Rajeev Kumar Srivastava

Application of water quality index for assessment of surface water quality surrounding integrated industrial estate-Pantnagar

Water pollution as a consequence of accelerated industrial growth has drawn concerns over public health and environment. In order to assess the extent of environmental impact due to integrated industrial estate-Pantnagar (IIE-Pantnagar), surface water was monitored for duration of one year. Grab surface water samples from 12 locations were collected, processed and analyzed for 11 pre-identified variables. Besides providing the raw baseline data, the information was normalized and integrated by applying Water Quality Index (WQI). The average surface water quality surrounding IIE-Pantnagar was found to be satisfactory in terms of its potability after conventional treatment and disinfection. During summer season, the WQI of Baigul River at Haldi Road illustrated good water quality (83.3), which however, deteriorates in its downstream at Rudrapur (55.5), signifying moderate quality. The WQI inside IIE-Pantnagar varied from 47.4 to 66.6, revealing moderate to good surface water quality. However, in monsoon and post-monsoon seasons, WQI demonstrated a modest increase in quality for all sampling points, with a few exceptions due to dilution caused by monsoonal rainfall. In this period, average WQI varied from 49.6 to 81.7. During winter season, WQI further declined due to cumulative effects of industrial discharge from IIE-Pantnagar and other adjacent industrial set-ups coupled with municipal waste water from Rudrapur city. The lowest WQI for entire sampling network was found within IIE-Pantnagar as 37.1, revealing poor water quality. The application of WQI to assess temporal variations in surface water quality was therefore found satisfactory.

Application of air pollution dispersion modeling for source-contribution assessment and model performance evaluation at integrated industrial estate-Pantnagar.

Source-contribution assessment of ambient NO₂ concentration was performed at Pantnagar, India through simulation of two urban mathematical dispersive models namely Gaussian Finite Line Source Model (GFLSM) and Industrial Source Complex Model (ISCST-3) and model performances were evaluated. Principal approaches were development of comprehensive emission inventory, monitoring of traffic density and regional air quality and conclusively simulation of urban dispersive models. Initially, 18 industries were found responsible for emission of 39.11 kg/h of NO₂ through 43 elevated stacks. Further, vehicular emission potential in terms of NO₂ was computed as 7.1 kg/h. Air quality monitoring delineates an annual average NO₂ concentration of 32.6 μg/m³. Finally, GFLSM and ISCST-3 were simulated in conjunction with developed emission inventories and existing meteorological conditions. Models simulation indicated that contribution of NO₂ from industrial and vehicular source was in a range of 45-70% and 9-39%, respectively. Further, statistical analysis revealed satisfactory model performance with an aggregate accuracy of 61.9%.

Characterization and pollutant removal efficiency of biochar derived from baggase, bamboo and tyre

Conversion of broad-spectrum organic waste into carbonaceous biochar has gained enormous interest in past few years. The present study aims to characterize feedstock (FS), i.e. bagasse (Bg), bamboo (Bm) and biochar (BC), i.e. baggase biochar (BBg), bamboo biochar (BBm) and tyre biochar (Ty). Significant changes in elemental composition, atomic ratio, proximate analyses, mineral content and heavy metal content were observed which was well supported by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Impregnation with ferric hydroxide was done, and resultant modified biochars (MBC), i.e. iron-impregnated baggase biochar (FeBBg), iron-impregnated bamboo biochar (FeBBm) and iron-impregnated tyre biochar (FeTy), along feedstock and biochar were used for PO43−, Pb, Hg and Cu adsorption. In general, BBg, FeBBg, BBm, FeBBm, Ty and FeTy were found to adsorb PO43−, Pb, Hg and Cu better than Bg and Bm, except in few cases. Results from adsorption experiments were fitted into Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin models of isotherms and pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order and Elovich models of kinetics. Result of batch study adsorption revealed that maximum adsorption of PO43−, Pb, Hg and Cu was done by FeBBg (adsorption mechanism explained by Freundlich model), FeTy (Temkin model), Ty (Langmuir model) and BBm (Langmuir model) respectively. According to R2 values, pseudo-first-order reaction was well suited to PO43−, Pb, Hg and Cu adsorption. The optimum pH for maximum adsorption was observed to be 7.4 for PO43−, 5 for Cu and 6 for Pb and Hg respectively

Plastics waste management and resource recovery in India

Exponential growth in plastic production and consumption has evoked concerns for its effective management. Within a decade, India has witnessed a substantial growth of 890% and 340% in plastic production and per capita consumption, respectively. Plastic recycling industries have mushroomed autonomously and accounts for 47% of annual recycling. Further, unscientific collection, transportation, uncontrolled disposal of plastic waste has grave environmental implications. This paper reviews contemporary research done on the integrated management of plastic waste and also considers the potential options available for optimum resource recovery. Other innovative waste management technologies are also considered to find out their adaptability under Indian circumstances.

Effect of biochar application in combination with domestic wastewater on biomass yield of bioenergy plantations

Purpose – The energy demand of growing population is on rise despite the fact that conventional energy reserves are limited and exhaustive in nature. To quench the ever-needing demand of energy, there is an urgent need to find out new energy options. In this regard, role of bioenergy plantation has gained enormous attention of scientist community all over the world. Biochar, a black pyrolysed carbonaceous product, is used as soil amendment and is reported to provide several benefits such as retention of nutrients in soil, better cation exchange capacity, soil carbon sequestration with better biomass yield. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – The present study investigated the effect of domestic waste water (grey water) as well as biochar in combination for above-ground biomass of Eucalyptus hybrid (clone 413) and Anthocephalus cadamba plantations under flooded irrigation. Findings – Height, girth and above-ground biomass of both plantations increased significantly from co...