Combustion Of Plastics Research Articles

Incidence and spread of additives from co-combustion of plastic waste in domestic boilers in indoor and outdoor environments around the family house

The additives released from plastic waste during co-combustion significantly influence indoor air quality. It was found that the unauthorised burning of plastics in households increased the additive concentrations in the indoor air of living spaces by an average of 5 μg/m3. This effect was observed from the difference between background concentrations (indoor quality during combustion of wood) and concentrations during the co-combustion of plastics. The one-way ANOVA analysis shows that indoor air quality is affected not only by the migration of pollutants from the boiler room within the indoor environment (infiltration) but also by air exchange with emissions and outdoor air. The highest concentrations of released additives in the boiler room were found for polystyrene > polypropylene > polyethylene terephthalate > polyethylene (low-density polyethylene and high-density polyethylene). Phthalates from polystyrene (21.16 ± 3.15 μg/m3) were released at the highest concentration, while phthalates from other plastics reached approximately half of this value. During the combustion of high-density polyethylene with softwood, chemical compounds from the residuals of content in plastic packaging were identified in the air (6.26 ± 0.31 μg/m3). Almost all these compounds show significant adverse health effects (irritation of the skin and the respiratory system), and some are carcinogenic.

Community awareness and perceptions on microplastics: a case study from Sri Lanka

Microplastic (MP) pollution is a global issue due to its unprecedented impacts on the environment and human health. However, its place as a potential pollutant and possible impacts on plant and human health are less understood among the general public. The study was conducted to investigate the level of awareness of MP pollution and its impacts and to evaluate their practices and perceptions of plastic usage, and their awareness on regulatory measures in Sri Lanka. The convenience sampling method was employed to select the study population representative of both rural and urban areas. A questionnaire was distributed among 166 respondents belonging to the age group of 20 - 40 years. Nearly 67% and 68% of respondents were aware of MPs and their harmful impacts, respectively. Nevertheless, most respondents (66 %) were not aware of the regulatory measures introduced by the authorities to control the usage of plastic products. About 66% of respondents discarded plastic items on a daily or weekly basis indicating their widespread usage among the general public in Sri Lanka. However, a majority (85%) were unaware that burning of plastics is a prohibited action in the country. The results revealed that the awareness of MPs and their impacts were significantly linked to the gender, level of education, and occupation of respondents, though their awareness on regulatory measures did not show any relationship with the tested demographic characteristics. Unemployed respondents (98.4%) were more mindful of the non-biodegradable nature of plastics than that of students and employed respondents, indicating that the level of education has no link with their awareness of plastics and their characteristics. Despite reasonably high awareness on MPs, the study highlights the necessity of introducing effective strategies to enhance the awareness of regulatory measures to control plastic usage and safe disposal mechanisms among the general public to manage MP pollution in Sri Lanka.

Epidemiological profile of occupational risks associated with artisanal burning of plastic materials in Parakou

Burning plastic releases toxic fumes and gases. More and more people engage in the professional activity of welding plastic parts by fusion in Benin. Hence the need for this study. To assess the frequency of the various occupational risks associated with the welding of plastic materials by burning in Parakou. A cross-sectional, descriptive, and analytical study focused on plastic welders in Parakou. The data was collected using a questionnaire. The variables studied were accidents at work, occupational diseases, and socio-professional characteristics. The data was analyzed by Epi info version 7.2.1.0. The significance level was set at p < 0.05. A total of 137 subjects were surveyed. They were all male. Almost all of them were victims of accidents at work. The lesions were mainly on the fingers (99%) and feet (99%). The most expressed morbid manifestations were musculoskeletal disorders (98%), rhinitis (87%), cough (79%), tearing (98%) and conjunctival hyperemia (93%). Plastic welding in Parakou is a high health risk activity for craftsmen. It is urgent to take protective measures for these craftsmen.

Fire and Oil Led to Complex Mixtures of PAHs on Burnt and Unburnt Plastic during the M/V X-Press Pearl Disaster.

In May 2021, the M/V X-Press Pearl container ship burned for 2 weeks, leading to the largest maritime spill of resin pellets (nurdles). The disaster was exacerbated by the leakage of other cargo and the ship's underway fuel. This disaster affords the unique opportunity to study a time-stamped, geolocated release of plastic under real-world conditions. Field samples collected from beaches in Sri Lanka nearest to the ship comprised nurdles exposed to heat and combustion, burnt plastic pieces (pyroplastic), and oil-plastic agglomerates (petroplastic). An unresolved question is whether the 1600+ tons of spilled and recovered plastic should be considered hazardous waste. Due to the known formation and toxicity of combustion-derived polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), we measured 20 parent and 21 alkylated PAHs associated with several types of spilled plastic. The maximum PAH content of the sampled pyroplastic had the greatest amount of PAHs recorded for marine plastic debris (199,000 ng/g). In contrast, the sampled unburnt white nurdles had two orders of magnitude less PAH content. The PAH composition varied between the types of spilled plastic and presented features typical of and conflicting with petrogenic and pyrogenic sources. Nevertheless, specific markers and compositional changes for burning plastics were identified, revealing that the fire was the main source of PAHs. Eight months after the spill, the PAH contents of sampled stray nurdles and pyroplastic were reduced by more than 50%. Due to their PAH content exceeding levels allowable for plastic consumer goods, classifying burnt plastic as hazardous waste may be warranted. Following a largely successful cleanup, we recommend that the Sri Lankans re-evaluate the identification, handling, and disposal of the plastic debris collected from beaches and the potential exposure of responders and the public to PAHs from handling it. The maritime disaster underscores pyroplastic as a type of plastic pollution that has yet to be fully explored, despite the pervasiveness of intentional and unintentional burning of plastic globally.

Characterization of three plastic forms: Plasticoncrete, plastimetal and plastisessiles

Plastic forms, including plastiglomerate, pyroplastic, plasticrusts, anthropoquinas, plastistone and plastitar, were recorded worldwide. These plastic forms derive from geochemical or geophysical interactions such as heat-induced plastic fusion with rock in campfires, incomplete plastic combustion, water motion-driven plastic abrasion in the rocky intertidal zone, plastic deposition in hardened sediments and plastic bonding with tar. Thereby, these interactions can profoundly influence the fate of plastics in the environment. This study characterized three novel plastic forms (plasticoncrete, plastimetal and plastisessiles) discovered on Helgoland island (North Sea). Plasticoncrete consisted of common polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) fibers hardened in concrete. Plastimetal included PE fibers rusted with metal. Plastisessiles consisted of PE fibers attached to benthic substrates by sessile invertebrates (oysters and polychaetes). Plasticoncrete and plastimetal are the first plastic forms composed of two man-made materials. Plastisessiles show that plastic forms not only result from human- or environment-mediated interactions but also from biological interactions between invertebrates and plastic. All plastic forms (bulk density ≥ 1.4 g/cm3) sunk during floating tests and hardly changed their positions during a 13-day field experiment and 153- to 306-day field monitorings, indicating their local formation, limited mobility and longevity. Still, experimentally detached plastic fibers floated, confirming that the formation of these plastic forms influences the fate of plastic fibers in the environment. Furthermore, the experiment showed that plasticoncrete got deposited in beach sand under wavy and windy conditions, indicating that coastal waves and onshore winds drive plasticoncrete deposition in coastal sediments. We also provide first records of plasticoncrete on Mallorca island (Mediterranean Sea) and plastimetal on Hikoshima island (Sea of Japan), respectively, which show that these plastic forms are no local phenomena. Thereby, our study contributes to the growing fundamental knowledge of plastic forms that is essential to understand the role and fate of these pollutants in coastal habitats worldwide.

Charting success for the Plastics Treaty

Charting success for the Plastics Treaty

Conversion of obsolete keyboard plastics mixed with egg shells and fly ash into concrete brick cubes

Plastic waste is a menace due to its non-degradable properties and chemical composition. Owing to inefficient recycling methods, around 90% of the E-waste plastics are landfilled every year. Burning of E-waste plastics results into the release of dioxins and furans which create severe environmental threats and health hazards. Several studies have been conducted on the utilization of plastics like soda bottles, plastic bags, etc. comprising of single polymers. However, the sustainable utilization of E-waste plastics is limited because E-waste along with plastics is also comprised of another key ingredients that are critical to recycle. US EPA (2012) study reported that approximately 94% of non-metallic fractions (Plastics) in E-waste are landfilled every year. Also, the plastic in E-waste forms a more complex polymer blend, and hence the initiative toward its safe recycling is limited.This article presents an endeavor towards transforming obsolete keyboard plastics into concrete brick cubes mixed with fly ash and eggshell. FTIR test was conducted to screen the polymers present in E-waste plastics. Qualitative and quantitative tests, such as water absorption, bulk density, compressive strength, hardness, and soundness tests were performed to compare different sets A, B, C, D, and E of the brick cubes. The heavy metals in the plastics were found to be within the permissible limit as per RoHS Standard, US EPA, 1989. The obtained peak of the FTIR test revealed (ABS, TBBA, and PC) polymers which were found to be efficient materials for the preparation of concrete brick cubes. The comprehensive strength (15.25 N/mm2) of brick cube D, comprising keyboard plastic, eggshell, and fly ash as 3.12%, 3.12%, and 6.25%, respectively, was found to be almost similar to the second-class bricks. The experimental approach directs that the conversion of E-waste plastics into concrete brick cubes is a better way to obtrude unusual pressure on the environment.

Ecological Risk Assessment and Source Contributions of Heavy Metals in the Sediment of the Chan Thnal Reservoir, Kampong Speu, Cambodia

Metal contamination from farming, inadequate wastewater treatment, and poor disposal of municipal garbage are major threats to public health. This research aimed to (1) assess the extent of heavy metal contamination in sediment samples, (2) describe the distribution of heavy metals by locating likely pollution sources using a positive matrix factorization (PMF) model, and (3) quantify the potential ecological consequences associated with these metals at six different places around the Chan Thnal Reservoir. The findings indicated steady degradation and suggested moderate to high metal contamination. Fe &gt; Zn &gt; Cr &gt; Cu &gt; Pb &gt; Co &gt; As &gt; Mn &gt; Cd was the trend of metal concentrations in the sediment. Various soil pollution indices showed that most of the studied sediment samples were clean, moderately clean, or slightly contaminated. However, Co and Cd reached high-risk conditions posing a severe problem to the local population living in and around the Chan Thnal Reservoir. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to estimate primary factors in PMF analysis. It was found that the contamination of As, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb originated from agricultural and traffic vehicle sources; however, Zn, Fe, Mn, Cr, and Cu were derived from natural sources (e.g., atmospheric deposition and compost amendment). Furthermore, Fe, Cd, Mn, Co, Pb, and Cr were generated from urban and industrial sources (metal coatings, plastic burning, wastewater irrigation, and sewage sludge). Accordingly, this research improves our knowledge of the prevalence of heavy metal pollution in agroecosystems, which may be used to foresee and mitigate the risks of heavy metal exposure to humans and other organisms.

Risk assessment of heavy metal content in yam tubers locally produced in selected local government areas of Taraba State, Nigeria

Abstract. Olawale OF, Abah MA, Emmanuel OP, Otitoju GT, Abershi AL, Temitope DF, Andrew AE, Abdulkadir S, John A. 2023. Risk assessment of heavy metal content in yam tubers locally produced in selected local government areas of Taraba State, Nigeria. Asian J Nat Prod Biochem 21: 6-12. Yam is one of the most cultivated tubers in northern Nigeria. The increasing yam consumption and pest attack on the crop have led to increased use of fertilizers and pesticides during the cultivation process to prevent and control pest attacks. This study aims to determine the concentration of several heavy metals (Hg, Cr, Cd, Pb, and As) in locally produced yam samples harvested from Jalingo, Takum, Mutum Biyu, Wukari and Zing Local Government Area (LGA) of Taraba state as well assessing the Total Cancer Risk and Hazard Quotient associated with consuming the analyzed yam samples. The samples were collected in duplicates from five LGAs of Taraba state (Jalingo, Takum, Mutum Biyu, Wukari, and Zing). They were washed, peeled, and dried before being analyzed for heavy metal content using the method of Nitric acid-hydrochloric acid digestion (APHA 3030 f. 2018) by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS). The data were analyzed using ANOVA (P&lt;0.05). The results showed that Hg and As values were below the permissible limit recommended by WHO, with values ranging from 0.02-0.05 mg/kg. Cadmium content was significantly high, ranging from 8.00-14.00 mg/kg. Chromium content from Zing LGA was higher than in other locations, ranging from 100.00 to 103.00 mg/kg. The risk assessment analysis revealed that chromium and arsenic had the highest and lowest hazard quotient values of 37.32 and 0.00180, respectively, for yam samples cultivated in Jalingo LGA. The highest TCR value was obtained in chromium (3.2×10-3) and the lowest in the lead (1.23×10-8). High levels of heavy metals present in yam samples could be due to excessive use of pesticides or fertilizers during cultivation, burning of plastics and rubbers, deposition from mountains, and other anthropogenic activities. The results of this study are expected to gain public awareness that consuming locally produced yam from LGAs contaminated with heavy metals is at risk of heavy metal toxicity, such as renal, neural, and respiratory disorders, among others.

Результаты исследования горения твердых веществ в закрытом объеме

The paper presents the results of laboratory experiments to study the parameters of the gas environment during the combustion of wood, rubber and plastic under conditions that exclude oxygen access to the reaction area. A laboratory bench has been developed to create the conditions. Graphs of temperature changes and reduction of light transmission of combustion products accumulated in the upper part of the combustion chamber layer have been obtained. Changes of the controlled parameters are analysed and correlation dependences between them are obtained. The results obtained can be used as estimates for building prediction models of fire development in enclosed storage rooms, as well as for assessing the fire hazard of substances when burning in an enclosed volume.

Potential Risks of Open Waste Burning at the Household Level: A Case Study of Semarang, Indonesia

Open waste burning (OWB) is a common disposal practice in several countries. However, this activity can serve as a source of particulate matter and black carbon, which possess a greater greenhouse effect potential than CO2. Moreover, particulates can produce chronic health impacts on residents around the burning areas. Therefore, the present study aimed to examine the environmental effects and health risks associated with the open burning of household waste in Semarang, Indonesia. Four steps were followed to answer the research questions: (1) data collection through a random questionnaire survey, transect walk, and field survey; (2) estimation of environmental risk using the IPCC calculation method; (3) multiplication of emission factors to determine black carbon emissions; and (4) estimation of health risks based on chemical speciation bound to particulate matter. Open burning remained the second most common waste disposal practice even after the implementation of waste collection services by the government. Specifically, approximately 240.28 tons of waste is not collected by the environmental agency service every day, and 88.6% of the uncollected waste in the city is openly burned. Plastic burning contributed to the highest emission share among waste components, and annual total emissions due to OWB were estimated at approximately 53,809.66 tons. Although the carcinogenic risk was low, non-cancer disease risk exceeded the standard. Therefore, direct exposure of residents to OWB may pose significant health risks. The present work fills the scientific and knowledge gaps in the OWB studies.

Ecotourism Development in Sampangan Muncar Beach Banyuwangi

Aims: This study aims to provide counseling on waste management and preservation of the coastal environment to support the development of ecotourism around Sampangan Beach as well as education using the pyrolysis method in waste management.&#x0D; Study Design: To address the trash and ecotourism issues at Sampangan Beach, a pyrolysis device and a 3D model of the ecotourism beach were created.&#x0D; Place and Duration of Study: This research was conducted at Sampangan Beach which is located in Sampangan Village, Muncar District, Banyuwangi Regency in June 2022 until July 2022.&#x0D; Methodology: This study uses a qualitative approach by taking data through surveys to obtain facts from existing symptoms. Field observations and surveys of locals and visitors were conducted in preparation to ascertain the field circumstances at Sampangan Beach before constructing ecotourism beach tools and designs. Additionally, observations are done to learn about the issues, difficulties, and opportunities existing at the site. In addition, researchers read up on pyrolysis machinery and beach design in the literature. Waste management is carried out using the pyrolysis method. The population of this study is the apparatus of villages, environmental management, and communities living directly adjacent to coastal areas.&#x0D; Results: Based on the analysis using a qualitative approach and waste management using the pyrolysis method, the results of the process of burning plastic waste using a pyrolysis tool are influenced by the type of plastic and the temperature of the reactor combustion. Pyrolysis combustion using 3 kg of LPG gas can be used in 3-4 waste-burning cycles, so this method is very good for reducing plastic waste, especially in the coastal area of Muncar Banyuwangi. As well as coastal communities with livelihoods as fishermen can reduce the cost of purchasing diesel by replacing fuel pyrolysis fuel when to catch fish. This 3D model concept that has been compiled follows the style of arranging places such as the beaches in Banyuwangi to increase tourist attraction and increase public comfort when traveling on Sampangan Beach.

Aerosol Mass Spectral Profiles from NAMaSTE Field-Sampled South Asian Combustion Sources.

Unit mass resolution mass spectral profiles of nonrefractory submicron aerosol were retrieved from undersampled atmospheric emission sources common to South Asia using a "mini" aerosol mass spectrometer. Emission sources including wood- and dung-fueled cookstoves, agricultural residue burning, garbage burning, engine exhaust, and coal-fired brick kilns were sampled during the 2015 Nepal Ambient Monitoring and Source Testing Experiment (NAMaSTE) campaign. High-resolution peak fitting estimates of the mass spectra were used to characterize ions found within each source profile and help identify mass spectral signatures unique to aerosol emissions from the investigated source types. The first aerosol mass spectral profiles of dung burning, charcoal burning, garbage burning, and brick kilns are provided in this work. The online aerosol mass spectra show that organics were generally the dominant component of the nonrefractory aerosol. However, inorganic aerosol components including ammonium and chloride were significant in dung- and charcoal-fired cookstove emissions and sulfate compounds were major components of the coal-fired brick kiln emissions. Organic mass spectra from both the charcoal burning and zigzag brick kiln were dominated by nitrogen-containing ions thought to be from the electron ionization of amines and amides contained in the emissions. The mixed garbage burning emissions profiles were dominated by plastic combustion with very low fractions of organic markers associated with biomass burning. The plastic burning emissions were associated with enhanced organic signal at mass-to-charge (m/z) 104 and m/z 166, which could be useful fragment ion indicators for garbage burning in ambient aerosol profiles. Finally, a framework for the identification of emission sources using the unit mass resolution organic mass fractions at m/z 55 (f 55), m/z 57 (f 57), and m/z 60 (f 60) is proposed in this work. Plotting the ratio of f 55 to f 57 versus f 60 is found to be effective for the identification of emissions by the fuel type and even useful in separating emissions of similar source types. Although the sample size was limited, these results give further context to the aerosol and gas-phase emission factors presented in other NAMaSTE works and provide a critical reference for future aerosol composition measurements in South Asia.

Flashpoint and burning of thin molten plastic pool above hot boundary

The melting and dripping of burning thermoplastics can cause a new ignition and form a plastic pool fire, resulting in a significant fire risk. This work investigates the burning dynamics of polyethylene (PE) vs polypropylene (PP) pools fully melted at 380–410 °C on a hot plate with a controlled area and initial temperature. For PE, three burning patterns are observed and defined under different bottom boundary temperatures. When the boundary temperature is lower than the melting point of thermoplastic, burning Pattern I (near-limit flame) appears shortly and extinguishes quickly. Above the melting point of PE, the flame becomes stronger and can last for the longest period before quenching (Pattern II: transitional flame). PP does not have this transitional-flame stage due to a higher melting point and lower pyrolysis point. When the plastic pool temperature exceeds its flashpoint of about 300 °C (∼60 °C below its pyrolysis point), the flame becomes intense and quickly burns out the molten pool (Pattern III: intensive flame). The burning processes of molten thermoplastics show a clear difference from the burning of ethanol and paraffin wax. This study promotes the understanding of the melting and burning of plastics in real fire scenarios and helps quantify the hazards of dripping and flooring fires.

Whey protein protects liver mitochondrial function against oxidative stress in rats exposed to acrolein.

Acrolein (AC) is one of the most toxic environmental pollutants, often associated with incomplete combustion of petrol, wood, and plastic, oil frying, and tobacco smoking, that causes oxidative damage to DNA and mitochondria. Considering that little is known about the protective effects of whey protein (WP) against AC-induced liver toxicity, the aim of our study was to learn more about them in respect to liver mitochondrial oxidative stress, respiratory enzymes, Krebs cycle enzymes, and adenosine triphosphate (ATP). To do that, we treated Sprague Dawley rats with daily doses of AC alone (5 mg/kg bw in 0.9 % NaCl solution), WP alone (200 mg/kg bw, in 0.9 % NaCl solution), or their combination by oral gavage for six days a week over 30 days. As expected, the AC group showed a drop in glutathione levels and antioxidant, transport chain, and tricarboxylic acid cycle enzyme activities and a significant rise in mitochondrial lipid peroxidation and protein carbonyl levels. Co-treatment with WP mitigated oxidative stress and improved enzyme activities. Judging by the measured parameters, WP reduced AC toxicity by improving bioenergetic mechanisms and eliminating oxidative stress.

Разработка модели для определения оптимального состава RDF-топлива в Республике Беларусь

The article presents and substantiates a model for determining the blend composition of RDF fuel from municipal waste. The main goal of developing the model presented in the article was to prove the impossibility and inadmissibility of burning plastics of unknown composition as fuel in cement kilns as potential sources of formation of large volumes of persistent organic pollutants. This is the best justification for the environmental safety of the use of RDF fuel in the Republic of Belarus. With the introduction of a large number of plastics, it is necessary to equip additional emission treatment systems. The article describes the developed methodology for choosing the optimal composition of RDF fuel components, as well as calculating the volume of the gas-air mixture. The mathematical model was developed using the MS Excel program. Its main functions are: entering data into the database, calculating the optimal combinations of the RDF fuel composition, determining the calorific value, moisture content and ash content of the required mixture variant. In addition, the mathematical model analyzes the chemical composition of the required combination and derives indicators of the content of contaminants in the RDF fuel. Such characteristics of RDF fuel as calorific value, humidity, ash content are selected and analyzed. The assessment was made without taking into account emissions of heavy metals such as antimony, arsenic, lead, chromium, cobalt, copper, manganese, nickel, vanadium, cadmium, thallium. Due to the hazardous content of elements in the RDF fuel components, it must strictly not exceed the following values: S - 0.5%, Cl - 0.5%, F - 0.002%, Hg - 0.001%. 210 variants of the component composition of the RDF fuel were analyzed. Using calculations to determine the limits on the content of sulfur oxide, mercury and halogens in emissions, the optimal options for the composition of RDF fuel were determined, of which 12 were found to be satisfactory. The analysis of the content in RDF fuel of elements leading to the formation of certain pollutants (S, Cl, F, Hg), which are persistent organic pollutants, was carried out and their permissible concentrations in emissions during the combustion of RDF fuel were determined. Thus, options for optimal RDF fuel compositions that meet consumer and environmental requirements have been determined.

Life Cycle Assessment in Orthopedics

Covid-19 has led to an increase in the use of PPE, gowns, masks, sanitizers, air circulators, and much more, all contributing to an increase in medical waste (1). Waste generation is one issue. Emissions are another. The two are linked because waste and emissions are both indicators of consumption. However, waste is not the biggest driver of environmental emissions for healthcare. It is the production medical equipment, particularly disposables that have the bigger impact (2). Energy use during care, including heating and cooling our facilities, is another. Environmental emissions like Greenhouse Gases may not correlate with waste generation, especially if the waste is plastic. Carbon is stored in plastic. Unless you're burning plastic, you're not emitting carbon. Healthcare has a waste issue and healthcare has an emissions issue. They are not necessarily the same thing, however the strategies to mitigate each overlap. Life cycle analysis quantifies emissions from the creation to disposal of medical supplies (3). This allows the medical community to make informed choices with respect to the methods and materials that are used in providing care. As other specialties take the lead in reducing their environmental footprint, so too, must orthopedic surgery (4,5,6).

Polyhydroxybutyrate Produce by Lignocellulose

The increasing worldwide concern of pollution is major threat and plastic is one of the major sources of the invasive pollution and pollution caused by plastic is one of the most widespread problems which are affecting our environment (Kumar,R,Sharma.2018). Plastic causes various pollution such as land pollution, air pollution and water pollution, and also cause different types of threat to human health, ocean health, food safety and quality. The burning of plastic and other waste product releases the harmful materials which cab be heavy metals, persistent organic pollutants, and release other chemicals into the air. These chemicals are also linked to the development of asthma, cancer and other diseases, but still it are being use in the industries because it is lighter in weight, show high resistance, low density, stability and flexibility and also is a poor conductor of heat and electricity. Based on the multiple beneficial properties of plastics they are most widely produced, as plastics show countless advantages but they also bring a lot of environmental problem and health hazards. Particularly, micro- plastics have direct effects on food products and also enter the human body. It is assumed that these micro-particles can possibly forward from the intestine to the blood and the lymphatic system and to various organs. It is also observed that one third of the plastic waste undergoes recycling, the left over end up in landfills polluting the environment. Most of the plastics manufactures are only single use and thus its increasing production leads to degradation of fossil fuels. But the excessive use of plastic is causing more risk. To reduce the increasing risk of environmental pollution an alternative should be use which show somewhat property similar to that of plastic or can use bio plastics. Bioplastics are defined as polymers of biomass mostly carbon based compounds and are absolute eco-friendly plastics. The Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) is biodegradable plastics and among which Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) the most well-known and are environment friendly materials which have property similar to plastics and belong to class of alkanoates. PHB are the biosynthetic and biodegradable materials which cause no harm to the environment and it can be biodegradable into organic waste (Li et al.2016, Umesh et al.2018) PHB can be broken down by living organisms, like bacteria as it is biodegradable in nature (Sirohi et al. 2020b). When PHB and the materials created by PHB is thrown out and it will naturally degrade without causing pollution. Bacillus megaterium was the first to generate Polyhydroxybutyrate.This was the first bioplastics made from bacteria.

Chemistry and buffering capacity of fog water collected in and around New Delhi, India.

In this study, fog water samples collected from New Delhi and its satellite township Sonipat for 2years 2015-16 and 2016-17 are characterized by soluble ions and internal buffering capacity. The pH of fog water is close to 5.6 due to the limited contributions of Ca2+ and Mg2+ ions by virtue of low wind speed during winters. NH4+ and Ca2+ were dominant cations in fog at both sites during both sampling years. NH4+ and Ca2+ contributions were similar in New Delhi during 2015-16, but Ca2+ increased during 2016-17 on account of construction activities. Emissions from agriculture fields through fertilizer applications and animal breeding lead to an increase of NH4+ compared to Ca2+ at Sonipat. SO42- was comparable with Cl-, followed by NO3- ions. Plastic burning in this region during wintertime was a possible source of Cl- ions. Acid neutralization decreases as NH4+ > Ca2+ and Mg2+ for all samples in Sonipat and as Ca2+ > NH4+ and Mg2+ in New Delhi. Higher NO3- in New Delhi was due to vehicular emissions. Vehicular emissions in New Delhi and agriculture fields in Sonipat were dominant sources of organic acids. Observed internal buffering capacity was different than theoretical values over a pH range from 4 to 7 in New Delhi, whereas both buffering capacities were close to each other in Sonipat samples. Lead in fog water at both sites was higher than prescribed safe limits for drinking water. Pollution sources were responsible for higher concentrations of metals, organic acids, and soluble ions in fog in New Delhi compared to that in Sonipat.

Frequent observations of novel plastic forms in the Ariho River estuary, Honshu, Japan

Pyroplastic and plastiglomerate are novel plastic forms that are currently being reported from coastal beaches worldwide. Pyroplastic is burned plastic with a rock-like appearance. Plastiglomerate is a solid bond consisting of either melted plastic attached to rock (in-situ plastiglomerate) or a melted plastic matrix containing (in)organic material (clastic plastiglomerate). Both plastic forms have been related to the (un)intentional burning of plastic. Yet, information on pyroplastic and plastiglomerate from estuarine habitats is limited to a pilot study (for this study) and knowledge of pyroplastic and plastiglomerate dynamics as well as the underlying drivers is missing. To address these knowledge gaps, we frequently surveyed stranded pyroplastics and plastiglomerates in the Ariho River estuary (Honshu, Japan) over seven months and studied the collected samples at the lab. In total, 37 pyroplastics (consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, alkyd resin, polyacrylate styrene and polyvinyl chloride) and seven plastiglomerates (consisting of polyethylene and polypropylene) occurred. While pyroplastics occurred frequently, plastiglomerates occurred occasionally which indicates that both forms are common. Pyroplastic (but not plastiglomerate) occurrence and density (items/m2) were related to intertidal elevation. Strandline pyroplastic density, that contributed heavily to the pyroplastic and plastiglomerate entirety, increased under prevailing onshore winds which shows that such winds are environmental drivers of pyroplastic density. Floating tests revealed that clastic plastiglomerate can float. Macro-, micro- and spectroscopic examinations indicated only slight pyroplastic and plastiglomerate weathering which suggests the regional and/or recent formation of both plastic forms. Additionally, we detected the first plastiglomerate with clastic and in-situ features (a plastic matrix containing (in)organic material firmly melted to a rock) which constituted a novel plastiglomerate subtype that we termed “clastic/in-situ plastiglomerate”. Overall, our study initiates the development of the fundamental understandings of pyroplastic and plastiglomerate dynamics and the underlying drivers in estuaries.