Evaluating the Efficiency of Coagulation in the Removal of Dissolved Organic Carbon from Reservoir Water using Fluorescence and Ultraviolet Photometry

The present study used ultraviolet absorption (UVa) and the florescence intensity (FI) to evaluate the coagulation efficiency for removing dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in the raw water from Min-Ter, Li-Yu-Ten and Yun-Ho-Shen reservoirs in Taiwan. The results indicated that the ratio of DOC removal rate and FI removal rate was maintained at about 1 at various coagulant dosages. However, the ratio of DOC removal rate and UVa removal rate decreased as the coagulant dosage increased. In addition, after coagulation, the use of florescence intensity instead of total organic carbon (TOC) is better than UVa for measuring the DOC removal rate of the raw waters gathered in different months from the three reservoirs. Furthermore, a good linear relationship between florescence intensity and DOC removal rate was observed, and the DOC/FI ratio of raw water from each reservoir can be used to predict the DOC residual concentration after enhanced coagulation. This result shows that fluorescence analysis can be used for on-line and continuous monitoring the effectiveness of organic matter removal in water treatment.     

Poly(sodium acrylamidoalkanoates) in water treatment

Poly(sodium 6-acrylamidocaproate), poly(sodium 11-acrylamidoundecanoate), poly(sodium 11-N-methylacrylamidoundecanoate) and poly(sodium 11-N-ethylacrylamidoundecanoate) have been synthesized. The performance of these anionic polyelectrolytes as coagulant aids in water treatment was assessed by the jar test. The effects of polymer dosage and pH on their performances were investigated in order to establish the optimum flocculation conditions. The effectiveness of these polyelectrolytes as well as a commercially available cationic polyamine organic coagulant aid was compared in terms of floc size, settling rate and the quality of treated water. Poly(sodium 6-acrylamidocaproate) and poly(sodium 11-acrylamidoundecanoate) were superior to poly(sodium 11-N-methylacrylamidoundecanoate) and poly(sodium 11-N-ethylacrylamidoundecanoate), and they are as effective as the commercial cationic coagulant aid.     

Identification of copper sources in urban surface waters using the principal component analysis based on aquatic parameters

The goal of this work was to identify the sources of copper loads in surface urban waters using principal component analysis under the aquatic parameters data evaluation approach. Water samples from the Irai and Iguacu rivers were collected monthly during a 12-month period at two points located upstream and downstream of a metropolitan region. pH, total alkalinity, dissolved chloride, total suspended solids, dissolved organic matter, total recoverable copper, temperature, and precipitation data provided some reliable information concerning the characteristics and water quality of both rivers. Principal component analysis indicated seasonal and spatial effects on copper concentration and loads in both environments. During the rainy season, non-point sources such as urban run-off are believed to be the major source of copper in both cases. In contrast, during the lower precipitation period, the discharge of raw sewage seems to be the primary source of copper to the Iguacu River, which also exhibited higher total metal concentrations.     

Estuarine mixing behavior of colloidal organic carbon and colloidal mercury in Galveston Bay, Texas

Mercury (Hg) in estuarine water is distributed among different physical phases (i.e. particulate, colloidal, and truly dissolved). This phase speciation influences the fate and cycling of Hg in estuarine systems. However, limited information exists on the estuarine distribution of colloidal phase Hg, mainly due to the technical difficulties involved in measuring it. In the present study, we determined Hg and organic carbon levels from unfiltered, filtered (<0.45 μm), colloidal (10 kDa-0.45 μm), and truly dissolved (<10 kDa) fractions of Galveston Bay surface water in order to understand the estuarine mixing behavior of Hg species as well as interactions of Hg with colloidal organic matter. For the riverine end-member, the colloidal fraction comprised 43 ± 11% of the total dissolved Hg pool and decreased to 17 ± 8% in brackish water. In the estuarine mixing zone, dissolved Hg and colloidal organic carbon showed non-conservative removal behavior, particularly in the low salinity (<15 ppt) region. This removal may be caused by salt-induced coagulation of colloidal matter and consequent removal of dissolved Hg. The particle-water interaction, K(d) ([particulate Hg (mol kg(-1))]/[dissolved Hg (mol L(-1))]) of Hg decreased as particle concentration increased, while the particle-water partition coefficient based on colloidal Hg and the truly dissolved Hg fraction, K(c) ([colloidal Hg (mol kg(-1))]/[truly dissolved Hg (mol L(-1))]) of Hg remained constant as particle concentration increased. This suggests that the particle concentration effect is associated with the amount of colloidal Hg, increasing in proportion to the amount of suspended particulate matter. This work demonstrates that, colloidal organic matter plays an important role in the transport, particle-water partitioning, and removal of dissolved Hg in estuarine waters.     

Disinfection by-product formation and mutagenic assay caused by preozonation of groundwater containing bromide

Brominated organic and inorganic by-products are generated during ozonation of groundwater containing high bromide concentrations. This study measured concentrations of bromate, bromoform, bromoacetic acids, bromoacetonitriles, bromoacetone, 2,4-dibromophenol and aldehyde generated by ozonation. The potential mutagenicity of ozonated waters was assessed using the Ames and Microtox tests. Test results for the 18 ozonated groundwater samples demonstrate that bromate formation is associated with high pH, bromide and alkalinity content, low levels of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and ammonia, and low alkalinity. Brominated organic by-products were correlated with high bromide ion and natural organic matter content, and low ammonia concentrations. The Ames test results demonstrate that all extracts from ozonated water have mutagenic activity; however, the 18 raw groundwater samples had no mutagenicity. The Microtox test results also show that the ozonated water samples were highly toxic. Generally, both bromide and DOC content promoted the formation of ozonation by-products and mutagenicity. Controlling of bromide and DOC concentrations is an effective method of reducing potential by-product formation and eliminating mutagenicity problems associated with groundwater ozonation.     

Physical and chemical characteristics of water from the hydrographic basin of the Poxim River, Sergipe State, Brazil

The Poxim River is one of Sergipe State’s major waterways. It supplies water to the State capital, Aracaju, but is threatened by urban and agricultural developments that compromise both the quantity and the quality of the water. This has direct impacts on the daily lives of the region’s population. In this work, a multivariate analytical approach was used to investigate the physical and chemical characteristics of the water in the river basin. Four sampling campaigns were undertaken, in November 2005, and in February, May, and September 2006, at 15 sites distributed along the Poxim. The parameters analyzed were conductivity, turbidity, color, total dissolved solids, dissolved oxygen, alkalinity, hardness, chlorophyll-a, and nutrients (total phosphorus, dissolved orthophosphate, nitrite, nitrate, ammoniacal nitrogen, and total nitrogen). Dissolved oxygen contents were very low in the Poxim-Açu River (1.0–2.8), the Poxim River (1.6–4.6), and the estuarine region (1.7–5.1), due to the dumping of wastes and discharges of domestic and industrial effluents containing organic matter into fluvial and estuarine regions of the Poxim. Factor analysis identified five components that were indicative of the quality of the water, and that explained 81.73 % of the total variance.     

N-nitrosodimethylamine and trihalomethane formation and minimisation in Southeast Queensland drinking water

This study assesses the prevalence of disinfection by-product (DBP) precursors in some Southeast Queensland drinking water sources by conducting formation potential experiments for the four regulated trihalomethanes (THMs), and the potent carcinogen, N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA). NDMA formation potentials were consistently low (<5-21 ng/L), and total THM (tTHM) formation potentials were consistently below the Australian Drinking Water Guideline (250 μg/L). NDMA concentration of finished drinking waters was also monitored and found to be <5 ng/L in all cases. The effect of coagulation and advanced oxidation on the formation of NDMA and THMs is also reported. UV/H(2)O(2) pre-treatment was effective in producing water with very low THMs concentrations, and UV irradiation was an effective method for NDMA degradation. H(2)O(2) was not required for the observed NDMA degradation to occur. Coagulation using alum, ferric chloride or poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (polyDADMAC) was ineffective in removing DBPs precursors from the source water studied, irrespective of the low dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) attained. Rather, coagulation with polyDADMAC caused an increase in NDMA formation potential upon chloramination, and all coagulants led to an increased tTHM formation potential upon chlorination due to the high bromide concentration of the source water studied.     

Influence of High Levels of Total Suspended Solids on Measurement of Cod and Bod in the Yellow River, China

Using the Yellow River, China, the study explores the problem of the use of COD and BOD₅ as water quality management parameters in the presence of very high levels of suspended sediment (TSS) that characterize this river. Although the amount of natural organic matter per unit of suspended sediment of the Yellow River is not high, the very high concentration of mineral sediment in the Yellow River results in a large concentration of organic matter, which artificially inflates the laboratory values of COD and, as a consequent, leads to greatly exaggerated reports of pollution of the Yellow River. BOD₅ can more accurately reflect the pollution of the Yellow River than COD; however, measured values of BOD under-report the actual values due to settling of the sediment in the incubation chamber resulting in values that are 21.6--38.3% less than the actual values. Therefore corrections are required for laboratory COD and BOD values so that the values are not artifacts of the sediment regime. Our work provides new insight into this phenomenon and demonstrates how correction factors may be determined and used with pollution data. Our work also suggests that the actual pollution levels of the Yellow River are probably not as high as reported by monitoring agencies.     

城市河流各水期水质变化分析

选取宁波市区20个监测断面作为研究对象,选择溶解氧、高锰酸盐指数、五日生化需氧量、氨氮、铜、锌、挥发酚、石油类作为评价指标,利用主成分分析法分别对其枯水期、平水期、丰水期进行综合水质评价。根据计算结果提取了3个主成分因子(有机物因子、氨氮和重金属因子、挥发酚因子),累计方差贡献率达到84.02%,基本保留了选取指标的有效信息。结果发现,各监测断面污染状况均显示为枯水期>平水期>丰水期,枯水期、平水期、丰水期断面达标率分别为20%、50%、80%,主要超标水域为鄞州河网、中大河、鄞江下游,评价结果与实际情况相符合。     

ANFIS-based modelling for coagulant dosage in drinking water treatment plant: a case study

Coagulation is the most important stage in drinking water treatment processes for the maintenance of acceptable treated water quality and economic plant operation, which involves many complex physical and chemical phenomena. Moreover, coagulant dosing rate is non-linearly correlated to raw water characteristics such as turbidity, conductivity, pH, temperature, etc. As such, coagulation reaction is hard or even impossible to control satisfactorily by conventional methods. Traditionally, jar tests are used to determine the optimum coagulant dosage. However, this is expensive and time-consuming and does not enable responses to changes in raw water quality in real time. Modelling can be used to overcome these limitations. In this study, an Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) was used for modelling of coagulant dosage in drinking water treatment plant of Boudouaou, Algeria. Six on-line variables of raw water quality including turbidity, conductivity, temperature, dissolved oxygen, ultraviolet absorbance, and the pH of water, and alum dosage were used to build the coagulant dosage model. Two ANFIS-based Neuro-fuzzy systems are presented. The two Neuro-fuzzy systems are: (1) grid partition-based fuzzy inference system (FIS), named ANFIS-GRID, and (2) subtractive clustering based (FIS), named ANFIS-SUB. The low root mean square error and high correlation coefficient values were obtained with ANFIS-SUB method of a first-order Sugeno type inference. This study demonstrates that ANFIS-SUB outperforms ANFIS-GRID due to its simplicity in parameter selection and its fitness in the target problem.     

Optimizing the removal of carbon phases in soils and sediments for sequential chemical extractions by coulometry

We have developed a coulometric technique to optimize the removal of the carbonate and organic fractions for sequential chemical extractions of soils and sediments. The coulometric system facilitates optimizing these two fractions by direct real-time measurement of carbon dioxide (CO2) evolved during the removal of these two fractions. Further analyses by ICP-MS and alpha-spectrometry aided in interpreting the results of coulometry experiments. The effects of time, temperature, ionic strength and pH were investigated. The sensitivity of the coulometric reaction vessel/detection system was sufficient even at very low total carbon content (< 0.1 mol kg-1). The efficiency of the system is estimated to be 96% with a standard deviation of 8%. Experiments were carried out using NIST Standard Reference Materials 4357 Ocean Sediment (OS), 2704 Buffalo River Sediment (BRS), and pure calcium carbonate. Carbonate minerals were dissolved selectively using an ammonium acetate-acetic acid buffer. Organic matter was then oxidized to CO2 using hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in nitric acid. The carbonate fraction was completely dissolved within 120 min under all conditions examined (literature suggests up to 8 h). For the OS standard, the oxidation of organic matter self-perpetuates between 45 and 50 degrees C, a factor of two less than commonly suggested, while organic carbon in the BRS standard required 80 degrees C for the reaction to proceed to completion. For complete oxidation of organic matter, we find that at least three additions of H2O2 are required (popular methods suggest one or two).     

Chemical speciation and partitioning of trace metals (Cd, Co, Cu, Ni, Pb) in the lower Athabasca river and its tributaries (Alberta, Canada)

Concentrations of Cd, Co, Cu, Ni and Pb were measured in particulate and dissolved phases at 11 sites located upstream and near Athabasca oil sands development. The in situ discrimination between non-labile and labile dissolved metals was done using diffusive gradients in thin-films (DGT) devices. The DGT-labile fraction of Co and Ni was 30% lower near development sites whereas Cu, Cd and Pb showed minor changes spatially. It was found that an 8-fold increase in dissolved organic matter (DOM) near development induced a rapid decrease in DGT-labile metals. Dissolved metal concentrations were used along with DOM, major ions, nutrients, pH and conductivity to calculate the distribution of dissolved metal species using the speciation model WHAM. Labile-DGT metal concentrations agreed well with WHAM-predicted concentrations. It was also found that a significant amount of metals were associated with the non-DGT labile fraction (i.e. colloidal DOM) and colloid abundance was more important than suspended particulate matter abundance in influencing metal mobility near Athabasca oil soils development. Since changes in colloidal DOM levels are likely to be the result of surface mining activities, this confirms the serious effects of oil sands activities on metal biogeochemical cycles in the lower Athabasca River.     

Assessment of temporal variation in water quality of some important rivers in middle Gangetic plains, India

The study explains water quality of three important tributaries of the Ganga River in the middle Gangetic plains in India. Seasonal changes in the water quality of the studied rivers: Gandak, Ghaghra, and Sone were observed. During monsoon, several water quality parameters show considerable changes due to increased runoff from the catchments and other seasonal factors. Multivariate discriminant analysis delineated a few parameters responsible for temporal variation in water quality. Seasonal variation in water quality of the Gandak River was rendered by seven parameters??turbidity, sulfate, pH, phosphate, water temperature, total alkalinity, and sodium, while total alkalinity and water temperature were responsible for seasonal discrimination in water quality of Ghaghra River. Water temperature, turbidity, total dissolved solids, total suspended solids, calcium, and phosphate were important for seasonal discrimination in water quality of Sone River. The seasonal changes in water quality of the rivers were due to seasonal effects and catchment characteristics. The discriminant functions classified most of the cases correctly.     

气相色谱-质谱法分析污水中溶解态有机物

采用0.45μm玻璃纤维滤膜将污水分离为悬浮态和溶解态有机物质,以二氯甲烷为萃取剂,采用液液萃取-气质联用法对污水中溶解态有机物进行测定,同时还对萃取条件(萃取次数,萃取时间,无机盐加入量)进行优化.结果表明:萃取回收率最高的是每个pH范围各萃取2次、静置5 min,氯化钠加入15g.该方法分析时间短,准确度好(样品平均加标回收率为91.1％ ～ 103％),精密度高(相对标准偏差小于5％),易于操作.     

长江源区河流及典型湖泊丰水期水质与鱼类群落分析

为加强长江源区水生态研究,于2017年丰水期调查了长江源区5个湖泊、5条河流的水质和鱼类资源状况,并研究了其空间格局.水质综合指数(WQI)计算结果显示,长江源区WQI范围为41～87,评价等级介于差到良好之间,大部分采样点的水质评价等级为一般,其中,班德湖的水质评价等级为良好.主成分分析结果显示,长江源区河流、淡水湖...     

Monitoring requirements for groundwaters under the influence of reclaimed water

Monitoring groundwaters under the influence of reclaimedwater must consider the major constituents of concern inreclaimed water. This research focused on the fate ofdissolved organic carbon and nitrogen species at field siteslocated throughout the Southwestern United States. Awatershed approach was developed to predict the fate ofdissolved organic carbon as a function of the drinking waterdissolved organic carbon concentration and the totaldissolved solids concentration in the reclaimed water. Extensive characterization of the dissolved organic carbonrecovered from groundwaters under the influence of reclaimedwater was done. With the exception of fluorescencespectroscopy, the dissolved organic carbon present ineffluent organic matter was similar in structure, characterand reactivity as compared to natural organic matter. Evidence for sustainable nitrogen removal mechanisms duringgroundwater recharge with reclaimed water was obtained. Theautotrophic reaction between ammonia and nitrate appears to amechanism for the removal nitrogen in a carbon-depletedenvironment. The monitoring tools and methodologiesdeveloped in this research can be used to assure protectionof public health and determine the sustainability of indirectpotable reuse projects.     

Metal binding in soil cores and sediments in the vicinity of a dammed agricultural and industrial watershed

The environment is witnessing a downgrade caused by the amelioration of the industrial and agricultural sectors, namely, soil and sediment compartments. For those reasons, a comparative study was done between soil cores and sediments taken from two locations in the Qaraaoun reservoir, Lebanon. The soil cores were partitioned into several layers. Each layer was analyzed for several physicochemical parameters, such as functional groups, particle size distribution, ζ-potential, texture, pH, electric conductivity, total dissolved solids, organic matter, cation exchange capacity, active and total calcareous, available sodium and potassium, and metal content (cadmium, copper, and lead). The metal content of each site was linked to soil composition and characteristics. The two sites showed distinguishable characteristics for features such as organic matter, pH, mineral fraction, calcareous, and metal content. The samples taken toward the south site (Q1), though contain lower organic matter than the other but are more calcareous, showed higher metal content in comparison to the other site (Q2) (average metal content of Q1 > Q2; for Cd 3.8?>?1.8 mg/kg, Cu 28.6?>?21.9 mg/kg, Pb 26.7?>?19 mg/kg). However, the metal content in this study did not correlate as much to the organic matter; rather, it was influenced by the location of the samples with respect to the dam, the reservoir’s hydrodynamics, the calcareous nature of the soil, and the variation of the industrial and agricultural influence on each site.     

Study of the effect of pH, salinity and DOC on fluorescence of synthetic mixtures of freshwater and marine salts

In order to provide support for the discussion of the fate of organic matter in estuaries, a laboratory simulation was performed by changing freshwater ionic strength, pH and organic matter content. The change in spectroscopic characteristics caused by variations in salinity, pH and organic matter concentration in the filtered samples was observed by UV-Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy. The increase in emission fluorescence intensity of dissolved organic matter (DOM) due to increasing salinity (in the range 0 to 5 g l-1) is affected by the pH of the samples. The emission fluorescence intensity at the three maxima observed in the fluorescence spectra, is linearly correlated with dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration at several salinity values in the same sample. The increase in organic matter concentration caused a shift in the emission peak wavelength at 410 nm for several salinity values. We concluded that it is necessary to take into account the influence of salinity and pH on emission fluorescence of dissolved organic matter if it is to be used as a tracer in estuarine or near shore areas.     

右江百色水库下游断面低溶解氧形成原因分析

广西右江东笋断面溶解氧(DO)呈现5—11月浓度较低,12月及1—4月浓度较高的变化规律。从水温、藻类呼吸、沉积物耗氧、有机物耗氧、上游来水等方面分析了东笋断面低DO形成的原因。结果表明,5—11月东笋断面DO浓度较低,主要是受夏季高温和水利工程运行等非污染型因素的影响。右江流域夏秋季水温较高,限制了水体DO浓度的上限。热分层现象导致百色水库中层水体DO浓度较低,而水利枢纽发电时的下泄水正是中层水体,因此,下泄水DO浓度低是导致5—11月东笋断面DO浓度低的主要原因。东笋河段沉积物和有机物耗氧对DO浓度的影响很小,藻类呼吸作用对DO浓度的影响有限。     

太湖流域断头河道微循环水质效应与生物响应

针对太湖流域断头河道微循环过程中水质效应和生物响应不清楚的问题,笔者通过水槽模拟实验,分析了氮磷和有机物等水质指标随水体微循环时间、频率的变化关系;通过常州武进洛阳镇徐家头浜实际河道微循环实验,探讨了微循环运行过程中实际河道水质的稳定性,微循环过程中实际河道的生物响应,及浊度、溶解氧、pH等环境因素的影响。结果表明：水槽模拟实验条件下微循环对水体氨氮去除的影响最为明显（去除率达62.91%）,COD去除率变化幅度受微循环频率的影响最大（可达50%）;微循环设置后实际河道COD浓度下降趋势明显（降幅约30%）;微循环过程中河道水体浮游动物和浮游植物数量均呈上升趋势,而河道边坡和底泥中Proteobacteria、Bacteroidetes、Actinobacteria、Acidobacteria等优势微生物菌群的丰度却有不同程度的变化。同时,浊度对总磷和COD的影响程度相当,溶解氧和pH对水体氨氮浓度的影响均最显著。该研究为改善断头河道水质提供新方向,为微循环技术的实际应用提供数据参考。