volume-06-Issue 1 (2014)
Latest Articles
Physicochemical Assessment of Rain Water of Karachi, Pakistan
SWES, volume-06, Issue 1 (2014) , PP 45 - 51
Published: 24 Nov 2014
DOI: 10.5383/swes.06.01.0005
by Mahwish Chughtai, Sana Mustafa, Majid Mumtaz from Department of Chemistry, University of Karachi-75270, Pakistan Department of Chemistry, Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science & Technology, Gulshan-e-Iqbal Campus, Karachi75300, Pakistan
Abstract: Local Precipitation (Rain) is a good source of surface water and could be a safe source of drinking water if it is free from contaminants. Many Asian countries do not have access to safe drinking water; therefore, they have no alternative but to use water from contaminated sources that poses a health hazard. In the present study, thirty-three rain water samples were collected from Karachi, Pakistan during monsoon season of year 2007. The pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), dissolved oxygen (DO) and hardness were immediately monitored after sample collections and possible sources of NH4, Na, K, Mg, Ca, F-, Cl-, NO3 -, CO3 -2 and SO4 -2 concentrations in rain water of Karachi city, Sindh, Pakistan were analyzed in order to distinguish safe source of drinking water. All samples were completely free from fluoride contamination while the concentration of chloride and sulfate was in range of 15.11-125 mg/l and 10.02- 72.02 mg/l indicate their presence from air pollution. Moreover, the study showed that the rain water can be harvested to extend potable and non-potable water supplies in this city read more... read less...
Keywords: rain water, air pollution, physicochemical parameters, Karachi, drinking water
An Appraisal of Genus Riccia in India with a Note on Diversity and Distribution of Species
SWES, volume-06, Issue 1 (2014) , PP 35 - 43
Published: 24 Nov 2014
DOI: 10.5383/swes.06.01.0004
by Sushil Kumar Singh from Botanical Survey of India, Eastern Regional Centre, Shillong – 793 003, India
Abstract: A review of Indian Riccia’s has been made and 36 valid species are accepted. 12 species viz., R. attenuata, R. ciliata, R. crispatula, R. crozalsii, R. curtisii, R. glauca, R. haskarliana, R. hirta, R. mangalorica, R. perssonii, R. stricta and R. warnstorfii are rare and found in restricted pockets of the country. Except Riccia abuensis and R. fluitans (aquatic species) all are terrestrial. Riccia poihaiana A.E.D.Daniels & P.Daniel is proposed to place under synonymy of R. billardieri Mont. & Nees. The occurrence of Riccia squamata, R. duplex and R. dictyospora recorded in Indian bryoflora is treated here doubtful. The notes on Riccia lucknowensis A.Gupta &Udar and R. nagalandensis D.D.Pant & Bhowmik ex S.K.Chaturv. & S.Chaturv. (both invalid species) are given. The taxonomy, diversity and distribution and notes wherever required are provided. read more... read less...
Keywords: Marchantiophyta, Riccia, India, Taxonomy, Distribution
Phosphorus and Emerging Micro-pollutants in Surface Waters: Challenges and Prospects for Water Quality Improvements
SWES, volume-06, Issue 1 (2014) , PP 27 - 33
Published: 24 Nov 2014
DOI: 10.5383/swes.06.01.0003
by Peter S. Hoodaa, John Jr. Wilkinson and Helen K.G.R. Millier from Kingston University London, Kingston upon Thames KT1 2EE, UK
Abstract: An oversupply of Phosphorus in water bodies accelerates growth of algae and higher forms of plant life to produce undesirable impacts on overall water quality. Phosphorus inputs to surface waters arise from a variety of point and nonpoint sources. However much of the P is contributed by agricultural runoff and outfall of treated (or untreated) wastewater in receiving water-bodies. Point sourced-P inputs to waters have considerably decreased in recent years, at least partly driven by regulatory requirements, e.g. the EU Water Framework Directive. This has largely been achieved by removing P from treated wastewaters at sewage treatment works (STWs). Studies have shown that introducing an additional treatment step (“P-stripping”) can significantly reduce P in STW outfalls. Given P deposits are depleting, there is much interest in phosphorus recovery from wastewaters. A few STWs have already started to recover P as struvite (NH4MgPO4.6H2O) mineral – a substitute for commercially produced P-fertilizers. This requires major investment and is not economically viable at small STWs. Nonetheless it is a major breakthrough in terms of P recovery and its use. Effluents from sewage treatment works (STW) can often contain a complex mixture of residual microcontaminants, not removed during wastewater treatment. Organic micro-pollutants have been found in rivers receiving STW effluents. Such residual contaminants have become the focus of an emerging field of water quality study and are collectively referred to as pharmaceuticals and other personal healthcare products, PPHCPs. Many of these chemicals have the ability to effect the hormonal signaling of organisms and are called endocrine disrupting compounds (EDC). Such chemicals have shown some of the most damaging biological effects in aquatic organisms. Biological effects in the aquatic environment are typically related to the development of intersex in fish. Recent research shows the use of STW practices such as upgrading from using a combined trickling filter contact process to activated sludge treatment, ozonation, membrane filtration and use of suspended biofilm reactors reduces the amount of EDCs in waste effluent. It is thus possible to remove contaminants from STW effluents, but it will not be possible without major infrastructure improvements. This paper presents the challenges and prospects of P and micro-organic pollutants in surface waters. read more... read less...
Keywords: Phosphorus, Agricultural Runoff, Sewage Effluents, Phosphorus Stripping, Emerging Micro-pollutants (EMP), Pharmaceutical and Personal Healthcare product (PPHCP), Sewage Treatment Works (STW)
Monitoring of Metal Dispersion in Kumaon Hills (INDIA) Through Active Monitoring Using Moss
SWES, volume-06, Issue 1 (2014) , PP 1 - 15
Published: 24 Nov 2014
DOI: 10.5383/swes.06.01.0001
by Dinesh K. Saxena, Isam Janajreh, and Dheeraj Gahtori from a Bryology laboratory, Botany Department, Bareilly College, Bareilly-243005 (U.P), INDIA, Mechanical and Materials Engineering Program, Masdar Institute, Abu Dhabi, PO Box 54224, UAE
Abstract: Bryophytes have been used as a terrestrial bio-monitors and bio-indicators of air pollution and are recognized as more sensitive to pollution than other plants. In present study common moss species, i.e., Rhodobryumgiganteum (Schwaegr) Par., Rhynchostegielladivaricatifolia (Renauld&Cardot), PohliaelongataHedw, Racomitriumcrispulum (Hook. f. et Wils.), Pleuroziumshcreberi, Hylocomiumsplendens, Hypnumcupressiforme, Brachytheciumrutabulum, Homalotheciumsericeum, Racomitriumcrispulum were collected from monitoring sites and were validated for their tolerance potential by measuring chlorophyll fluorescence signals. Amongst above species validated for tolerance, moss Racomitriumcrispulum (Hook. f. et Wils.) is inducted for monitoring program. Collected samples were air dried, then cleaned and digested. The levels of Zn, Cu, Cd and Pb have been determined in transplants of the moss Racomitriumcrispulum (Hook. f. et Wils.) from the area of Almora, Nainital and Pithoragarh of Kumaon hills. High metallic load was measured in moss harvested from locations in proximity of higher traffic density areas, which is attributed to the enhanced tourism during summer and monsoon season. In rural areas high value of Zn and, Cu attributes to their use in fertilizers. Positive significant correlations were obtained between Pb-Zn and Zn-Cu that suggest a common origin of these metals. Elemental concentration in moss Racomitriumcrispulum was in order Zn>Pb ~ Cu> Cd in summer while, same was Zn> Cu >Pb> Cd in winter season and in rain Zn> Cu >Pb> Cd that reflects atmospheric trace elemental load. Bioaccumulation ability of this moss was evaluated statistically using DMR test and cartographically presented on contour maps obtained from SURFER program. read more... read less...
Keywords: Metal Emission, Kumaon hills, moss Racomitriumcrispulum (Hook. f. etWils.), active monitoring.