Advanced Materials Research Vols. 931-932

Abstract: Available forms of mercury (Hg) released from artisanal gold mine activities could be taken up increasingly by plants via root and leaf stomata. Total mercury (THg) concentrations in dry deposit, surface soil and rice grains were investigated as well as the potential risks in september 2011 from three rice fields of concern. The results revealed that the concentrations of THg in dry deposition, top soil (0 to 5 cm depth), sub soil (6 to 10 cm depth) and rice grains (Oriza sativa L.) both brown (once milled) and white (twice milled) grains were ranged from 166 to 322 m^-2 day^-1, 484 to 4244 μg kg^-1dw, 122 to 1812 μg kg^-1ww, and 113 to 1084 μg kg^-1ww, respectively. Hazard quotient (HQ) values for dry deposition, top soil and sub soil were ranged from 3 to 7, 5 to 42 and 5 to 36, respectively. Target hazard quotient (THQ) for brown and white rice grains consumptions were found in the range of 0.1 to 1.6 and 0.1 to 1.0, respectively. THQ values through brown rice consumption exceeded the guideline (>1) presented that the brown rice in these areas should not be safe for consumption and are at risks for the whole lifespan. However, the THQ values of both brown and white rice grains in some areas were still low and should be safe for the whole life span consumption.

Abstract: The 21^st century is the era of civilization transformation from the industrial society towards the information society. One of the main features of the information society is spending most of their time to work in a building with the aids of artificial ventilation. However, most of these societies are evolving a mindset in which the job done in the space of an office building is a job that does not have risks as well as the most safe and comfortable working environment from negative influences. In fact, previous studies have shown that the quality of air in a space is a significant factor that can influence the effectiveness of the quality of work. These include declining productivity and damages to material and equipment and also impact on the health of workers. This study discusses the effects of indoor air pollution on human health in the workplace environment. Therefore, this paper also discusses the contaminants in the air that contribute to sick building syndrome. The study found that indoor air pollution is a significant adverse effect on the health of workers in the building.

Abstract: The objective of this research is to study the nutrient release behaviors on slow release fertilizer (Osmocote® N13:P13:K13, 3 month release formulation). The fertilizer was added into distilled water which adjusted pH of 6.5 and 7.5. The nutrient release behaviors were determined by collecting samples every 1 week and analyzed the nutrient contents in samples by scientific methods. As the result, for the total N release behavior, it may be considered that at lower pH condition tended to release more than that at higher one, for the P (shown by P₂O₅) and K (shown by K₂O) release behaviors may be high at high pH condition.

Abstract: This research aims to develop slow release fertilizers by using Leonardite and Zeolite. Two formulations of slow release fertilizer were prepared namely the Leonardite and Zeolite slow release fertilizer and the Leonardite slow release fertilizer. Theirnutrient releasing rates were investigated and comparedwith that of the commercially availableslow release fertilizer which contained N8:P24:K24.Specifically the slow release fertilizers were formulated from leonardite, zeolite and other fertilizer materials such as ammonium phosphate and potassium chloride. Each formulation was then pelletized and baked at 100°C for 1 hr to remove water; then they were kilned at 150°C for 1 hr. All the kilned fertilizers were analyzed subsequently by using the Fertilizer Test Kit (KU.5) to determine the releasing rates of the main N, P and K nutrients. Each fertilizer was immersed in distilled water and shakenat the speed of 150 rpm for 10 min, 30 min, 1 hr and 2 hr. The nutrients released into the distilled water were determined following the standard methodology. The results indicated that the nutrient releasing rates of the slow release fertilizer prepared from Leonardite and Zeolite were less than those observed in the commercial fertilizer.

Abstract: A survey of cooperative concentrated rubber latex industry in southern Thailand showed that most of them do not have adequate treatments for their wastes. Especially, skim latex serum (SS) with high source of ammonia is a main wastewater generated from their industries and concentrated latex sludge (CS) with high source of phosphorus is a main solid waste obtained from their industries. It was noted that both of the wastes cause environment problems. Water pollution and bad smell of NH₃ from these waste systems have also been generated and affected to human health. One low investment possibility is the elaboration of these wastes by composting because these wastes contain some nutrients (N, P, K) in available forms resulting in high potential to add value for fertilizer production. However, both of the wastes have a small amount of organic matter content that need to be mixed with other materials with high organic matter such as sawdust (SD). Thus, the aim of this research was to investigate the utilization of these wastes to produce compost. In this work, the SS, CS and SD were composted in specially designed composting vessel (6L) with various mixing ratios of the SS, CS and SD in order to examine the optimized mixing condition and physical properties of the compost. Each treatment was composted with 60 days of composting duration. The performance of composting process was analyzed in term of the following: temperature, pH, electric conductivity, total organic carbon, total nitrogen, total phosphorus and C/N ratio. The analysis of temperature, pH, and electric conductivity was measured every day while the analysis of total organic carbon, total nitrogen, total phosphorus and C/N ratio was investigated every 10 days. According to the results, the optimized mixing ratio of SS, CS and SD for composting was 1:1:1. The final resultant compost was feasible for agricultural use. From the view point of compost qualities, it was in the range of the Thai compost standard with 7.91 of pH, 15.06 (%w/w) of total organic carbon, 1.24 (%w/w) of total nitrogen, 0.69 (%w/w) of total phosphorus and 21.6 of C/N ratio.

Abstract: Environmental protection is a major issue that is critical to the sustainable development of the country. The government of Lao PDR is taking the energy plan into consideration in order to manage and mitigate the negative impacts and to monitor the mitigation programs. Usually, the Environmental Management and Monitoring Plan (EMMP) of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report contains the terms and conditions with which the project developers must comply. In order to ensure that a project developer fully implements its commitment under EMMP, the MoNRE of Lao PDR have developed an environmental monitoring guideline and checklist which contains key indicators and parameters to be used by the monitoring authorities. The objective of this study is to evaluate the implementation of EMMP performed by 5 hydropower projects existing in Lao PDR, namely, Nam Thurn2, Nam Thurn Hinboun, Nam Ngum2, Num Lik1-2 and Num Ngum5. This study analyzed the monitoring data under multiple parameters including water quality, fish and fisheries, waste and pollution, watershed, downstream river flow, camp sites and construction sites, and reports, undertaken by different inspectors. The Analytic Hierarch Process (AHP) is accepted to be a powerful and flexible method for ranking decision alternatives and selecting the best ones when the decision makers have multiple criteria. Therefore, it is a selected tool used for determining the optimal hydropower project in Lao PDR based on the collected monitoring data. A case study was conducted to understand which one could be considered as the environmental friendly project and which parameter has the importance role to the accomplishment of project development.

Abstract: To implement an architecture work, such as residential , residential houses and the like , atmosphere and a healthy environment has a very important role . To be categorized as a good architecture work , the building should be : interesting in terms of the appearance, comfortable to occupied, beautiful views , safety in construction , have the local wisdom and friendly to nature and the environment . In the era of globalization , these values began to shift , especially residential buildings , residential on the center of the city. For examples, narrow courtyard, the dominance of concrete and glass building material , and barren surrounding environments , green plants are very minimal . The selection of building materials , such as air conditioning with its CFC content , electronic equipment within the building that are not environmentally friendly , the complement of air pollution both within and outside the residential buildings This happens due to the high price of land in urban area , community and individualism are more viscous , the long-term health awareness that less attention , and prioritizing practicality in activities and maintenance of their home . In Surabaya, Eco Green to meet the government regulation has been established and implemented for green space solutions. And impact of global warming have already exceeded the 30 % required . But the percentage of RTH Private relative still small. also RTH option is needed in order more efficient in land and comsution,provide more benefits such value . Fruit and Vegetable Roof Garden , has not been widely applied , particularly for the residential in the city's center such as Surabaya . The purpose of the assessment is to analyze the results of several researchers who have collected additional benefits obtained on the utilization of natural resources including the application of roof greening fruit and vegetable garden at home, if applicable accurate to a big city like Surabaya . .The method used in this study is to do with the spaciousness survey , study references , browsing through the internet , collect some data from studies that have been done by some competent source , then perform the analysis . While the results obtained are not significantly appear on the application of the RTH Privat, even trend looks to be making investments that material's large profit-oriented , ease of maintenance and trends , compared with consideration would preserve local knowledge , and friendliness to the environment and natural healthy . It can be seen from the increasing number of existing homes , both of the simple type , medium and luxury using modern building materials , with a fairly large area of the building and the lack of balance in an open area for reforestation , especially with the application

Abstract: Surabaya, is one of the oldest cities in Indonesia. Since 1612, Surabaya has been a very busy trading center. Kalimas River, which is the river that flowing in the middle of the city of Surabaya, necessarily be a "River of Gold". It is used by traders, as a transport route for carrying goods from central Java to Surabaya. And from Surabaya, these goods are distributed throughout the world. The river management of Kalimas River is very complex. On the other hand, the development of tourism in Surabaya is very encouraging. Then, it is needed to propose a new tourism destination base on the potential of Kalimas River. Because there is no type of water attractions in Surabaya yet, so we need a study that focused on understanding the river lane as an alternative of water attraction in Surabaya. This research will be done in the realm of qualitative research. Based on the research objectives, the type of research that will be applied research so that the results can be much easier to implement. As the summary, it concluded that there are 4 steps to develop the Kalimas River lane as an aternative for water tourism destination in Surabaya, which are improving the quality of its existing condition, developing its potential to serve the purpose of water tourism, achieving the needs and expectations of the citizens of Surabaya on the river lane as an alternative water tourism destination, and finding new icon for Surabaya water tourism.

Abstract: The Chi River Basin is vulnerable to flooding due to its location in the pathway of tropical storms during the monsoon season, flat topography, large proportion area of community settlements and agricultural activities and poor management of water release from dams. Since there is still a lack of lasting viable solution to flooding problems, an insight into detailed aspects of flood alleviation needs to be addressed. The objective of this study was to perform rainfall-runoff analysis using Hydrologic Modelling System (HEC-HMS) model in order to assess the effectiveness of Ubol Ratana and Lam Pao reservoirs for flood mitigation in the downstream area of the Chi River Basin. A scenario-based study that investigates the attenuation of flood peak discharge downstream of the Chi River Basin for the year 2001 was presented. Water storing and releasing scenarios from different reservoirs were designed to cover possible situations. The HEC-HMS model was used to simulate the attenuation effect of downstream flood hydrograph. The simulated results showed that the decrease of releasing water from Ubol Ratana and Lam Pao reservoirs by 10, 30 and 50 % during the wet year (2001), affected the decrease of peak flood by 5.86%, 17.57%, and 26.59%, respectively. In conclusion, reducing existing reservoir releases should be considered as part of proactive flood risk reduction measures, and the HECHMS model is able to describe the hydrological processes through underlying physical and mathematical relations.

Abstract: When the severity of exposure to flood is being addressed, several related concerns have always been raised to draw attention on a growing flood threat. In relation to this, the extraordinary insight into the seriousness of land use and rainfall changes that could greatly exacerbate flood impacts would need to be highlighted. The importance of the aforementioned issue lies in the main objective of quantifying consequences of how changes in land use and rainfall affect the hydrological processes in the lower Nam Phong River Basin. The use of Hydrologic Modeling System (HEC-HMS) simulation model would add robustness and predictability to the overall results. It was apparent from the calibration and validation processes that there are reasonably close agreement between observed and simulated discharges at Ban Nong Hin gauging station (E.22A), with good correlation coefficients (E_NS = 0.78, r² = 0.81 and E_NS = 0.77, r² = 0.82, respectively). Thereafter, different what-if scenarios were conducted to determine impacts of land use changes in 2001, 2011 and 2057 and extreme rainfall with different return periods of 10-, 50-and 100-years on hydrological responses. A slight increase in peak flows were equal to 4% and 1%, as a consequence of the change from 2001 land use conditions to 2011 and 2057, respectively. Conversely, a large increase in peak discharges was expected to be 13%, 20% and 27% when the 2001 rainfall event was adjusted to the projected changes in rainfall corresponding to 10-, 50-and 100-year return periods, respectively. In brief, insignificant relation between hydrological response and land use changes was obviously found, but it was of particular significance due to changes in rainfall extremes. Taken together, obtained findings can then be used as a baseline for water resources planning, development and management, as well as flood management perspective.