Harmful Impacts of Heavy Metals and Utility of Biosorption Technique for Their Removal from Wastewater: A Review

The increasing number of efluents discharged from the source of water (urban, industrial, agricultural etc.), is resulting in a higher concentration of heavy metals in the source. Heavy metals have a density of over 5g/cm3 to the metals. These are toxic, mutagenic, carcinogenic and resistant in watery and non-aquatic environments and impact water and non-water bodies seriously by substituting the basic metals of the same function. The extraction from the wastewater can be done in numerous techniques for example using an ion replacement, membrane filtration, osmosis, etc. This study discusses the adverse effects of heavy metals on the human body, the benefits of biosorption over traditional approaches for removal of heavy metals, the different biosorbents used to extract heavy metals and concerning issues regarding its commercial use, offering a wider viewpoint for the diversity of biosorbents and utilization of biosorption technique. It is evident from the profound literature survey that pH, biosorbent particle size, contact time, initial metal ion concentration, presence of chelating ligands etc. are some factors that affect the rate and extent of biosorption.

Climate Change and Bio-Diversity

Climate change has become a common phenomenon now a days. Both natural as well as the human factors are responsible for it, but the changes have been accelerated by mainly human activities on large extent. Due to climate change the life of bio-diversity are underthreat. Many species have already extinct and many are on the brim of extinction. Due to loss of habitat and food of the animals they are force to migrate different places which may be not suitable for them. Here in this paper an attempt has made to identify the factors responsible for climate change and how far this climate change has affected the life of the plants and animals. The research is purely based on the secondary source of data collect through the internet.

Sustainable Practices Improving the University Campus: Feasibility of A Photovoltaic System

This article aimed to discuss the principles of sustainability applied to the built environment, highlighting the importance of universities as replicators of these practices. To respond to a demand from the campus for more security in the energy supply, the work proposes the implementation of a solar photovoltaic energy system. For this, it carried out an economic viability analysis through bibliographic review activities, characterization of the study area, dimensioning of photovoltaic systems, budgets, cost analysis and payback calculation. The research evaluated the system’s implementation considering two energy demands, for the entire campus and for a smaller building. It was found that the CSL-UFSJ consumes, on average, 27,300.38 kWh, at a cost of US$ 2,736. Thus, an annual savings of US$ 32,833 is calculated. The cost estimate analyzes showed a value of US$ 139,784 for the implementation of the system. The return on investment time was calculated for 4.3 and 4.9 years considering simple and discounted Payback respectively.It is estimated that the consumption of the DECEB building is 13,187.1 kWh with a cost of US$ 1,322 per month, which results in an annual savings of US$ 15,860. The cost estimate analyzes showed a value of US$ 40.601 for the implementation of the system and values of 4.3 and 4.9 years were obtained as return on investment time considering the calculations for simple and discounted Payback, respectively. The research demonstrates that the implementation of the photovoltaic solar energy generation system is feasible for both cases analyzed.

Phytochemical Investigation and Antimicrobial Activity of Hexane, Ethyl Acetate and Methanol Fractions from Stem Bark of Icacina Trichantha Oliv. (Icacinaceae)

Background: Micro-organisms are responsible for the transmission of a large number of diseases. It is hard to comprehend the amount of diseases, deaths and economic losses caused by micro-organisms alone. Plants are good sources of eco-friendly and readily available antimicrobial agents. Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the chemical constituents and antimicrobial characteristics of three fractions from ethnomedicinal Icacina trichantha. Oliv. (Icacinaceae).Methods: Methanol extract from Icacina trichantha. Oliv was obtained by maceration and fractionated successively using hexane, and ethyl acetate. The antimicrobial properties of Icacina trichantha. Oliv was assessed using agar cup diffusion method on MRSA, P. aeruginosa, S. typhi, C. krusei, S. dysenteriae, S. pyrogenes, E. coli, K. pneumoniae, C. albicans, and C. tropicalis. Phytochemical screening on fractions was also evaluated using standard methods.Results: Phytochemical screening on fractions revealed the presence of saponins, alkaloids, steroids, tannins, and glycosides. Agar diffusion assay on fractions showed growth inhibitory effect on all the organisms except P. aeruginosa, S. typhi, and C. tropicalis. The MIC revealed that n-hexane fraction was active against MRSA, S. pyrogenes, E. coli, K. pneumonia, C. albicans and C. krusei at 10 mg/mL while S. dysenteriae was active at 5 mg/mL. The ethyl acetate fraction was active against all the organisms at a concentration of 5 mg/mL except P.aeruginosa, S.typhi and C.tropicalis. Methanol fraction showed activity of 5 mg/mL against MRSA, S. pyrogenes, E. coli, S. dysenteriae, C. albicans and C. krusei except for K. pneumoniae with activity at 10 mg/mL. Minimum bactericidal concentration/fungicidal concentration MBC/MFC evaluated on the n-hexane fraction revealed that MRSA, S. pyrogenes, E. coli, K. pneumoniae, S. dysenteriae, C. albicans, and C. krusei were activeat 20 mg/mL, while the ethyl acetate fraction had MBC/MFC of 10 mg/mL against all the organisms except P. aeruginosa, S. typhi, C. tropicalis. Methanol extract had MBC/MFC of 10 mg/mL against MSRA, E.coli and S. dysenteriae whereas S. pyrogenes, K. pneumoniae, C. albicans and C. krusei had MBC/MFC at 20 mg/mL.Conclusion: Icacina trichantha. Oliv. contain constituents with concentration dependent antimicrobial properties based on type of organism. The plant could be useful in the prevention and treatment of multi-resistant disease causing microorganisms.

Green Synthesis and Characterization of Silver NPs Using Oyster Mushroom Extract For Antibacterial Efficacy

The present study was aimed to synthesize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs)using the extract of oyster mushroom Pleurotuscitrinopileatus and its use in antibacterial testing. This green synthesis approach of silver NPs is very fast, simple, environmentally friendly and economical. The initial confirmation of silver NPs synthesis was observed with the alteration of the colour of the solution from colourless to wine red. The prepared nano-material was further characterized by UV-Visible spectrophotometer, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The TEM revealed particle size of synthesized AgNPsbetween the range of 11-13 nm. The bactericidal efficacy of silver NPstested against Escherichia coli confirmed the lowest 50 µg/L concentration of silver NPs bactericidal. Therefore based the observations of the study silver NPsat the level of its 50 µg/L can be used for the purposes of potential water disinfection, killing of bacteria, disinfection of medical equipments, wound washings, preservation of food stuffs and in hand sanitization.

COVID-19 Era: What’s Impact of the Lockdown on India’s Environment?

Background: The Novel coronavirus (COVID-19), which started in Wuhan (China) during December 2019, has spread to the rest of the world until now (July 2020). COVID-19 infections are more prevalent in developed countries rather than in the fast-developing, and underdeveloped countries. Now novel COVID-19 infection is a global health problem. In a fast-developing country like India, the incidence of coronavirus infections is increasing day by day. The fifth phase of lockdown has started in India to reduce the incidence of infection.Purpose: The purpose of this study of the impact of lockdown on the India’s environment, according to the literature survey from various research papers, news, social networking, government data (websites), etc., indicates that the lockdown helping to reduce transit in India and at the same time has a great impact on reduced pollution such as air pollution, water pollution, land pollution, etc., thus improving the balance of the environment after March 2020 onwards.Methods: In this work, we have used an online method using various online sources, which has mainly surveyed some important cities in India, have also studied the factors such as air pollution, river pollution, land pollution, etc. and its impact on Indian environment.Results: According to an online survey, lockdown has had a significant impact on the Indian environment, reducing the number of vehicles on the road that improving air quality, reducing river pollution, and having a positive impact on various fields. Lockdown has been very beneficial to the environment.Conclusions: The observations from various parts of the sources show that reduced pollution has also reduced the number of patients in hospitals, mainly jaundice (yellow fever), chikungunya, typhoid, respiratory diseases, etc. This review article explains the brief analysis of the impact of COVID-19 lockdown on India’s environment.

Cognitive Shift in Attitude towards Nature: In reference to COVID 19 Pandemic

Background: Mother Nature cares for every creature on this earth but in return we failed to show gratitude and care for our beloved Mother Nature.The Phenomenon: As a consequence our Mother Earth strikes back in the form of pandemic like COVID 19. Review of literature indicated that there is a significant change in the all over state of environment during this lockdown period.Origin of the Problem: This is a time for cognitive shift in our attitudes towards nature. We have to leave the former way of treating ourselves as the highest creature of God and the only eligible one to deserve the benefits of nature but we have to follow the rule of coexistences. We have to reconnect with our environment and protect the Mother Nature.Purpose: Present paper aims to critically evaluate the issues related to the shift in attitude towards nature during COVID 19 and suggesting psychological strategies for maintaining this changed attitude. Methodology: An online survey using Google form was done to record the change in attitude towards nature in COVID-19 pandemic.Results: Findings revealed that CORONA is challenging in many ways but it provides some positive lessons like Connect reconnect with nature, Own to our approach, Respect Mother Nature, Organized planning for nature concerns, New opportunity to revive nature, Assured healthy environment for future.

Cyclopentadienyl System: Solving the Secular Determinant, π Energy, Delocalization Energy, Wave Functions, Electron Density and Charge Density

In this study, characteristics of Hückel strategy, were abused so as to acquire some significant outcomes, through a theoretical technique with which it is conceivable to get secular equations, π energy, wave functions, electron density and charge density, as an account of cyclopentadienyl system i.e. C5H5+ (cation), C5H5- (anion), and C5H5. (radical) and permitting the expression of delocalization energy of conjugated cyclopentadienyl ring framework. Here, it was presented the secular determinant of the Hückel technique and applied to cyclopentadienyl system framework so as to communicate their orbital energies of cyclopentadienyl system, also to communicate its electron and charge density in terms of stable configuration of a system. It is settled by the Hückel strategy and applied by the assumptions for nearby comparability such as coulomb integrals, exchange integrals and overlap integrals. This simple way hypothetical strategy will allow to graduate and post graduate understudies to understanding the investigation of stable configuration, electron and charge density and also other parameters.

Impact of Land Use Change on Climate: A Study of Tripura

Land use is the human utilization for money, private, recreational, conservational and administrative purposes. The idea of land use is firmly interwoven with human network advancement. Examples of human turn of events and land use have molded the earth legitimately and internationally since ancient occasions. Current improvement designs, along with highlights of the common habitat and the outcomes of past advancement exercises, decide future advancement openings, and furthermore the requirement for rebuilding or upgrade of natural assets. North-east India is the abode of highly endemic flora and fauna preserving the pristine environment with little human interference until recent times. However, for past two decades a drastic change in the land use pattern in the region has been observed which may threaten the fragile ecological balance of the region. Tripura, known as one of the seven sisters, is a bamboo resource and second largest rubber producer in India. Tripura has the highest number of primate species found in any Indian state. However, as compared to its other sisters, the state is economically backward. The land use of the state is undergoing rapid change which is facilitated to a great extent by rapidly increasing population. The present paper deals with the changing land use of Tripura especially in the last two and a half decades. The objective of the study is to analyse the changing land use of the state in general and changes in agricultural and non-agricultural land use in particular based upon the data collected from secondary sources like Statistical Abstract of Tripura, Population Tables of Census 1991, 2001 and 2011 along with the information collected from various government websites.

Prototype of a Biogas Anaerobic Digester from the Hostel Mess Kitchen Wastes

Biogas is a non-exhaustible of energy which can be formed from anaerobic fermentation of different types of biodegradable waste such as food waste, plant waste, animal waste sewage and other organic waste. The typical composition of Biogas includes CH4 (50–70%) which is responsible for maximum energy content along with CO2 (25–50%) that can be collected, stored and supplied. Biogas acts as a multipurpose and an eco- friendly sustainable resource of energy which can be utilized for cooking, electricity generation, lightning, heating etc. Biodegradable waste specifically produced in large amounts as a kitchen waste. In modern society, the solid waste per capita has been consistently increasing as of increase in population and change in socio-economic-cultural habits. The biogas production through the kitchen waste thereof provides a solution of disposal of solid waste. The bio gas production through anaerobic degradation pathways can be controlled and enhanced with the help of certain microorganisms and advancements of new technologies. In this research work, an attempt is being made to produce the biogas from kitchen and food waste collected from hostel mess of Chitkara University, Punjab and a novel method of production of microorganism has been also proposed for fast degradation of waste. Under this project, a survey for the estimation of daily production of organic waste from hostel mess has also been done for fifteen day.