Technology Development for the bioconversion of urban, industrial and agricultural wastes
Recycling and reuse of industrial waste water for agriculture
Biomethanation of organic wastes for energy production
Development of bioremediation technologies for industrial and hazardous waste contaminated ecosystems
Effect of industrial waste water disposal on agricultural land degradation, loss of fertility and impact on groundwater contamination
Studies on Carbon Sequestration and Carbon trading
Research collaboration with national and international organizations/ industries
The Scientists have successfully operated many research projects funded by National (20 Nos.), International (3 Nos.) and Private Organizations (20 Nos.). The faculty has been trained in different International Universities viz., Massey University, New Zealand, University of Adelaide, Australia, University of South Australia, University of Coahuila, Mexico, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology.
The faculties have been recognized with International fellowships like Australian Endeavour Award Ambassador, Endeavour AIEC Research Fellow, ACIAR John All wright Fellow from different countries. Faculties are also trained in international institutes of South Australia, USA, New Zealand, Canada under ICAR 50 Crore HRD Phase II program. Faculties have obtained funds from various National and International funding agencies like MoEF&CC, DST, DBT, UGC, ISRO, CPCB, TNCST, CSIRO – Australia, Grow Green – Australia, Park Project – Singapore. Faculties have got funds from various industries such as Tamil Nadu News Print and Paper Limited, ITC paper borad, Shesasayee paper and boards, Bannariamman Sugars, Sakthi Sugars, Amaravathy Sugars, Dharani Sugars, EID Parry Sugars, Salem Co-Operative sugars, Bhavani Distillery, Rajashree sugars, United Breweries, Cadbury India Limited, Coffee board and rubber board.
The faculties were also obtained various medals and awards viz., Commonwealth award, Australian Endeavour Award Ambassador, Endeavour AIEC Research Fellow, ACIAR John All wright Fellow, Tamil Nadu State Environment award, Crop research award, Best researcher award, Outstanding women researcher award, Young scientist award, Pearl Education award, Best paper and poster presentation awards etc., in recognition of their contribution towards teaching and research.
Technologies Developed
In collaboration with ACIAR – Australia a joint research project was conducted to assess the impact of tannery effluent contaminated soils in Vellore, Dindugal and Erode districts. Also recommended suitable agricultural, tree and horticultural crop varieties and different soil amendments and technologies were recommended to reduce the chromium toxicity.
In Vellore district, a baseline survey was conducted to assess the level of pollution, based on the survey number of the sites, water and soil samples were collected from sites contaminated heavily by tannery effluent and analyzed for pollution level. Based on the results of analysis, compensations were given to the land owners through Loss of Ecology Authority.
Survey was conducted in Tirupur, Erode, Karur and Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu to assess the impact of dye and textile industrial effluent contamination in soil and water and for pollution abatement techniques were recommended.
Developed technologies for bio-composting of different organic and industrial wastes.
Developed integrated management technologies for reclamation of salt affected soils.
Standardized the bio and phytoremediation techniques for removal of pollutants from soil and water and optimized the process parameters for the chromium contaminated sites.
Suitable crops and varieties were identified for land application of paper mill effluent and distillery effluent.
Techniques were developed for composting and nutrient preservation of poultry wastes.
High conversion rate anaerobic reactors were developed for using the sago and rubber factory effluents as substrates for biomethanation.
Standardized the method of production of enriched vermicomposting with bio-inoculants.
Developed technologies for reclamation of alkaline soils using amendments like gypsum, phosphogypsum, compost, green manure, iron pyrites, elemental sulphur, pressmud and poultry manure.
Standardized technique to utilize spentwash as liquid manure, for crops (sugarcane, groundnut, maize, sorghum and forage crops).
