Valorization of treated olive mill wastewater in fertigation practice

Olive mill wastewater (OMW) brings about a major environmental problem in Tunisia as well as in the other Mediterranean countries. Its strong organic load and its toxicity due to the presence of complex phenolic compounds have dire effects when applied to soil. To overcome this difficulty, the OMW pretreatment was investigated in the present work using the Fenton oxidation reaction with zero-valent iron. Then, this pretreated wastewater was valorized in fertigation practice. The effects of the addition of different concentrations of both treated and raw OMW on soil and cropping system were investigated. The treatment by Fenton oxidation with zero-valent iron could reduce 50 % of COD and decrease 53 % of phenolic compounds. OMW application had a temporary effect on the soil pH and EC. The results showed that the evolution of soil pH and EC was related to the organic matter of the soil which depends on the spread concentrations of raw or treated OMW. After 15-day incubation period, the soil pH and EC tended to stabilize and return to the control level. Moreover, this stabilization is faster in treated OMW than that in raw OMW especially for concentrations as high as 3 and 4 %. Plants cultivated with treated OMW showed an increase in their germination. The results pointed an improvement in the stem length of plants which is almost similar to that of the control for both pea and tomato, especially for high concentrations of 3 and 4 %.     

Sustainable multi-trip periodic redesign-routing model for municipal solid waste collection network: the case study of Tehran

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Daily transportation of wastes due to its environmental, financial, and social aspects has been considered a challenging issue in developing...     

The impact of workplace exclusion on the humanitarian response to the refugee crisis in Lebanon

A contemporary issue of major concern is the millions of people fleeing homelands owing to political and socioeconomic challenges and seeking assistance elsewhere throughout the world. An effective response to this crisis includes support models that meet the various needs of refugee populations. In the complex system of humanitarian action, aid workers, among a multiplicity of actors, are the most important assets. This study utilised an inclusion–exclusion theoretical lens to examine the impact of their workplace experiences on activities in the context of the refugee crisis in Lebanon. In-depth interviews were held with 36 humanitarian practitioners, representing five international organisations that are involved in refugee aid programmes in the country. The study led to a new understanding of the link between inclusion and exclusion and the effectiveness of the humanitarian response to emergencies. In addition, it yielded new insights into apprehension about the national–international divide and its consequences for humanitarian assistance.     

Fetal fibrochondrogenesis at 26 weeks' gestation

An Erratum has been published for this article in Prenatal Diagnosis 22(13) 2002, 1241. Fibrochondrogenesis is a rare and lethal osteochondrodysplasia with an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance. We report a male fetus in which the diagnosis of lethal osteochondrodysplasia was suspected on prenatal ultrasound and radiological examinations during the second trimester of pregnancy. After termination of pregnancy, fibrochondrogenesis was diagnosed by radiological examination and histological study of fetal bones. Interwoven fibrous septa and fibroblastic degeneration of chondrocytes are pathognomonic. The recurrence rate is 25% and accurate diagnosis is necessary to enable genetic counselling. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Polylactide (PLA)—Halloysite Nanocomposites: Production, Morphology and Key-Properties

To evaluate the potential of halloysite nanotubes (HNT) as nanofiller for polylactide (PLA), various nanocomposites have been successfully produced by melt-blending the polyester matrix with HNT (HNT(QM)). HNT were also surface treated by silanization reaction with 3-(Trimethoxysilyl) propyl methacrylate (TMSPM). The morphology, thermal, tensile and impact strength properties of the nanocomposites containing 3?C12?% HNT were evaluated and compared to those of pristine (unfilled) PLA. The nanocomposites were characterized by higher rigidity (with Young??s modulus increasing with HNT loading), higher tensile strength (about 70?MPa at 6?% HNT(QM)), whereas the elongation at break and impact strength did not decrease. As demonstrated under dynamic solicitation (DMA), melt-blending PLA with HNT led to enhancement of storage modulus (E??) and offers the possibility to use PLA in applications requiring higher temperatures of utilization. However, with few exceptions, TGA and DSC measurements did not reveal important changes of thermal parameters. The surface silanization treatment proved to improve the quality of the nanofiller dispersion even at higher loading. As a result, good thermal stability associated to high tensile strength, and noticeable increases in impact properties were recorded. Furthermore, enhanced nucleating ability and crystallization kinetics of the PLA matrix were revealed as specific characteristics.     

Atmospheric BTX and polyaromatic hydrocarbons in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Polycyclic aromatic and monoaromatic (benzene, toluene and xylene, or BTX) hydrocarbons were monitored in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, during the summer of 1998/1999. The levels of these aromatic chemicals decreased with distance from main roads, indicating mobile sources are the main pollutant emitters in this Latin American city. Benzo[ghi]perylene/indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene and benzene/toluene ratios corroborate this idea. However, higher benzene/toluene ratios at one of the major access routes into the city suggest pollutant inputs from a nearby refinery. Literature data were reviewed in order to outline differences and similarities among sources and levels of aromatic pollutants in large urban agglomerations worldwide. Concentrations of benzo[a]pyrene and benzene, which are well-known carcinogenic chemicals, were relatively low in Rio de Janeiro. This fact was attributed to specific atmospheric conditions during the tropical summer and differences in vehicle fuel composition.