Removal of mercury(II) from aqueous solutions using the leaves of the Rambai tree (Baccaurea motleyana)

This study was undertaken to evaluate the biosorption potential of a natural, low-cost biosorbent, Rambai leaves (Baccaurea motleyana), to remove trace amounts of Hg(II) from aqueous solutions. It was found that the amount of Hg(II) biosorption by Rambai leaves increased with initial metal ion concentration, contact time, and solution pH but decreased as the amount of biosorbent increased. The maximum biosorption capacity was 121.95 mg/g for an initial concentration range of 5 to 120 ppb. Overall, kinetic studies showed that the Hg(II) biosorption process followed pseudo-second-order kinetics based on pseudo-first-order and intraparticle diffusion models. Isotherm data revealed that the biosorption process followed both Freundlich and Langmuir isotherms. The value of separation factor, R(L), from the Langmuir equation and rate of biosorption, n, from the Freundlich model also indicated favorable adsorption.     

Predictors of compliance with tornado warnings issued in Joplin,Missouri, in 2011

Joplin, a city in the southwest corner of Missouri, United States, suffered an EF‐5 tornado in the late afternoon of 22 May 2011. This event, which claimed the lives of 162 people, represents the deadliest single tornado to strike the US since modern record‐keeping began in 1950. This study examines the factors associated with responses to tornado warnings. Based on a post‐tornado survey of survivors in Joplin, it reveals that tornado warnings were adequate and timely. Multivariate logistic regression identified four statistically significant determinants of compliance with tornado warnings: number of warning sources, whether respondents were at home when the tornado struck, past tornado experience, and gender. The findings suggest several recommendations, the implementation of which will further improve responses to tornado warnings.     

Evidence against disaster-induced migration: the 2004 tornado in north-central Bangladesh

Migration is generally considered to be one of the primary responses to a natural disaster. The existing literature widely acknowledges the fact that disaster victims migrate from affected areas. This paper, though, provides empirical evidence of the non-occurrence of out-migration in the aftermath of the 14 April 2004 tornado in Bangladesh. Data collected from 291 respondents from eight tornado-affected villages suggest that no one from these locations migrated to other areas. The constant flow of disaster aid and its proper distribution by the government and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) were the main reasons why victims did not leave. This study contributes to the disaster literature by providing three important findings: disasters do not always create out-migration; emergency aid can compensate in monetary terms for damage caused by disasters; and some of the arguments made in the literature against the provision of emergency relief for disaster victims are not always valid for all countries.     

Remediation of sulfidic wastewater by catalytic oxidation with hydrogen peroxide

Oxidation of sulfide in aqueous solution by hydrogen peroxide was investigated in the presence of hydrated ferric oxide catalyst. The ferric oxide catalyst was synthesized by sol gel technique from ferric chloride and ammonia. The synthesized catalyst was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-Ray di raction analysis, scanning electrom microscope and energy dispersive X-ray analysis. The catalyst was quite e ective in oxidizing the sulfide by hydrogen peroxide. The e ects of sulfide concentration, catalyst loading, H2O2 dosing and temperature on the kinetics of sulfide oxidation were investigated. Kinetic equations and activation energies for the catalytic oxidation reaction were calculated based on the experimental results.     

Integration of pen aquaculture into ecosystem-based enhancement of small-scale fisheries in a macrophyte dominated floodplain wetland of India

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The rapid degradation, overexploitation, and encroachment of floodplain wetlands have led to considerable decline in fish diversity and production...     

Seasonal Variations of PM10 and TSP in Residential and Industrial Sites in an Urban Area of Kolkata, India

The objective of the study is to investigate seasonal and spatial variations of PM₁₀ (particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to 10 μm) and TSP (total suspended particulate matter) of an Indian Metropolis with high pollution and population density from November 2003 to November 2004. Ambient concentration measurements of PM₁₀ and TSP were carried out at two monitoring sites of an urban region of Kolkata. Monitoring sites have been selected based on the dominant activities of the area. Meteorological parameters such as wind speed, wind direction, rainfall, temperature and relative humidity were also collected simultaneously during the sampling period from Indian Meteorological Department, Kolkata. The 24 h average concentrations of PM₁₀ and TSP were found in the range 68.2–280.6 μg/m³ and 139.3–580.3 μg/m³ for residential (Kasba) area, while 62.4–401.2 μg/m³ and 125.7–732.1 μg/m³ for industrial (Cossipore) area, respectively. Winter concentrations of particulate pollutants were higher than other seasons, irrespective of the monitoring sites. It indicates a longer residence time of particulates in the atmosphere during winter due to low winds and low mixing height. Spread of air pollution sources and non-uniform mixing conditions in an urban area often result in spatial variation of pollutant concentrations. The higher particulate pollution at industrial area may be attributed due to resuspension of road dust, soil dust, automobile traffic and nearby industrial emissions. Particle size analysis result shows that PM₁₀ is about 52% of TSP at residential area and 54% at industrial area.     

Lead Levels in the Airborne Dust Particulates of an Urban City of Central India

The dust fall-out rate, distribution pattern andconcentration of lead in the particulate fall-outmatters in urban Raipur city covering an area of 160 km² during one hydrological year i.e. November1996–June 1997, has been described. The entire cityhas been divided into 6 zones comprising ofindustrial, commercial, residential and heavy trafficareas. A monthly collection and analysis of dustfall-out rate between 3.0(±0.1) and91.3(±1.2) metric tonnes km^-2 month^-1 wereobserved at all 6 sampling sites. The total annualflux of lead in the fall-out of the city at differentzones is in the range 0.0065–0.4304 kg km^-2yr^-1. The results show that dust fall-out and thelead levels both are at higher magnitudes in winterand autumn. These large levels of air pollutants havealso been correlated with some meteorological parameters like relative humidity and temperature, and strong positive correlations have been observed.     

In-vitro toxicity of cyclophosphamide and etoposide intermediates/metabolites produced by three white rot fungi

Aim of the present study is to determine the in-vitro cell cytotoxic effect of native and transformed cancer drugs (cyclophosphamide and etoposide) using three different white rot fungi (Ganoderma lucidum, Phanerochaete chrysosporium and Trametes versicolor). At 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 days, experiments were done on a mouse monocyte macrophage cell line (Raw 264.7). After biodegradation, the altered compounds were found to be harmful to the Raw 264.7 cells. The maximal cytotoxicity of cyclophosphamide transformed products (TPs) were determined to be 2.4%, 7.3% and 7% respectively, against G. lucidum, P. chrysosporium and T. versicolor, respectively. With G. lucidum, P. chrysosporium and T. versicolor, the etoposide toxicity was 1.5%, 8% and 2.7% respectively. P. chrysosporium-mediated biodegradation resulted in the maximum toxicity, at 8%, on the 12th day for etoposide and 7.3% on the 3rd day for cyclophosphamide. After biodegradation by fungi, the toxicity of these two anticancer agents was reduced in the form of metabolites, but each fungus showed unique capacity for toxicity removal.     

Purifying arsenic and fluoride-contaminated water by a novel graphene-based nanocomposite membrane of enhanced selectivity and sustained flux

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - A novel graphene-based nanocomposite membrane was synthesized by interfacial polymerization (IP) through chemical bonding of the graphene oxide (GO)...     

Effectiveness of ionic liquid-supported membranes for carbon dioxide capture: a review

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The world’s population explosion creates a need for natural resources for energy, which will become a significant contributor to global climate...