Environmental Management systems: Bioprocesses

What is EMS (ISO 14001): A system that enables any organization to: * Manage environmental Impacts arising out of its Activities, Products & Services; *Ensures Compliance to Regulations; * Brings continual Improvement; * Demonstrate High Environmental Performance to others by conforming to Policy, Objectives and Targets. Examples of Bioprocesses in EMS: 1.Biological Wastewater Treatment systems; Solid and Sludge Disposal by Composting, and Landfills Technology; 2.Biodegradation of xeno-biotic compounds; 3.Bioremediation; 4.Bio-fuel Technology to provide supplements to fossil fuels; 5.Bio-fertilizers, Bio-pesticides and Plant Biotechnology for Agriculture; 6.Bio-leaching of ores. Environmental Biotechnology Efficient sewage treatment, deodorization of human excreta Degradation of petroleum and management of oil spills Detoxification of wastes and industrial effluents Bio-control of plant disease and insect pests by using viruses, bacteria, amoebae, fungi etc. 1.Natural Sciences Perspective: Before we study contribution of biotechnology to environmental management system as such, let us take a wider view of the present global environmental situation, how it developed and a scientific approach to solving problems facing us today. Natural Order: [Food Webs and Energy] Our natural order of life on earth consists of interactions that each organism (with our species as most significant player) has with other organisms and with its non-biotic environment. Within the biosphere, organisms are arranged into food webs. In such food webs, plants are the primary producers, consumed by animals and other organisms that may be devoured by predators. Nutritional relationships form the energy basis for the natural struggle for life.

If we consider the biosphere in terms of the turnover of elements rather than in terms of energy flow, then cyclical patterns are observed. Life on earth depends on (1) chemical recycling; it is also dependent on (2) oneway energy flow through the biosphere. Summary of some critical problems that can occur in an ecological system: 1. Disruption of essential chemical cycles on a global or local scale: a. Breaking the Cycle; e.g., desertification, global warming and change of climate b. Changing the rate of cycling by chemical overloads or leaks in the cycle. e.g., upsetting oxygen and carbon cycle by deforestation, dumping industrial wastes in lakes and rivers 2. Disruption of energy flow on a local or global scale: a. Decreasing or increasing solar energy input by changing the properties of the local or global atmosphere. E.g., green house gases and ozone depleting chemical release into atmosphere. b. Heat or entropy build up in the environment due to use of too much energy, large scale combustion of fossil fuels for electricity generation.- we cannot ignore the second law of thermodynamics. Rapid evolution of human society took place in recent ten thousand years. Several developments have made an immense consequence on the natural environment due to human activities. In the last two hundred years, it has been observed that the use of energy resources on a large scale affects the general flow of matter in the biosphere contributing to disturbances in natural cycles, beyond earths bearing capability. In early stage of hunting, primitive agriculture and with skillful use of tools, manual and animal nutrition derived power was the limiting energy source. Organic molecules generated through photosynthesis in plants with solar energy as the source of energy, provided food for herbivorous animal species (including humans) and anima id development. Resource depletion and pollution became a real possibility. The efficiency of energy conversions in nature far exceeds that of Man designed production processes. A living organism not only produces materials it needs to function and in doing this uses energy in a highly efficient way. In times of a positive energy balance energy is stored in compounds such as starch, glycogen and lipids. Each living organism degrades bio-molecules that have fulfilled their biological function to smaller units and subsequently uses these for the production of new bio-molecules or as a cellular fuel. Microorganisms- built-in integrated recycling can after the death of the organism, use the bio-molecules present in an organism. The non-bio-gradable nature of manufactured products such as synthetic plastics, may cause problems by accumulation in the environment. Integral Life Cycle management: Mankind is withdrawing fossil energy and raw materials from the earths reserves to for making products for fulfilling social needs. During the process of manufacture, wastes and degraded energy may be released to environment and after usage the product may become a disposable material in the environment. Recycle of material can involve some more energy input.

When we make a choice of a product, a consideration of the total impact on environment of producing it, using it and finally handling it as waste should be made. If its utility is less than the adverse impact then we should forgo the use of it. In addition to considering economic feasibility of a process in a situation, energy and environmental factors are also satisfactory; society can support the product both from producer and consumer point of view. Biotechnology: New Revolution: Biotechnology is the application of organisms, biological systems or biological processes to manufacturing and service industries. It is based on understanding of biosciences and process engineering and involves handling of bio-molecules that occur in nature. Here we consider applications of biotechnology in agriculture, chemical synthesis and energy management. Two strategies for the use of biotechnology are studied (i) To reduce the environmental problems arising from conventional technology. (ii) To replace existing environmentally damaging technology. Recalcitrant organic molecules and inorganic pollutants: Compounds that persist in the environment are called recalcitrant. Abiotic organic chemicals in water, soil etc.are not easy to treat as these are not metabolized easily. However in some cases selective development of mutants have given biotechnology solution to these problems. Inorganic heavy metal pollution too has been tackled by bioprocess developments. REFER: Microbial biosorbents: Meeting the challenge of heavy metal pollution in aqueous solutions Current Science, v 78, No 8, April 2000,(Review Paper,967-973) Man made compounds that are found in unusually high concentrations in the environment are called xenobiotic. These do not get degraded easily by microbes and accumulate in the environment. Considerable research is being done on his topic by environmental biotechnologists.

2. Waste, Pollution--need for Treatment Interaction: Man & Environment Nature of Wastes & Pollutants Environmental impacts of release Treatment: End of pipe vs process integrated technology Landfill technology for solid waste Waste generation is the byproduct of consumption and production activities and tends to rise with the level of economic advance. Wastes arise from domestic and industrial activity, e.g., sewage, wastewater, agriculture and food waste from food processing, wood wastes and ever increasing range of toxic industrial chemical products and byproducts. Costs for properly dealing with waste are escalating and much attention is presently devoted to efficient and effective waste management, which will include costs of collection, storage, processing and removal of wastes.

A Tale Of Too Crowded Cities Urban India is stretching itself out like naan "with bulges here and there, thin at the edges''. Shapeless, running out of land, water, even clean air. A landscape ripe for the kind of mayhem Delhi has witnessed this past years. The Sunday Times tracked the corridors of urban expanse, and chaos. Almost a third of India - over 300 million people already lives in its towns and cities. Said Union urban development minister Jagmohan, "Urban India today is as large (in numbers) as the total India was in 1947. In numbers, we will have the second largest urban population in the world, next to China. We are just not paying attention.'' The urban population is expected to hit the 500 million mark in the next two decades. More worryingly, the growth is uneven. India already has the highest congestion rate in the world -- about 44 per cent of families in urban areas live in just one room. In the nation's Capital alone, more than a third of all residents live in slums, without proper shelter, drinking water, sanitation, or access to health care and good education. Thousands of illegal colonies had emerged and thousands of illegal industries recently rose in revolt against attempts at control, given a voice by politicians seeking short-term dividends. Planning has been thrown to the winds, bringing to the fore questions of urban governance and its definition, the nature of planning, the cost of services, public versus private sector involvement in development.

NATURE OF WASTES: GAS LIQUID SOLID CONCENTRATED & LOCALISED DILUTE & DISPERSED BIODEGRADABLE RECALCITRANT MIX OF BIODEG. & RECALCI.

HAZARDS: BIOLOGICAL CHEMICAL PHYSICAL

To dispose solid wastes a recent method is landfill. Landfill practices vary from country to country. One of the common approaches is the use of the cell emplacement strategy. In this the collected refuse is covered on all sides by soil at the end of each working day. There is some degree of stratification. The size of the cells depends on the daily volume that is tipped. Each cell is compressed and roughly leveled by mechanical bulldozers. Generally the depth of cell is limited to about 2.5 meters. Depth of the soil used to cover at the end of each day is about 20cm.

3. Aerobic Wastewater Treatment

Aerobic wastewater treatment process is essentially a biologically based process, which is long established. There are two main types of treatment; fixed film processes and homogeneous growth processes. The most widely used fixed film process is the trickling filter bed, and for homogeneous growth methods, the activated sludge process. Other specialized treatment regimes exist, and are often applied to the treatment of specific industrial waste. The choice of a treatment process is aided by the ability to define the nature of he wastewater to be processed by the use of established parameters. These include BOD, COD, ammoniacal nitrogen and suspended matter. Knowledge of fundamental equations and processes ultimately enable the design of vessels to handle known quantities of wastewater of a known composition and the optimization of these stages for the removal of BOD or other desired effects, when they have been built are operated. This understanding also enables the process to be run cost effectively for example in the choice of oxygenation methods in dispersed systems. The skills needed within a wastewater treatment plant are multidisciplinary and include civil engineering, Chemical engineering, electrical engineering and obviously micro-biology. A biotechnologist should appreciate the integration of these disciplines and have some understanding of their individual contributions.

4. Anaerobic Wastewater Treatment

WHY BIOGAS IN VILLAGES ? ENERGY RECOVERY: BIOGAS SUBSTITUTES FOR FUELWOOD & KEROSENE. HYGIENIC DISPOSAL OF ANIMAL WASTE CONSERVATION OF FERTILIZER VALUE HOW IS GAS FORMED? MIXED CULTURE OF BACTERIA DECOMPOSES VOLATILE SOLIDS & GROWS IN ANAEROBIC CONDITION; GAS MIXTURE RELEASED ADVANTAGES: RESULTING SLURRY FREE FROM PATHOGENS CAN BE USED IN COMPOST PIT FOR MANURE MILD CONDITIONS: 30o C, pH 6.8-7.2, FEED ONCE A DAY FOR COOKING, BURNER, LIGHTING: MANTLE LAMP AVAILABLE; FOR A DUAL FUEL ENGINE: EASY GAS PURIFICATION FEASIBLE FOR RURAL FARM OR FAMILY SIZE PLANT, SUBSIDY AVAILABLE.

COMMONLY USED FEED FOR BIOMETHANATION: ANIMAL WASTES, URBAN WASTES, and FOOD & AGROINDUSTRY WASTES.

WET ORGANIC WASTE AS FEED FOR BIOGAS PLANT ANIMAL WASTES: Excreta of cow, pig, chicken etc MANURE, SLUDGE: Canteen and food processing waste, sewage MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE: After separation of non-degradable
WASTE STARCH & SUGAR SOLUTIONS: Fruit processing, brewery, press mud from sugar factory etc OTHER INDUSTRIAL EFFLUENTS (B O D): pulp factory waste liquor, leather industry waste, coal washery wastewater etc.

MICROBIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF BIOMETHANATION

The biomethanation of organic matter in water is carried out in absence of dissolved oxygen and oxygenated compounds like nitrate and sulphate. The mixed groups of bacteria are naturally occurring in the cow dung slurry and decomposition in three stages finally produces a gas mixture of methane and carbon dioxide. Initially larger molecules are hydrolysed to simpler molecules which in turn are decomposed to volatile fatty acids like acetic acid, propionic acid etc. by a second set of bacteria. Methane forming bacteria can convert acetic acid, hydrogen and carbon dioxde and produce methane. HYDROLYSIS OF BIOPOLYMERS TO MONOMERS CONVERSION OF SUGARS, AMINO ACIDS, FATTY ACIDS TO HYDROGEN, CO2, AMMONIA AND ACETIC, PROPIONIC AND BUTIRIC ACIDS CONVERSION OF H2, CO2, ACETIC ACID TO CH4 AND CO2 MIXTURE

Operating parameters affecting the biogas production:

1. Temperature is an important parameter. Mesophilic methane producing bacteria grow at an optimum temperature of 35oC the gas production rate drops very much when temperature is less than 10oC. 2. pH range of the wastewater should be in the range of 6.8 to 7.8 as excess acid state hampers the methane producing bacteria and the balance of nutrients is disturbed. 3. Ratio of carbon to nitrogen in the wastewater influent or C/N ratio is 30:1 and if nitrogen content in ammoniacal form is less the bacterial growth is affected and the process slows down. 4. Proportion of solids to water: This is found to be not more than 10 per cent for optimum operation of digester to ensure sufficient decomposition of volatile solids and rate of production of gas. 5. Retention time: The ratio of volume of slurry in the digester to the volume fed into and removed from it per day is called retention time. Thus a 20 liter digester is fed at 4 liters per day so that the volume of digester is constant the retention time is 5 days. The required retention time is normally 30 days for mesophilic (25-35oC) conditions. 6. Volumetric organic loading rate: This can be expressed as kg Vs per volume per day based on the % weight of organic matter added each day to the digester volume. Digester loading rate %= (Per cent of organic matter in feed)/(Retention Time) Loading rate range is 0.7 to25 kg VS/ m3 / Day

KINETICS OF ANAEROBIC FERMENTATION (Reference: Mital, pp 36-39):

Rate of substrate Utilization,

rs = Qmax * (Sx)/ (K+S) ---(1)

Where S is limiting substrate concentration K is half-life constant X is concentration of bacterial cells Qmax is maximum substrate utilization rate For low substrate concentration, this equation is valid. For high substrate concentration, it becomes as follows:

rs = Qmax*x ----(2)
The above model known as Monod model has limitations. For complex substrates, kinetic parameters cannot be obtained for the entire concentration range.

Chen and Hashimoto, Biotechnology Bio-engineering Symposium 8, (1978) p 269282 and Biotechnology Bioengineering (1982) 24: 9-23

Volumetric methane rate in cubic meter gas per cubic meter of digester volume

V = (Bo So / HRT)[1- K / (HRT*m-1+K)]

Bo = Ultimate methane yield in cubic meters methane (Varies from 0.2 to 0.5) So = Influent volatile solids concentration in kgVS/m3 (Loading rate range = 0.7 to 25 kg VS/m3 d) HRT = Hydraulic retention time in days 0.06 So K = Dimensionless kinetic parameter, for cattle dung, K= 0.8+ 0.0016e m = Maximum specific growth rate of the microorganism in day-1

Dry and wet fermentation:

Reference: Solid state anaerobic digestion of cattle dung and agro-residues: Perspective and prospects M.Shyam, Journal of Solar Energy Society of India, 10(1): 11-25 (2000)

WET FERMENTATION MEANS FEED HAS SUBSTRATE TOTAL SOLID CONCENTRATION, ( TSC) OF 8 TO 9 % DRY FERMENTATION OR SOLID STATE FERMENTATION HAS FEED SUBSTRATE TOTAL SOLID CONCENTRATION, ( TSC) OF 20 TO 30 %, A MIX OF COW DUNG AND A WIDE VARIETY OF AGRORESIDUES. ANAEROBIC DIGESTION OF CATTLE DUNG AND MANY AGRORESIDUES AT INITIAL CONCENTRATIONS OF TSC BETWEEN 16 TO 25 % HAS BEEN DEMONSTRATED SATISFACTORILY IN SMALL BATCH TYPE AND PLUG FLOW TYPE DIGESTERS. AT INITIAL TSC OF 40% OR LESS DIGESTION GETS COMPLETED IF SUFFICIENT TIME IS PROVIDED. BIOGAS AND METHANE PRODUCTION AND AMOUNT OF SUBSTRATE DEGRADED REMAINS SAME.

ANAEROBIC CONTACT DIGESTER

BIOMASS SETTLED IN A SECOND TANK, RECYCLED TO THE DIGESTER. RECYCLE GIVES HIGHER SRT AND EFFICIENCY MIXING IN THE FIRST TANK AND EFFICIENCY OF SETTLING IN THE SECOND TANK IMPROVES PERFORMANCE. REQUIRE HRT OF 10 DAYS OR MORE.

5. Bio-degradation of xenobiotic Compounds

Man made compounds that are detected in the environment in unusually high concentrations are called xenobiotic. This term is also applied to those compounds that occur naturally, but due to mans activities, are deposited in the environment in unnaturally high concentrations Such xenobotic compounds are not readily biodegradable since their molecular structures or bond sequences are not readily recognized by existing degrading enzymes. Types of compounds: Aliphatic halo-hydrocarbons, cyclic halocarbons, aromatic halocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls, synthetic polymers, alkyl-benzyl sulphonate. These are examples of xenobotic compounds released into the environment that are not easily degraded by microorganisms. In general, xenobiotics are either recalcitrant because they are chemically stable or their decomposition by catabolism leads to the production of toxic compounds. Modern research in microbial metabolism in mixed cultures has indicated the possibility of biotechnology for the decomposition of many of these compounds.

6. Biomass For Energy

Renewable Energy potential and achievements for India

Source Approximate Potential Status (as on 31 MARCH 1998) 2.71 million 28.49 million

Biogas plants 12 million Improved wood 120 million Stoves Biomass power 1700 MW 29.5 MW and gasifiers Biomass based cogeneration 3500 MW 84 MW 2 Solar photovoltaic 20 MW/km 32 MW Solar water heating systems 35 MW/km2 13.3 MW Wind power 20,000 MW 970 MW Small hydro power 10,000 MW 155.38 MW (up to 16 megawatt) Refer: TERI -ENERGY DATA DIRECTORY AND YEAR BOOK, 1998, p 470

Renewable Energy options and their carbon reduction potential:

Renewable Energy technologies draw energy from the sun, wind, water and plants and have the advantage of restricting the emission of air pollutants. Their development and use will not only decrease CO2 emission but also lessen our dependence on fossil fuels, improve air quality and create rural employment.

7 Agriculture & Biotechnology: Environmental Benefits

BIOFERTILIZER
o Microbial inoculants, carrier based preparations containing beneficial microbes in a viable state intended for seed or soil application. o Improve soil fertility and help plant growth. o In the root environment, number and biological activity of the desired microbes are increased which produces plant nutrient nitrogen.
Biofertilizers are microbial inoculant cultures of agronomic value, in nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization and release of plant growth regulators. In 1930s, lab preparations of RHIZOBIAL inoculants also known as LEGUME inoculants were tested. Later these became industrial products in U.S., Europe, Australia and India. Rhizobia are most effective in converting atmospheric nitrogen to ammonia in symbiosis with legumes. SPIC Science Foundation has successfully developed technology to produce efficient inoculants of rhizobia for soyabean, chickpea, groundnut, black gram and other pulses. The carrier material ands nutrient formulation ensures extended shelf life of the microbial inoculants. The Foundation has also developed specific Azospirillum strains ensuring enhanced productivity. Azospirilla enhance root biomass and fix nitrogen in associative symbiosis with cereals, sugar cane and cotton. Carrier based AZOSPIRILLUM and AZOTOBACTER inoculants for non-leguminous crops have become popular in India, in recent times. Azotobacter inoculants promote seed germination and initial vigour of plants due to growth substances produced by the organism. BLUE GREEN ALGAE (cyanobacteria) play a role in the nitrogen economy of tropical rice soils. They can be cultured in open-air tanks and used for rice cultivation. Algal inoculation of rice fields in India has shown their use as biofertilizer. ANABAENA, NOSTOC and TOLYPOTHRIX are free-living blue green algae that fix nitrogen under rice cultivation. Azolla-anabaena symbionts generate about 40 kg N/ ha along with addition of bulk quantities of organic matter of azolla biomass.

BACILLUS MEGATERIUM VAR PHOSPHATICUM cells have capacity to convert rock phosphate to soluble forms useful to plants. Sekhar Nautiyal, at National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow, identified bacteria, PSEUDOMONAS FLUORESCENS, which increased crop productivity by 20% in some crops and produced plant growth hormones. It also helped to make phosphate more soluble in water. (Business world, p104.Sept.7, 1997) VAM fungi: [Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhiza]

Reference Books: 1. Biofertilizers in Agriculture and Forestry by N.S.Subba Rao, Oxford and IBH Publ. Co New Delhi, (1993) 2. Bio-fertilizers: Instruction cum- Practical Manual for IX and X classes, Rs.25/= N C E R T book: Available from: Business Manager, RPDC, NCERT, 108, 100ft Road, Hasker Halli Extn, Banashankari, 3rd Stage, Bangalore.560085 Phone: 6725740 Reference: (General Article): Perspectives of soil fertility management with a focus on fertilizer use for crop productivity Sankaram Ayala and E. V. S. Prakasa Rao Current Science, Vol. 82, No7, 10, April 2002, pp 797 807. BOOK: Biotechnology of Bio-fertilizers, Editor: S.Kannaiyan, Narosa Publishing House, New Delhi, 2002 [660.63 95328]

Bioremediation
WHAT IS BIOREMEDIATION?
Remediation is a process to remove contaminants such as gasoline, kerosene and fuel oil from soil. Bioremediation uses naturally occurring microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, or yeast to decompose harmful chemicals into less toxic or nontoxic compounds. Microorganisms, like all living organisms, need nutrients (such as nitrogen, phosphate and trace metals), carbon and energy to survive. Microorganisms break down a wide variety of organic (carbon-containing) compounds found in nature for energy for their growth. Many species of soil bacteria, for example, use petroleum hydrocarbons as a food and energy source. This natural process transforms the petroleum hydrocarbons into harmless substances consisting mainly of carbon dioxide, water and fatty acids.

WHY BIOREMEDIATION?
In Ohio, over 15,000 underground storage tanks that store petroleum, heating oil and other materials are leaking. Oil spills and leaks at industrial sites, feed lots and rail yards have resulted in hundreds of tons of petroleum contaminated soil (PCS) throughout the state. Petroleum contaminated soil, unregulated and left to evaporate into the atmosphere, can release potentially harmful volatile organic compounds into the atmosphere. Petroleum products can seep into soil and contaminate underlying ground water.

Runoff from unregulated sites can carry petroleum contaminants off-site into nearby waterways. Ohio EPA considers bioremediation technology to be one safe solution to the PCS problem. Instead of transferring contaminants from one environmental area to another (for example, from water to the air or to land), bioremediation decomposes petroleum products. Ohio EPA has strict emission standards to ensure permitted facilities don't negatively impact human health or the environment.

WHAT ARE THE ALTERNATIVES TO BIOREMEDIATION?

While there are several treatment methods, there is no single technology that can be applied to every PCS site. The remediation method applied should be most appropriate for specific site characteristics. All of the following treatment methods are better options than land filling or leaving the soil on the ground.

Land farming: This method involves spreading soil over an open area, allowing contaminants to be released into the air. If not properly contained, rainwater runoff could cause PCS to be carried off-site. Soil vapor extraction: This method involves venting air in the soil to remove vapors which may be controlled or vented to the air. As soil is cleaned to acceptable levels, it normally remains in the ground at the original location. This process releases contaminants into the air. Thermal treatment: Also referred to as thermal desorption, this method involves heating soil to 250-700 degrees Fahrenheit. Thermal treatment differs from incineration because there is no combustion of the soil.

Contaminants are separated from the soil and released into air pollution control equipment to minimize emissions being released into the air.

CAN BIOREMEDIATION FACILITIES ACCEPT HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES?

Bioremediation facilities are NOT permitted to accept petroleum contaminated soils containing hazardous substances, including PCBs and pesticides. Bioremediation facilities are NOT permitted to accept soils containing hazardous waste. Petroleum contaminated soil is not hazardous waste. Petroleum contaminated soil is not hazardous to touch or handle.

Lignite and Biotechnology

Location Responsible organization(s)

Neyveli, India Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC) within the Ministry of Coal. Situated in the south of India in Tamil Nedu, NLC mines 11MT of lignite annually, of which 9.5 MT are used for electricity generation. Industrial aspect of activities is supported by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). The project was initiated to facilitate the establishment of a Lignite Fuel and Energy Research Institute (LERI) at NLC in order to ensure that Indian lignite is utilised to its full potential and that environmental problem stemming from its use are minimised. One aspect of the project is to assist NLC with the industrial aspects of its work on mine spoil reclamation. The mining operations at NLC covered a huge area by mine spoil, and the problem continues to grow. NLC explored ways to overcome this concern. The main problem is that the mine spoil is devoid of

Description

both humic substances and micro-organisms and hence unable to support crop growth. NLC undertook tests to enrich the sterile mine spoils with additives in order to transform the spoils into a suitable substrate for plant growth. The tested additives include biofertilisers, humic acid, other organic substances and inorganic fertilizers. These were tested in various combinations in a large variety of plant species including maize, millet, rice, sugarcane, fruit trees and flowers. The biofertiliser and the humic acid supplements tested are being produced on the pilot scale by NLC, and lignite itself is one of the raw materials in the production process. The biofertiliser is produced by growing five strains of micro-organisms in fomenters. These are harvested and adsorbed onto lignite to produce a jelly-like substance which is the initial product. The humic acid is currently produced from lignite by digestion with potassium hydroxide. This produces an undesirable effluent. The project provides support towards the development of the production processes for the biofertiliser and the humic acid and a new biotechnology process for producing humic acid is being developed. In addition to reducing production costs, this will probably also alleviate the need for the harsh chemicals that are used in the present production process, and thus reduce the environmental impact of the process. It also provides an elegant solution to an environmental problem; using the material extracted from a mining operation, and biotechnology, to alleviate the environmental problem caused by the mining. NLC is also investigating biotechnology solutions to other environmental problems. These include the biological treatment of effluents, including effluent from the lignite briquetting and coking plant to reduce phenol content, and for reclamation of the ash pond which now covers more than 25 hectares. NLC is also monitoring the fate of residual chemicals in the environment.
Issues addressed

The operations at NLC had, and continue to have, considerable environmental impact. The project supports the above biotechnology approach which may be able to significantly reduce some of the negative environmental effects. Many other mining sites in India, and many other developing countries with mining operations, face similar environmental problems. There

is thus considerable potential for applying the products and technologies developed at NLC at other sites both within and outside of India.
Objectives

To assist NLC to develop technologies which will mitigate the environmental consequences of past and present mining and related activities, and which may be replicable at other sites. Technologies have been developed which can effectively reduce the environment impact of mining activities. Environmental protection technologies are not always restrictive to industry nor are they necessarily expensive. The Government of the Federal Republic of Germany through the Industrial Development Fund. Mr. Grant Ramsay, Chemical Industries Branch, UNIDO Vienna International Centre P.O. Box 400 A-1400 Vienna Austria Telephone: (+43 1) 21131 - 3774

Results achieved

Lessons learned

Financing

Contact

National Environmental Engineering Research Institute

National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, Nagpur, pursues an effective R & D programme in Environmental Science and Technology to enable solutions to backlog and future environmental problems emanating from developmental imperatives in various socio-economic sectors. The institute while fulfilling its commitment towards the national and social missions and CSIR thrust area activities, has made a significant contribution in the recent past, in the areas of institute's R & D, viz. Environmental Monitoring; Environmental Biotechnology, Hazardous Waste Management; Environmental System Design, Modelling and Optimization; Environmental Impact and Risk Assessment; and Environmental Policy Analysis.

The institute has retained its repute in International Scientific Collaboration by undertaking joint R&D ventures with United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP), World Health Organization (WHO), and Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA). The institute is designated as WHO Collaborating Centre on Environmental Health. Bioinformatics Centre at NEERI aims to serve as a National Information Resource Centre on Environmental Biotechnology by providing total computer support in the form of information, data processing & analysis in Biotechnology in general and Environmental Biotechnology in particular. The need to keep abreast of the latest information on advances and developments in environmental biotechnology has become imperative for rapid progress in research, production and application. Accordingly, to cater the needs of the scientific community of the host organization and the local needs, an Environmental Biotechnology Bibliographic Database (EBBD), has been developed covering the literature from a large number of Biotechnology journals available in NEERI Library. EBBD is a bibliographic database developed initially on CDS/ISIS and converted to dBASE IV by a conversion program. Apart from a logical query facility, a retrieval facility on author and keywords is also available for the database. A database including the data entry , data handling and query software, named QABIS has been developed for ongoing and closed Biotechnology projects in NEERI. The query facility for QABIS is available on Lab code, Scientist name and area code. The software is written in dBASE. The centre has collected the data on biotechnology equipments from 59 biotechnology research organizations from India and a directory database on equipment details has been developed with a query software to retrieve the information on Equipment, Lab name, and city. The database contains information on 400 equipment details, contact persons and the access facilities. HCIS ( Hazardous Chemical Information System) is a software Package developed at the centre using 'C' programming language for quick retrieval of information about 276 hazardous chemicals. The user interface has been designed with a view to enhance the utility of the information readily available as ASCII text files which is maintained by USEPA under Integrated Risk Information System(IRIS). The searches are based on different chemical names. A directory database on thesis submitted to Nagpur University in Life Sciences and Biotechnology is in progress and the database comprises of 225 thesis submitted during 1987 to 1996. CD-ROM Databases viz. Ei-Energy and Environment; CCINFO Disc Series, and AHEAD series have been purchased for the centre and information retrieval services are provided on demand to the clientele of the host institute and other organizations.