Investigation of Volatile Mono-Aromatic Hydrocarbons and 1,3-Butadiene in an Urban Metropolis, India

In urban areas, benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene and xylenes (BTEX) constitute up to 60% of nonmethane VOCs. The present work was conducted to determine the ambient volatile 1, 3-butadiene and mono-aromatic hydrocarbons in an urban metropolis of Nagpur, India. Continuous sampling was carried out at high density traffic junctions, major petrol filling stations along with some residential areas during March to May, 2011. The samples were collected in 10 litre tedlar bags during the peak hours and analyzed within 24 hours by VOC analyzer based on Gas Chromatography-Photo Ionization Detection technique. Appreciably high concentrations of Total BBTEX were observed at petrol filling stations (237.1 μg/m3) and traffic junctions (134.3 μg/m3). The levels of BBTEX observed around a major traffic junction were significant to commuter exposure. In view of the health impacts to commuter, nearby residents and occupational exposure, preventive measures like use of CNG, installation of vapor recovery system at petrol filling stations and use of mask by the workers were needed. The correlation analysis and concentration ratio study indicates the impacts of petrol pumps and vehicular traffic on the urban air quality at the residential sites. The levels of benzene were well within the National Ambient Air Quality Standards at all the residential locations.

Arsenic remediation from drinking water using Fenton's reagent with slow sand filter

This paper describes the development of a remediation approach based on the pre-oxidation using Fenton's reagent and the subsequent removal of arsenic (As) through sand filtration from drinking water. The efficiency of the process was carried out including As(III) and As(V) with various concentration ratios up to 3,000 ppb. Efficient removal of As was observed within WHO guideline value of 10 ppb. The recoveries of samples were found to be 98 % ± 2.5 %. The process was applied to field samples, where results show considerable reduction in As concentrations. This process is cost effective for treatment of drinking water with high concentration of As.

Performance studies of ECORITE PAC-2010 as a coagulant in water treatment

This paper describes the performance evaluation studies of ECORITE PAC-2010 of M/s Shriram Consolidated Limited (DSCL) as a coagulant. It was observed that ECORITE PAC-2010 acts as a good coagulant over a wide range of turbidity and produces larger and more rapidly settleable flocs than the alum. The residual aluminium is less in ECORITE PAC-2010 treated water than that in alum treated water. The sludge volume generated by ECORITE PAC-2010 is less than that generated by alum for attaining the same quality of settled water from turbid raw water.