Aerobic treatment of palm oil mill effluent

In this study treatment of palm oil mill effluent (POME) was investigated using aerobic oxidation based on an activated sludge process. The effects of sludge volume index, scum index and mixed liquor suspended solids during the acclimatizing phase and biomass build-up phase were investigated in order to ascertain the reactor stability. The efficiency of the activated sludge process was evaluated by treating anaerobically digested and diluted raw POME obtained from Golden Hope Plantations, Malaysia. The treatment of POME was carried out at a fixed biomass concentration of 3900+/-200mg/L, whereas the corresponding sludge volume index was found to be around 105+/-5mL/g. The initial studies on the efficiency of the activated sludge reactor were carried out using diluted raw POME for varying the hydraulic retention time, viz: 18, 24, 30 and 36h and influent COD concentration, viz: 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000 and 5000mg/L, respectively. The results showed that at the end of 36h of hydraulic retention time for the above said influent COD, the COD removal efficiencies were found to be 83%, 72%, 64%, 54% and 42% whereas at 24h hydraulic retention time they were 57%, 45%, 38%, 30% and 27%, respectively. The effectiveness of aerobic oxidation was also compared between anaerobically digested and diluted raw POME having corresponding CODs of 3908 and 3925mg/L, for varying hydraulic retention time, viz: 18, 24, 30, 36, 42, 48, 54 and 60h. The dissolved oxygen concentration and pH in the activated sludge reactor were found to be 1.8-2.2mg/L and 7-8.5, respectively. The scum index was found to rise from 0.5% to 1.9% during the acclimatizing phase and biomass build-up phase.     

Some properties of a sequencing batch reactor for treatment of wastewater containing thiocyanate compounds

Thiocyanate (SCN) compounds in photo-processing wastewater (PPWW) could be treated by an SBR system without any release of thiocyanate to the atmosphere during the aeration step. An SCN loading greater than 84 g m(-3)d(-1) showed negative effects on the growth of bio-sludge and removal efficiencies of the system. The acclimatization period of the system was increased with an increase in SCN concentration or loading. The COD, BOD(5), TKN, and SCN removal efficiencies were 96.0 +/- 1.6%, 72 +/- 2%, 49 +/- 5%, and 82 +/- 3%, respectively, under an SCN loading of up to 84 g m(-3)d(-1). The removal efficiency of the system was repressed by SCN due to the repressed growth rate of nitrification bacteria. However, the removal efficiency could be increased with an increase in HRT or a decrease in SCN loading. Also, increases in HRT or decreases in SCN loading led to increased sludge age or solid retention time (SRT) and decreased the sludge volume index (SVI) value. The SRT and SVI of the system with synthetic wastewater containing 840 mg l(-1) SCN under an HRT of 3 days (SCN loading of 280 g m(-3)d(-1)) were 3.9 +/- 0.7 days and 65 +/- 4 ml g(-1), respectively, while they were 11.2+/-0.8 days and 55 +/- 6 ml g(-1), respectively under an HRT of 10 days (SCN loading of 84 g m(-3)d(-1)).     

Environmental Policy Beliefs of Stakeholders in Protected Area Management

Although the importance of understanding stakeholder beliefs regarding environmental policy has been noted by many authors, research focusing on the heterogeneity of stakeholder views is still very scarce and concentrated on a product-oriented definition of stakeholders. The aim of the present study is to address this gap by examining environmental policy beliefs of stakeholder groups engaged in protected area management. Questionnaires containing 73 five-point Likert scale items were administered to eight different stakeholder groups involved in the management of Greek protected areas. Items referred to core beliefs on environmental policy, namely, the value framework and sustainable development, and secondary beliefs, that is, beliefs on social consensus and ecotourism development. Our study used as a starting point respondent recruitment on the basis of a traditional product-centered approach. We investigated whether environmental policy beliefs can be used to effectively segregate stakeholders in well-defined segments, which override the product-oriented definition of stakeholders. Indeed, K-means clustering revealed an innovation-introduction and an implementation-charged sample segment. The instrument utilized in this research proved quite reliable and valid in measuring stakeholder environmental policy beliefs. Furthermore, the methodology implied that stakeholder groups differ in a significant number of belief-system elements. On the other hand, stakeholder groups were effectively distinguished on a small set of both core and secondary beliefs. Therefore, the instrument used can be an effective tool for determining and monitoring environmental policy beliefs of stakeholders in protected area management. This is of considerable importance in the Greek case, given the recent establishment of 27 administrative bodies of protected areas, all of which are required to incorporate public consultation into management practices.     

Initial Screening of Contaminated Land: A Comparison of US and Swedish Methods

Preliminary surveys are used to prioritize between contaminated sites to select those to be investigated more thoroughly. The data-gathering steps are almost identical between countries; however, the assessment procedures differ significantly. In this study, we have investigated 21 contaminated sites assessed as belonging to the high-risk or the very high-risk class using the Swedish Methods for Inventories of Contaminated Sites (MICS). We then applied the US Preliminary Assessment (PA) method to the same sites and compared the results and conclusions from the two screening procedures. In both cases, all sites were recommended for further investigation and the two approaches seem to corroborate one another; however, the PA assessment scores and the preliminary MICS classifications did not correlate. The results obtained with the PA method were easier to explain than the final MICS classification. The PA method also seems more transparent and easier to standardize, although objections could be made regarding the weighting scheme, because the outcome in this study was entirely dependent on the surface exposure pathway. However, to examine this in greater detail, it is necessary to include sites with less contamination: The importance of preliminary surveys in the overall risk management process gives a strong motivation for such an evaluation. Generally, the lack of research and scientific support for the various assessment procedures in use suggests that there is a need for method development, standardization, and validation.     

Characterisation of projectiles composed of depleted uranium

Projectiles suspected to be composed of depleted uranium (DU) were found in Kosovo. Their properties were analysed using alpha and gamma ray spectrometry, mass spectrometry and electron microscopy. They were found to be composed of DU with small amounts of other elements such as Ti. 236U was detected in the penetrators, reflecting the use of reprocessed fuel. No transuranium elements were detected. The typical external dose rate meter is not the best option for mapping the location of penetrators from the ground. Monte Carlo calculations were performed in estimating possible skin doses. Penetrators in long-lasting contact with skin may cause a notable equivalent dose to skin.     

用液体离子交换剂—分光光度法测定和分离环境样品中的微量钛

笔者基于直接测量已吸收了源于样品的显色络合物的液体离子交换剂相所产生的光吸收,研制出一种测定微量钛的灵敏而又具有选择性的方法。在硫氰酸盐存在下,用液体离子交换剂Aliquat336萃取钛(Ⅳ)-苯氧肟酸(BHA)络合物的灵敏度比用己醇或异戊醇萃取钛(Ⅳ)-BHA络合物的灵敏度高10倍。本法可用于富集、测定和分离金属含量极低的工业废液和环境样品中的钛(Ⅳ)。     

废物在水利工程上的利用

1.前言工业废物堆存时往往会带来许多环境问题。荷兰已积累了一些在水利建设中(如筑堤坝、基础保护、过滤建筑与隔离材料等)利用废物的经验,但在建筑结构与环境影响方面还没有作什么科学研究。由于人们已逐步了解工业废物对环境的影响,所以近年来开始了这方面的科研工作。研究的内容不仅限于工业废物的性能,而且对工业废物以外的其它废物的利用也在进行研究,特别是对在水利建设中利用工业废物筑堤坝等对环境及水生生物的影响加强了研究。本文将对荷兰在水利建设中利用工业废物的经验与环境影响作一介绍。     

Changes in reproductive life-history strategies in response to nest density in a shell-brooding cichlid, Telmatochromis vittatus

To determine whether the appearance of a reproductively parasitic tactic varies, and how this variation affects territorial males of the Lake Tanganyika cichlid fish Telmatochromis vittatus, we examined the reproductive ecology of territorial males in Mtondwe and compared it with that of a neighboring Wonzye population, where nest density differs from that at Mtondwe. In Wonzye, with high nest density, male tactics change with their body size from a territorial to a non-territorial parasitic tactic called piracy in which they conquer several nests defended by territorial males and take over the nests while females are spawning. These “pirate” males could decrease the costs incurred by travelling among nests by exclusively targeting aggregations of nests in close proximity while avoiding separate nests. Territorial males in Wonzye sacrifice the potential higher attractiveness offered by large nests and instead compete for nests farther from neighbors on which pirates less frequently intrude. In contrast, the Mtondwe population had lower nest density and piracy was absent. Given that the success of piracy depends on the close proximity of nests, nest density is likely responsible for the observed variation in the occurrence of piracy between the two populations. Furthermore, in Mtondwe, territorial males competed for larger nests and were smaller than the territorial males in Wonzye. Thus, this lower nest density may free territorial males from the selection pressures for increased size caused by both defense against nest piracy and the need to develop into pirates as they grow.     

Heavy metal phytoextraction by Sedum alfredii is affected by continual clipping and phosphorus fertilization amendment

Improving the efficacy of phytoextraction is critical for its successful application in metal contaminated soils. Mineral nutrition affects plant growth and metal absorption and subsequently the accumulation of heavy metal through hyper-accumulator plants. This study assessed the effects of di-hydrogen phosphates (KH₂PO₄, Ca(H₂PO₄)₂, NaH₂PO₄ and NH₄H₂PO₄) application at three levels (22, 88 and 352 mg P/kg soil) on Sedum alfredii growth and metal uptake by three consecutive harvests on aged and Zn/Cd combined contaminated paddy soil. The addition of phosphates (P) significantly increased the amount of Zn taken up by S. alfredii due to increased shoot Zn concentration and dry matter yield (DMY) (P<0.05). The highest phytoextraction of Zn and Cd was observed in KH₂PO₄ and NH₄H₂PO₄ treatment at 352 mg P/kg soil. The amount of Zn removed by phytoextraction increased in the order of 1st clipping<2nd clipping<3rd clipping, and for Cd extraction the order was 2nd clipping<1st clipping<3rd clipping. These results indicate that the application of P fertilizers coupled with multiple cuttings can enhance the removal of Zn and Cd from contaminated soils by S. alfredii, thus shortening the time needed for accomplishing remediation goals.     

锡的地球化学测量数据的解释—水系沉积物中水力学因素的评价及校正

<正> 对水系沉积物中的重矿物部分进行测量,是区域地球化学普查中的常用手段。在水系发育的山区,陡峭的山崖,茂密的灌木给地质工作者进行野外物化探工作带来一定的困难。因此,把这一手段有效地用于这类地区的找矿勘探,是地质工作者的当务之急。然而,山区的水流受季节的影响较大,间歇性流水以及局部