A Glance on Indoor Air Pollutants, their Impacts and Simple Solutions to Avoid Health Related Issues

Every coin has two sides. Likewise, as we are progressing towards the era of technology and industrialization; a lot of worst effects are arising as well. Along with the ecosystem, human health is suffering from some adverse issues because of pollution. We have heard about outdoor air pollution but indoor air pollution is even more harmful to human health. It is being observed that Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is getting worse day by day leading to many lung diseases, breathing issues, low birth rate, eye-related diseases, perinatal conditions, etc. Hence these issues have to be considered before getting too late. Indoor air quality varies from regions i.e. in the case of developed countries; cooling-heating appliances, electric devices, petroleum products, etc. are the major contributors to deplete IAQ. While in case of developing countries which have a huge number of rural areas; biomass open fires, traditional cooking systems with direct fire expose or indoor stove, etc. are the major factors behind damaged indoor air quality. Generally, children and aged persons spend most of their time inside the house. These people have low immunity hence they get easily affected by depleted IAQ and face many health-related issues. There is a long list of harmful pollutants like NOX, COX, SOX, organic matter, etc. that play a significant role in damaging air quality. A ventilation system is essential in offices, theatres, malls, homes, etc. but the occupant devices lower the air quality index. Likewise, green-house effects increase the percentage of COX which damages nature and human health as well. All these factors, parameters, adverse effects and solutions are studied in this paper.

Effect of Variable Compression Ratio on Combustion Characteristics of Diesel Engine using Octanol as an Alternative Fuel

Alternative fuels also called as advanced fuels or non-conventional fuels, are any constituents or materials which could be used as fuels, apart from conventional fuels. The need of the hour is to ploy on to unconventional energy resources since conventional sources of energy are fast depleting. Also, we need to look out for the fuels which are environment friendly as well. Alternative fuels are immediately needed to deal with the dual issues of fast depletion of fossil fuel reserves as well as environmental pollution. Some of these fuels can be used directly while others need to be transformed to bring the relative properties close to conventional fuels. The economics of the fuels like vegetable oils, ethanol and methanol etc. compared to the traditional petroleum resources are marginal. In this paper, we are discussing the preparation of blends of octanol with diesel in the proportion of 5,10,15,20 and 25% to identify its potential to be used as an alternative fuel. Then after comparing the properties of blends with diesel and estimate its combustion characteristics at different compression ratio and compare with the diesel. To end with, the effect of variable compression ratio on combustion characteristics of blend would be analysed. As an outcome of the exhaustive engine trials, it may be recommended that 20% (v/v) of diesel can be replaced with IPA for direct application in unmodified diesel engines with a marginal increase in emissions of CO and HC and substantial improvements in the emissions of CO2 and NOx.

Physico-Chemical Properties of Soil Collected from Chandrabhaga River in Kalmeshwar, Nagpur, Maharashtra

Soil, itself means Soul of Infinite Life. Soil is the naturally occurring unconsolidated or loose covering on the earth’s surface. Physical properties depend upon the amount, size, shape, arrangement, and mineral composition of soil particles. It also depends on the organic matter content and pore spaces. Chemical properties depend on the Inorganic and organic matter present in the soil. Soils are the essential components of the environment and foundation resources for nearly all types of land use, besides being the most important component of sustainable agriculture. Therefore, assessment of soil quality and its direction of change with time is an ideal and primary indicator of sustainable agricultural land management. Soil quality indicators refer to measurable soil attributes that influence the capacity of a soil to function, within the limits imposed by the ecosystem, to preserve biological productivity and environmental quality and promote plant, animal and human health. The present study is to assess these soil attributes such as physical and chemical properties season-wise.

Energy Crisis, Resource Scarcity, and Innovations in Biofuels

Natural resources are scarce and there is a need to explore new resources to meet the rising demand for energy. There is also a need to meet sustainable development goals through proper planning and strategy. Fossil fuel has a finite supply and there will be a huge gap between demand and supply due to rising demand. There is a need to develop biofuel to replace fossil fuel. This paper gives a discussion about current issues and future directions in these sectors.