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Analysis of Environmental Degradation in Natural Resources
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 5, October 2014
Pages:
63-73
Received:
26 July 2014
Accepted:
6 August 2014
Published:
30 September 2014
Abstract: For centuries the area which is now Bangladesh was known throughout the civilized world for its fabled wealth, of which the exquisite muslin, Sundarbans, Cox’s Bazar un-broken sea beaches were the apt symbol. Aryans, Turks, Mughals, Afghans, Arabs, Dutch, Portuguese, French and British were attracted by the opulence of Bengal. They came as invaders, traders, settlers, missionaries and in their different ways, contributed towards making this country a distinctive entity among the world’s nations, boasting numerous historical and natural assets. However, this is kaleidoscopic presentation of our land called coastal belt in Bangladesh, its valiant people imbued with a sense of history, its rich and flora and fauna, its verdant landscape with lush green fields, enchanting hills and hillocks and the meandering rivers falling into the vast blue expanse of the Bay of Bengal. It is a land of enormous economic potentials, inhabited by diligent and hard-working people who have a love for heritage. It is a land of ancient and variegated religious and cultural traditions. All of these together make Sundarbans a colorful mosaic of nature’s splendor and bounty (Awal, 2014). Despite various hypotheses as to the causes of this natural degradation, the underlying causes are still not well understood. The present work has explored some of the possible factors involved, focusing particularly on the relationship among the environmental factors and the human destruction of Sundarbans ecosystem as well as abnormal concentrations of a number of chemical elements present in the soil, in order to test the hypothesis that ecological pollution, along with chemical pollution might be responsible. However, the present results have showed that Sn, Exchangeable K, soil pH, Pb , Zn and Ni could be directly linked with top-dying disease of Heritiera fomes (Sundri) in Sundarbans, probably particularly by weakening the vigor of the trees and people and allowing other factors such as pathological agents to attack the plants and surrounding people in Sundarbans, Bangladesh (Awal, 2014). In fact, from since then and still now, the natural resource of Bangladesh like Sundarbans is being disturbed ecologically by human destruction.
Abstract: For centuries the area which is now Bangladesh was known throughout the civilized world for its fabled wealth, of which the exquisite muslin, Sundarbans, Cox’s Bazar un-broken sea beaches were the apt symbol. Aryans, Turks, Mughals, Afghans, Arabs, Dutch, Portuguese, French and British were attracted by the opulence of Bengal. They came as invaders...
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Effect of Substituent Groups in Rhenium Bipyridine Complexes on Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction
Yoko Ono,
Jiro Nakamura,
Masahiko Hayashi,
Kazue Ichino Takahashi
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 5, October 2014
Pages:
74-79
Received:
27 August 2014
Accepted:
20 September 2014
Published:
30 September 2014
Abstract: We synthesized four different rhenium complexes, Re(bpy-R)(CO)3Cl (bpy = 2,2-bipyridine and R = H, CH3, COOH, or CN), as photocatalysts that selectively reduce CO2 to CO and investigated the effect of substituent groups (Rs) on the absorption and photocatalystic properties for CO2 reduction under 365-nm light irradiation. The Re(bpy-R)(CO)3Cl (R = H or CH3 or COOH) reduced CO2 to CO in CO2-saturated DMF-triethanolamine solution, which was irradiated with 365-nm light. The amount of CO produced by CO2 reduction differed, depending on the introduced Rs in the bipyridine moiety. We found that the ability of Re(bpy-R)(CO)3Cl (R = H or CH3 or COOH) to produce CO has a linear relationship to molar absorption coefficients of rhenium complexes at the irradiated light wavelength. Introduction of the COOH group, which has the highest molar absorption coefficient among four rhenium complexes, enhanced CO2-to-CO reduction capacity (6.59 mol/cat-mol2h) five times that of Re(bpy-H)(CO)3Cl with no R.
Abstract: We synthesized four different rhenium complexes, Re(bpy-R)(CO)3Cl (bpy = 2,2-bipyridine and R = H, CH3, COOH, or CN), as photocatalysts that selectively reduce CO2 to CO and investigated the effect of substituent groups (Rs) on the absorption and photocatalystic properties for CO2 reduction under 365-nm light irradiation. The Re(bpy-R)(CO)3Cl (R =...
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Investigation of Sorption and Mechanical Properties of Anacardium Occidentale L. Exudate/Polystyrene Blends
Alisi Ikechukwu Ogadimma,
Gimba Casmir Emmanuel,
Kolawole Emmanuel Gbadebo
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 5, October 2014
Pages:
80-84
Received:
26 September 2014
Accepted:
9 October 2014
Published:
20 October 2014
Abstract: This research employed the technique of melt blending to successfully blend commercial polystyrene (PS) with purified cashew gum (PCG) and induce biodegradation on the resulting polymer blend. Water sorption tests on the resulting polymer blends were investigated according to ASTM D0570 standard. Also tensile, hardness and charpy impact tests were conducted according to ASTM D3039, ASTM D2240-89 and ASTM 370 standards respectively. There was an observed increase in density with increase in PCG composition. The maximum density recorded was 0.996gcm^(-3). The water sorption analysis show that DS (degree of swelling) and WL (weight loss) increase with PCG concentration to a maximum value of 100% recorded for the sample 20%PS/80%PCG. The tensile test results indicate a general decrease in Young’s modulus, tensile strength and percentage elongation with increase in the percentage of PCG. Also hardness test results based on the Rockwell F – scale indicate an improvement in mechanical strength with increase in PCG composition. The sample with composition 30%PS/70%PCG has the highest hardness value of 69.1 HRF. While the results of charpy impact test indicate a general decrease in impact strength as the concentration of PCG in PS increases with a minimum value of 2272.72Jm^(-2) for the composition 20%PS/80%PCG.
Abstract: This research employed the technique of melt blending to successfully blend commercial polystyrene (PS) with purified cashew gum (PCG) and induce biodegradation on the resulting polymer blend. Water sorption tests on the resulting polymer blends were investigated according to ASTM D0570 standard. Also tensile, hardness and charpy impact tests were ...
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Assessment of Chemical Dissolution Method for Conservation of Underwater Archaeological Ceramics
Nurul Hidayat Aprilita,
Endang Tri Wahyuni,
Mahirta,
Farida Yulita Putri Yuani,
Raisa Deborah
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 5, October 2014
Pages:
85-90
Received:
15 October 2014
Accepted:
21 October 2014
Published:
30 October 2014
Abstract: The application of chemical dissolution for removal of sediment covering ceramics of underwater archaeology has been studied. The first step of this research was analysis and identification of the content of sediment covering ceramics of underwater archaeology using IR spectrophotometer, X-Ray Diffractometer, and Atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The second step was dissolution process of the sediment using water, Na2EDTA, and H2O2 solution. In this step, the influences of dissolution time using water and various concentration of the Na2EDTA and H2O2 solution have been evaluated. The result of this research showed that the sediment covering ceramics of underwater archaeology contains of organic compound, soluble salts of Na+ and K+, and insoluble salts of Ca2+, Mg2+, and Fe3+. Increasing the dissolution time in water has considerably increased the dissolution of the Na+ and K+ salts from sediment. On the other hand, increasing of concentration Na2EDTA gives an increase in the Ca2+, Mg2+, and Fe3+ salts dissolution from the sediment. The optimum concentration of H2O2 solution for dissolving organic compound is 30%.
Abstract: The application of chemical dissolution for removal of sediment covering ceramics of underwater archaeology has been studied. The first step of this research was analysis and identification of the content of sediment covering ceramics of underwater archaeology using IR spectrophotometer, X-Ray Diffractometer, and Atomic absorption spectrophotometer...
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Physicochemical Properties of Effluents from Three Food Processing Industries in Anambra State, Nigeria
Nwosu Udoka Lovelyn,
Ajiwe Vincent Ishmael Egbulezu,
Okoye Patrice-Anthony Chudi
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 5, October 2014
Pages:
91-95
Received:
1 October 2014
Accepted:
23 October 2014
Published:
30 October 2014
Abstract: Effluent samples from three food processing industries in Anambra State, Nigeria were monitored for levels of physicochemical properties using standard analytical methods. The results obtained were compared with the Nigeria Federal Ministry of Environment (FMENV) effluent limit to ascertain the level of conformity of these industries with the standard. Results showed that the pH levels of the effluents were acidic in the rainy season and lower than the value set by the FMENV for industrial effluent limit. Hardness levels were higher in the rainy season than values obtained in the dry season and were higher than the set standard (except KP, dry season). Other physicochemical properties of the effluents were either within or below the allowable industrial effluent limit. Two sample paired t-test showed that pH, TS, TDS, TSS and sulphate levels were highly significant (p<0.05) between rainy and dry season. Analysis of variance indicated that there were significant difference (P<0.05) in the mean levels of pH, TS, TDS and nitrate among the three samples but TSS was not significant.
Abstract: Effluent samples from three food processing industries in Anambra State, Nigeria were monitored for levels of physicochemical properties using standard analytical methods. The results obtained were compared with the Nigeria Federal Ministry of Environment (FMENV) effluent limit to ascertain the level of conformity of these industries with the stand...
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