Evaluation of fungal potentiality for bioconversion of domestic wastewater sludge

This study was undertaken to screen the filamentous fungi isolated from its relevant habitats (wastewater, sewage sludge and sludge cake) for the bioconversion of domestic wastewater sludge. A total of 35 fungal strains were tested against wastewater sludge (total suspended solids, TSS 1%-5% w/w) to evaluate its potentiality for enhancing the biodegradability and dewaterability using liquid state bioconversion(LSB) process. The strains were divided into five groups i. e. Penicillium, Aspergillus, Trichoderma, Basidiomycete and Miscellaneous, respectively. The strains WWZP1003, SCahmA103, SCahmT105 and PC-9 among their respective groups of Penicillium,Aspergillus, Trichoderma and Basidiomycete played potential roles in terms of separation (formation of pellets/flocs/filaments),biodegradation(removal of COD) and filtration(filterability) of treated domestic wastewater sludge. The Miscellaneous group was not considered due to its unsatisfactory results as compared to the other groups. The pH value was also influenced by the microbial treatment during fermentation process. The filterability of treated sludge was improved by fungal treatment, and lowest filtration time was recorded for the strain WWZP1003 and SCahmA103 of Penicillium and Aspergillus groups respectively compared with other strains.     

The Impact of Projected Climate Change Scenarios on Nitrogen Yield at a Regional Scale for the Contiguous United States

Improved understanding of the potential regional impacts of projected climatic changes on nitrogen yield is needed to inform water resources management throughout the United States (U.S.). The objective of this research is to look broadly at watersheds in the contiguous U.S. to assess the potential regional impact of changes in precipitation (P) and air temperature (T) on nitrogen yield. The SPAtially Referenced Regression On Watershed attributes model and downscaled P and T outputs from 14 general circulation models were used to explore impacts on nitrogen yield. Results of the analysis suggest that projected changes in P and T will decrease nitrogen yield for the majority of the contiguous U.S., including the watersheds of the Chesapeake Bay and Gulf of Mexico. Some regions, however, such as the Pacific Northwest and Northern California, are projected to face climatic conditions that, according to the model results, may increase nitrogen yield. Combining the projections of climate‐driven changes in nitrogen yield with projected changes in watershed nitrogen inputs could help water resource managers develop regionally specific, long‐term strategies to mitigate nitrogen pollution.     

Development of composting process of oil palm industrial wastes by multi-enzymatic fungal system

There is an increased interest in composting as an effective means of handling large amounts of organic wastes generated by oil palm industries in Malaysia. However, very few studies have been conducted to develop an effective composting process using the multi-enzymatic system. This study demonstrates an effective composting process of EFB (empty fruit bunch) with POME (palm oil mill effluent), using the optimized process parameters and compatible multi-enzymatic fungal system. A higher decrease (3 %) of organic matter was achieved in the fungal treated system, almost double that of the control (without inoculum). The lowest C/N ratio and soluble protein content recorded were about 17 and 128.82 g/kg, respectively. The maximum germination index obtained was 116 % at day 50 of treatment, which is considered high compared to the control (uninoculated). Furthermore, the maximum activity of ligninase enzyme was found to be 25.95 U/g and the highest cellulase activity was recorded at 0.975 U/g.     

Experimental study of cross-flow wet electrostatic precipitator

This paper reports development and testing of a novel cross-flow wet electrostatic precipitator (WESP), recently patented at Ohio University, that utilizes vertical columns of permeable material in the form of polypropylene ropes placed in a cross-flow configuration within a flue gas stream. The cross-flow design has large surface area, which provides scrubbing action; therefore, it has the potential for removing multiple pollutants, including particulates, gases, vapors, and mists. In this new method, the ropes are kept wet by the liquid (water) introduced from the top of the cells running downward on the ropes by capillary action, making the permeable materials act as the ground electrode for capturing particles from the flue gas. Preliminary testing has shown an efficiency of well above 80% using two cells and three sets of discharge electrodes. Since the material of construction is primarily corrosion-resistant polymeric material, both weight and cost reductions are expected from this new design.

Implications: The newly invented cross-flow WESP exhibit particulate collection efficiency of well above 80% when introduced in particulate-laden exhaust flow. This value was obtained using a two cells and three discharge electrodes configuration. The electric field strength has a substantial effect on the collection efficiency. Also, the pressure drop test results indicate that there is a potential to increase the collection area, which, in turn, will increase the collection efficiency further.     

Phosphorous in the environment: characteristics with distribution and effects,removal mechanisms,treatment technologies,and factors affecting recovery as minerals in natural and engineered systems

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Phosphorus (P), an essential element for living cells, is present in different soluble and adsorbed chemical forms found in soil, sediment, and water....     

A reassessment of energy and GDP relationship: the case of Australia

This paper investigates the long- and short-run relationships between energy consumption and economic growth in Australia using the bound testing and the ARDL approach. The analytical framework utilized in this paper includes both production and demand side models and a unified model comprising both production and demand side variables. The energy–GDP relationships are investigated at aggregate as well as several disaggregated energy categories, such as coal, oil, gas and electricity. The possibilities of one or more structural break(s) in the data series are examined by applying the recent advances in techniques. We find that the results of the cointegration tests could be affected by the structural break(s) in the data. It is, therefore, crucial to incorporate the information on structural break(s) in the subsequent modelling and inferences. Moreover, neither the production side nor the demand side framework alone can provide sufficient information to draw an ultimate conclusion on the cointegration and causal direction between energy and output. When alternative frameworks and structural break(s) in time series are explored properly, strong evidence of a bidirectional relationship between energy and output can be observed. The finding is true at both the aggregate and the disaggregate levels of energy consumption.     

Droplet size spectra and deposits of Bacillus thuringiensis aerial sprays,following application at two volume rates over an oak forest

Abstract

Dipel® 8AF, a commercial formulation of Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t.) was sprayed undiluted at 30 BIU in 1.8L/ha over a block B1, and sprayed after dilution with water at 30 BIU in 6.2 L/ha over another block B2 in an oak forest infested with the gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar L.) in southeastern Ontario, Canada. Spray was applied in May 1987 using a Cessna 188 Agtruck aircraft equipped with four Hicronair^® AU4000 atomizers. Droplet sizes were measured at mid‐canopy level of oak trees and at ground level using cylindrical Kromekote® cards. Deposit per unit area was assessed on aluminum oak leaves.

At the lower volume rate of 1.8 L/ha, spray droplets were smaller and droplets/cm² were lower on the cylindrical Kromekote cards in B1 than those obtained in B2 which received the higher volume rate of 6.2 L/ha. The average deposit per unit area of the aluminum oak leaves, expressed in nL of the spray volume per cm² surface area, was also correspondingly lower in B1 than in B2. This was attributed to the higher volume rate of spray application used in B2 than in B1, which resulted in larger droplets and a greater volume deposit/cm² in B2.     

Physicochemical characterization of industrial effluents and their effect on fish survival

Abstract

Water samples taken from selected industrial drainages and receiving streams in and around Islamabad, Pakistan, during the summers of 1987 to 1990 showed disturbances in pH and low oxygen levels. Selected metals (Fe, Pb, Zn, Cd, Cu, Ni, Hg) were higher in all effluents than in receiving waters. Static bioassays of the undiluted industrial effluents from three sites caused 100% mortality in carp during the first 24 hrs. Fishes also suffered 30 to 60% mortality when exposed to other undiluted industrial effluents and some mortality when industrial effluents were diluted by 50%.     

Influence of surfactant concentration on foliar retention of pesticides used in forestry

Abstract

Aqueous tank mixes of permethrin, fenitrothion, Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t.), diflubenzuron (DFB), and glyphosate containing different amounts of Triton® X‐114, a nonionic surfactant, were prepared. Glyphosate formed clear solutions, permethrin and fenitrothion formed emulsions, DFB and B.t provided suspensions. Emulsion stability of permethrin and fenitrothion increased with increasing surfactant level, while the emulsion drop size decreased.

Foliage of white oak, trembling aspen, white spruce and balsam fir were dipped in tank mixes of pesticides (except B.t.) labelled with ¹⁴carbon. The amount of pesticide retained on foliage was determined by liquid scintillation counting. Foliage was also dipped in non‐radioactive B.t. tank mixes, and the protein retained was determined colorimetrically. With all tank mixes, a direct relationship was observed between the mass of liquids retained on foliage and liquid viscosity. In contrast, the amount of pesticide retained was unaffected by viscosity, but was influenced by emulsion drop size. Initially, the amount of pesticide retained on foliage increased with increasing surfactant concentration. Beyond an optimum surfactant level, the emulsion drop sizes were too small and the emulsions became too stable to allow maximum retention of pesticides on foliage. With the glyphosate solutions, however, no optimum surfactant level was indicated because foliar concentrations continued to increase with increasing surfactant levels.