Water Purification

This study demonstrates that ultrasound rapidly degrades the energetic compounds RDX (cyclo-1,3,5-trinitramine-2,4,6-trimethylene) and ADN (ammonium dinitramide) in aqueous microheterogeneous media. The conditions for effective degradation of these nitramines, as monitored by UV absorption spectroscopy, were determined by varying sonication time, the heterogeneous phase and its suspension density, and the concentration of NaOH. In the presence of 5 mg/ml of aluminum powder and at pH $ 12 (10 mM NaOH), 74% of the RDX and 86% of the ammonium dinitramide (ADN) in near-saturated solutions decompose within the first 20 min of sonication (20 kHz; 50 W; 6 5°C). Sonication without Al powder and base yields minimal degradation of either RDX and ADN ($5-10%) or the nitrite/ nitrate ions that are expected byproducts during RDX and ADN degradation. Sonication at high pH in the presence of dispersed aluminosilicate zeolite, alumina, or titanium dioxide also yields minimal degradation. Preliminary electrochemical studies and product analyses indicate that in situ ultrasonic generation of metallic aluminum and/or aluminum hydride drives reductive denitration of the nitramines. Sonochemical treatment in the presence of a reductant offers an effective and rapid waste remediation option for energetic waste compounds. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.

Soil is a base of structure, which actually supports the structure from beneath and distributes the load effectively. If the stability of the soil is not adequate then failure of structure occurs in form of settlement, cracks etc. Expansive soil also known as black cotton soil is more responsible for such situations and this is due to presence of montmorillonite mineral in it, which has ability to undergo large swelling and shrinkage. To overcome this, properties of soil must be improved by artificial means known as 'Soil Stabilization'. It is a technique which improvises one or more soil properties by mechanical, cementing and chemical use. Many research has been conducted for stabilization of soil by using cementing, chemical materials e.g. Fly ash, cement, Calcium chloride, Sodium chloride etc. Toady world is facing serious problem of disposal of agricultural waste. Western Maharashtra is popular for production of sugar cane in large quantity. Sugar factories produces waste after extraction of sugar cane in machines that waste when burnt, the resultant ash is known as 'Bagasse Ash'. It is a fibrous material with presence of silica (SiO 2 ) and can be used to improve the existing properties of black cotton soil. In this study laboratory experiments were conducted on black cotton soil with partial replacement by Bagasse Ash (3%, 6%, 9% and 12%). This paper highlights significant increase in properties of black cotton soil obtained at 6% replacement of Bagasse Ash without any chemical or cementing material.

While research and development of algal biofuels are currently receiving much interest and funding, they are still not commercially viable at today's fossil fuel prices. However, a niche opportunity may exist where algae are grown as a by-product of high rate algal ponds (HRAPs) operated for wastewater treatment. In addition to significantly better economics, algal biofuel production from wastewater treatment HRAPs has a much smaller environmental footprint compared to commercial algal production HRAPs which consume freshwater and fertilisers. In this paper the critical parameters that limit algal cultivation, production and harvest are reviewed and practical options that may enhance the net harvestable algal production from wastewater treatment HRAPs including CO 2 addition, species control, control of grazers and parasites and bioflocculation are discussed.

The potential of Pleurotus ostreatus spent mushroom compost (PSMC) as a green biosorbent for nickel (II) biosorption was investigated in this study. A novel approach of using the half-saturation concentration of biosorbent to rapidly determine the uptake, kinetics and mechanism of biosorption was employed together with cost per unit uptake analysis to determine the potential of this biosorbent. Fifty per cent nickel (II) biosorption was obtained at a half-saturation constant of 0.7 g biosorbent concentration, initial pH in the range of 4–8, 10 min contact time, 50 mL 50 mg/L nickel (II) initial concentration. The experimental data were well fitted with the Langmuir isotherm model and the maximum nickel (II) biosorption was 3.04 mg/g. The results corresponded well to a second pseudo order kinetic model with the coefficient of determination value of 0.9999. Based on FTIR analysis, the general alkyl, hydroxyl or amino, aliphatic alcohol and carbonyl functional groups of biosorbent were...

Perfluorinated substances are listed among emerging contaminants because they are globally distributed, environmentally persistent, bioaccumulative and potentially harmful. In a three-year monitoring campaign (2010-2013) we investigated the occurrence, sources and fate of nine perfluoroalkylcarboxylic acids and three perfluoroalkylsulfonic acids, in the most industrialized region of Italy. Composite samples were collected in influents and effluents of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), in the main rivers flowing through the basin, and in raw groundwater and finished drinking water. Samples were analyzed by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Perfluorinated substances were not removed in WWTPs and those receiving industrial wastes discharged up to 50 times the loads of WWTPs receiving municipal wastes. The mass balance of the emissions in the River Lambro basin showed continuously increasing contamination from north to south and differences in the composition of homologues in the west and east sides of the basin. Ground and drinking water were contaminated in industrial areas, but these substances were removed well in Milan. Contamination from industrial sources was prevalent over urban sources, contributing to 90% of the loads measured at the closure of the basin. The River Lambro was confirmed as one of the main sources of contamination in the Po River.

Legionella is one of the emerging concerns of water quality in built water environments. Premise plumbing systems are among the recognised sources of infection. In the present study, colonisation of hot water networks in health care facilities, schools, hotels, private residences, office and industrial buildings was investigated. Data was analysed in connection with building and premise plumbing characteristics. Over 60% of all buildings were colonised by Legionella; counts were over 1000 CFU/L in 49%. The most prevalent type was Legionella pneumophila serogroup 2-14, isolated from 75% of the positive samples. Centrally produced hot water was found to be a key risk factor (46% of the samples were positive vs. 16% in individual systems); within this group the type of the building was less relevant. Colonisation levels in schools were similar to hotels or hospitals, representing a previously underestimated risk setting. Systems supplied by water from deep groundwater sources were significantly less likely to be colonised than more vulnerable sources (bank-wall filtration, surface water abstraction or karstic water; 28% vs. 51% positive), regardless of the type of treatment applied, including the presence of disinfection. The aggravating effect of larger, more complex and older buildings on colonisation was also confirmed. The present study represents the first baseline analysis, pre-empting regulation or monitoring requirements for Legionella. The prevalence of legionellae and the identified risk factors are indicative for other settings lacking targeted interventions. The statistically confirmed risk factors can serve as indicators for preliminary risk assessment and the prioritisation of interventions.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the extent and causes of microbiological contamination of household drinking water between source and point-of-use in developing countries. METHODS: A systematic meta-analysis of 57 studies measuring bacteria counts for source water and stored water in the home to assess how contamination varied between settings. RESULTS: The bacteriological quality of drinking water significantly declines after collection in many settings. The extent of contamination after water collection varies considerably between settings, but is proportionately greater where faecal and total coliform counts in source water are low. CONCLUSIONS: Policies that aim to improve water quality through source improvements may be compromised by post-collection contamination. Safer household water storage and treatment is recommended to prevent this, together with point-of-use water quality monitoring.

AbstractÐSurfactant-modi®ed zeolites (SMZ) have drawn recent attention as sorbents due to their removal of multiple types of contaminants and low material cost. However, like most sorbents, SMZ has a ®nite sorption capacity for dierent contaminants. The potential applications, economics, and eciency of SMZ as a sorbent are related to the ability to regenerate the material. This paper reports several methods to regenerate chromate-and perchloroethylene-saturated SMZ. Regeneration of chromate-saturated SMZ was achieved by¯ushing with a sodium carbonate/sodium hydroxide solution. However, this high-pH solution increased the counterion competition for chromate sorption sites and decreased the chromate sorption capacity of the regenerated SMZ. As an alternative regeneration method, chromate sorbed to SMZ was reduced to Cr(III) in situ using sodium dithionite solution. Although reduction with dithionite restored the chromate sorption maximum, the chromate sorption intensity was lowered, possibly due to the competition by sulfate (generated from oxidation of dithionite) for chromate sorption sites. Carbonate-regenerated SMZ showed no loss of sorption anity for perchloroethylene (PCE) compared to virgin SMZ. Air sparging of PCE-saturated SMZ fully regenerated the SMZ. The results show that it is possible to regenerate and re-use SMZ following saturation with anionic or nonpolar organic contaminants. 7

The lack of safe drinking water is one of the major problems faced by developing countries. The consequences of contaminated water are diseases such as diarrhea, one of the main causes of infant mortality. Because of its simplicity, solar water-disinfection technology provides a good way of treating water at the household level. Despite its obvious advantages and considerable promotional activities, this innovation has had rather a slow uptake. We conducted a field survey in which 644 households in Bolivia were interviewed in order to gain insights on motivations that resulted in adopting the technology. The aim was to examine possible differences in the predictors for adopting this technology during the diffusion process using the theory of innovation diffusion. Our findings indicate that early adoption was predicted by increased involvement in the topic of drinking water and that adoption in the middle of the diffusion process was predicted by increased involvement by opinion leaders and by recognition of a majority who supported the technology. Finally, late adoption was predicted by recognition that a majority had already adopted. Suggestions for future promotional strategies are outlined.

This manuscript describes the application of a genetic algorithm model for the optimal design of regional wastewater systems comprised of transmission gravitational and pumping sewer pipelines, decentralized treatment plants, and end users of reclaimed wastewater. The algorithm seeks the diameter size of the designed pipelines and their flow distribution simultaneously, the number of treatment plants and their size and location, the pump power, and the required excavation work. The model capabilities are demonstrated through a simplified example application using base runs and sensitivity analyses. Scaling of the proposed methodology to real life wastewater collection and treatment plants design problems needs further testing and developments. The model is coded in MATLAB using the GATOOL toolbox and is available from the authors.

Acid mine drainage (AMD) – characterized by high acidity and elevated sulfate and metal concentrations – represents a big environmental concern. Biological sulfate reduction has become an alternative to the classical physicochemical methods. In this study, domestic wastewater (DW) was tested as a cost-effective carbon-source for the remediation of AMD. Sediments from Tinto River, an extreme acidic environment with an elevated concentration of metals, were used as inoculum. Three anaerobic bioreactors with different microbial supports were fed with a 1:10 (v:v) mixture of synthetic AMD:DW. Around 50% of the organic matter present in the DW co-precipitated with the metals from the AMD previous to feeding the reactor. Therefore, the reactors had to be supplemented with an extra carbon-source (acetate) to achieve higher S elimination. Elevated removal efficiencies of chemical oxygen demand (COD) (>88%), sulfate (>75%), Fe (>85%) and other dissolved metals (>99% except for Mn...

The efficiency of ozone as a pre- and post-treatment to UASB treatment was investigated, followed by a study into UASB reactor performance with ozonated wastewater as substrate. Combinations of pre- and/or post-ozonation with UASB treatment gave better results than ozonation or UASB alone and COD reductions of 53.0-98.9% were achieved for treatment of canning and winery wastewaters. A UASB reactor was fed with pre-ozonated cannery wastewater for over 70 d. COD removal improved from between 58.8 and 64.4% to between 85.3 and 91.8% after pre-ozonated substrate feed commenced. Subsequent increases in organic loading rate (OLR) from 2.4 to 3.4 kgCOD m(-3) x d(-1) did not affect reactor performance. By including a final post-ozonation treatment to this UASB effluent a total COD reduction of 99.2% was achieved.

Agricultural water is a precious and limited resource. Increasingly more water types and sources are being explored for use in irrigation within the United States and across the globe. As outlined in this chapter, the Produce Safety Rule (PSR) in the Food Safety and Modernization Act (FSMA) provide irrigation water standards for application of water to fruits and vegetables consumed raw. These rules for production and use of water will continue to develop and be required as the world experiences aspects of a changing climate including flooding as well as drought conditions. Research continues to assess the use of agricultural water types. The increased use of reclaimed water in the United States as well as for selected irrigation water needs for specific crops may provide increased water availability. The use of surface water can be used in irrigation as well, but several studies have shown the presence of some enteric bacterial pathogens (enterohemorrhagic E. coli, Salmonella spp. ...

An attempt to alleviate the problem caused by the presence of reactive dyes in textile effluents was undertaken. Since alunite is a very abundant and inexpensive, we decided to experiment with it as a potential adsorbent for a certain type of the supracited pollutants used in cellulose fibers dyeing. The adsorption of Reactive Blue 114 (RB114), Reactive Yellow 64 (RY64) and Reactive Red 124 (RR124) by calcined alunite was studied by varying parameters such as the calcination temperature and time, particle size, pH, agitation time and dye concentration. Acidic pH was favorable for the adsorption of RB114 and alkaline pH was favorable to both RY64 and RR124. The equilibrium data fit the Langmuir isotherm. The adsorption capacities were found to be 170.7, 236 and 153 mg dye per gram of calcined alunite for RB114, RY64 and RR124, respectively. The pseudo first-and second-order kinetic models were used to describe the kinetic data, and the rate constants were evaluated. The experimental data were fitted by the second-order kinetic model, which indicates that chemicalsorption is the rate limiting step, inside of mass transfer.

To explore the potential fate and transport of perfluorochemicals in the thermal treatment of sludge, perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS), a perfluorochemical species commonly dominant in wastewater sludge, was mixed with hydrated lime (Ca(OH) 2 ) to quantitatively observe their interaction under different temperatures. The phase compositions of the mixtures after the reactions were qualitatively identified and quantitatively determined using X-ray diffraction technique. The results of the thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry analyses indicate that PFOS gasified directly during the thermal treatment process when the temperature was increased to around 425 • C. However, the formation of CaF 2 at 350 • C suggests that the presence of Ca(OH) 2 in the mixture can lead to the decomposition of PFOS at 350 • C, which is lower than the decomposition temperature of PFOS alone (425 • C). The increase of temperature promoted a solid state reaction between PFOS and Ca(OH) 2 , and also enhanced the interaction between the gaseous products of PFOS and CaO (or Ca(OH) 2 ). The preferred Ca/F molar ratio to achieve fluorine stabilization by Ca(OH) 2 was above 1:1 in the experiment involving 400 • C and 600 • C treatment. It also showed that equilibrium efficiency is achieved within 5 min at 400 • C and within 1 min above 600 • C.

The investigation of adsorption of nitrate onto chitosan beads modified by cross-linking with epichlorohydrin (ECH) and surface conditioning with sodium bisulfate was performed. The results indicated that both cross-linking and conditioning increased adsorption capacity compared to normal chitosan beads. The maximum adsorption capacity was found at a cross-linking ratio of 0.4 and conditioning concentration of 0.1 mM NaHSO 4 . The maximum adsorption capacity was 104.0 mg g −1 for the conditioned cross-linked chitosan beads at pH 5, while it was 90.7 mg g −1 for normal chitosan beads. The Langmuir isotherm model fit the equilibrium data better than the Freundlich model. The mean adsorption energies obtained from the Dubinin-Radushkevich isotherm model for all adsorption systems were in the range of 9.55-9.71 kJ mol −1 , indicating that physical electrostatic force was potentially involved in the adsorption process.

AbstractÐVarious titanates prepared by calcination of a mixture of KOH [Ba(OH) 2 or Ca(OH) 2 ] and titanium dioxide slurry with a slightly crystallized structure were used as photocatalyst in the reaction of oil decomposition in water. The in¯uence of both the calcination temperature and the kind of metal used on the photocatalytic activity of resulted titanates in the oil decomposition reaction in water have been studied. The phase composition of photocatalysts was determined by XRD technique. The correlation between the photocatalyst content, time of UV-illumination and the rate of oil decomposition were presented. The most active material was prepared from a slightly crystallized titania precursor and potassium hydroxide calcinated at 5508C. The complete oil decomposition was achieved after 2 h of UV illumination with the photocatalyst content of 0.5 g dm À3 . The photocatalyst forms a complex mixture of various titanium oxides and titanates that are probably responsible for the increase of activity. For the most active TiO 2 /KOH photocatalyst the optimal preparation conditions were established. #

The study has investigated the feasibility of using siderite-coated quartz sand and/or hematite-coated quartz sand columns for removing As from water. Arsenic-spiked tap water and synthetic As solution with As concentrations from 200 to 500 μg/L were used for the experiments. Since three coating methods employed to prepare siderite-coated quartz sand and hematite-coated quartz sand had no significant impact on As adsorption in batch tests, the column fillings were produced by means of the simplest one involving mechanically mixing the Fe mineral with quartz sand. Fixed bed tests show that the combination of siderite-coated quartz sand and hematite-coated quartz sand greatly promoted the column performance in removing As and the presence of As(III) in the influent improved the removal efficiency of the column. The relatively low capacity in treating As-spiked tap water arose from the suppression of FeCO 3 dissolution in the presence of high HCO 3 − concentration (333 mg/L), which consequently limited the formation of fresh Fe(III) oxides. However, the H 2 O 2 -conditioning greatly increased As adsorption capacity of the column for remediating As-spiked tap water. The Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) test shows that the spent adsorbents were not hazardous and could be safely disposed of to landfill.

Intestinal enterococci are the principal 'health-evidence-based' parameter recommended by WHO for the assessment of marine recreational water compliance. Understanding the survival characteristics of these organisms in nearshore waters is central to public health protection using robust modelling to effect real-time prediction of water quality at recreation sites as recently suggested by WHO and the Commission of the European Communities Previous models have more often focused on the coliform parameters and assumed two static day-time and night-time T 90 values to characterise the decay process. The principal driver for enterococci survival is the received dose of irradiance from sunlight. In the water column, transmission of irradiance is determined by turbidity produced by suspended material. This paper reports the results of irradiated microcosm experiments using simulated sunlight to investigate the decay of intestinal enterococci in relatively turbid estuarine and coastal waters collected from the Severn Estuary and Bristol Channel, UK. High-turbidity estuarine waters produced a T 90 value of 39.5 h. Low-turbidity coastal waters produced a much shorter T 90 value of 6.6 h. In experiments receiving no irradiation, high-turbidity estuarine waters also produced a longer T 90 of 65.1 h compared with corresponding low-turbidity coastal waters, T 90 24.8 h. Irradiated T 90 values were correlated with salinity, turbidity and suspended solids (r40:8; po0:001). The results suggest that enterococci decay in irradiated experiments with turbidity 4200 NTU is similar to decay observed under dark conditions. Most significantly, these results suggest that modelling turbidity and or suspended solids offers a potential means of predicting T 90 values in 'real-time' for discrete cells of a hydrodynamic model. r

This study investigated the removal efficiency and mechanisms of water contaminants (mainly N-nitrosamines) during municipal wastewater reclamation by a membrane bioreactor (MBR) and nanofiltration (NF) hybrid system. The removal of bulk water contaminants was governed by the microbial activities in the MBR and molecular weight cut-off (MWCO) of the NF membranes. The removal of N-nitrosamines by the MBR was primarily attributed to biodegradation by aerobic bacteria, which can be determined by the reactivity of the amine functional groups with the catabolic enzymes (removal efficiency=45-84%). Adsorption and formation of membrane fouling can enhance the removal of N-nitrosamines by the NF membranes. However, size-exclusion is found to play a major role in the removal of N-nitrosamines by the NF membranes since the removal efficiencies of N-nitrosamines varied significantly depending on molecular weight of the N-nitrosamines and MWCO of the NF membranes (removal efficiency: NE90>NE...

Characterization and treatment of a real pharmaceutical wastewater containing 775 mg dissolved organic carbon per liter by a solar photo-Fenton/biotreatment were studied. There were also many inorganic compounds present in the matrix. The most important chemical in this wastewater was nalidixic acid (45 mg/L), an antibiotic pertaining to the quinolone group. A Zahn-Wellens test demonstrated that the real bulk organic content of the wastewater was biodegradable, but only after long biomass adaptation; however, the nalidixic acid concentration remained constant, showing that it cannot be biodegraded. An alternative is chemical oxidation (photo-Fenton process) first to enhance biodegradability, followed by a biological treatment (Immobilized Biomass Reactor-IBR). In this case, two studies of photo-Fenton treatment of the real wastewater were performed, one with an excess of H 2 O 2 (kinetic study) and another with controlled H 2 O 2 dosing (biodegradability and toxicity studies). In the kinetic study, nalidixic acid completely disappeared after 190 min. In the other experiment with controlled H 2 O 2 , nalidixic acid degradation was complete at 66 mM of H 2 O 2 consumed. Biodegradability and toxicity bioassays showed that photo-Fenton should be performed until total degradation of nalidixic acid before coupling a biological treatment. Analysis of the average oxidation state (AOS) demonstrated the formation of more oxidized intermediates. With this information, the photo-Fenton treatment time (190 min) and H 2 O 2 dose (66 mM) necessary for adequate biodegradability of the wastewater could be determined. An IBR operated in batch mode was able to reduce the remaining DOC to less than 35 mg/L. Ammonium consumption and NO 3 À generation demonstrated that nitrification was also attained in the IBR. Overall DOC degradation efficiency of the combined photo-Fenton and biological treatment was over 95%, of which 33% correspond to the solar photochemical process and 62% to the biological treatment.

}Ozonation is a disinfection technique commonly used in the treatment of drinking water. It destroys harmful microbes, but it also degrades organic matter in water, increasing the bioavailability of organic matter. Recently, it was found that not only organic carbon but also phosphorus can limit the microbial growth in drinking water, which contains high amount of organic matter. We used a bioassay to analyze whether ozone could also increase the microbially available phosphorus (MAP) in drinking water, and whether MAP in ozone-treated water was associated with the growth of heterotrophic microbes. We found that both assimilable organic carbon and MAP concentrations were increased by ozone treatment. In ozonated water, microbial growth was mainly limited by phosphorus, and even minor changes in MAP concentration dramatically increased the growth potential of heterotrophic microbes. In this study, ozonation increased the MAP by 0.08-0.73 mg P/l, resulting in an increase of 80,000-730,000 CFU/ml in water samples. In contrast to MAP, the content of assimilable organic carbon (AOC potential) did not correlate with microbial growth. The results show that in water treatment not only AOC potential but also MAP should be considered as an important factor that can limit microbial growth in drinking water.

A Mg/Fe hydrotalcite-like-compound (HTlc) was prepared and its affinity toward the removal of SeO 2− 3 from an aqueous medium was studied as a function of pH, time, temperature, particle dose, and SeO 2− 3 concentration. The fraction of SeO 2− 3 removal increases with decrease in both pH and temperature. The adsorption data are fitted to the Langmuir adsorption isotherm in the temperature range 303-333 K, and the thermodynamic parameters viz. standard Gibbs' free energy change (G •), enthalpy change (H •), and entropy change (S •) are calculated. The negative value of H • indicates that the adsorption process is exothermic. The apparent equilibrium constants (K a) are also calculated and found to decrease with increase in temperature.

An integrated fluidized bed reactor (FBR) has been employed as the treatment for petrochemical industry wastewaters with high organic matter and aromatic compounds, under anaerobic and aerobic conditions. The system was operated at hydraulic residence time (HRT) of 2.7 and 2.2 h in the anaerobic and aerobic reactor, respectively. The degree of fluidization in the beds was 30%. This system showed a high performance on the removal of organic matter and aromatic compounds. At different organic loading rates (OLR), the chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal in the anaerobic reactor was close to 85% and removals of the COD up to 94% were obtained in the aerobic reactor. High removals of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylenes, styrene, 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene, 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene and naphthalene were achieved in this study.

The concentrations and removals of 16 fragrance materials (FMs) were measured in 17 U.S. and European wastewater treatment plants between 1997 and 2000 and were compared to predicted values. The average FM profile and concentrations in U.S. and European influent were similar. The average FM profile in primary effluent was similar to the average influent profile; however, the concentration of FMs was reduced by 14.6-50.6% in primary effluent. The average FM profile in final effluent was significantly different from the primary effluent profile and was a function of the design of the wastewater treatment plant. In general, the removal of sorptive, nonbiodegradable FMs was correlated with the removal of total suspended solids in the plant, while the removal of nonsorptive, biodegradable FMs was correlated with 5-day Biological Oxidation Demand removal in the plant. The overall plant removal (primary + secondary treatment) of FMs ranged from 87.8 to 99.9% for activated sludge plants, 58.6-99.8% for carousel plants, 88.9-99.9% for oxidation ditch plants, 71.3-98.6% for trickling filter plants, 80.8-99.9% for a rotating biological contactor plant, and 96.7-99.9% for lagoons. The average concentration of FMs in final effluent ranged from the limit of quantitation (1-3 ng/L) to 8 µg/L. Measured FM removal and concentrations were compared to predicted values, which were based on industry volume, per capita water use, octanol-water partition coefficient, and biodegradability.

Pseudomonas oryzihabitans is an uncommon pathogen that may cause opportunistic infections. Although it has been previously isolated from the environment, the source of human infection has not been well documented. In this study, we describe the presence of P. oryzihabitans adhering on suspended particulate matters recovered from karst groundwaters. The isolated pathogen was capable of forming biofilms on silicon supports and clay beads. Adherent P. oryzihabitans cells displayed a high resistance to chlorine as compared with the same organisms cultured in the planktonic mode. These results demonstrate that aquifer biofilms are potential environmental sources for water-born P. oryzihabitans infections and that bacterial attachment might affect drinking water purification. r

In this paper a comparison about kinetic behaviour, acid-base properties and copper removal capacities was carried out between two different adsorbent materials used for heavy metal removal from aqueous solutions: an aminodiacetic chelating resin as commercial product (Lewatit TP207) and a lyophilised bacterial biomass of Sphaerotilus natans. The acid-base properties of a S. natans cell suspension were well described by simplified mechanistic models without electrostatic corrections considering two kinds of weakly acidic active sites. In particular the introduction of two-peak distribution function for the proton affinity constants allows a better representation of the experimental data reproducing the site heterogeneity. A priori knowledge about resin functional groups (aminodiacetic groups) is the base for preliminary simulations of titration curve assuming a Donnan gel structure for the resin phase considered as a concentrated aqueous solution of aminodiacetic acid (ADA). Departures from experimental and simulated data can be interpreted by considering the heterogeneity of the functional groups and the effect of ionic concentration in the resin phase. Two-site continuos model describes adequately the experimental data. Moreover the values of apparent protonation constants (as adjustable parameters found by non-linear regression) are very near to the apparent constants evaluated by a Donnan model assuming the intrinsic constants in resin phase equal to the equilibrium constants in aqueous solution of ADA and considering the amphoteric nature of active sites for the evaluation of counter-ion concentration in the resin phase. Copper removal outlined the strong affinity of the active groups of the resin for this ion in solution compared to the S. natans biomass according to the complexation constants between aminodiacetic and mono-carboxylic groups and copper ions.

Laccase from Trametes versicolor was immobilized by diazotization on a nylon membrane grafted with glycidil methacrylate, using phenylenediamine as spacer and coupling agent. The behavior of these enzyme derivatives was studied under isothermal and nonisothermal conditions by using syringic acid as substrate, in view of the employment of these membranes in processes of detoxification of vegetation waters from olive oil mills. The pH and temperature dependence of catalytic activity under isothermal conditions has shown that these membranes can be usefully employed under extreme pH and temperatures. When employed under nonisothermal conditions, the membranes exhibited an increase of catalytic activity linearly proportional to the applied transmembrane temperature difference. Percentage activity increases ranging from 62% to 18% were found in the range of syringic acid concentration from 0.02 to 0.8 mM, when a difference of 1°C was applied across the catalytic membrane. Because the percentage activity increase is strictly related to the reduction of the production times, the technology of nonisothermal bioreactors has been demonstrated to be an useful tool also in the treatment of vegetation waters from olive oil mills.

The present study aims to estimate the incidence of preventable infectious diseases or associated symptoms among young children in Bangladesh and also determine the factors affecting these conditions. The study hypothesised that various background characteristics of children as well as their parents influence the incidence of morbidity of children aged below 5 years. Setting: The study used data from the most recent nationally representative cross-sectional Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) conducted in 2011. Participants: A total of 7550 children aged below 5 years during the survey from mothers aged between 12 and 49 years are the participants of the study. Results: In general, younger children were more likely to suffer from multiple health conditions than their older counterparts. Children belonging to households classified as poor (OR=1.425, 95% CI (1.130 to 1.796)) or middle (OR=1.349, 95% CI (1.113 to 1.636)) faced greater risk of illness than those from well-off households. A combination of source and treatment practices of drinking water showed a significant impact on incidence of childhood morbidity. Children from households using untreated non-piped water were 85.8% (OR=1.860, 95% CI (1.269 to 2.728)) more likely to suffer from comorbidity than those who treat their piped drinking water. However, we observed that water treatment alone has no impact unless the water itself was sourced from a pipe. Conclusions: Accelerated programmes promoting access to safe drinking water along with water treatment practices, and better household environment may prove effective in reducing the incidence of childhood morbidity in Bangladesh.

A hybrid in situ bioremediation/pulsed pumping strategy has been developed to cost effectively remediate a carbon tetrachloride plume in Schoolcraft, Michigan. The pulsed pumping system uses a line of alternating injection and extraction wells perpendicular to the direction of natural groundwater flow. The wells pump periodically to clean the recirculation zone between adjacent wells. During the pump-off phase, natural groundwater flow brings new contaminant into the recirculation zone. The wells are pumped again prior to breakthrough of contaminant from the recirculation zone.A computationally efficient reactor model has been developed, which conceptually divides the aquifer into injection, extraction, and recirculation zones, which are represented by a network of chemical reactors. Solute concentration histories from three-dimensional finite difference simulations and from field data confirm the reactor model predictions. The reactor model is used to investigate the optimal well c...

β-1-3-Glucan synthase activity and its induction by olive mill wastewaters (OMW) was studied in ten fungal strains (Auricularia auricula-judae, Lentinula edodes, Pleurotus eryngii, Stropharia aeruginosa, Agrocybe aegerita, P. pulmonarius, Armillaria mellea, P. ferulae, P. ostreatus, P. nebrodensis). A microtiter-based enzymatic assay on β-1-3-glucan synthase activity was carried out on all mycelia growth both on the control medium and on OMW. Among the fungi assayed, L. edodes β-1-3-glucan synthase was highly enhanced in OMW. The main components of OMW, i.e. phenols and lipids, were added separately to the control medium, to highlight the mechanism of L. edodes β-1-3-glucan synthase induction. A Southern blot analysis and PCR with degenerated primers were carried out to detect the presence of fks1-like genes in these Basidiomycetes. The sequences obtained from the ten Basidiomycota were remarkably similar to fks1 from Filobasidiella neoformans. Spectrofluorimetric and RT-PCR analyses of β-1-3glucan synthase were performed on the mycelia of L. edodes. In this fungus, a strong stimulation of β-1-3glucan synthase mRNA and protein was recorded in the presence of OMW and phenols.

Using natural Luffa cylindrica fibers as adsorbent removal of methylene blue dye from aqueous solutions at different temperatures and dye concentrations was investigated in this study. Thermodynamics and kinetics of adsorption were also investigated. The adsorption isotherms could be well defined with Langmuir model instead of Freundlich model. The thermodynamic parameters of methylene blue (MB) adsorption indicated that the adsorption is exothermic and spontaneous. The average MB adsorption capacity was found out as 49 mg/g and average BET surface area of fibers was calculated as 123 m 2 /g.

The development of pulsed discharges inside a stationary air bubble in water was observed using an intensified charge-coupled device camera with high-speed gate. The discharges were ignited from a tungsten wire inserted into a glass tube, which was immersed in the purified water. The pulsed high voltage was applied to the wire by an inductive energy storage system pulsed-power generator. The streamer discharge was propagated into the bubble from the wire tip with a propagation velocity of 0.5 mm/ns. A back discharge was observed due to a charge accumulation on the water surface and the glass tube.

Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS-MS) Waste water Sewage treatment plant (STP) Surface water a b s t r a c t Aim of this study was to provide an up-to-date assessment of the antibiotics contaminating the aqueous environment in Italy, for a better understanding of risks for the ecosystem and human health. Antibiotics were first listed in order of their theoretical environmental loads, then were measured in wastewater of some sewage treatment plants (STPs) and in rivers in Italy. Macrolides, particularly clarithromycin and spiramycin, and quinolones, particularly ciprofloxacin and l-floxacin/ofloxacin, were the most abundant antibiotics in untreated wastewater. Several of them were not removed in STPs and still remained in the treated wastewater, and a total estimate of 7-14 tons of active principles were discharged annually into the aqueous environment in Italy through this route. Results of the analysis of rivers in northern Italy agreed with these figures, with an average load of 5 kg/day, or about 1.8 tons/year, of antibiotics flowing in the River Po, at sampling sites covering a basin comprising about one-fifth of the Italian population. In conclusion, antibiotics, particularly macrolides and quinolones, are widespread environmental contaminants, and urban STPs are confirmed a major source of the contamination.

Laccases have received much attention from researchers in last decades due to their ability to oxidise both phenolic and non-phenolic lignin related compounds as well as highly recalcitrant environmental pollutants, which makes them very useful for their application to several biotechnological processes. Such applications include the detoxification of industrial effluents, mostly from the paper and pulp, textile and petrochemical industries, use as a tool for medical diagnostics and as a bioremediation agent to clean up herbicides, pesticides and certain explosives in soil. Laccases are also used as cleaning agents for certain water purification systems, as catalysts for the manufacture of anti-cancer drugs and even as ingredients in cosmetics. In addition, their capacity to remove xenobiotic substances and produce polymeric products makes them a useful tool for bioremediation purposes. This paper reviews the applications of laccases within different industrial fields as well as their potential extension to the nanobiotechnology area.

2-Methylisoborneol (MIB), a metabolite of blue-green algae, has been implicated in causing unpalatable drinking water throughout the world. Current non-biological water treatment technologies are ineffective in removing MIB from potable water or are cost-prohibitive, and biological applications may address these problems. We have isolated and characterized a bacterium derived from lake water and capable of aerobically degrading MIB. Light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy revealed that this strain is a spore-forming, flagellated bacterium that is bacilloid in shape, and 16S rRNA phylogenetic analysis determined that it is most closely related to Bacillus fusiformis and Bacillus sphaericus, both members of the Bacillus sphaericus senso lato taxon. While the growth and oxidation potential of this strain was shown to be affected beyond certain MIB concentrations in the mg/l range, it was capable of depleting MIB at mg/l and ng/l concentrations and of removing MIB to concentrations yielding no observed odor.

The growing increment of the urbanization and, on the other hand, the even more strict effluent limits imposed by the Water Framework Directive for the receiving water body quality state have led to the need for upgrading several existing WWTP. With this respect HMBBR systems are an innovative solution since they allow to upgrade existing high loaded WWTP without building new tanks. However, some uncertainties in their design, maintenance as well as performance have to be addressed due to their recent acquisition compared with well consolidated technologies such as activated sludge systems. In this light, a data gathering campaign on a HMBBR pilot plant has been performed. The aim was to detect the performance of such new technology as well as to survey the influencing effect of the carrier media filling ratio. Indeed, there may be problem of competitiveness between attached and suspended biomass that jointly operate in the same system for carbon and nitrogen removal. Such competitiveness may lead to a worsening of the system efficiency. The results are interesting and the gathered data in the experimental period show a slight difference in terms of performance behaviour, between the two systems (35 and 66%). Such result leads to address the filling ratio choice towards the 35%. Key words | hybrid moving bed biofilm reactor, MBBR, model nitrification, organic carbon removal, pilot plant experiments D. Di Trapani et al. | Hybrid moving bed biofilm reactors

A reliable and specific method was developed for the determination of the cytotoxic drugs cyclophosphamide and ifosfamide in sewage effluent. The most successful combination was found to be Strata-X solid-phase extraction followed by Florisil ® clean-up with analysis by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Quantification by internal standardisation was achieved using custom synthesised d4-cyclophophosphamide. The mass spectrometer was operated in highly selective reaction monitoring (HSRM) mode, which significantly reduced matrix noise and improved sensitivity. Although it suffered from some ionisation suppression, electrospray ionisation (ESI) was found to give an order of magnitude better sensitivity in terms of limit of detection than atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation (APCI). Using final effluent from two different sewage treatment plants, the method was validated following official European guidelines and shown to be a high performance tool for routine analysis at the sub-nanogram per litre level. Depending on the matrix, the limit of detection for cyclophosphamide was between 0.03 ng/L and 0.12 ng/L and for ifosfamide between 0.05 ng/L and 0.09 ng/L. For cyclophosphamide the accuracy and precision, tested at 1.7 ng/L, were 98-109% and ≤13%, CV respectively. For ifosfamide the accuracy and precision, tested at 1.1 ng/L, were 98-113% and ≤15% CV, respectively. Depending on the sample matrix the absolute recovery of the internal standard was between 57% and 70%. The method was tested by analysis of spot samples taken from the final effluent discharges of two sewage treatment plants; the first using a conventional trickling filter treatment process and second employing activated sludge followed by ultra violet treatment.

This paper presents a critical review of model-input parameters for transport of on-site wastewater treatment system (OWS) pollutants. Approximately 25% of the U.S. population relies on soil-based OWS for effective treatment and protection of public health and environmental quality. Mathematical models are useful tools for understanding and predicting the transport and fate of wastewater pollutants and for addressing water-budget issues related to wastewater reclamation from site to watershed scales. However, input parameters for models that simulate fate and transport of OWS pollutants are not readily obtained. The purpose of this analysis is to illustrate an objective, statistically supported method for choosing model-input parameters related to nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). Data were gathered from existing studies reported in the literature. Cumulative frequency distributions (CFDs) are provided for OWS effluent concentrations of N and P, nitrification and denitrification rates, and linear sorption isotherm constants for P. When CFDs are not presented, ranges and median values are provided. Median values for model-input parameters are as follows: total N concentration (44 mg/L), nitrate-N (0.2 mg/L), ammonium (60 mg/L), phosphate-P (9 mg/L), organic N (14 mg/L), zero-order nitrification rate (264 mg/L/d), first-order nitrification (2.9/d), first-order dentrification (0.025/d), maximum soil capacity for P uptake (237 mg/kg), linear sorption isotherm constant for P (15.1 L/kg), and OWS effluent flow rates (260 L/person/d).