Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution - Volume 14, issue 4

Authors: Subramanian, V.

Article Type: Editorial

Citation: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution, vol. 14, no. 4, pp. i-i, 2017

Authors: Al Aamri, Zakariya M. | Ali, Badreldin H.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Information about the safety of bottled drinking water in Oman is lacking. Therefore, we aimed to compare the chemical composition (as labelled by manufacturers) of 17 local and imported brands of bottled drinking water sold in Oman, and compare them with WHO and USEPA standards. Seventeen brands of bottled drinking water were purchased from local stores in Muscat, Oman. The chemical composition of those brands was recorded from the labels, and compared with WHO and USEPA standards. The results showed that the pH of the bottled water of all the brands was within the normal range prescribed by both WHO …and USEPA. Total dissolved solids, hardness, sodium, chloride and nitrate were less than the primary or secondary (aesthetic) maximum limits set by WHO and/or USEPA. Fluoride levels were not reported in 53% of the brands and were less than recommended limits in the remaining brands. Further studies are warranted to analyze water samples of those brands and compare them with the labels. Show more

Keywords: Bottled drinking water, chemical composition, Oman, safety

DOI: 10.3233/AJW-170031

Citation: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution, vol. 14, no. 4, pp. 1-7, 2017

Authors: Punia, Anita | Siva Siddaiah, Neelam

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The present study determines the abundance of heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Fe, Ni, Co, Mn and Pb) in the groundwater (pre and post monsoon) of the Khetri copper mine region, India and evaluates the pollution indices and risk assessment to assess the suitability of groundwater for human consumption. In majority of the groundwater samples, the concentration of heavy metals exceeds the desirable limits set by WHO, 2011 and Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), 2012, whereas, average Fe concentration is 1.65 and 1.9 ppm during pre and post monsoon season respectively, which is above the BIS permissible limit (0.3 ppm) probably …due to oxidation of iron-rich sulfides. Principal component analysis (PCA) and correlation matrix indicate a common source i.e. anthropogenic activity (mines) for Cu, Co, Ni and Mn. The calculated pollution indices namely contamination index (CI) and index of environmental risk (IER ) for the heavy metals suggest that majority of the studied groundwater samples are in the slightly contaminated zone. However, a few of the samples close to mines, overburden rocks and tailings fall in the highly contaminated zone indicating their unsuitability for drinking purposes. The calculated hazard quotient for non-carcinogenic health effects is in the acceptable limit for all the groundwater samples except samples from Chaandmari (an abandoned mine), while the Health Index (HI) is in the medium range for all the samples barring a few samples. Show more

Keywords: Heavy metals, groundwater, Khetri copper mines, pollution indices, risk assessment

DOI: 10.3233/AJW-170032

Citation: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution, vol. 14, no. 4, pp. 9-19, 2017

Authors: Prodhan, Shamima | Sikder, Bivuti Bhusan | Nasreen, Mahbuba

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This study focuses on some unique adaptation strategies presently embraced by the farmers of Parulia Union, Satkhira, Bangladesh who have been affected by salinity intrusion resulting from shrimp farming. The fallouts triggering diverse vulnerabilities too invoke many technical issues of adaptation and overall agricultural patterns. The indigenous adaptation approaches undertaken by the farmers individually or at community level with the support, training and expertise from various organizations have entailed substantial results and set a benchmark. Household data shows that 86% of the respondents of this area are involved in shrimp cultivation whereas 19.6% in agriculture and 1.67% in freshwater fish …culture. But only 48% of the farmers adopted various adaptation measures and the majority (51.8%) of them did not. A case study has also been included to support the findings. Finally, it has been found that the techniques applied are feasible for the increase in gross production in agriculture, freshwater fisheries and other forms of farming thus meeting socioeconomic needs along with environmental sustainability. Show more

Keywords: Adaptation strategies, agriculture, salinity, indigenous, sustainability

DOI: 10.3233/AJW-170033

Citation: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution, vol. 14, no. 4, pp. 21-30, 2017

Authors: Kumar, Vijay

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The aim of this article is to make people aware about the needs and requirements of the recycling of the waste papers as the traditional papers are made from the wooden pulp of trees. Thus trees are cut for the fulfillment of papers in the whole world. The paper mills are the world’s third largest industry that are responsible for the pollution. The paper industry is responsible not only for air pollution but also land pollution, water pollution etc. If we encourage the people for recycling, we can save the trees and also environment. A waste paper can be recycled …seven times for reuse again and again. Thus we should recycle the waste papers whenever it is possible. Show more

Keywords: Waste and used papers, recycling of waste papers, environment, conservation

DOI: 10.3233/AJW-170034

Citation: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution, vol. 14, no. 4, pp. 31-36, 2017

Authors: Loboichenko, Valentyna M. | Vasyukov, Aleksandr E. | Tishakova, Tatyana S.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: International and national requirements concerning regulation of water quality, particularly mineralization (TDS), have been considered in this article. Analysis of series of natural resources of water of Kharkiv region (Ukraine) has been performed. It has been demonstrated that waters of Borivsky district are not physiologically full and do not conform to the international and national standards on discussed parameters. Effects of usage of such water by human population have been analyzed.

Keywords: Natural resources of water, mineralization, water quality

DOI: 10.3233/AJW-170035

Citation: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution, vol. 14, no. 4, pp. 37-41, 2017

Authors: Amarathunga, A.A.D. | Kazama, F.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: To understand pesticide loading from farmlands, evaluation of farmers’ perceptions and land use patterns of pesticide loading from the upper catena of the tropical tributary river study was conducted using Rapid Rural Appraisal (RRA), which utilized semi-structured questionnaire surveys and key personnel interviews to collect data from the farmers in the Upper Kotmale Sub-Watershed (UKSW). The results recorded 46 commercial brands of pesticide and 25 active ingredients from the sub-watershed. Cluster analysis showed four utilized insecticides (i.e. diazinon, deltamethrin, sulfur, and chlorpyrifos), four fungicides (i.e. mancozeb, propineb, metiram, and chlorothalonil), and two weedicides (mainly metribuzin); the analysis was based on …the usage of the active ingredient per acre. Selection of vegetable crops and cultivation seasons greatly impacted pesticide applications based on farmers’ perceptions. Toxic concentrations of chlorpyrifos and deltamethrin were observed in water, which exceeded the acute toxicity level for aquatic life (even with 1% of the pesticide load [scenario 4]). These chemicals drain into rivers from the pesticides remaining after the total pesticide usage in the sub-watershed. Therefore, farmers’ perceptions on pesticide applications are highly correlated to pesticide applications and toxicity levels in river waters. Show more

Keywords: Farmers’ perceptions, land use, pesticide, sub-watershed, toxicity

DOI: 10.3233/AJW-170036

Citation: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution, vol. 14, no. 4, pp. 43-59, 2017

Authors: Giri, Arup | Bharti, Vijay K. | Kalia, Sahil | Kumar, Krishna | Raj, Tilak | Kumar, Bhuvnesh

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Many factors have been found responsible for the groundwater quality like interaction of different water sources, types of soils, other several natural factors, and anthropogenic factors. Therefore, the objectives of the present work were to identify different factors affecting the ground water quality based on multivariate analysis. This study also aimed to determine the usefulness of multivariate statistical techniques to improve our understanding of factors affecting groundwater properties and their interactions. The original matrix consisted of 25 physico-chemical parameters analyzed in 70 number of ground water samples collected from different sites of sampling stations. All the physical and chemical parameters …were analyzed by the standard methods of APHA, whereas minerals were determined by ICP-OES method. Thereafter, experimental 70 × 25 matrix was run through the multivariate statistical data analysis which consists of Principal Component Analysis (PCA), R and Q mode Factor Analysis (FA), and Cluster Analysis (CA). Results showed that physico-chemical factors are important source of variation in the groundwater quality. Interestingly, multivariate analysis revealed that other factors such as dissolution of salts present in the underlying rocks, presence of nutrient load, non-mixing/partial mixing of different types of ground water and moderate type of exchange between river water with adjacent ground water has been found to affect groundwater quality. The study also showed the significant role of multivariate statistical analysis in evaluation and interpretation of the groundwater quality data. The outcome of this study can be used as baseline data to inhospitable and critical areas for future sustainable development and proper management of groundwater system which will ultimately produce good water quality. Show more

Keywords: Groundwater, high altitude, multivariate statistical analysis, water quality

DOI: 10.3233/AJW-170037

Citation: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution, vol. 14, no. 4, pp. 61-75, 2017

Authors: Zakir, H.M. | Arafat, M.Y. | Islam, M.M.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: A total 42 (5 + 37) soil samples surrounding 4 km2 of Barapukuria open coal mine area were collected to determine the geochemical baseline and concentrations of different metals after digestion with aqua regia. The mean total concentration and geochemical baseline values of Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd and Cr in soil samples were 28.43, 44.83, 20.94, 0.19 and 55.79 μg g−1 , and 20.40, 32.80, 20.47, 0.12 and 42.69 μg g−1 , respectively. Out of 37 sampling stations, 92-100% locations had the values higher for Cu, Zn, Cd and Cr, while it was 65% for Pb, than that of …the geochemical baseline value. The deposition of outlet fly ash and waste water may be responsible to increase metal concentrations in surface soils around the coal mining area. Copper, Zn, Cd, Cr and Pb concentrations upto carbonate bound fraction were 2.52-17.12, 2.62-40.67, 0, 1.47-17.62 and 4.53-16.10 μg g−1 , respectively. Zinc, Cu, Cd and Cr were the major pollutants in the surrounding soils of Barapukuria because these metals have contamination factor >1.0 for most sampling stations. Study also revealed moderate pollution level by these metals after calculated Igeo values. According to risk assessment code, although adjacent soils of Barapukuria are contaminated with Cu, Zn, Cd, Cr and Pb but these metals are relatively strongly bound to the soils and are of low risk (<10% for these metals) as regards to mobilization. The study results inferred that if proper attention is ignored, the concentration of metals will increase to intolerable limits that may have severe impacts on the soil environment. Show more

Keywords: Geochemical baseline, metallic pollution, Barapukuria coal mine, Bangladesh

DOI: 10.3233/AJW-170038

Citation: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution, vol. 14, no. 4, pp. 77-88, 2017

Authors: Mama, Cordelia Nnennaya | Agunwamba, Jonah Chukwuemeka

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Biogas production from cassava waste water (CWW) blended with cow dung (CD) in different proportions was studied in five treatments under changing meteorological conditions. The treatment cases A—100% CWW; B: 100% CD; C: 90% CWW + 10% CD; D: 70% CWW + 30% CD; and E: 50% CWW + 50% CD—were digested under anaerobic conditions in model batch, metallic biodigesters of 32.0 litres for 30 days within ambient conditions. The digester performances indicated that 100% CD system flamed on the 6th day, 70% CWW + 30% CD system flamed on the 16th day, 50% CWW + 50% CD …system flamed on the 17th day while 100% CWW system and 90% CWW + 10% CD systems didn’t flame at all. The cumulative gas yield from the five treatments was different: the 100% CWW had cumulative gas yield of 12.7 litres/24 kg mass of slurry; 100% CD had cumulative gas yield of 41.5 litres/24 kg mass of slurry; 90% CWW +10% CD had cumulative gas yield of 13.85 litres/24 kg mass of slurry; 70% CWW+30% CD had cumulative gas yield of 14.85 litres/24 kg mass of slurry while 50% CWW + 50% CD had cumulative gas yield of 7.55 litres/24 kg mass of slurry during the 30 days retention period. 100% CD had 79.9995% methane; 70% CWW + 30% CD produced 79.9995% methane while 50% CWW + 50% CD produced 88.499% methane. Daily biogas yields were also modelled as functions of meteorological parameters and results recorded. Show more

Keywords: Cassava wastewater, cow dung, ambient temperature, daily biogas production, cumulative biogas production, meteorological parameters

DOI: 10.3233/AJW-170039

Citation: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution, vol. 14, no. 4, pp. 89-98, 2017

Authors: Husin, Sukanda | Tegnan, Hilaire

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The struggle to eradicate corruption in Indonesia has long been on going yet it seems like the phenomenon is spreading wider and stronger within almost all vital sectors of life on the massive archipelago, including the protection of the environment through legislation and regulations. Aware of this regrettable situation, the government passed Law No. 30/2002 allowing the creation of the Corruption Eradication Commission or Komisi Pemberantasan Korupsi (hereafter referred to as KPK). This law has significantly changed the fight against corruption in Indonesia. Since its creation, the Commission has been hunting down corruptors wherever they are like never before. …This paper discusses the effort to prevent corruption in the protection of the environment by providing an overview of the laws and regulations enacted first to protect the environment, then to combat corruption in the process of safeguarding the environment in Indonesia, a country made up of more than seventeen thousand islands where agriculture remains one of the major drives of the economy and social well-being of the Indonesian people. In this paper, several cases of corruption are presented to help explain how corruption takes place in the government’s effort to protect the environment. Show more

Keywords: Corruption, environnemental protection, environnemental law, pollution

DOI: 10.3233/AJW-170040

Citation: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution, vol. 14, no. 4, pp. 99-108, 2017

Authors: Yadav, Vibha | Nath, Satyendra

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Particulate matter with 10 μm or less in diameter (PM10 ) have adverse effects on environment and human health. To reduce PM10 emissions in India, it is essential to have models that accurately estimate and predict PM10 concentrations for reporting and monitoring purposes. In this paper Exponential Smoothing Technique and Autoregressive (AR) models are developed to forecast 1-month ahead value of PM10 for Allahabad city which is novelty of this study. AR (1) and AR (5) models are developed using Burge and Yule Walker methods. The mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) for Burge method in AR (1) …and AR (5) are 14.23% and 10.20%. The MAPE for Yule Walker method in AR (1) and AR (5) are 32.72% and 31.13%. The MAPE in Exponential Smoothing Technique is 5.81% which shows it forecasts better than AR model based on Burge and Yule Walker methods. It is found that Burge Method in AR (5) has less MAPE than Yule Walker Method. Therefore Exponential Smoothing Technique can be used to forecast PM10 for cities in India, showing it is beneficial for giving prior information for human health. Show more

Keywords: PM10, forecasting, AR models, exponential smoothing

DOI: 10.3233/AJW-170041

Citation: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution, vol. 14, no. 4, pp. 109-113, 2017

Article Type: Other

Citation: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution, vol. 14, no. 4, pp. 115-118, 2017