AN INVESTIGATION BASED ON ELEMENTS CORRELATION AND RISK LEVEL OF FLUORIDE IN GROUNDWATER IN INDIA. A REVIEW

This paper reviews the concentration and distribution of fluoride in Indian groundwater with particular emphasis and similarities between different components. Groundwater is an essential and precious source of water for drinking. Fluoride is frequently found naturally in the groundwater. Through human activities, organic pollutants enter the groundwater are also a significant concern that can not be avoided. The data for this review paper was obtained from nineteen locations from 2007 to 2018. The data revealed that fluoride concentration ranged from 0.26 to 5.636 mg/L, with 37% of sites with a higher fluoride concentration level. Excessive fluoride ingestion contributes to fluorosis of the dentures and skeletons and bone deformities. It is observed that eight sites were found with higher concentrations (>180 mg/L) of hard water minerals out of nineteen sites. The correlation between the elements itself shows a strong positive correlation, which is r= +1 but the correlation of F-, Ca2+, Na+, K+, Mg2+, HCO3-, Cl-, SO42-, NO3-, Fe, Mn, PO43-, CO32- between each other is either strong, medium, or small positive and negative or shows no linear relationship between each other. It was noted that the level of health risk in the district of Dhandband and the state of Telangana was calculated to have a higher risk with greater probability and consequences.

CRUSTACEAN WASTE SHELLS AS ADSORPTION MATERIALS FOR HEAVY METALS IN AN AQUEOUS SOLUTION

Laguna de Bay is one of the country’s major lakes, providing a third of the fish consumed by Metro Manila’s 16 million residents. It also provides support for agriculture, industry, and hydropower generation, as well as providing a welcome respite for many Filipinos. However, because of the lake’s importance, it is threatened by a variety of issues, including pollution. Heavy metals such as mercury and lead are present in high concentrations in the lake. And these heavy metals may persist in fish, water, air and the human body. As a result, an adsorption technique for heavy metal removal in an aqueous solution was investigated. As an adsorbent, the produced chitosan from crustacean waste shells was employed. The study’s parameters were contact time, adsorbent quantity, and pH. Results showed that 0.5 g of chitosan has a higher absorption rate of 99% in 500 mg/L solutions compared to 1.0 g of chitosan with an adsorption rate of 98%. In terms of contact time, 60 minutes showed almost 100% adsorption rate while 120 minutes was 98%. With increasing pH, the amount of metal adsorption rises. This developed chitosan from crustacean waste shells indicates high capacity as adsorbent materials for heavy metals. As a result, it appears to be a viable material for water treatment.

TOLERANCE MECHANISM AGAINST IMPACT OF HEAT STRESS ON WHEAT : A REVIEW

Wheat (Triticum aestivum) of the family Poaceae is an important cereal crop and is regarded as a basic source of calories and protein demands of the increasing population. With regards to change in global temperature, the impact of rising temperature on crop production is gaining concern worldwide. Among the various abiotic stresses observed in wheat, heat and drought are the major abiotic stresses. An increase in temperature results in the reduction of grain number, photosynthetic activity, chlorophyll content, and starch synthesis in the endosperm interrupting the important morphological, physiological, and biochemical processes of the plant causing considerable variation like reduction in grain weight per ear, single kernel weight, kernel number, grain size. Spikelet formation, seed size, etc. along with decreased plant size under morphological changes. Similarly, under physiological changes, water potential, photosynthesis, respiration, etc. are adversely affected due to heat stress in wheat. Content of starch, protein, and different types of amino acid present in wheat grain is also affected due to heat stress which comes under biochemical changes. Heat shock proteins (HSPs) and stay green are the mechanisms for the heat tolerance in wheat. The present review was carried out to summarize the various effects of heat stress on wheat at morpho-anatomical, physiological, and biochemical behavior with a brief discussion on suitable breeding strategies to improve the production of wheat crops.

THE INITIAL ION EFFECT OF HEAVY METALS ADSORPTION BY USING HYDROTHERMAL CARBONIZATION BANANA PEELS

Accumulation of heavy metals in water is of particularly important because it can impact upon human health through possible contamination of food. The use of banana peel was investigated. Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) was chosen as alternative process. The objective of this project is to synthesize banana peel hydrochars adsorbent via HTC process and to evaluate the heavy metals adsorption performance of banana peel hydrochars adsorbent. Conventional methods in removal of heavy metals require high operational cost, need highly skilled labour, and generate sludge at the end of the operation. Compared to other techniques, banana peel absorbent is a cost- effective adsorbent, easy to operate, environmentally safe and no health risk for the operator. Besides, large quantity of banana peel waste contributes to its significant disposal problem. Thus, this study is expected to solve problems of banana peel, by preparing banana peel adsorbent through hydrothermal carbonization. There are three phases in this project, phase 1 which is synthesis of banana peel based on hydrochars, banana peel was chopped the peels into small pieces. It was then soaked in KOH solution for 2hours and transferred into PTFE and heat for 2hours at 230°C. For phase 2, physico-chemical characterization of banana peels hydrochars by using FTIR. The result obtained shown that all of the content in banana peels will activate the surface of banana peel to enhance the adsorption of the heavy metals. For the final phase, by using AAS, the initial and final concentration of the metals was tested to determine the removal of heavy metals by the prepared hydrochars. The results showed that the removal capacity of the hydrochars increased when the initial concentration of the metals increased. From the research, it can be concluded that, as the initial concentration of the metals higher, the ability of the hydrochars to remove the metals also higher and stronger.

EFFECTIVE REMOVAL OF TEXTILE DYES USING PRE-TREATED NATURAL ADSORBENTS

Water contamination due to textile industrial discharge is one of major problems of modern world. Azo dyes are major culprits of water pollution due to presence of complicated azo bond. Synthetic wastewater with high concentration of azo dyes has been treated using different adsorbents in this study. This exploration technique is proved to be conservative, appealing and compelling for the removal of dyes from wastewater. In this investigation, pre-treated sugarcane bagasse and chicken eggshell were utilized as an adsorbent for adsorption of azo dyes from wastewater. All the experiments were allowed to run for 160 minutes. These adsorbents satisfactorily served the purpose of application. Eggshells and sugarcane bagasse and presented 79% and 73% removal of reactive red-1 respectively. Removal of direct blue-1 was observed as 96% and 95% using eggshells and sugarcane bagasse respectively.

THE UTILIZATION OF PARAGIS GRASS (Eleusine indica) AS CELLULOSE-BASED BIOPLASTIC FILM

The goal of this research is to create biodegradable plastics made from Paragis grass (Eleusine indica) cellulose-pulp that can be used as alternatives to traditional plastics. The bioplastics were made by combining cellulose pulp from paragis grass leaves, sorbitol, acetic acid, and corn starch, with a constant amount of 8g corn starch and varying amounts of cellulose pulp (20g, 30g, and 40g), as well as 10ml sorbitol and 3 ml acetic acid. Collection and processing of paragis grass, cellulose pulp manufacturing, and bioplastic film manufacture were some of the methods used. Tensile strength, biodegradability, water absorption, and water solubility tests are used to characterize bioplastic. The mechanical properties testing shown that bioplastic produced with variation of corn starch to paragis grass cellulose pulp ratio had a tensile strength of 0.549 MPa, 0.878 MPa and 1.03 MPa; elongation at break (%) of 7.33%, 6.97% and 6.54%; biodegradability (weight loss) of 91.65%; 90.05%; and 69.46%; water absorption (weight gain) of 91.80%, 83.06% and 53.74%; and water solubility (weight loss) of 86.96%, 66.46% and54.91% respectively. The study found that Treatment 3 (40g paragis grass) has higher tensile strength (1.03 MPa) and tear strength, ability to degrade in four weeks, low water absorption (53.74%), and water solubility (54.91%).The result showed that cellulose-pulp from Paragis grass leaves could be used to make bioplastic. This research would aid in the reduction of plastic waste that pollutes the Earth’s soil, air, and water, as well as the mitigation of its consequences. It can also help reduce environmental pollution by using biodegradable plastic.

EFFECT OF WASTE DUMPSITE ON GROUNDWATER QUALITY OF A SHALLOW AQUIFER IN PORT HARCOURT, SOUTH-EASTERN NIGERIA

The study assessed the effect of waste dumpsites on groundwater quality of upper aquifers in Port Harcourt. Water samples were retrieved from hand-dug wells from a dumpsite and a control site and analyzed for physico-chemical parameters and heavy metal content. Results show that electrical conductivity of the dumpsite water samples was 42.06μS/cm while the control site water samples recorded 31.27μS/cm. Turbidity of the water samples ranged from 0.62NTU-0.65NTU. Total Dissolved Solids of the dumpsite water sample was 26.8mg/l while the TDS of the control site water sample was 33.70mg/l. The pH of water samples from both sites ranged from 5.46 -7.34. The pH of water samples from the dumpsite was slightly acidic (5.46). The average temperature of the water samples was approximately 28oC. Phosphate concentration of water samples ranged from 0.32 mg/l-0.54 mg/l while chloride levels ranged from 10.60mg/l-17.12 mg/l. All physico-chemical parameters and heavy metal content of the water samples all fell within the WHO and NSDWQ stipulated standards except for the lead concentration of the water sample retrieved from the dumpsite. The study also revealed that waste dumpsites did not alter the concentration of the measured physico-chemical properties and heavy metal concentration of water samples. However, the study recommended that periodic assessments of groundwater quality of waste dumpsites should be undertaken

EVALUATION OF TREATMENT OF DOMESTIC WASTEWATER USING EICCHORNIA CRASSIPES AND PISTA STRATIOTES BY PHYTOTECHNOLOGIES

Water shortage is now one of the major issues of the global world. Water scarcity is increasing day by day. The availability of water is decreasing. The need of hour is to treat the wastewater for dealing water crisis and using it for various purposes. This study involves the treatment of domestic wastewater using phytoremediation technique. The two aquatic plants named Eichhornia crassipes (Water hyacinth) and Pistia stratiotes (Water lettuce) were used. The parameters investigated in this research were pH, TDS, Turbidity, EC, TSS and temperature. These parameters were checked at various retention times after every three days interval. The objective of this study was to get higher efficiencies of these two aquatic plants in improving the parameters involved in the research. The adequacy of the treatment parameters was also validated using statistical analysis. It was established by the results at the end of the experiment that maximum efficiencies were achieved by this phytoremediation technique. This concluded that these two aquatic plants treated the wastewater to such an extent that it can be safely disposed in the drains.

APPRAISAL OF SNOW IN CONTEXT OF TEMPERATURE VARIATIONS IN GILGIT BASIN

The study on Appraisal of Snow in Context of Temperature Variations in Gilgit Basin was conducted to find the snow cover change over Gilgit and Hunza Rivers. Hypsometric curve for this catchment was convex upward between normalized area and elevation. Using the MODIS snow cover product classification of snow cover was done which indicate the present of snow in the catchment. Change detection technique indicates there was high level of snow cover area change during the melting period of 2011. This area of snow which melted during melting period of 2011 was 9358.762km2. There was high level of snow cover change detection appeared in the melting period of 2011, 2012 and 2015 along the Gilgit-Hunza Rivers. The minimum snow area change was observed in 2014 during the melting period. During this year snow melting was observed with low level of change detection. Besides there was also low level of snow cover change detection observed in 2013 melting period. There was decreasing trend in snow cover change appeared in this basin.

SCENARIO OF ASPERGILLUS INDOOR CONTAMINATION IN PAKISTAN (2000- 2020) – A REVIEW

Bioaerosols in indoor environment include substantial portion of fungi which are considered as “hidden killers”. Pakistan like other countries, also bears the atrocities of fungi and their mycotoxins and suffers more due to its favourable climate, weak economy and unawareness. Genus Aspergillus of Fungi is quite important and is predominant in indoor environment, along with Penicillium. There are not adequate research studies on the indoor micro-floral composition, however, the available data shows that numerous Aspergillus species are found inside the buildings whether they be houses, hospitals, laboratories, cafeteria or slaughterhouses. The mycotoxins produced by Aspergillus species include aflatoxins, fumonisins, citrinin, ochratoxins and cyclopiazonic acid. They are mainly carcinogenic and cause various diseases like aflatoxicosis, pentaketide nephrotoxin, and necrosis. To avoid such issues, fungal growth should be avoided by controlling temperature and humidity. In addition, fungicides, ultraviolet radiation or essential oils can be used against fungi. The condition of the buildings can also be adjusted to minimize fungal growth like building material, ventilation system, wall paint and hygiene. The database of the country is not satisfactory with insignificant laws and regulation. To estimate the potential risks of Aspergillus species and their mycotoxins, regular monitoring is required at all levels. It will also help to devise solutions related to health and environment related problems.