Spatio-temporal variations in water quality of Nullah Aik-tributary of the river Chenab, Pakistan

This study reports the spatio-temporal changes in water quality of Nullah Aik, tributary of the Chenab River, Pakistan. Stream water samples were collected at seven sampling sites on seasonal basis from September 2004 to April 2006 and were analyzed for 24 water quality parameters. Most significant parameters which contributed in spatio-temporal variations were assessed by statistical techniques such as Hierarchical Agglomerative Cluster Analysis (HACA), Factor Analysis/Principal Components Analysis (FA/PCA), and Discriminant Function Analysis (DFA). HACA identified three different classes of sites: Relatively Unimpaired, Impaired and Less Impaired Regions on the basis of similarity among different physicochemical characteristics and pollutant level between the sampling sites. DFA produced the best results for identification of main variables for temporal and spatial analysis and separated eight parameters (DO, hardness, sulphides, K, Fe, Pb, Cr and Zn) that accounted 89.7% of total variations of spatial analysis. Temporal analysis using DFA separated six parameters (E.C., TDS, salinity, hardness, chlorides and Pb) that showed more than 84.6% of total temporal variation. FA/PCA identified six significant factors (sources) which were responsible for major variations in water quality dataset of Nullah Aik. The results signify that parameters identified by statistical analyses were responsible for water quality change and suggest the possibility of industrial, municipal and agricultural runoff, parent rock material contamination. The results suggest dire need for proper management measures to restore the water quality of this tributary for a healthy and promising aquatic ecosystem and also highlights its importance for objective ecological policy and decision making process.     

Critical success factors of sustainable manufacturing practices in Malaysian automotive industry

The purpose of this study is to examine the critical success factors of sustainable manufacturing practices (SMPs) in Malaysian automotive industry. The questionnaires were designed and distributed to the 50 respondents. The pilot study sample consists of 26 respondents from 50 questionnaires, with an average response rate of 52%. The results of reliability analysis show that social responsibility is critical factor influencing the direct SMPs implementation success. By implementing SMPs in Malaysian automotive industry, it can assist company to improve the quality of management. Thus, this study recommends that the future research explore the influence of SMPs on sustainable performance in Malaysian automotive industry.     

Analyzing the role of information and telecommunication technology in human development: panel data analysis

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Economic growth in modern-day world get attention primarily through innovation and higher productivity, which places technology and knowledge at the...     

Institutional isomorphism and environmental sustainability: a new framework from the Shariah perspective

Environment, Development and Sustainability - Islam emphasizes the importance of environmental care, as prescribed in its primary sources of Shariah, the Quran and the authenticated actions and...     

Optimization of co-digestion of various industrial sludges for biogas production and sludge treatment: Methane production potential experiments and modeling

Optimal biogas production and sludge treatment were studied by co-digestion experiments and modeling using five different wastewater sludges generated from paper, chemical, petrochemical, automobile, and food processing industries situated in Ulsan Industrial Complex, Ulsan, South Korea. The biomethane production potential test was conducted in simplex-centroid mixture design, fitted to regression equation, and some optimal co-digestion scenarios were given by combined desirability function based multi-objective optimization technique for both methane yield and the quantity of sludge digested. The co-digestion model incorporating main and interaction effects among sludges were utilized to predict the maximum possible methane yield. The optimization routine for methane production with different industrial sludges in batches were repeated with the left-over sludge of earlier cycle, till all sludges have been completely treated. Among the possible scenarios, a maximum methane yield of 1161.53 m³ is anticipated in three batches followed by 1130.33 m³ and 1045.65 m³ in five and two batches, respectively. This study shows a scientific approach to find a practical solution to utilize diverse industrial sludges in both treatment and biogas production perspectives.     

Nano-inspired systems in food technology and packaging

Creation of food-based nanomaterials for food processing and packaging applications is actually gaining in importance. Indeed, the design of a suitable food carrier system controls the encapsulation efficiency, the product stability and release of bioactives such as micronutrients, antimicrobial compounds and antioxidants. The smaller size of nanomaterials provides higher thermodynamic and kinetic stability. Whereas the higher surface area enhances compound solubility. Nanoemulsions both encapsulate bioactive compounds effectively and address the food safety concerns of the fresh produce associated with foodborne pathogens. Nanoliposomes encapsulate bioactive whey peptides and fat-soluble vitamins with improved functionalities. Encapsulated bioactive molecules are released by diffusion into the surrounding environment after degradation of the surrounding polymeric matrix.     

Assessment of heavy metals in water,sediment, Anabas testudineus and Eichhornia crassipes in a former mining pond in Perak,Malaysia

The concentrations of Al, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sn and Zn were analysed in water, sediment, muscle of climbing perch fish (Anabas testudineus), and tissue of water hyacinth plants (Eichhornia crassipes) collected from a former tin-mining pond in Perak, Malaysia. The monitoring was performed during the minimum and maximum rainfall periods. The concentrations of As, Cr, Fe, Ni, Pb and Zn in water exceeded the permissible limits set by the Interim National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (INWQS). The risk index (RI) values determined for As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Pb and Zn in sediment presented a low degree of ecological risk. The order of the top three heavy metals measured in fish muscle was Zn?>?Fe?>?Al. The estimated daily intake (EDI) of As and Cr exceeded the allowable limits in both rainfall periods. The bioconcentration factor (BCF) and translocation factor (TF) values of Zn in water hyacinth were 24.865 and 3.214, respectively. The concentrations of Cu and Zn in the plant tissue were significantly correlated (p?<?.05) with the concentrations of heavy metals in water. Overall, climbing perch and water hyacinth are excellent bioindicators of environmental impacts on water bodies.     

Physicochemical factors and sources of particulate matter at residential urban environment in Kuala Lumpur

Long-term measurements (2004–2011) of PM₁₀ (particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter <10 μm) and trace gases (carbon monoxide [CO], ozone [O₃], nitrogen oxide [NO], oxides of nitrogen [NO_x], nitrogen dioxide [NO₂], sulfur dioxide [SO₂], methane [CH₄], nonmethane hydrocarbon [NMHC]) have been conducted to study the effect of physicochemical factors on the PM₁₀ concentration. In addition, this study includes source apportionment of PM₁₀ in Kuala Lumpur urban environment. An advanced principal component analysis (PCA) technique coupled with absolute principal component scores (APCS) and multiple linear regression (MLR) has been applied. The average annual concentration of PM₁₀ for 8 yr is 51.3 ± 25.8 μg m^?3, which exceeds the Recommended Malaysian Air Quality Guideline (RMAQG) and international guideline values. Detail analysis shows the dependency of PM₁₀ on the linear changes of the motor vehicles in use and the amount of biomass burning, particularly from Sumatra, Indonesia, during southwesterly monsoon. The main sources of PM₁₀ identified by PCA-APCS-MLR are traffic combustion (28%), ozone coupled with meteorological factors (20%), and windblown particles (1%). However, the apportionment procedure left 28.0 μg m^?3, that is, 51% of PM₁₀ undetermined.

Implications: Air quality is always a top concern around the globe. Especially in the South Asian regions, measures are not yet sufficient; as revealed in our studies, the concentrations of particulate matters exceed the tolerable limits. Long-term data analysis and characterization of particular matters and their sources will aid the policy makers and the concerned authority to adapt measures and policies according to the circumstances. Additionally, similar intensive studies will give insight about future implications of air quality management.     

Inactivation of pathogenic micro-organisms in hospital waste using a microwave

The aim of this study was to investigate the efficiency of dry sterilization by microwave in the inactivation of pathogenic bacteria in blood wastes. Eight bacteria strains were selected for this purpose and these are S. aureus, Salmonella sp., E. faecalis, K. pneumonia, P. aeruginosa, E. coli, Streptococcus Group B and Bacillus sp. Sterilization by microwave was carried out at 385, 450 and 700 watts for 1, 5 and 10 min, respectively. Isolation and enumeration of pathogenic bacteria before and after treatments were carried out using direct plate technique and inactivation was determined in terms of log reduction. Increasing the running time and power to 10 min and 700 watts did not increase log reduction of most of pathogenic bacteria especially of gram negative bacteria. Revival of pathogenic bacteria during the storage period might be aided by the presence of a low moisture content which helps bacterial cells to revive but not to reproduce or over-grow. It can be concluded that dry sterilization of blood wastes by microwave reduces the number and limited re-growth of these pathogenic bacteria during storage time, due to the lower moisture content in the blood wastes.