Adsorption of a dye on clay and sand. Use of cyclodextrins as solubility-enhancement agents

Laboratory-scale studies were aimed at elucidating the physico-chemical aspects on the removal process of crystal violet (CV) from waters and solid substrates. The laponite clay (RD) and sand were chosen for the double aim at investigating them as CV adsorbents for water treatment and as substrates which mime the soil components. Sand is very effective in removing CV from waters. The cyclodextrins (CDs) were exploited as solubility-enhancement agents to remove CV from the solid substrates. They are powerful solvent media because they extract the CV from sand forming water-soluble CV/CD inclusion complexes and do not show affinity for sand. Optimum performance was shown by the modified CDs (i.e. hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin and methyl-β-cyclodextrin). A linear correlation between the logarithm of the equilibrium constant for the CV/CD inclusion complexes formation (K_cpx) and the maximum amount of CV extracted from sand in the columns experiments at a flow rate of 1.5 ml min⁻¹ was drawn. This relationship predicts that CDs with K_cpx < 180 M⁻¹ are not suitable for CV removal from sand. CDs failed to displace CV from RD because they generate the formation of RD clusters where CV remains entrapped.     

Relation of waste generation and composition to socio-economic factors: a case study

To develop an effective waste management strategy for a given region, it is important to know the amount of waste generated and the composition of the waste stream. Past research has shown that the amount of waste generated is proportional to the population and the average mean living standards or the average income of the people. In addition, other factors may affect the amount and composition of waste. These are climate, living habits, level of education, religious and cultural beliefs, and social and public attitudes. This paper presents the findings of a study carried out in a suburban municipal area in Sri Lanka to determine the solid waste generation rate and waste composition based on field surveys and to determine the related socio-economic factors. A database was developed that included information on the quantity and composition of waste generated in a sample of households in the study area over a time period. The collected data was analysed to relate waste generation and composition data to various socio-economic factors. Over 400 sample households were selected for the study using a stratified random sampling methodology based on municipal wards and property values. A technique that considers both the number of households in a particular income group (property value range) and the standard deviation of property values within a given income group was used to determine the appropriate sample size for each municipal ward. Through category and regression analyses, the quantities of waste and waste composition were related to several socio-economic factors. The paper describes the basis for the sample selection, the methodology adopted for data collection, the socio-economic parameters used for the analysis, and the relationships developed from the analysis.     

Desorption of arsenic from drinking water distribution system solids

Previous work has shown that arsenic can accumulate in drinking water distribution system (DWDS) solids (Lytle et~al., 2004) when arsenic is present in the water. The release of arsenic back into the water through particulate transport and/or chemical release (e.g. desorption, dissolution) could result in elevated arsenic levels at the consumers' tap. The primary objective of this work was to examine the impact of pH and orthophosphate on the chemical release (i.e. desorption) of arsenic from nine DWDS solids collected from utilities located in the Midwest. Arsenic release comparisons were based on the examination of arsenic and other water quality parameters in leach water after contact with the solids over the course of 168~hours. Results showed that arsenic was released from solids and suggested that arsenic release was a result of desorption rather than dissolution. Arsenic release generally increased with increasing initial arsenic concentration in the solid and increasing pH levels (in the test range of 7 to 9). Finally, orthophosphate (3 and 5 mg PO₄/L) increased arsenic release at all pH values examined. Based on the study results, utilities with measurable levels of arsenic present in their water should be aware that some water quality changes can cause arsenic release in the DWDS potentially resulting in elevated levels at the consumer's tap.     

Monitoring the formation of trihalomethanes in the effluents from a shrimp hatchery

Formation of trihalomethanes (THM) was monitored at the Laboratório de Camarões Marinhos (LCM) from the Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina. THM could be present because chlorinated effluents from disinfection are discharged from the different hatchery rooms. THM quantification was done through an analytical methodology using Purge&;Trap coupled with a gas chromatograph equipped with an electron capture detector. Relative standard deviation (RSD), limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) for the methodology corresponded to the ranges of 8–17%; 0.01–0.03 μg L^?1 and 0.03–0.08 μg L^?1, respectively. Linear working range was of 0.1–8.0 μg L^?1 for all compounds. Enrichment and recovery method was applied to evaluate possible matrix effects and the results varied from 71.2% to 107.9%. LCM was monitored between August and December, 2004. This study showed that THM did not increase with the increase in postlarvae production and also that the aquatic life and the surrounding environment were not affected.     

Assessing water quality of drinking water distribution system in the South Taiwan

This investigation conducted a full-scale survey the drinking water distribution system in Kaohsiung city, Taiwan. The aim was to investigate whether the distribution system was capable of maintaining high water quality from the water treatment facilities through to the end user. The results showed that the distribution system can maintain high water quality, except for suitable chlorine residuals. The authors plotted chlorine residual contour maps to identify areas with low chlorine residuals, helping them prioritize sections that must be flushed or renewal. The contour maps also provide sufficient and clear information for locating booster chlorination stations. Contour maps enable water facilities to identify how water quality decays in the distribution systems and the locations of such decay. Water quality decay can be caused by properties of pipeline materials, hydraulic conditions, and/or biofilm thickness. However, understanding the exact reasons is unnecessary because the contour maps provide sufficient information for trouble-shooting the distribution systems.     

生物滤池对气相与液相中污染物质的净化

通过实验室研究探讨了生物滤池同时处理废水和废气的可行性。试验结果表明：在２５℃－３７℃条件下,甲苯废气的流量为９０Ｌ／ｈ,甲苯浓度为５００ｍｇ／ｍ＾３;废水的流量为０．４Ｌ／ｈ,ＣＯＤｃｒ浓度为４００－７５０ｍｇ／Ｌ,甲苯与ＣＯＤｃｒ的去除率分别是７０％－７２％和８６％－８９％。     

家庭生活用水与室内氡浓度研究与进展

文章论述了家庭生活水的氡浓度水平、生活用水对室内氡的贡献、水的使用过程中室内氡行为以及含氡水的使用与辐射照射剂量的关系等问题。指出家庭生活水的氡浓度高时,是室内氡的一个不可忽视的来源。对氡浓度特别高的家庭用水,建议先用活性炭等进行吸附后再使用。     

碱性矿化水淋洗对土壤盐碱化及小麦生长的影响

为探讨不同矿化度的水对土壤盐渍化的影响及相应的淋洗分数,采用土柱模拟方法,以小麦为指示作物,设计1.0 g/L,1.5 g/L两种矿化度,按3750 m3/hm2灌溉量,分一水、二水两种灌次,秋后进行人工淡水淋洗。结果表明,在半干旱气候条件下,开发碱性矿化水灌溉矿化度不宜超过1.5 g/L,否则有引起碱化的危险。干旱期用碱性矿化水灌溉抗旱时,在同等灌水量的情况下,一水灌溉比二水灌溉积盐轻。各种人工淋洗处理比CK洗盐效果好,其中以等量淋洗综合效益最好。     

“十五”期间解决我国工业用水问题的建议

本文针对我国工业用水存在的问题,从六个方面,提出了“十五”期间我国水资源可持续利用的对策。     

湖北水资源现状与可持续利用战略对策

湖北省有十分丰富的过境客水资源,但自产水资源却十分有限,在水资源开发利用中存在许多亟待解决的问题。如地表水污染日趋严重,地下水也存在不容的污染;农业用水占大头,其节水潜力巨大;目前主要是利用地表水,地下水的利用很少;洪涝时时灾害仍然十分严重,并有愈演愈烈的趋势;从长远看,湖北省的水资源问题将主要是污染型短缺的问题;南水北调中线工程将对汉江中下游供水和水质造成不容忽视的影响;在计划体制下形成的水资源