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Spatial Distribution of PM10 and NO2 in Ambient Air Quality in Cape Town CBD, South Africa

Fixed air quality monitoring stations generally monitor the air quality in developing countries. However, this practice, in addition to being costly, inherently contains drawbacks associated with the inability to capture the spatial distribution of air pollutants. Against this limitation, it is necessary to employ flexible and dynamic monitoring techniques that are fundamental and influential in comprehending the spatial distribution of pollutants. Because of this, in recent times, the application of GIS as a monitoring technique has proved to be more efficient than using fixed monitoring stations. Therefore, to this end, the current study mapped the spatial distribution of PM10 and NO2 pollutants in Cape Town CBD using the GIS technique. Subsequently, the GIS monitoring technique revealed that both pollutants had high spatial distribution between 2017 and 2018, irrespective of the season. Furthermore, high exposure concentrations of PM10 were generally observed across the CBD in contrast to NO2 exposure levels, which were relatively low. To contextualize the findings, compared with other studies, the current research discovered that spatial distribution of air pollution is associated with meteorological conditions, such as wind speed and temperature, that traditional techniques of monitoring exposure can’t capture.

O. Ndletyana, B. S. Madonsela and T. Maphanga

Pattern Characterization of Meteorological Drought Using Multivariate Drought Index Over Mirzapur in Middle Gangetic Plains of India

Droughts and floods have been occurring at a higher frequency in recent decades. The rapid transition between them magnifies the socio-economic consequences of these catastrophes relative to the effects of the individual occurrences of the extreme event. This study examines the temporal variability of meteorological drought and wet event characteristics occurring over Mirzapur (Uttar Pradesh), India. The Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) is applied to monthly water balance at scales 3, 6, 9, and 12 months to estimate the meteorological drought and wet events from 1971 to 2018. Drought and wet event characteristics such as the number of drought/wet events, severity, duration, and intensity are estimated using run theory over SPEI output. While characterizing the pattern of trends over the historical time period, variable-sized cluster analysis (VSCA) allows the detection of multiple change points as opposed to the Mann-Kendall (MK) test, which produces a monotonic trend for the entire time period. The VSCA technique accounts for drought variability and depicts the pattern’s evolution across the period under consideration. Station-scale drought data from Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh (UP), India, were used in the procedure. VSCA allows for the detection of many change points while describing the pattern of drought trend throughout a historical period, as opposed to the usual Mann-Kendall (MK) test, which provides a monotonic trend for the whole time. As a result, VSCA demonstrated the MK test compatibility.

Shivani Gond, Nitesh Gupta, P. K. S. Dikshit and Shyam Bihari Dwivedi

Rethinking Waste Management in Indonesia Using Public-Private Partnership Framework: A Case Study of PET Bottle Waste Management

Municipal solid waste (MSW) continues to be a major challenge in almost every country. In Indonesia alone, approximately 64 million tons of MSW are produced on an annual basis. While polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles account for 12% of all plastic products, the waste is not well managed. Many stakeholders are involved in PET bottle waste recycling but no forum for stakeholders has been established. In this study, the aim is to identify an acceptable system for PET bottle waste, to determine the role and function of each stakeholder, and to propose a framework under the perspective of public-private partnerships. The study’s novelty is the elaborate roles and schematic framework for various stakeholders in PET bottle waste. The aim is to identify an acceptable scheme for PET bottle waste and determine each stakeholder’s role and function. Data was generated from electronic databases (2017 to December 2021) a systematic literature review methodology followed by Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic review. The data were analyzed by the Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) approach. This study found that the laws and regulations for waste management in Indonesia are not suitable for dealing with PET bottle waste, and the government carries out limited tasks and dedicates few resources to managing the waste. A public-private partnership framework was proposed to divide the role, commitment, goal, and activities of each stakeholder to properly manage PET bottle waste.

Akhmad Amirudin, Chihiro Inoue and Guido Grause

Advanced Synthetic and Bio-Based Sorbents for Oil Spill Clean-up: A Review of Novel Trends

Due to immense population growth and economic development, the use of crude oil for various energy applications has escalated in the past few decades. This has led to the large-scale exploitation of oil reserves which has further resulted in the accidental release of large amounts of oil into our oceans. In recent years, significant emphasis has been placed on processes involving oil sorption by various natural and synthetic sorbents. Several sorbent materials based on synthetic polymers such as polypropylene, polyurethane, polystyrene, etc., possessing three-dimensional porous structure, large surface area, high mechanical strength, and exhibiting good oil recoverability and reusability, have been employed for oil-water separation processes. Conversely, many of these materials in their native or pristine form are amphipathic, which prevents their large-scale use in oil spill clean-up. This has led to researchers exploring surface modifications of commercially available sorbent polymeric materials to enhance their oleophilicity and hydrophobicity. This review article summarizes and discusses recent advances in the strategies for the fabrication of newer surface-modified synthetic polymeric materials and natural bio-based sorbents, and further highlights their effectiveness in dealing with the oil/water separation challenges.

M. G. Gote, H. H. Dhila and S. R. Muley

Water Quality Assessment of Wenyu River with Variable Weight Cloud Model

The water resource is an important guarantee of social and economic sustainable development. The improvement of water’s ecological carbon sequestration ability is a direct response to the goal of “double carbon”. Water quality directly affects its carbon sequestration capacity. So it is necessary to understand the water quality of rivers. In view of the fuzziness and uncertainty in water quality evaluation, this paper uses the cloud model to realize the qualitative to quantitative transformation of water quality in Wenyu River. By combining moment estimation theory with critic weight, AHM weight, and variable weight theory. A water quality evaluation method integrating a variable weight cloud model is constructed. And the temporal and spatial changes in water quality in Wenyu River are studied. The results show that the combined weights balance the influence of each index while retaining the advantages of subjective and objective weights. The results of the water quality evaluation are consistent with the practice, which verifies the feasibility and applicability of the method.

Li Guojiao, Men Baohui and Wang Lehao

A Novel Green Approach for Lead Adsorption and Isotherm Evaluation

Environmental damage due to the discharge of organic pollutants and heavy metal toxins has become a major topic of concern for the past couple of years. Using just a natural adsorbent to solve wastewater concerns has lately gained popularity as an ecologically acceptable solution that encourages long-term growth. A range of approaches, including adsorption to the surface of agricultural leftovers, have been used to minimize heavy metals in an aqueous medium. Lead is amongst the most hazardous and widely discovered toxic substances in industrial waste. Citrus limetta peel powder, Banana peel powder, and Betel leaf powder were chosen as adsorbents in this study to absorb synthetic lead from an aqueous solution since they are low-cost materials. Our research aims to find natural bio-sorbents that can remove highly hazardous Pb2+ ions from aqueous solutions. The importance of contact time, concentrations, adsorbent-based dose, and pH in the adsorption process is investigated. The adsorption rate for betel leaves, Citrus limetta peel, and banana peel was 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 g.L-1. Citrus limetta peel (10 g.L-1), banana peel (5 g.L-1), and betel leaf (5 g.L-1) provide the highest lead adsorption. Material characterization is used to determine the lead nitrate process in lead adsorption. The capacity of the lead-adsorbing substances to achieve adsorption equilibrium was assessed and estimated using linear Freundlich and Langmuir isotherms, with the experimental data fitting the Freundlich isotherm models.

M. Dharsana and J. Prakash Arul Jose

Corrosion Behavior of Petroleum Pipeline Steel in the Sulfur Ion Enriched Solution with Quinoline

Localized corrosion is a serious, hazardous destroyer of steel petroleum pipelines meant for long-time use. However, previous studies on localized corrosion primarily focused on local corrosion morphology and corrosion rate of bulk metals because detecting the corrosion state of occlusive metals is difficult. Herein, we employ a simulating occluded battery unit to disclose the local corrosion behavior of the steel petroleum pipeline (N80 steel) in an occlusive S2–-enriched solution. After simulating localized corrosion in the S2–- containing corrosion solution using the occluded battery unit, the occlusive solution was acidified and the migration amount of S2– to the occluded area increased. Despite the increase of S2– concentration, the addition of quinoline corrosion inhibitor (0.8 wt%) still effectively impedes the corrosion of the occluded metal. Moderately raising the environmental temperature can stimulate the activity of the inhibitor and promote the inhibition effect. The quinoline corrosion inhibitor displays the maximum inhibition rate at an elevated temperature of 50°C. Meanwhile, a maximum over the temperature of 60°C-70°C will likely accelerate the failure of the inhibitor.

Shanjian Li, Guotao Cui, Panfeng Wu and Yang Feng

Variability and Trend in Summer Monsoon Rainfall and its Correlation with Crop Yield in the Districts of Andhra Pradesh During 2011-2020

In the context of climate change and its impact on agriculture, the paper analyses the trend of monsoon rainfall and its correlation with crop yield in Andhra Pradesh. The summer monsoon is the main rainy source of water for the state of Andhra Pradesh. The Kharif crops depend on the southwest monsoon rains to the extent that its adverse variability may lead to water stress and agrarian crisis. It has been observed from the study that in recent years the contribution of monsoon rainfall during September is increasing, and any harvest during the month is correspondingly affected, leading to a decline in the crop yield.

Chandu Kavitha , A. Dharma Raju and S.V.J. Kumar

Retention Behaviour of Heavy Metals from Industrial Sludge Amended with Admixtures to Use Them as Liners for Landfill Facilities

The solidification of contaminants within the soil/waste has proved to be a versatile technique to de-contaminate them and make them usable for several applications. In this method, the development of binder provisions leads to the conversion of the environmentally unstable condition of waste materials into a nearly stable material. Further, these materials pose a minimum threat that can be absorbed into the environment. Normally lime/cement and other pozzolanic materials are used as binder materials. In this work, it is proposed to use the efficiency of binding fly ash to improve the unconfined compressive strength (UCC) of soils, particularly during the curing period. This is because improvement in strength is a reflection of the improvement of bonding soil particles. Fly ash as the main source material, in addition to a minor proportion of cement and lime, is used to determine the strength. UCC test results revealed that as the percentage of fly ash increases there is an increase in compressive strength. It is also observed that with an increase in lime content and an increase in cement content, the UCC strength also increases. The strength in cement-stabilized compacted specimens is more compared to lime-stabilized mixtures. To confirm that the improvement in strength is related to the solidification of contaminated metals, particularly for soils containing copper and chromium, the stabilized mixture is tested for the leaching of these metals. Leaching tests were conducted on various stabilized mixtures at different curing periods. The leachate was examined for metal ion concentration using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The leaching behavior of heavy metals from different proportions of soil matrix revealed that with an increase in lime or cement percentage, a decrease in leachability is observed. It is found that the leaching of heavy metals from cement-stabilized soils was lower than in lime mixture combinations. However, minimum strength improves the solidification and retention of heavy metals effectively.

S. S. S. Saranya, S. N. Maya Naik and Shankara

Spatial and Temporal Changes and Driving Factors of Desertification Around Qinghai Lake, China

The area around Qinghai Lake is one of the most serious desertification areas on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. In this paper, combined with field investigation and indoor analysis, the classification and grading system of desertification around Qinghai Lake was established. On this basis, through remote sensing data processing and parameter inversion, the desertification monitoring index model was established. Based on the analysis of Landsat-5/TM remote sensing data from 1990 to 2020, the dynamic change characteristics of desertification land around Qinghai Lake in recent 30 years were obtained. The results show that the desertification area around Qinghai Lake was 1,359.62 km2, of which the light desertification land was the main one. The desertification spread in a belt around Qinghai Lake, concentrated in Ketu sandy area in the east, Ganzi River sandy area in the northeast, Bird Island sandy area in the northwest, and Langmashe sandy area in the southeast. From 1990 to 2000, the annual expansion rate of desertification around Qinghai Lake was 2.68%, the desertification spread rapidly, and light desertification land was the main part of desertification expansion. From 2000 to 2010, the annual expansion rate of desertification was only 0.83%, but severe desertification land and moderate desertification land developed more rapidly than in the previous period. From 2010 to 2020, the annual expansion rate of desertification was 2.66%, and the desertification was spreading rapidly, mainly with moderate desertification land and light desertification land. In the process of desertification land transfer around Qinghai Lake, the transfer of desertification land and non-desertification land was the main, accompanied by the mutual transformation of different levels of desertification land. The process of desertification around Qinghai Lake was essentially the result of natural and human factors. The special geographical location, climate changes, rodent damage, and human factors around Qinghai Lake were the main causes of desertification.

Q. G. Liu

Heavy Metal Removal from Contaminated Soil Using Soil Washing Techniques

Heavy metals are discharged into the soil around us from various anthropogenic sources and also by the use of fertilizers, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, etc. In most cases, industrialization can be pointed to as the reason behind soil pollution. Contamination of soil leads to large-scale environmental degradation and health impacts. Many investigators have studied techniques for removing heavy metals from soil. Soil washing is an emerging area that can be implemented for this purpose. Studies were carried out in the controlled conditions of a laboratory environment to determine the suitability of soil-washing techniques for removing lead from polluted land. The results showing the influence of various parameters in soil washing, such as duration of washing, molar strength of the solution used, the weight ratio of soil to wash solution, etc., are presented in this paper. Batch studies were conducted to investigate the performance of chelating agents such as Na2EDTA, HCl, HNO3 and CaCl2 with regard to the removal of lead from artificially contaminated locally available soil. Based on the batch studies, it is observed that the strength of the washing solution, the proportion of soil and solution, the period of agitation, etc. influence the removal of contaminants. Based on the studies, it is concluded that, while recommending soil washing using chelating agents for remediating lead-contaminated soils, it is essential to identify the influencing parameters and determine the optimum conditions so that higher removal can be achieved without any adverse effect.

G. Resmi, Santosh G. Thampi and S. Chandrakaran

An Integrated GIS-AHP Approach for Municipal Solid Waste Landfill Siting in Srikakulam District, Andhra Pradesh

The availability of land for proper waste disposal is one of the most important and emerging potential challenges in most big cities. Although some attempts are being made to minimize and recover garbage, landfill disposal continues to be the dominant method of waste disposal. An improper landfill site can negatively impact the environment, the economy, and the environment. Thus, it should be carefully chosen, taking into consideration both rules and standards from other sources. To examine all aspects of this study, an integration of the “Geographic Information System (GIS)” and the “Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP)” was incorporated for land-fill site selection. Various parameters were examined to make decisions about landfill site selection. These parameters included slope, elevation, soil texture, LULC, surface water, groundwater table, road network, historical areas, and residential areas. An analytic-hierarchy process was used to determine the relative importance of each parameter, and a final site suitability map was created. With an equal interval classification method, the final index model was categorized into four categories, which included “unsuitable”, “less suitable”, “moderately suitable” and “suitable”. As a result, 30.28% of the study area was less suitable, 28.49% was moderately suitable, 12.39% was suitable, and 28.84% of the study area was unsuitable for landfilling.

Penki Ramu , Basina Sai Santosh and Praveen S.

Experimental Study on Heat Recovery of Air Dryer from Waste Heat Energy of Condensing Unit from VCRS Air Conditioner

Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) is a system to condition indoor air by cooling or heating to achieve thermal comfort for a human being. The HVAC system operates based on the refrigeration cycle, where heat is dissipated from the condensing unit in the warm air arrangement. This represents an ironic foundation of heat that might be recovered for further schemes or applications. In this paper, experimental work was developed to validate the proposed heat recovery system using heated air released from the condenser unit of the HVAC system as a source for the air dryer for the drying rack. Four different output parameters are to be observed in this research: the dry-bulb temperature of the air exit from the condenser unit, the dry-bulb temperature of the air inflowing the dryer, and the drying time and the relative humidity of the air leaving the dryer. These experimental works were conducted using a domestic application of a 1.0 hp air conditioning (AC) system with R-22 refrigerant gas and based on the following factors: The three-variant mass of wet clothes, the three-stage of mechanical fan speed for releasing warm air from the condenser, and the effect of variable ambient or surrounding air dry-bulb temperature were studied. A physical prototype of the dryer was constructed for proof-of-concept purposes. The experimental output was then analyzed to obtain precision and accurate data. To determine the system behavior, a refrigeration cycle analysis was conducted. It has been shown that an AC system of 1.0 hp can cover wet clothes drying of weights 1950 g, 4255 g, and 6350 g at 55, 80, and 110 min with a constant air velocity of 0.34 m-3.s-1 in an ambient temperature of 33°C. The significant contribution of this research is the proposed heat-recovery-based air dryer system with the capability to increase the Coefficient of Performance (COP) of the AC unit from 2.36 to 2.70. Hence, the energy-saving was received using the heat-recovered-based air dryer instead of a commercial electric air dryer system that uses high power consumption from their heater element.

S. N. Yaakop, M. H. F. Md Fauadi and A. A. Muhammad Damanhuri

Optimization of Biodiesel Parameters Using Response Surface Methodology and Production of Biodiesel

The requirement for a renewable and environmentally gracious alternative resource of energy has grown in recent years as a result of increased knowledge of the negative impacts of petroleum-based fuels on the environment and the regular rise in crude oil prices. Biodiesel has been proven to be the ideal replacement for diesel because of its unique qualities, such as a huge decrease in greenhouse gas emissions, nonparticulate matter pollutants, non-sulfur emissions, less toxicity, and degradability. This article examines the pre-treatment stage, the physiological and chemical features of WCO, transesterification, esterification, and the manufacturing of biofuel from waste-cooked oil using several techniques and catalyst types. The elements that influence the stated process parameters are investigated, with a particular focus on the methanol to oil ratio (molar ratio), time of reaction, the temperature of the reaction, catalyst percentage, and yield of biodiesel. After the production of biodiesel, we can optimize the process parameters, for example, methanol to oil ratio, the temperature of the reaction, duration of reaction, and catalyst percentage, and also optimize the yield of biofuel generation with the CCD design of the Response surface methodology (RSM) algorithm using Design Expert software.

Y. K. Singh

Exemplarity of the State for the Energy Efficiency of Buildings Institutional - Case of Morocco

Engaged for many years in a strategy to control climate change, Morocco is committed to leverage on sustainable development as a new development model and as a true project for society. This commitment resulted in implementing several reforms targeting the consolidation of a developed economy, improving social conditions, and accelerating positive environmental changes. The public administration developed the Administration Exemplarity Pact (AEP) as a concrete action to lead by example in implementing the National Strategy for Sustainable Development. Developed in accordance with the main stake of the National Strategy of Sustainable Development, its goal is to promote sustainable development governance in our country through several strategic focus areas. This document presents the experience of a Moroccan administration that has implemented the guidelines described in the AEP. The approach and results are detailed and could be used as an example for other Moroccan companies. The first step of the methodology consists of a diagnostic phase to establish the current situation. The second step is related to the strategy to define the approach’s main orientations and the action plan. These key steps allow us to identify areas of improvement and build a roadmap adapted to the current context and constraints. One of the best practices for this approach is to define the main orientations to act by positive contagion on the ecosystem. In conclusion, the AEP axes deployed in a dynamic improvement logic give convincing results. By acting with partners (subcontractors and suppliers), the Moroccan administration can act on the whole value chain and induce an essential change in the Moroccan economic fabric.

Y. Kasseh, A. Touzani and S. EL Majaty

Efficiency of Paecilomyces variotii in Bioremoval of Reactive Black Dye from Tannery Effluent

The present work investigates the efficiency of Paecilomyces variotii upon degrading Reactive Black dye which has been termed a recalcitrant variety of synthetic dye. In this research, initially a predominant fungal species, Paecilomyces variotii was isolated from the tannery effluent sample. The study was carried out by assessing the ability of fungi to decolorize the dye under various parameters like pH (5,7 and 9), Temperature (7°C, 30°C, and 45°C), Dye concentration (200, 300, and 400 mg/L) for different incubation or exposure time interval (3, 5 and 7 days). From the experimental study, it was found that Paecilomyces variotii showed a maximum percentage of dye decolorization at 7°C at pH 9 with 75%, at 30°C at pH 7 with 85%, at 45°C at pH 5 with 82% and a maximum period of incubation with 7 days in 200 mg.L-1 concentration. This result conveys that the strength of Paecilomyces variotii in decolorizing the synthetic dye is effective at a moderate temperature with neutral pH for maximum exposure time. So Paecilomyces variotii could be a good candidate of choice for the biodegradation of various synthetic dyes when manipulated wisely. Also, the result sparks a positive attribute toward decreasing industrial wastewater pollution.

Priya Chokkalingam, Mahi Anamalagundam, Chaithanya Lahari, Shreya Singh, G. Mohan Kumar and Rajeswary Hari

Economic Valuation and Benefit Transfer of Restoring the Teesta Riverine Ecosystem

This study seeks to understand the socio-economic and ecological impacts of the hydroelectric power projects along the upper basin of the river Teesta in Sikkim. This study estimates the non-market benefits of restoring the Teesta riverine ecosystem and evaluates the transferability of welfare estimates. This study is a first of its kind undertaken in the Teesta basin which uses a unique dataset of 830 households obtained from the affected regions of the river basin. During the study, nine villages adjacent to the river Teesta, dams, and powerhouses were identified and surveyed. Double bounded dichotomous choice questions were used to elicit willingness to pay (WTP). Both the logistic and normal distribution models were fitted and the results were mostly similar. The median WTP was INR 373.00 and the variables that described the rating on dams, ownership of property, monthly expenditure of the household, informal employment status, and satisfaction about the state of the riverTeesta were among the significant variables in the model. The benefit function value transfer estimated was INR 232.00 with the percentage transfer error (PTE) of 61.9%.

Pravesh Tamang

Assessment and Prediction of Air Quality Level Using ARIMA Model: A Case Study of Surat City, Gujarat State, India

Air quality has recently been a huge concern as it directly affects people’s lives. An air quality level assessment and prediction system is essential to keep track of air quality. Therefore, developing an efficient air quality assessment and prediction system has become one of the most important concerns. In the present work air quality level of Surat city, India is assessed and predicted for the period from 2020 to 2023 using the Autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model. Experimental results show that the ARIMA model outperforms the other models. According to the findings, the maximum quantity of SO2 and NO2 present in the air in 2020 is 37 mm and 18 mm, respectively, with a maximum of 27 mm and 31 mm in 2021. Thus, we can observe that even though SO2 has reduced a bit, the amount of NO2 has increased, thus degrading the quality of air.

H. N. Mahendra, S. Mallikarjunaswamy, D. Mahesh Kumar, Shilpi Kumari, Shubhali Kashyap, Sapna Fulwani and Aishee Chatterjee

Evapotranspiration Over the Indian Region: Implications of Climate Change and Land Use/Land Cover Change

Evapotranspiration (ET) plays a significant role in climatic studies, directly influencing the hydrological cycle, energy balance equation, and surface vegetation. ET comprises three components: bare soil or ground evaporation, evaporation, and transpiration, in which vegetation removes water influenced by food grain production. In turn, soil moisture availability depends on precipitation characteristics over land, surface net radiation, and wind speed are the major climatic factors that together determine the magnitude of ET. This controls moisture availability in the lower troposphere, hence atmospheric stability, chances of cloud formation, and precipitation. Though the study of evapotranspiration is important for determining agricultural water consumption and analyzing drought situations, there is a lot of uncertainty in its accurate estimation. Land use/Land cover changes (LULCC) occurring throughout the Indian subcontinent have been found to affect the characteristics of low to moderate rainfall events and surface temperature extremes (Halder et al. 2016). A global warming scenario will change the hydrological cycle, and the impact of anthropogenic factors has also necessitated the need to understand the mechanisms that control changes in ET over India. In this study, we want to analyze the relationship between transpiration and the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and investigate the relationship between canopy interception with respect to NDVI all over the Indian region. Attempts have been made to assess the impact of changes in climate and LULC on ET and its three components over the Indian region from 1981 till the present time. The monsoon season increases precipitation, and soil evaporation is found to increase at first, along with an increase in NDVI followed by canopy evaporation and transpiration. It is noted that changes in precipitation and LULCC across the Indian subcontinent have contributed significantly to changes in ET in different seasons. As variability in surface net radiation also plays an important role in controlling changes in total ET, it is being investigated.

Garima Singh and Sudhir Kumar Singh

Forecasting Particulate Matter Emissions Using Time Series Models

Environmental pollution is a serious concern nowadays with its disastrous impact on living organisms. In several types of pollution, Air pollution takes on a crucial role by directly affecting the respiratory system and causing fatal diseases in humans. Air pollution is a mixture of gaseous and particulate matter interweaved by different sources and emanating into the atmosphere. In particular, particle pollutants are critical in growing air pollution in India’s main cities. Forecasting the particulate matter could mitigate the complications caused by it. The employment of a model to predict future values based on previously observed values is known as time series forecasting. In this paper, the PM2.5 pollutant emission data recorded at the Kodungaiyur region of Chennai city were forecasted using three-time series models. The standard ARIMA model is compared with the deep learning-based LSTM model and Facebook’s developed Prophet algorithm. This comparison helps to identify an appropriate forecasting model for PM2.5 pollutant emission. The Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) acquired from experimental findings is used to compare model performances.

S. Suresh, M. R. Sindhumol, M. Ramadurai, D. Kalvinithi and M. Sangeetha

Susceptibility Evaluation of Debris Flow Disaster in Plateau Hydropower Cascade Development Reservoir Area

The Rumei Hydropower Station is a typical cascade hydropower development project in a plateau area. The dam site is located in an area with complex topography, lithology, and geological structure. Geological disasters are developed in the area, mainly debris flow. Thus, taking the dam site and the surrounding areas as key evaluation objects, the engineering geological characteristics, geological environment characteristics, and the susceptibility and risk of geological disasters that may be caused are predicted and evaluated. The main methods used in this assessment are the binary logistic regression model and expert evaluation. The results show that the susceptibility to geological disasters is small and medium. The results of this study could provide a scientific basis for the rationality of the general layout and site selection of the project construction in the plateau water elevator level development reservoir area.

Feng Yang, Xudong Hu, Zhenyao Xia, Lei Cui and Qi Yang

Utilization of Waste Glass for Enhancement of Chemical Properties of Concrete

The world is facing a huge problem of waste generation; among these, solid waste in the form of glass has become a prime concern for the environment. The composition of the glass is silica-based, and its utilization in the preparation of concrete can be an efficient step in the direction of sustainable development by reducing the cement content. The formation of secondary calcium silicate hydrates (C-S-H) could take place due to the pozzolanic reaction of the fine ground glass with the cement. TGA techniques were used in this research to investigate the chemical properties of the waste glass, and later, these were compared with the properties of the cement. By keeping a constant w/b ratio for all the replacement levels from 0% to 35%, the evaluation of the workability and compressive strength were done. The evaluation showed that workability increased with an increase in the content of the waste glass. With 7 and 28 days cured samples, the strength and chemical investigation were conducted on the samples prepared with the same mix design. Constant Dose of superplasticizer used by weight of cement for mixes as 0.8%. Compared with the control sample, The level of replacement of waste glass to cement as 30% has depicted the augmentation in the compressive strength. Thus, the use of waste glass was found to be cost-effective and an environment-friendly solution for the sustainable development of concrete.

Jagriti Gupta, A. S. Jethoo and Nandeshwar Lata

Analysis of Water Quality of Hatirjheel Lake, Dhaka, Bangladesh

The study assessed the status of water quality parameters for an urban water body (Hatirjheel Lake) in Dhaka, the Capital city of Bangladesh. Nine different water samples were collected from nine points of the lake during the dry season in January 2021. Water quality parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), total suspended solids (TSS), total alkalinity, total acidity, total hardness, Ca2+ hardness, free CO2, and dissolved oxygen (DO) were determined for the samples. The status of the parameters is pH (6.51-7.05), EC (510-600 ?S.cm-1), TDS (450-590 ppm), TSS (0.0-0.034 mg.L-1), total alkalinity (80-392 mg.L-1), total acidity (224-500 mg.L-1), total hardness (348-452 mg.L-1), Ca2+ hardness (74-162 mg.L-1), free CO2 (730-1170 mg.L-1), DO (2.7-5.5 mg.L-1). However, the DO value at some points of the lake is too less (2.7 mg.L-1 and 3.7 mg.L-1) than the standard value (> 5-6 mg.L-1) of ECR, DoE, which might not be healthy for any water body and aquatic ecosystem. Other water quality parameters are within the permissible limit of WHO and ECR, DoE.

A. B. M. Kamal Pasha, Syed Omayer Mustafa, S. M. Mahmudur Rahman, Muhammad Abdullah, Md. Azharul Haque Chowdhury and Mahfuza Parveen

Bioinspired Trichogenic Silver Nanoparticles and Their Antifungal Activity Against Plant Pathogenic Fungi Sclerotinia sclerotiorum MTCC 8785

There is a pressing need for new nanomaterials for multipurpose functions. The biological synthesis of nanoparticles is environment-friendly, least toxic, and cost-effective. An experiment was designed to use extracellular amylases in the cell-free filtrate (CFF) for the biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from the Trichoderma harzianum MTCC 801 strain. Potato dextrose broth (PDB) as general-purpose growth media and amylase production media (APM) as enzyme-specific production media have been used for sub-merged fungal cultivation and nanoparticle synthesis. AgNPs synthesized in the CFF of PDB were compared with AgNPs synthesized from the CFF using APM. The cell-free filtrate obtained upon enzyme stimulation has contributed to the reduction and capping process of nanosilver. The synthesized AgNPs showed a spectral peak at 420 nm, a characteristic feature of AgNPs. The particles were monodispersed, 50 nm in size, and spherical in shape as well as have shown an antifungal effect (100% inhibition) against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum MTCC8785. This is the first report to synthesize trichogenic AgNPs using extracellular amylases against the phytopathogen Sclerotinia strain.

V. Guleria and J. Saxena

Utilization of Enterobacter cloacae WW1 Biomass for Biosorption of Lead(II) from Aqueous Solution

The present study evaluated lead biosorption by Enterobacter cloacae WW1 isolated from tannery wastewaters under different initial Pb2+ concentrations, biomass concentrations, and contact times. The results showed that at an initial Pb2+ concentration of 80 mg.L-1, the optimal conditions for living cells were a biomass concentration of 7 g.L-1 and a contact time of 120 min. For non-living cells, biomass was a biomass concentration of 4 g.L-1 and contact time of 45 min, which provided removal efficiencies of 92.03 ± 0.10% and 99.51 ± 0.01%, respectively. The maximum biosorption capacity obtained for non-living cells using an initial Pb2+ concentration of 640 mg.L-1 was 76.65 ± 0.05 mg.g-1. The equilibrium data followed the Langmuir and Freundlich models for living cells, and the data for non-living cell biosorbents fit the Langmuir model. The biosorption kinetics for living and non-living cells fit well with a pseudo-second-order kinetic equation. SEM-EDX analysis clearly showed the morphology and presence of Pb2+ particles on non-living cell surfaces after biosorption. In addition, the results revealed that functional groups such as hydroxyl, amino, carboxyl, amide, and phosphate groups on the bacterial cell surface detected by FTIR were associated with the binding of Pb2+ ions. The results indicated that E. cloacae WW1, a lead-resistant bacterium, can be used as an alternative biosorbent for lead removal from wastewater.

S. Thongkrua and A. Kasuya

Improved Large-Scale Ocean Wave Dynamics Remote Monitoring Based on Big Data Analytics and Reanalyzed Remote Sensing

Oceans and large water bodies have the potential to generate a large amount of green and renewable energy by harvesting the ocean surface properties like wind waves and tidal waves using Wave Energy Converter (WEC) devices. Although the oceans have this potential, very little ocean energy is harvested because of improper planning and implementation challenges. Besides this, monitoring ocean waves is of immense importance as several ocean-related calamities could be prevented. Also, the ocean serves as the maritime transportation route. Therefore, a need exists for remote and continuous monitoring of ocean waves and preparing strategies for different situations. Remote sensing technology could be utilized for a large scale low-cost opportunity for monitoring entire ocean bodies and extracting several important ocean surface features like wave height, wave time period, and drift velocities that can be used to estimate the ideal locations for power generation and find locations for turbulent waters so that maritime transportation hazards could be prevented. To process this large volume of data, Big Data Analytics techniques have been used to distribute the workload to worker nodes, facilitating a fast calculation of the reanalyzed remote sensing data. The experiment was conducted on Indian Coastline. The findings from the experiment show that a total of 1.86 GWh energy can be harvested from the ocean waves of the Indian Coastline, and locations of turbulent waters can be predicted in real-time to optimize maritime transportation routes.

Subhrangshu Adhikary and Saikat Banerjee

Turbidity Reduction and Eco-friendly Sludge Disposal in Water Treatment Plants

Plankton and other microscopic colloids are tiny particles that are suspended in water and cause turbidity, which causes the water to seem murky or opaque. These particles are too unstable and light to settle or be naturally eliminated. These details contribute to water turbidity and pose some stability. During the process of purifying raw water, all water treatment Plants (WTPs) produce waste/residue known as water treatment sludge (WTS). The majority of the sludge’s chemical components include silica, alumina, ferric oxide, lime, and many heavy metals. The surface water treatment technique included coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, and filtration to remove colloidal and suspended particles from raw water. The sludge obtained from the WTP located at Kekri (Rajasthan), India is being investigated for its physical and chemical properties. About 60% of the sand contained in the sludge is found in the 155-60 grain size range. Additionally, nutrient reduction of soil due to contamination and runoff can be minimized or rounded out by wastewater treatment or the removal of heavy metals from water solutions. To develop water-safe and appealing sludge management solutions, the efficiency of aluminum sulfate and poly aluminum chloride was assessed at different coagulant doses in the study. To make water safe and appealing for human consumption, numerous purification procedures are employed from a variety of sources. Sludge bricks are acceptable to high temperatures in the furnace and have better compressive strength than clay bricks.

Roop Singh Sinsinwar and Munna Verma

Research on the Law of Stress of Polychlorinated Naphthalenes (PCNs) on the Physiological Ecology of Bluegrass (Poa annua L.)

This paper takes Poa annua L. as the research object and studies the law of physiological and ecological stress of 1-Chloronaphthalene (CN-1) and Octachloronaphthalene (CN-75) by using various physiological and biochemical indexes of Poa annua L. cultivated with soil under the stress of CN-1 and CN-75 of different concentrations. According to the research, the chlorophyll a and b first increase and then decrease with the increase of the concentration of CN-1, and continue to decrease with the increase of CN-75; Soluble sugar and soluble protein in plants decrease first and then increase with the increase of CN-1, and continue to decrease with the increase of CN-75; MDA in plants increases first and then decreases with the increase of the concentration of CN-1 and CN-75. The proline content in plants also increases first and then decreases with the increase of concentration of CN-1 and CN-75. Based on the research, it can be seen that the tolerance of the plant to CN-75 is not good as to CN-1.

Chen Laiyi, Song Yundi, Li Yue, Jiang Lei, Wang Yi, Wang Song and Hou Wei

The Influence of Geographical Factors on Polyploidy in Angiosperms with Cartographic Evidence from the Northwestern Himalayas: A Review

The review paper comprised the impact of geographical and environmental factors on polyploidy and vice versa. The review covers different effects of geographical factors, like spatial isolation, altitude, and local climate on polyploidy, and the behavior of polyploid(s) in abiotic factors, such as temperature and light with a few examples of northwest Himalayas. The paper concludes that polyploid plants behave differently in environmental conditions, as polyploids are more prominent in higher altitudes, colder environments, and nutrient-rich soil than diploid progenitors, but have a mixed distribution in different geographical conditions. Further, polyploidy is more common among perennials than annuals, while niche differentiation depends more on the local environment. The virtual case study results from North and North Western India have been shown with the help of ArcGIS online software. The scrutiny of spatial distribution on maps highlights the fact that polyploidy is still a complex research puzzle with interesting perspectives.

Anupreet Singh Tiwana, Siva PrathapThummalakunta, Saurabh Gupta, Vijay Singh and Ramesh Chand Kataria

Study of Some Stability Parameters in the Atmosphere of Oil Al-Dura Refinery, Southeast Baghdad

Wind and temperature measurements at an oil refinery site located southeast of Baghdad city at two levels, 15 and 30 m, are presented. Three schemes are used to determine different stability classifications: Monin-Obukhov length, gradient, and bulk Richardson numbers. Meanwhile, vertical changes in air temperature and wind shear are also computed. There were lapse rate and inversion cases during the nights and days while favorable wind shear was dominant. The variation of stability in each scheme is large, covering the entire range of stability for a given class. The results of stability schemes are compared to each other. The results show that the schemes based on gradient and bulk Richardson numbers reasonably compare them.

Farant H. S. Lagenean, Salwa S. Naif and Monim H. Al-Jiboori

A Coupled Study on Carbon Emission Assessment and Emission Reduction Coupling of Tourism Activities in Beautiful Countryside Taking Zhahan Village, Qiongzhong County, Hainan as an Example

Taking Zhahan village in Qiongzhong County, Hainan, as an example, and based on its 160,000 tourist arrivals in 2019 and taking into account the real circumstances of Hainan, this research composes the emission models of carbon emissions from tourism transportation, tourism accommodation, tourism catering, other tourism activities and pollutants in this village. The outcomes indicate that Zhahan village's tourism catering consumes the most energy and emits the most carbon, accounting for 53.95% of all carbon emissions. Furthermore, the emission of tourism accommodation is the second, occupying 24.13%. Then, its tourism waste emission is the third, constituting 13.61%. In addition, its annual sewage discharge from tourism activities amounts to 15,144 t. This article promoted 1MW photovoltaic and 10 square solar hot water in the entire village, scientifically developing the evaluation system of rural tourism carbon emission, and making a low carbon brand of emission reduction coupling. The research and operation can be replicated and extended to enable the harmonious development of tourism development and organic unity of energy resource utilization.

Liping Zhu, Yadong Zhou and Qing Li

Effect of Geographic Altitude on Carbon Stock in two Physiographic Units of the Reserved Forest of the Universidad Nacional Agraria de la Selva

The objective of the research was to evaluate the effect of geographic altitude on the carbon stock in two physiographic units of the Reserved Forest of the Universidad Nacional Agraria de la Selva, Tingo Maria-Huanuco. The methodology used was the field manual for the remeasurement and establishment of plots of the Amazon Forest Inventory Network (RAINFOR), for which 2 hectares were permanently established (one hectare in low and high hills) in which the diameter (greater than or equal to 10 cm) and the height of the trees were measured. Finally, the density of the wood was obtained from previous studies. The pantropical model formula was used to estimate the carbon stock. The results show that geographic altitude significantly affects carbon stock (p < 0.05) in low and high-hill forests, concluding that this may be due to differences in meteorological variables such as precipitation, temperature, and humidity.

M. Reategui, D. Reategui, E. Morales, R. Reategui and C. Aguirre

Evaluation of the Energy Factor and Equivalent CO2 Gas Emission by Utilization of Industrial By-products in Concrete for Environmental Protection

Climate change and global warming are two of the world’s most pressing environmental issues. With CO2 being one of the most significant greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere, and cement and concrete manufacturing accounting for roughly 10% of worldwide CO2 emissions, the construction sector must employ an environmentally sustainable substance as a substitute for cement. The CO2 emissions, energy factor, and strength qualities of concrete were investigated. Those negative reaction of conventional cementitious substances is reduced by the development of binary and ternary cementitious systems. In this study, two mineral admixtures obtained from industrial waste substances, red mud (RM) and silica fume (SF), had been used as the alternatives for cement and fine aggregate was fully replaced by manufactured sand (M-sand). An experimental examination of the compressive strength, water absorption, density of concrete, equivalent CO2 emission, and energy factor for environmental benefits with the comparison of RM on SF-based eco-friendly concrete mix of M30 grade was used. A binary and ternary blended cementitious system with RM and SM was created with twelve various mix proportions, varying from 0-20% by 5% increases. From the binary blended cementitious system (BBS), based on the observed mechanical characteristic of concrete it was found that the optimum level of RM was 15% and SF was 10 % by the volume of cement. Similarly, for the ternary blended cementitious system (TBS), the level of 10% RM and 10% SF in the cement mixture provides a much higher improvement in compression strength compared to the alternative trials. The negative sign implies that replacing cement with RM and SF reduces energy consumption (-1.91% to -6.97%) and CO2 emissions (-4.52% to -16.16%). The use of mineral admixtures such as RM and SM in supplementary cementitious materials results in a significant outcome and potential impact on the production of sustainable concrete that addresses environmental issues.

B. Saravanan, R. Divahar, S. P. Sangeetha and M. Bhuvaneshwari

Vulnerability of Mangroves to Changing Coastal Regulation Zone: A Case Study of Mandovi and Zuari Rivers of Goa

Goa is a coastal State located on the west coast of India, known for its pristine sandy beaches and environment. Ministry of Environment and Forest implemented Coastal Regulation Zone Notification in 1991 for monitoring the coastal zones for unplanned developmental activities but has been just for name-sake purposes (Mascarenhas 1999, Agarwal 2019). The regulation has been changed in recent years thereby making the coastal and the riverine ecosystem more vulnerable to human interference. In the name of development, various hap-hazardous, unplanned activities have taken place which is degrading the coastal and riverine environment, especially mangroves. This paper studies the vulnerability of mangroves to the changing regulations with respect to 1991 and the 2018 CRZ notifications considering the land use land cover changes in the regulated zones of Mandovi and Zuari rivers. Spatial analysis techniques and software such as Arc GIS 10.3, and ERDAS IMAGINE 2014 have been used for analysis and results. The findings from the study can be effectively implemented in monitoring the regulated zones and protecting mangroves efficiently.

T. V. Deshpande and P. Kerkar

Characterization of Wastewater and Evaluation of Recycling Technologies Using Analytical Hierarchical Process for a University Community

Characterization and treatment of greywater are major environmental issues in most nations of the world. The research aims to characterize and evaluate recycling technologies using an analytical hierarchical process for Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD) community. A survey was conducted around ABUAD to determine the number of functioning boreholes and active water systems in the area, the total population of students was derived from the total head count of each room and student in each hostel, and a population projection for the next 3 years was conducted to determine the rate at which the student body will grow in terms of future water demands, and daily water volume and questionnaires were used to collect data. Before developing the small-scale model of the greywater filter system (consisting of activated carbon, shaft sand, pebbles, cotton fiber, and gravel), water grey samples were gathered from several ABUAD locations to evaluate the pollution level of each greywater source. A total of 88 students (43 males and 45 females) replied to the survey, revealing their high need for clean water and their dissatisfaction with the water supply in their respective hostels. The water quality tests conducted in the various locations of ABUAD reveal high levels of total dissolved solids (TDS) and turbidity, particularly in the girl’s hostels, and the water was discovered to be predominantly alkaline. After passing a sample of greywater through the small-scale greywater filtering device, it was determined to be effective, since it produced clear, reusable water and a greywater filtration system in ABUAD will yield favorable outcomes.

O. J. Oyebode and O. Waterway

Groundwater Quality Assessment in Korba Coalfield Region, India: An Integrated Approach of GIS and Heavy Metal Pollution Index (HPI) Model

The goal of this study was to examine the water quality for drinking and domestic purposes in the Korba coalfield region of Chhattisgarh, India. The Korba Coalfield region has seen the collection of fifteen groundwater samples from different places. The content of eight metals was determined using ICP-MS instruments: aluminum (Al), barium (Ba), cadmium (Cd), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mn), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), and zinc (Zn). Spatial distribution maps were produced using GIS software to make it simple to understand the groundwater’s quality. The groundwater samples were collected during the pre-monsoon season and the amount of Al, Ba, Cd, Fe, Mn, Pb, Ni, and Zn exceeded the ideal drinking water standards in a few sites. The elevated metal concentrations in the study region’s groundwater could be hazardous to the quality of water. The HPI value based on mean concentration was calculated to be 21.64, which is significantly lower than the reference pollutant index score of 100. The HPI calculation revealed that 73.33% of groundwater samples had low HPI values, 6.67% had medium HPI values, and the remaining 20% had high HPI values. The correlation between heavy metals and HPI was calculated; HPI is positively correlated with Fe (r > 0.9471), Pb (r > 0.9666), and Zn (r > 0.9634), indicating that these elements contribute significantly more to heavy metal concentration in the various samples examined than the other selected elements. The box plot seems to be a graphical representation of the outcomes of the different parameter concentrations which show the mean, maximum, and minimum metal values. The cluster analysis was performed and it was classified into two clusters. Cluster-1 comprises 14 members (93.33%) of the water samples examined and is distinguished by relatively low Ba (<700 ?g.L-1), pH, TDS, Al, Fe, Cd, Mn, Pb, and Zn concentrations. Cluster-II is made up of 1 member (6.67%), which is primarily made up of groundwater samples (GW-10) taken in the KCF region, India. High values of HPI are found in the eastern portion of Chhattisgarh’s KCF region, reflecting the spatial distribution of metals. Heavy metal leaching from open-pit mining and transit routes was observed to have contaminated groundwater in the eastern section of the research region.

Vijayendra Pratap Dheeraj, C. S. Singh, Nawal Kishore and Ashwani Kumar Sonkar

Research on Ecological Land Expansion: A Case Study of Haixing County of China

As China’s natural resource governance has turned to high-quality management, establishing reasonable and ecological land-use patterns is an effective means of promoting natural resource utilization and improving the quality of the ecological environment. Therefore, this study used ecological land as the expansion source to construct an ecological land-use pattern with the minimum cumulative resistance model in Haixing County, China, based on regional food security, ecological security, and construction land expansion patterns. This work also involved designing ecological corridors, radiation channels, strategic nodes, and other ecological components. The results demonstrate that (1) the ecological land source is 7976.93 hm2, accounting for 9.19% of the total area. It is mainly distributed in the southeast of the county, mainly in the river system and woodland; (2) the food security situation of Haixing County can be divided into four zones, most of which are agricultural adjustment areas, indicating that the ecological security of cultivated land in this area needs to be improved; (3) the ecological security level of Haixing County is divided into four areas, and the ideal safety zone accounts for the smallest area, indicating that the regional ecological situation is very unstable; (4) construction land expansion zone is divided into four parts. A suitable construction zone occupies the largest area and is mainly distributed around the current construction land; (5) the expansion of the ecological land-use pattern of Haixing County includes four zones, 15 ecological corridors, 12 radiation channels, and 35 strategic nodes, which is conducive to optimal land allocation from an ecological security perspective. This paper puts forward some suggestions for ecological protection and intensive urban development.

L. He, Z. Du, J. B. Tian and Y. H. Chen

Self-Healing and Thermomechanical Properties of Activated Carbon Pyrochar Derived from Municipal Mixed Plastic Waste Pyrolysis with Self-Healing Epoxy Vitrimer Composites

An ecological vitrimer is being developed using activated carbon pyrochar from municipal mixed plastic waste pyrolysis into an epoxy composite. Durable vitrimeric materials may be created by adding pyrochar to polymeric composites. Due to their ductility, reusability, and recyclability, vitrimeric materials have become popular and reliable materials. As a result, the self-healing temperature of composite vitrimers is lower via disulfide exchanges than that of virgin epoxy vitrimers. Additionally, compressive studies have been used to study self-healing capacities, and modulus variations have been used to highlight changes in the healing efficiency of the materials.

Krishna Moorthy Rajendran, Bhawna Yadav Lamba and Deepak Kumar

Identification and Characterization of Aluminium Tolerant Bacteria Isolated from Soil Contaminated by Electroplating and Automobile Waste

Due to anthropogenic activities and the advancement of industries, metal contamination is growing globally. Aluminum toxicity is seriously endangering plants, animals, and humans by rapidly rising in soil and water. Even though some fungi can tolerate aluminum, researchers are interested in finding bacteria that are resistant to aluminum. The current state of knowledge on bacteria resistant to aluminum is extremely limited. In the present study, bacterial isolates from soil near a metal electroplating and automobile industry in Punjab, India, were isolated and then screened for high aluminum metal tolerance. The aluminum tolerant bacterial isolate was identified as Cedecea davisae M1, a member of the Enterobacteriaceae family, using morphological, biochemical, and 16srRNA gene sequence analyses. The spectroscopic results indicate that the strain may tolerate up to 150 ppm of aluminum. Antibiotic resistance of Cedecea davisae M1 was determined using disks on Luria agar plates, and the bacteria were found to be resistant to vancomycin, ampicillin, carbenicillin, and rifampicin. The findings of the study indicated that the strain might be able to remove aluminum toxicity from the environment, which needs to be further explored.

H. Bisht and N. Kumar

Influence of Different Particle Sizes of Sediments on the Lower Reaches of the Basin and its Significance in the Liao River Governance

Based on the sand volume and sedimentation volume data for different particle size (PS) groups, the relationship between the annual scouring and silting amount of the Juliu River-Liujianfang section and the yearly sediment volume entering the downstream river channel was established. The critical values of sediment storage and release for the downstream river channel were obtained. It was found to decrease with an increase in the sediment particle size. The correlation coefficient between the annual scouring and silting amount of the Juliu River-Liujianfang section and the annual sediment volume entering the downstream river channel increased with the coarsening of sediment PS. It indicated that the sediment size was proportional to the sediment amount (SA) entering the river channel. As the sediment size increased, the deposition amount increased due to the variation of unit sediment amount. Based on the treatment and achievement of source areas with sediment sizes larger than 0.05 mm, it is significant to concentrate on treatment areas with sediment sizes larger than 0.10 mm.

Chen Yang

Feasibility of Waste-to-Energy Plants for STT-PLN Campus Canteen

The pellets of waste produced by Society Electric [Listrik Kerakyatan (LK) 2] at the STT-PLN have not been efficiently utilized in terms of energy. The STT-PLN canteen consists of 14 stalls with an installed electricity capacity of 1300 VA, each with 12h of use/day. This study aimed to convert LK 2 waste pellets into electrical energy to supply electricity to the STT-PLN canteen. This research method uses quantitative methods, i.e., by calculating the amount of energy produced adjusted to the needs of the canteen. Gasification technology was chosen due to its high efficiency and lower emission impacts in the waste combustion technique. Based on the analysis, the gasifier engine that complies with this requirement was TG30-1 with a maximum capacity of 25 kVA and requires a flow rate of 10 kg.h-1 of waste pellets. The amount of waste pellets used for this plan was 120 kg.day-1. The assessment results of this plan indicated a net present value of IDR 302,218,609.33, an internal rate of return of 25.7983%, and a PBP of 5.66 years. Based on the economic analysis, the establishment of plants for the conversion of waste to power was declared feasible to operate.

Pawenary, Amelia Dwita Larasati, Suhdi and Rulyanti Susi Wardhani

Pathogen Treatment in Single and Two-Stage Vertical Flow Wetland as a Potential Sanitation Technology for Rural India

Vertical flow-constructed wetlands (VFCW) are well-established, cost-effective, and sustainable options for wastewater treatment. Along with organic matter removal, wetlands are helpful in the removal of microbial pathogens. This study focuses on understanding the bacterial pathogen removal efficacy of three different design types of VFCWs and understands the best designs for the efficient removal of pathogens in a tropical climate. The three wetlands studied for removal efficiency were (a) two-stage vertical flow constructed wetland (TSVFCW), (b) Single-stage vertical flow constructed wetland (SSVFCW), and (c) single-stage saturated vertical flow constructed wetland (SSSVFCW). Results revealed that all three types of wetlands were effective in removing pathogenic bacteria. Still, TSVFCW was found to be more efficient in pathogen removal (Total Coliforms, Shigella spp., Salmonella spp., Pseudomonas spp., Vibrio spp., Enterococcus faecalis) 7.04 ± 0.17, 6.53 ± 0.08, 4.0 ± 0.42, 7.67 ± 0.08, 5.73 ± 0.70 and10 5.23 ± 0.96 Log10 reductions respectively compared to SSVFCW (5.28 ± 0.18, 5.18 ± 0.09, 3.74 ± 0.74, 6.98 ± 0.01, 3.97 ±0.32, 4.74 ± 1.08 Log10 reductions respectively) and SSSVFCW (4.48 ± 0.46, 4.83 ± 0.15, 2.74 ± 0.44, 6.71 ± 0.03, 4.31 ± 0.49, 5.03 ± 1.20 Log10 decreases respectively). For abiotic factors (Chemical oxygen demand, total Kjeldahl nitrogen, and phosphorus) also TSVFW shows better efficiency (45 ± 8.7, 24.7±4.5 and 3.1, ± 0.2 g.m-2, respectively) than SSVFCW (12 ± 1.3, 7.6 ± 0.4 and 1.8 ± 0.2 g.m-2 respectively) and SSVFCW (6.3 ± 1.1, 7.7 ± 0.1 and 1.2 ± 0.1 g.m-2 respectively). However, the removal efficiency of both single-stage wetlands was comparable.

Prajakta Pratap Patil, Anant Yadav, Lalita Vithal Baragi and Srikanth Mutnuri

Modeling of Activated Sludge Process Using Multi-Layer Perceptron Neural Networks

Mathematical Modeling of the activated sludge process (ASP) enhances the understanding of the process and improves the quality of the effluent released. However, as the process is complex and nonlinear, mathematical modeling of the process has been a challenge. In this study, multi-layer perceptron neural networks (MLP-ANN) are investigated to predict water quality parameters for better control of wastewater treatment plants employing an activated sludge process. The study area selected was in a central district of the southern state of India. The parameters to be investigated are biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), suspended solids (SS), and pH. The model is evaluated based on statistical parameters of correlation coefficient R and mean square error (MSE). The neural network toolbox of MATLAB 2015b is used for modeling and simulation study. It has been found that effluent biochemical oxygen demand was predicted with a maximum correlation coefficient of 0.927 and minimum mean square error of 0.0022, effluent suspended solids were predicted with a maximum correlation coefficient value of 0.947 and minimum mean square value of 0.0058, effluent pH was predicted with a maximum correlation coefficient value of 0.8299 and minimum mean square value of 0.0132.

Saurabh Sahadev , G. Madhu and M. Roy Thomas

Sustainable Campus Policy Strategy in Estimating CO2 Emissions at the Universitas Negeri Semarang, Indonesia

In the fight against global warming, various options for reducing CO2 emissions are being implemented on campus. Furthermore, the management of campus sustainability at the Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES), Central Java, Indonesia, should be supported by accurate forecasts of electrical energy consumption. Therefore, this research aims to develop a predictive model to forecast the consumption of electrical energy in reducing CO2 emissions and to determine the factors triggering the increase. The prediction model is developed using Back Propagation Neural Network Artificial (BP-ANN) architecture. Furthermore, the data on the occupancy of lecturers and education staff as well as on students was obtained from the University's staffing and student affairs bureau. Climatic data such as temperature, humidity, wind speed, the duration of irradiation, and the average intensity of solar radiation were obtained per month from the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency of Semarang, Central Java for the 2013-2019 period as input data. The results of the empirical analysis showed an increase in electrical energy consumption from 2020 to 2025. In March, the consumption decreased but increased from April to June and decreased in July. It then increased until November and December, and it decreased every year. The results of CO2 emissions calculated by considering the emission factors from Indonesia's RUPTL-PLN in 2020-2025 showed an increase in electrical energy consumption and the ecological consequences affecting the campus area. Furthermore, the main factors causing the high consumption of electrical energy are the occupancy rate, lecturers, students, and campus employees, as well as local climate influences such as temperature, humidity, wind speed, duration of solar radiation, and intensity of solar radiation. Therefore, developing guidelines to reduce power consumption on campus should be a priority

Said Sunardiyo, P. Purwanto and H. Hermawan

Concentration of Toxic Heavy Metals and Phytochemicals in a Medicinal Plant (Asclepias fruticosa) Collected Around Mining Areas in Brits, Pretoria

The use of African traditional medicine in rural and peri-urban areas is common due to its affordability and accessibility. The study aimed to determine the levels of toxic heavy metals in the medicinal plant (Asclepias fruticosa) samples collected around three mining areas in Brits using ICP-OES. The phytochemical screening analysis was done to indicate the absence or presence of different phytochemicals in the medicinal plant. The results of the qualitative phytochemical analysis indicated the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, proteins, and carbohydrates in Asclepias fruticosa collected from all the mining areas. The results of the heavy metals showed that the mean highest concentration for all the heavy metals was recorded for Mn from the leaves of the medicinal plants. The trend in the heavy metals accumulation was roots > leaves > stems from all the sites, and the differences were significant (p < 0.05). The range of heavy metals in the plant was in the range Mn (12.33 ± 2.31-85.33 ± 51.07 ?g.g-1), Zn (10.67 ± 0.58-60.33 ± 0.56 ?g.g-1), Cr (3.43 ± 0.06 -34.90 ± 0.10 ?g.g-1), Cu (8.67 ± 0.12-18.8 ± 1.57 ?g.g-1), Ni (5.67 ± 0.12-23.23 ± 1.7 ?g.g-1) and Pb (0.53 ± 0.013-1.59 ± 0.15 ?g.g-1). The values of the heavy metals Cr, Zn, and Ni in the plant exceeded the recommended limits set by WHO for human consumption. Heavy metals in the medicinal plant were accumulated in the roots and not translocated to the stems and leaves. It is therefore recommended that communities staying around the mines should be discouraged from picking and using medicinal plants growing around the mines and should be educated on the safety of medicinal plants growing around the mines.

L. L. Mugivhisa, D. Mzimba and J. O. Olowoyo

Sustainable Green Approach of Silica Nanoparticle Synthesis Using an Agro-waste Rice Husk

Agro-waste can provide a non-metallic, environmentally friendly bio-precursor for the production of green silica nanoparticles. To manufacture silica nanoparticles from rice husk, biogenic silica nanoparticles were generated using an alkaline precipitation approach. Rice husk as a source of silica nanoparticles is environmentally and economically valuable because it is a plentiful lower price agricultural derivative that can be used to help with waste management. During the synthesis process, the dose of rice husk ash was used at 5 g at pH 7, alkali dose concentration of 0.5 M, reaction period of 3.5 h, and temperature of 90°C that produced maximum silica nanoparticles with a yield of 88.5%. To optimize the silica nanoparticle production from rice husk ash Box Behnken Design (BBD) a subcategory of the response surface methodology (RSM) was accomplished. BBD model was successfully matched, as evidenced by the high correlation values of adjusted R2 0.9989 and predicted R2 0.9977. Silica nanoparticles’ amorphous form generated from rice husk ash is indicated by XRD analysis 2? peak at 22.12° and UV-Vis Spectroscopy absorbance peak at 312 nm. The amorphous shape of silica is amorphous and crystalline defined through XRD. nanoparticles generated from rice husk ash is indicated by FESEM analysis and EDX analysis, confirming that the SiO2 elemental configuration comprises the highest concentration of Si and O. The existence of a siloxane group in the produced compound was revealed by FTIR spectra stretching vibrations at 803.69 and 1089.05 cm-1

Mikhlesh Kumari, Kulbir Singh, Paramjeet Dhull, Rajesh Kumar Lohchab and A. K. Haritash

Study on Effectiveness of Intervention of a Vertical Flow Constructed Wetland in between Septic Tank and Soak Pit for the Treatment of Septic Tank Effluent

Septage comprises the solid and liquid constituents of any primary treatment system, including a Septic Tank. In this study, the wastewater collected from a septic tank is passed through a partially converted anaerobic filter, and a vertical flow constructed wetland (VFCW) before being sent to a soak pit. The main objective of this case study was to check the effectiveness of incorporating a VFCW between a septic tank and a soak pit to bring down the consequences created due to effluent seepage from soak pits to the groundwater. Conventionally, the effluent gets directly passed to soak pits after primary onsite treatment in the septic tank. The soak pit walls made of porous materials allow the gradual seepage of final effluent into the ground, polluting the groundwater reserves. We analyzed the septic tank effluent from 60 households wherein the effluent was let off into the soak pits. The various parameters analyzed with their averages were 393.83 ± 293.41 mg.L-1 for COD, 151.48 ± 94.37 mg.L-1 for BOD, 30.81 ± 13.05 mg.L-1 for NO3-, 23.35 ± 13.54 mg.L-1 for PO43-, 7.35 ± 0.31 for pH, 184.05 ± 163.20 mg.L-1 for TSS, 3.05 x 107± 2.04 x 108 CFU.100mL-1 for TC. Therefore, it is certain that the final effluent being sent into soak pits after primary treatment does not meet the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) discharge standards. In this case study, we were able to obtain final effluent values after VFCW treatment as 55.72 mg.L-1 for COD, 12.12 mg.L-1 for BOD, 10.2 mg.L-1 for NO3-, 3.74 mg.L-1 for PO43-, 7.41 for pH, 8.37 mg.L-1 for TSS, 379.27 mg.L-1 for TS and 51.9 CFU.100mL-1 for TC. With this case study, we were able to resolve this impediment by bringing down the values of all the parameters considered while analyzing under the limits of discharge standards set by CPCB. The removal efficiency of COD, BOD, NO3-, PO43-, pH, TSS, and TC after wetland was found to be 89.46%, 88.051, 63.484, 44.37%, 3.41%, 98.47%, 97.71%, 97.19% respectively. The study has proven that with the introduction of another decentralized treatment system between a septic tank and soak pit, it is safe to dispose of the effluent into soak pits, thereby reducing the chances of groundwater pollution considerably.

S. Suresh, P. Sharma, R. R. Yaragal and S. Mutnuri

Performance of Alum Coagulation and Adsorption on Removing Organic Matter and E. coli

Surface water is the primary resource for raw water in drinking water treatment processes. Therefore, the presence of microorganisms, bacteria, and viruses should be the main focus in drinking water treatment, in addition to natural organic matter, which is composed of organic carbon groups derived from aquatic biota as well as organic material, organic matter from industrial and domestic waste. This study applied coagulation-flocculation followed by adsorption as the advanced treatment with activated carbon for removing organic matter and bacteria simultaneously to know each process’s performance. The results indicated that all treatment processes have a good performance for removing dissolved organic matter in water with efficient removal of 28.35%-70.75% of TOC concentration and 26.75%-55.95% of UV254 concentration. Further, the selected processes demonstrated a high percentage of removal of E. coli, about 65.35%-96.43%. However, the effect of chlorination impacted the increasing THMs concentration up to 36.32%, while the other processes could remove THMs concentration 17.25%-51.08%. Overall, this study conjectures that all treatment processes simultaneously perform well for removing dissolved organic matter, THMs, and E. coli. However, chlorination should be managed to control the formation of THMs due to the remaining organic matter in water.

E. N. Hidayah, O. H. Cahyonugroho and N. A. Fauziyah

Statistical Model for Tube Settler Clarifier at Different Operational Conditions

The present study aimed to find a relationship between turbidity removal percent in tube settler clarifier and independent variables (tube inclination, alum dosage, and surface loading rate) by constructing a statistical model and categorizing these explanatory variables according to their impact on turbidity removal percentage. A pilot scale of tube settlers was designed and fabricated to conduct the experiments. It consisted of a coagulation and flocculation basin, pre-tube settler chamber, and tube settler. Alum was used to coagulate the Tigris river raw water at different dosages. After flocculation, water is transferred to the pre-tube settler chamber and flows through the tube settler. It consists of four tubes of square section, 4 centimeters in diameter, with the flexibility of changing tube length and inclination angle to obtain different levels of surface loading rate. More than 120 experiments were conducted, and the results were analyzed statistically. A regression model was found with a coefficient of determination of 0.802 between turbidity removal percentage as a dependent variable and each tube inclination, alum dosage, and surface loading rate as independent variables. The model is considered good as the model’s relationship between actual and predicted values has a slope of one and a constant near zero. Surface loading rate has the highest effect on turbidity removal percentage with 4.44 times that of inclination angle and 2.5 times for the optimum alum dosage model. The study concluded that the linear model is suitable to represent the performance of tube settlers at optimum alum dosage.

Abdulmuhsin S. Shihab and Aladdin M. Ahmad

Evaluation of Biomass Solid Waste as Raw Material for Preparation of Asphalt Mixture

At present, the resource utilization of solid waste in China is facing prominent problems such as high production intensity, insufficient utilization, and low added value of products. The preparation of biomass composites from biomass solid waste and plastic solid waste reduces not only environmental pollution and energy consumption but also promotes the high-value utilization of solid waste. So, the characterization and preparation experiments of samples with two different biomass are carried out. The wheat straw fiber and corn straw fiber were added into the bio-asphalt mixture with the content of 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3%, and 0.4%, respectively, with the content of 9% and 12% bio-heavy oil. The physical properties and rheological properties of asphalt were analyzed and evaluated by three indexes and a dynamic shear rheological test. Through the rutting test and immersion Marshall test, high-temperature performance and biological asphalt mixture’s water stability were evaluated. The results show that straw fiber can improve bio-asphalt mixture’s road performance, especially the performance of high-temperature rutting. When the fiber content of bio-asphalt with 9% bio-heavy oil content is 0.3%, the physical properties and rheological properties of bio-asphalt are the best. Corn straw fiber’s influence on bio-asphalt mixture was better than that of wheat straw fiber.

He Tao, Hongming Liu, Jie Yang and Tao Sun

Use of Ground Glass Waste as Aggregate Filler in Concrete

The disposal of the huge volume of glass waste is one of the significant environmental issues that need to be addressed. One of the efficient ways to solve this problem is to incorporate ground glass waste in concrete mixtures. However, its inherent surface smoothness and microcracks within the glass particle harm the hardened properties of concrete. Minimizing the particle size and controlling the amount of cement in the mixture can reduce the adverse effect of using glass in concrete. This study utilized ground glass waste (850 ?m) as aggregate filler in a concrete mix. More specifically, this study investigated the effect of paste volume (Vp) on the properties of fresh and hardened concrete with ground glass waste as aggregate filler. Based on the test results, ground glass waste as aggregate filler negatively affects the workability of fresh concrete, but increasing the amount of paste can mitigate it. Vp values in terms of void volume (Vv) in the aggregates of 1.6Vv and 1.8Vv achieved satisfactory consistency of fresh concrete. In addition, the concrete compressive strength increased when increasing Vp. The test results have shown that ground glass waste has the potential to be utilized as aggregate filler in concrete mixtures.

A. S. Pasana , M. E. Loretero and M. B. Giduquio

Design and Development of Smart Irrigation System Using Internet of Things (IoT) - A Case Study

With India’s population growing at a rapid pace, traditional agriculture will have a tough time meeting future food demands. Water availability and conservation are major concerns for farmers. This paper aims to discuss the aspects related to designing and fabricating an automatic irrigation system using the Internet of Things (IoT) which will save the farmer’s time and money significantly. Human intervention in fields will be reduced. Changes in soil moisture are detected by soil moisture sensors and irrigation is automated using IoT. The proposed system is most economical for underdeveloped places because it is very cost-effective. Based on the soil moisture content, the sensor detects and sends signals to the node MCU, which activates the motor. When the plants receive enough water, the motor automatically shuts off. The user will be alerted about the soil’s moisture content through his mobile phone. The proposed smart irrigation system is implemented at our campus which conserves energy and water.

G. Sasi Kumar, G. Nagaraju, D. Rohith and A. Vasudevarao

Radiation Risk Among Children due to Natural Radioactivity in Breakfast Cereals

Breakfast cereal is one of the common foods for children’s nutrition. It is made from sugar, barley, calcium carbonate, salt, maize, peanuts, molasses, and honey. Therefore, assessing the levels of radioactivity in breakfast cereal is essential for children’s health. Gamma-ray spectrometry NaI(Tl) was used to measure the radiation hazard in ten samples collected from the Iraqi market. The corresponding radiation dose quantities and hazard indices were also calculated. The average concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K were found to be 18.195, 20.965, and 796.500 (Bq.kg-1). The annual effective dose equivalent (AEDEin), annual ingestion dose (AID), and the risk of cancer incidence (ELCR) were all seen to be within the accepted levels, except the annual gonadal equivalent dose (AGED). Radiation hazard index values (i.e., I?, I?, and Hin) were noticed to be lower than unity, except I? was much higher than the internationally permissible limits for the samples of BGF5, BGF6, and BGF7 recommended by UNSCER2000. Therefore, the study findings reveal that this type of cereal can be considered a safe feeding material for children’s health.

H. H. Abbas, Shaymaa A. Kadhim, Shatha F. Alhous, H. H. Hussein, F. A. AL-Temimei and H. A. A. Mraity

The Study of Filamentous Fungi in Potable Water and Its Biofilm Formation in Water Pipeline System

Water is essential for life and it is an inorganic constituent of living matter. Water pipeline systems are sighted as problematic in aquatic habitats in which multiple pathogens are occupied including fungi. They have rigid cell walls containing glucans and chitin. The bodies of fungi comprise filaments called hyphae. These hyphae are split into a mat of interwoven single cells made of mycelium. Fungi can pollute the drinking water system and are responsible for biofilm formation. Biofilms are complex polymers containing many times their dry weight in water. Moisture is essential for biofilm formation. The occurrence of biofilms affects the quality of drinking water. Hence, the present study is aimed at recovering the fungi from drinking water samples and their biofilm formation in the water pipeline system. Drinking water samples such as mineral water, tap water, and RO-purified water are collected from different places. Fungi such as Aspergillus, Penicillium and Mucor were recovered from these samples and most species belong to Aspergillus and Penicillium. Further, the biofilm formation of fungi from cast iron in the pipeline system was detected using fluorescence microscopy and fluorescent in situ hybridization analysis.

S. Asha and G. Sangeetha Vani

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