Removal of Hydrocarbons from Wastewater Using Treated Bark

ABSTRACT

This paper explores the possibility of removing hydrocarbons (HCs) and trace elements from synthetic and industrial effluents using treated bark as biosorbent. Coniferous bark was treated either chemically (Tc) or biologically (Tb) to eliminate soluble organic compounds of bark. The removal efficiency (RE) of the HCs from a synthetic oil-water mixture containing spent diesel motor oil exceeds 95% using 2 g/L of treated bark mixed with a synthetic oil-water mixture containing 2 g/L of spent oil. Under these conditions, the retention capacity (RC) was ~1 g HC/g dry substrate. The sorption reaction seems to be quasi-instantaneous, and the retention capacity of spent oil on treated bark increases as the temperature augments. This implies that the retention mechanism is related to the capillary action.

Results of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectros-copy indicate that spent oil is mainly composed of al-kanes. They also suggest that no chemical bonds between

Tc and spent oil were established. Measurement of the surface tension of spent oil and the wetting index of the bark suggests that only spent oil will be retained by the substrate. Treatment of an industrial effluent containing 14.4 g/L of total HCs was performed using Tc. It was possible to remove 97% of HCs and retain some trace elements such as Al, Ca, Fe, Mg, S, and so on.     

Metabolic responses of Eisenia fetida after sub-lethal exposure to organic contaminants with different toxic modes of action

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) - based metabolomics has the potential to identify toxic responses of contaminants within a mixture in contaminated soil. This study evaluated the metabolic response of Eisenia fetida after exposure to an array of organic compounds to determine whether contaminant-specific responses could be identified. The compounds investigated in contact tests included: two pesticides (carbaryl and chlorpyrifos), three pharmaceuticals (carbamazephine, estrone and caffeine), two persistent organohalogens (Aroclor 1254 and PBDE 209) and two industrial compounds (nonylphenol and dimethyl phthalate). Control and contaminant-exposed metabolic profiles were distinguished using principal component analysis and potential contaminant-specific biomarkers of exposure were found for several contaminants. These results suggest that NMR-based metabolomics offers considerable promise for differentiating between the different toxic modes of action (MOA) associated with sub-lethal toxicity to earthworms.     

Organic matter compounds as source indicators and tracers for marine pollution in a western Mediterranean coastal zone

Introduction  

Complex organic compounds found in oil and sediments linked with a particular source (such as algae, bacteria or vascular plants) are defined as biomarkers and are useful dating indicators in organic geochemistry.     

Composition changes in the cuticular surface lipids of the helophytes <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phragmites australis</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Juncus effusus</Emphasis> as result of pollutant exposure

Aim of the study  

Helophytes like rush and reed are increasingly used for phytoremediation of contaminated water. This study characterises the response of rush and reed plants to chemical stressors such as chlorobenzene, benzene and methyl-tert-butyl ether. The extractable wax layer of the cuticle was chosen for detailed investigations due to its multiple, particularly, protective functions for plants and its easy availability for analysis.     

The implementation of PAYT system under the condition of financial balance in France

Since 2005, France has been facing a reform of the financial regulation of the management of municipal solid waste, by tax or flat fees. Nevertheless, the application of unit pricing is limited to about 15 local authorities, but interest is expanding. The French examples confirm the efficiency of this PAYT system. The prevention and the sorting of packaging waste are increasing and the quantity of residual waste falling. But, we have highlighted the difficulty for the local authorities to balance their budgets during the years of PAYT system implementation. After a short review of the situation in France of the financing of waste services, and in particular of PAYT system, the paper presents, firstly the financial model and then, the results of its application in two communities. The cost model takes into account the expenditure of management on various waste flows and the revenues for the sale of by-products. A financial balance is ensured by the payments from households. Consequently, the unit pricing and the effect of the behaviour of the inhabitants are introduced into the simulation model. The application on two local authorities showed that the increase of sorting waste did not restore the balance. From the analysis, three reasons explain this situation: Thus, the development of the tariff must be carried out according to an economic approach. In the end, after the presentation of the financial modelling and its application, we make recommendations to aid the implementation of the PAYT system and the development of the pricing structures by local authorities.     

Reactivity of the plant growth regulator paclobutrazol (cultar) with two tropical soils of the northeast semiarid region of Brazil

The reactivity of paclobutrazol (PBZ, a plant growth retardant) with a Yellow Ultisol and a Vertisol from the semiarid northeast region of Brazil was evaluated through batch sorption experiments and modeling. Although not instantaneous, the sorption kinetic of PBZ (pure and formulated) was fast (a few hours) in both soils. The sorption kinetics were well described by a second-order (dS(t)/dt=k(2)(S(e2)-S(t))(2)) but not by a first-order model. The sorption isotherms were found to be linear and the calculated K(D) values were 8.8 +/- 0.11 and 7.4 +/- 0.2 L kg(-1) for pure PBZ in the Ultisol and the Vertisol, respectively. The corresponding K(OC) values were 1275 +/- 34 (logK(OC) = 3.11) and 1156 +/- 49 (logK(OC) = 3.06) L kg(-1), respectively. Considering the very different texture of the two soils and the similar K(OC) values determined, these results showed that in both soils, the sorption of PBZ is dominantly controlled by organic matter, although some interactions of PBZ with iron oxides (goethite) were observed in the Ultisol. Based on these sorption parameters a low leachability potential of PBZ in soils is anticipated, as they correspond to a groundwater ubiquity score (GUS) ranging from 2.0 to 2.7, i.e., moderately to not mobile, in contradiction with the actual groundwater situation in Brazil. This work stresses the need to evaluate and predict the risk associated with aquifer contamination by this widely used plant growth regulator.     

Photocatalytic oxidation of organic pollutants on titania-clay composites

TiO2/Ca-montmorillonite composites were prepared by wet grinding in an agate mill. Positively charged TiO2 nanoparticles are bound to the surface of the negatively charged montmorillonite layers via heterocoagulation; the clay mineral is used as adsorbent and support for the photooxidation process. Aquatic solution of 0.5mM phenol was degraded by irradiation with UV-VIS light (lambda=250-440 and 540-590 nm) in suspensions of TiO2-clay composites and significant photodegradation was observed at 40-60% TiO2/Ca-montmorillonite compositions. Synergistic effect was detected at solid/liquid interface for degradation of phenol and at solid/gas interface in the recycling flow reactors for photooxidation of ethanol and toluene vapors.     

Bioavailable metals and cellular effects in the digestive gland of marine limpets living close to shallow water hydrothermal vents

The pressure exerted by shallow water hydrothermal vents on edible gastropods and their cellular responses triggered by these stresses are almost unknown. The aims of this study were to evaluate the bioavailability of metals in the Macaronesian endemic limpet Patella candei gomesii living close to shallow water hydrothermal vents, and the structural differences in their digestive gland as well as the levels of apoptosis in that organ. Limpets were sampled in four sites, two with the presence of hydrothermalism and the other two without it. Whole body concentrations of several metals (Ca, Cd, Cs, Co, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mg, Mn, Pb, Rb, Se, Sr, and Zn) were obtained, morphometry analysis of the digestive gland and TUNEL test for apoptosis were also performed. Results revealed that the presence of shallow water hydrothermal vents is a source of chronic metal stress to limpets, imposing modifications in the morphometry and cell composition of the digestive gland of those limpets that may constitute cell and tissue adaptations to the environment they live in. This study sets up new baseline data for further research on the influence of shallow water hydrothermal vents over communities living in these habitats.     

Humic substances formation during poultry litter composting and its influence on the structural characteristics of the compost

Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management - This study aimed to elucidate the formation process of humic substances (HS) during poultry litter (PL) composting and its influence on the...