Synthesis of zeolite from waste fly ash for adsorption of CO2

Zeolitic sorbents for CO₂ adsorption were prepared from waste coal fly ash (FA) through hydrothermal treatment at various ratios of NaOH/FA and NaAlO₂/FA, including an initial alkali fusion step. The fusion step decomposed the fly ash into very small amorphous particulate zeolite forms. The fly ash was converted to Na-P1 type with a NaOH/FA ratio of 0.5 and Na-A type with a NaAlO₂/FA ratio of 0.53. The product properties were affected by the reaction temperature: Na-P1 and Na-A types were formed at 100°C. Temperatures above 140°C led to the formation of more sodalite because of the redissolving and recrystallization of zeolite crystals. Alkali metal and alkaline earth metal cations were impregnated in the synthesized Na-P1 and Na-A zeolite through an ion-exchange method. The completed zeolitic sorbents were applied to the adsorption of low-level CO₂. As a result of the experiments, calcium ions were found to be the best for CO₂ adsorption owing to their electrostatic behavior and acid-base interaction.     

Defining Chlorophyll-a Reference Conditions in European Lakes

The concept of “reference conditions” describes the benchmark against which current conditions are compared when assessing the status of water bodies. In this paper we focus on the establishment of reference conditions for European lakes according to a phytoplankton biomass indicator—the concentration of chlorophyll-a. A mostly spatial approach (selection of existing lakes with no or minor human impact) was used to set the reference conditions for chlorophyll-a values, supplemented by historical data, paleolimnological investigations and modelling. The work resulted in definition of reference conditions and the boundary between “high” and “good” status for 15 main lake types and five ecoregions of Europe: Alpine, Atlantic, Central/Baltic, Mediterranean, and Northern. Additionally, empirical models were developed for estimating site-specific reference chlorophyll-a concentrations from a set of potential predictor variables. The results were recently formulated into the EU legislation, marking the first attempt in international water policy to move from chemical quality standards to ecological quality targets.     

Environmental impact of APC residues from municipal solid waste incineration: reuse assessment based on soil and surface water protection criteria

Waste management and environmental protection are mandatory requirements of modern society. In our study, air pollution control (APC) residues from municipal solid waste incinerators (MSWI) were considered as a mixture of fly ash and fine particulate solids collected in scrubbers and fabric filters. These are hazardous wastes and require treatment before landfill. Although there are a number of treatment options, it is highly recommended to find practical applications rather than just dump them in landfill sites. In general, for using a construction material, beyond technical specifications also soil and surface water criteria may be used to ensure environmental protection. The Dutch Building Materials Decree (BMD) is a valuable tool in this respect and it was used to investigate which properties do not meet the threshold criteria so that APC residues can be further used as secondary building material. To this end, some scenarios were evaluated by considering release of inorganic species from unmoulded and moulded applications. The main conclusion is that the high amount of soluble salts makes the APC residues a building material prohibited in any of the conditions tested. In case of moulding materials, the limits of heavy metals are complied, and their use in Category 1 would be allowed. However, also in this case, the soluble salts lead to the classification of "building material not allowed". The treatments with phosphates or silicates are able to solve the problem of heavy metals, but difficulties with the soluble salts are still observed. This analysis suggests that for APC residues to comply with soil and surface water protection criteria to be further used as building material at least a pre-treating for removing soluble salts is absolutely required.     

AMEG: the new SETAC advisory group on aquatic macrophyte ecotoxicology

Introduction and background

Primary producers play critical structural and functional roles in aquatic ecosystems; therefore, it is imperative that the potential risks of toxicants to aquatic plants are adequately assessed in the risk assessment of chemicals. The standard required macrophyte test species is the floating (non-sediment-rooted) duckweed Lemna spp. This macrophyte species might not be representative of all floating, rooted, emergent, and submerged macrophyte species because of differences in the duration and mode of exposure; sensitivity to the specific toxic mode of action of the chemical; and species-specific traits (e.g., duckweed's very short generation time).

Discussion and perspectives

These topics were addressed during the workshop entitled “Aquatic Macrophyte Risk Assessment for Pesticides” (AMRAP) where a risk assessment scheme for aquatic macrophytes was proposed. Four working groups evolved from this workshop and were charged with the task of developing Tier 1 and higher-tier aquatic macrophyte risk assessment procedures. Subsequently, a SETAC Advisory Group, the Macrophyte Ecotoxicology Group (AMEG) was formed as an umbrella organization for various macrophyte working groups. The purpose of AMEG is to provide scientifically based guidance in all aspects of aquatic macrophyte testing in the laboratory and field, including prospective as well as retrospective risk assessments for chemicals. As AMEG expands, it will begin to address new topics including bioremediation and sustainable management of aquatic macrophytes in the context of ecosystem services.     

Elaeis guineensis-activated carbon for methylene blue removal: adsorption capacity and optimization using CCD-RSM

Environment, Development and Sustainability - The activated biochar is a carbonaceous material obtained from thermal degradation of biomass with high adsorption potential. On the other hand, the...     

Application of fluidization to separate packaging waste plastics

The objective of the experimental work described in this paper is the study of the separation of PS (polystyrene) from PET (polyethylene terephthalate) and PVC (polyvinyl chloride) from drop-off points using a fluidized bed separator. This is a low-cost process commonly used in the hydro-classification of mineral ores. Firstly, experimental tests were carried out with artificial granulated samples with different grain sizes, types and sources of plastic ("separability tests"). The particle settling velocities were determined under different operating conditions. Then, based on the results, the laboratory tests continued with real mixtures of waste plastics ("separation tests") and the efficiency of the process was evaluated. From a PET-rich mixture, a concentrate of PS with a 75% grade in PS was produced while the underflow was quite clear from PS (grade less than 0.5% in PS).     

Experimental and statistical validation of SPME-GC-MS analysis of phenol and chlorophenols in raw and treated water

A procedure based on solid-phase microextraction (SPME) and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was developed and validated in order to analyse 10 phenols in water samples. The optimised conditions were obtained using polyacrylate fibre (PA), 20ml of sample volume, 10% NaCl, pH 4.0 and direct extraction at 35 degrees C and 1000rpm, for 40min. The linear range and quantification limits for these compounds by SPME-GC-MS were defined. An evaluation of the main uncertainty sources of this method is included, which allows expanded uncertainties in the 9.4-35% range for the majority of the compounds. The main source of uncertainty is associated with matrix effects. The validated method is suitable for monitoring the production and distribution of potable water and was used, in field trials, for the analysis of samples from main intakes of water (surface or underground) and from water supply system of a large area (Lisbon and neighbour municipalities).