Research Papers
Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in river and ground/drinking water of the Ganges River basin: Emissions and implications for human exposure
Sharma Brij Mohan, Bharat Girija K, Tayal Shresth, Larssen Thorjørn
| 2016
Many perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are ubiquitous environmental contaminants. They have been widely used in production processes and daily-use products or may result from degradation of precursor compounds in products or the environment. India, with its developing industrialization and population moving from traditional to contemporary lifestyles, represents an interesting case study to investigate PFAS emission and exposure along steep environmental and socioeconomic gradients.
On-site treatment of source separated domestic wastewater employing anaerobic package system
Sharma Meena Kumari, Tyagi Vinay Kumar, Saini Gita, Kazmi Absar Ahmad
| 2016
On-site treatment of black water generated at a residential school was investigated by employing an upgraded two-stage package system: a modified septic tank followed by an anaerobic filter. The findings revealed that the average removal efficiency for CODtot, CODss, BOD and TSS were 72.6, 90.2, 78.4 and 83.2%, respectively. Monthly septage characterization revealed a declining trend in VSS/TSS ratio, which indicated the progressive hydrolysis as well as stabilization of the sludge.
Morphogenesis of edible gall in Zizania latifolia (Griseb.) Turcz. ex Stapf due to Ustilago esculenta Henn. infection in India.
Sinha Swapan Kumar, Deka Alak Chandra, Bharalee Raju
| 2016
The Zizania latifolia Griseb. Turcz. ex Stapf., a perennial wetland wild rice species get infected by a basidiomycetous fungus Ustilago esculenta Henn that produces gall. Here we report the morphogenesis behaviour of this plant during gall transformation. The identity of Z. latifolia and U. esculenta were confirmed by comparing microsatellite and Internal Transcribed Spacer region of nuclear ribosomal DNA sequence with the public database. U. esculenta infection transforms the Z. latifolia into two distinct morphotypes such as gall forming and non-gall forming.
Mobile health units: Mobilizing healthcare to reach unreachable
Khanna Achla Behl, Narula Sapna Arora
| 2016
Purpose: Despite a considerable size, mobile health units (MHUs) are rarely noticed in healthcare network, probably due to its non-profit organization and lack of extensive evaluation. There is no published review, to best of our knowledge, which provides a descriptive insight of this sector and its position in public health. Present article thoroughly reviews available literature to explain MHU's setup, organization, and role in healthcare delivery. Methodology: Search was conducted using PUBMED, Cochrane, ScienceDirect, Popline, CINAHL, and Google for grey literature.
Mini-grid based off-grid electrification to enhance electricity access in developing countries: What policies may be required
Bhattacharyya Subhes C, Palit Debajit
| 2016
With 1.2 billion people still lacking electricity access by 2013, electricity access remains a major global challenge. Although mini-grid based electrification has received attention in recent times, their full exploitation requires policy support covering a range of areas. Distilling the experience from a five year research project, OASYS South Asia, this paper presents the summary of research findings and shares the experience from four demonstration activities.
Microbial production of 2,3-butanediol through a two-stage pH and agitation strategy in 150 l bioreactor
Priya Anchal, Dureja Prem, Talukdar Pooja, Rathi Rohit, Lal Banwari, Sarma Priyangshu M
| 2016
This study was focused on scaling up of 2,3-butanediol (2,3-BD) production, via fermentation in a 150 l bioreactor using the newly isolated strain Enterobacter cloacae TERI BD 18. Operational parameters were customized for the strain E. cloacae using a fed- batch strategy, which enhanced the glucose to 2,3-BD conversion yield (0.44 g/g).
Mapping long-term land use and land cover change in the central Himalayan region using a tree-based ensemble classification approach.
Chakraborty Anusheema, Sachdeva Kamna, Joshi P K
| 2016
Forest cover and its change analysis along with nexus between other land cover types are often seen as insufficient data quality for operational applications in the Himalayan region. Despite extensive documentation reporting rapid demographic, socio-economic and environmental changes in this region, we lack comprehensive detailed assessments of spatial distribution of land use/land cover (LULC) change over an extended period of time.
Isolation and characterization of Candida vishwanathii strain TERI MS1 for degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons in marine environment
Priya Anchal, Sarma Priyangshu Manab, Lal Banwari
| 2016
"In an ongoing prospecting project for developing a bioremediation strategy for marine oil spills, a strain of yeast was isolated from petroleum crude oil contaminated sample. The strain, TERI MS1 was initially characterized biochemically, subsequently identified as Candida vishwanathii based on the sequence analysis of D1/D2 domain of 26S rRNA, and further confirmed by sequencing of internal transcribed spacer. The strain C. vishwanathii was able to utilize petroleum crude oil in natural seawater with 49 percent degradation in 72 h.
Inherent vulnerability of agricultural communities in Himalaya: A village-level hotspot analysis in the Uttarakhand state of India
Shukla Roopam, Sachdeva Kamna, Joshi P K
| 2016
Mountain regions are characterized by complex biophysical and marginal socio-economic conditions that contribute to the vulnerability of agricultural communities. Owing to the extremely heterogeneous conditions in mountains, it becomes imperative to understand the spatial distribution of vulnerability at fine-scale. This study assesses the inherent vulnerability of agricultural communities at village level for the entire state of Uttarakhand.