Assessment of the functionality of a pilot-scale reactor and its potential for electrochemical degradation of calmagite, a sulfonated azo-dye

Electrochemical degradation (ECD) is a promising technology for in situ remediation of diversely contaminated environmental matrices by application of a low level electric potential gradient. This investigation, prompted by successful bench-scale ECD of trichloroethylene, involved development, parametric characterization and evaluation of a pilot-scale electrochemical reactor for degradation of calmagite, a sulfonated azo-dye used as a model contaminant. The reactor has two chambers filled with granulated graphite for electrodes. The system has electrical potential, current, conductivity, pH, temperature, water-level and flow sensors for automated monitoring. The reactor supports outdoor and fail-safe venting, argon purging, temperature regulation and auto-shutdown for safety. Treatment involves recirculating the contaminated solution through the electrode beds at small flow velocities mimicking low fluid-flux in groundwater and submarine sediments. The first phase of the investigation involved testing of the reactor components, its parametric probes and the automated data acquisition system for performance as designed. The results showed hydraulic stability, consistent pH behavior, marginal temperature rise (<5 degrees C) and overall safe and predictable performance under diverse conditions. Near complete removal of calmagite was seen at 3-10V of applied voltage in 8-10h. The effects of voltage and strength of electrolyte on degradation kinetics have been presented. Further, it was observed from the absorption spectra that as calmagite degrades over time, new peaks appear. These peaks were associated with degradation products identified using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. A reaction mechanism for ECD of calmagite has also been proposed.     

Effect of UV radiation and temperature on mineralization and volatilization of coumaphos in water

This study was undertaken to determine the dissipation and degradation of coumaphos [O-(3-chloro-4-methyl-2-oxo-2H-1-benzopyran-7-yl) O,O-diethyl phosphorothioate] under different sunlight conditions and at different temperatures. The effect of the ultra violet (UV) component of solar radiation was also studied using quartz tubes in addition to other radiation in the visible range using glass tubes and the results were compared with those obtained under the dark light conditions. Water suspensions of coumaphos were incubated at three temperatures viz. 22 degrees C, 37 degrees C and 53 degrees C in closed systems to study the effect of temperature. Volatilization, mineralization and degradation of coumaphos increased with an increase in temperature and exposure to solar radiation, particularly under the UV component of the solar radiation. Major loss of the pesticide occurred through volatilization. The optimum temperature for the degradation of coumaphos was found to be at 37 degrees C. The data obtained from the mineralization and degradation studies indicated that 53 degrees C crosses the biological range for suitable growth of microorganism. UV radiation exposure along with maintaining temperature at 37 degrees C may prove useful in the dissipation and/or degradation of coumaphos prior to its disposal as waste from cattle dipping vats.     

Distribution of lindane in plasma and brain after a single administration to cats

The distribution of lindane and its metabolites in the plasma and brain of the cats after 30 minutes, 1, 2, 4 and 8 hours of administration of lindane (2mg/kg, i.v.) was investigated. The compound distributes differentially in the CNS and this pattern changes with time. The pattern of distribution shows that although lindane concentration is higher in areas with a high myelin content, it disappears more rapidly from gray matter. The plasma levels were also high at 30 minutes interval and then gradually decreased. The rate of formation of the metabolite 2,4,6‐Trichlorophenol appeared to be maximum in the first 4 hours. The accumulation of the compound and its metabolite in brain during the experimental period was not evident.     

Chromium phytoextraction from tannery effluent-contaminated soil by Crotalaria juncea infested with Pseudomonas fluorescens

The aim of present study was to remediate chromium (Cr)-contaminated soil by Crotalaria juncea in the presence of Pseudomonas fluorescens. Inoculation of P. fluorescens in pot soil grown with C. juncea significantly increased (~2-fold) the water-soluble (Ws) and exchangeable (Ex) Cr contents in contaminated soil under greenhouse condition. It also enhanced the chlorophyll content by 92 % and plant biomass by 99 % as compared to the uninoculated C. juncea plant. The analysis showed that root and shoot uptake of Cr in C. juncea inoculated by P. fluorescens was 3.08- and 2.82-fold, respectively. This research showed that the association of C. juncea and P. fluorescens could be a promising technology for increasing the soil Cr bioavailability and plant growth for successful phytoextraction of Cr from the contaminated soil.     

Dissipation and leaching of (14)C-monocrotophos in Soil Columns under subtropical climate

Dissipation and leaching behavior of 14C-monocrotophos was studied for 365 days under field conditions using PVC cylinders. The first set (24 cylinders) was spiked with 1.0 microCi 14C-labeled monocrotophos along with 1.06 mg unlabeled monocrotophos to give a concentration of 2 mg kg -1 in the soil up to 15 cm depth. The second set (24 cylinders) received 14C-labeled monocrotophos along with other non-labeled insecticides viz., dimethoate @ 300 g a.i ha-1, deltamethrin @ 12.5 g a.i ha-1, endosulfan @ 750 g a.i ha-1, cypermethrin @ 60 g a.i ha-1, and triazophos @ 600 g a.i ha-1 at an interval of 15 days each as recommended for the cotton crop. 14C-monocrotophos dissipated faster, up to 45% in first 90 days in columns treated with only monocrotophos compared to 25% in columns that received monocrotophos along with other insecticides. However, both the columns showed similar residues 180 days onward. After 180 days of treatment, 46% radiolabeled residues were observed, which reduced up to 39.6% after 365 days. Leaching of 14C-monocrotophos to 15-30 cm soil layer was observed in both the experimental setups. In the 15-30 cm soil layer of both soil columns, up to 0.19 mg 14C-monocrotophos kg-1d. wt. soil was detected after 270 days.     

Groundwater Quality Assessment of Tehsil Kheragarh, Agra (India) with Special Reference to Fluoride

Fluoride concentration and other parameters in groundwater from 261 villages in Tehsil Kheragarh of District Agra were assessed and attempts were made to observe the relationship between fluoride and other water quality parameters. Of 658 groundwater samples (collected from separate sources) analysed for fluoride, 27% were in the range of 0–1.0 mg/L, 25% in 1.0–1.5 mg/L, 32% in1.5–3.0 mg/L and 16% above 3.0 mg/L. The highest fluoride concentration recorded was 12.80 mg/L. Significant correlation of fluoride with pH, alkalinity, Na, SiO₂ and PO₄ were observed. Factor analysis was also attempted in order to identify the contributing sources.