International Journal of Environmental Science and Toxicology Research

180-190

Authors: *M.F.N Abowei, S. K. Asiagbe, and M. Elekwa

Eposand chemical specie is an epoxy used for sand consolidation beneath the soil during drilling operations. The disposal of the absolete eposand specie is a problem due to its ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity and toxicity resulting to carcinogenic effect upon human exposure. Hence incineration option using scrubber facility is applied for its disposal procedure. Therefore, this work investigates gaseous emissions rate resulting from eposand chemical incineration process at no perturbation air interphase using Fibow Horizontal Multiphase Flow Chamber Incinerator (FHMFCI). In addition, a theoretical predictive emission rate model is developed using coupled integral and Abowei modified dimensional analysis approach. The predictive model provided a basis for the computation of bulk concentration as a function of eposand quantity, time and temperature. The theoretically developed model was simulated using MATLAB R2007b techniques and the results compared with those of the experimental. Both experimental and theoretical techniques demonstrated high degree of precision and compatibility. Keywords: Concentration, Distribution, Eposand Incineration, Placid, Environment.

152-159

Authors: Abooalfazl Azhdarpoor*1, Payam Mohammadi2, Mansoureh Dehghani1

Phosphorous is the main and key nutrient in freshwater systems which is stimulative to algae, aquatic plants and photosynthetic microorganisms’ growth and should be removed to prevent eutrophication phenomenon. In this study efficiency of removal of the COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand) and the TP (Total phosphate) was investigated using a new anaerobic-aerobic/anoxic modified SBR reactor. An anaerobic-aerobic/anoxic modified SBR reactor was used in 4 different operating phases in time range of 3 to 8 hours in order to reach the best COD and TP removal conditions. The input phosphate concentration and input COD were varied from 4 mg/L to 60 mg/L and from 250 mg/L to 1500 mg/L respectively. The phases 3 and 4 were chosen as the best phases with 91.9% and 84.4% in phase 3 for COD and TP removal efficiencies respectively and also 92.7% and 86.9% for COD and TP removal efficiencies in phase 4. The retention time of phase 4 was included alternatively 225 minutes aeration, 165 minutes mixing and 90 minutes sedimentation. This new reactor has several advantages including high efficiency in removal of organic materials and phosphate, continuity in input flow, the low space and volume occupation. Keywords: Modified SBR reactor, phosphate, Anaerobic, Aerobic.

168-179

Authors: M.H. Amara1 and S.A.Saad2*

This study was carried out in year 2012 to identify the seasonal variation of water quality of Hafirs in North Kordofan State. The study covered four Hafirs, in Shaken Locality (Abu Haraz administrative unit) of 2500 M3 designing capacity and all used as traditional Hafirs without any treatment facilities: Almamsouca village Hafir, Alayaira village Hafir, Algalabai1 village Hafir and Algalabai2 village Hafir. Qualitative characteristics of Hafirs` water were measured in four periods: March, June, September and December, using onsite membrane filtration technique for biological analysis (E-coli and total coliform) and standard laboratory techniques for chemical and physical tests. Also data were collected from the nearest central healthcare facility in the study area to investigate the predominance of water related diseases. Biological quality of all studied hafirs was found to be very poor with very high levels of E-coli and Fecal coliform counts in most seasons with peaks in June and minimum in December and this can be simply correlated to intensive run-off from faecally polluted dry soils to Hafirs positions. Investigation of water related diseases in nearby healthcare facility for last three years shows a very high cases of all water related infections with noticeable incidents of deaths and increasing numbers of bilharzia cases were recorded suggesting a direct reflection of poor biological water quality. Little seasonal variation in all physico-chemical properties of water samples can be noticed but most values comply with the standards of the World Health Organization and Sudanese Meteorology Organization except iron in Alayara and Algalabia Hafirs and turbidity in all hafirs throughout the seasons with peaks in rainy time (June - September). It is recommended that all hafirs must be fitted with slow sand filters and chlorination tanks and surrounding protection fences to improve bacterial and physico-chemical properties of water. Householders should be made more aware on hazards arises from using polluted water and trained to use traditional methods to enhance their drinking water quality. Keywords: Hafirs; North Kordofan; Water quality; Membrane Filtration.

143-151

Authors: 1OUEDRAOGO Richard, 2TOE Adama Makoum, 3ILBOUDO Sylvain, 3GUISSOU Pierre Innocent

A risk assessment of worker exposure to pesticides in the case of sugarcane cultivation in Burkina Faso was conducted in 2011. This study was conducted at first by observation of workstations, investigation of the medical history, clinical somatic and biological examination of workers. Then, the United Kingdom Predictive Operator Exposure Model Version 7 (during only mixing/loading) and the Estimation of bystander and resident exposure Model (during application supervision) was used to quantify pesticide exposure intensity. This study involved eleven (11) workers, all male, responsible for mixing/loading and the supervision of the application of pesticides. The average age of the exposed workers was 53.1 years with 17.6 years of experience. Clinical and laboratory tests show pathology such as hypertension, diabetes and fluctuating values of biological and hematological parameters. The exposure estimate shows that the absorbed doses ranging from 0.28 to 3600 mg/day during mixing/loading, from 0.0011 to 0.8768 mg/kg/day during the supervision of application at 3 m and from 0.0001 to 0.0839 mg/kg/day during the supervision of application at 20 m of the application. Overall, the results of this study show that workers are exposed to pesticides. This exposure can be exacerbated by the long exposure time, insufficient protection and especially the general state of workers’ health. Keywords: Pesticide, Risk factor, Occupational exposure, People present, Sugarcane.

124-129

Authors: Ihejirika CE1*, Nwachukwu MI4, Njoku-Tony RF1, Ihejirika OC2, Enwereuzoh UO1, Imo EO3, and Obenade M5

Disposal of industrial solid wastes in the environment is a major environmental challenge. This study investigated the effects of calcium carbide waste dumpsites on soil quality. Soil samples were collected with hand auger from three different dumpsites at varying depths and made into composite samples. Samples were subjected to standard analytical procedures. pH varied from 10.38 to 8.28, nitrate from 5.6mg/kg to 9.3mg/kg, phosphate from 8.8mg/kg to 12.3mg/kg, calcium carbide reduced from 10 to 3%. Calcium carbide was absent in control soil samples. Bacterial counts from dumpsites ranged from 1.8 x 105 - 2.5 x 105cfu/g while fungal ranged from 0.8 x 103 - 1.4 x 103cfu/g. Bacterial isolates included Pseudomonas spp, Flavobacterium spp, and Achromobacter spp, while fungal isolates include Penicillium notatum, Aspergillus niger, and Rhizopus stolonifer. No organism was isolated from the dumpsites at soil depth of 0-15 cm, while there were isolates from other soil depths. Toxicity might be due to alkaline condition of the dumpsite. Calcium carbide might be bactericidal and fungicidal leading to cellular physiology, growth retardation, death, general loss of biodiversity and reduction of ecosystem processes. Detoxification of calcium carbide waste before disposal on soil might be the best option in management. Keywords: Calcium carbide waste, Soil health, Denitrification, Toxicity, Biodiversity, Ecosystem processes.

136-142

Authors: 1*R.K. SRIVASTAVA, 1KALPANA SAGAR, GUFRAN BEIG2

The ambient air quality monitoring network involves measurement of a number of air pollutants. A variety of methods exist to measure particulate matter in air. This study evaluates the effects of particulate air pollution associated short-term exposure of particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) in Diwali festival. Fireworks display during festive celebrations can cause acute short term air pollution. Concentration of air pollutants such as PM10 and PM2.5 was monitored for six consecutive days during Diwali in, a densely populated residential area near, Jabalpur, India for assessing the impacts of fireworks on ambient air quality. The study was conducted for two consecutive years i.e. 2012 and 2013. The result shows that air quality deteriorates during Diwali festival is due to the use of excessive amount of firecrackers. A comparative account of two years air quality data is also presented. Keyword: Particulate Matter (PM10, PM2.5), Air Quality, Meteorological Parameter, firework comparison of air quality, Diwali festival, ozone.

108-118

Authors: Jasbir Kaur Taak and K.P. Singh

Hydrochemical investigations of Sukhna wetland and adjoining ground water regime have been carried out. Total thirty two samples were collected including surface and ground water samples both from the study area and were analyzed for pH, EC, TDS, hardness, calcium, sodium, potassium, alkalinity (in terms of carbonates and bicarbonates), chloride, sulphate, phosphate, nitrate and silica. All the parameters were found well within the desirable and permissible limits of BIS (1991) and WHO (2006). The different irrigation parameters i.e. percent sodium, SAR, RSC, Magnesium ratio and Corrosivity ratio were calculated and further interpretation shows that the surface and ground water of Sukhna wetland and nearby areas is good for irrigation purpose. Ca2+- Mg2+- CO32- - HCO3- is the dominant hydrochemical facies in the water chemistry of study area, which is identified through piper diagram. The water quality of Sukhna wetland and its adjoining ground water regime is almost similar and it is fit for the agricultural, industrial and domestic use. Keywords: Hydrochemical, surface water, groundwater, irrigation, Sukhna wetland.