Current Environmental Engineering - Volume 5, Issue 3, 2018

Background: Persistent organochlorine compounds including Organochlorine Pesticides (OCPs) and Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are one of the important components of chemical pollutants that enter into the Egyptian marine environment through different sources, more particularly from estuaries. Objective: The present study aimed to investigate concentrations of PCBs and pesticides in sediments and muscle tissues of Siganus rivulatus from El-Mex Bay and Marsa Matrouh areas. Methods: Sediment and fish samples were collected from El-Mex Bay of Alexandria and Matrouhcoast and transported to the laboratory for extraction and analysis by using GC-MS. Results: In general, concentrations range of PCBs and pesticides detected by GC-Ms in sediment samples revealed much more pollution in El-Mex Bay by PCBs and pesticides than Matrouh area. The present study indicated that concentrations of PCBs in sediments from El-Mex Bay were 9- fold more than those from Matrouh coast. Variations of pesticide concentrations in sediment samples were mainly due to the ongoing processes of adsorption/desorption and uptake by living organisms. In the meantime, the concentrations of PCBs in fish from El-Mex Bay were 11.5-fold more than those from Matrouh coast. Similarly, the concentrations of total pesticides in fish collected from El-Mex Bay were 7-fold more than those collected from Matrouh coast. Generally speaking, sediment samples had higher concentrations of PCBs and pesticides than fish samples reflecting its great capacity to absorb and accumulate such pollutants. The present study revealed also the presence of low concentrations of DDT metabolites and indicator PCBs in both areas. It reports important information regarding the presence of p,p’-DDE, p,p’- DDD, PCB 52 and PCB 153 in almost all fish samples from the two Egyptian coastal lagoons which are mainly due to a previous use of DDT in agricultural activity, high environmental persistence because of their chemical and thermal stability, different climatic environmental conditions, marine currents, different migratory and feeding habits of aquatic organisms. Conclusion: The results of the present study add new data about Organochlorine Pesticides (OCPs) and Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) to the global database about the contamination of the Egyptian marine environment and provide valuable information for regulatory actions. Therefore, the aim of this work is to determine the distribution and concentrations of PCBs and pesticide s in sediments and fish from two Egyptian coastal areas along the Mediterranean. One of the main important objectives is to compare the obtained results with data reported worldwide to evaluate the suitability of the Egyptian marine environment along the Mediterranean Sea for recreation and also the suitability of fish for continuous human consumption by the Public.

Aim: The present study highlights the research explorations carried out on process parameter optimization for the formulation of a new growth medium for mixotrophic cultivation of a novel algal strain, ‘Chlorella sorokiniana TERI-A’. Method: Acid-treated Sorghum stover biomass hydrolysate (Sorghum stover prehydrolysate) was used as carbon source that was composed of 22.2 g L-1 total sugar (with 15 g L-1 xylose & arabinose), 16 g L-1 of acetic acid along with small amount of succinic acid, formic acid along with furfural, and Hydroxyl Methyl Furfural (HMF). Sorghum stover prehydrolysate concentration (Substrate) was optimized for the enhancement of biomass productivity of TERI-A strain in mixotrophic growth mode. Results: At optimum temperature; 28°C, initial pH; 7.8 and 180 rpm, biomass productivity of TERI-A strain was 2.35 g L-1. C5 sugar concentration of this Sorghum stover prehydrolysate based growth medium was; 1.5%. FAME profile analysis of ‘TERI-A’ biomass revealed that ‘TERI-A’ strain could accumulate 68.2% unsaturated fatty acid. This indicates that this algal strain has potential application in biodiesel production. Conclusion: Carrying forward these research explorations, scale-up of mixotrophic cultivation of ‘TERI-A’ strain was standardized in 3.7 L scale photobioreactor to further enhance the biomass productivity from Sorghum stover prehydrolysate. This is the first report for mixotrophic cultivation of Chlorella sorokiniana in sorghum stover prehydrolysate.

Background: Ammonia nitrogen at high concentration poses several threats to the human and environment such as odor and eutrophication. Although many techniques have been studied for ammonia nitrogen removal, utilization of fruit wastes as natural adsorbent could offer some advantages such as low cost and spent adsorbent can be used as fertilizer. Aim: The performance of jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) seed adsorbent for ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) removal from aqueous solution was examined through batch and continuous bed column experiments. The effects of sodium chloride (NaCl) and lignin concentration on the adsorption process were evaluated. Results And Discussion: The results revealed that the adsorption performance gradually decreased upon the addition of NaCl and lignin in the solution. Fixed bed column experiments showed that maximum removal of ammonia nitrogen was obtained at an influent concentration of 100 mg/L, bed height of 10 cm and lowest inlet flow rate of 17 mL/min. Meanwhile, desorption studies were carried out at different pH and highest desorption capacity of jackfruit seed adsorbent was 0.42 mg/g. Conclusion: This study suggests that jackfruit seed is a promising adsorbent for the recovery process of ammonia nitrogen.

Background: The severe increase in the consumption of fossil fuels has caused great concern. The natural resources required to produce those fossil fuels cannot be replaced in a short period of time. Therefore, the demand for alternative energy sources that can substitute petroleum-based sources and diminish the negative environmental impacts generated from the manufacturing and processing of fossil fuels has garnered attention. Objective: Among the studied alternatives, biodiesel production using microorganisms has shown several advantages over other types of biofuels. However, the production of biodiesel is still not economically feasible. As such, this study uses sugar cane molasses to reduce the cost of raw materials and optimize the culture conditions to obtain a high lipid yield from an oleaginous yeast that can be eventually used to produce biofuel. Results and Conclusion: The following culture medium conditions were found to maximize the lipid accumulation from the yeast, Cryptococcus curvatus when grown in a 5% m/v molasses medium (50 g/L molasses): 34.89°C, pH 5.99, and C:Nof 121.25 as result of flask testing and data analysis with the Box-Behnken Design. The existence of palmitic acid (C16:0), oleic acid (C18:1), and linoleic acid (C18:2) as the dominant components accounting for 82.26% of the total was confirmed through the fatty acid composition and lipid analysis (FAMEs). This suggests that the lipids accumulated by C. curvatus may be suitable to be used as a biodiesel source. This result was corroborated by the bis-allylic position equivalent (46.23) and cetane number values (52.31), which met both American and European standards for biodiesel quality.

Background: Surface active agents are lower the surface tension of water and act as dispersants, foaming agent, wetting agent, emulsifiers etc. but after their use they discarded in water which cause major contaminants of water pollution now as days due to they are less biodegradable. These are harmful and can cause skin ingredient which lead to damage of body. Therefore it is necessary to find some methods to degrade them from environment. Objective: In the present investigation photocatalytic degradation has been applied for degradation of copper stearate surfactant derived from saturated fatty acid. Methods: Copper stearate was synthesize by reported methods and characterized by elemental analysis as well as IR, NMR, and Mass spectroscopic techniques. Results: The degradation was carried out by irradiating the non- aqueous solutions of copper stearate surfactant containing ZnO with UV. In this technique a semiconductor ZnO is used which is non -toxic in nature. The rate of reaction was estimated from residual concentration spectrophotometrically by measuring the absorbance of the reaction mixture at definite time intervals. Different parameters such as the concentration of surfactant (400-960 ppm), amount of semiconductor (0.01-0.06 g), light intensity (26-54 mWcm-2), effect of solvent polarity (20- 80%) and time period for degradation (0-18 h) were varied to achieve the optimum rate of photo degradation. Conclusion: The observations revealed that copper stearate surfactant was degraded successfully by using ZnO under UV. A tentative mechanism has been proposed for the photo degradation of copper stearate surfactant.

Background: The creation and the maintenance of peri-urban forests with recreational sites are required for the sustainability of the urban environment. The formation of green networks between the peri-urban forests and the urban greenery is vital for a city, both for ecological and for recreational roles. The city of Thessaloniki lacks green infrastructure. Recently, many studies have proposed landscape planning for Thessaloniki city. However, this study confronts the urban and peri-urban space as a whole. Objective: The purpose of this study is to form proposals for the connection of the peri-urban forest “Seih-Sou” with the green spaces of the city of Thessaloniki. The main project is the planning of a green network with the “Seih-Sou Forest” as a starting point and the seafront as an ending. Results: This proposed network will connect the existing green spaces at the center of Thessaloniki city. Then, the focus is transferred to a particular section of the proposed green network which spreads out from the “Seih-Sou” forest to the University Campus. Specifically, the proposal for the section “Seih-Sou” forest- University Campus is the aesthetical and functional unification of the green spaces: University Campus, Park of “Tellogleio” Foundation, “Pavlou Mela” Square, the row of trees at “Agathoupoleos” Road with the peri-urban forest. Conclusion: This connection of the above mentioned sites will favor the unfavorable ecological conditions of the city.

Background: Rice yields increased in the first decade of this century with 25% for boro, 50% for aus and aman rice. The yields increase in the eight years of the second decade with 15% for boro, 20% for aus and 10% for aman rice. In 1999 around half of the Bengali soils were deficient in soil organic matter, phosphor, potassium and sulphur. The further mining for plant nutrients of the Bengali soils will ultimately result in lower rice yields. Respirable airborne particle concentrations in kitchens are five to ten times higher than the recommended safe concentrations due to the traditional stoves and solid fuels used for cooking in nearly all rural households. Method: A literature study was made and two experimental biogas plants were build and tested. Results: Biomass from straw, weeds, leaves and twigs should not be used as fuel for cooking, but converted into biogas. The effluent of the biogas plant (Bio-slurry) should be used as organic fertiliser together with chemical fertiliser. A design of a biogas plant is proposed with a high biogas yield and low emissions of greenhouse gases. Conclusion: Bio-slurry returns macro and micro nutrients to the soil. Cooking on biogas will reduce the number of fatalities due to respirable airborne particles.

Background: The Netherlands must export a significant amount of phosphate, due to the import of phosphate-containing food and fodder. Part of the phosphate is exported in the form of processed manure. Organic matter is also exported with phosphate in the manure and this reduces the organic matter in the agricultural soil [SOM]. Import of straw and Anaerobic Digestion [AD] of manures and straw can reduce the environmental impact. Method: This paper is a literature study on the anaerobic digestion of cattle manure, the co-digestion of cattle manure and straw and the build-up of organic matter in the soil of manure and reactor effluent. Results: AD reduces the methane emissions of the farms and the foul odour during spreading of the manure. Import of straw can compensate for the organic material contained in exported manure or AD reactor effluent. Conclusion: Excess phosphate of dairy farms and phosphate from imported straw can be exported with a net increase in SOM.