Biodegradation of mono-chlorobenzene by using a trickle bed air biofilter (TBAB)

In the present study, performance of the trickle bed airbiofilter (TBAB) for treating mono-chlorobenzene (MCB) was evaluated for various influent volatile organic compound (VOC) loadings using coal and mixed consortium of activated sludge as the packing material. Microbial acclimation to MCB was achieved by exposing the system continuously for 31 d to an average inlet MCB concentration of 0.688 g m(-3) at an empty bed residence time (EBRT) of 188 s. The TBAB achieved maximum removal efficiency of 87% at an EBRT of 188 s for an inlet concentration of 0.681 g m(-3), which is quite significance than the values reported in the literature. Elimination capacities of MCB increased with an increase of the influent VOC loading, but an opposite trend was observed for the removal efficiency The maximum elimination capacity of the biofilter was 110.75 g m(-3) hr(-1) at an inlet MCB concentration of 1.47 g m(-3). The effect of starvation on the TBAB was also studied. After starvation, the TBAB lost its ability to degrade MCB initially However the biofilter recovered very quickly Evaluation of the concentration profile along the bed height indicated that the bottom section of TBAB has the best performance for all concentrations. By using Wani's method of macrokinetic determination based on simple Monod kinetics, the maximum removal rate of MCB, r(max) and saturation constant K(m) was to be found as 1.304 g m(-3)s(-1) and 113.446 g m(-3), respectively.     

Pollution profile of damodar river sediment in Raniganj-Durgapur industrial belt,West Bengal,India

This paper reports on the pollution profile of Damodar river sediment as obtained from analysis of the river sediment at suitable selected sites in the Raniganj-Durgapur industrial belt, West Bengal, India. The parameters measured include (a) silica, mixed oxide, calcium, magnesium, total water-soluble exchangeable cation and anion, chemical oxygen demand, and (b) some toxic and other elements, such as sodium, potassium, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, mercury, manganese, lead, zinc, cobalt, copper, iron nickel, phosphorus, sulphur, and vanadium. The parameters listed under (a) led to the characterization of the sediment, and those under (b) gave an index of metal pollution of the sediment. The elements were estimated by inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometry.     

Prediction models for psychophysical lifting capabilities and the resulting physiological responses for work shifts of varied durations

This paper presents models for predicting estimates of maximum weights of lift acceptable to industrial workers for 8-hour work shifts. Prediction models are also presented for heart rate and oxygen uptake at the maximum acceptable weight of lift. Experimental data collected on 37 males and 37 females were used in developing and verifying these models. Each subject performed nine variations of a lifting task involving three heights, four frequencies, and three box sizes to determine estimates of acceptable lifts for 8-hour shifts. The final lifting capability prediction models explained 76 to 82% variance in the experimental data. A procedure is also described to determine, from these models, acceptable lifts for work periods of variable lengths. The physiological-response-prediction models, which provide estimates of heart rate and oxygen uptake at the maximum acceptable weight of lift, were, however, relatively inferior to other similar response models available in the literature. This is thought to be due to the differences between the psychophysical and physiological methodologies.     

Emission of respirable dust from stone quarrying,potential health effects,and its management

Mining of minerals exerts adverse pressure on different compartments of environment directly or indirectly. Air is the worst affected environmental matrix, and it can carry the harmful effect of pollutants generated from mining activity even to distant places. The present study was undertaken to estimate the emission of particulate matter (PM_2.5 and PM₁₀) from different activities undertaken in stone quarrying in Mahendragarh, Haryana. The results obtained from the present study indicated that drilling, blasting, crushing, and transport of mined material are chiefly responsible for the generation of dust. Whereas drilling, blasting, and loading were responsible for emission of higher fraction of PM₁₀, crushing and re-suspension of roadside dust from movement of vehicles resulted in generation of relatively higher fraction of finer dust (PM_2.5). Modelling the transport of dust over the Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory model revealed that the emitted particle may move up to the distance of about 40 km within 4 h of emission under average meteorological conditions. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy analysis of dust confirmed the presence of calcite and gypsum, thus confirming the source as mining. The study concluded that generation of PM_2.5-sized particles may impose serious respiratory health effects over the workers engaged in mining, crushing, and transportation of sandstone. Apart from it, population residing downwind of the mining area is particularly vulnerable to the pulmonary effects due to inhalation of dust.

     

Fly ash bricks development using concrete waste debris and self-healing bacteria

Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management - In this study, an effort has been made to use concrete waste debris for the manufacturing of fly ash bricks as a sustainable material. Though in...     

Indicator-based assessment of capacity development for disaster preparedness in the Indian context

Environment Systems and Decisions - Capacity building and monitoring of response capacity are critical to disaster preparedness. Assessing disaster response capacity is a challenging task in India...     

Role of environmental lead in the occurrence of anemia in Indian children: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Exposure to lead among children, as well as adults, is a major global health issue. With diverse routes of exposure (e.g., food, air, and water)...     

An automated brain tumor detection and classification from MRI images using machine learning techniques with IoT

Environment, Development and Sustainability - In medical imaging applications, the accurate diagnosis of brain tumors from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at an early stage is a challenging task...     

Occupational health hazards and wide spectrum of genetic damage by the organic solvent fumes at the workplace: A critical appraisal

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Long-term exposure to organic solvents is known to affect human health posing serious occupational hazards. Organic solvents are genotoxic, and they...