bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of Chloride on Kinetics of the Adsorption of Mercury (II) by Poorly Crystalline Al, Fe, Mn and Si Oxides
Authors: Wang J.S. , Huang P.M. , Hammer U.T. , Liaw W.K.
Published: March 2019

The kinetics of Hg adsorption by poorly crystalline Al, Fe, Mn, and Si oxides in 0, 10-3, and 10-2 M NaCl solutions were investigated. The influence of Cl- on the Hg adsorption very significantly varied with the kinds of the hydrous oxides studied. The rates of Hg adsorption by the hydrous oxides of Al, Fe, and Si steadily decreased with increasing Cl- concentration in solution. The rate constants of the fast adsorption process of Hg by the oxides of Fe, Al, and Si decreased by 21.3, 6.5 and 6.4 times, respectively, in 10-2 M NaCl solution. In the same NaCl concentration, little decrease in the rate constant of the Hg adsorption by Mn oxide was observed. The effect of ionic strength and Na+ on the Hg adsorption by the oxides was not evident. The results indicate that the nature and properties of hydrous oxides which are commonly present in freshwater sediments merit close attention in the extent of the influence of a road deicing salt, NaCl, on the dynamics of Hg in aquatic environments.
Treatment of Landfill Leachate; Management Options
Authors: Maris P.J. , Harrington D.W. , Mosey F.E.
Published: March 2019

Three management options for the treatment of leachate from landfilled domestic solid waste have been evaluated. Research results show that leachate can be treated effectively in aerobic systems, with high organic carbon and ammoniacal nitrogen removals of >90% and >85% respectively. Optimum SRT of about 10 days is required. Anaerobic treatment (UASB) with HRT's of between 1.0 and 4.0 days results in COD destruction of about 85% with high methane production (400-600 mg/g COD removed) and provides an intermediate effluent suitable for polishing to a high standard.

Recirculation of leachate through the landfill by itself cannot provide a complete treatment, although significant reductions in volume and strength of leachate can be obtained.
Influent Constraints on Treatment and Biological Nitrification of Municipal Landfill Leachate
Authors: Jasper S.E. , Atwater J.W. , Mavinic D.S.
Published: March 2019

A laboratory-scale treatment process was set up to treat Port Mann Landfill leachate, a high ammonia, low degradable carbon leachate with occasional high metals. A single sludge, nitrification/denitrification system was run for 25 weeks, with methanol added as a carbon source to improve denitrification. The objective of the treatment process was to remove biodegradable carbon and ammonia (feed levels of 25 to 250 mg/L).

Carbon removal, including methanol, was adequate at SRT's of 10 days or greater. An SRT of 5 days produced inadequate treatment. Of the metals of concern, all except nickel were concentrated in the biomass. Ammonia removal was inconsistent. Good nitrification occurred at the start of the study but no denitrification occurred until operating conditions were optimized. Both processes deteriorated as the study progressed. The study clearly demonstrated that changing influent characteristics constrained the overall treatment of the leachate.
Aerial Photography for the Detection of Leachate Migration from Landfills
Authors: Birkbeck A.E. , Tomlins G.F.
Published: March 2019

Aerial photography of the perimeters of two landfilled areas in British Columbia was acquired in colour and infrared emulsions. The photography was examined for evidence of leakage, or flooding of the leachate collection ditches surrounding the landfill and vegetation stress caused by the landfilling.

At. one site the photography was acquired using a miniature experimental remotely piloted aircraft. This aircraft carries two gimbal-mounted 35 mm cameras which allow simultaneous vertical photography using two different film emulsions, different lenses, and/or filter combinations. At the second landfill site, oblique aerial photography was acquired from a Cessna 172 aircraft.

Preliminary interpretation of the photography was followed by visits to locations where possible problems associated with leachate containment were apparent. The results indicated several locations where leachate was not fully contained by the ditch network and some areas of vegetation stress.

Further studies at the second site confirmed that improved containment was effective in preventing further environmental damage.
Factors Affecting the Recovery of Heavy Minerals from Oilsand Tailings by Flotation
Authors: Ityokumbul M.J. , Kosaric N. , Bulani W. , Cairns W.L.
Published: March 2019

The recovery of heavy minerals from oilsand tailings by flotation has been studied. The results obtained indicate that the optimum pH is in the range of 8.3–11.7. Pine oil was used as a frother and the optimum concentration was found to be 0.15% (v/v) while frothing was depressed at its critical micelle concentration (CMC) in the extraction cell water (0.30% v/v). The use of starch to depress iron recovery also resulted in the depression of the heavy minerals. It is therefore suggested that iron removal be accomplished in the subsequent upgrading operations. The residual bitumen in these tailings appears to be associated with the gangue component of the solids. With a feed containing 10–12% TiO2 and 4–5% zircon, a heavy minerals concentrate containing 28–30% TiO2 and 10–12% zircon is obtainable at 85–95% recovery of these minerals if frothers are used. The flotation process under study has been shown to offer significant advantages over other heavy minerals recovery processes that have been developed and patented to date.
Considerations for Network Design for Water Quality and Quantity Surveys in Canada
Authors: Ongley Edwin D.
Published: March 2019

A network of water quantity and/or quality stations is a composite of many different management information requirements. Conventionally, the objective of such stations has been to describe and quantify one or more of discharge, sediment flux, or water chemistry. This perspective is site-specific and descriptive. While quantity and quality surveying are usually separated, comprehensive water resource management is a composite activity involving the interrelationships amongst discharge, chemistry, biology, land use, etc.. The static and site-specific objectives of contemporary network stations fulfil limited management information requirements. Future network design should include a specific focus on functional behaviour of the watershed and its aquatic ecosystem. Behavioural data serve two contemporary objectives. One pertains to aquatic ecosystem management and/or protection. The second pertains to assessment of anthropogenic interventions within watersheds. The network requirements to meet these new information demands are examined in the context of conceptual, methodological and normative developments within the field of aquatic science and environmental assessment.
Studies of the Production of Volatile Fatty Acids in the Anaerobic Digestion of Municipal Sludge
Authors: Jones P.H. , Szekely J.
Published: March 2019

Volatile fatty acids (VFA’s) produced during anaerobic digestion of sludge have higher commercial value than methane produced subsequently. Therefore it was decided to determine conditions necessary to maximise production of VFA’s. Five anaerobic digesters were operated in parallel in the laboratory to investigate the effect of pH on the formation of VFA’s. Concentrations of individual fatty acids were measured. Both VFA production as well as gas production was favoured by pH approaching neutrality.
Évaluation de la toxicité subléthale des effluents industriels vis-à-vis du poisson en mesurant l’ATP du muscle squelettique
Authors: Blaise C. , Trottier B. , van Coillie R. , Couture P.
Published: March 2019

Une procédure relativement simple a été développée pour déterminer le stress énergétique chez la truite arc-en-ciel par des concentrations sublétales d’effluents industriels. Les principales conditions expérimentales sont les suivantes: exposition de 96 heures aux effluents, prélèvement de tissu musculaire, détermination de l’ATP extrait à l’aide du dimethylsulfoxide. Les poissons ont été exposés à sept effluents pour lesquels on a précisé des valeurs CL50 et des CMS (concentrations minimales induisant le stress). Une forte relation log-log linéaire (r=0,948) a été observée entre les données de létalité et de sublétalité. Ceci rend possible la prédiction des seuils de stress pour les effluents à partir des données CL50. D’autres constatations (expérience avec poissons stressés, détermination d’une valeur CMS pour le cuivre, comparaisons avec des données de létalité et de sublétalité dans la littérature) ont confirmé la représentativité environnementale du test CMS. Ainsi, l’utilisation d’un indicateur biochimique tel que l’ATP semble approprié pour la mise en évidence du potentiel écotoxique sublétal des effluents.
Microbiological Detoxificaion of Resin Acids
Authors: Servizi James A. , Martens Dennis W. , Gordon Robert W. , Kutney James P. , Singh Mahatam , Dimitriadis Eugene , Hewitt Gary M. , Salisbury Philip J. , Choi Lewis S. L.
Published: March 2019

The fungus, Mortierella isabellina, was used to define the biochemical transformations required to detoxify three resin acids and three chlorinated resin acids commonly found in pulp mill effluents. Detoxification was based on bioassays using Daphnia pulex and, whenever feasible, sockeye fry (Oncorhynchus nerka). Hydroxylation at C(2a) generally was the initial step in detoxification and usually resulted in at least a ten-fold reduction in acute toxicity. Additional hydroxylation further reduced acute toxicity. Ring cleavage was not required to detoxify the resin acids or their chlorinated derivatives. Furthermore, substantial reductions in acute toxicities of chlorinated compounds were achieved without chlorine removal.
Evaluation of Reverse Osmosis for the Treatment of Oil Sands Produced Water
Authors: Mehrotra Anil K. , Banerjee Abhijit
Published: March 2019

The “produced” water obtained from Shell’s Peace River In Situ Project was found to contain moderately high levels of dissolved sodium and calcium salts along with about 350 mg/L, total carbon. Two commercially a vailable spiral1y wound non-cellulosic reverse osmosis cartridges tested in this study were able to bring down the total dissolved solids content of the waste to less than 100 mg/L.

The effects of several process variables such as the feed rate, pressure and pH we re investigated. Prior to the actual wastewater treatment runs, a series of control experiments with distilled water, and NaCl and CaCl2 solutons were performed. These control experiments helped in standardizing the membranes and in evaluating import ant membrane parameters. The membranes were tested with the wastewater sample at pressures from 1.7 to 6.2 MPa, flow rates from 1 to 10 L/min, and at pH levels of 4, 6 and 7. Overall, the UOP membrane was found to be more effective in treating the wastewater than the ABCOR membrane.
Organic Extractables in Municipal Wastewater Vancouver, British Columbia
Authors: Rogers Ian H. , Birtwell Ian K. , Kruzynski George M.
Published: March 2019

Composite five to seven-day sample s of chlorinated and unchlorinated primary-treated municipal wastewater were collected at the Iona Island treatment plant during a 62-day exposure of juvenile chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha). No differences between chlorinated and unchlorinated samp les were detectable and only 9 chlorinated extractables we re identified.

Mass spectrometric analysis of sewage and sludge extracts identified 100 base/neutral components and 60 acidic substances. Some major constituent s we re quantified. Fatty acids, petroleum hydrocarbons, aromatic acids and chemical disinfectants we re predominant.

Toxic compounds present included chlorophenols, polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH’s) and nonylphenols plus nonylphenolethoxylates. Tetrachlorophenol (TCP) and pentachlorophenol (PCP) reached maximum levels of 7.8 and 13.2 μg · L−l respectively. The PAH’s we re heavily concentrated in sludge samples. Nonylphenol was present in wastewater and sludge but the corresponding ethoxylates occurred only in wastewater. PCB’s were detectable only in sludge. Some novel identifications included two substituted monochiorophenol disinfectants and two generic drugs.
Heavy Metal and Organochlorine Contaminants in the Five Major Ontario Rivers of the Hudson Bay Lowland
Authors: McCrea Robert C. , Fischer John D.
Published: March 2019

Water, bottom sediment and two species of fish collected upstream of the mouths of the Moose, Albany, Attawapiskat, Winisk and Severn Rivers were analyzed for heavy metals and a wide range of organic contaminants. Iron and aluminum were present in raw water samples with mean concentrations ranging from 260 to 860 ug/L and 60 to 470 ug/L respectively. Polycnlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), α-BHC, γ-BHC, cis-chlordane, trans-chloroane, p,p’-DDE, dieldrin and HCB were also found in water at levels comparable to an industrialized region of Ontario. Organochlorine pesticides, cnlorobenzenes, polyaromatic hydrocarbons and phthalates were not detected in bottom sediments, however, trace amounts of PCBs were found in Moose and Severn River sediments. Trace concentrations of a few organochlorine contaminants were detected in both fish species. The solubi1ization, absorption and bioaccumulation of many of the contaminants were thought to have been affected by the presence of naturally occurring organic acids.
Organochlorine Contaminants in Headwater Peatlands, and Selected Estuary Sites of the Moose River
Authors: McCrea Robert C. , Wickware Greg M.
Published: March 2019

Peatland waters of the Moose River basin, as well as surficial sediments and vascular plants of the estuary were sampled in 1982. Elevated levels of PCBs were found at all five peatland sites; concentrations ranged from 28 to 65 ng/L. Of the seventeen organochlorine pesticides investigated, the hexachlorocyclohexane isomers (a-and y-BHC) were the most prominent with total BHC concentrations ranging from 1.5 to 13.7 ng/L. The presence of these contaminants in ombrotrophic bogs indicated that there was atmospheric deposition of organochlorine contaminants in the basin. Analyses of surficial sediments, collected from tidal flats and coastal marshes, showed that PCBs and organochlorine pesticides were not present. Samples of Triglochin maritima L. seed heads and Typha latifolia L. roots were also free of PCBs.
Inhibition of Nitrite Oxidation During Nitrification: Some Observations
Authors: Suthersan S. , Ganczarczyk J.J.
Published: March 2019

A series of laboratory experiments were performed under controlled pH conditions and at room temperature to quantitatively study the inhibitory effects on Nitrobacter during nitrification. The results indicated that, in addition to the free ammonia (FA) concentration, the pH itself played an additive role in the inhibition of Nitrobacter. Reactors which were maintained at the same FA concentrations but at different pH levels exhibited different inhibition characteristics. It was also found that the acclimatization of Nitrobacter for an extended period of time may increase its FA tolerance limit from 0.1–1.0 mg/L cited in literature to 2.5 mg/L. Laboratory units containing less biomass (about 1000 mg/L) were more sensitive to FA inhibition than those with a higher concentration (1500 mg/L). A new concept of “recovery time” was introduced in this study to describe the microbial behaviour under inhibited conditions. The recovery time of Nitrobacter was found to depend on FA concentration, pH, time of exposure and biomass concentration.
Priority Site Selection for Degraded Areas Based on Microbial and Toxicant Screening Tests
Authors: Dutka B.J. , Walsh K. , Kwan K.K. , El-Shaarawi A. , Liu D.L. , Thompson K.
Published: March 2019

The results of a study to evaluate the suitability of a variety of microbiological, biochemical and bioassay tests to become part of a battery of test procedures to identify degraded or degrading water bodies, are presented. Data for this study were obtained from 51 inshore sampling sites along the north shore of Lake Ontario from Kingston to Niagara River. Data examination indicated that microbial population, biochemical or bioassay tests performed independently do not provide realistic estimates of priority concern areas and that the battery approach is required. From this study the sampling sites of highest concern were: Humber River STP out fall, mouth of Mimico Creek, mouth of Credit River and Bay of Quinte near the Belleville STP outfall.
The St. Clair River Pollution
Authors: Rodgers G.K.
Published: March 2019

The background to the scientific investigations of the St. Clair River is presented. This is followed by an outline of the findings surrounding the vacuum dredging of the river bottom close to the location where Dow Chemical reported a spill of perchloroethylene. This was the same general area in which samples of a black liquid had been collected in 1984 with their analyses being released in the fall of 1985.

The underwater video camera technique has been very useful in monitoring the conditions on the river bottom. The significance of dissolution of the liquid chemicals seeping out onto the river bottom is also assessed.
Gas Chromatographic/Mass Spectrometric (GC/MS) Identification of the Major Components of Non-aqueous Material from the St. Clair River
Authors: Carey J. H. , Hart J. H.
Published: March 2019

Non-aqueous pools overlying the sediment in the St. Clair River near Sarnia were examined by GC/MS and found to contain tetrach1oroethene, tetra-, penta- and hexachloroethanes, chlorobutenes, chlorobutadienes, chlorohexadienes, heptachloro-and octachlorostyrene and octachloronaphthalene. The composition of the sample suggested that the source of the pools was not a simple spill of tetrachloroethene as originally thought since a number of the compounds identified have been previously observed in industrial wastes.
Measured and Modelled Chlorinated Contaminant Distributions in the St. Clair River Water
Authors: Chan C.H. , Lau Y.L. , Oliver B.G.
Published: March 2019

The concentration distribution of hexachlorobutadiene (HCBD), pentachloro-benzene (QCB), hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and octachlorostyrene (OCS) in water samples from transects across the upper and lower St. Clair River and the upper Detroit River were determined on four occasions in 1985. The data show a plume of these contaminants from the Sarnia industrial area. The fluxes and concentration profiles of the contaminants at Port Lambton have been modelled success fully using a simple transverse mixing model. A study on the chemical partitioning between the “dissolved” and “suspended sediment” phases shows that an important contaminant fraction is carried in the river by the suspended solids, particularly for lipophilie compounds such as HCB and OCS,
Fate and Transport Modelling of Perchloroethylene in the St. Clair River
Authors: McCorquodale John A. , Ibrahim Kamal , Hamdy Yousry
Published: March 2019

The response of the St. Clair River system (water column and bed sediments) to a spill of perchloroethylene (PERC) is predicted by application of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) TOXIWASP fate transport model. The spill occurred from August 13 to 16, 1986 at the Dow Chemical of Canada Inc. site. The estimated quantity of the spill was 18000 kg of which approximately 10,000 kg initially settled out In the vicinity of the Dow Chemical outfalls. At the end of 30 days the model indicated that about 12600 kg had been discharged to Lake St. Clair while 4500 kg and 90 kg remained on the river bed and in temporary storage in the water column respectively. Approximately 5% of the original spill was volatilized in the river during the 30 days after the spill.
Drinking Water Surveillance Program in the St. Clair-Detroit River Area 1985/86
Authors: Roberts K.J. , Hunsinger R.B. , Vajdic A.H.
Published: March 2019

The Drinking Water Surveillance Program (DWSP), developed by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, is an assessment project based on standardized analytical and sampling protocol. This program was recently instituted in response to a series of contaminant occurrences in the St. Clair-Detroit River area of Southwestern Ontario. This paper outlines the details and goals of the program and provides information concerning micro-contaminants in drinking water at seven drinking water treatment plants in Southwestern Ontario.
Sediment and Ecosystem Characteristics of a Detention Lake Receiving Urban Runoff
Authors: Rownay A.C. , Droste R.L. , MacRae C.R.
Published: March 2019

There is limited availability of data on long term impact of urban runoff on detention ponds used for pollutant removal or flood control. A small lake exclusively receiving urban runoff from a catchment that has been stable for over 20 years has been studied. A varied local ecosystem with regionally significant bird and other species has developed in the area. Fish sensitive to turbidity have survived in the lake. Core sediment samples were taken for analyses. The organic content and consolidation of deposited material have been characterized. Sediment is characteristic of actively decomposing material. Lead, copper and zinc were found in concentrations that were twice as high in recently deposited material compared to the native sediment, however, cadmium concentrations were not found to vary between layers.
Response of Anaerobic Filters to Toxic Organics
Authors: Salenieks S.E. , Henry J.G.
Published: March 2019

The intent of this study was to evaluate the influence of four toxic organic chemicals, namely phenol, benzene, chloroform and pentachlorophenol, on the performance of an anaerobic filter system. Four anaerobic filters, with an empty bed volume of 3.0 litres, were operated at room temperature for approximately 145 days at a detention time of 10.8 hours. A synthetic waste with a COD of 670 mg/L was fed to each filter initially until steady-state conditions prevailed. When this was achieved, each filter was then fed one of the toxic chemicals at a low concentration considered unlikely to cause inhibition to anaerobic microorganisms. The concentration of each chemical was then increased slowly to allow the microorganisms to become acclimated to the toxicant. Process failure occurred when the concentration of chemicals became inhibitory, resulting in poor COD removal, low or zero gas production, and high volatile acids concentrations in the effluent. The inhibitory chemical was the removed from the influent, and the recovery pattern for each filter was noted.

The results from this study indicated that pentachlorophenol and chloroform in the influent waste affected the performance of the anaerobic filter more adversely than either phenol or benzene. Pentachlorophenol concentrations of 4 mg/L and chloroform concentrations of 5 mg/L caused the anaerobic filter to show irreversible toxicity, with a dramatic decrease in gas production and COD removal efficiency. From 35 to 40 days were required for these filters to recover to a stable operation. A phenol concentration of 151 mg/L and a benzene concentration of 58 mg/L caused partial inhibition to the anaerobic filters, with recovery occurring within days of the toxicant removal.
Research Activities on Enhancement of Biochemical Processes in Sanitary Landfills
Authors: Stegmann Rainer , Spendlin Hans-Henning
Published: March 2019

Enhancement of biological degradation processes can prove to be advantageous in regard to emission control and gas utilisation. Anaerobic degradation processes of municipal solid waste (MSW) were studied in laboratory - pilot plant and full scale. As a result, suggestions for modified landfill operation techniques are presented. At a sanitary landfill in Lingen two different operation techniques are tested.
Recommendations Concerning Materials and Pumping Systems Used in the Sampling of Groundwater Contaminated with Volatile Organics
Authors: Devlin J.F.
Published: March 2019

Laboratory and field studies were performed at the River Road Laboratories of Environment Canada, to evaluate the effect of storage containers, tubing material and pumping method on the integrity of groundwater samples contaminated with volatile organics. The work was aimed at establishing a sampling protocol which can be easily adapted to a variety of field situations and which preserves sample integrity at every stage from collection to analysis.

In the laboratory, storability studies were conducted on prepared samples containing a suite of 15 volatile aliphatic, halogenated aliphatic and aromatic compounds, in both glass vials and in Tedlar bags developed during the project. Glass was found to be the preferred container for the storability of samples.

Leaching studies were carried out on both Teflon and polyethylene tubing (100 ft., 0.2″ i.d.); neither material was found to substantially contaminate organic-free deionized water.

Sorption studies conducted on the same tubing sample 9 indicated that polyethylene sorbs the organics to a substantially greater degree than Teflon. However, representative samples can be obtained through both tubing materials provided that a flushing procedure is followed prior to sample collection.

In the field, tests were carried out to determine if sampling into glass vials (significant sample/air contact during collection) introduces any bias to prepared standards. The results suggest that a closed sampling system is preferred. However, all vial samples were collected without analytically significant losses of volatiles.

Tubing performance was tested at specially designed piezometers constructed so that groundwater samples could be collected from the same place through either polyethylene or Teflon tubing. It was determined that quantitatively similar samples can be collected through both types of tubing.

A comparative study between peristaltic and positive displacement pumping methods was undertaken. The Teflon bladder pump (no air contact) was judged superior overall. Peristaltic suction did not appear to bias samples substantially, however, the condition of the piezometer did have a significant effect on sample representivity.
Modeling Unsaturated Zone Movement of Aldicarb Residues from Applications to Potatoes in Eastern Canada
Authors: Jones Russell L. , Estes Tammara L.
Published: March 2019

The unsaturated zone model PRZM was used to simulate movement of aldicarb residues resulting from applications to potatoes grown in Ontario, Quebec and Prince Edward Island. These simulations suggest aldicarb residues will not generally enter shallow groundwater at levels exceeding the drinking water guideline. In instances where residues do enter shallow groundwater the resulting magnitude will be sufficiently small to permit degradation of residues to below guideline concentrations before moving beyond the required 150 m buffer zone around drinking water wells. The simulation results are consistent with existing potable well monitoring data.
Movement of Pesticides to Groundwater in an Irrigated Soil
Authors: Krawchuk Bert P. , Webster G. R. Barrie
Published: March 2019

The movement of pesticide residues to ground water was studied on a commercial farm southwest of Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. The site had sandy soil with low organic matter content, a high water table, a tile drain system and an irrigation system using river water. Records were available from the beginning of commercial operation in 1979 describing pesticide usage on a field by field basis. A total of 21 different pesticide formulations were used in the 5 years of operation.

An initial (1981) random sampling of the tile drain water did not detect any pesticide residues in the outflow at the 0.02 ug/L level. A subsequent extensive sampling (1982) detected residues of chlorothalonil on eight occasions ranging from 0.06 to 3.66 ug/L in the tile drain outflow. Ground water from one of two wells in the northwest quarter was found to contain chlorothalonil at a level of 10.1 to 272.2 ug/L in 1982 and 0.4 to 9.0 ug/L in 1983, carbofuran at a level of 11.5 to 158.4 ug/L in 1982 and < 0.5 to 1.0 ug/L in 1983, and carbofuran phenol (not quantified) in 1982 and 1983.

RP-HPLC Kow data indicated that a number of the pesticides used on the farm could be as mobile or more mobile than chlorothalonil which had been detected in the ground water in two consecutive years; however, of the other pesticides only carbofuran was detected in the ground water. With a Kow lower than that of chlorothalonil, carbofuran was expected to be more mobile than chlorothalonil, and to appear in the water sooner, but this was not observed in the field samples.
Contamination of Subsurface Waters by Road De-icing Chemicals
Authors: Pilon P.E. , Howard K.W.F.
Published: March 2019

The application of road de-icing chemicals to urban and rural roads in southern Ontario represents a serious potential source of shallow subsurface contamination. These chemicals are highly soluble and are readily mobilized by surface water run-off. This run-off can subsequently enter the soil zone and migrate through the shallow subsurface resulting in degradation of groundwater quality in the underlying aquifer.

Recent work has investigated the extent to which the inorganic constituents of road de-icing chemicals constitute a threat to groundwater in the shallow subsurface environment. This study has focused on a) determining the extent to which road de-icing chemicals are accumulating in the shallow subsurface; b) identifying diagnostic chemical parameters which will enable conclusive contaminant source identification; and c) assessing rates of road de-icing contaminant migration.

Fifteen field sites were selected to sample sediments adjacent to urban and rural roads. A total of forty seven interstitial water samples were submitted for major ion (Na, K, Mg, Ca, Cl, SO4, HCO3, NO3), minor ion (F, I, Br), pH, electrical conductivity and trace constituent analyses.

Preliminary results indicate that the shallow subsurface adjacent to the urban road sites contain considerably elevated Na, Cl, Ca, and Mg. Interstitial waters from urban road sites may contain from 103 to 104 mg/L Cl and 103 mg/L Na as compared to less than 102 mg/L Cl and less than 102 mg/L Na for interstitial waters sampled from rural road sites and park locations. The ratio I/Cl exhibits potential as a diagnostic indicator of source origin. Interstitial waters contaminated by road salt regularly show I/Cl ratios two orders of magnitude lower than I/Cl ratios for saline bedrock waters.
Development Needs for Canada’s National Water Quality Guidelines
Authors: Strachan W.M.J.
Published: March 2019

The philosophy behind the development and application of water quality guidelines in Canada is discussed. The types of information required to implement the Canadian Council of Resource and Environment Ministers' direction to “harmonize” the national set of guidelines are described. Brief descriptions are presented of required expertise as well as specific data elements for new or for better supported guidelines. Mention is also made of a new approach being attempted in the Great Lakes using biological indicators of ecosystem health.
Application of Poisson Regression to the Analysis of Bacteriological Data
Authors: El-Shaarawi A.H. , Maul A. , Block J-C.
Published: March 2019

This paper presents and suggests the use of Poisson regression analysis for modelling the association between bacterial counts observed in a drinking water distribution system and a set of explanatory variables. When the dependent variable is a count that follows the Poisson distribution, the procedure developed in this work is potentially much more appropriate than the conventional method of applying ordinary regress ion analysis after transforming the counts using the square root transformation, since such a transformation may not satisfy all the conditions needed for performing regression. A detailed description of the procedure used for calcul at ing the maximum likelihood estimates of the unknown parameters of the model and their standard errors is given. The method is illustrated by studying the spatial and temporal variation of heterotrophic bacterial counts in the drinking water distribution system of the city of Morsang in France. The results indicated significant variations due to both the spatial and temporal characteristics of the distribut ion of bacteria in the network and also that there was a strong interact ion between those characteristics. Further an attempt to model the temporal and spatial variation showed that a sizeable portion of the total variability could be explained by using temperature and turbidity as predictor variables.
Removal of Naturally Occurring Mycotoxins from an Aqueous Substrate
Authors: Davis E. , Forgie D.J.L.
Published: March 2019

Certain species of fungi, eg. Fusarium, produce mycotoxins, i.e. naturally toxic organic compounds, in response to certain adverse growth conditions. Although the severe effects of ingesting mycotoxin-contaminated grains (eg. corn and wheat) by humans and/or animals are well documented, there are no documented cases of mycotoxin-contaminated drinking waters. However, since natural and man-made mycotoxin production exists, the possibility of mycotoxin contamination of drinking water was deemed to exist. The objective of this investigation was, therefore, to determine which water treatment methods would be successful in the removal of mycotoxins from freshwaters.

The experimental test procedures were based on a 50 mg/L stock solution of T-2 mycotoxin in distilled water which was then subjected to various typical water treatment techniques, Samples of the product waters were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively using both liquid and gas chromatography techniques. In addition, animal bioassay-type testing was employed to evaluate the potential acute and chronic biological effects of the product waters.

The results of these tests indicated that the most effective water treatment methods were (i) adsorption on a synthetic resin, (ii) activated carbon adsorption, (iii) distillation, (iv) lime “stabilization” and (v) reverse osmosis. These methods generally resulted in high degrees of mycotoxin removal and product waters which had little or no effect on the test animals. Conventional water treatment techniques, i.e. coagulation, filtration and disinfection, had little or no effect in removing the particular mycotoxin which was tested.
An Investigation of the Factors Affecting the Removal of Fulvic Acid From Water by Aluminum and Polymers
Authors: Diamadopoulos Evangelos , Woods Donald R.
Published: March 2019

The effect of five operating variables on the removal of fulvic acid from water by means of aluminum and polymers was studied. These variables were the pH, the calcium concentration in the water, and the polymer dosage, molar mass and degree of hydrolysis. The study followed a 25−1 resolution V fractional factorial experimental design. Based on a statistical analysis, the most significant effects were the pH, the calcium concentration, the polymer molar mass and the interaction of pH with calcium concentration. A calcium concentration of 40 mg/L, a pH of 7 and a polymer with a molar mass of 5 to 6 million were found to be most effective based on fulvic acid removal by filtration. The effect of calcium was larger at pH 8 than at pH 7. The type of polymer did not have any significant effect.
Fate of Trichloroethylene in Activated Sludge Systems
Authors: Bedford W. , Melcer H.
Published: March 2019

This study was undertaken to investigate the fate of a volatile organic priority pollutant, trichloroethylene (TCE), in activated sludge systems treating municipal wastewater. Batch stripping tests were carried out in a 2 L glass vessel to develop sampling techniques for vapour and liquid phases and to refine analytical protocols. The vapour sampling technique found to be most reliable involved collection of all exhaust vapours in a 40 L Tedlar bag. Equipment which was impervious to the volatile characteristics of TCE was imperative. Continuous flow experiments were carried out in a 15 L gas-tight bench-scale activated sludge system. Experiments were conducted for influent TCE concentrations ranging from 20 to 150 Mg/L and at aeration rates of 0.13 and 0.26 volume of air/volume of mixed liquor-minute. Mass balances for TCE were carried out when the TCE adsorbed by the biomass had reached an equilibrium concentration. A minimum of four hydraulic retention times (HRTs) were required before constant biomass TCE concentrations were observed. Subsequently, grab samples of influent, effluent and mixed liquor were taken within a discrete time interval during which a volume of exhaust gas was collected in a Tedlar bag. The mass balances were based upon TCE analysis of these samples. The first experiments were carried out without mixed liquor to eliminate possible loss of TCE by biodegradation. Approximately 10% of the influent TCE could not be accounted for in these experiments. This loss was attributed to sampling and analytical errors. With mixed liquor present, 60 to 70 % mass balance closures were achieved. Approximately 20 to 30 % of the TCE losses were attributed to biodegradation.
Anaerobic Semi-Continuous Culture Biodegradation of Dichlorophenols Containing an Ortho Chlorine
Authors: Hrudey S.E. , Knettig E. , Fedorak P.M. , Daignault S.A.
Published: March 2019

Rapid and preferential dechlorination of the ortho chlorine from 2,6-, 2,4- and 2,3- dichlorophenol substrates was observed in semi-continuous cultures inoculated with 50% unacclimated anaerobic sludge. The rate of further dechlorination depended on the position of the second chlorine atom. The dechlorination rates for the second chlorine ranked ortho > para > meta. Complete mineralization to methane was only observed in cultures fed 2,6-dichlorophenol. Addition of activated carbon to the anaerobic cultures showed some benefit to the degradation process.
Terrain Geochemistry Surveys, Permafrost Studies, and Arctic Limnology, District of Keewatin, N.W.T.: Implications for Water Quality Monitoring in the North
Authors: Edwards Tom W.D. , Klassen R.A. , Shilts W.W.
Published: March 2019

Geochemical studies and surveys conducted by the Geological Survey of Canada have provided considerable information about the natural geochemical variations in glacial drift, lake sediments, and lake waters in south-central District of Keewatin. In addition to their intended contribution to mineral exploration, these activities yielded much basic background data that may be applied to the planning of water quality monitoring programs in the region.

Studies of permafrost features, and arctic limnology have furnished knowledge about natural geomorphic and diagenetic processes that influence surface water quality. Cryoturbation, on land and in the shallow areas of lakes underlain by permafrost, plays a major role in the transfer of particulate and dissolved drift constituents to surface waters. In spite of the abundance of mineral detritus on shore, profundal lake sediments are typically highly diatomaceous and possess conspicuous oxic surface layers that likely have a strong capacity to sequester both nutrients and trace metals.
Radiological Monitoring Activities in the Northwest Territories, Canada
Authors: Baweja A.S. , Joshi S.R. , Sutherland D.J. , Olding B.
Published: March 2019

Results from the radiological monitoring activities relating to surface water and old uranium mining waste sites in the Northwest Territories are described. Data from the Baker Lake site reveal that the radionuclide levels in the surface water are quite low. In view of limited monitoring data, three new stations have been established in the Northwest Territories. Initiation of a similar program for the Yukon is recommended. Studies carried out at uranium mining waste sites by government agencies and private consultants concluded that the present levels of radionuclides in the associated waters were posing no health hazards.
Stormwater Related Chlorophenol Releases from Seven Wood Protection Facilities in British Columbia
Authors: Krahn Peter K. , Shrimpton Julie A.
Published: March 2019

Stormwater run-off at five sawmills and two lumber export terminals was collected and analyzed for 2,3,4,6-tetrachlorophenol and pentachlorophenol. Leaching from treated lumber began after 1.0 to 1.5 mm of continuous rainfall. Dip treated lumber leached up to 158,000 micrograms per litre (ug/L) and generated runoff with up to 6,600 ug/L total Chlorophenols. Low pressure sprayed lumber leached up to 576,000 ug/L total Chlorophenols and generated runoff with up to 27,000 ug/L. High pressure sprayed lumber leached up to 9,800 ug/L and generated average yard runoff up to 1,968 ug/L total Chlorophenols.
Biconcentration of Chlorophenols by Leeches and Their Use as In Situ Biological Monitors
Authors: Hall K. J. , Jacob C.
Published: March 2019

Leeches were used as in situ monitors of the biological availability of Chlorophenols to estimate the degree of contamination in the North Arm of the Fraser River Estuary, British Columbia, where several forest industry operations use Chlorophenols as wood preservatives. A large spatial and temporal variation was observed in the concentration of 2,3,4,6-tetrachlorophenol (<0.01-15.20 μg·lࢤ1) and pentachlorophenol (<0.01-2.80 μg·lࢤ1) in a series of grab and composite water samples. This demonstrated the sporadic nature of releases and the need for an integrative assessment method. Leeches readily concentrated the Chlorophenols and had a slow depuration rate. In seven days leeches bioconcentrated Chlorophenols to μg·gࢤ1 levels (28-2946 μg TTCP·fgࢤ1 wet wt and 29-846 μg PCP·gࢤ1 wet wt). Based on laboratory bioconcentration studies, leeches provided an estimate of average exposure concentrations from <0.1 to 10 μg·lࢤ1 in the river over the bioassay periods. Laboratory experiments demonstrated a higher bioconcentration potential and a longer equilibration time at higher temperatures. At lower pH there was higher bioconcentration of Chlorophenols indicating that the un-ionized molecule was adsorbed more readily. Uptake of the un-ionized chlorophenol correlated well with the partition coefficient (Ko/W) of the compound.
Mathematical Modelling of the Fraser River Plume
Authors: Stronach J. A. , Crean P.B. , Murty T.S.
Published: March 2019

The Fraser River forms a well-defined layer of brackish water in the Strait of Georgia, with associated strong surface currents and salinity contrasts between it and the much deeper underlying waters. The numerical solution of a rotating, non-linear, reduced gravity, vertically integrated, upper layer model to describe the motion of this large river plume is described. Results from extensive field observations including tracking of surface drifters and CTD surveys are used to adjust and verify the model. Comparisons of observed and computed velocity and salinity fields show that the model simulates well the dominant flow patterns of the plume. A hindcast of two time periods in June and November 1986 is presented. Both hindcasts were characterized by periods of calm winds as well as the passage of reasonably intense storms, so that the response of the plume to wind forcing, as distinct from the wind-free situation, was quite well delineated.
Selection of the Most Appropriate Leachate Treatment Methods: Part 1: A Review of Potential Biological Leachate Treatment Methods
Authors: Forgie D.J.L.
Published: March 2019

This paper presents a review of North American and European literature concerning the physical and chemical characteristics of leachate and the biological treatment methods that have been used or could be used to treat leachate. Leachate characteristics of particular interest include five-day biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5) , chemical oxygen demand (COD), the BOD5/COD ratio, molecular weight and or size of the organics, volatile fatty acids (VFA’s), ammonia and metals. It is demonstrated that biological leachate treatment is most appropriate when the BOD5/COD ratio is high (i.e. > 0.4) and the molecular weight of the majority of the organics is less than 500 g/mole. Tables summarizing the various biological leachate treatment process loading rates are presented.

This paper serves as the basis for two companion papers: ”Selection of the Most Appropriate Leachate Treatment Methods, PART 2 : A Review of Recirculation, Irrigation and Potential Physical-Chemical Treatment Methods” and “Selection of the Most Appropriate Leachate Treatment Methods, PART 3: A Decision Model for Treatment Train Selection”.
Selection of the Most Appropriate Leachate Treatment Methods: Part 2: A Review of Recirculation, Irrigation and Potential Physical-chemical Treatment Methods
Authors: Forgie D.J.L.
Published: March 2019

This paper reviews potential leachate treatment methods that are non-biological from the traditional wastewater treatment viewpoint.

The use and role of recirculation and irrigation in leachate management are reviewed. It is shown that, although recirculation cannot be used as a means of final leachate disposal, it does have a role in decreasing the strength of high strength, acidic phase leachates. Irrigation is shown to be a potential means of final disposal of treated leachate.

Physical-chemical treatment (PCT) of leachate using chemical precipitation, coagulation and/or oxidation, activated carbon adsorption, air-stripping, pH adjustment, ion exchange and membrane separation are reviewed. It is shown that PCT is appropriate for leachate treatment when the leachate is low in volatile, degradable organics, i.e. the BOD5/COD ratio is less than 0.1, and/or the molecular weight of most of the organics is greater than 500 g/mole. As a result, it is shown that PCT is best used as a polishing step following biological treatment or treating a leachate from a mature landfill.
Selection of the Most Appropriate Leachate Treatment Methods: Part 3: A Decision Model for the Treatment Train Selection
Authors: Forgie D.J.L.
Published: March 2019

This paper outlines development of a procedure for the selection of the most appropriate leachate treatment method(s) for a given leachate. The performance of aerobic biological, anaerobic biological and physical-chemical leachate treatment are discussed, based on the BOD5/COD ratio and the molecular weight of the organics in the leachate. An initial level of treatment selection screening, which is based on the BOD5/COD ratio, the molecular weight of the organics, and the volatile fatty acid (VFA), ammonia and metal concentrations is presented. Subsequent, separate decision models for anaerobic biological, aerobic biological and physical chemical treatment are also presented. It is shown that there is no one solution to leachate treatment but that a combination of anaerobic biological, aerobic biological and physical chemical treatment will be needed.
Annual Loadings of Toxic Contaminants in Urban Runoff from the Canadian Great Lakes Basin
Authors: Marsalek Jiri , Schroeter Harold
Published: March 2019

Frequencies of detection, concentrations and annual loadings of 50 selected toxic chemicals have been studied in urban runoff from the Canadian Great Lakes Basin. The mean concentrations of these chemicals in stormwater and street sediment were determined in a field program conducted in 12 urban centres in the study area. Using these mean concentrations and the computed runoff volumes and sediment yields, annual loadings of toxic chemicals in urban runoff from the study area were estimated within an order of magnitude. The highest basin loadings were computed for zinc (300 t/yr), lead (100 t/yr), and some other inorganics. Among organic substances, the highest individual loadings were computed for several poly-nuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (e.g., fluoranthene - 200 kg/yr), followed by PCBs (80 kg/yr), some chlorinated benzenes (1,2-dichlorobenzene - 30 kg/yr), and organochlorine pesticides (alpha-BHC - 12 kg/yr). Such loadings do not include possible contributions from combined sewer overflows or illicit point source discharges into storm sewers.