Pollution

The aim of this study was to determine the amount and composition of wastes generated within all key campus operational areas to approach the best strategy for waste management. Samples were taken daily, across the main campus, for a week with one month interval in 2010. Sampling as well as determination of waste composition methods was according to standard for determining unprocessed municipal solid waste composition (ASTM D5231-92). To estimate the amount of wastes produced daily in the campus, waste handling trucks were weighed. The results showed that the campus of University of Tabriz produced 2.5 metric tons of wastes per day that more than 80% of it could be diverted through waste reduction, recycling and composting activities. Compostable organic material was the most significant waste type. Compostable organic material, plastic wastes, paper and paper products were the other important materials for the targeted waste reduction and recycling efforts. Various educational and policy strategies, that can be used to propound campus community waste minimization behaviors in the long term, are discussed.

The physicochemical and microbial characteristics of drinking water in Haret-Hreik city (Lebanon) have been studied by taking 45 samples from the three different sources of water distributed in the city. Physicochemical parameters include pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solid (TDS), total hardness, calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium and chloride. Microbial characterization includes total coliform count, fecal streptococcus count, and identification of some fecal coliform species such as Escherichia coli. Physicochemical and bacterial analyses indicated clearly that municipal water is not safe for domestic use and to be drunk. It contains a high amount of dissolved inorganic substances, with EC, TDS, and chloride average concentrations equal to 2983 µs/cm, 1908 mg/L, and 1147 mg/L, respectively. These values exceed the limits described by the WHO. In addition all samples were contaminated by high amount of total coliform, with averages ranging between 216 and 4166 CFU/100 mL. All municipal water samples were contaminated by fecal Streptococcus, indicating the pollution of drinking water by fecal material from warm blooded animals. The analyses of water at the exit of commercial treatment companies showed that the treated municipal water satisfies the physicochemical guidelines of the WHO. However, all samples were contaminated by total coliform, and 60 % of samples contained fecal Streptococcus. Thus, the UV disinfection process in all the commercial companies is defective and replaced at time, in order to remove all coliforms. Moreover, the only safe water in Haret-Hreik city is that distributed by Abbas Water Project. Analyses revealed the absence of any bacterial contamination and the respect of the WHO physicochemical limits.

Noise generally is known as unwanted and unwelcome sound. It is considered as the most pervasive pollutant besides the emission pollutants. Along with the increasing degree of air and water pollution, noise pollution is also emerging as a new threat to the inhabitants of Al-Samawah city. Al- Samawah city experienced rapid development and high influx of people with the implication of increased generation of noise. Hence the need to evaluate the noise pollution level of the city. Measurement of noise pollution level was carried out in 20 locations around the city using a GM1351 digital sound level meter with a range of 30-130 dB. Day-time urban noise quality assessment was studied in Al-Samawah city for six critical zones viz. Industrial , Commercial, Residential, Recreational ,Silence zone and Traffic areas. Noise pollution indices viz. L10, L50, L90, noise climate (NC), equivalent continuous noise level (Leq) and noise pollution level (Lnp) were computed for all zones. Excel's computer program used for fitting model equations to the obtained experimental data. Results indicated that the highest Leq of 72.5 dB in the industrial zone followed by 70.0 dB in traffic areas ,68.1 dB was observed in commercial zone, 65.2 dB in residential zone ,63.5 dB in silent zone, and 62.4 dB in recreational zone. For commercial zones, Leq observed were down the statutory limits, while for other zones it was above the WHO limits. The noise assessment study clearly revealed that the Industrial and residential zones caused noise pollution in Al-Samawah city and silence areas need attention and care from the institutions to be silent zones. As excessive noise affects health of people deleteriously, the establishment of an agency under the name of Iraqi Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) is essential for controlling this and similar hazards.

This study discusses the rationale for public-private partnerships (PPP) in the management of urban solid waste (SWM) as well as the conditioning factors (both enhancers and impediments) to the success of PPPs in developing countries. The study adopted the desk review approach largely depending on published and unpublished journal articles and other relevant policy documents on PPP and SWM. The paper argues that three key phases of PPP processes should be seen as closely interlinked and public officials need to demonstrate tactfulness in the processes. The study noted that constraining or limiting factors that affect PPPs in sanitation services of developing countries include secrecy in contracts, inexperienced technical staff and bad faith of local policy elites, poor engagement and inadequate consultation. The study concludes that while PPPs could provide opportunities for harnessing the comparative advantages of both the private sector, PPP should not be regarded as the panacea if adequate measures are not instituted. The paper argues that city authorities need to adopt a prudent approach in their dealings with the private sector towards PPP in solid waste management. Whilst transparency and fair competition in the pre-contract phase, tactfulness and good faith in the contract phase are critical, the regulatory role of the public agency is very crucial in all three phases, especially the post contract phase to check the potential excesses and inertia that could engulf the private partner upon given the contract. The study posits that the efficacy of PPP in solid waste management revolves around competitive procurement process; well-organized private sector; availability of competent and loyal personnel to facilitate or champion fair PPP brokerage and good governance devoid of bad faith on the part of public officials and private actors.

The phenomenon of higher urban populations and increasing levels of industrialization in urban cities of the developing world has increased the volumes of solid wastes generated on daily basis. The increasing volumes have largely overwhelmed the containment capacities of city authorities which, hitherto, wielded the exclusive right and responsibility. There has, therefore, been a paradigm shift which has seen the “institutional field” opened up to allow for other non-state providers to augment the efforts of the public sector. Using the Public Choice Theory as a theoretical lens, this paper discusses the main arguments for non-state intervention in the provision of urban sanitation services as a complementary arrangement to that of the public sector. The tripartite stakeholders – state, private sector and non-governmental organizations – have been discussed in this paper with the help of a framework. The paper further discusses in detail, the role of non-governmental organizations and community-based organizations in urban sanitation service provisions as well as the key challenges encountered. The study concludes by highlighting the need for a level playing field and the need for providing recognition to and support for all stakeholders which would go a long way to enhance urban sanitation service provision.

Jhansi is well known district of Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh with a geographical area of 502.75 thousand hectares. The population of the city is near about 4 lack for the last two decades due to mismanagement of traffic systems and mushrooming of vehicles chock most of the street and road of the city which lead to significant increase in air pollutants. In the present study, ambient air quality was monitored by high volume sampler in Jhansi city of central India. The six sampling sites were classified in different zones i.e. commercial, residential and sensitive and important ambient air quality parameters (RSPM, SOx and NOx) were monitored on hourly basis from January to June 2014. The results revealed that the concentration of the SO2, NO2 and RSPM from all sampling sites were ranged between 9.4 to 12.7 µg/m3, 20.5 to 34 µg/m3, 258.7 to 273 µg/m3 respectively. All the parameters (SO2, and NO2) were found below the permissible limits of NAAQS (National Ambient Air Quality Standard) except RSPM in the study sites.

Multidimensional assessments of groundwater quality have been carried out in some communities of the Lower Pra Basin in Ghana. Samples were collected from thirty one (31) water points. All ions were determined using standard methods. Results show that ion concentrations are primarily influenced by various hydrogeological processes such as silicate weathering, ion exchange and sea aerosol spray. From the SAR calculation, 90.3% of the water was within the excellent category; 6.5% and 3.2% were within the good and unsuitable category respectively. Calculation of % sodium showed 7%, 48%, 32% and 13% being good, permissible, doubtful and unsuitable respectively. From the Wilcox’s diagram, approximately 71% fall within excellent to good category; 26% in the category of permissible to doubtful; 3% within the doubtful to unsuitable category. Approximately 90% of the samples were found to be good by RSC index; 7% fall within the doubtful category and 3% unsuitable. A high percentage was within permissible ranges for TDS and TH. The results suggest that generally groundwater samples are suitable for domestic and irrigation purposes under normal temperature and pH condition.

Surface and underground water, veritable sources of drinking water to the Ikono inhabitants were investigated. Water samples were collected randomly from the area within a period of 30days and characterized for various physical, chemical and microbial parameters including nitrate, pH, total dissolved solid (TDS), total hardness, calcium, magnesium, chloride and total alkalinity and E. coli. Results showed variability in chemical and biological composition and informed that water sources were not polluted when compared with reference standards which serves as guidelines with respect to parameters examined. However, some points showed elevated microbial count which indicates some level of pollution of water points with human faeces and other warm blooded animals. From the result of the analysis, water in most parts of the area is fit for drinking and other domestic purposes.

The development of assessment system is based on a set of parametric data covering streams types in different Eco –regions. Altogether, 374 benthic macro-invertebrate samples were taken using a standardized multi-habitat sampling procedure and a large number of parameters describing the streams and their catchments are recorded for all sampling sites. A large number of metrics will be tested, independently and in combinations, for each of the stream types, to identify the degradation of a site. This multimetric assessment system is used to classify a stream stretch into an Ecological Quality Class ranging from 1 (high quality) to 5 (bad quality) and often provides information on the possible causes of degradation.

Assessment on rivers and streams water quality should incorporate aspects of chemical, physical, and biological. The objective of this paper was to review the current primary concerned aspects and practiced method in river water quality research in Malaysia. The present day, method of determining river water quality in Malaysia is based mainly on physical and chemical parameters. Concentration on chemical and physical parameters is particularly surprising in judging natural waters where the main aim is often preservation of biological amenities. Numerous studies have indicated biological method has many advantages over chemical and physical method, such as; cheaper, easier, less time consuming, reliable, and can give indications of water quality for a long period of time. We do not advocate to abandoning physical and chemical assessments; rather, we note the inadequacy of the assessments to give complete information on river water quality. Therefore, Malaysia should start to anticipate and integrate the biological aspects into water quality studies and extensively make use of them to improve water quality monitoring in Malaysia. Successfulness on this will enhance water quality monitoring and management in Malaysia.