Browsing by Author "Arnab Mondal"

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A Critical Review of Fabrication Strategies, Separation Techniques, Challenges, and Future Prospects for the Hydrogen Separation Membrane
(Taylor and Francis Ltd., 2024) Vamsi Krishna Kudapa; Paramjeet Singh Paliyal; Arnab Mondal; Surajit Mondal
Fossil fuels provide over 80% of the world’s current energy demand, which results in the release of large amounts of greenhouse gases (GHGs). In contrast to the emissions of GHGs caused by the combustion of fossil fuels, hydrogen combustion produces only water as a waste product. Hydrogen is a more environmentally friendly alternative fuel. The production of hydrogen energy has the potential to address energy security issues such as climate change and air pollution. There is an increasing global interest in hydrogen, particularly green hydrogen, which is produced by electrolyzing water using power derived from renewable resources. Because of falling hydrogen prices and the growing urgency of decarbonization, global demand for hydrogen, headed by the transportation and industrial sectors, might increase by about 400% by 2050. Furthermore, using environmentally friendly hydrogen will result in a reduction of 3.6 gigatonnes of total carbon dioxide emissions between 2020 and 2050. Hydrogen has the highest energy density of any known fuel, and it is widely available in enormous quantities all over the planet. It is possible that by 2050, India’s need for hydrogen will have increased by a factor of 4, accounting for more than 10% of global consumption. Steel and heavy-duty transportation are expected to account for more than 52% of overall demand growth between now and 2050. The overall market value for environmentally friendly hydrogen in India might reach $8 billion by 2030 and $340 billion by 2050. Because India’s capacity to create power from renewable sources is growing all the time, the country now can produce hydrogen from ecologically beneficial sources such as solar and wind when demand is low. Physical adsorption and polymer membranes can be employed to extract hydrogen from crude hydrogen polluted with hydrocarbons. This can be done to clean the crude hydrogen. The purity of hydrogen is an important aspect in determining whether it can be used in the energy production process. Unlike other types of separation technologies, membrane processes can be used in both mobile and small-scale applications. The membrane may function properly under a wide range of pressure and temperature extremes. The fundamental objective and goal of the separation membrane is to be used in membrane reactors for synchronous hydrogen production and purification. Other competing methods, such as pressure swing adsorption and cryogenic distillation, do not compare favorably to the membrane separation approach at lower operating temperatures. This is because membrane separation takes fewer resources than other competing technologies, particularly ones that have been around for a longer time. This article discusses the various membranes that can be used for substance separation, how hydrogen separation membranes can be made using a variety of technologies, the challenges that are inherent in doing so, and the prospects for the future, particularly in terms of increasing the efficiency of hydrogen separation. © 2024 American Nuclear Society.
Analysis and quantification of airborne heavy metals and RSPMs in Dehradun city
(Technoscience Publications, 2020) Abhinav Srivastava; Arnab Mondal; N.A. Siddiqui; S.M. Tauseef
Air pollution is becoming a major environmental and public health problem worldwide. Exposure to different air pollutant have several adverse effects on human health. In the present study, we attempt to determine the concentration of respirable suspended particulate matters (RSPMs) and levels of the heavy metals in ambient air of Dehradun city. The RSPM concentration of all the areas under study were well under the NAAQ standard limit. The Ghantaghar area reported the maximum RSPMs of 87.5507 μg.m-3. The samples collected from four different locations of Dehradun were primarily analysed for heavy metals like Pb, Fe, Cr and Cd using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The measured concentrations were compared with the standard safe limits provided by United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). It is seen that all the heavy metals as well as the RSPM are well under permissible safe limits set by USEPA, OSHA and CPCB. It can therefore be concluded that the ambient air quality of Dehradun, in terms of heavy metal contamination as well as RSPM concentration in air is safe. Strict monitoring of heavy metal emissions in air should be done regularly to maintain the ambient air of Dehradun area as healthy. © 2020 Technoscience Publications. All rights reserved.
Analyzing the interconnected dynamics of domestic biofuel burning in India: unravelling VOC emissions, surface-ozone formation, diagnostic ratios, and source identification
(Royal Society of Chemistry, 2024) Arnab Mondal; Surajit Mondal; Paulami Ghosh; Papita Das
Burning biomass fuels in Indian households is a common and cost-efficient way to generate energy for various domestic tasks. However, this practice is a significant source of non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs) released into the atmosphere, impacting local and global air quality. The substantial quantities of NMVOCs produced from burning biofuels at home can have adverse effects on climate and human health worldwide. This review focuses on exploring the processes involved in domestic biofuel combustion, detailing different stages of burning, and discussing the tools and techniques required to measure NMVOC emissions accurately. It also aims to identify potential emission sources through methods such as diagnostic ratios and PCA analysis. By striving to reduce NMVOC emissions from household biofuel burning, the goal is to provide a basis for informing policymakers in developing effective regulations and policies to address this environmental issue. © 2024 RSC.
Chemical composition, source apportionment of rainwater, and its contribution to nutrient deposition at an urban site of the middle Indo-Gangetic Plain region
(Elsevier B.V., 2025) Sanny Rathore; Kirpa Ram; Pramod Kumar; Arnab Mondal
The study of rainwater chemistry plays an important role in understanding scavenging processes, sources of atmospheric pollutants, and impacts on ecosystems. This study investigated the chemical composition, variations, and potential sources influencing rainwater chemistry in Varanasi, India from 2018 to 2022. A total of 158 event-based monsoonal rainwater samples were analyzed for physical (pH, EC and TDS) and major ionic species (Clˉ, Fˉ, NO3ˉ, SO42−, PO43−, Mg2+, Ca2+, NH4+, Na+ and K+). The average rainwater pH was 6.22 ± 0.45 (n = 158) with ∼92 % of the samples being alkaline with the dominance of Ca2+ and NH4+ ions, whereas the rest of the samples were acidic in nature with high SO42ˉ and NO3ˉ levels. NH4+ concentrations increased significantly until 2020, while those of Ca2+, K+, and Mg2+ initially decreased and rose after 2020. The study highlighted significant deposition of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (in the form of NO3−, NO2−, and NH4+). The average monsoonal nitrogen deposition flux was 8.04 kg ha−1 with significant contributions from NO3− (3.36) and NH4+ (4.67). In contrast, the deposition of inorganic phosphorus was significantly lower (∼0.72 kg ha−1). Thus, the rainwater deposition contributed to overall nutrient deposition, specially N and P which could significantly impact the ecosystem. Neutralization and enrichment factors indicated influences from crustal and anthropogenic sources. This is also evident from the study as ∼99 % of Ca2+ and ∼98 % of SO42− fractions were determined to be of non-marine origin. Over 800 brick kilns were identified around Varanasi and contributing to an increased NO3−, SO42− and particulate matter. The Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) technique identified sea-salt, crustal dust, fossil fuel and biomass combustion, and agricultural emissions as potential sources of major ionic constituents over Varanasi. © 2025 Turkish National Committee for Air Pollution Research and Control
Enabling Environment for Climate-Smart Agriculture: A Critical Review of Climate Smart Practices from South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa
(Technoscience Publications, 2025) Arpita Ghosh; Puneet Sharma; Arnab Mondal; Surajit Mondal
In South Asian and Sub-Saharan African nations, climate change offers numerous hurdles to growth and development. These regions are susceptible to climate change due to their vast population reliance on agriculture, high demand for natural resources, and comparatively limited strategies for coping. Reduced food grain yields, crop losses, feed scarcity, lack of potable water for livestock during the summer, forceful animal migrations, and severe losses in the poultry and fishery industries have all been documented, posing a threat to the lives of the rural poor. As global food security and agricultural productivity become increasingly vulnerable, the focus has shifted towards adopting climate-smart agricultural practices and techniques. The present study discussed the need to identify and prioritize regionally evolving climate-smart farming practices and the enabling environment required for CSA uptake. The popular CSA practices in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa are crop rotation, cultivation of drought/flood-tolerant crops, legume intercropping, changing planting dates, rainwater harvesting, agroforestry, micro-irrigation technologies, minimum tillage, and integrated crop-livestock farming. A solid institutional structure, policy environment, infrastructure, agricultural insurance, climate information services, and gender and social inclusion provide the required enabling environment to alleviate farmer issues, lower CSA adoption obstacles, and improve operational sustainability. Highlights of the study are: This study examines how climate-smart farming practices are evolving in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. We used a systematic approach to categorize and characterize agricultural adaptation alternatives to climate change. Our specific goals are to gain knowledge of the CSA adoption-enabling environments and the climate-smart agriculture practices employed in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. © 2025 by the authors.
Harnessing the Bio Electrochemical Potential of Sediments: An Update on Sediment Microbial Fuel Cell Technologies
(Taylor and Francis Ltd., 2025) Debajyoti Bose; Riya Bhattacharya; Manjusha Pillai; Aritra Ray; Tanveen Kaur; Surajit Mondal; Arnab Mondal
As research continues to elucidate the complex interactions between microorganisms, electrodes, and sediments, sediment microbial fuel cells (MFCs) or SMFCs are poised to play a critical role in environmental remediation and bioelectricity production. SMFCs offer a novel approach to harnessing the bio-electrochemical potential of microorganisms in a unique ecosystem. This review highlights the importance of electroactive bacteria (EAB) and their role in providing a sustainable and renewable energy from sediments. These independent units can offer significant opportunities in environmental remediation and bioelectricity production. Different configurations of SMFCs such as plant-MFCs and constructed wetland (CW)-MFCs are also discussed with their performance parameters and indicators. Recent advances in material design and operation have improved their efficiency, scalability, and cost-effectiveness, paving the way for their deployment in a range of applications, from monitoring water quality to powering remote sensors and devices. Additionally, the mathematical models used in bioremediation and bioelectricity production from electroactive microbes are also discussed. These models act as a roadmap to improve working potential of SMFCs with emphasis on electrode materials for both anode and the cathode. SMFCs enhance biogeochemical cycling, stimulate denitrification, and promote the degradation of pollutants, acting as a potent tool for ecosystem restoration. © 2025 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
Impact and potential of carbon sequestration and utilization: fundamentals and recent developments
(Taylor and Francis Ltd., 2024) Arnab Mondal; Soumitra K Gupta; Shaurya Yaduvanshi; Muhammad Khan; Samar Layek; Vamsi Krishna Kudapa; Surajit Mondal
Carbon dioxide is a primary greenhouse gas that plays a vital role in shaping life on Earth. However, the continuous anthropogenic emissions of CO2 at prominent levels have caused severe damage to the earth as they increase the global average temperature of the earth, causing global warming. To restrict the further rise in global temperature, it is necessary to capture anthropogenic CO2 emissions efficiently by various means. Technological carbon sequestration would benefit the manufacturing industry by minimizing carbon emissions and saving on carbon taxes. This review article would explore various methods to capture carbon efficiently by improving carbon storage technology, using captured carbon economically in industries, and making fuel from captured carbon. Cooling towers can be used to capture carbon through the direct air capture (DAC) method and can be integrated with Natural Draft Dry Cooling Tower systems (NDDCTs) to lower the power consumption requirements and thus the operational costs. The captured carbon is used to make fuel by employing solid carbon directly as both an anode and fuel, with 80% higher efficiency than solid oxide fuel cells. It also emits fewer pollutants than typical coal-burning power plants. © 2024 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
India's shift toward sustainable energy: A comprehensive approach to renewable energy integration and environmental sustainability
(American Institute of Physics, 2024) Surajit Mondal; Arnab Mondal; Jaswant Rathore; Kota Krishna Koundinya; Amit Kumar Sharma
India's reliance on coal for energy has led to pollution, carbon emissions, and environmental hazards. To combat these issues, the Indian government is promoting renewable energy to enhance energy efficiency and reduce environmental impacts. By investing in solar, hydro, and wind power, India aims to minimize pollution and greenhouse gas emissions while meeting energy demands sustainably. The shift to renewable energy not only benefits the environment but also reduces energy import dependency and lowers costs. Renewable energy technologies like solar, hydro, and wind play a crucial role in power generation, offering clean alternatives derived from natural resources. The government's focus on providing 24/7 affordable electricity for all has spurred innovations in off-grid electricity generation, particularly in sun-rich regions. These advancements have attracted private sector investments, improved energy efficiency, and addressing energy shortages. India's target to install 337 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2027, with significant contributions from foreign and private sectors, underscores the country's vast renewable energy potential. Initiatives like the Electricity Act 2001 and rural electrification have enhanced energy conservation and distribution efficiency. The transition to electric vehicles and advancements in renewable energy technologies signal a promising future for India's energy sector, with opportunities for innovation, employment growth, and sustainable development. This article discusses the government's initiatives to promote renewable energy, the role of solar, hydro, and wind power in power generation, and the potential benefits of this transition for the Indian economy and environment. © 2024 Author(s).
Innovative approaches for carbon capture and storage as crucial measures for emission reduction within industrial sectors
(Elsevier Ltd, 2024) Debajyoti Bose; Riya Bhattacharya; Tanveen Kaur; Ravindra Pandya; Abhijeeta Sarkar; Aritra Ray; Surajit Mondal; Arnab Mondal; Paulami Ghosh; Rhea Ishani Chemudupati
Carbon capture and storage represented as CCS, is a technique that can be used to cut down on emissions of CO2 from industrial sources. These mechanisms can balance the excess fossil fuel usage and lead to effective carbon capture from the atmosphere and storing it in safe spaces. This can negate global warming and send the carbon back to geological spaces inside the earth. This review covers the operational mechanism of such technologies from its inception to the material innovation along with the transport of CO2 and its storage options. Breakthroughs in recent years have made it possible to design effective carbon capture and safe spaces for its storage. A comprehensive worldwide case studies are presented for both successful CCS project implementation and their environmental impact assessment. Lessons learned from these case examples are reflected through the challenges and policy hurdles with its impact on the global economy. An outlook is provided for the role of CCS in net zero emissions, renewables integration and advancing CCS research. By leveraging innovation across capture, utilization, and storage stages, CCS holds immense potential to play a transformative role in combating climate change and achieving global sustainability goals. © 2024 The Author(s)
Microplastics in the Atmosphere: Identification, Sources and Transport Pathways
(CRC Press, 2024) Rahul Arya; Jaswant Rathore; Ajay Kumar Mishra; Arnab Mondal
Microplastic (MP) pollution is a rising concern due to the overexploitation of plastics and absence of systematic dumping of plastic residue. The size of plastic particles ranging below 5 mm are termed as microplastics. Initial investigations focused on the effects of microplastic pollutants on marine as well as terrestrial ecosystems; however, recent studies have drawn attention to their presence in the atmosphere. The existence of fragmented plastics in the air was first reported in 2016, and thereafter, they were reported to be found in multiple studies conducted various environments, both indoor and outdoor conditions. The deficiency of data and lack of knowledge about their presence can be accredited to their prompt and long-range transport, which is aided by their smaller size. The current challenges with dearth of standard sampling procedures and detection approaches have limited the number of studies on airborne microplastic pollutants. Therefore, there exist large gaps in knowledge about their occurrence, horizontal and vertical distribution and their impact on air quality, ecosystem and human life. This chapter attempts to provide a broad illustration of current state of knowledge regarding atmospheric microplastics. In this chapter, we have attempted to provide an insight into microplastics in the atmosphere, its sources, types, transport pathways and an overview of the present measurement techniques along with its impacts. © 2024 selection and editorial matter, Surajit Mondal, Papita Das, Arnab Mondal, Subhankar Paul, Jitendra Kumar Pandey and Tapas K. Das. All rights reserved..
Microplastics in the Terrestrial Environment: Pathways and Remediation Strategies
(CRC Press, 2024) Surajit Mondal; Papita Das; Arnab Mondal; Poushali Chakraborty
This book aims to address details and research gaps in the impacts of microplastics in terrestrial ecosystems. It addresses the impact of microplastics on the soil environment, and highlights and discusses their transport behavior, pollution level, and the combined effects of the microplastics with other pollutants on the soil ecology. Furthermore, it also highlights the effects of UV irradiations and mechanical abrasions from soil fauna and various agricultural practices. Features: Covers advances in plastic/micro-/nano-plastic pollution and possible pathways of pollution. Demonstrates the mitigation measures to minimize such pollution loads, with a special focus on the application of nanotechnology. Explores recycle and value-added products from waste plastic. Promotes development of alternate clean energy sources. Introduces appropriate alternatives and/or finding strategies to mitigate the existing microplastic crisis using suitable approaches. This book is aimed at researchers and graduate students in environmental and chemical engineering, as well as remediation. © 2025 selection and editorial matter, Surajit Mondal, Papita Das, Arnab Mondal and Poushali Chakraborty; individual chapters, the contributors.
Overcoming water, sanitation, and hygiene challenges in critical regions of the global community
(KeAi Communications Co., 2024) Debajyoti Bose; Riya Bhattacharya; Tanveen Kaur; Ritesh Banerjee; Tanya Bhatia; Aritra Ray; Bhavika Batra; Arnab Mondal; Paulami Ghosh; Surajit Mondal
This review provides a critical analysis of the global water and sanitation crisis, as well as how community-based approaches have led to innovative water management solutions. Regions of sub-Saharan Africa, south Asia, the Middle East, and island countries have been taken as models to understand mitigating crises related to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services. Selected WASH cases based on specific inclusion and exclusion criteria that highlighted finance, sustainability, and community engagement. The review analyses methods through which communities below the poverty line, living in densely populated areas, war zones, and island countries can foster innovation, and collaborations. © 2024
Socio-economic-environmental challenges at himachal villages: findings from five unnat bharat abhiyan adopted villages
(Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH, 2024) Arpita Ghosh; Puneet Sharma; Devika Vashisht; Parul Malik; Arnab Mondal; Surajit Mondal
This research pinpoints the primary socio-economic issues and inherent circumstances of rural development in Himachal Pradesh, India. It provides a critical analysis of 289 households based on the surveys conducted in 5 villages of Sirmaur district, adopted under the UBA (‘Unnat Bharat Abhiyan’, transl. ‘Developed India initiative’). This study highlights and evaluates the significant socio-economic concerns and rural development challenges based on key factors such as population, education, employment, rural development schemes, livestock assets, property distribution, essential services and transport connectivity. The findings from this study are crucial for identifying priority areas for community capacity building and sustainable rural development including literacy rates, healthcare, and agricultural products. The study emphasizes the prudent use of existing resources and the maximisation of benefits from centrally and state-sponsored schemes for the comprehensive development of the adopted villages under UBA. Although the current initiative is based on the UBA-adopted villages, it may be applied to other rural villages of Himalayan states. This article highlights inter-variations in socio-economic issues such as healthcare, sanitation, waste management, unsustainable agriculture methods, drug misuse, unemployment, and sanitation in the UBA adopted villages in the Sirmaur District, Himachal Pradesh, India. © 2024, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.