Pollution monitoring with the help of lichen transplant technique at some residential sites of Lucknow City, Uttar Pradesh

Samples of foliose lichen, Dirinaria consimillis (Fr.) Awasthi were transplanted at six residential sites of Lucknow city for monitoring the concentration of Cr, Zn, Pb, Cu and Cd metals at two vertical positions. The concentration of chromium and copper were more at the higher vertical position than the lower one. The maximum zinc was at lower vertical position than the upper one. Lead and cadmium were not detected in the present study.     

A study of the technologically modified sources of 222Rn and its environmental impact in an Indian U mineralised belt

These investigations present qualitative and quantitative assessments of the 222Rn contributing potential of the technologically modified sources, e.g. mine exhausts and tailings piles, arising due to the mining and processing of uraniferous minerals at Jaduguda, India. The overall geometric mean of the 222Rn flux from low-grade uranium (U) mill tailings being 1.19 Bq m-2 s-1, requisite attenuation of 37.8% to the recommended limit of 0.74 Bq m-2 s-1 can be attained by a typical clay coverage of 20 cm. Theoretically, feasible options for selection of overburden materials for stabilisation of the tailings piles are examined. Extrapolation studies with a turbulent diffusion model yield an atmospheric dispersion pattern of 222Rn in reasonable correspondence with the prevailing concentrations, especially for locations beyond a 4 km radius. The overall 222Rn contribution of the U complex to the ambient air is the same as that contributed by the adjoining land mass of 2.75 km radius in this mineralised terrain.     

Health problems among workers of iron welding machines: an effect of electromagnetic fields

The possible effects of EMFs on 100 workers were studied by means of structured interview and rating of subjective symptoms. As control 41 sewing machine operators and assembly workers were chosen, interviewed and likewise tested. The present Indian ceiling value of 250 Tesla for the equivalent power density was exceeded in more than 50% of the machines. The highest leakage fields, for EMFs, were found near machines, which gave a high exposure to the hands. Eye irritation complaints were reported by 40% of the workers. The fertility outcome did not show any significant result.     

Market segmentation and industry overcapacity considering input resources and environmental costs through the lens of governmental intervention

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The problems with China’s regional industrial overcapacity are often influenced by local governments. This study constructs a framework that...     

Application of remote sensing for assessment of change in vegetation cover and the subsequent impact on climatic variables

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The impacts of vegetation cover changes (VCCs) and land use land cover changes (LULCCs) on climate variabilities need to be addressed while...     

Facile synthesis of graphitic carbon-nitride supported antimony-doped tin oxide nanocomposite and its application for the adsorption of volatile organic compounds

Antimony-doped tin oxide(ATO) nanoparticles with an average size of ～ 6 nm were prepared by co-precipitation and subsequent heat treatment. Graphitic carbon nitride(g-CN)/ATO hybrid nanocomposite was designed by the combination of thermally synthesized g-CN and ATO nanoparticles by ultrasonication. The materials were characterized using N2 adsorption/desorption(BET), X-ray diffraction(XRD), scanning electron microscopy(SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy(EDS), transmission electron microscopy(TEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR). A mixture of five volatile organic compounds(VOCs, chloroform, benzene, toluene, xylene and styrene) was used to compare the adsorption capacity of the samples. The adsorption capacity of ATO nanoparticles was improved by the addition of g-CN. Experimental data showed that, among the five VOCs,chloroform was the least adsorbed, regardless of the samples. The g-CN/ATO showed nearly three times greater adsorption capacity for the VOC mixture than pure ATO. The unchanged efficiency of VOC adsorption during cyclic use demonstrated the completely reversible adsorption and desorption behavior of the nanocomposite at room conditions. This economically and environmentally friendly material can be a practical solution for outdoor and indoor VOC removal.     

Physicochemical characteristics of paper industry effluents��a case study of South India Paper Mill (SIPM)

Pulp and paper mills generate varieties of pollutants depending upon type of the pulping process being used. This paper presents the characteristics of wastewater from South India Paper Mill, Karnataka, India which is using recycled waste paper as a raw material. The raw wastewater consists of 80?C90 mg L^???1 suspended solid and 1,010?C1,015 mg L^???1 dissolved solid. However, pH varied from 5.5?C6.8. The biochemical oxygen demand and chemical oxygen demand ranged from 200?C210 and 1,120?C1,160 mg L^???1, respectively. Aerobic treatment of raw effluent attribute to significant reduction in suspended solid (range between 25 to 30 mg L^???1) and total dissolved solid (range between 360 to 390 mg L^???1). However, pH, temperature, and electrical conductivity were found superior after treatment. Copper, cadmium, iron, lead, nickel, and zinc were found in less quantity in raw effluent and were almost completely removed after treatment. The dendrogram of the effluent quality parameters clearly indicate that South India Paper Mill does not meet Minimal National Standard set by central Pollution Control Board to discharge in agricultural field.     

Studies on the Drying Characteristics of Zingiber Officinale Under Open Sun and Solar Biomass (Hybrid) Drying

Drying characteristics of Zingiber officinale (Ginger) under the open sun and direct type natural convection solar biomass (hybrid) drying were studied. It has been observed that under open sun drying conditions, the drying rate depends on the product thickness and climatic conditions. The results have been drawn for both the summer (April-May, 2004) and winter (November-January, 2003–04) months of Delhi, in India. In the hybrid drier, the ginger, with a thickness of 0.008 m, dried in 33 hours in comparison to 96 hours in open-sun drying. The overall drying efficiency of the hybrid drier was found to be 18% and 13% under summer and winter climatic conditions respectively. The loss of volatile oil content of the ginger is less in hybrid drier in comparison to open sun drying. It was found that the average drying air temperature of 60°C with average air velocity of 0.6m/sec was sufficient for the drying of ginger in the hybrid drier. Ginger quality after drying is better and drying time is less in the hybrid drier in comparison to open-sun drying. The hybrid drier is a simple device, which can be manufactured with locally available materials and can be used for drying of other spices, vegetables and fruits etc.     

Coating of Prilled Urea with Neem (Azadirachta Indica Juss) Oil for Efficient Nitrogen Use in Rice

 A field study made with rice at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, showed that coating urea with neem oil, neem cake or neem oil microemulsion improved rice growth and resulted in more grain and straw than did commercial prilled urea. Received: 12 April 1999 / Accepted in revised form: 6 August 1999