NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING RESEARCH INSTITUTE NEERI Chennai Zonal Laboratory, one of the six Zonal Laboratories of the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, Nagpur, has been a trail-blazer to the industries in the States of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Pondicherry, ever since its inception in 1969. The Zonal Laboratory follows the footsteps of the parent organisation in its commitment towards the national and societal missions and CSIR thrust area activities. In its 34 years of existence this Unit has made significant contributions in such thrust areas of R&D as environmental monitoring, environmental biotechnology, toxic waste management, environmental systems design, environmental impact & risk assessment and environmental audit The broad objectives of the laboratory are: 1. To conduct research and developmental studies in the area of environmental science and engineering. 2. To render assistance to the industries of the region, local bodies, etc. in solving the problems of environmental pollution. 3. To interact and collaborate with academic and research institutions on environmental science and engineering for mutual benefit 4. To provide guidance for research scholars for their doctoral studies as the Unit is recognised by University of Madras and Anna University. NEERI Chennai Zonal Laboratory has played an important role in solving some of the most critical problems of pollution in the States of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Pondicherry. Projects of International status funded by such agencies as WHO, World Bank and the US Government have been undertaken by the Zonal Laboratory. The Zonal Laboratory has designed wastewater treatment and disposal facilities for a variety of industries like tanneries, pulp and paper, textiles, chemicals and fertilizers, food, sugar and distillery, etc.
Transcript
NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING RESEARCH INSTITUTE
NEERI Chennai Zonal Laboratory, one of the six Zonal Laboratories of the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, Nagpur, has been a trail-blazer to the industries in the States of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Pondicherry, ever since its inception in 1969. The Zonal Laboratory follows the footsteps of the parent organisation in its commitment towards the national and societal missions and CSIR thrust area activities. In its 34 years of existence this Unit has made significant contributions in such thrust areas of R&D as environmental monitoring, environmental biotechnology, toxic waste management, environmental systems design, environmental impact & risk assessment and environmental audit
The broad objectives of the laboratory are:
1. To conduct research and developmental studies in the area of environmental science and
engineering.
2. To render assistance to the industries of the region, local bodies, etc. in solving the
problems of environmental pollution.
3. To interact and collaborate with academic and research institutions on environmental
science and engineering for mutual benefit
4. To provide guidance for research scholars for their doctoral studies as the Unit is
recognised by University of Madras and Anna University.
NEERI Chennai Zonal Laboratory has played an important role in solving some of the most
critical problems of pollution in the States of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Pondicherry.
Projects of International status funded by such agencies as WHO, World Bank and the US
Government have been undertaken by the Zonal Laboratory. The Zonal Laboratory has
designed wastewater treatment and disposal facilities for a variety of industries like
tanneries, pulp and paper, textiles, chemicals and fertilizers, food, sugar and distillery, etc.
The Laboratory has carried out Environmental Impact Assessment studies for a number of
proposed industrial projects and expansion schemes. The laboratory has been monitoring
the ambient air quality of Chennai City since 1978 by installing air samplers at three zones
of activity viz. Industrial, Commercial and Residential.
Some of the recent noteworthy contributions of the centre to the cause of environmental
protection are listed below:
Environmental Impact Assessment
- Sethu Samudram Ship Canal Project
- REIA for M/s.Hyundai Motors, near Chennai
- REIA for M/s. Sundram Fasteners, Pondicherry
- CEIA for Nuclear Power Plant, Kudankulam
- REIA for Proposed Marine Biopark, TIDCO
Environmental Management Plan
- EMP for Kanchipuram, Dir. of Environment, TN
Environmental Monitoring
- National Ambient Air Quality Monitoring at Chennai
- Surveillance of Drinking Water Quality in Chennai, Coimbatore & Bangalore
- Impact of On-Site Sanitation on Surface and Groundwater Sources in Chennai and
Coimbatore
- EQA of M/s.Sundram Fasteners, Krishnapuram
- EQA of Gem Stone Beach Resort, Muttukadu
- Study of Soil & Groundwater Pollution in Pondicherry Region
- Hydrochemical Study of Groundwater in Pondicherry & Karaikal Regions
- EQA of M/s. Chemfab Alkalis Ltd., Pondicherry
Water Quality Management
- Development and Validation of Water Quality Index in India-Study at
Tiruchirappalli and Kurnool
Wastewater and Hazardous Waste Management
- Wastewater Disposal Options for Port Blair
- Wastewater Management in Tanneries in TN
- Wastewater Management in TN Distilleries
- Wastewater Management in Chennai Port - Design of Sewage Treatment Plant based on
Aerobic Biological Fluidized Bed Reactor Technology
- Characterisation of STP based on FAB, Thermax, Pune
- Solidification and Stabilisation of Electroplating Sludges
Environmental Microbiology/ Biotechnology
- Study of Water Quality Surveillance in Tamil Nadu - Sponsored by Hindustan Lever Limited,
Mumbai.
- Assessment of Virological Quality of Drinking Water in the Water Supply and Distribution
System Network of
Goa Region - Sponsored by PWD Goa.
- Biotechnological Decolourization and Treatment of Textile Wastewater-Perspective for the
New Millennium -
sponsored by the Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India, New Delhi
- Concentration & Detection of HEV in Marine Environment and Sea Food through PCR and
Gene Probe - DBT,
Govt. of India, New Delhi
- Decolourization and Biodegradation of Azodye Industry Wastewater - DBT, Govt. of India,
New Delhi
- Bacteriological & Virological Quality of Irrigation Schemes in TN - sponsored by Anna
University, Chennai
NEERI Chennai Zonal Laboratory has also conducted number of seminars and workshops
connected with current international problems. This centre is recognised for carrying out
research work for both Master's and Doctoral Degrees. So far 11 Research Scholars have
obtained Doctoral degree and more than hundred students have done their project work for
the award of M.Sc./ M.Tech/M.Phil Degree in Environmental Engineering/Science.
NEERI Chennai Zonal laboratory has pioneered in the Research & Development needs of the
industries, Govt. Agencies and Departments for the past three decades and has progressive
plans for the future. The services for both advice and action are always available through
consultancy and sponsored research work.
NEERI CHENNAI ZONAL LABORATORY CAN BE REFERRED FOR ANY PROBLEM OF
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
SOME NOTEWORTHY CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE LABORATORY ARE OUTLINED
BELOW:
Duplex Reverse Transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) for Simultaneous Detection of
Hepatitis A and E Viruses Isolated from Drinking Water Samples
Epidemic outbreaks of infectious hepatitis in developing countries have been associated with
waterborne transmission of Hepatitis A and E viruses. The lack of standard and reliable
technique for concentration and isolation of viruses from environmental samples has
impeded the inclusion of viruses in water quality surveillance programmes.
The sensitivity of Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) based Urea-Arginine Phosphate Buffer
(UAPB) protocol developed at the Institute encouraged its application in development of
Duplex RT-PCR to detect Hepatitis A and E viruses isolated from water samples.
HAV and HEV were concentrated from water samples through one step concentration
protocol. Two different sets of primers, specific for HAV and HEV cDNA, were used for PCR
amplification. Amplified DNA products, representing Hepatitis A and E viruses, were
identified by gel electrophoresis at 225 and 343 bp sequences, respectively. Specific sets of
primers amplified a single virus and no cross reactivity of the primers was noted in Duplex
RT-PCR.
The protocol was used for direct isolation and detection of HAV and HEV from 23 water
samples drawn from urban areas in Chennai. Nine water samples were positive for HAV, and
three for HEV. All three samples positive for HEV were also positive for HAV. The protocol
provides a rapid and economical means of water quality monitoring in detection of Hepatitis
A and E viruses in a single reaction.
Decolourization and Biodegradation of Azodye Industry Wastewater
- DBT, Govt. of India, New Delhi
The studies being carried out for the last 3 years included isolation of specific
microorganisms for the degradation and decolourization of different azodyes used in the
textile dyeing industries. Both anaerobic and aerobic organisms were isolated and cultured
by enrichment technique and these isolated microbes were used in batch experiment as well
as in column after immobilization. The environmental conditions for the degradation and
decolourization were optimised.
The studies indicated very good removal and biodegradation of colour in terms of COD
reduction. The azodye degradation pathways were established. Studies are under progress
on the live wastewaters from the dyeing industries.
National Ambient Air Quality Monitoring
Air pollution poses a major risk to human health and requires for its management a reliable
air quality data base. To fulfill the societal obligations, NEERI has been operating an Air
Quality Monitoring Network for more than a decade with partial financial assistance from
Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) under National Ambient Air Quality Monitoring
(NAAQM) programme. The Ambient Air Quality Database has been generated for the last two
decades for ten major Indian Urban Centres viz. Ahmedabad, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad,
Jaipur, Kanpur, Kochi, Kolkata, Mumbai and Nagpur.
The Database has helped in determining the longterm air quality trends in Indian urban
environments and assisting in development of air quality standards and preparing the
framework for development of viable air pollution management plans. The Programme
includes analyzing long-term trends with respect to health related criteria pollutants such as
inhalable dust, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, ammonia and other pollutants viz. toxic
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and trace metals.
In Chennai the monitoring is being done at 3 sites, Taramani (Residential), Park Town
(Commercial) and Thiruvottiyur (Industrial). The Ambient Air Quality Status of these Sites
from January 2003 to August 2003 is presented in the figures.
Solidification & Stabilization of Electroplating Waste
One of the major hazardous waste generating industries is the electroplating and metal
finishing industry due to the presence of high concentrations of heavy metals such as Cr, Pb,
Ni, Cu, Fe, etc. Solidification/Stabilization (S/S) technology is one of the techniques now
gaining momentum as a possible solution for many hazardous wastes. Solidification refers to
techniques that encapsulate the waste in a monolithic solid of high structural integrity. The
encapsulation may be of fine particles (micro-encapsulation) or of a large block or container
of wastes (macro-encapsulation). Stabilization refers to those techniques that reduce the
hazard potential of a waste by converting the contaminants into their least soluble, mobile
or toxic form. The sludge under study has been collected from a medium scale
electroplating industry with around 85-90% moisture content. The characteristics of the
sludge are given in Table.Metal Dry Sludge (mg/l) TCLP
