Search results

1 – 10 of over 1000
Article
Publication date: 1 March 2006

Mébarek Djebabra, Toufik Bentarcia, Saadia Saadi and Lylia Bahmed

This paper proposes a risk management process that provides general specifications of the impact and hazard studies applied to a natural medium called Oued el‐gourzi (Batna) in…

1736

Abstract

Purpose

This paper proposes a risk management process that provides general specifications of the impact and hazard studies applied to a natural medium called Oued el‐gourzi (Batna) in Algeria.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed approach can be divided into two phases. First, the diagnosis consists of medium description, analysis and assessment of pollution risk and second, the therapy which includes identification, qualification and implementation of means, follow‐up and continuous amelioration. This approach is supported by the Fault‐tree method.

Findings

The approach defines risks that can affect a natural medium. Improvement of the medium security is required. The establishment of a program for the management and control of these risks is needed.

Practical implications

In the context of impact studies, solutions required regarding the pollution of a natural medium are going to lead concerned authorities toward the establishment of a policy of preventive and curative measures. Instigators will be influenced by the comparison of indemnities and environmental investments of pollutants.

Originality/value

The diffusion of information about risk management allows the establishment of relations between different actors by the risk management process and consequently ensures its credibility.

Details

Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, vol. 17 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-7835

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 14 June 2013

Azmat Gani

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of trade and institutional quality on pollution in the Arab countries.

2094

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of trade and institutional quality on pollution in the Arab countries.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis is based in fixed estimation procedure. It utilises cross‐country data for 13 Arab countries into a reduced form equation.

Findings

The empirical findings provide strong evidence that across the Arab countries, trade, industrial activity and income have a positive effect on pollution. The test of the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) is found to be negative, providing strong support for the EKC hypothesis. The results also provide strong evidence that regulatory quality has a significant negative effect on pollution.

Originality/value

This paper makes a new contribution on the effect of trade and institutional quality on emission levels in the Arab countries.

Details

Journal of International Trade Law and Policy, vol. 12 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-0024

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 4 May 2020

Anh Thi Le and Swee-Yong Pung

This paper aims to investigate the reusability of metal/metal oxide-coupled ZnO nanorods (ZnO NRs) to degrade rhodamine B (RhB).

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the reusability of metal/metal oxide-coupled ZnO nanorods (ZnO NRs) to degrade rhodamine B (RhB).

Design/methodology/approach

ZnO NRs particles were synthesized by precipitation method and used to remove various types of metal ions such as Cu2+, Ag+, Mn2+, Ni2+, Pb2+, Cd2+ and Cr2+ ions under UV illumination. The metal/metal oxide-coupled ZnO NRs were characterized by scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction and UV-Vis diffuse reflectance. The photodegradation of RhB dye by these metal/metal oxide-coupled ZnO NRs under UV exposure was assessed.

Findings

The metal/metal oxide-coupled ZnO NRs were successfully reused to remove RhB dye in which more than >90% of RhB dye was degraded under UV exposure. Furthermore, the coupling of Ag, CuO, MnO2, Cd and Ni particles onto the surface of ZnO NRs even enhanced the degradation of dye. The dominant reactive species involved in the degradation of RhB dye were OH- and O2-free radicals.

Research limitations/implications

The coupling of metal/metal oxide onto the surface of ZnO NRs after metal ions removal could affect the photocatalytic performance of ZnO NRs in the degradation of organic pollutants in subsequent stage.

Practical implications

A good reusability performance of metal/metal oxide-coupled ZnO NRs make ZnO NRs become a desirable photocatalyst material for the treatment of wastewater, which consists of both heavy metal ions and organic dyes.

Originality/value

Metal/metal oxide coupling onto the surface of ZnO NRs particles improved subsequent UV-assisted photocatalytic degradation of RhB dye.

Details

Pigment & Resin Technology, vol. 50 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0369-9420

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 December 2005

N.M. Abd El‐Moniem, M.R. El‐Sourougy and D.A.F. Shaaban

Preparation of chelating resin to be used in the removal of heavy metal ions from solutions.

1024

Abstract

Purpose

Preparation of chelating resin to be used in the removal of heavy metal ions from solutions.

Design/methodology/approach

Chelating resin based on poly (glycidyl‐methacrylate‐co‐N, N‐methylene‐bis‐acrylamide) containing ethylenediamine was synthesised and used in removal of heavy metals from solutions.

Findings

The optimal pH values for adsorption of different metal ions occur in the range 4.0‐10.0 depending on the metal ion used. The adsorption of metal ions increases with increasing treatment duration to reach to the equilibrium state. Also, the adsorption of metal ions depends on the degree of cross linking of the chelating resin, and a higher degree of cross linking results in a lower degree of metal ion adsorption. The chelating resin was highly effective for the collection of metal ions by batch and column methods. The metal ions adsorbed could be eluted with 2M HNO3 except Co2+ and the resin could be reused.

Research limitations/implications

The different factors affecting the metal ions (Cu2+, Co2+, Cd2+, Zn2+, Pb2+ and Hg2+) loading in resin such as pH, contact time and cross linking density were studied.

Practical implications

The practical applicability of the chelating resin for final stage of waste water treatment is recommended for use as a polishing agent.

Originality/value

The resins prepared were used successfully in removing heavy metals from water.

Details

Pigment & Resin Technology, vol. 34 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0369-9420

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 May 2020

Zhang Fengjun, Kong Cui, Sun Xianyang, Li Xuan, Liu Jin and Chen Qianbao

A novel ternary flocculant was prepared by a simple compounding method to achieve efficient and rapid mud-water separation. This paper aims to discuss the possible mud-water…

Abstract

Purpose

A novel ternary flocculant was prepared by a simple compounding method to achieve efficient and rapid mud-water separation. This paper aims to discuss the possible mud-water separation mechanism.

Design/methodology/approach

This experimental study aims to investigate the effects of different types of flocculants on the separation of waste mud water and the degradation of flocculants in the supernatant. The flocculating component, the ratio of the flocculating accelerator to the flocculant and the addition amount of the novel ternary flocculant were optimized.

Findings

The experimental results show that the composition of the new ternary flocculant is cationic polyacrylamide (CP-02), grafted starch (GS-501) and flocculation sedimentation accelerator, the best effect, the mass ratio is 1:0.5: 0.75. According to 0.25:1 (volume ratio), the new ternary flocculant is pre-configured into a solution with a concentration of 3 kg/m3 to achieve efficient and rapid mud-water separation.

Originality/value

The new ternary flocculant is used for the separation of mud and water in the underground continuous wall waste mud, improving the level of civilized construction.

Article
Publication date: 5 March 2018

Ehsan Jafarnejad, Jafar Abolhasani and Arezoo Derakhshan

This study aims to develop a new simple and sensitive method for the microextraction of trace levels of lead in environmental samples. It is based on the use of ionic liquids…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to develop a new simple and sensitive method for the microextraction of trace levels of lead in environmental samples. It is based on the use of ionic liquids based dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (IL–DLLME) before spectrofluorometry.

Design/methodology/approach

Cadmium sulphide quantum dots have been synthesised using thioglycolic acid as capping agent through a one-step process with stability and excellent water-solubility, and have strong affinity for lead (Pb). This probe is based on the fluorescence quenching effect of functionalised cadmium sulphide quantum dots.

Findings

Factors affecting the extraction efficiency and fluorescence quenching of metals, such as the amount of ionic liquid, amount of metanol, microextraction and centrifugation time, volume of quantum dots and buffer pH, were investigated. Under optimum conditions, the calibration graph was linear in the range of 0.01-3 µg.L-1, with the detection limit of 0.004 µg.L-1 for Pb2+. The relative standard deviation (RSD%, n = 5) of 5.4 per cent at 1 µg.L-1 of Pb2+ was obtained.

Originality/value

This method for pre-concentration of the Pb ions by dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction is novel and could be used for various applications in the synthesis of a wide variety of determination of fluorescence quenching of cadmium sulphide quantum dots.

Article
Publication date: 19 July 2019

Jie Wu, Chu Wang and Zhixiang Zhou

The purpose of this paper is to improve the accuracy of evaluation efficiency by constructing parallel structures considering the main components of industrial pollutants, and…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to improve the accuracy of evaluation efficiency by constructing parallel structures considering the main components of industrial pollutants, and then to consider some external influence factors to eliminate random errors.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, data transformation has been used to deal with undesirable output, and a model with a parallel structure based on the three-stage data envelopment analysis model to calculate the efficiency scores of different division in pollution treatment has been composed.

Findings

The analysis shows that the external environmental factors and random factors of the economy and society greatly affect the efficiency of industrial pollutant treatment; moreover, there is an imbalance between regions in China in the treatment of industrial pollutants.

Originality/value

Optimal improvement requires each province to take targeted measures to improve its efficiency of pollutant treatment measures, which are tailored to specific situations and determined by efficiency analysis in this paper.

Details

Journal of Modelling in Management, vol. 14 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1746-5664

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 June 2014

Marco Ostoich, Marco Carcereri and Jvan Barbaro

The tannery industry impacts strongly on water bodies due to the presence of chemical substances, such as chlorides, sulphates, chromium and other pollutants. This study has been…

Abstract

Purpose

The tannery industry impacts strongly on water bodies due to the presence of chemical substances, such as chlorides, sulphates, chromium and other pollutants. This study has been carried out with a view to enhance the environmental compatibility of the Arzignano tannery district (northern Italy) which is the largest in Italy, by improving the quality of the Fratta-Gorzone River. Sediment quality, according to the driving forces-pressure-state-impact-response (DPSIR) scheme, has been developed as a significant impact indicator to be applied at basin level. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the above issues.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were produced during institutional monitoring and control activities carried out by ARPAV (Veneto Region Environmental Prevention and Protection Agency) according to official methods. To define the environmental impacts on the river basin, a statistical assessment was performed on water and sediment quality data to establish the degree of correlation for the main pollutants along the river stem.

Findings

In the basin considered, sediment quality presents high levels of contamination from heavy metals – in particular chromium (Cr) (III) – as well as organic pollutants. Investigation of the pressure sources revealed that the discharge from the Arzignano tannery district is the main source of Cr (III), according to background studies performed in the same area.

Practical implications

The quality of river sediments must be improved in order to avoid the re-suspension/solubility of pollutants; dredged materials with high polluting substances must be managed with specific precautions in order to safeguard the environment.

Originality/value

The river studied is currently the only significant water body in which sediment monitoring has been performed in the Veneto Region (Italy) since 2002. This study presents issues linked to the characterization of river sediment and the correlation between sediment quality and water pollution and prior and current pressure sources.

Details

Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, vol. 25 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-7835

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 December 2004

Sreenivasa Rao Amaraneni, Sarnam Singh and P.K. Joshi

Kolleru Lake, a wetland located in India, is one of the largest natural freshwater lakes and is an important sanctuary for indigenous and migratory birds, particularly in winter…

1340

Abstract

Kolleru Lake, a wetland located in India, is one of the largest natural freshwater lakes and is an important sanctuary for indigenous and migratory birds, particularly in winter seasons. The lake is located between latitudes 16°32′ and 16°47′N and longitudes 81°05′ and 81°27′E. The lake is connected to the sea through the Upputeru River, at a distance of 60 km. The lake water is mainly used for drinking water, agriculture, fishing and aquaculture purposes. The lake ecosystem is deteriorating due to the industrial, agricultural and aquacultural activities. High volume sampler was used for the collection of air pollutants, namely suspended particulate matter, nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide from the lake at four locations over a period of one year. Water samples were collected from the lake in three seasons in a year over a period of three years and analyzed for water quality parameter, namely total suspended solids, hardness, chloride, sodium, chemical oxygen demand and biochemical oxygen demand. The aim of this study is to create the air and water pollution maps of Kolleru Lake using geographic information systems (GIS) for the better management of Kolleru Lake to control the pollution and also to avoid the risk of air and water pollutants on humans, aquatic organisms, birds and plants.

Details

Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, vol. 15 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-7835

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 15 November 2011

George K. Stylios

Examines the sixteenth published year of the ITCRR. Runs the whole gamut of textile innovation, research and testing, some of which investigates hitherto untouched aspects…

Abstract

Examines the sixteenth published year of the ITCRR. Runs the whole gamut of textile innovation, research and testing, some of which investigates hitherto untouched aspects. Subjects discussed include cotton fabric processing, asbestos substitutes, textile adjuncts to cardiovascular surgery, wet textile processes, hand evaluation, nanotechnology, thermoplastic composites, robotic ironing, protective clothing (agricultural and industrial), ecological aspects of fibre properties – to name but a few! There would appear to be no limit to the future potential for textile applications.

Details

International Journal of Clothing Science and Technology, vol. 23 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0955-6222

Keywords

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