Inactivation of antineoplastics in clinical wastewater by electrolysis

Wastewater from clinical institutions contains a considerable amount of toxic substances. Among the toxic substances, antineoplastics may induce carcinogenesis, teratogenesis, and the emergence of mutant microorganisms in the environment. Although the incineration or chemical treatments of disposed antineoplastics are recommended, a high energy during incineration and a careful quality control during chemical treatment are required. In this study, we determined the conditions for the electrolytic treatment of an antineoplastic, epirubicin hydrochloride (EH), using two platinum electrodes with a constant current of 100 mA. We analyzed the cytotoxicity, mutagenicity and antibacterial activity of electrolyzed EH and compared them with those of unelectrolyzed EH. Nearly 100% cytotoxicity, mutagenicity and antibacterial activity were eliminated and HPLC did not detect an EH molecule, in the case of electrolysis for 6 h. We also examined the biological cytotoxicities of electrolyzed irinotecan hydrochloride, vincristine sulfate, mitomycin C, paclitaxel, methotrexate and cisplatin, and found that 72.1-99.999% toxicity was eliminated by electrolysis under the same conditions. The biological toxicity of a mixture of these drugs was determined to be decreased by approximately 99% by electrolysis under the same conditions.     

UV-NaClO顺序消毒对污水中大肠菌群的灭活效果

紫外(UV)和次氯酸钠(NaClO)消毒广泛应用于城市污水处理中,但目前2种消毒方式均存在不足。为实现既可高效消毒又能同时降低消毒所带来负面影响的目的,通过对比研究,分析了达到与UV或NaClO相同的消毒效果时,紫外-次氯酸钠(UV-NaClO)顺序消毒所需的消毒剂量以及UV-NaClO顺序消毒对微生物复活和消毒副产物(DBPs)生成的影响。结果表明：当UV剂量为9 mJ·cm⁻²,NaClO投加量为3、4和10 mg·L⁻¹时,UV-NaClO顺序消毒可达到与单独UV消毒时(剂量为12、20或60 mJ·cm⁻²)以及单独NaClO消毒时(NaClO投加量为4、10或20 mg·L⁻¹)的相同消毒效果;且当需要的微生物灭活效率越高时,UV-NaClO 顺序消毒的优势越明显。同单独UV消毒相比,UV-NaClO顺序消毒后微生物的光复活率和暗修复率明显降低。当达到与单独NaClO消毒相同的微生物灭活效果时,UV-NaClO顺序消毒可有效降低DBPs的生成量,例如完全灭活E.coli,采用UV-NaClO顺序消毒,DBPs的生成量可较单独NaClO消毒降低了76.87%。本研究可为污水排放与再生利用消毒技术的选择提供参考。     

γ辐照降解沉积物中六氯苯(HCB)的研究

研究了γ辐照法对不同河流湖泊沉积物中六氯苯(HCB)的降解效果,以及不同河流湖泊沉积物、HCB浓度、添加物、pH和容器内径对HCB辐照降解的影响,并对其降解动力学进行了探讨.结果表明,γ辐照法对南京玄武湖沉积物HCB模拟样品中HCB的降解率要高于长江南京上新河段和南京前湖沉积物HCB模拟样品;辐照下HCB质量浓度为10 mg/kg的长江南京上新河段沉积物HCB模拟样品的HCB降解率最高;添加H2O2能提高HCB的降解率,添加NaNO3和异丙醇降低了HCB的降解率;添加NaNO3的HCB降解率要高于添加异丙醇;pH越高HCB的降解率越大;容器内径对γ辐照降解容器中HCB的效果有较大影响,在其他实验条件一致下采用γ辐照降解HCB时,应尽量减小容器内径.     

Treatment of municipal wastewater by membrane bioreactor: a pilot study

The operational performance of a submerged hollow fibre Membrane Bio-Reactor (MBR) for treatment of municipal wastewater on pilot scale was investigated. The experimental results indicated that the removal efficiency for SS, COD, NH₄-N, turbidity, bacterium, iron (Fe²⁺) and Manganese (Mn²⁺) was 100%, 94.5%, 98.3%, 99.7%, lg6, 99%, 92.3%, respectively. The water quality of the effluent was quite good. The reclaimed water could be reused either directly or indirectly for municipal or industrial purposes. The MBR had a strong ability to resist loading shock and DO was a crucial factor to membrane fouling.     

Gamma irradiation of municipal sludge for safe disposal and agricultural use.

Gamma radiation was found to be an effective tool for hygienization of municipal wastewater sludge. The sludge received from the primary settling tank of a municipal wastewater treatment plant was gamma irradiated using a cobalt-60 source in a sludge hygienization research irradiator. The process parameters were adjusted to effectively eliminate coliform bacteria in the sludge and to prevent their regrowth. Irradiated sludge was found to be free of fecal coliform and could be directly disposed after drying in a landfill or used as manure. It could also be used as a medium for growth of Rhizobium sp for obtaining a bio-fertilizer.     

A comparative study of photo-Fenton process assisted by natural sunlight,UV-A,or visible LED light irradiation for degradation of real textile wastewater: factorial designs,kinetics, cost assessment,and phytotoxicity studies

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The present work aims to evaluate the treatment of the effluent from the textile industry via advanced oxidative processes of photo-Fenton assisted by...     

The degradation of endocrine disruptor di-n-butyl phthalate by UV irradiation: a photolysis and product study

The direct photolysis of an important endocrine disruptor compound, di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP), has been investigated under monochromatic UV irradiation at 254 nm over a wide pH range (3-11). The investigation was carried out under idealized conditions and has considered both reaction kinetics and the degradation mechanism. It was found that more than 90% of DBP can be degraded within an hour of irradiation in water. A simple model has been developed and used to predict the initial DBP photolysis rate constant at different pH values and initial DBP concentrations. The major decomposition mechanism of DBP is believed to involve the hydrolytic photolysis of the carbon in the alpha and/or beta-position of the ester chain with the production of aromatic carboxylic derivatives. Additionally, multi-degradation pathways are proposed for acid-catalyzed hydrolytic photolysis (pH 3-5), which was found to be useful in explaining the photo-degradation of DBP under acidic conditions. The use of 254 nm UV to photo-degrade DBP was found to be a relatively fast and clean process, especially in neutral to basic conditions.     

Treatment of wastewater by electrocoagulation: a review

The electrocoagulation (EC) process is an electrochemical means of introducing coagulants and removing suspended solids, colloidal material, and metals, as well as other dissolved solids from water and wastewaters. The EC process has been successfully employed in removing pollutants, pesticides, and radionuclides. This process also removes harmful microorganisms. More often during EC operation, direct current is applied and electrode plates are sacrificed (dissolved into solution). The dissolution causes an increased metal concentration in the solution that finally precipitates as oxide precipitates. Due to improved process design and material of construction, the EC process is being widely accepted over other physicochemical processes. Presently, this process has gained attention due to its ability to treat large volume and for its low cost. The aim of this study is to review the mechanism, affecting factors, process, and application of the electrocoagulation process.     

Overestimation of urban nitrogen dioxide by passive diffusion tubes: a comparative exposure and model study

A detailed comparative trial of passive diffusion tubes (PDT) for measurement of NO₂ in urban air has been undertaken in Edinburgh, UK. Acrylic, foil-wrapped and quartz tubes were exposed in parallel for 1-week and 4-week periods at three urban sites equipped with continuous analysers for NO, NO_x and O₃. Standard acrylic PDTs significantly overestimated NO₂ concentrations relative to chemiluminescence analysers, by an average of 27% over all sites for 1-week exposures. No significant difference was observed between standard and foil-wrapped acrylic tubes (both UV blocking). The mean ratio between quartz (UV transmitting) tubes and chemiluminescence analysers was 1.06. Quartz PDT data suggest a tendency for in situ photolysis to offset (but in a non-quantifiable way) the effect of chemical overestimation. The 4-week exposures yielded systematically lower NO₂ concentration than average NO₂ from four sequential 1-week exposures over the same period. The reduction in the apparent NO₂ sampling rate with time mostlikely arises from in situ photolysis of trapped NO₂. Hourly NO₂, NO and O₃ data for 20 1-week exposures were used as input to a numerical model of diffusion tube operation incorporating chemical reaction between co-diffusing NO and O₃ within the tube. The mean calculated overestimation of 22% for NO₂ from the PDT model simulations is close to the average difference between acrylic PDT and analyser NO₂ concentrations (24% for the same exposure periods), showing that within-tube chemistry can account for observed discrepancies in NO₂ measurement between the two techniques. Overestimation by PDT generally increased as average NO₂/NO_x ratios decreased. Accurate quantitative correction of PDT measurements is not possible. Nevertheless, PDT NO₂ concentrations were correlated with both analyser NO₂ and NO_x suggesting that acrylic PDTs retain a qualitative measure of NO₂ and NO_x variation at a particular urban location.     

Temporal evolution in PPCP removal from urban wastewater by constructed wetlands of different configuration: a medium-term study

Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) are widely distributed in urban wastewaters and can be removed to some extent by constructed wetlands (CWs). The medium-term (3-5 years) behaviour of these systems regarding PPCP removal is still unknown. Seven mesocosm-scale (1 m²) CWs of different configurations were operated outdoors for 39 months under the same conditions to assess their PPCP removal ability and temporal evolution. CWs differed in some design parameters, namely plant presence, species chosen (Typha angustifolia vs Phragmites australis), flow configuration and presence/absence of gravel bed (floating macrophytes surface flow, FM-SF; free-water surface flow, FW-SF; free-water subsurface flow, FW-SSF; or conventional horizontal subsurface flow, SSF). PPCP efficiencies decreased throughout time and performance differences among CWs disappeared with the systems aging. This could be due to a homogenization process in the systems caused by detrimental factors like saturation, clogging and shading. Winter efficiencies were lower than summer ones for salicylic acid, caffeine, methyl dihydrojasmonate, galaxolide and tonalide, and seasonal biological activities seem key factors to explain this fact. Maximal removal efficiencies were achieved in an unplanted-FW-SSF for ketoprofen (47-81%), naproxen (58-81%) and salicylic acid (76-98%); in an unplanted-SSF for caffeine (65-99%); in a Phragmites-FM-SF for ibuprofen (49-96%) and diclofenac (16-68%); in a Typha-FM-SF for carbamazepine (35-71%); and in a Typha-FW-SSF for methyl dihydrojasmonate (71-96%), galaxolide (67-82%) and tonalide (55-74%). Photodegradation could be involved in ketoprofen, naproxen, ibuprofen and diclofenac removal. Carbamazepine and diclofenac were moderately removed by the most efficient CWs studied. Carbamazepine might be eliminated by vegetal uptake.     

栅藻和小球藻在4种养殖废水中的生长及净化效果对比研究

利用经过处理的鸡场养殖废水、猪场沼液（简称猪沼）、池塘养殖废水和BG-11培养基分别培养斜生栅藻和普通小球藻,对比2种微藻在各培养液中的生长、对废水中氮磷的净化效果以及微藻油脂的积累情况。结果表明：经过23 d的培养,小球藻处理组中,小球藻+猪沼培养液中可收获藻粉0.353 1 g·L-1,小球藻+BG-11中可收获藻粉0.189 8 g·L-1,高于其他3种培养液中的收获量。栅藻处理组中,栅藻+BG-11中收获的藻粉最多,为0.168 5 g·L-1,其次为栅藻+猪沼培养液（0.131 1 g·L-1）。2种微藻对不同废水培养液的净化效果不同,但总体来说,栅藻和小球藻对总磷的去除效果最好,去除率在89.32%~98.69%。对硝氮的去除率也在60%以上。另外,利用猪沼培养的小球藻油脂含量最高,达到50.34%;培养的栅藻油脂含量与BG-11中相近,并高于其他培养液。因此,利用猪场沼液培养栅藻和小球藻具有可行性。     

微波活性炭法处理酸性红88废水及其机理

微波活性炭法（MW-GAC）处理模拟酸性红88（AR88）废水的实验结果显示,酸性红88的脱色率与固液比、微波辐照时间、微波功率正相关,而与其初始浓度（在10~100 mg·L-1范围内）负相关。溶液pH对脱色率的影响不大,pH为3时脱色率最高为99.7%。在MW-GAC处理过程中,微波和活性炭具有较强的协同作用,酸性红88经处理后,特征波长（UV506、UV310、UV254）吸收均锐减。活性炭表面检测到残留芳环、N-H和C-N,结合中间产物质谱检测结果,推断酸性红88在MW-GAC系统中的降解途径首先是偶氮键被破坏,然后形成芳庚和甲苯,随后开环并加成形成2,4-二甲基-1-庚烯,最后矿化形成CO2和H2O。     

Application of a constructed wetland for industrial wastewater treatment: a pilot-scale study

The main objective of this study was to examine the efficacy and capacity of using constructed wetlands on industrial pollutant removal. Four parallel pilot-scale modified free water surface (FWS) constructed wetland systems [dimension for each system: 4-m (L)x1-m (W)x1-m (D)] were installed inside an industrial park for conducting the proposed treatability study. The averaged influent contains approximately 170 mg l(-1) chemical oxygen demand (COD), 80 mg l(-1) biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), 90 mg l(-1) suspend solid (SS), and 32 mg l(-1) NH(3)-N. In the plant-selection study, four different wetland plant species including floating plants [Pistia stratiotes L. (P. stratiotes) and Ipomoea aquatica (I. aquatica)] and emergent plants [Phragmites communis L. (P. communis) and Typha orientalis Presl. (T. orientalis)] were evaluated. Results show that only the emergent plant (P. communis) could survive and reproduce with a continuous feed of 0.4m(3)d(-1) of the raw wastewater. Thus, P. communis was used in the subsequent treatment study. Two different control parameters including hydraulic retention time (HRT) (3, 5, and 7d) and media [vesicles ceramic bioballs and small gravels, 1cm in diameter] were examined in the treatment study. Results indicate that the system with a 5-d HRT (feed rate of 0.4m(3)d(-1)) and vesicles ceramic bioballs as the media had the acceptable and optimal pollutant removal efficiency. If operated under conditions of the above parameters, the pilot-plant wetland system can achieve removal of 61% COD, 89% BOD, 81% SS, 35% TP, and 56% NH(3)-N. The treated wastewater meets the current industrial wastewater discharge standards in Taiwan.     

Kinetic study of lead cementation by iron powder in wastewater

Empirical and theoretical equations were correlated with experimental data for lead cementation by iron powder in a stirred vessel under various conditions.     

Factors influencing arsenic accumulation by Pteris vittata: a comparative field study at two sites

This study compared the factors influencing arsenic (As) accumulation by Pteris vittata at two sites, one containing As along with Au mineralization and the other containing Hg/Tl mineralization. The soils above these two sites contained high As concentrations (26.8-2955 mg kg(-1)). Although the As concentration, pH, soil cation exchange capacity and plant biomass differed significantly between the two sites, no differences were observed in the As concentrations in the fronds and roots, or the translocation factors, of P. vittata, suggesting that this species has consistent As hyperaccumulation properties in the field. The As concentration in the fronds was positively related to phosphorus (P) and potassium (K), but negatively related to calcium (Ca), at one site. This suggested that P, K and Ca influenced As accumulation by P. vittata in the field.     

UASB处理甲醇废水的实验研究

利用升流式厌氧污泥床(UASB)反应器在中温条件下处理高COD浓度的甲醇废水。当反应器稳定运行,进水COD=36 000 mg/L时,容积负荷可达到70~74 kg COD/(m3.d),COD去除率可以达到95%以上,出水COD2 000 mg/L。通过实验取得的良好实验效果,为利用厌氧技术处理甲醇废水提供了设计依据。     

Micronucleus induction by oxidative metabolites of trichloroethylene in cultured human peripheral blood lymphocytes: a comparative genotoxicity study

The genotoxic effects of oxidative metabolites of trichloroethylene (TCE), namely chloral hydrate, trichloroacetic acid (TCA), dichloroacetic acid (DCA), and trichloroethanol (TCEOH) were examined in human peripheral blood lymphocytes. In this context, lymphocytes were exposed in vitro to 25, 50, and 100 μg/ml concentrations of these metabolites separately for a period of 48 h and examined for micronucleus (MN) induction through flow cytometer. At 50 μg/ml TCE metabolites, TCA (6.33?±?0.56 %), DCA (5.06?±?0.55), and TCEOH (4.70?±?1.73) induced highly significant (p?<?0.001) frequency of MN in comparison to control (1.03?±?0.40) suggestive of their genotoxic potential. However, exposure of 100 μg/ml of all the metabolites consistently declined the frequencies of MN which in some cases was equable to that of observed at 25 μg/ml. Further, cytotoxicity and cell cycle disturbances were also measured to find out the association of these endpoints with the MN induction. DNA content analysis revealed 3–4-fold elevation of S-phase at all the concentrations tested. Particularly, at 100 μg/ml, treatment elevation of S-phase was significantly (p?<?0.0001) higher as compared to the control. Present findings together with earlier reports indicate that TCE induces genotoxicity through its metabolites. Interaction of these metabolites with DNA, as evident by elevated S-phase, seems to be the major cause of MN induction. However, involvement of spindle disruption cannot be ruled out. This comparative study also suggests that after TCE exposure, the metabolic efficiency of human to generate oxidative metabolites determines the extent of genotoxicity.     

Development of a three-stage system for wastewater toxicity monitoring: a design and feasibility study.

A three-stage system was developed to automate a batchwise toxicity testing protocol designed for assessing wastewater toxicity to activated sludge. The three-stage system used the luminescent bacterium Shkl. The three stages were cell storage, cell activation, and continuous toxicity testing. Shkl cells were stored in a bioreactor at 4 degrees C when the system was not in use and activated in another bioreactor for use in toxicity tests conducted in a continuous manner. The system could quickly be switched between the "off" and "on" modes, and operation of the system was easy. The stability of the system, in terms of cell density and bioluminescence in the storage and activation bioreactors, and the response of the activated cells to a metal and an organic toxicant were studied. The feasibility of the system design was demonstrated by simulating zinc toxicity episodes in synthetic wastewater. The needs for further modifications and improvements of the system were discussed.     

紫外光照凝胶固化-纳米颗粒增强LIBS检测强酸性废水中的重金属

强酸性废水组份复杂,且常规方法难以快速准确地检测其中的重金属,为此建立了基于样品固化预处理和激光诱导击穿光谱(LIBS)快速准确检测强酸性废水中重金属的方法。结果表明：在紫外光照条件下,固化剂丙烯酰胺和丙烯酸受光引发剂(2-羟基-4′-(2-羟乙氧基)-2-甲基苯丙酮)作用聚合形成相互交联的长链聚合物网络结构,可在广泛的酸度下实现对强酸性废水的快速凝胶固化;同时凝胶表面覆上纳米银颗粒能增强激光对样品表面的烧蚀强度,增强了LIBS光谱强度;LIBS激发的Cu(I) 324.75 nm、Ni(I) 218.64 nm 和Zn(II) 206.12 nm光谱强度与无纳米银颗粒相比得到了显著提高。在优化的固化条件和LIBS系统参数下,紫外光照凝胶固化纳米颗粒增强LIBS对强酸性废水中Cu²⁺、Ni²⁺和Zn²⁺ 重金属的检出限分别为1.489、1.512和 4.886 mg∙L⁻¹。对实际强酸性废水中Cu²⁺、Ni ²⁺和Zn²⁺ 的加标回收测定结果表明,该方法对强酸性废水中重金属分析具有良好的准确性和稳定性。紫外光照凝胶固化-纳米颗粒增强LIBS方法可实现强酸性废水中重金属的快速和精准检测,为强酸性废水中重金属的检测提供新的技术支持。