Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution - Volume 9, issue 1

Article Type: Other

Citation: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution, vol. 9, no. 1, pp. i-iv, 2012

Authors: Khan, Iftekhar | Chowdhury, Harun | Alam, Firoz | Kumar, Arun

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Ship breaking industry is one of the important industries for developing economies. It provides employment, economic prosperity and much needed re-useable materials for country's economic development. Ship breaking industry is green per se as it allows using scrap metals and other machineries for vertical and horizontal recycling. It provides raw materials for national economic activities including industrialization, construction, and building and infrastructure development. Ship breaking is crucial especially for Bangladesh as it …does not have any natural resources including iron ore except the natural gas. Although ship breaking is economically beneficial but it comes with a huge environmental and occupational health and safety cost. Ship breaking industries have been developed through unplanned and unscientific ways in most developing countries. In this study, a systematic and sustainable approach to ship breaking activities has been proposed. With proper implementation, it will not only safeguard the environment and occupational health and safety but also improve productivity, profit margin and national economic prosperity. The proposed approach can be replicated in most developing countries with little or no modification. Show more

Keywords: Sustainable design, ship breaking, environment, developing countries, Bangladesh

Citation: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution, vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 1-11, 2012

Authors: Rai, S.C. | Raleng, Adon

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The present study was designed to understand the long-term impacts of land-use/cover change on hydrology and nutrient dynamics of Loktak Lake in Manipur. The major land-use/cover changes are the expansion of built-up land, open forest land, aqua ponds/water bodies and wetland. There was increase in built-up land by 0.80%, open forest by 9.39% and water bodies by 1.31%. The surface inflow from rivers/streams accounts 52% of the total inflow into the lake. The annual average sediment …input into the lake was estimated as 650,000 metric tonnes. The nutrient (DO, free CO_2 , chloride, TDS, BOD and phosphate phosphorous, etc.) levels of the lake varied between seasons and sites. High intensity of fertilizer usage in the agricultural fields and practice of fish farming contribute significantly to water quality deterioration in the lake. The highly polluted rivers (Nambul and Nambol) also finally discharge pollutants in the lake. Today, Loktak Lake has been placed on the informal list of threatened Ramsar sites of the world. Only a concerted effort on the part of official agencies, professionals, NGOs and the local communities to comprehend the complexities of this delicately balanced, biologically rich wetland ecosystem, and take appropriate action, can save Loktak Lake from demise. Show more

Keywords: Land-use/cover change, physicochemical properties, shifting cultivation, Manipur, Ramsar site, wetland

Citation: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution, vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 13-23, 2012

Authors: Islam, M.A. | Rahman, M.S. | Islam, S. | Zakaria, A.N.M. | Islam, K.M.R.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Water hyacinths are free-floating aqueous weeds which can accumulate metals. They have fibrous roots and obtain all of their nutrients from the water. Determination of arsenic uptaking capacity of water hyacinth in arsenic-contaminated water is the main objective of the study. Total of 1350 grams wet water hyacinths were taken from adaptation tank which was collected from the Lake of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) campus and were maintained in 27 L tap water …supplemented with 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0 and 1.5 mg/L of As in three glass tanks and the test durations were 0, 6, 12, 24, 36, 48 and 72 hours. Samples were collected from three glass tanks and arsenic remained in the solution was measured by Silver Di-ethyl Di-thyo Carbamate (SDDC) method. It was found that the remaining concentration reached below the permissible limit 0.05 mg/L (Bangladesh drinking water quality standard) on or before 48 hours for initial concentration 0.4, 0.5 and 0.6 mg/L of As. But for higher initial concentration (0.8, 1.0 and 1.5 mg/L) the remaining concentration started to increase after 48 hours. So the gross effective floating period for water hyacinth is 48 hours up to initial concentration 0.6 mg/L. Show more

Keywords: Arsenic contamination, free-floating aqueous, hyperaccumulation

Citation: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution, vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 25-29, 2012

Authors: Nnaji, Chidozie Charles | Agunwamba, Jonah Chukwuemeka

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: In order to reveal the importance of detention time in septic tank design, an expression was derived to show the relationship between detention time and sludge level. Charts that show the decline of detention time with sludge accumulation were produced. These charts show that the usual recommendation that septic tanks be desludged when they are one-third full could be irrational most of the time. It was shown that a tank that is one-third full may still …have enough residual detention time for optimal performance. A more rational approach is that septic tanks should be desludged when they no longer have enough detention time for efficient performance. It was also shown that water use should be given serious attention in septic tank design as it can have serious consequences for detention time. Show more

Keywords: Septic tank, detention time, sludge accumulation, desludging

Citation: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution, vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 31-38, 2012

Authors: Jadhav, V.V. | Jadhav, A.S. | Chandagade, C.A. | Raut, P.D.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The present study was carried out to evaluate the genotoxic effect of a plasticizer, Bisphenol A (BPA). Cytogenetic damaging effect of BPA was examined through chromosomal aberrations (CA) on the root meristem cells of Allium cepa. In order to identify the genotoxicity effect, root meristem cells were exposed to BPA at 0.005%, 0.010%, 0.015% and 0.020% for five days. Cells in the interphase and undergoing division were examined to assess the presence of Chromosomal Aberration (CA), …Mitotic Index (MI), Mitotic Aberration (MA) and Micronucleus (MN) formation. At a lower concentration, i.e. 0.005% BPA induce mutagenetic alteration in the roots of A. cepa. At a higher concentration, i.e., 0.020% BPA inhibits root growth and Mitotic Index (MI). These findings are of concern, since cell damage may be transmitted to subsequent generation, possibly affecting the organism as a whole. If the damage results in cell death, the development of the organism may be affected which could lead to its death. The results are discussed in the paper. Show more

Keywords: Bisphenol A, Allium cepa, mitotic aberration, chromosomal aberration, mitotic index, plasticizers

Citation: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution, vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 39-43, 2012

Authors: Safiullah, S. | Mohammad, G. | Sabur, M.A. | Howlader, B.K.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The waste effluent from Gonoshasthaya Antibiotic Ltd. (GAL) was treated by photochemical (sunlight) degradation on TiO_2 prepared from ilmenite (FeTiO_3 ). Results showed that after 18 hours of irradiation, 94% of dissolved organic compounds were degraded to environmentally acceptable products such as CO_2 , H_2 O and other mineral acids or their salts. The GAL effluent had the initial chlorine content (CC) of 7024 ppm and this increased to 7842 ppm in …solar water purifier after 18 hours of irradiation. The concentration of total dissolved solid (TDS) in GAL effluent had 46,000 ppm which was reduced to 2600 ppm after 18 hours of irradiation. The concentration of total suspended solid (TSS) in the GAL effluent was 455 ppm and after 18 hours of irradiation no change in concentration was observed. Furthermore, the relative distribution of the number of compounds decreased with increasing irradiation time. Show more

Keywords: Waste effluents, land degradation, pollution, oxidation

Citation: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution, vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 45-52, 2012

Authors: Jeyakumar, T. | Kodisundaram, P. | Rajavel, A. | Kumar, Rajendra | Anbu, M. | Latha, P. | Roselet, P.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Triclosan is an antimicrobial agent added to a wide array of consumer goods and personal care products. Through its use, it is introduced into municipal sewer systems where it is partially removed during wastewater treatment. In this study residues of triclosan (TCS) was measured in surface sediments collected from the Valliyar estuary, Kanyakumari district, Tamil Nadu, India. Sediment samples were collected from a total of fifteen sampling sites, at different locations of Valliyar estuary near Arabian …Sea. Triclosan was widely distributed in the estuarine environment. Concentration of triclosan ranged from 132 to 3073 ng g^1 d.w. with a mean concentration of 1102.2 ng g^1 d.w. The data obtained provides information on the levels of sources of triclosan in the estuarine environment. When compared with other areas, the triclosan level in the study area are some high. These results underscore the need to improved environmental protection measures in order to reduce the exposure of the population and aquatic biota to this antimicrobial agent. Show more

Keywords: Triclosan, sediment, antimicrobial, GC/MS

Citation: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution, vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 53-58, 2012

Authors: Jumbe, Aboud S. | Nandini, N.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The urban aquatic ecosystems are strongly influenced by long term discharge of untreated domestic and industrial wastewater, storm water runoff, accidental spills and direct solid waste dumping. In this study, a survey of physico-chemical pollution of surface water of existing water bodies in Bangalore urban region was carried out. The findings show that total and magnesium hardness, total dissolved solids, total alkalinity, dissolved oxygen and biochemical oxygen demand exceeded desirable limits. Magnesium, chlorides …and orthophosphates were also excessive. Calcium carbonate saturation indices showed that the water from the surveyed water bodies had a scale forming tendency. Pearson's coefficient correlation between the chemical contaminants showed a very strong and a statistically significant relationship between sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, chlorides and fluorides. Show more

Keywords: Urban wetlands, surface water pollution, calcium carbonate saturation indices, morpho-edaphic index

Citation: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution, vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 59-69, 2012

Authors: Chaudhuri, Sutapa | Acharya, Rajashree

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Air pollution has been reported to persuade climate as well as health significantly and is a matter of concern. The scientific endeavour should thus, be to develop forecast or warning system to predict the concentration of pollutants with considerable accuracy so that the calamities associated with pollution can be minimized, if not eradicated. The purpose of the study is to develop an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) model with different learning rules to predict the concentration of …pollutants over Delhi (28° 38'N, 77° 12'E), India for the year 2009. Two types of learning rules are implemented in this study to forecast the concentration of different pollutants. The result reveals that the forecast accuracy of a particular pollutant depends on the type of the learning rule of the ANN model. The result of the study further reveals that the non-linear perceptron is better for forecasting the concentration of sulphur dioxide (SO_2 ), carbon monoxide (CO), suspended particulate matter (SPM) and ozone (O_3 ) whereas delta learning is better for forecasting nitrogen dioxide (NO_2 ). The percentage errors in forecast with different learning rules of the ANN model are compared for all the pollutants. The result shows that the concentration of SO_2 can be predicted over Delhi with maximum accuracy using nonlinear perceptron. Show more

Keywords: Concentration, air pollutants, prediction, artificial neural network, non-linear perceptron, delta learning

Citation: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution, vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 71-81, 2012

Authors: Firdaus, Ghuncha | Ahmad, Ateeque

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Water quality degradation is a serious and rapidly growing problem in expanding cities of India where unprecedented and unplanned urbanization accompanied by rapid industrial development are the major causal factors. Delhi, the capital city of India, is facing the problem of water pollution since the last few decades. In the present study different physico-chemical and biological parameters (i.e. COD, BOD, DO, TKN, AMM, WT, TC and FC) of water are analysed to assess the changing quality …of water over the period of twelve years (1995–2006) and to evaluate the impact of Yamuna Action Plans on water quality. With the help of time series analysis method changing trend of pollutants is estimated, and value for the future is also calculated. The primary data collected are from 1896 households to examine the relationship between outdoor and indoor pollution levels. The analysis reveals that despite the implementation of Yamuna Action Plan I and II, the pollutants are well above the standard limit set by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). For the mitigation and management of this problem in the sustainable urban development perspectives certain relevant measures are also suggested. Show more

Keywords: Delhi, pollution, urbanization, CPCB, Yamuna Action Plan

Citation: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution, vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 83-89, 2012

Authors: Yadav, A.S. | Sawant, P.T.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The Sheri nala basin (latitude 16°50'05'' N to 16°54'45'' N and longitude 74°33'20'' E to 74°38'30'' E) in Sangli District, Maharashtra, has been taken up for evaluation to find the suitability of ground water for irrigation and its effect on the growth of plants on the basis of chemical analysis of ground water. The chemical parameters, viz., sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), residual sodium carbonate (RSC), magnesium hazards, Kelley's ratio and chloride …concentrations were estimated to know the suitability of water for the irrigation purposes. Show more

Keywords: Sheri nala, chemical parameters, ground water, irrigational suitability

Citation: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution, vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 91-103, 2012

Authors: Iqbal, Jawed | Gorai, A.K. | Tirkey, Poonam | Pathak, Gopal

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: It is not feasible and perhaps impossible to formulate an universal technique for predicting groundwater vulnerability, one that considers all of the ways in which contamination occurs or that is appropriate for all situations. The intended use of the vulnerability assessment process is the most obvious and important factor to consider in selecting a vulnerability assessment approach. The three classes (Overlay and Index Methods, Process based Simulation Model Methods and Statistical Methods) of methods for …assessing groundwater vulnerability range in complexity from a subjective evaluation of available map data to the application of complex transport models are available. Each class has its own characteristic strengths and weaknesses that affect its suitability for particular application. This paper attempts to review all the major approaches developed worldwide for groundwater vulnerability assessment. Show more

Keywords: Groundwater, vulnerability assessment, literature review, statistical method, overlay index, process based simulation

Citation: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution, vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 105-115, 2012

Authors: Pote, Sachin Eknath | Singal, S.K. | Srivastava, D.K.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Rivers are under increasing stress due to urbanization and other anthropogenic activities, leading to their over-exploitation and degradation. Godavari originates near Triambak in the Nasik district of Maharashtra, and flows through Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Orissa and Andhra Pradesh. Although its point of origin is just 80 km away from the Arabian Sea, it journeys 1465 km to fall into the Bay of Bengal. Like most other rivers, domestic pollution is the biggest polluter of the river …Godavari, accounting for 82% of total pollution, whereas industrial pollution accounts for about 18%. The study covers 78 km of the river starting from the Kaigaon Toka to Shahagad. Six locations were selected for collection of water samples from the river and were analysed for water quality parameters in the environmental laboratory of Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), Aurangabad. This data as well as the data from the Central Pollution Control Board were used to compute the National Sanitation, Foundation Water Quality Index (NSFWQI), which is generally applicable in USA and India. The results of the NSFWQI of Godavari River indicates its water quality as bad-medium over the stretch. Based on the results, the existing conservation measures have been reviewed and additional measures are suggested. The study concludes that major stress is industrial effluents and domestic pollution. Show more

Keywords: Water quality management, assessment of surface water quality, water quality parameters

Citation: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution, vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 117-122, 2012

Article Type: Other

Citation: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution, vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 123-130, 2012