Environmental Mngmnt Systems Bioprocesses

7/28/2019 Environmental Mngmnt Systems Bioprocesses

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If we consider the biosphere in terms of the turnover of elements rather than in

terms of energy flow, then cyclical patterns are observed.Life on earth depends on (1) chemical recycling; it is also dependent on (2) one-

way energy flow through the biosphere.

Summary of some critical problems that can occur in an ecological system:

1.

Disruption of essential chemical cycles on a global or local scale:a. Breaking the Cycle; e.g., desertification, global warming and change of climate

b. Changing the rate of cycling by chemical overloads or leaks in the cycle. e.g.,upsetting oxygen and carbon cycle by deforestation, dumping industrial wastes in

lakes and rivers

2. Disruption of energy flow on a local or global scale:a. Decreasing or increasing solar energy input by changing the properties of the

local or global atmosphere. E.g., green house gases and ozone depleting chemical

release into atmosphere.

b. Heat or entropy build up in the environment due to use of too much energy,large scale combustion of fossil fuels for electricity generation.- we cannot ignore

the second law of thermodynamics.

Rapid evolution of human society took place in recent ten thousand years. Several

developments have made an immense consequence on the natural environment due to

human activities. In the last two hundred years, it has been observed that the use ofenergy resources on a large scale affects the general flow of matter in the biosphere

contributing to disturbances in natural cycles, beyond earths bearing capability.

In early stage of hunting, primitive agriculture and with skillful use of tools,manual and animal nutrition derived power was the limiting energy source. Organic

molecules generated through photosynthesis in plants with solar energy as the source of

energy, provided food for herbivorous animal species (including humans) and animaid development. Resource depletion and pollution became a real possibility.

The efficiency of energy conversions in nature far exceeds that of Man designed

production processes. A living organism not only produces materials it needs to functionand in doing this uses energy in a highly efficient way. In times of a positive energy

balance energy is stored in compounds such as starch, glycogen and lipids. Each living

organism degrades bio-molecules that have fulfilled their biological function to smaller

units and subsequently uses these for the production of new bio-molecules or as a cellularfuel. Microorganisms- built-in integrated recycling can after the death of the organism,

use the bio-molecules present in an organism. The non-bio-gradable nature of

manufactured products such as synthetic plastics, may cause problems by accumulationin the environment.

Integral Life Cycle management:

Mankind is withdrawing fossil energy and raw materials from the earths reserves to formaking products for fulfilling social needs. During the process of manufacture, wastes

and degraded energy may be released to environment and after usage the product may

become a disposable material in the environment. Recycle of material can involve somemore energy input.


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When we make a choice of a product, a consideration of the total impact on environment

of producing it, using it and finally handling it as waste should be made. If its utility isless than the adverse impact then we should forgo the use of it.

In addition to considering economic feasibility of a process in a situation, energy and

environmental factors are also satisfactory; society can support the product both from

producer and consumer point of view.

Biotechnology: New Revolution:Biotechnology is the application of organisms, biological systems or biological processes

to manufacturing and service industries. It is based on understanding of biosciences and

process engineering and involves handling of bio-molecules that occur in nature.Here we consider applications of biotechnology in agriculture, chemical synthesis

and energy management. Two strategies for the use of biotechnology are studied (i) To

reduce the environmental problems arising from conventional technology. (ii) To replace

existing environmentally damaging technology.Recalcitrant organic molecules and inorganic pollutants: Compounds that persist in the

environment are called recalcitrant. Abiotic organic chemicals in water, soil etc.are noteasy to treat as these are not metabolized easily. However in some cases selectivedevelopment of mutants have given biotechnology solution to these problems. Inorganic

heavy metal pollution too has been tackled by bioprocess developments. REFER:

Microbial biosorbents: Meeting the challenge of heavy metal pollution in aqueoussolutions Current Science, v 78, No 8, April 2000,(Review Paper,967-973)

Man made compounds that are found in unusually high concentrations in the environment

are called xenobiotic. These do not get degraded easily by microbes and accumulate in

the environment. Considerable research is being done on his topic by environmentalbiotechnologists.

2. Waste, Pollution--need for Treatment

Interaction: Man & EnvironmentNature of Wastes & Pollutants

Environmental impacts of release

Treatment: End of pipe vs process integrated technology

Landfill technology for solid waste

Waste generation is the byproduct of consumption and production activities and

tends to rise with the level of economic advance. Wastes arise from domestic andindustrial activity, e.g., sewage, wastewater, agriculture and food waste from food

processing, wood wastes and ever increasing range of toxic industrial chemical products

and byproducts. Costs for properly dealing with waste are escalating and much attentionis presently devoted to efficient and effective waste management, which will include

costs of collection, storage, processing and removal of wastes.


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A Tale Of Too Crowded Cities

Urban India is stretching itself out like naan "with bulges here and there, thin at the

edges''. Shapeless, running out of land, water, even clean air. A landscape ripe for the

kind of mayhem Delhi has witnessed this past years. The Sunday Times tracked thecorridors of urban expanse, and chaos. Almost a third of India - over 300 million people -

already lives in its towns and cities. Said Union urban development minister Jagmohan,"Urban India today is as large (in numbers) as the total India was in 1947. In numbers, we

will have the second largest urban population in the world, next to China. We are just not

paying attention.''The urban population is expected to hit the 500 million mark in the next two decades.

More worryingly, the growth is uneven. India already has the highest congestion rate in

the world -- about 44 per cent of families in urban areas live in just one room. In the

nation's Capital alone, more than a third of all residents live in slums, without propershelter, drinking water, sanitation, or access to health care and good education.

Thousands of illegal colonies had emerged and thousands of illegal industriesrecently rose in revolt against attempts at control, given a voice by politicians seekingshort-term dividends. Planning has been thrown to the winds, bringing to the fore

questions of urban governance and its definition, the nature of planning, the cost

of services, public versus private sector involvement in development.


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NATURE OF WASTES:

GASLIQUID

SOLID

CONCENTRATED & LOCALISED

DILUTE & DISPERSEDBIODEGRADABLE

RECALCITRANTMIX OF BIODEG. & RECALCI.

HAZARDS:BIOLOGICAL

CHEMICAL

PHYSICAL


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To dispose solid wastes a recent method is landfill. Landfill practices vary from countryto country. One of the common approaches is the use of the cell emplacement strategy. In

this the collected refuse is covered on all sides by soil at the end of each working day.

There is some degree of stratification. The size of the cells depends on the daily volume

that is tipped. Each cell is compressed and roughly leveled by mechanical bulldozers.Generally the depth of cell is limited to about 2.5 meters. Depth of the soil used to cover

at the end of each day is about 20cm.


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3. Aerobic Wastewater Treatment

Aerobic wastewater treatment process is essentially a biologically based process, which islong established. There are two main types of treatment; fixed film processes and

homogeneous growth processes. The most widely used fixed film process is the trickling

filter bed, and for homogeneous growth methods, the activated sludge process. Otherspecialized treatment regimes exist, and are often applied to the treatment of specific

industrial waste.

The choice of a treatment process is aided by the ability to define the nature of hewastewater to be processed by the use of established parameters. These include BOD,

COD, ammoniacal nitrogen and suspended matter.

Knowledge of fundamental equations and processes ultimately enable the design of

vessels to handle known quantities of wastewater of a known composition and theoptimization of these stages for the removal of BOD or other desired effects, when they

have been built are operated. This understanding also enables the process to be run cost

effectively for example in the choice of oxygenation methods in dispersed systems.The skills needed within a wastewater treatment plant are multidisciplinary and

include civil engineering, Chemical engineering, electrical engineering and obviously

micro-biology. A biotechnologist should appreciate the integration of these disciplinesand have some understanding of their individual contributions.


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4. Anaerobic Wastewater Treatment

WHY BIOGAS IN VILLAGES ?

ENERGY RECOVERY: BIOGAS SUBSTITUTES FORFUELWOOD & KEROSENE.

HYGIENIC DISPOSAL OF ANIMAL WASTE CONSERVATION OF FERTILIZER VALUE

HOW IS GAS FORMED?

MIXED CULTURE OF BACTERIA DECOMPOSESVOLATILE SOLIDS & GROWS IN ANAEROBIC

CONDITION; GAS MIXTURE RELEASED

ADVANTAGES:

RESULTING SLURRY FREE FROM PATHOGENSCAN BE USED IN COMPOST PIT FOR MANURE

MILD CONDITIONS: 30o C, pH 6.8-7.2, FEED ONCE ADAY

FOR COOKING, BURNER, LIGHTING: MANTLELAMP AVAILABLE; FOR A DUAL FUEL ENGINE:

EASY GAS PURIFICATION FEASIBLE

FOR RURAL FARM OR FAMILY SIZE PLANT,SUBSIDY AVAILABLE.


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COMMONLY USED FEED FOR BIOMETHANATION:

ANIMAL WASTES, URBAN WASTES, and FOOD & AGRO-

INDUSTRY WASTES.

MICROBIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF BIOMETHANATION

The biomethanation of organic matter in water is carried out in absence of dissolved

oxygen and oxygenated compounds like nitrate and sulphate. The mixed groups of

bacteria are naturally occurring in the cow dung slurry and decomposition in three stagesfinally produces a gas mixture of methane and carbon dioxide. Initially larger molecules

are hydrolysed to simpler molecules which in turn are decomposed to volatile fatty acids

like acetic acid, propionic acid etc. by a second set of bacteria. Methane forming bacteriacan convert acetic acid, hydrogen and carbon dioxde and produce methane.

WET ORGANIC WASTE AS FEED FOR BIOGAS PLANT

ANIMAL WASTES: Excreta of cow, pig, chicken etc

MANURE, SLUDGE: Canteen and food processing waste, sewage

MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE: After separation of non-degradable

WASTE STARCH & SUGAR SOLUTIONS: Fruit processing, brewery,

press mud from sugar factory etc

OTHER INDUSTRIAL EFFLUENTS (B O D): pulp factory waste

liquor, leather industry waste, coal washery wastewater etc.

HYDROLYSIS OF BIOPOLYMERS TO MONOMERS

CONVERSION OF SUGARS, AMINO ACIDS, FATTY ACIDS TO HYDROGEN,

CO2, AMMONIA AND ACETIC, PROPIONIC AND BUTIRIC ACIDS

CONVERSION OF H2, CO2, ACETIC ACID TO CH4 AND CO2 MIXTURE


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Volumetric methane rate in cubic meter gas per cubic meter of digester volume

V = (Bo So / HRT)[1- K / (HRT*m-1+K)]Bo =Ultimate methane yield in cubic meters methane (Varies from 0.2 to 0.5)So = Influent volatile solids concentration in kgVS/m

3

(Loading rate range = 0.7 to 25 kg VS/m3

d)HRT = Hydraulic retention time in days

K = Dimensionless kinetic parameter, for cattle dung, K= 0.8+ 0.0016e0.06 So

m = Maximum specific growth rate of the microorganism in day-1

Dry and wet fermentation:

Reference: Solid state anaerobic digestion of cattle dung and agro-residues: Perspectiveand prospects M.Shyam, Journal of Solar Energy Society of India, 10(1): 11-25 (2000)

WET FERMENTATION MEANS FEED HAS SUBSTRATE TOTALSOLID CONCENTRATION, ( TSC) OF 8 TO 9 %

DRY FERMENTATION OR SOLID STATE FERMENTATION HASFEED SUBSTRATE TOTAL SOLID CONCENTRATION, ( TSC) OF 20

TO 30 %, A MIX OF COW DUNG AND A WIDE VARIETY OF AGRO-

RESIDUES.

ANAEROBIC DIGESTION OF CATTLE DUNG AND MANY AGRO-RESIDUES AT INITIAL CONCENTRATIONS OF TSC BETWEEN 16 TO

25 % HAS BEEN DEMONSTRATED SATISFACTORILY IN SMALLBATCH TYPE AND PLUG FLOW TYPE DIGESTERS.

AT INITIAL TSC OF 40% OR LESS DIGESTION GETS COMPLETED IFSUFFICIENT TIME IS PROVIDED.

BIOGAS AND METHANE PRODUCTION AND AMOUNT OF SUBSTRATE

DEGRADED REMAINS SAME.


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ANAEROBIC CONTACT DIGESTER

BIOMASS SETTLED IN A SECOND TANK, RECYCLED TO THEDIGESTER.

RECYCLE GIVES HIGHER SRT AND EFFICIENCY MIXING IN THE FIRST TANK AND EFFICIENCY OF SETTLING IN

THE SECOND TANK IMPROVES PERFORMANCE.

REQUIRE HRT OF 10 DAYS OR MORE.5. Bio-degradation of xenobiotic Compounds

Man made compounds that are detected in the environment in unusually high

concentrations are called xenobiotic. This term is also applied to those compounds thatoccur naturally, but due to mans activities, are deposited in the environment inunnaturally high concentrations Such xenobotic compounds are not readily biodegradable

since their molecular structures or bond sequences are not readily recognized by existing

degrading enzymes.Types of compounds: Aliphatic halo-hydrocarbons, cyclic halocarbons, aromatic

halocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls, synthetic polymers, alkyl-benzyl sulphonate.

These are examples of xenobotic compounds released into the environment that are not

easily degraded by microorganisms.In general, xenobiotics are either recalcitrant because they are chemically stable

or their decomposition by catabolism leads to the production of toxic compounds.

Modern research in microbial metabolism in mixed cultures has indicated the possibilityof biotechnology for the decomposition of many of these compounds.


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6. Biomass For Energy

Renewable Energy potential and achievements for India

Source Approximate

Potential

Status

(as on 31 MARCH1998)

Biogas plants 12 million 2.71 million

Improved wood

Stoves

120 million 28.49 million

Biomass power

and gasifiers

1700 MW 29.5 MW

Biomass based cogeneration 3500 MW 84 MW

Solar photovoltaic 20 MW/km

2

32 MWSolar water heating systems 35 MW/km2

13.3 MW

Wind power 20,000 MW 970 MWSmall hydro power

(up to 16 megawatt)

10,000 MW 155.38 MW

Refer: TERI -ENERGY DATA DIRECTORY AND YEAR BOOK,

1998, p 470


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7 Agriculture & Biotechnology: Environmental Benefits

BIOFERTILIZER

o Microbial inoculants, carrier based preparations containing beneficialmicrobes in a viable state intended for seed or soil application.

o Improve soil fertility and help plant growth.o In the root environment, number and biological activity of the desired

microbes are increased which produces plant nutrient nitrogen.

Biofertilizers are microbial inoculant cultures of agronomic value, in nitrogen

fixation, phosphate solubilization and release of plant growth regulators.

In 1930s, lab preparations of RHIZOBIAL inoculants also known as LEGUMEinoculants were tested. Later these became industrial products in U.S., Europe, Australia

and India. Rhizobia are most effective in converting atmospheric nitrogen to ammonia in

symbiosis with legumes.SPIC Science Foundation has successfully developed technology to produce efficientinoculants of rhizobia for soyabean, chickpea, groundnut, black gram and other pulses.

The carrier material ands nutrient formulation ensures extended shelf life of the microbial

inoculants. The Foundation has also developed specific Azospirillum strains ensuringenhanced productivity.

Azospirilla enhance root biomass and fix nitrogen in associative symbiosis with

cereals, sugar cane and cotton. Carrier based AZOSPIRILLUM and AZOTOBACTERinoculants for non-leguminous crops have become popular in India, in recent times.

Azotobacter inoculants promote seed germination and initial vigour of plants due to

growth substances produced by the organism.

BLUE GREEN ALGAE (cyanobacteria) play a role in the nitrogen economy oftropical rice soils. They can be cultured in open-air tanks and used for rice cultivation.

Algal inoculation of rice fields in India has shown their use as biofertilizer.

ANABAENA, NOSTOC and TOLYPOTHRIX are free-living blue green algae that fixnitrogen under rice cultivation.

Azolla-anabaena symbionts generate about 40 kg N/ ha along with addition of bulk

quantities of organic matter of azolla biomass.


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BACILLUS MEGATERIUM VAR PHOSPHATICUM cells have capacity to

convert rock phosphate to soluble forms useful to plants.

Sekhar Nautiyal, at National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow, identified

bacteria, PSEUDOMONAS FLUORESCENS, which increased crop productivity by 20%

in some crops and produced plant growth hormones. It also helped to make phosphatemore soluble in water. (Business world, p104.Sept.7, 1997)

VAM fungi: [Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhiza]

Reference Books:

1. Biofertilizers in Agriculture and Forestry by N.S.Subba Rao, Oxford and IBH Publ. Co

New Delhi, (1993)

2. Bio-fertilizers: Instruction cum- Practical Manual for IX and X classes, Rs.25/=N C E R T book: Available from:Business Manager, RPDC, NCERT,

108, 100ft Road, Hasker Halli Extn,

Banashankari, 3rd

Stage,Bangalore.560085

Phone: 6725740

Reference: (General Article): Perspectives of soil fertility management with a focus onfertilizer use for crop productivity Sankaram Ayala and E. V. S. Prakasa Rao

Current Science, Vol. 82, No7, 10, April 2002, pp 797 807.

BOOK: Biotechnology of Bio-fertilizers, Editor: S.Kannaiyan, Narosa PublishingHouse, New

Delhi, 2002 [660.63 95328]


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Bioremediation

WHAT IS BIOREMEDIATION?

Remediation is a process to remove

contaminants such as gasoline, kerosene and

fuel oil from soil. Bioremediation uses

naturally occurring microorganisms such asbacteria, fungi, or yeast to decompose

harmful chemicals into less toxic or nontoxic

compounds.

Microorganisms, like all living organisms,need nutrients (such as nitrogen, phosphate

and trace metals), carbon and energy to

survive. Microorganisms break down a wide

variety of organic (carbon-containing)compounds found in nature for energy for

their growth. Many species of soil bacteria,

for example, use petroleum hydrocarbons asa food and energy source. This natural

process transforms the petroleum

hydrocarbons into harmless substancesconsisting mainly of carbon dioxide, water

and fatty acids.

WHY BIOREMEDIATION?

In Ohio, over 15,000 underground storagetanks that store petroleum, heating oil and

other materials are leaking. Oil spills and

leaks at industrial sites, feed lots and railyards have resulted in hundreds of tons of

petroleum contaminated soil (PCS)

throughout the state.

Petroleum contaminated soil, unregulated

and left to evaporate into the atmosphere,can release potentially harmful volatile

organic compounds into the atmosphere.

Petroleum products can seep into soil andcontaminate underlying ground water.


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Runoff from unregulated sites can carry

petroleum contaminants off-site into nearbywaterways.

Ohio EPA considers bioremediation

technology to be one safe solution to thePCS problem. Instead of transferring

contaminants from one environmental areato another (for example, from water to the air

or to land), bioremediation decomposes

petroleum products. Ohio EPA has strictemission standards to ensure permitted

facilities don't negatively impact human

health or the environment.

WHAT ARE THE ALTERNATIVES TO

BIOREMEDIATION?

While there are several treatment methods,

there is no single technology that can beapplied to every PCS site. The remediation

method applied should be most appropriate

for specific site characteristics. All of thefollowing treatment methods are better

options than land filling or leaving the soil

on the ground.

Land farming: This method involvesspreading soil over an open area, allowingcontaminants to be released into the air. If

not properly contained, rainwater runoff

could cause PCS to be carried off-site.

Soil vapor extraction: This method

involves venting air in the soil to removevapors which may be controlled or vented to

the air. As soil is cleaned to acceptable

levels, it normally remains in the ground atthe original location. This process releases

contaminants into the air.

Thermal treatment: Also referred to as

thermal desorption, this method involves

heating soil to 250-700 degrees Fahrenheit.Thermal treatment differs from incineration

because there is no combustion of the soil.


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Contaminants are separated from the soil and

released into air pollution control equipmentto minimize emissions being released into

the air.

CAN BIOREMEDIATION FACILITIESACCEPT HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES?

Bioremediation facilities are NOT permitted

to accept petroleum contaminated soilscontaining hazardous substances, including

PCBs and pesticides. Bioremediation

facilities are NOT permitted to accept soils

containing hazardous waste.

Petroleum contaminated soil is not

hazardous waste. Petroleum contaminatedsoil is not hazardous to touch or handle.

Lignite and Biotechnology

LocationNeyveli, India

Responsible

organization(s)Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC) within the Ministry

of Coal. Situated in the south of India in Tamil Nedu,NLC mines 11MT of lignite annually, of which 9.5 MT

are used for electricity generation. Industrial aspect of

activities is supported by the United Nations Industrial

Development Organization (UNIDO).

Description The project was initiated to facilitate the establishmentof a Lignite Fuel and Energy Research Institute (LERI)

at NLC in order to ensure that Indian lignite is utilised

to its full potential and that environmental problemstemming from its use are minimised. One aspect of the

project is to assist NLC with the industrial aspects of its

work on mine spoil reclamation. The mining operationsat NLC covered a huge area by mine spoil, and the

problem continues to grow. NLC explored ways to

overcome this concern.

The main problem is that the mine spoil is devoid of


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both humic substances and micro-organisms and hence

unable to support crop growth. NLC undertook tests to

enrich the sterile mine spoils with additives in order to

transform the spoils into a suitable substrate for plantgrowth. The tested additives include biofertilisers,

humic acid, other organic substances and inorganicfertilizers. These were tested in various combinations ina large variety of plant species including maize, millet,

rice, sugarcane, fruit trees and flowers. The biofertiliser

and the humic acid supplements tested are beingproduced on the pilot scale by NLC, and lignite itself is

one of the raw materials in the production process. The

biofertiliser is produced by growing five strains of

micro-organisms in fomenters. These are harvested andadsorbed onto lignite to produce a jelly-like substance

which is the initial product. The humic acid is currently

produced from lignite by digestion with potassiumhydroxide. This produces an undesirable effluent.

The project provides support towards the developmentof the production processes for the biofertiliser and the

humic acid and a new biotechnology process for

producing humic acid is being developed. In addition toreducing production costs, this will probably also

alleviate the need for the harsh chemicals that are used

in the present production process, and thus reduce theenvironmental impact of the process. It also provides an

elegant solution to an environmental problem; using thematerial extracted from a mining operation, and

biotechnology, to alleviate the environmental problemcaused by the mining. NLC is also investigating

biotechnology solutions to other environmental

problems. These include the biological treatment ofeffluents, including effluent from the lignite briquetting

and coking plant to reduce phenol content, and for

reclamation of the ash pond which now covers morethan 25 hectares. NLC is also monitoring the fate of

residual chemicals in the environment.

Issues

addressedThe operations at NLC had, and continue to have,

considerable environmental impact. The project

supports the above biotechnology approach which maybe able to significantly reduce some of the negative

environmental effects. Many other mining sites in India,

and many other developing countries with miningoperations, face similar environmental problems. There


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is thus considerable potential for applying the products

and technologies developed at NLC at other sites both

within and outside of India.

Objectives To assist NLC to develop technologies which will

mitigate the environmental consequences of past andpresent mining and related activities, and which may be

replicable at other sites.

Results

achievedTechnologies have been developed which can

effectively reduce the environment impact of miningactivities.

Lessons

learnedEnvironmental protection technologies are not always

restrictive to industry nor are they necessarily

expensive.

Financing The Government of the Federal Republic of Germany

through the Industrial Development Fund.

Contact Mr. Grant Ramsay, Chemical Industries Branch,UNIDO Vienna International Centre

P.O. Box 400 A-1400 Vienna Austria

Telephone: (+43 1) 21131 - 3774

National Environmental Engineering Research Institute

National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, Nagpur, pursues

an effective R & D programme in Environmental Science and Technology

to enable solutions to backlog and future environmental problemsemanating from developmental imperatives in various socio-economic

sectors. The institute while fulfilling its commitment towards the nationaland social missions and CSIR thrust area activities, has made a significantcontribution in the recent past, in the areas of institute's R & D, viz.

Environmental Monitoring; Environmental Biotechnology, Hazardous

Waste Management; Environmental System Design, Modelling andOptimization; Environmental Impact and Risk Assessment; andEnvironmental Policy Analysis.


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The institute has retained its repute in International Scientific

Collaboration by undertaking joint R&D ventures with United NationsEnvironmental Program (UNEP), World Health Organization (WHO), and

Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA). The institute is

designated as WHO Collaborating Centre on Environmental Health.

Bioinformatics Centre at NEERI aims to serve as a National Information

Resource Centre on Environmental Biotechnology by providing totalcomputer support in the form of information, data processing & analysis in

Biotechnology in general and Environmental Biotechnology in particular.

The need to keep abreast of the latest information on advances anddevelopments in environmental biotechnology has become imperative for

rapid progress in research, production and application. Accordingly, to

cater the needs of the scientific community of the host organization andthe local needs, an Environmental Biotechnology Bibliographic Database

(EBBD), has been developed covering the literature from a large number

of Biotechnology journals available in NEERI Library. EBBD is abibliographic database developed initially on CDS/ISIS and converted to

dBASE IV by a conversion program. Apart from a logical query facility, aretrieval facility on author and keywords is also available for the database.

A database including the data entry , data handling and query software,

named QABIS has been developed for ongoing and closed Biotechnology

projects in NEERI. The query facility for QABIS is available on Lab code,Scientist name and area code. The software is written in dBASE. The

centre has collected the data on biotechnology equipments from 59

biotechnology research organizations from India and a directory databaseon equipment details has been developed with a query software to retrieve

the information on Equipment, Lab name, and city. The database contains

information on 400 equipment details, contact persons and the accessfacilities. HCIS ( Hazardous Chemical Information System) is a software

Package developed at the centre using 'C' programming language for quick

retrieval of information about 276 hazardous chemicals. The user interface

has been designed with a view to enhance the utility of the informationreadily available as ASCII text files which is maintained by USEPA under

Integrated Risk Information System(IRIS). The searches are based on

different chemical names. A directory database on thesis submitted toNagpur University in Life Sciences and Biotechnology is in progress and

the database comprises of 225 thesis submitted during 1987 to 1996.

CD-ROM Databases viz. Ei-Energy and Environment; CCINFO Disc

Series, and AHEAD series have been purchased for the centre and

information retrieval services are provided on demand to the clientele ofthe host institute and other organizations.

Documents

Environmental Mngmnt Systems Bioprocesses