Removal of nickel (II) from aqueous solutions using marine macroalgae as the sorbing biomass

In the present study biosorption technique, the passive accumulation of metals by biomass, is used for the removal of nickel from aqueous medium. The brown algae, Sargassum sp., in its natural and acid treated forms are used as a low cost sorbent. The adsorption characteristics of nickel on Sargassum sp. are evaluated as a function of time, pH, adsorbent dosage and initial concentration of nickel. The equilibrium adsorption data are fitted to Freundlich and Langmuir adsorption isotherm models and the model parameters are evaluated. Both the models represent the experimental data satisfactorily. The adsorption follows Lagergren first order kinetic model. The monolayer adsorption capacities of natural and acid treated forms of algae as obtained from Langmuir adsorption model are found to be 181 and 250mg g(-1) respectively.     

Phosphorus fate and transport in soil columns loaded intermittently with influent of high phosphorus concentrations.

In this study, several columns of different lengths were filled with composite soils sampled from the field at corresponding depths and then loaded intermittently with influent of a high phosphorus concentration to evaluate phosphorus fate and transport in soil. The results indicate that the height of the mass transfer zone, solvent pore velocity, and soil's life expectancy for phosphorus removal increased with depth, while the retained phosphorus per kilogram of soil and the linear adsorption equilibrium coefficient, R, decreased with depth. An equation was developed to link liquid-phase phosphorus with solvent traveling time and soil depth. The results of X-ray diffraction and washout tests indicate that calcium-phosphorus precipitation and/or crystal growth occurred in the columns. The new protocol is useful for evaluation of phosphorus fate and transport in other subsurface systems, because it allows flexible adjustments in hydraulic loadings, feed solution, and sampling schemes.     

Response of lake sediments to changes in trace metal emission from the smelters at Sudbury, Ontario

Historical records preserved in sediments show that the lakes are extremely sensitive to metal emissions from the smelters in the Sudbury basin. From the observed quick response, a strong capacity for rapid recovery (deacidification) of acid-stressed lakes in the area is deduced. The study thus emphasises the need for curtailing the emissions of acidic and acidifying substances as a critical step in reducing lake acidification as well as in rehabilitating many of the afflicted lakes.     

Studies on water hyacinth as a biological filtre for treating contaminants from agricultural wastes and industrial effluents

The aquatic weed--water hyacinth [Eichhornia crassipes (Mart) Solms] showed a remarkable capacity to withstand the effects of pH changes ranging from 5 to 8 in the aquatic environment. Growth continued to be normal except when placed for longer periods in medium containing iron ions at pH 3.3. The ability of this plant to neutralize some very acid solutions of heavy metals such as salts of copper, cadmium and zinc individually and in combinations, is being reported. Plants placed in pure acid and alkali solutions were also able to neutralize the medium. Calcium appears to play an important role in the mechanism involved in the adaptability of these plants to such environments.     

Mercury induced alterations in the intestinal,absorption of nutrients in the fresh water murrel, Channapunctatus

The effect of five concentrations (10 mM, 1 mM, 0.1 mM, 0.01 mM and 0.001 mM) of mercury on the rate of absorption of glucose, fructose, glycine and tryptophan by the intestine of the fresh water murrel $\text{Channa}$$\text{punctatus}$ has been studied. Intestinal absorption of these nutrients was also examined in fish exposed to a sublethal concentration (3 μg/l) of mercury for 15 and 30 days. Significant decrease was recorded in the rate of intestinal absorption of all the four nutrients with higher concentrations (10 mM, 1 mM and 0.1 mM) of mercury. 0.01 mM and 0.001 mM of mercury also reduced the transport rate but it was insignificant, except in case of tryptophan, where 0.01 mM of mercury also produced significant decrease. Exposure of fish by bath to mercury also resulted in significant decrease in the intestinal transport rate of all the four nutrients after 30 days.     

Nanomaterials for environmental burden reduction, waste treatment, and nonpoint source pollution control: a review

Nanomaterials are applicable in the areas of reduction of environmental burden, reduction/treatment of industrial and agricultural wastes, and nonpoint source (NPS) pollution control. First, environmental burden reduction involves green process and engineering, emissions control, desulfurization/denitrification of nonrenewable energy sources, and improvement of agriculture and food systems. Second, reduction/treatment of industrial and agricultural wastes involves converting wastes into products, groundwater remediation, adsorption, delaying photocatalysis, and nanomembranes. Third, NPS pollution control involves controlling water pollution. Nanomaterials alter physical properties on a nanoscale due to their high specific surface area to volume ratio. They are used as catalysts, adsorbents, membranes, and additives to increase activity and capability due to their high specific surface areas and nano-sized effects. Thus, nanomaterials are more effective at treating environmental wastes because they reduce the amount of material needed.     

Health impact and noise exposure assessment in the cricket bat industry of Kashmir,India

Aim. The aim of the present study was to identify and evaluate predominant noise sources in the cricket bat industry of Kashmir, India. Methods. Sound levels were measured at operator’s ear level in the working zone of the workers of seven cricket bat factories. The impact assessment was made through personal interviews with each worker separately during their period of rest. Results. On average, 62.5% of the workers reported difficulty in hearing and 24.1% of the workers have become patients for hypertension. Only 58.1% of the workers complained of headache due to high noise level. Conclusions. The workers engaged in the cricket bat industry of Kashmir are exposed to high noise levels. It is suggested that personal protective equipment like ear plugs and ear muffs be used by these workers as a protection against this hazard.     

基于MCDA模型的危险废物填埋场地下水污染风险分级

基于对风险全过程控制的思想,利用层次分析法,构建了综合考虑危险废物填埋场自身属性、污染场地水文地质条件以及污染受体等因素的危险废物填埋场地下水污染风险分级指标体系,该体系共包括14项指标;并采用MCDA(multi-criteria decision analysis,多准则决策分析)模型,对我国37个危险废物填埋场(不包括港澳台数据,下同)地下水污染风险进行了分级研究. 结果表明:14项风险分级指标之间具有很好的独立性,指标体系能够较为完整、准确地反映危险废物填埋场对地下水的污染风险程度;37个危险废物填埋场地下水污染风险可分为高、中、低3个级别,其中81%处于中、低级风险级别;地下水中特征污染物ρ(Cr)监测值与风险分级分值的距平指数为0.802 9,验证了风险分级结果的可靠性;同时采用MDCA模型对风险分级指标权重的敏感性进行分析,验证了风险分级过程中指标权重赋值的准确性,并降低了指标权重赋值过程中的不确定性,进一步提高了分级结果的可靠性.风险分级结果在一定程度上可为危险废物填埋场地下水污染风险管理提供依据.      

铁铜内电解-膨润土组合工艺处理含铬废水

研究利用铁铜内电解工艺和膨润土吸附的联合作用,对含铬废水进行处理。含铬模拟废水首先经过铁铜内电解法装置,该出水再经膨润土吸附,以达到去除效果。并考察此组合工艺的各种影响因素。结果表明:(1)铁铜内电解预处理确定最佳反应参数为:铁铜用量之比为8:1,反应时间为100 min,pH值为3.0;(2)膨润土最佳吸附条件为:膨润土用量为2 g/l,反应时间为20 min;(3)在最佳反应条件下,对初始浓度分别为30 mg/l和60 mg/l的实际制革废水中的铬进行了处理,都取得较好的去除效果,其Cr(VI)去除率分别为99.54%和99.32%。