The textile sector has been an important part of Bangladesh’s (BD) economy over the past few decades. In Bangladesh, the textile sector currently has an export value of nearly 28 billion USD per year which contributes about 82% of the country’s total export earnings. It is projected that the annual ready-made garment (RMG) export value will be about 50 billion USD per year by 2021. However, the growth of Bangladeshi RMG sector is associated with different environmental issues, mostly caused by wastewater generated by textile industries. Textile industries consume high volumes of water per unit fabric for processing, which cause depletion of ground water levels at a high rate. In addition, in many cases textile effluents are discharged into rivers or wetlands without proper treatment. Untreated textile effluent can contaminate groundwater and waterbodies, reduce dissolved oxygen in water and affect aquatic ecosystems which may indirectly cause climate change. Improving conventional technology, adopting cleaner production (CP) options, the reusing and recycling of treated water may reduce water consumption, effluent volume and water stresses, and may help preserving aquatic ecosystems. However, additional investments, lack of technological knowhow, and awareness are factors limiting the adoption of cleaner production options. In order to take effective measures for future improvement it is important to develop a nationwide wastewater impact tracking system. In this study, a material balance approach has been developed to characterize the trend of pollution impacts (2011–2021) associated with the textile dyeing industries of Bangladesh. It is estimated that in 2016 textile industries in Bangladesh produced about 1.80 million metric tons of fabric, which generated around 217 million m3 of wastewater (2016) containing a wide range of pollutants. It is projected that wastewater production will reach 349 million m3 by 2021 if the textile industries continue using conventional dyeing practices. Gradual adoption of improved technology and cleaner production options could reduce wastewater volume by around 23% by 2021. This projection will help policy makers to take necessary mitigation measures for treatment and pollution management. This analysis will also provide a baseline scenario and open new opportunities for textile engineers and environmentalists to develop innovative technologies for textile dyeing and effluent treatment.

Evaluation of present and future wastewater impacts of textile dyeing industries in Bangladesh

Groundwater is generally considered a "safe source" of drinking water because it is abstracted with low microbial load with little need for treatment before drinking. However, groundwater resources are commonly vulnerable to pollution, which may degrade their quality. An assessment of microbial and physicochemical qualities of borehole water in the rural environs of Mahikeng town, South Africa, was carried out. The study aimed at determining levels of physicochemical (temperature, pH, turbidity and nitrate) and bacteriological (both faecal and total coliform bacteria) contaminants in drinking water using standard microbiology methods. Furthermore, identities of isolates were determined using the API 20E assay. Results were compared with World Health Organisation (WHO) and Department of Water Affairs (DWAF-SA) water quality drinking standards. All analyses for physicochemical parameters were within acceptable limits except for turbidity while microbial loads during spring were higher than the WHO and DWAF thresholds. The detection of Escherichia coli, Salmonella and Klebsiella species in borehole water that was intended for human consumption suggests that water from these sources may pose severe health risks to consumers and is unsuitable for direct human consumption without treatment. The study recommends mobilisation of onsite treatment interventions to protect the households from further possible consequences of using the water.

/pdf/physico-chemical-and-microbial-analysis-of-selected-borehole-44iedl60au.pdf

Physico-Chemical and Microbial Analysis of Selected Borehole Water in Mahikeng, South Africa

Understanding the factors that influence temporal variability in water quality is critical for designing water quality management strategies. In this study, we explore the key factors that affect temporal variability in stream water quality across multiple catchments using a Bayesian hierarchical model. We apply this model to a case study data set consisting of monthly water quality measurements obtained over a 20-year period from 102 water quality monitoring sites in the state of Victoria (Southeast Australia). We investigate six water quality constituents: total suspended solids, total phosphorus, filterable reactive phosphorus, total Kjeldahl nitrogen, nitrate-nitrite (NO x ), and electrical conductivity. We find that same-day streamflow has the greatest effect on water quality variability for all constituents. Additional important predictors include soil moisture, antecedent streamflow, vegetation cover, and water temperature. Overall, the models do not explain a large proportion of temporal variation in water quality, with Nash-Sutcliffe coefficients lower than 0.49. However, when considering performance on a site-by-site basis, we see high model performance in some locations, with Nash-Sutcliffe coefficients of up to 0.8 for NO x and electrical conductivity. The effect of the temporal predictors on water quality varies between sites, which should be explored further for potential spatial patterns in future studies. There is also potential for further extension of these temporal variability models into a predictive spatiotemporal model of riverine constituent concentrations, which will be a useful tool to inform decision making for catchment water quality management.

https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1029/2018WR023370

Key Factors Affecting Temporal Variability in Stream Water Quality

Citation: Clothier, Geo L. Fresh-water algae. Senior thesis, Kansas State Agricultural College, 1892.

Fresh-water algae

Surface water has been a source of domestic water due to shortage of potable water in most rural areas. This study was carried out to evaluate the level of contamination of Mvudi River in South Africa by measuring turbidity, electrical conductivity (EC), pH, concentrations of nitrate, fluoride, chloride, and sulphate. E. coli and Enterococci were analysed using membrane filtration technique. Average pH, EC and Turbidity values were in the range of 7.2-7.7, 10.5-16.1 mS/m and 1.3-437.5 NTU, respectively. The mean concentrations of fluoride, chloride, nitrate and sulphate for both the wet and the dry seasons were 0.11 mg/L and 0.27 mg/L, 9.35 mg/L and 14.82 mg/L, 3.25 mg/L and 6.87 mg/L, 3.24 mg/L and 0.70 mg/L, respectively. E. coli and Enterococci counts for both the wet and the dry seasons were 4.81 × 103 (log = 3.68) and 5.22 × 103 (log = 3.72), 3.4 × 103 (log = 3.53) and 1.22 × 103 (log = 3.09), per 100 mL of water, respectively. The count of E. coli for both seasons did not vary significantly (p > 0.05) but Enterococci count varied significantly (p < 0.001). All the physico-chemical parameters obtained were within the recommended guidelines of the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry of South Africa and the World Health Organization for domestic and recreational water use for both seasons except turbidity and nitrates. The microbiological parameters exceeded the established guidelines. Mvudi River is contaminated with faecal organisms and should not be used for domestic purposes without proper treatment so as to mitigate the threat it poses to public health.

Temporal Variations in Physico-Chemical and Microbiological Characteristics of Mvudi River, South Africa

The indiscriminate dumping and release of wastes containing hazardous substances into Rivers might lead to environmental disturbance which could be considered as a potential source of stress to biotic community. Mahi River located west of Vadodara city passes through the Nandesari Industrial area (NIA), with industries on both sides, served as an excellent disposal agent. The objective of the study to investigate the seasonal variation in physico-chemical chemical characteristics of Mini River water at two different sampling stations of Sindhrot, Vadodara. The analyses of river water quality containing 12 parameters were analyzed during the months of summer, monsoon and winter in the year 2010–11. The results envisaged deteriorate water quality with significant seasonal changes. The data has been compared with the norms for River water of Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB). The findings of the data obtained revealed the enhanced level of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Ammonia -N, Chloride (Cl −), Sulphate, Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), Electrical Conductivity (EC), Alkalinity, Total Hardness (TH) and decreased in pH, Dissolved Oxygen (DO) and Turbidity during winter season. Moreover, increase of pollution load in winter season indicated the increase in organic matter in River water during the season due to the increase in anthropogenic interferences of the surrounding areas.

Assessment of seasonal variation in water quality of River Mini, at Sindhrot, Vadodara

The global community is in a quest for nutritional and environment-friendly resources as a part of their food habit. The ubiquitous trend of veganism tied with the increasing apprehensions towards animal welfare, negative impact on human health and the environment has escalated the demand for meat alternatives mainly plant-based meat analogues (PBMA). Protein-rich bioresources such as cereals, vegetables, and algae have been explored to mimic animal meat in a similar flavour, texture, sensory and aromatic properties. This review aims to summarize the recent advancements in functional food technology based on vegetal proteins, a comparative account of traditional and commercially available meat alternates. The literature search for the last 10 years shows the rise in research on plant ingredients to develop novel human foods. A brief account of various production methods and their processing effects to improve the structural and techno-functionality of PBMA is suggested for designing sustainable food. The different combinations of plant and animal proteins are discussed to enhance the nutritional aspect, organoleptic profile and shelf-life of available food products. The positive feedback resulted in booming food industries across the world, incorporating vegetal proteins. The global market trend introducing well-established and promising food brands is listed to discuss the prospects of PBMA.

Plant-based meat analogue (PBMA) as a sustainable food: a concise review

Cadmium is considered to be one of the most toxic metals even at lower concentration. The significance of toxic concentration of cadmium provided individually was investigated in order to assess the effect of metal interaction in Lemna polyrhiza L. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of Cadmium (Cd) ion and possible variations in its tissue after 6 days exposure to 0.5 ppm Cd solution. Lemna polyrhiza L. was cultured in hoagland medium supplemented with 0.5 ppm Cd concentration and harvested after 6 day. To scrutinize anatomical abnormalities SEM-EDX analysis were carried out for cadmium treated plants (0.5 ppm) for both the test and control plants. Surface morphology of control plant showed non shiny, porous, non crystalline surface with fixed shape and was found to maintain evenness throughout the surface where as SEM images of cadmium treated samples revealed shiny, crystalline and white surface which is evidence that cadmium have got absorbed on the surface. Furthermore, more porous nature of control samples was the indications of the plant to be a good bioindicator of cadmium contaminated environment. The results obtained inveterate that Lemna polyrhiza L. is heavy metal accumulator and thus SEM-EDX applications in natural habitat open up broad prospects for future studies of metal ecotoxicity.

https://environcj.in/wp-content/uploads/issues/2019/12/ECJ-81-86.pdf

Localization of Cadmium metal ion in Lemna polyrhiza L. using SEM morphology and EDX analysis

The present research investigated fluoride endemic villages of Kheralu taluka of Mehsana district. The region is rich in agricultural production but is largely dependent on groundwater, both for irrigation and drinking water requirements. During the last decade, large scale exploitation of groundwater for irrigation has led to fall in groundwater table at a rate of approximately 3m/yr, though groundwater mining condition have now been there for the last two decades. As a result, residents of the region face the problems like dissolution of Fluorides and other dissolved salts in drinking water which have shown progressively increasing trend. With progressive decline of groundwater table, more electric power is required to lift the same quantity of water. The process of deterioration of groundwater quality continues unabated and progressively increasing proportion of the population is seen to the affected by fluorosis. In the present study, the ground water samples of 60 villages of the taluka were collected and were analysed for flouride concentration along with other potable parameters during winter months of the year 2012. Out of total villages surveyed, 33 villages (i.e. 55% ) are in the range of 1 - 1.5 ppm of which 16 villages( i.e. 27 %) had fluoride content below permissible limit i.e. below 1 ppm. 27 Villages (i.e. 45%) had Fluoride concentration beyond permissible limit i.e. beyond 1.5 ppm. It is envisaged that the sedimentary rock basin, semiarid climate and high loss of surface water due to extreme evaporation in the study area might have lead to fluoride enrichment in the ground water.

Current status of fluoride contamination in ground water of Kheralu block of Mehasana district, Gujarat

Ecosystem balance and ecological restoration occurred naturally that helped to maintain sustainability in ecosystem. The biodiversity plays a significant role in biogeochemical cycling and balancing the ecosystem. Anthropogenic activities for development and indiscriminate use of technology lead to exploitation of natural resources and imbalance of ecosystem. Pollutants containing various organic and inorganic components including heavy metals into aquatic ecosystem lead to their bioaccumulation and bioaugmentation. This could be reverted by conservation of natural resources including biodiversity and utilizing their potential in bioremediation. The present paper is a conceptual review of researches carried out to assess the efficiency of free floating macrophytes in bioremediation of heavy metals. A periodic assessment of systematic literature can bring about the possibility of effective utilization of aquatic plants in water treatment and pollution reduction thereby ecosystem balance.

Punita Parikh

Papers

Assessment of seasonal variation in water quality of River Mini, at Sindhrot, Vadodara

Plant-based meat analogue (PBMA) as a sustainable food: a concise review

Localization of Cadmium metal ion in Lemna polyrhiza L. using SEM morphology and EDX analysis

Current status of fluoride contamination in ground water of Kheralu block of Mehasana district, Gujarat

Potential of Free Floating Macrophytes for Bioremediation of Heavy Metals- A Conceptual Review