A rapid extractive spectrophotometric determination of copper(II) in environmental samples, alloys, complexes and pharmaceutical samples using 4-N,N(dimethyl)amino]benzaldehyde thiosemicarbazone

Composite samples of septage discharging at the Khirbit As-Samra municipal wastewater treatment plant were analyzed during the period from February to the end of October 2007. Septage showed difference in concentrations of pollutants between summer and winter. The average total chemical oxygen demand (COD) of 6,425 mg/L during summer was 2.16 times greater than that in winter, which is 2,969 mg/L. The total biochemical oxygen demand (5 d) represented 45% of total COD in both winter and summer. Anaerobic biodegradability was 75% after 81 d of digestion at 35°C with a biodegradation rate constant (k) of 0.024 d^???1, which was lower compared with 0.103 d^???1 calculated for wastewater with domestic origin in Jordan. Aerobic biodegradability for septage was 48%??COD basis??after 7 d of digestion at 35°C. The lower anaerobic biodegradation rate of septage compared with that of raw wastewater of domestic origin suggested that septage could have a negative effect on the performance of a domestic wastewater treatment plant if septage discharges are not taken into account in the original design of the treatment plant.     

Environmental Monitoring and Impact Assessment of a Solid Waste Disposal Site

The objective of this study is an attempt to conduct an environmentalmonitoring and impact assessment of the On-Nooch solid waste disposal sitein Bangkok, Thailand. Four water and five air sampling stations (2 upwindand 3 downwind directions) were established at the site. Grab water samplesfrom leachate treatment plant and Khlong Song Hong, a nearby stream, werecollected during the rainy and dry seasons. Analytical results of the wastewater discharged by the leachate treatment plant, during dry season showedchemical oxygen demand: 618 mg/l; biochemical oxygen demand: 80 mg/l;suspended solid: 101 mg/l; Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen: 283 mg/l, which werestill higher than standard limit for effluents in Thailand. During the dryseason, results also showed widespread heavy metal pollution from leachate(chromium: 1.03 mg/l; manganese: 1.07 mg/l; mercury: 0.025 mg/l) and werehigher than the allowable level of heavy metals for the Industrial EffluentStandard in Thailand. The direct discharge of untreated leachate into inlandwater will cause considerable water pollution in the study area. Compositeair samples in this study area were collected during the rainy and dryseasons and were analyzed for methane (CH₄), carbon dioxide(CO₂), carbon monoxide (CO), sulphur dioxide(SO₂), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) andsuspended particulate matter (SPM). The average concentration of SPM rangedbetween 0.1–0.36 mg/m³ for 24-hour average, dependingupon the season. The level of CH₄ and CO₂ inthe ambient air of the study area were found to be 3.48–65.71mg/m³ and 886-1758 mg/m³ respectively which weremuch higher than the normal concentration of CH₄ andCO₂ in the air (CH₄: 2.41 mg/m³;CO₂: 585 mg/m³). Hence, adverse health andenvironmental effects could be expected from water and air pollution.     

Applicability of high rate transpiration system for treatment of biologically treated distillery effluent

The biologically treated distillery effluent (BTDE) contains intense colour, high total dissolved solids (TDS), chemical oxygen demand (COD) and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD). These properties even after primary, secondary and tertiary treatments contain high concentrations of TDS, COD and BOD. The paper highlights the safe disposal and treatment of BTDE on land through High Rate Transpiration System (HRTS). HRTS is a zero discharge, low cost, high-tech method for improving the quality of BTDE for potential reuse. The experiments conducted at bench and pilot scale showed that HRTS having coconut husk as a bedding material could successfully treat the BTDE with a hydraulic load of 200 m³ ha⁻¹ day⁻¹ having BOD of 100 mg l⁻¹ and 500 m³ ha⁻¹ day⁻¹ having BOD of 500 mg l⁻¹ with average COD load of 0.686 and 2.88 ton ha⁻¹ day⁻¹ during the post and pre monsoon periods respectively. There was no significant increase in the organic carbon of the soil irrigated with BTDE. The concentrations of various pollutants analyzed in the leachate were within the prescribed limit for the drinking water sources. The colour removal was 99 to 100% and BOD and COD were possible to treat with optimum hydraulic loading of BTDE through HRTS planted with Dendrocalamus strictus.     

Effect of Hydrogen Peroxide on Industrial Waste Water Effluents: A Case Study of Warri Refining and Petrochemical Industry

This paper assessed the composition of waste water effluent generated by a Petrochemical industry and a treatment system developed to improve the quality of the discharge water. Parameters as pH, COD, TSS chloride and lead ions were analysed and treated comparatively using hydrogen peroxide. At pH 8.0 post treatment analysis showed a COD – 96 mg/l TSS – 48 mg/l Cl – 798.75 mg/l and Pb²⁺ – 2 mg/l for treatment D where 40 g/l of alum was used on 30% solution of H₂O₂ compared to systems A-C. Process treatment included activated clay with sodium ion resin which at pH 6.8 had COD – 52 mg/l, TSS – 10 mg/l, Cl – 510 mg/l and Pb²⁺ – 0.070 mg/l. This system has an overall efficiency of 79.0% TSS, 45.83% COD, 97.5% Pb²⁺ and 36.1% Cl reduction. Characteristics obtained for the study has a higher efficiency compared with FEPA and WHO standard for similar industrial water treatment.     

BOD5 Estimation by Using UV Absorption and COD for Rapid Industrial Effluent Monitoring

The study dealt with the method to predict the BOD₅ in effluent from industrial wastewater by using the UV absorption from two wavelengths, 260 and 550 nm. The interference from suspended solids was reduced. In the same time, COD was used as the secure value to calculate BOD₅. From the representative wastewater treatment plants, the estimated effluent BOD₅ of wastewater from the Para rubber industry showed an average error at ±2.97 mg/l. While it was at ±3.31 mg/l, for frozen seafood industry. The simple mathematic equations in this study gave the assuring method for BOD₅ estimation without time consuming.     

The influence of two culturing techniques on toxicity of four chemicals in Arabidopsis

Plots of Arabidopsis thaliana L. (Heynh.) plants were grown in two hydroponic systems, one using a solid rooting support media (vermiculite) and the other a flowing solution culture. Both were tested with various concentrations of bromacil (5-bromo-3-sec-butyl-6-methyluracil), dichlobenil (2,6-dichlorobenzonitrile), copper sulfate (CuSO₄·5H₂O) and 3-aminotriazole. The effects on biomass production were compared. Plants treated with bromacil at concentrations up to 0.05 mg l^–1 were similarly reduced in growth in both culture methods. However, the toxic effects of dichlobenil, copper sulfate and 3-aminotriazole were different for both culture methods. Dichlobenil decreased plant growth in the solution culture at lower concentrations than in the vermiculite system. All aspects of growth were suppressed in the solution culture while the vegetative weight was unaffected in the vermiculite culture. Plants treated with 20 mg l^–1 copper sulfate in solution culture yielded mean seed weight of 1.2 g/plot compared to 3.1 g/plot when treated with the same concentration in the double-plot system. Plants treated with 0.5 mg l^–1 3-aminotriazole in solution culture produced no seed, while plants with the same nominal concentration in the double-pot method produced a mean seed weight of 6.5 g/plot. Solution culture testing was generally more sensitive and since roots were bathed directly in a solution of known pH, nutrient level and chemical concentration, the test conditions were more accurately defined.     

Bioindicator organisms: Heavy metal pollution evaluation in the Ionian Sea (Mediterranean Sea—Italy)

Trace metal concentrations of mercury, cadmium, lead and chromium in Patella caerulea, and Mullus barbatus were investigated to provide information on pollution of Ionian Sea, since these metals have the highest toxic potential. High chromium levels (0.47–0.97 g g^–1 ww) were registered in limpet samples collected from two station near the Gulf of Taranto, while elevated concentration of mercury (0.31–1.50 g g^–1 ww) were found in mullet specimens from Sicily. The metal concentrations recorded at the clean stations may be considered as useful background levels to which to refer for comparison within the Mediterranean area. On the contrary, the high levels of chromium and mercury found respectively in the areas near the Gulf of Taranto and at Capo Passero being of concern in terms of environmental health need frequent monitoring.     

Determination of total Cr in wastewaters of Cr electroplating factories in the I.organize industry region (Kayseri, Turkey) by ICP-AES

The wastewater pollution in industrial areas is one of the most important environmental problems. Heavy metal pollution, especially chromium pollution in the wastewater sources from electroplating, dyeing, and tannery, has affected the life on earth. This pollution can affect on all ecosystems and human health directly or by food chain. Therefore, the determination of total chromium in this study is of great importance. In this study, accurate, rapid, sensitive, selective, simple, and low-cost technique for the direct determination of total Cr in wastewater samples collected from the some Cr electroplating factories in March 2008 by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry has been developed. The analysis of a given sample is completed in about 15 min by this technique applied. As the result of the chromium analysis, the limit of quantification for the total Cr were founded to be over the limit value (0.05 mg L^???1; WHO, EPA, TSE 266, and inland water quality classification) as 1,898.78 ± 0.34 mg/L at station 1 and 3,189.02 ± 0.56 mg/L at station 2. The found concentration of total Cr has been determined to be IV class quality water according to the inland water classification. In order to validate the applied method, recovery studies were performed.     

Effect of seasonal variation in seawater dissolved mercury concentrations on mercury accumulation in the muscle of red sea bream (Pagrus major) held in Minamata Bay, Japan

Japanese stingfish (Sebastiscus marmoratus) and Bambooleaf wrasse (Pseudolabrus japonicas) are monitored annually for mercury pollution in Minamata Bay, Japan. The average total mercury concentration in the muscle of these two species in Minamata Bay was 0.36 mg?kg^?1 wet weight and 0.20 kg^?1 wet weigh, respectively, between 2008 and 2010. This is higher than levels elsewhere in Japan (0.125 mg?kg^?1 wet weight and 0.038 mg?kg^?1 wet weight, respectively). The FDA (2001) and EPA (2004) suggested that a proportion of mercury accumulated in fish is derived from seawater. We reared young red sea bream (Pagrus major) over a 2-year period in Minamata Bay and Nagashima (control) to evaluate the uptake of mercury from seawater and dietary sources. Fish were fed a synthesized diet that did not contain mercury. There was no difference in mercury accumulation in the muscle of red sea bream between Minamata Bay and Nagashima. Thus, our results suggest that the majority of mercury accumulated in fish muscle is not from seawater.     

Mesophilic biomethanation and treatment of poultry waste-water using pilot scale UASB reactor

The feasibility of applying the up-flow anaerobicsludge blanket (UASB) treatment for poultry waste (faeces)water was examined. A continuous-flow UASB pilot scalereactor of 3.50 L capacity using mixed culture was operatedfor 95 days to assess the treatability of poultry waste-water and its methane production. The maximum chemicaloxygen demand (COD) removed was found to be 78% whenorganic loading rate (OLR) was 2.9 kg COD m^-3 day^-1 athydraulic retention times (HRT) of 13.2 hr. The averagebiogas recovery was 0.26 m³ CH₄ kg COD with an averagemethane content of 57% at mean temperature of 30 °C.Data indicate more rapid methanogenesis with higher loadingrates and shorter hydraulic retention times. At feedconcentration of 4.8 kg COD m^-3 day^-1, anaerobic digestionwas severely retarded at all hydraulic retention timetested. This complication in the reactor operations may belinked to build-up of colloidal solids often associated withpoultry waste water and ammonia toxicity. Isolates fromgranular sludge and effluent were found to be facultativeanaerobes most of which were Pseudomonas genera.     

Determination of total chromium by flame atomic absorption spectrometry after coprecipitation by cerium (IV) hydroxide

A method for the preconcentration of the total chromium based on coprecipitation with cerium (IV) hydroxide is proposed for determination of chromium by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Different factors including carrier element amount, pH, sample volume and matrix ion effects for the precipitation were examined. The detection limit of the total chromium (k = 3, N = 15) was 0.18 μg l⁻¹. The presented method was applied for the determination of chromium in the wastewater samples from Kayseri and Nigde Organized Industrial Region-Turkey and in drinking water from our laboratory, Kayseri with satisfactory results (relative standard deviations below 8%, recoveries 95%). The analytical results obtained by the proposed method for certified copper sample was in good agreement with the certified value.     

Determination of heavy metal pollution with environmental physicochemical parameters in waste water of Kocabas Stream (Biga, Canakkale, Turkey) by ICP-AES

Waste water pollution of industrial areas can answer for the serious consequences of one of the most important environmental threats to the future. In this study, inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry method (ICP-AES) is proposed to determine heavy metals (Pb, Cu, Cd, Cr, Zn, Al, Fe, Ni, Co, Mn) and major elements (Ca, Mg) in waste water of Kocabas Stream. The concentration of metals in the waste water samples taken from 9 different stations (St.) in Biga-Kocabas Stream in November 2004 (autumn period) were determined after simple pretreatment of samples by the proposed ICP-AES method. An analysis of a given sample is completed in about 15 min for ICP-AES the method. The results of heavy metals concentrations in waste water were found between 0.00001–77.69610 mg l⁻¹ by the ICP-AES technique. The concentrations of Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn, Cr, Al, Fe, Mn, Ni, Co, Mg and Ca 0.00001 (St.3,6,7) – 0.0087 mg l⁻¹ (St.9), 0.00001 (St.4-7) – 0.0020 mg l⁻¹ (St.8), 0.00001 (St.1,3-7,9) – 0.0041 mg l⁻¹ (St.2), 0.0620 (St.2) – 0.2080 mg l⁻¹ (St.3), 0.0082 (St.6) – 0.2290 mg l⁻¹ (St.8), 0.3580 (St.2) – 1.7400 mg l⁻¹ (St.3), 0.2240 (St.1) – 0.6790 mg l⁻¹ (St.3), 0.0080 (St.1) – 1.5840 mg l⁻¹ (St.3), 0.0170 (St.3) – 0.0640 mg l⁻¹ (St.2), 0.0010 (St.1,4,5,8) – 0.0080 mg l⁻¹ (St.3), 5.0640 (St.9) – 5.2140 mg l⁻¹ (St.1) and 43.3600 (St.2) – 77.6961 mg l⁻¹ (St.9), respectively. Also we measured environmental physicochemical parameters such as temperature, salinity, specific conductivity, total dissolved solid (TDS), pH, oxidation and reduction potential (ORP), and dissolved oxygen (DO) in the waste water at sampling stations.     

Performance of an electrochemical COD (chemical oxygen demand) sensor with an electrode-surface grinding unit

An electrochemical COD (chemical oxygen demand) sensor using an electrode-surface grinding unit was investigated. The electrolyzing (oxidizing) action of copper on an organic species was used as the basis of the COD measuring sensor. Using a simple three-electrode cell and a surface grinding unit, the organic species is activated by the catalytic action of copper and oxidized at a working electrode, poised at a positive potential. When synthetic wastewater was fed into the system, the measured Coulombic yields were found to be dependent on the COD of the synthetic wastewater. A linear correlation between the Coulombic yields and the COD of the synthetic wastewater was established (10-1000 mg L(-1)) when the electrode-surface grinding procedure was activated briefly at 8 h intervals. When various kinds of wastewater samples obtained from various sewage treatment plants were measured, linear correlations (r(2)> or = 0.92) between the measured EOD (electrochemical oxygen demand) value and COD of the samples were observed. At a practical wastewater treatment plant, the measurement system was successfully operated with high accuracy and good stability over 3 months. These experimental results show that the application of the measurement system would be a rapid and practical method for the determination of COD in water industries.     

Modified APHA closed-tube reflux colorimetric method for TOC determination in water and wastewater

The analysis of total organic carbon (TOC) by the American Public Health Association (APHA) closed-tube reflux colorimetric method requires potassium dichromate (K₂Cr₂O₇), silver sulfate (AgSO₄), and mercury (HgSO₄) sulfate in addition to large volumes of both reagents and samples. The method relies on the release of oxygen from dichromate on heating which is consumed by carbon associated with organic compounds. The method risks environmental pollution by discharging large amounts of chromium (VI) and silver and mercury sulfates. The present method used potassium monochromate (K₂CrO₄) to generate the K₂Cr₂O₇ on demand in the first phase. In addition, miniaturizing the procedure to semi microanalysis decreased the consumption of reagents and samples. In the second phase, mercury sulfate was eliminated as part of the digestion mixture through the introduction of sodium bismuthate (NaBiO₃) for the removal of chlorides from the sample. The modified method, the potassium monochromate closed-tube colorimetry with sodium bismuthate chloride removal (KMCC-Bi), generates the potassium dichromate on demand and eliminates mercury sulfate. The semi microanalysis procedure leads to a 60% reduction in sample volume and ≈?33.33 and 60% reduction in monochromate and silver sulfate consumption respectively. The LOD and LOQ were 10.17 and 33.90 mg L^?1 for APHA, and 4.95 and 16.95 mg L^?1 for KMCC-Bi. Recovery was between 83 to 98% APHA and 92 to 104% KMCC-Bi, while the RSD (%) ranged between 0.8 to 5.0% APHA and 0.00 to 0.62% KMCC-Bi. The method was applied for the UV-Vis spectrometry determination of COD in water and wastewater. Statistics was done by MINITAB 17 or MS Excel 2016.

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Determination of Nitrobenzene in Wastewater Using a Hanging Mercury Drop Electrode

The determination of trace amount nitrobenzene in wastewater on a hanging mercury drop electrode was studied. The determination conditions of pH, supporting electrolyte, accumulation potential, accumulation time, and voltammetric response were optimized. The sharp peak of the nitrobenzene was appeared at 0.05 V. The peak electric current was proportional to the concentration of nitrobenzene in the range of 1.47 × 10⁻⁵ ∼ 1.0 × 10⁻³ mol/l with relative standard deviations of 3.99 ∼ 8.94%. The detection limit of the nitrobenzene in water was 5 × 10⁻⁶ mol/l. The proposed method offered low limit of determination, easy operation, the use of simple instrumentation, high sensitivity and good reproducibility. It was applied to the determination of nitrobenzene in wastewater with an average recovery of 94.0% ∼ 105%. The proposed method provided fast, sensitive and sometimes real time detection of nitrobenzene.     

Adsorption studies and the removal of dissolved metals using pyrolusite as adsorbent

The adsorption of metals from aqueous solutions of Pb²⁺, Zn²⁺ and Mg²⁺ on naturally occurring pyrolusite have been studied. The chemical stability of the pyrolusite has been determined in NaOH, H₂SO₄, HNO₃, HCl, NaCl and NK₄Cl solutions of various concentrations. Adsorption of the metal ions followed the order Pb²⁺>Zn²⁺>Cd²⁺.The maximum adsorption of Pb²⁺ (100%) occurred at pH 7. the relation between the amount of Pb²⁺ adsorbed per unit weight of pyrolusite and the concentration of Pb²⁺ at equilibrium follows the Freundlich adsorption isotherm.The efficiency of pyrolusite has been demonstrated by removing lead from synthetic waste water. 100% and 96% removal of lead have been achieved from synthetic waste water containing 5 mg l^–1 and 120 mg l^–1 of Pb²⁺ respectively at pH 7. The results of these studies suggest that pyrolusite might provide an economical method for the removal of lead from industrial waste water.     

Assessment of water pollution in different bleaching based paper manufacturing and textile dyeing industries in India

Paper industries using different raw materials such as hard wood, bamboo, baggase, rice-straw and waste papers and bleaching chemicals like chlorine, hypochlorite, chlorine dioxide, hydrogen peroxide, sulphite and oxygen were studied to estimate organic pollution load and Adsorbable Organic Halides (AOX) per ton of production. The hard wood based paper industries generate higher Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) loads (105–182 kg t⁻¹) and Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) loads (32.0–72 kg t⁻¹) compared to the agro and waste paper based industrial effluents. The bleaching sequences such as C–EP–H–H, C–E–H–H, C–E–Do–D1 and O–Do–EOP–D1 are adopted in the paper industries and the molecular elemental chlorine free bleaching sequence discharges low AOX in the effluent. The range of AOX concentration in the final effluent from the paper industries was 0.08–0.99 kg t⁻¹ of production. Water consumption was in the range of 100–130 m³ t⁻¹ of paper production for wood based industries and 30–50 m³ for the waste paper based industries. Paper machine effluents are partially recycled after treatment and pulp mill black liquor are subject to chemical recovery after evaporation to reduce the water consumption and the total pollution loads. Hypochlorite bleaching units of textile bleaching processes generate more AOX (17.2–18.3 mg l⁻¹) and are consuming more water (45–80 l kg⁻¹) whereas alkali peroxide bleaching hardly generates the AOX in the effluents and water consumption was also comparatively less (40 l kg⁻¹ of yarn/cloth).     

Organochlorines and Mercury in Waterfowl Harvested in Canada

Samples of breast muscle from 32 species of waterfowl collected from 123 sites across Canada were analyzed for chlorobenzenes (CBz), chlordane-related compounds (CHL), hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCH), DDT, mirex, dieldrin, PCBs and mercury. ΣDDT, ΣCBz and ΣPCB were the compounds most frequently found above trace levels. ΣHCH and ΣMirex were detected the least often. Mercury was detected in all of the mergansers, over 50% of dabbling, bay and sea ducks, and in less than 2% of the geese analysed. The highest levels of contaminants were generally found in birds feeding at higher trophic levels such as sea ducks and mergansers. With the exception of a few samples of mergansers and long-tailed ducks from eastern Canada, which contained ΣPCB concentrations of 1.0–2.4 mg kg⁻¹, ΣPCB levels were less than 1 mg kg⁻¹ wet weight. Only one merganser from eastern Canada had a ΣDDT concentration (2.6 mg kg⁻¹ ww) which was greater than 1 mg kg⁻¹ ww. The highest ΣCHL (0.10 mg kg⁻¹ ww) was also found in mergansers from eastern Canada. Levels of total mercury in breast muscle were either low (< 1 mg kg⁻¹ ww) or below detection limits with the exception of a few samples of mergansers from eastern Canada which contained mercury concentrations of 1.0–1.5 mg kg⁻¹ ww. Health Canada determined that the organochlorine and mercury levels found in samples of breast muscle of ducks and geese analysed in this study did not pose a health hazard to human consumers and therefore these waterfowl were safe to eat.     

Heavy metals and selenium in feathers of three shorebird species from Delaware bay

Concentrations of lead, cadmium, mercury, selenium, chromium and manganese were examined in breast feathers of shorebirds migrating north through Cape May, New Jersey in 1991 and 1992. Although we predicted that metal levels would be positively correlated with weight, this was only true for mercury in red knots (Calidris canutus). Selenium was negatively correlated with weight in red knots. No other significant correlation of metal concentrations with weight were found. Lead and mercury were highest in sanderlings (C. alba). Selenium and manganese were highest in red knots, while chromium and cadmium levels were highest in semipalmated sandpipers (C. pusilus). For 1991, interspecific metals differences were significant for all metals except lead. For semipalmated sandpipers, cadmium and chromium concentrations were significantly higher in 1991 while managese concentrations were significantly higher in 1992.     

Estimated Variability of National Atmospheric Deposition Program/Mercury Deposition Network Measurements Using Collocated Samplers

The National Atmospheric Deposition Program/Mercury Deposition Network (MDN) provides long-term, quality-assured records of mercury in wet deposition in the USA and Canada. Interpretation of spatial and temporal trends in the MDN data requires quantification of the variability of the MDN measurements. Variability is quantified for MDN data from collocated samplers at MDN sites in two states, one in Illinois and one in Washington. Median absolute differences in the collocated sampler data for total mercury concentration are approximately 11% of the median mercury concentration for all valid 1999–2004 MDN data. Median absolute differences are between 3.0% and 14% of the median MDN value for collector catch (sample volume) and between 6.0% and 15% of the median MDN value for mercury wet deposition. The overall measurement errors are sufficiently low to resolve between NADP/MDN measurements by ±2 ng·l⁻¹ and ±2 μg·m⁻²·year⁻¹, which are the contour intervals used to display the data on NADP isopleths maps for concentration and deposition, respectively.