Development of Noise Simulation Model for Stationary and Mobile Sources: A GIS-Based Approach

In the rapidly urbanizing country like India, the transportation sector is growing rapidly, which lead to overcrowded roads producing air and noise pollution. Noise of a particular region is influenced by the volume of traffic on the highway, in addition to other causative factors like existing infrastructure and industrial setup etc. In the present paper, a geographical information system (GIS)-based noise simulation model has been developed to generate noise levels in Versova region of Mumbai, India. The study area comprises effect of infrastructure, road network, traffic volume, and various mechanical components like sewage pumping station and wastewater treatment facility. Various meteorological parameters and effect of land use and land cover on noise attenuation are also considered in the model. In this way, commutative noise prediction for point as well as mobile sources has been presented in the study. GIS-based noise simulation has been calibrated with observed noise levels during day and night time with correlation of 0.84 and 0.74, respectively.     

In vitro development of resistance to arsenite and chromium-VI in Lactobacilli strains as perspective attenuation of gastrointestinal disorder

Inadvertent intake of inorganic arsenic and chromium through drinking water and food causing their toxic insults is a major health problem. Intestinal bacteria including Lactobacilli play important regulatory roles on intestinal homeostasis, and their loss is known to cause gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. Probiotic Lactobacilli resistance to arsenite and chromium-VI could be an importantfactorfor the perspective attenuation of Gl-disorders caused by these toxic metals/metalloid. In the present study resistance of arsenite (up to 32 ppm), Cr-VI (up to 64 ppm), and arsenite plus Cr-VI (32 ppm each) were developed under in vitro condition following chronological chronic exposures in Lactobacilli strains. Comparative study of biochemical parameters such as membrane transport enzymes and structural constituents; dehydrogenase and esterase activity tests, which are respective indicators for respiratory and energy producing processes, and the general heterotrophic activity of cells, of resistant strains showed similarities with their respective normal parent strains. The resistant strains were also found to be sensitive to antibiotics. Findings indicate that these resistant probiotic Lactobacilli would be useful in the prophylactic interventions of arsenic and chromium GI-toxicity.     

Hydrodynamic assessment of sewage impact on water quality of Malad Creek, Mumbai, India

The rapid population growth and uncontrolled development in the coastal zone have led to major pollution impacts on creeks, estuarine, and coastal environment. Water quality models are valuable tools to understand the environmental processes for prediction of pollution impacts and evaluate future trends for management. Presently, the Malad creek in west coast of Mumbai receives wastewater and sewage from open drains and partially treated sewage from Malad and Versova treatment plants. The objective of the paper is to assess the environmental quality and estimate the extent of improvement in different parts of the creek by enhancing the collection efficiency and adequate treatment of sewage as well as disposal through ocean outfall. A hydrodynamic and water quality simulation has been carried out for the present condition in the creek and calibrated and validated with two different season data for better representation of the system. Calibrated model has been used to generate future scenarios based on various options. Among scenarios, option of treated effluent diverted to propose outfall and improvement in collection of unorganized flow through sewerage up to 40% and 60% are found most significant for biochemical oxygen demand reduction and increase in dissolved oxygen. Fecal coliform reduction is also found drastically but still very high against standard. To improve the environmental quality of the creek, still upper stretch requires more dilution and flushing due to narrow width and contribution of heavy pollution from open drains.     

Co-processing of plastic waste in a cement kiln: a better option

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - This paper deals with the techniques to use plastic waste for co-processing in cement kiln for energy recovery. Plastics, a versatile material and...