Opportunities and challenges in the use of coal fly ash for soil improvements – a review

Coal fly ash (CFA), a by-product of coal combustion has been regarded as a problematic solid waste, mainly due to its potentially toxic trace elements, PTEs (e.g. Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb) and organic compounds (e.g. PCBs, PAHs) content. However, CFA is a useful source of essential plant nutrients (e.g. Ca, Mg, K, P, S, B, Fe, Cu and Zn). Uncontrolled land disposal of CFA is likely to cause undesirable changes in soil conditions, including contamination with PTEs, PAHs and PCBs. Prudent CFA land application offers considerable opportunities, particularly for nutrient supplementation, pH correction and ameliorating soil physical conditions (soil compaction, water retention and drainage). Since CFA contains little or no N and organic carbon, and CFA-borne P is not readily plant available, a mixture of CFA and manure or sewage sludge (SS) is better suited than CFA alone. Additionally, land application of such a mixture can mitigate the mobility of SS-borne PTEs, which is known to increase following cessation of SS application. Research analysis further shows that application of alkaline CFA with or without other amendments can help remediate at least marginally metal contaminated soils by immobilisation of mobile metal forms. CFA land application with SS or other source of organic carbon, N and P can help effectively reclaim/restore mining-affected lands. Given the variability in the nature and composition of CFA (pH, macro- and micro-nutrients) and that of soil (pH, texture and fertility), the choice of CFA (acidic or alkaline and its application rate) needs to consider the properties and problems of the soil. CFA can also be used as a low cost sorbent for the removal of organic and inorganic contaminants from wastewater streams; the disposal of spent CFA however can pose further challenges. Problems in CFA use as a soil amendment occur when it results in undesirable change in soil pH, imbalance in nutrient supply, boron toxicity in plants, excess supply of sulphate and PTEs. These problems, however, are usually associated with excess or inappropriate CFA applications. The levels of PAHs and PCBs in CFA are generally low; their effects on soil biota, uptake by plants and soil persistence, however, need to be assessed. In spite of this, co-application of CFA with manure or SS to land enhances its effectiveness in soil improvements

Diversity of birds at Panipat refinery, Haryana (India)

Avifaunal study was carried out in Panipat refinery area before and after commissioning. A total of 63 birds were observed during the study, of which 39 and 49 birds were present during 1992 and 2001 respectively. Of these, 25 birds were common during both the study period. Blue rock pigeon was most dominant during 1992 whereas house sparrow was dominant during 2001. Species diversity index was found to be 5.26 and 6.64 in respective years. Jaccard’s and Sorenson similarity indices were 0.40 and 0.57 respectively. Majority of birds were insectivorous in habits followed by granivorous birds in 1992 and piscivorous birds in 2001. The study reveals that less diversity was observed in 1992 when Panipat refinery was commissioned, but more birds especially aquatic ones were observed after the commissioning of the refinery. This has been attributed to increase in birds habitats due to developments of wetlands in and outside refinery, development of green belt around refinery and increase in green cover of area due to boosting of agroforestry and social forestry

Diversity of birds at Panipat refinery, Haryana (India)

Avifaunal study was carried out in Panipat refinery area before and after commissioning. A total of 63 birds were observed during the study, of which 39 and 49 birds were present during 1992 and 2001 respectively. Of these, 25 birds were common during both the study period. Blue rock pigeon was most dominant during 1992 whereas house sparrow was dominant during 2001. Species diversity index was found to be 5.26 and 6.64 in respective years. Jaccard’s and Sorenson similarity indices were 0.40 and 0.57 respectively. Majority of birds were insectivorous in habits followed by granivorous birds in 1992 and piscivorous birds in 2001. The study reveals that less diversity was observed in 1992 when Panipat refinery was commissioned, but more birds especially aquatic ones were observed after the commissioning of the refinery. This has been attributed to increase in birds habitats due to developments of wetlands in and outside refinery, development of green belt around refinery and increase in green cover of area due to boosting of agroforestry and social forestry

Clinical study of hypertensive emergencies in young patients in tertiary health care centre

Background: The incidence and prevalence of hypertensive emergency have been little addressed in the literature. However, over the last decade increasing numbers of young patients with different forms of hypertensive crisis have been observed in emergency departments. We performed this study to ascertain the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of patients aged ≤ 40 years admitted with a diagnosis of hypertensive emergency. Hypertension is one of the leading causes of the global burden of disease. Approximately 7.6 million deaths and 92 million disability-adjusted life years worldwide were attributed to high blood pressure in 2010.Hypertension doubles the risk of cardiovascular disease, including coronary heart disease, congestive heart failure, ischemia and hemorrhagic stroke, renal failure, and peripheral arterial disease. Material & Methods: This Observational study was done on rural patients with hypertensive emergencies admitted to Intensive Cardiac Care Unit, in the Department of General Medicine in Government tertiary rural health Care Hospital of JIIU”,Badnapur,Jalna, from January 2014 to June 2015 (50 patients) . On admission, detailed history was taken and complete clinical examination was done. Patients with an elevated systolic blood pressure of ≥ 180mmHg or diastolic blood pressure of ≥ 120mmHg, with history suggestive of acute target organ damage or with laboratory evidence of target organ damage were included in the study. The data obtained was analyzed by descriptive statistics by means of percentage, proportions and depicted via bar charts, pie charts. Results: Males had higher chances of developing a hypertensive emergency as compared to females, 66% of the patients were males. Male to female ratio was 2.57:1.The commonest presenting symptoms were neurological deficit (50%), dyspnoea (30%), followed by chest pain (24%). Majority of the patients were known hypertensives (70%). Higher levels of blood pressure at presentation were associated with an adverse outcome. Laboratory abnormalities noticed in these patients included hyponatremia and hyperkalemia. Acute intracerebral hemorrhage was the commonest mode of target organ damage, and in hospital mortality of 20% was observed. The incidence of coronary artery disease in men increased in an almost linear mode as age is increased. Hemiparesis accounted for the largest group of patients with neurological deficit. This evidence confirms that hypertensive emergencies were higher in patients with previously known hypertension. This also shows that patients with hypertension are at a higher risk of developing a hypertensive emergency, more so if they do not adhere to the antihypertensive therapy. Diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia were the other risk factors; Patients with diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia were 24% and 32% respectively in the present study. The mean reduction in blood pressure in one hour after admission to the hospital was 19 mmHg of systolic blood pressure and 14mmHg of diastolic blood pressure. Blood pressure levels at the time of admission were higher in group of patients expired compared to those who were discharged from the hospital. The higher levels of blood pressure would have added to more severe target organ damage in these patients, with an adverse outcome. This indicates worse prognosis with a higher levels of blood pressure at presentation. The outcome of this study showed an in-hospital mortality of 20% among these patients. Conclusion: Known hypertensives are at a higher risk of presenting with acute target organ damage associated with hypertensive emergency. Commonest mode of presentation was neurological deficit (50%). Acute intracerebral hemorrhage was the commonest target organ damage noted. This indicates worse prognosis with a higher levels of blood pressure at presentation