Growth and biochemical parameters of Cicer arietinum L. grown on amended fly ash

Growth and metal accumulation were investigated in two Cicer arietinum L. varieties (var. CSG-8962 and var. C-235) when grown in various combinations of fly ash (FA) amended with garden soil (GS), press mud (PM) or saw dust (SD). In addition, the levels of photosynthetic pigments, nitrate reductase (NR) activity, cysteine, non-protein thiols (NP-SH), and ascorbic acid were studied. FA amended with GS or PM led to a 5–10 times increase in biomass compared to FA control and was most pronounced in the less metal tolerant variety CSG-8962. Amendment of FA with either GS or PM only moderately increased the contents of some essential metals whereas the non-essential Cd and Cr remained similar or decreased slightly compared to FA control. FA combined with either GS or PM increased the amount of photosynthetic pigments and was largely absent when SD was added to FA. Improved nitrogen availability led to increased nitrate reductase (NR) activity with all amendments but less so with SD. Metal stress indicating parameters were generally reduced (cysteine and non-protein thiols) or unchanged (ascorbic acid). In conclusion, of the tested ameliorants both GS and PM greatly improved growth of C. arietinum making FA a suitable component of plant growth substrates.     

Trace metals and organometals in selected marine species and preliminary risk assessment to human beings in Thane Creek area, Mumbai

Trace metals and organometals were estimated in different types of marine organisms (fish, bivalve, crab and prawn) collected from the Trans-Thane Creek area, Mumbai. Thane Creek area is considered as most polluted area due to industrial discharges. Potential risks associated with consumption of marine organisms collected from this particular area to human beings were assessed. Concentrations of ten trace elements (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) in the edible part of marine organisms were analysed by atomic absorption spectrometer and differential pulse anodic stripping voltametric technique. Methyl mercury and tributyl tin were estimated using gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer in combination with solid phase micro extraction (SPME). An assessment of the risk on human beings due to consumption of marine organism was undertaken using toxic reference benchmark, namely the reference dose (RfD). The hazard index (HI), sum of hazard quotients calculated for all the pollutant showed that the risks from consumption of fish and marine organisms as a whole were generally low and are within safe limits.     

Catalytic wet oxidation of the pretreated synthetic pulp and paper mill effluent under moderate conditions

In the present study, catalytic wet oxidation (CWO) was investigated for the destruction of organic pollutants in the thermally pretreated effluent from a pulp and paper mill under moderate temperature and pressure conditions. The thermal pretreatment studies were conducted at atmospheric pressure and 368K using copper sulfate as a catalyst. The thermal pretreatment reduced COD by about 61%. The filtrate of the thermal pretreatment step was used at pH 8.0 for CWO at 383-443K temperature and a total pressure of 0.85MPa for 4h. Catalysts used for the reaction include copper sulfate, 5% CuO/95% activated carbon, 60% CuO/40% MnO(2), and 60% CuO/40% CeO(2). Maximum COD reduction was found to be 89% during CWO step using 5% CuO/95% activated carbon with a catalyst loading of 8gl(-1) at 443K and 0.85MPa total pressure. Overall COD reduction for the pretreatment and the CWO was found to be 96%. Besides this, 60% CuO/40% CeO(2) catalyst also exhibited the similar activity as that of obtained with 5% CuO/95% activated carbon catalyst at 423K temperature and 0.85MPa total pressure. The pH of the solution during the experimental runs decreases initially due to the formation of carboxylic acid and then increases due to the decomposition of acids.     

Intensification of degradation of aqueous solutions of rhodamine B using sonochemical reactors at operating capacity of 7 L

In the present work, degradation of rhodamine B, a typical dye effluent commonly observed in chemical processing wastewaters has been investigated using a sonochemical reactor with capacity of 7 L. The reactor consists of an ultrasonic bath equipped with a single large transducer having longitudinal vibrations with operating frequency of 25 kHz and rated power output of 1 kW. The effect of operational conditions such as the rhodamine B initial concentration, operating pH and use of additives such as H(2)O(2), CCl(4) and TiO(2) has been investigated initially. A mathematical model has also been fitted to estimate the rate constant for rhodamine B removal under different operating conditions. Intensification studies have been carried by combining sonochemical oxidation with photocatalytic oxidation under optimized conditions. In all the investigated systems, complete removal of rhodamine B (10 ppm initial concentration) was obtained using a combination of sonochemical reactor and CCl(4). Sonocatalysis (in the presence of TiO(2)) of rhodamine B showed 92% degradation, while sonophotocatalysis gave degradation of 93%. TOC analysis at various optimum conditions was also performed to quantify the extent of mineralization and it was observed that the extent of mineralization is always lower than the extent of removal of parent compound.     

Ecological problems of tree species in protected ecosystems of Orissa, India

The tree layer vegetation of two protected ecosystems i.e. Similipal Biosphere Reserve (SBR) and Bhitarkanika National Park (BNP) of eastern ghat was analysed for structure, composition and diversity. With respect to the tree species composition the two protected ecosystems were differed from each other at the family, genera and species level. About 117 tree species representing 85 genera and 42 families were recorded in SBR. The average number of species per hectare was 32.5. However, a total of 29 tree species representing 22 genera and 16 families were recorded in BNP with an average number of species per hectare of 24.17. Species dominancy of the two protected areas was also different due to their difference in habitat condition. In SBR Shorea robusta was the most dominant species while in BNP Excoecaria agallocha was the most dominant species. Shannon-Wiener species diversity was 3.15 for Similipal and 2.314 for Bhitarkanika indicating that Similipal was highly diverse than Bhitarkanika. In general both the protected ecosystems of Orissa are highly rich in biodiversity and are characteristics of good ecological wealth of eastern ghat. Thus conservation and management practices are essential for the sustainability of their biodiversity.     

Engineering layout of fuel tanks in a tank farm

The present paper deals with the location of tanks in a tank farm, in chemical and allied industries. Ideally the tanks are so placed and installed that in case of fire, the neighbouring tanks could remain safe. The safe distance of separation among the tanks is calculated in no wind condition, as well as, in the presence of wind. The paper uses the methods available in literature and modifies the point source model to include the effect of wind vector on the flame height during the calculation of safe inter-tank distance. It is found that for wind velocity > 4 m/s, the modified point source model provides appropriate inter-tank distance. However, for no wind and with wind velocity < 4 m/s, the Shokri-Beyler’s method provides safe inter-tank distance.