The occurrence and fate of antibiotic in the environment is an uttermost concern due to development of resistant gene and lowering effect of antibiotic on diseases. In India itself, the problem is ...intense due to extensive & uncontrolled use of drugs at different medical facilities. They get mixed up with ground and surface water due to lack of proper treatment of hospital wastewater before discharging it. As it contains high concentration of antibiotics, drug residues along with certain heavy metals. The contamination due to this is not only limited to water but affects whole ecosystem severely. The concentration of these antibiotics depends upon various factors such as a characteristic of water and soil, irrational water source, cropping forms, seasonal variation of medicines. Many investigations on the toxicity of these antibiotics and their traces in aquatic environment pose serious threats. If we compare treatments with respect to different drugs then we observe that iodinated contrast media shows better removal efficiency in an MBR with UV about 66% of total load and 99% for all other drugs. It can be concluded from this study that use of about 23 mg/L of packed activate carbon with 1.08 g O3/g of DOC with 2400 J/m2 UV will be best for achieving high efficiency in drugs removal.
In this paper, our main objective was to review the occurrences and fate of common drugs and antibiotics present in effluents from hospital wastewaters. These effluents get mixed up the others streams of water and are used in various purposes like irrigation and other domestic activities, thus making the situation more complex. The conventional adopted treatment techniques for these hospital effluents are also discussed in detail.
•Occurrence of antibiotics in treated wastewater effluent has been a concern worldwide.•Hospital effluents represent an important source for the release of antibiotics into the environment.•Potential area of concern is the uptake of these antibiotics by crops irrigated by treated wastewater.•Conventional adopted treatment techniques for hospital effluents discussed in detail.
Solid waste generation has rapidly increased due to the worldwide population, urbanization, and industrialization. Solid waste management (SWM) is a significant challenge for a society that arises ...local issues with global consequences. Thus, solid waste management strategies to recycle waste products are promising practices that positively impact sustainable goals. Several developed countries possess excellent solid waste management strategies to recycle waste products. Developing countries face many challenges, such as municipal solid waste (MSW) sorting and handling due to high population density and economic instability. This mismanagement could further expedite harmful environmental and socioeconomic concerns. This review discusses the current solid waste management and energy recovery production in developing countries; with statistics, this review provides a comprehensive revision on energy recovery technologies such as the thermochemical and biochemical conversion of waste with economic considerations.
Furthermore, the paper discusses the challenges of SWM in developing countries, including several immediate actions and future policy recommendations for improving the current status of SWM via harnessing technology. This review has the potential of helping municipalities, government authorities, researchers, and stakeholders working on MSW management to make effective decisions for improved SWM for achieving sustainable development.
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•Current MSWM strategies and energy recovery in developing countries were reviewed.•This review analyzed several problems and shortcomings in MSW management in developing countries.•Open dumping is the biggest challenges during and after the COVID-19 outbreak in developing countries.•Technologies for energy recovery from MSW, and challenges of WTE techniques were discussed.•WTE limits emissions land consumption and ensure cleaner environment.
Self-Compacting Concrete (SCC) that flows by its own weights without compaction or vibration, thereby no external energy from mechanical equipment. In addition to this, cement replacement with silica ...fume and the introduction of steel fibers have allowed the improvements in durability and hardened properties of SCC. These materials are very important to prevent segregation, bleeding, and increase flow-ability. However, the addition of fibers to SCC may lead to a decline in the workability but in other way helps to improve hardened concrete properties. This paper discusses the results of an experimental investigation onto fresh and hardened properties of the self-compacting concrete mixes with four different percentages of steel fibers (0.25, 0.50, 0.75, and 1.0%) and 20% cement replacement rate with silica fume was incorporated. The workability of fresh concrete was assessed using three tests (slump flow, slump flow T50, L-box, and V-funnel tests) according to EFNARC specification and one visual test (segregation resistance) as per ASTM C 1611. The results showed that using fibers layers led to reduced workability with improved hardened concrete properties, especially toughness. However, the improved tensile and flexural toughness in SCC counteract the reduction in workability. The toughness tests are compared by introducing quadruplicate patterns containing four layers (each layer is 25 mm height) and having seven combinations of fiber laying patterns to quantify the impact in prism specimens. The quadruplicate patterns of steel fibers provide good predictions of impacts of fiber orientation on hardened properties of concrete. The results of this study indicate that the use of silica fume as a replacement for cement and incorporation of steel fiber produces more economically feasible and durable SCC.
Gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR) is a common disorder, characterised by regurgitation of gastric contents into the oesophagus. GOR is a very common presentation in infancy in both primary and ...secondary care settings. GOR can affect approximately 50% of infants younger than three months old (Nelson 1997). The natural history of GOR in infancy is generally that of a functional, self-limiting condition that improves with age; < 5% of children with vomiting or regurgitation continue to have symptoms after infancy (Martin 2002). Older children and children with co-existing medical conditions can have a more protracted course. The definition of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) and its precise distinction from GOR are debated, but consensus guidelines from the North American Society of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (NASPGHAN-ESPGHAN guidelines 2009) define GORD as 'troublesome symptoms or complications of GOR.'
This Cochrane review aims to provide a robust analysis of currently available pharmacological interventions used to treat children with GOR by assessing all outcomes indicating benefit or harm.
We sought to identify relevant published trials by searching the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (2014, Issue 5), MEDLINE and EMBASE (1966 to 2014), the Centralised Information Service for Complementary Medicine (CISCOM), the Institute for Scientific Information (ISI) Science Citation Index (on BIDS-UK General Science Index) and the ISI Web of Science. We also searched for ongoing trials in the metaRegister of Controlled Trials (mRCT) (www.controlled-trials.com).Reference lists from trials selected by electronic searching were handsearched for relevant paediatric studies on medical treatment of children with gastro-oesophageal reflux, as were published abstracts from conference proceedings (published in Gut and Gastroenterology) and reviews published over the past five years.No language restrictions were applied.
Abstracts were reviewed by two review authors, and relevant RCTs on study participants (birth to 16 years) with GOR receiving a pharmacological treatment were selected. Subgroup analysis was considered for children up to 12 months of age, and for children 12 months to 16 years of age, and for those with neurological impairment.
Trials were critically appraised and data collected by two review authors. Risk of bias was assessed. Meta-analysis data were independently extracted by two review authors, and suitable outcome data were analysed using RevMan.
A total of 24 studies (1201 participants) contributed data to the review. The review authors had several concerns regarding the studies. Pharmaceutical company support for manuscript preparation was a common feature; also, because common endpoints were lacking, study populations were heterogenous and variations in study design were noted, individual drug meta-analysis was not possible.Moderate-quality evidence from individual studies suggests that proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) can reduce GOR symptoms in children with confirmed erosive oesophagitis. It was not possible to demonstrate statistical superiority of one PPI agent over another.Some evidence indicates that H₂antagonists are effective in treating children with GORD. Methodological differences precluded performance of meta-analysis on individual agents or on these agents as a class, in comparison with placebo or head-to-head versus PPIs, and additional studies are required.RCT evidence is insufficient to permit assessment of the efficacy of prokinetics. Given the diversity of study designs and the heterogeneity of outcomes, it was not possible to perform a meta-analysis of the efficacy of domperidone.In younger children, the largest RCT of 80 children (one to 18 months of age) with GOR showed no evidence of improvement in symptoms and 24-hour pH probe, but improvement in symptoms and reflux index was noted in a subgroup treated with domperidone and co-magaldrox(Maalox(®) ). In another RCT of 17 children, after eight weeks of therapy. 33% of participants treated with domperidone noted an improvement in symptoms (P value was not significant). In neonates, the evidence is even weaker; one RCT of 26 neonates treated with domperidone over 24 hours showed that although reflux frequency was significantly increased, reflux duration was significantly improved.Diversity of RCT evidence was found regarding efficacy of compound alginate preparations(Gaviscon Infant(®) ) in infants, although as a result of these studies, Gaviscon Infant(®) was changed to become aluminium-free and has been assessed in its current form in only two studies since 1999. Given the diversity of study designs and the heterogeneity of outcomes, as well as the evolution in formulation, it was not possible to perform a meta-analysis on the efficacy of Gaviscon Infant(®) . Moderate evidence indicates that Gaviscon Infant(®) improves symptoms in infants, including those with functional reflux; the largest study of the current formulation showed improvement in symptom control but was limited by length of follow-up.No serious side effects were reported.No RCTs on pharmacological treatments for children with neurodisability were identified.
Moderate evidence was found to support the use of PPIs, along with some evidence to support the use of H₂ antagonists in older children with GORD, based on improvement in symptom scores, pH indices and endoscopic/histological appearances. However, lack of independent placebo-controlled and head-to-head trials makes conclusions as to relative efficacy difficult to determine. Further RCTs are recommended. No robust RCT evidence is available to support the use of domperidone, and further studies on prokinetics are recommended, including assessments of erythromycin.Pharmacological treatment of infants with reflux symptoms is problematic, as many infants have GOR, and little correlation has been noted between reported symptoms and endoscopic and pH findings. Better evidence has been found to support the use of PPIs in infants with GORD, but heterogeneity in outcomes and in study design impairs interpretation of placebo-controlled data regarding efficacy. Some evidence is available to support the use of Gaviscon Infant(®) , but further studies with longer follow-up times are recommended. Studies of omeprazole and lansoprazole in infants with functional GOR have demonstrated variable benefit, probably because of differences in inclusion criteria.No robust RCT evidence has been found regarding treatment of preterm babies with GOR/GORD or children with neurodisabilities. Initiation of RCTs with common endpoints is recommended, given the frequency of treatment and the use of multiple antireflux agents in these children.
The occurrence of pharmaceutical residues in the aquatic ecosystem is an emerging concern of environmentalists. This study primarily investigated the seasonal variation of high-priority ...pharmaceutical residues in the Yamuna River, accompanied by 22 drains discharge from different parts of Delhi. Five sampling sites were selected for analyzing high-priority pharmaceuticals along with physico-chemical and biological parameters for 3 season's viz. pre-monsoon (PrM), monsoon (DuM), and post-monsoon (PoM), respectively. The maximum occurrences were detected during the PoM, compared to the PrM and DuM seasons. The maximum concentration of BOD, COD, and Phosphate was detected at the last sampling station (SP-5). Similarly, all targeted pharmaceuticals concentration were maximum at the last sampling point i.e. Okhla barrage (SP-5, max: DIC = 556.1 ng/l, IBU = 223.4 ng/l, CAR = 183.1 ng/l, DIA = 457.8 ng/l, OFL = 1726.5 ng/l, FRU = 312.2 ng/l and SIM = 414.9 ng/l) except at Barapulla downstream (SP-4, max: ERY = 178.1 ng/l). The mean concentrations of Fecal coliform (FC) ranged from 1700 to 6500 CFU/100 ml. The maximum colonies were detected in PrM season (6500 CFU/100 ml) followed by PoM (5800 CFU/100 ml) and least in DuM (1700 CFU/100 ml). Risk quotient (RQ) analysis of high-priority pharmaceuticals indicated high ecotoxicological risks exposure (>1) from DIC, DIA, OFL, and SIM in all seasons at all the sampling sites. However, lower risk was predicted for IBU, CAR, ERY, and FRU, respectively. This risk assessment indicated an aquatic ecosystem potentially exposed to high risks from these pharmaceutical residues. Moreover, seasonal agricultural application, rainfall, and temperature could influence the levels and compositions of pharmaceutical residue in the aquatic ecosystem. Hence, attention is required particularly to this stream since it is only a local lifeline source for urban consumers for domestic water supply and farmers for cultivation.
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•Risks assessment of pharmaceutical residues with seasonal variations are primarily discussed.•Concentration of the pharmaceutical residues increases in the order from PrM to InM to PoM season.•The critical concentration was detected (ng/l) in order DIA (457.8), DIC (556.1) and OFL (1726.5).•RQ and PI index were employed for predicting environmental risk.•Highest exceeding PNECs detected for IBU (92%) followed by CAR (69%) and SIM (64%) respectively.
Landfill leachate forms when waste-inherent water and percolated rainfall transfer are highly toxic, corrosive, acidic, and full of environmental pollutants. The release of leachate from municipal ...solid waste (MSW) landfill sites poses a severe hazard to human health and aquatic life. This study examined the impact of leachate from Delhi's Ghazipur landfill on the nearby groundwater quality. Analysis of leachate samples was done to determine various parameters such as total dissolved solids (TDS), hardness, alkalinity, electrical conductivity, pH, BOD
, COD, nitrate, sulphate, chloride and iron, and presence of coliform bacteria. Significant dissolved elements (22,690-34,525 mg/L) were observed in the samples, indicated by the high conductivity value (1156-1405 mho/cm). However, a stable pH range (6.90-7.80) of leachate samples was observed due to high alkalinity concentrations between 2123 and 3256 mg/L. The inverse distance weighing (IDW) interpolation tool from QGIS 3.22.7 developed spatial interpolated models for each parameter across the Ghazipur area. The IDW interpolated graphs of various parameters over the whole study area confirmed these contaminations. In addition, leachate and groundwater samples were physio-chemically analyzed, and temporal fluctuation in landfill waste has also been studied. The temporal fluctuation results showed that when heat is produced, transmitted, and lost throughout the waste system, the maximum temperature position fluctuates over time. The findings of this study highlight the critical importance of landfill management in reducing groundwater contamination from MSW leachate.
The contamination of water due to present of dyes, poses serious health problems. Therefore, treatment of contaminated water is necessary to resolve this problem. A tailored co-precipitation ...technique has been successfully used to prepare Fe3O4-multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs)-Bentonite nanocomposite. The methylene blue present in aqueous solutions was removed using synthesized nanocomposite as adsorbent. The synthesized novel nanocomposite was analyzed by various characterization techniques. The scanning electron microscope analysis shows that Bentonite and Fe3O4 nanoparticles are well decorated with the MWCNTs matrix. The nanocomposite exhibited a high BET surface area of 204.01 m2/g with a pore volume of 0.367 cm3/g. The BJH adsorption average pore diameter was analyzed to be 7.2 nm. Moreover, the adsorption model was in agreement with the Redlich-Peterson model with adsorption capacity of 48.2 mg/g with a high nonlinear regression coefficient (R2 = 0.985) and a low chi-square value (χ2 = 6.18). Kinetics data were described well by pseudo-first-order and pseudo second order, models with a high non-linear regression coefficient (R2 = 0.993). Adsorption of MB dye was determined to be a non-spontaneous and endothermic process since the values of ΔG, and ΔH were positive, and the entropy value was negative. Thus, the synthesized nanocomposite established itself as a promising candidate for the water treatment process.
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•Fe3O4-MWCNT-Bentonite nanocomposite for Removal of Methylene Blue.•The nanocomposite observed a porosity ratio of 0.365 cm3/g and a BET density of 204.0 m2/g.•Nanocomposite adsorption is remarkable, with a 48.2 mg/g capacity.•SEM, XRD, FTIR, and XPS were used to determine the nanocomposite's morphology, phase.
Water scarcity and its pollution has become a concern in recent times. The disposal of nutrient-rich (nitrogen and phosphorous) wastewater is also one of the main cause of water pollution through ...eutrophication, reduced dissolved oxygen that poses threat to aquatic ecosystems. As a result, nutrient removal has become a mandate apart from the removal of organics. However, the removal of nutrients from sewage is a challenging task. Conversely, conventional biological treatment processes provide little relief in nutrient removal. The treated effluents from conventional biological processes do not achieve the stringent nutrient removal disposal standard limits and become primary cause of pollution in the receiving water bodies. This has stressed upon the need for eco-friendly, low-energy and cost-efficient nutrient removal treatment technologies. Various biological treatment combinations or variants are in use for the efficient removal of nutrients. The biological processes in itself or in combination with chemical processes are preferred over technologies based solely on physico-chemical processes for its treatment performance at lower cost. This review summarizes the existing treatment processes and their possible up-gradation with the aim to accomplish the marked effluent standards for the nutrients. The concept of conventional systems and advanced systems for nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorous) removal which are already developed or under development are deeply discussed. Further, the challenges of each treatment systems are abridged. Finally, the possible suggestions for the modification/retrofitting of existing treatment systems for achieving stringent disposal standards are pointed out.
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•Existing treatment technology for nutrient removal/recovery from wastewater was reviewed.•A lot of past research has addressed nutrients releases from conventional biological processes.•Nutrients removal is more challenging for highly loaded industrial wastewaters.•ANAMMOX for nutrient removal is efficient over conventional method.
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•Extraction of municipal solid waste provides a significant opportunity for energy recovery.•WtE technologies has main challenge of involving in their large-scale ...implementation.•Brazil, India, and New Zealand were studies for WtE technique for energy self-sufficiency.•Concrete strategies, perspectives, and roadmaps will be necessary to select the best technology.
The extraction of municipal solid waste (MSW) provides a significant opportunity to manage MSW while bolstering energy security. As a result, research in this area has gained traction over the last few decades. It appears that this route carries the potential to reshape the future of energy and environmental management. However, the technological, socio-economic, and legal challenges are the stumbling blocks that need to be overcome for the successful implementation of such technology. Therefore, this effort reviews the available literature to gather pertinent information on the benefits and limitations of the existing conventional and non-conventional MSW management methods, the challenges involved in their large-scale implementation, the opportunities that such technologies can create, and the governmental policies that need to be in effect to foster their implementation. To provide some perspective, this review presents the case studies from Brazil, India, and New Zealand where these technologies have been implemented with varying levels of success. A thorough comparison of these case studies should potentially highlight the areas of major concern that hinder WtE implementation. Overall, MSW management via WtE routes, e.g., chemical, biological, and thermal, are more effective at MSWM than conventional methods. It also becomes evident that MSW statistics (generation, accumulation, composition, etc.) can vary significantly based on geographical location, socio-economic factors, etc. Therefore, concrete strategies, perspectives, and roadmaps will be necessary to select the best technology for each situation. Finally, large-scale implementation of these WtE technologies would necessitate economic incentives and favorable governmental policies.
Noise monitoring and mapping is the critical processes to ensure that the noise level does not reach the harmful levels and provides noise exposure level details. 2-D and 3-D noise mapping has been ...carried out at pre-selected critical locations of major roads passing through densely populated residential areas, namely, Mathura Road, Lodhi Road, Lala Lajpat Rai Road, and Ring road, along with significant intersections, viz. Moolchand, Ashram, Sabz Burj, and Lodhi road. The monitoring has been performed during the day and night's peak traffic hours using Sound Level Meter (SLM) Larson & Davis 831as per standard procedure. Then after, 2-D and 3-D noise maps have been prepared, visualized, and analyzed by soundPLAN (acoustic) and MapInfo Pro (Desktop GIS). The maximum noise level is observed at Ashram Chowk 81.1 dB (A) at 8 pm; however, the minimum noise level is found to be at Lala Lajpat Rai Road 76.4dB (A) at 7 pm. Monitoring results of noise level show non-compliance of regulatory standards for day time and night time. 2-D noise maps revealed that the noise level is maximum at the centerline of the road and decreases either side with the distance, and remains above the permissible limits at all locations. However, the 3-D noise maps show horizontal as well as vertical noise levels at all locations. The 3-D noise maps also revealed a noise level of 70 dB (A) up to a height of 6.096m at the Ashram Chowk and Moolchand intersection. However, a noise level of 65 dB (A) has been observed at the height of 5.486m at Lala Lajpat Rai Marg and Sabz Burj. This study will explore noise levels in both horizontal and vertical directions near roads surrounded by high-rise buildings. It will help the decision-makers take remedial measures.
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