Serious problems are faced in several parts of the world due to the presence of high concentration of fluoride in drinking water which causes dental and skeletal fluorosis to humans. Nalgonda district in Andhra Pradesh, India is one such region where high concentration of fluoride is present in groundwater. Since there are no major studies in the recent past, the present study was carried out to understand the present status of groundwater quality in Nalgonda and also to assess the possible causes for high concentration of fluoride in groundwater. Samples from 45 wells were collected once every 2 months and analyzed for fluoride concentration using an ion chromatograph. The fluoride concentration in groundwater of this region ranged from 0.1 to 8.8 mg/l with a mean of 1.3 mg/l. About 52% of the samples collected were suitable for human consumption. However, 18% of the samples were having less than the required limit of 0.6 mg/l, and 30% of the samples possessed high concentration of fluoride, i.e., above 1.5 mg/l. Weathering of rocks and evaporation of groundwater are responsible for high fluoride concentration in groundwater of this area apart from anthropogenic activities including irrigation which accelerates weathering of rocks.

Geochemical processes that take place in the aquifer have played a major role in spatial and temporal variations of groundwater quality. This study was carried out with an objective of identifying the hydrogeochemical processes that controls the groundwater quality in a weathered hard rock aquifer in a part of Nalgonda district, Andhra Pradesh, India. Groundwater samples were collected from 45 wells once every 2 months from March 2008 to September 2009. Chemical parameters of groundwater such as groundwater level, EC and pH were measured insitu. The major ion concentrations such as Ca 2? , Mg 2? , Na ? , K ? , Cl -, and SO 4 2-were analyzed using ion chromatograph. CO 3 -and HCO 3 -concentration was determined by acid-base titration. The abundance of major cation concentration in groundwater is as-. Ca-HCO 3 , Na-Cl, CaNa-HCO 3 and Ca-Mg-Cl are the dominant groundwater types in this area. Relation between temporal variation in groundwater level and saturation index of minerals reveals the evaporation process. The ion-exchange process controls the concentration of ions such as calcium, magnesium and sodium. The ionic ratio of Ca/Mg explains the contribution of calcite and dolomite to groundwater. In general, the geochemical processes and temporal variation of groundwater in this area are influenced by evaporation processes, ion exchange and dissolution of minerals.

Extensive hydrogeological investigations followed by three-dimensional groundwater flow and contaminant transport modelling were carried out around a proposed uranium tailings pond at Seripalli in Andhra Pradesh, India, to estimate its radiological impact. The hydrogeological parameters and measured groundwater level were used to model the groundwater flow and contaminant transport from the uranium tailings pond using a finite-element-based model. The simulated groundwater level compares reasonably with the observed groundwater level. Subsequently, the transport of longlived radionuclides such as 238 U, 234 U, 230 Th and 226 Ra from the proposed tailings pond was modelled. The ingrowths of progenies were also considered in the modelling. It was observed that these radionuclides move very little from the tailings pond, even at the end of 10,000 y, due to their high distribution coefficients and low groundwater velocities. These concentrations were translated into committed effective dose rates at different distances in the vicinity of the uranium tailings pond. The results indicated that the highest effective dose rate to members of the public along the groundwater flow pathway is 2.5 times lower than the drinking water guideline of 0.1mSv/y, even after a long time period of 10,000 y.

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

The Importance of New Product Development in a country is increasing day by day for providing product with punctuality at affordable price and always has to maintain superior quality according to buyer"s requirement. The relevance of product innovations and new product development is done for the competitive advantage of the firm and for the long-term economic growth. The study focuses on the development of a new product, which the company plan to launch on the bathing soap market. By presenting a report, this paper aims to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of the new product development process undertaken by the company. The soap industry experienced an unprecedented rate of increase in the cost of developing new bathing soap while the number of new drugs that were approved and accepted in the marketplace has reached a very low level. 1.2 REASONS FOR NEW PRODUCTS: There are at least 3 reasons for which new products should be developed.  New products become necessary for meeting the changes in consumer needs.  New products become necessary for making new profits.  New products become necessary for combating environmental threats. 1.3 CATEGORIES OF NEW PRODUCTS: 1: New to the world. 2: New to the product lines. 3: Additions to the existing product line. 4: Improvements & revisions of existing products. 5: Repositioning. 6: Cost reductions. 1.4 FACTORS OF NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT: New product development is a continuous function of marketing management in the present day highly competitive environment. In the process of new product development, a company should keep in mind the following considerations: Adequate market demand. The product should fit into company"s present market structure. The idea should fit into the company"s present production structure. The product should fit as per the financial resources available. Adequate distribution in depth & breadth.