A study of the gaseous and particulate pollutants in the environment of a thermal power plant project area

Observations on gaseous and particulate pollutants were undertaken at four locations in the region of a thermal power plant (TPP), which is under construction at Tuticorin, south India. The predicted concentrations Of SO₂ due to the emissions from the TPP and its possible impact on the inhabitants and climate in the downwind region were evaluated. Also, the predicted concentrations downwind of a Petrochemical Industrial Complex (PIC) located in the vicinity of the TPP were computed and compared with the measured concentrations. The predicted maximum concentration of SO₂ at 6 km downwind of TPP is about 530 μg m^?3 under most favourable wind conditions. The anticipated increase in SO₂ due to the thermal power plant under construction may therefore be substantial. The predicted concentrations Of SO₂, at a distance of 1.8 km downwind of the PIC, varied between 34 and 216 μg m^?3 for wind directions ranging from 70 to 90° and for Pasquill stability category C. The plume would be over the observational site when the wind direction is 80°. The maximum measured concentration was 23 ug m^?3. The discrepancy was due to the rapid fluctuations in the wind direction during the observational period over a wide range from 20 to 90°.     

Assessment of the bacteriological quality of rural groundwater supplies in Northern West Virginia

A bacteriological survey was performed on 155 untreated, individual, rural groundwater supplies which included drilled wells, dug wells, and springs. Of these, 105 exceeded the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) maximum contaminant level of one total coliform per 100 mL. Repeat sampling for 87 of the unacceptable 105 supplies indicated that 76 again exceeded the EPA standard limit. Masked coliforms were detected through confirmation tests in 11 water supplies that exhibited excessive noncoliform colonies (> 50 CFUs/membrane filter). Also, 48% of the supplies contained fecal coliforms and 62% contained fecal streptococci. Bacterial densities were related to the type of water supply with drilled wells containing fewer total coliforms, fecal coliforms, fecal streptococci, and heterotrophic plate count bacteria than dug wells or springs. Water supplies that were shallower, older, and lacking adequate casing characteristically were more heavily contaminated with sanitary indicator bacteria than supplies that were deeper, of more recent construction, and with sufficient casing.     

Biological,chemical and physical responses of lakes to experimental acidification

Changes in physical, chemical and biological factors were observed during a 5-yr experimental acidification study in Lake 223 of the Experimental Lakes Area, and compared to a 2 yr pre-acidification period. Significant changes included increased transparency, rates of hypolimnion heating and rates of thermocline deepening; increased concentrations of Mn, Na, Zn, Al, and chlorophyll; decreased concentrations of suspended C, total dissolved N, Fe and chloride; increases in Chlorophyta but decreases in Chrysophyta; the disappearance of the opossum shrimpMysis relicta and the fathead minnowPimephales promelas; the appearance of epidemics of the filamentous algaMougeotea; decreased fitness and decline in numbers ofOrconectes virilis; and increased embryonic mortality of the lake troutSalvelinus namaycush. Sulfur budgets for two lakes experimentally acidified with sulfuric acid reveal that an average of 1/4 to 1/3 of added sulfate is sedimented, presumably as FeS, reducing the efficiency of acidification. The sedimentation occurs under both oxic and anoxic conditions. The utility of whole-ecosystem mass balance studies of S in ‘experimental’ and ‘observational’ mass balance studies is discussed.     

Spatial-temporal variations in snowfall chemistry in the montreal region

Snowfall was collected on an event basis for 6 winter storms in 1980 at 10 locations around the greater Montreal region. Six sites were urban, 2 suburban and 2 rural (small town). For all storms, 4 of the urban stations had the highest pH of the 10 locations, with the 6 Montreal Island sites having the highest chemical concentrations. Employing principal component analysis, two chemical species associations are apparent: (1) an alkaline/fly ash factor and (2) an ‘acid snow’ factor. The former indicates the possible effects of local emissions. Generally, the storms produced individual chemical concentrations patterns enabling five of the storms to be separated into distinct events. Three storms were designated as ‘type’ storms in which pH, sulphates, and nitrates varied according to individual storm characteristics and air trajectories. If the air trajectory passed over SO_x and NO_x sources to the west and south-west (Ontario-Great Lakes region) pH values were lower and sulphate and nitrate concentrations in the snowfall higher.     

Pollution profile of a river

A host of chemical industries subject the river to pollutants such as acids, alkalies and their salts, trace metals and radionuclides belonging to the Th and U chains. Proximity of different outfalls and poor lateral mixing in the river are responsible for high local aquatic concentrations. Scavenging reactions, in situ, and sedimentation of suspended matter result in the accumulation of radionuclides near the outfall area. Monsoon ‘flushes out’ the river into the backwater area and translocation of sediments is the major factor in the transport of pollutants.     

Application of henriksen's ‘acidification indicator’ and ‘predictor nomograph’ to two adirondack lakes

During the period 1977–1980 we studied the effects of highly acidic precipitation (mean pH 4.1 to 4.2) on the chemistry of three Adirondack lakes: Woods Lake, Panther Lake, and Sagamore Lake. Two of these lakes (Woods and Panther) are enough like those lakes of southern Sweden and Norway studied by Henriksen that they should constitute a valid test of his ‘acidification indicator’ and ‘predictor homograph’. In our comparison we used data from weekly samples taken near the surface of the lakes during unstratified summer and fall conditions over a 3 yr period. The acidification indicator and predictor nomograph were developed using data from lake samples taken under similar conditions in Scandinavia. Our principal finding is that with regard to the empirical line of the acidification indicator (that Henriksen found separated data from lakes receiving precipitation greater or less than pH 4.6) and with the precipitation pH axis of the predictor nomograph, these two methods of evaluation are not directly applicable ‘as is’ to our lakes. The reason for this is that the chemistry of precipitation in the Adirondacks is significantly different from (and for) which the acidification indicator and predictor nomograph were developed. In the Adirondacks, acids other than H₂SO₄ play a much greater role in the overall acidity of the precipitation. This causes relationships between precipitation pH and lake chemistry in the two regions to be different.     

Analysis of the bark of scots pine as a method of studying environmental changes

Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) bark was tested as a material for long-term analysis of forest growth changes. Material representing about 20 yr before 1912 as well as the 20 yr before 1980 detached from trees grown in the same area was analyzed by the PIXE method. The concentrations of ten elements (Si, S, Cl, K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, and Zn) were determined. No clear long-term trends were seen in ‘old’ bark samples (before 1912), while in ‘new’ samples (before 1980) increasing trends were detected for Ca and Fe. Pine bark seems to be a promising source of data for a time series analysis, also because it is inert after its formation, readily available in coniferous forests and easy to handle as a sample material.     

Recovery,survival and dissemination of human enteric viruses in ocean waters receiving sewage in Hawaii

A commercial model of a portable virus concentrator operating on the principle of the membrane virus adsorption-elution technique was used to examine the recovery and distribution of human enteropathogenic viruses in Hawaiian waters receiving sewage wastes. Although operating at an efficiency of 20%, a variety of human enteric viruses was isolated, including polioviruses, Coxsackievirus and Echoviruses. Positive virus isolations were consistently made and at high concentrations at sampling stations closest to the sewage outfall. The frequency of virus isolations decreased with increasing distance from the discharge site. viruses were recovered in all directions from the outfall and even as far as 3.2 km east but not 6.4 km away from the discharge site. Tidal conditions to some degree were found to influence the dissemination of viruses. However, since sampling was generally performed at the surface of the water (0.3 to 0.6 m depth), the influence of winds and surface currents was more difficult to assess. Although a positive correlation was found between the presence of high concentrations of indicator coliforms and viruses in waters closest to the discharge site, this relationship was not seen at sampling stations farther away. At these latter stations, positive virus isolations with corresponding low to negligible coliform counts were made which reaffirmed previous published observations that human enteric viruses are relatively more stable in ocean water than coliform bacteria. Furthermore, the instability of the coliform bacteria consequently affected the fecal coliform/fecal streptococci ratios which thus invalidated the use of such ratios to indicate contamination by human wastes.     

Environmental consequences from the use of sewage sludge in soil restoration related to microbiological pollution

Purpose

This article analyzed the survival of Escherichia coli, total coliforms, and Salmonella spp. in a soil amended with urban sewage sludge due to its potential use in soil rehabilitation and to the risk of microbial pollution.

Materials and methods

The survival of E. coli, total coliforms, and Salmonella spp. was determined in a soil amended with different doses of four different urban sewage sludge based on equivalent nitrogen fertilization of 0, 85, 170, and 340 kg N/ha. After the topsoil/sludge mixtures were made, they were wet to 18% moisture and analyzed for 2 months to determine the presence of bacteria, and then again after 1 year.

Results and discussion

The results indicate that the presence of microorganisms was strongly conditioned by the type of biosolid and the dose applied. Soil moisture diminished as the experiment progressed and seemed to play a role in controlling the presence of the bacteria.

Conclusions

The initial concentrations of bacteria depend on the sewage sludge treatment. The evolution of E. coli had a similar trend as total coliforms, and Salmonella spp. was absent after 8 weeks although a positive presence was detected in some soils after a year. As a conclusion, long periods of time reduce the risk from the presence of pathogens in soils, and the persistence may be closely related to the treatment of sewage sludge and the initial amount of microorganisms in the sewage sludge.

     

Effect of rapid oligotrophication by an aquatic treatment pilot plant on the microbial community of a mesotrophic Bog

Rapid oligotrophication by the operation of the ‘Bio-filter system’ has changed Doh-Hoh-Numa Bog from a moderate mesotrophic system to the oligotrophic end of such a system. However, the population growth rate of the bacterioplankton community was little affected, and continued to be controlled primarily by the DOC concentration even after the system operation. This DOC concentration was higher during the operation period, although environmental factors relevant to primary production were shifted to the direction of oligotrophication. The natural bacterioplankton community in the bog was shown to modify its physiological kinetics to maintain the growth rate at the optimal level, even when it was exposed to oligotrophication processes with the operation of the ‘Bio-filter system’.     

Vanadium induced manganese toxicity in bush bean plants grown in solution culture

Seedlings of two bush bean cultivars (Phaseolus vulqaris L. cvs. Mn‐sensitive ‘Wonder Crop 2’ and Mn‐tolerant ‘Green Lord') were grown for 14 days in full strength Hoagland No. 2 nutrient solution containing 0.05 ‐ 2 mg L^‐1 of vanadium (V) as ammonium vanadate.

Increasing V concentration in the solution decreased total dry weight of both cultivars. Plant tops were stunted and leaf color became dark green at 1 ‐ 2 mg L^‐1 V, especially in ‘Green Lord’. Veinal necrosis similar to that of Mn toxicity was observed in the primary leaves of ‘Wonder Crop 2’ at 0.2 mg L^‐1 V or above, but not in those of ‘Green Lord’.

The V concentrations in the roots increased exponentially with increasing V concentration in the solution; however, V concentrations in the leaves and stems were not affected. The Mn concentrations in the primary leaves increased under the higher V treatment in ‘Wonder Crop 2'; but not in ‘Green Lord’. In contrast, Fe concentration in the leaves of ‘Wonder Crop 2’ decreased markedly with increasing V concentration in the solution. Enhanced Mn uptake and greater reduction of Fe uptake by ‘Wonder Crop 2’ may explain the incidence of V‐induced Mn toxicity.     

The Burns leaching equation

The simplicity and utility of Burns' leaching equation make it worthy of study. The equation may be written as where X is the fraction of initially surface-resident fertilizer leached below depth z by net rainfall I, in soil with a volumetric water content at ‘field capacity’ of θ. The equation is analysed using transfer functions. The analysis shows that Burns' equation is consistent with an ‘independent flow tube’ soil leaching model, rather than the soil solution being well-mixed at each soil depth as Burns suggested. The flux and resident soil solution soil concentration profiles are shown to be quite different. An alternative definition of θ is suggested. The behaviour of ‘a Burns soil’ for different initial and boundary conditions is discussed.     

Residues of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin in the Spring River,Missouri

Contamination of the Spring River in southwest Missouri by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p -dioxin (TCDD) is believed to result from several well-defined point source waste disposal sites. Analyses of 31 fish samples and samples of crayfish, mussels, other aquatic invertebrates, and sediments collected in 1981-1983 demonstrated a rapid decline in TCDD levels in biota both upstream and downstream of the area of contamination and are believed to indicate a continuing, long term input of TCDD into the river. Mean concentrations of TCDD 0.5 km downstream from the area of contamination were 38 parts per trillion (pptr) in whole fish and 20 pptr in fish fillet; mean concentrations beyond 14 km downstream were below 4 pptr in both whole fish and fillets. Caged mussels (65 day exposure) did not accumulate TCDD (detection limit, 10 pptr). High fish consumption by local sportsmen may indicate maximum permissible concentrations of less than 5 pptr. in fish fillets.     

The contribution of sulfate to rainfall pH around Kilauea Volcano,Hawaii

Between December 1986 and June 1987, the mean pH of rainfall downwind of the Kilauea main vent was found to be 4.5 (range 4.0 to 5.6), 1.2 units higher than the year before (1985-86), although 84% of the 12 sequential samples fell below pH 5.0. The SO₄ content, however, was 34% higher, averaging 18.5 mg L^?1. Upwind, in open forest the mean pH 4.7 was little changed from that measured before. Mean SO₄, however, has fallen to a low of 2.5 mg L^?1, but, more significantly, in 9 out of 12 sequential samples S04 was not detectable at all (i.e. < 0.5 mg L^?1). The calculated pH, assuming 100% H₂SO₄ would be 5.3 yet 58% of these samples fell below pH 5.0, the lowest being 4.0. Disparities between pH measured and calculated on the basis of SO₄ content indicated that other acid species were present in the precipitation. Oxidation of rain samples with H₂O₂ greatly increased SO₄ content and lowered pH downwind, but failed in most samples to alter either parameter in the upwind collections. These observations, together with the elimination of HCl and N03 by others, suggested that SO₂ contributes significantly to acidity downwind, but that in most upwind samples a source of H⁺ other than mineral acids, presumably organic compounds, must be of major importance.     

Trace element concentrations in tropical marine fish at Bougainville Island,Papua New Guinea

Baseline trace element concentrations have been measured in eight species of marine fish from Bougainville Island, Papua New Guinea. This is the first stage in an assessment of environmental impact associated with mining operations. In general, concentrations of Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, Hg, and As in edible portions of the fish comply with Australian National Health and Medical Research Council public health standards. Two species of shark contained As concentrations in muscle tissue in excess of prescribed standards. Increased concentrations of Cu, Zn, and Cd were recorded in liver and kidney, but Hg and Pb were not preferentially accumulated in these organs. The relationship between the size of fish and metal assay was investigated. Mercury content and weight of fish were always positively correlated but concentrations of other metals were variably correlated with size.     

Effects of simulated rain acidified with sulfuric acid on host-parasite interactions

Wind-blown rain, rain splash, and films of free moisture play important roles in the epidemiology of many plant diseases. The effects of simulated rain acidified with sulfuric acid were studied on several host-parasite systems. Plants were exposed in greenhouse or field to simulated rain of pH 3.2 ± 0.1 or pH 6.0 ± 0.2. Simulated ‘rain’ of pH 3.2 resulted in: (1) an 86% inhibition in telia production of Cronartium fusiforme on Quercus phellos; (2) a 66% inhibition of reproduction of Meloidogyne hapla on field-grown Phaseolus vulgaris; (3) a 10% decrease in the severity of Uromyces phaseoli on field-grown Phaseolus vulgaris; and (4) an inhibition of Rhizobium nodulation of Phaseolus vulgaris and Glycine max by an average of 73%. Effects on halo blight of kidney bean (caused by Pseudomonas phaseolicola) depended upon the segment of the disease cycle in which the ‘rain’ occurred: (a) simulated rain of pH 3.2 applied to plants before inoculation stimulated disease development; (b) suspension of inoculum in ‘rain’ of pH 3.2 decreased inoculum potential; and (c) ‘rain’ of pH 3.2 applied to plants after infection inhibited disease development. Scanning electron microscopy of epicuticular waxes on leaves of Quercus phellos and Phaseolus vulgaris showed marked erosion of those surfaces by ‘rain’ of pH 3.2, indicating possible influences on the structure and function of plant cuticles. These results suggest that the acidity of rain is a new parameter of environmental concern, and underline the need for study of the consequences of prolonged exposure of both agronomic and natural ecosystems to this stress factor.     

Modeling Cl concentration in Cayuga Lake,U.S.A.

The annual average concentration of Cl in Cayuga Lake, NY, has decreased from a value of approximately 102 mg L^?1 in 1970, when the discharge of NaCl fines from an adjoining rock salt mine was discontinued, to a concentration of approximately 46 mg L^?1 in 1988. A complete-mixed model for Cl concentration accurately simulated this decrease in concentration, establishing that the decrease was the result of an abrupt reduction in loading. The time course of the decrease strongly supports the position that the high Cl concentrations that prevailed in the lake in the late 1960's were largely a result of the discharge from the mining facility, and not due to the input of enriched groundwater as previously hypothesized. The predicted steady-state Cl concentration associated with the complete flushing of the mining facility input, expected in about the year 2000, is approximately 32 mg L^?1. Further, the model analysis supports previous speculation that the major source of material loading to the lake, the Seneca River, ‘short-circuits’ to the outlet; i.e., this tributary should not be included in material budgets for the lake.     

Short-Term Ion Uptake by Phalaenopsis as Affected by Concentration of the Solution

ABSTRACT

Nutrient uptake over a 72 h culture period by clonal micropropagules of Phalaenopsis Tanigawa × Yukimai Dream ‘KS 370’ and ‘KS 352’ were surveyed by Ichihashi's (1997) Ichihashi, S. 1997. “Orchid production and research in Japan”. In Orchid Biology, Reviews and Prospectives, Edited by: Arditti, J. and Pridgeon, A. M. 171–212. Dordrecht, , The Netherlands: Kluwer.  [Google Scholar] nutrient solution at the original ion strength and its half and quarter. Uptake of major anions [nitrate (NO₃ ^?), phosphate (H₂PO₄ ^?), and sulfate (SO₄ ^2?)] and cations [ammonium (NH₄ ⁺), potassium (K⁺), calcium (Ca²⁺), and magnesium (Mg²⁺)] measured with an ion chromatograph increased as the ionic strength of the solution increased in both cultivars. The final uptake rates of nutrients were 0.8, 2.0, 2.1, 1.2, 3.0, 2.0, and 1.6 me L^?1, respectively in the order of ions mentioned above. The ratios of the uptake rates between cations (mono or bivalent) were almost in proportion to the ratio of their initial ion strength. Therefore, no antagonistical absorption of cations was found in that ion strength. Leaf content of phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and copper (Cu) increased as the ionic strength of the solution increased, but concentrations of iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn) were not affected significantly. Nitrogen (N) content of leaves in ‘KS 370’ after 72 h culture increased significantly by increasing the ionic strength of the solution. Root concentrations of P, K, Ca, Mg, and Fe increased as the ionic strength of the solution increased in both cultivars. The N concentrations of roots in either ‘KS 370’ or ‘KS 352’ had positive correlations with an increasing ionic strength of the solution, although they were constantly greater in ‘KS 370’ than in ‘KS 352’. The greatest fresh weight was obtained when the plants were cultured in a half strength solution. Whereas dry weight decreased in all treatments as the ionic strength of the solution decreased. These findings show that increased ion absorption affected plant dry weight. The obtained findings provide fundamental information for the closed hydroponic system of phalaenopsis cultivation.     

Clarity performance variables of polluted water

Clarity performance variables of polluted water at different conditions of bioflocculation were studied through a set of laboratory experiments using the shake flask technique. The study was based on the relationship between physical properties of developed bioflocs and some environmental parameters. The physical properties included floc sizes and numbers, solution turbidity and the ratio of unsettled floc numbers (ufn) to total floc numbers (tfn) and settled floc volume (sfv) to total floc volume (tfv). The environmental parameters were the application of different sources of wastewaters, using of filamentous, floc forming, and natural bacteria, mixed at different speeds. The results indicated that various sources of wastewater mixed at different speeds, in the presence of various categories of bacteria allowed the development of flocs possessing a wide range of physical properties. Clarity performance was directly proportional with the ratio of sfv/tfv and inversely proportional with ufn/tfn. These ratios, on one hand, and with the floc sizes, numbers and solution turbidity, on the other hand, were discussed from the view point of their importance in clarity performance efficiency measurement of wastewater.     

Condensation-evaporation cycles in pore and capillary systems according to the Kelvin model

A useful analysis of the simplest pore and capillary systems is conducted in order to pinpoint when adsorption and desorption of water vapor is a reversible process without a hysteresis loop and when it is irreversible and triggered by critical values of relative humidity (RH). On the basis of the Kelvin formula, some critical values of RH have been found to be a function of the size and arrangement of porosities and capillaries. Besides the hysteresis, the geometry of the pore and capillary system may cause air pockets to be entrapped within the body, so that in many cavities, as in the well known ‘ink bottle’, the condensation in an external cavity may prevent condensation in the more internal ones.