Abstract: Microbial air contamination of the outdoor air in Marine Durres-s Harbour (Durres, Albania) was estimated by sedimentation technique in August-October 2008. The sampling areas were: Ferry Terminal (FT), Fishery Harbor (FH), East Zone (EZ), Fuel Quay (FQ) and Apollonian Beach (AB). The aim of this study was to measure the number of aerobic plate count (mesophilic aerobic bacteria) and fungi (yeasts and molds) in the outdoor air in these areas. The number of colonies that were formed determines the number of cells at the moment in the outdoor air; respectively the number of mesophilic aerobic bacteria and yeasts and molds. The measure of bacteria and fungi used is CFU (Colony Forming Units) per Petri dish. It is said that marine harbours are very polluted areas. The aim of study was the definition of mesophilic aerobic bacteria and yeasts and molds number, and the comparison of microorganisms number in air sampling areas.
Abstract: Novel nitrogen removal technologies via nitrite
pathway attract increasing interest in recent years. In this study,
batch experiments were performed to investigate nitrite accumulation
characteristics and shifts in nitrifying community structure at
different growth environments including ammonia concentration, pH
and alkalinity. It was found that nitrite accumulation ratios were
maintained at around 95% at studied conditions, and the optimum pH
and Alk/N (ratio between alkalinity and nitrogen) for ammonium
oxidization were 8.5 and 8.33, respectively. Fluorescence in situ
hybridization analysis of nitrifying bacteria showed that high free
ammonia (from influent ammonium or caused by high pH)
significantly altered the structure of nitrifying community, leading to
abundance of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB), especially
Nitrososmonas, and inhibition of nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB).
The results suggest that free ammonia plays more important role than
other studied conditions on nitrite accumulation.
Abstract: Interpolated contour maps drawn for aluminum,
copper and molybdenum in downstream monitoring boreholes of
water dam in Miduk Copper Complex and the values of pH, redox
potential (Eh) and distance from water dam indicate different trends
of variation and behavior of these three elements in downward
groundwater resources. As these maps exhibit, aluminum is dominant
in the most alkaline (pH = 9-11) borehole (MB5) to water dam. The
highest concentration of molybdenum is found in the nearest
borehole (MB6) to water dam. Main concentration of copper is
observed in the most oxidized borehole (MB3 with Eh=293.2mV).
The spatial difference among sampling stations can be attributed to
the existence of faults and diaclases in the geologic structure of
Miduk region which causes the groundwater sampling sites to be
impressed by different contamination sources (toe seepage and upper
seepage water originated from different zones of tailings dump).
Abstract: An attempt has been made to beneficiate the Indian
coking coal fines by a combination of Spiral, flotation and Oleo
Flotation processes. Beneficiation studies were also carried out on -
0.5mm coal fines using flotation and oleo flotation by splitting at size
0.063mm.Size fraction of 0.5mm-0.063mm and -0.063mm size were
treated in flotation and Oleo flotation respectively. The washability
studies on the fraction 3-0.5 mm indicated that good separation may
be achieved when it is fed in a spiral. Combined product of Spiral,
Flotation and Oleo Flotation has given a significant yield at
acceptable ash%. Studies were also conducted to see the dewatering
of combined product by batch type centrifuge. It may further be
suggested that combination of different processes may be used to
treat the -3 mm fraction in an integrated manner to achieve the yield
at the desired ash level. The treatment of the 3/1 mm -0.5 mm size
fraction by spiral,-0.5-0.63 mm by conventional froth flotation and -
0.063 fractions by oleo flotation may provide a complete solution of
beneficiation and dewatering of coal fines, and can effectively
address the environmental problems caused by coal fines.
Abstract: Nitrogen loss from irrigated cropland, particularly
sandy soils, significantly contributes to nitrate (NO3
-) levels in
surface and groundwaters. Thus, it is of great interest to use
inexpensive natural products that can increase the fertilizer efficiency
and decrease nitrate leaching. In this study, the ability of natural
Iranian zeolite clinoptilolite (Cp) and surfactant modified zeolite
clinoptilolite (SMZ) to remove NH4
+ and NO3
-, respectively, from
aqueous solutions was determined. The feasibility of using Cp and
SMZ as soil amendment to reduce nitrate leaching from soil using
lysimeters was also investigated. Zeolite showed 10.23% to 88.42%
NH4
+ removal efficiency over a wide range of initial NH4
+
concentrations. Nitrate removal efficiency by SMZ was 32.26% to
82.26%. Field study results showed that Cp and SMZ significantly (p
< 0.05) reduced leachate NO3-N concentration compared to control.
There was no significant difference between maximum and mean
leachate NO3-N concentration of SMZ lysimeters and those of Cp
lysimeters.
Abstract: Since the beginning of human history, human
activities have caused many changes in the environment. Today, a
particular attention should be paid to gaining knowledge about water
quality of wetlands which are pristine natural environments rich in
genetic reserves. If qualitative conditions of industrial areas (in terms
of both physicochemical and biological conditions) are not addressed
properly, they could cause disruption in natural ecosystems,
especially in rivers. With regards to the quality of water resources,
determination of pollutant sources plays a pivotal role in engineering
projects as well as designing water quality control systems. Thus,
using different methods such as flow duration curves, dischargepollution
load model and frequency analysis by HYFA software
package, risk of various industrial pollutants in international and
ecologically important Gavkhoni wetland is analyzed. In this study, a
station located at Varzaneh City is used as the last station on
Zayanderud River, from where the river water is discharged into the
wetland. Results showed that elements- concentrations often
exceeded the allowed level and river water can endanger regional
ecosystem. In addition, if the river discharge is managed on Q25
basis, this basis can lower concentrations of elements, keeping them
within the normal level.
Abstract: There are many sources trough which the soil get
enriched and contaminated with REEs. The determination of REEs in
environmental samples has been limited because of the lack of
sensitive analytical techniques. Soil samples were collected from
four sites including open cast coal mine, natural coal burning, coal
washery and control in the coal field located in Dhanbad, India.
Total concentrations of rare earth elements (REEs) were determined
using the inductively coupled plasma atomic absorption spectrometry
in order to assess enrichment status in the coal field. Results showed
that the mean concentrations of La, Pr, Eu, Tb, Ho, and Tm in open
cast mine and natural coal burning sites were elevated compared to
the reference concentrations, while Ce, Nd, Sm, and Gd were
elevated in coal washery site. When compared to reference soil,
heavy REEs (HREEs) were enriched in open cast mines and natural
coal burning affected soils, however, the HREEs were depleted in the
coal washery sites. But, the Chondrite-normalization diagram showed
significant enrichment for light REEs (LREEs) in all the soils. High
concentration of Pr, Eu, Tb, Ho, Tm, and Lu in coal mining and coal
burning sites may pose human health risks. Factor analysis showed
that distribution and relative abundance of REEs of the coal washery
site is comparable with the control. Eventually washing or cleaning
of coal could significantly decrease the emission of REEs from coal
into the environment.
Abstract: This work focuses on the remediation of polycyclic
aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)-contaminated soil via Fenton
treatment coupled with novel chelating agent (CA). The feasibility of
chelated modified Fenton (MF) treatment to promote PAH oxidation
in artificially contaminated soils was investigated in laboratory scale
batch experiments at natural pH. The effects of adding inorganic and
organic CA are discussed. Experiments using different iron catalyst
to CA ratios were conducted, resulting in hydrogen peroxide: soil:
iron: CA weight ratios that varied from 0.049: 1: 0.072: 0.008 to
0.049: 1: 0.072: 0.067. The results revealed that (1) inorganic CA
could provide much higher PAH removal efficiency and (2) most of
the proposed CAs were more efficient than commonly utilised CAs
even at mild ratio. This work highlights the potential of novel
chelating agents in maintaining a suitable environment throughout
the Fenton treatment, particularly in soils with high buffer capacity.
Abstract: A mathematical model for the hydrodynamics of a
surface water treatment pilot plant was developed and validated by
the determination of the residence time distribution (RTD) for the
main equipments of the unit. The well known models of ideal/real
mixing, ideal displacement (plug flow) and (one-dimensional axial)
dispersion model were combined in order to identify the structure
that gives the best fitting of the experimental data for each equipment
of the pilot plant. RTD experimental results have shown that pilot
plant hydrodynamics can be quite well approximated by a
combination of simple mathematical models, structure which is
suitable for engineering applications. Validated hydrodynamic
models will be further used in the evaluation and selection of the
most suitable coagulation-flocculation reagents, optimum operating
conditions (injection point, reaction times, etc.), in order to improve
the quality of the drinking water.
Abstract: Plants are commonly known for its positive
correlation in reducing temperature. Since it can benefit buildings by
modifying the microclimate, it-s also believed capable of reducing
the internal temperature. Various experiments have been done in
Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang to investigate the comparison in
thermal benefits between two rooms, one being a typical control
room (exposed wall) and the other a biofacade room (plant shaded
wall). The investigations were conducted during non-rainy season for
approximately a month. Climbing plant Psophocarpus
tetrogonobulus from legume species was selected as insulation for
the biofacade wall. Conclusions were made on whether the biofacade
can be used to tackle the energy efficiency, based on the parameters
taken into consideration.
Abstract: The evaluation of non-conventional water resources
on seed germination and seedling growth performance at early
growth stages is still in progress especially in forage crops. This
study was designed to test the effect of four types of water qualities
(treated wastewater (TWW), industrial water (IW), grey water (GW),
and Distilled water (DW)) on germination and early seedling vigor of
Leucaena leucocephala. The results showed that the germination
was not significantly affected by the different water qualities. Seed
germination reached maximum after 17, 14, 14, and 21 days under
GW, IW, TWW, and DW treatments, respectively. The highest mean
of shoot length was scored under the GW treatment. And, the highest
mean of root length was scored under DW which was not significant
from GW treatment. The means of shoot fresh was the highest under
the TWW. The means of root fresh weight was not significantly
different from each other's under different treatments. The growth
performance was in progress with no mortality during 21 days of
growth. Thus, the best non-conventional water qualities alternatives
based on the cleanness, nutrients, and toxicity are the GW, TWW and
IW, respectively.
Abstract: Coal will continue to be the predominant source of
global energy for coming several decades. The huge generation of fly
ash (FA) from combustion of coal in thermal power plants (TPPs) is
apprehended to pose the concerns of its disposal and utilization. FA
application based on its typical characteristics as soil ameliorant for
agriculture and forestry is the potential area, and hence the global
attempt. The inferences drawn suffer from the variations of ash
characteristics, soil types, and agro-climatic conditions; thereby
correlating the effects of ash between various plant species and soil
types is difficult. Indian FAs have low bulk density, high water
holding capacity and porosity, rich silt-sized particles, alkaline
nature, negligible solubility, and reasonable plant nutrients. Findings
of the demonstrations trials for more than two decades from lab/pot
to field scale long-term experiments are developed as FA soil
amendment technology (FASAT) by Central Institute of Mining and
Fuel Research (CIMFR), Dhanbad. Performance of different crops
and plant species in cultivable and problematic soils, are
encouraging, eco-friendly, and being adopted by the farmers. FA
application includes ash alone and in combination with
inorganic/organic amendments; combination treatments including
bio-solids perform better than FA alone. Optimum dose being up to
100 t/ha for cultivable land and up to/ or above 200 t/ha of FA for
waste/degraded land/mine refuse, depending on the characteristics of
ash and soil. The elemental toxicity in Indian FA is usually not of
much concern owing to alkaline ashes, oxide forms of elements, and
elemental concentration within the threshold limits for soil
application. Combating toxicity, if any, is possible through
combination treatments with organic materials and phytoremediation.
Government initiatives through extension programme
involving farmers and ash generating organizations need to be
accelerated
Abstract: During the year 1999, Serbia (ex Yugoslavia) and their northern province, Vojvodina, has been bombarded. Because of that general public believe is that this region was contaminated by depleted uranium and that there is a potential contaminant of agricultural products due to soil radioactivity. This paper presents the repeated analysis of agricultural soil samples in Vojvodina. The same investigation was carried out during the year 2001, and it was concluded that, based on the gamma-spectrometric analysis of 50 soil samples taken from the region of Vojvodina, there haven-t been registered any increase of radioactivity that could endanger the food production. We continue with the monitoring of this region. The comparison between those two sets of results is presented.
Abstract: The aim of this study was to determine noise level of
six different types of machines in printing companies in Novi Sad.
The A-weighted levels on Leq, Lmax and Lmin Sound Pressure Level
(SPL) in dBA were measured. It was found that the folders, offset
printing presses and binding machines are the predominant noise
sources. The noise levels produced by 12 of 38 machines exceed the
limiting threshold level of 85 dBA, tolerated by law. Since it was
determined that the average noise level for folders (87.7 dB) exceeds
the permitted value the octave analysis of noise was performed.
Abstract: A total of 33,680 nuclear power plants (NPPs) workers were monitored and recorded from 1990 to 2007. According to the record, the average individual radiation dose has been decreasing continually from it 3.20 mSv/man in 1990 to 1.12 mSv/man at the end of 2007. After the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) 60 recommendation was generalized in South Korea, no nuclear power plant workers received above 20 mSv radiation, and the numbers of relatively highly exposed workers have been decreasing continuously. The age distribution of radiation workers in nuclear power plants was composed of mainly 20-30- year-olds (83%) for 1990 ~ 1994 and 30-40-year-olds (75%) for 2003 ~ 2007. The difference in individual average dose by age was not significant. Most (77%) of NPP radiation exposures from 1990 to 2007 occurred mostly during the refueling period. With regard to exposure type, the majority of exposures were external exposures, representing 95% of the total exposures, while internal exposures represented only 5%. External effective dose was affected mainly by gamma radiation exposure, with an insignificant amount of neutron exposure. As for internal effective dose, tritium (3H) in the pressurized heavy water reactor (PHWR) was the biggest cause of exposure.