Publications

Between activism and science: Grassroots concepts for sustainability coined by environmental justice organizations

Research Paper
| January 11, 2018

Since the early 1980s in their own battles and strategy meetings, the EJOs (environmental justice organizations) and their networks have introduced several concepts of political ecology which have been taken up also by academics and policy makers. In this paper, we explain the contexts in which such notions have arisen, providing definitions of a wide array of concepts and slogans related to environmental inequities and sustainability, and exploring the connections and relations between them.

Biodegradation of ballast tank coating investigated by impedance spectroscopy and microscopy

Research Paper
| January 11, 2018

This research paper addresses the biodegradation process for ballast tank coatings in marine environments. As part of this new approach, a commercially available ballast tank coating was exposed to bacteria obtained from a culture collection and to a natural bacterial community isolated from a real ballast tank. The natural community was chosen to explore the interaction of natural biofilms with the coating, an aspect, which is not covered in standard procedures. It is shown that biological activity significantly affects the coating properties.

Bioflocculant production and biosorption of zinc and lead by a novel bacterial species, Achromobacter sp. TERI-IASST N, isolated from oil refinery waste

Research Paper
| January 11, 2018

A bioflocculant-producing bacterial isolate designated as ‘TERI-IASST N’ was isolated from activated sludge samples collected from an oil refinery. This isolate demonstrated maximum bioflocculation activity (74%) from glucose among 15 different bioflocculant-producing bacterial strains isolated from the sludge samples and identified as Achromobacter sp. based on 16S rRNA gene sequence. Optimization of pH and supplementation of urea as nitrogen source in the production medium enhanced the flocculation activity of strain TERI-IASST N to 84% (at pH 6).

Biofuels in South Asia: Connecting the Dots

Research Paper
| January 11, 2018

Biofuels are being promoted in South Asian region primarily in blended form with petrol and diesel in order to reduce South Asia’s oil import dependence, make the region energy secure, and also as a socially and environmentally benign fuel. However, given the multipronged challenges confronting the conventional biofuels globally as well as in South Asia,the paper makes an attempt to realistically assess the prospects and problems of biofuels promotion in the region.?

Biohydrogen production by Thermoanaerobacterium thermosaccharolyticum TERI S7 from oil reservoir flow pipeline

Research Paper
| January 11, 2018

Thermophilic dark fermentative hydrogen producing bacterial strain, TERI S7, isolated from an oil reservoir flow pipeline located in Mumbai, India, showed 98% identity with Thermoanaerobacterium thermosaccharolyticum by 16S rRNA gene analysis. It produced 1450 e1900 ml/L hydrogen under both acidic and alkaline conditions; at a temperature range of 45e60 C. The maximum hydrogen yield was 2.5 L 0.2 mol H2/mol glucose, 2.2 L 0.2 mol H2/ mol xylose and 5.2 L 0.2 mol H2/mol sucrose, when the respective sugars were used as carbon source.

Biological nitrate removal using waste-derived extracts as sole carbon source?

Research Paper
| January 11, 2018

Waste-derived multicomponent extracts were investigated as carbon source for biological nitrate removal. Aerobic and anaerobic sludge from a municipal wastewater treatment plant and leachate from an anaerobic digester treating food waste were studied. Alkaline-heat treatment was used for sludge solubilisation. More than 90% carbon was recovered at pH 10–11. The extracts contain very high volatile fatty acids (VFAs), protein and carbohydrate. The protein/carbohydrate ratio was 2/1 for both aerobic and anaerobic sludge extracts and 9/1 for leachate.

Carbon Sequestration and Economic Potential of the Selected Medicinal Tree Species: Evidence From Sikkim, India

Research Paper
| January 11, 2018

Medicinal plants are widely used in India for various livelihood and health benefits. However, there is a lack of awareness and research on their carbon sequestration and economical potential, which constrains their use in various ongoing carbon forestry schemes precluding farmers from potential carbon revenue opportunities.

Chemical Characterization of Meltwater from East Rathong Glacier Vis-à-Vis Western Himalayan Glaciers

Research Paper
| January 11, 2018

Ice and meltwater samples from Rathong glacier and its pro-glacial stream Rathong chu, were collected during late winter season. Samples were analyzed to study the chemical composition , weathering, and geochemical processes in ice and meltwater at high altitudes.

Creating enabling environment for affordable delivery of sustainable electricity services: Case studies of Innovative techno-institutional models

Research Paper
| January 11, 2018

Achieving universal electricity access has become a key policy objective for India as well for all other developing countries, especially after the launch of Sustainable Energy for All initiative of the United Nations. While governments have designed macro-scale policies and schemes for energy access; in recent year’s entrepreneurs, NGOs, and usergroups have been introducing innovations in designing energy access projects at more localized levels with varying degrees of success.

Deforestation-induced costs on the drinking water supplies of the Mumbai metropolitan, India

Research Paper
| January 11, 2018

The success of incorporating natural capital into resource- and land-use decisions hinges on the ability to quantify the ecosystem services, forecast the returns to the investments, convert these values into effective policy and finance mechanisms, and the presence of well-functioning institutions and infrastructure.