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Advanced oxidation processes based on zero-valent aluminium for treating textile wastewater
No full textTreatment of textile wastewater by advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) based on zero-valent aluminium (ZVAl)
were carried out in the present study. COD removal efficiencies of ZVAl/O2, ZVAl/Fe3+/O2, ZVAl/Fe3+/O2/
H2O2 and ZVAl/Fe3+/O2/persulfate processes were monitored and optimized. Colour and ammoniacal nitrogen
removal efficiencies of each process at the optimal operating conditions were compared. Pollutant removal
efficiencies of AOPs were followed the order as: ZVAl/Fe3+/O2/H2O2 > ZVAl/Fe3+/O2/persulfate > ZVAl/
Fe3+/O2 > ZVAl/O2. Maximum COD, colour and ammoniacal nitrogen removal efficiencies of ZVAl-based
AOPs were found as 97.9%, 94.4% and 58.3%, respectively at 1 g/L ZVAl, 0.5 g/L Fe3+, 6.7 g/L H2O2 and after
3 h of contact time. External addition of tert-butyl alcohol to the processes revealed that in-situ hydroxyl and
sulfate radicals are the main oxidants responsible for the oxidation of pollutants. Overall, ZVAl-based AOPs are
efficient for treating effluents generating from textile industry
Biotransformation of flower waste composting: Optimization of waste combinations using response surface methodology
No full textFlower waste (FW) is disposed off in the rivers or mixed with solid waste for landfilling that pollutes the environment
and causes harmful effects on human health and aquatic life. It is rich in nutrient content and easily
converted into the compost. Therefore, the objective of the present research was to optimize the combinations of
flower waste and cow dung during agitated pile composting using response surface methodology. Thirteen
different agitated piles were used for composting using the central composite design. The optimum combination
from central composite design was 65 kg floral waste, 25 kg cattle dung and 10 kg sawdust having 7.10 pH,
3.31 mS cm−1 electrical conductivity, 32.98% total organic carbon and 14 Carbon to Nitrogen ratio during the
end phase of the composting period. The nutrient concentrations into the final compost were within the acceptable
limit and also found to be beneficial for the growth of plants
Ecosystem based Disaster Risk Reduction approaches (EbDRR) as a prerequisite for inclusive urban transformation of Nagpur City, India
No full textNagpur city is among the fastest growing agglomerations of Central India. The city is considered to be a forerunner
in sustainable development amist the rapid urbanization occurring in India. Though, selected under the
“smart city” project launched by the Indian government, the city faces many urban challenges ineffectively
addressed by the current development plan. Haphazard and rapid infrastructural development without any
comprehensive plan is leading to urban sprawl that compromises urban green infrastructure across the city. It
excludes utilizing benefits of nature and ecosystem services to complement and reduce urban stress. This has led
to wetland reductions, reduced water infiltration affecting the water table and causing water shortage, flash
floods, significant loss of vegetation cover and biodiversity across the city and increased heat island effects.
These issues along with current approach that discounts the importance of ecosystems-based approach has put
forward many challenges and a question with regard to sustaining “green image of the city”. To reduce risk
against uncertainties, it is imperative to understand human-environment connections that involves diverse values
and ecosystem services provided by the natural environment of the cities. Present study is a review of major
issues raised due to un-planned development and addresses the feasibility and appropriateness of using the
EbDRR approach. Environmental engineering based approaches having potential to transform Nagpur City into
to a “smart city” can set an example for other Indian cities to follow. This article facilitates understanding and
practical applications of ecosystem based approaches and practices to counter negative impact of urbanization
An Insight into Phage Diversity at Environmental Habitats using Comparative Metagenomics Approach
No full textBacteriophages play significant role in driving
microbial diversity; however, little is known about the
diversity of phages in different ecosystems. A dynamic
predator–prey mechanism called ‘‘kill the winner’’ suggests
the elimination of most active bacterial populations
through phages. Thus, interaction between phage and host
has an effect on the composition of microbial communities
in ecosystems. In this study, secondary phage metagenome
data from aquatic habitats: wastewater treatment plant
(WWTP), fresh, marine, and hot water spring habitat were
analyzed using MG-RAST and STAMP tools to explore the
diversity of the viruses. Differential relative abundance of
phage families—Siphoviridae (34%) and Myoviridae
(26%) in WWTP, Myoviridae (30%) and Podoviridae
(23%) in fresh water, and Myoviridae (41%) and
Podoviridae (8%) in marine—was found to be a discriminating
factor among four habitats while Rudiviridae (9%),
Globuloviridae (8%), and Lipothrixviridae (1%) were
exclusively observed in hot water spring. Subsequently, at
genera level, Bpp-1-like virus, Chlorovirus, and T4-like
virus were found abundant in WWTP, fresh, and marine
habitat, respectively. PCA analysis revealed completely
disparate composition of phage in hot water spring from
other three ecosystems. Similar analysis of relative abundance
of functional features corroborated observations
from taxa analysis. Functional features corresponding to
phage packaging machinery, replication, integration and
excision, and gene transfer discriminated among four
habitats. The comparative metagenomics approach exhibited
genetically distinct phage communities among four
habitats. Results revealed that selective distribution of
phage communities would help in understanding the role of
phages in food chains, nutrient cycling, and microbial
ecology. Study of specific phages would also help in controlling
environmental pathogens including MDR bacterial
populations using phage therapy approach by selective
mining and isolation of phages against specific pathogens
persisting in a given environment
Cross-Reactivity of Prokaryotic 16S rDNA-Specific Primers to Eukaryotic DNA: Mistaken Microbial Community Profiling in Environmental Samples
No full text16S ribosomal RNA gene sequences are characteristically used as gold-standard genetic marker for the determination of
bacterial and/or archaeal biodiversity, and community profiling of environmental samples. The 16S rRNA amplicon analysis
till-date is taken as a standard method for investigation and identification of uncultivable bacteria in microbial diversity studies.
The accuracy of these analyses strongly depends upon the choice of primers. It is presumed that these primers do not
participate in non-specific amplifications. In the present study, by in silico, PCR and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis
(DGGE) analysis, we have shown that primers do cross-react with eukaryotic DNAs as well, eventually leading to overestimation
of microbial biodiversity. We further demonstrated that the overestimation is not only due to cross-reaction with
eukaryotic mitochondrial or plastid DNA, but also with eukaryotic chromosomal DNA, that is ubiquitous in environmental
samples. We tried to establish methanogenic diversity in municipal solid waste (MSW) leachates and cow dung samples
before and after enrichment of the prokaryotic DNA from eukaryotic ones. Results revealed that bands disappeared/get
lightened in bacterial 16S rRNA-based DGGE community profiles, after prokaryotic DNA enrichment, but not in mcrAbased
community profiles
Prediction Modeling and Mapping of Groundwater Fluoride Contamination throughout India
No full textFor about the past eight decades, high concentrations of naturally
occurring fluoride have been detected in groundwater in different parts of India. The
chronic consumption of fluoride in high concentrations is recognized to cause dental
and skeletal fluorosis. We have used the random forest machine-learning algorithm to
model a data set of 12 600 groundwater fluoride concentrations from throughout India
along with spatially continuous predictor variables of predominantly geology, climate,
and soil parameters. Despite only surface parameters being available to describe a
subsurface phenomenon, this has produced a highly accurate prediction map of
fluoride concentrations exceeding 1.5 mg/L at 1 km resolution throughout the
country. The most affected areas are the northwestern states/territories of Delhi,
Gujarat, Haryana, Punjab, and Rajasthan and the southern states of Andhra Pradesh,
Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana. The total number of people at risk of fluorosis due to fluoride in groundwater is
predicted to be around 120 million, or 9% of the population. This number is based on rural populations and accounts for
average rates of groundwater consumption from nonmanaged sources. The new fluoride hazard and risk maps can be used by
authorities in conjunction with detailed groundwater utilization information to prioritize areas in need of mitigation measures
Microbially assisted arsenic removal using Acidothiobacillus ferrooxidans mediated by iron oxidation
No full textThe aim of this investigation was to determine the efficiency of arsenic removal present in acidic water using the biochemical method in presence of Acidothiobacillus ferrooxidans bacteria and ferrous ions. The process includes the bio-oxidation of ferrous to ferric by bacteria with simultaneous conversion of arsenite to arsenate and its removal by chemical method. The experiments were carried out in shake flasks with or without A. ferrooxidans culture. The variables of the pH, temperature, cell density and initial concentration of ferrous ions in the growth medium of A. ferrooxidans bacteria were examined in the laboratory to determine how they affect the removal of arsenic. It was found that the maximum arsenic removal (80%–85%) occurred at ferrous ions concentration of 2 gL−1 at the temperature of
35 ◦C with the initial cell density of 3.66 × 107 cells/mL and initial pH value of 2.5 with 70%–75% bio-oxidation of ferrous ions. The results of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses have confirmed the growth of bacteria and identify the nature of precipitate generated by the bacteria. The finding showed that arsenic can be removed considerably in this process in an efficient and greener way, but also removing efficiency was much more (<80%) in acidic wastewater. The ANOVA and LSD statistical
analysis were performed to assess any significant differences occurred among the four different levels of each variable. This study verified that combination of bio-oxidation with filtration improves the removal efficiency of arsenic
In-situ Cl− ions formation during photocatalytic reaction of platinized nanocomposite for hydrogen generation
No full textPlatinised Titania is emerging as a promising catalyst for its chemical stability, large surface area, and good
electronic charge transfer. It is one of the most efficient materials and has been studied over past few decades for
photocatalytic hydrogen generation. Photodeposition of Pt nanoparticles on TiO2 surface enhances trapping of
photoexcited electrons and restricts recombination process. In this article we explored the influence of chloride
ion formed during in-situ photocatalytic process, on photocatalytic hydrogen generation by scavenging holes.
Illumination under UV–Visible light (400 nm < λ < 700 nm) improves interband excitation and transfer of
photogenerated electron to the conduction band of TiO2. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results reveal
average particle size of Pt nanoparticle in the range of 10 nm with uniform distribution on TiO2 surface. In-situ
photodeposition of Pt nanoparticle on TiO2 resulted in incredibly active photocatalyst for hydrogen generation
due to in-situ generated Cl− ions. Also, to one of the highest reported (6.72%). The hydrogen evolution rate of
17 mmol h−1 with apparent quantum yield (AQE). The AQE significantly higher than that for catalyst under
solar AM (1.5 G) illumination (0.04%)
Synergistic effect of fly ash in in-vessel composting of biomass and kitchen waste
No full textThe present study aims to utilize coal fly ash for its property to adsorb heavy metals and thus reducing the
bioavailability of the metals for plant uptake. Fly ash was incorporated into the in-vessel composting system
along with organic waste. The in-vessel composting experiments were conducted in ten plastic vessels of 15 L
capacity comprising varying proportions of biomass waste, kitchen waste and fly ash. In this study, maximum
degradation of organic matter was observed in Vessel 3 having k value of 0.550 d−1. In vessel 10, 20% fly ash
with a combination of 50% biomass waste and 30% kitchen waste along with the addition of 5% jaggery as an
additive produced the best outcome with least organic matter (%C) loss and lowest value of rate constant (k)
Access to Household Water Quality Information Leads to Safer Water: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial in india
No full textHousehold-specific feedback on the microbiological
safety of drinking water may result in changes to
water management practices that reduce exposure risks. We
conducted a randomized, controlled trial in India to determine
if information on household drinking water quality could
change behavior and improve microbiological quality as
indicated by Escherichia coli counts. We randomly assigned
589 participating households to one of three arms: (1) a
messaging-only arm receiving messaging on safe water management
(n = 237); (2) a standard testing arm receiving the same
messaging plus laboratory E. coli testing results specific to that
household’s drinking water (n = 173); and (3) a test kit arm
receiving messaging plus low-cost E. coli tests that could be
used at the household’s discretion (n = 179). Self-reported
water treatment increased significantly in both the standard testing arm and the test kit arm between baseline and follow-up one
month later. Mean log10 E. coli counts per 100 mL in household stored drinking water increased in the messaging-only arm from
1.42 to 1.87, while decreasing in the standard testing arm (1.38 to 0.89, 65% relative reduction) and the test kit arm (1.08 to 0.65,
76% relative reduction). Findings indicate that household-specific water quality information can improve both behaviors and
drinking water qualit