Effect of collection system on mineral content of biowaste

The EU is committed to encourage biological treatments of organic waste as an alternative to landfill and also to enhance organic matter recycling. When these wastes are composted, the composition of the initial raw materials is very important in order to obtain a good quality product. In this article, the mineral composition of the organic fraction obtained from source-sorted collection (SC) and the organic fraction mechanically separated (MS) from mass-collected municipal solid waste was evaluated. Also, the compositions of these 2 raw materials that are used in the current Spanish municipal solid waste biological treatment facilities were compared. The mineral elements analyzed were the total content of the heavy metals Zn, Cu, Ni, Cr, Pb and Cd, and the plant nutrients P, K, Na, Ca, Mg, Fe and Mn. The results obtained were expressed on dry matter basis and on mineral matter basis. Important differences were detected between SC and MS samples, on both dry and mineral matter basis. In general, nutrient contents are higher in SC than in MS, and heavy metal contents are significantly lower in SC. Our results also support the idea that the heavy metal migration from the non-compostable materials to the decomposable matrix takes place from the beginning of the process while both types of materials are in contact.     

Management of urban solid waste: Vermicomposting a sustainable option

Solid waste management is a worldwide problem and it is becoming more and more complicated day by day due to rise in population, industrialization as well as changes in our life style. Presently most of the waste generated is either disposed of in an open dump in developing countries or in landfills in the developed ones. Landfilling as well as open dumping requires lot of land mass and could also result in several environmental problems. Land application of urban/municipal solid waste (MSW) can be carried out as it is rich in organic matter and contains significant amount of recyclable plant nutrients. The presence of heavy metals and different toxics substances restricts its land use without processing. Vermicomposting of MSW, prior to land application may be a sustainable waste management option, as the vermicast obtained at the end of vermicomposting process is rich in plant nutrients and is devoid of pathogenic organism. Utilization of vermicast produced from urban/municipal solid waste in agriculture will facilitate in growth of countries economy by lowering the consumption of inorganic fertilizer and avoiding land degradation problem. Vermicomposting of urban/MSW can be an excellent practice, as it will be helpful in recycling valuable plant nutrients. This review deals with various aspects of vermicomposting of MSW.     

Analysis of volatile and semivolatile hydrocarbons recovered from steam-classified municipal solid waste

Hazardous household wastes comprise a significant proportion of municipal solid waste (MSW), and therefore serve as the source of many toxic or carcinogenic organic chemicals that are released in the environment through landfill gases or leachates. In the present study, we demonstrate the utility of the steam classification process in removing hazardous semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from MSW. Steam classification is a patented technology that involves the treatment of MSW with steam under pressure to yield a cellulosic biomass product that can be used as a fuel or in building materials. The SVOCs and VOCs from the waste off-gases are collected in the steam condensate and in an effluent charcoal filter. The results of this study show that at least two SVOCs and at least 17 VOCs can be removed from the waste. The most commonly identified compounds were diethylphthalate, styrene, 1,4-dichlorobenzene, and toluene in the condensates, and styrene, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, and toluene in the charcoal filters. On a weight basis, aromatic hydrocarbons were primarily recovered in the condensates, while the chloroaliphatic hydrocarbons were recovered almost exclusively from the charcoal filters. 1,3-Dichlorobenzene, 1,4-dichlorobenzene, and chloroform together comprised nearly 50% of the 4470 micrograms kg(-1) average mass of SVOCs and VOCs recovered from about 454 kg of MSW in these experiments. Toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) analyses showed that steam classification recovered at least 75 to 91% of tested analytes. Overall, these results suggest that steam classification represents an effective technology for a significant reduction or the removal of hazardous organics from the waste stream, and, consequently, in reducing the extent of environmental contamination associated with landfill leachates and gases.     

Formulation,calibration, and validation of hybrid and coupled models for the design of upflow anaerobic filters in multiple separated stages for organic matter removal from sanitary landfill leachates

In this paper, the formulation, calibration, and validation of hybrid and coupled models for the design of upflow anaerobic filters in multiple separated stages were developed for organic matter removal from sanitary landfill leachates. Three novelties were presented, the type of reactor, design models, and kinetic coefficients. The upflow anaerobic filters were separated into two and three stages identified as UAF-2SS (DI-FAFS, in Spanish) and UAF-3SS (TRI-FAFS, in Spanish). The formulation, calibration, and validation of mathematical structures of hybrid models and five coupled models are proposed for each reactor. The hybrid models are based on the law of mass conservation, with the organic matter transformation component within the UAF-2SS and UAF-3SS reactors, being estimated from empirical equations that have been tested in aerobic culture reactors, adapted to the experimental factors, including among these, those under a non-stationary—advective conditions based on Velz's Law, Phelps's Law, and Monod's equation. The coupled models combine the components of the molecular transport by biosorption and molecular diffusion processes, with adaptations of the Stack's equation and Fick's Law, as well as transformation of organic substrates by biomass, whose kinetic coefficients contribute to explain the fraction, in which, the processes of mobility and biochemical transformation of the organic matter are occurring in the biomass within the bioreactors.     

Potential for enhanced phytoremediation of landfills using biosolids – a review

Despite the use of recyclable materials increasing worldwide, waste disposal to landfill remains the most common method of waste management because it is simple and relatively inexpensive. Although landfill disposal is an effective waste management system, if not managed correctly, a number of potential detrimental environmental impacts have been identified including soil and ground water contamination, leachate generation, and gas emissions. In particular, improper post-closure treatment of landfills or deterioration of the conventional clay landfill capping were shown to result in land degradation which required remediation to secure contaminants within the landfill site.Phytoremediation is an attractive technology for landfill remediation, as it can stabilize soil and simultaneously remediate landfill leachate. In addition, landfill phytoremediation systems can potentially be combined with landfill covers (Phytocapping) for hydrological control of infiltrated rainfall. However, for the successful application of any phytoremediation system, the effective establishment of appropriate, desired vegetation is critical. This is because the typically harsh and sterile nature of landfill capping soil limits the sustainable establishment of vegetation. Therefore, the physicochemical properties of landfill capping soils often need to be improved by incorporating soil amendments. Biosolids are a common soil amendment and will often meet these demanding conditions because they contain a variety of plant nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphate, potassium, as well as a large proportion of organic matter. Such amendment will also ameliorate the physical properties of the capping soils by increasing porosity, moisture content, and soil aggregation. Contaminants which potentially originate from biosolids will also be remediated by activities congruent with the establishment of plants and bacteria.     

GC-MS法测定垃圾填埋场渗滤液中的有机污染物

采用GC-MS联用技术对深圳市两个垃圾填埋场（A和B）渗滤液中的有机污染物进行分析。垃圾场A是简易生活垃圾填埋场，垃圾场B是生活垃圾焚烧底渣填埋场。垃圾场A渗滤液中COD、TOC、NH3-N、NO3^--N等污染指标的浓度比垃圾场B渗滤液高一个数量级。两个垃圾填埋场渗滤液中分别检测出主要有机物72种和57种，其中含有大量难降解有机物，如酚类、胺类、杂环类物质。两个垃圾填埋场渗滤液中有机物组分的相对含量不同，渗滤液A中酚类物质含量最高，渗滤液B中有机物多为长链烷烃。     

Solid Waste Treatment as a High-Priority and Low- Cost Alternative for Greenhouse Gas Mitigation

The increased concern about environmental problems caused by inadequate waste management, as well as the concern about global warming, promotes actions toward a sustainable management of the organic fraction of the waste. Landfills, the most common means to dispose of municipal solid waste (MSW), lead to the conversion of the organic waste to biogas, containing about 50% methane, a very active greenhouse gas (GHG). One unit of methane has a global warming potential of 21 computed for a 100-year horizon or 56 computed for 20 years. The waste sector in Israel contributes 13% of total greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions for a time horizon of 100 years (for a time horizon of 20 years, the waste sector contribution equals to more than 25% of total GHG emissions). The ultimate goal is to minimize the amount of methane (CH₄) by converting it to CO₂. This can be achieved by physicochemical means (e.g., landfill gas flare, incineration) or by biological processes (e.g., composting, anaerobic digestion). Since the waste in Israel has a high organic material content, it was found that the most cost-effective means to treat the degradable organic components is by aerobic composting (investment of less than US$ 10 to reduce emission of one ton CO₂ equivalent per year). Another benefit of this technology is the ability to implement it within a short period. The suggested approach, which should be implemented especially in developing countries, could reduce a significant amount of GHG at relatively low cost and short time. The development of a national policy for proper waste treatment can be a significant means to abate GHG emissions in the short term, enabling a gain in time to develop other means for the long run. In addition, the use of CO₂ quotas will credit the waste sector and will promote profitable proper waste management.     

Variations in the chemical properties of landfill leachate

Landfill leachates were collected and their chemical properties analyzed once every two months over a ten-month period from the Gin Drinkers' Bay (GDB) and Junk Bay (JB) landfills. The contents of solids, and inorganic and organic components fluctuated considerably with time. In general, the chemical properties of the two leachates correlated negatively (P<0.05) with the amounts of rainfall prior to the sampling periods. However, magnesium and pH of the leachates remained relatively constant with respect to sampling time. The JB leachate contained higher average contents of solids and inorganic and organic matter than those of GDB with the exception of trace metals. Trace metals were present in the two leachates in trace quantities (<1.0 mg/liter). The concentrations of average ammoniacal nitrogen were 1040 and 549 mg/liter, while chemical oxygen demand (COD) values were 767 and 695 mg/liter for JB and GDB leachates, respectively. These results suggest that the leachates need further treatment before they can be discharged to the coastal waters.     

Spectroscopic and wet chemical characterization of solid waste organic matter of different age in landfill sites, southern Germany

Landfill sites are potential sources of hazardous emissions by degradation and transformation processes of waste organic matter. Its chemical composition and microbial degradability are key factors for risk management, after-care, and estimation of potential emissions. The aim of the study is to provide information about composition and extent of transformation of waste organic matter in four landfill sites in Bavaria, Southern Germany by means of (13)C NMR spectroscopy, acid-hydrolyzable carbohydrates, chloroform-methanol extractable lipids, acid-hydrolyzable proteins, and lignin compounds after CuO oxidation. Ten samples of about 20 to 25 yr, 15 to 20 yr, and 5 to 10 yr of deposition each were taken at 2 m depth intervals by grab drilling till 10-m depth. Increasing temperatures from about 15 degrees C at 2-m depth to >40 degrees C at 10-m depth are found at some of the sites, representing optimum conditions for mesophile methane bacteria. Moisture contents of 160 to 310 g kg(-1) (oven dry), however, provide limiting conditions for anaerobic biodecay. Spectroscopic and chemical variables generally indicate a low extent of biodegradation and transformation at all sites despite a considerable heterogeneity of the samples. Independent of the time and depth of deposition more than 50% of the carbohydrate fraction of the waste organic matter provide a high potential for methane emissions and on-site energy production. There was no significant accumulation of long-chain organic and aromatic compounds, and of lignin degradation products even after more than 25 yr of rotting indicating higher extent of decomposition or stabilization of the waste organic matter. Installation of seepage water cleaning and recirculation systems are recommended to increase suboptimal moisture contents with respect to microbial methanogenesis, energy production, and long-term stabilization of municipal solid waste.     

Evaluation of biogas production from seaweed in batch tests and in UASB reactors combined with the removal of heavy metals

Seaweed can be anaerobically digested for the production of energy-rich methane. However, the use of seaweed digestate as a fertilizer may be restricted because of the high heavy metal content especially cadmium. Reducing the concentration of heavy metals in the digestate will enable its use as a fertilizer. In this laboratory-scale study, the potential of seaweed and its leachate in the production of methane were evaluated in batch tests. The effect of removing the heavy metals from seaweed leachate was evaluated in both batch test and treatment in an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor. The heavy metals were removed from seaweed leachate using an imminodiacetic acid (IDA) polyacrylamide cryogel carrier. The methane yield obtained in the anaerobic digestion of seaweed was 0.12 N l CH₄/g VS_added. The same methane yield was obtained when the seaweed leachate was used for methane production. The IDA-cryogel carrier was efficient in removing Cd²⁺, Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺ and Zn²⁺ ions from seaweed leachate. The removal of heavy metals in the seaweed leachate led to a decrease in the methane yield. The maximum sustainable organic loading rate (OLR) attained in the UASB reactor was 20.6 g tCOD/l/day corresponding to a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 12 h and with a total COD removal efficiency of about 81%. Hydrolysis and treatment with IDA cryogel reduced the heavy metals content in the seaweed leachate before methane production. This study also demonstrated the suitability of the treatment of seaweed leachate in a UASB reactor.     

城市固体废物生物处理方法及其可行性

生物反应堆是通过强化微生物转化和降解有机废物的能力进行处理固体废物的一种方法。本文分别对好氧生物处理、厌氧生物处理和兼性生物处理的机理、影响因素以及各污染物质的迁移转化规律进行综合分析。研究表明生物反应堆具有明显的社会、环境、经济效益，是实现可持续发展的一条重要途径，为以后的研究和应用提供可靠的理论依据。     

人工湿地系统在垃圾渗滤液处理中的应用

介绍了人工湿地的组成和类型,人工湿地去除渗滤液中有机物、氮、磷和重金属的机制。分析了影响人工湿地处理渗滤液效率的因子,并且结合人工湿地设计和运行维护提出了相关建议。根据国内外成功的工程实例,分析了人工湿地处理垃圾渗滤液的经济优势、生态优势,展示了该处理技术广泛的应用前景,对以后的研究进行了展望。     

The application of bioflocculant for the removal of humic acids from stabilized landfill leachates

The evaluation of bioflocculant, in comparison with traditional inorganic coagulants, for the removal of humic acids from landfill leachates stabilized by biological treatment, was performed using conventional jar-test coagulation experiments. The optimized conditions (pH and coagulant dosage) were identified for the treatment of synthetic solutions as well as for biologically pre-treated landfill leachates. It was found that the application of bioflocculant was quite efficient in the removal of humic acids from synthetic solutions as well as in the reduction of COD content from real landfill leachates. The optimal pH value was found to be between 7 and 7.5, while a 20 mg/l bioflocculant dosage was sufficient in providing more than 85% humic acid removal. The results were comparable with those obtained by the application of conventional coagulants such as alum or polyaluminum chloride; therefore, bioflocculant can be considered as a viable alternative in the treatment of landfill leachates applying coagulation.     

废混油钻井液资源化利用技术研究

废钻井液是钻井作业中主要污染源之一,其中含有重金属、碱、盐、油、有机物等多种污染物质,特别是废混油钻井液,油含量更高,是较难解决的问题之一,也是制约油田企业环境质量提高和可持续发展的一大难题。以废钻井液处理为代表的资源化利用技术可有效治理井场废物,将处理后的废钻井液直接用来做井场围堰和平整地面的材料,既可有效地利用废物,消除污染源,又可缓解因污染引起的工农矛盾,减少由钻井开发引发的污染赔款,实现社会效益、经济效益和环境效益的统一。     

ECOSYSTEM DYNAMICS AND POLLUTION EFFECTS IN AN OZARK CAVE STREAM1

ABSTRACT: Subterranean ecosystems harbor globally rare fauna and important water resources, but ecological processes are poorly understood and are threatened by anthropogenic stresses. Ecosystem analyses were conducted from 1997 to 2000 in Cave Springs Cave, Arkansas, situated in a region of intensive land use, to determine the degree of habitat degradation and viability of endangered fauna. Organic matter budgeting quantified energy flux and documented the dominant input as dissolved organic matter and not gray bat guano (Myotis grisescens). Carbon/nitrogen stable isotope analyses described a trophic web of Ozark cavefish (Amblyopsis rosae) that primarily consumed cave isopods (Caecidotea stiladactyla), which in turn appeared to consume benthic matter originating from a complex mixture of soil, leaf litter, and anthropogenic wastes. Septic leachate, sewage sludge, and cow manure were suspected to augment the food web and were implicated in environmental degradation. Water, sediment, and animal tissue analyses detected excess nutrients, fecal bacteria, and toxic concentrations of metals. Community assemblage may have been altered: sensitive species‐grotto salamanders (Typhlotriton spelaeus) and stygobro‐mid amphipods—were not detected, while more resilient isopods flourished. Reduction of septic and agricultural waste inputs may be necessary to restore ecosystem dynamics in this cave ecosystem to its former undisturbed condition.     

Environmental assessment of different management options for individual waste fractions by means of life-cycle assessment modelling

Several alternatives exist for handling of individual waste fractions, including recycling, incineration and landfilling. From an environmental point of view, the latter is commonly considered as the least desirable option. Many studies based on life-cycle assessment (LCA) highlight the environmental benefits offered by incineration and especially by recycling. However, the landfilling option is often approached unjustly in these studies, maybe disregarding the remarkable technological improvements that landfills have undergone in the last decades in many parts of the world.This study, by means of LCA-modelling, aims at comparing the environmental performance of three major management options (landfilling, recycling and incineration or composting) for a number of individual waste fractions. The landfilling option is here approached comprehensively, accounting for all technical and environmental factors involved, including energy generation from landfill gas and storage of biogenic carbon. Leachate and gas emissions associated to each individual waste fraction have been estimated by means of a mathematical modelling. This approach towards landfilling emissions allows for a more precise quantification of the landfill impacts when comparing management options for selected waste fractions.Results from the life-cycle impact assessment (LCIA) show that the environmental performance estimated for landfilling with energy recovery of the fractions “organics” and “recyclable paper” is comparable with composting (for “organics”) and incineration (for “recyclable paper”). This however requires high degree of control over gas and leachate emissions, high gas collection efficiency and extensive gas utilization at the landfill. For the other waste fractions, recycling and incineration are favourable, although specific emissions of a variety of toxic compounds (VOCs, PAHs, NO_x, heavy metals, etc.) may significantly worsen their environmental performance.     

Bioconversion of marine crustacean shell waste

This paper appraises the potential of marine crustacean shell waste from the world's fishing industry for bioconversion to industrial products and envisages almost total low-waste utilisation of such materials. Techniques for the processing of waste shells are considered and compared. We additionally investigate what is considered a vital early stage in shell processing - the viability of a lactic acid fermentation on demineralised shell for deproteinisation under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. An integrated bioconversion scheme is proposed whereby protein, pigment (astaxanthin) and the main biopolymer constituent, chitin, can be isolated for industrial or commercial use. The scheme also suggests further conversion of the chitin to its monomer, N-acetylglucosamine, for use as a sugar or as a medium source for production of microbial biomass protein.     

施入城市生活垃圾堆肥对玉米植株重金属分布及土壤养分的影响

以玉米为供试作物,研究施入生活垃圾堆肥对土壤和玉米各器官重金属分布规律及对土壤养分的影响。结果表明：连续3年施肥,土壤速效养分的含量明显增加;土壤重金属呈现累积,但含量远远低于二级土壤标准（GB 15618—1995）;植株中重金属含量表现为根部〉茎秆〉叶片〉籽粒,Cd在植株根部富集,但未大量向其他部位转移,玉米植株地上部分重金属含量明显低于饲料卫生标准（GB 13078—2001）。由此推断,在短期内（3年）,年施入60 000 kg·hm^-2的垃圾堆肥能提高土壤肥力,且暂时不会引起土壤重金属污染,也不影响玉米植株的饲用;使用多年后应及时监测,以保证安全性。     

QUALITY OF WATER AND BOTTOM SEDIMENTS IN THE TRINITY RIVER1

ABSTRACT: Data were developed to determine the quality of water and bottom sediments in the Trinity River, and the mobility of various contaminants when bottom sediments were mixed with the river water under simulated dredging conditions. Thirteen sampling sites were selected. A number of chemical tests including heavy metals and pesticides were conducted on river water, elutriates, and bottom sediments. Statis bioassays using Daphnia magna were conducted on river water and elutriates. Results indicated that the river in the upper reach is grossly polluted due to discharge of waste water effluents from several large treatment plants. High concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus, organic carbon, COD, heavy metals, and pesticides were found in water and bottom sediments. The concentrations of most of these pollutants exceeded the EPA recommended limits. Elutriation gave no consistent results, perhaps because of release or uptake of contaminants from the sediments. High mortality of D. magna were also recorded in the upper reach of the river. The quality of water and bottom sediments gradually improved in lower reaches.     

Properties of steel foundry electric arc furnace dust solidified/stabilized with Portland cement

Electric arc furnace dust from steel production is generated in considerable amounts worldwide and needs to be treated as hazardous waste. The aim of this study was to investigate the properties of electric arc furnace dust solidified/stabilized by using Portland cement. Mortar and paste samples were prepared with varying waste-to-binder ratios between 0% and 90%. A comprehensive experimental program was designed including XRF characterization, setting time, unconfined compressive strength, and toxicity characteristics leaching procedure (TCLP), synthetic precipitation leaching procedure (SPLP), and acid neutralization capacity (ANC) tests. The results were evaluated in order to determine if the solidified /stabilized product can be disposed of at a landfill site with domestic waste or at a segregated landfill. The effect of using sand on S/S performance was also investigated. The results indicated that the solidification /stabilization process using PC helps the heavy metals to be bound in the cement matrix, but the TCLP leaching results exceeded the EPA landfilling limits. The SPLP leaching results conformed to the limits implying that the waste or S/S products can be disposed of at a segregated landfill; however the low ANC of the S/S products reveals that there may be leaching in the long-term. The sand used in the mortar samples adversely affected the S/S performance, causing higher heavy metal leaching levels, and lower pH levels in the leachate after the TCLP extraction than those measured in the leachate of the paste samples.