ASSESSMENT OF IMPACT OF COVID-19 LOCKDOWN ON AIR QUALITY IN NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION OF NEW DELHI, INDIA

After the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 as pandemic on 11th March 2020, the Indian government adopted a complete phased lockdown strategy starting from 23rd March until 31st May 2020. During this period, road/rail/air traffic, industrial operations and offices were completely restricted except for the essential services. Here, an attempt was made to assess the effect of the lockdown period on five pollutants: PM10, PM2.5, SO2, NOx, and ozone at three sites, Jahangirpuri in North Delhi and Sonipat and Panipat townships located along the national highway leading to north India. These pollutants, except ozone, decreased at all sites during lockdown phase 1 compared to before lockdown. PM2.5 load reduced by 28.1, 33.5, and 40.8 % at Jahangirpuri, Sonipat and Panipat, respectively. PM10 remained either close to or higher than National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) due to prevailing high-speed winds. NO2, a precursor for formation of O3 decreased consistently at all sites, except an increase in phase 3 at Panipat whereas O3 consistently increased. This was a paradoxical situation as O3 is formed by photochemical reactions among NOx and volatile organic compounds, which require further detailed studies. These observations indicate that air pollutants decreased specific to the site(s) and pollutant(s). Such restriction can be applied in the future to control air pollution in this region

REMOVAL OF BRILLIANT GREEN DYE FROM WASTEWATER USING ACTIVATED CHICKPEA HUSK AS AN ADSORBENT

A novel adsorbent was developed from chickpea husk and its powder form was used for elimination of brilliant green dye from wastewater. Activated carbon from chickpea husk has been prepared and distinguished with a Scanning electron microscope, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area analyser and a Fourier transform infrared spectroscope. Different variables, like contact time of adsorbent and adsorbate, adsorbent amount, initial concentration of dye and pH were studied to perceive their effect on adsorption of dye. The elimination percentage of brilliant green dye by using chickpea husk was found to be 90.3 % in 150 min at a concentration of 20 mg/l and pH = 7 when a dose of 0.1 g was used. Adsorption kinetics was verified by pseudo 1st order and pseudo 2nd order. It was observed that rate of adsorption of brilliant green dye follows pseudo 2nd order model. Experimental equilibrium study was discussed using Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms models and it was observed that the Freundlich adsorption isotherm model was well fitted for the adsorption of brilliant green dye

Assessment of bioavailable metals in the sediments of Yamuna flood plain using two different single extraction procedures

AbstractThough flood plains are considered as most fertile areas across the world but they have come under severe stress due to the flow of untreated domestic and industrial effluents and therefore, needed attention for its characterisation and subsequent treatment plans. The sediment samples, collected at 0–15, 15–35 and 30–60 cm depth levels during pre and post monsoon season from east and west sides of the river Yamuna around the national capital region of Delhi, were assessed for bioavailability of lead (Pb), zinc (Zn) and nickel (Ni) using Ethylene Diamine Tetra Acetic Acid (EDTA) and acetic acid. The average concentrations of Zn (25 ± 6 mg kg−1) and Pb (33 ± 6 mg kg−1) leached in EDTA were higher than that of in acetic acid (Zn: 22 ± 6 mg kg−1; Pb: 24 ± 5 mg kg−1) whereas Ni (24 ± 6 mg kg−1) leached more in acetic acid compared to EDTA (Ni: 21 ± 4 mg kg−1). The bioavailable concentrations of metals were comparable among 0–15 and 15–35 cm depth samples but decreased in 35–60 cm depth samples. The post monsoon samples contained lower amounts of total metals in comparison to pre-monsoon samples, an indication of washout/dilution effects of flood/high water flow during monsoon season. The percentages of metals, with reference to their respective total concentrations, in the flood plain sediments as extracted by EDTA were in the range of 14–47% for Pb, 17–54% for Zn, and 15–39% for Ni. The Zn, Ni and Pb were soluble in acetic acid in the range of 12–39%, 16.7–36.5% and 14–36%, respectively. The chemical nature of extracting agent affected the metal leaching. Acetic acid, a weak acid, extracted the metals that were present in exchangeable fraction and easily movable whereas EDTA, hexa-dentate complexing agent, extracted metals from carbonate and organically bound fractions of the sediment samples. This could result in metal accumulation in the floodplains, biomagnification, adverse effects on water quality, sediments, aquatic lives and the vegetables grown in the flood plains. Steps should be taken to stop the direct flow of untreated waste into the river to safeguard the floodplains and life forms

Key ingredients and recycling strategy of personal protective equipment (PPE): Towards sustainable solution for the COVID-19 like pandemics.

The COVID-19 pandemic has intensified the complications of plastic trash management and disposal. The current situation of living in fear of transmission of the COVID-19 virus has further transformed our behavioural models, such as regularly using personal protective equipment (PPE) kits and single-use applications for day to day needs etc. It has been estimated that with the passage of the coronavirus epidemic every month, there is expected use of 200 billion pieces of single-use facemasks and gloves. PPE are well established now as life-saving items for medicinal specialists to stay safe through the COVID-19 pandemic. Different processes such as glycolysis, hydrogenation, aminolysis, hydrolysis, pyrolysis, and gasification are now working on finding advanced technologies to transfer waste PPE into value-added products. Here, in this article, we have discussed the recycling strategies of PPE, important components (such as medical gloves, gowns, masks & respirators and other face and eye protection) and the raw materials used in PPE kits. Further, the value addition methods to recycling the PPE kits, chemical & apparatus used in recycling and recycling components into value-added products. Finally, the biorenewable materials in PPE for textiles components have been discussed along with concluded remarks

Valsartan (Profiles of Drugs Substances, Excipients and Related Methodology)

Valsartan is an antihypertensive drug which selectively inhibits angiotensin receptor type II. This tetrazole derivative was first developed by Novartis and marketed under brand name Diovan® . This compound is orally active and is rapidly absorbed after oral doses, having a bioavailability of approximately 23% . Valsartan appears as a white or almost white hygroscopic powder. This compound must be kept in an air-tight container and should be protected from light and heat. It is available in film-coated tablets containing valsartan 40, 80, 160, or 320 mg, and capsules with dosage of 80 or 160 mg. Tablet combinations of valsartan with hydrochlorothiazide or amlodipine are also availabl

DC magnetization investigations in Ti_1−<i>x</i>Mn_<i>x</i>O₂ nanocrystalline powder

In the present paper, DC magnetization investigation on the insulating nanocrystalline powder samples of Ti1−xMnxO₂ (x = 0, 0.05, 0.10, and 0.15) prepared by simple chemical route is reported. Structural measurements revealed phase pure anatase structure of TiO₂ when x ≤ 0.05 and a mixture of anatase and rutile TiO₂ along with the signature of Mn₃O₄ phase for x > 0.05. Magnetic measurements exhibited the presence of ferromagnetic ordering at room temperature in samples having either small fraction of Mn or no Mn at all. This ferromagnetic signature is accompanied with paramagnetic contribution which is found to dominate with increase in Mn concentration. The Ti1−xMnxO₂ sample having highest Mn concentration of x = 0.15 showed nearly paramagnetic behavior. However, at low temperatures, additional ferrimagnetic ordering arising due to Mn₃O₄ (TC = 42 K) is evidenced in the doped samples. Consistent with the XRD investigations, the isofield DC-magnetization measurements under field cooled and zero field cooled (FC–ZFC) histories corroborated the presence of Mn₃O₄ phase. Also, distinct thermomagnetic irreversibility has been observed above 42 K. These results are suggestive of presence of weak ferromagnetic ordering possibly due to defects related with oxygen vacancies

PESTICIDE CONTAMINATION IN CAULIFLOWER AND RELATED HEALTH RISK ASSESSMENT IN GURUGRAM, INDIA

Imprudent use of pesticides in agriculture has resulted in increased concentrations of pesticides in food. Consumption of pesticide-contaminated vegetables can cause many chronic and acute health problems for consumers. Vegetables are an important part of the human diet as they are a source of vitamins and minerals. Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis) is a frequently consumed vegetable in India and has high nutritional value. In the present study, cauliflower was scanned for organochlorines, organophosphates, synthetic pyrethroids and some other classes of pesticides. The pesticides were extracted from the vegetable using quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe extraction techniques, and the extracts were analysed on Gas Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). All samples were contaminated with pesticide residues. The pesticides detected in the samples were aldrin (0.018 mg/kg), chlorpyrifos (0.02 - 0.04 mg/kg), cypermethrin (0.03 mg/kg), deltamethrin (0.018 - 0.04 mg/kg), malathion (0.02 mg/kg), o,p-dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane (0.02mg/kg), and phorate (0.02 - 0.03 mg/kg). Cauliflower samples collected from Manesar showed the presence of chlorpyrifos and cypermethrin. Concentrations of chlorpyrifos were above the maximum residue limits recommended by the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 2004. The health risk index was highest for aldrin (0.08) and lowest for malathion (2.67·10-5)

Impact of industrialization on heavy metals contamination in agricultural soils in Sonepat, Haryana – A National Capital Region of India

The present study was conducted to assess the impact of industrialization on heavy metals contamination in agricultural soils in Sonepat district, National Capital Region, India. A total of 23 agricultural soil samples collected from different locations of the study area were analyzed for pH, total organic carbon, and heavy metals (Al, Cd, Cu, Cr, Pb, Ni, Zn, Mn, Co, and Fe). pH and total organic carbon in the soil samples were 7.81±0.25 and 0.59±0.12 percent. Average concentrations of metals in soil were found to be in the order of Fe&gt;Mn&gt; Zn&gt; Ni&gt; Cr&gt; Cu&gt;Pb&gt; Co&gt; Cd with concentration values (mg/kg) as 17977.06&gt; 325.43&gt; 91.31&gt; 51.62&gt; 43.82&gt; 34.37&gt; 32.29&gt; 2.16&gt; 1.19. The contamination factor (CF) and geo-accumulation index analysis revealed that the agricultural soils were contaminated with Cd, Pb, Mn, Ni, and Zn. A moderate potential ecological risk was found in most of the soil samples due to the presence of Cd. Interpretation of enrichment factor (EF) showed that Cd, Mn, and Zn were mainly anthropogenic in origin while Ni and Pb were both anthropogenic and crustal in origin. The health risk index on inhabitants due to exposure to heavy metals in agricultural soils was calculated for oral, dermal, and inhalation pathways and the values obtained were below 1, showing no significant health effects due to direct exposure