Modeling of a sequencing batch reactor treating municipal wastewater using multi-layer perceptron and radial basis function artificial neural networks

A sequencing batch reactor was modeled using multi-layer perceptron and radial basis function artificial neural networks (MLPANN and RBFANN). Then, the effects of influent concentration (IC), filling time (FT), reaction time (RT), aeration intensity (AI), SRT and MLVSS concentration were examined on the effluent concentrations of TSS, TP, COD and NH₄⁺-N. The results showed that the optimal removal efficiencies would be obtained at FT of 1 h, RT of 6 h, aeration intensity of 0.88 m³/min and SRT of 30 days. In addition, COD and TSS removal efficiencies decreased and TP and NH₄⁺-N removal efficiencies did not change significantly with increases of influent concentration. The TSS, TP, COD and NH₄⁺-N removal efficiencies were 86%, 79%, 94% and 93%, respectively. The training procedures of all contaminants were highly collaborated for both RBFANN and MLPANN models. The results of training and testing data sets showed an almost perfect match between the experimental and the simulated effluent of TSS, TP, COD and NH₄⁺-N. The results indicated that with low experimental values of input data to train ANNs the MLPANN models compared to RBFANN models are more precise due to their higher coefficient of determination (R²) and lower root mean squared errors (RMSE) values.     

The Thermal Discharges From Nuclear Power Plants in Taiwan

The increasing use of sea water for industrial cooling presents a real threat to the ecological environment in the ocean. in Taiwan where many electric power plants along the coast take sea water for cooling, people are concerned seriously about nuclear power plants. There are three nuclear power plants in Taiwan. Each plant has two units for generating power. the first two are located along the northern coast of Taiwan. the third is located in Kenting National Park along the coast of southernmost Taiwan. the plants take sea water for cooling, and discharge their heated effluents to the ocean surface from the coast. the thermal effluents have variable effects on the ecological environment near the plants. Fishermen living near the power plants complain that the heated water affects the inshore fishery catch. in addition, the thermal water from the second plant is easily accumulated near the coastal zone to influence the nearby swimming area in the summer-time. the thermal water from the third plant bleaches or kills some corals in shallow water near the outlet, and this conflicts with the interests of Kenting National Park.     

Isotope tracing of submarine groundwater discharge offshore Ubatuba, Brazil: results of the IAEA–UNESCO SGD project

Results of groundwater and seawater analyses for radioactive (³H, ²²²Rn, ²²³Ra, ²²⁴Ra, ²²⁶Ra, and ²²⁸Ra) and stable (D and ¹⁸O) isotopes are presented together with in situ spatial mapping and time series ²²²Rn measurements in seawater, direct seepage measurements using manual and automated seepage meters, pore water investigations using different tracers and piezometric techniques, and geoelectric surveys probing the coast. This study represents first time that such a new complex arsenal of radioactive and non-radioactive tracer techniques and geophysical methods have been used for simultaneous submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) investigations. Large fluctuations of SGD fluxes were observed at sites situated only a few meters apart (from 0 cm d⁻¹ to 360 cm d⁻¹; the unit represents cm³/cm²/day), as well as during a few hours (from 0 cm d⁻¹ to 110 cm d⁻¹), strongly depending on the tidal fluctuations. The average SGD flux estimated from continuous ²²²Rn measurements is 17 ± 10 cm d⁻¹. Integrated coastal SGD flux estimated for the Ubatuba coast using radium isotopes is about 7 × 10³ m³ d⁻¹ per km of the coast. The isotopic composition (δD and δ¹⁸O) of submarine waters was characterised by significant variability and heavy isotope enrichment, indicating that the contribution of groundwater in submarine waters varied from a small percentage to 20%. However, this contribution with increasing offshore distance became negligible. Automated seepage meters and time series measurements of ²²²Rn activity concentration showed a negative correlation between the SGD rates and tidal stage. This is likely caused by sea level changes as tidal effects induce variations of hydraulic gradients. The geoelectric probing and piezometric measurements contributed to better understanding of the spatial distribution of different water masses present along the coast. The radium isotope data showed scattered distributions with offshore distance, which imply that seawater in a complex coast with many small bays and islands was influenced by local currents and groundwater/seawater mixing. This has also been confirmed by a relatively short residence time of 1–2 weeks for water within 25 km offshore, as obtained by short-lived radium isotopes. The irregular distribution of SGD seen at Ubatuba is a characteristic of fractured rock aquifers, fed by coastal groundwater and recirculated seawater with small admixtures of groundwater, which is of potential environmental concern and has implications on the management of freshwater resources in the region.     

A Marine Pollution Study of Northeast Coastal Water Off Taiwan Island

The coastal water of northeast Taiwan island, called 'Yin-Yang Hai' for its distinct yellow colour compared with blue offshore water, was investigated from 1989 to 1990 by the authors. Biological study showed the dominant species of plankton to be Copepoda, Cladocera, planktonic eggs and Diatoma. Dominant species of benthos were young crabs, Amphipoda and Annelida, with Amphipoda usually occurring in heavily polluted areas. Heavy metal data showed that the concentration of copper was high. the copper and iron concentration in algae of the intertidal zone was also high. the concentrations of iron and copper in inshore water were also higher than in offshore water. By comparison of the pH and salinity distribution of this area, we conclude that this coastal water has been polluted by acid waste water from coastal industry. the suspended solids concentration in sea water is high. Flocculation occurring at the boundary of fresh and saline water might be a reason for the distinct yellow colour of the water of this area. Further study is required.     

全程自养颗粒污泥快速启动及混合营养型脱氮性能分析

在连续流条件下,基于颗粒污泥全程自养脱氮（CANON）工艺的快速启动和混合营养条件下高效脱氮,是CANON工程应用的重要环节.本研究在气提内循环反应器（AIR）中,以老化的CANON颗粒污泥经机械破碎至0.3 mm作为种泥,实现混合营养型单级颗粒污泥同步脱氮除碳.启动26 d,通过控制DO,系统出现稳定的部分硝化,再缩短HRT提升氨氮负荷至5.65 kg ·（m³ ·d）^-1,促进颗粒化和厌氧氨氧化;第68 d,总氮去除率达到58%之后,进水加入有机物,C/N从0提升到0.25和0.5,促进AOB、AMX和异养微生物的协同,氨氮去除率达95%,总氮去除率达85%,COD去除率达80%左右.COD浓度增加,能较好地抑制Nitrospira菌属等NOB的活性,q（NH₄⁺-N）和q（TN）稳定在0.4 g ·（g ·h）^-1和0.34 g ·（g ·h）^-1,q（NO₃^--N）约为0.02 g ·（g ·h）^-1.采用MiSeq高通量测序对微生物多样性分析,表明有机物对污泥中Nitrosomomas和Candidutus_Kuenenia丰度未产生显著影响,增加了Candidutus_Brocadia菌属以及具有反硝化功能Denitratisoma等菌属的丰度.这对于快速启动连续流CANON颗粒污泥工艺处理低C/N比废水提供思路.     

黄河流域水污染排放特征及污染集聚格局分析

掌握污染源排放特征及其空间差异,是在流域尺度提升水污染治理水平的重要基础.该研究分别从污染源的活动水平（简称“活动水平”）、污染物产生、污染物去除和污染物排放4个方面选取了28个指标,对黄河流域60个市州主要水污染物排放特征开展了现状评价和聚类分析.采用污染分布的地理集中度指数表征各市州污染集聚格局,并利用空间分析模型Global Moran's I和G_i*指数判断污染排放的空间集聚趋势与冷热点地区.结果表明:按照水污染排放特征的差异,黄河流域不同地区在水污染格局上可划分为高排放强度区、高排放绩效区、污染集聚区和低排放绩效区;水污染物排放与经济发展格局分布一致,上游、中游到下游地区呈现明显的阶梯型分布,上游地区单位水资源利用效率和排放绩效低,下游地区区域性污染集聚效应明显;山西省、河南省和山东省沿黄城市在空间上表现为区域性连片污染集聚,集中分布在晋中城市群和中原城市群.针对当前黄河流域水污染排放特征和空间集聚格局,建议制定统一的生态环境保护与治理策略,加强中下游城市群的污染协同控制.      

低温等离子体协同催化降解废气污染物的研究进展

阐述了低温等离子体协同催化工艺流程与反应机理,探讨了反应温度、废气进口组分、废气中水蒸气含量、气体流速、气溶胶等因素对降解效果的影响。分析认为:一段式低温等离子体协同催化可改变低温等离子体特征及催化剂催化特性,但尚未解决尾气臭氧逃逸、副产物产生及放电稳定性等问题;两段式低温等离子体协同催化可提高污染物分子降解效率并减少尾气臭氧逃逸,但未能有效利用等离子体的能量,气体中的水蒸气、粉尘及反应过程中产生的气溶胶均能影响后置催化剂的催化性能;两段式低温等离子体协同催化已具备工程应用条件,还需配套高效预处理单元以降低废气中水蒸气、粉尘等对催化剂的影响。     

基于SPIS的月球表面充电模拟研究

目的研究月球表面不同等离子体环境下航天器表面充放电效应情况。方法利用欧空局开发的SPIS软件建模,并仿真模拟,通过分析表面电流种类、大小,得出不同环境下的一般性的充放电规律。结果月球表面探测器存在表面充电风险,磁鞘层、磁尾瓣、等离子体片及太阳风4种不同典型等离子体环境下表面充电电位差异较大,连接处充电电位存在分布不均匀的渐变现象。表面充电电位区间约为-1784~142 V。结论光照条件能显著影响探测器表面电位,特殊区域充电电位会受到临近区域充放电效应形成的新的小范围等离子体环境的影响。     

船舶排污的现场监察与综合确认

船舶排污现场监察识别和综合确认，涉及面广，是环境监察的重要内容之一。根据我国现行环境管理法规及ISO14000环境管理体系中环境因素的识别方法，提出了船舶排污现场监察识别程序，监察识别内容和综合确认的方法，为环境管理决策提供依据。     

等离子体发射光谱法同时测定磷灰石中的主要元素

使用JY TOP电感耦合等离子体发射光谱仪对磷灰石中的主量元素钙、磷、铁、铝、镁、钛、锰进行同时测定。各项检验指标均能满足分析要求。