CSIR-NEERI, Chennai Zonal Laboratory, one of the five Zonal Laboratories of the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, Nagpur, has been a trail-blazer to the industries in the States of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Pondicherry, ever since its inception in 1969. The Zonal Laboratory follows the footsteps of the parent organization (NEERI, Nagpur) in its commitment towards the national and societal missions and CSIR thrust area activities. In its 47 years of existence, this unit has made significant strides in such thrust areas of R&D as environmental monitoring, environmental biotechnology, hazardous waste management, environmental systems design, environmental impact & risk assessment and environmental audit.
The broad objectives of the laboratory are:
- Conducting research and developmental studies in the area of environmental science and engineering.
- Rendering assistance to the industries of the region, local bodies, etc. in solving the problems of environmental pollution.
- Interacting and collaborating with academic and research institutions on environmental science and engineering for mutual benefit.
- Providing guidance for research scholars for their doctoral studies as the unit is recognised by the University of Madras and Anna University.
CSIR-NEERI, Chennai Zonal Laboratory has played an important role in solving some of the most critical problems of pollution in the States of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and also union territories of Puducherry, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep. Projects of international status funded by such agencies as WHO, World Bank and the US Government have been undertaken by the Zonal Laboratory. The Zonal Laboratory has designed wastewater treatment and disposal facilities for over 60 industries covering tanneries, pulp and paper, textiles, chemicals and fertilizers, food, sugar and distillery, etc. The Laboratory has carried out Environmental Impact Assessment studies for a number of proposed industrial projects and expansion schemes. The laboratory has been monitoring the ambient air quality of Chennai City since 1978 by installing air samplers at 3 zones of activity viz. Industrial, Commercial and Residential.
Some of the recent noteworthy contributions of the centre to the cause of environmental protection are listed below:
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
- Environmental Audit at Harihar Alloys Private Limited, Forging Division, Trichy
- EIA Studies for the Proposed Expansion of Manali Refinery (I&III), Euro-IV and Resid Upgradation, Naphtha Hydrotreater & Continuous Catalytic Reforming And Propylene Projects, Manali Refinery Complex, Tamilnadu
- Environmental Impact & Risk Assessment (EIRA) for Proposed Refinery at Thiruchpuram Village, Cuddalore District, Tamil Nadu
- EIRA for Puducherry Port
- EIA for CPCL, Manali
- EIA for Chemfab Alkalis, Pondicherry
- EIA for the salts fields of Padma Chemicals, Chunampet and Kanthadu
- Assessment of Dust Emissions from Stone Crushing Industry in Trisoolam Area
- EIA for the Common Hazardous Waste Disposal Facility at the SIPCOT Industrial Complex, Gummidipoondi
- Technoeconomic Feasibility and Environmental Impact Assessment of the proposed Sethu Samudram Ship Canal Project
- EIA for Hyundai Motors near Chennai
- Comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment (CEIA) for Nuclear Power Plant, Kudankulam
- EIA of Off-shore Facility of ONGC at Nellore, Andhra Pradesh
- EIA and Risk Assessment of Proposed Hazardous Waste Disposal Site at Siruseri, Chennai
- EIA for Proposed Development of Petrochemical Estate for Establishment of Petrochemical Project at Ennore
- CEIA Study of 8MMTPA Expansion of Cauvery Basin Refinery(South India) Nagapatinam, Tamil Nadu
Environmental Management Plan (EMP)
- EMP for Kanchipuram, Dept. of Environment, Govt. of Tamil Nadu
- EMP for Chennai Port
Environmental Monitoring
- Environmental Quality Assessment Study of M/s. CPCL, Manali Refinery Complex, Tamil Nadu
- Evaluation of Water Pollution and Toxic Gas Emission due to Industries in SIPCOT Cuddalore
- National Ambient Air Quality Monitoring at Chennai
- Scientific study of Water and Sediment Quality in the West Coast Canal of NW-3, Kerala
- Assessment of VOCs at SIPCOT Industrial Complex, Cuddalore
- Impact of On-site Sanitation on Surface and Groundwater Sources in Chennai and Coimbatore
- Environmental Quality Assessment (EQA) for M/s.Sundram Fasteners, Krishnapuram
- EQA of Gem Stone Beach Resorts and Theme Park Site, Muttukadu
- Inventory of Evaporative Emission of Hydrocarbon from Various Sources in Chennai
Environmental Systems Design, Modelling and Optimization
- Design of Sewage Treatment Plant for Calicut Airport Kerala
- Design of Sewage Treatment Plants for Tsunami Affected Areas in 13 Districts of Tamil Nadu
- Design of Sullage/Sewage Treatment Plant for Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi
- Design of Sewage Treatment Plant for Chennai Port
Water Quality Management
- Assessment and de-contamination Study of Soil and Groundwater of IOC outlet, M/s. AP Enterprises, Mogappair West Area, Chennai
- Performance Evaluation and Improvement of Hosur SIPCOT CWSS at Kelavarapalli Dam
- Hydrochemical study of Groundwater in Pondicherry and Karaikal Regions
- Study on the Surveillance of Drinking Water Quality in Chennai, Coimbatore and Bangalore
- Impact of on-site sanitation system on the quality of ground and surface water source Chennai city
- Development of Nano Silver-Carbon Core-In Shell and Other Materials for Water Disinfection
- Microbial Desalination Cell: A New Method for Water Purification
- Development of Nano-Material Based Biosensor for Monitoring The Water Borne Pathogens
Wastewater Management
- Wastewater Management in Tanneries in Tamil Nadu
- Wastewater Management in Tamil Nadu Distilleries
- Characterization of Sewage Treatment Plant on Fluidized Aerobic Bioreactor of Thermax, Pune
- Performance Evaluation of the Existing Effluent Treatment Facility at M/s. Saint Gobain Abrasives Grindwell Norton Ltd., Bangalore
- Wastewater management in Chennai Port Trust
- Application of Established Fish Cell Lines Evaluating Toxicity of Industrial Effluents
- Wastewater Disposal Options for Port Blair
Environmental Microbiology/ Biotechnology/ Virology
- Nucleic Acid Based Molecular Tools for Microbial Source Tracking
- Biotechnological Approach for Capture of CO2 for Generation of Pufa Using Algae-DBT, New Delhi
- Climate Change and Plant-Microbes’ Interaction Consequences for Phyto-Remediation of Crude Oil Contaminated Soils Ramllingaswami Fellowship of DBT for 5 Years
- Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) based Detection of Environmental Mycobacteria to identify the Potentially Dangerous Zones and Sources - ICMR
- Metagenomic approach for Perchlorate Removal from Ground water and Soil - Inhouse Project
- Biotechnological Decolorization and Treatment of Textile Wastewater - Perspectives for the New Millennium - DBT
- Biodegradability and Toxicity of Formaldehyde-Methanol containing Paint/Resin Manufacturing Wastewater DBT
- Technical Strengthening of PHED, MP for effective delivery of Total Sanitation Campaign and Swajaldhara UNICEF, Bhopal
CSIR Supra Institutional Project-Capacity Building in Molecular Environmental Science
- Molecular Biology (Fluorescence in-situ hybridization and DNA array)Technology for Microbial Quality Monitoring of Water
- Molecular Analysis of Air Microbes from Aerosols
- Concentration & Detection of Human Enteric Viruses in Marine Environment and Sea Food through PCR and Gene Probe - DBT
- Performance Evaluation of Water Purification Unit(Pureit), HLLRC, Mumbai
- Decolourization and Biodegradation of Azodye industry wastewater-DBT
- Virological Quality of Drinking Water in Goa, PWD, Govt. of Goa
Solid and Hazardous Waste Management
- Nano Scale Biosilica Extraction from Agro Waste Biomass and its Applications
- Assessment of Status of Municipal Solid Wastes Management in Metro Cities, State Capitals, Class - I cities and Class - II towns in Tamil Nadu and Kerala - CPCB
- Leachability and Engineering properties study for the Solid Waste encapsulated Concrete Blocks made by ITC, Thiruvottiyur
- Leachability Study for the Solid Waste of Chemfab Alkalis Limited, Kalapet, Pondicherry
- Solidification and Stabilisation of Electroplating Sludges
CSIR Networked Project
- Environment Friendly Leather Processing (SMM-10)
NEERI Chennai Zonal Laboratory has also conducted a number of seminars and workshops connected with current international problems. This centre is recognised for carrying out research work for both Master’s and Doctoral Degrees. So far 23 Research Scholars have obtained Doctoral degree and more than hundred students have done their project work for the award of M.Sc./M.Tech/M.Phil Degree in Environmental Engineering/Science/Biotechnology.
NEERI Chennai Zonal laboratory has pioneered in the Research & Development needs of the industries, Govt. Agencies and Departments for over three decades and has progressive plans for the future. Its services for both advice and action are always available through consultancy and sponsored research work.
Our Major Clientele includes:
- Department of Biotechnology (DBT), New Delhi
- Department of Science & Technology (DST), New Delhi
- Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), New Delhi
- Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), New Delhi
- Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), Kochi
- Central Public Health and Environmental Engineering Organisation (CPHEEO), New Delhi
- Hyundai Motors India Limited, Sriperumbudur
- Indian Tobacco Company Ltd (ITC)
- Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation
- Thermax, Pune
- Department of Agriculture, Govt. of Pondicherry
- Directorate of Environment, Govt. o f Tamil Nadu
- Chennai Petroleum Corporation Ltd
- IBP Ltd
- Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC)
- Chennai Port Trust
- Tuticorin Port Trust
- Chennai Metro Water Supply & Sewerage Board
- Tamil Nadu Water Supply & Drainage Board
- Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board
- Jayamkondam Lignite Power Corporation
- All India Skin & Hide Tanners & Merchants Association (AISHTMA), Chennai
- Southern Petrochemical Industries Corporation Ltd (SPIC), Tuticorin
- Coffee Research Institute, Chickmagalur
- Mangalore Chemicals & Fertilizers, Mangalore
- Karnataka State Pollution Control Board
- Sundram Fasteners, Madurai & Pondicherry
- Gem Stone Beach Resorts (P) Ltd, Chennai
- Sterlite Industries, Tuticorin
- Tamil Nadu Distillers Association, Chennai
- Madura Coats Ltd., Ambasamudram
- Vekavathi Chemicals, Madurai
- Hindustan Unilever Ltd., Mumbai
- Chemfab Alkalis Ltd., Pondicherry
- Andaman & Nicobar Administration, Port Blair
- Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority
- M/s. Saint Gobain, Bangaloru
- Airports Authority of India (AAI), Chennai
- Puducherry Port Department, Puducherry
- State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamilnadu Ltd (SIPCOT), Cuddalore
- Nagarjuna Oil Corporation Limited (NOCL), Chennai
- M/s. Harihar Alloys Private Limited, Trichy
- Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL), Chennai
- World Health Organization (WHO), New Delhi
- Revenue Administration, Disaster Management & Mitigation Department, Chennai
- National Shipping Corporation of India
- Center for High Technology, New Delhi
For further details contact:
The Scientist & Head, NEERI Chennai Zonal Laboratory
CSIR Madras Complex, Taramani, CHENNAI - 600 113
Telephone: +91-2254 4665, Fax: +91-2254 1964
Email: chzl[at]neeri[dot]res[dot]in,mt_arasu[at]neeri[dot]res[dot]in
Web Page: www.neeri.res.in, www.csirmadrascomplex.gov.in
NEERI Chennai Zonal Laboratory can be referred
for any problem of Environmental Pollution
