Assessment of Pollution Level and Its Impacts in the Shatt Al-Arab River in Basra Province, Iraq | Chapter 7 | Research Advances in Environment, Geography and Earth Science Vol. 8

 

Water pollution or water pollution is any physical or chemical change in the quality of water, directly or indirectly, that negatively affects living organisms, or makes the water unsuitable for the required uses.

 

A reviewed the Aerial Photographs of Google Maps taken on the Shatt al-Arab river in Basra Province, Iraq, which clearly showed the presence of pollution in the river waters. Three regions (1,2,3) of the river are used for determining the pollution in these regions.

 

Chemical analysis of the three regions samples (1,2,3) was conducted in the laboratories of the University of Basra for the purpose of measuring the total dissolved salts (TDS), elemental Lead (Pb), and Sulfate compounds (SO4).

 

The results confirmed an increase in the total dissolved salts (TDS) in the waters of the Shatt al-Arab towards the south, where the river waters meet with the Gulf waters. The results also confirmed an increase in Lead (Pb) concentrations in regions (2 and 3) to (0.8 mg/l), compared to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) international limit value of (0.05 mg/k). As sulfate (SO4) compounds are recorded at a value of (750 mg/l) in the region (3) of the river, compared to the international limit value of the World Health Organization (WHO), which is (400 mg/l).

 

These results correspond to the statistics by the Basra Province Heath Directorate, which showed the increase in the proportion of casualties among the population of the province of Basra in the regions (2 and 3) adjacent to the Shatt Al-Arab river, such as the city center, Abi- AlKhaseb and Shatt Al Arab from the rest of the regions causing water pollution and the spread of E. coli causing diarrhea and intestinal colic with 50% of cases which was admitted to Basra hospitals.

 

Author(s) Details

Saad M. Potrous
College of Engineering, University of Basra, Iraq.

 

Please see the book here:- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/raeges/v8/2022

 

Sustainable Biofuel Production from Agricultural Waste: Advances in Biochemical and Thermochemical Conversion Pathways | Chapter 8 | Current Research Progress in Agricultural Sciences Vol. 6

Introduction: Agricultural waste represents an underutilized renewable resource with significant potential for biofuel production. As global energy demands increase and climate change concerns intensify, the need for sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels has become critical. Agricultural residues and by-products offer a promising feedstock option that avoids competition with food production while addressing waste management challenges. These materials, primarily composed of lignocellulosic biomass, can be converted through various biological and thermochemical processes to produce liquid biofuels and biogas, potentially contributing to greenhouse gas mitigation efforts while supporting rural economies.

Aim: This study aims to evaluate the latest advancement in the production of biofuels from agricultural waste.

Materials and Methods: The study examines various types of agricultural waste, including crop residues, animal manure, and agro-industrial by-products, analysing their composition and suitability for biofuel production. Different conversion pathways are investigated, including fermentation, anaerobic digestion, pyrolysis, and gasification. The research evaluates pretreatment methods, enzyme production pathways, and synthesis processes for various biofuels like ethanol, butanol, and diesel substitutes. Case studies of operational plants and feasibility studies are analysed to assess technical and economic viability at commercial scale. Environmental impact assessments focus on greenhouse gas emissions, soil nutrient cycling, and sustainability metrics.

Results: The analysis reveals that agricultural waste can be effectively converted to biofuels through multiple pathways, each with specific advantages and challenges. Fermentation and anaerobic digestion show promising results for bioethanol and biogas production, while thermochemical processes demonstrate potential for producing advanced liquid fuels. Case studies indicate that commercial-scale operations are technically feasible, though economic viability varies with feedstock availability and processing efficiency. Environmental assessments show significant greenhouse gas reductions compared to fossil fuels, with additional benefits in waste management and soil nutrient recycling when properly implemented.

Discussion: While agricultural waste shows promise as a biofuel feedstock, several challenges must be addressed for widespread adoption. These include feedstock logistics, seasonal availability, and heterogeneous composition affecting conversion efficiency. Pretreatment technologies and process optimization remain critical areas for improvement. Economic viability depends on scale, technology selection, and policy support. Environmental benefits are significant but require careful management of soil health and nutrient cycling. Future research should focus on improving conversion efficiencies, developing integrated biorefinery concepts, and establishing sustainable supply chains.

Conclusion: Agricultural waste represents a viable and sustainable feedstock for biofuel production when integrated with appropriate conversion technologies. The review finds that while technical feasibility has been demonstrated at various scales, continued advancement in pretreatment technologies, process efficiency, and supply chain management is needed. Environmental benefits are substantial, particularly in greenhouse gas mitigation and waste management. Success in commercialization will require supportive policy frameworks, improved technology integration, and demonstration of long-term sustainability. The sector shows significant potential for contributing to renewable energy goals while supporting agricultural waste management and rural development.

 

Author (s) Details

 

Francis Mekunye
Auburn University, Alabama, USA.

 

Peter Makinde
Ohio University, Athens, USA.

 

Please see the book here:- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/crpas/v6/3285

Bacterial Consortia as a Suitable Innovation for Management of Agriculture Solid Waste | Chapter 9 | Emerging Issues in Agricultural Sciences Vol. 3

 Native bacterial microflora from traditional dumping yards will improve the agriculture solid waste administration and under stress surroundings particular bacterial consortia will produce a variety of enzymes in the way that protease, lipase, and amylase. The majority of agricultural waste is containing residues like cellulose, lignin, chitin, keratin, and jam, which can only be shabby by naturally occurring microorganisms, fungi, protozoa, and actinomycetes that are worthy doing the task. In addition, microbes are important in the disruption of various land wastes. Agriculture wastes are swiftly controlled by efficient native bacteria that produce eco-friendly, inexpensive dynamic substrates from the field itself and build compost beds above ground level to prevent referring to practices or policies that do not negatively affect the environment damage. At intervals of four days, consortium native bacterial civilizations are added to the beds while the hotness and moisture are held neverending. After 28 days, the material breakdown converts into fertilizer, and this final microbial fertilizer is added to the vermicomposting process to produce vermicompost. The custom of bacteria can have favorable unending environmental belongings on the ecosystem.

Author(s) Details:

R. Kannan,
Kalasalingam School of Agriculture and Horticulture (KSAH), Kalasalingam Academy of Research and Education (KARE), Krishnankoil-626126, Tamil Nadu, India.

K. Ajay Kallapiran,
Kalasalingam School of Agriculture and Horticulture (KSAH), Kalasalingam Academy of Research and Education (KARE), Krishnankoil-626126, Tamil Nadu, India.

Please see the link here: https://stm.bookpi.org/EIAS-V3/article/view/10316

Terminalia catappa as a Novel Biosorbent for the Removal of Divalent ion from Aqueous Solutions: Experimental Investigation | Chapter 9 | Novel Aspects on Chemistry and Biochemistry Vol. 1

 A spiroborate ester of curcumin (CBS) was combined using salicylic acid as a ligand to study the movement of its warm and hydrolytic degradation. The construction of the prepared compound was from UV-Visible spectra, IR spectroscopy, and NMR spectroscopy. The isothermal and non-isothermal thermogravimetric order was used to study the thermal breakdown of CBS at various heating rates in a nitrogen air. The hydrolytic stability of the spiroborate ester was examined in an aqueous acetone order with various water percentages and temperatures. The incitement energies of hydrolysis were premeditated using the Arrhenius equating, and the relevant thermodynamic limits were calculated utilizing the Eyring equation. A reasonable mechanistic route for the hydrolysis of the complex was suggested.

Author(s) Details:

A. N. Muthulakshmi,
Department of Chemistry, PSGR Krishnammal College for Women, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India.

J. Anuradha,
Department of Chemistry, PSGR Krishnammal College for Women, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India.

Please see the link here: https://stm.bookpi.org/NACB-V1/article/view/10318

Production of Biodegradable Bioplastic from Industrial and Agricultural Waste| Chapter 1| Current Advances in Geography, Environment and Earth Sciences Vol. 9

 Ghee slag is the dark, bulk-like silt taken after the purified fat is elicited by way of habit of method of heating the fat. Much concerning this fat slag is frequently taken in all dairies. The silt has no akin use and is dropped withinside the land field. However, the Ghee debris includes many phenolics and, accordingly, can be secondhand as a supply of element and nitrogen in distinguishing habits.The up-to-date-era invention has connection with bioplastics from the waste taken from buttery corporations and farming. This growing bioplastic is appropriate for dry food packaging.The present creation has existed checked for allure pliable strength via electromechanical supplies. It is stated to have pliable strength of 41.539 MPa and 29.031 MPa, for the bioplastic created from land waste-Raw Banana peel and dairy waste-Molten fat extract, individually.Similarly, the extension allotment enhances calculated as 104% and 218%, individually.Its migration test utilizing n-heptane as a impetus for 30 notes of meeting at 38∘C enhances established as 0.6 mg/dm2 (Industrial waste) and 0.5 mg/dm2 (Agricultural waste). The ghost of phenolic compounds is effective in maintaining the full food secure accompanying a very depressed flight degree distinguished to the artificial polymers.It is surely referring to practices or policies that do not negatively affect the environment in water (<24 hours) and in soil (20-30 days nearly). After biodegradation, it can be a part of a biography-fertilizer in fields for increasing plants

 Author(s) Details:

Rasheeda Khanam,
Department of Microbiology and Food Science and Technology, GITAM School of Science, GITAM (Deemed to be University), Rushikonda, Visakhapatnam-530045, Andhra Pradesh, India.

Please see the link here: https://stm.bookpi.org/CAGEES-V9/article/view/8830

Sustainable Utilization of Rice Husk Activated Charcoal as Wastewater Decontaminant | Chapter 12 | New Insights into Physical Science Vol. 2

Activated charcoal is used in water, gold and gas purification, metal extraction, medicine, sewage treatment, filters in compressed air, air filters in gas masks and respirators, and many other applications. Due to its high demand, alternative means of production apart from non-renewable sources, is time honoured. In view of these facts, activated charcoal was prepared from rice husk, an agricultural waste, by pyrolysis and chemical activation. The optimum systematic preparation conditions such as the effects of impregnation ratio, concentration, temperature and pyrolysis temperature and time on the efficiency of the product were investigated. The chemically activated charcoal was characterized by measuring porosity, bulk density, pore volume and size, surface area, iodine number, percentage yield, ash and moisture contents. The adsorbent was further characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The performance of activated charcoal prepared as adsorbent of pollutants in wastewater was tested using standard analytical methods. Overall, the results revealed that there was a general significant (p<0.05) decrease in the total hardness, alkanility, chemical  oxygen demand, biological oxygen demand, nitrate, total dissolved solid, total suspended solid, total solid, sulphate, nitrate, chloride, and heavy metals in rice husk acivated charcoal treated filtrate when compared to the untreated. Although, values of physicochemical parameters obtained in filtrate fromthe rice husk-based activated charcoal were generally lower than that of the commercial (control), the differences were not statistically significant (p>0.05). The results indicated that wastewater treated with the adsorbent were below the recommendations of international standards for maximum limits of effluent to be discharged into sewage, stream and drinking water. The study therefore recommends the use of rice husk-based activated charcoal as an efficient and environmental friendly wastewater treament option.

Author(s) Details

 Lawrence Olusegun Ajala
Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic, Unwana, Nigeria.

Valentine Ifenna Onwukeme
Department of Chemistry, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.

Chihurumnanya Ola Oji
Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic, Unwana, Nigeria.

Maria-Regina Chekwube Ejiagha
Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic, Unwana, Nigeria

View Book :- http://bp.bookpi.org/index.php/bpi/catalog/book/210