Framework for environmental impact analysis—with special reference to India

This article reviews the present status of environmental impact analysis (EIA) with special reference to India. In India, legislation already exists that makes EIA mandatory for every new project proposal. Critically analyzing the shortcomings of the present EIA practices, this article proposes a new framework to conduct an EIA, emphasizing that it should be part of the environmental management of the area or region. Among other things, we suggest the following important points: (1) that a comprehensive database of the region be developed for use for conducting an EIA; (2) that emission standards for the proposed industry be set and the existing standards for old industries be reviewed; (3) that a directory of experts be developed; and (4) that the Department of Environment should take responsibility for conducting EIA studies by forming a study team and an evaluation team for every EIA study with members drawn from the directory of experts.     

Changes in morphology and growth of the mudskipper (Periophthalmus argentilineatus) associated with coastal pollution

In this paper a comparison is made between the growth and morphology of barred mudskippers (Periophthalmus argentilineatus) from six mangrove forests along the coast of Tanzania. The fish populations from unpolluted sites consisted of different size classes, whereas only small sized fish were present in the polluted Mtoni mangroves. Age estimation based on the examination of otoliths revealed that the mudskippers followed similar growth patterns in all sites with limited pollution. However, the age estimates from the polluted Mtoni site revealed an abnormal growth pattern. The occurrence of unilateral anophthalmia in the Mtoni mudskippers suggested that these fish were affected by pollutants during early development. The study showed that the presence of urban and industrial wastes from Dar es Salaam city, as indicated by isotopic enrichment, correlated with abnormal growth and developmental effects in mudskippers. We hypothesize that pollution might also affect fish species that use the mangroves as a temporary habitat.     

Ground water contamination by organochlorine insecticide residues in a rural area in the indo-gangetic plain

Residues of several organochlorine insecticides were monitored in the ground water from a rural area near Farrukhabad in the vicinity of the Ganga River in northern India for one year (1991–1992). Almost all the samples were found to be contaminated with residues of Hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) and Dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane (DDT). Residues of Aldrin, endosulfan and heptachlor were also detected in a large number of samples. The concentrations of aldrin residues greatly exceeded the WHO guideline value for drinking water, concentrations of heptachlor and DDT residues also occasionally exceeded the specified limits. Migration of pollutants through ground water recharge with polluted Ganga River water and monsoon rains carrying undergraded residues downwards from the soil surface are throught to be important sources of insecticide contamination of ground water in the region.     

Impact of osmotic stress on seed germination and seedling growth in black gram (Phaseolus mungo)

An experiment was conducted to see the impact of osmotic stress as it is one of the main cause in various soil and water disorders in agricultural field crops, speciallythe seed germination and seedling growth. The osmotic stress was generated using PEG-6000 and the seed germination, seedling growth were evaluated including the status of pigments i.e. chlorophyll (a, b and total), total carotenoids, pheophytin (a, b and total) and different enzymes like amylase, peroxidase, catalase and superoxide dismutase. The various osmotic potentials generated (-2, -5 and -10 bars) showed significant decrease in germination percentage as at the osmotic potential of -10 bars it was observed 70 in comparison to 90% of control. All the seedling growth parameter also showed inhibition with increase in osmotic potential. Increase in osmotic stress decreased Chlorophyll 'a', while Chlorophyll 'b' was increased in -5 bars while total chlorophyll showed decrease in -5 bars osmotic potential. Total carotenoids and pheophytin (a, b and total) were highly increased in -5 bars and decreased in -10 bars osmotic concentration. Enzymatic activity was found to be decreased in amylase while peroixidase, catalase and SOD were increased at different osmotic gradients in comparison to control. The data observed in the experiment can be helpful to assess the impact of any kind of osmotic stress on plant growth and development in crops.     

Controlled sintering for cadmium stabilization by beneficially using the dredged river sediment

● Dredged river sediment was proved as a ceramic precursor rather than a solid waste. ● Cd was stabilized in Cd-Al-Si-O phases at low temperatures via sediment addition. ● < 5% of Cd was leached out from sintered products even after a prolonged time. ● A strategy was proposed to simultaneously reuse wastes and stabilize heavy metals. Cd-bearing solid wastes are considered to be a serious threat to the environment, and effective strategies for their treatment are urgently needed. Ceramic sintering has been considered as a promising method for efficiently incorporating heavy metal-containing solid wastes into various ceramic products. Mineral-rich dredged river sediment, especially Al and Si-containing oxides, can be treated as alternative ceramic precursors rather than being disposed of as solid wastes. To examine the feasibility of using waste sediment for Cd stabilization and the phase transition mechanisms, this study conducted a sintering scheme for the mixtures of CdO and dredged river sediment with different (Al+Si):Cd mole ratios. Detailed investigations have been performed on phases transformation, Cd incorporation mechanisms, elemental distribution, and leaching behaviors of the sintered products. Results showed that Cd incorporation and transformation in the sintered products were influenced by the mole ratio of (Al+Si):Cd. Among the high-Cd series ((Al+Si):Cd = 6:1), CdSiO₃, Cd₂SiO₄, CdAl₂(SiO₄)₂ and Cd₂Al₂Si₂O₉ were predominant Cd-containing product phases, while Cd₂Al₂Si₂O₉ was replaced by CdAl₄O₇ when the mole ratio of (Al+Si):Cd was 12:1 (low-Cd series). Cd was efficiently stabilized in both reaction series after being sintered at ≥ 900 °C, with < 5% leached ratio even after a prolonged leaching time, indicating excellent long-term Cd stabilization. This study demonstrated that both Cd-containing phases and the amorphous Al-/Si-containing matrices all played critical roles in Cd stabilization. A promising strategy can be proposed to simultaneously reuse the solid waste as ceramic precursors and stabilize heavy metals in the ceramic products.     

Acetylation of Castor Meal and Castor Proteins for Thermoplastic Applications

Castor meal and proteins extracted from the castor meal have been acetylated and made into thermoplastics. Castor meal is generated as the byproduct after extraction of oil from the seeds and hence available in large volumes at low cost. The meal is also non-thermoplastic making it difficult to use for industrial applications. In this research, castor meal (CM) and castor proteins (CP) extracted from the castor meal were acetylated under alkaline conditions in order to make them thermoplastic. The acetylated products were characterized using FT-IR, P-GC-MS and DSC. The effects of various acetylation conditions on % acetyl content were studied. The highest % acetyl content obtained in the case of CM was 11.63% for a material to anhydride ratio of 1:5 at 130?°C and for CP a higher acetylation of 23.60% was obtained using a ratio of 1:5 at 120?°C. It was found that that acetylated CP could be compression molded into films.     

Analysis of urban heat island effect in Visakhapatnam,India, using multi-temporal satellite imagery: causes and possible remedies

The thermal data sets of Landsat for the years 2014 and 2019 are used to assess the transients of land surface temperature (LST) in Visakhapatnam, India. The variation in estimated temperature fields is compared with the land use pattern to validate temperature with reference to land use land cover (LULC). During the considered period, the built-up area in the study region increased by 63%. The aerial extent of water bodies has come down by 12.5%, and there is a significant drop in vegetation cover. The LST of the regions with the densely built-up area is high compared to the other types of land use. A mean rise of 4.8 °C in the LST has been noticed over the study area during this period. Few monitoring points representing rural areas within the proximity of the study region have been established, and the LST is monitored explicitly. As a result, it has been observed that the temperature in rural areas is relatively lower than the city region, which confirms the urban heat island effect. A micro-level study has been conducted by dividing the study area into four zones as per administrative boundaries. Statistical analysis using the zonal attributes affirms a positive correlation of 0.55 between LST and the built-up area. In contrast, a negative correlation of 0.52 between LST and vegetation cover is observed. The LULC results are validated using Google Earth Images captured at a finer resolution. Being selected as one of the cities under the smart city mission by the Urban Development Ministry of Govt. of India, it is expected that the land use pattern in Visakhapatnam will change drastically in the coming years. The findings of this study foster the relationship between LST and LULC, and the conclusions thus drawn would help planners for the sustainable development of Visakhapatnam.

     

Uptake and accumulation of potentially toxic metals (Zn, Cu and Pb) in soils and plants of Durgapur industrial belt

Uptake and accumulation of metals in crops may cause possible health risks through food chain. A field survey was conducted to investigate the accumulation of potentially toxic metals contamination in soil and plants irrigated with complexed industrial effluents. Concentration of Zn, Cu and Pb was 205-255,101-130,118-177 microg g(-1) in rhizosphere soils and 116-223, 57-102 and 63-95 microg g(-1) d. wt. in root and 95-186, 44-75 and 27-58 microg g(-1) d. wt. in shoot, respectively. The trend in Cu and Pb was in the order: soil > root > shoot > seed while in Zn it was soil > root > seed > shoot. Roots accumulated a larger fraction of soil Cu (70%) > Zn (67%) > Pb (54%). Bioaccumulation coefficient of soil to root ranged from 51-98 for Zn, 54-85 for Cu and 43-63 for Pb.Analysis of variance showed marginal change in bioaccumulation coefficient, noticed between plants (p > 0.05) while it varied significantly (p < 0.01) between tissues and metals. It increased from root to seed/fruit (root > shoot > seed/fruit) while decreased between metals from Zn to Pb (Zn > Cu > Pb). Out of the three, two Cu and Pb accumulated to phyotoxic levels while Zn was within threshold limit of phytotoxicity.