewage water irrigation for 5 years on Vertisol with no previous history of sewage irrigation was investigated in an ongoing field experiment at Bhopal (India) under subtropical monsoon type climate. The wheat (Triticum aestivum) crop was grown during post-rainy winter season with 30 cm of irrigation (groundwater or sewage water) and four nutrient treatments (T₁, 0; T₂, 100%; T₃, 50%; and T₄, 50% of general recommended doses of NPK + FYM at 10 Mg/ha). Results showed that sewage irrigation of about 150 cm over a period of 5 years resulted significant increases in salinity as well as available fractions of N, P, K, and micronutrients, viz., Zn, Fe, and Mn in soils. Carbon and phosphorus applied through sewage water were accumulated more in subsoil layer compared to topmost plough layer. Soil microbiological activity, as indicated by soil respiration, microbial biomass C, as well as dehydrogenase enzyme activity was higher in sewage water-irrigated soils. There was also significant increase in fungal and actinomycetes as well as total coliform population in such soils. Nutrients supplied through sewage water were not able to raise the productivity of wheat to the level that obtained through fertilizers at the recommended level which indicated that additional nutrients through fertilizers are required to obtain higher productivity of wheat under sewage farming. Protein and Zn content in wheat grains were more when the crop was grown with sewage irrigation. Overall results show that except for increase in coliform population, short duration (5 years) of municipal sewage water irrigation did not have any appreciable harmful effect on soil quality as well as crop productivity; rather, it proved beneficial in improving soil fertility, wheat productivity, and produce quality.     

Environmental quality assessment studies of coal handling on peripheral land near Kanika siding, Basundhra-Garjanbahal area of MCL, Sundergarh, Orissa, India

Coal has been recognized as the most important source of energy generation in India. The present work was undertaken in order to assess the environmental impact of coal handling on peripheral land under near Kanika siding, Orissa, India. The data on suspended particulates in ambient air indicates an additional load of 50.5–108.7 μg/m³) to the ambient air due to coal loading which is equivalent to 50 × 365 to 108 × 365 kg/year. However, in the southern side (opposite to siding) covering the crop fields, the dust accumulation was maximum, i.e., 0.021 to 0.035 mg/cm² area in comparison to 0.001 to 0.021 in the eastern side and 0.001 to 0.029 in western side of the crop fields. The physical and chemical properties of soil was also assessed. The results reveal that the coal loading has definite negative impact on the peripheral land near the site.     

Emissions of SO2, NO x and particulates from a pipe manufacturing plant and prediction of impact on air quality

Integrated pipe manufacturing industry is operation intensive and has significant air pollution potential especially when it is equipped with a captive power production facility. Emissions of SO₂, NO _x , and particulate matter (PM) were estimated from the stationary sources in a state-of-the-art pipe manufacturing plant in India. Major air polluting units like blast furnace, ductile iron spun pipe facility, and captive power production facility were selected for stack gas monitoring. Subsequently, ambient air quality modeling was undertaken to predict ground-level concentrations of the selected air pollutants using Industrial Source Complex (ISC 3) model. Emissions of SO₂, NO _x , and particulate matter from the stationary sources in selected facilities ranged from 0.02 to 16.5, 0.03 to 93.3, and 0.09 to 48.3 kg h^???1, respectively. Concentration of SO₂ and NO _x in stack gas of 1,180-kVA (1 KW = 1.25 kVA) diesel generator exceeded the upper safe limits prescribed by the State Pollution Control Board, while concentrations of the same from all other units were within the prescribed limits. Particulate emission was highest from the barrel grinding operation, where grinding of the manufactured pipes is undertaken for giving the final shape. Particulate emission was also high from dedusting operation where coal dust is handled. Air quality modeling indicated that maximum possible ground-level concentration of PM, SO₂, and NO _x were to the tune of 13, 3, and 18 μg/m³, respectively, which are within the prescribed limits for ambient air given by the Central Pollution Control Board.     

Receptor model-based source apportionment of particulate pollution in Hyderabad, India

Air quality in Hyderabad, India, often exceeds the national ambient air quality standards, especially for particulate matter (PM), which, in 2010, averaged 82.2?±?24.6, 96.2?±?12.1, and 64.3?±?21.2 μg/m³ of PM₁₀, at commercial, industrial, and residential monitoring stations, respectively, exceeding the national ambient standard of 60 μg/m³. In 2005, following an ordinance passed by the Supreme Court of India, a source apportionment study was conducted to quantify source contributions to PM pollution in Hyderabad, using the chemical mass balance (version 8.2) receptor model for 180 ambient samples collected at three stations for PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 size fractions for three seasons. The receptor modeling results indicated that the PM₁₀ pollution is dominated by the direct vehicular exhaust and road dust (more than 60 %). PM_2.5 with higher propensity to enter the human respiratory tracks, has mixed sources of vehicle exhaust, industrial coal combustion, garbage burning, and secondary PM. In order to improve the air quality in the city, these findings demonstrate the need to control emissions from all known sources and particularly focus on the low-hanging fruits like road dust and waste burning, while the technological and institutional advancements in the transport and industrial sectors are bound to enhance efficiencies. Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board utilized these results to prepare an air pollution control action plan for the city.