Dilip S. Ramteke

Activated carbon column performance studies of biologically treated landfill leachate

In adsorption studies with a biologically pretreated landfill leachate using two activated carbon columns, the concentration of the non-biodegradable organic and chlorinated organic compounds, as well as the colour, could be reduced to an acceptable level. The results show a complex interaction of adsorption and desorption between the lower and higher molecular weight components of the leachate.

Development of Microbial Consortia for the Effective Treatment of Complex Wastewater

The complex wastewater was characterized for physicochemical parameter. Five microbial species were isolated from different potential sources and their degradation potential was evaluated individually and in the form of consortia. Accordingly, lab studies were carried out in biological treatment system using aerobic microbial consortia along with individual microbial species in separate reactors. Temperature and pH of reaction tank was continuously monitored during study period. Other vital physicochemical parameters viz. COD, BOD, TSS and TDS were evaluated during 72 hours of study. The microbial consortia comprise of Pseudomonas spp., Actinomycetes spp., Bacillus spp., Streptomyces spp. and Staphylococcus spp. was able to trim down the physicochemical parameters of complex wastewater. The consortia demonstrated high COD and BOD reduction up to 90.17% and 94.02% respectively, compared to individual microbial species ranging from 42.11-59.76% for COD and 58.55-77.31% in case of BOD.

Source Identification and Fingerprinting of Tar Balls Appeared at Goa Beach

Tar balls are frequently reported as indicators of extent of marine pollution owing to spill incidents. It has now been fairly established that the potential threat from operational or accidental oil spills fr om tankers and other oil related activities could lead to environmental pollution. The study represents the chemical analysis and source identification of tar balls appeared at Goa beach. Four tar balls samples were collected from several locations along t he coast of the Goa and were analyzed for their acyclic and Poly Aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) technique. Analysis of crude oil, burnt oil and weathered oils were also included as possible sources of tar balls . Comparison was carried out between the compounds found in tar balls with that of crude oil, burnt oil and weathered oil. This study indicates that, the major source of tar balls was likely to be crude oil as evident from the fingerprints obtained from the study performed on GC-MS.

Organ Specific Distribution of PAHs in a Carnivorous Fish Species Following Chronic Exposure to Used Synthetic-Based Drilling Mud

The rapid growth of offshore oil and gas exploration on the Western Indian Continental shelf has generated the need for both general and region-specific scientific information on the environmental consequences of drilling activities. Much of the toxicity related to drilling mud discharges has been attributed to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) content. This study addressed concerns related to the potential for contamination and subsequent bioaccumulation of PAHs in Oreochromis Mossambicus from the disposal of used synthetic-based drilling mud (SBM). The LC50, 96 h for solid phase and suspended particulate liquid phase, was 37,550 mg/L and 40,390 mg/L, respectively, which was within the acceptable limits as per the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) Notification, New Delhi, dated August 30, 2005. After chronic exposure (for 55 days) to used SBM, higher mean values of PAHs accumulation were obtained from the Tilapias exposed to higher SBM concentration. The highest level of accumulation was noted for Naphthalenes and the lowest for Benzo (a) pyrenes. Liver was the primary organ for PAH accumulation, while least was observed in muscle. From the observations made on PAH levels in control as well as exposed fish, we found SBM concentration dependant bioaccumulation, suggesting the potential high risk of PAH toxicity to the fish inhabiting in the vicinity of disposal site.