IOSR-JESTFT   Volume-9 ~ Issue-4 ~ April 2015

Abstract: The objective of the study was to assess the nutrient potential and toxic contaminants in the urban waste composts produced through different composting methods in Kerala and to categorise them based on quality indices. A total of 11 compost samples were collected from various composting units of the State and the quality with respect to nutrient composition, heavy metal content, pesticide residue and pathogenic contaminations were assessed. The quality assessment based on the limit prescribed by FAI (2007) revealed that most of the samples were with the desirable brown to coffee brown colour, optimum content of moisture, EC and C:N ratio. But the optimum pH was observed only in the samples from Chalakkudy, Adat, Attingal and Sakthan. All the samples contained macro and micro nutrients, more than the minimum content prescribed. Even though, all the samples were free from pesticide residues, contamination with heavy metals was observed in all the samples except those from Sakthan. Samples from Laloor and Kodungallur were found contaminated with salmonella and ecoli and those from Kongadu and Perinthalmanna were having coliform. Based on the values developed on clean and quality indices, the composts only from Sakthan was found suitable for organic farming. The samples in the decreasing order of their quality were Kongad <Attingal <Chalakkudy<Perinthalmanna=Kozhikkode= Adat < Laloor< Vilappilsala< Palakkad< Kodungallur.

Keywords: Heavy metal, Nutrient potential, Pathogenic contamination, Quality index Urban Waste compost etc.

[1]. CPCB, Status of Municipal Solid Waste Generation, Collection Treatment, and Disposable in Class 1 Cities ,2000. Central Pollution Control Board, Ministry of Environmental and Forests, Governments of India, New Delhi.
[2]. M. Sharholy, K.Ahmad,G. Mahmood and R.C Trivedi,Municipal solid waste management in Indian cities – a review. Waste Management, 28, 2008, 459–467.
[3]. T. Narayana, Municipal solid waste management in India: from waste disposal to recovery of resources? ,Waste Management, 29, 2009, 1163–1166.
[4]. S. Kumar, J.K Bhattacharyya, A.N. Vaidya, T. Chakrabarti, S. Devotta,and A.B Akolkar, Assessment of the status of municipal solid waste management in metro cities, state capitals, class I cities, and class II towns in India: an insight, Waste management,29, 2009, 883–895.
[5]. Peter B. Woodbury and T.Vincent, BreslinAssuring compost quality: suggestions for facility managers, regulators, and researchers, Biomass and Bioenergy , 3,1992,213-225.

Abstract: This work suggests a treatment alternative to phosphogypsum, an industrial solid waste generated by the Tunisian Chemical Group in huge amounts, by sulfur waste from a natural gas purification plant in Tunisia, contaminated with heavy metals and mercury, used as a binder. Mixtures with different phosphogypsum contents were made at a temperature equal to 150°C and compacted at the paste phase with a pressure of 1.5 MPa. The mechanical strength and leaching behavior results were sought after a period of one month and then with an artificial ageing cycle of thermal shocks and humidity variation. The comparison between the solid PG-sulfur matrices shows that the mixture tested with 50% sulfur/50% PG had the best mechanical strength up to 40 MPa. The leaching behavior tests also proved that the mixture tested with 50% sulfur, 50% PG is most efficient, resulting in a total retention of copper, lead, cadmium and almost total retention of zinc and nickel. Artificial ageing cycles had an insignificant effect on the mechanical strength and chemical behavior of the tested matrices which proves the long term efficiency of the suggested treatment.

Keywords: Phosphogypsum – sulfur matrix – Chemical Fixation and Solidification artificial ageing – leachability

[1]. Becker, P., 1989. Phosphates and Phosphoric Acid: raw materials, technology, and economics of the wet process. Fert Sci Technol Ser, Second edition; 6, pp 752.
[2]. Berish, C.W., 1990. Potential environmental hazards of phosphogypsum storage in central Florida. In: Proceedings of the third international symposium on phosphogypsum, Orlando, FL, FIPR Pub. No. 01060083; 2, 1–29.
[3]. E. M. El-Afifi, M. A. Hilal, M. F. Attallah and S. A. ElReefy, "Characterization of Phosphogypse Wastes Associated With Phosphoric Acid and Fertilizers Production," Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, Vol. 100, 2009.
[4]. Choura, M., 2007. Short and medium action program III-Tunisia: Environmental evaluation of the treatment of phosphate in the south coastal zone of Sfax. Municipality of Sfax, Internal report, Tunisia.
[5]. Sfar Felfoul H., 2004. Etude du phosphogypse de Sfax en vue d‟une valorisation technique routiére. Thése ENIT-Tunis/ INSA de Toulouse, 20 décembre 2004, 252 pages.

Abstract: Bacillus thuringeinsis serovar israelensis is the most widely and effectively used mosquito larvicide used in mosquito control programmes, although the industrial production of this biopesticide remains expensive .Here an attempt has been made to develop cost effective fed- batch fermentations of these Bacilli based on a variety of carbon sources like Sucrose, tapioca powder, jaggery and glucose. Fed batch methods have considerably improved both it,s biomass and toxicity. Batch fermentations of Bacillus thuringeinsis serovar israelensis with glucose based medium cannot accommodate glucose concentration above 3% (w/v).Therefore this investigation suggests a fed – batch fermentation technique for more economical industrial production of Bacillus thuringeinsis serovar israelensis.

Keywords: Bacillus thuringeinsis serovar. israelensis, biomass productivity, catabolite repression, delta-endotoxin, down time, Fed-batch fermentations .

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Abstract: Arunachal Himalaya region experience landslide problems from time to time from the steepest topography. This paper evaluates the landslide as a geomorphic hazards caused by both natural and anthropogenic. The episodic upliftment has caused many structural deformations forming unique depositional and constructional landforms. As the study area falls within the highly fragile mountain region, the environmental condition and the ecological risks of resource utilization are intimately linked together. The landslide along the NH 52A from Banderdewa to Itanagar has cause problem to roads, leading to disruption of communication, impacts on economic activities as well as tourism apart from being a threat to lines and properties at specific locations. The rapid growth of population in the basin due to location of twin capital, Itanagar – Naharlagun, is corresponding increase in pressure on the natural resources and the consequent danger on environmental degradation. Specifically,

[1]. Basu, S.R. et.al. (1986). Landslide in the Lish Basin of the Eastern Himalayas and their contrao, North Bengal University, Siliguri
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Abstract: The present study was carried out with the aim to characterise the various physicochemical properties of Tur dal (Cajanus cajan) husk based metal adsorbent carbon and to model its metal adsorption behavior in removing copper ion(II) from aqueous solution using kinetics (pseudo-first and pseudo second order ) and isotherm (Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin) models for selecting appropriate operating conditions for the full scale batch process. The metal adsorbent carbon (Ad1) was obtained from Tur dal husk simply by their carbonization at 5000C in air tight container for 1 hr. The obtained adsorbent was characterized for various physicochemical parameters using standards methods of analysis and instruments (Surface Area Analyser, CHNS Elemental Analyzer, Fourier Transformed Infra-red). The batch equilibrium and kinetics study was carried out by shaking the various concentration (10-50 ppm) of 50 ml Cu solution (6.0 pH) each with 0.25 g of adsorbent (0.15-0.25mm particle size) at 60 0C, agitated at 150 rpm for different contact time (10-300 minutes). The equilibrium time was observed to be 120 minutes for all initial concentrations studied.

[1]. K.Pastircakova, Determination of trace metal concentrations in ashes from various biomass materials, Energy Education Science and Technology, 13 (2), 2004, 97-104.
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[3]. A.K.Meena, G.K.Mishra, P.K.Pai, C.Rajgopal, and P.N.Nagar, Removal of heavy metal ions from aqueous solutions using carbon aerogel as an adsorbent, Journal of Hazardous Materials 122(1-2), 2005,161-170.
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Abstract: Ancient mining activities in Peru have resulted in more than 7000 environmental liabilities that are permanent sources of pollution (heavy metals). Additionally, ongoing mining projects have to deal with soil pollution at the end of their activity. For that reason and taking in account that some of the biggest pollutants (e.g. lead (Pb)) are always attached to mining activities, it is important to find sustainable ways to reduce their impact. Therefore, an experiment was set up, whereby, first, 37 plant species from 12 locations in La Oroya and la Junín Lake, departments of Cerro de Pasco and Junín, Peru, were checked for their Pb content under natural field conditions. Out of them, two plant species of the genus Calamagrostis sp. and Nicotiana sp were selected on the basis of their Pb content.

[1]. Andra, S.; Datta, R.; Sarkar, D.; Makris, K.; Mullens, C.; Sahi, S.; Bach, S (2009) Induction of Lead-Binding Phytochelatins in Vetiver Grass [Vetiveria zizanioides (L.)]. J. Environ. Qual. 38:868–877. doi: 10.2134/jep2008.0316
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Abstract: Conventional mango (Mangifera indica) seed was analyzed for the antioxidant activity of its kernel, singly or in combination with testa and, before and after defatting. Two in-vitro assay techniques namely, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) were employed for the assessment. Results of the processed samples were compared with that of reference vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid). The powdery undefatted kernel with testa (mkt) showed the highest radical scavenging potential and the defatted kernel without testa (dmk), the least. Undefatted kernel without testa (mk) ranked next to mkt sample but with 2-fold loss in antioxidant activity. However, the activity level of mk sample was comparable to that of reference vitamin C in DPPH assay.

[1]. S.S. Arogba, Physical, chemical and functional properties of Nigerian mango (Mangifera indica) kernel and its processed flour, J. Sci. Food Agric., 73, 1997, 321-328.
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Abstract: Herbicide Glyphosate Roundup (41%), has been widely used in aquatic and agricultural weed control in several countries including India. Herbicide glyphosate roundup (41%) has been associated with pollution due to its prolonged persistence and quick accumulation in blood as well as tissues. The present study thus aims to review the works of toxic effects of Herbicide glyphosate roundup (41%), on haematological indices of fish, Catla catla for the experimental period of 24hrs, 48hrs, 72hrs and 96hrs. LC50 value of Herbicide glyphosate roundup (41%), for Catla catla comes out to be 4.60ppm /l.

[1]. R. Chandran, A.A.Sivakumar, S. Mohandass, M. Aruchami, Effect of cadmium and zinc on antioxidant enzyme activity in the
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Induced by Diuron, British Biotechnology Journal, 2(4), 2012, 247-256.
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