Vicinity Of Thermal Power Plant Research Articles

Assessment of Air Pollution in Ulaanbaatar Using the Moss Bag Technique.

Active moss biomonitoring, the so-called moss bag technique, widely applied in many countries, for the first time, was applied to assess the air quality in Ulaanbaatar (Mongolia). Moss bags with Sphagnum girgensohnii Russow were exposed in triplicate in three different periods: December-February, March-May, and December-May at 13 governmental air quality monitoring stations located in the vicinity of thermal power plants and residential areas. The plant tissue content of Al, Ba, Co, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, P, Pb, Sr, S, V, As, and Zn was determined using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry, and a direct mercury analyzer was used to determine the Hg content. The samples in residential areas and near thermal power plants that were exposed for 3months in winter and for 6months (winter to spring) were characterized by the highest accumulation of the elements. In the moss bags exposed during spring, maximum accumulation of the determined elements was noted in residential areas and near main roads. Regardless of the exposure time and duration, the highest accumulation of Al, Fe, and V was determined at Dambadarjaa air quality station located near a highway and of Hg near the Amgalan power plant. Significant differences in element accumulation between seasons were observed, thus, the accumulation of Al, Ba, As, Co, Cr, Fe, Pb, V, and Zn was higher in spring, while P and S had higher content in the moss samples exposed during winter. The accumulation of elements over the 6-month exposure period was 1.1-6.7 times higher than that of the 3-month periods. Thus, the 6-month exposure can be considered a reliable deployment period as it ensures an adequate signal in terms of enrichment of pollutants. Factor analysis was applied to highlight the association of elements and to link them with possible sources of emission. Three factors were determined, the first one included Al, As, Ba, Co, Cr, Fe, Mn, Pb, Sr, and V and was identified as a geogenic-anthropogenic, the second (Cu, P, and S) and third (Cd and Zn) factors suggested anthropogenic origin. The Relative accumulation factor and enrichment factor were calculated to evaluate the level of air pollution and possible element sources. Considerable contributors to air pollution were Zn, Fe, As, V, Cr, and Al, which may originate from airborne soil particles of crustal matter or transport, as well as coal combustion for heating and cooking.

Effects of gradient ambient air pollutants on wheat cultivars (HD2967 and HD3086) in vicinity of thermal power plant

This study involves the effects of gradient ambient air pollutants on wheat cultivars (HD2967 and HD3086) that are grown on farmers’ fields located in 8 villages, namely - Jamuha, Singanpur, Parwaha, Bahadurpur, Jawaharpur, Ghasa Ka Purwa, Hajiyapur, and Murhi which are present in the vicinity of the Thermal Power Plant (TPP) at Auraiya. The present study was carried out to observe the effects of Total Suspended Particulate Matter (TSPM), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) and Ozone (O3) air pollutants on growth and biochemical parameters viz. - pH, relative water content (RWC), ascorbic acid (AA), total chlorophyll (TC), and yield of wheat cultivars (HD2967 and HD3086) in a 10km radius of the TPP. The wheat cultivars were grown for two consecutive years on agricultural fields in the 8 villages chosen by this study. The range of selected ambient air pollutant observed at the selected experimental site was 139-189 µg/m3TSPM, 23-28 ppbNO2, and 34-46 ppb O3. The dust deposition on the flag leaves of wheat cultivars was maximum (3.4 mgcm-2) in the 2-4 km area on the leeward side of the TPP while considerably lesser deposition was witnessed in the 7-9 km area on the windward side at Hajiyapur (2.5 mgcm-2). Canopy area, growth, yield attributes, chlorophyll, relative water content, and yield were significantly (P<0.05) affected by SPM deposition. Due to air pollutants gradient, among the two cultivars of wheat, HD2967 was more adversely affected than HD3086.

Comparative study of toxic heavy metal residues and other properties of honey from different environmental production systems.

Honeybees forage a large spatial area around the hives. In addition, honey production takes place in various environments, and polluted environment is often hard to detect. It impacts both human and beehive health, especially through honey which is used for human consumption. Pollen analysis was conducted by a novel approach through a multivariate principal component analysis where it was possible to obtain grouping patterns related to foraging plant species. Samples of honey were acquired from three different environmental production systems: (i) honey from the apiaries in the vicinity of thermal power plant, (ii) apiary of certified organic production and (iii) the conventional production with semi-controlled production. Significantly higher contents of the Pb, Cd and Zn are found in the analysed honeys taken near the thermal power plant compared with those of the other analysed honeys. The origin of Zn, Pb and Cd in the honey is the contaminated forage plants and foraging honeybees. Honey from certified organic production differentiated significantly from other two types of production by the water content, electrical conductivity and total soluble solids and notably it contained significantly less ash and lead. There is a clear advantage of certified organic honey in terms of heavy metal residues as the most prominent pollution factor in honey. Therefore, honey can be used as the broad range environmental pollution indicator, as bees will forage on polluted plants and bring the pollutant from a wide spatial range inside the hive, where it can be traced in the honey. Graphical abstract.

Geotechnical Characterization and WRCC for Spatially Varied Pond Ash within an Ash Pond

Thermal power plants produce a large quantity of coal ash as a by-product from the combustion of pulverized coal. A small quantity of total coal ash produced is currently being utilized, whereas unutilized coal ash is deposited in vicinity of thermal power plant as waste material which covers several hectares of useful land. The utility of coal ash in various applications related to geotechnical and geoenvironmental field has been increased manifold. In most of these applications, thorough understanding of geotechnical characteristics and water retention characteristics curve of pond ash is required. There are not many studies that deal with study of effect of spatial distribution of pond ash within the ash pond on the geotechnical characterization and soil water characteristic behavior of ash. This paper presents the results of geotechnical characterization and water retention characteristics curves of pond ash which were collected from different locations from inflow to outflow of Ropar thermal power plant (India). Index properties and engineering properties (permeability, strength parameters) of ash changed significantly upon the spatial variation from inlet of slurry point to outflow of decanted water. Classification of ash changed from SM to ML as it is moved away from inlet to outflow point. Distinctly different drying and wetting curves were observed for ash samples collected from inflow to outflow points. Results revealed that inflow points exhibited higher specific gravity, low air entry value as compared to outflow points. Further, investigation was carried out to study WRCC hysteresis of samples collected from inflow to outflow in an ash pond. It is concluded from the results that coarse ash sample exhibits lesser degree of WRCC hysteresis. The results presented in this paper signify the importance of considering WRCC hysteresis for a pond ash samples spatially distributed in an ash pond. The results obtained for pond ash was also compared with the natural sand in order to make a comparison with natural sand for its possible replacement in place of sand in various civil engineering applications.

Impact Assessment of Atmospheric Dust on Foliage Pigments and Pollution Resistances of Plants Grown Nearby Coal Based Thermal Power Plants.

Plant species grown in the vicinity of thermal power plants (TPP) are one of the immobile substrates to sink most of the pollutants emitted from their stacks. The continuous exposure of toxic pollutants to these plants may affect their resistances and essential biochemical's concentrations. In the present study, we estimated the impact of dust load generated by a TPPs to plant's dust retention capacity and pollution resistances (APTI and API). The observed ambient air quality index (AQI) showed that the surroundings of TPPs are in the severe air pollution category. Observed AQI was greater than 100 in the surrounding area of TPP. The mean dust load on plant foliage was significantly greater in the polluted site compared with the control site: 4.45±1.96 versus 1.38±0.41mgcm-2. Nearby, TPP highest and lowest dust load were founded in F. benghalensis (7.58±0.74) and F. religiosa (2.25±0.12mgcm-2) respectively. Analysis revealed the strong negative correlation between dust load and essential pigments of foliage, such as chlorophyll content, carotenoids, pH of foliage extract, and relative water content. Conversely, strong positive correlation was observed with the ascorbic acid content of plant species. Correlation and percentage change analysis in ascorbic acid content for the polluted site against the control site showed the adverse impact on plants due to dust load. Based on their responses to dust pollution, A. scholaris, P. longifolia, and M. indica were observed as most suitable plant species. Estimation of DRC, chlorophyll a/b ratio, APTI and API revealed the A. scholaris, F. benghalensis, P. longifolia, and M. indica as the most suitable plant species for green belt formation. The high gradation was obtained in A. scholaris, F. benghalensis, P. longifolia, and M. indica for opted parameters and showed their most suitability for green belt formation. Salient features of the present study provide useful evidences to estimate the combined effect of DRC and pollution resistances of plant species on green belt establishment for long-term environmental management around industries.

Health Effects and Environmental issues in residents around Coal Fired Thermal Power Plant, Padubidri: A cross sectional study.

Background: Coal based thermal power plants (CFTPP) have been found to deteriorate human health and environment by its releases. It can cause impact on air, water, soil. Thus the present study was undertaken to assess the health status of the residents and environmental conditions in the area in the vicinity of thermal power plant. Material and Methods: The present cross-sectional study included 408 residents in a 5 km radius around Padubidri thermal power plant. The information was gathered using interviewer administered semi structured questionnaire, measurement of peak expiratory flow rate using peak flow meter and environmental air monitoring using the Dust trak monitor. Results: It can be observed that majority of the subjects were in the age group ≥45years (50.7%) with the mean age of the participants being 43.08± 12.05 years. 82.8% were females and 17.2% were males. In a total of 408 study participants, 26.7% had cough, 16.7% had phlegm, 4.2% had wheeze, 6.6% had shortness of breath and 1.5 % had chest pain. 9.8% had allergic symptoms like sneezing, eye irritation and skin itching. Though the mean observed PEFR was lower in females, smokers, those residing very near to the plant, those with respiratory and allergic symptom. However, the difference was statistically non-significant (p>0.05). Conclusion: The present study highlights the presence of health problems particularly respiratory and allergic symptoms among the residents in the vicinity of thermal power plant.

Impact of Coal-Fired Thermal Power Plant on Pulmonary Health of Primary School Children

Demand for electricity generation increasing gradually with the advancing of civilization. InIndia 75% of the total power obtained is from coal-based thermal power plant. In India ash content in the coal used for power generation is 30-40%.Thus power generation from coal results in emission of a variety of pollutants including fly ash. Annually 65 million tons of fly ash is generated as waste product in India and causes serious air pollution. Children are more susceptible to it. Therefore this study was planned to assess the pulmonary health status of primary school children aged 6-9 years living in the vicinity of thermal power plant. Subjects were divided into two groups: control (living within 5km radius from power plant) and control (living more than 25km away from power plant) group. Anthropometric parameters such as height and weight were measured and body mass index and body surface area were derived. The lung function parameters studied were FVC, FEV1, PEFR, FIVC, FIV1, PIF, FEF25-75% and mid vital capacity. Pulmonary function test indicates that living within vicinity of a coal-fired thermal power plant can result in significant reduction of all pulmonary function indices. Percentagedecrease of inspiratory parameters (FIVC, FIV1, FIF50 and PIF) was more than expiratory parameters. PEF and PIF which are more dependent upon air ways are very much reduced, because the effects of the pollutants are more on bronchial tree. Ratio of mid vital capacity was comparatively higher than control counterpart which indicates variable type extra thoracic air way obstruction. Spirometric findings suggest that living within vicinity of a coal-fired thermal power plant can result in obstructive lung disease both in extrathorasic and bronchial tree. So children reside within the vicinity of coal-fired thermal power plant should undergo immediate lung function test to detect their pulmonary health status so that proper preventing measures or treatment is possible

Use of Mosses as Biomonitors of Major, Minor and Trace Element Deposition Around the Largest Thermal Power Plant in Serbia

AbstractThe survey results of an atmospheric deposition of major, minor and trace elements using the moss biomonitoring technique are given for the vicinity of the largest thermal power plant in Serbia. The mosses of genus Brachythecium sp. and species Kindbergia praelonga (Hedw) Ochyra, both pleurocarpous, were favoured. The concentrations of 22 elements were determined in moss samples using different spectrometric techniques depending on the sensitivity needed. Elevated concentrations of As, Cd, Co, Hg, Ni and V were found in the vicinity of the thermal power plant. The results obtained were chemometrically treated by cluster analysis, which grouped the elements into three clusters based on common patterns in their concentrations.

Health risk assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and heavy metals via dietary intake of vegetables grown in the vicinity of thermal power plants

Six different vegetables grown in the vicinity of three thermal power plants and a background site in Delhi, India were analyzed for 16 priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and 7 heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Cr, Ni, Zn, Fe and Mn). Annual mean concentrations of PAHs and all metals were found to be significantly higher (ANOVA, p<0.001) at power plant sites as compared to the background site. Higher abundances of coal tracer PAHs such as Phen, Anth, Flan, Pyr and Chry in power plant vegetables suggested possible impacts of coal combustion emissions. Higher ratios of polluted sample-to-background sample of vegetables were found especially for Cr, Cd, Ni and Zn. Spinach and radish showed greater accumulation of PAHs and metals on a mass basis at the power plant sites while vegetables belonging to the gourd family showed highest relative enrichment. Power plant samples showed 184–475% greater metal pollution index (MPI) values as compared to the background location while health risk indices (HRI) for Cd and Ni exceeded the safe limit for most vegetables. Incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) assessment showed that up to 58 excess cancer cases are likely in Delhi for lifetime ingestion exposure to PAHs at their observed concentrations.

Hazardous impact and translocation of vanadium (V) species from soil to different vegetables and grasses grown in the vicinity of thermal power plant

The distribution of vanadium (V) species in soil (test soil), vegetables and grasses, collected from the vicinity of a thermal power plant has been studied. For comparison purpose soil (control soil), same vegetable and grass samples were collected from agricultural land devoid of any industrial area. A simple and efficient ultrasonic assisted extraction method has been developed for the extraction of V 5+ species from soil, vegetable and grass samples using Na 2CO 3 in the range of 0.1–0.5 mol/L. For comparison purpose same sub samples were also extracted by conventional heating method. The total and V species were determined by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry using different modifiers. The validity of V 5+ and V 4+ determination had been confirmed by the spike recovery and total amount of V by the analysis of CRM 1570 (spinach leave) and sub samples of agricultural soil. The concentration of total V was found in the range of 90–215 and 11.4–42.3 μg/g in test and control soil samples, respectively. The contents of V 5+ and total V in vegetables and grasses grown around the thermal power plant were found in the range of 2.9–5.25 and 8.74–14.9 μg/g, respectively, which were significantly higher than those values obtained from vegetables and fodders grown in non exposed agricultural site ( P < 0.01). Statistical evaluations indicate that the sum of concentrations of V 5+ and V 4+ species was not significantly different from total concentration of V in same sub samples of vegetable, grass and soil of both origins, at 95% level of confidence.

Bioindication of Different Stresses in Forest Decline Studies in Slovenia

Determination of the stresses operating on a forest ecosystem demands the use of several bioindication methods. Air quality indicators were assessed from an inventory of forest decline based on the assessment of tree crowns and epiphytic lichens. Photosynthetic pigments, ascorbic acid and major macronutrients were studied in Norway spruce needles as indicators of physiological and biochemical stress. Analyses were carried out on selected forest plots in polluted areas (Zasavje district, vicinity of thermal power plants) and predominantly unpolluted areas (Triglav National Park, Julian Alps, Slovenia). For some bioindication methods, there was good agreement with measured air quality and climatological parameters. The best agreement was found between total foliar sulphur in needles and epiphytic lichens, especially in more polluted areas. Agreement with forest decline inventories and analyses of some needle stress physiological/biochemical parameters was less convincing. The strength of agreement was further decreased by soil characteristics and climatic parameters, influenced also by biotic parameters and forest stand history and management. It was concluded that there is no simple bioindication method available to evaluate the vitality of a forest.

Three long-range transport models compared to the ETEX experiment: a performance study

For operational or research purposes (dispersion computations of radioactive effluents during nuclear emergency situations, simulations of chemical pollution in the vicinity of thermal power plants), different models of passive dispersion in the atmosphere have been developed at the Environment Department of EDF’s R and D Division. This report presents the comparison of the performances of three such models: DIFTRA (lagrangian puff model, with operational goal), DIFEUL (three dimensional eulerian) and DIFPAR (Monte Carlo particle model) for the simulation of the first ETEX release, an international tracer campaign during which a passive tracer cloud has been followed over Europe. The results obtained in this study give model vs. experience differences of the same order as the model vs. experience differences observed during an international model comparison experiment using data of the Chernobyl release, the ATMES exercise. In addition to the standard statistical scores used in the evaluation of the performances of the transport models two asymmetric scores (in contradistinction with the Figure of Merit in Space) are proposed: “efficiency” and “power”. Their aim is to separate the two manners in which a model may be wrong: by predicting presence of pollutant while none is measured or conversely predicting absence when pollutant is actually detected.

Combined use of the air monitoring system in production and transmission of electricity

The paper presents a double use of the EIS (environmental information system) network for scheduling thermal electricity generation with regard to ecological conditions (air quality in the vicinity of thermal power plants), and for control of the thermal loading of important transmission lines with regard to meteorological conditions. The Slovenian ecological monitoring system was set up fifteen years ago with the task of assuring acquisition of data about air pollution in the vicinity of thermal power plants. In the meantime it has been constantly upgraded and improved. At the end of 1994 Immission, emission and meteorological data started to be online transmitted to the National Dispatching Centre. Problems with space and restrictions encountered at the construction of new transmission lines made researchers look for solutions that would allow a greater loading of transmission lines without threatening power system reliability. A method was consequently theoretically implemented by monitoring of the thermal loading of the most important 400 kV transmission lines supported with meteorological data obtained from the EIS measuring system. Transmission of data from the EIS into the dispatching centre, supported with adequate software, will facilitate efficient control of the power system with consideration of ecological limitations (electricity production in thermal power plants) and, at the same time, allow more efficient exploitation of transmission lines in view of meteorological conditions. The main idea of this paper is the use of the same meteorological system for controlling both thermal generation and the loading of important 400 kV overhead lines.