Metal stress consequences on frost hardiness of plants at northern high latitudes: a review and hypothesis

Since sewage discharges can significantly contribute to the contaminant loadings in coastal areas, it is important to identify sources, pathways and environmental sinks. Sterol and fatty alcohol biomarkers were quantified in source materials, suspended sediments and settling matter from the Ria Formosa Lagoon. Simple ratios between key biomarkers including 5beta-coprostanol, cholesterol and epi-coprostanol were able to identify the sewage sources and effected deposition sites. Multivariate methods (PCA) were used to identify co-varying sites. PLS analysis using the sewage discharge as the signature indicated approximately 25% of the variance in the sites could be predicted by the sewage signature. A new source of sewage derived organic matter was found with a high sewage predictable signature. The suspended sediments had relatively low sewage signatures as the material was diluted with other organic matter from in situ production. From a management viewpoint, PLS provides a useful tool in identifying the pathways and accumulation sites for such contaminants.     

Spatiotemporal coupling measurement of industrial wastewater discharge and industrial economy in China

With the industrial-level panel data on total output and wastewater discharge over the period of 1997 to 2018, this paper employs GIS and ESDA methods to empirically investigate the spatial relationship between industrial total output and wastewater discharge. In this paper, we empirically examine whether and how industrial wastewater discharge in a particular province may affect the wastewater discharge in its neighboring provinces. Results suggest that provinces (municipalities) with large-scale industrial sewage discharge are located along riversides and coastal areas and these discharges then gradually distribute to coastal, central, and western areas. Results also show a strong spatial autocorrelation of industrial wastewater discharge between the observed local province and its neighboring provinces which is increasing over time. In addition, there is also a significant spatial spillover effect of industrial wastewater discharge among neighboring provinces in China’s eastern and central regions, indicating a structural convergence of high-pollution industries.

     

Feasibility assessment of electrocoagulation towards a new sustainable wastewater treatment

BACKGROUND, AIM AND SCOPE: Electrocoagulation (EC) may be a potential answer to environmental problems dealing with water reuse and rational waste management. The aim of this research was to assess the feasibility of EC-process for industrial contaminated effluents from copper production, taking into consideration technical and economical factors. EC-technology claims to offer efficient removal rates for most types of wastewater impurities at low power consumption and without adding any precipitating agents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Real wastewater from Saraka stream with high concentrations of heavy metals was provided by RTB-BOR, a Serbian copper mining and smelting complex. Runs were performed on a 10 l EC-reactor using aluminum plates as sacrificial electrodes and powered by a 40 A supply unit. Results concerning key factors like pH, conductivity and power consumption were measured in real time. Analysis of dissolved metal concentrations before and after treatment were carried out via ICP-OES and confirmed by an independent test via AAS. RESULTS: Several aspects were taken into account, including current density, conductivity, interfacial resistivity and reactor settings throughout the runs, in order to analyze all possible factors playing a role in neutralization and metal removal in real industrial wastewater. DISCUSSION: Electrode configurations and their effects on energy demand were discussed and exemplified based on fundamentals of colloidal and physical chemistry. CONCLUSIONS: Based on experimental data and since no precipitating agents were applied, the EC-process proved to be not only feasible and environmentally-friendly, but also a cost-effective technology RECOMMENDATIONS AND PERSPECTIVES: The EC-technology provides strategic guidelines for further research and development of sustainable water management processes. However, additional test series concerning continuous operation must be still performed in order to get this concept ready for future large-scale applications.     

电液压脉冲放电与铁屑内电解法联用处理TNT废水试验研究

TNT结构稳定,废水又具有生物毒性,难以生物降解,采用电液压脉冲放电与铁屑内电解法联用能有效处理TNT废水。研究了铁屑投加量、pH值和铁屑重复使用对TNT降解的影响。试验条件为：放电电压36 kV,废水体积7 L,TNT初始浓度90 mg/L,电极间距8 mm。结果表明,在投加铁屑700 g和pH值为6.5时,TNT降解率分别达到97.7%,铁屑重复使用6次不影响TNT降解效果;放电后静置一段时间,TNT仍然继续降解;在125 L的反应器中处理115 L废水,TNT初始浓度50 mg/L,TNT最大降解率达94.2％,TNT浓度降至2.9 mg/L。     

沉淀--吸附处理双氯灭痛高浓度有机废水的工艺研究

介绍了用沉淀－吸附法处理双氯灭痛高浓度有机废水的工艺。先用废盐酸将废水的ｐＨ调节到４,沉淀、过滤,然后将滤液依次经过炉渣、生炭串级吸附,处理后的废水ＣＯＤＣｒ、ｐＨ、ＳＳ均达到ＧＢ８９７８－８８污水综合排放制药行业二级标准。     

基于灰色马尔可夫模型的城市污水量预测

城市污水量是进行排水工程设计的基础数据,灰色系统理论在预测城市污水排放量中有着广泛的应用.基于2001-2009年天津市城市污水排放量数据,建立灰色模型对2010-2015年生活污水排放量和工业废水排放量进行预测;由于工业废水排水量数据波动较大,灰色预测结果不准确,采用马尔可夫模型对灰色预测结果进行修正.结果表明,灰色马尔可夫模型预测准确性高;预计2015年,生活污水排放量为65120.57万t,工业废水排放量为19339.39万t;随着时间的推移,天津市生活污水排放量在城市污水排放总量中的百分比越来越大.     

Technology for recovering phosphorus from incinerated wastewater treatment sludge.

A bench-top study of phosphorus-recovering technology from ash associated with incinerated wastewater (sewage) treatment sludge was conducted by adding sulfuric acid to ashes for the elution of phosphorus. With the exception of lead, which is insoluble in sulfuric acid, when the pH of the ash fell below 2.0, phosphorus and various heavy metals in the ash were extracted. The study found that, when alkalis were added to adjust the pH of the ash extract to 4.0, phosphorus was subsequently recovered via filtration. Furthermore, when alkalis were added to adjust the pH to 10, the recovery of various heavy metals was observed. In addition, disposal of the remaining solution (wastewater), which consists of a relatively low concentration of salts, is not considered to be a significant issue since it is within wastewater discharge standards and has been found to be useful as an acid-treating substance.     

污水排放的远程监视监测系统

本文介绍了由环保部门通过电脑远程监视、监测所属企业污水排放的情况 ,并在电脑上自动记录各项监测的数据 ,当有某项数据超标时能即时声音报警的污水排放远程监视监测系统的设计方案     

Groundwater pollution source apportionment using principal component analysis in a multiple land-use area in southwestern China

Identification of different pollution sources in groundwater is challenging, especially in areas with diverse land uses and receiving multiple inputs. In this study, principal component analysis (PCA) was combined with geographic information system (GIS) to explore the spatial and temporal variation of groundwater quality and to identify the sources of pollution and main factors governing the quality of groundwater in a multiple land-use area in southwestern China. Groundwater samples collected from 26 wells in 2012 and 38 wells in 2018 were analyzed for 13 water quality parameters. The PCA results showed that the hydro-geochemical process was the predominant factor determining groundwater quality, followed by agricultural activities, domestic sewage discharges, and industrial sewage discharges. Agriculture expansion from 2012 to 2018 resulted in increased apportionment of agricultural pollution. In contrast, economic restructure and infrastructure improvement reduced the contributions of domestic sewage and industrial pollution. Anthropogenic activities were found the major causes of elevated nitrogen concentrations (NO₃^?, NO₂^?, NH₄⁺) in groundwater, highlighting the necessity of controlling N sources through effective fertilizer managements in agricultural areas and reducing sewage discharges in urban areas. The applications of GIS and PCA successfully identified the sources of pollutants and major factors driving the variations of groundwater quality in tested years.

     

Spatial and temporal variations of trace metals in bottom sediments of Peter the Great Bay, the Sea of Japan

New data on trace metal distribution in bottom sediments of Peter the Great Bay (the Sea of Japan) are presented. Much higher concentrations were detected near the most likely anthropogenic sources of trace metal inputs (waste water discharges from Vladivostok and Nakhodka, and the Vladivostok coastal landfill). Sediments in these contaminated areas were up to 700 ppm in Zn, 530 ppm in Pb, 7 ppm in Cd and 3 ppm in Hg. River runoff is of minor importance as a metal source in the investigated areas. The spatial distribution of trace metals outside the areas directly influenced by sewage discharges is regulated by natural processes such as sediment sorting by grain size. Based on radiometric dating of sediment cores, increases in the trace metal content of bottom sediments near Vladivostok begun in approximately 1945.     

Forensic Evaluation of Metals (Cr,Cu, Pb,Zn), Isotopes (δ13C and δ15N), and C:N Ratios in Freshwater Sediment

A forensic approach was used to evaluate sediments from Portão Stream, including analysis of metals, carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) stable isotopes, and C:N ratios. Samples collected at various points located along the stream were tested in order to investigate a possible illegal leachate input. The studied stream is heavily impacted by sewage and industrial discharges from two cities along its course. Among the metals analyzed, chromium (Cr) was noticeably the main pollutant, showing the highest levels, above regulatory limits, downstream from some potential sources of effluents enriched with this metal. Isotope analyses revealed a general trend of depletion in the heavier isotope along the stream for C and N. The exception was one point near a hazardous waste landfill, where relatively more enriched δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N values were found. The isotope and metal analysis results indicated that this site was affected by a particular source, demonstrating the combination of these parameters could be used for the discrimination of sources in a heavily polluted stream. Nevertheless, further investigations are necessary to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the biogeochemical processes involved in the incorporation of leachate in sediments to use this analysis as evidence for the illegal leachate discharge.     

Macrophyte growth in a pilot-scale constructed wetland for industrial wastewater treatment

A pilot-scale wetland was constructed to assess the feasibility of treating the wastewater from a tool industry in Santo Tomé, Santa Fe, Argentina. The wastewater had high conductivity and pH, and contained Cr, Ni and Zn. This paper describes the growth of vegetation in the experimental wetland and the nutrient and metal removal. The wetland was 6 x 3 x 0.4 m. Water discharge was 1000 l d(-1) and residence time was 7d. After the wetland was rendered impermeable, macrophytes from Middle Paraná River floodplain were transplanted. Influent and effluent quality was analyzed every 15 d. TP, Cr, Ni and Zn concentrations in leaves, roots and sediment (inlet and outlet) were measured monthly. Cover and biomass of predominant species were estimated. Also, greenhouse experiments were carried out to measure the effects of conductivity and pH on floating species. The variables measured in the influent were significantly higher than those in the effluent, except for HCO(3)(-) and NH(4)(+). TP and metal concentrations in sediment at the inlet were significantly higher than those at the outlet. Conductivity and pH of the incoming wastewater were toxic for the floating species. Typha domingensis displaced the other species and reached positive relative cover rate and biomass greater than those at the undisturbed natural environment. T. domingensis proved to be highly efficient for the treatment of wastewater. For that reason, it is the advisable species for the treatment of wastewater of high conductivity and pH enriched with metals, characteristic of many industrial processes.     

废弃油基钻井液提取柴油剩余废弃物无害化处理研究

针对废弃油基钻井液中柴油回收过程产生的泥渣、废水、废白土和酸碱废渣具有高色度、高pH、高COD和高石油类的特点,通过优化实验得出了一步法无害化处理废弃混合物的最佳固化配方:水泥和粉煤灰加量分别为12.5%,激活剂SG加量1.5%,促凝剂LSL加量1.5%,石灰加量1%。在最佳固化配方下,固化体浸出液的各主要污染指标都符合《污水综合排放标准》(GB 8978-1996)一级标准,固化成本约100元/m3,与分别处理废渣、废液相比,其处理成本可降低约20%。     

中国地表饮用水水源地有机类内分泌干扰物污染现况分析

有机类内分泌干扰物(EDCs)是一类对人类和生物内分泌系统产生干扰,并可造成其紊乱的特殊外来物质,对人类和生物健康有极大的危害.以与人类生活密切相关的地表饮用水水源地中的有机类EDCs为研究重点,对中国目前地表饮用水水源地EDCs污染状况、污染物种类及其来源及可能的污染途径进行了评述.目前,中国各地区地表饮用水水源地均有有机类EDCs检出.其中以有机氯农药六六六及其异构体、DDT及其代谢产物和多氯联苯检出率最高,且某些地区检测浓度相当高,主要来源是农药使用和污水排放.国内外对地表饮用水水源地EDCs突发污染事件的研究均较少,应引起高度重视.     

The anthropogenic contribution to the organic load of the Lippe River (Germany). Part I: Qualitative characterisation of low-molecular weight organic compounds

GC/MS-screening analyses of water samples from the Lippe River, Germany, revealed the presence of a wide spectrum of low-molecular weight organic compounds ranging from non-polar constituents like aliphatic hydrocarbons to polar constituents like n-carboxylic acids and phenols. Most of the identified compounds could be attributed to anthropogenic input and are used as plasticizers, flame retardants, pharmaceutical drugs or fragrances. Some of them had rarely been noticed as organic pollutants of aquatic environments before. These are, among others, 9-methylacridine, the plasticizer 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentandioldiisobutyrate (TXIB), the surfactant 2,4,7,9-tetramethyl-5-decyne-4,7-diol (TMDD), triphenylphosphinoxide and the flame retardant tris(chloropropyl)phosphate. On the other hand, most of the identified trialkyl phosphates, pharmaceutical drugs and synthetic fragrances have been reported in surface waters by several authors so far. Input pathways of the detected compounds were traced back by sampling various input sources of organic matter such as discharges of wastewater and Lippe River tributaries. Several contaminants were ubiquitous in Lippe River water and also occurred in sewage effluent from a municipal sewage treatment plant and in samples from the tributaries. This observation suggests that they are typical sewage derived contaminants and have the potential to be used as anthropogenic molecular markers.     

The role of wastewater treatment in protecting water supplies against emerging pathogens.

Traditionally, regulators, dischargers, and even water suppliers believed that wastewater discharge meeting the levels of 200 cfu/ 100 mL of fecal coliforms in wastewater effluent was sufficient to protect against downstream microbial effects. However, these beliefs are now being challenged by emerging pathogens that are resistant to standard water and wastewater treatment processes, exhibit extended survival periods in the environment, can adversely affect sensitive subpopulations, and require extremely low doses for human infection. Based on this new information, it is estimated that discharges of emerging pathogens from conventional wastewater treatment plants as far as 160 km upstream and cumulative amounts of wastewater discharge ranging from 2 to 20 ML/d have the potential to reach a water supply intake in a viable state at significant concentrations that could exceed regulatory limits for drinking water supplies, increase endemic risk from drinking water, and/or require additional drinking water treatment. Wastewater dischargers may be able mitigate this potential effect and achieve upwards of 6 log combined removal and inactivation of emerging pathogens to mitigate drinking water effects by using alternative treatment processes, such as filtration or UV light disinfection, or optimizing these processes based on site-specific conditions.     

Application of pier waste sludge for catalytic activation of proxy-monosulfate and phenol elimination from a petrochemical wastewater

This investigation aimed to remove phenol from real wastewater (taken from a petrochemical company) by activating peroxy-monosulfate (PMS) using catalysts extracted from pier waste sludge. The physical and chemical properties of the catalyst were evaluated by FE-SEM/EDS, XRD, FTIR, and TGA/DTG tests. The functional groups of O–H, C–H, CO₃^2?, C–H, C–O, N–H, and C–N were identified on the catalyst surface. Also, the crystallinity of the catalyst before and after reaction with petrochemical wastewater was 103.4 nm and 55.8 nm, respectively. Operational parameters of pH (3–9), catalyst dose (0–100 mg/L), phenol concentration (50–250 mg/L), and PMS concentration (0–250 mg/L) were tested to remove phenol. The highest phenol removal rate (94%) was obtained at pH=3, catalyst dose of 80 mg/L, phenol concentration of 50 mg/L, PMS concentration of 150 mg/L, and contact time of 150 min. Phenol decomposition in petrochemical wastewater followed the first-order kinetics (k> 0.008 min^?1, R²> 0.94). Changes in pH factor were very effective on phenol removal efficiency, and maximum efficiency (≈83%) was achieved in pH 3. The catalyst stability test was performed for up to five cycles, and phenol removal in the fifth cycle was reduced to 42%. Also, the energy consumption in this study was 77.69 kW h/m³. According to the results, the pier waste sludge catalyst/PMS system is a critical process for eliminating phenol from petrochemical wastewater.

     

Degradation of acid orange 7 in an aerobic biofilm.

A stable microbial biofilm community capable of completely mineralizing the azo dye acid orange 7 (AO7) was established in a laboratory scale rotating drum bioreactor (RDBR) using waste liquor from a sewage treatment plant. A broad range of environmental conditions including pH (5.8-8.2), nitrification (0.0-4.0 mM nitrite), and aeration (0.2-6.2 mg O2 l(-1)) were evaluated for their effects on the biodegradation of AO7. Furthermore the biofilm maintained its biodegradative ability for over a year while the effects of these environmental conditions were evaluated. Reduction of the azo bond followed by degradation of the resulting aromatic amine appears to be the mechanism by which this dye is biodegraded. Complete loss of color, sulfanilic acid, and chemical oxygen demand (COD) indicate that AO7 is mineralized. To our knowledge this is the first reported occurrence of a sulfonated phenylazonaphthol dye being completely mineralized under aerobic conditions. Two bacterial strains (ICX and SAD4i) originally isolated from the RDBR were able to mineralize, in co-culture, up to 90% of added AO7. During mineralization of AO7, strain ICX reduces the azo bond under aerobic conditions and consumes the resulting cleavage product 1-amino-2-naphthol. Strain SAD4i consumes the other cleavage product, sulfanilic acid. The ability of the RDBR biofilm to aerobically mineralize an azo dye without exogenous carbon and nitrogen sources suggests that this approach could be used to remediate industrial wastewater contaminated with spent dye.     

Wastewater and sludge management and research in Oman: An overview

It is well recognized that management of wastewater and sludge is a critical environmental issue in many countries. Wastewater treatment and sludge production take place under different technical, economic, and social contexts, thus requiring different approaches and involving different solutions. In most cases, a regular and environmentally safe wastewater treatment and associated sludge management requires the development of realistic and enforceable regulations, as well as treatment systems appropriate to local circumstances. The main objective of this paper is to provide useful information about the current wastewater and sludge treatment, management, regulations, and research in Oman. Based on the review and discussion, the wastewater treatment and sludge management in Oman has been evolving over the years. Further, the land application of sewage sludge should encourage revision of existing standards, regulations, and policies for the management and beneficial use of sewage sludge in Oman.

Implications: Wastewater treatment and sludge management in Oman have been evolving over the years. Sludge utilization has been a challenge due to its association with human waste. Therefore, composting of sewage sludge is the best option in agriculture activities. Sludge and wastewater utilization can add up positively in the economic aspects of the country in terms of creating jobs and improving annual income rate. The number of research projects done on wastewater reuse and other ongoing ones related to the land application of sewage sludge should encourage revision of existing standards, regulations, and policies for the management and beneficial use of sewage sludge in Oman.     

Sewage sludge to landfill: some pertinent engineering properties

More stringent controls on the quality of wastewater discharges have given rise to increasing volumes of sewage sludge for disposal, principally to land, using either land-spreading or sludge-to-landfill operations. Current sludge-to-landfill methods generally involve mixing the concentrated sludge with other solid waste in municipal landfills. However, stricter waste disposal legislation and higher landfill taxes are forcing the water industry to look for more efficient disposal strategies. Landfill operators are also increasingly reluctant to accept sludge material in the slurry state because of construction difficulties and the potential for instability of the landfill slopes. The engineering and drying properties of a municipal sewage sludge are presented and applied, in particular, to the design, construction, and performance of sewage sludge monofills. Sludge handling and landfill construction are most effectively conducted within the water content range of 85% water content, the optimum water content for standard proctor compaction, and 95% water content, the sticky limit of the sludge material. Standard proctor compaction of the sludge within this water content range also achieves the maximum dry density of approximately 0.56 tonne/m3, which maximizes the storage capacity and, hence, the operational life of the landfill site. Undrained shear strength-water content data (pertinent to the stability of the landfill body during construction) and effective stress-strength parameters, which take into account the landfill age and the effects of ongoing sludge digestion, are presented. Landfill subsidence, which occurs principally because of creep and decomposition of the solid organic particles, is significant and continues indefinitely but at progressively slower rates.