International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology

Immobilization of lead by a vermicompost and its effect on white bean (Vigna Sinenis var. Apure) uptake

1*A. Carrasquero Durán, 1I. Flores, 2C. Perozo and 2Z. Pernalete

Trace metals are known to stimulate the activity of anaerobic methanogenic bacteria involved in the degradation of organic matter. The objective of this research was to investigate the effect of three trace metals, iron, nickel and cobalt on the activity of halophilic methanogens, digester sludge and a mixed culture of halophilic bacteria and digester sludge, at various salt concentrations. Iron slightly stimulated both initial and maximum specific methanogenic activity (SMA) of halophilic methanogens at all salt concentrations. Iron addition was also able to increase both initial and maximum SMA of the mixed culture. Iron could not stimulate either initial or maximum SMA of digester sludge at salt concentrations of more than 10 g/L. Adding cobalt showed no benefit on the initial and maximum SMA of halophilic methanogens. A slight increase in the initial SMA was observed in mixed culture when cobalt was injected to the system containing sodium concentrations of 10-30 g/L. At salt concentrations above 40 g/L, cobalt could stimulate the maximum SMA of mixed culture. No benefits were found when cobalt was added to the digester sludge at sodium concentrations higher than 20 g/L. Nickel was observed to increase the initial SMA of digester sludge at all salt concentrations, and the maximum SMA of mixed culture at salt concentrations of 30-50 g/L.tions of 30-50 g/L.

Implementation of green management concepts in sport complexes

1*M. Abbaspour, 2A. R. Karbassi and 3S. Khadivi

Implementation of green management in sport complexes can ensure the continuous arrangement and assessment of activities from the environmental perspective and will end up in control and prevention of contaminants. Enghelab sport complex (ESC) in Iran is selected for this study due to its size and long-term activities. Due to the comprehensive plan of the aforesaid sports complex, numerous centers and departments were established in this site in order to materialize its envisioned sports, recreational and cultural objectives. The results of the questionnaires distributed amongst the members and the personnel of the complex revealed that approximately 50 % occupants were not acquainted with green management and only 30 % were faintly familiar with it. The personnel's knowledge on green management was much better and about 64% of them were well acquainted with the related issues. Total amount of solid waste produced in the complex is about 547.5 tons/yr. in 2004; constituents are plastic (24.1 %), putrescible materials (45.9 %), glass (7.6 %), paper (19.3 %) and metal (3.1 %). According to the economic analysis conducted, the investment required for implementation of all the solid waste separation techniques amounts to us $ 11200. The result of present investigation is indicative of a medium level of optimization for energy and water consumption in ESC and there is a high potential to improve the efficiency of the system.

Heavy metal fractionation in roof run off in Ile-Ife, Nigeria

1J. G. Ayenimo, 1*A. S. Adekunle, 2W. O. Makinde, 1G. O. Ogunlusi

Runoff was collected from three different roofing materials that are commonly used for roofing in Ile-Ife, Nigeria, between the months of June to August, 2004. The samples were collected in four geographical locations in the town. The run offs were analysed for pH, Temp, TDS, CI- , S042-, PO43-, N032-, EC and some heavy metals both as regards total, dissolved and particulate fractions. Analysis of the heavy metals was done using flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The quantity of these parameters varies with the different roofing materials. In terms of dissolved metals, Fe is the most predominant metal with mean values 0.59 ± 0.29, 0.82 ± 0.14, and 1.04 ± 0.27 mg/L for asbestos, ceramic tiles and metal sheets respectively. The tendency of the roofing materials to release dissolved metals is arranged as follows: Zn, Cr and Fe (metal sheet > Ceramic > asbestos); Cd and Pb (asbestos > ceramic > metal sheet). In terms of particulate metals, the concentration of Cd and Pb are higher in the asbestos than other roofing stuffs. The sequence of their predominance in asbestos is as follows: Pb (0.830.55 mg/L) > Cd (0.29  0.07 mg/L). In all the roofs, both particulate and dissolved metals except Zn exceeded WHO permissible limits for drinking water. The high levels of the metals obtained in this study may likely result in consumer complaints since some of the metals are not only carcinogenic but are also liable of impacting bad taste in water.

Development of a master plan for industrial solid waste management

1M. Karamouz, 1B. Zahraie, 1R. Kerachian, 2N. Mahjouri and 3A. Moridi

Rapid industrial growth in the province of Khuzestan in the south west of Iran has resulted in disposal of about 1750 tons of solid waste per day. Most of these industrial solid wastes including hazardous wastes are disposed without considering environmental issues. This has contributed considerably to the pollution of the environment. This paper introduces a framework in which to develop a master plan for industrial solid waste management. There are usually different criteria for evaluating the existing solid waste pollution loads and how effective the management schemes are. A multiple criteria decision making technique, namely Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), is used for ranking the industrial units based on their share in solid waste related environmental pollution and determining the share of each unit in total solid waste pollution load. In this framework, a comprehensive set of direct, indirect, and supporting projects are proposed for solid waste pollution control. The proposed framework is applied for industrial solid waste management in the province of Khuzestan in Iran and a databank including GIS based maps of the study area is also developed. The results have shown that the industries located near the capital city of the province, Ahwaz, produce more than 32 percent of the total solid waste pollution load of the province. Application of the methodology also has shown that it can be effectively used for development of the master plan and management of industrial solid wastes.

A comparison of nearby incremental ground level and in plant concentrations of air pollutants emitted from electronics facilities

*P. L. Law, S. C. Gracie Chong, A. Baharun and A. Abdul Rahman

Air dispersion modeling by was recently conducted to predict the incremental ground level and in-plant concentrations of toxic organic chemicals due to stack and fugitive emissions from Sama Jaya Free Industrial Zone (SJFIZ), Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. Simulations of organic air pollutants emitted from industrial facilities in SJFIZ from years 1996 to 2001 were carried out in September 2004 by members of Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS). The results indicated that there were negligible amount of maximum incremental ground level concentrations of less than 3x10-2 μg/m3 for 365-day average, and less than 18x10-2 μg/m3 for 24 h. average. For in-plant maximum incremental concentrations, it is found that the simulated results were much lower than TWA values, except xylene. The predicted in plant concentration of xylene was 119.21 (parts per million) ppm as compared to ACGIH TLV-TWA of 100 ppm approximately 19% higher than ACGIH recommended values. From this study, it was concluded that both nearby population and in plant workers were not potentially at risk to exposing organic chemicals far lower than the threshold limit levels set by ACGIH.

Surfactants enhanced recovery of endosulfan from contaminated soils

*2 R. Jayashree, 1N. Vasudevan and 2 S. Chandrasekaran

Soil pollution due to hydrophobic organic compounds is a wide environmental problem. Extensive use of endosulfan in cotton and paddy to meet the needs of the growing population has led to contamination of soil and other ecosystems. Endosulfan is hydrophobic, highly toxic to aquatic and human population and persists in soil for more than a year. To overcome the problem of hydrophobicity and limited availability, surfactants play a major role in soil remediation. In the present study, the potential of non-ionic synthetic surfactants (Tween 80, Triton X-100) and biosurfactant (Surfactin produced by Bacillus subtilis) for enhancing the release of endosulfan from contaminated agricultural soils was evaluated using the batch method. Incorporation of the surfactant concentrations at above Criticle Miceller Concentration (0.5, 1 and 2 g/L) into soil enhances the release of endosulfan. Surfactin produced from Bacillus subtilis recorded maximum (91.5%) recovery. The observed order of recovery being surfactin > Tween 80 > Triton X-100. The result suggest that surfactants could help in the remediation of soils polluted by pesticides.

Water equivalent method for city phytostructure of Indonesia

G. Samudro and *S. Mangkoedihardjo

This paper proposed a simple method and rapid to carry out for organizing city phytostructure. Carbon dioxide sequestration was addressed and referred to population number instead of city area. The unit storage of carbon dioxide, which was nothing less than greenspace area, was determined using equivalent method of determining unit storage of water. For various population number (P) of city area in Indonesia, the greenspace unit (GU) was 29P-0.3 - 3.2, and the greenspace area (GA) was 29P0.7-3.2P. Greenspace distribution was preferably on wetlands, river lines, top ground level, and north south direction.

Determination of adsorption efficiency based on cation exchange capacity related to red earth, bone meal and pulverised fly ash as ameliorants to lead contaminated soils

1E. Gatima, 2M. Mwinyihija and 1K. Killham

Efficient treatment strategies to reduce the toxicity of metal contaminated soil using cost effective techniques such as naturally available ameliorants and industrial waste have emerged. Three easily available amendments were determined: Bone meal, red earth/mud and pulverised fly ash (PFA). The application of ameliorants offered a possible alternative in situ remediation of contaminated sites without disruption to the ecosystem profile. In comparison to other ameliorants Red earth/mud was found to be efficient in intercepting lead leaching from soil amended with different lead compounds based on CEC (Cmol/g). This was associated with the heterogeneous adsorbency principle in red mud which is associated with its ability to bind metal ions (M2+) onto one or two types of surface sites at pH< 6.0. However areas that need to be studied and assessed (for public health concerns) critically for wide spread application of all the ameliorants include off-site effects of the ameliorants.

Biological nitrate removal from water resources

*G. R. Nabi Bidhendi, T. Nasrabadi, H. R. Sharif Vaghefi and H. Hoveidi

During the recent decades, the increasing trends in nitrate ion concentration in ground water sources have meant more research to find effective procedures for the prevention of even more water contamination by nitrogen sources. In this study a pilot was designed to examine the application of biological method for eliminating nitrate from the water of well No.903 of Mehrabad Airport, Tehran, Iran. Design, installation and running processes were done from April to November 2003. A fixed biological bed containing five-centimeter trunk pipes 16 mm in diameter were installed in the reactor and the system was operated with upflow current. Instead of Methanol, Acetic acid was used as the carbon source because of its easier acceptance by the public, lower price and availability as well as easier storage. The pilot was run in different hydraulic retention times from 48 h up to one hour. Considering economical, operational and maintenance factors, retention time of 2 h was determined to be optimum, in which 77% nitrate removal was achieved. Considering a ratio of 2 for COD/N, inlet COD of about 140 mg/L and the optimum retention time, COD removal of about 80% is also accomplished in this process. The amount of nitrite concentration, pH values, COD and turbidity is also evaluated versus different hydraulic retention times.

Combined effects of water pH and alkalinity on the accumulation of lead, cadmium and chromium to Labeo rohita (Hamilton)

1*S. Adhikari, 1L. Ghosh and 2S. Ayyappan

Influence of pH (5.5, 7.0 and 8.5) and alkalinity (40 to 200 mg/L as CaCO3) on the accumulation of Pb (NO3)2, CdCl2, H2O and K2Cr2O7 to Labeo rohita (Hamilton) was investigated in the laboratory. Highest accumulation of Pb and Cr in whole fish occurred at pH 5.5 and at alkalinity level of 40 to 46 mg/L as CaCO3 compared to 7.0 and 8.5. In case of Cd maximum accumulation occurred at pH 7.0 and at alkalinity of 100 mg/L as CaCO3 than that of pH 5.5 and 8.5 and alkalinity 42 and 156 mg/L as CaCO3. Maximum accumulation of lead and chromium occurred at total alkalinity level of 40 and 46 mg/L as CaCO3, respectively while maximum accumulation of cadmium occurred at an alkalinity level of 200 mg/L as CaCO3. A significant (p<0.05) linear relationship was demonstrated between increasing pH/ alkalinity and decreasing accumulation in Pb and Cr treatment at all exposure period while for Cd there was no significant linear relationship established.

Production of rhamnolipids by Pseudomonas aeruginosa growing on carbon sources

1*H. Rashedi ,2M. Mazaheri Assadi, 1E. Jamshidi and 1B. Bonakdarpour

Arhamnolipid producing bacterium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa was previously isolated from Iranian oil over years. Isolated strain was identified by morphological, biochemical, physiological and 16 sr RNA (1). Glycolipid production by isolated bacterium using sugar beet molasses as a carbon and energy source was investigated. Biosurfactant production was quantified by surface tension reduction, Critical Micelle Dilution (CMD), Emulsification Capacity (EC), and Thin Layer Chromatogeraphy. biosurfactants during growth on waste Dates as the primary carbon and nitrogen sources, respectively. After 48 h of growth the culture supernatant fluid had a rhamnose concentration of 0.18 g/L and surface tension was reduced to 20 mN/m ( %).( reduced the interfacial tension against crude oil from 21 mN/m to 0,47 mN/m) Result from the study showed that the growth of the bacteria using molasses as carbon sources is growth-associated. The specific production rate of rhamnolipid with 2 %, 4 %, 6 %, 8 % and 10 % of molasses are 0.00065; 4.556; 8.94; 8.85; and 9.09. respectively The yield of rhamnolipid per biomass with 2%,4%,6%,8% and 10% molasses are 0.003;0.009;0.053;0.041 and 0.213 respectively. The production of rhamnolipid (0.0531 g rhamnolipid/g biomass) is higher compare to the culture grown in aerobic condition (0.04 g rhamnolipid/g biomass) .The rhamnolipids were able to form stable emulsions with n-alkanes, aromatics, crude oil and olive oil. These studies indicate that renewable, relatively inexpensive and easily available resources can be used for important biotechnological processes.

Removal of airborne hexavalent chromium mist using chitosan gel beads as a new control approach

Airborne hexavalent chromium is a known human respiratory carcinogen and allergen. Many workers are exposed to hexavalent chromium in various processes which chromium electroplating plants are the most common. In this study, the feasibility of a new control approach to remove this pollutant using chitosan beads as a biosorbent was investigated. Hexavalent chromium sorption was studied relative to pH, pollution concentration, sorbent concentration, temperature, and air velocity using one factor at a time approach and Taguchi experimental design. Polluted air with different chromium mist concentrations (10-5000 µg/m3) was contacted to chitosan beads (3.3-20 g/L), floating in distilled water with adjusted pH (3-7), using an impinger at different temperatures (20 and 35 'C), and various velocities (1.12 and 2.24 m/s). The ANOVA test result showed that, there were statistical significant differences between factor levels except optimized pH levels. The higher ions removal efficiencies were achieved at lower levels of air velocities, pollution concentrations, and higher levels of solution pH values, temperatures, and sorbent concentrations.

Hydrocarbon contamination of a typical mangrove floor in Niger Delta, Nigeria

*L.C. Osuji and P. E. Ezebuiro

The impact of petroleum hydrocarbons on the floor of a mangrove system located on one of the intertidal lands behind the barrier islands of Niger Delta basin of southern Nigeria was evaluated following the Obiafu-14 oil spillage. The area covered by the oil spill was delimited by reconnaissance and soils were sampled by grid method from the bottom and middle slopes of oil-affected and unaffected (control) sites. Soil samples were later brought to the laboratory where total hydrocarbon content was determined by extraction and spectrophotometric techniques. A lower pH range of 4.28-4.36 in the oil impacted soils meant that the site was more acidic; a higher moisture content of 33.34% and lower electrical conductivity (EC) of 31.75μS/cm in the affected area presupposed oxygen deprivation and lower salt content respectively. On the strength of the baseline data on the study area and evidence from the uncontaminated, geographically similar control site, it can be said that the Obiafu-14 oil spillage had severely contaminated the affected mangrove floor. This is corroborated by a total extractable hydrocarbon content of 6.32x103 ± 344 mg/kg (no overlap in Standard Error at 95% Confidence Limit), and the abysmal degradation of the mangrove system at the site. Although soils of the mangrove floor under consideration may well be of limited cultivation value on account of the people's dual occupation in fishing and farming, the presence of such levels of petroleum hydrocarbons at the study site might hamper agricultural productivity.

Removal of hexavalent chromium from aqueous solution by lignocellulosic solid wastes

*M. Aliabadi, K. Morshedzadeh and H. Soheyli

The batch removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous solution using lignocellulosic solid wastes such as sawdust and pine leaves under different experimental conditions was investigated in this study. The influence of pH, temperature, contact time, initial concentration of Cr(VI) and particle size on the chromium removal was investigated. Adsorption of Cr(VI) is highly pH-dependent and the results indicate that the optimum pH for the removal is 2. The capacity of chromium adsorption at equilibrium by these natural wastes increased with absorbent concentration. Temperature in the range of 20-60 'C showed a restricted effect on the adsorption capacity of pine leaves, but had a considerable effect on the adsorption capacity of sawdust. The capacity of chromium adsorption at the equilibrium increased with the decrease in particle sizes. The suitability of adsorbents was tested with Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms and their constants were evaluated. Results indicated that the Freundlich model gave a better fit to the experimental data in comparison with the Langmuir equation. The study showed that lignocellulosic solid wastes such as sawdust and pine leaves can be used as effective adsorbents for removal of Cr(VI) from wastewater.