Comparative study of heavy metal and pathogenic bacterial contamination in sludge and manure in biogas and non-biogas swine farms

The objective of this study is to determine and compare the heavy metal (Zn, Cu, Cd, Pb) and bacterial (E. coli, coliform and Salmonella spp.) contamination between swine farms utilizing biogas and non-biogas systems in the central part of Thailand. Results showed that average levels of E. coli, coliform, BOD, COD, Zn, Cu and Pb in sludge from the post-biogas pond were higher than the standard limits. Moreover, the levels of E. coli, coliform, Cd and Pb were also higher than the standard limits for dry manure. The levels of E. coli, coliform and BOD on biogas farms were lower than on non-biogas farms. Following isolation of Salmonella spp:; it was found that Salmonella serovars Rissen was the most abundant at 18.46% (12/65), followed by Anatum 12.31% (8/65), and Kedougou 9.23% (6/65). The pathogenic strains of Salmonella serovars Paratyphi B var. java and Typhimurium were present in equal amounts at 4.62% (3/65) in samples from all swine farms. This study revealed that significant reduction in E. coli and coliform levels in sludge from covered lagoon biogas systems on swine farms. The presence of Salmonella as well as Cd and Pb, in significant amount in dry manure, suggests that there is a high probability of environmental contamination if it is used for agricultural purposes. Thus, careful waste and manure disposal from swine farms and the regular monitoring of wastewater is strongly recommended to ensure the safety of humans, other animals and the environment.     

Effect of sulfate on the methanogenic activity of a bacterial culture from a brewery wastewater during glucose degradation

The maximum specific methanogenic activity （SMA） of a sludge originating from a brewery wastewater treatment plant on the degradation of glucose was investigated at various levels of sulfate on a specific loading basis. Batch experiments were conducted in serum bottles at pH 7 and 35℃. A comparison of the values indicates that the SMA of this mixed culture was increased and reached its highest level of 0.128 g CH4 gas COD/（g VSS.d） when biomass was in contact with sulfate at a ratio of 1：0.114 by weight.     

The environmental impact assessment of gold extraction processes for discarded computer RAM: a comparative study of two leaching chemicals

Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management - Electrical and electronic equipment waste (WEEE) problems should be set as a priority in Thailand due to unpleasant operations. E-waste...     

Chromium Removal from Soil by Phytoremediation with Weed Plant Species in Thailand

The possibility of using phytoremediation with weed plant species in Thailand to remove chromium (Cr) from soil was investigated. Six plant species, Cynodon dactylon, Pluchea indica, Phyllanthus reticulatus, Echinochloa colonum, Vetiveria nemoralis, and Amaranthus viridis, were chosen for their abilities to accumulate total chromium (TCr) at tanning industry sites. These plant species were studied in pots at a nursery. Cynodon dactylon and Pluchea indica provided highest TCr accumulation capacities of 152.1 and 151.8 mg/kg of plant on a dry weight basis, respectively, at a pulse hexavalent Cr [Cr(VI)] input of 100 mg Cr(VI)/kg soil. Most of the Cr uptake occurred within 30 days after the input. The TCr accumulation by Pluchea indica was observed in roots, stems, and leaves at 27%, 38%, and 35% of the TCr mass uptake, respectively, whereas 51%, 49% and 0% of the TCr mass uptake accumulated in roots, stems, and leaves of Cynodon dactylon, respectively. The results on Cr accumulation and translocation in plant tissues suggest that Cr was removed mainly via phytoaccumulation and Pluchea indica is more suitable than Cynodon dactylon for the phytoremediation of Cr contaminated soil.     

Adsorption of single and mixed haloacetonitriles on silica-based porous materials: Mechanisms and effects of porous structures

Adsorption mechanisms and the role of different porous and crystalline structures on the removal of five haloacetonitriles (HANs) over hexagonal mesoporous silica (HMS), titanium substituted mesoporous silica (Ti-HMS), rod-shaped SBA-15 and microporous zeolite NaY were investigated. In addition, the effect of pH on adsorption mechanism and selective adsorption of five HANs individually and in an equimolar mixed solution were evaluated. The results indicated that the intraparticle diffusion rate constants of the mesoporous adsorbents were higher than that of the microporous NaY. In single solute, the order of adsorption preference (highest to lowest) was mono-HANs?>?di-HANs?>?tri-HAN. However, in mixed solute, the large molecular weight of the tri-HAN and di-HANs are more easily adsorbed than the smaller molecular weight mono-HANs. Except for SBA-15, the order of adsorption capacities in mixed HANs solute was not different compared to that observed for the single HAN solute, which might be caused by the higher accessibility to the active sites due to larger pore size. The ion-dipole electrostatic interaction was likely to be the main adsorption mechanism, and was favored at high pH values due to the high negative surface charge density of the adsorbent. The molecular structure of the HANs and hydrophilic/hydrophobic nature affected the adsorption capacities and their selective adsorption from mixed solutes.