The Characterisation of Settled Dust by Scanning Electron Microscopy and Energy Dispersive X-ray Analysis

Settled dust has been collected inside the main foyers ofthree University buildings in Wolverhampton City Centre,U.K. Two of the three buildings are located in a streetcanyon used almost exclusively by heavy duty dieselvehicles. The dust was collected on adhesive carbonspectro-tabs to be in a form suitable for analysis byscanning electron microscope and energy dispersive X-rayanalysis. Using these analytical techniques, individualparticle analysis was undertaken for morphology andchemistry. Seasonal variations and variations due tolocation were observed in both the morphologicalmeasurements and chemical analysis. Many of the differencesappear attributable to the influence of road traffic, inparticular, the heavy duty diesel vehicles, travellingalong the street canyon.     

污水管道中硫循环三阶段模型研究综述

污水在管道输送的过程中很容易出现厌氧环境,产生的硫化氢常引起恶臭、中毒和腐蚀等一系列问题。这些问题可归结为因硫元素在管道中不同相态间的迁移转化所致,该过程主要包括三个阶段：污水中硫化物的产生和扩散、硫化氢由液相到气相的逸散以及管壁上硫化氢的氧化进而引起混凝土等管道腐蚀。对这三阶段机理模型进行了归纳总结,最后在三阶段模型的基础上阐述了控制和预防硫化氢问题的方法,从而为污水输送系统的运行、管理和设计提供参考。     

Characteristics of sewer biofilms in aerobic rural small diameter gravity sewers

Small diameter gravity sewers(SDGS) are extensively used to collect rural sewage as they are low in cost and quick to construct.However,the characteristics of biofilms in rural SDGS are still not clear.In this study,biofilms characteristics of aerobic rural SDGS were investigated using simulations in a lab under different flow conditions and slopes.Results indic ated that the average thickness of aerobic rural SDGS biofilms was in the range of 350-650 μm,decreasing at locations with variable flow and high slopes.Protein was the most abundant substance in extracellular polymeric substance of SDGS biofilms.The most abundant bacteria,Proteobacteria,Actinobacteria,and Bacteroidetes,and functional bacteria showed different distributions when analyzed through Illumina HiSeq sequencing of 16 S rRNA.The relative abundances of denitrifying bacteria,nitrite-oxidizing bacteria,and sulfate-reducing bacteria(SRB) were lower during variable flow than during stable flow.High slopes(15‰) decreased SRB presence,which could be used to mitigate H_2 S accumulation in aerobic SDGS.Overall,this study describes the characteristics of aerobic rural SDGS biofilms and provides valuable suggestions for the optimal design of SDGS based on these characteristics.     

ORDER CLASSIFICATION OF URBAN CATCHMENTS1

ABSTRACT: Stream order systems provide useful classification methods according to the number of tributaries collected. In urban catchments, sewer line order is a concepot concept providing for the same type of classification. Horton's stream order system is used to classify sewers beginning with the smallest lines as first order to the largest main sewer which is sixth order for two catchments studied. Average tributary area, average length and number of lines are shown as functions of order. The bifurcation ratios are also presented. They can be used for finding the number of sewer lines in the next order. The number of first order lines depend on lot size and the bifurcation ratios vary widely.     

OPTIMUM ALTERNATIVES FOR CONTROLLING COMBINED SEWAGE OVERFLOWS - A CASE STUDY1

ABSTRACT: Frequent high quantity overflows of combined sewage entering the Mississippi River near the city of Red Wing, Minnesota, have degraded water quality and caused concern among federal and state environmental agencies. The city of Red Wing was required to conduct a comprehensive waste control study, as part of the sewer system Construction Grant (Section 201 of PL 92–500), to identify alternative waste control and treatment measures and to recommend the optimum combination of alternatives in terms of both cost and waste control effectiveness. The study involved these basic steps: determination of present and future (year 2020) sanitary flow rates and volumes, storm runoff discharges, frequencies and volumes, and combined sewage bypass volumes; identification of alternative waste control measures; elimination of unfeasible alternatives; detailed analysis of the hydrologic, economic, and waste control feasibility of the promising alternatives; selection of the optimum combination of alternative waste control measures to satisfy the study objectives, and determination of construction priorities for the optimum control measures. Because of an uncertain budget and undetermined conditions of state and federal assistance, the city has not yet selected the optimum waste control measure for its needs. When the decisionmaking process between representatives of the city and the state commences, the optimum combination of waste control alternatives can be easily identified using the results of this study.     

电子企业水质特征因子与雨污混接诊断研究

针对雨水管网旱天混接排放来源中,工业企业接入雨水管网可能造成的严重水环境污染问题,以城区内存在的电子类工业企业为研究对象,开展了电子类企业混接水质特征因子识别与混接诊断研究.研究表明,在22项水质监测指标中,显著表征电子类企业废水混接的水质特征因子指标包括氟化物、氯化物、硫酸盐;其中氟化物的显著性最高,且浓度变化范围相对最低,约为(10.5±1.76) mg/L(均值±标准差).针对上海市中心城区某排水系统,以氟化物作为特征因子,结合化学质量平衡模型和随机算法对半导体废水混接进行了解析,与调查结果相比,混接水量解析误差在15%以内.进一步针对各种典型工业行业类型,建立混接水质特征因子数据库,可将水质特征因子推广应用于雨水管网混接成因识别.     

Sustainable wastewater management for small communities in the Middle East and North Africa

Accelerated expansion of wastewater services to small communities in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is essential in order to address serious concerns over water scarcity and pollution in addition to meeting the demand for convenience and protecting public health. Centralized and conventional wastewater systems are currently the preferred choice of planners and decision-makers in MENA. Water and funding are not available to provide these centralized conventional services to small communities. This paper presents an integrated approach to sustainable wastewater management for small communities in MENA under the severe water resources crisis. The approach calls for a paradigm shift from centralized conventional wastewater systems to decentralized wastewater systems. Management of wastewater in MENA should start at home. Wastewater generation should be reduced through a combination of domestic water conservation measures. On-site systems must be improved and monitored to control pollution and to recover water for non-potable water uses. Should the circumstances not allow the use of on-site systems, wastewater should be transported and managed through a community system applying the principles of decentralized wastewater management and using the settled sewers for wastewater transportation where appropriate. This approach will facilitate the accelerated and sustainable extension of environmentally responsible wastewater services to MENA's small communities. It offers great potential for cost reduction, accommodates the necessary domestic water conservation efforts, reduces freshwater inputs in wastewater transportation thus eliminating unnecessary demand on freshwater, reduces associated environmental risks and increases wastewater reuse opportunities.     

A DYNAMIC BACTERIAL MODEL FOR A RECREATIONAL LAKE1

ABSTRACT A dynamic mathematical model was constructed to examine bacterial contamination problems affecting Ford Lake, a small recreational lake in Southeast Michigan. The model was calibrated and verified using summer dry weather averaged data and data from three wet weather surveys. Model simulations demonstrated that the major bacterial contamination was attributable to storm related perturbations affecting two point sources: the Huron River and the Ypsilanti Sewage Treatment Plant. The nonpoint source contribution was relatively minor. The Model is currently being used by the State of Michigan Department of Natural Resources as a management tool for assessing the effectiveness of planned pollution abatement strategies     

WATER QUALITY CONCERNS AND REGULATORY CONTROLS FOR NONSTORM WATER DISCHARGES TO STORM DRAINS1

ABSTRACT: Nonstorm water discharges to municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s) are notable for spatial and temporal variability in volume, pollutant type, pollutant concentration, and activity of origin. The objective of this paper was to determine whether current technical knowledge and existing U.S. policy support an improved regulatory approach. The proposed policy would use type of discharge as a regulatory basis, merging the concepts of allowability of de minimis discharges and type-based statewide consistent rules. Specific research objectives were to comprehensively identify discharge types, characterize their prevalence in California, analyze relevant local and regional regulatory guidelines, and systematically evaluate opinions of experts about potential water quality impacts. Results demonstrate nonstorm water discharges were widespread in at least one sector, industrial facilities subject to a state permit; one discharge for every four facilities was reported in 1995, even though the permit explicitly prohibits such discharges. Clear consensus exists for minimal water quality concern for some discharge types when considering both municipal guidelines and experts’ opinions. In particular, condensate from a wide range of equipment and discharges from fire fighting equipment testing were found to be of low concern. Discharge types with consensus high concern were largely limited to discharges prohibited under other regulations, such as wastewater and hazardous waste management controls. Some discharge types where no consensus was identified, such as landscape irrigation, nevertheless generated concern for water quality impacts and appear to be relatively widespread. Available information supports technical feasibility of the proposed policy because at least some discharge types show strong consensus for de minimis impacts among regulatory guidelines and opinions of technical experts.     

Quantitative determination of volatile organic compounds in indoor dust using gas chromatography-UV spectrometry

A novel technique, gas chromatography-UV spectrometry (GC-UV), was used to quantify volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in settled dust from 389 residences in Sweden. The dust samples were thermally desorbed in an inert atmosphere and evaporated compounds were concentrated by solid phase micro extraction and separated by capillary GC. Eluting compounds were then detected, identified, and quantified using a diode array UV spectrophotometer. Altogether, 28 compounds were quantified in each sample; 24 of these were found in more than 50% of the samples. The compounds found in highest concentrations were saturated aldehydes (C5-C10), furfuryl alcohol, 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol (BHT), 2-furaldehyde, and benzaldehyde. Alkenals were also found, notably 2-butenal (crotonaldehyde), 2-methyl-propenal (methacrolein), hexenal, heptenal, octenal, and nonenal. The concentrations of each of the 28 compounds ranged between two to three orders of magnitude, or even more. These results demonstrate the presence of a number of VOCs in indoor dust, and provide, for the first time, a quantitative determination of these compounds in a larger number of dust samples from residents. The findings also illustrate the potential use of GC-UV for analysing volatile compounds in indoor dust, some of which are potential irritants (to the skin, eyes or respiratory system) if present at higher concentrations. The potential use of GC-UV for improving survey and control of the human exposure to particle-bound irritants and other chemicals is inferred.