Muhammad Qasim

Physicochemical and elemental contamination assessment in groundwater samples of Khairpur Mir's, Pakistan

ABSTRACT Drinking water contaminated with arsenic poses serious threat to the human health. The present study was aimed for quality assessment of the groundwater of Khairpur Mirs in respect with arsenic and other elemental contamination like Fe, Cu, Co, and Ni. The presence of the trace elements in groundwater from different sources in the study area was measured by using atomic absorption spectroscopy. For arsenic analysis hydride generation technique (MHS-15) was used with detection limit of 0.02 µg l−1. Elevated level of arsenic was observed in most of the samples as compared to recommended value of World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines (10 µg l−1). However, levels of Fe, Cu, Co, and Ni in hand pump (HP) water samples was found in the range of 4–1610 µg l−1, 0–556 µg l−1, 0–230 µg l−1, and 0–700 µg l−1, respectively. Whereas in tube well (TW) water samples the observed values are 5–1620 µg l−1, 0–50 µg l−1, 4–110 µg l−1, and 0–360 µg l−1 for Fe, Cu, Co, and Ni, respectively. Significant difference was observed between TW and HP water samples. It was concluded that the level of arsenic found was very high up to 13 fold more than the WHO recommended limit in study area. While the levels of other elements was noted within the safe limit.

Experimental investigations on a diesel engine operated with fuel blends derived from a mixture of Pakistani waste tyre oil and waste soybean oil biodiesel

The waste tyre and waste cooking oils have a great potential to be used as alternative fuels for diesel engines. The aim of this study was to convert light fractions of pyrolysis oil derived from Pakistani waste vehicle tyres and waste soybean oil methyl esters into valuable fuel and to reduce waste disposal-associated environmental problems. In this study, the waste tyre pyrolysis liquid (light fraction) was collected from commercial tyre pyrolysis plant and biodiesel was prepared from waste soybean oil. The fuel blends (FMWO10, FMWO20, FMWO30, FMWO40 and FMWO50) were prepared from a 30:70 mixture of waste tyre pyrolysis liquid and waste soybean oil methyl esters with different proportions of mineral diesel. The mixture was named as the fuel mixture of waste oils (FMWO). FT-IR analysis of the fuel mixture was carried out using ALPHA FT-IR spectrometer. Experimental investigations on a diesel engine were carried out with various FMWO blends. It was observed that the engine fuel consumption was marginally increased and brake thermal efficiency was marginally decreased with FMWO fuel blends. FMWO10 has shown lowest NOx emissions among all the fuel blends tested. In addition, HC, CO and smoke emissions were noticeably decreased by 3.1–15.6%, 16.5–33.2%, and 1.8–4.5%, respectively, in comparison to diesel fuel, thereby qualifying the blends to be used as alternative fuel for diesel engines.

Elemental Assessment in Economically Important Cirrhinus Mrigala and Labeo Rohita Fish Species Captured from Indus River at Guddu Barrage, Sindh, Pakistan

This study aimed to investigate the level of trace and toxic elements (Fe, Ni, Cu, Co, Mn, Zn, Cr, Cd and Pb) in Rohu (labeo rohita) and Mrigala (cirrhinus mrigala) fish species of Indus River at the region of Guddu Barrage, Sindh, Pakistan. The fish samples were collected and processed in the Laboratories of Institute of Chemistry, Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur, Sindh, for elemental analysis in gill, muscle and liver of both fish species using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Results revealed that the level of trace elements was observed within the allowable limit in both Ruho and Mrigala for Fe, Cu, Cr, Ni, Zn, Co, and Mn in the range of 8.90-6.00, 2.57-1.23, 1.17-0.25, 3.15-0.48, 0.79-0.32, 0.21-0.082, and 0.26-0.11μg.g-1 respectively. It was observed that toxic element chromium was found in gill, liver and muscle of both fish varieties at low level in the range of 1.17-0.25 μg.g-1. However, lead and cadmium were not found in both fish species. It was a good indication for consumer of these fishes of the study area. The observed concentration order of trace and toxic metals was noted as Fe > Cu >Cr >Ni >Zn >Co >Mn and Fe > Cu > Ni > Zn > Cr > Mn > Co respectively, in homogenious and dried samples of labeo rohita whereas the order was found as Fe > Ni > Cu > Cr > Zn > Mn > Co and Fe > Cu > Ni > Zn > Cr > Mn > Co correspondingly, in homogeneous and dried samples of cirrhinus mrigala fish samples correspondimgly. Difference in the order of elements in homogenous samples in comparison to dried samples was probably due to different digestion methods used in the study. It was concluded that concentration of trace elements was found within the RDA guideline as given by FAO/WHO in both fishes of Indus River at Guddu Barrage, District Kashmore, Sindh, Pakistan.

Comparative Assessment of Thermo Chemical Properties of Different Consumable Automobile Oils in Respect of their Environmental Friendly Use

In this study thermo chemical characteristics of different virgin and waste engine oils (VWEO) have been demonstrated. The aim of this study was to assess thermo chemical properties of different consumable automobile oils of the local market of Multan Pakistan to have insight knowledge about their adverse environmental effects. Four vehicle engines and one air compressor engine were included in this research work. Fifteen VWEO samples including motorcycle engine oils (M1M2MU), spark ignition (SI) engine oils (S1S2SU), compression ratio ignition (CI) engine oils (C1C2CU), air compressor engine oils (A1A2AU) and hydraulic engine oils(H1H2HU) have been analyzed and compared for specific gravity, kinematic viscosity, viscosity index, pour point, flash point, total base number (TBN), total acid number (TAN), copper corrosion and sulfur contents by adopting international methods. Elemental analysis has been carried out by using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The results of some of the samples were found within the allowable range. However, motorcycle engine oil M2 and SI engine oil S2 were found below the minimum test limits possibly due to the adulteration. Furthermore, the samples were subjected to elemental analysis for the purpose of their adverse environmental effects. In two samples lead (Pb) concentrations were found above the maximum allowable limits while in three samples Chromium (Cr) level was more than its upper allowable limit.

Study on conductivity and dielectric behavior of chemically synthesized polypyrrol dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid blended with poly(methyl methacrylate)

Polypyrrole (PPy) doped with dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid was synthesized and was blended with compatible polymer PMMA in chloroform. Flexible and free-standing films with compositions PPy: PMMA = 10: 90, 20: 80, 30: 70, and 50: 50 were obtained. The percentage of crystallinity and particle size of synthesized polymers were estimated from X-rays diffraction studies. Scanning Electron Micrographs showed that phase separation was observed and compatibility of the mixture decreased with increase of PMMA content. The dielectric measurements were performed in the frequency range 0.1 kHz–1 MHz in temperature range 303–473 K. The frequency dependent conductivity (σac) obeyed a power law of frequency with an exponent s < 1. Electric modulus formalism exhibits a peak in frequency. The peak of conductivity relaxation shifted towards higher frequencies and the magnitude of relaxation decreased with the increase of PMMA content in the composites.