Articles in Press

Temporal variation of mercury in Turkish Black Sea waters and associated risk assessment

Ustun Odabaşı S., Şentürk İ., Maryam B., Akbal F., Bakan G. and Büyükgüngör H.

DOI:

Paper Topic:

Environmental Sciences

Abstract

Presence of metals even at trace levels in natural waters pose sever health risks. Heavy metals are introduced to coastal and marine environments through a variety of sources and activities including sewage and industrial effluents where Black Sea is not different. However, metals behave differently in Black Sea as it an enclosed body. Coastal areas of Turkey face great challenges due to heavy metal contamination caused by rapid urbanization and industrialization. The aim of this study was to investigate the spatial and temporal distributions of total mercury (Hg) in seawater at the mid-Black Sea coast of Samsun, Turkey. The samples were collected from 13 monitoring stations, from the three distances in four seasons during the year 2013. The samples were analyzed for physicochemical parameters along with contamination and enrichment factors. The distribution of Hg is nearly random along the studied coast but obtained values ranges from 0.57 to 12.6 μg/L with an average of 5.24 μg/L were above permissible limits. It was observed that number of samples collected during wet seasons (winter and autumn) with Hg were higher. High enrichment factor 0.331 and contamination factor 25.2 was recorded. Hg present at sampling station M27 was due to point source, a possible ship activity indicated by enrichment factor. The sources responsible for water pollution with Hg are mainly municipal and industrial effluents, leaching, agricultural and pasturage runoff and oil spills. Furthermore, due to unique hydrography of Black Sea, risk of Hg accumulation is high. Interestingly, a direct relation between basicity and Hg concentration was observed. i.e. highest concentration was found on pH 8.33.

Use of Multivariate Statistical Analysis for the Assessment of Groundwater Chemical Variations in Wadi Bani Malik Area, Saudi Arabia

Rehman F., Cheema T., Lisa M., Azeem T., Ali Naseem A., Khan Z., Rehman F. and Ur Rehman S.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30955/gnj.002237

Paper Topic:

Water Quality

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Abstract

Multivariate statistical analysis including cluster analysis, factor analysis and correlation coefficient was applied to the groundwater samples to understand the groundwater condition in Wadi Bani Malik area. Water samples collected from the study area were analysed for physical parameters, major cations and major anions. The groundwater quality is not good in this area and the physicochemical parameters go beyond the acceptable limits of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and WHO drinking water standards. The water type in the study area was primarily NaCl. Correlation coefficients were determined among different parameters and then regression analysis was performed to realize the linear relationship between the best correlated parameters. Results of factor analysis specify that factor 1 is dominant and is responsible for 45.5% of the total variance and is dominated by Cl-, Na+, Mg++ and K+. Ground water samples can be divided into four clusters.

A comprehensive evaluation of the level of noise pollution in hospitals of Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences

Mousavi S.A. and Sohrabi P.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30955/gnj.002416

Paper Topic:

Pollution Control Technology

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Abstract

Noise pollution higher than the standard values intensifies the patients' disease and also has negative effects on hospital staff. This study aimed to determine the level of noise pollution in the Kermanshah hospitals and also to compare obtained data with national and international standards. Multifunctional sound level meter (Model CEL – 450), has been applied for determining the sound level in different parts of a hospital in 3 different time of day (morning, visiting hours (evening), and night) for working day and holiday. The highest level was on working days and it was 60.24±5.76 dB. The average noise level on holiday was 58.15±5.44 dB. Generally, the average noise level in all studied hospitals was higher than the standard levels. The results of the analyses showed that when the P=0.003, there’s a significant difference between the average noise levels on different days. According to the results of the studies, it is necessary to plan and take managerial and technical – engineering measures to reduce the noise levels to standard levels.

Kinetic, isotherm and thermodynamic investigations of nitrite (NO2–) removal from water by anion exchange resins

Aşçı B., Kövenç E., Arar Ö. and Arda M.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30955/gnj.002433

Paper Topic:

Water and Wastewater Treatment

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Abstract

This study presents the evaluation of a strong base (Purolite A200) and weak base (Purolite PFA847) polymeric anion exchange resins for nitrite removal. The different parameters on the removal of NO2– were investigated in batch sorption mode. Common isotherm models; Langmuir and Freundlich, were used in order to present a description of the equilibrium data. Experimental results showed that the equilibrium data tend to follow Freundlich isotherm model for weak base resin and Langmuir model for strong base resin. The sorption of NO2– on anion exchange resins was found to follow the pseudo-second order kinetic model. The values of thermodynamic parameters proved that ion exchange reaction of NO2– onto such resins are endothermic (ΔH > 0).

Effects of using Tamarindus indica Seeds as a natural coagulant aid in landfill leachate treatment

Aziz H.A., Yii Y.C., Syed Zainal S.F.F., Ramli S.F. and Akinbile C.O.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30955/gnj.002462

Paper Topic:

Solid Waste Management

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Abstract

Uncontrolled landfill leachate generation portends danger to the environment and aquatic ecosystem, especially without prior treatment before discharge. The application of Al-based coagulants, such as polyaluminum chloride (PACl), has the potential of introducing Al residuals into water bodies. Therefore, an alternative natural coagulant was recommended to reduce the usage of Al-based coagulants. In this study, a coagulation–flocculation process using the combination of PACl as coagulant and Tamarindus indica seed (TiS) as coagulant aid was used in treating the landfill leachate from the Alor Pongsu Landfill Site in Malaysia. Some of the optimum operational conditions determined were the pH and dosage of the coagulant aid, and their effect was considered on parameters, such as suspended solids (SS), color, and COD, using standard jar test procedures. The combination of TiS flocculant reduced the dosage of PACl coagulant from 5,000 mg/L to 2,750 mg/L with removal efficiencies of 99.3%, 97.3%, and 67.4% for SS, color, and COD, respectively.

Kinetics and adsorption studies of lead (II) onto activated carbon using low cost adsorbents

Daniel Kibami

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30955/gnj.002532

Paper Topic:

Water and Wastewater Treatment

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Abstract

The removal of Lead (II) from aqueous solutions using Fagopyrum esculentum Moench (Buckwheat) and Bambusa vulgaris (common bamboo) as adsorbents was investigated. The effects of various experimental parameters such as initial concentration, contact time and pH have been studied using batch adsorption technique. All the Adsorption isotherm models fitted well with the adsorption data. However, Freundlich isotherm displayed a better fitting model than the other two isotherm models due to high correlation coefficient (R2). This indicates the applicability of multilayer coverage of the Pb (II) on the surface of adsorbent. The adsorption kinetics was studied using four simplified models and it was found to follow the pseudo-second-order kinetic model which confirmed the applicability of the model. The adsorption mechanism was found to be chemisorption and the rate-limiting step was mainly surface adsorption.

A preliminary effort to reduce carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from diesel exhaust by using different blends of diesel and synthesized Biodiesel

Kumar V., Vikas P., Saruchi, Sharma R., Masih A. and Kothiyal N.C.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30955/gnj.002549

Paper Topic:

Environmental Sciences

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Abstract

In the present investigation, an attempt for the reduction of six hazardous air Pollutants (HAPs) from diesel exhaust by different blends of diesel and biodiesel has been made. The synthesis of biodiesel has been done from Jetrofa, Linseed Castor and Karanja oils which are commonly used in the Indian market. Blending of diesel with biodiesel was done in different ratios (20 to 40 %) for the estimation of carcinogenic HAPs from the exhaust of a Honda engine (EBK 2010AC Model). The order of HAPs emission from engine exhaust by using diverse blends were Diesel>Jatropha-diesel>Linseed-diesel>Castor-diesel> Karanja-diesel. The maximum reduction of HAPs was established in the following ratio 40% (Biodiesel):60% (Diesel). B(a)P and Chrysene were the two individual aromatic hydrocarbons (AHCs) found in higher concentration in almost all blending fuels, ranging between 50 ng/µl to 101.1 ng/µl. The emission of almost all AHCs reduces by Blending of Diesel with Biodiesel. This was the first comprehensive information which showed the reduction of carcinogenic pollutants from diesel exhaust.

Photocatalytic removal of cefazolin from aqueous solution by AC prepared from mango seed+ZnO under UV irradiation

Samarghandi M.R., Rahmani A., Asgari G., Ahmadidoost G. and Dargahi A.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30955/gnj.002588

Paper Topic:

Water and Wastewater Treatment

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Abstract

Presence of antibiotics in the environment specially in aqueous environments is considered a major warning about health and environment. Thus, this study aims the efficiency of coupled process of Activated Carbon (AC) prepared from mango seed+ZnO under UV irradiation as an advanced oxidation process in removing cefazolin antibiotic from aqueous solutions. This experimental study was carried out in a discontinuous reaction chamber with volume of one liter. In this process, the effect of initial pH parameters of the environment (3– 9), initial concentration of cefazolin (20 – 200 mg/L), concentration of modified, photocatalyzer (20 – 100 mg/L) and reaction time (10 – 60 min) were studied. The pilot used consisted of a low pressure mercury lamp with a 55-watt beam radiation power inside the steel chamber. The kinetic of the process was studied based on pseudo first order kinetics. Results showed that the highest removal efficiency of cefazolin antibiotics in the reaction of UV/AC + ZnO, at optimal conditions of pH= 3, contact time of 60 min, initial concentration of 100 mg/L and modified photocatalyzer of 0.1 g/L was equal to 96%. The kinetic model determined for the process followed kinetic model of pseudo- first order kinetics with high correlation of (R2 = 0.99). Results of present study revealed that photocatalyzer process of nanoparticles oxidation on synthetic activated carbon can be effectively used as an advanced oxidation reaction to remove cefazolin and similar pollutants.

Dye removal abilities of the mesophilic and thermophilic biomass: a kinetics study

Sayilgan E.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30955/gnj.002608

Paper Topic:

Water and Wastewater Treatment

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Abstract

Mesophilic biomass and thermophilic biomass samples were isolated and used to remove Dorasyn Red dye from aqueous solutions. The biosorption kinetics of dye uptake by four different types of biomass at three temperatures (20, 30, and 40 °C) were investigated using pseudo-first order kinetics, pseudo-second order kinetics, intraparticle diffusion, Elovich, and Bangham models. The pseudo-second-order kinetics model and the first stage of the intraparticle diffusion model were effective in describing the experimental kinetics data. The biosorption results showed that the mesophilic biomass samples could be useful for removing dye under acidic conditions.

Assessment of Lead and Cadmium in Groundwater Sources Used for Drinking puposes in Jijel (northeastern Algeria).

Balli N and Leghouchi E

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30955/gnj.002747

Paper Topic:

Water Quality

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Abstract

Groundwater is one of the important sources of drinking water In Jijel (northeastern Algeria). Various analyses have shown critical concentrations of lead and cadmium in several groundwater sources used for drinking. The aim of this study is to evaluate the contamination by lead and cadmium of boreholes and hand-dug wells located in the catchment of the Nile River. Therefore, chemical analysis was performed on drinking water samples from eight boreholes; tow hand dug wells and one spring supplying Jijel city in drinking water. The water samples were examined for the presence of cadmium and lead using the SAA- 6200 Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (Shimadzu Corporation). The results of this study show high concentrations of lead (ranged from 72.84±0.26 to 458.95±0.55 μg.L-1) and cadmium (ranged from 12.41±0.88 to 33±0.38 μg.L-1) in all water samples. These concentrations far exceeded permissible values according to the WHO are drinking water posing a potential health risk for the public. The water quality in the studied area of Nile River basin must be considered very low.