Development and performance of an alternative biofilter system

Step tracer tests were carried out on lab-scale biofilters to determine the residence time distributions (RTDs) of gases passing through two types of biofilters: a standard biofilter with vertical gas flow and a modified biofilter with horizontal gas flow. Results were used to define the flow patterns in the reactors. "Non-ideal flow" indicates that the flow reactors did not behave like either type of ideal reactor: the perfectly stirred reactor [often called a "continuously stirred tank reactor" (CSTR)] or the plug-flow reactor. The horizontal biofilter with back-mixing was able to accommodate a shorter residence time without the usual requirement of greater biofilter surface area for increased biofiltration efficiency. Experimental results indicated that the first bed of the modified biofilter behaved like two CSTRs in series, while the second bed may be represented by two or three CSTRs in series. Because of the flow baffles used in the horizontal biofilter system, its performance was more similar to completely mixed systems, and hence, it could not be modeled as a plug-flow reactor. For the standard biofilter, the number of CSTRs was found to be between 2 and 9 depending on the airflow rate. In terms of NH3 removal efficiency and elimination capacity, the standard biofilter was not as good as the modified system; moreover, the second bed of the modified biofilter exhibited greater removal efficiency than the first bed. The elimination rate increased as biofilter load increased. An opposite trend was exhibited with respect to removal efficiency.     

Determination of mutagenic potential and organic contaminants of Great Lakes drinking water

Extracts of organic compounds were obtained, using XAD-2 macroreticular resin, from drinking water supplies in 12 Great Lakes municipalities. The extracts were tested for mutagenic potential using the Salmonella/mammalian-microsome assay and analysed for organochlorine pesticides, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, organophosphorous pesticides and trialkyl-arylphosphates. Grab samples of drinking water were also analysed for volatile organic compounds. Dose-related increases in mutagenicity were found in extracts from 11 of the drinking water supplies.     

Anaerobic digestion of polyelectrolyte flocculated waste activated sludge

This work examined how adding one of three polyelectrolyte flocculants (T3052: cationic, T2000: non-ionic, and T1052: anionic) affected the anaerobic digestion of wastewater sludge. Methane production, floc characteristics (morphology and zeta-potential) and process parameters (soluble chemical oxygen demands (SCODs) and reductive potentials) were monitored along the digestion tests. The digestion rates of T2000- and T1052-conditioned sludge resembled that for original sludge. The T3052-flocculated sludge generated methane at a higher rate during the first 6 days of digestion than did the original one. In the following stage, the digestion rate of sludge flocculated with T3052 at dosage exceeding 15 g/kg dried solids declined. For example, at 40 days of digestion the methane production amounts for original, 15 g/kg DS flocculated, and 40 g/kg flocculated sludge were of 136, 105, and 85 g/kg DS, respectively. The role of flocculants could change in different stages of digestion.The dosed polymers had no apparent toxicity to the inoculum used. The changes in SCOD, adenosintriphosphate concentrations, oxidative and reductive potential, and zeta-potentials did not correlate with the noted hindered digestion for T3052-conditioned sludge. Microphotographic observation revealed that the flocs of T3052-conditioned sludge were not only of a large size, but also were resistant to structural deterioration during digestion. Therefore, mass transfer resistance was proposed to account for the hindered digestion efficiency observed for T3052-conditioned sludge.     

Treatment of solutions with binary solutes using an admicellar enhanced CSTR: background solute effect

This study presents an admicellar enhanced continuous-flow stirred tank reactor (CSTR). Solutions containing single and binary aliphatic alcohols are introduced into this reactor for breakthrough experiments. Two phenomena occur during experiments with binary solutes: (a) a competitive effect caused by background solutes with relatively high hydrophobicity; (b) a co-solvent effect attributable to background solutes with relatively low hydrophobicity. The competition phenomenon and the corresponding mechanism involved are well demonstrated by directly monitoring the pre-adsolubilized solutes drawn out back to the solution while adsolubilizing other solutes with higher hydrophobicity. On the other hand, adsolubilization kinetics hindered by the background solute, which acts as a co-solvent, significantly alters the slopes of breakthrough curves of the target solute treated in the reactor.     

Metals in airborne particulate matter from the first and second industrial complex area of Taejon city, Korea

To understand the metal distribution characteristics in a rapidly urbanized area, we collected and analyzed particulate matter (PM) samples for the metal concentrations. Using our measurement data for various metal species, we examined both the extent of metal pollution in the study area and the seasonality in their distribution characteristics. Results showed that each metal exhibited their occurrences in diverse concentration ranges over several orders of magnitude such as the mean values ranging from minimum value of 0.07 (Be) to maximum value of 1633 ng m(-3) (Fe). In addition, the extent of metal pollution in the study area was in general comparable with those typically observed from a strongly polluted urban area, if comparison was made with the results of previous studies. Examinations of their temporal distribution patterns indicated that most of metals tend to exhibit seasonal peaks during winter (or spring) seasons, similarly to the observed pattern for PMs. Moreover to explain the factors regulating their mobilization properties, the data were analyzed through the application of correlation analysis. Results of our correlation analysis showed that most metals can exhibit strong positive correlations each other, while they tend to be inversely correlated with most of important meteorological parameters (including air temperature and precipitation). Based on the overall results of our study, we conclude that the site may be strongly impacted by man-made sources but that many characteristics of their cycling are not significantly different from those generally observed from natural environments.     

Effect of dissolved humic matters on the leachability of PCDD/F from fly ash--laboratory experiment using Aldrich humic acid

The effect of dissolved humic matters (DHM) on the leachability of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD/F) in fly ash was studied theoretically and in laboratorial condition to verify the previous results for pilot and field experiment of incineration residues landfill. In theoretical review, it was shown that DHM could influence the actual solubility and leachability of PCDD/F. The higher concentration of DHM showed the higher leachability of PCDD/F. In the leaching test, three different DHM concentrations and pHs of solutions were adopted to fly ash samples imaging the various characteristics of municipal solid waste leachate. It was proved experimentally that the leachability of PCDD/F increased with increasing DHM concentration in all pH conditions. The highest leachability was shown at the highest pH. Isomer distribution patterns of PCDD/F in all leachates were similar in all pH conditions. It backed up the distribution theory of PCDD/F between DHM and water.     

Persistence and developmental transition of wide seismic lines in the western Boreal Plains of Canada

This study examined the fate of seismic lines utilized in oil and gas exploration in Canada's western Boreal Plains. It retrospectively followed the persistence, recovery and developmental transition of seismic lines established between the 1960s and the mid-1970s through to 2003. We examined lines that passed through three forest types; aspen, white spruce, and lowland black spruce. In general, the recovery rates of seismic lines to woody vegetation were low. After 35 years, 8.2% of seismic lines across all forest types had recovered to greater than 50% cover of woody vegetation. Only the upland forest types recovered; aspen and white spruce. Most seismic lines ( approximately 65% at 35 years) remained in a cleared state with a cover of low forbs. The most common transition for seismic lines was to tracked access ( approximately 20% at 35 years). Transition to other anthropogenic developments such as roads, pipelines, buildings, and timber harvest blocks was 5% after 35 years. The pulse of industrial activity initiated in the mid-1990s greatly increased the transition rate of seismic to tracked access for a short period of time. The discussion focused on natural and anthropogenic factors that hinder recovery and on the management directions that would facilitate greater recovery rates.     

Fine dust filtration using a metal fiber bed

A bed-type filter composed of thin metal alloy fiber was closely examined with dust capturing in cold and hot runs. The investigation of an individual mechanism across the filter bed indicated that the aerated dust could be initially collected by depth filtration, and after a while, surface filtration dominated the overall dust collection. The present metal fiber bed was comparable to the conventional ceramic filters because of its good collection efficiency with low pressure drop. It also showed potential to be used as a prefilter in a diesel exhaust trapping system.     

Oxidative degradation of dimethylsulfoxide by locally concentrated hydroxyl radicals in streamer corona discharge process

This study systematically investigates the characteristic degradation behaviors of dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) by the streamer corona discharge process (SCDP) in water. The analysis of the oxidized intermediates of DMSO shows that hydroxyl radical (*OH) is the main oxidant responsible for the degradation of DMSO in the SCDP. The various experiments on the degradation and mineralization of DMSO, and the effect of the *OH scavenger suggest that the SCDP produces locally concentrated *OHs in and around the plasma channel. This explanation was also supported by the formation of H(2)O(2) and the effect of the *OH scavenger on the H(2)O(2) production rate in the SCDP. Based on the kinetic data for the degradation of DMSO and the production of H(2)O(2) in the SCDP, the volume of the active region in which the *OHs are concentrated, and the effective concentration of *OH in that region were estimated to be 0.21 microl and 5.0 x 10(-3)M, respectively. This level of *OH concentration in the SCDP is approximately 10(7)-10(9) times higher than that generated in ordinary advanced oxidation processes using *OH. The ramifications of the results obtained in this study on successful water treatment using the SCDP are also discussed.     

Cascading ecological effects of low-level phosphorus enrichment in the Florida everglades

Few studies have examined long-term ecological effects of sustained low-level nutrient enhancement on wetland biota. To determine sustained effects of phosphorus (P) addition on Everglades marshes we added P at low levels (5, 15, and 30 microg L(-1) above ambient) for 5 yr to triplicate 100-m flow-through channels in pristine marsh. A cascade of ecological responses occurred in similar sequence among treatments. Although the rate of change increased with dosing level, treatments converged to similar enriched endpoints, characterized most notably by a doubling of plant biomass and elimination of native, calcareous periphyton mats. The full sequence of biological changes occurred without an increase in water total P concentration, which remained near ambient levels until Year 5. This study indicates that Everglades marshes have a near-zero assimilative capacity for P without a state change, that ecosystem responses to enrichment accumulate over time, and that downstream P transport mainly occurs through biota rather than the water column.