A STUDY ON THE STRENGTH AND COMPRESSIBILITY BEHAVIOUR OF ORGANIC CLAYS FROM KUTTANAD, KERALA

 

ABSTRACT: This paper presents the study on the strength and compressibility behaviour of soil samples collected from Thakazhy, Thayankary, Kandamkary, and Champakulam villages belonging to Kuttanad taluk in Kerala. The influence of organic matter on the strength and compressibility behaviour is also presented. The compression indices and the liquid limit of soils increased with increase in organic content. Also, the influences of various pore fluids like water, NaCl, CaCl₂ and FeCl₃. 6H₂O solutions of different concentrations on the index and strength properties are presented. Regression equations for compression index based on simple parameters obtained in the laboratory are developed.

Following were the conclusion of the study.

The natural water content of undisturbed soil samples collected from Thakazhy, Thayankary, Kandamkary, and Champakulam vary from 23 % to 50% with organic content varying from 1.25% to about 7.66%. The soil samples from all the places except Thakazhy fall in the USCS classification of clay with high compressibility, and that from Thakazhy being clay with low compressibility due to the higher percentage sand content in the soil collected from Thakazhy.

Consistency limits tests conducted on modified soils from Thakazhy, Thayankary, Kandamkary and Champakulam, whose organic content has been varied by the addition of starch solutions, indicate that there is an increase in the liquid limit and plasticity index, while plastic limit and shrinkage limit decrease with increase in % organic content.    Consolidation tests on these modified soils indicate that with increasing % organic content the compression index was found to increase.

When different concentrations of NaCl, CaCl₂ and FeCl₃.6H₂O solutions were used as the pore fluid in oven dried soil samples, the liquid limit of all the samples show a decreasing trend as the pore fluid concentration increased. At higher concentrations the diffused double layer is suppressed causing decrease in liquid limit. The liquid limits of oven dried samples amended with organic content show an increasing trend whereas the plastic limits and shrinkage limits were found to be decreased.

The UCC strength of the oven dried samples mixed with NaCl, CaCl₂ and FeCl₃.6H₂O solutions increased marginally and then decreased with the increase in their respective concentrations.

Regression analysis of results for compression index and other basic soil parameters for undisturbed soil samples from the four locations gave way to a new empirical relationship between compression index and initial void ratio which suited the results in the best possible way.

INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER TREATMENT BY ELECTROCOAGULATION- Resmi P S

ABSTRACT

          Industries are the one among the major consumers of water. Wastewater from industries should comply the wastewater standards. Inadequate treatment of the effluent may result in the release of polluted wastewater to natural water bodies which cause surface and ground water pollution. But the technical advancements make it possible to treat the industrial wastewater to a good quality so that it can be discharged or reused safely.

Electro coagulation utilizes direct current to cause sacrificial electrode ions to remove undesirable contaminants either by chemical reaction and precipitation or by causing colloidal materials and then be removed by electrocoagulation. The electro coagulation system has been found to be effective in treating wastewaters such as paper pulp mill waste, metal plating, tanneries, canning factories, steel mill effluent, slaughter houses, chromate, lead and mercury laden effluents, as well as domestic sewage. These wastewaters will be reduced to clear, clean, odorless and reusable water.

The present study investigated the effectiveness of the electro-coagulation in treating latex wastewater. The influence of electrocoagulation time, voltage, pH, current density, initial metal ion concentration and conductivity on removal performance was explored. The results showed that metal removal increased with increasing current density, electrocoagulation time and conductivity. The results indicated that electrocoagulation with aluminium electrode was very efficient and was able to achieve heavy metal removal. Results obtained with latex wastewater revealed that the most effective removal capacity was obtained at pH 7, current density 135 A/m2, conductivity 13.2 mS/cm. When industrial wastewater was treated at optimized conditions removal was obtained as Zn 87.45% Cu 90.12%, Pb 94% Cr 92.5% in 35 min. The method was found to be highly efficient and relatively fast compared to conventional existing techniques.

BY
RESMI P S
ASSISTANT ENGINEER
LSGD SECTION 
KARAKULAM G P
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM

Thumboormuzy- Pradeesh PB

Any one know Thumoormuzy solid waste management?

Thesis :TREATMENT OF HERBAL PHARMACEUTICAL WASTEWATER AND ITS TOXICITY EVALUATION ON FRESHWATER PRAWNS -Rekha Chandran

aBSTRACt

Herbal pharmaceuticals have gained enough popularity in recent times due to their minimal effects, low cost, safety, efficacy and cultural acceptability compared to allopathic medicines. Being herbal in nature, the effluent from the herbal pharmaceutical industry was not considered as toxic. But the wastewater generated from these industries has high COD and BOD and are toxic due to the presence of many plant alkaloids, organic solvents, alcohol etc. Hence they cannot be discharged into the water bodies without proper treatment.

The effect of using algae, Azolla filiculoides in treatment of herbal pharmaceutical wastewater was studied. The factors which affect the treatment efficiency such as dosage of algae, pH, treatment period and concentration of wastewater were optimized. The algal treated wastewater was further subjected to a secondary treatment using a filtration unit.  The effluent after algal treatment and that after secondary treatment were subjected to bio-assay test using freshwater prawns, Macrobrachium rosenbergii. The results were analysed using Trimmed Spearman Karber method to determine the LC₅₀ values.

The algal treatment is efficient in reducing BOD, COD, chlorides, sulphates, phosphates and nitrate content and turbidity removal. But the toxicity analysis reveals that further secondary treatment is required to remove the toxicity of the wastewater. The effluent from the filtration unit showed positive results in toxicity analysis indicating that it is an efficient method for removal of toxicity of herbal pharmaceutical wastewater.

MTECH Thesis-INVESTIGATION ON WATER QUALITY STATUS IN AND AROUND MADIWALA LAKE AND ESTIMATION OF CONTAMINANT TRANSPORT PARAMETERS-Shruthy

ABSTRACT

           Water  quality is fundamental to the health, efficiency and well being of individuals and societies in all countries of the world. It is threatened by almost all modern interactions of man with nature .Surface water and ground water is related in the hydrologic cycle. The sediments of the rivers are the repositories of toxic wastes, which result in long term effect through mobilization of pollutant and release of nutrients from bottom mud. Urbanization in watershed in turn reduces water that sustains the g/w system -“recharge”. Water supplies from groundwater sources are becoming increasingly important, but they are threatened by unplanned exploitation and by contamination from many sources. The best way to minimize g/w contamination is to prevent it. The regulation of waste disposal to protect groundwater is especially important. Understanding the behavior of contaminants in the subsurface is essential - for effective regulation of potential sources of contamination and for predicting the environmental impact. 

             

Methodology Adopted

Field investigation on Bangalore Madiwala lake water and surrounding groundwater quality was conducted.

The major ion chemistry of groundwater of Madiwala lake premises has been discussed.

The chemical parameters obtained were used for regression analysis for upstream and downstream.

Water quality indices were calculated for the upstream and downstream points.

To study the transport of contaminants in the subsurface an experimental unit was designed with Nitrate and Chloride as tracers.

The mechanics of flow of the influents in soil columns were studied to determine the effective diffusion coefficients.

Visual Solute Transport (VST) software was used for the prediction of solute concentrations over time or distance. 

Bacterial batteries- Sathyanath B

1. what do you all have to say about Bacterial Batteries  and enzyme harvesting
  

Salient Features of Solid Waste Management Rules 2016

1.                  The Rules are now applicable beyond Municipal areas and extend to urban agglomerations, census towns, notified industrial townships, areas under the control of Indian Railways, airports, airbase, Port and harbour, defence establishments, special economic zones, State and Central government organizations, places of pilgrims, religious & historical importance.

2.                  The source segregation of waste has been mandated to channelize the waste to wealth by recovery, reuse and recycle.

3.                  Responsibilities of Generators have been introduced to segregate waste in to three streams, Wet (Biodegradable), Dry (Plastic, Paper, metal, wood, etc.) and domestic hazardous wastes (diapers, napkins, empty containers of cleaning agents, mosquito repellents, etc.) and handover segregated wastes to authorized rag-pickers or waste collectors or local bodies.

4.                  Integration of waste pickers/ ragpickers and waste dealers/ Kabadiwalas in the formal system should be done by State Governments, and Self Help Group, or any other group to be formed.

5.                  No person should throw, burn, or bury the solid waste generated by him, on streets, open public spaces outside his premises, or in the drain, or water bodies.

6.                  Generator will have to pay ‘User Fee’ to waste collector and for ‘Spot Fine’ for Littering and Non-segregation.

7.                  Used sanitary waste like diapers, sanitary pads should be wrapped securely in pouches provided by manufacturers or brand owners of these products or in a suitable wrapping material and shall place the same in the bin meant for dry waste / non- bio-degradable waste.

8.                  The concept of partnership in Swachh Bharat has been introduced. Bulk and institutional generators, market associations, event organizers and hotels and restaurants have been made directly responsible for segregation and sorting the waste and manage in partnership with local bodies.

9.                  All hotels and restaurants should segregate biodegradable waste and set up a system of collection or follow the system of collection set up by local body to ensure that such food waste is utilized for composting / biomethanation. 

10.              All Resident Welfare and market Associations,  Gated communities and institution with an area >5,000 sq. m should segregate  waste at source- in to valuable dry waste like plastic, tin, glass, paper, etc. and handover recyclable material to either the authorized waste pickers or the authorized recyclers, or to the urban local body. 

11.              The bio-degradable waste should be processed, treated and disposed of through composting or bio-methanation within the premises as far as possible. The residual waste shall be given to the waste collectors or agency as directed by the local authority.

12.              New townships and Group Housing Societies have been made responsible to develop in-house waste handling, and processing arrangements for bio-degradable waste.

13.              Every street vendor should keep suitable containers for storage of waste generated during the course of his activity such as food waste, disposable plates, cups, cans, wrappers, coconut shells, leftover food, vegetables, fruits etc. and deposit  such waste at waste storage depot or container or  vehicle as notified by the local authority.

14.              The developers of Special Economic Zone, industrial estate, industrial park to  earmark at least 5% of the total area of the plot or minimum 5 plots/ sheds for recovery and recycling facility.

15.              All manufacturers of disposable products such as tin, glass, plastics packaging etc. or brand owners who introduce such products in the market shall provide necessary financial assistance to local authorities for the establishment of waste management system.

16.              All such brand owners who sale or market their products in such packaging material which are non-biodegradable should put in place a system to collect back the packaging waste generated due to their production.  

17.              Manufacturers or Brand Owners or marketing companies of sanitary napkins and diapers should explore the possibility of using all recyclable materials in their products or they shall provide a pouch or wrapper for disposal of each napkin or diapers along with the packet of their sanitary products.

18.              All such manufacturers, brand owners or marketing companies should educate the masses for wrapping and disposal of their products.

19.              All industrial units using fuel and located within 100 km from a solid waste based RDF plant shall make arrangements within six months from the date of notification of these rules to replace at least 5 % of their fuel requirement by RDF so produced.

20.              Non-recyclable waste having calorific value of 1500 K/cal/kg or more shall not be disposed of on landfills and shall only be utilized for generating energy  either or through refuse derived fuel or by giving away as feed stock for preparing refuse derived fuel.

21.              High calorific wastes shall be used for co-processing in cement or thermal power plants.

22.              Construction and demolition waste should be stored, separately  disposed off, as per the Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules, 2016

23.              Horticulture waste and garden waste generated from his premises should be disposed as per the directions of local authority.

24.              An event, or gathering organiser of more than 100 persons at any licensed/ unlicensed place, should ensure segregation of waste at source and handing over of segregated waste to waste collector or agency, as specified by local authority.

25.              Special provision for management of solid waste in hilly areas:- Construction of landfill on the hill shall be avoided. A transfer station at a suitable enclosed location shall be setup to collect residual waste from the processing facility and inert waste.  Suitable land shall be identified in the plain areas, down the hill, within 25 kilometers for setting up sanitary landfill. The residual waste from the transfer station shall be disposed off at this sanitary landfill.

26.              In case of non-availability of such land, efforts shall be made to set up regional sanitary landfill for the inert and residual waste.
** Major changes in the rule compared to MSW Rules 2000 and its implications!!