Impact assessment of textile effluent on groundwater quality in the vicinity of Tirupur industrial area, southern India

Adverse effect of rapid industrialization on groundwater quality and quantity is widely known problem especially in developing countries. Tirupur, which is situated on the bank of Noyyal River in India, is known for intensive textile processing activities. As groundwater is the main water source for drinking water, there is an urgency to assess the groundwater quality. Twenty groundwater samples were collected for each post and pre-monsoon sampling during August 2009 and March 2010, respectively. Chemical and statistical analysis along with numerical modelling has been performed to assess the current status. The hydro-geochemical study revealed that the dominance of Mg–Cl and Na–HCO₃ groundwater type in the upstream region Tirupur industrial hub of Noyyal River basin. Na–Cl groundwater type was found increasing in industrial hub (Kasipalayam) and downstream of the industrial hub (Anaipalayam) sites. The dominance of Na–Cl type of water is mainly due to the impact of salts like NaCl, Na₂SO₄, etc. used in textile processing, which after discharge, percolate and accumulate in the aquifers. Seasonal groundwater quality of Tirupur region as a whole showed the dominance of Ca–HCO₃ ^?, Na–HCO₃ ^? and Na–Cl water types. PHREEQC model output indicates that nearly all the groundwater samples were oversaturated with respect to calcite and dolomite and undersaturated with respect to gypsum and halite. The results obtained in this study were then compared with groundwater quality of the Noyyal River basin for the year 2008–2009. Among the two sites, Kasipalayam was found to be most contaminated due to incessant industrial discharge. But with the advent of new treatment technologies like CETPs having zero liquid discharge system and MBR, there has been slight decline in the concentration of different physicochemical parameters from 2002–2003 to 2008–2009. This study not only makes situation alarming but also calls for immediate attention for sustainable management of water resources.     

Multivariate Analysis Methods Based Methodology for Rock Microcracking Characterization

The quality control of aggregates lies within the scope of the management of the quality and durability of construction materials. Although it is evaluated as additional cost, it makes possible to optimize the resistance of construction materials. This paper aims at developing an easy classification procedure of qualification and control of the aggregates. This methodology is based on (1) the constitution of an experimental database based on the measurement of ultrasonic parameters and water porosity determined by water saturation under vacuum conditions on samples coming from the two quarries chosen for the study: the quarry of Aïn Tebournouk (Tunisia) and the quarry of Boulonnais (France) (2) the application of the multivariable statistical methods on the database. The methodology developed makes possible not only to characterize the direct relations between the parameters studied, but also to classify the samples into two distinct groups corresponding to the two quarries studied using the principal component analysis and the cluster analysis.