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In the present work, wastewater treatment plants and collection systems from Nagpur, Central India were studied for frequently occurring endocrine disrupting chemicals. All the EDCs, such as bisphenol A, butylparaben, and diethyl phthalate were present in all the collected samples with a detection frequency of 100%. Laboratory analysis revealed high bisphenol A, butylparaben, and diethyl phthalate levels, with mean concentrations of 79.10, 4.12, and 2.25 μg/L, respectively, in influent samples and 33.20, 1.62, and 0.77 μg/L, respectively, in the effluent wastewater. The distribution of the emergent pollutants among the sampling locations was found to be consistent with the physicochemical characteristics of wastewater, according to the component analysis, and the sites with the highest levels of contamination were also identified. Finally, an ecological risk assessment was carried out for aquatic biota in terms of risk quotients. The risk quotients for the target chemicals in effluent wastewater suggested a minimal impact, except for the target insect Chrironomus riparius, which had a risk quotient value of 33.20 for bisphenol A. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study focused on the monitoring of pollution loads in the Kalpakkam coastal zone of India in terms of physico-chemical characteristics of sediment. The investigation took place at 12 sampling points around the Kalpakkam coastal zone for one year beginning from 2019. The seasonal change of nutrients in the sediment, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, total organic carbon, and particles size distribution, was calculated. Throughout the study period, the pH (7.55 to 8.99), EC (0.99 to 4.98 dS/m), nitrogen (21.74 to 58.12 kg/ha), phosphorus (7.5 to 12.9 kg/ha), potassium (218 to 399 kg/ha), total organic carbon (0.11 to 0.88%), and particle size cumulative percent of sediments (from 9.01 to 9.39%) was observed. A number of multivariate statistical techniques were used to examine the changes in sediment quality. The population means were substantially different according to the three-way ANOVA test at the 0.05 level. Principal component analysis and cluster analysis showed a substantial association with all indicators throughout all seasons, implying contamination from both natural and anthropogenic causes. The ecosystem of the Kalpakkam coastal zone has been affected by nutrient contamination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the concept of landfill mining has gained a lot of traction in India, and tonnes of plastic waste is being excavated. The present shift towards a circular economy necessitates to explore the use of excavated plastic waste as a source of valuable materials and energy. However, the physicochemical characteristics of plastic waste change due to the degradation and weathering process in landfills, making its valorization difficult. The current study investigates the change in physicochemical characteristics of plastic waste with age from an Indian dumpsite to identify the potential valorization options. In addition, a material and energy flow analysis was performed considering incineration treatment of plastic waste. The plastic waste ranged between 3.6 and 21% in the dumpsite and has almost doubled in recent decades, owing to the increase in plastic waste generation in India. Polyethylene (high- and low-density) accounted for approximately 66% of the excavated plastic waste and had a lot of adhered surface impurities. Mechanical pre-treatment using a shredder was effective in the removal of the adhered impurities with a recovery rate of 50-70% for polyethylene and a higher recovery of 70-90% for other types of plastic. Changes in the surface morphology of plastic waste with aging were observed through Scanning Electron Microscopy. The Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy results confirmed low degradation levels for aged plastic waste, which is also confirmed through the high level of oxygen detected. The material and energy flow analysis revealed that incinerating one tonne of excavated plastic waste could produce approximately 1410 kWh of electricity., Competing Interests: Declaration of conflicting interestsThe authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

In India, majority of the generated municipal solid waste (MSW) was dumped in poorly managed landfills and dumpsites over the past decades and is an environmental and health hazard. Landfill mining is a promising solution to reclaim these sites along with the recovery of resources (materials and energy). During landfill mining operations, the combustible fraction is one of the major components recovered and needs proper management for maximizing resource recovery. For the identification of appropriate resource recovery options, knowledge of the physicochemical characteristics is required. The present study aims to assess the depth-wise change in the composition of legacy waste and the physicochemical characteristics of the combustible fraction. Furthermore, a material flow analysis considering the incineration of combustible fraction was performed to estimate the energy generation potential and the associated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The results of the compositional analysis of dry legacy waste revealed that the fine fraction (<4 mm soil-like material) was dominating with a share of 36%. The depth-wise analysis showed a decrease in the calorific value with increasing landfill depth, while no specific trend was observed for the other parameters analyzed, including proximate and ultimate analysis, and chlorine content. The material flow analysis performed for 100 tonnes of wet legacy waste indicated that 52 tonnes of waste is combustible fraction. The GHG emissions through incineration of one tonne of dry combustible fraction would be 1389 kg CO 2 -eq, with 1125 kWh of electrical energy generation potential. [Display omitted] • Changes in physicochemical characteristics with landfill depth were assessed. • The legacy waste had a high share of combustible fraction accounting for 52%. • The combustible fraction was found to be suitable for WtE treatment and use as RDF. • One tonne of legacy waste showed a potential to generate 428 kWh of electricity. • Incinerating one ton of combustible waste can emit 1389 kg CO 2 -eq of GHG emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microalgae are photosynthetic microscopic organisms, which became popular worldwide due to the promising resource of sustainable and clean energy production with economic and environmental benefits. In this study, one microalgae strain, Podohedriella sp. (MCC44), was isolated from the paddy field, located in Gomati district of Tripura state (northeast part of India). Identification of isolated strain was confirmed by 18S rRNA (ribosomal ribonucleic acid) sequencing analysis. Ultrastructure morphology and surface elemental composition of the strain were revealed for the isolated Podohedriella sp. (MCC44). Results of this study have shown isolated Podohedriella sp. is efficiently able to trap carbon from the atmosphere and can be considered as a way to mitigate CO2 gas emissions from the flue gases generated from the industries. Effects of macronutrients (carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus) at different concentrations in the BG‐11 media on growth rate and biomolecular compositions such as chlorophyll, protein, carbohydrate, and lipid content were investigated. Maximum biomass (0.4 g/L) of isolated Podohedriella sp. (MCC44) was obtained when the initial nitrogen‐to‐phosphorus ratio was maintained at 8.7 in the BG‐11 media. Variation in the concentrations of macronutrients (carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus) shows that isolated Podohedriella sp. (MCC44) is enriched with (~30–40%) carbohydrate, (30–45%) protein, and (15–24%) lipid. Therefore, freshwater microalgae strain with elevated growth rate and maximum protein, carbohydrate, and lipid content would grow the interest in microalgae globally for high biomass production and other multiple applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Effect of ageing on different physicochemical characteristics of the excavated waste. • Fine fraction (<4 mm) accounted highest ∼45%, while metal content was <1%. • Assessment for the valorisation of the recovered waste streams. This paper assesses the effect of ageing on physicochemical characteristics of excavated municipal solid waste from Mulund dumpsite in Mumbai, India. Based on disposal year, waste was excavated from different zones in the dumpsite. The excavated waste was screened into five different size categories and further sorted into different streams. Physicochemical characteristics, i.e., pH, bulk density, ultimate and proximate analysis, calorific value and heavy metal concentration of excavated waste were also determined. The results indicate a change in the characteristics and composition of waste with age. The particle size distribution of waste revealed that waste above 80 mm was mostly plastic and textile, whereas <4 mm (fine fraction) composed of soil-like material. Above 80 mm fraction shows a decreasing trend with age and depth, suggesting particle size reduction with time. Parameters like volatile matter, total and organic carbon and calorific value of excavated waste also reduced with the age. A significant portion of waste was fine fraction (∼45%) emphasising on its valorisation for success of landfill mining. Furthermore, metal content in the dumpsite was <1%. The findings from this study can be used to reclaim dumpsites and suggest possible valorisation routes for excavated waste in developing countries like India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physicochemical parameters of water samples collected from various rivers in India. Water samples under investigations were collected from Krishana Vijaywada, Gomti Lucknow, Hoogali Kolkata, Ganga Kasi, Mahanadi Katak, Cauveri river Tiruchirapalli station during (July - August) seasons in the year 2009. The different sites show significant enrichment with Zn, Fe, Ni, Cr, Ca and Mg indicating input from industrial sources. The observed values of different physicochemical characteristics like pH, temperature, turbidity, total hardness (TH), iron, chloride, total dissolved solids(TDS), Ca2+, Mg2+, SO4 2-, F- total alkalinity (TA), COD, BOD, phosphate, FRC (Free residual chlorine), total silica and hydrazine of samples were compared with standard values recommended by Bureau of Indian standard (BIS). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physicochemical characteristics of groundwater and municipal water in Amalner town by taking water samples from five different stations. The study was carried out by collecting four groundwater samples (Two open well, two bore well) and one municipal water sample during November 2007-February 2008. The results were compared with standards prescribed by WHO and ISI 10500-91. Total 15 parameters were analysed. It was found that the underground water was contaminated at few sampling sites namely Shirud Naka, Cotton Market and Shivaji Nagar. The sampling sites Dekhu road showed physicochemical parameters within the water quality standards and the quality of water is good and it is fit for drinking purpose. The correlation coefficients were calculated for water quality assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The major objective of the current study is to estimate the groundwater quality and identify the likely sources of contamination in Chandigarh, India. Total 80 groundwater samples were collected from different locations and at various depths. Further, physcio-chemical analysis was done to estimate pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids, total hardness (TH), total alkalinity (TA), Na + , K + , Cl - , SO 4 2- , PO 4 3- and NO 3 - were found relatively higher in the shallow aquifer (<150 ft). Based on the location of pollution sources at the surface and consecutive geo-statistical distribution of physicochemical characteristics, this study suggests that non-scientific disposal of municipal solid waste, dumping of industrial waste and agricultural activities, in the nearby areas lead to the deterioration of groundwater of shallow aquifer. These observations were also confirmed using various water quality indices and outcomes of multivariate modeling, including principal component analysis. Health risk assessment for nitrates indicated that 29 groundwater samples pose non-carcinogenic health risk for children due to dermal and oral exposure. Hence, there is a need to establish a system for regularly assessing the groundwater quality to minimize public health risks.- , TH, Na + , and K + were found relatively higher in the shallow aquifer (<150 ft). Based on the location of pollution sources at the surface and consecutive geo-statistical distribution of physicochemical characteristics, this study suggests that non-scientific disposal of municipal solid waste, dumping of industrial waste and agricultural activities, in the nearby areas lead to the deterioration of groundwater of shallow aquifer. These observations were also confirmed using various water quality indices and outcomes of multivariate modeling, including principal component analysis. Health risk assessment for nitrates indicated that 29 groundwater samples pose non-carcinogenic health risk for children due to dermal and oral exposure. Hence, there is a need to establish a system for regularly assessing the groundwater quality to minimize public health risks., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The aim of the study was to explore the physiochemical, cooking, and textural characteristics of 12 traditional rice cultivars grown in Kashmir (India) and develop their interrelationship. The results revealed a significant variation (p ≤ .05) among the different characteristics analyzed on the basis of characteristics evaluated for each cultivar. The novel attributes depicted by these cultivars as reflected includes their higher kernel elongation during cooking, lowest solids in gruel loss and lower adhesiveness together with desirable hardness which can fetches their increasing demand commercially besides having lacerative palatability. Pearson correlation and principal component analysis was carried out to elucidate the relationship among physicochemical, cooking, and textural characteristics as analyzed in the experimental study. The physicochemical characteristics such as gelatinization temperature, gel consistency, amylose, and amylopectin showed a significant correlation (positively or negatively) with the cooking and textural characteristics (water uptake ratio, kernel elongation during cooking, elongation ratio, solids in gruel loss, volume expansion ratio, optimum cooking time, hardness, and adhesiveness) with resulting in the selection of desired varieties having improved eating characteristics. The desirable characteristics depicted by these cultivars exploit the agriculturists/institutions to preserve these races and enhance the farmers to cultivate all these cherished rice cultivars., Practical Applications: There is increasing demand for rice varieties with excellent quality characteristics throughout the world. It has been observed that the traditional rice cultivars are of immense health benefits which lead to their increasing surge among consumers. Cooking and eating quality (mouth feel characteristics) of rice has a major role in determining its economic value and consumer acceptability. The cultivars explored in this study include traditional pigmented rice cultivars of temperate region of India. The aim was to promote the revival of old cultivars, and also to indicate their beneficial characteristics over hybrid varieties by studying their physiochemical, cooking, and textural characteristics and develop their interrelationship. With this research, the desirable properties of traditional rice cultivars could be exploited that had better characteristics than the hybrid varieties. This in turn led the various agencies to motivate the farmers to encourage their cultivation, provide an essential platform to scientists to inherit their valuable characteristics., (© 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)