Characterization of aerosols from biomass burning--a case study from Mizoram (Northeast), India

Physical and optical properties of biomass burning aerosols in Northeastern region, India analyzed based on measurements made during February 2002. Large spatial extent of Northeastern Region moist tropical to moist sub-tropical forests in India have high frequency of burning in annual dry seasons. Characterization of resultant trace gases and aerosols from biomass burning is important for the atmospheric radiative process. Aerosol optical depth (AOD) observed to be high during burning period compared to pre- and post-burning days. Peak period of biomass burning is highly correlated with measured AOD and total columnar water vapor. Size distribution of aerosols showed bimodal size distribution during burning day and unimodal size distribution during pre- and post-burning days. Size distribution retrievals from biomass burning aerosols show dominance of accumulation mode particles. Weighted mean radius is high (0.22 microm) during burning period. Columnar content of aerosols observed to be high during burning period in addition to the drastic reduction of visibility. During the burning day Anderson sampler measurements showed dominance of accumulation mode particles. The diurnal averaged values of surface shortwave aerosol radiative forcing af biomass burning aerosols varies from -59 to -87 Wm(-2) on different days. Measured and modeled solar irradiances are also discussed in the paper.     

Anaerobic treatment of atrazine bearing wastewater.

Performance of mixed microbial anaerobic culture in treating synthetic waste-water with high Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and varying atrazine concentration was studied. Performance of hybrid reactors with wood charcoal as adsorbent, with a dose of 10 g/l and 40 g/l, along with the microbial mass was also studied. All the reactors were operated in sequential mode with Hydraulic Retention Time (HRT) of 5 days. In all the cases, COD removal after 5 days was found to be above 81%. Initial COD was above 1,000 mg/l. From a hybrid reactor COD removal after 2 days was observed to be 90%. Atrazine reduction after 5 days by microbial mass alone was 43.8%, 40% and 33.2% with an initial concentration of 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mg/l respectively. MLSS on all the cases were almost same. Increasing MLSS concentration by about 2 fold did not increase the atrazine removal efficiency significantly. Maximum atrazine removal was observed to be 64% from the hybrid reactor with 10 g/l of wood charcoal and 69.4% from the reactor with 40 g/l of wood charcoal. Atrazine removal from the hybrid reactors after 15 days were observed to be 35.7% and 38.7%, which showed that the higher dose of wood charcoal in hybrid reactor did not improve the atrazine removal efficiency significantly. Specific methanogenic activity test showed no inhibitory effect of atrazine on methane producing bacteria. The performance of anaerobic microorganisms in removing atrazine with no external carbon source and inorganic nitrogen source was studied in batch mode. With an initial concentration of 1.0 mg/l, reduction of atrazine by the anaerobic microorganisms in absence of external carbon source after 35 days was observed to be 61.8% where as in absence of external carbon and inorganic nitrogen source the reduction was only 44.2% after 150 days. Volatilization loss of atrazine was observed to be insignificant.     

Respiratory problems of workers in the zarda industry in Kolkata, India.

This study was undertaken to assess the pulmonary and respiratory problems of workers in a zarda factory. A total of 70 permanent zarda workers (50 manufacturing workers and 20 office ones) were studied in a factory in Baguihati, Kolkata, India. The study included (a) completion of a questionnaire (on pulmonary and respiratory problems), (b) measurement of physical parameters, (c) spirometry and (d) measurement of peak expiratory flow rate. At the same time, the worksite was analyzed with an OSHA-recommended ergonomics checklist. Many zarda manufacturing workers complained of respiratory symptoms. Continuous exposure to the tobacco processing environment reduced the workers' lung volume and peak expiratory flow rates. Our study indicates that zarda manufacturing workers may have respiratory and pulmonary disorders related to exposure to tobacco dust in their work environment.     

Modified titanium oxide (TiO2) nanocomposites and its array of applications: a review

Titania (TiO₂) has been the focus of attention of researchers since the first demonstration of its capability to generate the photocatalytic splitting of water into hydrogen and oxygen. However, there seems to be a recent surge in the research activity, involving modified TiO₂ nanoparticles (NP), which are considered to be more effective due to different physicochemical properties in comparison to unmodified fine particle analogs. Several strategies have been employed to modify TiO₂ to reduce recombination rates of photogenerated charge carriers to enhance the optimal functioning of TiO₂. Doping with cations and anions and coupling it with another semiconductor are the most well-known modification methods used. Titania nanocomposites are known to have a plethora of applications. Photoexcitation of these particles are seen to be extraordinarily effective in eliciting microbial death which makes it an attractive candidate for the manufacturing of antimicrobial coatings. On the other hand, TiO₂ induces the oxidation of various organic refractory compounds like tetracycline, sulfamethazine, and bisphenol. The photo-electrocatalytic oxidation technique which amalgamates the principle of photocatalysis and electrolysis serves as a newer, unswerving, and cost effective water treatment process. In the biomedical arena, use is now acknowledged for the photodynamic therapy of cancer, cell imaging, biological sensors, drug delivery system, and as endonucleases. In the commercial front, it is utilized in creams owing to its small particle size, which facilitates absorption through skin. It is also employed as ultraviolet blocking agents in sunscreen and commonly encountered as a brilliant white pigment in paint due to its brightness, high refractive index and resistance to discoloration. Its use in solar cells has also been reported. This review aims to encompass the new progress of modified TiO2 nanocomposites for efficient applications, emphasizing the future trends of TiO2 in arenas like healthcare, environment, biomedical, food, personal care, and pharmacy and also highlights the commercial implications of this promising nanomaterial.     

沉积物和土壤孔隙水中甲基汞的一种新型平衡被动采样装置的研制

在这项研究中,我们探索了利用疏水性有机化学品（HOCs）开发的策略对甲基汞（MeHg）进行平衡被动采样的概念。被动取样应允许基于平衡分配到取样器中的基础上预测沉积物孔隙水（MeHgCL）中MeHg的化学不稳定部分的浓度,而无需模拟通过取样器材料的扩散速率。我们的目标是确定具有模拟甲基汞在动物和沉积物中分配的潜力的取样器材料,并在适合于原位取样器的时间框架内提供可逆吸附。测试的候选材料包括一系列嵌有合适的甲基汞吸收剂的聚合物。最有潜力的是琼脂糖包埋的活性炭（AC）、琼脂糖包埋的巯基自组装膜（SMS）和半胱氨酸功能化聚对苯二甲酸乙二醇酯（PET）,对MeHgOH和MeHg与溶解有机物（Suwannee河腐殖酸）的络合作用,测井采样器的水分配系数（Kpw）为2.8～5。沉积物中采样器的平衡时间约为1～2周。琼脂糖包埋AC对MeHg积累机制的研究表明,样品受MeHg与AC颗粒相互作用的动力学影响,而不受凝胶扩散的限制。AC显示Hg和MeHg的相对快速解吸,表明该吸附剂能够进行可逆的平衡测量。在沉积物:水的微观结构中,用等温线校准的被动取样器测得的孔隙水浓度与直接测得的浓度在2倍（未经修正的沉积物）或4倍（经修正的AC沉积物）内一致。这项工作为甲基汞的被动采样提供了一种潜在的新途径。     

The business case for SDGs: an analysis of inclusive business models in emerging economies

In September 2015, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were endorsed by the United Nations and adopted by all 193 Member States. The SDGs integrate the 5P’s: People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace, and Partnership and clearly stress the need for all stakeholders to collaborate to create a sustainable world. Most importantly, the SDGs appeal to the central and diverse role that the business sector can play to deliver on the SDGs. This paper provides an analysis of inclusive business (IB) models as market-based solutions to contribute to the achievement of the SDGs and benefit those at the Base of the Pyramid (BoP). We investigate the IB models and their social impact in 20 organizations from emerging economies across five different sectors. The findings should help increase the uptake and scale of quality IB models and practices among the private sector, development communities, and governments to promote inclusive economic growth and social impact.