The effect of oxidation and acidification on the speciation of heavy metals in sulfide-rich freshwater sediments using a sequential extraction procedure

The speciation of metals in a contaminated, anoxic, sulfide-rich, freshwater sediment was determined experimentally, using a sequential extraction procedure based on the method of Tessier et al. Taking into account the advantages and disadvantages of sequential extractions, the applied methodology allowed the investigation of the influence of aeration and acidification on the distribution of various metals in the sediment. Aeration caused Zn and Cd to be released from sulfides. Carbonates were partly dissolved by the oxidation process, causing mobilisation of Ca. Fe became less mobile owing to a stronger binding to organic matter. The speciation of K, Al, Ni, Pb and Mn and to a lesser extent of Cu was not affected by aeration. As a result of acidification of the aerated sediment, Ca, Mn, Ni, Zn and Cd became more mobile owing to the dissolution of carbonates.     

Repetitive extragenic palindromic PCR (REP-PCR) as a method used for bulking process detection in activated sludge

Bulking of activated sludge is a world-widely prevalent problem and can lead to loss of bio-oxidation, further deterioration of effluent quality, and even to a complete breakdown of the entire treatment process. Most common reasons of bulking are bacterial community changes, especially excessive growth of filamentous bacteria or excess of biopolymers on surface of non-filamentous microbes. Because of complex nature of the bulking phenomenon, the successful bulking control strategy finding is still a very important need awaiting new options and advices. The repetitive extragenic palindromic PCR (REP-PCR) fingerprinting method has been applied to distinguish bacterial community in non-bulking and bulking activated sludge. The characteristic REP-PCR fingerprinting patterns, using the Ward??s clustering method, have been analyzed to determine homology/similarity relation between particular non-bulking and bulking sludge sampling. The received clustering results were in high concordance with activated sludge typing done based on physicochemical sludge analysis. The choice and application of molecular typing method in sludge analysis will depend upon the needs, skill level, and resources of the laboratory. The proposed REP-PCR method and statistical analysis of fingerprinting patterns seems to be simple, rapid, and effective methods to show differences between population in non-bulking and bulking activated sludge. It is easy to implement, and it may be useful for routinely activated sludge monitoring as well as may be helpful in early detection of bulking process.     

Dissolution kinetics of heavy metals in Dutch carbonate- and sulfide-rich freshwater sediments

In two sulfide-rich freshwater sediments from the Biesbosch and Kromme Rijn River in the Netherlands differing in carbonate content and acid volatile sulfide (AVS) content, metal and sulfide dissolution kinetics were studied at different acid concentrations by varying both the procedure of acid addition and the extraction time. The establishment of equilibrium was monitored by measuring the pH in time, which reached a near constant value. The equilibrium pH was reached quickly when large amounts of acid were added and slowly when small amounts of acid were added. This observation was confirmed by the yield of extracted metals after either a 45-min or 24-h extraction over a pH range from 0 to 5. The pH factor seemed to be of more influence than time for the dissolution of metals. The amount of extracted metals was highly dependent on the metal itself due to its physico-chemical behavior. Although the sediments studied varied in carbonate content, acid volatile sulfide (AVS), and total metal content, the extracted fraction of metals compared with their total content in the sediment was similar for most metals. Finally, the AVS content as well as the ratio of simultaneously extracted metals (SEM; sum of Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn) to AVS decreased with increasing pH. Because the SEM to AVS ratio may be used to set environmental quality criteria for the sediment compartment, this observation is of significance.     

EFFECTIVENESS OF TIMBER HARVEST PRACTICES FOR CONTROLLING SEDIMENT RELATED WATER QUALITY IMPACTS1

ABSTRACT: Timber harvest best management practices (BMPs) in Washington State were evaluated to determine their effectiveness at achieving water quality standards pertaining to sediment related effects. A weight‐of‐evidence approach was used to determine BMP effectiveness based on assessment of erosion with sediment delivery to streams, physical disturbance of stream channels, and aquatic habitat conditions during the first two years following harvest. Stream buffers were effective at preventing chronic sediment delivery to streams and physical disturbance of stream channels. Practices for ground‐based harvest and cable yarding in the vicinity of small streams without buffers were ineffective or only partially effective at preventing water quality impacts. The primary operational factors influencing BMP effectiveness were: the proximity of ground disturbing activities to streams; presence or absence of designated stream buffers; the use of special timber falling and yarding practices intended to minimize physical disturbance of stream channels; and timing of harvest to occur during snow cover or frozen ground conditions. Important site factors included the density of small streams at harvest sites and the steepness of inner stream valley slopes. Recommendations are given for practices that provide a high confidence of achieving water quality standards by preventing chronic sediment delivery and avoiding direct stream channel disturbance.