Characterization of End of Life Personal Computers for Optimum Resource Recovery

The End of Life Personal Computers (EOL-PCs) generated by Information and Communication Technology (ICT), end up in waste streams and form a part of E-waste. This waste forms a secondary resource for many metals and non metals recovered through recycling processes. The computers have undergone revolutionary change in size, shape, configuration and its material content, particularly from the last two decades. However, the Handy-Harmann data of 1966 related to quality and quantity of the material used in manufacturing of computer has been very old and not updated since 1966. This may result in inefficient resource recovery and partially treated waste containing hazardous substances may end up in unauthorized landfill or water bodies causing permanent damage to the environment. Therefore, an attempt has been made to characterize the EOL-PCs model P-III which form a major part of E-waste even today. The results obtained help assessment of economic viability of recoverable and recyclable quantities of metals viz., Fe, Cu, Al, Au, Ag, Pd, etc., non metals like plastics and glass from P-III model computers. The paper also discusses comparative study of latest characterization of EOL-PCs with Handy-Harmann data of 1996

Status of groundwater quality of Tumkur town

Ground water is the most preferred water source in recent days. Once believed to be safe from pollution as it is available many strata below the surface, is now proved to be prone to pollution by many researchers across the world. The contamination of ground water may be due to improper disposal of domestic and industrial wastewaters. In urban centres the ground water is exposed to more threat than in rural areas. A study was carried out to assess the ground water quality of Tumkur town, one of the fastest growing towns of Karnataka and an industrial, educational and commercial centre. The study reveals that 50 of the samples have high turbidity, 95 have high TDS; 50, 60, 98 and 28 of the samples have chlorides, hardness, calcium and sodium content more than the permissible limits prescribed by Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) respectively. However EC, nitrates and alkalinity are within the permissible limits. The deterioration of the ground water can be attributed to the lack of Under Ground Drainage System and non-maintenance of surroundings of the sources. © Enviromedia

Pressure-temperature estimates of the iron formations of Sivasamudram area, Karnataka.

Microprobe analyses are reported for 6 ferrohypersthenes, 4 ferroaugites and 4 garnets (Alm57Gro19Pyr7Spess17). P-T estimates fall in the range 7.5 - 8 kbar, 607o-657oC.-R.A.H

Demographic dimensions and environmental Scenario of Tumkur town

Rapid increase in population and agglomeration of people in a particular area is an index of the status of avaibility of educational, industrial and commercial amenities. A study was carried out in a rapidly growing town. Tumkur to understand the reason and degree of population growth and consequent impacts on the surrounding environment. Since olden days it was a centre of eduction and in recent days due to the establishment of Hirehalli, Antharasanahalli and Sathyamangala industrial areas it si gained importance as industrial and commercial centre. The town has grown the size of 0.5 km2 in 1901 to 25 km2 in 2002. This expansion in the town limits has engulfed many surrounding villages and the agricultural lands are rapidly being converted into built-up lands. The number of registered vehicles in Tumkur town is 1, 19, 993. The traffic density at the busy traffic junctions is counted to be in the range 120 to 185 per minute during peak hours and 98 to 142 during non-peak hours. The SPM level lie between 570.6 μg/m3 and the level of SOx and NOx gases are within the permissible limits. The air-borne lead level is as low as 0.377 μg/m3 to as high as 2.23 μg/m3. The noise levels at traffic junctions is in the range 77.8 db(A) to 81.7 dB(A) and at residential areas the up to 59.5 dB(A) was recorded. Due to rapid growth of the town the town municipal council seems to be inefficient with the handling of both solid and liquid waste. The direct disposal of sewage into Amanikere tank has deteriorated the water quality of the tank and rendered it unfit for drinking and recreation. The study reveals that the overall quality of environment in Tumkur town is on the verge of deterioration and proper management strategies are needed for the betterment of the environmental quality. © Enviromedia