Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution - Volume 8, issue 1

Article Type: Other

Citation: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. i-vi, 2011

Authors: Shoaib, Syed Abu | Baur, Rolf | Sultana, Nahid | Haque, M. Aminul | Hossain, Md Jahid

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Life of the river sustains on its flow. River systems provide many beneficial values and services, including flood mitigation, groundwater recharge, navigation, water supplies, pollution attenuation, nutrient transport and recycling, biological productivity, aesthetic values, and recreational opportunities such as fishing, boating, swimming and wildlife viewing. In-stream flow is necessary to sustain these and other utilitarian and intrinsic values. For Bangladesh being located downstream of many rivers, it is very important …to care about the quantity and chemical as well as ecological quality of its river water. Germany's river Elbe originates in Czech Republic, thus the situation is comparable to the transboundary water problems Bangladesh faces. The comparative analysis of water framework directives and policy, plan of Germany and Bangladesh on maintaining the in-stream flow of rivers (Surma and Teesta rivers of Bangladesh and Elbe river of Germany) is the main focus of this paper. The study puts forward key information and recommendations to maintain the in-stream flow of river. Show more

Keywords: In-stream flow, transboundary, legal instruments, management

Citation: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 1-7, 2011

Authors: Iqbal, M.T.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) plant removes arsenic remarkably both from artificial arsenic solution and naturally arsenic contaminated ground water. Two clay containers (locally known as "Chari"), one with water hyacinth plant in distilled water as a control and another with water hyacinth plant in artificial arsenic solution (0.3 mg/l) was used to set up the experiment. The arsenic concentration of the water was tested over multiple trails using a Hach colorimetric test …kit. It was observed that water hyacinth reduced arsenic level from 0.3 mg/l to 0.01 mg/l for one trail, 0.05 mg/l for two trails and lost all ability to remove arsenic after five trails. Again, water hyacinth plant was placed in a clay container in which naturally arsenic contaminated (0.8 mg/l) ground water was used for a period of one month. Sampling was conducted in every two successive days. Rate of arsenic extraction through water hyacinth plant was higher in first two weeks and after that it seems to be constant. All laboratory tests were performed by SDDC method to determine arsenic content in root, bladder and leaves of hyacinth plant. About 40–50% arsenic was removed through water hyacinth from arsenic contaminated ground water. Roots, bladders and leaves of hyacinth plant absorbed most of the removed arsenic. Show more

Keywords: Groundwater, WHO guideline, clay container, calorimetric test

Citation: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 9-14, 2011

Authors: Gupta, Vijaya | Mythili, G.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The Powai Lake in Mumbai, India, spreading over 2.10 square kilometres, is in the heart of the most crowded India's premier metropolis. It consists of rich ecosystem of considerable value and interest, supporting wide variety of flora and fauna and a habitat for wild variety of aquatic animals. Now, it is increasingly being impacted by human activities, resulting in choking off the shoreline, and deteriorating water quality. In this context it is important to understand how …to effectively protect the present status and to improve the water quality of the lake. Benefits of improvement as perceived by the users serves as a critical input for devising policy instrument based on economic principles. This paper attempts valuing improvement in water quality through 'Contingent Valuation Method' (CVM). Then the paper analyses the factors determining the WTP by the users for improvement in water quality using regression tool. A survey was conducted of about 300 samples, living in approximately five kilometres radius of the lake. The survey was done in two rounds, one in 2005 and another in 2007 to determine the changes that occur over time in terms of quality as well as perception of the users regarding the benefits of the lake. The results indicate that the average WTP have increased from 2005 to 2007 after adjusting for general price increase. Income, occupation and uses of the lake are the important attributes explaining WTP. On an average, salaried class is willing to pay 30% more according to 2007 survey. The respondents attach more values to the aesthetic benefits. The results are useful in designing policies based on market-based instruments such as charges or taxes for the purpose of improving the lake quality. Show more

Keywords: Non-market valuation, Powai Lake, CVM, water quality

Citation: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 15-21, 2011

Authors: Firdaus, Ghuncha

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Air pollution, a demon created by mankind, can lead to consequences lasting from hours to decades. It has become a serious and growing problem in rapidly expanding cities of India where unprecedented and unplanned urbanization accompanied by rapid vehicular growth are among the major factors that exacerbate air quality. Delhi, the capital city of India, is facing an uphill task to provide clean air to its citizens. The present study analyzes the data of particulate pollutants …(i.e. SPM, RSPM or PM10) concentration over the 17 years to assess the changing ambient air quality of the study area. The relationship between outdoor and indoor pollution levels was evaluated based on primary data collected from 1583 households of respective areas. On the bases of both primary and secondary sources of data, it can be summarized that the air quality in the study area has been deteriorating day by day and despite the implementation of different clean fuel policies, the pollutants were well above the standard limit set by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Use of indigenous plants as pollutants absorber was suggested to mitigate and manage this problem in the sustainable urban development perspectives. It is also recommended that more efforts should be made to understand the dynamics of urban environmental problems. Show more

Keywords: Delhi, pollution, urbanization, CPCB, particulate pollutants

Citation: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 23-31, 2011

Authors: Ahmad, A.K. | Sharif, Sharifah Mohammad | Shuhaimi-Othman, M.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Study on Chironomus riparius behaviour in laboratory conditions was undertaken using Multispecies Freshwater Bioindicator (MFB). Chironomus larvae were collected from permanent culture tank and placed in MFB chamber. One individual C. javanus was placed in the chamber and the test repeated three times. Three different conditions were tested for C. javanus behaviour i.e., C. javanus free swimming in chamber, C. javanus placed in the modified case inserted in the chamber and C. javanus in its tube …placed in the modified case. Locomotion, ventilation and inactivity were measured for chosen period. Result indicates that the signal produced in FFT and long-term modes did not much differ between each tests and one-way ANOVA confirmed that no significant difference was recorded (p > 0.05). However, C. javanus from third condition test (in tube and case) exhibited more constant and regular pattern in short-term signal (amplitude signal). The signal produced from third condition test exhibited more regular locomotion, ventilation and inactivity patterns. The one-way ANOVA test indicated that data from third condition test were significantly different from the first and second test condition. Show more

Keywords: Chironomid, behaviour signal, multispecies freshwater biomonitor, biomonitoring, biological indicator

Citation: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 33-40, 2011

Authors: Bhalla, Gunjan | Kumar, Arvind | Bansal1, Ajay

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The leachate produced by waste disposal sites contains a large amount of contaminants which are likely to pollute ground water. The impact of such sites upon ground water can be judged by monitoring the concentration of potential contaminants at a number of specific monitoring points. In this study, the quality of ground water around a municipal solid waste dumping site was investigated. It is clearly evident from the ground water monitoring that the leachate generated from …the landfill site is affecting the groundwater quality in the adjacent areas through percolation in the subsoil and with the passage of time the concentration of most of the parameters were found to be increased. Thus the study revealed that the ground water in and around the landfill site should not be used for drinking purpose unless it meets specific standards. Indiscriminate dumping of wastes in developed areas without proper solid waste management practices should be stopped. Show more

Keywords: Leachate, landfill, municipal solid waste, groundwater pollution

Citation: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 41-51, 2011

Authors: Prasad, K.S.S. | Parameswara, D. | Reddy, N.B.Y.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: An assessment of the quality of ground water for the Kadiri schist belt of Anantapur district has been carried out with an objective to determine the hydrochemical variability. A total of 41 representative samples from different geological formations were collected in both pre- and post-monsoon seasons and analyzed for the major chemical constituents, viz. Ca, Mg, Na, K, CO_3 , HCO_3 , SO_4 , Cl, F, pH and EC. Cluster analysis, a multivariate statistical …tool, has been used in the study as qualitative means for differentiating ground waters into distinctive types. Based on hydrochemistry, chemical variability deciphered from cluster analysis suggests three distinct types of ground waters, viz. mixed type (Si-Ec-Ca-Cl-SO_4 -Mg or Ca-Cl-EC-Si-Mg) and Na-HCO_3 type in both pre- and post-monsoon, whereas in post-monsoon in addition to these two types one more type has been formed in the form of SO_4 . Sulphate type occurs only in the post-monsoon season due to the use of excessive sulfate fertilizers to improve the yield of the crops. Ground water of the study area is (except fluorine) within the permissible limits for domestic and irrigation purposes. Show more

Keywords: Groundwater, modelling, hard rock, cluster analysis

Citation: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 53-62, 2011

Authors: Kanchanabhan, T.E. | Mohaideen, J. Abbas | Kumar, Ganesh | Sairam, B. | Lavanya,

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This work examines the spectral, elemental and SEM images of compost from different blends obtained from food waste. Four composting bins, each of 100 L capacity, were installed with holes at various depths for probes and leachate collection system. The bins (length 50 cm, width 40 cm, height 50 cm) were placed horizontally with a slight inclination to permit the collection of leachate. The blends were prepared from food waste, cow dung and saw dust as …bulking agent. The evaluation studies included the operational indices such as temperature, pH, moisture content, compost maturity indices like carbon, nitrogen, C/N ratio, sulphur, Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR) analysis and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) images. SEM images revealed a reduction in the easily assimilated peptide and carbohydrate components. The germination index for tomato seed was above 60% after dark room studies, showing that the final compost was not phytotoxic. Show more

Keywords: C/N ratio, Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR), SEM observation

Citation: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 63-71, 2011

Authors: Haritash, A.K. | Kaushik, C.P.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: A group of nine PAHs was detected using HPLC in commercial, industrial and residential areas of Hisar city and their health effects were discussed. PAHs have detrimental biological effects, including acute and chronic toxicity, mutagenicity and carcinogenicity. An average of total PAHs in commercial, industrial and residential areas was found to be 1798.52, 2196.81 and 2474.13 μg/g, respectively. For seasonal changes, maximum variations were observed in monsoon followed by post-monsoon season, summer, autumn, and least …in winter. Among the nine PAHs analysed, benzo(k)fluoranthene exhibited maximum concentration throughout the period of study. Significantly high variation was observed for benzo[b]fluoranthene followed by benzo(k)fluoranthene, pyrene and benzo(e)pyrene. Benzo[ghi]perylene > anthracene > fluoranthene > phenanthrene > naphthalene represented significantly low variations. Large PAHs were predominantly present and they represented large variations of concentration during the study. The presence of other air pollutants can affect the residence time of PAHs in air and the atmospheric chemical lifetimes of particle-bound PAH with respect to thermal reactions tend to be longer than those of gas-phase PAH. Show more

Keywords: PAHs, RSPM, carcinogenicity, health-risk

Citation: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 73-80, 2011