Application of chemometrics in understanding the spatial distribution of human pharmaceuticals in surface water

The growing interest in the environmental occurrence of veterinary and human pharmaceuticals is essentially due to their possible health implications to humans and ecosystem. This study assesses the occurrence of human pharmaceuticals in a Malaysian tropical aquatic environment taking a chemometric approach using cluster analysis, discriminant analysis and principal component analysis. Water samples were collected from seven sampling stations along the heavily populated Langat River basin on the west coast of peninsular Malaysia and its main tributaries. Water samples were extracted using solid-phase extraction and analyzed using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for 18 pharmaceuticals and one metabolite, which cover a range of six therapeutic classes widely consumed in Malaysia. Cluster analysis was applied to group both pharmaceutical pollutants and sampling stations. Cluster analysis successfully clustered sampling stations and pollutants into three major clusters. Discriminant analysis was applied to identify those pollutants which had a significant impact in the definition of clusters. Finally, principal component analysis using a three-component model determined the constitution and data variance explained by each of the three main principal components.     

A Computational Fluid Dynamic Model for Prediction of Organic Dyes Adsorption from Aqueous Solutions

Modelling of the removal of synthetic dyes from aqueous solutions by adsorbents is important to develop an appropriate treatment plan using adsorption process. This paper presents a computational fluid dynamic model incorporating the Langmuir isotherm scheme and second-order kinetic expression to describe the adsorption process. The governing equation of the model was numerically solved using PHOENICS software to simulate synthetic dyes adsorption from the aqueous system. The experimental results presented in this study and taken from the literature for the removal of synthetic dyes were compared with those results predicted by the numerical model. The predicted outputs of the model match the experimental measurements satisfactory. A sensitivity analysis of the major parameters that influence the percent of dye removal from solution phase has been carried out. Three of the main parameters taken into account were the kinetic rate constant, amount of dye adsorbed at equilibrium and the Langmuir isotherm constant. It was found that the model is most sensitive to the amount of dye adsorbed at equilibrium. This effect is most obvious at the early stages of the adsorption process when the rate of dye removal is very fast. Quantification of the reaction mechanism allows developing an appropriate remediation strategy based on the adsorption process.     

Assessment of organic pollution of an industrial river by synchronous fluorescence and UV–vis spectroscopy: the Fensch River (NE France)

To rapidly monitor the surface water quality in terms of organic pollution of an industrial river undergoing restoration, optical methods (UV–visible spectrometry and fluorescence) were applied in parallel to classical physical–chemical analyses. UV–visible spectra were analyzed using the maximum of the second derivative at 225 nm (related to nitrates), specific absorbance at 254 nm (SUVA₂₅₄), and the spectral slope between 275 and 295 nm (S _275–295) (related to the aromaticity and molecular weight of dissolved organic carbon). The synchronous fluorescence spectra (wavelength difference = 50 nm) exhibited a high variability in the composition of dissolved organic material between the upstream and downstream sections and also versus time. The principal components analysis of the entire set of synchronous fluorescence spectra helped to define three river sections with different pollution characteristics. Spectral decomposition was applied to the two most upstream sections: five fluorophores, classical in rivers impacted by domestic sewage and related to protein-like (λ _ex = 280 nm) and humic-like fluorescence (M-type with λ _ex ≈ 305–310 nm and C-type with λ _ex ≥ 335 nm), were identified. The irregular shape of the synchronous fluorescence spectra in the most downstream section is likely due to organic pollutants of industrial origin; however, their variability and the complexity of the spectra did not allow the further elucidation of their nature.     

Assessment of internal and external grease interceptor performance for removal of food-based fats, oil, and grease from food service establishments

A research study was performed to determine the fats, oil, and grease (FOG) removal efficiency of internal flow-based grease interceptors (FGI). A passive-flow and a mechanical-flow FGI unit were tested and their performance was compared to an external retention-based grease interceptor (RGI). Experiments involved multiple parameters including three oil/water emulsion strengths, two influent liquid temperatures, and two flow rates. Overall, the RGI achieved approximately 80% FOG removal and the FGIs removed less than 50% under the tested conditions. One exception occurred during the passive FGI testing during which removal reached approximately 80%. This increased efficiency was likely due to the relatively weak emulsion exhibiting significantly large FOG globules. The FOG removal efficiency decreased with increased temperature because of increased breakage of FOG globules at the elevated temperature. These results suggest that emulsion strength significantly affects FOG removal efficiency of FGIs and should be considered in future manufacturer testing protocol.     

Expert System for Terrestrial Vegetation Distribution, Potential Impact and Mitigation Abatement Measures

The tropical rainforest of Malaysia holds one of the richest flora in the world. The favourable climate has produced flora of amazing richness and variety. Terrestrial vegetation of tropical rainforests is an important feature of the environment. Plants play a major role in the environment and conservation of a particular environment depends fundamentally on the maintenance of existing plants and their communities and hierarchies. Interference in the balance of the ecosystem may produce radical changes that lead to progressive deviations from the original situation. Therefore, the application of a computer technology in the form of an expert system (ES) will be able to help in the analysis and management of the EIA information. The ES is named VEGEVIC. Application of the system will lead to greater consistency in the application of EIA through implementation of a standard approach.     

Combustion in porous media and its applications – A comprehensive survey

The rapid advances in technology and improved living standard of the society necessitate abundant use of fossil fuels which poses two major challenges to any nation. One is fast depletion of fossil fuel resources; the other is environmental pollution. The porous medium combustion (PMC) has proved to be one of the technically and economically feasible options to tackle the aforesaid problems to a remarkable extent. PMC has interesting advantages compared with free flame combustion due to the higher burning rates, the increased power dynamic range, the extension of the lean flammability limits, and the low emissions of pollutants. This article provides a comprehensive picture of the global scenario of research and developments in PMC and its applications that enable a researcher to decide the direction of further investigation. The works published so far in this area are reviewed, classified according to their objectives and presented in an organized manner with general conclusions. A separate section is devoted for the numerical modeling of PMC.     

Field characterization of external grease abatement devices

This study characterized some of the physical and chemical features of large outside field grease abatement devices (GADs). 24-hour measurements of several food service establishments' (FSEs') influent GAD flowrates indicated highly intermittent conditions with hydraulic retention times (HRTs) that exceeded the common recommendation (30 minutes) by two to five times. Investigation into the chemical characteristics of GADs indicated highly variable influent and effluent fat, oil, and grease (FOG) concentrations. Low pH and dissolved oxygen values were measured throughout the GAD, indicating the likely occurrence of anaerobic microbial processes. Detailed spatial and temporal observations of the accumulation of FOG and food solids were also discussed. Though the FOG layer remained relatively constant for all GAD configurations investigated, results indicated that commonly-used GAD configurations with a straight submerged inlet tee or no-inlet tee configuration may result in the transport of food solids into the second compartment. The present research showed increased accumulation of food solids in the first compartment with a retro-fit flow distributive inlet. This retro-fit displays promise for potentially improving the separation characteristics of existing GADs.     

Enhancing Performance of Sphingobacterium spiritivorum in Bioremediation Phenanthrene Contaminated Sand

Many biodegradation studies have focused on survival of isolated bacteria to increase the bacteria population and subsequently enhance the efficiency of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) biodegradation. However, there is limited research on enhancing the performance of isolated bacteria through reinoculation. Thus, this study was designed to evaluate the effects of reinoculation on the performance of Sphingobacterium spiritivorum in degradation of phenanthrene contaminated sand. Experiments were performed in three different reactors. Inoculation was performed once (day 0) in reactor 1. In reactor 2, inoculation was performed twice (day 0 and day 5). The bacteria was isolated from reactor 2 and inoculated into reactor 3. The study results show reactor 3 having the highest degradation rate (13.61 mg/kg/day) and percentage removal (95.36 percent). In contrast, without reinoculation in reactor 1, 68.93 percent of phenanthrene was removed. Thus, the performance of S. spiritivorum in phenanthrene degradation can be enhanced through reinoculation. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Using phytoremediation technologies to upgrade waste water treatment in Europe

Goal, Scope and Background One of the burning problems of our industrial society is the high consumption of water and the high demand for clean drinking water. Numerous approaches have been taken to reduce water consumption, but in the long run it seems only possible to recycle waste water into high quality water. It seems timely to discuss alternative water remediation technologies that are fit for industrial as well as less developed countries to ensure a high quality of drinking water throughout Europe. Main Features The present paper discusses a range of phytoremediation technologies to be applied in a modular approach to integrate and improve the performance of existing wastewater treatment, especially towards the emerging micro pollutants, i.e. organic chemicals and pharmaceuticals. This topic is of global relevance for the EU. Results Existing technologies for waste water treatment do not sufficiently address increasing pollution situation, especially with the growing use of organic pollutants in the private household and health sector. Although some crude chemical approaches exist, such as advanced oxidation steps, most waste water treatment plants will not be able to adopt them. The same is true for membrane technologies. Discussion Incredible progress has been made during recent years, thus providing us with membranes of longevity and stability and, at the same time, high filtration capacity. However, these systems are expensive and delicate in operation, so that the majority of communities will not be able to afford them. Combinations of different phytoremediation technologies seem to be most promising to solve this burning problem. Conclusions To quantify the occurrence and the distribution of micropollutants, to evaluate their effects, and to prevent them from passing through wastewater collection and treatment systems into rivers, lakes and ground water bodies represents an urgent task for applied environmental sciences in the coming years. Recommendations Public acceptance of green technologies is generally higher than that of industrial processes. The EU should stimulate research to upgrade existing waste water treatment by implementing phytoremediation modules and demonstrating their reliability to the public.