Detoxification of aqueous solutions of the pesticide “Sevnol” by solar photocatalysis

The solar photodegradation of Sevnol, a commercial pesticide, based on carbaryl as active principle, was studied. Experiments have been carried out at laboratory and at pilot plant scale using titanium dioxide as catalyst. Complete dissappearance of carbaryl was achieved, while total mineralisation required longer irradiation. Active sludge respirometry showed significant detoxification of the solution. Finally, results obtained with commercial Sevnol were consistent with those of pure carbaryl, although the reaction was slower.     

The microbiota of an unpolluted calcareous soil faces up chlorophenols: Evidences of resistant strains with potential for bioremediation

To highlight the effects of a variety of chlorophenols (CP) in relation to the response of an indigenous bacterial community, an agricultural Mediterranean calcareous soil has been studied in microcosms incubated under controlled laboratory conditions. Soil samples were artificially polluted with 2-monochlorophenol (MCP), 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (TCP) and pentachlorophenol (PCP), at concentrations ranging from 0.1 up to 5000 mg kg⁻¹. Both activity and composition of the microbial community were assessed during several weeks, respectively, by respirometric methods and PCR-DGGE analysis of extracted DNA and RNA. Significant decreases in soil respirometric values and changes in the bacterial community composition were observed at concentrations above 1000 mg kg⁻¹ MCP and TCP, and above 100 mg kg⁻¹ PCP. However, the persistence of several active bacterial populations in soil microcosms contaminated with high concentration of CP, as indicated by DGGE fingerprints, suggested the capacity of these native bacteria to survive in the presence of the pollutants, even without a previous adaptation or contact with them.The isolation of potential CP degraders was attempted by culture plating from microcosms incubated with high CP concentrations. Twenty-three different isolates were screened for their resistance to TCP and PCP. The most resistant isolates were identified as Kocuria palustris, Lysobacter gummosus, Bacillus sp. and Pseudomonas putida, according to 16S rRNA gene homology. In addition, these four isolates also showed the capacity to reduce the concentration of TCP and PCP from 15% to 30% after 5 d of incubation in laboratory assays (initial pollutant concentration of 50 mg L⁻¹). Isolate ITP29, which could be a novel species of Bacillus, has been revealed as the first known member in this bacterial group with potential for CP bioremediation applications, usually wide-spread in the soil natural communities, which has not been reported to date as a CP degrader.     

Respirometry-based evaluation of the fate and possible effects of antifreeze on activated sludge

This paper focuses on environmental concerns regarding used antifreeze. It shows the results of laboratory respirometric tests conducted to evaluate the potential impact of antifreeze on activated sludge. In this first step of the study, only the components of virgin antifreeze were addressed, i.e. ethylene glycol, and antifoaming and corrosion inhibitory substances. The plateau resulting from oxygen uptake rate measurements of mixed liquor taken at the end of an aeration tank is used as a reference to evaluate the response of biomass to pulse injection of increasing dosages of new antifreeze, compared to that of formaldehyde, a known toxic compound. While 200 mg/L of formaldehyde steadily decreased the biomass activity (7 mg O2/Lh), there were no toxicity effects for doses up to 5000 mg/L of ethylene glycol from new antifreeze coolant (23 mg O2/Lh, compared to the initial 15 mg O2/Lh for the mixed liquor). It is estimated that ethylene glycol concentration in municipal wastewaters should be several order of magnitude lower then the 1000 mg/L shown to be tolerated by the biomass in this work, but at the present stage, the research does not provide enough information to recommend a definitive management scheme for antifreeze discharge. Many other management issues for used antifreeze must be addressed in future studies before any decision on tolerating sewer discharge in Mexico, as a transitory management option that will conciliate the actual practices with legality, can be made.     

活性污泥1号模型废水特性的测定研究

废水的水质特性是活性污泥数学模型研究和应用的重要方面。采用呼吸计量法及常规化学分析法对污水处理厂的废水特性进行了测定,通过研究发现,污水处理厂的曝气沉砂池出水中SS占总COD的比例平均为10．49％;Xs占总COD的比例平均为14．24％;S1占总COD的比例平均为5．52％。初沉池出水中Ss占总COD的平均比例为9．62％;Xs占总COD的比例平均为16．97％;S1占总COD的比例平均为11．38％。