E-waste Management: Balancing Environmental Challenges and Economic Opportunities
Pavan Kumar Doppalapudi, Syed Suffia Iqbal, Pranav Prashant Dagwar, Deblina Dutta
Book Series, Environmental Science and Engineering, 2025, DOI Link
View abstract ⏷
Electronic waste is rapid growing concern that is gaining prominence, escalating at an alarming rate of 3–5% annually, which surpasses the growth of any other waste category within the solid waste sector. E-waste is laden with perilous elements, including toxic metals and persistent organic pollutants, juxtaposed with valuable metals of significant economic value. This predicament mandates urgent innovative efforts from environmental agencies to formulate responsible strategies for E-waste management. Numerous studies underscore the grave consequences of improper E-waste recycling techniques, ranging from severe environmental degradation to potential health hazards for humans, owing to the presence of hazardous materials. Consequently, there is an imperative need for the development of appropriate methods to recover metals from E-waste. Several techniques such as pyrometallurgy, hydrometallurgy, bio metallurgy, and hybrid methods have been explored. The recovery of metals helps in safeguarding the environment from perilous waste but also bridges the demand–supply gap of metals. Furthermore, it offers potential avenues for livelihoods and business opportunities. The shift from open dumping and informal electronic waste recycling to cutting-edge technology and environmentally friendly practices, all meticulously monitored, is essential. To curtail environmental pollution and promote resource reuse, various legislative frameworks have been instituted to standardize the management and upcycling of E-waste. Recycling metals from electronic waste significantly eases the strain on the global metal supply. This book chapter aims to delineate the precise management of hazardous items and substances classified as waste, delving into potential prospects, strategies, and limitations for enhanced E-waste management. The chapter will explore an array of innovative solutions capable of guiding individuals, businesses, supply chains, and communities towards a more sustainable future.
Streamlining E-waste Management for a Greener Tomorrow
Syed Suffia Iqbal, Pranav Prashant Dagwar, Deblina Dutta
Book Series, Advances in Science, Technology and Innovation, 2025, DOI Link
View abstract ⏷
The advancement in technology and growing population is responsible for the rise in the volume of electronic waste (E-waste) that has led to significant environmental issues. It has been evaluated that the production of E-waste will rise 74.7 billion kgs by 2030. This chapter aims to clarify the governance of E-waste, its impacts on health and the environment, and the associated challenges. It also discusses various recycling technologies and processes while exploring their relevance across diverse geographical regions, promoting the implementation of sustainability. It also focuses on informal and formal sectors. Enhancements to global waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) management are proposed, emphasizing the integration of circular economy principles into the manufacturing and production of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) as well as the overall management of WEEE. This includes embracing concepts such as urban mining. E-waste can provide a good business opportunity which are available through metal recovery and the better improvement in the waste management sector. Developing an environmentally friendly regulatory framework for recycling is crucial in establishing an inventory of end-of-life electronic products. The environmental agencies need to innovate and develop environmentally sound strategies for resource recovery from E-waste which can lead to the business advantage converting the concept of linear economy to circular economy. The chapter concludes with recommendations for policymakers and researchers to promote sustainable E-waste management practices.
Evaluation of environmental impacts of mobile phones in India using life cycle assessment technique
Dutta, VR. Sankar Cheela, Dubey, Kumar, Goel
Journal, International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 2025, DOI Link
View abstract ⏷
The rise in the production, utilization and disposal of mobile phones has created a global concern for environmental sustainability. In the present research, environmental impact evaluation for the different life stages of mobile phones was performed using the life cycle assessment (LCA) approach. The study was focused mainly on raw materials extraction and network utilization phase as these two stages are responsible for creating most of the environmental pollution and health hazards. A comparative life cycle assessment was performed to evaluate impacts associated with button- and touch types mobile phones. IMPACT 2002 + ® method was considered to evaluate the environmental impacts. Fifteen mid-point and four damage assessment categories were evaluated. The production phase is the major emission contributing stage to human health, ecosystem quality, climate change and resources categories followed by its utilization phase. Printed circuit board manufacturing contributes to the emission in production phase while electricity consumption in utilization phase. Avoidance of virgin material for the production of mobile phones and its charging is identified as key parameters for improving the environmental performance.
Sustainable recovery of rare Earth elements from industrial waste: A path to circular economy and environmental health
Pranav Prashant Dagwar, Syed Suffia Iqbal, Deblina Dutta
Journal, Waste Management Bulletin, 2025, DOI Link
View abstract ⏷
Rare earth elements (REEs) play a vital role in digitalization and industrialization. Naturally occurring in bastnasite, monazite, and xenotime, REEs are primarily concentrated in China, Australia, and the USA, leading to dependence on secondary sources. Recycling REEs from industrial waste such as E-waste, wastewater, red mud, slag, and fly ash offers a sustainable, low-emission, and energy-efficient solution. Advanced methods, including bio-metallurgy, have optimized recovery, achieving 80–95% efficiency for elements like Yttrium, Cerium, Neodymium, and Thorium. However, improper handling of secondary REE resources poses environmental and health risks. This study comprehensively explores REEs’ role in sustainable industrial growth, evaluating traditional and advanced recycling technologies. It also assesses the ecotoxicological impacts of REEs and emphasizes safety measures. Additionally, the review highlights circular economy strategies for sustainable development, addressing environmental challenges while promoting efficient resource utilization.
Recovery of metals from spent lithium-ion batteries using agricultural waste, applications and circularity framework
Syed Suffia Iqbal, Nada Ramadan, Pranav Prashant Dagwar, Deblina Dutta, Dina Magdy Abdo
Journal, Separation and Purification Technology, 2025, DOI Link
View abstract ⏷
The rapid growth of portable electronics, electric vehicles, and renewable energy systems has led to a substantial increase in E-waste, particularly from end-of-life lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). As critical components of modern energy infrastructure, the disposal of these batteries presents significant environmental and resource recovery challenge. Concurrently, agricultural waste such as grape seeds, orange peels, rice husk, sugarcane bagasse, banana waste and others has emerged as another environmental concern due to poor waste management and improper disposal practices. Utilizing biomass-based leaching methods, valuable metals including lithium (Li), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), and iron (Fe) can be recovered with high efficiency, achieving recovery rates ranging 80–90%. This approach not only mitigates the environmental burden of agricultural waste but also enhances the sustainability of LIB recycling processes. The study explores the innovative use of agricultural biomass as an eco-friendly, low-cost reductant for metal recovery from spent LIBs, also the paper presents a detailed comparison between conventional and biomass-based recycling methods, analyzing the effectiveness, environmental impacts, and economic viability the conventional and biomass-based methods, it also discusses various leaching mechanisms using agricultural waste and evaluates their role in promoting sustainable resource management. By integrating these strategies within broader sustainability and circular economy frameworks, the study emphasizes the importance of developing green and innovative approaches to manage the growing volume of spent LIBs in an environmentally responsible and economically beneficial manner.
Bioremediation and Biodegradation: Importance and Recent Development
Debajyoti Kundu, Palas Samanta, Sukhendu Dey, Deblina Dutta, Rahul Rautela, Anjani Devi Chintagunta, N.S. Sampath Kumar, Rahul Mishra, Knawang Chhunji Sherpa, Srushti Muneshwar, Ankit Motghare, Sunil Kumar
Book, Solid Waste Treatment Technologies: Challenges and Perspectives, 2024, DOI Link
View abstract ⏷
Bioremediation can help reduce and remove the pollution we produce, to provide clean air, water, and healthy soils for future generations. Pollution damages our health and the environment, affecting wildlife and the sustainability of our planet, as summarised in our policy briefing on food security. Under controlled conditions, bioremediation is the process of biologically degrading organic wastes, typically to a state of innocuousness or to concentration levels that remain within particular concentration limits set forth by the controlling authority. In bioremediation, it is possible to do it either ex situ or in situ, depending on a number of factors, such as the type and concentration of pollutants, cost, and/or site characteristics. As a result, ex situ is generally more expensive than in situ, since excavation results in additional expenses. Biological processes are the most effective and economical way to remediate a polluted site. Though bioremediation is not a new technique, our understanding of the mechanisms behind it is growing, enabling us to use it more effectively. Frequently, bioremediation uses fewer resources and less energy than conventional technologies and doesn't produce waste products that can be hazardous bioremediation has both technical and cost advantages, though it can sometimes take longer to complete than traditional methods.
Life Cycle Assessment and Techno-Economic of E-waste Recycling
Deblina Dutta, Rahul Rautela, Pankaj Meena, Venkata Ravi Sankar Cheela, Pranav Prashant Dagwar, Sunil Kumar
Book, Management of Electronic Waste: Resource Recovery, Technology and Regulation, 2024,
View abstract ⏷
In twenty-first century, the world has become dependent and addicted to electronic gadgets like mobile phones, laptops, tablets, etc. The increased use of gadgets has led to a huge generation of E-waste (Electrical and electronic waste). Therefore, management of E-waste has become a major concern at the global level. Life cycle assessment (LCA) evaluates and quantifies the environmental impact of an electronic product from its rawmaterial till its disposal. The techno-economic analysis (TEA) recognizes the technical modifications to overwhelm existing obstacles in commercial E-waste recycling units. The present chapter deals with the LCA and techno-economic analysis of E-waste recycling. This “Lifecycle Evaluation” (combination of LCA and TEA) would help in understanding the environmental and social impacts, which would facilitate the E-waste recycling processes. This approach would prove to be an important tool in developing E-waste management schemes in a sustainable way.
Fundamentals of Microbiology
Naseeba Parveen, Tandra Mohanta, Deblina Dutta, Sudha Goel
Book, Advances in Solid and Hazardous Waste Management, Second Edition, 2024, DOI Link
View abstract ⏷
While a large number of organisms are involved in the degradation of solid waste, microbes or microorganisms constitute the biggest group.
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) Contamination of Soil in Informal E-Waste Recycling Facilities
Deblina Dutta, Sudha Goel
Book, Advances in Solid and Hazardous Waste Management, Second Edition, 2024, DOI Link
View abstract ⏷
Technological innovations and the rapid growth of the electronics industry have led to the proliferation of electronic waste (e-waste), including obsolete refrigerators, washing machines, mobile phones, computers, printers, televisions, and other appliances.
Electronic Waste (E-Waste) Generation and Management
Deblina Dutta, Sudha Goel
Book, Advances in Solid and Hazardous Waste Management, Second Edition, 2024, DOI Link
View abstract ⏷
Rapid advancement in technology, especially the production of electrical and electronic equipment has resulted in a new stream of waste known as electrical and electronic waste (E-waste) making it the fastest-growing waste stream in recent times.
Applications of deep eutectic solvents in metal recovery from E-wastes in a sustainable way
Syed Suffia, Deblina Dutta
Journal, Journal of Molecular Liquids, 2024, DOI Link
View abstract ⏷
Deep eutectic solvents (DESs), a novel category of environmentally friendly solvents has emerged recently. The extraction of metals through hydrometallurgy has gained significant importance due to the rise in metal demand. The escalating release of metal-related waste not only raises concerns about human health and environment, but also expedites the depletion of natural metal reservoirs. Conventional solvents used in these techniques frequently have harsh characteristics that could result in human health hazard, and the environmental deterioration. It is vital to use greener solvents to make these separation procedures sustainable and cleaner. This surge in interest is primarily propelled by the shorter lifecycles of electronics higher consumption rates. E-waste, categorized as hazardous material, can have detrimental environmental consequences if not collected and recycled properly. Hydrophilic DESs offer a potential solution for metal leaching and have the capacity to replace mineral acids, thereby potentially reducing water usage. Effective and targeted extraction of metals from minerals or waste materials becomes feasible with the use of DESs. This review encompasses an elucidation of DESs and their characteristics, coupled with a foundational exploration of their utility as an alternative medium for conducting metal separation from diverse sources. Also, an overview of recent literature is presented, highlighting the application of DESs in metal separation, detection, and recovery efforts.
Safeguarding drinking water: A brief insight on characteristics, treatments and risk assessment of contamination
Debajyoti Kundu, Deblina Dutta, Anuja Joseph, Ankan Jana, Palas Samanta, Jatindra Nath Bhakta, Maha Awjan Alreshidi
Journal, Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 2024, DOI Link
View abstract ⏷
Water pollution stands as a critical worldwide concern, bearing extensive repercussions that extend to human health and the natural ecosystem. The sources of water pollution can be diverse, arising from natural processes and human activities and the pollutants may range from chemical and biological agents to physical and radiological contaminants. The contamination of water disrupts the natural functioning of the system, leading to both immediate and prolonged health problems. Various technologies and procedures, ranging from conventional to advanced, have been developed to eliminate water impurities, with the choice depending on the type and level of contamination. Assessing risks is a crucial element in guaranteeing the safety of drinking water. Till now, research is continuing the removal of contaminates for the sake of supplying safe drinking water. The study examined physical, inorganic, organic, biological and radiological contaminants in drinking water. It looked at where these contaminants come from, their characteristics, the impact they have and successful methods used in real-world situations to clean the contaminated water. Risk assessment methodologies associated with the use of unsafe drinking water as future directives are also taken into consideration in the present study for the benefit of public concern. The manuscript introduces a comprehensive study on water pollution, focusing on assessing and mitigating risks associated with physical, inorganic, organic, biological and radiological contaminants in drinking water, with a novel emphasis on future directives and sustainable solutions for public safety.
Advances in ionic liquids: Synthesis, environmental remediation and reusability
Lohit Kumar Srinivas Gujjala, Debajyoti Kundu, Deblina Dutta, Ankit Kumar, Manisha Bal, Aman Kumar, Ekta Singh, Rahul Mishra, Sunil Kumar, Dai-Viet N. Vo
Journal, Journal of Molecular Liquids, 2024, DOI Link
View abstract ⏷
Ionic liquids (ILs) are next generation solvents which are synthesized by organic salts, possess negligible vapour pressure and have low flammability. They possess high thermal and electrochemical stability, can be reused for multiple cycles, and its properties can be tuned according to the components used in its synthesis. Hence, ILs are considered to be potential alternatives for the conventional organic solvents for numerous applications such as environmental remediation, nanoparticles synthesis, as catalysts in various chemical reactions, as solvents for the extraction of biomolecules from recalcitrant lignocellulosic biomass, etc. In this review article, the holistic approach of ILs starting from various techniques adopted for its synthesis along with its critical review has been discussed followed by detailed discussion on the mechanism involved for the remediation of environmental pollutants using ILs. Further, in depth documentation of various environmental pollutants remediated till date using ILs has been done. One of the major drawbacks of solvents application is the reusability factor, and hence in this review article, techniques adopted to recycle/reuse of ILs has been discussed. Further, the adverse effect of using ILs for environmental remediation has been comprehensively discussed to present a holistic view. Future studies should focus on synthesis of environment friendly ILs and their field-scale applications for environmental remediation.
Landfill leachate a potential challenge towards sustainable environmental management
Pranav Prashant Dagwar, Deblina Dutta
Journal, Science of the Total Environment, 2024, DOI Link
View abstract ⏷
The increasing amount of waste globally has led to a rise in the use of landfills, causing more pollutants to be released through landfill leachate. This leachate is a harmful mix formed from various types of waste at a specific site, and careful disposal is crucial to prevent harm to the environment. Understanding the physical and chemical properties, age differences, and types of landfills is essential to grasp how landfill leachate behaves in the environment. The use of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in managing leachate is noticeable, as applying these goals directly is crucial in reducing the negative effects of landfill leachate. This detailed review explores the origin of landfill leachate, its characteristics, global classification by age, composition analysis, consequences of mismanagement, and the important role of SDGs in achieving sustainable landfill leachate management. The aim is to provide a perspective on the various aspects of landfill leachate, covering its origin, key features, global distribution, environmental impacts from poor management, and importance of SDGs which can guide for sustainable mitigation within a concise framework.
Policy pathways to sustainable E-waste management: A global review
Sai Preetham Grandhi, Pranav Prashant Dagwar, Deblina Dutta
Journal, Journal of Hazardous Materials Advances, 2024, DOI Link
View abstract ⏷
Electronic waste (E-waste) is a critical challenge of today's period, with around 57 million tons generated in 2021, of which only about 9 million tons were properly recycled, E-waste tends to affect the globe with issue like, illegal recycling, improper landfill disposal, illicit exports and others. Addressing this issue requires sustained, well-structured efforts, with effective policy interventions which are key towards reducing E-waste, by providing a framework for minimizing its generation and safeguarding the environment. These policies can ensure proper disposal methods, public awareness, device repair and refurbishment, and recycling rates with E-waste management monetizing the efforts of E-waste management startups. The study examines innovative E-waste policies across various countries which includes Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), WEEE directives, regional laws, and State level laws, highlighting successful strategies such as incentivized recycling programs and stricter regulations on hazardous materials. The aim of the paper is to update information with an emphasis on global trends of E-waste, emphasizing the importance of robust policies in reducing environmental harm and lowering the cost of new electronics through efficient recycling.
Challenges and extended business opportunity associated with E-waste management options
Rahul Rautela, Deblina Dutta, Pranav Prashant Dagwar, Mahesh Game, Ankit Motghare, Srushti Muneshwar, Rohit Jambhulkar, Debajyoti Kundu
Book, Global E-waste Management Strategies and Future Implications, 2023, DOI Link
View abstract ⏷
The electrical and electronic waste, commonly known as “E-waste,” has come into the limelight from mid-1970s. A large amount of E-waste was transported from the developed countries and dumped in the developing countries due to availability of large area and labor force. It has been documented that 95% of the total E-waste generated is recycled by the informal (unauthorized) sector but at the cost of environment and human health. The informal sector has a well-established network for collection of E-waste from various parts of the country, but, in comparison to the formal (authorized) sector, they lack financial and technological support. For example, in India, there are 472 registered recycling centers having a capacity of 1,426,685.22 MTA but the generation rate is much higher than the recycling amount. In view of the adverse impacts resulted from mishandling of E-waste, research studies have been conducted and technologies developed to combat the problems of E-waste. Today, there is immense opportunity to establish start-ups and enhance the business opportunity to recycle and recover resources from E-waste to increase the economic growth of the country. The informal and formal sectors can coordinate and initiate a great prospect in the management of E-waste in an environment-friendly manner. Through their coordination, the concept of circular economy can be achieved, leading to the sustainable development. The present chapter covers the challenges faced by the society and environment due to the generation of E-waste, as well as business opportunities associated with E-waste management options.
A review on recovery processes of metals from E-waste: A green perspective
Deblina Dutta, Rahul Rautela, Lohit Kumar Srinivas Gujjala, Debajyoti Kundu, Pooja Sharma, Mamta Tembhare, Sunil Kumar
Journal, Science of the Total Environment, 2023, DOI Link
View abstract ⏷
E-waste management has become a global concern because of the enormous rise in the rate of end-of-life electrical and electronic equipment's (EEEs). Disposal of waste EEE directly into the environment leads to adverse effects on the environment as well as on human health. For the management of E-waste, numerous studies have been carried out for extracting metals (base, precious, and rare earth) following pyrometallurgy, hydrometallurgy, and biometallurgy. Irrespective of the advantages of these processes, certain limitations still exist with each of these options in terms of their adoption as treatment techniques. Several journal publications regarding the different processes have been made which aids in future research in the field of E-waste management. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the various metal recovery processes (pyrometallurgy, hydrometallurgy, and biometallurgy) from E-waste, along with their advantages and limitations. A bibliometric study based on the published articles using different keywords in Scopus has been provided for a complete idea about E-waste with green technology perspective like bioleaching, biosorption, etc. The present study also focussed on the circular economic approach towards sustainable E-waste management along with its socio-economic aspects and the economic growth of the country. The present study would provide valuable knowledge in understanding E-waste and its different treatment processes to the students, researchers, industrialists, and policymakers of the country.
Landfill: An eclectic review on structure, reactions and remediation approach
Tridib Mondal, Moharana Choudhury, Debajyoti Kundu, Deblina Dutta, Palas Samanta
Journal, Waste Management, 2023, DOI Link
View abstract ⏷
Since the enactment of the Clean Water Act (1972), which was supplemented by increased accountability under Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Subtitle D (1991) and the Clean Air Act Amendments (1996), landfills have indeed been widely used all around the world for treating various wastes. The landfill's biological and biogeochemical processes are believed to be originated about 2 to 4 decades ago. Scopus and web of Science based bibliometric study reveals that there are few papers available in scientific domain. Further, till today not a single paper demonstrated the detailed landfills heterogenicity, chemistry and microbiological processes and their associated dynamics in a combined approach. Accordingly, the paper addresses the recent applications of cutting-edge biogeochemical and biological methods adopted by different countries to sketch an emerging perspective of landfill biological and biogeochemical reactions and dynamics. Additionally, the significance of several regulatory factors controlling the landfill's biogeochemical and biological processes is highlighted. Finally, this article emphasizes the future opportunities for integrating advanced techniques to explain landfill chemistry explicitly. In conclusion, this paper will provide a comprehensive vision of the diverse dimensions of landfill biological and biogeochemical reactions and dynamics to the scientific world and policymakers.
A critical review and future perspective of plastic waste recycling
Rahul Tiwari, Numanuddin Azad, Deblina Dutta, Bholu Ram Yadav, Sunil Kumar
Journal, Science of the Total Environment, 2023, DOI Link
View abstract ⏷
Plastic waste is increasing rapidly due to urbanisation and globalization. In recent decades, plastic usage increased, and the upward trend is expected to continue. Only 9% of the 7 billion tonnes of plastic produced were recycled in India until 2022. India generates 1.5 million tonnes of plastic waste (PW) every year and ranks among top ten plastic producer countries. Large amount of waste plastics could harm environment and human health. The current manuscript provides a comprehensive approach for mechanical and chemical recycling methods. The technical facets of mechanical recycling relating to collection, sorting, grading, and general management to create plastic products with additional value have been elaborated in this study. Another sustainable methods aligned with the chemical recycling using pyrolysis, gasification, hydrocracking, IH2 (Integrated Hydropyrolysis 2), and KDV (Katalytische Drucklose Verolung) techniques have also been highlighted with the critical process parameters for the sustainable conversion of plastic waste to valuable products. The review also adheres to less carbon-intensive plastic degrading strategies that take a biomimetic approach using the microorganism based biodegradation. The informative aspects covering the limitations and effectiveness of all PW technologies and its applications towards plastic waste management (PWM) are also emphasized. The existing practices in PW policy guidelines along with its economic and ecological aspects have also been discussed.
Face masks: a COVID-19 protector or environmental contaminant?
Sukhendu Dey, Palas Samanta, Deblina Dutta, Debajyoti Kundu, Apurba Ratan Ghosh, Sunil Kumar
Journal, Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 2023, DOI Link
View abstract ⏷
Face masks, a prime component of personal protective equipment (PPE) items, have become an integral part of human beings to survive under the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic situation. The global population requires an estimated 130 billion face masks and 64 billion gloves/month, while the COVID-19 pandemic has led to the daily disposal of approximately 3.5 billion single-use face masks, resulting in a staggering 14,245,230.63 kg of face mask waste. The improper disposal of face mask wastes followed by its mismanagement is a challenge to the scientists as the wastes create pollution leading to environmental degradation, especially plastic pollution (macro/meso/micro/nano). Each year, an estimated 0.15–0.39 million tons of COVID-19 face mask waste, along with 173,000 microfibers released daily from discarded surgical masks, could enter the marine environment, while used masks have a significantly higher microplastic release capacity (1246.62 ± 403.50 particles/piece) compared to new masks (183.00 ± 78.42 particles/piece). Surgical face masks emit around 59 g CO2-eq greenhouse gas emissions per single use, cloth face masks emit approximately 60 g CO2-eq/single mask, and inhaling or ingesting microplastics (MPs) caused adverse health problems including chronic inflammation, granulomas or fibrosis, DNA damage, cellular damage, oxidative stress, and cytokine secretion. The present review critically addresses the role of face masks in reducing COVID-19 infections, their distribution pattern in diverse environments, the volume of waste produced, degradation in the natural environment, and adverse impacts on different environmental segments, and proposes sustainable remediation options to tackle environmental challenges posed by disposable COVID-19 face masks.
Chemistry of CO2-phillic materials in enzyme-based hybrid interfacial systems: Implications, strategies and applications
Ashok Kumar Nadda, Deblina Dutta, Anuj Kumar, Kriti Sharma, Pritam Kumar Panda, Debajyoti Kundu, Deepti Yadav, Sunil Kumar, Su Shiung Lam
Journal, Fuel Processing Technology, 2023, DOI Link
View abstract ⏷
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from a variety of sources, such as transportation, fossil fuel burning, and cement manufacturing facilities, are widely regarded to be the root cause of global warming. The rising CO2 levels call for immediate improvements in CO2 capture, extraction, and utilization technology. Methods for capturing and converting CO2 into useful products have included the use of microbial enzymes, nonporous materials, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), chemicals, and hybrid membranes. However, these methods possess limitations that make the scale up and commercialization challenging. Scientists are concentrating on maximizing CO2 utilization by incorporating CO2-philic components into enzyme-chemical-material combinations, due to the high solubility of CO2. Here, the focus is on the chemistry of CO2-phillic materials, enzymes and biomolecules engaged in CO2 conversion, and the hybrid micro-reactors that contain material and enzymes integrating together to convert the CO2 into value-added products (organic acids, bioelectricity, carbonates, carbamates, methane, methanol, etc.). The difficulties and obstacles inherent in creating and sustaining such systems have also been highlighted.
A state-of-the-art review on microbial desalination cells
Lohit Kumar Srinivas Gujjala, Deblina Dutta, Pooja Sharma, Debajyoti Kundu, Dai-Viet N. Vo, Sunil Kumar
Journal, Chemosphere, 2022, DOI Link
View abstract ⏷
The rapid growth in population has increased the demand for potable water. Available technologies for its generation are the desalination of sea water through reverse osmosis, electrodialysis etc., which are energy and cost intensive. In this context, microbial desalination cell (MDC) presents a low-cost and sustainable option which can simultaneously treat wastewater, desalinate saline water, produce electrical energy and recover nutrients from wastewater. This review paper is focussed on presenting a detailed analysis of MDCs starting from the principle of operation, microbial community analysis, basic architecture, evolution in design, operational challenges, effect of process parameters, scale-up studies, application in multiple arenas and future prospects. After thorough review, it can be inferred that MDCs can be used as a stand-alone option or pre-treatment step for conventional desalination techniques without the application of external energy. MDCs have been used in multiple applications ranging from desalination, remediation of contaminated water, recovery of energy and nutrients from wastewater, softening of hardwater, biohydrogen production to degradation of waste engine oil. Although, MDCs have been used for multiple applications, still a number of operational challenges have been reported viz., interference of co-existing ions during desalination, membrane fouling, pH imbalance and limited potential of exoelectrogens. However, the re-circulation of anolytes with electrodialysis chamber has led to the maintenance of optimal pH for favourable microbial growth leading to improvement in the overall performance of MDCs. In future, genetic engineering may be used for improving the electrogenic activity of microbial community, next generation materials may be used as anode and cathode, varied sources of wastewater may be explored as anolytes, life cycle analysis and exergy analysis may be carried out to study the impact on environment and detailed pilot scale studies have to be carried out for assessing the feasibility of operation at large scale.
Electronic waste pollution and the COVID-19 pandemic
Deblina Dutta, Shashi Arya, Sunil Kumar, Eric Lichtfouse
Journal, Environmental Chemistry Letters, 2022, DOI Link
Health risk assessment for exposure to heavy metals in soils in and around E-waste dumping site
Deblina Dutta, Sudha Goel, Sunil Kumar
Journal, Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 2022, DOI Link
View abstract ⏷
Electrical and electronic waste recycling is done mainly by the informal (unauthorised) sector in developing countries. People usually dump these wastes in an open area leading to contamination of air, soil, and water. The objective of this study was to assess heavy metals contamination of soil and quantify and compare human health risks based on two different methods i.e., using epidemiological data, and US EPA's methodology for risk assessment due to exposure to toxic heavy metals. The study was conducted by collecting soil samples from an electronic waste dumping site in Sangrampur, West Bengal (India) in 2018. Sangrampur is well-known for its informal electronic waste management activities. Heavy metals such as Pb, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, and Cd were detected in the soil from the dumping site using i-CAP Q Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry. Based on epidemiological data, the Relative Risk and Attributable Risk were 1.377 (95% confidence interval of 1.2314–1.4249) and 0.069, respectively. The Odds Ratio was 1.501 (95% confidence interval of 1.3456–1.6733). Relative Risk and Odds Ratio values are statistically significant implying that the workers treating these waste without safety measures have a higher risk of cancer compared to the general population. The non-carcinogenic risk for a child was greater than for an adult in the study area. Based on chromium data alone, the carcinogenic risk was found to be 6.1 × 10−7 in children and 1.57 × 10−7 in an adult. These values are less than the permissible limit of 10−6 for residential areas.
Growth dependent carbon sequestration proficiency of algal consortium grown in carbon dioxide enriched simulated greenhouse
Deblina Dutta, Debajyoti Kundu, Bana Bihari Jana, Susmita Lahiri, Jatindra Nath Bhakta
Journal, Bioresource Technology Reports, 2022, DOI Link
View abstract ⏷
Biological carbon sequestration gaining more impetus day by day, where algae is the main backbone as a biological agent. Thus, the present study focused on the evaluation of algal biomass growth, collected from the polysheet wall of green house chamber, along with its carbon capture potentiality. The experiment were conducted in three different atmospheric conditions viz. (i) inside the green house chamber where temperature and carbon dioxide concentration was higher; (ii) in the normal atmospheric condition under full sunlight, and (iii) in closed room condition where light intensity was fixed. Maximum carbon accumulation was found (834.59±2.09 mg C/g) inside the green house chamber where mean temperature and carbon dioxide concentration were 41 °C and 705 ppm respectively. Collective effect of temperature and carbon dioxide concentration also facilitate in the maximum growth of the algal biomass (8693.68 mean number of cell/mL) in the greenhouse chamber.
Role of microbes in bioaccumulation of heavy metals in municipal solid waste: Impacts on plant and human being
Pooja Sharma, Deblina Dutta, Aswathy Udayan, Ashok Kumar Nadda, Su Shiung Lam, Sunil Kumar
Journal, Environmental Pollution, 2022, DOI Link
View abstract ⏷
The presence of heavy metals in municipal solid waste (MSW) is considered as prevalent global pollutants that cause serious risks to the environment and living organisms. Due to industrial and anthropogenic activities, the accumulation of heavy metals in the environmental matrices is increasing alarmingly. MSW causes several adverse environmental impacts, including greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, river plastic accumulation, and other environmental pollution. Indigenous microorganisms (Pseudomonas, Flavobacterium, Bacillus, Nitrosomonas, etc.) with the help of new pathways and metabolic channels can offer the potential approaches for the treatment of pollutants. Microorganisms, that exhibit the ability of bioaccumulation and sequestration of metal ions in their intracellular spaces, can be utilized further for the cellular processes like enzyme signaling, catalysis, stabilizing charges on biomolecules, etc. Microbiological techniques for the treatment and remediation of heavy metals provide a new prospects for MSW management. This review provides the key insights on profiling of heavy metals in MSW, tolerance of microorganisms, and application of indigenous microorganisms in bioremediation. The literatures revealed that indigenous microbes can be exploited as potential agents for bioremediation.
E-waste in Information and Communication Technology Sector: Existing scenario, management schemes and initiatives
Shilpa Vishwakarma, Vimal Kumar, Shashi Arya, Mamta Tembhare, Rahul, Deblina Dutta, Sunil Kumar
Journal, Environmental Technology and Innovation, 2022, DOI Link
View abstract ⏷
The expeditious developments in technology along with the demand for a high-standard living have resulted in massive production of electronic gadgets, which eventually lead to the generation of huge quantities of obsolescence. With the exponential expanding output of computer hardware, efficient disposal of the electronic waste (E-waste) generated by the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector has become a serious concern. The ICT sector generates a major amount of E-waste, but its management strategies are not well defined. The present study explored the current status, challenges, and initiatives faced by the ICT sector in handling E-waste. Thereby, a framework of use case diagram has been put forth to develop a web-based model for recycling companies for solving E-waste recycling issues. This review also described the management strategies adopted by various ICT and electronic companies that have faced the challenge to mitigate the problems associated with E-waste.
Valorization of wastewater: A paradigm shift towards circular bioeconomy and sustainability
Debajyoti Kundu, Deblina Dutta, Palas Samanta, Sukhendu Dey, Knawang Chhunji Sherpa, Sunil Kumar, Brajesh Kumar Dubey
Journal, Science of the Total Environment, 2022, DOI Link
View abstract ⏷
Limitation in the availability of natural resources like water is the main drive for focussing on resource recovery from wastewater. Rapid urbanization with increased consumption of natural resources has severely affected its management and security. The application of biotechnological processes offers a feasible approach to concentrating and transforming wastewater for resource recovery and a step towards a circular economy. Wastewater generally contains high organic materials, nutrients, metals and chemicals, which have economic value. Hence, its management can be a valuable resource through the implementation of a paradigm transformation for value-added product recovery. This review focuses on the circular economy of “close loop” process by wastewater reuse and energy recovery identifying the emerging technologies for recovering resources across the wastewater treatment phase. Conventional wastewater treatment technologies have been discussed along with the advanced treatment technologies such as algal treatment, anammox technology, microbial fuel cells (MFC). Apart from recovering energy in the form of biogas and biohydrogen, second and third-generation biofuels as well as biohythane and electricity generation have been deliberated. Other options for resource recovery are single-cell protein (SCP), biopolymers as well as recovery of metals and nutrients. The paper also highlights the applications of treated wastewater in agriculture, aquaponics, fisheries and algal cultivation. The concept of Partitions-release-recover (PRR) has been discussed for a better understanding of the filtration treatment coupled with anaerobic digestion. The review provides a critical evaluation on the importance of adopting a circular economy and their role in achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs). Thus, it is imperative that such initiatives towards resource recovery from wastewater through integration of concepts can aid in providing wastewater treatment system with resource efficiency.
An insight on sampling, identification, quantification and characteristics of microplastics in solid wastes
Palas Samanta, Sukhendu Dey, Debajyoti Kundu, Deblina Dutta, Rohit Jambulkar, Rahul Mishra, Apurba Ratan Ghosh, Sunil Kumar
Journal, Trends in Environmental Analytical Chemistry, 2022, DOI Link
View abstract ⏷
Microplastics (MPs) have attracted wide attention all over the world as a remarkable pollutant. While MPs are spreading throughout several complex environmental matrices, various experiments till date have been preliminary concentrate on aquatic ecosystems. Terrestrial sources namely solid waste-origin have remains unexplored, although they contribute largely for aquatic microplastics origin. Simultaneously, terrestrial systems under human activity, like healthcare units, are likely to be polluted by various plastic ingredients. Solid waste MPs sources primarily include sanitary landfilling, food waste, wastewater treatment end-product (sludge), tire wear, textile washing and paint failure. These microplastics caused adverse impacts on ecosystem, environment, and health. Accordingly, the present study addressed solid waste MPs’ occurrence and sources, identification, quantification, characterization, fate, and degradation pathways for developing comprehensive management strategies following the principles of circular economy. In particularly, this paper critically demonstrated solid waste MPs sources, solid waste MPs sampling followed by identification and quantification by adopting combined chemical (e.g., spectroscopy viz., Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy), physical (e.g., microscopy such as transmission or scanning electronic microscopy, TEM or SEM) and thermal analyses. Additionally, the strengths and limitations of each analytical technique are discussed critically with practical aspect. Further, the MPs related national and international regulations or laws and their subsequent relevance to solid waste MPs management with future challenges are discussed very critically. Finally, the outcomes of the review paper will be valuable to different stakeholders for effective policy implementation.
Greenhouse-temperature induced manure driven low carbon footprint in aquaculture mesocosm
Deblina Dutta, Debajyoti Kundu, Bana Bihari Jana, Susmita Lahiri, Jatindra Nath Bhakta
Journal, Carbon Research, 2022, DOI Link
View abstract ⏷
In an aquaculture system, estimates were made of soil organic carbon content, carbon burial rate, soil structure and algal productivity with the intention of examining the synergistic effects of both greenhouse gas (GHG) induced temperature and manure-driven carbon reduction potentials in sediments that depend on productivity as well as tilapia spawning responses under greenhouse mimicking conditions during winter. Different manure treatments such as cattle manure and saw dust (T1); poultry droppings and saw dust (T2); vermi-compost and saw dust (T3); mixture of cattle manure, poultry droppings, vermi-compost and saw dust (T4); iso-carbonic states maintained with vermi-compost (T5); and with poultry droppings (T6) were applied three times (frequency of application) in the tank during the course of investigation. Different parameters like soil organic carbon, carbon burial rate, algal productivity and water quality were examined in aquaculture system. GHG effect impacted on the enhanced carbon reduction potential (44.36-62.36%) which was directly related with soil organic carbon (38.16-56.40 mg C/g) dependent carbon burial rate (0.0033-0.0118 g/cm2 per 100 days). Average carbon burial rates for different manure treatments at GHG impacted temperature (0.0071 g/cm2 per 100 days) was as high as 27.90% than at ambient air temperature (0.0054 g/cm2 per 100 days). Residual carbon or sink in soils has been increased by 8.49 to 43.11% in different treatments or 23%, on an average attributed to almost 6 °C rise in GHG mediated atmospheric temperature. The low carbon footprint potential in different treatments was conspicuous inside the polyhouse (maximum 62.36%) due to greenhouse driven temperature compared. As a positive impact of the study, breeding of tilapia occurred where in T3 100% survival occurred in close polyhouse and also exhibited maximum carbon burial rate. In this study it has been observed that one degree rise in atmospheric temperature resulted in a ~ 4% rise in residual carbon in the experimental tank. However, future work can be conducted on other different treatments and large scale application. Graphical Abstract: Graphical representation of greenhouse-temperature induced manure driven carbon accumulation in aquaculture mesocosm.[Figure not available: see fulltext.]
Understanding the gap between formal and informal e-waste recycling facilities in India
Deblina Dutta, Sudha Goel
Journal, Waste Management, 2021, DOI Link
View abstract ⏷
Nowadays, old electrical and electronic gadgets are being replaced constantly by newer versions resulting in huge amounts of waste electronic and electrical products that are collectively termed e-waste. It is estimated that 95% of e-waste recycling in India is done by the informal sector at the cost of their health and the environment. Very little data and no descriptions of recycling processes in the formal sector in India were available in the literature. The objective of this study was to evaluate the status of formal and informal e-waste recycling facilities in India. Seven authorized e-waste handling facilities in West Bengal, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Delhi were visited and most were involved in dismantling work only. In all cases, metals, plastic and glass are recovered from e-waste in compliance with environmental legislation. Challenges faced by the formal sector include lack of awareness among people and very few collection centers throughout the country. Quantification of e-waste generated in India was difficult as imported second-hand electrical and electronic gadgets cannot be separated for electronic waste. There is no mechanism for collecting data regarding e-waste generation in the states or at the Central government level. It is likely that published estimates are based on the indigenous production and import of electrical and electronic goods. The current installed e-waste handling capacity of 11 × 105 tons/year of e-waste in the country is woefully inadequate and needs to be enhanced as the minimum requirement is estimated to be 22 × 105 tons/year of e-waste.
Industrial wastewater purification through metal pollution reduction employing microbes and magnetic nanocomposites
Pooja Sharma, Deblina Dutta, Aswathy Udayan, Sunil Kumar
Journal, Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 2021, DOI Link
View abstract ⏷
Rapid urbanization and industrialization have resulted in the generation of huge amount of heavy metals-laden wastewater in the recent era. Industries, such as pulp paper, distillery, tannery, textile, etc. produce hazardous wastewater which is directly affecting the environment and human health if disposed off without any treatment. Wastewater treatment is an expensive and energy-intensive procedure not only because of the massive concentrations of pollutants but also because of its large volume. Microbes are immune to the toxicity of metals and play an important role in the ecosystem's resource cycle and energy flow. As the introduction of microbes in detoxifying wastewater has proved to be a boon for the society and hence the emphasis is put on biomineralization, oxidation-reduction, bioprecipitation, bioaccumulation, biosurfactant technology, bioleaching, biovolatilization, and biosorption processes with their selective advantages and disadvantages. Heavy metals can be compartmentalized by microbial strains, such as Corynebacterium glutamicum (Pb, Zn, Cd, Co, Cr), Aspergillus lentulus (Cr, Cu, and Pb), Bacillus, Microbacterium, Micrococcus, Shinella, Arthrobacter, Bacillus, and Serratia. Nanocomposites (CuFeO, FeO, Co3O4@SiO2, Fe3O4 etc) being unique in nature helped the researchers in treating wastewater efficiently. Hence, this review was aimed to address the treatment of wastewater by removing the heavy metals employing microbes in combination with magnetic nanocomposites. The effect of heavy metals on biodiversity, role of microbiota in the environment for detoxification, and appropriate markers that represent the efficiency of removal of the metals from industrial wastewater have also been explored in this review. Furthermore, the issues that need to be addressed in the future, and significant points for further research are also highlighted.
Emission of Ionizing Radiation from Active and End-of-Life Mobile Phones and Batteries
Deblina Dutta, Shayantani Ghosal, Sudha Goel, Debashish Sengupta
Journal, Journal of Hazardous, Toxic, and Radioactive Waste, 2021, DOI Link
View abstract ⏷
The use of mobile phones and discarding them before or after their end-of-life has become a recent trend. This practice increases environmental pollution and health hazards worldwide. Besides pollution, mobile phones and their batteries emit electromagnetic radiation during their lifetime and after their end-of-life. This study aims to measure ionizing radiation this is emitted by mobile phones and mobile phone batteries using a Geiger-Muller (GM) counter. To conduct this study, 15 active, 10 end-of-life mobile phones, and 10 waste lithium-ion batteries will be evaluated. Emissions from these devices will be compared with background radiation. The maximum counts per minute (CPM) for waste mobile phone batteries was 18 CPM and the minimum was 14 CPM for waste batteries and waste mobile phones. The average and standard deviation values for background radiation was 14.000 ± 0.404 CPM. The average and standard deviation values were 16 ± 1 CPM for active mobile phones, 16.00 ± 0.73 CPM for waste mobile phones, and 16.00 ± 1.19 CPM for waste batteries. Therefore, the continuous use of mobile phones and stockpiling should be avoided, and proper management processes should be developed to minimize environmental pollution and human health hazards.
Industrial wastewater treatment: Current trends, bottlenecks, and best practices
Deblina Dutta, Shashi Arya, Sunil Kumar
Journal, Chemosphere, 2021, DOI Link
View abstract ⏷
Rapid urbanization and industrialization have inextricably linked to water consumption and wastewater generation. Mining resources from industrial wastewater has proved to be an excellent source of secondary raw materials i.e., proficient for providing economic and financial benefits, clean and sustainable resilient environment, and achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs). Treatment of industrial wastewater for reusable resources has become a tedious task for decision-makers due to several bottlenecks and barriers, such as inefficient treatment options, high-cost expenditure, poor infrastructure, lack of financial support, and technical know-how. Most of the existing methods are conventional and fails to provide an economic benefit to the industries and have certain disadvantages. Also, the untreated industrial wastewater is discharged into the open drains, lakes, and rivers that lead to environmental pollution and severe health hazards. This paper has consolidated information about the current trends, opportunities, bottlenecks, and best practices associated with wastewater treatment and scope for the advancement in the existing technologies. Along with the efficient resource recovery, the wastewater could be ideally explored in the development of value-added materials, energy, and product recovery. The concepts, such as the circular economy (CE), partitions-release-recover (PRR), and transforming wastewater into bio factory are anticipated to be more convenient options to tackle the industrial wastewater menace.
Products, processes, environmental impacts, and waste management of food industry focusing on ice cream
Deblina Dutta, Sankar Cheela, Amit Kumar Jaglan, Susmitha Rani, Shravani Adibhatla, Brajesh Dubey
Book, Environmental Impact of Agro-Food Industry and Food Consumption, 2020, DOI Link
View abstract ⏷
This chapter presents an overview of the food industry with an emphasis on ice-cream raw materials, the processes and methods followed, and their effect on the environment and human health. Raw material extraction contributes a major impact in all the categories of life cycle analysis, whereas the manufacturing process leads to fossil fuel depletion. Furthermore, the cultivation of crops may contribute to global warming due to land-use change. The production unit and refrigeration consume high energy, which accounts for the depletion of the ozone layer. Finally, further development and improvement are required to combat the problems associated with ice-cream production.
Application of potential biological agents in green bioremediation technology: Case studies
Debajyoti Kundu, Deblina Dutta, Subinoy Mondal, Smaranya Haque, Jatindra Nath Bhakta, Bana Behari Jana
Book, Waste Management: Concepts, Methodologies, Tools, and Applications, 2019, DOI Link
View abstract ⏷
Upgradation and advancement in every field related to mankind leads to the origin of a contaminated environment. Development in science and technology enabled humans to combat the rate of contaminants by using biological agents, commonly known as bioremediation. The chapter deals with the different species of bioremediation agents viz. bacteria, fungi, algae, plants, animals and organic wastes to treat diverse environmental pollution. The extent of environmental bioremediation encompasses inorganic viz. arsenic, chromium, mercury, cyanide etc. and organics viz. Hydrocarbons, petroleum, pesticides etc. Thus, the reasons for the control of water and soil by considering bioremediation are concern on public health, protection of environment, and cost reduction of decontamination. Different case studies have been demonstrated herein to understand the enigmatic process and evaluate practical efficacy of the environment to decontaminate itself by the presence of various biological organisms.
Recovery of manganese from scrap batteries of mobile phones
Deblina Dutta, Rekha Panda, Manis Kumar Jha, Sudha Goel
Book Series, Minerals, Metals and Materials Series, 2018, DOI Link
View abstract ⏷
Present work is focused on the recovery of Mn as a value added product from the leach liquor of scrap lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) of mobile phones by the method of precipitation. The LIBs were crushed and beneficiated by wet scrubbing method to separate cathodic material, plastic and metallic parts. The cathodic material was found to contain 11.3% Mn, 10% Co, 2.4% Cu and 2.4% Li. The cathodic material was processed for leaching under the optimized condition developed by our group at CSIR-NML. Solvent extraction method was used to extract acid using organic extractant Tris(2-ethylhexyl)amine (TEHA) in order to reduce the consumption of alkali required during precipitation studies. The acid free leach liquor was subjected to purification for removal of Fe, Li, Cu and Co as precipitate at different pH. Systematic precipitation studies were carried in batch and continuous mode to recover Mn as Mn(OH)2 at pH ~10 which was further roasted at 450 °C for 4 h to get pure Mn3O4.
Close loop separation process for the recovery of Co, Cu, Mn, Fe and Li from spent lithium-ion batteries
Deblina Dutta, Archana Kumari, Rekha Panda, Soni Jha, Divika Gupta, Sudha Goel, Manis Kumar Jha
Journal, Separation and Purification Technology, 2018, DOI Link
View abstract ⏷
Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are essential energy source used in advanced electronic gadgets for getting constant and continuous power supply. Huge amount of spent LIBs are generated after their end use. LIBs contain metals, organics and plastics which require proper treatment before disposal. Keeping in view of stringent environmental regulations, limited natural resources and energy crisis, adopting recycling will not only protect the environment and pacify the gap between demand and supply but also conserve the natural resources. Present paper reports a complete process for the recycling of LIBs to recover metals and materials as value added products fulfilling zero waste concept. Initially, the spent LIBs were crushed and beneficiated by wet scrubbing process to separate cathodic material, plastic and metallic fractions. The cathodic material contained 20% Co and 2.4% Li along with other impurities (Mn, Fe, Cu). The cathodic material obtained from different LIBs were homogenized and put to leaching studies to optimize various process parameters viz. effect of leachant concentration, temperature, time, etc. About 97% Co and 99.99% Li were leached using 2 M H2SO4 and 10% H2O2 at room temperature, in 2 h maintaining pulp density 75 g/L. Kinetics for leaching of Co fitted well with “Chemical reaction control dense constant size cylindrical particles model” i.e. 1 − (1 − X)1/2 = Kct. The leach liquor obtained was further processed to recover Mn and Fe using (NH4)2S2O8 as a precipitant whereas 99.99% Cu was extracted using LIX 84 IC at eq. pH 2, O/A ratio 1/1 and mixing time 5 min. Further, from the leach liquor depleted with Mn, Fe and Cu, ∼98% Co was extracted using 20% Cyanex 272 at pH 4.8 in 10 min maintaining phase ratio (O/A) 1/1 in two stages, leaving Li in the raffinate. From the pure Co solution, value added products as metal and salt were produced using electrowinning/evaporation/precipitation techniques. The TCLP test of leached residue shows the presence of metals within permissible limit and the effluent generated was treated in an effluent treatment plant (ETP) with standard procedure and recycled to the system. The developed clean process is economical as well as environment friendly and has potential to be translated in industry after scale-up studies.
Isolation and identification of phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms and distribution of orthophosphate in different seasons from sewage-fed East Kolkata Wetland
Subinoy Mondal, Smaranya Haque, Debajyoti Kundu, Deblina Dutta, Apurba Ratan Ghosh
Journal, Lakes and Reservoirs: Science, Policy and Management for Sustainable Use, 2018, DOI Link
View abstract ⏷
This study focused on isolation and identification of possible phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) from the sewage-fed East Kolkata Wetland (EKWL), a prospective water resource for pisciculture. In addition, different limnological parameters have been correlated with orthophosphate and seasonal variations. PSB have been isolated in Pikovskaya medium and identified morphologically and biochemically and finally analysed by 16S rDNA gene sequence. Limnological studies involving temperature (potentiometric), pH (potentiometric), dissolved oxygen (iodometric), ammonia-nitrogen (spectrophotometric) and orthophosphate (spectrophotometric) concentrations were conducted. The results of this study established the presence of Bacillus megaterium, a potential PSB in EKWL. The activity of B. megaterium is also supported by the seasonal orthophosphate variations. The changes in concentration of other limnological parameters were also prominent. The water quality parameters of temperature (r = 0.886), dissolved oxygen (r = 0.729) and ammonia-nitrogen (r = 0.396) concentrations exhibited a positive correlation with orthophosphate and a negative correlation with pH (r = −0.699). The B. megaterium obtained in this study, exhibited a significant alteration in regard to orthophosphate content and relationships with other factors. Further experiment on the soluble phosphorus solubilization potential of B. megaterium revealed the biological availability of phosphorus was increased by threefold after 120 hr of incubation, with the decreasing pH value, although the phytase activity was 0.419 U/ml. PSB have a vital function in plant nutrition in supplying phosphate, essential nutrients and its uptake results in appropriate functioning and metabolism of different aquatic plants and organisms. PSB are competent biofertilizer to amplify aquaculture production for sustainable development.
Sustainable recycling process for metals recovery from used printed circuit boards (PCBs)
Deblina Dutta, Rekha Panda, Archana Kumari, Sudha Goel, Manis Kumar Jha
Journal, Sustainable Materials and Technologies, 2018, DOI Link
View abstract ⏷
In comparison to extraction of metals from limited primary sources, the recycling of metals/materials from various alternative resources particularly from metallurgical waste and complex such as E-waste (Electronic waste) are gaining importance in view of energy, purity and environmental concern. In all E-waste, PCBs are essential components, which contain nearly 28% metallic, 23% plastic and 49% ceramic materials in a complex form. Due to tremendous increase in e-waste globally, the recycling of PCBs to recover metals are getting importance which will not only mitigate the environmental pollution but will also conserve the natural resources and energy. PCBs contain copper (Cu) in major, therefore experiments were carried out to optimize different process parameters viz. effect of acid concentration, pulp density, temperature, time, etc for maximum recovery of Cu. About 91.58% Cu was found to be leached using 3M HNO3 maintaining 75 g/L pulp density at temperature 75 °C and mixing time 120 min. The two stages leaching under the similar condition resulted in the recovery of 99.99% of Cu. To optimize the conventional hydrometallurgical process, the Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was also studied. The result obtained by using the RSM model will help the researchers to validate the data scientifically with less number of experiments. Kinetics of Cu leaching fitted well with the “Chemical reaction control dense constant size cylindrical particles model” i.e. 1−(1−X)1/2 = Kct. The leach liquor generated will be further purified by the method of solvent extraction (SX)/ion exchange (IX) to get purified metallic solution. From the pure solution obtained, the metal/salt could be produced by electro-winning/precipitation and crystallization, respectively.
Bioremediation in different domains of environment
Jatindra N. Bhakta, Debajyoti Kundu, Deblina Dutta, Grazyna Anna Płaza
Book, Green Technology for Bioremediation of Environmental Pollution, 2018,
View abstract ⏷
Contamination, pollution and degradation of air, water, and soil environments by geogenically and anthropogenically generated various pollutants are severe and life threatening problems globally. Recently, bioremediation has evolved as the most promising eco-friendly approach in the field of environmental remediation technology, playing a pivotal role in solving the menacing problems of environmental pollution in 2018. Several innovative and advanced bioremediation technologies have been developed using genomics and metagenomics, proteomics, transcriptomics and metabolomics in order to overcome the limitations concerning the process. The present chapter has attempted to briefly discuss the advancement of bioremediation in respect to significant biotechnological improvement for applying as green technology in order to eco-friendly cleaning the air, water, and soil environments.
Algal carbon sequestration: A green technology for bioremediation of carbondioxide pollution
DebajyotiKundu Kundu, Susamoy Sarkar, Subinoy Mondal, Deblina Dutta, Tumpa Mondal, Kinjal Mondal, Jatindra N. Bhakta, Bana B. Jana
Book, Green Technology for Bioremediation of Environmental Pollution, 2018,
View abstract ⏷
Global warming and climate change are major concerns in every domain of the earth. Recently, there was an increase in global atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration (64.05 ppm) from 1980 to 2016 due to enhancement of fossil fuel burning and alteration in land use related with population growth and industrialization. This increased atmospheric concentration can be managed by the combination of reduced emissions and mitigation strategies by enhancing natural carbon storage i.e., biosequestration of carbon. Algal carbon sequestration and carbon storage plays important role in mitigating global problem of CO2 pollution, especially microalgal carbon sequestration through the photosynthetic pathway facilitate the remarkable reduction of atmospheric CO2 and act as a promising alternative biological tool for biological carbon sequestration. Therefore, microalgae are promising organisms for bio-mitigation, because 1.83 kg of CO2 can be fixed via cultivating one kilogram of microalgae. Recently, there is a number of algal based CO2 Capture Pilot Plant that has been established around the world. Among the various alternatives to carbon capture and utilization, microalgae cultivation is currently one of the less mature and economically practicable technique. From these points of view, the present chapter focused on the algal carbon sequestration and storage mechanism, and role of microalgae in carbon sequestration and capture with pilot scale case studies on algae based carbon capture. This green technological innovation of algal carbon sequestration is important, which is one of the prime solutions in future prospect in mitigating the global CO2 problem.
Application of potential biological agents in green bioremediation technology: Case studies
Debajyoti Kundu, Deblina Dutta, Subinoy Mondal, Smaranya Haque, Jatindra Nath Bhakta, Bana Behari Jana
Book, Handbook of Research on Inventive Bioremediation Techniques, 2017, DOI Link
View abstract ⏷
Upgradation and advancement in every field related to mankind leads to the origin of a contaminated environment. Development in science and technology enabled humans to combat the rate of contaminants by using biological agents, commonly known as bioremediation. The chapter deals with the different species of bioremediation agents viz. bacteria, fungi, algae, plants, animals and organic wastes to treat diverse environmental pollution. The extent of environmental bioremediation encompasses inorganic viz. arsenic, chromium, mercury, cyanide etc. and organics viz. Hydrocarbons, petroleum, pesticides etc. Thus, the reasons for the control of water and soil by considering bioremediation are concern on public health, protection of environment, and cost reduction of decontamination. Different case studies have been demonstrated herein to understand the enigmatic process and evaluate practical efficacy of the environment to decontaminate itself by the presence of various biological organisms.
Applications of remote sensing and GIS in solid waste management – A review
Deblina Dutta, Sudha Goel
Book, Advances in Solid and Hazardous Waste Management, 2017, DOI Link
Fundamentals of microbiology
Tandra Mohanta, Deblina Dutta, Sudha Goel
Book, Advances in Solid and Hazardous Waste Management, 2017, DOI Link
Electronic waste (E-Waste) generation and management
Deblina Dutta, Sudha Goel
Book, Advances in Solid and Hazardous Waste Management, 2017, DOI Link
