Nature Environment and Pollution Technology

C. Thamaraiselvi ¹, M. Vasanthy ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Biotechnology, Mother Teresa Women University, Kodaikanal, T.N., IN
2 Department of Environmental Biotechnology, Bharathidasan University, Trichy, T.N., IN

Abstract

Sugar industries play a pivotal role to improve the economy of our country. For the management of sugar industry solid waste (press mud and bagasse) an effort was taken. The press mud and bagasse mixed with garden waste and cow dung were subjected to the process of a composting (anaerobic decomposition) in 1:1:2 ratio. One set of component was moistened with water (A) and another one was moistened with spent wash (B). As spent wash is characterized with high BOD and COD along with high nitrate, phosphate, potassium and other minerals, it was selected for moistening the organic waste. After the experimental period (95 days) the reduction of organic matter and C:N ratio was considerable. The amount of N,P,K in compost A was found to be 2.4%, 0.71% and 2.14% respectively. The N.P.K value of compost B was found to be 2.8%, 0.85% and 3.59% respectively. All these nutrients have considerably increased in compost B than compost A. The C:N ratio of both the composts was around 11:1, which has been reduced from the initial of 25:1 ratio. The identified organisms Pseudomonas sp., Streptococcus sp., Bacillus sp. and Klebsiella sp. were involved in the composting process of A. Besides these organisms, compost B also has Seratia sp. Hence, from these observations, it is clear that the press mud and bagasse in combination with garden waste and cow dung may be utilized for the production of compost successfully. This technique further minimizes the environmental hazards that could have been caused by press mud and spent wash if they were disposed off as such in the environment.

Keywords

Sugar Industry, Solid Waste, Composting, Manurial Value.

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M. Vasanthy ¹, A. Geetha ¹, M. Jeganathan ¹, A. Anitha ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Environmental Sciences, Government Arts College, Ariyalur-621 703, Tamil Nadu, IN

Abstract

The present study deals with the evaluation of quality of groundwater at different locations of Ariyalur town, Tamil Nadu. Groundwater samples were collected from ten different locations of the town. The groundwater quality parameters such as pH, EC, temperature, dissolved oxygen, alkalinity, acidity, hardness, calcium, magnesium, silicate, phosphate, nitrate and sulphate were estimated in the samples to evaluate their quality. The results indicate that the waters have grossly high values of hardness and alkalinity, which reduces the quality of water for drinking.

Keywords

Drinking Water Quality, Ariyalur Area, Groundwater, Drinking Water Standards.

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M. Vasanthy ¹, A. Geetha ¹, G. Seethadevi ¹

Affiliations
1 PG & Research Department of Environmental Sciences, Government Arts and Science College, Ariyalur-621 713, T. N., IN

Abstract

Removal of reactive dyes from aqueous solution was investigated using bacterial species from dyeing industry effluents. The decolorization was achieved at different dye concentrations, pH and temperature. It was caused by bacterial species such as Enterobacter sp. (GS5), Escherichia coli (GS3) and Bacillus sp. (GS10) and their consortia. More reliable and effective decolorization rates were obtained with 100% Enterobacter sp. (GS5) after 96 hours at 10 and 20 ppm. Decolorization has been maximum in the static experimental conditions.

Keywords

Dyeing Industry Effluent, Reactive dye (Red RB), Enterobacter sp. (GS5), Escherichia coli (GS3), Bacillus sp. (GS10), Decolourisation.

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M. Vasanthy ¹, S. Murugavel ², A. Geetha ¹

Affiliations
1 PG & Research Deptt. of Environmental Sciences, Government Arts College, Ariyalur-621 713, T.N., IN
2 Department of Environmental Management, Jawahar Science College, Neyveli, T.N., IN

Abstract

Though industries promote economy of the country, the pollution caused by them has to be controlled in order to save the environment from degradation. The present work has been aimed for the removal and reduction of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total dissolved solids (TDS) of the dyeing industry effluent using oxidizing and coagulating agents, and adsorbent individually and in different combinations. About 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1.00 g of oxidizing agent (sodium hypochlorite), coagulating agent (alum) and adsorbent (commercial activated carbon, CAC) were added separately and in combinations. The COD (92.3%) and TDS (80%) were removed using 0.25g of oxidizing agent within one hour, and with 1 g of coagulating agent the COD and TDS were removed 98.4 % and 90% respectively. For CAC it has been reported that the dosage of 0.75 g has resulted in 87.6 % and 80% of COD and TDS removal respectively. With the combination of sodium hypochlorite, CAC and alum, the percentage reduction of COD and TDS are 87% and 79% respectively. The statistical analysis revealed a positive correlation between reduction and the time.

Keywords

Dyeing Industry Effluent, Treatment Methods, Oxidizing Agent, Coagulant, Adsorbent, Sodium Hypochlorite, Activated Carbon, Alum.

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M. Vasanthy ¹, C. Thamaraiselvi ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Environmental Sciences, Govt. Arts College, Ariyalur-621 713, Tamilnadu, IN

Abstract

Aqueous nitrate solutions containing 10,20,30,40 and 50 ppm of nitrate were prepared. These solutions were subjected to batch type experiments to find out the effect of agitation time on the removal of nitrate using powdered peel of Citrus reticulate. The results were haphazard. Further, the effect of time on the removal of nitrate was found out by more addition of 200 mg of powdered peel of Citrus reticulate to 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 ppm of aqueous nitrate solution. The studies predicted the absence of adsorption mechanism and the removal have not obeyed Freundlich adsorption isotherm. The removal mechanism may be the reduction process and the Citrus reticulate powder is expected to possess antioxidant property.

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M. Vasanthy ¹, A. Geetha ¹

Affiliations
1 P.G. and Research Department of Environmental Sciences, Govt. Arts College, Ariyalur-621 713, Tamil Nadu, IN

Abstract

Phytoremediation refers to a set of technologies that use different plants as a containment technique. This technology is receiving attention lately. As the results from field trials, it indicates that it is a cost saving technique compared to conventional treatment. The present investigation has helped to understand about the phytoremediation capacity of Hydrilla verticillata to remove colour from the aqueous dye solution. The colour has been completely removed from 10 and 20 ppm aqueous Direct Black E solution after 96 hrs, and from 50 ppm solution after 5 days. Thus, the study helps us to understand the possibility of bioremediation of dyeing industry effluent using Hydrilla verticillata. The recycling and reuse of Direct dye containing dyeing industry effluents would be possible in the days to come.

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M. Vasanthy ¹, R. Velmurugan ², Babu Rajendran ³

Affiliations
1 P.G and Research Department of Environmental Sciences, Government Arts College, Ariyalur- 621 713, Tamil Nadu, IN
2 Richardson and Cruddas (1972) Ltd., Chennai, IN
3 Department of Ecobiotechnology, School of Environmental Sciences, Bharathidasan University, Trichy, Tamil Nadu, IN

Abstract

Rapid population growth in Andaman islands has resulted in a considerable impact on the air environment. During the last few decades, there has been growing concern and realization that development cannot be sustained without preserving the environment. In order to have a check on environmental degradation due to the indiscriminate growth in an area, it has become necessary to initially carry out environmental monitoring studies to assess the current status. Following which proper environmental management plan has to be prepared for protecting and improving the environment. Ambient air quality monitoring in terms of suspended particulates (SPM), sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen was carried out at Port Blair for a consecutive two years period during January 2005 to May 2006. The study also focuses on the air pollution problem arising from the road transportation and shipping services.

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