Bioremediation of petroleum sludge through Phytoremediation.Land farming and Microbial enhanced oil separation

The objective of this research is to study the feasibility of bioremediating the oily sludge from a refinery site. Three different methods of waste treatment were tried i.e. phytoremediation, land farming and microbial enhanced oil separation in laboratory scale treatment systems. A multiprocess approach by combination of phytoremediation, biostimulation and microbial enhanced oil separation is also presented. The methods of analysis, experimental procedure, and results are incorporated into five chapters of this thesis entitled "Bioremediation of petroleum sludge through phytoremediation, land farming and microbial enhanced oil separation.

Combined toxic effects of oil and pesticides on selected marine invertebrates

In recent years, pollution in general and sea water pollution in particular, has become an important topic for national and international considerations. Because of its impact on society, marine pollution has attracted great attention from politicians, administrators, natural scientists and technologists all over the world. To save our environment from further deterioration, it is essential to have an assessment of this problem This thesis involves investigation of the lethal and sub lethal effects of four pesticides and two petroleum oil, individually and in combinations on two commercially important bivalves. Among the four pesticides used two are organophosphates and the other two are organochlorines. Synthetic Pesticides, especially organophosphates and organochlorines have become increasingly important additions to chemical wastes polluting natural aquatic Communities special attention is given in the present investigation to delineate the combined toxic effect of oil and pesticides. The results are presented under different sections to make the presentation meaningful.

Studies on the Composition and Structure of Palm Oil Glycerides

During the last couple of decades, the oil palm has emerged as the second largest source of edible oil in the world. Recently oil palm has been introduced commercially in India to augment edible oil supply in the country. Currently, about 10,000 hectares are under oil palm cultivation in India, and it is envisaged to cover about 6 lakh hectares in the coming years. Though oil palm is a major commercial oil crop, not much basic information on the lipids of the fruit (the source of palm oil) is available even where oil palm is cultivated in a very large scale. Being a new crop to India, it is of paramount importance to understand the basic chemistry/biochemistry of the lipids, which in turn, may find practical applications in the area of processing and product development. The present investigation entitled "Studies on the Composition and Structure of Palm Oil Glycerides" was designed with a view to elucidate the lipid composition and structure under conditions such as fruit development and processing.

Studies on lemongrass oil

The thesis deals with the different properties and characteristics of oil of lemon grass.. The oil of lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus) is one of the most important essential oils. It will continue to be one of the "big ten" of our essential oils1. Lemongrass oil is obtained from certain species of grasses of the genus cymbopogon. The genus consists of about 80 species, 10 to 12 of which are known to occur in India. Lemongrass is a stoloniferous plant. The plant grows wild in many tropical andsemitropical parts of Asia, Africa and in parts of Central America and South America. For the extraction of the oil however only cultivated lemongrass is employed. The trade distinguishes two Principal types of lemongrass oil, viz. the East Indian Oil and West Indian Oil. There was much confusion, years ago, about the taxonomy of the plants which yield theEast Indian and West Indian types of lemongrass oil, however Stapf2 ended the long controversy of identifying the plant yielding the East Indian type oil as Cymbopogon flexuosus (D.C.) Stapf and the plant yielding the West Indian type oil as Cymbopogon citrates (D.C.) stapf. The 2 plants have_been named variously also Andropogon nardus var. Flexuosus Hack or A. citratus D.C. respectively

Effects Of The Piscicides, Mahua Oil Cake And Croton Seed On The Prawn Culture System

The present research programme envisages a comparative study of the effects of two piscicides of plant origin, viz., mahua oil cake, a derivative from the plant fig Iatifolia and croton seed, a product from the plant Croton tiglium. Although some reports on the effects of mahua oil cake and croton seed on fresh water pond culture systems are available, information on their effect on brackishwater culture systems are rather scanty This was the guiding principle for launching the present study It is hoped that the findings will enable aquaculturists to make use of the piscicides in a more rational and efficient way, and will go a long way towards realising the maximum return liom culture systems without hampering the environment. The thesis is presented in seven chapters such as Introduction, Review of literature, Materials and Methods, Results, Discussion, Summary and Bibliography

Lipase from marine Aspergillus awamori BTMFW032: Production, partial purification and application in oil effluent treatment

Marine fungus BTMFW032, isolated from seawater and identified as Aspergillus awamori, was observed to produce an extracellular lipase, which could reduce 92% fat and oil content in the effluent laden with oil. In this study, medium for lipase production under submerged fermentation was optimized statistically employing response surface method toward maximal enzyme production. Medium with soyabean meal- 0.77% (w/v); (NH4)2SO4-0.1 M; KH2PO4-0.05 M; rice bran oil-2% (v/v); CaCl2-0.05 M; PEG 6000-0.05% (w/v); NaCl-1% (w/v); inoculum-1% (v/v); pH 3.0; incubation temperature 35 8C and incubation period-five days were identified as optimal conditions for maximal lipase production. The time course experiment under optimized condition, after statistical modeling, indicated that enzyme production commenced after 36 hours of incubation and reached a maximum after 96 hours (495.0 U/ml), whereas maximal specific activity of enzyme was recorded at 108 hours (1164.63 U/mg protein). After optimization an overall 4.6- fold increase in lipase production was achieved. Partial purification by (NH4)2SO4 precipitation and ion exchange chromatography resulted in 33.7% final yield. The lipase was noted to have a molecular mass of 90 kDa and optimal activity at pH 7 and 40 8C. Results indicated the scope for potential application of this marine fungal lipase in bioremediation.

Ecology And Seasonal Variation Of Microalgal Community In An Oil Refinery Effluent Holding Pond: Monitoring And Assessment

The microalgal community as primary producers has to play a significant role in the biotic and abitoic interactions of any aquatic ecosystem. Whenever a community is exposed to a pollutant, responses can occur because individuals acclimate to pollutant caused changes and selection can occur favouring resistant genotypes within a population and selection among species can result in changes in community structure. The microalgal community of industrial effluent treatment systems are continuously exposed to pollutants and there is little data available on the structure and seasonal variation of microalgal community of industrial effluent holding ponds, especially of a complex effluent like that of refinery. The aim of the present study was to investigate the annual variation in the ecology, biomass, productivity and community structure of the algal community of a refinery effluent holding pond. The results of the study showed the pond to be a eutrophic system with a resistant microalgal community with distinct seasonal variation in species composition

Matter flows and balances in urban vegetable gardens of Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso (West Africa)

Many efforts are undertaken for sustaining urban agriculture in African cities. This study therefore investigated nutrient management practices in urban vegetable gardens of Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso (West Africa). Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and carbon (C) fluxes were quantified and nutrient balances calculated for three gardens representing the typical commercial gardening + field crops and livestock system (cGCL) and three gardens representing the commercial gardening + semi-commercial field crop system (cGscC). Nutrient and C balances were similarly positive in both production systems reaching annual averages of 688 kg N ha -1, 251 kg P ha-1 yr-1, 189 kg K ha-1, and 31 t C ha-1. Inputs in all gardens exceeded the amounts recommended by the extension service. Gaseous emissions of N and C represented important pathways of N and C losses. The highest emission rates occurred during the hottest periods of the day and the peaks were observed after fertilizer applications. Management recommendations should be geared towards increasing nutrient use efficiencies by better tailoring nutrient availability to crop demand and adjusted fertilization techniques to mitigate N losses.

Employment and Income of Workers on Indonesian Oil Palm Plantations: Food Crisis at the Micro Level

The importance of oil palm sector for Indonesia is inevitable as the country currently serves as the world’s largest producer of crude palm oil. This paper focuses on the situation of workers on Indonesian oil palm plantations. It attempts to investigate whether the remarkable development of the sector is followed by employment opportunities and income generation for workers. This question is posed within the theoretical framework on the link between trade liberalisation and labour rights, particularly in a labour-intensive and low-skilled sector. Based on extensive field research in Riau, this paper confirms that despite the rapid development of the oil palm plantation sector in Indonesia, the situations of workers in the sector remain deplorable, particularly their employment status and income. This also attests that trade liberalisation in the sector adversely affects labour rights. The poor working conditions also have ramifications for food security at the micro level.

Soil, water and nutrient loss under conventional and organic vegetable production managed in small farms

Agricultural systems with conventional tillage and intensive use of agrochemicals, especially those on high slopes and with shallow soils, have the potential to release pollutants. This study aimed at evaluating the soil, water and nutrient lost via agricultural runoff in large plots (small catchments) under conventional and organic farming of vegetables as well as under forest (control) system in a Cambisol in the Campestre catchment. Samples of runoff were collected biweekly for one year through a Coshocton wheel. The soil and water losses from the conventional farming were 218 and 6 times higher, respectively, than forest. Under organic farming the soil and water losses were 12 and 4 times higher, respectively, than forest. However the soil losses (0.5 to 114 kg ha^(−1) year^(−1)) are considered low in agronomy but environmentally represent a potential source of surface water contamination by runoff associated pollutants. The concentrations and losses of all forms of phosphorus (P) were higher in the conventional system (9.5, 0.9 and 0.3 mg L^(−1) of total P for conventional, organic and forest systems, respectively), while the organic system had the highest concentrations and losses of soluble nitrogen (4.7, 38.6 and 0.4 mg L^(−1) of NO_3-N, respectively). The percentage of bioavailable P was proportionally higher in the organic system (91% of total P lost was as bioavailable P), indicating greater potential for pollution in the short term.

Recycling urban waste as possible use for rooftop vegetable garden

Urban authorities in Europe are confronted with increasing demands by urban dwellers for allotment gardens, but vacant urban soil tends to be scarce and/or polluted by past industrial activities. A possible solution for local authorities could therefore be to promote rooftop gardening. However little technical information exists on certain forms of rooftop urban agriculture, called Z-Farming. In 2012, a pilot experiment was run in Paris (France). Simple and cheap systems of rooftop gardening were tested on a rooftop using as crop substrates only local urban organic waste so as to contribute to the urban metabolism. Production levels and heavy metal contents in cropping substrates and edible vegetables were measured. Available results show (i) high levels of crop production with limited inputs compared to land professional gardening, (ii) low levels of heavy metal pollutants in the edible parts of the crops, especially for Cd and Pb with respect to EU norms for vegetables and (iii) positive influence on yields on organizing the substrate in layers and enhancing the biological activity through earthworm inoculation. These encouraging results allow us to consider that rooftop gardening is feasible and seem to have a great potential to improve urban resiliency. It will nevertheless be necessary to identify more precisely the types of roof that can be used and to assess more fully the generic result of the low level of pollution, as well as the global sustainability of these cropping systems.

A survey of brassica vegetable smallholder farmers in the Gauteng and Limpopo provinces of South Africa

A study was taken to investigate the types of brassica vegetables mostly grown by smallholder farmers in two provinces of South Africa. Thirty-one smallholder vegetable farmers in the Gauteng province and Waterberg district in the Limpopo province were surveyed. In addition, the study also sought to establish the common diseases, the management strategies used and problems encountered by the farmers. Farmers were interviewed using a questionnaire with closed and open–ended questions. The results indicated that the smallholder farmers mostly grew cabbage (93.6%) as their main brassica crop followed by rape (41.2%). Thirty percent of farmers could not identify or name the predominant disease/s encountered in their fields. Major diseases encountered by farmers surveyed were an unknown disease/s (33.3%), black rot (26.7%), Alternaria leaf spot (6.7%) and white rust (6.7%). Smallholder farmers have inadequate technical information available especially relating to crop diseases, their identification and control. Farmers encountered challenges with black rot disease especially on cabbage, rape and kale and the disease was a problem during winter and summer. Generally, the smallholder farmers used crop rotation (74.2%) as a major practice to manage the diseases experienced. They rotated their brassica vegetables with other crops/vegetables like tomatoes, onions, beetroots and maize. Most of the farmers interviewed (61.3%) did not use chemicals to control diseases, whereas 38.7% of them used chemicals. This was mostly because they lacked information and knowledge, high costs associated with use of chemical fungicides and some were shifting towards organic farming. From the study it was noted that there was a need for technical support to improve farmers’ knowledge on disease identification and control within the surveyed areas.

Perfil de exposición ocupacional a polvo de cemento y sílice cristalina en procesos de cementación y Fracturamiento hidráulico en el sector Oil & Gas en Colombia: un estudio retrospectivo (2009 – 2013).

La exposición a polvo de cemento y sílice ha sido estudiada por años en países como Estados Unidos y Canadá, cuando el polvo de cemento se inhala durante diferentes actividades, se puede ocasionar afectación del tracto respiratorio de las personas expuestas. El estudio “Perfil de exposición ocupacional a polvo de cemento y sílice cristalina en procesos de cementación y Fracturamiento hidráulico en el sector Oil & Gas en Colombia: un estudio retrospectivo (2009 – 2013).” Permitió identificar las actividades funcionales que representan un riesgo potencial por la presencia de partículas aerosuspendidas, analizar una base de datos que reúne cerca de 18298 registros de evaluaciones higiénicas en el sector Oil & Gas, realizar posteriormente el cálculo de material particulado en la fracción respirable y sílice cristalina aplicables para cada proceso y el procesamiento de los datos estadísticamente, confrontar estos estimadores estadísticos con los valores límites permisibles definidos por el gobierno nacional, los resultados incluyeron la caracterización de un perfil de exposición ocupacional por actividad funcional para el proceso de cementación, la identificación de los trabajadores más expuestos según las condiciones de exposición y cuáles de estos perfiles superan los límites máximos permisibles para un turno de trabajo de 12 horas, esta información permitirá a los profesionales de la salud e higiene laboral orientar actividades de seguimiento, vigilancia y control en los grupos de exposición similar específicos. Para el proceso de fracturamiento hidráulico los datos encontrados no fueron estadísticamente significativos.

Energy saving innovations, non-exhaustible sources of energy and long-run: what would happen if we run out of oil?

We formulate and solve a model of factor saving technological improvement considering three factors of production: labor, capital and energy. The productive activities have three main characteristics: first, in order to use capital goods firms need energy; second, there are two sources of energy: non-exhaustible and exhaustible; third, capital goods can be of different qualities and the quality of these goods can be changed along two dimensions -reducing the need of energy or changing the source of energy used in the production process. The economy goes through three stages of development after industrialization. In the first, firms make use of exhaustible energy and the e¢ ciency in the use of energy is constant. In the second stage, as the price of energy grows the e¢ ciency in its use is increased. In the third stage, the price of exhaustible sources is so high that firms have incentives to use non-exhaustible sources of energy. During this stage the price of energy is constant. In this set up, the end of the oil age has level effects on consumption and output but it does not cause the collapse of the economic system.