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Simulation and Prediction of Zhuzhou Urban Wetland Landscape Pattern Based on LCM Model

The urban wetland is a precious wealth of the city, which has a very important role and value for the development of human and society. Zhuzhou is a traditional industrial city in China, which is located in the lower reaches of the Xiangjiang River and rich in urban wetland resources. In order to protect, utilize and manage urban wetland resources scientifically, based on LCM model platform, using Landsat series remote sensing images and other data, this paper systematically analyses the land use change process of Zhuzhou urban wetland from 2006 to 2016 and simulates and forecasts the urban wetland landscape pattern in 2021. The prediction results show that the urban wetland in Zhuzhou city will change continuously in 2021, but the overall change is relatively small, which is basically consistent with the change trend and regain of urban wetland in 2006~2016. Among them, the change of paddy fields area is the largest, with a total decrease of 1364.8ha; the increase of reservoirs area is 82.4ha; the decrease of pond area is 34.6ha, while riverine wetland is basically unchanged. In addition, Zhuzhou urban wetland landscape pattern change is affected by both natural and human factors, while human activities have a more significant impact on the wetland, with both positive and negative effects.

Wen Zhan, Huifeng Cheng and Shouyun Shen

Model of Solid Waste Management (SWM) in Coastal Slum Settlement: Evidence for Makassar City

Makassar City slum settlement has a complex solid waste management problem located in a coastal area, divided by canals, inhabited by middle-class people who live with limited environmental facilities, and some build semi-permanent houses on the sea. This study aims to investigate the solid waste management in coastal slum settlement including waste generation, storage, collection system also community lifestyle, and coastal settlement characteristics. The method used in this study was quantitative and qualitative. The result of the analysis shows that the volume of waste generation category was about 49.47% compost potential, 25.57% inorganic recycling potential, and 24.96% residue material. Solid waste management is not going well in this area where most of the households did not get access to the communal trash bin and collection route. Recommendations for the solid waste management model are given to overcome existing problems by onsite composting and selling waste online and offline, and small amounts of residual waste discharged to the final disposal.

Nani Anggraini, Ramdiana Muis, Fitri Ariani, Sattar Yunus and Syafri

Adsorption of Dyes by Chitosan-Selenium Nanoparticles: Recent Developments and Adsorption Mechanisms

Most of the dyes are a dangerous class of water contaminants that have affected the environment drastically. Nano-sized compositeis the best decision cutting edge adsorbent for the evacuation of water poisons as such materials are related to the attributes of straightforwardness, adaptability, adequacy, and high surface reactivity. In this investigation, we have synthesized a nanostructured Chitosan-Selenium nanoparticle by green synthesis method using Justicia adhatoda plant leaves extract. Synthesis and characterization of Chitosan-Selenium nanoparticle were described by UV-visible spectroscopy, FTIR spectrum examinations, Particle Size Analysis, and XRD Spectrum analysis. From the outcomes, it was inferred that the Chitosan-Selenium nanoparticle was additionally utilized as an adsorbent for the expulsion of Rhodamine dye from the aqueous solution. Langmuir isotherm model was effectively usedfor the adsorption study of Chitosan-Selenium nanoparticle adsorbent. For the adsorption studies, parameters such asdosages, pH, and temperature were studied. The adsorption process was remarkably fast and reached equilibrium within 24hrs. The isotherm information was steady with the Langmuir model, and the most extreme adsorption limits of the Chitosan-Selenium nanoparticle adsorbent was 34.5mg.g-1 for Rhodamine dye. Accordingly, nanoparticleswill be the only wayfor the future planned water treatment process.

John Britto, P. Barani, M. Vanaja, E. Pushpalaksmi, J. Jenson Samraj and G. Annadurai

Greener Approach to Metallic Nanoparticles: A Review

Nanoscale based materials are gaining more attention due to their unique physical, chemical and thermodynamic properties. Nowadays the “Green” nanoparticle synthesis has attracted more attention as it is using environmentally acceptable solvent systems which act as eco-friendly reducing and capping agents. This review focuses on a detailed analysis of the bio-production of metal nano-particles by a biological agent, the various factors affecting the morphology, size, and yield of metal nanoparticles, the role of plant metabolites, and the experimental procedure in the synthesis of nanoparticles. This review also gives a platform for the role of natural plant biomolecules involved in the bio-reduction of metal salts during the nanoparticle synthesis, interaction of nanoparticles with various biomolecules, biological application and future directions are discussed as a step towards making a pollution-free environment.

S. Arora, M. Latwal, K. D. Bahukhandi, D. Kumar, T. Vemulapalli, S. Egutoori and N. A. Siddiqui

An Empirical Research on Pig Farmers’ Adoption Behaviours of Waste Disposal

Based on the field survey data of 608 pig farmers in Zhejiang Province, this paper carries out empirical analysis on pig farmers’ current adoption behaviours of waste disposal and its influencing factors and the change of pig farmers’ waste disposal behaviour intention caused by the implementation of environmental subsidy and its influencing factors. The research shows that the implementation of environmental subsidy has a great impact on the willingness of pig farmers to change their waste disposal behaviours, and they will be more inclined to adopt the behaviours that can fully realize the utilization of resources to dispose of their waste. The implementation of environmental subsidy is effective and can encourage pig farmers to change the existing relatively unreasonable and inefficient waste disposal behaviours on the premise that the pig breeding scale, the expected net income from waste disposal, the knowledge of waste reduction methods, the willingness of waste disposal training, the awareness of policies to ban and limit pig breeding, the distance between the pig farm and the nearest river and many other factors can be controlled. Therefore, the government should focus on implementing environmental subsidy for waste disposal with high utilization of resources such as biogas technology and composting technology.

Wenjie Yao and Liguo Zhang

Metal Contamination in Macrobrachium rosenbergii from Sarawak River, Malaysia and its Health Risk to Human

An assessment of heavy metal concentration in wild-captured Macrobrachium rosenbergii (giant freshwater prawns) from their natural habitat is important since it is susceptible to environmental pollution due to the rapid development and human activities along the Sarawak River. This study aimed to estimate the heavy metal contamination in muscles, exoskeletons and gills of the M. rosenbergii and to estimate the health risk assessment to human consumption. The concentration of heavy metals was analyzed by the flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer and the flow injection mercury system. The metal concentrations in prawns were detected in the following order: Hg < Cd < Co < Cu < Zn; in all body parts (P < 0.05), where a high concentration of metals was recorded in gills due to its function as the excretion site of contaminants from the body. A positive correlation of Co, Cu, and Zn in muscles and gills was observed with the increasing size of prawns. The human health risk assessment indicated a less potential adverse health effect of prawns for consumption from Sarawak River (hazard index values < 1). All samples contained metals below the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) permissible limit for human consumption (Cd < 2 mg/kg; Cu < 30 mg/kg; Zn < 150 mg/kg; Hg < 1 mg/kg). Therefore, M. rosenbergii from the Sarawak River were not contaminated enough to prevail high risk on human health, but regular monitoring is suggested for seasonal variability of heavy metals in M. rosenbergii for safeguarding human health.

F. A. Idrus, M. M. Basri, K. A. A. Rahim and A. C. Lee

A Statistical Methodology for Impact Study on Irrigation Tank Rehabilitation

Tank systems are essential for the agricultural growth and the livelihood of rural populations in India. Comprehending the multiple benefits from these traditional systems, tank rehabilitation has been one of the policy significances at the state level. The study was undertaken with the objective of assessing the impact of tank rehabilitation on cropped area, cropping pattern change, cost returns and income of farmers in a selected study village of south Tamil Nadu. The study was conducted on the basis of primary data obtained from 102 sample farmers belonging to “Pelasur” village of Thiruvannamalai district in south Tamil Nadu using a stratified sampling method. There was a significant difference in the cropped area, cropping intensity and irrigation intensity among the farmers before and after tank rehabilitation. It is found that there is an increase of 41.02 ha cultivated area and an increase in the net amount of Rs. 7,99,945. Many farmers shifted from paddy to sugarcane (cash crops) cultivation due to the availability of excess surface water in the tank and improved water table in their wells. Cropping intensity has been increased to 26% in the post-rehabilitation period. Thus, investment in tank rehabilitation shows a positive implication on marginal farmers and landless labours. Using SPSS, a paired-sample t-test is applied for analysing data collected from respondents.

B. Anuradha, L. Iyappan, P. Partheeban, C. Hariharasudan and Y.J. Breetha

Causes and Consequences of Reforming in Electricity Production and Consumption Pattern on Promoting Sustainable Development in Iran: An Economic Analysis

In line with the 2015 Paris Agreement, the present study examines the efficiency of Iran’s electricity industry compared to world standards. In 2018, Iran is ranked second in the world in terms of direct subsidies to the electricity industry, while subsidies for fossil fuels as the main feedstock for power plants are also higher. The results of the study indicate that despite the privatization of the electric industry since 2005, centralized economic management and the provision of extensive direct and indirect subsidies have led to the expansion of inefficiencies in the production and consumption of electricity. Lack of cost-based pricing is a major factor in the production of inefficient units and the determination of electricity prices at very low levels (as a result of subsidies) is the main reason for the inefficient use of electricity in Iran. The undeniable role of fossil fuels in energy production has stabilized Iran’s second-largest power plant sector in CO2 emissions in the Middle East, and as a consequence of no noticeable changes in the energy production process, the carbon intensity index and carbon intensity for electricity consumption, have fluctuated slightly. However, the energy intensity and energy intensity for electricity consumption, unlike the developed countries, have shown an upward trend, indicating a decline in energy and electrical energy efficiency in the Iranian economy. The index of fundamental reforms in electricity production, exactly the reverse of the successes in Iceland, Switzerland, Norway, Sweden and Luxembourg, is less than 8%, which is against sustainable development goals. It is crucial to take advantage of countries’ successful experiences in electricity price reform and to address the four key components proposed.

Ali Mohammadipour

Study of the Insecticidal Potential of Diatomaceous Earth from Sig (Algeria) on the Dermestes haemorrhoidalis - A Pest of Stored Food Products

The insecticidal activity of the Diatomaceous Earth (DE) of Sig was assessed against the Dermestes haemorrhoidalis, which is the main pest affecting wheat stored in Blida, a central region of Algeria and one of the four cereal regions managed by the Algerian Inter-branch Cereals Office (AICO). The formulation was tested at two different doses: 500 and 1000 ppm against adults of the species. The bioassays were carried out in 1-litre glass jars containing soft wheat with an average moisture content of 60% mixed with diatomaceous earth and maintained at 27°C and 70% of humidity. The effectiveness of the treatment was assessed by recording adult mortality after 2, 7 and 14 days. Sig’s diatomite showed significant insecticidal activity against Dermestes haemorrhoidalis after only two days of treatment with both doses 500 and 1000 ppm. After 14 days, average mortality was more than 95% even at 500 ppm. Furthermore, electron microscopy of the diatomite particle from Sig (Algeria) reveals the architecture of the frustule. It shows a porous and brittle siliceous shell made largely of diatomite “skeletons”. This research work allowed getting insights into the mechanism of action of diatomite on the Dermestes haemorrhoidalis. On the other hand, the identification of diatomite of Sig was performed by X-ray diffraction and infrared.

A. Djadi, M. Bouzid and B. Bezzazi

Performance of Vertical Flow Constructed Wetlands Planted with Indigenous Species for Decentralized Wastewater Treatment and Biomass Production in Kerala, India

This study evaluates the performance of tropical subsurface vertical flow constructed wetlands (VFCW) having indigenous plants as decentralized ecological treatment systems for municipal wastewater treatment combined with biomass production. The VFCW mesocosms were planted with lignocellulosic grass species suitable to climatic conditions of Kerala such as Cumbu Napier Hybrid grass (Pennisetum purpureum), Gamba grass (Andropogon gayanus) and Palisade grass (Urochloa brizantha). The VFCWs were operated at a hydraulic loading rate (HLR) of 0.1md-1 and hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 1 day. During the study period, the planted VFCWs attained significant pollutant removal efficiency than the control system with an unplanted filter bed. The VFCW planted with Cumbu Napier Hybrid grass obtained average removal efficiencies of TSS (89.80%), BOD (89.90%), COD (78.10%), Nitrates (69.07%), TN (44.33%), and Phosphates (51.20%). In the VFCW system planted with Palisade grass, the average removal efficiencies observed were Turbidity (98.70%), TSS (89.50%), BOD (87.90%), COD (72.70%), Nitrates (62.07%), TN (43%), and Phosphates (47%). The treated effluent concentration from both the units conformed to the USEPA guidelines for non-potable water reuse standards. The average biomass yield of Cumbu Napier Hybrid grass during the study period was found to be significantly higher when compared to Gamba grass and Palisade grass.

Jaya S. Pillai and A. N. Brijesh Nair

Assessment of Water Quality Status of Water Bodies Using Water Quality Index and Correlation Analysis in and Around Industrial Areas of West District, Tripura, India

Industrialization, urbanisation and agricultural development cause pollution in water bodies due to the discharge of wastewater directly or indirectly. The present study aims to assess the water quality of water bodies in and around A D Nagar, Badharghat, Dukli and Budhjungnagar Industrial Estates, West Tripura during pre-monsoon and post-monsoon in the year 2016 to 2018. Biological parameters namely DO, BOD, Total Coliform, Faecal Coliform and COD, Physico-chemical parameters namely pH, EC, TDS, Bicarbonates, Chlorides, Sulphates, Total Hardness, Calcium, Magnesium etc. and heavy metals were analysed using standard methods as prescribed by APHA. The analysed parameters were compared with the standards prescribed by BIS. The BOD values for all the water bodies were beyond the prescribed standard limit except the pond located at the southern side of Jutemill, Hapania (S-3) during pre-monsoon season. The Total Coliform values for water bodies located at the eastern and northern side of Badharghat Industrial Estate were beyond the prescribed standard limit. The seasonal variations of water quality have also been observed. Water Quality Index values reflected that the 75% of surface water samples were of poor quality and 25% were of good quality in both the season. Correlation study revealed that positive and significant correlations between the pairs of selected parameters in surface water samples were observed. This study reveals that the surface water of these water bodies needs proper treatment before consumption and it also needs to be protected from the domestic as well as industrial contamination.

Bishu Karmakar and Mahesh Kr. Singh

Characterization Studies on Adsorption of Lead and Cadmium Using Activated Carbon Prepared from Waste Tyres

The aim of this work was to investigate the utilization of waste tire carbons as a low cost adsorbent for the removal of cadmium and lead ions from an aqueous solution. Surface functional groups would help in getting thorough knowledge about the adsorption capacity of the adsorbent. Thus, activated carbons were prepared from waste rubber tyres and characterized by means of field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopies. The FTIR spectra show that the adsorption peaks are shifted or disappeared and new peaks are formed which was due to the adsorption of lead and cadmium onto the adsorbent surface. It is evident that the characteristic adsorption peak of O-H stretching vibration was shifted from 3900 and 3075 cm-1 for lead and the asymmetrical stretching vibration at 3900 cm-1 was shifted to 3675 cm-1 for cadmium. This shift in peak indicates the interaction between metal ions and –OH groups of adsorbent due to the presence of alcohols, phenols, and carboxylic acid and which shows the decrease of free hydroxyl group content due to the interaction between lead cadmium with –OH groups of the adsorbent. SEM micrograph of adsorbent before adsorption is highly heterogeneous and the surface morphology of the adsorbent is rough. The pores were completely filled with the metal ions after the adsorption of lead and cadmium metals and the pores appear to be smooth. This observation indicates that the metal is adsorbed to the functional groups present inside the pores. From the XRD analysis, the CI index for raw, lead and cadmium loaded activated carbon of waste tyres were found to be 48.91%, 81%, and 54.9% respectively. These values clearly showed the increase in crystalline material present in the adsorbent after the adsorption of metal ions, which was due to the adsorption of metal ions onto the surface of the adsorbent.

H. Joga Rao

Isolation and Characterization of Multiple Drug Resistant Human Enteric Pathogens from Sewage Water of Delhi

Antibiotic resistance is one of the major problems in the medical world, and the sewage waters are the primary habitats to harbour antibiotic resistance bacteria (ARB) especially multi-drug resistance (MDR) human enteric pathogens. The present study dealt with isolation, identification and characterization of human enteric pathogens showing resistance against ten different commonly prescribed antibiotics. These bacterial strains were isolated from different sewage treatment plants located in the suburb of Delhi. Initially, samples were analysed for the presence of pathogenic human enteric bacteria through morphological, biochemical and molecular analysis. Further susceptibility patterns of these isolates were studied towards clinically significant antibiotics. Doxycycline and Metronidazole were found to be most inert antibiotic as it was ineffective against all isolated enteric pathogens, whereas Meropenem was found to be most promising antibiotic. As the resistance of these microorganisms is evolving day by day, proper steps should be taken to prevent it.

Rudrangshu Chatterjee, Dushyant Singh, Swati Tripathi, Abhishek Chauhan, M.L Aggarwal and Ajit Varma

Biosorption of Cu(II) from Aqueous Solutions by a Macrofungus (Ganoderma lobatum) Biomass and its Biochar

The sorption capacities of the macrofungus viz. Ganoderma lobatum (C0) and its biochar (C400) were evaluated for the biosorption of Cu(II) from aqueous solution under different conditions, including adsorbent doses, pH of the solution, contact time and initial Cu(II) concentration. The results showed that Ganoderma lobatum could be used as an efficient biosorbent for the removal of Cu(II) ions from an aqueous solution. The desired biosorbent dose in the case of C0 and C400 for Cu(II) adsorption was 4 g/L, and the optimal pH value for biosorption was 8 for Cu(II). The Freundlich isotherm model fitted the absorption data of Cu(II) for both C0 and C400 better than the Langmuir isotherm model, and the adsorption capacity of C0 was better than C400. Our results indicate that C0 has a higher removal efficiency than C400 in adsorbing Cu(II) ions from aqueous solution. Biosorption kinetics were also studied using pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order models, which showed that the biosorption processes of Cu(II) ions based on C0 and C400 were in accordance with the pseudo-second-order kinetics.

Silin Yang, Yan Wang and Yungen Liu

Applicability Assessment of Electrocoagulation in Real Dyeing Wastewater Treatment

In this study, the applicability of electrocoagulation using iron electrodes in real dyeing wastewater treatment was assessed based on pollutants removal efficiency, sludge generation, energy consumption and operation cost in practice. The effects of current density, pH, conductivity, and reaction time on treatment performance were evaluated. The operation cost of electrocoagulation was calculated including the energy cost, the iron plate cost, generated sludge treatment cost, and added substances cost. The results indicated that the colour, CODcr and TSS removal efficiencies were high and quite stable with short reaction time (reached 92.07 ± 1.21%, 65.7 ± 1.47%, and 89.8 ± 1.2%, respectively, with only 15 min). Average sludge generation, specific energy consumption, and operation cost were determined respectively as 0.645±0.0543 kg/m3, 1.182 kWh/m3 and 0.517 USD/m3. Coagulation-flocculation using FeSO4 was performed as a control experiment as well. Compared to coagulation-flocculation, electrocoagulation has the same removal efficiency but has less generated sludge (only 50%) and little to no added chemicals. Therefore, the operating cost was quite less than the others, with only 0.517 USD/m3 instead of 1.99 USD/m3 (equal to 1/3.5).

D.P. Hung, L.T.K Oanh, V.T.D. Chi, L.N.Q. Thinh, D.T. Nguyen, N.Q. Tuan and H.T.N. Han

Soil Fertility Evaluation to Adopt Climate-Smart Agriculture in Mambattu Village, Maduranthakam Block of Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu, India

Assessment of soil fertility is essential to help identify strategies for sustainable agricultural production systems that decrease the negative environmental impact. The objective of this research study is to carry out a preliminary assessment of soil fertility status to adopt climate-smart agriculture to address the climate change challenges that adversely affect crop productivity and livelihoods of the farming community. The research was carried out in Mambattu village, Maduranthakam block of Kanchipuram district, Tamil Nadu. A systematic set of twenty geo-referenced soil samples were collected from the study village using GPS (Global Positioning System) and analysed for pH, EC, available macro, secondary and micronutrients to develop a credible soil fertility index (SFI). The preliminary fertility data of Mambattu village revealed that the pH of soil samples varied from acidic to alkaline with about 40% as neutral while the electrical conductivity showed non-saline and medium status of Organic Carbon (OC). The soil samples were predominantly sufficient in N and some micro nutrients (Fe, Mn), while medium in S and B and deficient in P, K, Ca, Mg, Zn and Cu. Results from initial studies indicate that practices like site specific nutrient management, green manuring, use of organic inputs, use of integrated pest management, seed treatment etc., have a high potential for implementing climate-smart agricultural technologies. Soil fertility evaluation can be an efficient tool to improve soil health which can positively impact crop productivity and be one of the important climate-smart technologies practices adopted by the farmers.

Kalpana Palani, Selva Preetha Paneer Selvam, Sathya Velusamy and Ramasubramaniyan Ramanathan Melmangalam

Ecological Safety Evaluation for Water Resources of China Based on Pressure-State-Response Model: A Case from Zhoushan Archipelago

Water resource ecological safety is a key factor in regional economic and social development. The comprehensive evaluation of water resource ecological safety is an important precondition for realizing regional sustainable development with the increasingly serious water ecological crisis. Zhoushan City of China was taken as an example, and the pressure–state–response model (PSR) was used to evaluate the ecological safety status of regional water resources, improve deficiencies in the existing evaluation index system and evaluation method effectively, and put forward three evaluation subsets (18 evaluation indexes). An evaluation index system was established based on these indexes to evaluate the water resource ecological safety. Combined weights of indexes were calculated using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and entropy weight method, and water-resource ecological safety indexes were used to evaluate the water-resource ecological safety status in Zhoushan City during 2010–2019. Results show that the water-resource ecological safety level in Zhoushan City during 2010–2019 presents a rising trend and transformed from a serious warning state into a medium warning state as well as a relatively safe state and safe state. This transformation indicates that the ecological safety status in Zhoushan City gradually improves. The comprehensive evaluation value is the minimum (0.15) under the serious warning state in 2013 and the maximum (0.85) under the safe state in 2019. Ammonia nitrogen and chemical oxygen demand (COD) emissions in industrial wastewater, total water supply throughout the year, and governance area of water and soil loss are the main factors that influence the water resource ecological safety in the city. The ecological safety level of regional water resources can be effectively elevated through key measures, such as increasing the water resource supply throughout the year, reducing the application of pesticides and chemical fertilizers, and reducing the discharge of pollutants, including COD and ammonia nitrogen in industrial wastewater. The water resource ecological safety evaluation model based on the PSR model and AHP–entropy weight method that demonstrates a certain application value can provide a novel idea and method to support the ecological safety evaluation of regional water resources.

Degang Wang, Miao Yu, Wei Mo, Dui-an Lv, Jie Cheng and Li Sun

Tropical Fruit Wastes as an Organic Nutrient Sources for the Cultivation of Chlorella vulgaris and Haematococcus pluvialis

The possibility of replacing the inorganic medium with tropical organic fruit waste medium as a nutrient supplement was evaluated for the cultivation of Chlorella vulgaris and Haematococcus pluvialis in this study. Various concentrations of tropical fruit waste medium such as papaya, pineapple and mango were prepared to cultivate microalgae of C. vulgaris and H. pluvialis. The biomass concentration, productivity and specific growth rate were determined and compared with those grown in a fully inorganic medium. For C. vulgaris, the use of a 20% tropical fruit waste medium was found to yield higher biomass concentration (4.133-4.533 g/L) compared with cultivation in a fully inorganic medium (3.400 g/L). For H. pluvialis, the use of a 10% mango waste medium was found to yield a similar biomass concentration compared with cultivation in a fully inorganic medium (3.400 g/L). These results unveiled the potential of utilizing with tropical organic fruit waste medium as an effective strategy to reduce the cultivation cost of microalgae and treat the tropical fruit waste prior to discharge to the environment.

Y.H. Tan, Y.J. Khoo, M.K. Chai and L.S. Wong

Cut-off Percentage of Ethanol in Diesel-Biodiesel Based Fuel Blends and Analysis of Emissions in Four Stroke-Compression Ignition Engines

One of the major challenging problems faced globally is energy security, and new generation researchers’ emphasis is on alternative fuels, which could switch the fossil fuels products entirely or moderately. The current study focuses on the use of ethanol as an alternative fuel for internal combustion engines. The speciality of this fuel is the oxygenated short-chain alcohols. These alcohols may be made through the fermentation of biomass, hence this fuel comes under a renewable source of energy. A four-stroke, single-cylinder, water-cooled and naturally aspirated compression ignition diesel engine was selected for this research. The above engine tested fuels like diesel, blends of diesel and ethanol. Diesel (D 100) (v/v), ethanol 5% with the addition of diesel 95% (E 5) (v/v), ethanol 10% with the addition of diesel 90% (E10) (v/v), ethanol 15% with the addition of diesel 85% (E 15) (v/v) and ethanol 20% with the addition of diesel 80% (E20) (v/v). The influence of the upturn of ethanol in the diesel delivered a decline of nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO) and unburnt hydrocarbons (UHC) matched to diesel fuel. It concluded that in these test fuels, E15 has higher brake thermal efficiency; E20 has higher brake specific fuel consumption. For emissions, E20 is the best blend compared to the remaining test fuels.

P. Suresh Kumar, N. Prasanthi Kumari and Amit Kumar Sharma

Carbon Emission Efficiency Measurement of Construction Industry and Its Treatment Measures-A Case Study of Henan Province, China

Energy demand and carbon emission in building construction and utilization have presented an increasing trend with urbanization development and improvement of living standard. Improving the carbon emission efficiency of the construction industry is a precondition for allocating carbon emission reduction objectives and interregional experience exchange over carbon emission reduction. An input-output index system was first constructed in this study to obtain the carbon emission efficiency of the construction industry. Carbon dioxide emission of the construction industry was taken as unexpected output, and the super efficiency slack-based measure-data envelopment analysis (SBM–DEA) model was used to estimate the carbon emission efficiency of the construction industry in Henan Province, China during 2008-2019. Finally, treatment measures were proposed to retard the rising trend of carbon emission in the construction industry. Results showed that the mean carbon emission efficiency of the construction industry in Henan Province during 2008-2019 is 1.007 and the carbon emission efficiency of the construction industry reaches the minimum value of only 0.807 in 2012. The carbon emission efficiency of the construction industry in Henan Province demonstrated an overall rising trend with a small amplitude during the investigation period. The results of this study can provide a reference for exploring the efficiency of the construction industry in Henan Province under carbon emission constraint, analyzing and identifying efficiency improvement objectives and methods for the construction industry, and facilitating its sustainable development.

Zhang Hui, Du Liu Jie, Wang Bai Tian and Qi Ping

Prediction Model of Agricultural Non-point Source Water Pollution Based on Grey Correlation Method

Accurate prediction of non-point source water pollution is conducive to the prevention and control of rural water pollution. To improve the prediction accuracy of agricultural non-point source water pollution and achieve timely prevention and control, a prediction model of agricultural non-point source water pollution based on the grey correlation method is designed. According to the historical data of agricultural non-point source water pollution, the influencing factors of water pollution degree are determined by using the grey correlation method, and standardized pretreatment is carried out. The pretreatment results are transformed into function expression forms, and the original sequences of different influencing factors are generated, which are brought into the function table to achieve the results, and the whitening differential equation is constructed to measure the concentration of agricultural non-point source water pollution. The structure design of the prediction model of agricultural non-point source water pollution can realize the prediction of agricultural non-point source water pollution. The results show that the prediction model of agricultural non-point source water pollution based on the grey correlation method has high prediction accuracy and small prediction error.

R. Wang, F. X. Yang and G. M. Qu

Effect of Municipal Solid Waste Leachate on Soil Enzymes

The paper aims to investigate the enzyme activity of soils exposed to Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) leachate. Soil enzymes are useful indicators for soil quality management as they respond to changes that occur in soil quality. To determine the effects of MSW leachate, three sites, i.e. Leachate Exposed Site (LES), Partially Leachate Exposed Site (PES) and Control Soil (CS) were considered located in and around Kapuluppada dumpsite which falls under Visakhapatnam city limits. The LES soil receives more leachate washings due to its proximity to waste heaps compared to PES soil. The third site, i.e. CS is located a little away from the MSW heaps and is free from any contamination. The samples were estimated for enzymes like dehydrogenase, invertase, alkaline phosphatase, protease, amylase and cellulase activity using standard assay methods. The following trend was observed: protease>amylase>invertase>alkaline phosphatase>dehydrogenase>cellulase. Our results indicate that the enzymes showed higher activity with MSW leachate washings due to enhanced soil aeration and soil porosity. However, MSW leachate washings had not shown any significant inhibitive effect on organic carbon content, microbial biomass and enzymatic activities.

G.S.J. Shailaja, N. Srinivas and P.V.V. Prasad Rao

Tyrosinase from Sepiella inermis (Van Hasselt [Ferussac & d’Orbigny], 1835) and its Phenol Removal Activity

Tyrosinase is a ubiquitous enzyme found in most pigmented animals. In the present study, the tyrosinase enzyme was isolated and purified from Sepiella inermis ink and its application in phenolic compounds removal from aqueous solution. The presence of the tyrosinase in the S. inermis ink was read at 280nm and the crude enzyme was purified by dialysis, ion exchange chromatography, and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The molecular weight of the purified enzyme was revealed as 30kDa through the SDS-PAGE analysis with 12% polyacrylamide gel. The optimum pH and temperature of the enzyme were found to be 6°C and 55°C respectively. The tyrosinase enzyme was immobilized with sodium alginate for the removal of phenolic contaminants in water. The accelerator with efficiency removed the phenols from the solution at intervals within a few hours. Hence, this study indicated that the isolated tyrosinase enzyme of S.inermis ink acts as an accelerator and could be used for the removal of hazardous phenol substances from wastewaters.

R. Sivaramakrishnan, A. Nandhini, P.R. Jaipreethi, K. Kapilan, S. Uthra, S. Kanchana, D. Yuvaraj and M. Arumugam

Recent Advances in the Synthesis and Characterization of Nanoparticles: A Green Adeptness for Photocatalytic and Antibacterial Activity

The green synthesis of metal oxide nanoparticles is an eco-friendly, rapid, and cost-effective development of novel technologies. The catalyst of nickel oxide (NiO) nanoparticles has been synthesized by the green route’s method using Lantana camara Linn and nickel chloride. It was found that plant-mediated synthesis of nickel oxide nanoparticles can greatly enhance the antibacterial and photocatalytic activity at very low concentrations. The synthesized plant-mediated NiO nanoparticle was characterized by the structural and optical properties, morphology, and composition of NiO nanoparticles (NPs) with the help of various techniques such as Ultra Violet (UV) spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Particle Size Analyzer (PSA), Fluorescence Spectroscopy (FL) and the photocatalytic activity studies were investigated. The antimicrobial activity was carried out against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and NiO NPs showed inhibitory activity in both strains of bacteria with excellent selectivity against Gram-positive bacteria.

Thambiraj Arthi Feiona, G. Sabeena, Muthiah Sakthi Bagavathy, E. Pushpalaksmi, J. Jenson Samraj and G. Annadurai

Statistical Modelling of 3-Hourly Wind Patterns in Melbourne, Australia

Modelling wind speed and trends helps in estimating the energy produced from wind farms. This study uses statistical models to analyze wind patterns in Melbourne, Australia. Three-hourly wind data during 2004-2008 was obtained from the Australian Government, Bureau of Meteorology, for Avalon Airport, Essendon Airport, Point Wilson, and View Bank stations. A logistic regression model was used to investigate the pattern of 3-hourly winds and gust prevalence while a linear regression model was applied to investigate wind speed trends. The 3-hour periods of the day, month, and year were used as the independent variables in the analysis. At four stations, wind speed and wind gust prevalence were mostly high between 9 AM and 6 PM. The monthly wind and wind gust prevalence were high from November to January while the highest annual prevalence occurred in 2007. The wind speed increased from 7 AM to 6 PM within which the maximum occurred. The monthly wind speed increased from November to January where it attained the maximum, decreasing to a minimum in May. The annual mean wind speed was highest in 2007.

Mayuening Eso, Prashanth Gururaja and Rhysa McNeil

Resource Allocation Strategy and Soil Driving Factors of Vegetation Concrete Restoration System Under Co-Operating Environment

The ecological function optimization strategy of vegetation directly affects the self-stability and engineering sustainability of the vegetation concrete ecological restoration system, which is the key to the successful restoration of an ecosystem. To clarify the survival strategies of slope protection plants and their response mechanisms to the soil environment in the process of vegetation concrete ecological restoration, the resource allocation strategies and soil driving factors of typical slope protection plants, such as Cynodon dactylon (Linn.) Pers. and Indigofera amblyantha, in a co-operation environment mode, were investigated by controlled simulation experiments. The results showed that (1) the co-operating environmental model had a significant effect on the biomass (leaf, stem and root) and root shoot ratio of slope protection vegetation; (2) the sensitivity of plant biomass in the co-operating environmental model was leaf biomass ratio > root biomass ratio > stem biomass ratio, and the most sensitive organ was the leaf; (3) a common allometric growth index for the plants of all slopes existed, the root and leaf grew at the same rate, and the plant roots and stems showed allometric growth with the synergistic effect of rainfall and slope; (4) the total nitrogen content of soil had a significant correlation with the vegetation R/S (root shoot ratio) (p < 0.05) due to the synergistic effect of vegetation type and slope, while the total phosphorus content of the P3 slope had a significant negative correlation with the vegetation R/S (p < 0.05). The co-operating environmental model significantly affected the spatial distribution of vegetation biomass and had the greatest impact on leaf biomass. The contents of soil nitrogen and phosphorus were the key soil driving factors that affected the distribution pattern of plant biomass. The resource allocation characteristics of different vegetation and its response to soil factors had species specificity.

Mingyi Li, Wennian Xu, Zhenyao Xia, Yanyan Shao, Yueshu Yang and Hai Xiao

Level Assessment of Ecological Environment of China and Sustainable Development Strategies

China’s ecological environmental level is not high because of the intensifying resource constraint, heavy environmental pollution, and ecosystem degradation. The highly industrialized process leads to resource exhaustion, energy shortage, environmental deterioration, and ecological imbalance, which threaten sustainable economic growth and social progress. Effective living environmental level assessment in different provinces in China is an important premise to insist on the new development mode of high resource utilization, good environmental protection effect, and evident ecological efficiency in the new stage. In this study, studies on ecological environment level assessment and sustainable development strategies of the ecological environment were summarized. An ecological environment level assessment index system was constructed from the perspectives of water environment, living environment, forest environment, agricultural environment, and sudden environmental event. The ecological environmental level measurements of 31 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions in China in 2019 were measured by the entropy weight-technique for order preference by similarity to an ideal solution (TOPSIS) model. Results demonstrate that total water resources, forestry investment, and completed investment in industrial pollution control are the three most important indexes to measure the ecological level of a province, which account for 50% of weights. The relative closeness (C) of TOPSIS estimation results range in the interval of 0.215-0.510. The ecological environmental level of 31 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions in China in 2019 could be generally divided into three types. To realize China’s ecological environment and economic social coordinated development, some sustainable development strategies, including 1) optimizing energy structure and accelerating economic development; 2) strengthening environmental control and relieving industrial waste emissions; 3) strengthening ecological construction planning and increasing law enforcement in ecological environmental pollution; 4) increasing bearing capacity of ecological environment and protecting ecological environment sustainable development, were proposed. Research conclusions have an important role in exploring the current provincial ecological environmental levels, promoting coordinated development of the economy-resource-environment system, and enriching policies concerning China’s ecological environment sustainable development.

Yong Li

Comparative Toxicity Study of Chemical Pesticide and Biopesticide by Daphnia Bioassay

A comparative study was conducted to evaluate the toxicity of a biopesticide and a chemical pesticide using Daphnia magna as a model aquatic faunal species. The primary survey revealed that Neemark and Tafgor are being commonly used by the farmers. The acute toxicity tests were conducted on Daphnia magna for two series of concentration ranges 100 ppm to 1000 ppm and 1000 ppm to 4000 ppm. The (Lethal Concentration) LC50 values for series 1 of Neemark and Tafgor were 522.86 ppm and 439.46 ppm, respectively, whereas it was 1840.48 ppm and 1335.97 ppm, respectively for for Series 2. A significant difference in the mortality rates between Neemark and Tafgor in the concentration range of 1000 ppm to 4000 ppm was observed (t = 2.483, p < 0.05). A combination treatment of Neemark and Tafgor in different proportions showed that the 2:1 v/v (Neemark: Tafgor) ratio showed the lowest toxicity with a LC50 value of 1067.78 ppm, suggesting its preferability in application on the field. Two–way ANOVA shows that the concentration of pesticides plays a significant role in the mortality of Daphnia (F = 19.729, p < 0.05) and so does the combination ratio treatment (F = 7.166, p < 0.05). These results suggest that these two factors along with the selection of a suitable plant-based pesticide play a critical role in the reduction in mortality rates of aquatic organisms.

Amrita I. Kakka, Mihir D. Herlekar and Shivani Awale

Sensitivity Analysis of the Smart City Environmental Sustainability Index (SCESI)

In recent years, the field of Sustainable Smart Cities is rapidly burgeoning, and the related research carried out is unexplored, heterogeneous, and involves a plethora of issues. In this research, the framework for the Smart City Environmental Sustainability Index (SCESI) is defined and evaluated to guide the investments and monitor the progressive environmental development of Indian cities. The index is based on 24 environmental indicators, and their corresponding significance is assessed by the expert panel. SCESI is an integrated tool on a scale of 0 to 100, which depends upon the value of indicators and their relative weights. However, sometimes data for all the 24 environmental indicators may not be available. The present work determines the sensitivity analysis by applying certain interventions. Eight scenarios have been generated by taking various combinations of high and low weight indicators. The analysis of the study indicates that the occurrence of error is marginal in both cases of non-availability of high and low weight indicators. Thus, the sensitivity analyses critically assess the variations in the SCESI when there are uncertainties involved in the input data.

Shruti, P. K. Singh and A. Ohri

The Effect of COVID-19 on the Atmospheric Parameters Over the Indian Subcontinent

In the present study, the atmospheric concentrations of various pollutants over the Indian subcontinent before the COVID-19 (during 2019) and during COVID-19 phases (2020) were studied. The COVID-19 has created a negative impact on the country’s economy but has positivity over the atmospheric resources. The levels of carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and UV aerosol index were assessed using satellite images for the two different phases. The obtained results can be interpreted and can be substantiated with the lockdown effect due to the COVID -19 pandemic. The pollutants are mostly emitted from anthropogenic sources like vehicular emissions, industrial emissions, power plants, construction works, commercial and institutional places. It was evident that the levels of carbon monoxide, nitrous dioxide and aerosols levels have drastically decreased during the lockdown period. Hence, it can be concluded that COVID-19 has cleaned the atmospheric pollution as well as climate change scenario and nature on its own.

C. Ramprasad

Spatial Analysis of the Impact of Flood and Drought on Food Security Index

This research aims to spatially analyze the impacts of climate change, specifically flood and drought on the level of food security in the Bengawan Solo watershed. Agriculture is one of the sectors that is significantly affected by the phenomenon. Flood and drought disrupt agricultural productivity, resulting in farmers having difficulty accessing their livelihoods. This has the potential to threaten food security. This research was conducted in the Bengawan Solo watershed which flows through three provinces on the island of Java. Widespread watersheds and inadequate infrastructure make it difficult to monitor so that the areas through which rivers flow are vulnerable to flood and drought. The impact of these climate-related problems on food availability makes this research important. This research was started with the calculation of the food security index in each regency/city in the Bengawan Solo watershed regions and mapped it with a Geographic Information System (GIS). The step then proceeded to the impact assessment of flood and drought on food security using the quantitative method of panel data regression in the 2014-2018 period. To sum up, flood and drought contributed in a negative way to the level of food security. Information about food security is useful in planning the allocation of resources by the government. Therefore, efforts to strengthen food security can be more directed according to the needs.

A. C. T. Rosalia, Suryanto and L. Hakim

Biosorption of Hexavalent Chromium by Paenibacillus pabuli and Bacillus cereus Isolated from Alkaline Industrial Contaminated Soil in Puducherry, India

In the present study, we intended to remediate Cr(VI) with alkaliphilic bacteria Paenibacillus pabuli (JX561107) and Bacillus cereus (JX561108) isolated from alkaline industrial contaminated soil in Pondicherry. The isolated bacteria were tested for the removal efficiency of hexavalent chromium at different concentrations (50 mg/L, 200mg/L, 400mg/L). At 50 mg/L of hexavalent chromium concentration, Paenibacillus pabuli and Bacillus cereus were found to be highly efficient in removing Cr(VI) in 72 hrs at the inoculum rate of 1% of overnight grown bacterial cultures. The isolates could remove 98% and 74% of Cr(VI) within 72 hrs of treatment at 9.5 pH. When the concentration of the Cr(VI) was increased to 400 mg/L, there was a gradual decrease in Cr(VI) removal. SEM images were obtained from the tested bacteria to observe the bacterial cell surface for the changes in the morphology and EDX analysis were also carried out to confirm whether the adhered particles are of chromium.

Anandbabu Rangasamy, Subashchandrabose Gandhi and Vignesh Tamilchelvan

Application of Eco-Friendly Natural Dye on Cotton Obtained from the Flower of Opuntia ficus-indica Using Combination of Mordants

The fastness properties of the flower of Opuntia ficus-indica dyed cotton fabric have been studied using different combinations (1:3, 1:1 and 3:1) of various mordants, such as myrobolan-nickel sulphate, myrobolan-aluminium sulphate, myrobolan-potassium dichromate, myrobolan-ferrous sulphate and myrobolan-stannous chloride. The wash, rub, light and perspiration fastness of the dyed samples have been evaluated. It is found that the flower of Opuntia ficus-indica dye can be successfully used for the dyeing of cotton to obtain a wide range of colours by using various combinations of mordants.

M. Kumaresan

Synchrotron Based TXRF for Assessment of Treated Wastewater

The use of wastewater for diverse applications is gaining popularity for protecting scarce freshwater resources. The global supply of freshwater is limited and is threatened by the masses. Communities are competing over the allocation of limited freshwater resources to meet the increasing demand for water for agriculture, industry and cities. Wastewater treatment units are being used to treat wastewater for irrigation, firefighting, and other domestic purposes. The environment and human health can be adversely affected if wastewater is not accurately treated. Treated wastewater if free from toxicity can help in preserving the natural environment. In the present work, the synchrotron-based Total Reflection X-ray Fluorescence (TXRF) has been used to assess the trace elements present in the treated wastewater collected from a sewerage treatment plant in the study area. The results are compared with the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended values and concluded that the concentration of all detected elements (Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn and Pb) are within permissible limits (except iron). Investigations are further incorporated in calculations of the water quality index (WQI) that is used for the treated water standards. The present WQI 82.70 lies in the good quality range 80-94 by Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME 2001) standards and does not pose any hazard to the environment, therefore, recommended for irrigation, toilet flushing, firefighting etc.

Vijay Kumar Garg, Arun Lal Srivastav, M. K. Tiwari, Ajay Sharma and Varinder Singh Kanwar

Performance of Phosphorus Adsorption by Acid-Activated Iron-Based Waterworks Sludge Adsorbent

Iron-based waterworks sludge was activated using 0.5-3 mol/L H2SO4 acid to obtain the acid-activated iron-based waterworks sludge (AAIBWS). The sludge treated with 1 mol/L H2SO4 acid was best for phosphorus adsorption and used to carry out batch phosphorus adsorption experiments. The influencing factors including solution pH, contact time and reaction temperature were investigated. The results indicated that the acid environment was favourable for P adsorption. The phosphorus adsorption increased with the rising reaction time and temperature. The pseudo-second-order equation was best to describe the adsorption process among the three kinetic models. The Langmuir isotherm provided a better fit of the data than the Freundlich model. Thermodynamic parameters showed that the phosphorus adsorption on AAIBWS-1 had a spontaneous and endothermic nature.

J. X. Tie, Y. F. Niu, H. Xiao, Y. S. Wang, C. B. Du, M. Zhang, J. M. Zhang and Z. H. Zheng

Research on the Interconnected River System Network of Three Lakes and One River in Guiyang

The main geological landform in southwest China is karst, and hydrological resources in the region are rich. The water resources in this region cannot be efficiently and rationally used due to the complex topography and difficulty in developing water resources, which has led to problems such as desertification and soil erosion. The most typical area of karst landforms is in Guizhou Province. A water management method for an interconnected river system network is proposed, taking Guiyang as an example. This study provides a foundation for China’s South-to-North Water Diversion Project and can improve socioeconomic conditions in China.

Zhang Dan, Guo Zuo-qing, Yang Hui-xia and Liang Li

Contagious Progression and Distribution of Arsenic in India: A Key Towards Bioremediation

Arsenic (As) is a renowned threat to the environment and human well-being. Its concentration is increasing year after year in several countries. The utmost pretentious are mining regions of India, as per government surveys and available research findings. Population residing near mining regions are bounded to consume arsenic tainted water in their routine life and evolve various hazardous health problems. Besides many physicochemical techniques at hand for its purification, none are promising. The microbial mediated arsenic detoxification involving oxidation/reduction and extrusion by a membrane-associated efflux pump may perhaps financially acuity and a promising method for bioremediation. The arsenic richness in mining regions triggered the evolution of bacterial cells to come up with a potential mechanism to survive in As rich environment. Microbial extrusion strategy of As in both As3+ and As5+ forms may also be involved in increasing As in abandoned mining regions in underground water. So, to understand the involvement of these bacterial cells in the increment of As in these regions the present study was performed by personally visiting these sites and conversation with local residents. We have witnessed many jaw-dropping truths about As exposure risk to humans and domesticated animals, which has been discussed in this article. This review comprehensively summarizes current studies associated with arsenic exposure, environmental dispersal and its bioremediation through arsenic metabolizing bacteria covering recent developments, pathways, action mechanism and understanding arsenic metabolizers with the depiction of future prospects on arsenic bioremediation from contaminated systems.

Ankur Bhardwaj, Rakesh Kumar Sharma and Gajendra Bahadur Singh

Assessing Antibiotic Residue Removal from Milk Using Biochar

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antibiotic residue removal from milk using biochar. The milk samples were collected from the local milk distributors of Coimbatore city and screened for antibiotic residues by using 3-1 Dip Stick which can screen the three major antibiotic groups like Beta lactam, tetracycline and sulfonamide. The present investigation analyses the methodology for removing antibiotics from milk using Prosopis wood biochar, Rice husk biochar and Coconut shell biochar at different temperatures and contact time. The results revealed that Prosopis biochar of 0.2 mm sieve size at higher temperatures subjected to 60 minutes contact time performed better and removed the antibiotics from a maximum number of milk samples.

M. Suguna Devakumari

Detection of Chromium(VI) in Water Using an Electrochemical Sensor Based on Ketjen Black-Modified Carbon Cloth

A CB/CCE electrochemical sensor for Cr(VI) detection was prepared by ultrasonic dispersion of Ketjen Black and then the coating of modified carbon cloth electrode. Material morphology and composition were characterized based on XPS, TEM, BET, BJH; electrochemical performance of the electrode was studied based on LSV, EIS and CV. The results show that the high conductivity of Ketjen Black accelerates charge transfer on the electrode surface, while the abundant mesoporous structure and large specific surface area enhance Cr(VI) adsorption and reduction by the electrode. Under the optimal experimental conditions, the relationship between the reduction peak current of Cr(VI) and its concentration in the sample was studied by the i-t method. The reduction peak current intensity and its concentration demonstrate a good linear relationship in the range of 0.025-57?M and 57-483?M. The linear equations are: Ip(?A) = -0.2452C(?M)-0.0303 (R = 0.9908), Ip(?A) = -0.0329C(?M)-15.9212 (R = 0.9853), LOD is 9.88nM (S/N = 3). Compared with other methods, the sensor displays outstanding detection performance advantages. Plus the advantages of low cost and environmental protection, it has good application prospects in detecting Cr(VI) in water.

Yuxi Zhang, Xi Chen, Jingtao Liu and Fengchun Yang

Vulnerability Measurement of Groundwater Inrush Channel in Mining Areas and Environmental Governance Measures – A Case Study on Taoshan Mine, China

The unrestricted resource behaviour of mines has caused considerable geological environmental problems. Specifically, the increasing water-induced accidents in mines affect safety production and environmental safety in coal mines. To further decrease water inrush disasters to the maximum extent, vulnerability assessment of groundwater inrush channel in coal mines has become a primary problem of chain-cutting disaster mitigation. In this study, first, influencing factors against formation and project of water inrush channel in coals were analyzed comprehensively. Second, 14 indexes, which influence the vulnerability of the water inrush channel, were selected from three perspectives of coal seam features, coal quality features, and hydrogeological features. A case study based on data of 56# coal seam and 68 coal seam of Taoshan Mine, China was carried out. The vulnerability of the groundwater inrush channel in the Taoshan Mine was estimated by analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and fuzzy comprehensive evaluation. Results demonstrate that coal quality features, hydrogeological features, and coal seam features are major factors that influence the vulnerability of the water inrush channel. Among them, coal quality features contribute 48.36% of explanations to the vulnerability of the water inrush channel. According to the vulnerability grade evaluation results of fuzzy mathematics, the membership degree of belonging to “III” was 0.3731, which was the highest. This finding indicates that the vulnerability of the water inrush channel in Taoshan Mine belongs to grade III, which is a moderate state. Research conclusions have important references to perfect the evaluation index system for the vulnerability of water inrush channel in coal mines, provide early warning analysis of water inrush disasters in coal mines, and realize the mining–environmental protection coordinated development.

Wei Xiao Gang, Dai Jun Wu, Li Guang Hui, Hu Zhi Kai and Qin Sai

Suitability Evaluation of Groundwater Quality for the Intent of Irrigation

Exploration was conducted in the study area of Coimbatore district by collecting 60 samples from the agricultural belt. The groundwater is neutral to alkaline in character with pH varying from 6.70 to 9.02 among the mean of 7.37. Elevated electrical conductivity (EC) was observed in upstream parts of the study area. Water quality for irrigation is determined by several key components like electrical conductivity (EC), total suspended solids (TDS), residual sodium carbonate (RSC), chloro alkali Indices (CA I & CAII), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), percent sodium (%Na), Kelley’s ratio (KR), magnesium hazard (MH), permeability index (PI) and soluble sodium percent (SSP). In total, six samples were found to be with high salinity hazard. The mean value of SAR was found to be 5.24, maximum sample falls under C2S1 to C4S1 category as per USSL Salinity diagram. As per Piper diagram in the anionic regime, Cl dominates HCO3-, CO32- and SO42-. Higher magnesium hazard in the groundwater is owing to the consequence of dyeing and bleaching industries. Magnesium hazard value indicates that 51 samples out of 60 are unsuitable for irrigation. According to the study, it is revealed that groundwater in the study area is contaminated by both natural factors and anthropogenic activities.

G. Shyamala, K. Rajesh Kumar, R. Gobinath and N. Saravanakumar

Design and Development of Solar Charging System for Electric Vehicles: An Initiative to Achieve Green Campus

Renewable energy is a kind of energy that is obtained through different resources such as sunlight, wind energy, tides, geothermal etc. It provides clean energy that comes from natural sources which can be replenished continuously. The utilization of more amount of renewable energy will lower the prices of and demand for fossil fuels. Solar photovoltaic energy is predominantly used for many applications like heating, cooking and power generation. Recent inventions helped in developing vehicles that are driven by solar energy. In this paper, the design and development of a solar charging system for electric vehicles using a charge controller is discussed. Implementation of the proposed system will reduce the electricity cost and charging and discharging losses. Also, the proposed solar charging system will be one of the initiatives taken to achieve Green campus. This paper will demonstrate the system design and performance analysis of a solar-charged electrical vehicle system.

Gnanasekaran Sasikumar and A. Sivasangari

Statistical Downscaling of Rainfall Under Climate Change in Krishna River Sub-basin of Andhra Pradesh, India Using Artificial Neural Network (ANN)

Due to the very coarse spatial resolution of the different global circulation model (GCM), we cannot use them in their natural form to study the various impacts of climate change. For matching this spatial inequality between the GCMs output (predictor) and historical precipitation data (predictands), we need to establish a relation between them which is known as downscaling. In the present study, we tried to examine the efficiency of the Artificial Neural Network (ANN) with Principal Component Analysis (PCA) for downscaling the rainfall for 3 districts of Andhra Pradesh of India. Firstly, for all the regions, the downscaling was performed by using ANN. Then seasonal and annual analysis was performed based on the R2 and RMSE. The results show that the ANN worked adequately based on the statistical parameters. The study uses the Canadian Earth System Model (CanESM2) of the IPCC Fifth Assessment Report, re-analysis from the National Centre for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) as GCM model, and observed rainfall data as the observed rainfall. The analysis was performed for the three RCPs scenario, RCP 2.6, 4.5 and 8.5. Finally, the ANN model is applied to downscale the precipitation.

K.V.R. Satya Sai, S. Krishnaiah and A. Manjunath

Environmental Pollution Evaluation of Urban Rail Transit Construction Based on Entropy Weight Method

With the development of cities, urban rail transit has entered into a stage of rapid construction and development, but the environmental pollution caused by rail transit construction cannot be ignored. To evaluate the environmental pollution of urban rail transit construction, an evaluation system for the environmental pollution induced by urban rail transit construction was established by using the literature survey method and the entropy weight method. The evaluation index system involved three first-level indicators of the physical environment, natural environment and social environment, and 11 second-level indicators. The impact of XA-XDM project construction on urban environmental pollution in Wuhan, China was evaluated by using the evaluation system. Results show that the evaluation score of XA-XDM project is 76.5, which means that the XA-XDM project construction has a strong impact on environmental pollution. It should be paid to the prevention, control and monitoring of various pollution indicators, reducing environmental pollution, and realizing green construction.

Yang Yin and Yu Zhang

Analysis and Modelling of Slope Failures in Municipal Solid Waste Dumps and Landfills: A Review

The essential issues solved by geoenvironmental engineers relate to the assurance of uncontaminated regions of the subsurface just as the remediation of locales of the subsurface that have been sullied by releasing waste materials, spilling over the ground and underground stockpiling tanks and penetration of pesticides. In city areas, garbage and waste materials are generally dumped into landfills. A landfill site, which is otherwise called a trash dump, is used for the disposal of waste materials by burial. A safe landfill is a deliberately built sorrow in the ground into which wastes are put. The principal objective is to stay away from any water driven association between the wastes and the surrounding environment especially groundwater. This paper discusses landfill, in terms of its construction, stability and failure. The analysis and modelling of the landfill failure occurred in different countries like Poland, Turkey, Israel, the Philippines, China and Sri Lanka which are discussed.

Abdullah Ansari and Prashant B. Daigavane

Potential Ecological and Health Risk Assessment of Dumpsite from Ibadan, Southwestern Nigeria

Dumpsites have elevated the contamination and pollution of soils by heavy metals, hence the need to study the potential ecological and health risks impact on the soil and humans. Ten soil samples collected from the soil around the dumpsites at Awotan Ibadan were analysed using the inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) analytical technique. The data were interpreted using contamination indices such as contamination and enrichment factors, geo-accumulation index and pollution index to determine the ecological and health risks posed by the heavy metals. The results of the spatial distribution of heavy metals across the sampling sites showed the following ranges: Cu (43.71-469.64) with a mean of 113.74 mg/kg, Zn (53.50-615.60) with a mean of 130.52 mg/kg, Rb (83.14-225.35) with a mean value of 145.37 g/kg and Pb (28.38-209.15) with a mean of 68.01 mg/kg in descending order: Zn > Cu >Rb> Pb >V. The enrichment factors indicated very high enrichment of Cu (25.07), significant enrichment of Pb (18.78) and moderate enrichment of Zn (15.14) and minor enrichments of Co, Ni, Rb and Cs. The results of the contamination factor showed that Sc, Co, Zn, Rb, Cs have moderate contamination while Cu and Pb indicated high contamination. The results of geo-accumulation (Igeo) indicated that Cu and Pb are positive in contrast to the other metals suggesting some anthropogenic influences of the duo heavy metals in the study area. Cu and Zn indicated low ecological risks however, Cu and Pb showed considerable risks (Er 80-160) and moderate risk (Er 40- 80) respectively in sample site number one. The results of the modified ecological risk index (MRI) revealed that about 62.53% of this sample site number one showed a considerable ecological risk of the heavy metal Cu and 47.61% of the moderate ecological risk of Pb. The health-risk study indicated that hazard quotient HQing, HQderm and hazard index (HI) values were below the acceptable limit of 1×10–6 and 1×10–4 and therefore showed no obvious non-carcinogenic risk and negligible cancer risk from the soils and environment.

R. A. Obasi and H. Y. Maduekwe

Evaluation of Urban Architecture Design and Construction on Environmental Pollution under the Visual Threshold of Green Development

The obvious manifestation of urban development is the integrated development of urban architectural design and construction. The environmental protection of green building design and construction has become an important link that cannot be ignored in the process of urban green development. Green building materials, green design, and other environmentally friendly building programs are the subjective manifestations of the implementation of the green development concept. However, the degree of environmental protection is still a black box that needs to be explored urgently. To explore the environmental pollution caused by urban architectural design and construction in the process of urban development, an evaluation model of urban architectural design and construction on environmental pollution was constructed. The first-level evaluation indicators include ecology, natural, and social environments, of which the corresponding secondary indicators mainly include noise, water, and air pollution and other 12 indicators. The weights of the evaluation indicators at all levels were calculated using the expert evaluation method, and the weighting method was then combined to evaluate the pollution. Results show that the main sources of environmental pollution caused by urban building design and construction are solid waste pollution and traffic congestion rather than traditional noise and air pollution. Noise and air pollution are effectively controlled in the construction process. The evaluation system provides further directions for improvement in the prevention and control of environmental pollution in building construction and provides a reference for effective improvement of environmental governance.

Xin Fu and Shisheng Lyu

Unsegregated Municipal Solid Waste in India - Current Scenario, Challenges and Way Forward

Solid waste management (SWM) is one of the most neglected aspects and becoming a challenge for India as well as other developing nations’ environment. India is one of the world’s large and fastest-growing economy. Based on the trends in different nations like the US, China and European countries, it is clear that a developing economy of the nation and population of the country is also playing a vital role in the increasing rate of solid waste generation. Unsegregated waste is the root cause of the inefficient municipal solid waste management (MSWM) systems in India. The existing approach to managing the MSW such as collection, transportation and treatment results in poor utilization of resources. This review paper addresses the current status of MSWM in India. In this paper, various issues and challenges to obtain 100 % source segregated municipal solid waste are also discussed through different cases of urban areas. A way forward through an overview of the municipal waste management policies and practices adopted is being presented in the paper.

Prashant Shukla, Pankaj Kumar Sharma, Shyam Pandey and V. Chintala

A Comparative Study of Machine Learning Techniques in Prediction of Exhaust Emissions and Performance of a Diesel Engine Fuelled with Biodiesel Blends

Biodiesel has been receiving increasing attention because of its fuel properties and compatibility with petroleum-based diesel fuel. Therefore, it is necessary to measure the engine performance and exhaust emissions of engines using petroleum-based diesel fuel and biodiesel blends. The main goal of this study is to investigate the capability of several machine learning (ML) techniques including artificial neural network (ANN), adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS), general regression neural network (GRNN), radial basis function (RBFN), and support vector regression (SVR) for predicting performance and exhaust emissions of the diesel engine fuelled with biodiesel blends. The case application is a Hyundai D4CB 2.5 engine together with B0, B10 and B20 biodiesel blends which are popularly used in Vietnam. The engine process parameters are used as inputs and the outputs include predicted torque and NOx emission. Different predicting models based on ML techniques are developed and validated. The performance of each model is evaluated and compared using root mean squared error (RMSE), mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), mean absolute error (MAE), and correlation coefficient (R). The obtained results indicate that SVR can be used to develop the model for the prediction of performance and exhaust emissions. The study also provides a better understanding of the effects of engine process parameters on performance and exhaust emissions.

Quang Hung Do, Shih-Kuei Lo and Jeng-Fung Chen

A New Approach for Environmental Modelling of LULC Changes in Semi-arid Regions of Anantapur District, Andhra Pradesh, India Using Geospatial Techniques

This study aims to define the changing pattern of land use and its geo-environmental impacts on the semi-arid region of Anantapur district of AP state, India. Satellite imageries were analysed to perceive the variations in land use and land cover in the past 9 years from 2010 to 2019. RS and GIS modelling has helped in the mapping of land use and land cover changes. The study has assumed five characteristic features, they are (i) Waterbodies, (ii) Vegetation, (iii) Fallow land, (iv) Cultivation lands, and (v) Degraded lands. The results reveal that, from 2010 to 2019, there is a decrease in water bodies, vegetation and fallow lands of 6.75 km2, 42.96 km2 and 105.45 km2 respectively. While cultivation lands and degraded lands increased to 4.7 km2 and 105.45 km2 respectively. The environmental ecosystem is disturbed due to the increase in degraded lands, thus making the study area turn into a desert. Normalized Differential Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI) are very useful for the accuracy assessment of vegetation, cultivation land and waterbodies in this LULC change detection studies.

B. Pradeep Kumar, K. Raghu Babu, P. Padma Sree, M. Rajasekhar and M. Ramachandra

Coordination Relationship Between Green Innovation Efficiency and Environmental Protection: Evidence From the Yangtze River Economic Belt

Green innovation plays an important role in coordinating the relationship between ecological environment and economic development and has become a new driving force for the development of a resource-saving and environment-friendly economy. To explore the effects and logic of innovation efficiency and environmental protection, using the inter-provincial (city) panel data of the Yangtze River Economic Belt from 2007 to 2017 in China, the green innovation efficiency and environmental protection level of the upper, middle, and lower reaches of the Yangtze River Economic Belt were analyzed. Results show that the overall environmental protection level of the Yangtze River Economic Belt is on the rise. From a regional perspective, the environmental protection level in the upper reaches is the highest, which is greater than the overall level of the Yangtze River Economic Belt, followed by the lower and middle reaches, which are less than the overall level of the Yangtze River Economic Belt. The efficiency of green innovation has promoted the overall environmental protection level of the Yangtze River Economic Belt, inhibited the environmental protection level in the downstream areas, promoted the environmental protection level in the upstream areas, and has no obvious impact on the environmental protection level in the middle reaches. Further mechanism analysis shows that the possible transmission path of green innovation efficiency to environmental protection is as follows: green innovation efficiency promotes the environmental protection level by improving the ecological environmental efficiency. The robustness of the above conclusion is tested, and it has good robustness. The research conclusions of this study provide reliable empirical evidence and policy enlightenment for the development and optimization of green innovation efficiency and the realization of green innovation efficiency driving environmental protection.

Na Hou, Zhi Zeng, Qianying Zhu, Dahong Zhang and Wenwen Liu

Synergy Effect of Environmental Factors on the Growth and Toxins Production by Microcystis aeruginosa

Microcystis is one of the most common algal genera that causes water eutrophication. The effect of water quality on the growth and toxins production of Microcystis has been attracting high research attentions. The relationship of different combinations of temperature, illumination intensity, nitrogen and phosphorus with the growth and toxin production of Microcystis aeruginosa was explored through an orthogonal test. Results showed that illumination intensity influences the growth of Microcystis aeruginosa mostly, followed by temperature, total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP). Illumination intensity affects the toxin production of Microcystis aeruginosa most significantly, followed by TP, TN and temperature successively. 200Lx illumination intensity, 22°C temperature, 20 mg.L-1 TN and 0.6 mg.L-1 are the optimum toxin production conditions for Microcystis aeruginosa.

Hou Wei, Song Yundi, Lu Nan, Zhang Runjie, Bu Naishun, Miao Bin, He Zhe and Fu Baorong

Fish Stocks Around the Gezhouba and Their Response During Fishing Moratorium in the Yangtze River, China

To explore the impact of the fishing moratorium on fish stocks, some parameters and environmental factors were monitored downstream of Gezhouba Dam in April, June and August of 2013. Fish density and target length were get using hydro-acoustics (DIDSON). The results indicated that the fish density distributions in April, June and August were significantly different. The fish density decreased with time but kept a level that was close and steady in April and June. The average fish density of April was significantly greater than that in August (P<0.05). The percentage of fish target length distribution was consistent in time and space. In the study, the hydraulic and environmental factors were not the main reasons for the decrease of fish density and target body length in the spatial and temporal scale. Overfishing was the main cause and the fishing moratorium was substantially effective for keeping the sustainability of the fish resources in the adjacent areas of Gezhouba Dam.

Congfeng Wang, Ping Zhao, Defu Liu, Jianguo Wang, Xiaohui Qin, Lvbo Liu and Zhengjian Yang

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