Nanomembrane Applications in Environmental Engineering

2019 ◽  
pp. 103-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sumaira Nosheen
Keyword(s):  
Water Purification ◽  
Human Activities ◽  
Environmental Engineering ◽  
Full Understanding ◽  
Scale Level ◽  
Nano Scale ◽  
Hazardous Gases ◽  
Soil And Water

This chapter delivers an outline of the strategies and techniques that are used and developed for the fabrication of membrane techniques/methods for application in environmental engineering. Human activities are the cause of increased hazardous gases in atmosphere mainly in soil and water. Nanotechnology deals the ability to control matter at the nano-scale level. Materials prepared are in nano level and thus they will possess some special properties to deal with specific functions. One of the major aspects of nanotechnology is nanomembrane fabrication which is mainly employed for water purification plants. The chapter is specifically offers a full understanding of the technologies and laws used to synthesize membranes. The chapter also provides an introduction to techniques to characterize nanomembranes.

scholarly journals Effects of water and soil conservation works on runoff and sediment variation in the areas with high and coarse sediment yield of the middle Yellow River

2018 ◽  
Vol 38 ◽  
pp. 01033
Author(s):  
Wei Ying Sun ◽  
Pan Zhang ◽  
Li Li ◽  
Jiang Nan Chen
Keyword(s):  
Sediment Yield ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
Human Activities ◽  
Soil Conservation ◽  
Yellow River ◽  
Soil And Water Conservation ◽  
Contribution Rate ◽  
Rainfall Variation ◽  
Runoff Reduction ◽  
Soil And Water

The areas with high and coarse sediment yield of the middle Yellow River is well known for its severe erosion, high sediment yields. Since 1982 when the 8 key soil and water conservation harnessing regions has been built, the ecological environment has been gradually improved and the amount of sediment and runoff entering the Yellow River has been reduced continuously. Some researchers considered that it was owing to the water and soil conservation works (WSCW), while others believed that it was caused by the rainfall variation, but this has not been quantified for the effect respectively. This paper deals with the effects of WSCW on runoff and sediment variation. The study has been carried out in the Sanchuanhe River watershed, where was listed as one of the 8 key soil and water conservation harnessing regions. The results show that the contribution rate of human activities was 80.2% after 1st harnessing stage (1970-1979), 43.0% after 2nd harnessing stage (1980-1989), in 3rd harnessing stage (1990-1996) it reached 98.4%, and was 44.8% after 4th harnessing stage (1997-2006). With regard to the influence on runoff reduction in the watershed, the contribution rate of human activities was 62.5% compared with the natural factors after 1st harnessing stage (1970-1979), 28.4% after 2nd harnessing stage (1980-1989), in 3rd harnessing stage (1990-1996) it reached 69.6%, and was 37.0% after 4th harnessing stage (1997-2006). The results revealed that human activities exerted the largest effects on the sediment reduction and explained 66.6% of the variation in the specific sediment yield. This study suggests that a combination of human activities and rainfall variation effectively reduces runoff and sediment delivery of the Loess Plateau. Generally The runoff reduction and contribution of rainfall variation to runoff reduction in this area were as large as human activities. After many years' harnessing the great benefit have been obtained in water and soil loss control in this watershed.

scholarly journals Changes in streamflow regimes and their response to different soil and water conservation measures in Loess Plateau watersheds

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuyu Zhang ◽  
Guangju Zhao ◽  
Xingmin Mu ◽  
Peng Tian
Keyword(s):  
Loess Plateau ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
Human Activities ◽  
Soil And Water Conservation ◽  
Low Flow ◽  
Hydrological Change ◽  
River Watershed ◽  
Daily Streamflow ◽  
Conservation Measures ◽  
Soil And Water

Investigating the changes in streamflow regimes is useful for understanding the mechanisms associated with hydrological processes in different watersheds and for providing information to facilitate water resources management. In this study, we selected three watersheds, i.e., Sandu River, Hulu River, and Dali River on the Loess Plateau, to examine the changes in the streamflow regimes and to determine their responses to different soil and water conservation measures (terracing, afforestation, and damming). The daily runoff was collected continuously by three hydrological gauges close to the outlets of the three watersheds from 1965 to 2016. The eco-surplus, eco-deficit, and degree of hydrological change were assessed to detect hydrological alterations. The Budyko water balance equation was applied to estimate the potential impacts of climate change and human activities on the hydrological regime changes. Significant decreasing trends (P < 0.05) were detected in the annual streamflow in the Sandu and Dali River watersheds, but not in the Hulu River watershed where afforestation dominated. The annual eco-surplus levels were low and they decreased slightly at three stations, whereas the eco-deficit exhibited dramatic increasing trends in the Sandu and Dali River watersheds. In the Sandu River watershed (dominated by terraces), the runoff exhibited the most significant reduction and the eco-deficit was the highest among the three watersheds. The integral degrees of hydrological change were higher in the Sandu River watershed than the other two watersheds, thereby suggesting substantial variations in the magnitude, duration, frequency, timing, and rate of change in the daily streamflow. In the Dali River watershed (dominated by damming), the changes in the extreme flow were characterized by a decreasing number appearing in high flow. In these watersheds, human activities accounted for 74.1% and 91.78% of the runoff reductions, respectively. In the Hulu River watershed (dominated by afforestation), the annual runoff exhibited an insignificant decreasing trend but with a significant increase in the low flow duration. Rainfall changes accounted for 64.30% of the runoff reduction.

scholarly journals Nanotechnology-Based Strategies for Berberine Delivery System in Cancer Treatment: Pulling Strings to Keep Berberine in Power

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Javed Iqbal ◽  
Cristina Quispe ◽  
Zeeshan Javed ◽  
Haleema Sadia ◽  
Qamar Raza Qadri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systemic Circulation ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Therapeutic Approaches ◽  
Scale Level ◽  
Protoberberine Alkaloids ◽  
Ideal Candidate ◽  
Nano Scale ◽  
Altered Cell ◽  
Molecular Landscape

Cancer is a multifactorial disease characterized by complex molecular landscape and altered cell pathways that results in an abnormal cell growth. Natural compounds are target-specific and pose a limited cytotoxicity; therefore, can aid in the development of new therapeutic interventions for the treatment of this versatile disease. Berberine is a member of the protoberberine alkaloids family, mainly present in the root, stem, and bark of various trees, and has a reputed anticancer activity. Nonetheless, the limited bioavailability and low absorption rate are the two major hindrances following berberine administration as only 0.5% of ingested berberine absorbed in small intestine while this percentage is further decreased to 0.35%, when enter in systemic circulation. Nano-based formulation is believed to be an ideal candidate to increase absorption percentage as at nano scale level, compounds can absorb rapidly in gut. Nanotechnology-based therapeutic approaches have been implemented to overcome such problems, ultimately promoting a higher efficacy in the treatment of a plethora of diseases. This review present and critically discusses the anti-proliferative role of berberine and the nanotechnology-based therapeutic strategies used for the nano-scale delivery of berberine. Finally, the current approaches and promising perspectives of latest delivery of this alkaloid are also critically analyzed and discussed.

Assessing the Impact of No-Till on Water Related Soil Functions and the Role of Farmer Networks in Knowledge Exchange and Implementation.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Kamilla Skaalsveen
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Soil Organic Matter ◽  
Bulk Density ◽  
Water Purification ◽  
Knowledge Exchange ◽  
No Tillage ◽  
Soil Functions ◽  
Soil And Water

No-tillage is a non-inversion farming practice that is becoming more widely used in farming and often considered to enhance soil functions, by increasing soil organic matter levels and thereby improving soil structure. Knowledge about the effects of different management practices on separate soil functions is important to understand potential trade-offs between them. Studies have shown that no-tillage affects soil functions of water purification and water retention and can reduce erosion rates and inputs from agriculture to water bodies, however evidence from north western European countries is still limited. Alongside this gap in evidence about the physical impacts of no-tillage, knowledge about how farmers share knowledge about no-tillage, a knowledge intensive practice, and the role of farmer networks is still growing. This paper presents results from interdisciplinary (PhD) research which measured the effect of no-tillage on water related soil functions in a UK case study and analysed the distribution of no-tillage knowledge through farmer networks. The field-scale monitoring compares two neighbouring farms (one using conventional ploughing and the other no-tillage) with similar soil and topographic characteristics to assess spatial and temporal changes in soil and water variables. The 2-year monitoring included nutrient analysis of surface and sub-surface soil samples, bulk density, soil moisture, infiltration capacity, surface runoff and analysis of Dissolved Reactive Phosphorous (DRP), Total Phosphorous (TP) and Suspended Solids (SS) in downstream waters. Farmers’ networks were mapped using Social Network Analysis (SNA) to reveal the nature and extent of their knowledge exchange about no-tillage. This was complemented by semi-structured interviews with farmers to understand their reasons for implementing no-tillage. This paper presents findings from both aspects of this research. The soil and water data show varying impacts of no-tillage on soil functions and water quality with different soil types and climate. The no-tillage fields had higher bulk density and soil organic matter content and thereby increasing the soil moisture levels, but the free-draining porous limestone was providing greater benefits under no-tillage in this study compared with the limerich loamy soil with high silt and clay content. The SNA suggests that farmers’ networks expanded with the conversion to no-tillage and that their main influencers were other more experienced no-tillage farmers. In this respect I question the role of external organisations in supporting no-tillage adoption. The research offers a significant new contribution to the field as it assesses the effects of no-tillage on water purification and retention functions of the soil, and at the same time contributes to understanding the dynamics of farmer networks and the link to implementation.

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