Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences  -   Volume 8 Number 2

Atmospheric Metal Constituent, Concentration and Health Impacts in the Urban Environment of Faisalabad (Pakistan)

Muhammad Attique Khan Shahid, Khadim Hussain and Maryam Saeed Awan

http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1927-5129.2012.08.02.46

Abstract: Currently rapidly growing heavy metal pollution is a burning issue due to deteriorating air quality and health status of the inhabitants of the world. In the present study heavy metals in the solid aerosols as well as in the human blood samples from randomly selected sites related to Faisalabad environment were estimated using Atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). The order of concentration of these toxic metals were found to be Zn>Cu>Cr>Ni>Pb>Cd for solid aerosols while Cu>Zn>Pb>Ni>Cr>Cd for blood samples. Overall effect of all these elements present in solid aerosols and blood samples is 22.5 % and 23.11% respectively. The contribution of different kinds of industries is the major source of emission of these elements in the environment. From where these enter in the food web and food chain when deposited on land or inhaled by the inhabitants of the area concerned. Concentration factor and Pollution load index (PLI) were also calculated which showed the shifting of Cd, Cu, Zn, Cr and Ni from solid aerosols to human blood causing severe health hazards while Pb was the only element found in blood which has its origin other than solid aerosols. This state of affairs shows that atmosphere of Faisalabad has worsened to an extent that protective measures are urgently required to overcome the health hazards generated by these potentially toxic pollutants.

Keywords: Elemental atmospheric air pollution, positive co-relationship with human blood, confirmed through concentration factor and pollution load index, hazardous effects on human health, protective measures suggested.

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Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences  -   Volume 8 Number 2

Morphological Study and Determination of M/E Ratio in the Bone Marrow of the Male Adult Ostriches (Struthio camelus)

Mina Tadjalli, Saeed Nazifi, Behrokh Marzban and Banafsheh Majidi

http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1927-5129.2012.08.02.40

Abstract: Normal haematopoiesis, cellular components and M/E ratio in the bone marrow of the male adult ostriches (Struthio camelus) were studied. Bone marrow samples were collected from the proximal tibiotarsus bone of 10 healthy adult ostriches. The bone marrow smears were stained using the Giemsa stain. The results indicated that the development and formation of blood cells in the bone marrow of partridge were similar to other birds. The morphology of the cells was similar to chickens, ducks, quail, and black-head gull. The mean myeloid/erythroid (M/E) ratio was 1.02, the mean erythroid percentage was 47.38%, the mean myeloid percentage was 48.15%, the mean thrombocytic percentage was 3.52% and the mean percentage of all other cells percentage was 0.99%.

Keywords: Bone marrow, Haematopoietic cells morphology, M/E ratio, Ostrich.

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Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences  -   Volume 8 Number 2

Physico-Chemical Analysis of Solid Aerosols Generated from Different Industries of Faisalabad

Muhammad Attique Khan Shahid, Khadim Hussain and Maryam Saeed Awan

http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1927-5129.2012.08.02.41

Abstract: The physical, chemical and electrical characteristics of industrial aerosols generated from different industries of Faisalabad were investigated not only to improve the industrial setup efficiency but also to reduce the environment pollution generated due to these industries. XRPD technique was employed to study these samples which showed the presence of illite, Quartz, calcite, dolomite, gypsum and chlorite as major phases. The values of resistivity of solid aerosols are in high range (0.07×10⁷ to 4.0×10⁹ Ωm) conversely the electrical conductivities are in lower range (0.21-13.30Mho), may be due to high components of Fe₂O₃ and CaO. Coal fly ash and foundry aerosols do precipitate well in the electrostatic precipitator given their operational temperature and moisture content so it is recommended that by changing the temperature and moisture content of the precipitator its cleaning action and hence the industrial efficiency may be improved. The most of the solid aerosols are alkaline therefore acidic rain probability in near future is completely ruled out. 80% basic (Dark color), 20% acidic (light color) of particulate matter confirms our experimental findings. The SEM analysis of particulate matter showed the presence of a variety of patches but confirms the dominance of industrial cum transportational aerosols interlocking and soot particles. Finally comprehensive research and administrative based solution to tackle the issue without affecting the development process is suggested.

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Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences  -   Volume 8 Number 2

Dosimetry Characterization of Unknown Dye Polyvinyl Alcohol Films

Muhammad Attique Khan Shahid, Noureen Kousar, Naseem Akhtar, Taqmeem Hussain, Mariam Saeed Awan, Arfa Mubashir, Bushra Bashir and Asif Javed

http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1927-5129.2012.08.02.42

Abstract: In the present study chemical dosimeters having aqueous solutions of crystal violet commercial dye were irradiated by Co⁶⁰ γ source in the range (0-120)KGy. The standard aqueous solutions were scanned by UV/VIS spectrophotometer for the determination of maximum wave length (λ_max) which was found to be 591nm at this value maximum absorbance was found to be 3.5; it was also observed that with increase in dose, absorbance decreases correspondingly. At this value, the absorbance (A) of irradiated samples was measured in UV region. The plot between concentration C and A gave approximate linear relationship and hence verified Beer’s Law which proved that these dye solutions can satisfactorily be used as the dye dosimeters in 0-120kGy gamma dose range.

Keywords: Aqueous solutions, the crystal violet dye, dosimetry, gamma irradiation, Optical density (OD), decolouration.

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Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences  -   Volume 8 Number 2

Near and Intermediate Field Evolution of A Negatively Buoyant Jet

Raed Bashitialshaaer and Kenneth M. Persson

http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1927-5129.2012.08.02.43

Abstract: In this study, a mathematical model was developed to simulate the jet and plume behavior in order to determine the optimum discharge conditions for different scenarios. The model was divided into two sub-models, describing respectively the near and intermediate field properties of the discharge for different inclinations and bottom slope. The lateral spreading and electrical conductivity was also described through a generalization of measured data. The predictions of the model were compared with experimental data collected in lab as well as results obtained with a commercial software CORMIX. A Matlab code was also developed describing the lateral spreading and centerline dilution of buoyant jet and plumes for near and intermediate field was developed. The model produces results in acceptable agreement with data and observations, even though some improvements should be made in order to give the correct weight to the bottom slope parameter and to reduce the need for user calibration. This study has limited result for only 16% bottom slope and 30 degrees inclination. Concentration was improved with the bottom slope by 10% than the horizontal bottoms and improved by about 40% with bottom slope together with inclination of 30 degrees.

Keywords: Lab-scale experiment, Turbulent jet, Negative buoyancy, Desalination, Brine

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