Global NEST Journal

ISSN:

Print ISSN: 1790-7632

Electronic ISSN: 2241-777X

Volume 17 - 2015

Articles

Impacts of climate variability and land-use change on hydrology in the period 1981-2009 in the central highlands of Vietnam

Khoi D.N. and Thom V.T., Pages:870-881

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30955/gnj.001706

Paper Topic:

Hydrology and water resources

Issue:

Issue 4

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Abstract

In this study, we investigated the separate and combined impacts of climate and land-use changes on hydrological response in the Central Highlands of Vietnam during the period 1981-2009. The Mann-Kendall and Pettit tests were applied to detect the trends in the hydro-meteorological data. The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) was setup in the region, and evaluation based on daily data highlights the models adequacy. From this, the responses of hydrology to climate variability and land-use changes were considered. Overall, variability in climate seems to strongly drive the variability in the hydrological response in comparison to alternations in the hydrological regime due to land-use change during the period 1981-2009. The results indicate that land-use change had a minor impact on the annual flow (0.4% reduction), whilst the impact from climate variability had been more significant (13.5% change). Under the impact of coupled climate variability and land-use change, the annual streamflow increased by 13.1%.

Investigating the citizens’ intention level in environmental impact assessment participation through an extended theory of planned behavior model

Persada S F., Lin S C., Nadlifatin R. and Razif M., Pages:847-857

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30955/gnj.001703

Paper Topic:

Environmental Management and Policies

Issue:

Issue 4

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Abstract

This study aims to measure citizens’ behavior intention (BI) in Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) participation. An extended theory of planned behavior (TPB), which includes perceived government support and perceived environmental concern, is used as the predictor model. A total of 240 questionnaire data, gathered from citizens of Indonesia, was analyzed by using structural equation modeling. The analysis result shows that the TPB model revealed 60 percent of citizens’ BI in EIA participation. Another finding revealed perceived behavior control as a key determinant factor. Practical recommendations suggested based on the result can be used as references by EIA policy makers and practitioners to increase citizens’ intention in EIA participation.

Genetic algorithm for oil spill automatic detection using synthetic aperture radar

Marghany M. and Mansor S., Pages:858-869

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30955/gnj.001428

Paper Topic:

Pollution Control Technology

Issue:

Issue 4

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Abstract

This work has exploited a Genetic algorithm for oil spill automatic detection. This is implemented to sequences of RADARSAT-2 SAR ScanSAR narrow single beam data in the Gulf of Mexico. The study shows that the implementation of crossover is generated an accurate oil slick pattern. This is confirmed by using the receiver–operational characteristics (ROC) curve. The ROC curve endorses the existence of oil slick footprints with 90%, which is larger than other surrounding environment features. It can be pronounced that ScanSAR Narrow single beam is the tremendous promise sensor for oil spill detection and survey. In conclusion, the Genetic Algorithm can be used as an automatic detection tool for oil spill.

A proposed method for the assessment of the interactive heavy metal accumulation in soils

Papaioannou,D.,Kalavrouziotis,I.K.,Koukoulakis, P., and Papadopoulos, F., Pages:835-846

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30955/gnj.001781

Paper Topic:

Pollution Control Technology

Issue:

Issue 4

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Abstract

A method is proposed for the assessment of the interactive accumulation of heavy metals in soils. Sixty surface soil samples were collected from fifteen sites, at a depth of 0-30cm, evenly distributed, within the 30,700ha comprising the study area.

It was found that at least some of these metals were significantly contributed to soil, i.e. Mn 9.53, Fe 8.06, Zn 0.86, Pb 0.29, Cd 0.033, Co 0.112 and Ni 0.125 kg/ha, respectively.

Similarly considerable levels of plant nutrients were accumulated in the studied soil such as P₂O₅ 8.6, or 3.75 kg P/ha, K₂O 52.92 or 43.94 kg K/ha, and Ca 78.98 kg/ha. As expected, the heavy metals accumulated in lower concentrations than those of plant nutrients and in non toxic levels. Nevertheless, the toxicity of these metals must be considered in relation to long term accumulation.

It was shown that the proposed method, based on the quantification of the elemental interactions contribution in heavy metals, could be used as a tool for the quantitative assessment of their accumulation and for the prediction of the «silent pollution» that gradually occurs in soils with these metals.

Assessment and Modelling of Dust Concentration in an Opencast Coal mine in India.

Tripathy D.P., Dash T.R., Badu A. and Kanungo R., Pages:825-834

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30955/gnj.001617

Paper Topic:

Air Quality

Issue:

Issue 4

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Abstract

Dust pollution is a major problem in opencast mines. Many activities are associated with generation of dust that makes a cloud of pollutant at the work environment and the surrounding areas. Activities as drilling, blasting, transportation, surface miner etc. are the principle sources of generation of dust in mines. This paper focuses on the monitoring of dust level at different operational areas of the mine, characterization of dust collected from different sources, personal exposure of dust and finally prediction of dust concentration at different locations of the mine and nearby areas using AERMOD software. The study was conducted at Lakhanpur opencast mine of MCL (Mahanadi Coalfields Limited), a subsidiary body of CIL (Coal India Limited) the largest coal producing company of the world. The study was done in the month of December 2013, using DustTrakII at nine different locations in the mine. The quartz content of dust was determined using FTIR analysis. Personal Dust Sampler (PDS) was used to determine the personal dust exposure value for different workers. Dust dispersion modelling was done by using AERMOD and isopleths were plotted.

Hydrolysis of agricultural waste to obtain reducing sugars using conventional and ultrasound-assisted technologies

Moscon J.M., Priamo W.L., Silva J.R.F., Collazzo G.C., Foletto E.L., Jahn S.L., Kuhn R.C., Cancelier A. and Mazutti M.A. , Pages:816-824

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30955/gnj.001585

Paper Topic:

General

Issue:

Issue 4

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Abstract

The main objective of this study was to evaluate the hydrolysis of rice hulls to obtain reducing sugars by conventional and ultrasound-assisted acid hydrolysis. For this purpose, the methodology of experimental design was used to evaluating the influence of temperature, moisture content and concentration of phosphoric acid on the yield of reducing sugars. The yields at optimized conditions were of 141.1 and 162.0 g.kg^-1, for conventional and ultrasound-assisted hydrolysis, respectively. It was possible to obtain high yield using less acid and low temperature, in a manner that ultrasound can be used as a technology for process intensification.

Impact of industry on ground water contamination: a case study in Konya city, Turkey

Nalbantcilar M.T.and Pinarkara D., Pages:796-815

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30955/gnj.001635

Paper Topic:

General

Issue:

Issue 4

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Abstract

Having developed rapidly in recent years, Konya, one of Turkey’s most significant industrial cities, has been hosting production activities in sectors such as glass, chemistry, mining, metal and machine in the factories 96% of which located in the third Organized Industrial Zone. In common environmental agenda, it was suggested that wastewater stemming from increased industrial diversity and some geological lithology can create environmental problems, including groundwater contamination. In this study, to characterize dry and rainy period, samples were collected from 11 wells so as to determine effects of wastes in the area on groundwater quality. The relation between industrialization and contamination was investigated in water samples, whose contents were examined for NH3, NO3, SO4, B, Ca, Cl, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Sr, V, and Zn. Element distribution maps of locations where concentration rise occurred were determined in the vicinity. It was specified that SO4, Ca, Cl, Na, Cr, Mg, Mn, Ni and Zn in samples exceeded the maximum contaminant levels according to WHO, EPA and EC standards. It was determined that water samples belonging to rainy period were contaminated more than that of dry period, which poses a threat to environment.

Cationic Dye Removal By Sugarcane Bagasse Activated Carbon From Aqueous Solution

Hazzaa R. and Hussein M., Pages:784-795

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30955/gnj.001764

Paper Topic:

Water and Wastewater Treatment

Issue:

Issue 4

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Abstract

Low cost agricultural waste adsorbents can be viable alternatives to activated carbon for the treatment of contaminated wastewater. Sugarcane Bagasse, an abundant agriculture waste in Egypt, was used in the present study to prepare activated carbon. Batch adsorption experiments were conducted to study its effectiveness to remove cationic dye methylene blue from aqueous solution. The effects of initial dye concentrations, agitation time, solution pH and temperature on methylene blue dye removal were investigated. The optimum pH value for the maximum percentage removal of the dye was 7. Adsorption isotherms were determined and modeled with Redlich–Peterson, Langmuir and Freundlich equations at 20ºC.The kinetic data were analyzed using Pseudo-first order, pseudo-second order. The mechanism of the adsorption process was determined from the intraparticle diffusion model. Thermodynamic parameters such as standard enthalpy (ΔH°), standard entropy (ΔS°) and free energy (ΔG°) were determined. The equilibrium data were best fitted to the Redlich–Peterson isotherm model .The adsorption kinetics was found to follow the pseudo-second-order kinetic model with good correlation coefficient. The positive ΔH^◦ value indicated that the adsorption process was endothermic in nature. The results revealed sugarcane bagasse activated carboncould be employed as a low-cost alternative adsorbent in wastewater treatment.

An investigation on hospital solid waste management in Iran

Farzadkia M., Emamjomeh M., Golbaz S. and Sajadi H. , Pages:771-783

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30955/gnj.001769

Paper Topic:

Solid Waste Management

Issue:

Issue 4

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Abstract

The integrated hospital solid waste management emphasizes the need to conduct a survey based on a standardized method that equally be analyzed at national level. This study aimed to test the usability of a national tool to do integration data analysis of hospital waste management status. Then, a typical study was conducted in Karaj hospitals. Also, critical analysis of hospital’s solid waste management aspects was done, and shortcomings in the aspects were identified. The pilot study results showed that the daily per capita waste generations were reported to be 4.2±0.49 kg/available bed, 5.8±0.63 kg/occupied bed, and 10.3±0.9 kg/inpatient. The names of the hospitals were omitted when they were named from H₁ to H₈. So the highest and lowest daily waste generation rate were 5.5±0.35 and 2.6±0.78 kg/available bed in H₇ and H₃hospitals, respectively. In this study, total infectious wastes per capita were reported to be 2.3±0.39 kg/available bed/day, 3±0.5 kg/occupied bed/day and 5.2±0.84 kg/inpatient/day. Furthermore, the averages per capita of total general waste were 2±0.4 kg/available bed/day, 2.8±0.51 kg/occupied bed/day and 5.1±0.8 kg/inpatient/day. Analysis of the Karaj hospital waste management status showed statue of hospital waste management in 88% of hospitals were ranked moderate when others were achieved to be poor by 12%. The hospital waste management had been evaluated poor in term of collection, transportation and manpower aspects, moderate in the separation and temporary storage aspects and good in the disposal aspect. It was also found that the MOHME tool is appropriate tool to investigate the status of waste management in hospitals.

Application of response surface methodology for ultrasound-assisted rapid ‎adsorption of meso-tetrakis(4-sulfonatophenyl) porphyrin by copper ‎nanowire-loaded in activated carbon: Characterization, equilibrium and ‎kinetic modeling

Bahramian M. Karimipour G. Ghaedi M. Asfaram A. Nasiri Azad F. Bazrafshan A. A., Pages:756-770

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30955/gnj.001754

Paper Topic:

General

Issue:

Issue 4

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Abstract

The combined ultrasonic assisted/nanoparticle based procedure was described for an economical and rapid removal of meso-tetrakis (4-sulfonatophenyl) porphyrin (TSPP) by copper nanowires loaded on activated carbon (Cu-NW-AC). The synthesized Cu-NW-AC was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Response surface methodology (RSM) combined with central composite design (CCD) give useful information about the individual contribution and interaction amoung variables correspound to above adsorption. In CCD, the effects of variables in the following range, pH (X₁: 5.0-7.0), adsorbent dosage (X₂: 0.021-0.051 g), initial TSPP concentration (X₃: 3-15 mg l^-1) and ultrasound time (X₄: 2-10 min.) was investigated to obtain maximum adsorption effeciency. The experimental data were subsequently fitted to a second-order polynomial equation using multiple regression analysis by appropriate statistical methods. According to the results, the optimum adsorption conditions were found to be Cu-NW-AC = 0.04 g, TSPP = 6 mg l^-1, pH = 5.5 and ultrasound time = 8.0 min. The experimental extraction yield under optimal conditions was found to be 97.60% which confirmed by three replicate at optimum conditions leading to removal percentage of 98.16%. The adsorption equilibrium isotherm and kinetic models investigation revealed the suitability of Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second-order model for best predication of experimental data. Maximum monolayer capacity (Q_m) calculated from Langmuir model was found to be 26.385 mg g^-1.

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Global NEST Journal

Volume 17 - 2015

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