Predicting the combustion behaviour of compression ignition engine fuelled with biodiesel from Stoechospermum marginatum,a macro algae

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Biodiesel is one among the recent developments in the field of renewable energy research. To enhance the combustion characteristics of compression...     

Assessing Respiratory Morbidity Through Pollution Status and Meteorological Conditions for Delhi

The study focuses on assessing the status of respiratory morbidity in Delhi over a four years period from 2000–2003. An attempt was made to investigate the role of important pollutants (SO₂, NO₂, SPM and RSPM) and various meteorological factors (temperature minimum & maximum, relative humidity at 0830 and 1730 hrs. and wind speed) in being responsible for respiratory admissions on account of COPD, asthma and emphysema. The study showed that winter months had greater exposure risk as pollutants often get trapped in the lower layers of atmosphere resulting in high concentrations. Statistical analysis revealed that two pollutants have significant positive correlation with the number of COPD cases viz., SPM (r = 0.474; p < 0.01) and RSPM (r = 0.353; p < 0.05), while a meteorological factor temperature (minimum) has a significant negative correlation (r = −0.318; p < 0.05) with COPD. Stepwise multiple regression analysis was performed for COPD as dependent variable and R² value of 0.33 was obtained indicating that SPM and RH(1730) were able to explain 33 percent variability in COPD. The partial correlation of SPM and RH(1730) on COPD was higher than any other combination and therefore they can be regarded as important contributing variables on COPD.     

Mapping adaptation opportunities and activities in an interactive atlas

The need for transparency is taking more prominence in international climate negotiations as developed countries pledge large sums of money to foster adaptation efforts in developing countries. Tools that provide accurate and up-to-date spatial information that can be easily used and vetted by local practitioners may provide effective and affordable ways to improve transparency. The Global Adaptation Atlas is such a tool, combining vetted, publicly available climate impact data with timely maps of on the ground adaptation projects to highlight confluences of effects of climate change with actions taken to address those effects. Here, we describe the structure and general functions of the Global Adaptation Atlas and explain how it may be utilized to track short-term investments in adaptation. Over longer time scales, it may also help gauge the effectiveness of specific adaptation investments as well as reveal how different climate impacts affect long-term investment in differing regions.     

Origin and characterisation of microparticles in an ice core from the Central Dronning Maud Land, East Antarctica

The scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopic (SEM-EDS) study of selected samples from an ice core collected from Central Dronning Maud Land (CDML), East Antarctica, revealed several microparticles. They are mainly siliceous and carbonaceous particles and have distinct variations in their shape and composition. The morphology and major element chemistry of the particles suggest their origin from either volcanic eruptions or continental dust. The EDS analysis revealed that the volcanic particles are enriched in silica (average SiO2 62%), compared to the continental dust particle (average SiO2 56%). We found that the tephra relating to Agung (1963) and Karkatau (1883) volcanic eruptions, as recorded, in the ice core harbored microbial cells (both coocoid and rods). The occurrence of organic and inorganic particles which bear relation to volcanic eruption and continental dust implies significant environmental changes in the recent past.     

Physicochemical parameters aid microbial community? A case study from marine recreational beaches,Southern India

A total of 176 (water and sediment) samples from 22 stations belonging to four different (urban, semi-urban, rural, and holy places) human habitations of Tamil Nadu beaches were collected and analyzed for physiochemical and microbial parameters during 2008–2009. Bacterial counts were two- to tenfold higher in sediments than in water due to strong bacterial aggregations by dynamic flocculation and rich organic content. The elevated bacterial communities during the monsoon explain rainfalls and several other wastes from inlands. Coliform counts drastically increased at holy and urban places due to pilgrimage and other ritual activities. Higher values of the pollution index (PI) ratio (>1) reveals, human fecal pollutions affect the water quality. The averaged PI ratio shows a substantial higher microbial contamination in holy places than in urban areas and the order of decreasing PI ratios observed were: holy places?>?urban areas?>?semi-urban areas?>?rural areas. Correlation and factor analysis proves microbial communities were not related to physicochemical parameters. Principal component analysis indicates 55.32 % of the total variance resulted from human/animal fecal matters and sewage contaminants whereas 19.95 % were related to organic contents and waste materials from the rivers. More than 80 % of the samples showed a higher fecal coliform and Streptococci by crossing the World Health Organization's permissible limits.     

MTBE oxidation byproducts from the treatment of surface waters by ozonation and UV-ozonation

In recent years, there has been considerable concern over the release of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), a gasoline additive, into the aquifers used as potable water sources. MTBE readily dissolves in water and has entered the environment via gasoline spills and leaking storage tanks. In this paper, we investigate ozonation and UV-ozonation for treatment of MTBE in contaminated drinking water sources. We report the test protocol and results of using solid-phase microextraction (SPME) to determine the level of MTBE and its oxidation byproducts in samples drawn from laboratory-scale ozone and UV-ozone reactors being evaluated at a US EPA research facility. Analysis of a prepared MTBE standard indicated a detection limit on the order of 0.1 microgl(-1) with a repeatability of +/-0.4%. Results show that the overall rate of removal of MTBE via UV-ozonation in a relatively turbid surface water (15 ntu) is twice that of ozonation alone. In addition, GC-MS analysis of decomposition products showed that tert-butyl formate (TBF), methyl acetate, butene, acetone, and acetaldehyde were produced by both processes. TBF and butene reach similar maximum yields from the two processes, but are more efficiently degraded by UV-ozonation treatment. This indicates that these treatment processes also degrade these byproducts. In contrast, the remaining byproducts (methyl acetate, acetone, and acetaldehyde) are formed at similar levels during treatment, but are not degraded once formed. These byproducts may be resistant to hydrogen abstraction by hydroxyl radical.     

Tribal communities,the forests,the fisher folk and the river: whither water justice?

Excessive exploitation of and skewed access to dwindling water resources raise serious water justice concerns. Environmental justice movements and related literature have raised critical questions regarding the unequal distribution of the costs and benefits of a development paradigm that is founded on excessive exploitation and appropriation of natural resources. This paper explores the growing relevance of a water justice framework that addresses both the social and ecological aspects of water use and appropriation, with reference to a four-decade long water conflict over the Chaliyar River in Kerala, South India. It highlights how ecosystem degradation and denial of justice go hand in hand. The paper argues that the framing and articulation of the conflict in a partisan manner led to the glossing over of certain critical features, thus preventing a full view of water injustices. It also failed to inform subsequent policies and practices in this regard.     

Studies on the transport of sugars in the holothurian Holothuria scabra

Experiments using ¹⁴C sugars were carried out on the holothurian Holothuria scabra Jäger, in order to assess the role of its perivisceral fluid in the translocation and transportation of dissolved organic materials. The results obtained indicate that the perivisceral fluid plays a significant part. Rates of ¹⁴C glucose, fructose and sucrose uptake were followed in major tissues such as the alimentary canal, haemal system, respiratory tree and body wall. The monosaccharides are absorbed more intensively by digestive and haemal systems, the disaccharide by respiratory tree and body wall. It is, therefore, presumed that tissues in H. scabra selectively absorb sugars depending on their metabolic activity.