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A Sustainable Planning Approach to Resolving Transportation Hub Problems in Egyptian Cities “Proposed Measurement Matrix”
Waleed Hussein Ali Hussein
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 1, February 2015
Pages:
1-16
Received:
23 December 2014
Accepted:
5 January 2015
Published:
14 January 2015
Abstract: The research study discusses the environmental aspects of automated and pedestrian transport that need to be addressed when devising general and detailed urban plans, particularly for new urban conglomerations. It describes the adverse effects resulting from motor vehicles dominating roads and highways, including environmental hazards such as air and noise pollution, and identifies environmental concerns to be taken into account in the planning of automated and pedestrian traffic routes and parking spaces and underlines the need for upgrading transport and traffic policies in new urban conglomerates. The study focuses on environmental issues that can be resolved through the application of laws, policies and implementation mechanisms. It also identifies environmental considerations that should be included in all general urbanization plans, pointing out that the review of these issues by environment experts (before and during plan implementation) is a key developmental approach to resolving transportation hub problems in Egypt. In addition, the study presents an account of the components and basic principles of transportation hub design and the international criteria used in assessing the sustainability of transport routes. Local and international examples of sustainable transportation hubs are used as a reference to help in formulating the principal findings and conclusions that constitute the developmental approach to resolving this problem.
Abstract: The research study discusses the environmental aspects of automated and pedestrian transport that need to be addressed when devising general and detailed urban plans, particularly for new urban conglomerations. It describes the adverse effects resulting from motor vehicles dominating roads and highways, including environmental hazards such as air a...
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Germination and Root Nodule Formation of Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) in Ridomil and Chlorpyriphos Treated Soil
Ibiang Young Bassey,
Ekanem Bassey Effiong,
Usanga Daniel Archibong,
Williams Uduak Ita
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 1, February 2015
Pages:
17-22
Received:
19 December 2014
Accepted:
27 December 2014
Published:
14 January 2015
Abstract: Germination and root nodule formation of soybean (Glycine max) was evaluated in soil treated with Ridomil (R), Chlorpyriphos (CH), and a Combination of both (COM); using a completely randomized design, and a 3×3 factorial arrangement. Factor 1 was the pesticide type with 3 levels - R, CH, and COM; while factor 2 was the contamination rate (v/wt) with 3 levels - 0% (control), 2%, and 4%. Aqueous pesticides preparations (as recommended by manufacturers) were applied once, before seeds were planted. More than Ridomil and Combination, significantly (P<0.05) diminished percentage germination due to Chlorpyriphos was observed at 2, 3, and 4 weeks post application. The control had significantly higher germination than 2% and 4% groups, up until the 5th week. The Chlorpyriphos and pesticide Combination groups both had significantly lower root nodule number/plant, than Ridomil. Root nodule number/plant, and nodule biomass/plant were significantly reduced due to pesticide stress at 2% and 4%. Pesticides application at 2% and 4% negatively affected germination and root nodule formation; but there was no indication of an enhanced effect due to pesticides combination.
Abstract: Germination and root nodule formation of soybean (Glycine max) was evaluated in soil treated with Ridomil (R), Chlorpyriphos (CH), and a Combination of both (COM); using a completely randomized design, and a 3×3 factorial arrangement. Factor 1 was the pesticide type with 3 levels - R, CH, and COM; while factor 2 was the contamination rate (v/wt) wi...
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Spatial and Temporal Dynamics and Parameters of Growth of Toxic Cyanobacteria in Nuwara Wewa and Nachchaduwa Wewa in Sri Lanka
Mohamed Cassim Mohamed Zakeel,
Prathiba Aruni Weerasinghe,
Banumu Arachchige Dilhani Ganga Kumari,
Hetti Arachchige Mangalika Wickremasinghe
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 1, February 2015
Pages:
23-28
Received:
3 December 2014
Accepted:
22 December 2014
Published:
20 January 2015
Abstract: Cyanobacterial toxins available in drinking water pose a major health problem to humans and animals. Nuwara wewa and Nachchaduwa wewa are two important reservoirs supplying water for domestic purposes in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. As cyanobacterial toxins are resistant to deactivation by heat, it is important to control the proliferation of cyanobacteria in these reservoirs. Therefore, making an inventory of cyanobacterial variations with respect to time and space is imperative. Distinct temporal variations of temperature, pH, turbidity, dissolved oxygen and cyanobacteria density were observed in both reservoirs. Strong positive correlations existed between the above physico-chemical parameters of water and the cyanobacterial density in both reservoirs. These parameters can therefore be used as good indicators to assess the status these reservoirs with respect to cyanobacterial density and distribution.
Abstract: Cyanobacterial toxins available in drinking water pose a major health problem to humans and animals. Nuwara wewa and Nachchaduwa wewa are two important reservoirs supplying water for domestic purposes in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. As cyanobacterial toxins are resistant to deactivation by heat, it is important to control the proliferation of cyanobact...
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Physico-Chemical Analysis of Drinking Water Quality at Jigjiga City, Ethiopia
Adhena Ayaliew Werkneh,
Belay Zimbelachew Medhanit,
Angaw Kelemework Abay,
Jemal Yimer Damte
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 1, February 2015
Pages:
29-32
Received:
27 December 2014
Accepted:
10 January 2015
Published:
27 January 2015
Abstract: Water is one of the most important of all natural resources known on earth. The safety of drinking water is important for the health. The safety of drinking water is affected by various contaminants which included chemical and microbiological. Such contaminants cause serious health problems. The physico-chemical analyses of drinking water quality at Jigjiga city, Somali Region, Ethiopia were studied. Temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, Total hardness have been determined along various water quality profiles. The experimental procedures were set according to the international drinking water standards set by WHO (1999). Average temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids and total hardness values are 13.6 oC, 7.4, 1.143S/m, 571.67 mg/l and 362.67 mg/l in CaCO3 respectively. The result shows that, except the total hardness and electrical conductivity all the parameters fulfill the minimum and maximum permissible limit for drinking water guidelines.
Abstract: Water is one of the most important of all natural resources known on earth. The safety of drinking water is important for the health. The safety of drinking water is affected by various contaminants which included chemical and microbiological. Such contaminants cause serious health problems. The physico-chemical analyses of drinking water quality a...
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The Characteristics of Ambient Gases Pollutant, South Korea
Amin Kalantarifard,
Eun-Song Byeon,
Jo Gwanggon,
Go Su Yang
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 1, February 2015
Pages:
33-39
Received:
15 December 2014
Accepted:
8 January 2015
Published:
28 January 2015
Abstract: In this study, DPNH-sampling technique, indophenol method, gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC- FID) and High performance liquid chromatography were applied to conduct three days continuous measurements in areas of Gunsan city, South Korea to detect the concentration of formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, styrene and ammonia emissions level during 21th to 23rd of October 2012. A total 288 samples were collected at six different locations included residential and industrial areas of the city. The sampling was run in the period of 6 hr for three days. With the combination of local meteorological data, including wind direction and speed, temperature and humidity, the result showed that the concentration of ammonia were higher during the afternoon when temperature increases while the values of formaldehyde, acetaldehyde and styrene were high during the night and early morning. The major source of ammonia, aldehydes and styrene were mainly industries chimney with high average concentration. Highest level of ammonia concentration was detected as 125.8 ppb in the atmosphere during the third day 12 pm when temperature raised to 20.1oC. The results indicate that in addition the formaldehyde, acetaldehyde and styrene average levels ranged from 3 to 11 ppb, 1.2 to 5.6 ppb and 4 to 16.2 ppb during sampling time. This pilot study was undertaken to provide reliable information on distribution patterns of gaseous pollutants in ambient air in Gunsan. The results indicated that the values of emitted pollutants concentration investigated in the present study were below the limits that are mandatory in the South Korea guidelines.
Abstract: In this study, DPNH-sampling technique, indophenol method, gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC- FID) and High performance liquid chromatography were applied to conduct three days continuous measurements in areas of Gunsan city, South Korea to detect the concentration of formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, styrene and ammonia emissions level du...
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Assessment of Rn and U Concentrations in the Soil of Qadafery, Kalar and Zarayan Located in Sulaimani Governorate of Kurdistan Region- Iraq
Kamal O. Abdullah,
Salar Z. Muhammed,
Adil M. Hussein
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 1, February 2015
Pages:
40-44
Received:
18 January 2015
Accepted:
26 January 2015
Published:
2 February 2015
Abstract: The profile of radon (222-Rn) and uranium (238-U) concentrations in15 surface soil samples collected from the three agricultural areas of town Qadafery, Kalar and Zarayan which are located at the east of Sulaimani governorate in Kurdistan Region – Iraq has been determined using solid- state nuclear track detector (CR-39), where Qadafery located in the margin of Suren Mountain, also located in the north of the famous plain of the Middle East region called Sharazoor plain and Zarayan located in the west north of the Sharazoor plain, also its surrounds in another direction by Qaradagh and Barznja mountains. They (Qadafery, Kalar and Zarayan) have been shown that the maximum and minimum values of radon concentration of the air inside the tube were 2242.263±143.152 Bq/m^3 and 154.099±2.579 Bq/m^3, respectively, with average value 741.709±27.234 Bq/m^3 while the maximum and minimum values of uranium concentration are 18.225±12.905 ppm and 1.253±0.233 pmm, respectively, with average value 6.029±2.455 pmm. It appears that higher concentrations of radon and uranium was in soil sample Qadafery_5 and the minimum value was in soil sample Kalar_4 and by comparison with the world values there are some positions in Qadafery and Zarayan with higher level concentrations that is due to the geology information of these regions.
Abstract: The profile of radon (222-Rn) and uranium (238-U) concentrations in15 surface soil samples collected from the three agricultural areas of town Qadafery, Kalar and Zarayan which are located at the east of Sulaimani governorate in Kurdistan Region – Iraq has been determined using solid- state nuclear track detector (CR-39), where Qadafery located in ...
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Community Based Sewage Treatment through Hybrid Constructed Wetlands System for Improved Heath & Hygiene and for Enhanced Agriculture Productivity / Livelihood Generation in Rural Water Scarce Environments-Pakistan
Col Islam-ul-Haque,
Asim Saleem
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 1, February 2015
Pages:
45-54
Received:
31 December 2014
Accepted:
20 January 2015
Published:
6 February 2015
Abstract: World over, fresh water scarcity problems are growing in scope & complexity to multiple factors, like population growth, climatic impacts, excessive water uses pattern in agriculture. A substantial quantum of treated wastewater , can be made available through constructed wetlands, which can supplement the fresh water scarcity. Almost, 80 % of the total generated raw sewage is being discharged into water bodies or being used for agriculture purposes, specially for vegetable farming, which contributes towards fresh water sources and food chain contamination. Centralized mechanical types of wastewater treatment plants are in use which is capital and recurring costs intensive. Resultantly, due to lack of sufficient recurring finances and energy shortages, these sewage treatment plants become non-operational and un-manageable. Moreover, huge centralized sewage treatment plants are difficult to manage due to longer chain of wastewater collection system and inflexibility of reuse of treated water in the areas of its generation. Therefore, keeping in view these obvious impediments, it was envisaged to plan & implement community based constructed wetlands system for sewage treatment, based on bio and phyto-remediation processes at village Chattal, district Chakwal (an arid area) which is functioning well and being sustained from selling the treated water to farmers and harvesting the various aquatic plants. Temporal analysis was carried out for verification of treatment system efficiency, whereby, monthly wastewater samples were collected at Inlet point (treated water reservoir) and got analyzed for Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) from PCRWR-Islamabad. Analysis report showed significant reduction of COD & BOD i.e. 86.1% & 91.4% respectively which are under permissible limits of Pak-EPA. Aesthetic value of treated water is remarkably improved after treatment as turbidity reduced from 15 NTU to 2 NTU. Detailed Health survey was carried out at village Chattal, to ascertain, the intervention efficiency. The result showed significant reduction in diarrheal & Hepatitis diseases i.e. 92.5% & 40% respectively and substantial improvements was observed in socio-economic, biodiversity and health & environment conditions of the rural population of village Chattal. Pakistan- the study area. This model will prove to be equally good in the rural environments of developing countries, especially in South Asia and Africa.
Abstract: World over, fresh water scarcity problems are growing in scope & complexity to multiple factors, like population growth, climatic impacts, excessive water uses pattern in agriculture. A substantial quantum of treated wastewater , can be made available through constructed wetlands, which can supplement the fresh water scarcity. Almost, 80 % of the t...
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Suppressing Hydrogen Sulfide Generation by Nitrate or Oxygen Addition in Column Percolation Experiment
Shumpei Kitazaki,
Kei Nakagawa,
Tomonori Kindaichi,
Hiroshi Asakura
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 1, February 2015
Pages:
55-61
Received:
20 January 2015
Accepted:
1 February 2015
Published:
6 February 2015
Abstract: H2S generation suppression by the addition of NO3 from reagent (NR) or compost (NC), and O2 supply (OX) was quantitatively estimated in column percolation experiments. The cumulative amounts of oxygen added exceeded 300 mmol-O/L in NR and NC, and approximately 2 mmol-O/L in OX on day 75. The cumulative amounts of H2S generated on day 60 in control, NR, NC, and OX were 69, 26, 71, and 31 mmol-H2S/L, respectively. The amounts in NR and OX were half of that in control, whereas the amount in NC was almost the same as that in control. The H2S generation rates from day 50 to day 60 in control, NR, NC, and OX were 0.86, 0.019, 0.75, and 0.041 mmol-H2S/(L•d), respectively, and the rates in NR, NC, and OX were 0.02, 0.9, and 0.05 times that in control. In this way, the H2S generation suppression effects of NO3 reagent addition were observed. In NR, although NO3 was injected from the top of the column, the suppression effect reached the deep layer.
Abstract: H2S generation suppression by the addition of NO3 from reagent (NR) or compost (NC), and O2 supply (OX) was quantitatively estimated in column percolation experiments. The cumulative amounts of oxygen added exceeded 300 mmol-O/L in NR and NC, and approximately 2 mmol-O/L in OX on day 75. The cumulative amounts of H2S generated on day 60 in control,...
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Physico-Chemical Assessment of Surface and Ground Water for Drinking Purpose in Nawabshah City, Sindh, Pakistan
Abdul Jabbar Kandhro,
Ali Muhammad Rind,
Abdul Aziz Mastoi,
Khalida Faryal Almani,
Sujo Meghwar,
Muhib Ali Laghari,
Muhammad Sohaib Rajpout
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 1, February 2015
Pages:
62-69
Received:
10 September 2014
Accepted:
6 February 2015
Published:
10 February 2015
Abstract: The work reports the analysis of groundwater and surface water samples, were collected from different towns of Nawabshah City during the end of year 05 Dec, 2013 to 30 Jan, 2014. Sixty five groundwater and sixty surface water samples (water supply scheme) were collected from different parts of the Nawabshah city. Different physico-chemical parameters of water samples were measured at the field and in the laboratory. The conductivity, salinity and Total dissolved solids (TDS) were measured with Orion 115 conductivity meter at the field. pH was recorded with Orion 420A pH meter. Total hardness, chloride and alkalinity were determined by titration with standard EDTA, silver nitrate and hydrochloric acid. Sulfate was determined by turbidity meter as BaSO4 using Hitachi spectrophotometer. The metal ions Na, K, Ca and Mg were determined with Varian Spectr. AA-20 atomic absorption spectrometer with standard burner head and air acetylene flame at conditions recommended by the manufacturer. The results were varied within the ranges; pH 6.64-8.87, EC 240-10170 μS/cm and TDS 158-6050 mg/l, alkalinity 56-1225 mg/l, total hardness 84-1695 mg/l, chloride 32-1852 mg/l, sulfate 25-2170 mg/l. The concentration of essential metals was found in the ranges; Na 34-1725 mg/l, Ca 26-515 mg/l, Mg 13-430 mg/l, K 2-92 mg/l respectively. The analysis revealed that a number of ground water samples (70%) confirm their majority of parameters above the maximum permissible limits prescribed by WHO. Therefore the ground water of Nawabshah city may not be considered as safe to be used for dinking purpose. However, out of 60 samples only four surface water samples may be used for drinking purpose.
Abstract: The work reports the analysis of groundwater and surface water samples, were collected from different towns of Nawabshah City during the end of year 05 Dec, 2013 to 30 Jan, 2014. Sixty five groundwater and sixty surface water samples (water supply scheme) were collected from different parts of the Nawabshah city. Different physico-chemical paramete...
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Climate Change Adaptation: Services and Role of Information Communication Technology (ICT) in India
Anup Prakash Upadhyay,
Arvind Bijalwan
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 1, February 2015
Pages:
70-74
Received:
23 January 2015
Accepted:
6 February 2015
Published:
10 February 2015
Abstract: Changing climate is one the most challenging issue that humankind is facing and its intensity seems to be more throbbing in the time to come. In order to overcome the alarming situation of climate change, mitigation and adaptation are two alternatives. On one hand, the mitigation is gradual and long term process however on other adaptation is usually based on quick responses to the changing scenario. Adaptation requires effective and timely delivery and exchange of all supporting mechanism and meteorological information, thus successful adaptation to climate change necessitate the Information Communication Technologies (ICT) to disseminate the information in multifarious ways. ICT not only reduce the time lag but also systemically transform the information through networked governance. ICTs can play a crucial role in supporting public outreach, building a data base, creating awareness for the adaptation against the impact of climate change and thus secure well being of biophysical entities.
Abstract: Changing climate is one the most challenging issue that humankind is facing and its intensity seems to be more throbbing in the time to come. In order to overcome the alarming situation of climate change, mitigation and adaptation are two alternatives. On one hand, the mitigation is gradual and long term process however on other adaptation is usual...
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