Impact of soluble organic matter and particulate organic matter on anammox system: Performance,microbial community and N2O production

In this study,the effects of soluble readily biodegradable COD (sCOD) and particulate slowly biodegradable COD (pCOD) on anammox process were investigated.The results of the longterm experiment indicated that a low sCOD/N ratio of 0.5 could accelerate the anammox and denitrification activity,to reach as high as 84.9%±2.8% TN removal efficiency.Partial denitrification-anammox (PDN/anammox) and denitrification were proposed as the major pathways for nitrogen removal,accounting for 91.3% and 8.7% o...     

Distribution of volatile organohalogen compounds in petrochemical plant water streams

The study assesses halogenated volatile organic compound concentrations in the water and wastewater streams of a petrochemical plant. Water samples were collected at 11 sampling points during 5 sampling campaigns. The samples were collected from the oil dewaxing unit and in the wastewater treatment plant. Dichloromethane and 1,2-dichloroethane were the most frequently determined compounds. Tetrachloroethene was also detected at the wastewater treatment plant inlets. The concentrations of halogenated volatile organic compounds dropped significantly at wastewater discharge points compared to wastewater treatment plant inlets. The application of 1,2-dichloroethane/dichloromethane ratio as a tool to assess evaporation processes is discussed.     

A new derivatization method for a determination of MX and related hydroxyfuranones in water

An extremely potent mutagen, 3‐chloro‐4(dichloromethyl)‐5‐hydroxy‐2(5/f)‐furanone (MX) is commonly present in chlorinated drinking water. Due to its high mutagenic activity and according to WHO guidelines its concentration should be controlled in drinking waters. Determination of MX is difficult due to ppt levels at which the compound usually exists in drinking waters. Derivatization with 2‐propanol is presented as a method which significantly lowers GC/MS detection level of MX. Suitability of 2‐propylation for derivatization of other hydroxyfuranones is also shown.     

Constrained Laboratory vs. Unconstrained Steering-Induced Rollover Crash Tests

Objective: The goal of this study was to evaluate how well an in-laboratory rollover crash test methodology that constrains vehicle motion can reproduce the dynamics of unconstrained full-scale steering-induced rollover crash tests in sand.

Methods: Data from previously-published unconstrained steering-induced rollover crash tests using a full-size pickup and mid-sized sedan were analyzed to determine vehicle-to-ground impact conditions and kinematic response of the vehicles throughout the tests. Then, a pair of replicate vehicles were prepared to match the inertial properties of the steering-induced test vehicles and configured to record dynamic roof structure deformations and kinematic response.

Results: Both vehicles experienced greater increases in roll-axis angular velocities in the unconstrained tests than in the constrained tests; however, the increases that occurred during the trailing side roof interaction were nearly identical between tests for both vehicles. Both vehicles experienced linear accelerations in the constrained tests that were similar to those in the unconstrained tests, but the pickup, in particular, had accelerations that were matched in magnitude, timing, and duration very closely between the two test types. Deformations in the truck test were higher in the constrained than the unconstrained, and deformations in the sedan were greater in the unconstrained than the constrained as a result of constraints of the test fixture, and differences in impact velocity for the trailing side.

Conclusions: The results of the current study suggest that in-laboratory rollover tests can be used to simulate the injury-causing portions of unconstrained rollover crashes. To date, such a demonstration has not yet been published in the open literature. This study did, however, show that road surface can affect vehicle response in a way that may not be able to be mimicked in the laboratory. Lastly, this study showed that configuring the in-laboratory tests to match the leading-side touchdown conditions could result in differences in the trailing side impact conditions.     

Monitoring of odors emitted from stabilized dewatered sludge subjected to aging using proton transfer reaction–mass spectrometry

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - One of the potential emission sources of odorous compounds from wastewater treatment plants is sludge processing. The odorous compounds released from...     

Technologies for deodorization of malodorous gases

There is an increasing number of citizens’ complaints about odor nuisance due to production or service activity. High social awareness imposes pressure on entrepreneurs and service providers forcing them to undertake effective steps aimed at minimization of the effects of their activity, also with respect to emission of malodorous substances. The article presents information about various technologies used for gas deodorization. Known solutions can be included into two groups: technologies offering prevention of emissions, and methodological solutions that enable removal of malodorous substances from the stream of emitted gases. It is obvious that the selection of deodorization technologies is conditioned by many factors, and it should be preceded by an in-depth analysis of possibilities and limitations offered by various solutions. The aim of the article is presentation of the available gas deodorization technologies as to facilitate the potential investors with selection of the method of malodorous gases emission limitation, suitable for particular conditions.

     

Toxicity assessment of sediments associated with the wreck of s/s Stuttgart in the Gulf of Gdańsk (Poland)

The paper presents the results of toxicity determinations carried out on sediment samples collected in the vicinity of the wreck of the German s/s Stuttgart (the southern part of the Gulf of Gdańsk, off the Polish coast) in relation to the determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The toxicity of surface and core sediment samples was assessed using two biotest organisms-the bioluminescent bacteria Vibrio fischeri and the ostracod Heterocypris incongruens. PAH levels in these samples were determined by GC-MS. The surface sediments collected at W2 (ca. 34 m north of the shipwreck) and W4 (ca. 415 m north-east of the wreck) as well as the core sediments collected at WR3 (ca. 400 m north-east of the wreck) were the most heavily polluted with substances toxic to the biotest organisms. The chronic and acute toxicities in the case of most of the surface sediment samples studied are correlated. This may suggest that not only hydrophobic chemicals (like PAHs from fuel residues) but also more polar chemicals (resulting from the conversion of aromatic hydrocarbons) are responsible for the toxicity levels found. There is a clear dependence between the levels of chronic toxicity and PAH concentrations in the core sediment samples. In addition, a simultaneous decrease in the PAH content and chronic toxicity was noted in all the core sediment samples at depths below 80 cm.     

Condition dependence of sexual attractiveness in the bank vole

The capture of genetic variation by sexual traits due to their condition dependence is hypothesized to underlie the genetic benefits of mate choice. Here, we investigate condition dependence of sexual attractiveness of bank vole Myodes glareolus males by manipulating their diet during the period of maturation. We find that reducing diet quality negatively affected both male mating success and development of preputial glands used in sexual signaling. Preputial glands showed stronger condition dependence than other organs measured (testes, heart, intestines). In contrast to mating success, male dominance was not significantly affected by diet manipulation and was not correlated with male mating success. Thus, our results support condition dependence of sexual attractiveness but not of intrasexual competitiveness.     

Oxidation of volatile organic compounds on SBA-15 mesoporous molecular sieves modified with manganese

Catalytic combustion of volatile organic compounds, such as propene, has been studied on manganese modified mesoporous molecular sieves. Powder X-ray diffraction, (29)Si nuclear magnetic resonance, nitrogen sorption and transmission electron microscopy show that the SBA-15 mesoporous silica molecular sieve can be modified with manganese using Mn(2)(CO)(10) or Mn(O(2)CMe)(2) without significant distortion of the host structure. The two products were catalytically active in propene oxidation, with SBA-15 modified with Mn(2)(CO)(10) showing significantly higher activity, possibly due to higher Mn content, than SBA-15 modified with Mn(O(2)CMe)(2).