Sulfate aerosols forcing: An estimate using a three-dimensional interactive chemistry scheme

The tropospheric sulfate radiative forcing has been calculated using an interactive chemistry scheme in LMD-GCM. To estimate the radiative forcing of sulfate aerosol on climate, a consistent interaction between atmospheric circulation and radiation computation has been allowed in LMD-GCM. The model results indicate that the change in the sulfate aerosols number concentration is negatively correlated to the indirect radiative forcing. The model simulated annual mean direct radiative forcing ranges from −0.1 to −1.2 W m⁻², and indirect forcing ranges from −0.4 to −1.6 W m⁻². The global annual mean direct effect estimated by the model is −0.48 W m⁻², and that of indirect is −0.68 W m⁻².     

Influence of chemical oxygen demand/total Kjeldahl nitrogen ratio and sludge age on nitrification of nitrogenous wastewater.

Four laboratory-scale biological nitrification units (influent total Kjeldahl nitrogen [TKN] = 1002 to 1062 mg/L) were operated at chemical oxygen demand (COD)/TKN ratios of approximately 0.5, 1.0,15, and 2.0 and at three different sludge ages of 30, 20, and 10 days to study the influence of COD/TKN, sludge age, COD loading, and TKN loading on nitrification and nitrifiers. Percent nitrification was found to increase with decreases in COD/TKN and increases in sludge age. The average nitrifier concentration increased from 460 mg/L at a COD/TKN of 2.22 and a sludge age of 10 days to 706 mg/L at a COD/TKN of 0.676 and a sludge age of 30 days. The nitrifier fraction was found to be higher at a lower COD/TKN and lower at a higher COD/TKN. The nitrifier fraction increased with the decrease in sludge age and COD loadings and the increase in TKN loadings. The effect of sludge age on the nitrifier fraction was amplified at a COD/ TKN of approximately 0.5 rather than at approximately 2.0. The nitrification rate (kilograms TKN oxidized per kilograms nitrifiers per day) was shown to be dependent on COD/TKN and sludge age. The activity performed by Nitrobacter was affected at all COD/TKN ratios studied as well as at a sludge age of 10 days. This was manifested by the accumulation of high levels of nitrite-nitrogen in the nitrified effluent. The presence of heterotrophs did not affect nitrification rates and the growth of nitrifiers, which were found to be beneficial. High sludge age and COD loadings resulted in a higher sludge volume index of more than 200 mL/g mixed liquor suspended solids. Microscopic examination showed filamentous structure of sludge under these conditions. It is concluded from the investigations that a sludge age of 30 days and a COD/TKN of approximately 1.0 are optimal to yield maximum nitrification and nitrifier growth rates for treating high-strength nitrogenous wastewater.     

Phytotoxic lesions of chromium in maize

Chromium (Cr) is fairly abundant in the earth's crust and ranks fourth among the 29 elements of biological importance. Besides natural sources, Cr enters biotic components of the ecosystem in various ways. Of other major industrial sources, tanning and chrome-plating industries are prominent sources. Cr(VI) form of chromium is highly reactive and influences both plants and animals. Due to Mn present in soil, Cr(III) is oxidized to Cr(VI) which remains in soil for a long time and can affect plant growth and development. Since maize is an important food and fodder plant for human beings and cattle, a study was conducted to investigate the effects of Cr on some metabolic activities of maize (Zea mays L. cv. Ganga 5). Chromium caused visible lesions of interveinal chlorosis. Young leaves showed vein clearing. Also, a papery appearance was observed in leaves. Margins of leaves were curled and the leaves appeared pale at greater Cr exposure. Concentrations of both chlorophyll a and b were reduced by exposure to Cr, the activities of ribonuclease and phenyl phosphatase were greater while the activity of iron-porphyrin enzyme catalase was less and the activity of amylase was also much less in plants exposed to Cr. Chromium also caused retardation of soluble protein. Accumulation of Cr in roots was much at all the levels of chromium supply. Exposure to Cr resulted in reduction in grain production and quality.     

Chapter two: methodologies for characterisation of combustion sources and for quantification of their emissions

Emissions from the combustion of biomass and fossil fuels result in generation of a large number of particle and gaseous products in outdoor and/or indoor air, which create health and environmental risks. Of particular importance are the very small particles that are emitted in large quantities from all the combustion sources, and that could be potentially more significant in terms of their impact on health and the environment than larger particles. It is important to quantify particle emissions from combustion sources for regulatory and control purposes in relation to air quality. This paper is a review of particle characteristics that are used as source signatures, their general advantages and limitations, as well as a review of source signatures of the most common combustion pollution sources including road transport, industrial facilities, small household combustion devices, environmental tobacco smoke, and vegetation burning. The current methods for measuring particle physical characteristics (mass and number concentrations) and principles of methodologies for measuring emission factors are discussed in the paper as well. Finally, the paper presents the recommendations for the future techniques for measurements of combustion products.     

Hepato and nephrotoxicity in rat exposed to endosulfan

The indiscriminate and injudicious use of pesticides particularly endosulfan in agriculture and animal husbandry practices has considerably increased the risk of human health hazard. The present work was therefore undertaken to evaluate the toxic effect of endosulfan on the vital organs viz. liver and kidney of rat. Oral administration of endosulfan at the dose level of 10 mg/kg b.wt./day for two and four weeks showed toxic interference with the biochemistry and histology of rat liver and kidney. The biochemical parameters viz. Aspartate amino transferase, alanine amino transferase, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin urea and creatinine were increased which clearly showed the hepato and nephrotoxic effect of endosulfan. Histopathologically the size of liver was increased, sinusoidal dilation, pyknotic nuclei, cytoplasmic degranulation and various nuclear aberrations were observed. Similarly pathological alterations viz. chronic glomerulonephritis, glomerulosclerosis, odenoma and glomerulus deposits were observed in the kidney.     

Effect of trypanosomes infection on blood ascorbic acid and serum aldolase levels on the fresh water fishes, Clarias batrachus and Heteropneustus fossilis

The trypanosomes presence has been found to decrease blood ascorbic acid levels in fishes, Clarias batrachus and Heteropneustus fossilis by 55.7% and 54.70% respectively. The infection also showed significant increase in serum aldolase level of three fishes by 50.19% and 48.06% respectively.     

Deficit Irrigation Management of Maize in the High Plains Aquifer Region: A Review

Irrigated agriculture is a major economic contributor of the High Plains Region and it primarily relies on the High Plains Aquifer as a source of water. Over time, areas of the High Plains Aquifer have experienced drawdowns limiting its ability to supply sufficient water to sustain fully irrigated crop production. This among other reasons, including variable climatic factors and differences in state water policy, has resulted in some areas adopting and practicing deficit irrigation management. Considerable research has been conducted across the High Plains Aquifer region to identify locally appropriate deficit irrigation strategies. This review summarizes and discusses research conducted in Nebraska, Colorado, Kansas, and Texas, as well as highlights areas for future research. Editor's note : This paper is part of the featured series on Optimizing Ogallala Aquifer Water Use to Sustain Food Systems. See the February 2019 issue for the introduction and background to the series.     

A comparative analysis of wind resource parameters using WAsP and windPRO

This paper investigates the accuracy of the wind resource estimation for a site in a central India region using a latest licensed version of WAsP 11 and windPRO 3.1. Whole one year measured met mast wind data has been taken using anemometer and wind vane at 10 m and 25 m height, respectively above ground level. The digitized elevation and roughness model of the corresponding site shows the roughness class 4 (roughness length 1.2525 m). The wind data has been extrapolated up to 80 m height by using power and log law models which provide the power density near about 120 W/m². As per the micro sitting guidelines for the virtual wind farm installation 5D X 7D mapping has been selected which Indicates the total power output by installing 8 Vestas V-90 1.8 MW wind turbine from WAsP is 31.561 GWh and from windPRO is 28.083 GWh.     

Effectiveness of a cooling jacket with reference to physiological responses in iron foundry workers

Personal cooling garments (PCGs) have gained increased attention in recent years due to heat stress and strain in the working environment. The present study was conducted in hot environments of an iron foundry to evaluate the efficacy of a battery-operated PCG. Twenty-four workers were exposed to climatic conditions of 35.89?±?1.25?°C, 35% relative humidity during 90-min work with PCG and habitual clothing (HC). Mean weighted skin temperature was significantly lower by 4.84?±?1.05?°C compared with HC 0.38?±?1.02?°C (p?p?相似文献   

Assessment of radon concentration and heavy metal contamination in groundwater of Udhampur district,Jammu & Kashmir,India

Radon concentration was measured in water samples of 41 different locations from Udhampur district of Jammu & Kashmir, India, by using RAD7 and Smart RnDuo monitor. The variation of radon concentration in water ranged from 1.44 ± 0.31 to 63.64 ± 2.88 Bq L^?1, with a mean value of 28.73 Bq L^?1 using RAD7 and 0.64 ± 0.28 to 52.65 ± 2.50 Bq L^?1, with a mean value of 20.30 Bq L^?1 using Smart RnDuo monitor, respectively. About 17.07% of the studied water samples recorded to display elevated radon concentration above the reference range suggested by United Nation Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiations (UNSCEAR). The mean annual effective dose of these samples was determined, and 78.95% samples were found to be within the safe limits set by World Health Organisation (WHO) and European Council (EU). The study revealed good agreement between the values obtained with two methods. Heavy metals (Zn, Cd, Fe, Cu, Ni, As, Hg, Co, Pb and Cr) were determined in water samples by microwave plasma atomic emission spectrometer, and their correlation with radon content was also analysed.