National Conference on Challenges in Environmental Research book NCOCER-2015.pdf · On behalf of the organizing committee of the “National Conference on Challenges in Environmental

National Conference on

Challenges in Environmental Research

CENTRE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT IIT Guwahati, Assam, India

June 4-6 , 2015

Message from the Chairman

We are delighted to invite you for this three day National conference on “Challenges in Environmental Research (NCOCER 2015)”during June4-6,2015 organized by Centre for the Environment, IIT Guwahati.

I believe this event will increase our knowledge of challenging environmental issues of recent times

which covers mainly Climate change: impact and its management, environment pollution and their

remediation, sustainable management of wastewater and solid waste etc.

This Conference will bring together practitioners, researchers and educators from across the nation,

who are engaged in environment based research. Centre for the Environment, IIT Guwahati has come

forward in organizing this conference with an objective of discussing and spreading awareness about

challenging environmental issues in the recent times. The three day conference will conduct some

important lectures and poster presentation by invited delegates and participants highlighting the

different fields of their research.

Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, the sixth member of the IIT fraternity, was established in 1994

and academic programs commenced in 1995. At present, the Institute has eleven departments and

three inter-disciplinary academic centres covering all the major engineering, science and humanities

disciplines. Presently, IIT Guwahati has one of the finest world class infrastructures with state of the art

engineering and scientific instruments for carrying out advanced research. It is considered as one of the

most beautiful campuses sprawling around 285 hectares of land on the north bank of the river

Brahmaputra. The campus is about 25 Km from the heart of the city. The city of Guwahati is the gateway

to North East India and connected to many major cities in the country by rail and air.

We look forward to interact with you all at the conference.

With warm regards

Prof. Gopal Das

Chairman, Organizing Committee, NCOCER

Chairman Prof. Gopal Das, Head, Centre for the Environment, IIT Guwahati. Convener Dr. Deepmoni Deka, Technical Officer Gr-I, Centre for the Environment, IIT Guwahati. Co-Convener Dr. NK Prasanna, Technical Officer Gr-II, Centre for the Environment, IIT Guwahati. Treasurer Partha P. Bakal, Jr. Technical Superintendent, Centre for the Environment, IIT Guwahati. Secretary Rajiv Gogoi, Sr. Assistant, Centre for the Environment, IIT Guwahati.

National Conference on

Challenges in Environmental Research

CENTRE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT IIT Guwahati, Assam, India

June 4-6 , 2015

From the Organizer’s desk

On behalf of the organizing committee of the “National Conference on Challenges in

Environmental Research (NCOCER 2015), I have the pleasure of welcoming you for the

inauguration and subsequent technical sessions in the Conference Centre of IIT Guwahati

during June 4-6, 2015. This Conference has been organized with a view to address some of

the challenging environmental issues worth research such as environment pollution and

remediation; climate change: impact and management; waste water treatment; solid waste

management; environmental issues and their impact on society; environmental health and

toxicology etc.

With limited resources we have tried our level best to make the conference pleasant and

successful one. We expect that this three days conference will deliberate useful scientific

ideas to the relevant themes. We sincerely hope that after the conference, participants will

leave IIT Guwahati with enriched knowledge, fond memories and more importantly newly

formed linkages and ideas.

We the organizing committee express our gratitude to our august sponsors such as Agilent

Technologies, Swan Environmental, Samvat Instruments, North East Chemicals Corporation

Ltd, S.B Suppliers, Star Cements, A.B. Chemicals for their kind support.

I also place on record our gratitude towards IIT Guwahati administration for their whole

hearted support.

Lastly, I wish all the participants, a pleasant and comfortable stay at IIT Guwahati during

the conference and a safe journey back.

With warm regards and best wishes

Dr. Deepmoni Deka Barman Convener, NCOCER-2015

Chairman Prof. Gopal Das, Head, Centre for the Environment, IIT Guwahati. Convener Dr. Deepmoni Deka, Technical Officer Gr-I, Centre for the Environment, IIT Guwahati. Co-Convener Dr. NK Prasanna, Technical Officer Gr-II, Centre for the Environment, IIT Guwahati. Treasurer Partha P. Bakal, Jr. Technical Superintendent, Centre for the Environment, IIT Guwahati. Secretary Rajiv Gogoi, Sr. Assistant, Centre for the Environment, IIT Guwahati.

ORGANIZING COMMITTEE PATRON Prof. Gautam Biswas Director, IIT Guwahati CHAIRMAN Prof. Gopal Das Head, Centre for the Environment IIT Guwahati LOCAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Prof. Mohammad Jawed Department of Civil Engineering, IITG

Prof. Arun Goyal, Department of Biosciences & Bioengineering,

IITG

Dr. Chandan Mukherjee, Department of Chemistry, IITG

Dr. Ajaikumar B. Kunnumakkara, Department of Biosciences & Bioengineering,

IITG

Dr. Pahi saikia, Department of Humanities & Social Sciences, IITG

Dr. Chandan Das Department of Chemical Engineering, IITG

CONVENER Dr. Deepmoni Deka Barman Centre for the Environment, IIT G

CO-CONVENER Dr. N K Prasanna

Centre for the Environment, IIT G TREASURER Partha Protim Bakal Centre for the Environment, IIT Guwahati

SECRETARY Rajiv Gogoi Centre for the Environment, IIT Guwahati

STUDENT ORGANIZING COMMITTEE

Ms. Samarpita Basu

Mr. Bhaskar Das

Ms. Surya Singh

Ms. Praisy Terangpi

Mr. Somnath Chanda

Mr.Mothe Gopi Kiran

Ms. Isha Vishan

Mr. D Narendra Naik

Mr. Arun Kumar

Mr. Lalit Goswami

Ms. Pallavi Mukherjee

Mr. Ponnala Vimal Mosahary

Ms. Barbie Hazarika

Mr. Anirudha V Mahagaonkar

Mr. Smruti Ranjan Dash

Ms. Paulomi Bose

Mr. Rajneesh Kumar

Mr. Kamalesh Verma

Ms. Niharika Kashyap

Ms. Nibedita Ghosh

Ms. Visva Bharati Barua

Mr. Papu Kr. Naik

NCOCER 2015

Centre for the Environment

Invited Lectures

S.No Title

IL 1. Bioremediation of Petroleum hydrocarbon from contaminated sites

Suresh Dekaa IL 2. Recent advances in atmospheric science research: Challenges and requirements

Ranjit Kumara

IL 3. Climate Change Scenario with Special Reference to North-East India Region

Sanjay O’Neill Shawa

IL 4. Major Constraints in Popularizing Vermicompost Technology in Eastern India

A K Sannigrahia

IL 5. Prospective of Industrial Wastewater Treatment and Challenges

Naresh Kumar Sahooa

IL 6. A study on carbon footprint of different categories of hotels in the metropolitan city

Chennai

Ganapathy Venkatasubramanian Sb

IL 7. Mercury emissions from coal fired power plants of India - case study

Tarit Baran Dasa

IL 8. Efficacy of High Altitude Lakes as Sentinels of Climate Change: Examples of Three

Eastern Himalayan Lakes

Manish Kumara*

IL 9. Identification of operational and maintenance problems of UASB for treating domestic

wastewater

Potsangbo Albino Kumara

IL 10. National Green Corps Eco-clubs: Igniting Young Minds for Green Action

Simanta Kalitaa

IL 11. Seasonal variations in river flow and chemical fluxes of the uMhlatuzana, uMbilo

and aManzimnyama river catchments in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.

S Pillaya, K Moodley

b and H Ballabh

a

IL 12. Sustainable Development by Eco Concept

Nilutpal Dasa

IL 13. Awareness on environmental issues

Needhi Sinhaa

NCOCER 2015


Oral Presentations

S.No Title

OL 1. Comparative study of pre and post-monsoon variation of Arsenic contamination in the

groundwater at Silchar Town, Barak Valley, Assam and its correlation with topography

of the study area.

Tushar Deb Kanungoa and Chandan Paul Choudhuryb

OL 2. Wasteland Reclamation and Its Management

Arvind Kumara and R K Mahto

b*

OL 3. Some studies on Mycobacterium Tuberculosis incidences in Barak Valley, Assam, India

A Chakrabortya, P Choudhuryb and A Bhattacharjeec

OL 4. Impact of Climate Change on Rural livelihood in the Khasi and Jaintia Hills District of

Meghalaya

Pynshongdor L Nongbria

OL 5. Hydrogen: An Alternative Nature Loving Modern Technology Fuel

Nakul Bansoda, Deepak Choudharyb and Amit Marwahc

OL 6. Role of Adaptive Measures in Combating Climate Change in India

Shirin Raisa and Wasim Ahmad

b OL 7. Heavy Metal Contamination (Cr, Pb and Fe) of Groundwater Sources: A case study in and

around lower Jia-Bharali River basin, India

Nayan J khounda*, Parag Phukonb and Krishna G Bhattacharyyac

OL 8. Effect of air pollution on mental health

Shilpi Ghosha

OL 9. Rethinking framework for in stream and effluent water quality in the context of urban

wastewater reuse in agriculture

Priyanka Jamwala Mohammed Idrisa, Praveen Raje ursa and Sharachchandra Lelea

OL 10. Environment Management in Thermal Power Plant: Emerging Challenges and Issues Satendra K Jain

a

OL 11. Monitoring of ground water quality in west jaintia hills, Meghalaya using water quality

index method

Eugene lamare Ra, Redolanroyshyllab and O P Singhc

OL 12. Emission inventory of vehicular pollutants of Assam and its trend analysis

Gautam Duttaa and Kalyan Kalitab

OL 13. Influence of Carboxylic and Phenolic -OH Groups on the Adsorption Behavior of

NCOCER 2015


different Benzoic acid analogues at the α-Alumina/Water Interface

Jayanta M Borah a

OL 14. TECHNICAL PRESENATION (Agilent Technologies)

OL 15. A Comparative overview of a classical optimization and evolutionary optimization

technique in view of power system optimization problem

Sarmila Patraa and Ritunjoy Bhuyanb

OL 16. Production of Fuels from Electro-reduction of Carbon Dioxide: Challenges and Future

Outlook Surya Singha and Anil Vermab

OL 17. Kinetics and enzymatic mechanism of microalgal phenol degradation

Bhaskar Das a, Tapas K Mandal band Sanjukta Patra c OL 18. Grey water utilization in Irrigation

Vinod Kr. Kushwah a Gulab Singh b and Raisul Islam a,* OL 19. Bioremoval of Arsenic in Sulfidogenic Suspended Growth Batch Reactors

Arvind Kumar Shakyaa*and Pranab Kumar Ghoshb

OL 20. Fabrication and removal of AlCl3 with FAU zeolite composite membrane from aqueous

solution

Ashim Kumar Basumatarya, A K Ghoshalb and G Pugazhenthic*

OL 21. Occupational health hazards in mining industries with special reference to legislative

provision

NK Prasannaa

OL 22. Effect of solid waste on environmental health and its management

Deepmoni Dekaa

OL 23. Interaction of Bacillus badius AK strain with Lead (Pb) isolated during rotary drum

composting of water hyacinth

IshaVishana, Ajay Kalamdhadband SenthilKumar Sc

NCOCER 2015


Poster Presentations

S.No Title

PP 1. Cost effective and environmentally benign luminescent probes for aqueous Picric acid

explosive detection

Sudesna Chakravartya, Bedanta Gogoib and Neelotpal Sen Sarmac PP 2. Chemical and Biological denitrification of Alkaline Waste

Akshay Jakhetea, Sayali Titrea, Avinash Sahub, Tessy Vincentb, Ajaygiri K. Goswamia and Mahendra L Baria

PP 3. Emission analysis of a combined vapor power cycle and vapor-absorption refrigeration

system

Kamaljyoti Talukdara and TK Gogoib

PP 4. Studies on the adsorption mechanism of Cu(II), Ni(II) onto Polymeric resins

Swastika Gogoia and Monali Dutta Saikiab* PP 5. Rainwater chemistry of rural site in mid-Brahmaputra plain

Pranamika Bhuyana and R R Hoqueb*

PP 6. Comparative Study of Refractory COD removal from Pharmaceutical Wastewater

Hardik P Gamdhaa

PP 7. Histopathological and haematological effects of Lindane(γ-BHC) in snake head fish

Channapunctata (Bloch, 1793)

Debasish Bhattacharjeea and Suchismita Dasb

PP 8. CO2 Emission Calculation in Road Traffic Ambient Air By Vehicle – Pattern Distribution

Using Wavelet Transform

P Venkatakrishnana, S Sangeethab, MS Manikandanc, D Julius Darrend and S Kaushik Hassone

PP 9. Estimation of emission source reduction using best-fit statistical distribution of measured

pollutant within urban traffic corridor

Nongthombam Premananda Singha and Sharad Gokhaleb*

PP 10. Study of biomasses abundantly available in Assam, India for production of biofuels

Partha Pratim Sarmaha, Hirakjyoti Mahanta

b and Deepmoni Deka

c

PP 11. Analysis and assessment of the air pollution by contribution of road traffic – signal

processing and higher order statistics spectra (hos) approach

P.Venkatakrishnana, S.Sangeethab, S.Parthasarathyc, B Muthugokuld and M Gunasekarane

PP 12. Municipal solid waste management in Kurukshetra city- A case study

Vinod Kushwaha, Raisul Islamb, K R Singhc and Gulab Singhd

PP 13. Alteration in cerebral protein content and proteases in sub-acute chromium toxicity

NCOCER 2015


Kanu Shila and Sudipta Palb

PP 14. Estimating fast and slow reacting component in surface and groundwater using 2R model

Priyanka Jamwala, Naveen MNab and Yusuf Javeedb

PP 15. Water Hyacinth: A Potential biomass for biogas production

Visva BharatiBaruaa and Ajay S Kalamdhadb

PP 16. Biosorption of Pb(II) metal through bacterial (Bacillus Badius AK) dry mass

Avishek lahaa and Ajay S Kalamdhadb

PP 17. Diversity of microorganisms and feasibility of earthworm consortium in vermicompost

technology

Nazneen Hussaina and Satya Sunder Bhattacharya

b

PP 18. Life Cycle Assessment of Guwahati Solid Waste Management System

Kiran Chandra Muthu P Ma, Sumit Dewdaa and Ajay S Kalamdhadb

PP 19. Understanding the Potential Hazard and Nature of Battery Wastewater Sludge

Vihangraj V. Kulkarni1,a, Animes Kumar Golder2,b, and Pranab Kumar Ghosh2,a

PP 20. A Comparison of the Water Quality of Three Floodplain Wetlands of Central Assam, India

Mrigangka Malakara and Sanchita Boruahb

PP 21. Treatment of petroleum refinery wastewater in anoxic fed batch moving bed reactor

Subrat Kumar Mallicka and Saswati Chakrabortyb*

PP 22. Soil properties of forest and agricultural lands of Pahamsyiem microwatershed, Meghalaya,

India

T LNonglaita and BK Tiwarib

PP 23. An investigation on public awareness towards drinking water and acceptability of Public

Private Partnership (PPP) in South-West Guwahati

Rakhee Dasa, Laishram Boeing Singhb and Mohammad Jawedc

PP 24. Fruit Extract of Thevetia Peruviana for Fabrication of Silver Nanoparticles and Prevention of

agglomeration

Satyadip Chakrabortya and Animes Kumar Golderb

PP 25. Synergistic effect of supporting electrolytes on H2O2 formation using graphite both as

working and counter electrodes with Ag/AgCl reference

Raj Kumar Dasa and Animes Kumar Golderb*

PP 26. Optimization of operational parameters for efficient CO2 sequestration by the novel

microalga: Scenedesmus

Samarpita Basua, Abhijit Sarma Royb, A K Ghoshalc and Kaustubha Mohanty*a b

PP 27. Effect of pretreatment on hydrolysis of food waste

NCOCER 2015


Vivek Francis and Ajay Kalamdhadb

PP 28. Resource recovery from Jute Mill waste through vermi-technology

Subhasish Dasa, PriyankaDeka

band SatyaSundar Bhattacharya

c

PP 29. Temporal variationof PM2.5 and Black Carbon at a rural site of Mid-Brahmaputra Valley

Nivedita Barmana and Raza Rafiqul Hoqueb*

PP 30. Removal of Acid orange 8 dye using Aniline formaldehyde condensate (AFC) polymer as an

adsorbent

Praisy Terangpia, Saswati Chakrabortyb* and Manabendra Rayc*

PP 31. Pre-treatment of lignocellulosic biomass towards production of value added chemicals- A

short review

Smruti Ranjan Dasha, Subhendu Sekhar Bagb and Animes Kumar Golderc*

PP 32. Modelling of Outburst flood path of 3 major glacial lakes in Bhutan

Anirudha V Mahagaonkara, Chandan Mahantaa,b*

PP 33. Pentaethylenehexamine modified mesoporous silica KIT-6 for CO2 adsorption

Rupak Kishor* and Aloke Kumar Ghoshal

PP 34. Light duty vehicles and CO2 emissions in urban areas

Arti Choudharya and SharadGokhaleb

PP 35. Potential of Bael fruit shell as low cost adsorbent for Pb(II) removal

Perla Harisha , Vihangraj V Kulkarniab , and Pranab Kumar Ghosha

PP 36. Sulfate reducing bacteria from a lab scale up flow anaerobic packed bed reactor for heavy

metal removal and its characterization

M Gopi kirana, Kannan Pakshirajana,b* and Gopal Dasa,c

PP 37. Role of functionalized adsorbents for selective Pd(II) uptake: A mini review

Nagireddi Srinua, Animes Kumar Golderb and Ramgopal Uppaluric*

PP 38. Phenol degradation by a native mixed bacterial culture isolated from crude oil

contaminated sites of Assam, India

Sounak Beraa, Abhijit Sarma Roya, Aloke Kumar Ghoshala,b, Kaustubha Mohantya, band Debasish Das*a, c

PP 39. Spectral Sensitization of TiO2 by Copper Doping: A Biological Approach

Ch Venkatanarasimha Raoa, Shivrajb and Animes Kumar Golderc*

PP 40. Street dust PAHs of a fast growing city of South Asia: toxicity and sources Karishma Hussaina and Raza Rafiqul Hoqueb*

PP 41. Beneficial role of green silver nanomaterial on earthworm health and soil quality

Pallabi Dasa**, Chaitali Roy Choudhurya, Niranjan Karakb and Satya Sundar Bhattacharyaa,*

NCOCER 2015


PP 42. Isolation of Para Chloro Meta Xylenol (PCMX) utilizing bacteria and its biodegradation

Bhanupriya Bhanupriya, Tanushee Ghosh and Priyabrata Sarkar

PP 43. Effect of addition of EM on performance of Rotary drum composting

Mohit Madan Kalea and S K Patidarb

PP 44. Investigation in sono-enzymatic degradation of anti-inflammatory drug

Sankar Chakmaa and S Vijayanand Moholkarb

PP 45. Effect of heavy metals on biodegradation and lipid accumulation by Rhodococcus opacus PD-

630 using naphthalene as the sole carbon source

Lalit Goswamia, Kannan Pakshirajana,b and Pugazhenthi Gc

PP 46. Selective removal of cationic dyes by activated carbon prepared from Kans grass

Somnath Chandaa, Ashok Meenab, M K Purkaitc and Gopal Dasa,b*

PP 47. Removal of Benzene and Toluene Using Bacterial Biofilter'

K Behala and S K Patidarb

PP 48. Wastewater treatment using constructed wetland system - A review

Sugandh Singha and S K Patidarb

PP 49. Optimization of Steel Industry Waste in Improving Swelling Properties of a Black Cotton

Soil

Sandeep Tanwara and Ashwani Jainb

PP 50. Water Content and Infiltration Rate of Soil: A Study

Balraj Singha and Surender Deswalb

PP 51. Corporate social responsibility and environmental protection of companies operating in

Shillong, Meghalaya in compliance with the companies act, 2013

Aksana Neah Ch Maraka and O P Singhb

PP 52. Preparation of hydrophilic polysulfone membrane using polyacrylic acid with polyvinyl

pyrrolidone

Nilay Sharmaa and M K Purkaitb

PP 53. Groundwater Potential Zone in Ampati, South Garo Hills District, Meghalaya

D Waliaa and Ibameaihun Dharb

PP 54. Socio-Environmental Impact of LED Based Solar Urja Table Lamp at Rural Areas

Debanjan Sannigrahia and Nikita Kalab

NCOCER 2015

Centre for the Environment 1

IL 1. Bioremediation of Petroleum hydrocarbon from contaminated sites

Suresh Dekaa

aEnvironmental Biotechnology Laboratory, Life Sciences Division, Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST), Paschim Boragaon, Garchuk, Guwahati – 781035, Assam, Indi E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract

Microorganisms capable of degrading hydrocarbons in various forms can be found in many environments

depending on the specific compounds present in the environment. However, the rate of degradation of

hydrocarbon in nature is limited due to their hydrophobic property. A promising method that can improve

the effectiveness of bioremediation of hydrocarbon-contaminated environment is the use of

biosurfactants. Biosurfactants are surface-active amphipathic metabolites produced by some

microorganisms. Keeping this into mind, an investigation was carried out to develop an efficient

consortium of bisurfactant producing bacterial strains, which could be used for remediation of petroleum

hydrocarbon from contaminated sites. For that, a total of twenty three bacterial strains were isolated from

hydrocarbon contaminated soil. The ability of degradation of hydrocarbon of the isolates was tested

individually and five of them were selected for further study on the basis of utilization of hydrocarbon.

Among these five isolates, three were found biosurfactant producer and two non- producer. Ten different

consortia were designed involving best hydrocarbon utilizing strains taking both biosurfactant producers

and non-producers. The consortium consisting bacterial strain Bacillus pumilus KS2 and Bacillus cereus

R2 had shown best result in degradation of crude oil. The consortium could degrade 82.15% of total

petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) from the crude oil in five weeks of incubation time. Also, the consortium

could degrade different PAHs like Naphthalene, Fluorene, Phenanthrene, Anthracene, 3.beta.-

Myristoylolean-12-en-1, 1H-Indene, 2, 3-dihydro-1, 1, 5, 6 and their derivatives which indicates the

prospective of the consortium to be used for remediation of petroleum hydrocarbon contaminated sites.

NCOCER 2015


IL 2. Recent advances in atmospheric science research: challenges and requirements

Ranjit Kumara

aDepartment of Chemistry, Technical College Dayalbagh Educational Institute (Deemed University), Dayalbagh, Agra-5. E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract

The constituents of atmosphere play very important role in globally recognized problem of climate

change and health. Atmosphere is made up of different gases which are in equilibrium and such

equilibrium are getting disturbed due to extraordinary activities and anthropogenic emissions and

consequent results are seen in the form of global warming, climate change, ozone layer depletion, green

house effect, acid rain, deterioration of building and vegetation and loss of public health. Aerosol particles

and their precursor gases are responsible culprits. The effects and extents of consequences depend upon

their concentration/level in the atmosphere and the rate at which they are being depleted from the

atmosphere as well as on the receptors. The physical and optical as well chemical and biological

components of particles play significant role. Characterization and measurements of concentration, shape

and size determination, source identification, characterization of components, modeling and forecasting

are important but challenging and required facets of atmospheric research as they vary from zone to zone

and season to season. The control measures of atmospheric problems are neglected but it is the demand of

time. The consciousness towards environment can be ultimate solutions. Addressing the problem from the

grassroots level is required which can be achieved by making the people alert and raising the

consciousness of common public. This talk will focus and highlights causes, impacts and solutions of

atmospheric problem and challenges in addressing such problems through research.

NCOCER 2015


IL 3. Climate Change Scenario with Special Reference to North-East India Region

Sanjay O’Neill Shawa

aScientist-D Regional Meteorological Centre, L.G.B.I. Airport, Guwahati – 781 015

Abstract

‘Climate’ can be defined as ‘Weather’ averaged over a long period of time (≥30 years). ‘Climate’ is the

mean state of the atmosphere for a given time scale (hour, day, month, season, year, decade or so forth)

over a specified geographical region. Climate shapes a society’s development and greatly affects people’s

health, livelihoods and prosperity. Climate change is a significant and lasting change in the statistical

distribution of weather patterns over periods ranging from decades to millions of years. It may be a

change in average weather conditions or in the distribution of weather around the average conditions.

During 1980s, it was detected by the scientists that the average temperature of the earth was increasing.

According to ‘IPCC’ (Inter Governmental Panel on Climate Change), the world’s surface temperature has

increased by an average of 0.6 oC during the last century. Climate change scenario has affected the whole

world. One of the prime reasons of climate change it due to human activities. In 2001, IPCC submitted its

assessment- ‘An increasing body of observations gives a collective picture of a warming world and other

changes in the climate system.’ Climate Change refers to any change in climate over time, whether due to

natural variability or as a result of human activity. It is now widely accepted that the global climate is

changing. Climate change may be due to natural internal processes or external forcing, or to persistent

anthropogenic changes in the composition of the atmosphere or in land use. Climate change can be well

assessed if there is a good array of weather observatories. The data available in the stations in the NE

region will be studied and trends, if any, in temperature and rainfall scenario will be projected in the

lecture.

NCOCER 2015


IL 4. Major Constraints in Popularizing Vermicompost Technology in Eastern India

A K Sannigrahi a

aScientist ‘F’ & Additional Director, Proof & Experimental Establishment (PXE), DRDO, Post- Chandipur,

Balasore, Odisha, 756025 E mail: [email protected]

Abstract

Vermicompost technology is emerging as a simple, easily adoptable and effective biotechnology for

recycling all organic wastes all over India. It can be taken up in small scales at household levels or at

large scale for commercial purposes. This technology is widely spread among farmers in states like

Karnataka, Tamilnadu, Maharashtra, Gujrat, etc. while opposite trend has been noticed in Odisha, West

Bengal and Bihar. The major constraints related to popularization of vermicomposting are (i) Technical

constraints which include variations in technology suggested by different researchers, lack of awareness /

knowledge on advantages of vermicomposting over traditional composting and lack of proper training

facility to interested individuals, (ii) Economical constraints that include the lack of government support

for extending financial benefits / subsidies and lack of marketing facility / infrastructure, (iii)

Promotional constraints which include non-availability of efficient epigeic earthworms in nearby locality,

difficulty in chemical analysis of produce for maintaining quality and lack of government initiatives for

encouraging organic farming, (iv) Social constraints like least liking by members of family and society

and (v) Psychological constraints by considering the technology as less cost effective, more labour

intensive and high input oriented. If constraints are dealt (a) by arranging proper locality based suitable

training among the interested farmers and unemployed youths, (b) by providing necessary financial

support to them after training and (c) by creating proper marketing infrastructure to sell quality product

under a dedicated Non-Government Organization using one brand name, then the technology will be

popularized in Eastern India. The Organic farming as well as soil health will be improved. The

technology, at present, remains as talk of the day among literates in city or in conference, but it has to be

penetrated among rural masses irrespective of their literacy, financial status and demographic differences.

NCOCER 2015


IL 5. Prospective of Industrial Wastewater Treatment and Challenges

Naresh Kumar Sahooa

aDepartment of Chemistry, Environmental Science and Technology Program, Institute of Technical Education and Research, Siksha‘O’Anusandhan University, Bhubaneswar 751030, Orissa, India E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract

The rapid growth of the population, the technological and industrial boom has brought enormous

environmental damage and causes serious human health hazards. Effective collection and treatment of

industrial wastewater and its reuse is a critical problem in a developing country like India. Nearly five

decades of intense research effort has been expanded in this exercise by many researchers, but still the

solution appears to be elusive. The talk will highlight issues pertaining to real industrial wastewaters

particularly, refinery, textile and coke oven wastewater, sources of generation, characterization and

various methodologies of wastewater treatment. It also discusses new insights on the potential impacts of

microbial community dynamics on process feasibility, design and operation.

A newly designed upflow biofilm reactor was developed by our laboratory with improved

hydrodynamic conditions and employed for the treatment of refinery wastewater. 99% pollutant removal

and 94% effluent toxicity removal were achieved at a combined pollutants loading rate of 1707 mgl-1d-1.

However, at higher pollutants loading rate, the reactor performance was found to be unstable, due to the

transient accumulation of toxic intermediate products such as chlorocatechol and nitrocatechol.

Similarly, treatment of textile dye wastewater was performed in a laboratory scale rotating

biological contactor (RBC) reactor with immobilized fungal biomass of Phanerochaete chrysosporium,

the system could completely decolourize the wastewater for a maximum influent dye concentration within

the range 25–200 mgl-1 and 48 h HRT. Further, wastewater containing DR-80 was found to be

decolourized more efficiently compared to that containing MB-9. In the mixed dye system it was

observed that while DR-80 showed a large negative effect on lignin peroxidase and manganese

peroxidase (MnP), whereas, MB-9 affected mainly the MnP activity by the fungus.

We have also attempted to treat coke oven wastewater using MCM-41 nano particle and result

shown that, MCM-41 dose demonstrated a large positive effect on the phenol adsorption, while pH,

showed negative effect on phenol removal, in addition, interaction between temperature and MCM-41

dose had significant effects on phenol removal from the coke oven wastewater. At the optimized

condition more than 99% phenol adsorption was achieved.

NCOCER 2015


Further, the isotherm analysis strongly revealing adsorption of phenolics on to MCM-41 was favorable

and more molecular interactions with the adsorbent occurred, consequently more phenol adsorption.

Whereas, significantly lower value of ’b’ indicated that the heat of sorption of MCM-41 is considerably

low. More details of these treatments of industrial wastewater will be presented in the plenary discussion.

NCOCER 2015


IL 6. A study on carbon footprint of different categories of hotels in the metropolitan city

Chennai

M Rajarajana and S Ganapathy Venkatasubramanian

b

a M.E Environmental Management (Final Year) student, Anna University, Chennai. b Professor, Centre for Environmental Studies, Anna University, Chennai.

Abstract

Carbon footprint is defined as the total quantity of green house gases that are emitted as by product in any

organization either it may be a manufacturing sector or service sector. This is an upcoming and thrust area

of development in the field of climate change and global warming. Base lines for carbon dioxide

equivalent emissions are calculated that are useful in tracking not only the emission rate but also to take

necessary steps to reduce emissions in future. The green house gas emissions are to be reduced to the

maximum because it has become a threat to the global community in causing global warming and

subsequently several adverse environmental impacts which in turn reduces environmental sustainability.

In this study different star categories of hotels in the metropolitan city of Chennai were taken as

the samples of study, whose carbon footprint has been calculated. The purpose of choosing Chennai as

study area is, it has a various attractions for tourists and business people all over the year, all over the

world and always there is a high demand for the hospitality sector to cater the needs of the customers.

Recently it started attracting several tourists for medical treatment or otherwise Chennai is becoming a

Eco cum Medical tourist hub. The study has given an idea of what carbon emissions are happening

actually in a metropolitan city due to the different activities carried out in the hotels.

All the three scopes of Carbon emissions viz. direct emissions, indirect emissions, and other

indirect emissions viz. outsourced activities; contractual activities etc as mentioned in Green House Gas

Protocol have been taken into account for the purpose of calculating carbon emissions. The Greenhouse

Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol) is the most widely used international accounting tool for Government and

business leaders to understand, quantify, and manage greenhouse gas emissions. A decade-long

partnership between the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Business Council for

Sustainable Development (WBCSD), the GHG Protocol is working with businesses, governments, and

environmental groups around the world to build a new generation of credible and effective programs for

tackling climate change. The GHG Protocol also offers developing countries an internationally accepted

management tool to help their businesses to compete in the global marketplace and their governments to

make informed decisions about climate change. GHG Protocol is the second most important climate

program after Kyoto Protocol in the successful measurement and management of climate change.

NCOCER 2015


An elaborate and extensive study has been made. From the field data collected mathematical calculations

have been done for the purpose of deriving emissions which are direct and indirect sources in the hotel

industry of different star category. A comprehensive base line data have been evolved. This base line data

is used, how the carbon emissions can be reduced on a yearly or monthly basis in future. Suitable energy

conservation measures are suggested and how far best available technology can be practiced to reduce the

carbon foot print in the hotel industry is also discussed.

NCOCER 2015


IL 7. Mercury emissions from coal fired power plants of India - case study

Tarit Baran Dasa, Ashim Choudhury

b

aSr. Principal Scientist, CSIR-CIMFR bRetd Chief Scientist, CSIR-CIMFR Email: [email protected]

Abstract

Globally, coal combustion is the single largest source of anthropogenic mercury emissions. In a recent

study on coal samples collected from twenty three power plants, broadly covering the major coal fields of

India shows that the mercury content varied from 0.003-0.34 g/ton with the mean value being 0.14 g/ton.

Mercury concentrations in flue gases were measured in three power plants. The average mercury

concentration in the flue gas at the outlet of ESP of the three power stations was 14.84, 11.50 and 4.24

μg/Nm3 respectively. Significant portion of mercury present in feed coal have been found to be associated

with fly ash. Speciation of mercury in flue gas shows that proportion of elemental mercury is much higher

than oxidized mercury. A significant reduction in mercury concentrations has been observed in the clean

coals of commercial coal washeries. The study also indicates that the mercury emissions from coal-fired

power generation are estimated at 38.54 metric tons/annum for 2008.

NCOCER 2015


IL 8. Efficacy of High Altitude Lakes as Sentinels of Climate Change: Examples of Three

Eastern Himalayan Lakes

Jyothi prakash Dekaa and Manish Kumar

b*

a,bDepartment of Environmental Science, Tezpur University, Napaam, Sonitpur, Assam 784 028, India. *Email: [email protected]

Abstract

High Altitude Lake (HAL) research is of significant importance as change in the lake chemistry can

reflects global climate change. This is especially because HALs are located in pristine environment far

from direct anthropogenic impacts. Due to limited buffering capacity of these HALs; they can reflect very

minute change in the environment. Therefore, HALs can be used as sensitive indicators of changes in

local, regional or global environment. However the efficacy of HALs as sentinels of climate change from

the hydrgeochemistry aspects is still not substantiated. It is therefore in the present study three HALs in

the Eastern lesser Himalaya were chosen for long term monitoring for climate change indicator. They

were monitored for seasonal variation in hydrogeochemical processes, effective CO2 pressure (pCO2) and

levels of trace elements to understand the imprints of long range transported contamination. They have

been monitored for four years since 2011-2014. Results revealed that, there were marked seasonal

variations in ionic composition of lake water. In all three lakes, the pCO2 value has increased in the post-

monsoon probably due to higher atmospheric CO2 during winter. Lake water chemistry is attributed to

long range transport of air pollutant through wet precipitation in monsoon; and by chemical weathering,

biological and mineralization processes in post-monsoon. In monsoon, trace elements was found in the

order of Fe>Mn>Zn>Pb>Cu>Cr>Cd with slight change in Pb, Cd, Cr and Cu in post-monsoon. Imprints

of the atmospherically derived sources i.e. aerosols on the lake water quality was also noticed. HYSPILT

back trajectory model was used to trace the source of long range transport of pollutant. Results reveals

that air arriving to the vicinity of these lakes has an origin from the southeast direction during pre-

monsoon and the mid-Gangetic plain during post-monsoon season respectively. Phosphorous (P)

fractionation of the surficial sediment of P.T.Tso and Sella lakes were studied and the findings revealed

that the surficial sediment of lakes were least influenced by anthropogenic sources, since a slight increase

in each of the P-Fractions was observed over the years, except organic P. Decrease in organic fraction of

P indicated that lakes became more oligotrophic in nature. It implies that even at such remote high

altitude locations P characteristics are changing year to year which sought for further investigation and

enables HALs to show the early impacts of climate change related changes.

NCOCER 2015


A clear influence of long range transported air pollutants has been found through HYSPLIT back

trajectory models which needs to be substantiated through long-term monitoring. For further in-depth

study of impact of climate change, we have taken up isotopes as tool of accuracy. The results do suggests

that hydrogeochemical aspects are equally important like other physical and biological indicators of

climate change in the high altitude lake systems.

Keywords: High altitude lake, Climate change, HYSPILT back trajectory model, Long Range Pollutant

Transport Nutrient status, Phosphorous fractionation, Sediment, India

NCOCER 2015


IL 9. Identification of operational and maintenance problems of UASB for treating

domestic wastewater

P Albino Kumara and Nadeem Khalil

b

aDepartment of Civil Engineering, National Institute of Technology Manipur, 795004, bDepartment of Civil Engineering, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 202002 (UP) India Email: [email protected], [email protected]

Abstract

For treating domestic as well as industrial waste water, anaerobic based "Upflow Anaerobic Sludge

Blanket" (UASB) technology has replaced several aerobic based "Activated sludge process" (ASP) or

"Trickling Filter" (TF). The less sludge production and strong shock loading adsorption capacity besides

high strength COD treatment capacity for UASB has led to its rapid application globally since the last two

decades. This study deals with design, construction, operation, maintenance and performance based on

the case study conducted at full-scale 40 MLD (40,000 m3/d) UASB based sewage treatment plant (STP),

which is receiving sewage from population of about 2.5 lakhs at Karnal, India. The main units of STP

includes, main pumping station (MPS), screen chamber, grit chamber, UASB reactors, final polishing unit

(FPU), sludge drying beds (SDBs) and biogas holder along with a 1 MLD biotower. Adopting modular

approach, four UASB reactors each to handle 10 MLD (10,000 m3/day) of flow are provided. The average

design hydraulic retention time (HRT) of UASB reactor was kept as 9.23 hrs whereas designed solid

retention time (SRT) was 38 days. The BOD as well as COD reduction efficiency of the plant varied from

45% to 60% whereas the efficiency for TSS removal varied from 55% to 75%. The biogas yield was

0.12m3/Kg COD removed as compared to its theoretical value of 0.35m3/Kg COD removed. The biogas

has 65% to 75 % methane with remaining 30 % to 35% CO2, 1% to 2 % H2S and other gases. The

decrease in efficiency from its theoretical value was analyzed and operation and maintenance problems

issues are hereby identified in this study.

Keywords: UASB, methane, COD, STP, HRT.

NCOCER 2015


IL 10. National Green Corps Eco-clubs: Igniting Young Minds for Green Action

Simanta Kalitaa

NCOCER 2015


IL 11. Seasonal variations in river flow and chemical fluxes of the uMhlatuzana, uMbilo

and aManzimnyama river catchments in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.

S Pillaya, K Moodley

b and H Ballabh

a

aSchool of Agricultural, Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban 4000, South Africa. bCouncil for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Durban, South Africa.

Abstract

The uMhlatuzana, uMbilo and aManzimnyama Rivers and associated catchments located on the eastern

seaboard of the KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa, form the developmental core and also constitute

the total freshwater inflows to the Bayhead Canal of the Durban Harbour. In this study, seasonal

discharges and physico-chemical parameters were used to assess the material mass transport capacity of

these river systems. The mass transport of total dissolved solids (TDS), ammonium (NH4), phosphorous

(P), aluminium (Al), calcium (Ca), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), mercury (Hg), potassium ions (K),

magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), sulphur (S) and vanadium (V) were determined

and their implications assessed for each of the rivers. Results indicate that land use, seasonality and river

flow were significant determinants of material loading in the rivers and the receiving port waters. Spatial

and temporal chemical flux distribution patterns indicated that industrial activity associated with the

aManzimnyama Canal contributed the most with regards to TDS, NH4, Ca, K, Mg, Na, S and V loading

in both wet and dry seasons, as well as Al, Cu, Hg and Pb during the dry season. Similarly, industrial

activity associated with the uMbilo/uMhlatuzana Canal at the lower reaches accounted for the highest P,

Al, Cu and Pb fluxes in the wet season only. Fluxes of these parameters have also been used to explain

observed elemental concentrations and patterns in the port waters of the Bayhead Canal into which they

flow.

NCOCER 2015


OP 1. Comparative study of pre and post-monsoon variation of Arsenic contamination in

the groundwater at Silchar Town, Barak Valley, Assam and its correlation with

topography of the study area

Tushar Deb Kanungoa and Chandan Paul Choudhury

b

aDepartment of Chemistry, G. C. College, Silchar, Assam 788004, India b Department of Geology, G. C. College, Silchar, Assam 788004, India E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract

A total of 60 (30x2) samples from hand tube wells were collected from 30 sites of Silchar Town in pre

and post monsoon during 2012-13. The Arsenic contamination in the bore wells varies from 136 µg l-1 -

179 µg l-1and decreases with increasing depth. The oscillatory movement of Arsenic variation is seen in

both the seasons. Regional variability is dependent on sub-surface geology. From the overall study it

appears that 27 % are safe (0-10 mg l-1), 52% exceeds the WHO standard but remains within the

permissible limit (11-50 µg l-1), while 18% exceeds BIS standard and lies in the alarming range (51-100

µg l-1) and 3 % are in the most alarming range (>100 µg l-1).From the seasonal perspective, safe

percentage increases from 20 % in pre-monsoon to 30 % in post-monsoon. We found strong correlation

between groundwater As concentration and topography of the study area. Arsenic-free bore wells are

located at higher elevation (84 ftmsl) compared to As-rich wells located at lower elevation (57-65 ftmsl).

The pH ranges from 5. 9 - 7. 6 and 6. 4 - 7. 4 while EC varies from 133-813 µScm-1 in pre & post-

monsoon respectively. 80% of installed tube wells are shallow depth (20–60 m). The iron content varies

from 0.1 to 9. 1 mg l-1. The release of iron from its mineral into the groundwater varies with pH. The

arsenic contaminated sites are located in the flood plains of newer alluvium stratum and in land-filled

areas. However, deeper tube wells (> 60 m) would be a better option for As-safe groundwater. So far as

mitigation issue is concerned, many individuals living in these contaminated areas are using sand-gravel

filter to minimize the menace.

Keywords: Arsenic, arsenic contamination, bore wells, groundwater, mitigation, topography.

NCOCER 2015


OP 2. Wasteland Reclamation and Its Management

Arvind Kumara and R K Mahto

b*

aDeptt. ofBotany,T.N.B.College, Bhagalpur b*Deptt.of Botany, J.P. College, Narayanpur, T.M. Bhagalpur University, Bhagalpur-812007 (Bihar). Email: [email protected]

Abstract

Wastelands are lands which are economically unproductive, ecologically unstable and subject to

environmental deterioration. Wasteland is deteriorating for lack of appropriate water and soil

management or on account of natural causes. Deforestation, overgrazing, overpopulation, unskilled use of

land, irrational exploitation of natural resources are major anthropological activities for the genesis of the

wastelands. The undulating upland, sandy area, snow covered area, coastal saline areas etc. are natural

factors of wasteland formation. With the gradual rise of land resource demand, reclamation of wasteland

appears to be one of the major tasks of the country. To improve the physical structure and quality of the

soil, to improve the availability and quality of water, to prevent the shifting of soil ,land slides and

flooding, to conserve the biological resources of the land for sustainable use are some important

ecological objectives suggested by National Wasteland Development Board (NWDB) for the reclamation

and development of wasteland. It has been established that government by itself cannot succeed in

undertaking such a massive programme for reclamation of wasteland without co-operation of NGOs and

local communities.

NCOCER 2015


OP 3. Some studies on Mycobacterium Tuberculosis incidences in Barak Valley, Assam,

India

Apurba Chakrabortya, P Choudhury

b and A Bhattacharjee

c

aResearch Scholar, Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, Assam University, Silchar, Assam (India) and Associate Professor, Dept. of Zoology, Cachar College, Silchar, Assam bProfessor, Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, Assam University, Silchar, Assam cAssistant Professor, Department of Microbiology, Assam University, Silchar, Assam Email: [email protected]

Abstract

The terms environment and public health are interdependent. Environmental sanitation is the most

important parameter that determines the public health of an area. Tuberculosis, a highly contagious

disease, caused by the infection of a bacterium, Mycobacterium tuberculosis (a worldwide pandemic)

which results in more than two million deaths per year. The disease is most prevalent in underdeveloped

countries having unsanitary living conditions, crowded living quarters and marginalized group of people.

Cachar district (located at southern Assam of North East India) has a population of about 17.5 lakhs. A

survey on the incidences and severity of tuberculosis was carried out for a period of 19 months (January,

2013 to July, 2014) in the District of Cachar, Assam. The sputum samples of 416victims were examined

to confirm the infection and to ascertain the grades of infection. The results were analyzed according to

different age groups, as per grades of infection and on segregation of infection among the males and

females. Prevalence and magnitude of infections were found in conformity with the socio-economic status

of the victims. Most vulnerable age group has been found to be between 30-50 years and the infections in

males outnumber the females. The implementation of DOTS, the Stop TB strategy under The Revised

National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP), has led to treatment success rates of tuberculosis

and has brought about reduction in the duration of disease.

Key words: Cachar district, direct observation therapy, District Tuberculosis Centre, Mycobacterium

tuberculosis, RNTCP.

NCOCER 2015


OP 4. Impact of Climate Change on Rural livelihood in the Khasi and Jaintia Hills District

of Meghalaya

Pynshongdor L Nongbria

aAssistant Professor, St. Anthony’s College, Shillong

Abstract

Climate change is a global phenomenon, and on which its impact has been felt in every nook and corner

of this planet earth. This paper attempts to understand the impact of Climate change on rural livelihood

vis-à-vis agriculture and allied activities and also to formulate relevant strategies as coping mechanism.

Meghalaya’s economy is closely tied to its natural resource base and climate sensitive sectors such as

agriculture, water, and forestry. Agriculture is extremely vulnerable to climate change; higher

temperatures eventually reduce yields of desirable crops while encouraging weed and pest proliferation.

Rural community has been bearing the brunt. While the input cost on agriculture is increasing at a neck

breaking speed, the production is decreasing as well. Seeds varieties available in the market are not being

able to cope with the erratic weather condition and lack of technical agencies and snail pace of the state

machineries has added more to their problem. Warming climate also bring in more diseases in livestock,

which is consider as an emergency asset among the rural community. In times of emergencies they turn to

livestock to meet their urgent need. However, due to climate change the case has change, it now depend a

lots on veterinary services, in which such opportunity is not available to all except in some pockets. In

response to the problem this paper resolved to develop a System of rice Intensification and introduction of

concentrated feeds using locally available resources among the livestock farmers.

Keywords: Climate Change, Rural livelihood, Agriculture.

NCOCER 2015


OP 5. Hydrogen: An Alternative Nature Loving Modern Technology Fuel

Nakul Bansod a, Deepak Choudhary

b and Amit Marwah

c

aDepartment of Automobile Engineering Shri Vaishnav Institute of Technology & Science, Indore (M.P.) bDepartment of Mechanical Engineering Shri Vaishnav Institute of Technology & Science, Indore (M.P.) cDepartment of Mechanical Engineering Mahakal Institute of Technology & Science, Ujjain (M.P.) E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract

The depletion of the world’s petroleum reserves, due to natural calamities, increase in population and

other global problems compelled human to search for alternative sources of fuel. Since many years world

are facing serious threats of global warming due to pollution and other environmental problems. This

created a challenge for future scientists to overcome this problem. It is therefore necessary to develop new

sources of energy which can meet future demands with easier techniques and eco-friendly conditions.

Hydrogen is an energy carrier that can transform our fossil-fuel dependent economy into a hydrogen

economy, which can provide an emissions-free transportation fuel. Literature reviews and independent

research were the main methods of research. Hydrogen storage and transport are issues of intense research

due to hydrogen’s characteristic low density. Hydrogen is non-carcinogenic and leaves no pollutants and

helps in maintaining ecological balance. What exactly are the completely emissions-free methods of

producing and utilizing hydrogen in transportation? Hydrogen is the fuel of the future.

Keywords: Global warming, Energy Density, Electrolysis.

NCOCER 2015


OP 6. Role of Adaptive Measures in Combating Climate Change in India

Shirin Raisa and Wasim Ahmad

b

a Department of Economics, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), Aligarh. bAssistant Professor VGSOM, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kharagpur. Email: [email protected]

Abstract

Climate change is one of the most discussed issues these days. Apart from other challenges, climate

change poses a new threat to India. India is probably the only country which is going to witness wide

variety of climate changes and repercussions associated with it as compared to other countries since India

possess variety of climatic regions from tropical to alpine climate each with different weather features.

This is a very important issue since such climate exposure affects livelihood of large masses of population

which lack substantial adaptive facilities. Nowadays, since climate change is a global phenomenon it is

not possible to avoid the impacts of climate change but the adverse consequences can be minimized by

providing adaptation measures to people living particularly in vulnerable regions. The paper shows that in

India regional inequalities in different parts of the country makes the adaptation measures ineffective and

exposes large section of population to climate change susceptibility. The study concludes that India must

strengthen adaptation strategies by focusing on enhancing regional equalities through focused human

development with major emphasis on the provision of safe drinking water, sanitation and equitable

distribution of developmental activities in all regions of the country particularly northern India, central

India and north-eastern region.

NCOCER 2015


OP 7. Heavy Metal Contamination (Cr, Pb and Fe) of Groundwater Sources: A case study

in and around lower Jia-Bharali River basin, India

Nayan J khounda*

, Parag Phukonb and Krishna G Bhattacharyya

c

aDepartment of Chemistry, Digboi College, Tinsukia, India bDepartment of Geological Sciences, Gauhati University, Guwahati, India cDepartment of Chemistry, Gauhati University, Guwahati, India *Email: [email protected]

Abstract

180 unconfined, shallow alluvial aquifers of North Brahmaputra plain, Assam, India were monitored for

three hydrological years (2008 – 2011) where a strong seasonal fluctuation of the groundwater table

linked to the summer monsoon have been observed that brings more than 1500 mm precipitation in the

plain between June – September. The sub – surface aquifers distributed almost over the entire plain has

yielded a high level Chromium concentration where 60% of the samples in the wet season and as much as

90 % of the same in dry season have Cr content more than the WHO permissible limit (0.05 mg/L). Lead

concentration is above permissible limit of WHO, 0.05 mg/L in most of the dry season samples although

88 % of the rainy season samples show Pb concentration exceeding this limit. Similarly, most of the water

samples showed Iron concentration much more than the WHO (2004) permissible limit for drinking water

(0.3 mg/L). High level of these toxic metals in the ground water sources is plausibly geogenic, due to

leaching from the alluvial sub-stratum (with possible source region in the Arunachal Himalaya) and

anthropogenic sources which may pose a more serious and continuing health risk to humans and

environment of the plain.

Keywords: Shallow aquifer, Brahmaputra plain, Chromium, Lead, Iron, Himalaya, Jia-Bharali river

NCOCER 2015


OP 8. Effect of air pollution on mental health

Shilpi Ghosha

aAssistant Professor, Department of Education, VinayaBhavana, Visva-Bharati, Santiniketan. Email: [email protected]

Abstract

Air pollution is a well-known environmental hazard. Long-term exposure to air pollutants such as carbon

monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2) sulphur dioxide (SO2), various types of nitrogen oxides, volatile

organic compounds , ozone (O3), heavy metals like lead and particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) has an

adverse effect on, both the environment and the human beings. In recent years, air pollution is often

linked with the growing morbidity and mortality worldwide. It has both acute and chronic effects on

human health. Effect of air pollution on the physical health, especially its impact on the cardiac and

respiratory systems has been much explored. However, recent studies show that air pollution has a

detrimental effect on the Central Nervous System. Emerging evidence suggests that air pollution causes

induced neuro inflammation, oxidative stress, microglial activation, cerebro-vascular dysfunction, and

alterations in the blood-brain barrier contribute to Central Nervous System pathology. Many mental

disorders such as Cerebral Stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, Dementia, Schizophrenia, Autism and other

neuro-developmental disorders may be caused due to air pollution. It affects mental health of the human

beings, which in turn affects the overall productivity and prosperity of the nations. The present paper

attempts to critically analyze the literature related to the effect of air pollution on the mental health. The

researcher has explored the relevant literature over a period of two decades and consolidated the concept

about the effect of air pollution on the mental health.

Keywords: Air Pollution, Mental Disorders and Mental Health.

NCOCER 2015


OP 9. Rethinking framework for instream and effluent water quality in the context of

urban wastewater reuse in agriculture

Priyanka Jamwala*

, Mohammed Idrisb, Praveen Rajeurs

c and Sharach Chandra Lele

d

a,b,c,dCentre for Environment and Development Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE), Jakkur, 560064 *Email: Jamwal, Priyanka ([email protected])

Abstract

The Central Pollution control Board of India (CPCB) has laid water quality criteria for different uses of

river water, including irrigation, which is the most common use of water downstream of cities. In

addition, CPCB has specified effluent standards for discharge in surface water, public sewers, oceans and

for application on land, which is presumably the same as irrigation use. We use a case study from

Bengaluru city and its downstream agricultural area to explore the adequacy and consistency of these

standards. The river Vrishabhavathy (V-river) drains partially treated effluent water from the western

portion of Bengaluru city (capital of Karnataka state). This water is captured in an irrigation reservoir

(Byramangala tank) and used by farmers in its command area for agricultural purposes. We present data

on chemical and biological quality of water used for irrigation. We then compare these values with the

standards set for irrigation water use and for direct application of effluents on land. We find that the water

quality of the V-river water at the point of application to agriculture meets the existing irrigation use

standards but these standards do not adequately take care of farmer health, as they do not specify limits

for fecal coliforms and toxic heavy metals, which have been set by WHO as and FAO. The water quality

standards set for direct land application of effluents are completely different from those set for irrigation

use of stream water, and V-river water does not meet these direct land application standards. Finally,

there is mismatch between the irrigation use standard and the effluent discharge standard for discharging

into the river upstream.

Our analysis calls for re-examination of the water quality standards to ensure farmer health and make the

effluent discharge standards consistent and compatible with water quality standards for downstream use.

NCOCER 2015


OP 10. Environment Management in Thermal Power Plant: Emerging Challenges and

Issues

Satendra K Jaina

aAdditional General Manager, Corporate Environment Management, NTPC Ltd

NCOCER 2015


OP 11. Monitoring of ground water quality in west Jaintia hills, Meghalaya using water

quality index method

R Eugene Lamarea, Redolanroy Shylla

b and O P Singh

c

a,b,c Department of Environmental Studies, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong -793022, Meghalaya, INDIA Email: [email protected]

Abstract

The study was carried out to assess the dug well water quality of Ummulong village, West Jaintia Hills

district (Meghalaya) by evaluating various water quality parameters which includes pH, electrical

conductivity (EC), turbidity, total dissolve solids (TDS), total hardness (TH), calcium (Ca), magnesium

(Mg), chloride (Cl), sulphate (SO4) and sodium (Na). Five representatives dug well water samples were

collected and analysed during October, 2013 and February, 2014. Water quality index (WQI) method was

used for determining the quality status of the ground water. For WQI computation, Bureau of Indian

Standards (BIS) and Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) standard values were adopted.

Computed WQI values of the water samples were found to be in the ranged of 29.74 to 49.66 during

October, 2013 and 27.51 to 47.01 during February, 2014 indicating the water quality under ‘good water

quality ‘category. The maximum and minimum index value throughout the study period was found in

Station-5 and Station-3, respectively. Localised factors such as seepage and leachate of grey water,

livestock waste and septic tank fluid from the dug well vicinity are the only contamination sources in the

area. In conclusion, it can be said that ground water in Ummulong village, West Jaintia Hills district

(Meghalaya) has not yet polluted and thus good for human uses.

Keywords: Groundwater Quality, WQI, West Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya.

NCOCER 2015


OP 12. Emission inventory of vehicular pollutants of Assam and its trend analysis

Gautam Duttaa*

and Kalyan Kalitab

aHOD Auto Engg. POWIET, Jorhat bAssociate Professor, AEC Guwahati *Email: [email protected]

Abstract

Vehicles are a major source of air pollution in Assam as well as most of Indian cities. The rapid

urbanization and industrialization in India have resulted in tremendous rise of vehicular population. As a

result there is traffic congestion, reduction in speed which leads to more fuel consumption. So, air quality

in Indian cities is degrading at an alarming rate. Central and state governments have taken various steps to

improve the standard of air quality. Accurate estimation of emission inventory is very much essential to

devise a plan to reduce emissions to meet air quality goals and to track progress of its mitigation

measures. In this paper an attempt has been made to estimate vehicular pollution inventories of Assam

with top down approach where estimation is based on total fuel consumption, emission factor and total

number of vehicles registered in different categories. In bottom up approach region of interest is divided

in different sectors and all activities in the sector are considered for estimating emission inventory of the

sector. As the top down approach is based on total fuel consumption, it, therefore, reveals more accurate

results. In this work these emissions are estimated sector wise. It is revealed that CO, HC, PM, SO2, CO2

have almost doubled in last five years. The growth rate of CO, CH4 and HC is found to be the maximum

and for NOx it is the minimum. It is observed that trucks contribute more than 65% of the total pollution

followed by two wheelers with more than 11%. Diesel consumption is much more than total petrol

consumption. But emission of pollutants like HC, CO and CH4 are significantly higher from petrol

vehicles and pollutants CO2, NOx and SO2 are significantly higher in case of diesel vehicles.

NCOCER 2015


OP 13. Influence of Carboxylic and Phenolic -OH Groups on the Adsorption Behavior of

different Benzoic acid analogues at the α-Alumina/Water Interface

Jayanta Madhab Boraha*

aAssistant Professor, Department of Chemistry Lumding College, Lumding, Nagaon-782 447, Assam Email: [email protected]

Abstract

Benzoic acid analogues such as benzene (poly) carboxylic acids, (poly) hydroxybenzoic acids are

ubiquitous components in the aquatic eco-systems and important in several environmental geochemical

processes such as mineral dissolution processes, metal-ion sequestration, redox reaction, pH buffering and

stability of mineral colloids. Benzenetricarboxylic and dihydroxybenzoic acids (DHBA) with –COOH

and phenolic –OH groups are important intermediates of many industrial synthetic products and are

equally undesirable as organic pollutants in the biosphere, e.g., 2,3-DHBA, 3,4-DHBA, 2,5-DHBA are

major organic pollutants in the agro-industrial waste water. Systematic adsorption behavior of different

benzenetricarboxylic and dihydrodroxybenzoic acids (DHBA) onto alumina surface were studied in

presence of background electrolytes with special emphasis on adsorption kinetics and isotherms. The

magnitude of difference in adsorption density between 2, 4-DHBA and trimellitic acid is much higher

(~2.1 times) than for 2, 3-DHBA and hemimellitic acid (~1.2 times) and 3, 5-DHBA and trimesic acid (~

1.7 times). Therefore, the types of functional group present in the adsorbate have also marked influence

on the adsorption density of the corresponding adsorbate. In other words, the presence (also the position)

of phenolic –OH group in the benzene ring of an aromatic acid increases the adsorption density rather

than an adsorbate containing only –COOH group in the benzene ring.

Keywords: Adsorption, Alumina, Benzenetricarboxylic acids, Dihydroxybenzoic acids.

NCOCER 2015


OP 15. A Comparative overview of a classical optimization and evolutionary optimization

technique in view of power system optimization problem

Sarmila Patraa and Ritunjoy Bhuyan

b

aAssociate Professor, Assam Engineering College, bPh D Student,Assam Engineering College, Jalukbari, Guwahati.

Abstract

Power system optimization associates with complex and non –linear characteristics with many equality

and non equality constraints. Either classical or evolutionary optimization techniques may be employed to

the problems. Linear programming , quadratic Programming, Newton’s method, Interior point method

are the examples of Traditional optimization methods while Genetic algorithm, Particle swarm

optimization, differential evolution, Ant-colony optimization etc are some evolutionary optimization

methods. In conventional optimization method, the function, which must have convexity and continuous

variable, must be at least twice differentiable. However, power system optimization problems do not have

these characteristics. As the input –output characteristic of generators are not always smooth; combined

economic emission dispatch (CEED) is a non convex optimization problem, which is not easily solvable

by traditional optimization method. In such situation, Evolutionary optimization becomes the alternative

to solve optimization problem of power system with non-convex, non-differentiable and discontinuous

function. But premature convergence and stagnation becomes an obstacle for direct use of evolutionary

optimization method in power system. In this paper, a comparative study of a classical optimization

method and an evolutionary optimization technique is tried to establish.

NCOCER 2015


OP 16. Production of Fuels from Electro-reduction of Carbon Dioxide: Challenges and

Future Outlook

Surya Singha and Anil Verma

b

aCentre for the Environment, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati-781 039, India bDepartment of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi-110 016, India. Email: [email protected]

Abstract

Global temperature rise and inadequate fuel resources are among the most important challenges before the

environmental scientists across the globe. Various efforts have been made to tackle these challenges.

Electro-reduction of carbon dioxide (ERC) is one such process which has the potential of transforming

these challenges into a successful economical perspective. In this process, the reduction of CO2 is carried

out in an electrochemical reactor which results in a variety of products such as; CO, hydrocarbons, and

alcohols etc. However, since the reaction is thermodynamically unfavorable, it requires significant energy

input. This energy can be supplied by renewable energy resources such as solar/wind. Thus, besides

utilizing CO2, the process also helps in the storage of renewable energy in the form of value added

products. Another advantage of ERC is that it utilizes water as the source of proton which makes the

process environment friendly. Recent researches have shown that the efficiency and selectivity of the

process can be enhanced to a great extent by selectively tuning the reaction zone. It has been seen that

process efficiency can be obtained as high as ~75% by the proper designing of the electro-catalysts. Many

of the literature have discussed the CO2 electro-reduction in solution phase. However, from the practical

point of view, the gas-phase reduction of CO2 is more advantageous viz. direct elecrto-chemical reduction

of gaseous CO2 (dERC). To gain the insight into the process, the studies over mass transfer and reaction

kinetics are unequivocal. Moreover, to understand the intermediate steps as well as for designing the

suitable electro-catalysts, DFT (density functional theory) studies are also required. Future work in this

direction will help in the substantial growth of this field.

Keywords: Carbon dioxide; electrochemical reduction; Electro-catalysts, Fuel.

NCOCER 2015


OP 17. Kinetics and enzymatic mechanism of microalgal phenol degradation

Bhaskar Das a, Tapas K Mandal

b and Sanjukta Patra

c

aCentre for the Environment, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati:781039, India bDeptt. of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati: 781039, India, cDeptt. of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati: 781039, India, Email: [email protected], [email protected]

Abstract

Phenol is a major organic water pollutant which is released in wastewaters of numerous industries as

petrochemical, pharmaceutical, resin production etc. The highly toxic nature of phenol causes harmful

effects to flora and fauna in aquatic ecosystem as well as humans. This calls for efficient technologies for

remediation of phenol from industrial wastewaters. Biodegradation has gained widespread attention

owing to its advantages as complete mineralization of the pollutant as well cost effectiveness. The present

work evaluates the phenol degradation capability of microalgae as well as practical applicability of the

process in petroleum refinery wastewater. Biokinetic parameters obtained by growth kinetic modeling

were utilized to evaluate the phenol degradative performance. The enzymatic mechanism conferring the

phenol degradation ability was elucidated.

NCOCER 2015


OP 18. Greywater Utilization in Irrigation

Vinod Kr Kushwaha, Gulab Singh

b and Raisul Islam

a*

a Department of Civil Engineering, GLA university, Mathura 281406, India bResearch Scholar, Department of Civil Engineering, National Institute of Technology (Deemed University), Kurukshetra 136119, Haryana, India

Abstract

With the decrease in water resources, reuse of domestic greywater for the irrigation of home gardens is

quickly wide spreading in many parts of the world. Greywater is defined as the wastewater produced from

baths and showers, clothes washers, and lavatories. The aim of this paper is to assess the role of greywater

reuse in sustainable water management & to examine the benefits and risks associated with domestic

greywater reuse for the purposes of vegetable garden irrigation. Dish, shower, sink, and laundry water

comprise 50–80% of residential wastewater. Greywater is used in groundwater recharge and plant growth.

Water is viewed as an economic good and a finite resource that should be valued and managed in an

effective manner. The study showed that current environmental policies should aim to control pollution

and to maximize recycling and reuse of GW within households and communities. Decentralized

GW/wastewater management provides more opportunities for maximizing recycling opportunities.

Keywords: Greywater, water management, irrigation, recycling.

NCOCER 2015


OP 19. Bioremoval of Arsenic in Sulfidogenic Suspended Growth Batch Reactors

Arvind Kumar Shakyaa*

and Pranab Kumar Ghoshb

a*Research Scholar, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Guwahati b Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Guwahati

Abstract

Arsenic contamination of drinking water is known around the globe including Asia, Europe, USA, and

New Zealand. World Health Organization (WHO 2006) and the United States Environmental Protection

Agency (USEPA, 2009) have reduced the maximum contamination level (MCL) of arsenic in drinking

water from 50 to 10 µg/L. We have investigated the ability of free sulfide to form insoluble metal sulfide

and the nature of arsenosulfides formed under reducing conditions with dissolved sulfide. This work

represents arsenic removal from groundwater as biogenic arsenosulfides precipitation. The total volume

of the reactor was 100 mL, and the batch cycle was of 7 days. The acetate was chosen as the only energy

and carbon source. The reactor was operated under varying metal concentration range of 250ppb to

550ppb. The initial pH was set 6.8 in order to be as close as possible to real ground water. Metal removal

by bioprecipitation was observed at 97±1%. Time profiles of the reactor showed that the whole process

occurred in about 48 hours of operation with a final pH of 7.0 ± 0.2. Scanning electron microscopy

(SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) analyses of solids confirmed bioremoval of

arsenic as arsenosulfides.

Keywords: Arsenic bioremoval, Biogenic, Arsenosulfide, Bioprecipitation

This is to acknowledge that the project is partially funded by the Ministry of Drinking Water and

Sanitation (Project Ref. No. W.11017/44/2011-WQ).

NCOCER 2015


OP 20. Fabrication and removal of AlCl3 with FAU zeolite composite membrane from

aqueous solution

Ashim Kumar Basumatarya, A K Ghoshal

b and G Pugazhenthi

c*

a,b,cDepartment of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati 781039, Assam, India Email: [email protected]

Abstract

The work addressed here is the deposition of FAU zeolite on low cost circular shaped clay support by

hydrothermal crystallization technique. Clay support was prepared using a mixture of kaolin,

pyrophyllite, feldspar, ball clay, quartz and calcium carbonate with PVA as a binder by uni-axial pressing

and sintering process. FAU zeolite composite membrane was fabricated using molar gel composition of

70 Na2O: Al2O3: 20 SiO2: 2000 H2O in an autoclave reactor at 75 °C. After that the composite membrane

and solid products were taken out from autoclave and dried at 110 °C for 24 h. FAU powder and

membrane were characterized with X-ray diffraction (XRD), N2 adsorption/desorption isotherm, porosity

and field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM). The XRD profile observed at 2θ value of 12.4

demonstrates the formation of a high degree of crystallinity of FAU zeolite. The porosity and pore size of

FAU zeolite membrane is estimated to be 33% and 0.153 µm, respectively. BET surface area and pore

volume observed from N2 adsorption/desorption is 9.843 m2/g, 0.041 cc/g, respectively. The cubical

shape formation is distinctly visible in FESEM images which confirm FAU zeolite on the clay support.

The fabricated FAU zeolite composite membrane is subjected to assess the separation efficiency of AlCl3

from aqueous solution in terms of permeate flux and rejection. A maximum rejection of 75% is obtained

at an applied pressure of 276 kPa for the feed concentration of 3000 ppm.

Keywords: FAU zeolite, hydrothermal, pore size, rejection, AlCl3.

NCOCER 2015


OP 21. Occupational health hazards among workers working in mining industries with

special reference to legislative provisions.

N K Prasannaa

aCentre for the Environment, Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati-781039, India Email: [email protected]

Abstract

Occupational health hazards like dust, noise, and vibration exposure have been recognized as a major

problem among miners working in Indian mining industries. Mining being considered as one of the most

hazardous professions, health of miners has been a challenge for medical fraternities and administrators

since early days of mining as miners suffer from various occupational diseases. These results in

occupational lung diseases, silicosis, Noise induced hearing loss (NIHL), musculoskeletal disorders,

defective vision etc. Despite considerable progress in diagnostic technology, early detection of

occupational diseases has remained a challenge. As most occupational diseases do not have treatment,

early detection and prevention remain the only option. A study was conducted for identifying and

quantifying the determinants of respirable dust and silica exposure among open cast mine workers. The

purpose of this study was to comply with the provisions of regulation 124 of metalliferrous mine

regulations (MMR, 1961) under mines act 1952. More extensive studies are needed to know the exact

prevalence of occupational diseases among the various mining industries in India

Key words: Environmental health, Miners, Toxicants, Musculoskeletal disorders.

NCOCER 2015


OP 22. Effect of solid waste on environmental health and its management

Deepmoni Dekaa

Centre for the Environment, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati-781039, India Email: [email protected]

Abstract

Industrialization and urbanization have lead to production of enormous waste exceeding the assimilation

capacity of the environment leading to its degradation. A substantial amount of these wastes found to be

potentially hazardous contaminates the water, soil and air affecting human health. Major hazardous

waste-generating industries include petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, plastics, pesticides, paint and dye,

petroleum, fertilizers, leather, textiles and small and large scale sectors. Globally around 12 billion tonnes

of solid waste generated annually which is expected to increase to 19 billion tonnes by the year 2025.

About 980 billion tonnes of solid waste is being generated in India annually through industrial, mining,

municipal, agricultural and other processes. Hence, scientific management of solid wastes and sustainable

waste-to-energy generation technology is essential. According to Ministry of New and Renewable energy

(MNRE), there exists a potential of about 1500 megawatt (MW) equivalent energy recovery from

industrial wastes. The ideal solution for solid waste management is to minimize the quantity of waste both

at generation and disposal stage followed by preventive environmental management action. The purpose

of the study is not only to increase awareness about the impending threats that improper solid waste

disposal poses to environment and human health, but also to highlight about waste minimization and

suggesting strategy for sustainable waste management.

Key words: solid waste, waste minimization, human health, sustainable waste management.

NCOCER 2015


OP 23. Interaction of Bacillus badius AK strain with Lead (Pb) isolated during rotary

drum composting of water hyacinth

IshaVishana, Ajay Kalamdhad

b, S SenthilKumar

c

aCentre for the Environment, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT G), Guwahati 781039, Assam, India bDepartment of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT G), Guwahati 781039, Assam, India. cDepartment of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT G), Guwahati 781039, Assam, India. *Email: [email protected]

Abstract

Microorganisms have a high surface area-to-volume ratio because of their small size and therefore

provide a large contact area that can interact with metals in the surrounding environment. Microorganisms

interact with heavy metals in numerous ways. A number of heavy metal resistant bacteria have been

isolated from various waste sources enriched with heavy metals. In present study bacterium previously

isolated from water hyacinth compost have been used for the biosorption study with lead (Pb). Glucose

minimal medium was used for metal-microbe interaction study. 12 isolates were obtained after 10 cycles

of streaking from a total of 656 microbes obtained from drum composting of water hyacinth. Bacillus

badius AK was found to be having the highest OD amongst all 12 robust isolates. Its optimum growth

conditions were pH 4, temperature 30°C, 150 rpm rotational speed, for initial biomass concentration 20

mL having OD 1 Å. The initial concentration that could be sustained by Bacillus badius AK was 100-150

mg/L (0.965-1.447 meq/L). The kinetic study of metal (Pb) sorption suggested that the reaction followed

pseudo first order kinetics. Also isotherm study indicated Langmuir isotherm model fitted better than

Freundlich isotherm model. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rDNA gene sequence depicted that

KP216715 belongs to Bacillus branch with 99% similarity with Bacillus badius strain F. Microbial metal

accumulation has received much attention in the recent years due to the potential use of microorganisms

for cleaning metal-polluted water. This bacterium can be considered one of the most robust bacteria in

compost which not only was able to sustain through the extreme change in conditions during composting

and also was able to interact with toxic trace metal like lead.

Keywords: Water hyacinth, rotary drum composting, Mesophilic bacteria, Optical density, Langmuir

isotherm, Freundlich isotherm.

NCOCER 2015


PP 1. Cost effective and environmentally benign luminescent probes for aqueous Picric

acid explosive detection

Sudesna Chakravartya, Bedanta Gogoi

b and Neelotpal Sen Sarma

c

a,b,c Advanced Materials Laboratory, Physical Sciences Division, Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology, Guwahati-781035, Assam, India Email: [email protected]

Abstract

Green materials with advantages of low cost and high sensitivity are important from the perspective of

human health, environment and homeland security. Herein, we have reported two cost effective modified

biomaterials as fluorophores for detection of picric acid in aqueous state. The biomaterials Scutellarin –

Hispidulosideand Curcumin have been modified with green solvent glycerol for Picric acid detection in

aqueous solution. The Limit of detection for Picric acid by Scutellarin- Hispiduloside- glycerol and

Curcumin- glycerol are 9.1 × 10-8 M and 6.03 × 10-8 M, respectively. These luminescence based sensors

have also been able to detect Picric acid in real samples with high efficiency. The fluorescence quenching

efficiency of Scutellarin-Hispiduloside- glycerol has been found to be 99% while that for Curcumin-

glycerol; it is 88.9% for 0.5 µM Picric acid in aqueous state. In both the cases, the quenching is governed

by FRET between the fluorophore and the quencher and the FRET efficiency has been found to be 0.968

and 0.792, respectively. In addition, both the systems show excellent selectivity towards PA in presence

of other nitro-aromatic compounds and are also statistically accessible. The utilization of readily available

cheap biomaterials without using multistep protocol for synthesis and devoid of any kind of sophisticated

equipment for the processes further enhances the utility of the method for environmental applications.

NCOCER 2015


PP 2. Chemical and biological denitrification of alkaline waste

Akshay Jakhetea, Sayali Titre

a, Avinash Sahu

b, Tessy Vincent

b, K Ajaygiri Goswami

a and L

Mahendra Baria

aUniversity Institute of Chemical Technology, North Maharashtra University, Jalgaon – 425001 bBhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai – 400085 Email: [email protected] and [email protected]

Abstract

The low and intermediate level alkaline waste streams which are generated during the operation and

maintenance of nuclear reprocessing plants contain significant amount of nitrates. The PUREX waste

stream contains significantly large concentration of nitrates, of order greater than 100,000 ppm and is of

highly alkaline nature. In order to treat this waste, a two stage denitration process was developed, first

being chemical denitration followed by biological denitrification. Chemical denitrationwas used for

destructing nitrates and converting them to harmless nitrogen gas using a suitable reductant, in presence

of bimetallic Pd-Cu catalysts. The reductant used was formalin (37-41% formaldehyde) for the

experimental work and for the optimization of different reaction parameters. Conversion of 95.43% was

obtained in 6 hours for bench scale studies and the same process was applied for denitration of simulated

waste resulting in a conversion of 95.66% in 6 hours, final nitrate concentration was approx. 5,000 ppm

for both cases. Since, the reduced concentration doesn’t match the environmentally safe limits of Indian

standards, which is 100 ppm, biological denitrification process was followed after chemical denitration.

The final product over which the biological process was to be applied contained approx. 5000 ppm of

nitrate, un-reacted formaldehyde and formic acid, traces of catalyst and un-reacted NaOH. The bacteria

used were denitrifying bacteria. A continuous anaerobic packed bed reactor was used for denitration

process.

Keywords: Biological Denitrification, Chemical Denitration, denitrifying bacteria, nitrate, nitrite.

NCOCER 2015


PP 3. Emission analysis of a combined vapor power cycle and vapor-absorption

refrigeration system

Kamaljyothi Talukdara and T K Gogoi

b

a, bDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Tezpur University, Napaam, Tezpur 784028, India

Abstract

In this study, emission characteristics of a combined steam turbine (ST) based vapor power cycle and

vapor absorption refrigeration system (VARS) is analyzed.The boiler pressure is taken as 150 bar and

condenser pressure of 0.1 bar. The condenser, evaporator, absorber and generator temperature of VARS is

taken as 35oC, 10oC, 35oC and 80oC, respectively. The heat to the generator of VARS is supplied from the

steam extracted from ST at a pressure which solely depends on the generator temperature. The cooling

load of VARS is taken as 14000 kW. The power cycle uses coal as boiler fuels for steam generation. The

fuel (coal) flow rate is varied in terms of 5 kg/s, 10 kg/s, 15 kg/s and 20 kg/s. In the study three different

samples of bituminous coal is used to study the emission analysis based on above mentioned input

parameters. For sample 1 at 5 kg/s (18000 kg/hr) fuel flow rate, the net power is 35.303 MW; CO2, SO2,

NO2, ash emission are 32076 kg/hr, 180 kg/hr, 414 kg/hr, 1044 kg/hr respectively. If combustion takes

place in insufficient oxygen, CO emitted is 20412 kg/hr. In the above emission, complete conversion of

carbon to CO2 or CO; sulphur to SO2; nitrogen to NO2 is assumed. Similarly, for fuel flow rate of 10 kg/s,

15 kg/s and 20 kg/s emission increases proportionally. For other samples of coal the emission is

dependent on the composition of coal.

NCOCER 2015


PP 4. Studies on the adsorption mechanism of Cu(II), Ni(II) onto Polymeric resins

Swastika Gogoia and Monali Dutta Saikia

b*

a,bDepartment of Chemistry, Arya Vidyapeeth College, Guwahati 781 016, Assam, India Tel.: +91 361 2584316; Fax: +91 361 244065 *E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract

The determination of low level of metal ions in environmental samples and their selective separation from

wastewater by using inexpensive commercially available adsorbents are important. The adsorption based

on polymeric resins is the most prominent one due to their favorable stability and structural diversity that

allow to modulate their adsorption capacity and selectivity. In this study, we attempted to elucidate the

adsorption mechanism of heavy metal ions such as Cu(II) and Ni(II) onto polymeric resins by calculating

the interaction energies and comparing them with the experimental results. The adsorptive interaction on

polymeric resins was computed using B3LYP exchange-correlation functional and the 6-31G** standard

basis set. FTIR studies showed significant changes due to the adsorption of heavy metal ions onto

polymeric resins. Such a study is thought to be useful also for deducing implication in design and

development of appropriate adsorbent for effective removal of heavy metal from industrial wastes.

NCOCER 2015


PP 5. Rainwater chemistry of rural site in mid-Brahmaputra plain

Pranamika Bhuyana and R R Hoque

b*

a,bDepartment of Environmental Science, Tezpur University, Assam (www.tezu.ernet.in) *Email: [email protected]

Abstract

Study of rainwater chemistry was conducted at a rural receptor institutional area, Tezpur University, in

the mid- Brahmaputra Valley of Assam. Total of 104 rainwater samples were collected during March

2012 to October 2012 on event basis. Samples were analyzed for pH, Conductivity (µS/cm) and ionic

constituents (µeql-1). The arithmetic mean pH was found to be 5.8 ± 0.66, however, the volume weighted

mean (VWM) pH for the entire period was found to be 5.28, which is slightly acidic. 34% of rainwater

samples showed pH below 5.6 which is considered as reference pH for rainwater. VWM value for

Electrical conductivity (EC) was found to be 21.65µS/cm. Major anions viz. F- , Cl−, Br−, NO3− and SO4

2- ,

major cations viz. Li+, Na+, NH4+, K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+ and organic acids such as Formic acid and acetic

acids were analyzed by ion chromatograph (Metrohm IC 882 Professional). VWM of SO42- ion was found

to be the maximum followed by NO3-. Again VWM of Calcium was found to be the maximum followed

by Ammonium. Organic acids also played a significant role by contributing total of 24% to the free

acidity of rain. Among the cations Ca2+ played as the main neutralizing component followed by NH4+.

Seasonality of ions was observed in the study. Except Na+, all other measured ions showed higher

concentrations during pre-monsoon season. Na+ was the maximum during monsoon season which reveals

the effect of long range transport during this season.

Key words: Rainwater chemistry, rural, pH, EC, inorganic ions, organic acids, free acidity.

NCOCER 2015


PP 6. Comparative Study of Refractory COD removal from Pharmaceutical Wastewater

Hardik Gamdha Pa

aM.E.(Env. Engg.), B V M Engineering College, Vallabh Vidyanagar - 388 120, Gujarat, India.

Abstract

Water is one of the most valuable resources on planet earth. During the last few decades, the rise of world

population as well as industrial revolution has caused serious environmental pollution. Production and use

of large quantities of pharmaceuticals for human and veterinary applications could lead to the release of

more pharmaceuticals substances into the environment. India is the third largest producer of

pharmaceutical chemicals after the USA and Europe and its turnover is expected to reach US$74 billion

per year by 2020. The main problem to operate CETP’s in Gujarat is the inlet and outlet criteria’s

including refractory COD and Ammonical nitrogen present in the pharmaceutical wastewater. Primary

and secondary treatments are not able to remove the refractory COD and Ammonical nitrogen. To Treat

and improve the wastewater, various advanced oxidation processes (AOP’s) adopted for the removal of

refractory COD individual and in combination including H2O2, TiO2, Fenton and ozonation treatment.

Among this four methods, Fenton and ozonation are more preferable to improve the biodegradability of

pharmaceutical wastewater.

NCOCER 2015


PP 7. Histopathological and haematological effects of Lindane (γ-BHC) in snake head fish

Channapunctata (Bloch, 1793)

Debasish Bhattacharjeea and Suchismita Das

b

a,b Department of Life Science and Bioinformatics, Assam University, Silchar, India

Abstract

The present study aims at estimating the toxic effects of lindane (γ-BHC), 0.0255g/L (1/100th LC50 value

of 96h) an organochlorine pesticide in the snake head fish Channapunctata (Bloch,1793)using

histopathological and haematological parameters. The study found anomalies in liver, gill, kidney and

intestine after 7, 14 and 21 days interval while serious impairment of haematological parameters were

observed for the same duration and for the same dose. The gill showed epithelial lifting, mucous

secretion, hyperplasia and lamellar fusion; intestine showed inflammatory cell infiltration, vacuolation of

epithelial cell, proliferation of goblet cells; kidney tissues were characterized by degeneration in the

epithelial cells of renal tubule, narrowing of the tubular lumen and the liver showed vacuolar degeneration

of hepatocytes and dilatation in hepatic sinusoids amongst others. While the blood parameters such as

RBC and Hb decline progressively but WBC content increased during the course of this chronic study. In

conclusion, lindane target multiorgans and creates physiological impairment in fish.

Keywords: Lindane, toxicity, histopathological, hyperplasia, goblet cells, epithelial cells, tubular lumen,

RBC, Hb, WBC.

NCOCER 2015


PP 8. CO2 Emission Calculation In Road Traffic Ambient Air By Vehicle – Pattern

Distribution Using Wavelet Transform

P Venkatakrishnana, S Sangeetha

b, MS Manikandan

c, D Julius Darren

d and S Kaushik Hasson

e

a,c,d,eDepartment of ECE, K.L.N College of Information Technology, Pottapalayam 630 612, Tamilnadu, India. bDepartment of EEE, Kamaraj College of Engineering and Technology, Virdhunagar, Tamilnadu, India, Email: [email protected]

Abstract

Nowadays, CO2 emissions from the transport sector have been received much attention. It has been

estimated that 23% of the world’s energy-related CO2 emissions were coming from the transport sector.

Road transport is one of the biggest sources of air pollution in the world, contributing to poor air quality,

human health problem, noise generation, congestion and climate change. In this paper, a bottom-up

approach for CO2 emission calculation is proposed. Wavelet zoom is a very good tool for localization of

the road traffic intensity. Using mathematics, this local regularity can be measured by Lipschitz Exponent

(LE) value (α). The LE value is measured as the slope of a log-log plot of scale s versus Wavelet

Transform Modulus Maxima (WTMM). In this work, the road traffic data is transformed into principal

components (PC) using KL transform. From these components to determine essential attributes of road

traffic data. Wavelet Transform is applied to individual attribute cluster to find the regularity of the road

traffic. The CO2 emission is calculated for each attributes of Vehicle Specific Power (VSP) and Engine

Stress (ES). These are compared by means of Mann Whitney Hypothesis U test. Highly significant

differences have been found among several attribute clusters. This study is expected to help the transport

Department to validate, fine tune and/or moderate procedures to control air pollution by better planning,

design, construction management and regulation of traffic operation.

Keywords: Principal component analysis (PCA), Wavelet Transform, Lipschitz Exponent (LE), WTMM,

Vehicle Specific Power (VSP), Engine Stress (ES).

NCOCER 2015


PP 9. Estimation of emission source reduction using best-fit statistical distribution of

measured pollutant within urban traffic corridor

Nongthombam Premananda Singha and Sharad Gokhale

b*

a,bDepartment of Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering Division, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Assam-781039 *Email: [email protected]

Abstract

Vehicles are the major source of air pollution in urban traffic corridors, which are often highly polluted

due to the steady growth in vehicular population. The objective of this study was to determine the

frequency of exceedances of hourly carbon monoxide (CO) over the national ambient air quality standard

(NAAQS), and relevant analysis for the emission source reduction to comply with the air quality

standards. The analysis has been carried out using a CO concentration dataset collected over a period of 3

weeks at 3 different locations in an urban traffic corridor, GS road, Guwahati, India. We identified the

best-fit probability distribution model from the observed CO and applied to estimate the number of

exceedances. This analysis together with a rollback model was applied to determine the required emission

reduction. It was found to be in the range from 6% to 24%. The results suggest that reduction of moderate

sources would be sufficient to meet air quality regulations. This method is also useful in the study of

prediction of pollutant loads.

NCOCER 2015


PP 10. Study of biomasses abundantly available in Assam, India for production of biofuels

ParthaPratim Sarmaha, Hirakjyoti Mahanta

b and Deepmoni Deka

c

a, bDepartment of Applied Science, Chemical Science Section, Gauhati University, Assam 781014 cIndian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam 781039, India Email: [email protected]

Abstract

The present study focuses on characterization of four biomass samples namely Jamun leaves

(Syzygiumcumini), moj leaves (Albizialucida), Jatibah leaves (Bambuseae), and tamul husk (Areca

catheu) abundantly available in North-East, India. Various pre-treatment techniques are applied to the

biomass such as acid, alkali, surfactant, AFEX, and peroxide. Among these, surfactant (SDS) pre-

treatment gave better result for all the four substrates on the basis of total reducing sugar yield (mg/g of

raw biomass) viz; jamun (705.7mg/g); moj (662 mg/g), Jatibah (660 mg/g) and tamul husk (496.3 mg/g).

FTIR analyses were also carried out for both untreated and treated biomass samples which will be

presented in the poster. On comparing all the data, it showed that jamun leaves (Syzygiumcumini) found to

be the best potential source for biofuel production.

NCOCER 2015


PP 11. Analysis and assessment of the air pollution by contribution of road traffic – Signal

processing and higher order statistics spectra (HOS) approach

P Venkatakrishnana, S Sangeetha

b, S Parthasarathy

c, B Muthugokul

d and M Gunasekaran

e

a,c.d.e Department of ECE, K.L.N College of Information Technology, Pottapalayam 630 612, Tamilnadu, India. b Department of EEE, Kamaraj College of Engineering and Technology, Virdhunagar, Tamilnadu, India. Email: [email protected]

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to develop a simple air pollution model for the analysis and assessment of the air

pollution by means of suitable signal processing and higher order statistics techniques. The integration of

this model into an emission control scheme for the control of the pollution sources may present a very

useful approach to air quality analysis and assessment. In this work, bispectrum and wavelet transform

techniques are applied to Origin-Destination (OD) matrix to measure the static and dynamic

characteristics of OD movements. The bispectrum is a useful tool for identifying a process that is either

non-Gaussian or generated by nonlinear mechanisms. Wavelet zoom is a very good tool for localization

of the road traffic intensity. Using mathematics, the local regularity of road traffic is measured by

Lipschitz Exponent (LE) value (α). The LE value is measured as the slope of a log-log plot of scale s

versus Wavelet Transform Modulus Maxima (WTMM). The statistical measures such as average link

density, link flow and link speed is accessed between each OD. We considered carbon dioxide (CO2) and

carbon monoxide (CO) air pollutants only. These are compared by means of Mann Whitney Hypothesis U

test. Highly significant differences have been found among several attribute clusters. This study is

expected to help the transport Department to validate, fine tune and/or moderate procedures to control air

pollution by better planning, design, construction management and regulation of traffic operation.

Keywords: Bispectrum, Wavelet Transform, Lipschitz Exponent (LE), WTMM, higher order statistics,

spectra.

NCOCER 2015


OP 12. Municipal solid waste management in Kurukshetra city- A case study

Vinod Kushwaha, Raisul Islam

b, Singh

c and Gulab Singh

d

a,b,c Assistant Professors, GLA University, Mathura (UP) 281406 d Ph.D Scholar, NIT Kurukshetra, Haryana-136119. Email: [email protected]

Abstract

Various Studies indicate that about 90% of MSW is disposed unscientifically in open dumps or through

landfills. Improper management of MSW causes hazard to inhabitants. A detailed investigation was made

regarding the methods of practices associated with sources, quantity generated, collection, transportation,

storage, treatment and disposal of MSW in Kurukshetra city. The data concerning to Municipal solid

waste management (MSWM) in Kurukshetra was obtained through individual field visit, interacting with

people. The present study is taking to find out the problems and prospects of MSW in Kurukshetra city.

This study reveals that the present system of MSWM in Kurukshetra city is not satisfactory based on

MSW (Management and Handling) Rules 2000.

Keywords: Characteristics of MSW, Collection System, Disposal of wastes, Kurukshetra city, Municipal

Solid Waste.

NCOCER 2015


PP 13. Alteration in cerebral protein content and proteases in sub-acute chromium toxicity

Kanu Shila and Sudipta Pal

b

a,bBiochemical Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Human Physiology, Tripura University (A Central University), Suryamaninagar, West Tripura, India-799022. E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract

Protein and its derivatives is the essential associative slab of numerous dynamic organs of the body,

development of which involves the synthesis of proteins and lipoproteins that together make up 90% of

the dry weight of the brain. Protein is the foremost provider of the fresh material for the production of the

neurotransmitters of neuronal signal pathway. It protects, nurtures, repairs, promotes alertness and activity

to the brain cells. Cerebral proteases are the important enzymes for the neural cell to sustain metabolic

rate and preserve protein metabolic homeostasis. Transaminases play decisive role in governing healthy

and proper functions of brain tissue. Hexavalent Chromium [CrVI] is a well reported environmental

toxicant and very much susceptible to the neural cells. But there were least of figures about the CrVI

induced neural toxicity through alteration of protein metabolism. So this study is implemented to know

about the deficiency of complete metabolic perspective of protein due to CrVI intoxication. It is observed

from the present findings that chromium perturb cerebral protein content significantly. Transaminases

such as alanine aspartate aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities

increased whereas cerebral protease like cathepsin and pronase activities decreased significantly due to Cr

VI toxicity. Additionally, trypsin activity enhanced in cerebral tissue due to chromium exposure. On the

other hand free amino-nitrogen level declined in the brain tissue following exposure to chromium. Thus

from this study it can be suggested that CrVI affects the neural protein metabolism in a repulsive manner.

NCOCER 2015


PP 14. Estimating fast and slow reacting component in surface and groundwater using 2R

model

Priyanka Jamwala, MN Naveen

ab and Yusuf Javeed

b

aCentre for Environment and Development, Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE), Jakkur, 560064 bDepartment of Civil engineering, National Institute of Engineering, Mysuru, Karnataka 570008

Email: Jamwal, Priyanka ([email protected])

Abstract

Maintaining residual chlorine levels in a water distribution network is a challenging task; especially in

context of developing countries where water is supply is intermittent. Under such conditions water

distribution system is susceptible to cross contamination, which accelerates chlorine decay. The reaction

with organic and inorganic components in bulk water and on the pipe wall surface leads to chlorine decay

in water distribution network. Conventionally chlorine decay in distribution system is modelled using first

order decay equation. First order total and bulk chlorine decay rate are estimated using pilot loop and

batch scale test in lab. The chlorine wall reaction rate is estimated as the difference between the total and

the bulk decay. Recent studies suggested that first order bulk chorine decay rate is not a constant but

depends on initial chlorine levels and type of organic and inorganic matter present in water. Therefore, to

model chlorine decay in water distribution network it becomes very important to understand chlorine

reaction kinetics in bulk water. In this study we employed 2R model to estimate the fast and slow reacting

components in groundwater and surface water. We carried out bench scale test for surface and

groundwater at initial chlorine level of 1, 3 and 6 mg/l. We used decay test data calibrate the model. After

calibration model was validated with chlorine decay data for 3 mg/l. The estimated slow reacting

component in surface and groundwater were almost equal, whereas as expected the fast reacting

component in surface water (3 mg/l) was greater than groundwater (0.004 mg/l). The study estimated the

fast and slow reacting components in surface and groundwater and concluded that 2R model can safely be

used to estimate bulk decay in water distribution system.

NCOCER 2015


PP 15. Water Hyacinth: A Potential biomass for biogas production

Visva Bharati Baruaa and Ajay S Kalamdhad

b

aCentre for the Environment, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati -781039, Assam, India b Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati -781039, Assam, India. Email: [email protected]

Abstract

Water hyacinth is a very attractive plant with purple colored flower and round leaves due to which it was

initially used as an ornamental plant. The plant has the great ability of rapid growth and hasty spread

covering an entire fresh water body by the formation of dense mats. These dense mats in the aquatic body

hamper navigation, irrigation, power generation and recreation. It also affects the biodiversity of aquatic

organisms due to low oxygen condition thereby providing a good breeding circumstance for mosquitoes;

vectors of malaria, encephalitis and filariasis. Increased evapotranspiration due to water hyacinth is

another matter of concern in places where water is already scarce. Therefore, water hyacinth is considered

as the world’s worst aquatic weed. Water hyacinth is low in lignin content, easily available and

inexpensive making it a potential biomass for biogas production. Many literatures have stated that the

range of biogas production from water hyacinth varies from 0.20 to 0.48 L/g at mesophillic temperature

of 30-35oC. Pretreated water hyacinth when mixed with animal waste i.e. cow dung, pig manure, sheep

waste provide better biogas yield. After the co-digestion of the noxious weed and the animal waste, the

remaining sludge is enriched with nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium which can be employed as a

fertilizer. Thus, for the sustainable management of water hyacinth, biogas production is a great option as

it provides an alternative for fossil fuel.

NCOCER 2015


PP 16. Biosorption Of Pb(II) Metal Through Bacterial (Bacillus Badius AK) Dry Mass

Avishek lahaa and Ajay S Kalamdhad

b

a,bDepartment of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati, India. Email: [email protected]

Abstract

Presence of heavy metals in the environment due the industrial activities is of serious concern due to the

toxicity of these metals in humans and other forms of life. Biosorption of Lead using dry bacterial mass

isolated from water hyacinth compost has been studied in a batch system. The optimum condition of

biosorption was determined by investigating the initial pH, contact time, initial biomass dosage at

constant temperature of 30°C, initial metal concentration of 100mg/L and rotational speed of 150 rpm.

The optimum pH was found to be 5 and equilibrium contact time was 2.5 h. The maximum biosorption

capacities of Pb(II) on Bacillus Badius AK was 140.58 mg/L at an initial metal concentration of 100

mg/L. Kinetics study revealed that sorption process followed both Pseudo first and second order kinetics.

The experimental data was fitted to Langmuir isotherm. The results indicated that bacterial isolate

Bacillus Badius AK is a suitable biosorbent for the removal of Pb(II).

NCOCER 2015


PP 17. Diversity of microorganisms and feasibility of earthworm consortium in

vermicompost technology

Nazneen Hussaina and Satya Sunder Bhattacharya

b

a,bDepartment of environmental Science, Tezpur University, Tezpur- 784028

Abstract

The study reports the efficiency of different earthworm consortium viz. Eiseniafetida +

Perionyxexcavatus, Metaphireposthuma + Perionyxexcavatus, Eiseniafetida + Metaphireposthuma and

Eiseniafetida + Perionyxexcavatus + Metaphireposthumain regard to compost quality and diversity of

microorganism. Vegetable waste and cow dung were homogenised in the ratio 4:1 and subsequently

earthworms were inoculated maintaining a ratio of 1:1 and 1:1:1 for the mixture of two and three

earthworm’s species, respectively. Compost samples were obtained periodically to determine various

quality parameters. Biovailability of available phosphorous were conspicously high in Eiseniafetida +

Perionyxexcavatus. Treated waste materials with Metaphireposthuma in the earthworm consortium were

reaching in exchangeable potassium and total nitrogen. Furthermore, isolation of micro-organisms was

carried from different feed mixtures which responded differently to the biochemical tests performed.

Intersteringly, these strains showed significant nitrogen fixing and phosphate solubilising ability. Hence,

with further isolation and purification we can end up developing a potent biofertilizer which can be

widely used in the agricultural management.

NCOCER 2015


PP 18. Life Cycle Assessment of Guwahati Solid Waste Management System

P M Kiran Chandra Muthua, Sumit Dewda

a and Ajay S Kalamdhad

b

aDepartment of Civil Engineering, Indian institute of technology, Guwhati, India bAssociate Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Indian institute of technology, Guwhati, India

Abstract

Guwahati, Assam is the most populated and developed city in northeastern part of India. It is a tire II city

in India and commercial heaven of Northeast. In present scenario, Waste management is a global issue

which concerns a very significant problem. The Guwahati waste management system is developed such

that it should be Eco friendly but the condition is converse. The aim of present study is to assess the

environmental, economical and social factors in waste collection system in Guwahati. It covers waste

collection of boundary 216 km2 which is under the control of Guwahati Municipal Corporation. Life cycle

assessment tool is used to study the input and output balanced modeling, Impact on global warming,

acidification potential, eutrophification and human toxicity from the waste collection system is studied.

NCOCER 2015


PP 19. Understanding the Potential Hazard and Nature of Battery Wastewater Sludge

Vihangraj V Kulkarnia, Animes Kumar Golder

b, and Pranab Kumar Ghosh

a

aDepartment of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Assam-781039, India. bDepartment of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Assam-781039, India. Emails: [email protected], [email protected]

Abstract

At least 20 metals are classified as toxic and half of them are emitted into the environment in quantities

that pose risks to human health. Precipitation is the most common method in removing heavy metals from

industrial wastewater. The battery industry wastewater contains mostly Pb(II), which precipitates as lead

hydroxide during its lime treatment and generates huge amount of toxic sludge. The fate of heavy metals

when disposed of depends upon environmental conditions as well as sludge characteristics. In the present

study battery wastewater sludge (BWS) was collected from one of the Exide Industries in Maharashtra

and it was characterized to understand the potential hazard and nature for the selection of proper treatment

(s) of BWS. The acidic wastewater (due to use of sulfuric acid in batteries) is added with lime to raise pH

and subsequent precipitation of metals as metal oxides. Characteristics of the sludge collected from the

Exide Industry are as follows: pH = 8.0 ± 0.2, conductivity = 3000 ± 20 and dry moisture content = 70 ± 2

%. High pH and conductivity of the sludge are due to lime addition and formation of calcium sulfides

after reaction with sulfuric acid. Particle size distribution curves displayed finer characteristics of BWS

i.e. all passing through 100 micron, precisely 6, 31, 55, 69 and 77% passing through 1, 5, 10, 15 and 20

micron, respectively, with average particle size of 15 micron. Thermo gravimetric analysis showed loss of

only 25% weight when heated from 30 to 900°C inferring presence of high percentage of metals in BWS.

The metal content was estimated by acid digestion using aqua regia (HF-HClO4-HCl) and Mg, Mn, Pb,

Cu, Fe, and Ni was found to be 3070 ± 20, 148 ± 6, 7534 ± 27, 150 ± 12, 7108 ± 30 and 256 ± 15 mg/kg

of BWS, respectively. COD of sludge sample was very low as 15 ± 3 mg/l.

NCOCER 2015


PP 20. A Comparison of the Water Quality of Three Floodplain Wetlands of Central

Assam, India

Mrigangka Malakara*

and Sanchita Boruahb

aResearch Scholar,Department of Life Sciences,Dibrugarh University, Dibrugarh, Assam b Department of Zoology, DHSK College, Dibrugarh, Assam *Email:[email protected], [email protected]

Abstract

A systematic study has been carried out to evaluate the limnological characteristics of the selected

wetlands of Central Assam from September, 2013 to August, 2014 on a monthly basis. Three wetlands of

Central Assam namely Sol beel , which is situated between 26o04/59//- 26003/49// N and 91026/45// -

91026/43// E and connected to the Kulsi River; Etilabeel which is situated between 26o10 / - 26o8/ N and

92o11/-92o8/ E and having a connection to the Kolong river ; and Duanibeel which is situated between

26o13/20//- 26005/30// N and 92 05/ -9201/30// E and connected to the Digaru river have been studied.

Limnological characteristics which include pH (5.1-7.4), Conductivity (32 µs/cm-630 µs/cm),

Transparency (22cm-52cm), Dissolved Oxygen (2.25 mg/l-8.75 mg/l), BOD (3.05 mg/l-13.07 mg/l),

COD (20.5 mg/l-64 mg/l), Free CO2 (3.64 mg/l-6.5 mg/l), P-Alkalinity, Total Alkalinity (15 mg/l-80

mg/l), Chloride (8 mg/l-119.28 mg/l) , Phosphate (0.3 mg/l-0.9 mg/l), Mercury , Arsenic , Total

Suspended Solids (28 mg/l-94 mg/l) and Total Dissolved Solids(13 mg/l-458 mg/l) have been analyzed.

Socio-economic impact of the three wetlands with special reference to the limnological characteristics has

also been studied.

Keywords: Wetland, Limnology, Socio-Economy, Central Assam.

NCOCER 2015


PP 21. Treatment of petroleum refinery wastewater in anoxic fed batch moving bed reactor

Subrat Kumar Mallicka and Saswati Chakraborty

b*

a,b Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Assam 781039, India. *Email: [email protected]

Abstract

Aqueous effluents from petroleum refineries contain a diverse range of pollutants including oil, phenolics,

sulfides, nitrogen, toxic metals and BOD exerting biodegradable organics. Biological processes involve

conversion of pollutants from toxic form to non toxic form by microbial action. This paper contains the

study results of the biodegradation of phenol (C6H5OH), sulfide (S2-), mineral diesel and ammonical

nitrogen (NH4+-N) maintained in anoxic condition (NO3

- as electron acceptor) by a fed batch moving bed

reactor (MBR). Poly Urethane Foam (PUF) cubes (1 cm x 1 cm x 1 cm) was used as biomass supporting

medium with a working volume of 5 L. The reactor was operated at 24 h HRT and initial pH 8.3 ± 0.05

with initial concentrations of phenol, sulfide, mineral diesel, NH4+-N and NO3

- as 750 mg/L, 100 mg/L,

300 mg/L, 200 mg/L and 1000 mg/L, respectively. The MBR achieved 46.5% organic COD removal and

phenol removal of 40%. Sulfide removal of 80% was achieved and complete conversion of removed

sulfide to sulfate (SO42-) with no thiosulfate (S2O3

-) generation was observed. Mineral diesel degradation

of 45% occurred during the 24 h HRT. Nitrate (NO3-) removal was observed to be 80%. Increase in the

NH4+-N concentration, formation of nitrite (NO2

-) and production of gas suggested the biomass activity in

anoxic condition. Increase in the pH from 8.3 ± 0.05 to 8.5 ± 0.05 was observed due to generation of

alkalinity by NO3- degradation.

Keywords: Anoxic, Biodegradation, Moving Bed, organic COD, petroleum refinery wastewater.

NCOCER 2015


PP 22. Soil properties of forest and agricultural lands of Pahamsyiemmicro watershed,

Meghalaya, India.

T L Nonglaita and B K Tiwari

b a,bDepartment of Environmental Studies, North Eastern Hill University, East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya, Shillong 793022 Email: [email protected]

Abstract

There exists limited knowledge regarding effect of land use systems on soil properties around the world.

Analysis of soil properties was carried out in different seasons and in different land use elements of

Pahamsyiem micro watershed located in RiBhoi district of Meghalaya. The physico-chemical parameters

viz., pH, soil moisture, available phosphorus, total nitrogen, available potassium and soil organic carbon

were analyzed using standard methods. The seasonal and land use-wise variations in these parameters

were analyzed statistically using SPSS 16. Results indicate that total nitrogen, available phosphorus,

available potassium and soil organic carbon were higher in forest areas as compared to agricultural areas.

The results suggest that the physico-chemical characteristics of soil varied significantly with seasons as

well as among various land uses. The study concludes that within a small micro watershed the local level

variations in the soil properties can be very pronounced.

NCOCER 2015


PP 23. An investigation on public awareness towards drinking water and acceptability of

Public Private Partnership (PPP) in South-West Guwahati

Rakhee Dasa, Laishram Boeing Singh

b and Mohammad Jawed

c

a, b, c Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Assam-781039, India

Abstract

Studies revealed the presence of contaminants like nitrate, iron, fluoride and arsenic in the

groundwater of Guwahati city. Unfortunately, people are not aware of the dissolved

contaminants at their household source. Moreover, municipalities are unable to cope up with the

growing demands of the population and also public are protesting against proposed water supply

project under PPP mode. There is a need to assess current willingness to pay and procure water

from the WTP being constructed under PPP mode. The Study objective is to investigate public

awareness and attitude toward groundwater quality with acceptance of alternate sources of water

and acceptability of PPP mode of water service delivery. To analyze household awareness,

willingness of people to accept alternate source and acceptability of PPP, South-west Guwahati

Water Treatment plant area was taken as study area. As such a face to face questionnaire survey

was carried out for 1296 households in urban and peri-urban areas of South-West Guwahati. The

key findings are (1) Overall, 99.7% of households were not aware of groundwater quality at their

source and these households have never checked their water quality before (2) 58.2% households

have encountered visible symptoms of water contamination of staining of cloths and utensils

indicating presence of iron (3) 60.8% have no objection for any alternate source and are willing

to accept and buy water (4) Only 44.5% households were willing to purchase water from water

supply maintained on PPP mode of service delivery while remaining households put conditions

of tariff and produced water quality for purchasing water.

Keywords: PPP, Public awareness, Water Treatment Plant, Groundwater quality, Willingness to

pay.

NCOCER 2015


PP 24. Fruit Extract of Thevetia Peruviana for Fabrication of Silver Nanoparticles and

Prevention of agglomeration

Satyadip Chakrabortya and Animes Kumar Golder

b*

a,b Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Assam-781039, INDIA *Email: [email protected]

Abstract

The wide applications of metal and metal doped nanoparticles (NPs) have attracted attention towards

finding a green and cost effective way of its formation. Bio-mediated production of metal NPs is an

emerging field of research due to its environmentally benign way of fabrication. The present study reports

on development of an eco-friendly and greener method of synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using

extract of fruit of an ornamental tree called, Thevetiaperuviana. The natural compounds of fruit-extract

were used for Ag+ reduction and also as capping agent for nascent AgNPs. Particle size analysis, FESEM

and AFM images ascertained the size of thus formed AgNPs well in the nanometer range. XRD patterns

confirmed the structure of face centred cubic silver crystals. Zeta potentials at varying pH showed higher

tendency of AgNPs stabilization with increasing pH in aqueous media. FTIR, phytochemical and NMR

tests were performed to find out the possible mechanism of formation AgNPs.

NCOCER 2015


PP 25. Synergistic effect of supporting electrolytes on H2O2 formation using graphite both

as working and counter electrodes with Ag/AgCl reference

Raj Kumar Dasa and Animes Kumar Golder

b*

a,bDepartment of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Assam-781039, INDIA *Email: [email protected]

Abstract

Hydrogen peroxide is considered as an environmentally friendly chemical used in wastewater treatment

because it does not release hazardous and corrosive leftovers associated with other chemical oxidants.

The aim of study is to observe the influence of supporting electrolytes (SEs) on continuous in-situ

generation of H2O2 in acidic solution using graphite as cathode and anode electrodes with Ag/AgCl

reference in an undivided cell. Four common SEs were selected namely, NaCl, NaNO3, NaSO4 and

NaClO4. The highest rate of H2O2 formation was observed with NaSO4 with about30.2 mg/L

concentration in 2 h under the optimal cathodic potential of – 0.6V vs. Ag/AgCl, pH of 2.5 and SE

concentration of 0.08 M. The concentration of SEs showed reasonable effect on H2O2 formation; however

it was the maximum at 0.08M irrespective to the type of SEs. NaCl exhibited the lowest H2O2 formation

due to enhanced H2O2 decomposition. The order of current efficiency (CE) was found to be as Na2SO4 >

NaCl > NaClO4 > NaNO3 with 0.08 M. The mass transfer coefficient and cathode reaction volume varied

between 5.63×10-5 and 14.71×10-5 m2/s and 0.09 and 0.25 cm3 over the whole operating conditions.

NCOCER 2015


PP 26. Optimization of operational parameters for efficient CO2 sequestration by the novel

microalga: Scenedesmusobliquus SA1

Samarpita Basua, AbhijitSarma Roy

b, Ghoshal A K

c and Kaustubha Mohanty*

a,b,c

aCentre for Environment, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Assam-781039 bCentre for Energy, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Assam-781039 cDepartment of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Assam-781039 E-mail: kmohanty @iitg.ernert.in

Abstract

Increased CO2 concentration in the atmosphere resulting from the combustion of fossil fuels such as coal,

for energy is responsible for global warming and climate change. Biological fixation and storage of CO2

via microalgae are essentially photosynthesis, which can convert water and CO2 into organic compounds

without additional or extra energy consumption and without secondary pollution. Flue gas generated from

coal-based thermoelectric power plants typically contains 12-15% CO2. Microalga strainSA1 was isolated

from a freshwater body of Assam and identified as Scenedesmusobliquus (KC733762). The isolate SA1

was cultivated in an open cylindrical glass vessel mimicking an outdoor pond under CO2 concentration of

15%. The operational parameters were varied to find out the most suitable conditions for obtaining

maximum CO2 utilization efficiency by the SA1strain. The parameters studied were varying light

intensities, intermittent CO2 sparging and flow rates. 12h CO2 supply per day and low CO2 flow rate of

0.43 LPH was employed at 4351 lux light intensity to improve the CO2 utilization efficiency. Maximum

CO2 utilization efficiency of 10.23%, maximum biomass value of 3.32 ± 0.022 gL−1, and maximum CO2

fixation rate of 476.16 ± 2.35 mgL−1d−1 were obtained which were much higher than the relevant

literature reports. Thus SA1 can prove to be a potential strain for CO2 sequestration from flue gas in open

pond due to its high CO2 fixation efficiency and growth rates at high concentration of CO2.

NCOCER 2015


PP 27. Effect of pretreatment on hydrolysis of food waste

Vivek Francisa and Ajay Kalamdhad

b

a,bDepartment of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati- 781039, Assam Email: [email protected]

Abstract

In India around 15 to 20% of the cooked food is wasted yearly. Anaerobic digestion can be used to

convert food waste into valuable products such as methane and digestate but its efficiency is poor and

requires high HRT for a desirable degradation. Hydrolysis being the rate limiting step, this paper studied

the effect of various pretreatments on the hydrolysis of FW. The results revealed that for hot air oven

pretreatment a temperature of 75°C and time of exposure of 90 min was optimum with the soluble COD

increasing from 740.7 g/kg for control to 1027.2 g/kg. For microwave oven pretreatment a temperature of

100°C and time of exposure of 2 min+1 min stand time was optimum. The soluble COD improved by

1.28 times, from 666.7 g/kg for the control to 851.9 g/kg for the sample pretreated at the optimum

condition. Autoclave pretreatment study revealed that a temperature of 100°C and time of exposure of 40

min was optimum. The soluble COD improved by 1.32 times, from 651.9 g/kg for the control to 859.3

g/kg for the sample pretreated at optimum condition. Alkali pretreatment using NaOH improved the

soluble COD from 651 g/Kg to 1096 g/Kg for the sample pretreated with 0.2% NaOH (w/w of TS) with a

time of exposure of 1.5 h. This study revealed that pretreatment techniques can enhance solubilisation of

particulate organic matter in FW.

NCOCER 2015


PP 28. Resource recovery from Jute Mill waste through vermi-technology

Subhasish Dasa, Priyanka Deka

b and Satya Sundar Bhattacharya

c*

a,b,c Soil & Agro Bio-engineering Lab, Department of Environmental Science, Tezpur University, Tezpur-784028, Assam. *Email: [email protected]; [email protected]

Abstract

Jute is an important industrial fiber which has various end uses and utilization potential. In the milling

process, jute cadis yield large quantities of short fibers which bear no use and rendered as waste called as

jute mill waste (JMW). Utilization of this high lingo-cellulosic biomass is a huge problem for mankind

due to its high toxic attributes. Although, India is a giant jute producing basket that eventually yields

considerable quantities of refuse, there is no report regarding the further usability potential of JMW.

Hence, in this present study we were interested to observe the efficiency of vermi-composting in

degradation of this biomass for further usability. Moreover, we were also interested in comparing its

efficiency with general composting technology. In this work we formulated 4 treatments in 2 series (total

8). Analyses of different physico-chemical parameters like pH, Electrical conductivity (EC), Total N

(TKN), Total organic C (TOC), Available N(AvN), Available phosphorous (AvP), Available K (AvK),

Microbial Biomass C (MBC), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and DTPA-extractable

heavy metals (through ICP-OES) were done periodically. Moreover, we also enumerated earthworm

proliferation study and plant toxicity assay (through seed germination study) with the JMW. Concisely,

the results reveal that vermicomposting is a better option than composting in regard to stabilization of

JMW. Furthermore, it was found that, VT2 (JMW+ Cow dung = 50+50) and VT3 (JMW+ Vegetable

waste+ CD = 50+30+20) are the best treatments in connection to maximum resource recovery from this

toxic waste and its further usability.

Key words: Jute waste, Vermicomposting, Composting, Biomass.

NCOCER 2015


PP 29. Temporal variation of PM 2.5 and Black Carbon at a rural site of Mid-

Brahmaputra Valley

Nivedita Barmana and Raza Rafiqul Hoque

b*

a, bDept of Environmental Science, Tezpur University, Tezpur 784028 (India) *Email: [email protected]

Abstract

Continuous and real-time measurements of atmospheric particulate matter (PM 2.5) and black carbon

(BC) aerosol were done in a rural site of Mid-Brahmaputra Valley during the period July 2013 to June

2014. The annual average mass concentrations of BC and PM 2.5 over the period are 5.90μg/m3 and

41.84μg/m3 respectively. The annual average Indian National Ambient Air Quality Standard of PM 2.5 in

rural area is 40 μg/m3 (CPCB, 2009). The mass concentration of PM 2.5 in the present study slightly

exceeds the standard value. Mass concentrations of BC and PM 2.5 show significant diurnal variability.

This diurnal variation is more pronounced in winter season, followed by post-monsoon and pre-monsoon

season. The diurnal variation is not significant in monsoon season. The highest mass concentrations of

both the pollutants show two prominent peaks in morning (6-9 hours) and evening (19-22 hours).

Day/night variations of BC and PM 2.5 were significant in monsoon season, followed by post-monsoon,

pre-monsoon and winter season. Clear seasonality was seen in case of BC and PM 2.5 mass

concentrations. Highest values of BC (8 μg/m3) and PM 2.5 (83 μg/m

3) were observed in winter season

because of planetary boundary layer effect, anthropogenic biomass burnings and low temperature. The

back trajectories clearly showed long range transport in winter and post-monsoon season. Correlation

analysis shows strong relationship among the pollutants during monsoon season.

Keywords: PM 2.5, BC, Seasonal, Boundary layer, anthropogenic biomass burning, correlation

NCOCER 2015


PP 30. Removal of Acid orange 8 dye using Aniline formaldehyde condensate (AFC)

polymer as an adsorbent

Praisy Terangpia, Saswati Chakraborty

b* and Manabendra Ray

c*

aCentre for the Environment, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, India – 781039 bDepartment of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, India – 781039 cDepartment of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, India – 781039 *Email: [email protected] and [email protected]

Abstract

The present investigation was carried out with the synthesis of aniline formaldehyde condensate (AFC) a

resinous polymer for the effective removal of Acid orange 8 (AO8), a monoazo anionic dye from

wastewater. Batch studies were performed to address various experimental parameters like pH and dose

of adsorbent. Effective pH for the removal of AO8 was pH 3. Dye removal increased with increase in

adsorbent dose. Adsorption isotherms were analysed by Freundlich, Langmuir, Dubinin-Radushkevich

and Tempkin isotherm equations. Freundlich equation was found to best represent the equilibrium data

for AO8-AFC system.

Keywords: Aniline formaldehyde condensate; Resinous polymer; Freundlich; Langmuir; Dubinin-

Radhuskevich; Tempkin.

NCOCER 2015


PP 31. Pre-treatment of lignocellulosic biomass towards production of value added

chemicals- A short review

Smruti Ranjan Dasha, Subhendu Sekhar Bag

b and Animes Kumar Golder

c*

aCentre for the Environment, bDepartment of Chemistry, cDepartment of Chemical Engineering Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Assam-781039, India. *Email: [email protected]

Abstract

Plants and agricultural wastes constitute the largest resource for cellulosic biomass. Several pre-treatment

techniques have been used such as thermal, mechanical, chemical, microbial and combination of two or

more of these methods. Pre-treatment of cellulosic biomass or substrate is required to enhance their

enzymatic or chemical hydrolysis by deconstructing the three dimensional structure of the lignocellulose

and by breaking down the crystalline or semi crystalline cellulose and hemicellulose giving a highly

digestible pre-treated biomass. This talk based on a short review shall cover the recent developments in

the physical and chemical pre-treatment techniques and their effectiveness in enhancing the formation of

fermentable sugars.

NCOCER 2015


PP 32. Modelling of Outburst flood path of 3 major glacial lakes in Bhutan

Anirudha V Mahagaonkara and Chandan Mahanta

a,b*

aCenter for the Environment, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati. bDepartment of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati. *Email: [email protected]

Abstract

The changing climate has given rise to a number of glacial lakes in high mountain regions of Asia as well

as the rest of the world. Enhanced retreat process of glaciers has caused the already formed glacial lakes

to rise in size and volume greatly, thus becoming a major threat to the entire downstream ecosystem. As

little as 20 minutes are available to people of the downstream to evacuate. This highlights the need for

monitoring of glacial lakes and installation of Early Warning Systems (EWS) that would help in

prediction of breach and outburst, thereby reducing the risk to life. This article makes an effort to look at

some of the potentially dangerous lakes in the region of Bhutan, which if breaches, would cause heavy

damage to downstream areas which are a home to diverse variety of flora and fauna apart from human

habitations. Located in the expanse of Bhutan, 3 lakes namely ThorthomiTsho, RaphsthrengTsho and

LuggyeTsho have seen an evident increase in size and volume of the glacial lakes. Dammed by moraines,

these lakes are highly unstable as reported by previous studies and government of Bhutan has taken steps

to mitigate the disaster that could be caused by breach of these lakes. Yet, the fear of breach looms high.

Single Flow (SF) model was used to model the flood path of the outburst and the output reaffirms the

proposed threat. A series of villages and towns that lie along the flood path are Thanza Village, Punakha,

Sunkosh and Wangdue. There is also a risk to the beautiful and enriched JigmeDorji National Park of

Bhutan due to these floods. The study also suggests extensive monitoring and installation of EWS at these

potential sites to reduce the risk of hazard.

Keywords: Bhutan, GLOFs, Flood path, climate change, risk, hazard.

NCOCER 2015


PP 33. Pentaethylenehexamine modified mesoporous silica KIT-6 for CO2 adsorption

Rupak Kishora*

and Aloke Kumar Ghoshalb

a,bDepartment of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati-781039, Assam, India

Abstract

Three-dimensional cubical mesoporous silica was synthesized by liquid crystal template mechanism using

pluronic P123 (EO20PO70EO20) surfactant in low acid concentration with molar composition of the

solution P123:TEOS:HCl:n-butanol:H2O was 0.017:1.0:1.83:1.31:195 and functionalized with

pentaethylenehexamine by impregnation process. The as-prepared sorbents were characterized by

nitrogen adsorption/desorption, X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and

Fourier transform infrared (FTIR). The surface area and pore volume of amine functionalized KIT-6 were

decreased with increase in amine loading. After 60 wt% PEHA impregnation, surface area and pore

volume of adsorbent nearly become zero which confirmed the complete filling of KIT-6 pore. The

dynamic sorption performance of impregnated KIT-6 was analyzed by high pressure volumetric

adsorption apparatus at different temperatures. The CO2 uptake capacity was enhanced with increasing

the amine loading till 60wt % PEHA. The CO2 uptake capacity was showed maximum of 166 mg CO2/g

at 90 °C and 1.0 bar. Repeated adsorption/desorption cycles revealed that its high uptake CO2 capacity

can be regenerated via temperature swing adsorption and it may become a useful adsorbent for CO2

capture.

Keywords: KIT-6; Impregnation; Pentaethylenehexamine; CO2 adsorption; Heat of adsorption.

NCOCER 2015


PP 34. Light duty vehicles and CO2 emissions in urban areas

Arti Choudharya and Sharad Gokhale

b*

a,bDepartment of civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati – 781039, Assam, India

Abstract

Unprecedented growth in urbanization has increased demand for mobility and as a result personal

motorization remains one of the key challenges in Asian cities. Most people in Asian cities have an

increasing propensity to use light-duty vehicles (i.e., cars) and motorcycles as their main mode of daily

commute partially because of unreliable, uncomfortable, and old public transport systems (Ali and

Zhuang 2007). The city of Guwahati has been growing both geographically as well as in population,

putting tremendous pressure on local infrastructure. The increase in traffic along with inadequate

infrastructure facilities is responsible for higher emissions of local pollutants and Green House Gases

(GHG) emissions (Guttikunda and Mohan 2014). Emissions from a transport sector are a result of

multiple factors such as, vehicle fuel standards, poor roads and public transport, lack of transportation and

urban planning, adulterated fuel, aging fleet, and movement. Among types of motor vehicles, percentage

share of passenger car and auto-rickshaw is significantly high. These vehicles are major contributor of

GHGs, particularly CO2. We found that passenger cars emit higher CO2 as compared to auto-rickshaw.

For example, during the free-flow traffic condition, the passenger car released 324 g/km and auto-

rickshaw released about 187 g/km of CO2. The study also found that during peak hours, CO2 emission

increased. Therefore, improvement in (mitigation) emissions of vehicles and traffic flow by improving the

operational efficiency (transport measures), as well as by adopting different types of fuels, more efficient-

vehicle technologies, and less powerful, lighter vehicles, can address CO2 mitigation measures.

NCOCER 2015


PP 35. Potential of Bael fruit shell as low cost adsorbent for Pb(II) Removal

Perla Harisha, Vihangraj V Kulkarni

b and Pranab Kumar Ghosh

a

a,b Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Assam-781039, India

Abstract

Heavy metals from industrial pollution often contaminate groundwater and/or surface waters in its

vicinity. Pb(II) is one of the toxic heavy metals and included in contaminant Candidate List by USEPA.

Pb(II) has many health hazards by direct as well as indirect exposure. In this study, locally available

precursor material Bael fruit shell (Aeglemarmelos correa) was thermally treated at 300°C and termed as

thermally treated adsorbent (TTA). The TTA and precursor were characterized using Fourier transform

infrared spectrometer (FTIR), SEM, TGA, Point of zero charge (PZPC) and BET surface area. The FT-IR

spectra of TTA showed peaks at 3620 cm-1, 1548 cm-1, 1739 cm-1and 705 cm-1which represented

induction of –OH, N=O, C=O and aromatics, respectively on TTA. The point of zero charge (PZPC) for

TTA was found to be 6.37. The TGA analysis results gave better understanding about temperature

stability and weight loss profile against temperature.TTA was further sieved to get two sizes viz.850-

425μm and 425-125μm and was tested for Pb(II) removal. The later outperformed earlier size and gave

about 94% of Pb(II) removal from initial of 50 ppm with equilibrium time of 180 min, at pH 4. The

removal of Pb(II) by TTA followed pseudo second order kinetic model (k10.01025g.mg/min, R20.999).

Isotherm studies were carried out with different dosages of TTA at 293, 303, 313 and 323°K, Langmuir

isotherm model well explained isotherm data with best fit. The adsorption capacity from cyclic adsorption

study was found to be 43.19 mg/g. The study documented potential of Bael fruit shell, to be used as a low

cost adsorbent.

Keywords: Bael fruit shell, low cast adsorbent, Pb(II) removal.

NCOCER 2015


PP 36. Sulfate reducing bacteria from a lab scale up flow anaerobic packed bed reactor for

heavy metal removal and its characterization

M Gopi kirana, Kannan Pakshirajan

a,b* and Gopal Das

a,c

aCentre for the Environment, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati 781039, Assam, India. bDepartment of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati 781039, Assam, India. cDepartment of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati 781039, Assam, India. Email: [email protected]

Abstract

Biological sulfate reduction is an alternative and emerging technique to treat metal containing sulfate rich

wastewater. In this study, the potential of anaerobic biomass from three different wastewater treating

systems was evaluated for heavy metal removal from contaminant aqueous solution under sulfate

reducing conditions. Among the three different biomass sources tested in the study, the biomass from a

lab scale upflow anaerobic packed bed reactor (UFAR) showed maximum sulfate reduction (>90%)

within 96 hours and a maximum chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal of up to 92.8%. The heavy

metal removal was in the order Cu>Fe>Ni>Pb>Cd>Zn. Thus among the three sources, the biomass

obtained from the UFAR proved most efficient for treating wastewater containing heavy metals under

sulfate reducing conditions owing to its quick and high efficiency of sulfate and COD reduction. Metal

removal by the biomass was further established due to its precipitation with sulfide formed by the sulfate

reducing bacteria. The internal details of the copper loaded biomass, obtained using transmission electron

microscopy (TEM) equipped with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), confirmed that the metal

precipitates were confined to the exterior and interior surface of the bacterial cells.

Keywords: Heavy metal removal, upflow anaerobic packed bed reactor, sulfate reduction, sulfate

reducing bacteria, characterization.

NCOCER 2015


PP 37. Role of functionalized adsorbents for selective Pd(II) uptake: A mini review

Nagireddi Srinua, Animes Kumar Golder

b and Ramgopal Uppaluri

c*

a,b,cDepartment of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Assam-781039, India *Email: [email protected]

Abstract

Palladium is a precious metal having chemical composition close to platinum, primarily used in catalytic

converters. Other functional applications of Pd are in electronics, jewellery, medication, dentistry,

hydrogen purification and ground water treatment. Owing to its high cost and hazardous nature, Pd needs

to be recovered and reused from waste effluents that are discharged into the environment. This is

facilitated by adopting several treatment methods such as solvent extraction, ion exchange, membrane

separation and adsorption. Among these methods, adsorption process is found to be attractive because of

low cost, ease of operation, generation of non-toxic by-products and high recovery at low concentrations.

Till date researchers have tested many adsorbents such as activated carbon, clay, zeolites, industrial by-

products, agricultural wastes and bacterial biomass etc. However, a primary drawback of the conventional

adsorbents is with respect to their poor selectivity and recovery of precious metal(s) from mixed metals

containing solutions with complex chemistry. Based on the recent developments for fabrication of

modified polymer based adsorbents, the talk summarizes a mini review on the recent developments for

fabrication of modified polymer based adsorbents and their selectivity towards palladium removal and

recovery.

NCOCER 2015


PP 38. Phenol degradation by a native mixed bacterial culture isolated from crude oil

contaminated sites of Assam, India

Sounak Beraa, Abhijit Sarma Roy

b, Aloke Kumar Ghoshal

c, Kaustubha Mohanty

d and Debasish

Das*e,

a,bCenter for Energy, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Assam- 781039, India c,d Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Assam- 781039, India eDepartment of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Assam- 781039, India *E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract

Among the fastest developing nations in the world, India’s quest for energy resources is on an exponential

rise. To meet energy demands exploration of crude oil is taking place on a vigorous scale leading to

degradation of land and water bodies. Oil spill and the resulting contamination is often encountered

during drilling, refining, transportation, storage and other allied activities in crude oil industries. Assam

being the pioneering state in crude oil exploration in India has also been exposed to similar problems.

Different organic compounds like alkanes, cycloalkanes and aromatic hydrocarbons are often found in the

effluents and fallout of hydrocarbon based industries. Aromatics like phenol and other phenolic

compounds (o-cresol and p-cresol) have long residence times and are toxic for microorganisms, animals

and humans. Hence, their efficient removal from the environment is a matter of concern. Several

physicochemical processes for phenol removal are employed worldwide; however, biological remediation

is gaining popularity as it is cost effective, eco-friendly and ensures complete degradation. The present

research work reports an efficient mixed bacterial culture having high phenol degradation activity,

isolated from a crude oil contaminated site in Assam. Biodegradation experiments showed that the mixed

culture was able to degrade 1000 mgL-1 of phenol within 96 h while maximum specific growth rate (µmax)

was observed at 100 mgL-1.The pH and temperature required for optimal phenol degradation was 6.5 and

37°C, respectively. The mixed culture degrades phenol through ortho-cleavage pathway by formation of

an intermediate (cis, cis-muconate) which is detected spectrophotometrically at 260nm. The growth

kinetic data of the mixed culture was fitted to various inhibition models and Haldane model was the best

fitted inhibition model with R2 = 0.90682 (µmax = 0.2624 h-1 and inhibition constant, KI = 101.7792 mgL-

1).

Keywords: Mixed bacterial culture, Phenol degradation, Inhibition models, Maximum specific growth

rate.

NCOCER 2015


PP 39. Spectral Sensitization of TiO2 by Copper Doping: A Biological Approach

Ch Venkatanarasimha Raoa, Shivraj

b and Animes Kumar Golder

c*

a,b,c Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Assam-781039, INDIA *Email: [email protected]

Abstract

Fabrication of visible light responsive semiconductor photocatalysts through noble metal doping is a

popular technique. In this work, Cu-doped TiO2 nanoparticles (Cu/TiO2NPs) were fabricated using

Chayote leaf-extract mediated biological process. The proposed technique was found to be effective for

the bioreduction of Cu(II) into Cu° on the surface of TiO2 preceded by ultrasound assisted Cu(II)

adsorption. Cu/TiO2NPs were characterized through X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared

(FTIR) Spectroscopy, particle size analysis and Zeta-potential measurement. Further, the performance of

Cu/TiO2NPs was studied through oxidative degradation of Brilliant green dye. It exhibited about 90%

decomposition from a solution of 50 mg/L dye in 2 h under visible light illumination.

NCOCER 2015


PP 40. Street dust PAHs of a fast growing city of South Asia: Toxicity and sources

Karishma Hussaina and Raza Rafiqul Hoque

b*

a, bDepartment of Environmental Science, Tezpur University, Tezpur 784028, India *Email: [email protected]

Abstract

We present a comprehensive assessment of USEPA’s priority 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

(PAHs) and carbon in street dust of a fast growing South Asian city, Guwahati, of the Brahmaputra

Valley. The street dust samples were collected from representative land-use areas of the city during 3

different seasons. Concentrations of ∑PAHs in street dust were found to be between 2248.8 and 13550,

1394.7 and 43789 and 5153.5 and 28796.3 ng g-1 during monsoon, post-monsoon and pre-monsoon

seasons respectively. The concentrations were spatially found in the order –industrial > commercial >

institutional > residential > forest locations. The carcinogenic PAHs (CPAHs) were found to be in the

ranged of 16%-55% of ∑PAHs in the study. PAH profiles were dominated by 2- and 4 - ring PAHs and

the mean toxicity in terms of Benzo (a) pyrene equivalent (BaPq) concentration was maximum during

pre-monsoon season. Correlations of Black carbon (BC) and organic carbon (OC) with PAHs were found

to have seasonality. Principal Component Analysis, diagnostic ratio and correlations of PAHs with heavy

metal implied that the PAHs originated mainly from coal and wood burning and vehicular combustion.

Strong seasonality in sources of PAHs was indentified and signatory influence of local sources was

recognized during the pre-monsoon season.

Key words: Street dust, PAHs, OC, BC, Guwahati

NCOCER 2015


PP 41. Beneficial role of green silver nanomaterial on earthworm health and soil quality

Pallabi Dasa, Chaitali Roy Choudhury

a, Niranjan Karak

b and Satya Sundar Bhattacharya

a,*

a Department of Environmental Science, Tezpur University, Napaam 784 028, Assam, India. bAdvanced Polymer and Nanomaterial Laboratory, Department of Chemical Sciences, Tezpur University, Napaam 784 028, Assam, India. Email: [email protected]

Abstract

Nanotechnology is a new domain of scientific technology they captured profuse interest in different fields

of science. In this present investigation we mainly assessed the impact of green silver nanoparticles

(AgNPs) (prepared with the help of Pudina leaves extract) on earthworms and soil environment. Five

different concentrations of AgNPs has been taken for this study (1000, 750, 500, 250, 100 ppm). Two

different species of earthworms have been selected for this study e.g., Eiseniafetida and

Metaphirepostheuma and there was no detrimental effect on earthworm fecundity and lifecycle. Our

further study includes the effect of the nanoparticles on soil health, through periodical analysis of various

soil physico-chemical attributes of soil viz. bulk density (BD), water holding capacity (WHC), pH, Total

Organic Carbon (TOC), easily mineralizable N, total N, available P and available K, enzyme activity

(urease, phosphatase). This study also included evaluation of leaching and solubility pattern of soil by

analyzing different cations and anions (PO43-, NO3-, SO4

2-, Cl-, total alkalinity, Ca, Mg, Cr, Fe, Mn and

Zn).Throughout this study we will mainly try to evaluate the nanoparticle response on soil and soil borne

earthworms. We are conducting this study in order to identify beneficial effects of Ag NPs prepared

through green synthesis process.

Keywords: Nanotechnology, silver nanoparticles, soil environment, Pudina, Eisenia, Metaphire.

NCOCER 2015


PP 42. Isolation of Para Chloro Meta Xylenol (PCMX) utilizing bacteria and its

biodegradation

Bhanupriyaa, Tanushee Ghosh

b and Priyabrata Sarkar

c

a,b,cDepartment of Polymer Science and Technology, University of Calcutta

Abstract

Pharmaceuticals are bioactive compounds generally resistant to biodegradation and these may create

health hazard to humans and animals. This would enable us to highlight the risk to the environment and

the implications for water re-use. The need of the hour is i) proper and quick assessment of the

concentrations of hazardous pharmaceuticals ii) remediation of the toxic materials from municipal waste.

Dettol is the trade name for a line of hygiene products manufactured by Reckitt Benckiser and used

worldwide as it an antiseptic liquid. It is poisonous when ingested and even when it is unintentionally

inhaled. The active ingredient in Dettol that confers its antiseptic property is Chloroxylenol (C8H9ClO) or

PCMX, an aromatic compound. We have isolated and characterized a number of PCMX resistant

bacteria. They showed excellent PCMX uptake within 24 h. The use of different microbial culture in

biodegradation of PCMX has shown attractive results. Microbes degraded PCMX via metabolic pathways

and finally reduced them into non-toxic end products. The following two bacteria were used for this

study: BT102, Gram negative, round shaped Pandoraea sp. (accession No. JQ80423) and BTUA gram

negative rod shaped (accession No. GU265556). The preliminary results showed that both of these could

remediate a very high concentration of PCMX (5 molar) concentration. These microbes will be applied in

a continuous packed bed column with beads made from biocompatible polymer and microorganisms for

bioremediation purpose.

NCOCER 2015


PP 43. Effect of addition of EM on performance of Rotary drum composting

Mohit Madan Kalea and S K Patidar

b

aM.Tech. Civil Engineering (Environmental Engineering), N.I.T. Kurukshetra. b Professor, Civil Engineering Department, N.I.T. Kurukshetra. Email: [email protected]

Abstract

One of the most everlasting problems mankind has been facing is the disposal of garbage. Today, with

global populations expected to rise within the next century, never before in history has the issue of

garbage disposal been more pressing. It is a necessary to find new ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle

garbage. A significant contribution could be made towards waste recovery and reduction by composting

the organic fraction. The most efficient, promising and sustainable solution to this problem could be use

of effective microorganism in rotary drum composting. Rotary drum composter provides agitation,

aeration and mixing of the compost, to produce a consistent and uniform end product. It is an excellent

concept for smaller communities. This practice could prove to be beneficial in detoxifying our landfills,

decontaminate our environment, and promote highly sustainable organic waste treatment methods

worldwide. This study aims to assess the effect of EM application on the composting process of green

waste and to evaluate the quality of both compost treatments. There are two treatments in this study, in

which one waste mixture was applied with EM and another waste mixture without EM. The parameters

for the temperature, pH, TOC and %Ash, show that decomposition of organic matter occurs during the

20-day period. The t-test conducted shows that there is a significant difference between compost with EM

and compost without EM. The application of EM in compost increases the macro and micronutrient

content. This study suggests that the application of EM is suitable to increase the mineralization in the

composting process and also increases the composting rate. The final resultant compost indicated that it

was in the range of the matured level and can be used without any restriction. This paper presents some

new perspectives on the role and application of beneficial microorganisms, including EM, as microbial

inoculants for enhancing soil quality, for speeding up the decomposition rate, conserve natural resources,

and ultimately create a more sustainable agriculture and environment.

Keyword: Effective microorganisms (EM), Rotary drum composting.

NCOCER 2015


PP 44. Investigation in sono-enzymatic degradation of anti-inflammatory drug

Sankar Chakmaa and S Vijayanand Moholkar

b

aDepartment of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati – 781 039, Assam, India. bProfessor, Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati – 781 039, Assam, India. E-mail: [email protected] (SC), [email protected] (VSM)

Abstract

This paper reports the enzymatic degradation of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug in presence of

ultrasound of frequency 40 kHz. Ibuprofen, an anti-inflammatory drug, has been chosen as model

recalcitrant pollutant. Degradation experiments of drug molecules have been carried out under different

experimental protocols to investigate the physical mechanism of sono-enzymatic process. The basic

degradation routes for degradation of ibuprofen are enzymatic treatment, sono-chemical treatment and

combination of these two processes. The various experimental protocols used for degradation study alter

the characteristics of ultrasound and cavitation effects in the reaction system. Also the kinetic and

thermodynamic parameters of degradation process have been determined using Eyring equation and basic

thermodynamic correlation. The kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of degradation are essentially

manifestations of the dominating mechanism of the degradation process, viz. either molecular reaction

due to enzyme or reaction due to radicals generated during transient collapse of cavitation bubbles. The

analysis of thermodynamic parameters reveals the exact mechanism of degradation process for

degradation of drug.

Keywords: Degradation, anti-inflammatory drug, cavitation, ultrasound.

NCOCER 2015


PP 45. Effect of heavy metals on biodegradation and lipid accumulation by Rhodococcus

opacus PD-630 using naphthalene as the sole carbon source

Lalit Goswamia, Kannan Pakshirajan

a,b and Pugazhenthi G

c

aCenter for the Environment, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati 781039, Assam, India, bDepartment of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati 781039, Assam, India, cDepartment of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati 781039, Assam, India

Abstract

The effect of different heavy metals, viz, Fe(III); Cu(II); Zn(II); Cd(II); Ni(II); and Pb(II) on naphthalene

(NAPH) biodegradation and lipid accumulation by Rhodococcus opacus PD630 was investigated in this

study. Experiments in this batch study were performed using 5% inoculum size, 50-200 mg/L initial

naphthalene concentration and 10 mg/L initial metal concentration in single metal containing system. The

results showed a negative effect of these heavy metals on both naphthalene degradation efficiency and

time by the bacteria. The efficiency decreased by about 11 - 20% due to the metals as compared with that

obtained in absence of the heavy metals. Moreover, a decrease in the quantitative amount of the bacterial

lipids from 7.68 g/L to 5.67 g/L was obtained due to presence of these heavy metals at an initial

naphthalene concentration of 50 mg/L. At all initial naphthalene concentration, the metal ions resulted in

reduced biodegradation rate and lipid accumulation by the bacterium. The inhibitory effect due to the

metal ions followed the order Cd(II) > Ni(II) > Pb(II) > Cu(II) > Zn(II) > Fe(III).

Keywords: Biodegradation, Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, heavy metals, Rhodococcus opacus, lipid

accumulation.

NCOCER 2015


PP 46. Selective removal of cationic dyes by activated carbon prepared from Kans grass

Somnath Chandaa, Ashok Meena

b, M K Purkait

c and Gopal Das

a,b*

aCenter for the Environment, IIT Guwahati, Assam 781039, India. bDepartment of Chemistry, IIT Guwahati, Assam 781039, India. cDepartment of Chemical Engineering, IIT Guwahati, Assam 781039, India. *Email: [email protected]

Abstract

Our study demonstrates selective removal of cationic dyes on mesoporous activated carbon (AC)

prepared from Saccharum spontaneum Linn. (kans grass) by one stage chemical activation using H3PO4

as an activating agent. We intend to demonstrate the application of our prepared AC as an eco-friendly

efficient adsorbent to remove dyes from waste water. Kans grass is a weed growing abundant at IIT

Guwahati campus during the autumn seasons. Dyes are crucial ingredient of dying process in textiles

industries. Often un-utilized dyes as waste are discharged into water bodies untreated. These dyes

gradually accumulate to build-up to toxic levels, which adversely affects the aquatic ecosystems of the

water bodies and may enter into drinking water supply. Hence, dye removal is an environmental

remediating challenge for an environmental engineer. AC was characterized using FTIR, FESEM and

XRD. Cationic dyes, namely methylene blue, methyl violet-2B and safranine were removed from

synthetic wastewater up to 99.7%, 95.9% and 94.45%, respectively in single component system

experimental studies.

Key words: Kans grass, activated carbon, H3PO4, carbonization, cationic dyes.

NCOCER 2015


PP 47. Removal of Benzene and Toluene Using Bacterial Biofilter

K Behala and S K Patidar

b

aM.Tech student, Environmental Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Kurukshetra, Haryana bProfessor, Environmental Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Kurukshetra, Haryana

Abstract

Gaseous streams and effluents from landfills and industrial processes carry variety of compounds which

are harmful for human health. A major portion of this is odorous in nature and it includes VOCs and

inorganic compounds like ammonia (NH3), hydrogen sulphide (H2S), etc. A wide variety of odorous

compounds can be treated by biological processes such as biofilters. Biofilter has a bed on which

microorganisms are grown and the bed can be made of waste materials like wood, PVC pipes, etc. Most

biofilters used to remove contaminants from gas contain mixed cultures of bacteria. Bacterial grown

biofilter are more advantageous then fungi grown biofilter as they have high rate of growth and high

substrate utilization rate. The present paper describes removal of benzene and toluene using biofilters

involving different types of bed materials under varying loading conditions.

Keywords: Biodegradation, Bacterial biofilter, VOC, Elimination Capacity (EC).

NCOCER 2015


PP 48. Wastewater treatment using constructed wetland system - A review

Sugandh Singha and S K Patidar

b

aP.G student, Department of Civil Engineering, NIT Kurukshetra, Haryana, India bProfessor, Department of Civil Engineering, NIT Kurukshetra, Haryana, India Email: [email protected]

Abstract

India is likely to be water scarce by 2050 and therefore rain water harvesting, water conservation, water

pollution control, recycling and reuse of treated wastewater is necessary. Various methods have

developed to treat wastewater. Among them, constructed wetlands have gained importance as natural

alternative to other treatment methods for treating both small to large volume of wastewater having

varying contamination level. Attempts have been made to understand the complex processes involved

in constructed wetland system (CWS) containing macrophytes, microorganisms, soil matrix and

contaminants in the wastewater and in what way they all interact with one another. The present paper

reviews literature related to development of constructed wetland and summarizes important studies

undertaken to assess the effects of vegetation types and substrate on microbial processes and removal

efficiency under varying hydraulic retention time (HRT).

Keywords: Constructed Wetlands System, Wastewater treatment, Macrophytes.

NCOCER 2015


PP 49. Optimization of Steel Industry Waste in Improving Swelling Properties of a Black

Cotton Soil

Sandeep Tanwara and Ashwani Jain

b

aNIT Kurukshetra bProfessor, NIT Kurukshetra Email: [email protected], [email protected]

Abstract

The industrial revolution was the cause of positive change for the industrial world. But in recent years the

large scale industrialization and associated environmental alteration has negative impact on environment.

One such industry is steel making which produces large scale steel waste (slag). This slag is a byproduct

from steelmaking processes in which the components of pig iron and steel-scrap are modified in order to

produce steel. Disposal of this slag presents many problems. The major problem is to find a large area for

its disposal and disposing it can also adversely affect the environment. Attempts should be made to utilize

these wastes in some useful manner. This waste as a soil stabilizer can eliminate the problem of finding

valuable land for its disposal and also an effective alternative for costly stabilizing materials. In present

paper, mild steel waste is used in different percentages (3%, 6%, 9%, 12%, 15% and 18%) and its effect

on swelling properties of a black cotton soil are studied. A series of swell pressure tests were conducted

by consolidometer method to evaluate the effect of addition of mild steel wastes on swell pressure and

swell potential of the soil. It is observed that at 3% mild steel slag there is no significant effect on

swelling properties but with further increase in the mild steel slag percentage there is a significant

decrease in swell potential and swell pressure.

NCOCER 2015


PP 50. Water Content and Infiltration Rate of Soil: A Study

Balraj Singha and Surender Deswal

b

a M.Tech scholar, NIT Kurukshetra, India b Professor, NIT Kurukshetra, India

Abstract

Infiltration is defined as the entry of water into the soil. Infiltration rate is the rate by which water entering

into the soil. It is estimated in mm of water that infiltrates in one hour. And total amount of water

contained by soil is known as water content. This paper provides a general outline of the infiltration

process. Specific attention is given to the quantitative influence of the initial soil moisture content as it

affects both the infiltration rate and the amount of infiltration of soils (cumulative infiltration). And also

non-linear regression was also used to develop relationship between infiltration rate and cumulative

infiltration with time.

Keywords: infiltration rate; cumulative infiltration; double ringinfiltrometer and water content.

NCOCER 2015


PP 51. Corporate social responsibility and environmental protection of companies

operating in Shillong, Meghalaya in compliance with the companies act, 2013

Aksana Neah Ch Maraka and O P Singh

b

a,bDepartment of Environmental Studies, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong-22 Meghalaya

Abstract

Sound and healthy environment is required for the continuous growth and development of economy. With

unmatched human use of natural resources, the state of environment is degraded and exploited. Hence, it

is a necessity to compensate and to redeem the natural ecosystem. Since the economic development of a

nation is in the hands of business houses and corporate sectors, it is the responsibility of these sectors to

counter balance to its shareholders, including the environment. Activities which are undertaken by the

companies as a responsibility towards the society and environment come under the umbrella of Corporate

Social Responsibility (CSR). According to the companies act, 2013, companies having net worth of INR

500 Crore or more, or turnover of INR 1000 Crore or more or a net profit of INR 5 Crore or more during

any financial year should at least spend 2% of their profits of the preceding 3 financial years on Corporate

Social Responsibility committee to carry out the activities. The act also provided guidelines for CSR

activities and provisions in the schedule VII of the act. Among several activities, environmental

sustainability and protection occupy a part in the provision which might be beneficial for the

environment. This paper covers 5 corporate operating in Shillong, Meghalaya belonging to different

sectors, their CSR activities, and the expenditure. The study focuses on the environmental aspect of the

CSR and the activities carried by the companies under study. Findings show that there are some

companies supporting for the betterment of environment while others are more inclined towards the

benefit of the society.

NCOCER 2015


PP 52. Preparation of hydrophilic polysulfone membrane using polyacrylic acid with

polyvinyl pyrrolidone

Nilay Sharmaa and M K Purkait

b

a Research Scholar, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Assam-781039, India b Associate Professor, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Assam-781039, India

Abstract

This study examined the consequences of the addition of Hydrophilic polymers polyvinyl pyrrolidone

(PVP) of different molecular weights with constant molecular weight of polyacrylic acid (PAA) on the

morphology and permeation properties of polysulfone (PSF) membranes. The asymmetric polymeric

membranes were prepared by phase inversion process using PSF in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) as a

solvent. The surface structure and morphology of the prepared membranes were analyzed by field

emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The pore number,

average pore size and area of pores for all the membranes were determined by permeability method.

These ultrafiltration membranes were subjected to characterizations such as measurement of pure water

flux (PWF), compaction factor (CF), bovine serum albumin (BSA) rejection for finding the permeability

performance, whereas equilibrium water content (EWC), contact angle, porosity, hydraulic resistance and

ion exchange capacity (IEC) are measured for evaluating the hydrophilicity. Results demonstrate that the

flux performance of the membranes and morphological parameters own a crucial inter-relationship with

the molecular weight of PVP. The membrane pore area and pore number were found to be increased by

increasing molecular weight of PVP with constant molecular weight of PAA. A detailed comparative

study was done with Chakrabarty et al. and found better in almost all the aspects. All the resulting

parameters were compared and concluded with the fact that addition of small amount of PAA in

PSF/PVP/NMP casting solution can be better than addition of PVP alone.

NCOCER 2015


PP 53. Groundwater Potential Zone in Ampati, South Garo Hills District, Meghalaya

D Waliaa and Ibameaihun Dhar

b

Department of Environmental Studies, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong-793022 Email: [email protected], [email protected]

Abstract

The groundwater resources are limited and with the increasing population the demand for groundwater

increases. The Ampati area is suffering from the water shortage and even the river are running dry during

winter seasons. In the present study the resistivity survey was carried out in order to delineate the

groundwater potential zones so as to fulfill the water demand during the dry periods. The resistivity data

using the Schlumberger array is acquired, inverted and interpreted. The interpreted data indicates that

good resistivity contrast exists between the water-bearing formation and the rocks; follows five prominent

curves type and reveals the presence of four different subsurface layers which maybe composed of the top

soil, sandstone, clay and weathered granite. The resistivity of sandstone layer ranges from 51.52-1056.66

Ωm at the depth of 0.56- 128.29 m. The weathered granite layer is the lying above the basement rocks i.e.,

granite and has good water bearing capacity and ranges at depth from 1.98 to 66.99 m. As the

groundwater source is the weathered granite layers which lie over the granites hence the recharged

groundwater from the watershed flows out at the contact areas leaving the area dry. The locations for the

dug well and bore wells and groundwater recharge is identified so that the water withdrawal and recharge

with minimum expenditure can be made and the water shortages are taken care of especially during the

dry seasons.

NCOCER 2015


PP 54. Socio-Environmental Impact of LED Based Solar Urja Table Lamp at Rural Areas

Debanjan Sannigrahia

and Nikita Kalab

a,bDepartment of Energy Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai Email:[email protected]

Abstract

Solar Urja Lamp (SoUL) is designed and developed by Department of Energy Science and Engineering,

IIT Bombay for helping the students in their night study at rural villages of Madhya Pradesh,

Maharashtra, Odisha and Rajasthan which are electrified as well as non-electrified villages but depend on

kerosene lamps for lighting. Those table lamps are the Standalone Solar Photovoltaic (SPV) system

having 4 major technical components: a Light Emitting Diode (LED), a Controller (PCB), a Battery and a

Solar Panel. The lamp base of size 10 X 10 sq. cm. is fitted with Battery, Switch, Indicator LED and

PCB. The lamp is designed by keeping the top fitted with LED at 12 inch height from the base for getting

lumen efficacy of about 150 lux during general purpose lighting (lower mode) and also about 250 lux

which is sufficient during study (higher mode). It is found that each lamp operates for 8 and 5 hours in

lower and higher mode with power consumption of around 0.192 W and 0.352 W respectively. The

dedicated team of Trainers visited 24 villages of 4 states and so far trained around 780 people in 34

trainings of various NGO groups who in return produced table lamps and distributed to 7,35,352 students

at a cheaper rate of Rs 120/-. The project gave fourfold socio-environmental impact in all the villages

covered so far. The lamp has allowed students to study in the evening and to complete all school

assignments. It has improved the indoor air quality by reducing the use of kerosene lamps which cause

respiratory problem to the family members and also various fire hazards. This program has also created

new job opportunities in lamp production for locals under the umbrella of NGOs. And finally, the rural

families have saved money by reducing the purchase of kerosene gradually, hence reducing the black

carbon emission in the environment. The villagers now believe that SoUL has positive effect on their

health, economy, welfare and environment.

NCOCER 2015


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Documents

National Conference on Challenges in Environmental Research book NCOCER-2015.pdf · On behalf of the organizing committee of the “National Conference on Challenges in Environmental