bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A strategy for coupling municipal wastewater treatment using the sequencing batch reactor with effluent nutrient recovery through aquaculture
Authors: Umble A. K. , Ketchum L. H.
Published: May 2018

Recovering inorganic nutrients from treated municipal wastewaters prior to discharge, can not only minimize deterioration of receiving water quality, but can also be used to culture fish. Recovery can be achieved by integrating an ecological component, aquaculture, into the treatment scheme. Because of its operating flexibility, a Sequencing Batch Reactor was used to provide biological treatment of a municipal wastewater for oxidation of organic matter, removal of suspended solids, and nitrification. Performance of the reactor's 12-hour cycle for CBOD5, TSS, and NH3-N removals was 98%, 90%, and 89%, respectively. To recover inorganic nutrients, effluents were used to fertilize growth of desirable algal groups in an aquaculture component. Desirable algal groups are those which are preferred food sources for those zooplankton considered preferred prey for fish. Desirable algal response is influenced by the ratio of inorganic nutrients put into the system. An SBR's operational strategy was developed to produce effluents with acceptable N:P ratios ranging from 16 to 23. Though wide variation of this ratio resulted from this fertilization in the aquaculture tanks, the resulting algal response throughout the culture period was dominance of edible algal greens.
Biological treatment of a soil contaminated with diesel fuel using periodically operated slurry and solid phase reactors
Authors: Cassidy D. P. , Irvine R. L.
Published: May 2018

A silty clay loam contaminated with diesel fuel was treated in the laboratory using periodically operated slurry and solid phase bioreactors. Soil Slurry-Sequencing Batch Reactors (SS-SBRs) were operated with a 40% solids concentrations (w/v) to determine the effect of hydraulic residence time and volumetric replacement strategy on performance. Solid Phase-Sequencing Batch Reactors (SP-SBRs) were operated with the same silty clay loam artificially contaminated with diesel fuel. Different periodic aeration strategies were investigated in the SP-SBRs in an attempt to minimize volatile losses without sacrificing overall removal efficiency.

Results showed that a day 10 HRT in the SS-SBRs was optimal for the soil tested. The rate and extent of diesel fuel removal was increased by providing a higher concentration of diesel fuel at the beginning of the SBR cycle, indicating that removal rates are not zero-order. The findings also showed that a properly operated periodic venting strategy produced high overall removal efficiencies with considerably less volatilization than continuous aeration.
Feasibility of a pulsed sequencing batch reactor with anaerobic aggregated biomass for the treatment of low strength wastewaters
Authors: Brito A. G. , Rodrigues A. C. , Melo L. F.
Published: May 2018

This study concerns an assessment of a SBR operation that associates anaerobic aggregated biomass with a pulsed action during the reaction phase, a system named Pulsed Sequencing Batch Reactor (P-SBR). The system uses a diaphragm pump as a pulsator unit to increase the liquid-solid contact, in order to avoid dead zones and possible external mass transfer resistance. A preliminary study of the operation of the reactor was performed with a low strength synthetic wastewater with a COD near 1000 mg.1−1 and a sub-optimal temperature of 22°C. A removal efficiency of 60-70% was attained after 5 and 6 hours of reaction time. The respective organic loads were 5 – 6 kg COD.m−3. day−1, thus supporting the feasibility of the P-SBR system for wastewater treatment in such conditions. The results also indicate that a ratio of 1.8%o between the swept volume delivered by the pump and the reactor volume was adequate to promote a flow turbulence in the sludge blanket and that a redox potential of near −400 mV was readily created by anaerobic bacteria after the reactor filling step.
The advantages of periodically operated biofilm reactors for the treatment of highly variable wastewater
Authors: Woolard C. R.
Published: May 2018

Many wastes generated by industry, at hazardous wastes sites and at landfill experience shock loads of inhibitory organic compounds which can upset biological treatment systems. Biofilm reactors can be used to treat these wastes. However, the continuous flow mode operation normally used results in biofilm stratification and uneven biomass distribution that limits the ability of biofilm processes to treat shock loads. Periodic operation of biofilm reactors is advantageous because even biomass distribution can be obtained. In addition, data from membrane sequencing batch biofilm reactors indicates that periodic operation imposes regular variations in substrate concentration on the biofilm. As a result, organisms throughout the film achieve maximum growth rates which cause physiological adaptations that can improve biofilm response to shock loads.
Automatic adjustment of cycle length and aeration time for improved nitrogen removal in an alternating activated sludge process
Authors: Isaacs S.
Published: May 2018

The paper examines the nitrogen dynamics in the alternating BIODENITRO and BIODENIPHO processes with a focus on two control handles influencing flow scheduling and aeration: the cycle length and the ammonia concentration at which a nitrifying period is terminated. A steady state analysis examining the combined effect of both control handles reveals three conditions which characterize when nitrogen removal is maximized. A dynamic analysis shows that these conditions also apply for a changing ammonia load. This then allows an automatic control strategy for maximizing nitrogen removal to be based on a cycle by cycle single variable optimization rather than a more difficult multivariable optimization over a longer time horizon.
A full-scale test of a biological nutrients removal system using the sequencing batch reactor activated sludge process
Authors: Rim Y.-T. , Yang H.-J. , Yoon C.-H. , Kim Y.-S. , Seo J.-B. , Ryu J.-K. , Shin E.-B.
Published: May 2018

A full-scale pilot plant using SBR process was experimented with an actual wastewater emanating from a recreational center. The main purpose of this investigation was to evaluate applicability in the field and process removal efficiencies in terms of BOD, SS, TN and TP and its corresponding kinetic parameters. It was found that removal efficiencies were comparable with results of other studies reported in the literature. BOD removal was observed to be 95% on average while SS removal to be 89% on average. Removal rate of nitrogen was 70% in terms of total nitrogen and that of phosphorus was 77% in terms of total phosphorus. Effluent concentrations were 7.3 mg/??? BOD, 10.4mg/??? SS, 13.6mg/??? TN and 0.9mg/??? TP. Effluent quality was maintained consistently stable by controlling decantation quantity and operating cycles. Denitrification/nitrification were accomplished during anaerobic/aerobic processes and the conversion rates were 4.5mg/kgMLSS/hr and 1.5mg/kgMLSS/hr, respectively. The sludge yield coefficient was 0.32 whereas sludge phosphorus luxury uptake was as high as 5.6wt% at the end of aerobic cycle. Microscopic examination revealed that microcytes that were observed predominantly in sludge were Vorticella, Epistilis, Aspidisca (protozoa) and Philodina (rotatoria). This experiment may prove that SBR process is one of the most promising technologies that can be employed to treat organic matter as well as nutrients in wastewaters that are generated from such sources as recreational facilities because of fluctuations of wastewaters in terms of quality and quantity.
Pilot-testing, design and full-scale experience of a sequencing batch reactor system for the treatment of the potentially toxic waste water from a road and rail car cleaning site
Authors: Zilverentant A. G.
Published: May 2018

A cleaning site for road and rail car tankers emits a waste water stream of 200-250 m3/d. The waste water was originally treated in a physico-chemical waste water treatment plant. It was required to improve the effluent quality in order to meet the future discharge limits. As a possible treatment technique the sequencing batch reactor (SBR) technology, with an option for powdered activated carbon (PAC) dosing, was selected.

Waste water originating from road and rail car cleaning installations is known to be potentially toxic/inhibitory. As a first step in the design procedure a pilot test was run for a period of 8 months. This pilot showed the SBR to be an appropriate technology for the treatment of the waste water. The PAC option was not feasible.

Based on the pilot results a full scale installation, comprising a batch reactor with a diameter of 10.4 m and a maximum water depth of 17.3 m, was designed and successfully started up. This paper presents the highlights of the total project.
Opening address of the 11th Stockholm Water Symposium
Authors: Andersen Gun-Britt
Published: May 2018

Water security for the 21st century – building bridges through dialogue It is an honour and a great pleasure for me to address you at the opening of the 11th Stockholm Water Symposium. I am here in the place of the Swedish ministers most concerned: Kjell Larsson, the minister for environment and Maj-Inger Klingvall, the minister for development cooperation, who are involved in the annual Swedish cabinet recess to agree the priorities in next year's budget. Let me extend their and add my own congratulations to Professor Takashi Asano for his well deserved award of the 2001 Stockholm Water Prize. We all appreciate your important contribution to our common goal: to achieve a good and efficient use and reuse of water. Also I wish to commend the Stockholm International Water Institute, SIWI, and the other contributors for making this week in Stockholm not only a prominent event itself, but most importantly helping to put water in its proper place on the international development and environment agendas.
Global compact to leverage world development
Authors: Lindahl Göran
Published: May 2018

In the past decade global market forces have been unleashed by technology,reformed regulations, privatised assets, and liberalized trade and foreign investment. Multinational companies – a driving force of globalization – now produce one-fourth of the world's output. Five percent more than the output of all the developing countries combined!
Summary and conclusions of the 2001 Stockholm Water Symposium
Authors: Falkenmark M.
Published: May 2018

Earlier Symposia stressed the importance of both a radical shift in thinking and of a radically improved governance. This is not possible without cross-sectoral bridge building through dialogue – the theme of this year's Symposium. The ongoing globalization is strong and complex with three main categories of country responses: integration into the world economy, marginalization, or a mix of both. Since water is a key element to achieve poverty eradication, health, nutrition and ecological service protection, i.e. for socio-economic development, it is imperative that water be entered into the political agenda and given adequate status in society and among politicians. The particular danger of the water pollution crisis already in progress, clearly illustrated from both India and China, was further visualized by a dynamic world model experiment, showing devastating consequences in the 2040s that would influence both food production and population. The Symposium dialogue indicated however that there are options for actions. It is time to move on and make sure that water security becomes a reality for our children and grandchildren.
Spans and suspensions: building bridges and water security through integrated water resource management
Authors: Catley-Carlson Margaret
Published: May 2018

There are three chasms that block the route to water security: the impact of population growth (and the associated urbanization); widespread malnutrition and poverty; conflict between agricultural demand and other human uses of water. To cross these chasms requires firstly education (primary education for girls is crucial) and the introduction of integrated water resource management. It requires the application of community energies and dedication, and the harnessing of private sector energies resources, but it will also need the development of innovative financial mechanisms. Above all it requires a major shift in the way we manage water, discarding prejudices and preconceptions, to address our water needs with imagination and commitment.
Globalization and its challenges for water management in the developing world
Authors: Takahashi Kazuo
Published: May 2018

Water management in developing countries is significantly affected by the processes of globalization: primarily the rapidly acting market-oriented changes that aim to improve economic efficiency through competition and trade. The various impacts of market forces enable 3 categories of developing country to be differentiated: those rapidly integrating into the global economy; those that are not attractive to international investment and become increasingly marginalized; and those countries where both tendencies are powerful, leading to internal divisions and instabilities. Broad framework national development plans are needed that are sensitive to the different circumstances in these countries and that enable the possible actors to collaborate optimally. Often the business sector can take a leading role, but its role is severely limited in other countries. In all cases however the long-term commitment of local communities is essential even when it is hard to secure.
Dams, environment and regional development – harnessing the “elixir of life: water” for overall development
Authors: Vyas Jay Narayan
Published: May 2018

Water – the Elixir of Life – has the potential to sustain human life and also to develop it further, and that is why various international instruments have aptly recognized its role in sustainable development. This paper reviews the global and Indian water scenario before presenting the case of Gujarat State, where perennial water scarcity has raised serious threats to the existence of millions of people and cattle and has led to environmental degradation and constrained economic development. More than 13,000 villages out of 18,028 villages of the State are facing scarcity in terms of crop failure this year. Drinking water supply is maintained by transporting water by road tankers, “water special” trains and even by ships via a sea route. Lack of access to safe and clean water for domestic use has a detrimental effect on the social fabric, and even incidences of migration and water riots are recorded. The paper discusses the efficacy of available options including rain water harvesting. The efforts of the State to harness the untapped waters of Narmada for the survival of millions and sustainable development of western India, are discussed adjudging socio-economic and environmental impacts. The paper concludes that assured water supply is essentially critical for overall development.
The EU Water Framework Directive – a key to catchment-based governance
Authors: Holzwarth Fritz
Published: May 2018

The principles of good water governance require an effective water policy with a clear legal framework and institutional structure for managing river basins and aquifers. Integrated water resources management is essential and decision-making processes must be participatory and transparent. The development of the European Union's Water Framework Directive is outlined, and it is shown how it can serve as the basis of catchment-based governance for the successful management of water quality and quantity in transboundary river basins.
Water ethics – a substitute for over-regulation of a scarce resource
Authors: Harremoës Poul
Published: May 2018

Water scarcity is increasing due to increasing demand and diminishing resources. The water scarcity issues have to be distinguished according to availability and applicability, because urban water use does not consume water, but pollutes it. Water scarcity may be regulated by “command and control” and more recently by “economical instruments”. Water ethics is an important, but frequently ignored element in regulation. Equity in availability and applicability of water is the important ethical issue at all levels, from local community to the global scale. The distribution of rights and duties is problematic and no easy solutions are in sight, but attention and awareness are essential. The ethical community has been expanded from a human dimension to include an ecological dimension, which aggravates the dilemma. There have been too many surprises in water quality development, due to unforeseen negative effects of activities in the modern society. Decision making relative to complex systems is frequently marred by uncertainty and ignorance. In such cases, solutions have to be robust, flexible and adaptable to unforeseen changes.
Workshop 1 (synthesis): relation between industry and other water interests in a catchment context – facilitated stakeholder dialogue
Authors: Fallenius U.B. , Fry A.E.
Published: May 2018

Workshop 1 considered the nature and identity of water stakeholders and how best to facilitate an open, transparent, democratic process of dialogue leading to agreed strategies to address water problems.
The role of dams in development
Authors: Altinbilek Doğan
Published: May 2018

Dams are a major issue in sustainable management of finite water resources; they have also become the subject of vigorous public debate. This article considers them in the light of the report of the World Commission on Dams and using the example of Turkey. It is argued that economic development and population growth, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions, make plain the need for dams for hydropower and irrigation. Environmental impact assessment is essential, as are effective programmes for resettlement to avoid the impoverishment of displaced people.
Land-use change and floods: what do we need most, research or management?
Authors: Tollan Arne
Published: May 2018

Land-cover change (urbanisation, deforestation, and cultivation) results in increased flood frequency and severity. Mechanisms include reduced infiltration capacity, lower soil porosity, loss of vegetation, and forest clearing, meaning lower evapotranspiration. Major research challenges lie in quantification of effects in terms of flood characteristics under various conditions, ascertaining the combined effects of gradual changes over long time periods, and developing model tools suitable for land-use management. Large floods during the 1990s gave a new focus on these problems. Reference is made to the Norwegian HYDRA research programme on human impacts on floods and flood damage.

The paper concludes that land-use change effects on floods are most pronounced at small scale and for frequent flood magnitudes. Model simulations of effects of land-use change can now be used to reduce flood risk. Modern flood management strategies have abandoned the position that dams and dikes are the only answers to mitigating flood disasters. Today, the strategic approach is more often: do not keep the water away from the people, keep people away from the water. Flood management strategies should include flood warnings, efficient communication, risk awareness, civil protection and flood preparedness routines, effective land-use policies, flood risk mapping, … as well as structural measures.
A model for government-community partnership in building sewage systems for urban areas: The experiences of the Orangi Pilot Project – Research and Training Institute (OPP-RTI), Karachi
Authors: Hasan Arif
Published: May 2018

Over 20 years the Orangi Pilot Project has been working to understand the problems of Orangi, a district of Karachi largely characterised by high-density informal settlement, and enable its residents to develop and implement solutions. Sanitation was identified as the major problem and a sewerage system was built. From this work was developed the “internal-external” concept for sanitation, which has 4 levels: sanitary latrines in houses; underground sewer in lane; neighbourhood collector sewer; and trunk sewer and treatment plant. The first three components are “internal” and can be undertaken by low-income communities; the “external” fourth component has to be funded and carried out by government or similar agency. Successful and unsuccessful attempts elsewhere to replicate this model have both confirmed the effectiveness and practicality of such community-based action and shown the – largely organisational – pitfalls that must be avoided.
Philosophical, ecological and technical challenges for expanding ecological sanitation into urban areas
Authors: Esray Steven A
Published: May 2018

Ecological sanitation seems often to be taken to mean no more than an alternative toilet, whereas it should be understood more broadly as embodying a closed-loop approach to the management of human excreta. In the next 25 years the urban population of Africa and Asia is expected to double. By facilitating the revival of urban agriculture and avoiding the adverse environmental impacts of conventional treatment strategies, ecological sanitation can play a major role in providing food security and public health in a sustainable future.
Preface
Authors: Falkenmark Malin
Published: May 2018

The 2003 Stockholm Water Symposium was the first in a new series within the overall topic of Drainage basin security - Prospects for tradeoffs and benefit sharing in a globalised world. Where population continues to grow, and the need increases to produce more food and other goods and services, the complexity of water management also increases. Ways have to be found in which to manage the chain of consecutive users, interests and quality degrading activities in the catchment so that all relevant uses/demands/polluting activities can be properly balanced.
Opening address of the 13th Stockholm Water Symposium
Authors: Sommestad L.
Published: May 2018

Water is essential for all life. But even though water is precious to us, we do not always treat it as a precious resource. Water is most often used and managed in a fragmented and unsustainable manner, frequently leading to water scarcity and degradation of its quality. Our way of living has created a situation where freshwater resources are under tremendous pressure and more than 1 billion people lack acceptable drinking water.
Water governance, poverty reduction and sustainable development
Authors: Andersson I.
Published: May 2018

As a representative of a UN Agency with poverty reduction and sustainable development on top of the agenda, I greatly appreciate the evolution of the Stockholm Water Symposium from its initial years as a rather technical side event, appended to a noisy water festival, to in recent years a scientific symposium addressing global development issues critical for the survival of mankind and the environment.
Applying sustainable water management concepts in rural and urban areas: some thoughts about reasons, means and needs
Authors: Wilderer P.A.
Published: May 2018

Serving the world population with adequate drinking water and sanitation is an important prerequisite, not only to hygienic safety, but to prosperity and political stability as well, and will foster the adaptive capacity of the societies in the developing countries and beyond. To avoid hygienic and political disasters impacting the world economy, investment in water supply and sanitation must urgently be made. Whether the classical system of urban water supply and sanitation is appropriate to satisfy the needs of the developing world, however, and whether this system meets the general criteria of sustainability is questionable. The costs and the time needed for installation of sewers and wastewater treatment plants are tremendous. In water shortage areas, the amount of tap water required to transport pollutants to the treatment plant is hardly affordable. Recovery and re-introduction of valuable substances, including water, into the urban cycle of materials is impossible because of mixing and dilution effects inherent in the system. Decentralized water and wastewater management should be seriously taken into account as an alternative. Source separation of specific fractions of domestic and industrial wastewater, separate treatment of these fractions and recovery of water and raw materials including fertilizer and energy are the main characteristics of modern high-tech on-site treatment/reuse systems. Mass production of the key components of the system could reduce the costs of the treatment units to a reasonable level. On-site units could be installed independently of the development stage of the urban sewer system. In conjunction with building new housing complexes a stepwise improvement of the hygienic situation in urban and peri-urban areas could be achieved, therefore. Remote control of the satellite systems using modern telecommunication methods would allow reliable operation, and comfort for the users. Intensive research is required, however, to develop this system and bring it to a standard allowing efficient application worldwide.
Water and climate variability: development impacts and coping strategies
Authors: Lenton R.
Published: May 2018

This paper provides an overview of the relationship between climate variability, integrated water resources management, and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. It focuses on tropical countries and the impacts of climate variability on the ability of such countries to achieve the MDGs; examines the coping strategies that must be put in place to address these challenges; and makes recommendations on steps forward.
On risky ground: the water professional in politics
Authors: Holmes P.R.
Published: May 2018

Best practice in drainage basin management requires consultation and stakeholder engagement in the formulation and implementation of plans. The water management professional, engaging with the political world, is on risky ground, thanks to many stakeholders' accidental or chosen unwillingness to accept science-based advice. Technical specialists produce good advice, yet progress is inhibited because they do not connect effectively with politicians, administrators and managers.

A series of short case studies from three countries in different but related fields provides evidence of the problems that are encountered. Professionals may be cut off from the political world within comfort zones defined by the cultural norms and behaviours of bureaucracy, their profession or their preferred communications style.

The consequence of the professionals' lack of engagement in the political world can be that scarce money and effort is wasted on low priority issues, and the case for sound, sustainable environmental management is discredited. Stakeholder support is worth winning, because it can bring positive benefits in the effectiveness of environmental management programmes. Where outside help is needed to bring about this result, it should be provided by advisers who are sensitive to the culture, at the national, professional and organizational level, of the recipients.
Multi-decadal climate variability, New South Wales, Australia
Authors: Franks S.W.
Published: May 2018

Traditional hydrological risk estimation has treated the observations of hydro-climatological extremes as being independent and identically distributed, implying a static climate risk. However, recent research has highlighted the persistence of multi-decadal epochs of distinct climate states across New South Wales (NSW), Australia. Climatological studies have also revealed multi-decadal variability in the magnitude and frequency of El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) impacts. In this paper, examples of multi-decadal variability are presented with regard to flood and drought risk. The causal mechanisms for the observed variability are then explored. Finally, it is argued that the insights into climate variability provide (a) useful lead time for forecasting seasonal hydrological risk, (b) a strong rationale for a new framework for hydrological design and (c) a strong example of natural climate variability for use in the testing of General Circulation Models of climate change.
Making the best of climatic variability: options for upgrading rainfed farming in water scarce regions
Authors: Rockström J.
Published: May 2018

Coping with climatic variability for livelihood security is part of everyday life for rural communities in semi-arid and dry sub-humid savannas. Water scarcity caused by rainfall fluctuations is common, causing meteorological droughts and dry spells. However, this paper indicates, based on experiences in sub-Saharan Africa and India, that the social impact on rural societies of climatically induced droughts is exaggerated. Instead, water scarcity causing food deficits is more often caused by management induced droughts and dry spells. A conceptual framework to distinguish between manageable and unmanageable droughts is presented. It is suggested that climatic droughts require focus on social resilience building instead of land and water resource management. Focus is then set on the manageable part of climatic variability, namely the almost annual occurrence of dry spells, short 2–4 week periods of no rainfall, affecting farmer yields. On-farm experiences in savannas of sub-Saharan Africa of water harvesting systems for dry spell mitigation are presented. It is shown that bridging dry spells combined with soil fertility management can double and even triple on-farm yield levels. Combined with innovative systems to ensure maximum plant water availability and water uptake capacity, through adoption of soil fertility improvement and conservation tillage systems, there is a clear opportunity to upgrade rainfed farming systems in vulnerable savanna environments, through appropriate local management of climatic variability.
Rainwater harvesting - an alternative for securing food production under climate variability
Authors: Zhu Q. , Li Y.
Published: May 2018

Food insecurity is still a challenge in some remote and mountainous areas in China. When studying the impact of climate variability on food production, we should pay even more attention to the rainfed area. This is because the larger part of agriculture is the rainfed one and climate variability has more negative impacts on the rainfed agriculture than on the irrigated one. The traditional dry farming practices based on the principle of storing as much rain in the soil as possible and making best use of soil water could not bridge the gap between the time that the crop needs water and the time that rain occurs, so its effects on enhancing food production under climate variability is limited. Combining artificial water supply from rainwater harvesting systems with the traditional dry farming practices is an innovation in water management in rainfed agriculture. Experiences in the recent two decades indicate that rainwater harvesting irrigation can well mitigate the drought caused by the climate variability and bring the rainfed agriculture to a new level.
Towards good ecological status of surface waters in Europe - interpretation and harmonisation of the concept
Authors: Heiskanen A.-S. , van de Bund W. , Cardoso A.C. , Nõges P.
Published: May 2018

The Water Framework Directive (WFD) is a new legislative framework to manage, use, protect, and restore surface water and groundwater resources and coastal waters in the European Union (EU). The aim is to ensure sustainable water management and to reach good water quality by 2015. The assessment of the ecological status and setting of the practical management goals require several steps. The process has started with the characterisation of the river basins including identification of surface water bodies and types, and identification of significant anthropogenic pressures and impacts. The water bodies will be classified in five quality classes (high, good, moderate, poor, bad) based on the Ecological Quality Ratio, which is a ratio between reference conditions and measured status of the biological quality elements. The normative criteria for high, good and moderate ecological status described in the WFD need to be made operational because those will be used to set the practical quality targets for surface water management. National ecological assessment systems and classifications will be harmonised through the WFD intercalibration exercise in order to ensure an equal level of ambition in achieving good surface waters status all over Europe.
Drainage basin security of hazardous chemical fluxe in the Yodo River basin
Authors: Matsui S.
Published: May 2018

The Yodo River basin consists of three major tributary basins (and other small river basins) namely Uji, Katsura and Kizu, which overlap respectively Shiga, Kyoto and Nara prefectures' administrative areas.

Lake Biwa, the largest lake in Japan, drains water through the Uji river. The water quality of the lake, in terms of BOD, continuously improved over the last decade. However, the quality in terms of COD did not show any improvement in spite of a large amount of infrastructure finance being introduced. Eutrophication of the lake still continues, showing no improvement in the nitrogen concentration level. Non-point as well as point source control is not strong enough. There is a gap between BOD and COD evaluations of the lake water quality. Hazardous chemical fluxes are estimated based upon PRTR reports of Japan (2001). PCBs are still discharged into the lake, although the report of Shiga Prefecture showed zero discharge. Dace fish monitoring clearly showed that PCB contamination of the fish had not changed since the 1980s in spite of a ban on use and production of PCBs in the 1970s. There is still leakage of PCBs into the lake. The major exposure of dioxins to Japanese is fish rather than meat and eggs. The risk of water contamination must take into consideration not only drinking water safety but also ecological magnification of food chains in water.

The ecological health aspect of hazardous chemicals is also important, such as organotins with imposex of sea snails. Finally, public participation in hazardous chemical management is very important using the method of risk communication based upon the annual report of PRTR in Japan.
Workshop 7 (synthesis): role and governance implications of virtual water trade
Authors: Rogers P. , Nakayama M. , Lundqvist J. , Furuyashiki K.
Published: May 2018

Virtual water trade (VWT) is a powerful concept which stimulates fresh thinking about water scarcity and management. It is a potential solution for water-short countries to achieve food security. VWT may also have the potential to play a key role in international negotiations over management of transboundary water resources.
Summary and conclusions from the SIWI Seminar for Young Water Professionals Drainage basin security - implications of virtual water trade and agricultural subsidies at regional, national and local levels
Authors: Johannessen Å.
Published: May 2018

This is a summary of the Young Water Professionals Seminar involving more than 50 young people from all over the world working with water. The presentations and following discussion were very lively and were about how subsidies and trade barriers imposed by the developed countries are influencing the income-generating capacity of millions of people in the developing world. Even though this is a very complex issue not easily resolved during the seminar it was also clear that there are some fundamental problems that need to be addressed. The importance of looking for solutions at different levels (i.e. local, regional, national) was highlighted as well as the policy of double standards, preaching free trade but only for the benefit of overdeveloped countries themselves. Further it was discussed how to achieve basin security through food security, and managing water for food security. The conclusion was that win-win solutions would be made if agricultural subsidies were to be completely removed.
Report from the poster session and list of posters presented
Authors: Brattberg G.
Published: May 2018

Among many good posters it was really a challenge to determine the best one. I wish to warmly thank my colleges in the jury: Professor Egboka from Nigeria, Dr Hagebro from Denmark, Professor Rahman from the US and Mr Nyberg from the Stockholm Water Company, Sweden, for their dedicated work. For the evaluation we used the following criteria:• scientific value;• efficiency in message, graphical design and layout;• news value.A brief comment on the poster exhibition this year is that we can see a trend towards more integrated studies with solution orientation and involvement of stakeholders. Overall quality has also increased.
Advanced nitrogen removal from municipal wastewater treatment plant secondary effluent using a deep bed denitrification filter
Authors: Zheng Xiaowei , Zhang Shenyao , Zhang Jibiao , Huang Deying , Zheng Zheng
Published: May 2018

With the improvement of wastewater discharge standards, wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are continually undergoing technological improvements to meet the evolving standards. In this study, a quartz sand deep bed denitrification filter (DBDF) was used to purify WWTP secondary effluent, utilizing high nitrate nitrogen concentrations and a low C/N ratio. Results show that more than 90% of nitrate nitrogen (NO3-N) and 75% of chemical oxygen demand (COD) could be removed by the 20th day of filtration. When the filter layer depth was set to 1,600 mm and the additional carbon source CH3OH was maintained at 30 mg L−1 COD (20 mg L−1 methanol), the total nitrogen (TN) and COD concentrations of DBDF effluent were stabilized below 5 and 30 mg L−1, respectively. Analysis of fluorescence revealed that DBDF had a stronger effect on the removal of dissolved organic matter (DOM), especially of aromatic protein-like substances. High throughput sequencing and qPCR results indicate a distinctly stratified microbial distribution for the main functional species in DBDF, with quartz sand providing a good environment for microbes. The phyla Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Chloroflexi were found to be the dominant species in DBDF.
Dynamics of Health Agency Response and Public Engagement in Public Health Emergency: A Case Study of CDC Tweeting Patterns During the 2016 Zika Epidemic (Preprint)
Authors: Chen Shi , Xu Qian , Buchenberger John , Bagavathi Arunkumar , Fair Gabriel , Shaikh Samira , Krishnan Siddharth
Published: May 2018

BACKGROUND

Social media have been increasingly adopted by health agencies to disseminate information, interact with the public, and understand public opinion. Among them, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is one of the first US government health agencies to adopt social media during health emergencies and crisis. It had been active on Twitter during the 2016 Zika epidemic that caused 5168 domestic noncongenital cases in the United States.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to quantify the temporal variabilities in CDC’s tweeting activities throughout the Zika epidemic, public engagement defined as retweeting and replying, and Zika case counts. It then compares the patterns of these 3 datasets to identify possible discrepancy among domestic Zika case counts, CDC’s response on Twitter, and public engagement in this topic.

METHODS

All of the CDC-initiated tweets published in 2016 with corresponding retweets and replies were collected from 67 CDC–associated Twitter accounts. Both univariate and multivariate time series analyses were performed in each quarter of 2016 for domestic Zika case counts, CDC tweeting activities, and public engagement in the CDC-initiated tweets.

RESULTS

CDC sent out >84.0% (5130/6104) of its Zika tweets in the first quarter of 2016 when Zika case counts were low in the 50 US states and territories (only 560/5168, 10.8% cases and 662/38,885, 1.70% cases, respectively). While Zika case counts increased dramatically in the second and third quarters, CDC efforts on Twitter substantially decreased. The time series of public engagement in the CDC-initiated tweets generally differed among quarters and from that of original CDC tweets based on autoregressive integrated moving average model results. Both original CDC tweets and public engagement had the highest mutual information with Zika case counts in the second quarter. Furthermore, public engagement in the original CDC tweets was substantially correlated with and preceded actual Zika case counts.

CONCLUSIONS

Considerable discrepancies existed among CDC’s original tweets regarding Zika, public engagement in these tweets, and actual Zika epidemic. The patterns of these discrepancies also varied between different quarters in 2016. CDC was much more active in the early warning of Zika, especially in the first quarter of 2016. Public engagement in CDC’s original tweets served as a more prominent predictor of actual Zika epidemic than the number of CDC’s original tweets later in the year.
Analysis of the Characteristics of Social Enterprises: The Case of Microfinance Institutions and Non-Profit Organizations Benefiting from Microcredit in Burundi
Authors: Nduwayo Marie-Goreth , Sayumwe Michel
Published: May 2018

The crisis that Burundi has experienced since October 1993 has led to the emergence of new associative mechanisms at the initiative of Burundian citizens around the same adventure: that of microcredit. Far from being a fad, microcredit has been the single source of financing for poor citizens by enabling them to engage in income-generating activities. For this, beneficiaries who are for the most part without material guarantee must not only group themselves in associations, but also align themselves with the constraints of the lessor. According to the theory of contingency, any organization can increase its performance to the extent that its strategy is in harmony with its environment. Our analysis considers the issue of strategic alignment from a new angle. We conclude that the adjustment of the NPOs members to the modalities of granting loans enables them to benefit from Microfinance Institutions which help to reach their main objectives and to promote a real organizational efficiency.
Effects of Work-Life Balance on Organizational Commitment: A Study in China’s State-Owned Enterprise
Authors: Li Yan
Published: May 2018

Work-life balance is a heavily researched area of interest focusing on how well employee’s work and personal life are balanced. As there is still a lack of literature on work-life balance in China’s context, our research attempts to explore in depth the topic. This paper explores the effects of employee work-life balance on organizational commitment in China’s context. Questionnaire was used to collect data in a state-owned enterprise and the sample size was 363. Quantitative research method was used for data analysis. This study finds that work-life balance is significantly and positively linked to organizational commitment in China’s context. Also, employee work-life balance is correlated with demographic and occupational factors. As the findings indicate that work-life balance can contribute to positive organizational outcomes, we suggest China’s organizations to attach more emphasis on employee work-life balance and take initiatives to help employee balance their work and personal life.
PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF ACORUS CALAMUS RHIZOME IN PARACETAMOL EXPOSURE INDUCED HEPATOTOXICITY IN RATS: BIOCHEMICAL AND HISTOPATHOLOGICAL STUDY
Authors: Srividya G. , Adilaxmamma K. , Srilatha C. H.
Published: May 2018

Objective: To study the hepatoprotective activity of an aqueous and alcoholic extract of Acorus calamus rhizomes against the paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity in rats.Methods: Hepatotoxicity was induced by oral administration of paracetamol and chemical parameters such as Glutathione peroxidase, Glutathione reductase, Glutathione, Catalase, lipid peroxidation and histopathological changes in liver was studied by comparing with Silymarin, a standard hepatoprotective drug.Results: Treatment of rats with aqueous and alcoholic extract of Acoruscalamus rhizome after paracetamol administration normalized the altered levels of above parameters which may comparable with Silymarin and Vit-E. The hepatoprotective activity was confirmed by histopathological examination of the liver tissue of control and treated animals.Conclusion: Based on the result it can be concluded that Acorus calamus rhizome possesses hepatoprotective effect against paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity in rats.
VALIDATION OF STABILITY INDICATING ULTRA-FAST LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY METHOD FOR SIMULTANEOUS ESTIMATION OF ATENOLOL and NIFEDIPINE IN BOTH BULK AND PHARMACEUTICAL DOSAGE FORMS
Authors: M. Arunsrikar , Chandan R. S. , Tengli Anand Kumar , K. Venkata Sairam
Published: May 2018

Objective: The study depicts improvement of ensuing validation of a stability indicating technique for the simultaneous estimation of Atenolol and Nifedipine using Ultra-fast liquid chromatographic method (UFLC).Methods: The analysis is performed on Phenomenex Kinetex C18, (150 × 4.6 mm, 5μm) column using methanol and 0.1%ortho-phosphoric acids (75:25 v/v) as mobile phase with a flow rate of 1.3 ml/min. The eluents were checked with PDA detector at 237 nm.Results: In this optimized conditions Atenolol and Nifedipine elutes at a retention time of 2.79 and 4.50 min respectively individually the considered optimized condition is having linearity in the range from 10 to 50µg/ml of Atenolol and 4-20µg/ml of Nifedipine. The method was validated by following the ICH guidelines and their combination drug yield was exposed to acid and base stress, thermal stress, photolytic stress, hydrolytic stress, and oxidative stress conditions. All samples were studied by the given optimized method. In this Calibration curves were linear over studies ranges with correlation coefficient found between the ranges of 0.99 to 1.00.Conclusion: The proposed method was found to be accurate, precise, and specific and suitable for determination of both the drugs.
REVIEW ON SAFETY ASSESSMENT OF A COSMETIC PRODUCT
Authors: Bhuvaneswari V. S. , Chandan R. S.
Published: May 2018

Cosmetics can be defined as, “substances which are intended to be applied to the human body for cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness, or altering the appearance without affecting the body’s structure or functions” according to USFDA. This review encompasses a brief description of the process of safety assessment of a cosmetic product. There is no significant systemic absorption of cosmetics by penetration through skin, but some products are intended to apply on the mucous membranes or skin surrounding the mucous membranes which may result in significant systemic absorption on continuous use. Serious health hazards have not been observed mostly, but in some cases, lead to severe reactions like, allergy, irritation, comedogenicity, genotoxicity, photosensitivity etc. At the same time, long terms effects of usage of cosmetics are still unknown as the products are used repeatedly over a long period of time. Hence, safety evaluation of a cosmetic product is the most prominent step before release of the product into the market. There are no specific safety regulations for cosmetics, but the safety of the product is the responsibility of the manufacturer. The article explains about different organizations that are responsible for the safety of the cosmetic products before they are released into the market in different countries and also about the Product Information File (PIF). The safety of a cosmetic product both at industrial level and finished product level are explained. The different tests deployed for the safety assessment of a cosmetic product are also explained.