Research Papers
Bioflocculant production and biosorption of zinc and lead by a novel bacterial species, Achromobacter sp. TERI-IASST N, isolated from oil refinery waste
Subudhi Sanjukta, Batta Neha, Pathak Mihirjyoti, Bisht Varsha, Devi Arundhuti, Lal Banwari
| 2014
A bioflocculant-producing bacterial isolate designated as ‘TERI-IASST N’ was isolated from activated sludge samples collected from an oil refinery. This isolate demonstrated maximum bioflocculation activity (74%) from glucose among 15 different bioflocculant-producing bacterial strains isolated from the sludge samples and identified as Achromobacter sp. based on 16S rRNA gene sequence. Optimization of pH and supplementation of urea as nitrogen source in the production medium enhanced the flocculation activity of strain TERI-IASST N to 84% (at pH 6).
Biodegradation of ballast tank coating investigated by impedance spectroscopy and microscopy
Heyer A, D' Souza Fraddry, Zhang X, Ferrari G, Mol J M C, J H W de Wit
| 2014
This research paper addresses the biodegradation process for ballast tank coatings in marine environments. As part of this new approach, a commercially available ballast tank coating was exposed to bacteria obtained from a culture collection and to a natural bacterial community isolated from a real ballast tank. The natural community was chosen to explore the interaction of natural biofilms with the coating, an aspect, which is not covered in standard procedures. It is shown that biological activity significantly affects the coating properties.
Between activism and science: Grassroots concepts for sustainability coined by environmental justice organizations
Martinez-Aliera J , Anguelovskia I ,Bond P , Benea D D, Demariaa F, Gerber Julien-Francois, Greyl L , Haase W, Healya H , Marin-Burgos V. , Ojo G , Porto M, Rijnhout L, Rodriguez-Labajosa B, Spangenberg J , Tempera L, Warlenius R, Yanez I
| 2014
Since the early 1980s in their own battles and strategy meetings, the EJOs (environmental justice organizations) and their networks have introduced several concepts of political ecology which have been taken up also by academics and policy makers. In this paper, we explain the contexts in which such notions have arisen, providing definitions of a wide array of concepts and slogans related to environmental inequities and sustainability, and exploring the connections and relations between them.
Azo-based food colours as cost-effective and safe tracking dyes for qualitative electrophoretic analysis of nucleic acids and proteins
Rayu Smriti, Sitaraman Ramakrishnan
| 2014
Synthetic organic colours that contain the azo group (-N=N-) are a major component of dyes widely used in the textile and food processing industries. Given the ready availability of food colours, their modest cost and established safety profiles, we evaluated their suitability as tracking dyes for the gel electrophoresis of nucleic acids and proteins. We have tested 3 azo-based food colours, viz., Orange Red, Lemon Yellow and Bright Green, procured from local grocery stores for this purpose.
Assessment of regional climatic changes in the Eastern Himalayan region: a study using multi-satellite remote sensing data sets
Agrawal Anubha, Sharma Anu Rani, Tayal Shresth
| 2014
In this study, an attempt has been made to capture the sensitivity of a mountainous region to elevation-dependent warming and the response of a glacier-laden surface to increasing greenhouse gases (GHGs) and aerosol concentration.
Assessment of outdoor workers’ exposure to air pollution in Delhi
Sehgal Meena, Suresh R, Sharma Ved Prakash, Gautam Sumit Kumar
| 2014
Air quality monitoring (PM2.5, CO, NOx, SO2 and EC/OC) was carried out at highway toll plazas,municipality toll plazas and control sites (n = 23) in the National Capital Region of Delhi, to determine the exposure of toll plaza workers to air pollution and its effect on lung function. Lung function indices (n = 45) were also measured for these workers. The results reveal the high level of air pollution at almost all locations with PM2.5 values exceeding the national permissible limit except at a few control sites.
Assessment of inherent vulnerability of rural communities to environmental hazards in Kimsar region of Uttarakhand, India
Rajesh Shipra, Jain Suresh, Sharma Prateek, Bhahuguna Rakesh
| 2014
The study focuses on the assessment of inherent vulnerability of rural communities in Kimsar region to environmental hazards. A new conceptual framework was developed and hazard generic socio-economic indicators were identified in the assessment of inherent vulnerability of the communities to future harm. All the households from the selected villages were surveyed to collect information on the identified indicators.
Assessment of greenhouse gas emissions from coal and natural gas thermal power plants using life cycle approach
Agrawal K Kr, Jain Suresh, Jain A Kr, Dahiya S
| 2014
The importance of mitigation of climate change due to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from various developmental and infrastructure projects has generated interest at global level to reduce environmental impacts. Life cycle assessment may be used as a tool to assess GHG emissions and subsequent environmental impacts resulting from electricity generation from thermal power plants.
Assessing the potential of hyperspectral imagery to map bark beetle-induced tree mortality
Fassnacht F E, Latifi H, Ghosh A, Joshi P K, Koch B
| 2014
Natural hazards caused by insect outbreaks, such as those induced by the European bark beetle (Ips typographus L.), are among the most extensive disturbances affecting forest health in various geographical regions. Accurate and up-to-date knowledge of the spatial distribution of bark beetle-infested trees is critical for forest managers to effectively plan appropriate countermeasures and predict future bark beetle infestation dynamics.
Arsenic phyco-remediation by Cladophora algae and measurement of arsenic speciation and location of active absorption site using electron microscopy
Jasrotia Shivakshi, Kansal Arun, Kishore V V N
| 2014
Provision of clean drinking water remains a world-wide necessity, especially so for arsenic-affected regions where numerous physico-chemical methods have been developed for water remediation including adsorption, ion exchange, biosorption, solar stills, etc. Of these, several methods employ regeneration of media necessitating arsenic monitoring on a continuous basis, hence involving skilled operation or alternatively removal of arsenic-enriched concentrated brine into the environment.