Efficiency of an Artificial Fencing Method for Combating Desertification in the Northwest of China, the Case of Yanchi County of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region

Artificial fencing methods used to combat land degradation have unknown influences on vegetation restoration in the North East of China, especially at Yanchi Ningxia Hui Autonomous region. To determine their efficiency, data have been collected from 2003 to 2013 in several study fields which have implemented different desertification combating methods including: artificial fencing (core, edge and external). Using biodiversity methods based on plant community structure characteristics indices (such as Shannon Wiener diversity index, Simpson dominance index and the evenness index) and the biomass, height and weight have been measured. The results showed that the main factors influencing vegetation growth are not only climatic factors, but also human activities (animal grazing and farming). In addition, the comparison with the natural grassland measurements showed that the average biomass, coverage rate, height and density values of the fencing area are 2343.58 kg/ha ,39.26 %, 16.47 × 10-2m and 106.95 × 104n/ha respectively larger than the natural grasslands which are 1722.24kg/ha, 33.58%,13.55 × 10-2m and 99.01× 104n/ha, showing artificial fencing to be more efficient in regard to the soil crust generated that prevented the soil degradation by water and air erosion. To be efficient, the number of fencing years must be similar to the natural biological cycle of the species of the study area (5 years in Yanchi) and frequent checkups are suggested to maintain the plant community dynamic viable and profitable for human well being in order to meet their needs (animals grazing etc.) in such a way that sustainable development may be effective.

Kossi Fandjinou, Fousseni Folega, Kperkouma Wala, Komlan Batawila, Koffi Akpagana and Kebin Zhang

Multifunctional Agroforestry Systems in Tropics Region

Agroforestry is emerging as a major land use activity in the country after agriculture and forestry. Traditional resource management adaptations such as agroforestry systems may potentially provide options for improvement in livelihoods through simultaneous production of food, fodder and firewood as well as mitigation of the impact of climate change. The multifunctional agroforestry systems in tropical region offer innumerable ecological benefits such as carbon sequestration, mitigation of climate change, enhancing soil fertility and water use efficiency, biodiversity conservation, biological pest control, sustainable land use, shelterbelt and windbreaks, microclimate amelioration, breaking the poverty and food insecurity circle, caveats and clarifications. Agroforestry, if established on degraded lands will not only reduce the anthropogenic pressure on existing forest resources but also will enhance the sink potential of CO2.

Vikas Kumar

Analysis of Urban Wetland Changes and their Driving Forces based on RS and GIS: A Case Study in the Longfeng Wetland Natural Reserve, China

Spatial distribution characteristics and dynamic changes over 21 years in Longfeng wetland in Daqing city, China, were analysed using remote sensing and geographic information systems. Landsat TM images were used as the main data source. Based on geo-information image analysis theory, the spatiotemporal change of land use cover was obtained, and the spatial and temporal evolution mechanisms were revealed. This study provides a method to study the driving forces of urban wetland degeneration, and it could aid in developing protective measures for wetland in rapidly urbanizing regions. The results indicated that the swamp land composed the landscape matrix and exhibited a trend of decreasing area over time, whereas the built-up land exhibited an increasing trend. Cropland and wetland were the main sources of land-use change. The stable model accounted for the largest area, swamp-swamp-swamp was its largest area change mode. The repeated model accounted for the least area, as the cropland-unused land-cropland represented the largest area change in this model. Both natural factors and human activities have made an impact on wetland degeneration, but human activities were the main driving force for the spatiotemporal evolution of land use cover pattern.

Xuewei Wu, Wenfeng Gong and Yaming Xu

Evaluation of Existing Environmental Protection Policies and Practices vis-à-vis Sustainable Water Resources Development in Didessa Sub-basin, West Ethiopia

In the effort to alleviate poverty and bring about sustainable development, Ethiopia is on the move to optimally utilize its natural resources, and hence the country has launched many water resources development projects aiming at the intensification of agricultural production and hydropower development. The Didessa Sub-basin is one of such watersheds where a number of large water management projects have been planned. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the environmental impact assessment (EIA) practices against the country’s existing environmental protection and water resources management legislations, with an emphasis on Arjo-Didessa Dam and Reservoir Project. Documents on environmental protection and water resources management legislations, EIA report of the project and data on land use/cover and soils of the dam and reservoir area were considered for the study. The existence of EIA legislations and institutions would create the impression that the government is determined to national and global environmental concerns. Due to the project, about 98.6 km2 of land with grasslands and riverine forest cover, and fertile soils with convenient land slope will be inundated by water. Besides, the role the community played in the project planning and EIA study was found to be inadequate. Although water withdrawal due to Arjo-Didessa Irrigation Project (about 19.75% of the mean annual stream flow at the dam site) is within the desired range of sustainable water resources development; and the mean annual instream flow requirements of 0.9 billion cubic meters (BCM) is fully delivered, the study has shown that some of the important decision making parameters of EIA like environmental flows assessment, dam-break analysis, environmental costs, and economic analysis, were bypassed, as observed from the EIA report of Arjo-Didessa Dam and Reservoir Project, although these are demanded by the environmental protection legislations.

Tena Bekele Adgolign, G.V.R. Srinivasa Rao and Yerramsetty Abbulu

Studies on Aerobic Compost from the Solid Waste Generated in Coimbatore City, Tamilnadu, India

Waste is an unavoidable secondary 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. The generated solid waste from Coimbatore city was sorted in to organic waste and various types of aerobic compost such as Rapid compost, Windrow compost, Pit method of compost and Vermicompost were prepared by adding raw materials of different composition. Their physical and chemical characteristics, macro and micronutrient content were evaluated in the field and laboratory. This paper highlights the comparative study between the various types of aerobic composts prepared. pH, electrical conductivity, temperature, total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and C/N ratio were estimated, and their impact on soil is elaborately discussed in the paper.

C. Sriakilam, M. K. Saseetharan and S. P. Jeyapriya

Analysis on the Factor Decomposition of Carbon Emissions Caused by Chinese Agricultural Land Use and the Emission Reduction Measures

Carbon emissions lead to high pollution and climate change. As an important part of land resources, agricultural land has become an important source of carbon emissions and has caused serious environmental pollution, which should not be neglected. Although agriculture has smaller potential than the industrial sector in reducing carbon emissions, its effects on emission reduction and positive external effects on society will be far better than those of the industrial sector. Therefore, to explore the factors of carbon emissions caused by Chinese agricultural land use, we reveal the microscopic mechanisms of carbon emissions from agricultural land use, propose concrete emission reduction measures, and adopt important theories such as behaviour of farmers and environmental externality. The paper measures the amount of carbon emissions caused by agricultural land use in China from 2002 to 2013 and uses Kaya identical equation to analyse the driving factors of carbon emissions that arise from agricultural land use from the national and provincial levels. The research results indicate that carbon emissions caused by agricultural land use in China has remarkable growth rate, fertilizers are the main carbon source of carbon emissions of agricultural land in Xinjiang, and carbon emissions from agricultural land use have obvious timing characteristics. Furthermore, the level of agricultural economic development, agricultural structure change, and scale of agricultural labour force may result in varying degrees of carbon increment in agricultural land. This paper also notes foreign experience and properly establishes a policy system for reducing carbon emissions caused by agricultural land use. By measuring and grasping the historic rules and spatial characteristics of carbon emission caused by Chinese agricultural land use, the paper decomposes and studies the factors influencing carbon emission and clarifies these factors from a quantitative aspect. The study also summarizes and analyses carbon emission reduction technology and characteristics from two aspects: reducing emissions and increasing carbon sink. This research will inspire and serve as a reference for relevant future works.

Yu Luo

Sulphur Removal with Controllable Fan Structure Design and Performance Prediction Research

In order to obtain the sulphur removal with controllable fan’s optimal control structure, we designed the structure according to the given conditions, determined the structure and performance indicators, and got the fan structure parameters which are used for the three-dimensional entity modelling. The fan flow field was studied by numerical simulation. Designing the fan’s L9(34) orthogonal test table, choosing the impeller diameter, blade import installation angle and outlet blade installation angle for the orthogonal experiment of four factors, completed the orthogonal experiment and analysed the experimental results to get the process parameters optimization direction of each evaluation index influence situation. By using genetic algorithm to multi-objective optimization of fan noise and efficiency, we obtained the optimum technological parameters of centrifugal fan impeller combination as: the impeller diameter 1.18 mm, the impeller diameter imported 0.33 mm, inlet installation angle 31.69°, and the outlet blade installation angle 82.66°. Based on the flow field simulation and use of the numerical analysis principle, the performance prediction model of fan efficiency desulphurization and dust removal was obtained.

Wang Youmin, Xu Binxue, Lingfeng Tang and Xin Houzhi

Arbuscular Mycorrhiza: A Versatile Component for Alleviation of Salt Stress

Salt-affected soil is one of the most serious abiotic stress that causes reduced plant growth, development and productivity worldwide. Plants, in their natural environment, are colonized both by external and internal microorganisms. These microorganisms, particularly beneficial bacteria and fungi, can improve plant performance under stress environments and, consequently, enhance yield. Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi are associated with the roots of over 80% terrestrial plant species including halophytes, hydrophytes and xerophytes. In this respect, bioreclamation using mycorrhiza for alleviating salt stress would be a better option. AM fungi promote plant growth and salinity tolerance by different ways, such as enhancing nutrient acquisition, producing plant growth hormones, improving rhizospheric and soil conditions, altering the physiological and biochemical properties of the host and defending roots against soil-borne pathogens.

Manoj Parihar and Amitava Rakshit

Algorithms of Thinning Simulation for Timber Plantation - A Case Study of Chinese Fir

Thinning parameters, such as stand initial density, thinning time, number of thinning, thinning interval, intensity, and cutting age, were analyzed; constraints of these parameters were established. Based on these parameters, two algorithms were proposed. One algorithm was used to calculate volume harvest based on thinning parameters to determine the function of the predicted stand volume harvest via various thinning strategies. The other algorithm was used to develop an enumeration iterative algorithm based on the largest volume yield that can be obtained via an optimal thinning strategy. A decision support system of thinning simulation based on these algorithms was developed. Growth and yield models related to Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook.) were selected as research examples. When the initial stand was 4000 stems per hectare, site index was 16 meters and cutting age was 30 years, the Chinese fir stand can yield at most 906.74 m3/ha and 940.74 m3/ha if thinned once and twice with the corresponding and proposed thinning strategies, respectively.

Chen Dong, Baoguo Wu, Liying Wang, Yan Qi and Yanyun Han

Synthesis of Biogas as a Renewable Energy from Organic Waste Mixture by Anaerobic Fermentation

An alternative method of obtaining gaseous fuel is through the anaerobic fermentation of wet livestock (animal and vegetable) wastes to produce biogas which is a mixture of methane (45-75%) and carbon dioxide. The process occurs in two stages. In the first stage, the complex organic substance contained in the waste is acted upon by a certain kind of bacteria called acid formers and are broken into small chain simple acids. The second stage produces methane and carbon dioxide by another kind of bacteria. The calorific value of this biogas ranges from 16000-25000 kj/m3. It is an excellent fuel for cooking and lighting as well. When blended with diesel, it is a very good alternate fuel for compression ignition engines and can yield diesel savings of 72 to 80%. Thus, by means of suitable apparatus, biogas is produced from animal waste and vegetable waste with high calorific value (more than 16000-25000 kj/m3).

A. Kumar, K. Rasappan and P. Santhosh

Effects of Landscape Tree Species and Their Arrangement on PM2.5 Sedimentation - A Case Study of Beijing, China

PM2.5, which refers to particles less than 2.5 mm in diameter, pose great health risks. Previous studies have mainly focused on the relationship between land utilization and air quality. Few studies have discussed the effects of landscape tree species on PM2.5 sedimentation and explored reasonable tree species arrangement for PM2.5 prevention. This study considered the polluted Beijing in China as the study site. This study investigated the PM2.5 sedimentation data of 10 shrub and 11 arbor species to understand the PM2.5 holding capacities of the landscape tree species. This study also obtained PM2.5 concentration data from 35 air quality monitoring sites. The results of linear regression analysis showed that (1) a closely linear relationship exists between PM2.5 concentration from air flow and PM2.5 sedimentation of various tree species in different seasons and sampling sites, and that (2) shrub trees possess better PM2.5 holding capacities than arbor trees in urban and heavy traffic areas, whereas arbor trees exert obvious effects on preventing PM2.5 pollution in rural areas. Thus, the proportion of shrub trees should be reduced in urban and heavy traffic regions, whereas that of arbor trees should be increased in rural areas. This study attempted to solve air pollution through landscape tree arrangement for PM2.5 sedimentation. The results of this study could serve as a guide for landscape tree species arrangement and plantation in Beijing and other cities.

Keping Chen, Jifeng Deng, Guohua Liang, Dewei Fang and Hangyong Zhu

Tannery Effluent Management vis-a-vis Groundwater Quality in Dindigul, Tamilnadu, India

Groundwater meets more than 2/3rd of drinking and agricultural needs of many villages, towns and cities. But its availability and quality remains vulnerable due to pollution, especially from industrial sectors. Dindigul is one of the major skin/hide processing areas in Tamilnadu which generate » 57 KL of effluent per tonne of material processed with high pollution load (TDS: 7912-11430 mg/L, COD: 3571-7600 mg/L, chloride: 3278-4199 mg/L, BOD: 1475-1686 mg/L, hardness: 1188-2800 mg/L, sodium : 650-2255 mg/L, TSS: 398-1248 mg/L, sulphate: 370-830 mg/L, alkalinity: 200-1476 mg/L and sulphide: 51-296 mg/L). A CETP with a design capacity of 2500 KLD is in operation since 1996 to manage the wastes from tanneries. The capacity utilization of CETP was poor (only 34%) and important parameters (TSS, TDS, chloride, oil & grease, BOD, COD, sulphide and TKN) of the treated effluent fail to meet the prescribed standards for discharge either into inland surface waters or on land for irrigation. As the treated effluent is stored in an earthen pond and allowed to percolate naturally, the groundwater quality (TDS, chloride, sulphate, alkalinity, hardness, calcium and magnesium) of the nearby villages is also affected and fail to meet standards prescribed for drinking water.

P. Mani and M. Madhusudanan

Dynamic Degradation of the Alpine-cold Wetland and Analysis of Driving Forces in Maqu, China

Maqu wetland is located on the northeastern edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. As one of the important water conservation and recharge areas in upper Yellow River, it is of great significance for regulating the Yellow River water and sediment, maintaining biodiversity and regional ecological balance and to achieve sustainable socioeconomic development. In order to analyse the dynamic characteristics and regional differences of Maqu alpine wetland systems during the past 20 years, in this paper, 1990, 2000 and 2010 series of Landsat satellite data as the main data source, using remote sensing and GIS spatial analysis technology, adopting the method of multivariate statistical classification, dynamically monitored the distribution pattern changes of Maqu wetland. The results showed that: Maqu wetland area was overall in a downward trend in recent 20 years; in 1990, 2010, the wetland area of 1151.7km2, 1049.32km2 respectively, the area reduced by 02.38km2, the average annual decline rate was 0.37%. In the period from 1990 to 2000 annual average shrinkage rate was 0.43%, significantly faster than the 0.31% of the 2000 to 2010 period. Analysis showed that global climate change and increasing human activities were the main drivers of the wetland ecological environment deterioration.

Liu Qingguang

Assessment of Spentwash Derived Biocompost for Chemical Fertilizers Substitution by Monitoring Soil Fertility and Crop Productivity of Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) in Sandy Loam Soil

A thrice replicated field experiment was conducted to study the effect of biocompost and inorganic fertilizers on yield and quality of potato. The experimental results revealed that, highest tuber yield was recorded in 100% NPK followed by 87.5% NPK with the least in control. Application effect of biocompost @ 12 t ha-1 was found to be similar to 50% NPK in respect of potato yield, while the application of inorganic fertilizers above 50% NPK showed superiority in terms of yield over all the doses of biocompost. Among the various treatments of inorganic fertilizers and biocompost, treatment where 100% RDF of NPK was applied proved to be superior to other treatments in terms of growth parameters, tuber yield and macronutrients content. However, micronutrient content in tuber was found higher in the treatments of biocompost application. By comparing the tuber yields obtained in the different treatments at harvesting, it was found that 50% inorganic NPK can be saved with the application of biocompost @ 12 t ha-1. Micronutrients content in soil was buffered to its initial value with the application of different doses of biocompost while declined in case of inorganic fertilization.

U. P. Shahi, Mamta, Ashish Dwivedi, Ashok Kumar and B. P. Dhyani

Study on the Relationship Between Agricultural Economic Growth and Agricultural Nonpoint Source Pollution in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of China

As an environmental problem arousing worldwide concern, agricultural nonpoint pollution affects sustainable economic development. As a traditional agricultural province, the economic structure in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region is currently being industrialized. However, the rapid development of agriculture causes serious damage to the environment. The agricultural nonpoint source pollution index and economic growth data from 2000 to 2014 in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region were selected to explore the short-term and long-term dynamic relationship between agricultural economic growth and agricultural nonpoint source pollution in this region and ensure the existence of an environmental curvilinear relationship. Whether agricultural economic growth and agricultural nonpoint source pollution are co-integrated was analysed, and their environmental curvilinear relationship was determined. Results show that nonpoint pollution and economic development appear positively correlated during the research period. The per capita output value of farming, forestry, husbandry, and fishery relates to fertilizer, pesticides, and agricultural film loss per unit area in an inverted U-shaped curve, whereas the livestock and poultry manure emission present an “inverted U-shaped + U-shaped” curve during the transition period. This study has theoretical and practical significance in effectively understanding agricultural nonpoint source pollution, addressing the problem, and proposing operative suggestions for economic growth in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.

Junying Li

The Mineral Fibre: Asbestos - Its Manufacture, Properties, Toxic Effects and Substitutes

The primary useful properties of asbestos fibre are its outstanding thermal stability and very high tensile strength. Moreover, because of its abundance and performance quality, it is used in the manufacture of more than 3000 products including textiles, building materials, insulation and brake linings. Ironically, its one of the main strengths of asbestos, but it’s fibrous nature is also its greatest weakness. Asbestos fibres are subdivided into fibrils and since they never rot, are very harmful if breathed into the lungs. All forms of asbestos fibres are scientifically proven to be carcinogenic. Though there is no single and better substitute for asbestos fibres, alternative materials are being used due to the health hazards involved in asbestos manufacture and use.

Lopamudra Nayak

Application of Environmental Gini Coefficient (EGC) in Allocating SO2 Discharge Permit: A Case Study of SO2 Total Mass Control in Anshan, China

The allocation of SO2 discharge is always a challenge in total mass control due to the conflicts between environmental equality and efficiency. In this article, we introduced a way of allocating discharge by using Gini coefficient, a widely used index of income inequality in economics. The environmental Gini coefficient (EGC) method is based on a multi-criteria system, which includes land area, population, environmental capacity and gross domestic product (GDP). Through a linear programming optimization method, the regional pollutant reduction plan is optimized. The allocation of SO2 discharge in Anshan, China was chosen as a case study to illustrate the application of this method. The result obtained shows that the application of EGC method and linear programming can make the allocation more fair and reasonable. Therefore, Anshan should adjust the structure of the industries as well as elevate the economy. At the same time, the environmental capacity of Anshan area should be improved by some measures.

Tianxin Li, Chengxiang Qiu, Hongguang Cheng and Harrison Odion Ikhumhen

Assessment of Surface Runoff and Sediment Yield using WEPP Model

The WEPP model is used to estimate the runoff and sediment yield at the outlet of the watershed. The WEPP model is used because of the hilly nature of the watershed. The slope of the watershed varies from 0 to 30%. The runoff and sediment yield at the downstream end is determined by the process of rainfall and runoff erosivity, sediment detachment, transport, and deposition in overland flow. Overland flow processes are usually conceptualized as a mixture of broad sheet flow (called interrill flow) and concentrated flow (called rill flow). Most often the two flow types are lumped and described as overland flow with computations based on a broad sheet flow assumption. Interrill erodibility and effective hydraulic conductivity were the calibration parameters for the WEPP model. The model calibration and validation has been done by comparing predicted monthly sediment yield and runoff data with observed one. The model predicted the runoff and sediment yield with highest R2 as 0.953 and 0.911 respectively. The model validation showed closer prediction of runoff and sediment yield with respective R2 as 0.94 and 0.722 respectively.

Nidhi Kumari, V. M. Chowdary, A.M. Waghaye and K. N. Tiwari

GIS-assisted Determination of the Environmental-Friendly Dredging Volume in a Reservoir Based on Risk Classification of Nutritive Salts

In this study, the problems about dredging polluted sediments in a reservoir during the Environmental-friendly dredging engineering will be solved. To determine the dredging region, the spatial distribution characteristics of the sediments and main pollutants (nutrients) in the sediments were investigated, and the grading standards of nutrients were set up according to the adsorption-desorption method. The high risk regions of Total Nitrogen (TN) and Total Phosphorus (TP) were found out, and the environmental-friendly dredging volume was obtained by combining with security indices of environmental dredging engineering and spatial analysis method (i.e. GIS). From the study, the conclusions could be drawn as follows: (1) the average content of TN and TP in the surface sediments was 1414.8 mg/kg and 719.4 mg/kg, respectively; (2) the polluted areas, mainly were concentrated in estuaries and the upper-middle part of reservoir. The results of nutrient pollution grading showed that, 20.4% of the reservoir region was heavily polluted by TN and 66.3% by TP. Environmental-friendly dredging area accounted for about 68.4% of the reservoir; (3) the top of overlayer as dredging layer is average of 0.5 m; (4) the volume of environmental-friendly dredging is about 1.92×107 m3. The study purpose is to provide theoretical and technical support for reservoir polluted sediments governance.

Ying Chen, Bingchuan Cheng and Yu Li

Adsorption of Cadmium (Cd2+) Ions from Aqueous Solutions on the Modified Montmorillonite

Heavy metal pollution has become one of the most serious environmental problems today due to its difficulty in removal, especially in aquatic environments. The technologies for heavy metal ion removal from aqueous solutions are, chemical treatment, physico-chemical treatment and biological treatment. However, the existing methods are relatively expensive. Therefore, there is an urgency that some environmentally sound and practically feasible technologies or sorbents are needed to be developed. In this study, a modified montmorillonite was used for the removal of Cd2+ ions from aqueous solutions. The influence of various operating parameters on the adsorption process was investigated. The kinetics and equilibrium adsorption of Cd2+ ions from aqueous solutions using the modified montmorillonite were also discussed in detail. The objective of this study is to provide fundamental information on the adsorption of heavy metals from aqueous solution on the modified montmorillonite and to investigate the possible mechanisms.

Shuiying Xiong, Muqing Qiu, Wenze Wu, Meng Tang and Jiangping Song

Efficacy of Chelating Agents in Phytoremediation of Cadmium Using Lemna minor (Linnaeus, 1753)

Free floating aquatic macrophyte namely Lemna minor (Linnaeus, 1753) was exposed to different concentrations of cadmium (1, 5 and 10 mg/L) for a period of 30 days to evaluate its cadmium (Cd) accumulation capability in the presence of chelating agents such as EDTA and citric acid. The chelating agents were added at the rate of 1, 2 and 3 mg/L separately and the experiment was conducted in triplicate. The water and plant samples were collected at 15 days interval for the analysis of cadmium. There was a significant difference in the Cd uptake (P<0.05) by the plant in the presence of chelating agents when compared to the control. Bioconcentration factor (BCF) of cadmium by the plants showed an increasing trend in the presence of chelating agents. The percentage uptake of cadmium by L. minor in the presence of EDTA was significantly higher than that of citric acid (P<0.05). The overall results suggest that EDTA can be effectively used to enhance phytoremediation efficiency of cadmium by L. minor in the contaminated water.

Aravind R., V. S. Bharti, M. Rajkumar, P. K. Pandey, C. S. Purushothaman, A. Vennila and S. P. Shukla

Research on Innovation-Synergy Driven Model for Improving Ecological Competitiveness in Resource-Based City

The issue of ecological environment deterioration is the main challenge of resource-based cities. The optimal innovation investment proportion and tendency of ecological protection behaviours of government and enterprise, can be analysed by means of establishing the innovation synergy driven interpretation model and the game model of innovation factors in the process of improving ecological competitiveness, and the research shows that the decrease of innovation cost, improvement of innovation benefit and perfection of cash deposit and innovation favour system can promote the innovation behaviour effectively. The related countermeasures and suggestions are put forward by means of analysing the result, which offers reference for eco-development of resource-based city.

Liu Dan

The Synergistic Relationship between Rural Environmental Pollution and Industrial Structural Change in Heilongjiang, China

Heilongjiang, a traditional agricultural province in China, is suffering from serious rural environmental pollution, which harms peasant health and hinders sustainable economic development. Rural environmental degradation is intensifying gradually, causing great harm to rural residents, the global agro ecological environment, and significant restriction of sustainable agricultural production. To further analyse the issues of rural environmental pollution in Heilongjiang and explore the dynamic relationship between rural environmental pollution and industrial structure change, this study analysed three problems related to rural environmental pollution based on the rural environmental data of Heilongjiang from 2000 to 2014. Municipal panel data were established for an empirical study on the relationship between rural environmental pollution and industrial structure change. Results demonstrated the following: Pesticide usage in Heilongjiang increased gradually, and domestic pollution emissions were high within the study period. A significantly positive correlation existed between rural industrialization and the intensity of pollutant emission. Industrial pollution emissions in rural areas were influenced by the industrial structure. The rural areas with higher proportions of industrial output to economic aggregate had poor environmental quality. Finally, some suggestions to improve rural environmental pollution in Heilongjiang were proposed. This study can serve as reference and has practical significance in comprehending the status of the rural environmental pollution in Heilongjiang in North China and the effects of industrial structure change on rural environmental pollution.

Jiyu Yuan and Xiangyu Guo

Forecast and Control Study on Energy Consumption of China

Energy is an essential material for social development, as well as vital strategic material for a countries’ economy. Therefore, the society pays more attention to it. This article builds a non-linear model to forecast the energy consumption amount of China during 2015 to 2017 based on supported vector. Meanwhile, principles such as grey correlation, genetic algorithms and principal component analysis are being manipulated to ensure the comprehensive, objective and authenticity for model processing operation. All these efforts enhance the accuracy and dynamic fitness of the model.

Tian-Bao Guo, Yu-Ling Dong and Yun-Feng Wang

Investigation on the Relationship Between the Environmental Pollution and Growth of the Industrial Economy in Liaoning Province, China

The rapid development of an industrial economy contributes to environmental pollution, which, in turn, restricts the sustainable development of the industrial economy. As a major industrial province, Liaoning Province has played an important role in the industrial construction of China and gradually increased the industrial pollution in the country. The objectives of this study are as follows: to analyse the relationship between the environmental pollution and the growth of the industrial economy in Liaoning Province, explore the long-term and short-term relationships between these two variables, and quantitatively estimate the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) for industrial pollution. In view of these objectives, the paper employs the panel data of different cities in Liaoning Province from 2000 to 2013; adopts five industrial pollution indicators, namely, industrial wastewater discharges, industrial SO2 emissions, industrial soot emissions, industrial dust emissions, and industrial solid waste generation amount; simulates the EKC for industrial pollution; and conducts an empirical test on the relationship between the environmental pollution and the growth of the industrial economy in Liaoning Province. Results indicate the following: the five indicators demonstrate different relationships with GDP per capita; the overall level of the industrial environment constantly rises, whereas pollution is deteriorated with the continual increase in per capita industrial output; the rapid growth of the heavy industry and structural characteristics arising from this growth directly cause the difficulties in reducing the discharges of major pollutants in Liaoning Province. The paper have made significant contributions, including analysing the current situation of the industrial pollution in Liaoning Province, quantitatively estimating the relationship between the environmental pollution and the growth of the industrial economy in Liaoning Province, and proposing suggestions and measures to promote economic growth and alleviate industrial pollution.

Wensheng Li

Analysis of the Legal Governance Status and Improvement Measures of Smog Pollution Control in China

Exacerbating smog weather has been considered a major environmental problem threatening China’s sustainable development. As such, the Chinese government has initiated environmental efforts to solve this problem. Smog pollution can be legally managed by improving environmental protection standards, increasing environmental illegal costs, and enhancing the construction of environmental responsibility mechanisms. This paper focuses on the legislation status of smog pollution control at national and regional levels and analyses the limitations of the current legal measures. Legal strategies on smog pollution control are proposed on the basis of governance standards, pollution detection, legal liability, and public participation. Results indicate that many laws in China have recognized smog pollution and provided legal governance action plans and local regulations corresponding to national guidelines. Nevertheless, smog pollution control is associated with several problems, including outdated legislative philosophy, inefficient prevention and treatment policy planning, and enterprises’ insufficient social responsibility. Therefore, relevant policy suggestions are proposed in this study on the basis of four aspects: enhancing the evaluation system conforming to ecological civilization construction requirements; comprehensive promotion of emission trading system; improving public participation system; and building smog monitoring and early warning mechanisms. This study provides a basis for the proper determination of legal regulation status and smog-related problems in China and for the development of updated legal governance measures.

Mingdang Li

ICP-AES Estimation of a Few Heavy and Toxic Metal Ions Present in Water Samples Collected from the Three Lakes Situated in Bangalore City

Four water samples were collected following accepted procedures from each of the three lakes Agara, Hebbal and Madiwala at different locations during the dry season month of February 2009 and rainy season month of July 2008. The levels of heavy and toxic metals As, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb and Zn were determined using ICP-AES in sequential mode, and were found to be within the desirable and permissible limits. But the water samples of Hebbal and Agara lakes were found to be containing lead that was exceeding the desirable limit prescribed by WHO and Central Pollution Control Board and was more in the dry season samples than those in the rainy season. These two lakes are surrounded by motor ways leading to various parts of the country including the Ring road and National Highway-7, where there are heavy vehicular movements and are obvious major contributors in addition to those from multiplicities of urban developments.

M. Kiran Kumar, G. Nagendrappa and A. M. Shivanna

Habitat-Dependent Forest Structure and Species Distributions in Two Deciduous Broadleaved Forests

Forest structure and species distribution patterns were compared among four topographic habitats in two fully mapped 1-ha plots, named Diaoguanjing and Anjiping, on Daieshan Mountain in China. In Diaoguanjing plot, mean DBH was lower and Fisher’s alpha, stem density and the number of species was higher in large versus small habitats. While in Anjiping plot, mean DBH was lower and Fisher’s alpha and stem density were higher from high to lower elevation communities. Only 20 out of 78 species were either positively or negatively associated with at least one habitat type in Diaoguanjing, while 33 of 82 species in Anjiping showed habitat associations. A Chi-squared test revealed a greater number of species-habitat associations in Anjiping versus Diaoguanjing (P<0.05). Species-habitat associations were also relatively more frequent in mature forests of both plots (P<0.05). These results suggest that habitat area and forest maturity should be considered in explaining the processes driving species-habitat associations.

Zhigao Wang, Zhongxing Zhang, Renyan Duan and Ganlin Wu

Mercury Contamination from Historic Gold Mining to Water Bodies and Soils in Zhaoyuan, Shandong, Eastern China

To clarify the pollution status of mercury (Hg) in water bodies and soils from an old gold mining in China, we collected and analysed water samples in April 2010. The concentration of total Hg (THg) in water ranges from 0.032 to 0.225 µg/L, with average concentration as 0.078 µg/L. Among Hg species, particulate Hg (PHg) ranges from 0.021 to 0.106 µg/L, and the percentage of PHg exceeded 50 percent in most samples. Hg concentration in water is considerably lower than polluted areas by gold mining with amalgamation and Hg mining, close to the concentrations in high Hg background areas in China, but obviously higher than natural waters. THg in sediments ranges from 0.456 to 5.712 mg/kg, with a positive correlation to Hg of waters. THg of sediments in rivers shows a higher concentration than that in reservoirs. Soil Hg concentration ranges from 0.094 to 4.04 mg/kg, with geometric mean 0.36 mg/kg. Fifty percent of soil samples exceed Chinese Soil Reference (Grade II). The calculation results of the geoaccumulation index present a higher accumulation status of Hg in soils in this area. Furthermore, a strong ecological risk is found due to Hg accumulation in soils, according to the classification of assessment index of potential ecological risk levels. Results indicate that Zhaoyuan shows a certain degree of mercury pollution due to gold mining activities.

Lei Zhang, Yan Wang and Lei Zhang

Emission Inventory for Xiamen by Using Global Protocol for Community-Scale Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Cities present a challenge together with an opportunity for climate change. The Global Protocol for Community-Scale Greenhouse Gas Emission Inventories (GPC), which was announced in December 2014 in Lima, offers cities a robust, transparent and globally-accepted framework to consistently identify, calculate and report on city-level GHG emissions. This study focused on the emerging GPC approach and applied it to establish the GHG emission inventory for Xiamen, which is a rapid developing coastal city in China. Based on the GPC approach and the gathered data, the total GHG emissions in the inventory boundary has reached to 19.85 million tonnes CO2e in the inventory year 2007. GHG emissions discharged from stationary sources are 14.37 million tonnes of CO2e and account for 72.37% of the total GHG emission in Xiamen. And the per capita emissions come to 8.17 tonnes CO2e, higher than the average 5.3 tonnes CO2e for China in the same year reported by The World Bank in 2015. The GPC, in general, is clear and practical, and provides a more comprehensive scope when calculating the GHG emissions. However, the main challenge for applying the GPC is the data availability. It is recommended for the government statistical offices and the public agencies to increase the additional input that is specifically used for improving the data required for GHG emission inventories. Future studies should try to use more local activity data and emission factors, so that the evaluation could be more objective and accurate.

Yang Yukuo, Liu Xing and Tao Ye

Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management on Nutrients Uptake and Productivity of Onion

A field experiment was conducted during Rabi season (2009) to find out the effect of integrated application of organic manures (FYM and vermicompost), inorganic fertilizers and biofertilizers (PSB and Azotobacter) on growth, yield and nutrient uptake by onion (Allium cepa L.). There were six treatments comprised of varied levels of FYM, vermicompost, chemical fertilizers, PSB and Azotobacter. The experiment was laid out under randomized block design (RBD) and the treatments were triplicated during the experiment. Significantly higher yield of onion (74.85 q ha-1) was observed in the plots received 50% N through vermicompost +25% N through urea + PSB + Azotobacter (T6) as compared to other treatments. Similar significant effect was observed on nutrient content (N, P, K and S) and nutrient uptake (N, P, K and S). On the basis of results obtained it can be concluded that the integrated use of organic manures (vermicompost and FYM) along with chemical fertilizers and biofertilizers (PSB and Azotobacter) can substitute the nitrogen requirement of plant to the extent of 25% and increased the yield, content and uptake of N, P, K and S by onion significantly over the sole use of chemical fertilizers.

Sumit Rai, Priyanka Rani, Maneesh Kumar, Avinash Rai and Sanjay Kumar Shahi

Monitoring of Groundwater Quality with Respect to Fluoride Contamination Around Hindalco Industries Ltd. Renukut, Sonbhadra District, Uttar Pradesh, India

In the era of industrial advancement, fluoride is mainly contributed through runoff and leaching of phosphate fertilizers in agricultural land and liquid waste from industrial sources. Persistent use of fluoride contaminated coal in the thermal power plants and aluminium smelter plant can also heavily contribute fluoride in the groundwater. Since there are no major studies in the recent past, the present study was carried out to understand the groundwater quality in the investigated area. Groundwater samples were collected from 25 different locations around aluminium smelter plant from wells, shallow hand pump and deep hand pump during the month of June to September 2008 in Renukut district Sonbhadra for determining various parameters (pH, EC, Cl-, Ca2+, Mg2+ ,Na+, CO32-, HCO3-, Total Dissolved Solids, fluoride). The fluoride content in groundwater of Renukut ranged from 1.23 to 2.79 mg/L with average of 1.82 mg/L. 95% of the groundwater samples in the study area had crossed the permissible limit of fluoride in drinking water i.e., 1.5mg/L. The fluoride contamination to the groundwater during the post-monsoon season is mainly due to the seepage, moving and percolation of fluoride contaminated water nearby aluminium smelter plant and dissolution of fluoride bearing mineral under alkaline condition is the major source of fluoride in groundwater.

Shishu Pal Singh, Sandeep Kumar Tripathi, Vimal Kumar and Priyankar Raha

Analysis of Mutual Influence between Low Carbon Economy and Energy Industry Investment

After decade years of economic development, the energy industry played an important role in the national economy in China. But also it brought more troublesome problems - the gradual deterioration of the environment and increasing pressure to reduce emissions. We have to face the reality that carbon emission in China has been ranked first in the world. Therefore, the control of carbon emissions will be a top priority, and the progress in this respect will bring advantages in the world. This paper analysed the characteristics of carbon emissions in the energy industry, studied the relationship between Chinese economic growth, energy intensity and energy industrial investment through the multivariate regression model. It concludes that: (1) There is an inverse relation between energy intensity and GDP, which shows that economic growth of China can be achieved in reducing carbon emissions. (2) Energy industrial fixed assets investment to GDP shows a positive correlation, indicating that the energy industry fixed assets investment has a stimulating effect on the Chinese economy. (3) Carbon emissions and investment in the energy industry has been changing in the opposite direction. More investment in energy, the less carbon emissions, indicating that the Chinese energy economy has transformed, invest to low-carbon and efficient energy industry.

Guo Ping

Comprehensive Water Resource Management in Coastal Ecosystem of Odisha: A Critical Review

Most of the coastal ecosystems face double whammy problems in terms of excess water congestion during the monsoon period and non availability of freshwater during the post monsoon period. Ingression of saline water due to high tide is a challenge to humanity, in general, and agriculture, freshwater resource, fisheries and aquaculture in particular. Eastern part of India is highly populated with plenty of natural resources. But due to lack/poor irrigation infrastructure, maximum freshwater flows to the sea. Hence, this ecosystem requires adequate attention to develop and refine appropriate technological options to facilitate more freshwater availability throughout the year and check the saline water ingression in order to increase the overall land and water productivity of the area. Geographic, engineering, socioeconomic and environmental factors which are closely associated with the water management issues have been reviewed for proper water management options in the coastal ecosystem.

Ranu Rani Sethi, R. C. Srivastava, Madhumita Das, P. S. B. Anand, Jugal Kishore Tripathy

Effect of Precipitation Variation on Groundwater Buried Depth in Well-irrigated Areas

Precipitation variation affects the groundwater system in well-irrigated areas. First, it directly affects groundwater recharge and buried depth. Second, it affects crop irrigation, and consequently, also affects buried depth. The direct and indirect effects of precipitation on groundwater buried depth must be elucidated to achieve stable production and promote the rational use and protection of groundwater resources. In this study, Shijiazhuang Plain is selected as the subject. Variations in groundwater buried depth and exploitation are first analysed. Then, the relationship between groundwater buried depth and precipitation, as well as that between precipitation and groundwater irrigation intensity per area, are investigated. Finally, the effect of precipitation on groundwater buried depth is revealed. Results show that the annual mean groundwater buried depth does not change with increasing or decreasing precipitation. As an important source of groundwater recharge, precipitation directly affects groundwater buried depth during a year and affects groundwater buried depth differently during wet, normal, and dry years. Precipitation is an important supplier of crop water requirements. Thus, increased precipitation reduces irrigation intensity requirement per cultivation area. By contrast, irrigation intensity increases with decreasing precipitation. That is, precipitation can affect groundwater buried depth by affecting irrigation intensity per cultivation area, and this effect can be obviously observed from the varying characteristics of irrigation intensity both in different decades as well as in wet, normal, and dry years.

Zhong-Pei Liu and Yu-Ping Han

Assessment of Soil Carbon Level After Application of Pressmud and Mulching Regarding Soil Carbon Sequestration

Among the five carbon pools, soil carbon pool is one of the biggest pools having a potential of maximum carbon storage. Agriculture is a primary practice which deals with soil over the period of years. Positive amendments in agricultural practices can lead to a better soil carbon sequestration. Current study focuses on application of pressmud and organic mulching in standing crop. Pressmud is easily available at reasonable rate in Western Maharashtra as number of sugar industries are more. Mulching is also affordable to farmers, as it comprises leaves of local trees and bushes. The present study shows that there is 89.41% and 30.28% increase in soil carbon levels after application of pressmud and mulching respectively. Results show that both practices not only increase organic carbon content, but also responsible for the betterment of physical and nutritional status of soil. Thus, these agricultural practices can help to increase the rate of soil carbon sequestration. The results are discussed in the paper.

Padalkar R. C. and Raut P. D.

Plant Diversity and its Correlation with the Physicochemical Properties of Soil in Different Gradient Levels in the Riparian Zone of Lijiang River

Riparian zones are the most diverse and complex biophysical habitats being threatened by anthropogenic activities. Degradation of riparian vegetation is a serious problem. This study conducted a field standard sample plot investigation and experiments to evaluate plant diversity and the physicochemical properties of soil in different gradient levels of a riparian zone. The distribution patterns of plants and their correlation with the physicochemical properties of soil were also analysed. This study provides a theoretical basis for ecological protection, vegetation recovery, and vegetation reconstruction in a riparian zone in Guangxi and in the whole karst region of southwestern China. Ten typical sample plots in the riparian zone of Lijiang River in Guilin City, Guangxi Province, were selected. Various parameters, including quantitative characteristics of the plots and physicochemical properties of soil, were analysed. Results revealed that species abundance, diversity, and richness, as well as evenness indexes of plant communities in the riparian zone increased with the increase in gradient zone variation. The species diversity, Shannon-Wiener index, and evenness indexes of the plants in the herbal zone did not significantly differ from those in the shrub zone. Species richness index also significantly increased. In addition, the species richness indexes in the shrub zone did not significantly differ from those in the arbor zone. Physicochemical analysis revealed that the soils in the gradient zones were primarily composed of neutral and slightly alkaline sand. Soil bulk density initially increased and then decreased with the increase in relative altitude. The organic matter contents in the soil also increased. Changes in total nitrogen, total potassium, quick-acting potassium, and total phosphorus were not significant. Multiple regression analysis indicated high fitting degrees of total biomass, diversity, and environmental elements. Moreover, the contribution of soil texture on diversity was higher than that of soil nutrients.

Lu Yang and Wang Dongmei

Studies on the Effectiveness and Persistence of Various Botanicals and Insecticides on the Surface Treatment of Gunny Bags at Bimonthly and Monthly Intervals Against Sitophilus oryzae (Linn.) in Store

The study on storage was carried out in the division of Agricultural Entomology, Agricultural Research Station, Gulbarga during the year 2012-13 to know the efficacy and persistence of various botanicals and insecticides against Sitophilus oryzae Linn. over a period of 210 days in two different methods, i.e. the application of treatments at bimonthly and monthly intervals. In bimonthly interval at 30, 90, 150 and 210 DAS, deltamethrin at 0.005 per cent stood highly effective against Sitophilus oryzae and registered the maximum mortality of 96.40, 94.59, 93.69 and 89.55 percent, followed by sweet flag (5%) with mortality of 92.25, 89.53, 90.55 and 83.25 percent respectively, differing significantly over other treatments. Similarly, in another method, i.e., in a monthly interval in which the sweet flag (5%) remained predominant with the highest mortality of 97.30 and 96.65 percent at 30 and 90 DAS, however deltamethrin (0.005%) with 95.75 and 90.25 percent at 150 and 210 DAS respectively, differing significantly over other treatments. However, in both the methods, the residual toxicity, could not sustain with the lapse of time, as a result, there was no proper monitoring of inbuilt population of S. oryzae in stored wheat. From the above two methods of application of treatments against rice weevil management the bimonthly method was found effective.

B.S. Biradar, S.M. Karadi, Siddappa, J.S. Awakannavar, S.B. Goudappa and A. Ravikumar

Climate Change Impact on Beneficial Soil Microbial Community: A Review

Global climate change, mainly temperature rise and increased carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration, is a major concern these days. The inter-annual climatic variability is prominent and significantly influences the agricultural production. Soil productivity is influenced by the amount and activity of beneficial soil microorganisms, which help in degrading the organic matter as well ascertaining the availability of plant nutrients. It is essential to reduce the emission of CO2 and other major greenhouse gases (GHGs) through the implementation of various strategies in the land use planning and by increasing the soil organic matter by adoption of various techniques which will not only help in reducing the greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating the impact of climate change on beneficial soil microbial community but also allow additional benefits to the farmers in the form of reduced labour, costs, greater efficiency, improved soil quality along with sustainable crop production.

Vinod Kumar, A. K. Rawat and F. C. Amule

Structural Optimization and Performance Prediction of Digital Valve for Desulfurization and Dedusting

In order to control the dust removal and desulfurization process accurately, it is imperative to obtain the optimal structure parameters of the valve, using CFD to simulate and forecast the flow field numerical design of dust removal and desulfurization of digital valve, designing the L25(56) orthogonal test table of valve structure, selecting the arc radius, length, angle, width as the factors. The study determined the flow characteristics, the ideal digital valve of the maximum open flow coefficient and the degree of the digital valve spool inertia as the performance evaluation index of the valve, completed the orthogonal experiment and analysed by range analysis of the results, and obtained the influence of structure parameters on the ranking optimization direction of evaluation index, the simulation forecast data in various opening of digital valve and the flow pressure nephogram and velocity contours of 100% relatively open. A comprehensive quality evaluation index of the valve was made, making the multiobjective optimization problem into a single objective optimization problem of desulfurization dust digital valve optimization through the synthetic weighted mark method. Using box method to optimize the structure of desulfurization and dust removal of digital valve, we obtained the optimal structure parameters: radius of 3.4mm, the angle of 108.05°, length of 14.07mm and width of 37.85mm.

Lingfeng Tang, Feihong Ma, Youmin Wang, Xiang Wu

Haematological Study on the Fungicide Ziram Induced Acute, Subacute and Subchronic Toxicity in Broiler Chickens

The present work was conducted to elucidate the haematological changes in broiler chickens after Ziram intoxication. For this study, 150 apparently healthy broiler chicks were reared up to 2 weeks of age and randomly allocated to four groups, i.e. acute (N=10), sub-acute (N=20), sub-chronic (N=90) and control (N=30). Toxicity was induced following a single oral dose of Ziram @ 100mg/kg body weight for acute intoxication; 5 mg/kg body weight per day for 20 days in case of sub-acute group and 1mg/kg body weight per day for the study period of 90 days in case of sub-chronic intoxication. At the end of the experimental period the investigations revealed significant decrease in haemoglobin concentration, packed cell volume, total erythrocyte count and leucocytosis with heterophilia leading to clinical anaemia.

Majid Shafi, Shayaib Ahmad Kamil, Masood Saleem Mir, Mohammed Maqbool Darzi, Abdul Shakoor Bhat, Showkat Shah and Khadim Hussain Dar

Biosorption of Cadmium from Aqueous Solutions using Blue Green Algae

The kinetics and optimum conditions for the adsorption of Cd(II) ions on to dead blue green algae (BGA) mixed species were investigated with a view to explore the possibility of utilising it as a low cost adsorbent for the removal of Cd(II) from aqueous medium. Biosorption of Cd(II) was studied by varying different experimental conditions viz; contact time, solution pH, bio-sorbent dosage and Cd(II) concentration. Cd(II) adsorption onto BGA was observed to be depend on solution contact time, pH, bio-sorbent dosage and concentrations of Cd(II) in solution. The biosorption process followed pseudo-first order model (R2>0.99). Reuses of the biosorbent were also studied.

M. G. Bhagyalaskhmi and P. N. Sarma

Mycorrhizoremediation of Nickel and Cadmium: A Promising Technology

Nickel (Ni) and cadmium (Cd) are two important environmental contaminants and have detrimental effects on ecosystems and are a risk to human health as they can enter the food chain via agricultural products or contaminated drinking water. Agricultural soils in many parts of the world are moderately contaminated by Ni and Cd due to mining and smelting of metalliferous ores, industrial waste, mineral fertilizers, pesticides, vehicle exhausts and municipal sewage sludge. The remediation of heavy metals contaminated environments is a challenging task because these elements are not degradable and once entering the soil, they can persist for a longer time. Traditional methods used for the removal of heavy metals from the environment are, in general, expensive and potentially risky due to the possibility of the generation of hazardous by-products. Phytoremediation, a sustainable and inexpensive technology based on the removal of pollutants including Ni and Cd from the environment by plants, is a burning issue in plant research. However, as phytoremediation is a slow process, improvement of efficiency and thus increased stabilization or removal of these heavy metals from soils is an important goal. Efficiency of removal can be improved by mediation through arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) associations which are integral and functioning parts of plant roots, as enhancing plant growth on severely disturbed sites, including those contaminated with heavy metals in particular Ni and Cd. They are reported to be present on the roots of plants growing on heavy metal contaminated soils and play an important role in metal tolerance and accumulation. AM fungi act as a filtration barrier against transfer of heavy metals to plant shoots. The protection and enhanced capability of uptake of minerals result in greater biomass production, which is an important criteria for successful remediation. Isolation of the indigenous and presumably stress-adapted AM fungi can be a potential biotechnological tool for inoculation of plants in order to guarantee the effectiveness of AM symbiosis in the restoration of contaminated soils. Ni and Cd tolerant AM fungi like Glomus mosseae, Glomus tenue and Gigaspora spp. could protect plants against the harmful effects of metals.

Barun Kumar Manjhi, Sumita Pal, Sunita Kumari Meena, Ranjeet Singh Yadav, Alvina Farooqui, H. B. Singh and Amitava Rakshit

Elucidation of Variability, Interrelationships and Path-coefficient in Maize (Zea mays L.)

In order to study the genetic variability, heritability with genetic advance and character association along with the partitioning of the association into direct and indirect effects in 40 inbreds, an experiment was conducted at the Agricultural Research Farm of Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi (U.P.), India during rabi season of 2011-12. Almost all the characters under study showed highly significant variation. Higher values of genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variation were observed for the characters like grain yield per plant, number of kernels per row and ear height. Among the characters under study, yield per plant, ear height, number of kernels per row and 100-grain weight showed high heritability coupled with high genetic advance suggesting their importance for direct selection. Correlation studies revealed that number of kernels per row followed by cob diameter, ear height and number of kernel rows per cob exhibited significant positive association with grain yield per plant. Days to 50% tasseling and days to 50% silking showed a negative association with yield. Highest direct positive effect on yield per plant was observed for number of kernels per row followed by a number of kernel rows per cob.

Anand Chaudhary, Kartikeya Srivastava, Vishal Agrawal and Santosh Kumar

Some Studies on the Removal of Chromium from Electroplating Industry Waste by the leaf powder of Hibiscus mutabilis

Several methods of treatment have been suggested for removal of chromium from wastewaters which include chemical precipitation, reverse osmosis, ion exchange, foam formation, etc. The main disadvantages of the above processes are that they produce large amounts of sludge and there are no possibilities of metal recovery as they are very costly. The use of plants and other plant materials for the removal of the heavy metals has already been reported in the literature as the non-conventional adsorbents. In the present work, an attempt has been made to study the efficiency of removal of chromium using non-conventional adsorbents. Effluent from an electroplating industry was collected and analysed for pH value, acidity, suspended soils, dissolved solids and chromium. Batch experiments were conducted using the diluted effluent to facilitate the comparison of the results with control sample. Hibiscus mutabilis (commonly known as hibiscus plant) leaves were collected locally and were dried, powdered and sieved through standard sieve (I.S. no. 0.075mm). Batch experiments were carried out using this sieved leaf powder. Variation of chromium removal with contact period and dosage of adsorbent is studied using Freundlich plots.

Monangi Murali

Interaction Effect of Maize and Mashbean Intercropping on Sustainable Production System in Subtropical Zone of India

It is imperative that the world farmlands turn out to be the frontline for the battle to feed the projected 9 billion population globally. The deleterious effects of climate change on food security can be counteracting by broad-based agriculture development particularly enhanced crop diversification to mitigate farmer risk about complete destruction of crop that will overcome the impacts of climate change. It will also lead to benefits like improved food security besides improving soil nutrients. Therefore, a field trial was conducted. The experimental results revealed that application of 100% NPK with PSB and Zn in paired planted mashbean accumulated significantly more dry matter than rest of the treatment combinations, whereas normal planted mashbean intercropped with maize recorded maximum total uptake (8.15%) than 100% NPK alone. Likewise in maize similar trends were observed in dry matter and protein content. Moreover, application of 100% NPK alone with PSB and Zn on normal planted sole maize was brought significant improvement in organic carbon and potassium. However, nitrogen recorded higher under paired planted maize+mashbean. Though, normal (50 cm) planted maize+mashbean resulted significantly higher B:C ratio (2.73) at same fertility level.

Ashish Dwivedi, Adesh Singh, S. S. Tomar, Priyanka Bankoti, Onkar Singh and Kapil Kumar

Impact of Land Uses and Seasons on Physico-chemical Characteristics of Surface Water in Solan District of Himachal Pradesh

It has been widely accepted that there is a close relationship between the land use type and water quality. Streamwater is affected by several processes in the watershed, including anthropogenic activities that result in changes in the quality of water and its functioning. In year 2012, investigations on impact of land uses on physico-chemical properties of surface water was carried out during different seasons (rainy, winter and summer) in adjoining to Kandaghat block situated between latitude 30°57'994'' N and longitude 77°06'470'' E and 1458 metre above mean sea level in Solan District of Himachal Pradesh. The estimated water quality parameters were pH, electrical conductivity (EC), temperature, calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), nitrate (NO3-), chloride (Cl-), chemical oxygen demand (COD) and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) from 39 sampling sites under different land uses (agriculture, forest and urban). The experimental data were statistically analysed through Factorial Randomized Design and significance of each treatment was calculated. The maximum pH (7.69), EC (266.39 µS/cm), Ca (66.08 mg/L), temperature (19.25°C), BOD (1.45 mg/L) and COD (18.33 mg/L) of surface water were recorded under urban land use, whereas Mg (12.90 mg/L), Cl- (3.05 mg/L) and NO3- (4.19 mg/L) were maximum under agricultural land use. Maximum pH (7.79), temperature (22.58°C), BOD (1.71 mg/L), COD (17.41 mg/L), Ca (64.61mg/L), Mg (13.87 mg/L) and Cl- (3.39 mg/L) were recorded during summer season, whereas EC (264.75 µS/cm) and NO3- (3.91 mg/L) were maximum during rainy season. The water quality index (WQI) for selected land uses ranged between 1.0782 to 1.0919, whereas season wise water quality index (WQI) ranged from 1.0757 to 1.0956, which shows excellent water quality; small variations in water quality indices were seasonal and linked to land use practices.

Aakriti Chauhan and S. C. Verma

Seasonal Assessment of Wastewater Characteristics in Hilly Tourist Place and its Implication in Selection and Design of Wastewater Treatment Alternatives

Present investigation reports temporal variation in wastewater quality generated in a hilly and isolated tourist place Rishikesh, India. The prevailing demographic and geographical conditions here disallow a conventional treatment process to be implemented. In this context, an extensive wastewater characterization was exercised for the fractionation and quantification of domestic wastewater constituents e.g. organics and other nutrients. Characterization results demonstrated that a medium strength of wastewater is being generated bearing moderate values of chemical oxygen demand (COD) with low, readily biodegradable COD content which infers that the wastewater generated is not readily biodegradable. Furthermore, various important ratio parameters were established and assessed to ideate an appropriate wastewater treatment system for hilly areas. Results manifest that a biological treatment system with high SRT and with less vulnerability to the seasonal shock loads imposed by various physico-chemical parameters is preferable, especially for hilly tourist places.

Nitin Kumar Singh and Siddhartha Pandey

Strontium Isotope and Major Ions Chemistry of Groundwater from Sunan Coal-mining Region, Anhui Province, China

In order to understand the major chemistry, strontium isotope characteristics of deep groundwater in a coal-mining area, eight typical groundwater samples were collected from the Sunan coal-mining region, Anhui Province, China, the geochemical characteristics of major ions, strontium, 87Sr/86Sr and source of strontium were discussed. The results showed that almost all the groundwater samples are described as Na-HCO3 and Na-SO4 types. The concentration values of Sr in groundwater samples are decreasing as follows: LA>QA>CA, however, the 87Sr/86Sr ratios in opposite. The Ca, Mg and Sr elements in the groundwater samples have the same sources, for the positive correlation between Ca/Sr and Mg/Sr. Sr in groundwater samples mainly originated from dissolution of carbonate rock, partially originated from weathering of silicate rock, especially in the coal bearing aquifer.

Gui Herong

Assessing Agricultural Non-point Source Pollution Load of Nitrogen and Phosphorus in Hangzhou, China

Agricultural non-point source pollution is important environmental problem in China. In this study, the export coefficient model is applied to assess the agricultural non-point source pollution load of total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) based on the main pollution sources. The results showed that the agricultural non-point source pollution load of TN in Hangzhou was 18166t, and the TN load exported from animal husbandry accounted for the highest share. The agricultural non-point source pollution load of TP was 1668t, and the TP load exported from rural living accounted for the highest share. Then the spatial distribution of TN load and TP load was analysed. It revealed that the minimum TN load and TP load existed in central district in Hangzhou. The maximum TN load and TP load existed in Xiaoshan, Yuhang and Fuyang which surrounded the central district. The TN load and TP load in Chun’an, Jiande and Lin’an had a close relationship with local ecological protection and landforms. This assessment will offer effective support to policy makers for reducing TN load and TP load.

Ping Shen and Heyuan You

Adsorption Isotherm and Equilibrium Process of Dye Wastewater onto Camphor Sawdust

The textile industry plays an important role in the economies of numerous countries around the world. But the dye wastewater from the textile industry has become one of the most serious environmental problems today for its harm, especially in aquatic environments. Dyes are aromatic organic colorants and have potential applications in textile, plastic, rubber, paper and food industries. Therefore, the treatment of dye wastewater is of interest. The potential and effectiveness of the camphor sawdust was studied as an alternative adsorbent for the removal of dye wastewater. The dye Congo red was used as the pollutant. The effects of camphor sawdust dosage, pH in aqueous solution, the contact time and dye Congo red concentration on dye Congo red adsorption by the camphor sawdust were investigated. The results showed that the reaction factors had an important influence on adsorption process. The adsorption isotherm fitted better with the Langmuir model and the adsorption process was an endothermic process. The maximum adsorption capacity obtained from the Langmuir isotherm is 29.51 mg/g.

Shuiying Xiong, Muqing Qiu, Jiangping Song, Gusheng Wang, Yannan Xuan and Zebin Wang

Evaluation of Small and Large Scale Reverse Osmosis Desalination Plants Performance in the Gaza Strip During 2013

Gaza Strip is mostly in a catastrophic situation that needs urgent and serious action to improve the water status on the conditions of both quality and quantity. The desalination of brackish and seawater is at present a global motivation that has concerned overall government and public awareness, not only in arid areas, but also in other regions of the world. Desalination offers the only rational option for meeting the rising demand of potable water for the people of Gaza Strip. This paper presents the assessment of small and large scale desalination plants in the Gaza Strip during 2013 in terms of feed and product water quality and desalination capacity to estimate the needed improvements and their performance status. The study was conducted to determine the level of water quality parameters, including pH, electrical conductivity, turbidity, total dissolved solids, hardness, calcium, magnesium, chloride and nitrate. The quality of feed water was found to be noncompliant with WHO and Palestinian Water Authority (PWA) guidelines in most cases except pH and turbidity and some dissimilar results in all plants in case of total hardness. On the other hand the quality of product water was found to be compliant with WHO and PWA guidelines for all plants except one case which found to be higher levels in nitrate concentration. The evaluation made in this study may be helpful for understanding the current status of the plants’ performance and recommending the essential improvement required to enhance the performance of desalination plants in the Gaza Strip.

Samaher M. Abdeljawad, Hossam A. Zaqoot and Adnan M. Aish

Research on the Infrared Spectroscopy of Spent Mushroom Compost

In order to investigate the substance transformation mechanism of spent mushroom composting with different exogenous additives, infrared spectral analysis was used to study the spent mushroom composting, and the change of composting temperature was also considered. The result indicates that three treatments of shiitake mushroom (SSM), oyster mushroom (SOM), 50% oyster mushroom + 50% shiitake mushroom (SM), all showed the same transformation trend. Proteins, carbohydrates and aliphatic compounds decreased, while aromatization increased gradually in the composting process. Infrared spectrum characteristic showed that the number and structure of similar functional groups in composting materials is different, and SM has better effects than others.

Yang Xiang, Qi Jun, Liu Zhen, Luan Yaning, Zou Anlong and Sun Yingkun

Study on the Influential Factors of SCS-CN Model Parameter S in the Loess Plateau area

SCS-CN method, developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is simple, effective and can be used in the area having lack of rainfall process data, thus has been widely used to estimate the runoff. In this study, 213 runoff events from 9 plots at Zizhou located on the Loess Plateau area, were studied and applied to calibrate water storage capability of soil which is donated as S in the SCS-CN method. The influence factors of S parameter were then analysed. The results show that the main influence factor of S is initial abstraction Ia. The initial abstraction ratio (Ia / S) at Tuanshangou watershed is 0.03. The maximum 30-minute rainfall intensity, 5-day prior rainfall amount and soil moisture in the top 20 cm soil layer has no influence on the S parameter.

Li Shexin, Li Zhanbin, Li peng* and Tiegang Zhang

The Potential of Green-Blue Roof to Manage Storm Water in Urban Areas

Green (vegetated) blue roof is the best low impact development (LID) practice to improve the environment and to manage the stormwater rainfall runoff in cities. A green-blue roof was constructed at the Chungwoon middle school, Seoul and monitored to analyse its performance in reducing the stormwater runoff and peak runoff delay. Green roof is helpful in reducing the storm water runoff, because it can change the impervious area of the roof into the pervious area. Stormwater runoff from the control roof and green-blue roof has been monitored. From the results, it was found that the rainwater outflow from green-blue roof is much less than the control roof, which is helpful for the stormwater management in urban areas. Results also showed that the green-blue roof also helps to reduce the surface temperature of the roofs.

Muhammad Shafique, Reeho Kim and Daehee Lee

Analysis on Influence of Urban Spatial Pattern Changes on Social Vulnerability

This paper studies and analyses the formation and evolution of the urban spatial pattern of Harbin, a waterfront city in northern China. Considering the history and culture of this city, as well as the impetus of modern urbanization, and performing Pearson’s correlation analysis it is concluded that the modelled social vulnerability score and the flood damage in certain periods are highly correlated. The results indicate, 1. that the change of spatial pattern and the social vulnerability to disasters are in a high coupling relationship, 2) that the social vulnerability is closely related to the terrain of the disaster source, and the urban civilians, handicraftsmen and businessmen in Daoli District and Daowai District of the first stage of terrain are the population with the highest social vulnerability, and 3) that there is no apparently time-varying change of socially vulnerable groups. This paper innovates to combine the research on the dynamic change of the urban spatial pattern and the research on social vulnerability, in order to supplement and perfect the assessment system for social vulnerability influencing factors, and to provide reference for the establishment of the social policy as relevant.

Xia Quan-wei and Sun Bai-qing

Surrounding Environment and Water Quality Control of the Shangji Town Water Source in Xichuan County

The water which is diverted from the Danjiangkou reservoir’s Taocha watergate on the middle route of the South to North Water Diversion Project is devoted to solving the water shortage of more than 20 large and medium-sized cities such as Beijing, Tianjin, Shijiazhuang, but there exists a grave rocky desertification problem in Xichuan, which directly affects not only the actual income of the South to North Water Transfer Project, but also the production and life of the people nearby and social stability. Therefore, this research started from improving the environment and water quality control in Xichuan via scientific methods and means of management to improve Xichuan’s environment. First, a brief introduction is given to Xichuan’s existing problems, second, analysing the causes of rocky desertification, finally, suggestions are given on the rocky desertification control based on the specific circumstances of the Shangji town.

Du Hongwei

Persistent and Endocrine Disrupting Organic Pollutants: Advancements and Challenges in Analysis, Health Concerns and Clinical Correlates

Persistent and endocrine disrupting organic pollutants pose serious health risks to humans and wildlife due to their long half-lives, bioaccumulation and toxicity. These compounds have a negative impact on human health and induce a variety of carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic disorders. Extremely low concentrations of these compounds can induce adverse health effects in human. Efficient analytical methods are always demanded in order to extract and determine such low concentrations in environmental and biological samples. In the last decade, studies mostly focused on profiling and identification of persistent and endocrine disrupting pollutants in tissues and body fluids using various analytical methods. However, investigation of trace level pollutants associated with various disorders requires complex analytical protocols. Biological matrix presents serious challenges in the extraction of these pollutants mainly because of its complexity and inherent limitations of extraction procedures. We outline advantages and pitfalls of recent extraction approaches. Analysis of these compounds is carried out by using gas and liquid chromatography methods coupled with different detectors. We have reviewed the current status of advancements in the area of analytical chromatography and accomplishments and weaknesses have been pointed out. At the end, we encapsulate some health effects and clinical correlates of persistent and endocrine disrupting organic pollutants.

Muhammad Sajid, Chanbasha Basheer, Kothandaraman Narasimhan, Abdelbaset Buhmeida, Mohammed Al Qahtani and Mahmoud Shaheen Al-Ahwal

Effect of Trace Elements Supplement on Anaerobic Fermentation of Food Waste

Laboratory scale semi-continuous stirred tank reactors fed with food waste were used to investigate the effects of trace elements Co, Ni and chelating agent EDTA supplements on the biogas process. It was observed that the addition of Co, Ni and combination of the two elements increased the biogas yield compared to the control reactor by 15.0%, 30.8% and 39.5% respectively. The VFA, pH, methane content and TS content in the digesters were also stabilized. Ni was found to play a more important role in anaerobic digestion of food waste than Co. The combination Co-Ni added reactor performed better than those with individual elements regarding total biogas production and process stability. Addition of EDTA known to improve metal bioavailability showed that Co with EDTA supplement moderately affected the performance compared to Co only reactor, whereas EDTA with Ni addition showed no improvement.

Wang Yao, Sun Yongming, Yuan Zhenhong, Li Lianhua and Zhuang Xinshu

The Green Ecological Environment in Shanghai Free Trade Area

As one of the key cities in the largest developing country, Shanghai has already been an international city around the world, and its economy has increased at two-digit speed for thirteen years consecutively. The construction of Shanghai Free Trade Zone has the ability to promote the opening of service industry, to accelerate financial reform, to update foreign trade, to simplify administration as well as to promote China’s economic structure transformation. However, the rapid economic development has brought about great challenges to the ecological environment, therefore, to create a good urban ecological environment is not only a pursuit of human beings, but also an important part that is related to human existence, social development and economic system reform, and which is the most direct embodiment of the principle of “people-oriented”. This paper aims to provide reference for the development of Shanghai Free Trade Zone and the creation of urban ecological environment.

Yangluxi Li

New Factor (Quality of Temperature) Affecting Directly the Biogas Production and Solved by Solar Heating Models

This research focuses on a new parameter that can directly affect the biogas production. The study was carried out in two groups under two different temperature conditions. The first group, outside the door (allow the digester temperature to change according to ambient temperature), and the second is in the control room that support the digester to keep the temperature in balance without fluctuation, however there is no source of heating. Each group has three digesters with different total solid (TS) i.e, 6, 8 and 10% TS. The result shows that the average of the temperatures inside the digesters of the outdoor group (first group) was 29.39°C (52.2°C maximum, and 12°C minimum) compared with the control room group (second group), which was 25.7°C (30°C maximum, and 20°C minimum). However, the temperature in the first group was higher, but biogas production of the second group was more constant and higher. This phenomenon is due to the gas production been significantly affected by variations of temperature inside the digester during the daytime in the first group. This problem could explain the reason of changing the biogas production in biogas digester that does not use any heat source (lagoon, underground digester, etc.). As the temperature decreases sharply, the gas production also decreases sharply. Accordingly, it is difficult to generate large amounts of gas with stable performance without keeping the temperature inside the digesters in balance throughout the whole fermentation days, even though there is no heating source. Therefore, we recommended one of three solar heating models that is able to keep it in balance temperature and, therefore increase the performance of fermentation without daily additional costs.

Qiu Ling and Amro A. M. Hassanein and Asli Ayhan

Research on the Green Wind Environment Based on Numerical Simulation

With the continuous innovations in computer technology, the computer numerical simulation method has been widely applied. This paper is based on the numerical simulation method, it is anchored to the architectural green wind environmental studies, explored the relationship between the environment and the building and the role of the environment on the building development, and the impact of the wind environment on the architectural design and the structural design, in order to restore the positive interactions between the environment and the building, and lay the foundation for the road to the sustainable development of the building.

Li Yang and Feng Qian

Estimation of Vegetation Energy Potential in Natural Ecosystems of Iran

Because of its wide area and geographical diversity, Iran has a nature with different types of vegetation species. Located in desert belt, on one hand, and facing with serious ecosystem threats such as draught, soil erosion, decreased vegetation of desert areas, and overuse of vegetation in the vulnerable areas, on the other hand, has led to the ever increasing attention to Iran ecosystems. In this paper, it is tried to have a suitable estimation about the vegetation energy potential of Iran. Considering the scarce vegetation of Iran, expansion of this vegetation might be a considerable contribution to increasing this potential, which consequently results in the improvement in environmental advantages, such as reduction of soil erosion, increase of herbal fertilizers, fodder for stocks feeding, and oxygen, lowering the shifting sands, and the decrease of dunes and microspores. In this regard, various ecosystems of Iran were selected and their total potential was estimated for one energy unit, considering biomass content in every hectare of land. Moreover, considering the Iran’s potential in the production of energy products, vegetation expansion by planting the Jatropha was studied in this work in three scenarios. The results of this study indicate that Iranian ecosystems have an annual 2,695,757 billion calories which equals to 1.8 billion barrels of crude oil. Moreover, the results of these scenarios evince that a 5% increase in energy generating vegetation such as Jatropha in the desert areas, it is possible to provide 18% of domestic gasoil demand. Hence, it is required to have a support upon creation of energizer vegetation products, as well as supervision of state organizations for creation of a suitable vegetation cover in the entire country.

Shima Javaheri, Hossein Sadeghi and Mohammadhadi Hajian

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