Indian Ministry of Environment and Forests

About: Indian Ministry of Environment and Forests is a government organization based out in New Delhi, India. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Climate change. The organization has 3731 authors who have published 3782 publications receiving 85717 citations.

Constructed wetland, an eco-technology for wastewater treatment: A review on various aspects of microbial fuel cell integration, low temperature strategies and life cycle impact of the technology

Abstract: Constructed wetland (CW), a robust eco-technology used for wastewater reclamation can be considered as an ideal synergism among water security, energy harvesting and environmental services. The technology as an alternative to existing energy and chemical intensive treatments has attained maturity for treating contaminants from range of waste streams, under wide range of climates and conditions. Recent trend shows additional research interventions for better expansion of the technology such as energy harvesting to make the system a net energy producer by coupling CW to microbial fuel cell (CW-MFC) and improved operation under climatically challenged condition. The assessment discusses treatment efficiency, bioelectricity production, improved electrode efficiency, performance variation w.r.t. Macrophyte, emerging pollutant removal and microbial community structure in CW-MFC, which reveal that carefully designed integrated CW-MFC with optimized system elements (electrode, spacing, separator, macrophyte, C source, rhizosphere microbes) are necessary for its more profitable futuristic application. Further, low temperature challenges of the technology and the strategies to achieve satisfactory low temperature performance were assessed. Successful implementation of the technology in cold climate calls for design of CW with incorporation of appropriate heat preservation method, active macrophyte or microbial consortia to work effectively under low temperature. Comparative evaluation of the technology with other treatment processes using Life cycle assessment (LCA) with cradle to grave approach (considering alternative substrates, energy harvesting, macrophyte use and disposal options) would further boost the technology penetration. Potential research areas that appear to be worth pursuing in future to obtain further gains in CW performance are also discussed.

Blood lead levels in Toronto children and abatement of lead-contaminated soil and house dust.

Abstract: South Riverdale in Toronto, Canada, underwent a lead-abatement program. In 1988, lead-contaminated soil was replaced at 970 properties, and in 1989, professional housecleaning for lead removal was conducted in 717 households. The effect of "abatement" on blood lead levels in young children was investigated. Data were analyzed from 12 cross-sectional blood-screening surveys that were conducted during an 8-y period in South Riverdale and in two comparison areas. Responses regarding behavioral, household, lifestyle, neighborhood, and environmental factors, all of which were gleaned from associated questionnaires, were also analyzed. Response rates varied between 32% and 75%. During the years between 1984 and 1992, blood lead decreased in all study areas. There appeared to be a minimal blood lead level of 2-3 micrograms/dl for urban Ontario children who were less than 6 y of age. The significant difference between South Riverdale and the control areas disappeared by 1992. Although abatement activity in South Riverdale was associated with an accelerated decline in blood lead levels, it was difficult to distinguish this from effects of decreased Toronto air lead levels or decreased smelter emissions. Within South Riverdale, abatement appeared to be associated with a slower decline in blood lead levels over time, likely the result of selection bias, soil mixing, or recontamination from the smelter. No difference was observed between the separate effects of housecleaning or soil replacement. The findings could neither strongly support nor refute beneficial effects of abatement.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in soil and dust from plastic production and surrounding areas in eastern of China

Abstract: Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are a class of organic pollutants. They are used as flame retardants that caused worldwide environmental concern. This study investigated the occurrence of PBDEs in soils and dusts from three plastic manufacture plants and surrounding areas in Eastern China. A total of 13 PBDE congeners were detected using gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (electron impact ionization). The total concentrations of PBDEs range from 2.21 to 558, 19.7–4916, and 8.70–18,451 ng/g dry weight in the soils of three sampling areas, with mean of 1004 ng/g d w; in dusts, the concentrations range from 7240 to 10,469, 684–4482, and 193–3989 ng/g d w, with an overall mean of 3619 ng/g d w. The most abundant congener is the BDE-209, followed by BDE-153 and BDE-85. This indicates that the brominated flame retardant added in the plastic manufacture is mainly the commodity decabromodiphenyl ether. In comparison with other polluted areas around the world, the PBDE concentrations in the soils of the plastic manufacture plants are similar to those in soils of waste plastic disposal areas and PBDEs production sites, but orders of magnitude higher than those in agricultural soils, mountain soils and rural soils. Daily exposure was estimated using the average concentrations of the pollution sites. The hazard quotient shows that the PBDEs pose considerable human health risks, especially to children, to which attention should be paid.