Development of Instrumentation for Continuous On-line Monitoring of Non-Methane Organic Carbon in Air Emissions

ABSTRACT

Non-methane organic carbon (NMOC) is a measure of total organic carbon in an air emission, excluding that from methane. Thus, it measures the total amount of carbon, irrespective of the structure and functional groups in the molecule. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Method 25 is used for quantification of NMOC in emission sources and in ambient air. This method involves laboratory analysis of collected air samples and cannot be used for real-time measurements. It is prone to interferences from CO₂, CH₄, and CO, as well as moisture. In this paper, a novel method for continuous, on-line monitoring of NMOC in air emissions and ambient air is presented. Detection limits are at ppb levels, and interference of permanent gases have been eliminated.     

Sediment quality,elemental bioaccumulation and antimicrobial properties of mangroves of Indian Sundarban

Environmental Geochemistry and Health - Mangroves have wide applications in traditional medicines due to their several therapeutic properties. Potentially toxic elements (PTEs), in mangrove...     

A study on the phytotoxicity of nano mullite and metal-amended nano mullite on mung bean plants

The presence of engineered nanoparticles is continuously increasing in our environment and causing potential risks to the ecosystem. Researchers from various fields report many articles on the effects of different nanoparticles on plants, animals and microorganisms. Here we have studied for the first time the effect of nano mullite (NMu) and their metal- amended derivatives on the growth of mung bean plants. Results shows that the metal- amended NMu exerts adverse effects on the growth and biomass production of plants compared to NMu. For toxicity studies, we measured the germination index and relative root elongation, while leakage of electrolytes and root oxidizability were measured to study the effect of NMu on mung bean seeds and seedling tissues. Translocation and accumulation of NMu within different parts of the plant body were proved by elemental analysis of dried plant samples.     

Variation of antioxidant biomarkers in the edible oyster Saccostrea cucullata collected from three different water bodies of Sundarbans

Variations of antioxidant biomarkers such as catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities and lipid peroxidation (LPO) were studied in edible part of mangrove oyster Saccostrea cucullata, collected from three different water bodies, such as Namkhana (S-I), Frazergaunge (S-II) and Sajnekhali (S-III) of Indian Sundarbans which are exposed to different degrees of anthropogenic activity. The study was conducted for consecutive two years (2010 and 2011) in the respective water bodies. Characteristics of biomarkers in oyster from the two polluted water bodies, i.e. S-I and S-II, are similar in nature in comparison to less polluted site (S-III). The catalase, superoxide dismutase activity and lipid peroxidation in oyster flesh exhibit significant (p<0.01) spatial and temporal variation among the three stations. Oysters from S-I were significantly higher (p<0.05) in antioxidant enzyme activities than oysters from S-III, which differ in their amount of pollution sources. Maximum antioxidant enzymes activity of all collected samples were recorded in pre-monsoon time and decreased in monsoon season. But maximum lipid peroxidation was noted during monsoon followed by post-monsoon and pre-monsoon.     

Evaluation of disinfectants in order to eliminate fungal contamination in computer keyboards of an integrated health center in Piauí, Brazil

This quantitative and qualitative study aimed to evaluate the level of fungal contamination in computer keyboards from an Integrated Health Center (IHC) at Piauí, Brazil, and to evaluate the efficacy of 50% sodium bicarbonate and 50% alcoholic vinegar solutions to eliminate these microorganisms. Ten keyboards from six sectors of the IHC were chosen randomly, and the collection was performed in three situations: (i) before of disinfection, (ii) after disinfection with solution of sodium bicarbonate, and (iii) after disinfection with solution of alcoholic vinegar. Samples were inoculated in Petri dishes with dextrose agar potato plus chloramphenicol and incubated at room temperature for 72 h. All keyboards were contaminated with opportunistic fungi, with Cladosporium cladosporioides (29.4%) being the most frequent species, followed by Curvularia lunata (17.6%) and Aspergillus niger, Alternaria alternata, and Curvularia clavata with 11.8% each. The two solutions were proven to be efficient in eliminating fungal contamination; however, the sodium bicarbonate solution caused esthetic damages in keyboards. In addition, this study is the first report of the antifungal activity of alcoholic vinegar in filamentous fungi. Based on our findings, we suggest a daily disinfection of keyboards with a 50% vinegar solution plus adequate hygiene from the hands of professionals before and after the use of the computer and its annexes, as key actions to reduce nosocomial infections, particularly in economically disadvantaged countries.     

Role of Crosslinker on the Biodegradation Behavior of Starch/Polyvinylalcohol Blend Films

The effect of crosslinkers on the biodegradation behavior of starch/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) blend films was investigated by weight loss study, Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Starch/PVA films were prepared by solution casting method and 5 weight% of four different crosslinking agents like epichlorohydrin, formaldehyde, zinc oxide and borax were used in four different sets to crosslink the films. These crosslinked starch/PVA films were biodegraded in compost. Weight loss study showed that crosslinking retarded the biodegradation of the films in the first 15?days, but after that, there was a significant increase in weight loss. The DSC analysis revealed that the consumption of starch and consequent rearrangement of the PVA molecules were distinctly different in the crosslinked films due to the effect of different crosslinking agents.     

Effect of mercury and methyl parathion on the ovaries of Labeo rohita (Ham)

Adult pre-spawning fish Labeo rohita were sublethally (1/5th 96h LC50) exposed to mercuric chloride and metacid-50 (methyl parathion). Accumulation of mercury and methyl parathion was studied and it was found that pre-spawning ovary appears as a potent organ for deposition of both the pollutants. RNA/DNA ratio of the control and treated fish were studied. It was found that the signifcant decrease in RNA/DNA ratio occurs after 9 and 30 days of exposure for mercury and 30 days for methyl parathion. Fluorescence microscopic studies by acridine orange staining method were also performed to show how much it is related to biochemical alterations. In some cases loss of metachromasia is correlated with the fall in RNA/DNA ratio. Some other abnormalities like fall in stage II: stage I oocyte ratio and necrosis was also observed.     

Chapter two: methodologies for characterisation of combustion sources and for quantification of their emissions

Emissions from the combustion of biomass and fossil fuels result in generation of a large number of particle and gaseous products in outdoor and/or indoor air, which create health and environmental risks. Of particular importance are the very small particles that are emitted in large quantities from all the combustion sources, and that could be potentially more significant in terms of their impact on health and the environment than larger particles. It is important to quantify particle emissions from combustion sources for regulatory and control purposes in relation to air quality. This paper is a review of particle characteristics that are used as source signatures, their general advantages and limitations, as well as a review of source signatures of the most common combustion pollution sources including road transport, industrial facilities, small household combustion devices, environmental tobacco smoke, and vegetation burning. The current methods for measuring particle physical characteristics (mass and number concentrations) and principles of methodologies for measuring emission factors are discussed in the paper as well. Finally, the paper presents the recommendations for the future techniques for measurements of combustion products.     

Heavy metals in water of the rivers Hooghly and Haldi at Haldia and their impact on fish

The paper deals with the measurement of five heavy metals viz., Cd, Cu, Mn, Pb and Zn in water of the rivers Hooghly and Haldi at Haldia during June 1999 to October 2002. The industrial effluent out fall (OF) at Patikhali, Haldia was also taken as sampling site along with above out fall (AOF) and below out fall (BOF) sites. Most of the metals exhibited their least concentration at the sampling site above the Haldia industrial area of river Hooghly. The average concentrations of the studied metals were Cd 2-14, Cu 5-19, Mn 8-88, Pb 17-41 and Zn 22-37 microg l(-1). Comparison of the data with the Criterion Continuous Concentration (CCC) of USA revealed that Cd, Cu and Pb were the pollutants present at alarming level to disturb the aquatic life process in the zone. The effect was found to reflect on the tissue level aberrations in the residential fishes. The other two metals viz., Mn and Zn were probably less harmful to the aquatic ecosystem. In India, necessity is felt to develop the CCC values, which will be more appropriate for protection of aquatic environment than comparing with drinking water standards.