WASTE WATER DISPOSAL THROUGH A COASTAL AQUIFER1

ABSTRACT: Feasibility of disposing treated sewage in wells sunk into a partially confined coastal limestone aquifer at Waimanalo in the island of Oahu was investigated using an electric analog model. Electric analog modeling was preferred over digital modeling because of ease with which tides could be generated at the ocean boundary in the form of sinusoidal waves. The results of model operation showed that high permeability, low storativity, and the presence of ocean render the Waimanalo aquifer highly suitable for the disposal of waste water in deep wells. Since the quality of water in the aquifer is already unsuitable for municipal, industrial, or agricultural use, waste water injection will not result in any loss of fresh water supply source to the island. It is also believed that the cost of waste water disposal through the aquifer will be considerably less than that through an ocean outfall. During model development it was discovered that electric analog models can help prepare certain graphs which can be useful for aquifer analysis without any further use of the model.     

WATER RIGHTS,EMINENT DOMAIN,AND THE PUBLIC TRUST1

ABSTRACT: Faced with the necessity of meeting growing municipal water requirements in areas where available supplies are completely allocated, numerous cities throughout the West are turning to their eminent domain powers to affect a reallocation of water from less preferred uses to municipal uses, thus bringing about a sharp conflict with agricultural interests. As a basis for discussing these eminent domain powers, this paper begins with a brief review of the development of property rights. The existence of both private and public (social) rights in the “bundle of rights” is noted. In recent years the Public Trust Doctrine has been used to limit private rights in property, and to protect and strengthen social rights. A case study which focuses on a conflict between individual and social interests in water rights is discussed. This case involves the City of Thorton, Colorado which initiated municipal condemnation proceedings to acquire the water rights and structures of two nearby irrigation companies. The case represents an attempt to incorporate the spirit of the Public Trust Doctrine into legislation which sets forth procedures for resolution of similar water rights conflicts that will inevitably become more numerous throughout the West in the future.     

Insights into multisource sludge distributed in the Yangtze River basin, China: Characteristics, correlation, treatment and disposal

Sludge is the by-product of wastewater treatment process. Multisource sludge can be defined as sludge from different sources. Based on the sludge properties of five typical cities in the Yangtze River basin, including Jiujiang, Wuhu, Lu'an, Zhenjiang and Wuhan, this study investigated and summarized the characteristic variations and distribution differences of multiple indicators and substances from municipal sludge, dredged sludge, and river and lake sediments. The results demonstrated pH of multisource sludge was relatively stable in the neutral range. Organic matter and water content among municipal sludge were high and varied considerably between different wastewater treatment plants. Dredged sludge had an obviously higher sand content and wider particle distribution, which could be considered for graded utilization depending on its size. The nutrients composition of river and lake sediments was usually stable and special, with lower nitrogen and phosphorus content but higher potassium levels. The sources of heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants in multisource sludge were correlated, generally much higher among municipal sludge than dredged sludge and river and lake sediments, which were the most important limitation for final land utilization. Despite various properties of multisource sludge, the final fate and destination have some overall similarities, which need to be supplemented and improved by standards and laws. The study provided a preliminary analysis of suitable technical routes for municipal sludge, dredged sludge, river and lake sediments based on their different characteristics respectively, which was of great significance for multisource sludge co-treatment and disposal in the future of China.     

Semi-analytical solution of two-dimensional sharp interface LNAPL transport models

In this paper, we present semi-analytical solutions for two-dimensional equations governing transport of Light Non-Aqueous Phase Liquids (LNAPL) in unconfined aquifers. The proposed model is based on sharp interface displacement and steady groundwater flow assumptions, where both the water–LNAPL interface and the LNAPL–air interface are represented as sharp interfaces. In the case of steady groundwater flow, these equations can be reduced to a two-dimensional nonlinear solute transport equation, with the LNAPL thickness in the free product lens being the primary unknown variable. The linearized form of this solute transport equation falls into the category of two-dimensional transport equation with time-dependent dispersion coefficients. This equation can be solved analytically for an infinite domain region. In this paper, the general form of the analytical solution for the transport equation, as well as the solutions for some specific cases are presented. To demonstrate the utility of the proposed solution, numerical results obtained for two example problems are discussed and presented comparatively with a finite-element solution and other more restrictive solutions available in the literature. Although the solutions discussed in this paper have some simplifying assumptions, such as sharp-interfaces between fluid phases, steady groundwater flow and homogeneous aquifer properties, the semi-analytical solutions presented in this study may be used effectively as bench mark solutions in evaluating LNAPL migration in the subsurface. These solutions are simple and cost effective to implement and may be used in the calibration of other more complex numerical solutions that can be found in the literature.     

Solution-oriented global environmental assessments: Opportunities and challenges

This article provides an introduction to the Special Issue dedicated to “Solution-oriented Global Environmental Assessments: Opportunities and Challenges”. In the follow-up to the Paris climate agreement and the adoption and early implementation of the global Sustainable Development Goals involving many synergies and trade-offs, the need to shift the focus from environmental problem analysis towards the exploration of specific solution options can be observed in international environmental governance debates. To remain policy-relevant, credible and legitimate, global environmental assessments (GEAs) must carefully adapt to a rapidly evolving governance landscape. This Special Issue sheds light on the potential utility and implications of increased solution-orientation of GEAs. It builds on the research project “The Future of Global Environmental Assessment Making” that was jointly initiated in 2013 by UN Environment and the Mercator Research Institute on Global Commons and Climate Change. The article collection includes research on the coevolution of GEAs and the increasingly solution-oriented governance context; conditions of success for contemporary GEAs; the treatment of divergent viewpoints, stakes and stakeholders in solution-oriented GEAs; knowledge aggregation; and the enhanced measurement of GEA effectiveness in the emerging governance landscape.     

铁碳微电解法预处理垃圾渗滤液膜滤浓缩液

对垃圾渗滤液膜滤浓缩液采用铁碳微电解法进行预处理,探讨了p H值、反应时间及气液比对COD去除效率的影响。结果表明,当p H值为3、反应时间120 min、气液比10∶1时,COD、TN的去除率分别为79.6%,56.4%;NH3-N由进水的70.9 mg/L上升为77.0 mg/L;预处理效果较好。但是由于铁碳微电解对盐度没有去除效果,影响后续反应进行。如何经济有效地降低含盐量成为今后研究重点。     

有效磷含量对硝酸铵溶液热安全性的影响

为了了解硝酸磷肥生产过程中,硝酸铵溶液中加入磷酸一铵的安全性,通过自制实验装置,研究了有效磷含量对质量分数为85%的硝酸铵溶液热分解的影响。结果表明,质量分数为85%的硝酸铵和磷酸一铵混合溶液的临界爆炸温度高于纯质量分数为85%的硝酸铵溶液,稳定性更好;磷酸一铵抑制硝酸铵的热分解,随着有效磷含量的增加,硝酸铵混合溶液临界爆炸温度升高;升温速率对硝酸铵混合溶液的临界爆炸温度影响很大,随着升温速率由2℃/min升高到3℃/min,质量分数为85%的硝酸铵混合溶液的临界爆炸温度升高,不易发生爆炸,安全性更好。研究结果对硝酸磷肥的生产安全有一定的指导意义。     

活性炭纤维对于离子的电吸附选择性能研究

通过循环伏安测试、交流阻抗测试、电吸附实验等方法研究了单组分和多组分溶液中不同离子在活性炭纤维电极表面的选择性电吸附性能。结果表明,电吸附选择性能与离子的水合半径、离子价态、离子浓度有关;增大初始浓度可以提高电吸附容量;并且,由于强烈的选择吸附作用,Ca2+离子可以吸附取代其它已经被吸附的离子。     

NaOH溶液吸收CO2的试验研究

为了满足国际海事组织对船舶CO2排放的要求,建立了一种针对船舶尾气CO2的循环吸收系统,利用NaOH溶液吸收CO2.NaOH溶液完成第一步吸收反应后在第二步反应中被还原,从而可以循环利用.分析了初始反应温度、NaOH浓度及溶液中的Na2CO3对CO2吸收率的影响,并计算了循环反应中NaOH的再生率和CaO的过量系数.结果表明,CaO过量系数为1.2时对CO2固化效果最佳,此时NaOH溶液再生率达79.31％.研究表明,NaOH溶液吸收船舶尾气中CO2的循环系统效率高、成本低.     

基于BP神经网络优化制备Cu-Ce/TiO_2及其光催化活性研究

采用Cu和Ce对TiO2进行改性,基于正交实验设计和BP神经网络研究了Cu-Ce/TiO2中Cu-Ce对TiO2的摩尔百分数、Cu-Ce/TiO2中CuCe摩尔比及Cu-Ce/TiO2烧结温度对Cu-Ce/TiO2光催化降解甲醛溶液性能的影响.同时,对Cu-Ce/TiO2制备方案进行了优化,并运用X射线衍射仪、扫描电子显微镜和紫外-可见分光光度计对最佳条件下制备的Cu-Ce/TiO2进行表征.结果表明,优化的制备条件为Cu-Ce/TiO2中Cu-Ce对TiO2的摩尔百分数为2.88%,Cu-Ce/TiO2中Cu-Ce的摩尔比为1∶1,Cu-Ce/TiO2的烧结温度为570℃.共掺杂Cu离子和Ce离子能有效避免掺杂TiO2晶格内部表层和近表层产生较多的位错,从而抑制晶格畸变增大;诱导TiO2中锐钛矿型晶体向金红石型晶体转变的能力增强,有效抑制电子-空穴对的复合,产生介电局域效应.