Alternative approaches for better municipal solid waste management in Mumbai, India

Waste is an unavoidable by product of human activities. Economic development, urbanization and improving living standards in cities, have led to an increase in the quantity and complexity of generated waste. Rapid growth of population and industrialization degrades the urban environment and places serious stress on natural resources, which undermines equitable and sustainable development. Inefficient management and disposal of solid waste is an obvious cause of degradation of the environment in most cities of the developing world. Municipal corporations of the developing countries are not able to handle increasing quantities of waste, which results in uncollected waste on roads and in other public places. There is a need to work towards a sustainable waste management system, which requires environmental, institutional, financial, economic and social sustainability. This study explores alternative approaches to municipal solid waste (MSW) management and estimates the cost of waste management in Mumbai, India. Two alternatives considered in the paper are community participation and public private partnership in waste management. Data for the present study are from various non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and from the private sector involved in waste management in Mumbai. Mathematical models are used to estimate the cost per ton of waste management for both of the alternatives, which are compared with the cost of waste management by Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM). It is found that the cost per ton of waste management is Rs. 1518 (35 US dollars) with community participation; Rs. 1797 (41 US dollars) with public private partnership (PPP); and Rs. 1908 (44 US dollars) when only MCGM handles the waste. Hence, community participation in waste management is the least cost option and there is a strong case for comprehensively involving community participation in waste management.     

Effect of cadmium individually and in combination with other metals on the nutritive value of fresh water fish,Channa punctatus

Impact of metal cadmium on the nutritive value of Channa punctatus on exposure to a sublethal concentration (1.12 mg/l) of cadmium (Cd2+) for 15 and 60 days has been studied. Among the various parameters selected, the level of moisture in liver and muscle was increased, while decrease was noted in the level of ash, total proteins and inorganic constituents like iron, calcium, inorganic phosphate, sodium and potassium in both liver and muscle in the two types of exposure. The total lipid level of liver increased, while muscle lipid level was decreased. On the other hand, calcium, iron, inorganic phosphate, sodium and potassium levels showed increase in blood. Zinc and selenium decreased the percentage alterations in all the parameters selected for study. In the two types of exposure, zinc was most effective to counteract the cadmium toxicity to fish as in almost all the parameters insignificant alterations were recorded. In combination studies, protection against cadmium toxicity by the two chemicals became more marked with increase in the tenure of exposure.     

The hardrock minerals industry and the landscape architect

The landscape architecture profession is a source of creative thinking and planning which is relatively untapped within the mining industry in the United States of America. The landscape architect has been active in European operations for years as indicated by the four examples presented. The landscape architect can provide an important interface with mine design and engineering and environmental affairs. To initiate this interface within the United States, and increase its effectiveness, six objectives are presented and discussed.     

Chorionic villus sampling utilization following reports of a possible association with fetal limb defects

Prenatal diagnosis choices were reviewed in 473 women who presented for genetic counselling prior to 11 weeks' gestation for the indication of advanced maternal age. Group A consisted of 336 patients who were unaware of a possible association between chorionic villus sampling (CVS) and limb defects. Group B consisted of 137 patients who were provided this information. Fifty-one per cent of patients in group A and 45 per cent of patients in group B chose CVS. This difference was not significant by χ² analysis (P = 0·7). Patterns of prenatal diagnosis procedure utilization from 1987 to 1992 revealed a significant reduction in CVS utilization accompanied by a corresponding increase in amniocentesis after the association between CVS and limb defects was publicized. Referrals for CVS counselling also significantly declined. However, acceptance rates did not change for those patients who received genetic counselling. First-trimester genetic counselling, including a discussion regarding a possible association between CVS and limb defects, helps patients make informed decisions concerning prenatal diagnosis options, and, in our population, resulted in no change in CVS acceptance rates.     

Survival of bio-inoculants on fungicides-treated seeds of wheat,pea and chickpea and subsequent effect on chickpea yield

Survival of Mesorhizobium ciceri (SP₄) and Azotobacter chroococcum (CBD-15 and M₄) was tested on chickpea (Cicer arietinum) seeds treated with fungicides bavistin [methyl N-(1H-benzimidazol-2yl) carbamate] and thiram (tetramethyl-thiuram disulfide), whereas survival of phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB), Pseudomonas striata (27) and Bacillus polymyxa (H₅) was examined on two cultivars (Arkel and BV) of pea (Pisum sativum) seeds treated with thiram. Viability of Azotobacter chroococcum (W₅) was also examined on wheat (Triticum aestivum) seeds treated with bavistin, captan (cis-N-trichloromethyl thio-4 cyclohexane-1, 2-dicarboximide) and thiram under laboratory conditions using standard dilution and the plate count technique. All the tested strains of diazotrophs and PSB showed decline in their viable population on prolonged contact with fungicides. However, PSB showed variation in their viable population even with the cultivar.

BV cultivar of pea seeds showed better recovery of viable P. striata (10.75 to 10.61 log no. of viable cells with in 0-24 hrs) in the presence of thiram, whereas the Arkel cultivar of pea resulted in better recovery of viable B. polymyxa. Azotobacter chroococcum (W₅), a potential strain for wheat, showed better survival in the presence of bavistin, compared to thiram and captan. Higher viable population of Mesorhizobium ciceri (SP₄) and Azotobacter chroococcum (M₄) was recovered from chickpea seeds treated with bavistin compared to thiram. However, thiram-treated seeds resulted in a greater number of extractable Azotobacter chroococcum (CBD-15). Under field conditions, adverse effect of thiram was reflected on the performance of Mesorhizobium ciceri (SP₄) and A. chroococcum (M₄) strains, resulting in reduced root and shoot biomass and grain yield, compared to bavistin treated and culture inoculated treatment. CBD-15 showed better performance in the presence of thiram compared to bavistin.     

Socio-economic impact management: programme design and implementation considerations

While larger mineral resource development projects offer new jobs and provide a stimulus to the economy of the area where they are sited, they may also pose problems in rural areas associated with rapid population growth. The purpose of an impact management programme is to anticipate and alleviate project effects that are generally perceived as undesirable and to enhance effects that are beneficial to site area communities. While the effective management of project effects is the end towards which all impact assessment efforts are directed, an integrated approach to impact management has been notably lacking. This paper suggests a systems framework for meeting this need by: (1) reviewing the need for impact management efforts; (2) discussing the objectives of, and considerations in, designing impact management programmes; (3) presenting a conceptual framework for, and key components of, such a programme; and (4) suggesting an approach for implementing such a system as an integral part of the project development process.     

White-tailed deer movement and distribution about surface coal mines in West Virginia,USA

Deer movements around surface coal mines were investigated in Preston Country, West Virginia, USA. Seventy-two deer crossings were counted on 29 surface mines with only 8% found on highwalls with more than 20% rock or stone. Thus, although slope was important, the percentage of dirt on the highwall determined use as a crossing location for deer. The average distance between all deer crossing was 209.7 m but the distance between the end of the highwall and the nearest highwall crossing was 248.7 m indicating reluctance of deer to cross mines when they could walk around them. Winter snow track counts showed fewer deer within 90 m of the top edge of the highwall. Four land bridges traversed the highwall and were heavily utilized by deer, especially in March, April, May, October and November. The surface mine bench was used as a fawn bedding area, but little feeding occurred on this portion of the mine.     

Survival of bio-inoculants on fungicides-treated seeds of wheat, pea and chickpea and subsequent effect on chickpea yield

Survival of Mesorhizobium ciceri (SP(4)) and Azotobacter chroococcum (CBD-15 and M(4)) was tested on chickpea (Cicer arietinum) seeds treated with fungicides bavistin [methyl N-(1H-benzimidazol-2yl) carbamate] and thiram (tetramethyl-thiuram disulfide), whereas survival of phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB), Pseudomonas striata (27) and Bacillus polymyxa (H(5)) was examined on two cultivars (Arkel and BV) of pea (Pisum sativum) seeds treated with thiram. Viability of Azotobacter chroococcum (W(5)) was also examined on wheat (Triticum aestivum) seeds treated with bavistin, captan (cis-N-trichloromethyl thio-4 cyclohexane-1, 2-dicarboximide) and thiram under laboratory conditions using standard dilution and the plate count technique. All the tested strains of diazotrophs and PSB showed decline in their viable population on prolonged contact with fungicides. However, PSB showed variation in their viable population even with the cultivar. BV cultivar of pea seeds showed better recovery of viable P. striata (10.75 to 10.61 log no. of viable cells with in 0-24 hrs) in the presence of thiram, whereas the Arkel cultivar of pea resulted in better recovery of viable B. polymyxa. Azotobacter chroococcum (W(5)), a potential strain for wheat, showed better survival in the presence of bavistin, compared to thiram and captan. Higher viable population of Mesorhizobium ciceri (SP(4)) and Azotobacter chroococcum (M(4)) was recovered from chickpea seeds treated with bavistin compared to thiram. However, thiram-treated seeds resulted in a greater number of extractable Azotobacter chroococcum (CBD-15). Under field conditions, adverse effect of thiram was reflected on the performance of Mesorhizobium ciceri (SP(4)) and A. chroococcum (M(4)) strains, resulting in reduced root and shoot biomass and grain yield, compared to bavistin treated and culture inoculated treatment. CBD-15 showed better performance in the presence of thiram compared to bavistin.     

A field test of processed oil shale reclamation strategies designed for minimal use of limited resources

Reclamation of processed oil shale disposal areas in the arid and semi-arid regions of Utah, Colorado and Wyoming faces several challenging problems. Shallow topsoil, harsh climate and limited water supply and low suitability of processed oil shale as a plant growth medium must be addressed if any reclamation plan is to be successful.A prototype reclamation plan that addressed the harsh environmental conditions was proposed early in the development of oil shale in eastern Utah. Studies to validate the reclamation plan were initiated in 1978 on a simulated oil shale disposal area at Anvil Points, Colorado.Four native shrubs, one forb and a grass, were successfully established by planting container-grown transplants into a topsoil-filled V-shaped trench. Supplemental water was provided from an adjacent water harvesting slope. The roots of the transplanted species grew into the adjacent shale from the soil trench, thus indicating their adaptability to the adverse oil shale conditions.Support for this research was provided by the White River Shale Corporation, Salt Lake City, Utah.