Virus Type-Specific Removal in a Full-Scale Membrane Bioreactor Treatment Process

We investigated removal of noroviruses, sapoviruses, and rotaviruses in a full-scale membrane bioreactor (MBR) plant by monitoring virus concentrations in wastewater samples during two gastroenteritis seasons and evaluating the adsorption of viruses to mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS). Sapoviruses and rotaviruses were detected in 25% of MBR effluent samples with log reduction values of 3- and 2-logs in geometric mean concentrations, respectively, while noroviruses were detected in only 6% of the samples. We found that norovirus and sapovirus concentrations in the solid phase of mixed liquor samples were significantly higher than in the liquid phase (P < 0.01, t test), while the concentration of rotaviruses was similar in both phases. The efficiency of adsorption of the rotavirus G1P[8] strain to MLSS was significantly less than norovirus GI.1 and GII.4 and sapovirus GI.2 strains (P < 0.01, t test). Differences in the adsorption of viruses to MLSS may cause virus type-specific removal during the MBR treatment process as shown by this study.     

Leaching of heavy metals in acid mine drainage.

Acid mine drainage is one of the most serious environmental problems that the coal and metal mining industry is currently facing. The generation of low pH drainage enhances the dissolution of heavy metals in water. The samples used in this research originated from three pits at mine dumps. In a study reported in this paper, three types of tests; namely static test, kinetic test and column test were conducted to estimate acid generation and acid neutralization reaction rates, and to predict the solubility of metals and their release rates. Static test showed that all samples had a pH of net acid generation (NAG pH) <4, a net acid producing potential (NAPP) >10 kg H2SO4tonne(-1), and a S-content >3%, which can be classified as a high acid-forming capacity. Simulated runoff in the column tests was equivalent to 5-year average rainfall in Indonesia, the resultant leachates showed acidic behaviour (pH < 3.5). Based on the results, it was found that high mobilization of heavy metals (Cr, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb) takes place under strong acidic conditions (pH approximately equal 2).     

Pore structure and adsorption properties of carbonized material prepared from waste paper

We have already reported the adsorptivity and pore structure of activated carbon made from waste newspaper in order to use the waste paper for purposes other than paper-making stock. However, manufacturing the activated carbon may not necessarily be an advantageous method based on environmental concerns and the effective use of the resource because the reaction during the activating process is endothermic and the amount of carbon consumed is significant. Here, we examine the pore structure and adsorption properties of waste newspaper used as an adsorbent in the form of a carbonized material. Waste newspaper was carbonized for 2 h in the temperature range 400°–1000°C. The specific surface area of the carbonized material obtained, 418 m²/g, was highest for the sample carbonized at 800°C, which was equal to or greater than that of commercially available charcoal. Moreover, the iodine adsorption number of 581 mg/g was the highest and the rate of adsorption was the fastest for the sample carbonized at 800°C. However, the humidity control capability was highest for the material carbonized at 600°–700°C. It has been determined that it is advantageous to carbonize waste paper at 800°C in order to use the carbonized material as an adsorbent, while carbonization at 600°–700°C is more advantageous for use as a humidity control material. Received: June 23, 2000 / Accepted: January 17, 2001     

Porous structure of activated carbon prepared from waste newspaper

In an earlier report, we presented a method for preparing activated carbon from waste newspaper as a way to recycle used paper for a purpose other than producing raw material for paper-making. In this article, we consider the porous structure of the activated carbon that affects its adsorption properties for various substances. The specific surface area of activated carbon prepared from waste newspaper was 838 m²/g, the micropore volume was 0.368 ml/g, and the mesopore volume was 0.138 ml/g, which is about the same as commercially available activated carbon. The activated carbon prepared from waste newspaper usually has a high content of ash, which makes little contribution to the adsorption properties. In particular, as compared with reagent-activated carbon, the quantities of mesopores with a pore radius of 3–25 nm and macropores with a pore radius of 25–250 nm were 8 and 14 times larger, respectively. Activated carbon prepared from waste newspaper has a well-developed porous structure, particularly in the mesopore and macropore ranges. Received: July 12, 1999 / Accepted: March 8, 2000     

Metal mobilization from municipal solid waste incineration bottom ash through metal complexation with organic and inorganic ligands

As a first step in the development of ligand-assisted removal of heavy metals from municipal solid waste incineration bottom ash under alkaline conditions, ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulfate, ammonium acetate, ammonium oxalate, ammonium citrate, urea, and mixtures of ammonium salts and urea were examined to find which ligands could promote the leachability of elements, including heavy metals, and which elements could be mobilized through complexation. Ammonium citrate promoted the mobilization of Cr, Cu, Mn, P, Sb, and especially Fe. Ammonium nitrate accelerated Mg leachability significantly. Under the conditions used in this study, counter anions seemed to contribute mainly to the complexation. When a mixture of ammonium citrate and urea was utilized, a coexistence effect appeared on Fe mobilization. Although the correlation analysis of leaching test results showed a strong correlation among Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, and P, X-ray diffraction analysis partially supported the correlation between Fe and Mn only.     

Impacts of natural weathering on the transformation/neoformation processes in landfilled MSWI bottom ash: a geoenvironmental perspective

Natural weathering processes are significant mechanisms that noticeably affect the fundamental nature of incineration ash residues. To provide a greater understanding of these processes, a MSWI (mono)landfill site in the north east of the US was selected as the target for systematic investigation of the natural weathering of bottom ash residues. Samples of various ages were collected from locations A (1 yr), B (10 yrs), C (13-14 yrs) and D (20 yrs) of the landfill in 2009. We investigated the phase transformation of the collected bottom ash particles, neoformation processes as well as the behavior and distribution of certain heavy metals (Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni, and Cr) in the neoformed phases using optical microscopy, SEM-EDX, and bulk examinations. Key findings: at the preliminary stage, the waste metallic particles (Al, Fe, and Cu) and unstable minerals such as lime, portlandite, ettringite and hydrocalumite convert to oxide and hydroxide (hydrate) phases, calcite, alumina gel and gypsum. At the intermediate stage, the decomposition of melt products including magnetite spinels and metallic inclusions is triggered due to the partial dissolution of the melt glass. At the longer time horizon it is possible to track the breakdown of the glass phase, the extensive formation of calcite and anhydrite, Al-hydrates and more stable Fe-hydrates all through the older ash deposits. Among the dominant secondary phases, we propose the following order based on their direct metal uptake capacity: Fe-hydrates>Al-hydrates>calcite. Calcite was found to be the least effective phase for the direct sorption of heavy metals. Based on overall findings, a model is proposed that demonstrates the general trend of ash weathering in the landfill.     

Petrogenetic characteristics of molten slag from the pyrolysis/melting treatment of MSW

MSW slag materials derived from four pyrolysis melting plants in Japan were studied from the viewpoint of petrology in order to discriminate the glass and mineral phases and to propose a petrogenetic model for the formation process of molten slag. Slag material is composed of two major components: melt and refractory products. The melt products that formed during the melting process comprise silicate glass, and a suite of minerals as major constituents. The silicate glass is essentially composed of low and high silica glass members (typically 30% and 50% of SiO(2), respectively), from which minerals such as spinels, melilite, pseudowollastonite, and metallic inclusions have been precipitated. The refractory products consist mainly of pieces of metals, minerals and lithic fragments that survived through the melting process. Investigations demonstrated that the low silica melts (higher Ca and Al contents) were produced at upper levels of high temperature combustion chamber HTCC, at narrower temperature ranges (1250-1350 degrees C), while the high silica melts formed at broader temperature ranges (1250-1450 degrees C), at the lower levels of HTCC. The recent temperature ranges were estimated by using CaOAl(2)O(3)SiO(2) (CAS) ternary liquidus diagram that are reasonably consistent with those reported for a typical combustor. It was also understood that the samples with a higher CaO/SiO(2) ratio (>0.74-0.75) have undergone improved melting, incipient crystallization of minerals, and extensive homogenization. The combined mineralogical and geochemical examinations provided evidence to accept the concept of stepwise generation of different melt phases within the HTCC. The petrogenesis of the melt products may therefore be described as a two-phase melt system with immiscible characteristics that have been successively generated during the melting process of MSW.     

Analytical study on the suitability of using bentonite coated gravel as a landfill liner material

This study investigates the feasibility of using bentonite coated gravel (BCG) as a liner material for waste landfills. BCG has proven to be a very effective capping material/method for the remediation of contaminated sediments in aquatic environments. The concept of BCG is similar to that of peanuts/almonds covered with chocolate; each aggregate particle has been covered with the clayey material. Laboratory tests were aimed at evaluating regulated and non-regulated factors for liner materials, i.e., permeability and strength. Tests included X-ray diffraction, methylene blue absorption, compaction, free swelling, permeability, 1D consolidation, triaxial compression and cone penetration. The compactive efforts used for this study were the reduced Proctor, standard Proctor, intermediate Proctor, modified Proctor and super modified Proctor. The compactive energy corresponding to each effort, respectively, is as follows: 355.5, 592.3, 1196.3, 2693.3, and 5386.4 kJ/m(3). Results revealed that even though aggregate content represents 70% of the weight of the material, hydraulic conductivities as low as 6 x 10(-10)cm/s can be achieved when proper compactive efforts are used. Compressibility is very low for this material even at low (or no) compactive efforts. Results also demonstrated how higher compactive efforts can lower the permeability of BCG; however, over-compaction creates fractures in the aggregate core of BCG that could increase permeability. Moreover, higher compactive efforts create higher swelling pressures that could compromise the performance of a barrier constructed using BCG. As a result of this study, moderate compactive efforts, i.e., intermediate Proctor or modified Proctor, are recommended for constructing a BCG barrier. Using moderate compactive efforts, very low hydraulic conductivities, good workability and good trafficability are easily attainable.     

Organic acids and aldehydes in throughfall and dew in a Japanese pine forest

We analyzed low molecular weight organic acids and aldehydes in throughfall under pine forest, and organic acids in dew on chemically inert surfaces and pine needle surfaces at urban- and mountain-facing sites of pine forest in western Japan. Low molecular weight organic acids and aldehydes accounted for less than 5% of the dissolved organic carbon in throughfall at both sites. Formaldehyde at both sites and formate at the mountain-facing site were found at significantly lower concentrations in throughfall than in rainfall, which may be explained by the degradation and/or retention of these components by the pine canopy as the incident precipitation passed through it. The oxalate concentration in throughfall was significantly higher than those in rainfall at both sites, suggesting that oxalate was derived from leaching from the pine foliage. At both sites, organic acid concentrations were higher in dew on the pine needles than in throughfall or dew on chemically inert surfaces. This could be due to the long contact time of dew on pine needles, during which leached substances from pine needles and dry deposits accumulated on their surfaces can dissolve into the small volume of dew. The role of enhanced concentrations of oxalate in an aqueous phase on the plant surfaces (e.g., dew) is discussed in relation to hydroxyl radical formation via the photo-Fenton reaction.     

Dry scrubbing of municipal solid waste incineration flue gas using porous sodium carbonate produced via vacuum thermal treatment of sodium bicarbonate

Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management - Sodium bicarbonate is among the alkali chemicals used for dry scrubbing in incineration flue gas treatment. It is generally pulverized into fine...