Assessing Uncertainty in Estimates of Nitrogen Loading to Estuaries for Research, Planning, and Risk Assessment

Parametric (propagation for normal error estimates) and nonparametric methods (bootstrap and enumeration of combinations) to assess the uncertainty in calculated rates of nitrogen loading were compared, based on the propagation of uncertainty observed in the variables used in the calculation. In addition, since such calculations are often based on literature surveys rather than random replicate measurements for the site in question, error propagation was also compared using the uncertainty of the sampled population (e.g., standard deviation) as well as the uncertainty of the mean (e.g., standard error of the mean). Calculations for the predicted nitrogen loading to a shallow estuary (Waquoit Bay, MA) were used as an example. The previously estimated mean loading from the watershed (5,400 ha) to Waquoit Bay (600 ha) was 23,000 kg N yr⁻¹. The mode of a nonparametric estimate of the probability distribution differed dramatically, equaling only 70% of this mean. Repeated observations were available for only 8 of the 16 variables used in our calculation. We estimated uncertainty in model predictions by treating these as sample replicates. Parametric and nonparametric estimates of the standard error of the mean loading rate were 12–14%. However, since the available data include site-to-site variability, as is often the case, standard error may be an inappropriate measure of confidence. The standard deviations were around 38% of the loading rate. Further, 95% confidence intervals differed between the nonparametric and parametric methods, with those of the nonparametric method arranged asymmetrically around the predicted loading rate. The disparity in magnitude and symmetry of calculated confidence limits argue for careful consideration of the nature of the uncertainty of variables used in chained calculations. This analysis also suggests that a nonparametric method of calculating loading rates using most frequently observed values for variables used in loading calculations may be more appropriate than using mean values. These findings reinforce the importance of including assessment of uncertainty when evaluating nutrient loading rates in research and planning. Risk assessment, which may need to consider relative probability of extreme events in worst-case scenarios, will be in serious error using normal estimates, or even the nonparametric bootstrap. A method such as our enumeration of combinations produces a more reliable distribution of risk.     

负载量对氨水吸收CO2的影响规律及添加剂的作用研究

进行了氨法脱碳过程中吸收剂中CO2负载量对CO2脱除率影响的实验研究.结果发现,CO2脱除率随着负载量的增大而显著减小,高负载量(≥0.4)时,增加吸收液中总氨质量分数(吸收液中所有包含氨分子和铵离子的物质,并统一换算成NH3的质量分数)并不能有效地提高CO2的脱除率.同时,分别对有机和无机添加剂进行筛选,选取哌嗪(P...     

不同负荷餐饮垃圾与城市厌氧污泥混合厌氧消化研究

本实验研究了不同有机负荷下,餐饮垃圾与消化污泥不同方式混合中温厌氧消化的过程。实验结果表明,1#-4#的酸化点均可逆,1#的酸化低值点为4.11,3#的为6.04,通过加入氢氧化钠溶液有效控制系统的酸化过程,防止出现酸抑制现象,使得各有机负荷均能进入正常的产甲烷阶段。1#-4#的单位生物气产量分别为0.18 L/gVs、0.85L/gVs、0.69L/gVs和0.44L/gVs,甲烷含量分别为56%、69%、57%和66%。混合厌氧消化后的剩余物比原消化污泥具有更好的生物降解能力。各负荷氨氮浓度在消化过程中的变化趋势一致,最高含量达1 183.28 mg/L。     

短时冲击负荷对不同粒径分布陶粒曝气生物滤池性能的影响

通过比较装有2种粒径分布（大粒径、小粒径陶粒堆积密度分别为4．5×10^2和5．4×10^2kg／m^3）的陶粒曝气生物滤池对溶解性化学需氧量（sCODCr）及NH4^＋-N、浊度的去除情况,考察短时水力冲击负荷及有机冲击负荷对不同粒径分布曝气生物滤池性能的影响。结果表明,对于2种粒径的陶粒曝气生物滤池,短时水力冲击负荷几乎不降低sCODCr及NH4^＋-N的去除率,但导致浊度去除率的下降,说明曝气生物滤池有较强的抗短时水力冲击负荷能力;短时有机冲击负荷的增大导致sCODCr及NH4^＋-N去除率的降低,但对浊度的去除却影响很小,而在解除冲击负荷后去除率很快恢复正常水平,说明大粒径滤池比小粒径滤池有较强的抗NH4^＋-N短时冲击的能力,但小粒径滤池比大粒径滤池有较强的抗sCODCr短时冲击的能力,并能保持较高的浊度去除率。     

Anaerobic treatment of fresh leachate from a municipal solid waste incinerator by upflow blanket filter reactor

This paper describes the feasibility of fresh leachate treatment by an upflow blanket filter (UBF). Through dilution and partial effluent recycling, the organic loading rates increased from 0.51 to 14.56 kg COD/(m³·d), meanwhile the corresponding hydraulic retention time decreased from 9.0 to 3.6 d. The reactor was able to achieve steady-state within 80 d. Based on the distribution of COD fluxes in the process, it was concluded that anabolism was the main pathway of COD removal in the initial phase (1–33 d), accounting for 57%–85% of total COD removed. As the anaerobic consortium of bacteria reached steady-state (after 70–86 d), the majority of COD removed was transformed into methane, because the specific methane yield was close to the theoretical value (0.36 L CH₄/(g COD_deg)).     

DO WETLANDS BEHAVE LIKE SHALLOW LAKES IN TERMS OF PHOSPHORUS DYNAMICS?1

ABSTRACT: The applicability of empirical relationships governing phosphorus (P) retention and nutrient assimilation in lakes and reservoirs was extended to include free surface water wetland treatment systems. Mixed reactor models have been used in lakes to predict steady state P concentration, characterize trophic state, compare P‐dynamics, and predict permissible P‐loading rates. Applying lake models to free surface water wetlands treatment systems, it was found that: sedimentation rates, loading rates, and settling velocity in these wetlands, and their typology are comparable to their lake counterparts. The analyses also suggest that phosphorus removal efficiency in a free surface water wetland treatment system is independent of trophic status, and similar to lakes, these wetlands can be classified according to their trophic state. Oligo‐and eutrophic wetland treatment systems can be defined by low and high TP inflow concentrations, respectively. In this study, olig‐otrophic status is defined as systems receiving inflow P‐loading less than 0.10 g m^‐2 year‐¹, and their P inputs are mainly derived from agricultural and stormwater runoff. Eutrophic treatment systems, on the other hand, are defined as those receiving inflow P‐loading higher than 0.20 g m² year‐¹, and their inputs are mainly derived from industrial and municipal wastewater. The comparability found between lakes and free surface water wetlands treatment systems raises the question: should we consider these wetlands “shallow lakes?”     

Using Spatially Detailed Water‐Quality Data and Solute‐Transport Modeling to Support Total Maximum Daily Load Development1

Walton‐Day, Katherine, Robert L. Runkel, and Briant A. Kimball, 2012. Using Spatially Detailed Water‐Quality Data and Solute‐Transport Modeling to Support Total Maximum Daily Load Development. Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) 48(5): 949‐969. DOI: 10.1111/j.1752‐1688.2012.00662.x Abstract: Spatially detailed mass‐loading studies and solute‐transport modeling using OTIS (One‐dimensional Transport with Inflow and Storage) demonstrate how natural attenuation and loading from distinct and diffuse sources control stream water quality and affect load reductions predicted in total maximum daily loads (TMDLs). Mass‐loading data collected during low‐flow from Cement Creek (a low‐pH, metal‐rich stream because of natural and mining sources, and subject to TMDL requirements) were used to calibrate OTIS and showed spatially variable effects of natural attenuation (instream reactions) and loading from diffuse (groundwater) and distinct sources. OTIS simulations of the possible effects of TMDL‐recommended remediation of mine sites showed less improvement to dissolved zinc load and concentration (14% decrease) than did the TMDL (53‐63% decrease). The TMDL (1) assumed conservative transport, (2) accounted for loads removed by remediation by subtracting them from total load at the stream mouth, and (3) did not include diffuse‐source loads. In OTIS, loads were reduced near their source; the resulting concentration was decreased by natural attenuation and increased by diffuse‐source loads during downstream transport. Thus, by not including natural attenuation and loading from diffuse sources, the TMDL overestimated remediation effects at low flow. Use of the techniques presented herein could improve TMDLs by incorporating these processes during TMDL development.     

诱导结晶工艺中诱晶载体的选择与改性

以含铜废水为处理对象,重点考察了诱晶载体的表面性质及表面负荷对诱导结晶过程的影响。结果表明,在工艺启动初期,白云石以及碱式碳酸铜为诱晶载体时,铜的去除率在90%以上,石英砂对铜的去除率较低,但石英砂经表面改性后对铜的去除效率亦可达90%以上。在运行稳定后,几类诱导载体对铜的去除率皆能稳定在95%,说明诱晶载体的表面性质对诱导结晶工艺的影响主要在于反应启动初期,选择与目标结晶产物结构、成分相同或相似的诱晶载体有利于诱导结晶过程的进行。此外,研究结果还表明,诱晶载体表面负荷对结晶过程影响较大,诱导结晶除铜工艺中载体表面负荷不宜高于0.054 g Cu/(m2.d)。     

水力负荷和回流比对前置反硝化BAF系统处理玉米青贮液的影响

采用前置反硝化BAF系统处理玉米青贮液,在前期实验的基础上重点考察了水力负荷和回流比对COD、NH3-N、TN的去除效果。结果表明,前置反硝化BAF系统处理玉米青贮渗出液有着良好的除碳脱氮效果;在气水比为2：1、水力负荷2．60m3／（m2·h）、回流比为300％的条件下COD、NH3-N、TN的去除率分别达到89．6％、84．5％和81．3％;出水浓度分别为22．36、16．28和22．81mg／L;水力负荷影响着系统内生物膜的更新速度、生物膜的厚度以及水的剪切力大小;回流比对该系统脱氮性能有着重要影响,当回流比从50％提高到300％时TN去除率显著提高,从42．3％增加到81．3％,增加了39．0％。     

铈锆固溶体负载LaCoO_3催化碳烟的性能和表征

用柠檬酸法制备了铈锆固溶体负载不同量LaCoO3的催化剂。用热重法测试了催化剂样品对碳烟的催化活性。采用程序升温还原法(H2-TPR)、BET、X-射线衍射仪(XRD)和X-射线光电子能谱仪(XPS)对催化剂进行了测试。结果表明,铈锆固溶体表面形成了稳定的LaCoO3钙钛矿相结构;负载量为30%LaCoO3的催化剂具有最高的催化活性,起燃温度降到530℃;催化剂的催化活性与催化剂还原峰强度以及催化剂表面氧物种OII的含量紧密相关。