Some properties of a sequencing batch reactor for treatment of wastewater containing thiocyanate compounds

Thiocyanate (SCN) compounds in photo-processing wastewater (PPWW) could be treated by an SBR system without any release of thiocyanate to the atmosphere during the aeration step. An SCN loading greater than 84 g m(-3)d(-1) showed negative effects on the growth of bio-sludge and removal efficiencies of the system. The acclimatization period of the system was increased with an increase in SCN concentration or loading. The COD, BOD(5), TKN, and SCN removal efficiencies were 96.0 +/- 1.6%, 72 +/- 2%, 49 +/- 5%, and 82 +/- 3%, respectively, under an SCN loading of up to 84 g m(-3)d(-1). The removal efficiency of the system was repressed by SCN due to the repressed growth rate of nitrification bacteria. However, the removal efficiency could be increased with an increase in HRT or a decrease in SCN loading. Also, increases in HRT or decreases in SCN loading led to increased sludge age or solid retention time (SRT) and decreased the sludge volume index (SVI) value. The SRT and SVI of the system with synthetic wastewater containing 840 mg l(-1) SCN under an HRT of 3 days (SCN loading of 280 g m(-3)d(-1)) were 3.9 +/- 0.7 days and 65 +/- 4 ml g(-1), respectively, while they were 11.2+/-0.8 days and 55 +/- 6 ml g(-1), respectively under an HRT of 10 days (SCN loading of 84 g m(-3)d(-1)).     

Response of Fish and Macroinvertebrate Bioassessment Indices to Water Chemistry in a Mined Appalachian Watershed

Multimetric indices based on fish and benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages are commonly used to assess the biological integrity of aquatic ecosystems. However, their response to specific stressors is rarely known. We quantified the response of a fish-based index (Mid-Atlantic Highlands Index of Biotic Integrity, MAH-IBI) and a benthic invertebrate-based index (West Virginia Stream Condition Index, WV-SCI) to acid mine drainage (AMD)-related stressors in 46 stream sites within the Cheat River watershed, West Virginia. We also identified specific stressor concentrations at which biological impairment was always or never observed. Water chemistry was extremely variable among tributaries of the Cheat River, and the WV-SCI was highly responsive across a range of AMD stressor levels. Furthermore, impairment to macroinvertebrate communities was observed at relatively low stressor concentrations, especially when compared to state water quality standards. In contrast to the WV-SCI, we found that the MAH-IBI was significantly less responsive to local water quality conditions. Low fish diversity was observed in several streams that possessed relatively good water quality. This pattern was especially pronounced in highly degraded subwatersheds, suggesting that regional conditions may have a strong influence on fish assemblages in this system. Our results indicate that biomonitoring programs in mined watersheds should include both benthic invertebrates, which are consistent indicators of local conditions, and fishes, which may be indicators of regional conditions. In addition, remediation programs must address the full suite of chemical constituents in AMD and focus on improving linkages among streams within drainage networks to ensure recovery of invertebrate and fish assemblages. Future research should identify the precise chemical conditions necessary to maintain biological integrity in mined Appalachian watersheds.     

Assessing the economic impact of invasive species: the case of yellow starthistle (Centaurea solsitialis L.) in the rangelands of Idaho, USA

Yellow starthistle (Centaurea solsitialis L.) is an invasive weed that creates problems for the management of Idaho's rangelands. A bioeconomic approach combined with an input-output economic model is used to estimate direct and secondary economic costs of the weed in relation to its interference with agricultural and non-agricultural benefits that rangelands provide. Direct economic costs of the infestations were estimated to be of 8.2 million '05 dollars per year, and secondary costs of 4.5 million '05 dollars per year, for a total of 12.7 million '05 dollars; agricultural related economic impacts accounted for 79% of this total cost, and non-agricultural for 21%.     

Is Municipal Solid Waste Recycling Economically Efficient?

It has traditionally been argued that recycling municipal solid waste (MSW) is usually not economically viable and that only when externalities, long-term dynamic considerations, and/or the entire product life cycle are taken into account, recycling becomes worthwhile from a social point of view. This article explores the results of a wide study conducted in Israel in the years 2000–2004. Our results reveal that recycling is optimal more often than usually claimed, even when externality considerations are ignored. The study is unique in the tools it uses to explore the efficiency of recycling: a computer-based simulation applied to an extensive database. We developed a simulation for assessing the costs of handling and treating MSW under different waste-management systems and used this simulation to explore possible cost reductions obtained by designating some of the waste (otherwise sent to landfill) to recycling. We ran the simulation on data from 79 municipalities in Israel that produce over 60% of MSW in Israel. For each municipality, we were able to arrive at an optimal method of waste management and compare the costs associated with 100% landfilling to the costs born by the municipality when some of the waste is recycled. Our results indicate that for 51% of the municipalities, it would be efficient to adopt recycling, even without accounting for externality costs. We found that by adopting recycling, municipalities would be able to reduce direct costs by an average of 11%. Through interviews conducted with representatives of municipalities, we were also able to identify obstacles to the utilization of recycling, answering in part the question of why actual recycling levels in Israel are lower than our model predicts they should be.     

Application of Zoning and “Limits of Acceptable Change” to Manage Snorkelling Tourism

Zoning and applying Limits of Acceptable Change (LAC) are two promising strategies for managing tourism in Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). Typically, these management strategies require the collection and integration of ecological and socioeconomic data. This problem is illustrated by a case study of Koh Chang National Marine Park, Thailand. Biophysical surveys assessed coral communities in the MPA to derive indices of reef diversity and vulnerability. Social surveys assessed visitor perceptions and satisfaction with conditions encountered on snorkelling tours. Notably, increased coral mortality caused a significant decrease in visitor satisfaction. The two studies were integrated to prescribe zoning and “Limits of Acceptable Change” (LAC). As a biophysical indicator, the data suggest a LAC value of 0.35 for the coral mortality index. As a social indicator, the data suggest that a significant fraction of visitors would find a LAC value of under 30 snorkellers per site as acceptable. The draft zoning plan prescribed four different types of zones: (I) a Conservation Zone with no access apart from monitoring or research; (II) Tourism Zones with high tourism intensities at less vulnerable reefs; (III) Ecotourism zones with a social LAC standard of <30 snorkellers per site, and (IV) General Use Zones to meet local artisanal fishery needs. This study illustrates how ecological and socioeconomic field studies in MPAs can be integrated to craft zoning plans addressing multiple objectives.     

可燃物化学性质对燃烧释放PM2.5元素成分的影响

通过自主设计的燃烧装置,对云南省6种典型乔木树种的不同器官(枝、叶、皮)室内模拟阴、明燃两种燃烧过程,收集燃烧排放颗粒物(PM_2.5)并测定K、Mg等8种元素排放因子,比较不同燃烧状态释放PM_2.5中元素含量的差异,同时分析各元素排放因子与可燃物自身元素含量之间的相关性.结果表明:可燃物中K、Mg和Ca元素含量较高,范围为(137.74~4670.70) mg/kg,微量元素Mn含量突出;阔叶可燃物元素含量普遍高于针叶,器官间元素含量差异显著;燃烧释放PM_2.5中K、Na元素排放因子较高,范围为(0.4269~4.9321)~(0.6311~3.0856) mg/kg,微量元素Zn较高、Cu最少,范围为(0.0409~0.3670)~(0.0029~0.0458) mg/kg,常量元素高于微量;树种间元素排放因子表现针叶高于阔叶,器官间较可燃物自身差异增大;燃烧状态对排放因子存在影响,常量元素普遍表现为明燃>阴燃,微量元素无明显规律;PM_2.5与可燃物各元素含量比值中,Na元素最高,其余元素占比普遍0~1%范围,微量元素含量比高于常量,针叶高于阔叶;可燃物的化学性质对其排放特性影响显著,可燃物与PM_2.5的元素间相关性较高,相关水平普遍达0.600以上,器官间不同元素相关水平表现为:常量元素普遍高于微量元素,针叶略高于阔叶,叶>皮>枝,明燃高于阴燃.     

A/O-MBBR工艺处理生活污水性能及菌群结构

采用设计规模为100m³/d的一体化缺/好氧-移动床生物膜反应器(A/O-MBBR)处理实际生活污水,通过265d的中试研究考察了该工艺在多因素扰动下的除碳和脱氮性能,并对不同运行阶段微生物群落结构的动态变化进行了研究.结果表明,一体化A/O-MBBR系统具有良好的COD去除效果和脱氮性能.当好氧池溶解氧(DO)浓度和进水碳氮比(COD/N)分别为2.5~3.5mg/L和(7.9±2.0)时,COD、NH₄⁺-N和TN去除率分别达到(93.3±5.4)%、(99.1±0.6)%和(67.9±10.5)%.Proteobacteria、Bacteroidetes和Chloroflexi在不同运行时期均有较高的相对丰度,保证了有机物的高效去除.A/O-MBBR系统脱氮功能菌在运行初期主要分布于活性污泥中,且相对丰度较低.长期运行后,生物膜与活性污泥中均同时检出大量硝化菌和反硝化菌.其中,相对丰度最高的硝化菌为Nitrospira,主要分布于生物膜上(19.48%~28.05%).反硝化菌则以Thauera、Terrimonas和Dokdonella等为主.     

生物酶对初沉污泥厌氧发酵产短链脂肪酸的调控研究

旨在通过生物酶调节(碱性蛋白酶、中性蛋白酶和α-淀粉酶)提高初沉污泥的厌氧发酵效率,并通过微生物群落结构解析,SCFAs (short-chain fatty acids,SCFAs)组分分析等揭示其调控机理.结果表明,3种生物酶均可增强初沉污泥水解和产酸作用,碱性蛋白酶调控系统对初沉污泥厌氧发酵的促进效果最为明显,发酵第4d SCFAs的产量和产率分别达到1508mg COD/L和0.174g COD/g VSS.对比控制组,SCFAs的产量和产率分别增加了1129mg COD/L和0.13g COD/g VSS.微生物群落结构分析表明,在碱性蛋白酶调控发酵系统中,Lentimicrobium、Proteiniphilum和Bacteroides等发酵相关菌群的相对丰度得到了改善,Methanosaeta、Methanospirillum等产甲烷古菌的活性受到了抑制.同时,生物酶调控对促进发酵过程乙酸占比也有促进作用.     

微生物光电还原CO2合成乙酸对外电压的响应机制

以TiO₂光阳极结合自养型生物阴极,构建双室微生物光电合成（MPES）系统,以光能作为主要的能量来源,探究MPES还原CO₂合成乙酸的性能及其限制因素.结果表明,光阳极取代纯电化学阳极显著降低了MPES生物阴极对外电压的需求.MPES能持续稳定运行,平均产乙酸速率为（1.18 ±0.11） mmol/（L·d）,法拉第效率为45.75%±3.97%.光阳极驱动阴极产生氢气,推测阴极微生物倾向于利用氢转移的方式来进行电子传递.外加电压通过影响光阳极的给电子能力从而对MPES的性能产生显著的影响,当外电压从0.4V升高至0.6V时,MPES的电流,乙酸产量和法拉第效率都显著提高,系统的性能主要受限于阳极.当外电压高于0.6V,系统电流,乙酸产量的增速减缓,法拉第效率在外加电压0.8V时达到最大值,随后下降,表明生物阴极的得电子能力已经达到饱和,此时MPES的性能主要受限于阴极.作为电子传递中间体,H₂的不完全利用是法拉第效率没有随着外电压的增加进一步提升的原因.     

Fe3O4活化过硫酸盐体系同步去除诺氟沙星和铅

采用Fe₃O₄活化过硫酸盐（PS）同步去除水中的NOR （诺氟沙星）和Pb （II）.探讨了Fe₃O₄投加量、PS浓度、初始pH值和Pb （II）浓度对NOR降解的影响.结果表明,NOR的降解符合伪一级反应动力学,在温度为30℃、NOR初始浓度为5.0mg/L、Pb （II）浓度为1.0mg/L、Fe₃O₄投加量为2.0g/L、PS浓度为1.5mmol/L、初始pH值为7.0的条件下,反应120min后,NOR降解率达90.2%,Pb （II）去除率为99.5%.自由基淬灭实验证实,硫酸根自由基（SO₄^-·）是NOR降解的主要自由基.通过LC-MS分析结果推测了NOR可能的降解路径和中间产物.Fe₃O₄活化PS高级氧化工艺可作为一种同步去除有机污染物和重金属的工艺.