Arsenic occurrence and accumulation in soil and water of eastern districts of Uttar Pradesh, India

Arsenic in the soil and water of eastern districts of Uttar Pradesh (Ballia and Ghazipur) was estimated. Survey results revealed that arsenic in soil samples ranged from 5.40 to 15.43 parts per million (ppm). In water samples, it ranged from 43.75 to 620.75 parts per billion (ppb) which far exceeded the permissible limit of 10 ppb as recommended by the World Health Organization. Maximum concentration of arsenic in water was found in Haldi village of Ballia (620.75 ppb). However, mean arsenic concentration in water followed the order: Karkatpur (257.21 ppb) < Haldi (310.15 ppb) < Sohaon (346.94 ppb) < Dharmarpur (401.75 ppb). In case of soil, maximum arsenic was detected in soil of Sohaon (15.43 ppm). Mean arsenic levels in soils followed the order: Karkatpur (9.24 ppm) < Haldi (9.82 ppm) < Dharmarpur (11.32 ppm) < Sohaon (14.08 ppm). Arsenic levels were higher in soils collected from 15–30 cm depth than 0–15 cm from the soil surface.     

Smoke Suppession in Ploy (Vivngl Chloribe)

Polymeric materials are combustible in nature and poly (vtnyl chloride) is no ex-ception. Due to its high chlorine contents it is relatively fiame retardant, hawever be-cause of the processing aids such as plasttcizer etc. this advantage is lost. Duringburning the two main hazards of PVC are Hydrogen Chloride gas and copiousamount of smoke. Dtfferent methods for smoke suppression of polymers are also ap-plicable to the case of PVC. Complexes of dzfferent metal, mixedmetals and metalbased organics are discussed along with other methods of smoke suppression in PVC.Some aspects of smoke measurement have also been covered.     

Kinetic parameters for the removal of lead and chromium from wastewater using activated carbon developed from fertilizer waste material

The waste slurry generated in fertilizer plants in India has been converted into a cheap carbonaceous adsorbent material. The prepared adsorbent has been characterised and used for the removal of lead and chromium metals. The kinetics of adsorption and the extent of adsorption at equilibrium are dependent on the physical and chemical characteristics of the adsorbate, adsorbent and experimental system. Results of laboratory scale studies conducted to delineate the effect of such parameters on the kinetics of adsorption of metal ions are reported. Parameters evaluated include: hydronium ion concentration, temperature, initial adsorbate concentration, size of adsorbent, and amount of adsorbent. On the basis of these studies the various physical parameters such as effective diffusion coefficient, activation energies and entropy of activation are evaluated, as these provide some information regarding the mechanistic aspects. Mass transfer coefficient values suggest a rapid transport of the adsorbate from bulk to solid phase.     

Empowering environmentally-burdened communities in the US: A primer on the emerging role for information technology

This article is a primer on the emerging role for Information Technology (IT) in the Environmental Justice (EJ) movement. It explores current and potential uses of IT by EJ organisations fighting to protect vulnerable local environments and it addresses some of the barriers to more widespread movement efficacy via e-advocacy. We argue a chief but not insurmountable barrier is the disproportionate access to, and knowledge of, the benefits of using IT in the struggle for equitable decisions about environmental impacts.     

WATERSHED OPTIMIZATION OF AGRICULTURAL BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES: CONTINUOUS SIMULATION VERSUS DESIGN STORMS1

ABSTRACT: Nonpoint source (NPS) models and expert opinions are often used to prescribe best management practices (BMPs) for controlling NPS pollution. An optimization algorithm (e.g., a genetic algorithm, or GA) linked with a NPS model (e.g., Annualized AGricultural Nonpoint Source pollution model, or AnnAGNPS), can be used to more objectively prescribe BMPs and to optimize NPS pollution control measures by maximizing pollutant reduction and net monetary return from a watershed. Pollutant loads from design storms and annual loads from a continuous simulation can both be used for optimizing BMP schemes. However, which strategy results in a better solution (in terms of providing water quality protection) for a watershed is not clear. The specific objective of the study was to determine the differences in watershed pollutant loads, in an experimental watershed in Pennsylvania, resulting from optimization analyses performed using pollutant loads from a series of five 2‐yr 24‐hr storm events, a series of five 5‐yr 24‐hr storm events, and cumulative pollutant loads from a continuous simulation of five years of weather data. For each of these three different event alternatives, 100 near optimal solutions (BMP schemes) were generated. Sediment (Sed), sediment nitrogen (SedN), dissolved N (SolN), sediment organic carbon (SedOC), and sediment phosphorus (SedP) loads from a different five‐year period (an evaluation period) suggest that the optimal BMP schemes resulting from the use of annual cumulative pollutant loads from a continuous simulation of five years of weather data provide smaller cumulative NPS pollutant loads at the watershed outlet.     

Influence of plant growth promoting bacteria and its mutant on heavy metal toxicity in Brassica juncea grown in fly ash amended soil

In this study a metal tolerant plant growth promoting bacteria, NBRI K28 Enterobacter sp. was isolated from fly ash (FA) contaminated soils. The strain NBRI K28 and its siderophore overproducing mutant NBRI K28 SD1 were found capable of stimulating plant biomass and enhance phytoextraction of metals (Ni, Zn and Cr) from FA by metal accumulating plant i.e. Brassica juncea (Indian mustard). Concurrent production of siderophores, Indole acetic acid (IAA) and phosphate solubilization revealed its plant growth promotion potential. The strain also exhibited 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) deaminase activity. In most of the cases mutant of NBRI K28, exerted more pronounced effect on metal accumulation and growth performance of B. juncea plants than wild type.     

Allelopathic response of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Vetiveria zizanioides</Emphasis> (L.) Nash on members of the family Enterobacteriaceae and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudomonas</Emphasis> spp.

The biological removal of phosphates was carried as a part of treatment strategy. Vetiveria zizanioides (L.) Nash belonging to the family Poaceae was used for biological removal of biostimulants. Vetiver reportedly has mycorrhizal association; besides having potential for removal of PO₄ ⁻³ also showed allelopathic affect on the microorganisms present in the water. In fact after a period of 96 h old roots of this plant have been found to have killing effects on the E. coli, Enterobacter spp. Pseudomonas spp. belonging to the family Enterobacteriaceae. The paper is opening a new face of study.     

Stakeholder-based SWOT analysis for successful municipal solid waste management in Lucknow, India

The present investigation is a case study of Lucknow, the main metropolis in Northern India, which succumbs to a major problem of municipal solid waste and its management. A qualitative investigation using strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats analysis (SWOT) has been successfully implemented through this community participation study. This qualitative investigation emphasizes the limited capabilities of the municipal corporation's resources to provide proper facilitation of the municipal solid waste management (MSWM) services without community participation in Lucknow city. The SWOT analysis was performed to formulate strategic action plans for MSWM in order to mobilize and utilize the community resources on the one hand and municipal corporation's resources on the other. It has allowed the introduction of a participatory approach for better collaboration between the community and municipal corporation in Lucknow (India). With this stakeholder-based SWOT analysis, efforts were made to explore the ways and means of converting the possible "threats" into "opportunities" and changing the "weaknesses" into "strengths" regarding a community-based MSWM programme. By this investigation, concrete strategic action plans were developed for both the community and municipal corporation to improve MSWM in Lucknow.     

Systematic and ecological studies on Chlorophyceae of North India and their relationship with water quality

In the course of systematic and ecological studies on algal flora of fresh water environment of three different agroclimatic zone of Uttar Pradesh revealed one hundred eighty two species represented by fifty-two genera inhabiting fresh water bodies having different physico-chemical properties. In both the regions members of order Conjugales were dominant and represented by ninety nine species belonging to fourteen genera. This is followed by Chlorococcales having fifty two species represented by nineteen genera and Chaetophorales with nine species of four genera only. In the central Uttar Pradesh a positive correlation was found between hydrogen ions concentration with temperature and species diversity, while in western Uttar Pradesh a highly positive correlation was found in electrical conductivity and total dissolved solids.