Non-UV based germicidal activity of metal-doped TiO2 coating on solid surfaces

A stain-based screening method was developed to screen different catalyst coatings for their germicidal activity. A Baclight dead/live bacteria viability kit （invitrogen, molecular probes） was used for staining the cell. The screening was carried out following a standard procedure. This included loading cell suspension to solid surface and maintaining contact for 30 min, then staining with a mixture containing dyes. The stained cells were observed using an epifluorescent microscope and photographed with a CCD camera under UV. Metal-doped TiO2 coatings on AI plates were prepared and tested for non-UV germicidal activity without using UV. It was tested using model microorganisms such as Bakers Yeast （Saccharomyces cerevisiae）, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas putida, and Escherichia coli. On the basis of the germicidal activity of catalyst and the degree of damage caused to the cells, the stained cells may appear green （viable）, green with red or yellow nuclei and yellow （compromised） or red （nonviable）. According to their stained color, cells were counted to calculate the percentage of dead, live, and compromised cells. Compromised cells are cells that grow very slowly after reculturing indicating a degree of reversible cell damage. Screening the germicidal activity using this staining method is accurate and efficient, and requires less time than the culture-based method. A modification to the procedure for measuring germicidal activity of rough surfaces or fibrous coatings was developed. Both TiO2 and metal-doped TiO2 （Ag, Pt, Au, Cu） possess non-UV based germicidal activity. The germicidal activity of TiO2 was found to be related with its wetting property and can be improved by UV irradiation before testing. It is not greatly affected by contact time, indicating a fast acting germicidal activity.     

Effect of sulfate on the methanogenic activity of a bacterial culture from a brewery wastewater during glucose degradation

The maximum specific methanogenic activity （SMA） of a sludge originating from a brewery wastewater treatment plant on the degradation of glucose was investigated at various levels of sulfate on a specific loading basis. Batch experiments were conducted in serum bottles at pH 7 and 35℃. A comparison of the values indicates that the SMA of this mixed culture was increased and reached its highest level of 0.128 g CH4 gas COD/（g VSS.d） when biomass was in contact with sulfate at a ratio of 1：0.114 by weight.     

Treated wastewater irrigation effect on soil, crop and environment： Wastewater recycling in the loess area of China

A study was carried out at the Loess Plateau in Dongzhi,China,to test the feasibility of using secondary treatment sewage effluent and to determine whether the water quality would then meet the recommended irrigation norm.Seven crops,including celery,wheat, maize,millet,apples,rapeseed and yellow beans,were tested in the study.Physical and chemical properties of the soil,crop yield and quality and leachate at different soil depths were measured.In most cases,the quality of the crops that made use of treated sewage was not distinctively different from those that did not use treated sewage.However,yields for the former were much higher than they were for the latter.Leachates at different soil depths were analyzed and the results did not show alarming levels of constituents.For a period of approximately 14 months,the treated sewage irrigation had no significant effect on the loess soil and no cases of illness resulting from contact with the treated sewage were reported.With treated sewage irrigation,a slight increase in the organic content of the soil was observed.     

Review of the remediation strategies for soil water repellency

Many regions of the world are predicted to experience water scarcity due to more frequent and more severe droughts and increased water demands. Water use efficiency by plants can be negatively affected by soil water repellency (SWR). It is timely to review existing techniques to remedy SWR. Ideally remediation addresses the origins of a problem. However, the fundamental mechanisms of how and why SWR develops are still poorly understood. In this review it was hypothesized that SWR occurs where the balance of input-decomposition of organic matter is impaired, due to either increased input or decreased decomposition rates of hydrophobic substances. Direct and indirect strategies to remedy SWR were distinguished. While direct remediation aims at abolishing the causes of SWR, indirect strategies seek to manage sites with SWR by treating its symptoms. The 12 reviewed strategies include applying surfactants, clay, slow-release fertilizers, lime, and fungicides, bioremediation of SWR through stimulating earthworms, choosing adapted vegetation, irrigation, cultivation, soil aeration and compaction. Some of the techniques have been applied successfully only in laboratory experiments. Our review highlights that it is not straightforward to cure SWR based on easily measurable and site-specific soil and vegetation properties, and that long-term, large-scale field experiments are required to improve the understanding of the evolution of SWR as cornerstone to develop cost-effective and efficient remediation strategies. We also identified current research gaps around the diagnosis and prevention of SWR.     

曝气调节-水解酸化-生物接触氧化工艺处理城镇生活污水

介绍了采用曝气调节-水解酸化-两级生物接触氧化为主的工艺处理城镇生活污水的工程实例。经过调试运行,污水处理系统运行稳定,工艺运行成本低,污染物处理效果好。其中COD、BOD5、SS与氨氮去除率均在85%以上,出水水质优于GB 8978-1996《污水综合排放标准》一级排放标准。     

一体化接触氧化反应器处理景区生活污水

常州某旅游景区采用一体化生活污水处理装置处理该区生活污水,通过试验确定反应器的最佳工艺参数,研究表明采用接触氧化反应器处理农村污水,在反应器内溶解氧维持在2.0~4.0 mg/L,水力负荷为3.53 m3/(m3.d)的运行条件下,对COD、NH3-N及TN去除率分别达80.82%、69.12%、63.16%,出水可稳定达GB18918-2002《城镇污水处理厂污染物排放标准》一级标准。     

微电解-生化法处理大蒜废水工程实例

针对大蒜废水特点,采用了铁屑微电解-UASB-接触氧化工艺进行处理.运行结果表明:在设计进水水质、水量范围内,COD、BOD5、氨氮和ss去除率分别为98%、99%、70%和98%,出水各项指标均达到GB 8978--1996<污水综合排放标准>中的一级排放标准,系统运行费用为1.19元/m3.     

三级生物接触氧化除油生化池的生物膜特性

将生物接触氧化技术用于油田稠油污水的处理,在三级串联运行的生物接触氧化池中,生物膜特性主要由生物膜上原油成分决定。在沿水流方向上,生物膜上易降解原油组分含量降低,难降解组分含量上升,第一级生化池中的生物膜厚度和优势菌种数量明显超过第二级和第三级,藻类主要生长在一级生化池的后部和二、三级生化池中的生物膜上,原生动物出现在二级和三级生化池生物膜上,而后生动物只出现在三级生化池生物膜上。     

混凝-生物接触氧化处理合成橡胶碱洗废水

对化学合成橡胶碱洗废水进行了有机组分和可生化性分析，废水主要含有氯甲烷、六甲苯、异丁醇、甲醇等污染物质，生化降解实验中废水TOC可在6d内从60．9mg／L下降至0．0mg／L，可生化降解性好，适于生化处理。选择混凝．生物接触氧化组合工艺对废水进行处理，采用优化条件（pH=8、PAC=40mg／L、PAM=8mg／L）进行混凝，碱洗废水COD去除率为9．95％～72．94％（平均31．51％）；混凝后的碱洗废水与冲洗废水1：5混合进行接触氧化处理，在HRT为36h的情况下，COD去除率为65．6％-72．6％（平均70．4％），出水COD为134～331mg／L，满足企业废水排放市政管网的要求；同时，实验发现COD去除率与COD容积负荷存在指数函数变化关系。     

The in vitro effect of selected essential oils on the growth and mycotoxin production of Aspergillus species

The aim of the present study was to assess the antifungal and anti-toxinogenic activity of 15 essential oils (EOs) against three fungi of the genus Aspergillus (A. parasiticus KMi-227-LR, A. parasiticus KMi-220-LR and A. flavus KMi-202-LR). The minimum inhibitory doses (MIDs) of the tested essential oils and their antifungal activity were determined using the micro-atmosphere method. The original commercial essential oil samples of Jasminum officinale L., Thymus vulgaris L., Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merrill &; Perry, Rosmarinus officinalis L., Ocimum basilicum L., Eucalyptus globulus Labill., Salvia officinalis L., Citrus limon (L.) Burm, Origanum vulgare L., Lavandula angustifolia Mill., Carum carvi L., Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck., Zingiber officinalis Rosc., Mentha piperita L. and Cinnamomum zeylanicum Nees. (C. verum J.S.Presl.) were produced in Slovakia (Calendula a.s., Nová ?ubovňa, Slovakia). All essential oils exhibited activity against all tested strains of fungi. After 14 days of incubation, A. flavus (KMi-202-LR) showed the highest susceptibility with a growth inhibition percentage (GIP) of 18.70% to C. limon and 5.92% to C. sinensis, while A. parasiticus (KMi-220-LR) exhibited a GIP of 20.56% to J. officinale. The minimum inhibitory doses (MIDs) of EOs with the most significant activity were recorded. The best antifungal activity, using the micro-atmosphere method was found in S. aromaticum with an MID of 62.5 μL L^?1 air, T. vulgaris (MID of 62.5 μL L^?1 air) and O. vulgare (MID of 31.5 μL L^?1 air) against all tested strains. Mycotoxin production of the tested strains was evaluated by the thin layer chromatography (TLC) method. Mycotoxin production of AFB₁ and AFG₁ was inhibited following all treatments with C. carvi, R. officinale and S. officinale, Eucalyptus globulus L. and O. basilicum L. Essential oils exhibited a potential inhibition activity against toxic fungi, although, these affected only the production of AFB₁.