Journal of Global Ecology and Environment
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ASSESSMENT OF AMBIENT AIR QUALITY INDEX FOR CHIDAMBARAM TOWN IN TAMIL NADU, INDIA
No full textThis paper examines the significant differences in seasonal variations of air pollutant concentrations in urban, industrial, commercial and agricultural areas of Chidambaram. Suspended particulate matter (SPM), sulphur dioxide (SO2) and oxides of nitrogen (NOx) were collected over eight sites in Chidambaram. The present study deals with the effect of industrialization, urbanization and automobile emission on ambient air quality in Chidambaram. Meteorological parameters like temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and rainfall were also recorded simultaneously during the sampling period. Eight different select pollution prone locations were intentionally identified and 8 hour samplings were carried out during January to December 2008.Monthly and seasonal variation of these pollutants have been observed and recorded. The annual average and range values have also been calculated. It has been observed that the concentrations of the pollutants are high in winter in comparison to the summer or the monsoon seasons. In the present study, it was noticed that the SPM and NOX levels at all selected sites exceeds the prescribed limits as stipulated by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) New Delhi, India. This study reports the analysis of the ambient air in Chidambaram employing air quality index (AQI). The 8-hourly average concentrations of three major criteria pollutants, viz. Suspended particulate matter (SPM), Sulphur Dioxide (SO2), and Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) for the year 2008 at eight different locations in Chidambaram have been considered for this analysis
GEO-ELECTRICAL INVESTIGATION OF AQUIFER PROTECTIVE CAPACITY IN KUBWA BASEMENT COMPLEX AREA, ABUJA, NIGERIA
No full textIncreased demands for water have stimulated development of underground water resources. As a result, techniques for investigating the occurrence and movement of groundwater have been improved. The availability of safe and potable water in an environment is a veritable index of a great role to the development and growth of a society. This work involves using the vertical electrical sounding (VES) method to locate and delineate subsurface water structures, aquifer protective capacity and hence estimate the groundwater potential of Kubwa Village, Phase one (1) and Phase two (2) in Bwari area council FCT Abuja Nigeria. A total of 18 VES using the Schlumberger Configuration were carried out in different parts of the study area. The obtained field data were analyzed and interpreted using Ipi2win software. The curves revealed that the area is characterized by 3-4 classes of geoelectric layers. Topsoil layer of thickness and resistivity values ranging from 1.01-2.81 m and 262-1330 ohms, partially/weathered layer ranging from 1.19–5.01 m and 49.4-154 ohms, partially/fractured layer ranging from 27.7–128 m and 308-966 ohms, and the fresh basement layer ranging from infinity in thickness and 495-61296 ohms, also the longitudinal conductance of the overburden units ranges from 0.02-0.36 mhos. Based on the results of the interpretation, it has been inferred that the area covered by the study has moderate groundwater potential
EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF A SOLAR STILL ACTIVED BY A HEAT PUMP
No full textThis work concerns a second prototype of solar still combined with a heat pump HP. It is characterized by having separated, by a partition, the steam generator compartment of the HP from the compartment evaporator (where the condensate is collected).
The results of the test measures concern three configurations with HP according to whether the distiller is fixed to the south or to the contrary constantly oriented to the sun and as it is placed in the sun (outside) or inside (no sun). The measurements concerning the water temperatures at the condenser, the wet and ambient air, and the relative humidity. The distillate flow is also measured and the energy efficiency and the COP of the HP are evaluated. When the effects of the sun and cap combine to heat the water and then distilling it, we see that the sun contributes to 2/3 due to the HP and the remaining 1/3. In the sun, the warm-up and therefore the evaporation of water are higher than simply heating the condenser of the HP, which leads to a greater flow of distillat
SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL CHARACTERISTICS OF REFERENCEEVAPOTRANSPIRATION IN AMHARA REGION, NORTHERN ETHIOPIA
No full textThe FAO Penman-Monteith equation is the standard method which is commonly used for estimating reference evapotranspiration (ETo) in most parts of the world. This method requires use of full weather data measured at the principal stations. Here, we used 25 principal stations in the Amhara region to calculate ETo. In addition to this, we tested Hargreaves, Thornthwaite and Blaney-Criddle techniques to calculate ETo so as to choose best ETo estimating model for the region at 19 temperature stations using Penman-Monteith as a standard. The statistical analysis of the results of these models showed that Hargreaves model can be safely used among the tested techniques. As a result, this model is then calibrated and empirical coefficients at each of the temperature stations were determined for estimating ETo. Finally, ISO-ETo map for the Amhara region is developed using thin-plate smoothing splines interpolation method in Geo-statistical analysis based on a total of 44 stations. This work can be used as an input for agricultural research and development in water resource planning, irrigation scheduling, design of irrigation schemes and hydrological studies in the Amhara region
REMEDIATION OF ZINC CONTAMINATED SOIL USING Acalypha wilkesiana
No full textA study was premeditated to evaluate the phytoextraction potential of Acalypha wilkesiana for zinc (Zn) remediation. Sets of pot experiment were conducted. Stems of Acalypha wilkesiana were planted in five kilograms of soil placed in each plastic pot having 0 ppm, 5 ppm, 10 ppm, 15 ppm, 20 ppm and 25 ppm of Zn respectively. The study was carried out for a period of 12 weeks under natural conditions. Physicochemical properties of the soil were determined using standard methods. The results revealed that pH, phosphorous and moisture contents increased while nitrogen and organic carbon contents decreased in polluted soil remediated with Acalypha wilkesiana when compared to the zinc free soil. Leaves, stems and roots of the plant were analyzed for Zn uptake after 12 weeks. The plant mopped up substantial concentrations of Zn in the stem (6.21 ppm) and leaves (8.23 ppm) compared to concentrations in the roots (6.08 ppm). The phytoextraction ability of the plants was assessed in terms of its metal bioconcentration factor (BCF) and translocation factor (TF). It was observed that the levels of the Zn in the roots and shoots after 12 weeks showed that more bio-available pool of Zn was translocated from the root to the leaves and stem in that order. The results obtained suggests that the plant have phytoextraction capability and could be used in re-establishing soil polluted with Zn
A MULTIVARIATE STATISTICAL ANALYSIS TO ASSESS THE GROUNDWATER QUALITY OF DELHI REGION, INDIA
No full textPearson correlation matrix, Hierarchical cluster and principal component analysis (PCA) were simultaneously applied to 22 groundwater hydrochemical data of Delhi region collected during post monsoon 2013. Using the Kaiser criterion, principle component (PC) was extracted from the data and rotated using varimax normalization for 22 locations. From the analysis, concentration of EC, TDS, Cl-, Mg2+, TH, Fe2+, F-, Na+ and K+ having higher values. Correlation analysis of hydro chemical data suggests that the aquifer is mainly controlled by EC, TDS, Cl-, Mg2+, TH, Na+, SO42- and K+. In principal component analysis, the first 2 factors explain 85.67 % of the total variance. HCA grouped sample sites into four statistically significant clusters. The combined use of PCA and HCA technique resulted in more reliable interpretation of the hydrochemistry. The results of this study clearly demonstrate the usefulness of multivariate statistical techniques in hydrochemical analysis
TREE DIVERSITY IN TROPICAL FOREST IN THE JAVADI HILLS IN THE EASTERN GHATS, INDIA
No full textForest resource is considered as an important to sink carbon and has been widely recognized as a fundamental to sustain the local and global concern in terms of global carbon cycle and economic development. Anthropogenic activities alter the biodiversity. The present study intends to evaluate the tree diversity and population structure in the tropical forests in Javadi hills in the Eastern Ghats, India. High species richness (number of species) was observed in the mid-elevation (relatively undisturbed forest) compared to other elevations. The least species richness was observed in low–elevation forests. In contrast, tree abundance showed greater value in low-elevation forest than that of other elevation forests. Similarly, Shannon diversity index showed greater value in low-elevation forest than in other forests, this may be due to high evenness in this forest than that of mid-elevation forest. Albizia amara was the dominant tree species in low- and Mid-elevation forests followed by Azadirachta indica, Premna tomentosa, Anogeissus latifolia, Phyllanthus emblica and Santalum album whereas, in high elevation forests, Diospyros ferrea, Cassia fistula and Celtis tetrandra were the dominant species. Sapling (≥3 cm - <10 cm DBH) populations showed more contribution in high elevation forest followed by low- and mid- elevation forests. On the contrary, seedling (< 3 cm DBH) contribution showed reverse trend. Cut-stem enumeration indicated that greater value was recorded in low-elevation forest followed by high- and mid- elevation forests. Disturbance index showed significant negative relationship with species richness. The present study reveals that the forest ecosystem restores substantial tree species richness here which is under more threat due to anthropogenic pressure. Therefore immediate conservation measure is required to preserve the vanishing resources
REMEDIATION OF CRUDE OIL-POLLUTED SURFACE WATER USING AQUA-GEL BENTONITE, PERIWINKLE SHELL CHITOSAN EXTRACT AND SAWDUST
No full textCrude oil pollution in the oil producing communities has become a nightmare to host communities and indeed a threat to the biosphere. The coagulation and flocculation of crude oil-in-water using aqua-gel Bentonite, Periwinkle shell-Chitosan extract and sawdust in the presence of calcium hydroxide is investigated at room temperature using the jar test apparatus. In the study, Chitosan was extracted from periwinkle shell for use as coagulant in combination with sawdust and Bentonite in the ratio 0.375:1:0.375, also, the second order perikinetic functional parameters as Coag-flocculation constant (K), Collision factor for Brownian Transport (βBR), Collision Efficiency (εp) and Coagulation Period / half-life (τ1/2) were evaluated at varying pH and dosage. Nephlometric standard method was employed in the determination of turbidity in a jar text apparatus. From the kinetic study, the theory of Perikinetics was confirmed and the maximum efficiency of 84.41% correlating to the second order kinetics was recorded at pH of 12 and dosage of 11 g/l with a rate constant of 0.0002 l/g, βBR of 0.0004 and τ1/2 of 21 minutes
A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF Eichhornia crassipes, Lemna minor AND Pistias stratiotes IN THE PHYTOEMEDIATION OF POLYESTER BASED TEXTILE EFFLUENT
No full textThe textile city of Surat contributes to a large amount of textile effluent being treated in the CETP’s (Common Effluent Treatment Plant) and treated water being released into the Tapi River via various khadi’s and ultimately river Tapi empties into Arabian sea. Textile wastewater also contains substantial pollution loads in terms of Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Total Suspended Solids (TSS), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) and heavy metals. Among all method investigated presently, Phytoremediation by AMATS (Aquatic Macrophytes Treatment Systems) is a well established and emerging remediation technology for contaminated soils, groundwater, and wastewater which is low-cost and environmental friendly technique that have been employed in this study. A lab scale comparative study was conducted using three aquatic macrophytes like Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes), Duckweed (Lemna minor) and Water lettuce (Pistias stratiostes) to remediate untreated polyester based textile effluent entering into the CETP of PEPL (Palsana Enviro Protection Limited) and determine their effectiveness in remediation without the use of fertilizers to sustain their growth. Physicochemical parameters were also compared with the stipulated discharge limits. Parameters such as pH, TDS, Cl-, COD, S-2 and Phosphorous of the treated water have been studied using standard protocol of APHA. Among the three macrophytes Water hyacinth has tremendous potential to remediate pollutants from the textile wastewater as it resulted in reduction of COD was 58.65%, 100% in sulphide, 18.28% in TDS and 100% reduction in phosphorous. Thus water hyacinth made a better clean up than duck weeds and water lettuce. Recommendations were also made for better cleanup goals and plants survivals
POTENTIAL IMPACT OF WATER QUALITY AND HYDROLOGY ON FISH COMMUNITY IN UPPER MALWATHU OYA, SRI LANKA
No full textMalwathu Oya is one of the biggest river basins in Sri Lanka. River discharge fluctuates throughout the year due to variations in weather conditions in its catchment. The quality of its water is also affected due to anthropogenic activities in the area. Changes in hydrological and physiochemical factors of water can affect the ichthyofauna in this fluvial environment. The objective of this study was to identify the relationships between fish species richness and Shannon diversity index in relation to five selected physicochemical (nitrate, phosphate, chloride, dissolved oxygen and temperature) and two hydrological factors (River width and discharge) in upper Malwathu Oya. Study was carried out in twelve sampling sites for the period of two years. Fish, water sampling and hydrological parameters were detected monthly. Linear regression was used to examine the relationships between individual physicochemical parameters and hydrological factors with species richness and Shannon index. Significant positive correlations were observed between species richness and chloride (r2=0.12), nitrate (r2=0.39), phosphate (r2=0.16), dissolved oxygen (r2=0.15) and river width (r2=0.07). Shannon index showed significant positive correlation with chloride (r2=0.11), nitrate (r2=0.33), phosphate (r2=0.14), dissolved oxygen (r2=0.16) and river width (r2=0.20). However, temperature showed an inverse significant (P<0.0001) relationship with species richness and Shannon index. Increasing discharge results in an increase of river width. Significant linear relationship was not found between species richness and river width as well as between river discharge and species richness and river discharge and Shannon index. Nevertheless, the linear relationship between Shannon index and river width was significant (P<0.02). Results of the multiple linear regression showed that only three variables (nitrate, chloride and temperature) were significant to the model with the total R2 of 48.7%