Air Pollution Concentrations of PM2.5, PM10 and NO2 at Ambient and Kerbsite and Their Correlation in Metro City – Mumbai

Ambient concentrations of PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ are of concern with respect to effects on human health and environment. Increased levels of mortality and morbidity have been associated with respirable particulate air pollution. In India, it is not yet mandatory to monitor PM_2.5 levels therefore very limited information is available on PM_2.5 levels. To understand the fine particle pollution and also correlate with PM₁₀ which are monitored regularly in compliance with ambient air quality standards. This study was carried out to monitor PM_2.5, PM₁₀, and NO₂ for about one year in a residential cum commercial area of Mumbai city with a view to understand their correlation. The average PM_2.5 concentration at ambient and Kerbsite was 43 and 69 μg/m³. The correlation coefficients between PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ at ambient and Kerbsite were 0.83 and 0.85 respectively thus indicating that most of the PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ are from similar sources. TSP, PM₁₀ levels exceeded Central Pollution Control Board(CPCB) standard during winter season. PM_2.5 levels also exceeded 24 hourly average USEPA standard during winter season indicating unhealthy air quality.     

Facile and Sensitive Spectrophotometric Determination of Synthetic Pyrithroids in Their Formulations, Water and Grain Samples

A novel reagent was introduced for the facile and sensitive spectrophotometric determination of syntheitic pyrethroids in their formulations (fenvalerate, cypermethrin and decamethrin), water and grain samples. These methods were based on the hydrolysis of synthetic pyrethroids under the alkaline conditions to form respective aldehyde groups. These groups were condensation with 3-methyl-2-benzothiazolinone hydrochloride (MBTH) to yield color derivatives having λ_max at 520 nm for fenvalerate, 516 nm for cypermethrin and 512 nm for decamethrin. The proposed method could be successfully applied for the determination of synthetic pyrethroids in their formulations, water and grain samples.     

Distribution of PM2.5 and PM10-2.5 in PM10 Fraction in Ambient Air Due to Vehicular Pollution in Kolkata Megacity

This research paper aims at establishing baseline PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 concentration levels, which could be effectively used to develop and upgrade the standards in air pollution in developing countries. The relative contribution of fine fractions (PM_2.5) and coarser fractions (PM_10-2.5) to PM₁₀ fractions were investigates in a megacity which is overcrowded and congested due to lack of road network and deteriorated air quality because of vehicular pollution. The present study was carried out during the winter of 2002. The average 24h PM₁₀ concentration was 304 μg/m³, which is 3 times more than the Indian National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) and higher PM₁₀ concentration was due to fine fraction (PM_2.5) released by vehicular exhaust. The 24h average PM_2.5 concentration was found 179 μg/m³, which is exceeded USEPA and EU standards of 65 and 50 μg/m³ respectively for the winter. India does not have any PM_2.5 standards. The 24 h average PM_10-2.5 concentrations were found 126 μg/m³. The PM_2.5 constituted more than 59% of PM₁₀ and whereas PM₁₀-PM_2.5 fractions constituted 41% of PM₁₀. The correlation between PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 was found higher as PM_2.5 comprised major proportion of PM₁₀ fractions contributed by vehicular emissions.     

An investigation of the relationship between raw coal characteristics and effluent quality of Kedla and Rajrappa Washeries, Jharkhand, India

An attempt was made to investigate the relationship between raw coal characteristics and effluent quality in two coking coal washeries of Central Coalfields Limited, Kedla and Rajrappa in Jharkhand State, India. Coal samples-raw coal feed, washed fine clean coal, washed coarse clean coal, middlings and rejects were collected. Similarly, raw water (intake to washery) and effluent samples generated in the washeries, namely, fine coal jig under water, coarse coal jig under water and slurry pond water were also collected over a period of 6 months. Parameters outlined in Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) Schedule VI Indian standards were determined, both in coal samples and water/washery effluent samples. Apart from the parameters listed in the standard, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulphate and chloride found to be present in coal were also determined in coal and water samples. The processing results essentially in production of huge quantities of suspended material, which is beyond the stipulated limit of 100mg/l as specified in the Standard. Lowering of pH was observed in both the washeries. The trace/heavy elements were found to be concentrated in the heavier fractions in rejects produced from the washery. The concentrations of major elements in coal-Na, K, Ca, Mg, and minor elements in coal-Mn; F, SO4 and Cl were found to be higher in process water than in raw water indicating that these elements are transferred from coal to the water in washeries. However, only in the case of Mn, the stipulated limit of the effluent standard was exceeded. Trace elements like As, Se, Hg, Cd, though found to be present in coal, were absent in the process water indicating that these elements are not released by coal during washing.     

Effect of grinding and heating on Ni2+ uptake properties of waste paper sludge

Uptake properties of Ni2+ were examined for unmilled and milled paper sludge calcined at various temperatures to develop a new usage of waste paper sludge. Since paper sludge mainly consists of cellulose ([C6H(10)O5]n) fibers, calcite (CaCO3), kaolinite (Al2Si2O5(OH)4) and talc (Mg3Si(4)O(10)(OH)2), amorphous and crystalline CaO(MgO)-Al(2)O(3)-SiO(2) compounds are formed by calcining paper sludge. Wet and dry milling treatments were performed to accelerate solid-state reaction to form the above mentioned target compounds. The crystalline phases originally present decompose at increasing calcining temperature (up to 800 degrees C) in the order cellulose 相似文献   

Assessment of the impact of landfill on groundwater quality: A case study of the Pirana site in western India

In present study focus has been given on estimating quality and toxicity of waste with respect to heavy metals and its impact on groundwater quality, using statistical and empirical relationships between different hydrochemical data, so that easy monitoring may be possible which in turn help the sustainable management of landfill site and municipal solid waste. Samples of solid waste, leachate and groundwater were analyzed to evaluate the impact of leachates on groundwater through the comparison of their hydrochemical nature. Results suggest the existence of an empirical relationship between some specific indicator parameters like heavy metals of all three above mentioned sample type. Further, K/Mg ratio also indicates three groundwater samples heavily impacted from leachate contamination. A good number of samples are also showing higher values for and Pb than that of World Health Organization (WHO) drinking water regulation. Predominance of Fe and Zn in both groundwater and solid waste samples may be due to metal plating industries in the area. Factor analysis is used as a tool to explain observed relation between numerous variables in term of simpler relation, which may help to deduce the strength of relation. Positive loading of most of the factors for heavy metal clearly shows landfill impact on ground water quality especially along the hydraulic gradient. Cluster analysis, further substantiates the impact of landfill. Two major groups of samples obtained from cluster analysis suggest that one group comprises samples that are severely under the influence of landfill and contaminated leachates along the groundwater flow direction while other assorted with samples without having such influence.     

Towards a Formal Framework of Vulnerability to Climate Change

There is confusion regarding the notion of “vulnerability” in the climate change scientific community. Recent research has identified a need for formalisation, which would support accurate communication and the elimination of misunderstandings that result from the use of ambiguous terminology. Moreover, a formal framework of vulnerability is a prerequisite for computational approaches to its assessment. This paper presents an attempt at developing such a formal framework. We see vulnerability as a relative concept in the sense that accurate statements about vulnerability are possible only if one clearly specifies (1) the entity that is vulnerable, (2) the stimulus to which it is vulnerable and (3) the preference criteria to evaluate the outcome of the interaction between the entity and the stimulus. We relate the resulting framework to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change conceptualisation of vulnerability and two recent vulnerability studies. This paper is dedicated to the memory of Gerhard Petschel-Held, whose pioneering work on syndromes of global change has been a source of inspiration for us and for others across various schools of thought on vulnerability.     

Field comparison of manual and semi-automatic methods for the measurement of total gaseous mercury in ambient air and assessment of equivalence

The manual and semi-automatic methods for the measurement of total gaseous mercury in ambient air have been compared in a field trial for the first time. The comparison results have shown that whilst the expected random scatter is present, there was no significant systematic bias between the two methods, whose operational differences have also been outlined and analysed in this work. Furthermore it has been observed that because variation in instrument sensitivity is largely random in nature there is little effect on the results of the comparison if the period between instrument calibrations is altered. When the manual and semi-automatic methods are compared according to guidelines produced by the European Commission the results presented here, taken together with other supporting evidence, strongly suggest that the two methods are equivalent.     

Pesticide residue analysis of soil,water, and grain of IPM basmati rice

The main aim of the present investigations was to compare the pesticide load in integrated pest management (IPM) with non-IPM crops of rice fields. The harvest samples of Basmati rice grain, soil, and irrigation water, from IPM and non-IPM field trials, at villages in northern India, were analyzed using multi-pesticide residue method. The field experiments were conducted for three consecutive years (2008–2011) for the successful validation of the modules, synthesized for Basmati rice, at these locations. Residues of tricyclazole, propiconazole, hexconazole, lambda cyhalothrin, pretilachlor chlorpyrifos, DDVP, carbendazim, and imidacloprid were analyzed from two locations, Dudhli village of Dehradun, Uttrakhand and Saboli and Aterna village of Sonepat, Haryana. The pesticide residues were observed below detectable limit (BDL) (<0.001–0.05 μg/g) in all 24 samples of rice grains and soil under IPM and non-IPM trials. Residues were below detection level (<0.001–0.05 μg/L) in irrigation water samples (2008–09). Residues of tricyclazole and carbendazim, analyzed from same locations, revealed pesticide residues as BDL (<0.001–0.05 μg/g) in all 40 samples of Basmati rice grains and soil. It was also observed as BDL (<0.001–0.05 μg/L) for 12 water samples (2009–2010). The residues of tricyclazole, propioconazole, chlorpyrifos, hexaconazole, pretilachlor, and λ-cyhalothrin were also found as BDL (<0.001–0.05 μg/g) in 40 samples of Basmati rice grains and soil and 12 water samples (<0.001–0.05 μg/L) (2010–2011).     

Mobility of spiromesifen in packed soil columns under laboratory conditions

On percolating water equivalent to 1,156 mm of rainfall, spiromesifen formulation did not leach out of 25-cm long columns, and 62.7 % of this was recovered in 5–10-cm soil depth. In columns treated with the analytical grade, 52.40 % of the recovered spiromesifen was confined to 0–5-cm soil depth, with 0.04 % in leachate fraction, suggesting high adsorption in soil. Results revealed that percolating 400 mL of water, residues of enol metabolite of spiromesifen was detected up to 20–25-cm soil layer, with 23.50 % residues of spiromesifen in this layer and 1.73 % in the leachate fraction indicating that metabolite is more mobile as compared to the parent compound. Results suggested a significant reduction in leaching losses of enol metabolite in amended soil columns with 5 % nano clay, farmyard manure (FYM), and vermicompost. No enol spiromesifen was recovered in the leachate in columns amended with nano clay, vermicompost, and FYM; however, 85.30, 70.5, and 65.40 %, respectively, was recovered from 0–5 cm-soil depth of column after percolating water equivalent to 1,156 mm of rainfall. Spiromesifen formulation is less mobile in sandy loam soil than analytical grade spiromesifen. The metabolite, enol spiromesifen, is relatively more mobile than the parent compound and may leach into groundwater. The study suggested that amendments were very effective in reducing the downward mobility of enol metabolite in soil column. Further, it resulted in greater retention of enol metabolite in the amendment application zone.