Assessment of Trace and Rare Earth Element Levels in Stream Sediments in Ijero-Ekiti Area, Southwest Nigeria

The study considered the level, sources and extent of trace and rare earth elements (REE) contamination in Agbangudu stream sediments in Ekiti State, Southwestern Nigeria. The samples were analysed with Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectrometer (LA-ICP-MS). The trace and rare earth elements’ concentration ranged from 0.50 (Mo) to 750 (Ba) and 0.16 (Lu) to 175 (Ce) ppm respectively. The results revealed that the sediments are not that enriched in REEs. The Pollution Load Index (PLI) indicates baseline levels of the metals. The geochemical index (Igeo) of the elements revealed uncontaminated to moderately contaminated, except for Cs and Ta with strongly to extremely contaminated status. The Average Shale Value (AVS) and the Upper Continental Crust (UCC) normalized REE distribution patterns of the sediments. To establish the relationship between the metals, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Clusters Analysis (CA) were used as classification techniques. Despite the common occurrences of the elements, their overall patterns were much different as revealed by the cluster analysis.

H. Y. Madukwe, O. A. Ibigbami and R. A. Obasi

A Study on Pullout Test of Root Subjected to Axial Load

Vegetation can enhance the stability of slopes by increasing the shear resistance of the soil. Shear stress applied to the soil matrix is resisted by the pullout strength of the roots via the friction at contact points between the soil and the roots. The effectiveness of root reinforcement depends on interface friction between soil and roots. In this study, tests were carried out on Indigofera amblyantha Craib roots, by measuring resistance as they are pulled out of the soil where the soil has varying dry densities. The results reveal three phases in the relationship between the pullout force and the slippage of the roots, i.e. (1) steep rise, (2) steep fall, and (3) gradual decline. In the first phase, the pullout force is increasing sharply and linearly up to a maximum when the slippage is about 10mm. With continued slippage, the required pullout force decreases significantly and nonlinearly in up and down fluctuations. Eventually, the pullout force reaches zero. For soil with a given dry density, the maximum pullout force increases linearly with increasing root diameter, and the correlation coefficient is greater than 0.9. Further, for a root with a given diameter, the maximum pullout force increases with increasing soil dry density. When the root breaks on pulling, it is called tensile failure; when the root is fully pulled out, it is called friction failure. The mode of failure for all roots is friction failure, for soil with dry densities of 1.35 g/cm3, 1.45 g/cm3, and 1.55 g/cm3. For soil with a dry density of 1.65 g/cm3, and root diameter under 0.716 mm, the observed failure mode is generally tensile; for diameters over 0.716 mm, the failure mode changes to friction; that is, thin roots break, thick roots get pulled out

Lun Zhang, Zhenyao Xia, Wennian Xu, Xiao Hai, Daxiang Liu,Liming Liu and Bingqin Zhao

Evaluation of Urban Wetland Ecosystem Service Value in Zhuzhou City

Zhuzhou is an important part of the Changsha-Zhuzhou-Xiangtan city group in southern China. To grasp the economic benefits of urban wetland resources value in Zhuzhou City, strengthen wetland conservation and utilization, and ensure the sustainable development of cities, this paper takes Zhuzhou 2016 wetland remote sensing image interpretation map and multi-source data as the foundation, and build urban wetland ecosystem service evaluation system. Through deduplicate double counting, this paper evaluates the value of urban wetland ecosystem service in Zhuzhou City employing shadow project method, replacement cost method, travel cost method, conditional value method and other economic value evaluation methods. The results indicate: (a) The total value of urban wetland ecosystem services is $1,527,908,900 in 2016. (b) The ultimate value of urban wetland services ranked as follows: water storage regulation value ($539,566,265), climate regulation value ($424,930,361), tourism recreation value ($174,543,328), water supply value ($133,183,901), biological product value ($121,987,952), atmospheric composition regulation value ($92,111,687), soil erosion prevention value ($15,799,608), water purification value ($14,598,298), and aesthetic heritage value ($10,075,346); (c) The value of different types of wetlands ranked as follows: paddy fields ($526,111,672), riverine wetland ($526,111,672), ponds ($329,628,343), reservoirs ($149,275,241), wastewater treatment plant ($207,831/a); (d) The value per unit area of different types of wetlands ranked as follows: reservoirs ($240,919/ha), riverine wetland ($236,627/ha), pond ($145,693/ha), paddy fields ($26,551/ha) and wastewater treatment plant ($17,003/ha). The evaluation results reveal the great contribution of urban wetland system service to the Zhuzhou city with numbers, that not only provides data basis for wetland conservation and management but also provides a reference for the refined evaluation of urban wetland ecosystem service value.

Wen Zhan, Huifeng Cheng and Shouyun Shen

CH4 Emission Flux Model in Rice Growing Season in Cold Region Under Water Saving Irrigation Mode

Rice paddies have been identified as major methane (CH4) source induced by human activities. Water management is an important factor affecting CH4 emission during the rice growing season, and the water depth in a rice field directly affects the production, oxidation, and transfer. Field experiments on irrigation management are generally conducted under three modes: control irrigation, intermittent irrigation, and long-term flood irrigation. Static opaque chamber gas chromatographic method was adopted in this work for in situ observations of CH4 emission flux in a field in the rice growing season in a cold region of China. Test data from 2016 was adopted to establish the single factor and interaction types of the CH4 emission flux estimation model for the rice growing season under different water management methods, and the data from 2017 was used for model inspection. The estimation models were based on NO3-N in soil and soil temperature, 10 cm under the soil surface. All models passed the significance test for significance levels of P<0.01. The average forecast error of the model is 13.53-24.78%, and the coefficient of determination Radj2 is between 0.399-0.675. The calculated values of the model are consistent with the measured values. The model established in this research can be used for estimation of CH4 emission in the rice growing season in cold regions of China for different water-saving irrigation modes.

Lihong Yu and Mengxue Wang

Machine Learning Model for Revealing the Characteristics of Soil Nutrients and Aboveground Biomass of Northeast Forest, China

Declining soil quality and climate change may affect species diversity and forest biomass productivity in many temperate regions in the future. Our research objective is to reveal the characteristics of soil nutrients and biomass of forests in Northeast China with climate change. The purpose of this study was to determine the soil physical and chemical properties of mature broad-leaved forest in the cold temperate zone of Mt. Changbai, Jilin Province, by measuring pH, NH4 +, organic matter (%), C/N, available phosphorus, alkali-hydrolysable N, rapidly available K, and Cr etc., analysing species diversity characteristics, and estimating aboveground biomass (AGB) of tree species with machine learning models. The results showed that with the increase of soil depth, the soil physical and chemical parameters have a decreasing trend; with the increase of soil depth, the soil nutrient content decreased; the main tree species were the Acer barbinerve (6937), Carpinus cordata Bl. (6682) and Acer mandshuricum Maxim. (5447) etc. The total difference (SOR) showed a similar trend in the four directions and central point; the reference sample size at central point, north, west, south and east direction was 903, 954, 971, 1005 and 1016, respectively; GRNN model was the relatively best model among these models for modelling the aboveground biomass of the trees. Therefore, the diversity of tree species in north-eastern forests was affected by soil nutrients, climate change also has a significant impact on the aboveground biomass of northeast forests, which provides a theoretical basis for the management of northeast forests about soil physical and chemical properties and species diversity.

Chunyan Wu, Lifeng Pang, Jun Jiang, Miaoying An and Yuanjun Yang

Characterizing the Intensity and Dynamics Change Relationship Between the Land-Use and Landscape Pattern in the Ordos Bojiang Basin

This paper seeks to analyse the present and future land-use change transition intensity (using Pontius intensity model) and landscape pattern using landscape metrics to investigate the relationship between the land cover regions, landscape pattern and the changes in the size of Bojiang lake in Ordos basin from 1987-2017. The accelerated changes in each land use region from 1987 and 2017 subsequently led to changes in landscape pattern. The changes experienced within 1987 and 2017 including the future changes indicated that the grassland and sparsely vegetated region increased significantly, dominating the study region which however indicated an increase in anthropogenic activities like agricultural activities in the study region. Based on our observation in this study, the change in each land use region although showed a significant relationship with the change in water region including Bojiang lake, other external factors also contributed to the changes in the size of the lake.

Harrison Odion Ikhumhen, Tianxin Li and Nametso Matomela

Hydrolithological Investigation for Near-Surface Aquifers Within Lekki Peninsula, Lagos, Southwestern Nigeria

This study is aimed at investigating the near-surface aquifers within Lekki Peninsula, Lagos, Southwestern Nigeria. Thirty-one (31) Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) data were acquired using the Schlumberger array with current electrode spacing, which varies between 1 and 400m. The VES data were quantitatively interpreted, and the final layer parameters obtained were used to generate 2D geoelectric sections. Litho-logs acquired within the Lekki Peninsula were used to correlate the geoelectric sections to understand the nature and depth of groundwater contained in each aquiferous zone. The lithologies delineated in the study area include the topsoil (fill and/or sand) with resistivity value, which varies between 39 and 1535Wm as well as layer thickness from 0.5 to 5.5m; second layer of wet clay/sandy clay (saturated with brackish water) with resistivity value, which varies between5 and 163Wm as well as layer thickness from 1.5 to 10m; third layer of clayey sand/sand (saturated with freshwater) with resistivity value, which varies between 10 and 898Wm as well as layer thickness value from5 to 34m; and fourth layer of clay (saturated with saline water) with resistivity value, which varies between 1 and 9Wm. Isolated sand bodies (probably unsaturated zone) with resistivity value, which varies from 648 to 3560 Wm, were delineated beneath VES stations 24, 25, 29 and 30. The study concludes that the topsoil (sand/fill), unsaturated zone (conglomerate), silty mud layer (brackish/ freshwater saturated), and sand layer (saline water-saturated) constitute the aquifers and water quality within Lekki Peninsular. The inhabitants of the study area are, therefore, advised to avoid absurd usage of water to reduce the pumping rate and intrusion into the saline water formation.

O. G. Bayowa, T. A. Adagunodo, O. A. Olaleye, A. E. Adeleke, M. R. Usikalu and S. A. Akinwumi

Field Performance and Economic Feasibility of Self-Propelled Vertical Conveyor Reaper (VCR) for Harvesting of Rice in West Sikkim and A Technological Strategy for Mitigation of Air Pollution through Crop Residue Burning in India

Sikkim is a small Indian state located in the Himalayan region with 10.67 thousand hectares under cultivation and rice production of 19.69 thousand tonnes. Mechanized rice harvesting can play a crucial role in reducing grain loss and operational cost. To mechanize rice harvesting in hilly areas, a feasibility study has been undertaken to evaluate the field performance of self-propelled Vertical Conveyor Reaper (VCR) for the harvesting of rice as well as economically in terraces of Daramdin Government farm, Sikkim. In India, out of total 488 MT crop residue, about 24% of it was burnt in agricultural fields during 2017, resulting in emissions of particulate matter (PM2.5), elemental carbon (EC) and organic carbon (OC) and additionally CO2 equivalent greenhouse gases (CO2, CH4, N2O) were also added to the atmosphere. VCR has been evaluated under the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) code in field & laboratory conditions. The pre and post-harvesting field parameters for operating the VCR have been determined. The field capacity and efficiency of VCR were 0.1203 ha/h and 72.03% at 1.52 km/h, compared to 0.0178 ha/h in manual operation. At lower speed and better control, terrace-1 losses were 0.58% less than terrace-2. The harvesting cost/ha calculated considering the field capacity was Rs.1140.59/ha (US$16.44) and Rs. 1368.61/ha (US$19.73) for gear-1 and gear-2 respectively, which leads to considerable savings in time and labour which was 85.2% and 30.8% for the operational cost (gear-1) giving maximum efficiency. Also, instead of manual operation where stubble height remains at 70 mm, VCR harvest the crop at a maximum height of 11-13 mm, which further reduces the crop residue burning in fields and results in mitigation of air pollution. Therefore, in hilly terraces or plane areas where the use of reaper is feasible, its use may be promoted as efficient harvesting and environmental strategy both.

Abhijit Debnath and Narvendra Singh Chauhan

Comparative Assessment of Trace Metal Concentrations and Their Eco-Risk Analysis in Soils of the Vicinity of Roundhill Landfill, Southern Africa

Soil is a vital media in transmitting contaminants in the environment. Contamination of soils by trace metals has received much attention due to their associated toxicity, persistence, bioaccumulation and non-biodegradability that is harmful to the ecology. This study assayed the concentrations of trace metals in topsoils of the vicinity of Roundhill landfill using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF), compared the detection capabilities of the two techniques and determined ecological risks of the contaminants using geographical information system. Soils were collected from nine sampling sites around Roundhill landfill in the Eastern Cape and analysed for five trace metals using the two techniques. Mean concentrations of Cr, Cu, Ni and Zn determined by ICP-MS and XRF were normally distributed (p<0.05) from the parametric test while no significant differences between the two datasets were established from the non-parametric test. Under-estimated elemental concentrations determined by XRF were attributed to its high detection limits, matric effects, inter-elemental peak interferences and low sensitivity of the equipment. Correlation values of Cr, Cu and Ni showed a high degree of linearity compared to Pb. Evaluated eco-risk indices revealed low to extremely high ecological risks, posed by assessed trace elements in soils. Cr had the highest potency. Assayed trace metals were ecologically harmful to soils and their origin was linked to landfill leachate pollution.

Nyika Joan Onyari Ednah, Megersa Olumana Dinka and Shivani Bhardwaj Mishra

A Review on Emerging Contaminants in Indian Waters and Their Treatment Technologies

Emerging contaminants (ECs) have been detected recently in many water bodies across India. Studies have found the presence of ECs in surface water, groundwater, stormwater, treated wastewater, treated industrial effluent, bottled water and snow from glaciers in Indo-Chinese border which contaminate water bodies. The surface water recharges the groundwater, thereby the ECs make their way to deep water aquifers. The soil also gets contaminated and plants can uptake ECs. These micropollutants can cause adverse ecological and human health effects. Antimicrobial resistance of bacteria to commonly used antibiotics has been observed in India. An exhaustive review of emerging contaminants in Indian waters and their treatment technologies has been carried out. Antibiotic-resistant genes can be easily transferred resulting in a plethora of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria which can cause devastating effects on human health. Conventional biological treatment is not capable of removing ECs completely. Advanced oxidation processes using ozonation and visible light active photocatalyst are a sustainable solution for the removal of most ECs. Hence, it is of utmost importance to monitor the presence of ECs in the water environment and develop treatment technologies for its removal.

Riya Ann Mathew and S. Kanmani

Adsorption of Azo Dye Malachite Green onto Rice Wine Lees: Kinetic and Adsorption Isotherms

The adsorption of malachite green in aqueous solution onto rice wine lees was carried out in detail. The effects of different rice wine lees dosage, solution pH and initial concentration on the adsorption of malachite green by rice wine lees were studied. The experimental results showed that the removal rate of malachite green increases with the increasing dosage of rice wine lees. When the dosage of rice wine lees is 5 g/L, the removal rate within 30 min is 96.22%. At the same time, the removal rate increases as the pH of the solution increases, and the removal rate is higher in an alkaline environment. The kinetic study was performed by the pseudo-first-order and the pseudo-second-order reactions. According to the experimental data, the pseudo-second-order kinetic model better described the adsorption of dye onto rice wine lees, it implies that the predominant process is chemisorption. Besides, the adsorption isotherms were studied by Langmuir model, Freundlich and Temkin isotherm models. The results indicated that the adsorption followed the Langmuir model and the maximum adsorption capacity was 21.505 mg/g. The dye malachite green adsorption onto rice wine lees was monolayer adsorption.

Qian Wang, Liping Liang, Gangliang Tian, Qiaole Mao and Xu Meng

Government’s Control Countermeasures Against Environmental Pollution by Introducing Third-Party Constraints

With the rapid development of China’s economy, environmental pollution becomes increasingly serious in recent years. The environmental governance model of “who pollutes, who governs” is that polluters handle pollutants following relevant laws and regulations under government supervision. Practice shows that this governance model has little effect. The pressure of social groups plays an important role in promoting compliance with laws and regulations and reducing corporate emissions. To improve the government’s control of environmental pollution, third-party organizations as binding parties, mainly referring to the public, civil organizations, and the news media were introduced; a game model with government, sewage companies, and third-party organizations as participants was built. The results show that countermeasures against government environmental pollution are constrained third parties and effectively restrict the environmental pollution behaviour of sewage companies. This scenario alleviates the problem of information asymmetry between government and enterprises, reduces the cost of government supervision, and helps strengthen the governance of environmental pollution issues.

Yanmin Zhao

Comparison of Binding and Interaction Studies of Metal Ions/Surfactant with Protein by Various Physical Methods

The metal ions play a vital role in a large number of widely differing biological processes. Some of these processes are quite specific in their metal ion requirements. In that only certain metal ions, in specific oxidation states, can fulfil the necessary catalytic or structural requirement, while other processes are much less specific. In this paper, the interactions between triethanolamine, lauryl sulphate and albumin molecules have been reported. The pH and diffusion current measurements on the binding of copper and mercury ions with albumin have been discussed. The effect of physico-chemical factors on the interaction between divalent metal ions and albumin has been carried out. Physico-chemical studies on the binding of Hg(II) and Cu (II) with albumin have been discussed.

Shveta Acharya and Arun Kumar Sharma

The Measurement and Influencing Factors of Agricultural Carbon Emissions in China’s Western Taiwan Straits Economic Zone

Carbon emissions in agricultural production activities have become an important source of accelerating climate warming. At present, low-carbon agriculture is not only an important means to mitigate climate warming, but also a necessary process of transformation from traditional agriculture to modern agriculture. Therefore, to achieve the sustainable development of agriculture in China’s Western Taiwan Straits Economic Zone (WTS Economic Zone), the governments should vigorously promote the upgrading and realize the development of low-carbon agriculture. By adopting the latest emission coefficients and the ordered weighted averaging (OWA) aggregation operator, this paper selected agricultural land use, rice paddies, crop production, livestock manure storage and livestock enteric fermentation as the five carbon emission sources, and measured agricultural carbon emissions in the WTS Economic Zone from 2010 to 2017. Thus, from the time perspective, the average agricultural carbon emissions in the WTS Economic Zone showed a fluctuating downward trend, from 762.64 × 103 tonnes in 2010 to 710.02 × 103 tonnes in 2017. From the spatial perspective, total agricultural carbon emissions among regions are quite different. To further clarify the factors affecting agricultural carbon emissions in the WTS Economic Zone, by applying the geographically and temporally weighted regression (GTWR) model, this paper selected the research and development intensity, the added value of agriculture, the proportion of agricultural labour force, the overall level of urbanization, per capita disposable income of rural residents and per capita arable land areas as the influencing factors, and then measured the direction and degree of the influences on agricultural carbon emissions in different temporal-spatial backgrounds. The results showed that the added value of agriculture, the proportion of agricultural labour force and per capita arable land areas had positive influences on agricultural carbon emissions, while the research and development intensity, the overall level of urbanization and per capita disposable income of rural residents had negative impacts. Although agricultural carbon emissions in the WTS Economic Zone have decreased in recent years, further measures can be taken to effectively reduce agricultural carbon emissions, and ultimately promote the development of low carbon agriculture according to the results of this study.

Yihui Chen and Minjie Li

Capital Allocation Efficiency Evaluation of Energy Conservation and Environmental Protection Enterprises in the Yangtze River Delta of China

Various measures are implemented to promote the construction of China’s ecology. These measures aim to accelerate the green transformation of the economy and promote the rapid development of energy conservation and environmental protection industry under the promotion of relevant policies. Consequently, the numbers of enterprises and the market scale have shown explosive growth. However, energy conservation and environmental protection enterprises are faced with lack of technological innovation, shortage of capital, and high cost. Effective measures must optimize the efficiency of capital allocation. To evaluate the capital allocation efficiency of energy conservation and environmental protection enterprises, 26 listed companies of energy conservation and environmental protection in the Yangtze River Delta of China were selected as samples. Monetary capital, accounts receivable, inventory, fixed assets, and construction in progress were used as input scalars. Net profit, undistributed profit, and surplus reserve were used as output variables. The Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) model was used for analysis. Results show that capital allocation efficiency of 11 sample companies is DEA-effective. Power, heat, gas, water production, and supply industry rank first with the real estate industry divided by industry. Shanghai ranks first in the regional division. Specific improvement strategies are proposed for non-DEA effective sample enterprises.

Hongjun Xiong

Potential of Urban Wetlands for Ecotourism Development- A Case of Deepor Beel, Guwahati

Wetlands are amongst the most productive ecosystems of the Earth. The system includes diverse features in terms of components, functions and attributes. Wetland ecosystems are essential to human well-being (Finlayson et al. 2005). A substantial body of evidence demonstrates that wetlands can deliver a great variety of benefits to human society (Ghermandi et al. 2010). Up to 87% of the global wetland resource has been lost since 1700. The planet is losing wetlands three times faster than natural forests. Tourism is one of the significant tools to enhance and support environmental conservation. According to UNWTO, sustainable tourism means putting the principles of sustainable development, set out at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992, into practice in tourism. Deepor Beel is a permanent freshwater lake and the only Ramsar site in Assam which is experiencing adverse human activities; filling of wetlands for habitation purpose, cutting the sides of wetlands, pollution, fishing and killing of migratory birds. Degradation of water quality, sedimentation in the lake surface, deforestation activities in and around the Beel area has increased the importance of conservation and restoration of the Beel. Presently, Deepor Beel is a degrading Beel, facing threats due to urban encroachment and its illegal uses. Therefore, the research questions for this study are- (i) What are the causes and effects of deterioration of the wetland ecosystem? (ii) How to manage the wetland ecosystem through ecotourism development? The study aims to conserve urban wetlands to enhance eco-tourism and have a balanced urban development of Guwahati. To understand the potentiality of eco-tourism in Deepor Beel in Guwahati, the objectives are to understand the importance of urban wetland ecosystem and its present status, to assess the development initiatives in terms of tourism development by government and private sectors in Guwahati, to analyse the socio-economic and governance aspects of the wetland management and tourism in Guwahati and finally to suggest strategies or measures to enhance ecotourism-based wetland development. Primary and secondary data are used in the study through field study and secondary data collection from various organisations. Ecotourism opportunity spectrum is an analysis done to understand the suitability of the wetland for ecotourism development. To understand the anthropogenic impacts of human activity, water quality index, spatial pattern analysis, species diversity index, correlation analysis, carrying capacity analysis, Kuppuswamy’s socio-economic scale, Karl Pearson correlation, vulnerable economic index, WTP-Demand Curve, SWOT analysis and Pralong’s method is used to derive the potentiality of the wetland for ecotourism. Tools like Arc GIS, SPSS, MS Excel, Google Sketch Up and Google Earth have been used for the various analyses of the study. The study would find its application in the field of ecotourism development at the state level which would contribute to the growth of GDP to the nation. The initiatives were taken under ecotourism that incorporates policies and strategies at the organizational level, spatial planning, local community level that would also benefit the local community by generating employment as well as conserving the richness of the biodiversity of the lake. The findings and proposals of the study can be a helpful strategy to develop an appropriate policy for tourism to be beneficial to both the economic benefits of the state and empowerment of the local people.

Pratiksha Baruah

Preparation and Adsorption Properties of Polyacrylamide/Graphene Oxide Composite Aerogel

Graphene oxide (GO) and acrylamide (AM) were polymerized and cross-linked to form a composite aerogel. The microscopic properties and thermal stability of the composite aerogel were characterized by infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric instrument and scanning electron microscopy. The adsorption properties of the composite aerogel were tested. The effects of temperature, GO/AM ratios, pH values, feed amounts, dye liquor concentrations and times on the adsorption properties of composite aerogels were investigated. The results showed that under the same experimental conditions, the more the aerogel dosage and the longer the adsorption time, the better the adsorption performance of the composite aerogel on the active yellow dye liquor; the temperature had little effect on the adsorption of the dye liquor. The gel had the greatest adsorption effect under acidic conditions. The pH was 0.99, the dosage was 0.25g, the concentration of the dye solution was 40mg/L, and the adsorption rate reached 65.51?ter adsorption for 24 hours.

Yanyan Dong, Wendan Wu, Liping Liang, Shuqi Tao and Xu Meng

Analysis of Water Balance Components and Parameter Uncertainties Based on SWAT Model with CMADS Data and SUFI-2 Algorithm in Huangbaihe River Catchment, China

The Huangbaihe River is the primary water source for Yichang city. Large-scale phosphate mining activities in the Huangbaihe River Catchment area could change the proportion of streamflow components; therefore, an accurate simulation of streamflow and its components is vital to enable effective water resource management and protection. In this study, the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model with input data from China Meteorological Assimilation Driving Datasets (CMADS) and the traditional gaging station was applied to simulate hydrological processes in the upper reaches of the Huangbaihe River Catchment area. The constructed model was calibrated and validated using observed streamflow on a monthly scale. Parameter sensitivity and uncertainty analysis were conducted using the Sequential Uncertainty Fitting (SUFI-2) algorithm, and the strengths of calibration and uncertainty analysis were evaluated by applying the p-factor (proportion of measurements covered by the 95PPU) and r-factor (mean thickness of 95PPU band separated using the standard deviation of measurements). The results show that the SWAT model with the two kinds of data source proficiently simulated streamflow records compared with only one data from traditional gauging stations in both the calibration and validation periods at the whole outlet. For the calibration (2009-2012) and validation (2013-2016) periods, the statistical indexes are all good at the Xuanmiaoguan gaging station and the whole outlet. Furthermore, spatiotemporal changes in overland runoff and lateral flow were strongly consistent with precipitation, and significant differences in the contribution from hydrological elements to the water balance were observed between high and low-flow years.

Huijuan Bo, Xiaohua Dong, Zhonghua Li, Gebrehiwet Reta, Lu li and Chong Wei

Solar Photocatalytic Degradation of Organic Contaminants in Landfill Leachate Using TiO2 Nanoparticles by RSM and ANN

In the present study, artificial neural network (ANN) and response surface methodology (RSM) models were used to investigate the heterogeneous photocatalysis performance in removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD) from landfill leachate using compound parabolic collector. Effect of the three parameters, i.e. pH, catalyst dosage, and irradiation time was studied for COD removal efficiency and these parameters are optimized by the RSM. The optimum values of pH 5, the dosage of 0.75 g/L and irradiation time of 100 minutes are capable to remove 32.19% of COD from the leachate. A good agreement is shown by the analysis of variance for the regression coefficient R2 for predicted value (0.92268) and adjusted value (0.9776). The proposed RSM and ANN model R2 values were found to be 0.9882 and 0.9974 respectively, which confirms the ideality of RSM and ANN. The results also confirm that the input and output data from RSM could be appropriate to build the ANN model. Further BOD5/COD ratio is studied for the biodegradability of leachate and it was found that increase of biodegradability value from 0.17 to 0.47 was at pH 3, catalyst dosage of 1 g/L and irradiation time of 150 minutes.

Naveen N. Desai, Veena S. Soraganvi and Vijay Kumar Madabhavi

Ecological Compensation Mechanism of Ambient Air Quality: A Case Study of Hubei Province, China

Given the increase in energy consumption and the advancement of urbanization, the expected level for the prevention and control of air pollution has not been achieved, and urban air quality has deteriorated significantly. Environmental air ecological compensation has become an important method to control air pollution to realize sustainable economic and societal development. The object, method, and standard for compensation were discussed based on the case study of the environmental air ecological compensation mechanism in the Hubei Province of China. Results show that the compensation mechanism solves the negative externality of the environment caused by the fuzzy air property rights to a certain extent. Besides, the mechanism addresses the dilemma caused by the fragmented management of the local government to the collective action and promotes the transformation from the traditional pollution control mode of the regulated enterprises to the governance mode to strengthen government regulation.

Ming Zhong and Long Wang

Comparison Study of Various Cellulose Acetylation Methods from its IR Spectra and Morphological Pattern of Cellulose Acetate as a Biomass Valorisation

Recently substitution of fossil fuel-based polymer by natural polymer sources has been studied. Cellulose acetate that can be produced from the cellulose of biomass waste is an environmentally friendly and important polymer with many applications. This study was undertaken to determine the most suitable and effective method in the cellulose acetate (CA) production. Moreover, the role of catalyst and usefulness of trichloroacetate and I2 catalyst has been studied. As many as 12 methods of acetylation for CA synthesis has been carried out, and the results have been compared. The peak height ratio of infrared (IR) spectra of acetyl groups was studied to determine the formation of CA. The result showed that the activation step resulted in higher IR spectra peak than the direct synthesis method. An important result of this study was shown when trichloroacetate catalyst combined with H2SO4 resulted in significantly higher IR spectra than the conventional method. Interestingly, I2 catalyst resulted in better IR spectra peak than H2SO4 did, even the activation step was not performed. It showed that the addition of trichloroacetate and I2 in the CA synthesis with acetic anhydride as an acetylating agent was better than conventional CA acetylation method. Furthermore, I2 catalyst showed the best result among other methods and will be the promising pathway to produce CA. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis showed that the diameter of cellulose fibre was decreased and fracture surface occurred after the synthesis reaction.

Roni Maryana, Muslih Anwar, Andri Suwanto, Siti Uswatun Hasanah and Eka Fitriana

Lithium Induced Toxicity Profile of Oxygen Consumption, Haematological Parameters and Biochemical Profiles of Channa punctatus and Oreochromis niloticus

Freshwaters are highly vulnerable to pollution since they act as immediate sinks for the consequences of human activity always associated with the danger of accidental discharges. Heavy metals constitute a core group of aquatic pollutants and additional concentrations of these metals accumulate in the aquatic ecosystems as a result of land-based activities. Fish mostly tend to bioaccumulate heavy metals, and humans can be at great risk, sometimes even lethal, through contamination of the food chain. An attempt has been made in the present investigation to determine the acute toxicity of lithium and its toxicological effects on survival, physiological, haematological and biochemical parameters of the widely consumed spotted sneak head Channa punctatus and Nile Tilapia Oreochromis niloticus. Short-term acute toxicity tests were performed by exposing the test species to different concentrations of lithium chloride. The results showed that the normal respiratory activity of the fish was significantly affected and there was a depression in the metabolic rate at the end of 24, 48, 72 and 96h exposure. Appreciable decline changes occur in haematological parameters and biochemical profiles of the fish. This study reflects the extent of the toxic effects of lithium and the metal-induced cumulative deleterious effects at various functional levels in the widely consumed freshwater fish, Channa punctatus and Oreochromis niloticus.

S. ThangaMalathi and V.Anuradha

Effective Utilization of Fly Ash for Vermicompost Production by Employing Eisenia fetida

Thermal Power plants cater the energy needs in many of the countries across the globe, but they indeed pose health hazard to the atmosphere by the release of pollutants such as fly ash, particulate matter, dust, smoke-laden with gaseous pollutants etc., As it is mandatory to meet the energy demand of the increasing population, it is also important to manage the waste produced as the result of these industries. Though there exist various methodologies to manage the waste, vermicomposting is one of the cost-effective and simple techniques available to manage many of the solid waste emanated from different industries. Hence, this study was made to manage the fly ash waste by vermicomposting technique after the addition of carbon substrate namely, the cow dung in different rations such as 1:1, 1:4, 4:1, 2:3 and 3:2. The organism selected for the research was Eisenia fetida. The number of days for the process was about 60 days. The physico-chemical changes were monitored throughout the study period at regular intervals. The bacterial strains were isolated from the end product, namely the vermicast or vermicompost. Their enzyme activity was also checked and the end product was characterized using FTIR and XRD. Of the different proportions, 1:4 was found to be a suitable proportion in terms of the parameters checked.

Selvakumar Muniraj, Logeswari Ravi, Harisankar Ganesh, Murugavel Sethuraman and Vasanthy Muthunarayanan

Changes in Enzyme Activity and Bacterial Succession During Sewage Sludge Composting

To study the variations in microorganisms and enzyme activity during sewage sludge composting, the dynamic changes in temperature, enzyme activity and microorganism composition were studied by co-composting municipal sludge and corn straw. The results show that the pile underwent mesophilic, thermophilic, and cooling phases and that the high-temperature duration (³ 50 °C) had reached 5 days, which meets harmlessness requirements. During the composting process, the protease, arylsulfatase (ARS) and cellulase content increased gradually; urease content first decreased and then increased rapidly; and peroxidase (POD) content first increased and then decreased. Ureibacillus, Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Flavobacterium and Sporosarcina were the dominant bacteria during sludge composting. Microorganisms played different roles at different stages of the composting. Ureibacillus and Bacillus were the dominant strains in the mesophilic and thermophilic phases, respectively, and Pseudomonas and Flavobacterium were the dominant strains in the cooling phase. Sporosarcina mainly played a role later in the thermophilic and cooling phases. The effect of different bacteria on enzyme activity varied; Pseudomonas played a clear role in promoting the production of urease while Bacillus had a clear inhibitory effect on the production of urease. Ureibacillus inhibited the production of ARS, POD, protease and cellulase. By studying the changes in microbial and enzymatic activities at different stages of sludge composting, it is possible to thoroughly explore the nature of the latter and provide a reference for optimizing composting processes.

Chuang Ma, Hui-jia Jin, Bin Hu, Nan Liu, Ke Zhang, Ji-hong Zhao and Hong-zhong Zhang

Effects of Soybean Stover-Derived Biochar on Microbial Community and Structure in Loess Soil

Soil microorganisms play a crucial role in nutrient availability and overall soil health. However, the effects that biochar has on soil microbial communities are not well understood. This study analysed the effects of biochar pyrolysis temperature and application rate on the soil microbial community of loess. Two biochars derived from soybean stover were produced at 300 and 600°C (BC300 and BC600, respectively) and were applied to loess at the rates of 1, 3, and 5% (w/w). After fifteen weeks of incubation, soil microbial analysis was performed using 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing technology. All of the BC300 and BC600 treated soils were shown to have an increase in the relative abundance of Gemmatimonadetes and a decrease in Actinobacteria and Chloroflexi. Proteobacteria also showed a significant increase in the majority of the biochar treated soils. Biochar led to a shift in the soil microbial community and caused a significant increase in the relative abundance of bacteria from the genus Lysobacter. Based on the results of this study, soybean stover-derived biochar should be considered as a potential soil amendment for improving the health of loess or other soils in semi-arid climates.

Baowei Zhao, Alexandar J. Niebuhr, Yude Lv and Khamhak Douangdalangsy

Caffeine Residue in Terengganu River Basins in Malaysia: Distribution and Risk Assessment

The occurrence of caffeine residue in Malaysian waters was successfully studied. The micropollutant abundance was recorded for three selected main rivers namely Terengganu, Ibai and Setiu which are located in Terengganu, Peninsular Malaysia. Surface water samples were taken twice in September and November 2018 from 15 sampling stations. Caffeine residue was determined using the solid phase extraction technique followed by a final analysis using a high performance liquid chromatography-UV detector. Measured concentration levels ranged from 384 to 426 ng/L for both datasets obtained from the two sampling surveys. The ecological risk assessment was calculated to be at low risk ranging from RQ 0.075 to 0.085, while the risk quotients (RQ) of human health risk was recorded below than 0.20 for three life-stage categories. The MaxRI values fall under class II which means that there is a risk of sublethal effects to aquatic organisms.

Wan Mohd Afiq Wan Mohd Khalik, Saw Hong Loh, Haslina Albani, Siti Aisyah Syazwani Alias and Khaeriah Ulfah Rahman

Estimation of Environmental Damages of Cement Building and Environmental Benefits of Prefabricated Building: A Case Study Based on a Residential Project in Henan Province, China

Traditional cement building generates abundant construction wastes during construction and waste transportation. Thus, it incurs high building resource consumption, low building efficiency, and frequent occurrence of safety accidents, which result in relatively low utilization ratio of building resources and relatively serious environmental pollution pressure. A prefabricated building can save building materials and energies and decrease construction waste emission; it is also an essential choice when the construction industry develops to a high level in a country. A case study based on a residential project in Henan Province, China was carried out. Firstly, studies concerning the environmental benefits of prefabricated building in foreign developed countries were reviewed. Second, the types of environmental damage from cement building were summarized. Third, an evaluation index system of environmental benefits of the prefabricated building was established. Finally, environmental benefit scores in the case study were calculated using the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method based on the analytic hierarchy process. Results demonstrated that prefabricated building is extensively applied in Europe. Traditional cement buildings bring various types of environmental pollution, including water, solid waste, and dust pollutions and vegetation damage. In a case study, the environmental benefits of the prefabricated building are assessed at a good level close to excellent. Environmental benefits of the prefabricated building can be improved by encouraging real estate developers to adopt prefabricated building. In this manner, the installation efficiency of mechanical devices and construction efficiency can be increased, and the construction safety of projects can be improved. Research conclusions can provide references not only for the government to formulate policies in favour of prefabricated building development and measures for reducing environmental pollutions but also for the construction industry to enrich benefit evaluation systems for prefabricated building projects. This study is highly important in the realization of green sustainable development in the construction industry.

Chen Nan and Zhang Jie

Application of Recycled Coarse Aggregate in Steel Tubular Members

Recycled aggregate from the demolition of buildings provides a sustainable solution in reducing the space required for dumping demolished waste as landfill and also reduces the consumption of natural aggregate. A percentage of recycled coarse aggregate can be used in structural members which can be economical and environmentally useful. This experimental study consists of three phases. In Phase I, an attempt was made to use Recycled Coarse Aggregate (RCA) in place of Natural Coarse Aggregate(NCA) in concrete. Experimental results of concrete for various combinations of RCA with NCA wereanalysed numerically for the optimum value using Taguchi’s method. In Phase II, the confirmation study was conducted to study the strength and durability characteristics of concrete made with the optimized value of recycled aggregate. In Phase III, the application of optimized recycled coarse aggregate concrete was done by conducting a study on the load-carrying capacity of recycled coarse aggregate concrete-filled steel tube members. The results revealed that there is a marginal increase in load-carrying capacity of recycled coarse aggregate concrete-filled steel tube members than natural coarse aggregate concrete-filled steel tube members. This application proves to be ecofriendly and environmentally sustainable by using the demolished concrete in the structural member.

Gajalakshmi Pandulu, Revathy Jayaseelan and Mohana Priya

Effects of Hydropower Reservoir Withdrawal Temperature on Generation and Dissipation of Supersaturated TDG

One of the challenges for hydropower dam operation is the occurrence of supersaturated total dissolved gas (TDG) levels that can cause gas bubble disease in downstream fish. Supersaturated TDG is generated when water discharged from a dam entrains air and temporarily encounters higher pressures (e.g. in a plunge pool) where TDG saturation occurs at a higher gas concentration, allowing a greater mass of gas to enter into solution than would otherwise occur at ambient pressures. As the water moves downstream into regions of essentially hydrostatic pressure, the gas concentration of saturation will drop, as a result, the mass of dissolved gas (which may not have substantially changed) will now be at supersaturated conditions. The overall problem arises because the generation of supersaturated TDG at the dam occurs faster than the dissipation of supersaturated TDG in the downstream reach. Because both generation and dissipation of TDG are functions of water temperature, there is an opportunity to affect the TDG process through selective withdrawal structures at a reservoir. Using a combination of field observations, and hydrodynamic modelling, we analysed the dependence of the water temperature difference on TDG generation from different-elevation release structures of highdam reservoirs. By using of the dissipation model coupled with TDG and temperature, the evolution of supersaturated TDG from different withdrawal structures was simulated and compared in a natural river reach. It showed that warmer withdrawals result in reduced generation of TDG and enhanced dissipation of TDG.

Lei Tang, Ran Li, Ben R. Hodges, Jingjie Feng and Jingying Lu

Prototype of Eco-Friendly Indoor Air Purifier to Reduce Concentrations of CO2, SO2, and NO2

Urbanization and industrialization lead to the increased usage of fossil fuels for running various types of automobiles and industries in developing countries. The rapid growth of automobiles usage in major cities causes air pollution and its direct impact on public health. This impact is alarming the worsening of the health of urban dwellers. But this impact can be reduced by breathing the filtered air. Filtering of air can be done in multiple ways. Among all, filters prepared from natural materials have become popular. In this study, an attempt has been made to find the novel approach to reduce the pollutants’ level in the air by preparing prototype indoor air purifier which is designed, fabricated and tested with eco-friendly materials and adsorbents prepared from plant extractions. The three pollutants considered were CO2, SO2, and NO2. Activated carbon was used as an adsorbent for CO2 and NO2 removal, whereas Neem bark, Mango bark, Orange peel powder and Neem leaf powder were used for SO2 removal. The prototype was designed for Hyderabad city, Telangana State of India and tested at houses of five different locations (Balanagar, Jeedimetla, Zoo Park, MGBS and JNTU) which are major traffic intersections in the city. The level of pollution before and after the installation of the instrument was measured for three months (January, February, March) and analysed. Results indicate the improvement of air quality after filtration.

Saisantosh Vamshi Harsha Madiraju, P.V.S. Gopi Raghunadh and K. Ravi Kumar

Removal of Cadmium in Aqueous Solution by Sulfidated Nanoscale Zero-Valent Iron

Due to mining, industrial wastewater discharge and agricultural fertilization and other human activities, heavy metal cadmium pollution in water bodies has become increasingly prominent. In this study, the sulfidated nanoscale zero-valent iron was prepared by the method of liquid-phase reduction. The removal behaviour of Cd(II) ion in aqueous solution and the effect of pH in solution on its removal rate were investigated. The synthesized materials before and after the adsorption reaction were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and Zeta potential tester. The removal mechanism of Cd(II) ion in solution was explored in details. The results showed that the S-nZVI particles present a polymeric sheet. They contained Fe0, Fe3O4 and FeS. The removal rate of Cd(II) ion by the S-nZVI particles is higher than the nZVI particles. The reaction mechanism for S-nZVI particles to remove Cd(II) ion is that Cd(II) ion replaces Fe in FeS and then combines with S to form stable CdS compound. S has a significant effect on the oxidation process of iron.

Weiyun Yang, Ruolin Qin, Rui Qin, Linli Zhang and Muqing Qiu

Influence of Tannery Effluents on Morphological Characters of Ipomoea pes-caprae (L.) Sweet and Clerodendron inerme (L.) Gaertn.

Tannery industry is common in many parts of the world, which is polluting groundwater ecosystems and producing major heavy metals and sodium chloride. The present study is aimed at some morphological characters in phytoremediation of heavy metals and ions from tannery effluents by using halophytic species such as Ipomoea pes-caprae and Clerodendron inerme. The morphological characters were analysed at an interval of 30, 60, 90 and 120 days. The results indicated that all the morphological characters were increased with an increasing concentration of tannery effluents and no injury symptoms in growth condition. It may be concluded that these halophytic species are potentially suitable for phytoremediation of heavy metals from the tannery effluent contaminated soils, which will reclaim the soil for further use as crop cultivation or crop improvement.

A. Venkatesan

Regularities and Characterization of Arsenic Adsorption by Sediment in the Presence of Coexisting Ions

To reveal the regularity of arsenic adsorption of sediment, this study explores the law of arsenic adsorption by sediment when Fe3+ and Mn2+ coexist. The experimental results fit the first-order kinetic model and the second-order kinetic model. The surface physicochemical properties of sediment particles were analysed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherm and fractal dimension. Characterization of surface area and pore distribution were measured by the BET equation and BJH equation. The results illustrate that the adsorption of arsenic by sediment shows the phenomenon of rapid adsorption in the early stage, slow adsorption in the middle stage and finally adsorption equilibrium. In the presence of coexisting ions, the BET specific surface area was as high as 20.14m2/g, the pore volume as 0.047826cm3/g, the surface pore volume as 43.25cm3, and the surface fractal dimension Ds as the largest.

Song Gang-fu, E. Zheng-yang, Li Hai-hua, Hua Yong-peng, Yan Shao-feng, Li Gui-liang and Zhang Zan-ping

Effect of Crop Protective Agents on Seed Germination and Seedling Emergence in Chilli (Capsicum annum L.) - An In-vitro Study

Crop protective agents (CPAs) are prime requisite for protecting crops from pests and diseases. CPAs are used at different stages of the crop from the seed sowing to harvesting. Seeds are treated with different fungicides as a prophylactic measure against pre-emergence diseases and during seed germination stage different protective agents are applied to safeguard young seedlings from pests. To find out the effect of crop protective agents on seed germination and seedling growth in chilli (Capsicum annum L.) an in-vitro study was conducted using Ethion (1.25, 2.5, 3.75 and 5.0mL/L), Triazophos (0.625, 1.25, 1.875 and 2.5mL/L), Flubendiamide (0.15, 0.3, 0.45 and 0.6mL/L), Emamectin Benzoate (0.2, 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8 g/L) and Tebuconazole + Trifloxystrobin (0.625, 1.25, 1.875 and 2.5 g/L) against control (distilled water). Correlation study revealed that seedling growth was positively affected by Flubendiamide (r = 0.287), neutral by Emamectin Benzoate (r = 0.012), while retarded growth was observed in Ethion (r = -0.584), Trizophos (r = -0.473) and Tebuconazole+ Trifloxystrobin (r = -0.331) chemicals compared to control. From the statistical analysis, it was found that chilli seed germination was not affected at the tested concentration levels of crop protective agents. Seedling shoot length was significantly (P = 0.05) reduced in Tebuconazole + Trifloxystrobin (1.763cm) and Ethion (3.175cm) compared to control (5.088cm). Seedling shoot length was not significantly affected by Emamectin Benzoate and Triazophos, while it was significantly increased in Flubendiamide@0.45mL/L (5.88cm) compared to control (5.088cm). Seedlings in Flubendiamide and Emamectin Benzoate produced significantly (P=0.05) longer roots of 7.488cm and 7.688cm respectively, while seedlings in Ethion, Tebuconazole + Trifloxystrobin and Triazophos produced shorter roots (4.00, 4.45 and 4.6cm respectively) compared to control (6.363cm). Rotten seed per cent on 15th day was significantly (P=0.05) lower in Tebuconazole + Trifloxystrobin and Triazophos (5.61 and 11.73%) compared to control (22.45%).

Pilla Venkateswara Rao, Namuduri Srinivas and AVVS Swamy

Heavy Metal Contamination and Human Health Risk Associated with Sediment of Ganges River (Northwestern Bangladesh)

Metal contamination of sediment of Ganges River (Northwestern Bangladesh) and its possible health risk to the local people were evaluated at four different sites during three seasons (summer, monsoon, winter) in the year 2016. Followed by wet digestion, the samples were analysed by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Mean concentration of Cr, Pb, Ni, Cd, Mn, As, Cu and Zn were 9.31, 6.43, 0.19, 1.90, 61.66, 0.65, 9.33 and 16.14 mg/kg, respectively. According to metal indices (contamination factor, contamination degree and pollution load index), the sediment was low to moderately contaminated with the studied metals, while human health risk assessment indicated unacceptable risk (hazard index (HI) values > 1) for non-carcinogenic adverse health effect. Therefore, the sediment of the river was not contaminated enough to prevail high risk on ecological health of river and to pose health risk on local people, but regular practice of discharging contaminants can somehow worsen the river quality in the coming years.

Md. Abu Sayed Jewel, Md. Ayenuddin Haque, Ruhul Amin, Jakia Hasan, LubnaAlam, Subrata Mondal and Sharif Ahmed

Carbon Emission Efficiency in the Construction Industry and Its Carbon Emission Control Measures: A Case Study of Henan Province, China

With the rapid development of urbanization, the Chinese construction industry has generated a large quantity of carbon emission and brought about challenges to sustainable development while making enormous contributions to national economic development. Thus, this industry is the key field of energy conservation and emission reduction. Facilitating sustainable development of the construction industry and scientifically and reasonably evaluating the carbon emission efficiency of the construction industry will be important for effectively controlling carbon emission and boosting the sustainable development of the construction industry. Carbon emission was added into the total-factor productivity model of the traditional construction industry as an environmental factor in this study, and a total-factor evaluation model for the carbon emission efficiency of the construction industry was constructed. Henan Province was taken as an example, and empirical analysis was conducted to determine the differences of Henan construction industry in the period of 2012-2018 in the aspect of carbon emission efficiency. Results showed that the total-factor carbon emission efficiency of Henan construction industry in the period of 2012–2018 was 1.084%, which indicated a certain increase in the total-factor emission efficiency of Henan construction industry over the 7 years. The overall resource utilization efficiency of Henan construction industry was improved by 0.84% due to the joint actions of elevated technological progress (by 0.35%) and improved technical efficiency (by 0.47%). Average pure technical efficiency was slightly reduced by 0.03%, which indicated that building scale was the driving force for improving the total-factor efficiency of the construction industry. The study results can provide systematic and comprehensive carbon emission information in the construction industry for policy making. Therefore, the carbon emission status of the construction industry in one province can be mastered from a provincial level to clarify responsibilities, facilitate coordinated development, and boost the efficiency and equity of emission reduction in the construction industry. This way will be important for finally realizing the goals of energy conservation, emission reduction, and low-carbon development.

Qing jing Shi and Chun Bai

Inhibition of Mild Steel Corrosion in Hydrochloric Acid Solution by Leaves of Ziziphus jujuba

Weight loss method was used to assess the inhibition of mild steel corrosion in 1M HCl solution with aqueous extract of Ziziphus jujuba leaves at 303 to 333K temperatures. It was found that Ziziphus jujuba leaves extract retarded the dissolution of mild steel in 1M HCl solution. The inhibition efficiency increases with a rise in the concentration of extract and decreases with increase in temperature. Maximum 88.54% inhibition efficiency was observed at 303 K and 8% (v/v) composition of the extract. Adsorption of extract at mild steel surface follows Langmuir adsorption isotherm. Values of Gibbs free energy, variation in inhibition energy with temperature and with activation energy values trend proposed the physisorption. Negative values of Gibbs energy propose the spontaneous process of inhibition process in the extract at studied temperatures.

Rakesh Kumar Dubey, Nitin Gupta, S. M. Nafees and Kalpana S.

Growth and Removal of Nitrogen and Phosphorus by a Macroalgae Cladophora Glomerata Under Different Nitrate Concentrations

Effectiveness of macroalgae was investigated for enhancing wastewater treatment processes. Bioremediation using macroalgae could remove nitrate and phosphate contaminants in the water where algae assimilate nitrogen and phosphorus and convert them to biomass. This study evaluates the effects of high nitrate concentration on the kinetics of cell growth during nitrate and phosphate removal by a macroalga Cladophora glomerata. The algal growth and nitrate removal from media containing initial nitrate concentrations of 5mg/L to 400 mg/L were monitored in batch growth, whereas control media has no additional nitrate. Light exposure was kept for 12 and 20 hours. The purpose of this research was to find out the effect of various nitrate concentrations on nitrate and phosphate removal with macroalgal growth. Maximum growth kinetic reaches ?=0.075/day in 20 hours light exposure with 100 mg/L initial nitrate concentration. Nitrate and phosphate reach about 90% removal rates on the fifth day. Nitrate concentration was not significantly affected by biomass growth (Pearson correlation: 0.295). But, phosphate concentration has a moderate correlation with macroalgae biomass (Pearson correlation: 0.533).

Aulia Ulfah Farahdiba, Euis Nurul Hidayah, Gina Aprilliana Asmar and Yadanar Win Myint

Studies on Decomposition of Banana Leaf and Mixture of Cattle Dung and Urine by Thermophilic Coprophilous Fungi

In this study, the microbial population responsible for decomposition of banana leaf with dung and urine of cattle (cow and sheep used here) was isolated, identified, and their incidence calculated. During this study, significant changes were observed in different physio-chemical properties (temperature, pH, moisture content, humidity, ash content, total organic carbon, total nitrogen content, phosphorus) of decomposing material which focuses particularly on the role of thermophilic coprophilous fungi in reducing the time for decomposition. It also gives a clear demonstration of various effects of different environmental conditions on the microbial population during the process of decomposition. The decomposition product thus obtained was found to be rich in organic phosphorous and nitrogen, raising our hopes for a successful implementation of it in daily agricultural practices.

Ajmera Shanthipriya, Sana Shanawaz and Sivadevuni Girisham

Synthesis of Molecularly Imprinting Polymers for the Removal of Xylenol Orange from Water

The molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) were prepared by using the non-covalent approach. In the polymerization process, xylenol orange was used as a template (T), acrylic acid as a functional monomer (M), divinylbenzene as a cross-linker (CL) and 2,2’-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as an initiator and microemulsion as a solvent. The synthesized polymers were characterized by using FTIR and SEM micrograph. The batch binding analysis was used to evaluate the rebinding efficiency of imprinted polymers. The highest rebinding efficiency was obtained from the MIP-R2 (0.1:0.6:2, T:M:CL). The selected MIP-R2 was used for the removal of xylenol orange from the water sample and have shown removal efficiency of about 80%.

Showkat Ahmad Bhawani, Nur Anati Bazilah Daud, Salma Bakhtiar, Rachel Marcela Roland and Mohamad Nasir Mohamad Ibrahim

Influencing Factors of Eco-Environmental Safety of Mines and Their Green Development: A Case Study of Taoshan Coal Mine in Heilongjiang Province, China

The demand for mineral resources is continuously increasing due to the accelerated industrialization and urbanization progress. However, most mines in China have backward mining technology, enormous destruction and waste, too low recycling proportion, unstable mineral market, and low management efficiency. Thus, the eco-environmental safety of mines has various difficulties. Identifying the influencing factors of eco-environmental safety of mines, which are typical ecologically vulnerable areas, is important. The green development of mines is a clean production mode that will not generate any harmful effect on human social and natural environments and will be important to realizing sustainable development of mines. In this study, a retrospective analysis of considerable foreign literature on ecoenvironmental safety management of mines in developed countries was conducted. An index system of the influencing factors of eco-environmental safety of Taoshan Coal Mine in Heilongjiang Province, China was established. ISM model (Interpretative Structural Modeling) was used to analyze the influencing factors of eco-environmental safety, and corresponding countermeasures for critical factors were proposed. Results indicate that studies on resource development and utilization and environmental protection of mines in some developed countries, such as America, Australia, and the UK, have been considerably mature. The influencing factors in ISM (Interpretative Structural Modeling) can be divided into three layers, among which the completeness of institution setting for environmental protection supervision is a factor with the most significant influence on mine eco-environmental safety. Input into eco-environmental protection and ecological protection laws and systems of mines are also important factors. The study results are important in determining the most critical influencing factors of mine eco-environmental safety, innovating the new industrial development pattern featured by conservation and intensive and comprehensive utilization of mineral resources, promoting green transformation and upgrading of the mining industry, and boosting sustainable development of the mining industry and eco-environment.

Wei Xiao Gang, Liu Hui Li and Li Guang Hui

Water Environment Carrying Capacity Evaluation by Cloud Theory in Beijing

With human social and economic development, the problem of consumption and pollution of water resources greatly reduces the quality of human life. The research on the carrying capacity of the water environment can provide a theoretical basis and data support for coordinating the contradiction between man and nature and the green development of the urban economy. The driving force-pressure-stateresponse model evaluation index system, combined with entropy method to strike the index weight, using cloud theory calculated the level of 2004-2017 for each year of the Beijing water environmental carrying capacity. The results show that the water environment carrying capacity of Beijing has been rising in the past 14 years. It is the lowest in 2004 and tends to be stable after reaching a higher level in 2010. Despite Beijing’s water environment carrying capacity has increased, but overall still in the overload state.

Men Baohui and Lina Tuoku

Biodegradation of Textile Wastewater by Naturally Attenuated Enterobacter sp.

The exponential increase in anthropogenic activities has led to the accumulation of xenobiotics into the environment, synthetic dyes being one of the culprits. Noteworthy is the fact that the textile industry utilizes enormous volumes of water for dyeing and printing unit operations thereby generating wastewater proportionately. Taking into consideration, implications of toxic textile effluents, a pilot study was planned to screen for naturally attenuated bacterial isolates capable of degrading textile effluents. Requisite effluent samples were collected from Kelki Printers Co-operative Society Limited, Sanganer, Jaipur and bacterial screening was carried out by bioaccumulation of Remazol Brilliant Blue R (RBRR) (formation of halo around colonies). Of the 19 bacterial isolates obtained, the most promiscuous isolate was biochemically characterized as Enterobacter sp. For biodegradative investigations, it was inoculated in sterilized textile effluent and incubated at 37°C for 7 days under agitating conditions. Pre and post bacterial inoculation (1% v/v), Physico-chemical parameters were analysed following standard procedures. A significant (p<0.05) lowering of pollution indicators was monitored when contrasted with abiotic control. The present study was aimed to explore the role of naturally attenuated and effluent adapted Enterobacter sp. screened from untreated textile effluent based on its colour (RBRR) removal efficacy under in vitro conditions. Furthermore, it was also explored for its biodegradative properties to minimize the level of potential pollution indicators through the microcosm approach. This pilot study based on a three-tier approach encompassing bioprospecting, bio enrichment and bioaugmentation plausibly provided insights for enhanced degradation of real dye wastewaters by unlocking the biochemical pathways of adapted microbes.

N. Sharma, H. Bhagwani, N. Yadav and D. Chahar

Experimental Study on Transport of Carboxylate Polystyrene Microspheres, Using as a Cryptosporidium Oocysts Surrogate, with Runoff from the Slope Soil to the Surface Water Bodies

Cryptosporidium can transport from the soil to the water resulting in the contamination of the surrounding water bodies. However, there are few pieces of research on the transport of Cryptosporidium from the slope soil to the surrounding water. The experiment simulated the transport of Cryptosporidium surrogate, carboxylate YG polystyrene, influenced by the rainfall intensity, rainfall pattern, soil type, and land slope, from the soil to water, to understand the transport of Cryptosporidium surrogate under these different conditions. The results showed that the transport of Cryptosporidium surrogate was affected by the surface runoff factors, that is, the high rainfall intensity, high rainfall frequency, steep slope and high sand content soil that resulted in the high transport of the Cryptosporidium surrogate.

Tao Yuan, Sen Cheng, Lai Zhou, Qiyan Feng and Ping Lu

Measurement of Tourism Industry-Ecological Environment Coupling Degree and Management and Control Measures for Tourism Environment: A Case Study of Henan Province, China

The tourism industry has the largest scale of economic activities worldwide with the most powerful development momentum but has generated a negative effect on the ecological environment. The development of the tourism industry is a precondition and guarantee of eco-environmental optimization, and a harmonious ecological environment is an important dynamic support for the growth of tourism economy, making them mutually associated with evident coupling characteristic. In this study, related literature regarding the tourism industry and eco-environmental protection of developed countries in Europe and America were first reviewed, and tourism industry-ecological environment coupling model was constructed using Henan Province, China, as a case study. The coupling degrees in Henan Province during 2013-2018 were measured, and a comparative analysis of the spatial changes in tourism industry-ecological environment coupling degrees of 18 prefecture-level cities in Henan in 2013 and 2018 was conducted. Results showed that the order degree of the tourism industry in Henan Province maintained a rising trend during 2013-2018, whereas that of the ecological environment exhibited a fluctuating trend. The overall tourism industry–ecological environment coupling of 18 prefecture-level cities in Henan Province enhanced in 2013 and 2018, where the coupling degrees in Zhengzhou, Nan yang, and Luoyang presented an outward radiation trend from high to low. The study results serve as significant reference values for revealing the spatial-temporal evolution characteristics of the ecological environment and the tourism industry and completing the research regarding the coordinated development of the tourism industry and ecological environment.

Yan Fei Shen

Analysis of the Spatial Patterns of Particulate Pollution in the Persistent Haze in Northeast China: A Case Study in Harbin City

With the help of PM2.5, PM10, and the Air Quality Index (AQI) and other air quality data, the posterior trajectory model of the Hybrid Single Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory (HYSPLIT-4) model, having researched fire points of the straw in Harbin City, spatial pattern characteristics and genesis of the persistent haze in Harbin City from 20th October 2016 to 11th November 2016 were analysed. During the study period, the highest value of PM2.5 reached 1880?g/m3, the PM10 reached 1411?g/m3, the daily average concentration was high, and the AQI concentration reached a maximum value on 28th October and 4th November, and the persistent haze phenomenon was the most significant. Besides, the study found that the haze incident and a large quantity of pollutants due to the concentration of burning straw around Harbin had a strong connection. The burning of particulate matter had a significant impact on the region’s pollution level. The results of this study contribute to the control of particulate pollution in winter cities of developing countries.

Lei Wang, Jiarong Deng, Lijin Yang, Yunlong Yao and Dawei Xu

Optimization of Incubation Period, pH and Moisture Content for Vermicomposting of Biomethanation Sludge Admixed with Fruits and Vegetable Waste Collected from Gultekadi Market Yard, Pune Using Eudrilus eugeniae

The present study had an objective to optimize important parameters viz., incubation period, pH and moisture per cent for vermicomposting of biomethanation sludge admixed with fruits and vegetable waste collected from Gultekadi Market Yard, Pune using Eudrilus eugeniae. The experiment was conducted on the terrace of H.V. Desai College of Arts, Commerce and Science, Pune. The sludge from biomethanation digester running on fruits and vegetable waste was collected and dewatered. The fruits and vegetable waste was collected from Gultekadi Market Yard, Pune and used for the experiment by processing it. The dewatered sludge was admixed with partially decomposed fruits and vegetable waste. The 1kg working capacity plastic trays were used for the optimization of parameters. It was found that incubation period of six weeks, pH 7.0 and moisture content of 70-80% were the optimum condition for Eudrilus eugeniae vermicomposting. The average growth rate mg/worm/day for the optimized incubation period, pH and moisture % was 4.4±0.14, 5.57±0.1 and 7.5±0.47, respectively and at all the three optimized conditions was 7.8±0.6.

A. I. Mulla and G.R. Pathade

Impact of Environmental Investment on Performance of Intelligent Manufacturing Enterprises in the Yangtze River Delta of China

The rapid development of information technology has promoted the transformation of the manufacturing industry and the upgrading of Chinese intelligent manufacturing enterprises. Environmental protection and enterprise benefits have become the pursuit target. To explore the impact of environmental investment on the performance of intelligent manufacturing enterprises, an evaluation index system from the four dimensions of debt paying, operation, profitability, and growth ability was constructed. Then, factor analysis method was used to analyse the index data of 33 intelligent manufacturing enterprises in the Yangtze River Delta in 2018, and a multiple regression model was constructed to analyse the impact of environmental investment on enterprise performance. Results show a significant difference in the performance of intelligent manufacturing enterprises in the Yangtze River Delta and a positive correlation between environmental investment and enterprise performance. Finally, specific optimization measures are given to help the managers of intelligent manufacturing enterprises make scientific and reasonable decisions.

Wanqing Shao

Facile Preparation of Beta-Fe2O3/BiOCl0.875Br0.125 Composites for Enhanced Visible-light Photocatalytic Degradation of Organics from Water

Visible light-driven photocatalytic oxidation technology has shown great potential for effective removal of organic pollutants from water and mitigation of energy crises at the same time. The highly effective and economic b-Fe2O3/BiOCl0.875Br0.125 photocatalyst was prepared by a facile hybrid compositing method with b-Fe2O3 and BiOCl0.875Br0.125 to overcome relatively high material cost and limited catalytic efficiency. Characterization techniques, such as XRD, SEM and XPS were used to study the purity and crystallization characteristics of the as-prepared photocatalyst. Furthermore, taking rhodamine b (RhB) as a simulated organic pollutant, the photocatalytic property of b-Fe2O3/BiOCl0.875Br0.125 with different Bi content was further evaluated by static catalytic degradation test under visible-light. The results indicated that the photocatalytic efficiency of the novel composites increases with the improvement of Bi content. Additionally, in comparison to equal mass of pure phase BiOCl0.875Br0.125, when the Bi content reached to 30%, a comparable and even better photocatalysis performance was achieved by the as-prepared b-Fe2O3/BiOCl0.875Br0.125. The hybrid b-Fe2O3/BiOCl0.875Br0.125 has a potential cost advantage in practical water treatment, and provide an attractive method for fabricating efficient visiblelight- driven photocatalysts.

Jihao Zhou, Zhiwei Zhao, Ping Xiao, Jie Liu, Zhaoxia Ding, Yuting Han and Jie Shi

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