bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bio-affecting mercury detection using mercury resistance gene module fused with bioluminescence reporter genes
Authors: Yamagata T. , Ishii M. , Narita M. , Huang G.-C. , Endo G.
Published: May 2018

Bioluminescence sensor systems were developed for monitoring environmental mercury contamination. The biological mercury measurement sensor systems were constructed by DNA recombination technique. A bacterial mercury-resistant operon (mer operon) from Pseudomonas sp. K-6y4 and a bacterial bioluminescence operon (lux operon) from an ocean bacterium Vibrio fischeri were fused in a vector plasmid. The resulting recombinant plasmids were cloned in Escherichia coli cells. The bioluminescence sensor systems responded to mercury chloride of 0.1 nM to 100 nM. The mercury bioluminescence sensor developed in this study can be used for monitoring of the bio-affecting mercury instead of total mercury that is measured by conventional analytical equipment. The fundamental feature of the bioluminescence sensor system is attractive for use as a monitoring system for bio-affecting environmental mercury contamination.
Field survey on water supply, sanitation and associated health impacts in urban poor communities - a case from Mumbai City, India
Authors: Kumar Karn S. , Harada H.
Published: May 2018

A field survey was conducted on four slum, squatter and pavement dweller communities of Mumbai City, India with a total sample size of 1,070 households. Study revealed extremely low water consumption pattern averaging merely 30 l/c.d, no sewerage and safe excreta disposal facilities manifested by high occurrence of water-borne diseases. The annual diarrhoeal, typhoid and malaria cases were estimated to 614, 68 and 126 per thousand populations respectively. At point prevalence scale, at least 30% of all morbidity can be accounted for by water-related infections. In addition to the impacts of neighborhood water pollution and sanitation, such diseases were also found positively correlated with low water consumption and poverty related factors as, poor housing and family income. Analysis of variance also revealed intra-poor gradient both in living standards and health conditions on which the pavement dwellers were observed to be the greatest sufferers of all.
Disinfection kinetics of Legionella pneumophila by ultraviolet irradiation
Authors: Yamagiwa K. , Tsujikawa M. , Yoshida M. , Ohkawa A.
Published: May 2018

Disinfection kinetics of Legionella pneumophila by ultraviolet irradiation was investigated. The change in viable cell concentration with exposure time could be divided into three steps: lag step in which little change in viable cell concentration was observed, fast disinfection step and slow disinfection step. The slow disinfection step was not observed at the initial cell concentrations below about 106 cfu/mL. The disinfection kinetics were well described with two parameters; lag time and disinfection rate constant of the fast disinfection step. The effects of UV intensity, temperature and initial cell concentration in the kinetic parameters were investigated. With increasing initial cell concentration, the lag time decreased and the disinfection rate constant increased. The effects of initial cell concentration on the kinetic parameters were considered to be attributed to the decrease in the effective UV irradiation intensity due to the partial shield of UV light by the disinfected cells. The empirical correlations were presented for predicting the lag time and disinfection rate constant. Furthermore, UV disinfection of L. pneuophila in a model hot-tub connected with external irradiation chamber was also discussed.
Arsenic contamination in groundwater of Samta, Bangladesh
Authors: Yokota H. , Tanabe K. , Sezaki M. , Yano Y. , Hamabe K. , Yabuuchi K. , Tokunaga H. ,   AAN,   RGAG,   NIPSOM
Published: May 2018

In March 1997, we analyzed the water of all tubewells used for drinking in Samta village in the Jessore district, Bangladesh. It has been confirmed from the survey that the arsenic contamination in Samta was one of the worst in the Ganges basin including West Bengal, India. 90% of the tubewells had arsenic concentrations above the Bangladesh standard of 0.05 mg/l. Tubewells with higher arsenic concentrations of over 0.50 mg/l were distributed in the southern area with a belt-like shape from east to west, and the distribution of arsenic concentration showed gradual decreasing toward northern area of the village. In order to examine the characteristics of the arsenic distribution in Samta, we have performed investigations such as: 1) the characteristics of groundwater flow, 2) the distribution of arsenic in the ground, 3) the concentration of arsenic and the other dissolved materials in groundwater, and 4) the distribution of arsenic concentration of trivalence and pentavalence. This paper examines the mechanism of arsenic release to groundwater and explains the above-mentioned characteristics of the arsenic contamination in Samta through the investigations of the survey results for these years.
The quantification and characterization of endocrine disruptor bisphenol-A leaching from epoxy resin
Authors: Bae B. , Jeong J.H. , Lee S.J.
Published: May 2018

Bisphenol-A (BPA), a known endocrine disruptor, is a main building block of epoxy resin which has been widely used as a surface coating agent on residential water storage tanks. Therefore, BPA leaching from the epoxy resin can adversely affect human health. In this study, BPA leaching from three epoxy resins were quantified at 20, 50, 75 and 100°C both in deionized water and the specified test water, respectively. BPA leached to the test water was identified using GC-MS and quantified with GC-FID after a sequential extraction and concentration. The results showed that BPA leaching has occurred in all three samples tested. The quantity of BPA from unit area of epoxy resin coating was in the range of 01.68∼273. 12 μg/m2 for sample A, 29.74∼1734.05 μg/m2 for sample B and 52.86∼548.78 μg/m2 for sample C depending on the test temperature, respectively. In general, the amount of BPA leashing increased as the water temperature increases. This result implies a higher risk of BPA leaching to drinking water during a summer season. In addition, microbial growth, measured by colony forming units, in epoxy coated water tanks was higher than that in a stainless steel tank. The results suggest that compounds leaching from epoxy resin may support the growth of microorganisms in a residential water holding tank.
The mutagenicity of amino-derivatives of diphenyl ether herbicides in new Salmonella typhimurium YG tester strains
Authors: Tanaka Y. , Shimizu N. , Tsukatani H. , Sera N. , Kitamori S.
Published: May 2018

In this study, we examined the mutagenicity of four diphenyl ether herbicides and their amino derivatives in Salmonella typhimurium TA tester strains and YG tester strains. YG tester strains have been newly developed for sensitive detection of specific chemicals. S. typhimurium YG 1021, YG 1024, YG 1026 and YG 1029 strains are sensitive to mutagenic nitoroarenes and hydroxyamines. S. typhimurium YG 3003 is a strain that is sensitive to some oxidative mutagens. And S. typhimurium YG 7108 is useful for detection of mutagenic alkylating agents. As a result, each amino derivative of diphenyl ether herbicides is more mutagenic than its parent herbicide in S. typhimurium TA and YG tester strains with metabolic activation by S9 mixture. Moreover, S. typhimurium YG tester strains are more useful for highly sensitive detection of mutagens than S. typhimurium TA tester strains. WE also examined the production of amino derivatives in a water environment from parent herbicides. It was clear that diphenyl ether herbicides rapidly transform to amino derivatives in a water environment.
Coagulation of humic acid by ferric chloride in saline (marine) water conditions
Authors: Duan J. , Graham N.J.D. , Wilson F.
Published: May 2018

The coagulation of a model seawater-humic acid solution with a hydrolysis metal salt (FeCl3) has been studied by monitoring floc size, solution pH, and zeta potential. The kinetic features of the orthokinetic coagulation have been demonstrated in relation to coagulant dosages, solution pH and zeta potential. Humic acid removal and floc charge reduction increased with coagulant dosage. Adjusting the solution pH prior to coagulation had a substantial effect on the treatment performance. By pH adjustment to pH 6, the greatest humic acid removal (by coagulation and subsequent membrane filtration) and the largest floc size was achieved at a FeCl3 dosage of 200 mmol l−1. It is believed that the coagulation is characterised by competition between OH- ions and humic acid for ferric ions in the co-precipitation process. In acidic pH, where the concentration of OH- ions is low, humic acid molecules may compete more favourably for bonding sites in the co-precipitation, which leads to a more compact precipitation and a higher overall humic acid removal.
Effects of salt concentration on floc characteristics and pollutants removal efficiencies in treatment of seafood wastewater by SBR
Authors: Moon B.-H. , Seo G.-T. , Lee T.-S. , Kim S.-S. , Yoon C.-H.
Published: May 2018

Most seafood wastewater has been treated by the activated sludge process. Due to changes in salt concentration, pollutant loadings and raw materials, the process is not operated satisfactorily to meet effluent regulation. Most problems faced at present are solid liquid separation. In this study, effects of salt concentration on floc characteristics and pollutants removal efficiencies were investigated in treatment of seafood wastewater by SBR. For analyzing fractal dimension of flocs, the small angle laser light scattering (SALLS) method was applied using a Diffraction Particle Sizer (Malvern Instruments). Organic removal efficiencies (in terms of CODMn) decreased with increasing salt concentration, but eventually reached a steady state. Fractal dimension and floc size also showed similar trends with changing salt concentration. The main reasons to reduced pollutant removal efficiencies were deteriorated biological activity and settling properties. The biological activity was affected faster than the floc characteristics by increasing salt concentration. The deteriorated settling properties were explained by decreased size and fractal dimension of floc due to increasing salt concentration. The settling properties of floc such as sludge volume index (SVI) and zone settling velocity (ZSV) were related to size and fractal dimension of floc. The fractal dimension of floc was better related to the settling properties than the size of floc.
The quest for sustainable nitrogen removal technologies
Authors: Mulder A.
Published: May 2018

In this paper the sustainability of current available and future nitrogen removal systems has been investigated. For the assessment of the sustainability six indicators were used; sludge production; energy consumption, resource recovery; area requirement and N2O-emission. For the evaluation of the position of the individual nitrogen removal systems in the anthropogenic nitrogen cycle a broad outline for a life-cycle analysis has been presented.
Catalytic ozonation of 2-dichlorophenol by metallic ions
Authors: Ni C.-H. , Chen J.-N. , Yang P.-Y.
Published: May 2018

This research is mainly to explore functional improvement by adding various kinds of metallic ions in the ozonation of 2-chlorophenol solution. During the experiment, various kinds of metallic ions (Pb+, Cu2+, Zn2+, Fe2+, Ti2+, and Mn2+) were added; it was found that the reaction rate increased in all cases. The best result was obtained by using manganese ions, followed by iron and titanium ions. At pH = 3 and 1 ppm Mn2+ concentration, the reaction rate was increased by three times. TOC removal rate was also increased from 12.6% to 38% at 60 min reaction time. Ozone self-decomposition with various kinds of metallic ions alone was tested. It was found the ozone self-decomposition coefficient is highly dependent on the reaction rate constant for ozonation of 2-chlorophenol. The improvement of reaction was relevant to the mechanism of reaction between ozone and metallic ions. Furthermore, the effect of adding manganese ions was studied. With the initial manganese concentration at 0-2 ppm, after gas exposure for 20 min the removal rate can be increased from 38% to 93%. TOC removal rate was increased from 11% to 38%. The reaction rate was improved more greatly at the initial pH = 3.
A proposed sustainable BNR plant with the emphasis on recovery of COD and phosphate
Authors: Hao X.-D. , van Loosdrecht M.C.M.
Published: May 2018

Water problems have to be solved in an integrated way, and sustainability has become a major issue. For this reason, developing more sustainable wastewater treatment processes is needed. New discoveries and good understanding on microbial conversions of nitrogen and phosphorus make more sustainable processes possible. New options for decentralized sustainable sanitation are generally compared to conventional sewage systems, we think that for a proper comparison also innovative centralized treatment schemes should be evaluated. In this article, a more sustainable WWTP is proposed for municipal wastewater treatment, mainly based on the principles of denitrifying dephosphatation and anaerobic ammonium oxidation (ANAMMOX). The proposed system consists of a first stage of the A/B process in which maximal sludge production is achieved. In this way, COD is regained as sludge for methanation. The following BCFS® and CANON processes can remove N and P with minimal or no COD need. As a potential fertiliser, struvite can easily be removed from the sludge water by adding magnesium compounds. A case study is done on the basis of the mass balance over the proposed plant. The effluent from the system has a good quality to be recycled. This could also make a contribution to meeting the world's water needs and lessening the impact on the world's water environment. Since all the separate units are already applied or tested on pilot-scale, no problems for technical implementation are foreseen.
Granular activated carbon (GAC) adsorption in tertiary wastewater treatment: experiments and models
Authors: Chaudhary D.S. , Vigneswaran S. , Jegatheesan V. , Ngo H.H. , Moon H. , Shim W.G. , Kim S.H.
Published: May 2018

Wastewater treatment has always been a major concern in the developed countries. Over the last few decades, activated carbon adsorption has gained importance as an alternative tertiary wastewater treatment and purification process. In this study, granular activated carbon (GAC) adsorption was evaluated in terms of total organic carbon (TOC) removal from low strength synthetic wastewater. This paper provides details on adsorption experiments conducted on synthetic wastewater to develop suitable adsorption isotherms. Although the inorganics used in the synthetic wastewater solution had an overall unfavourable effect on adsorption of organics, the GAC adsorption system was found to be effective in removing TOC from the wastewater. This study showed that equation of state (EOS) theory was able to fit the adsorption isotherm results more precisely than the most commonly used Freundlich isotherm. Biodegradation of the organics with time was the most crucial and important aspect of the system and it was taken into account in determining the isotherm parameters. Initial organic concentration of the wastewater was the determining factor of the model parameters, and hence the isotherm parameters were determined covering a wide range of initial organic concentrations of the wastewater. As such, the isotherm parameters derived using the EOS theory could predict the batch adsorption and fixed bed adsorption results of the multi-component system successfully. The isotherm parameters showed a significant effect on the determination of the mass transfer coefficients in batch and fixed bed systems.
Operational factors of submerged inorganic membrane bioreactor for organic wastewater treatment: sludge concentration and aeration rate
Authors: Hwang E.J. , Sun D.D. , Tay J.H.
Published: May 2018

Various sludge concentrations and aeration rates were evaluated to find the optimal operation condition of a submerged ceramic membrane filtration system. 5.6 g/L of sludge was diluted with water to concentrations of 2.8 g/L and 1.4 g/L, and the three sludge concentrations were compared in terms of filtration characteristics such as pressure and filtrate flux. Flux was at the highest value of about 30 L/m2.hr at 50 kPa when sludge concentration was 1.4 g/L. In contrast, when sludge concentrations increased to 2.8 g/L and 5.6 g/L, the flux at 50 kPa decreased significantly to 18 L/m2.hr and 10 L/m2.hr, respectively. It was concluded that the sludge concentration directly affected the filtration efficiency, and low sludge concentration was suitable for improving filtration efficiency. Adjusting the aeration rate from 2 L/min to 4 L/min at 5.6 g/L of sludge and 50 kPa of pressure increased flux from 10 L/m2.hr to 13 L/m2.hr. It was obvious that the vigorous aeration improved the filtration efficiency, but the aeration rate did not seem to be high enough to maintain flux lower than critical flux.
High-strength nitrogen removal of opto-electronic industrial wastewater in membrane bioreactor - a pilot study
Authors: Chen T.K. , Ni C.H. , Chen J.N. , Lin J.
Published: May 2018

The membrane bioreactor (MBR) system has become more and more attractive in the field of wastewater treatment. It is particularly attractive in situations where long solids retention times are required, such as nitrifying bacteria, and physical retention critical to achieving more efficiency for biological degradation of pollutant. Although it is a new technology, the MBR process has been applied for industrial wastewater treatment for only the past decade. The opto-electronic industry, developed very fast over the past decade in the world, is high technology manufacturing. The treatment of the opto-electronic industrial wastewater containing a significant quantity of organic nitrogen compounds with a ratio over 95% in organic nitrogen (Org-N) to total nitrogen (T-N) is very difficult to meet the discharge limits. This research is mainly to discuss the treatment capacity of high-strength organic nitrogen wastewater, and to investigate the capabilities of the MBR process. A 5 m3/day capacity of MBR pilot plant consisted of anoxic, aerobic and membrane bioreactor was installed for evaluation. The operation was continued for 150 days. Over the whole experimental period, a satisfactory organic removal performance was achieved. The COD could be removed with an average of over 94.5%. For TOC and BOD5 items, the average removal efficiencies were 96.3 and 97.6%, respectively. The nitrification and denitrification was also successfully achieved. Furthermore, the effluent did not contain any suspended solids. Only a small concentration of ammonia nitrogen was found in the effluent. The stable effluent quality and satisfactory removal performance mentioned above were ensured by the efficient interception performance of the membrane device incorporated within the biological reactor. The MBR system shows promise as a means of treating very high organic nitrogen wastewater without dilution. The effluent of TKN, NOx-N and COD can fall below 20 mg/L, 30 mg/L and 50 mg/L.
Competitive adsorption for binary mixture of 4-nitrophenol and phenol on RSTA using GAC
Authors: Lee S.-M. , Choi B.-J. , Kim D.-H. , Lee I.-Y. , Kim W.-G.
Published: May 2018

Adsorption characteristics of a reverse stratified tapered adsorber (RSTA) system and competitive adsorption for phenol and 4-nitrophenol were investigated. In this study, a novel technology, RSTA, was introduced and compared with a conventional cylindrical adsorber (CA). The optimum study of RSTA in a single-solute system with phenol for size distribution, mean velocity and optimum angle was conducted to satisfy environmental criteria and reduce granular activated carbon (GAC) treatment costs. The competitive adsorption efficiency of RSTA and CA was also compared in a binary solute system with phenol and 4-nitrophenol. In the results of single-solute experiment, breakthrough time of RSTA was increased by 30-50% over conventional CA. The mean bed velocity was 19.10 cm/min and the optimum angle of RSTA was decided to 3°. Adsorption efficiency was increased with increasing GAC dose and the number of GAC layers. The affinity of competitive adsorption was significantly increased with decreasing GAC dose and increasing adsorbate concentration. The RSTA can be considered to provide an increase in breakthrough time with decreasing flow rate and increasing the number of layers. Water and wastewater plants processing large volumes of water can realize significant savings in capital and operation costs by utilizing this type of operation.
Bacterial biosorbent for removing and recovering copper from electroplating effluents
Authors: Lo W. , Chua H. , Wong M.-F. , Yu P.
Published: May 2018

Investigations were carried out to study the removal and recovery of Cu(II) ions from wastewater by Micrococcus sp. The Langmuir isotherm model described very well the equilibrium behavior of copper biosorption, with maximum biosorption capacity (qmax) reaching 52.1 mg Cu2+/g dry cell at pH 6. Biomass prewashed with sulfuric acid (0.05 mol l−1) and sodium sulfate (1 mol l−1) solutions were shown to increase the copper removal capabilities up to 27% and 16%, respectively. Copper uptake by cells was negligible at pH 2.0 and then increased quickly with increasing pH until 6.0. Cells of Micrococcus sp. were immobilized in 2% calcium alginate and 10% polyacrylamide gel beads. A counter-current process comprising a series of immobilized cell reactors was developed for removing and recovering copper from electroplating effluents. This process was capable of producing an effluent at low copper concentration, with only a minimum amount of desorbing agent used. The technique of scanning electron microscopy coupled with X-ray dispersion analysis shows that Cu2+ exchanged with K+ and Ca2+ on the cell wall of Micrococcus sp., thereby suggesting ion exchange as one of the dominant mechanisms of metal biosorption for this bacterial strain.
The performance of a two-stage SBR system in treating dye containing wastewater
Authors: Wen X.-H. , Fu L.-Y. , Qian Y.
Published: May 2018

A two-stage SBR system treating the wastewater containing copper-phthalocyanin dye-Reactive Turquoise Blue KN-G (C. I. Reactive Blue 21, denoted by RTB) was investigated during a 200-cycle operation. The performance of the system, including pollutant removal rates, operating stability and sludge characteristics, may be a concern in the long-term run. The results shows that the system removed RTB efficiently despite the step-up RTB concentration from 13.1 to 107 mg/L in the influent. The average total removal rates of RTB were 81% to 92.5% due to the contribution of both anaerobic and aerobic stages, while stable effluent was produced with the help of the aerobic stage. The sludge in each reactor was in the steady state and of good activity on RTB removal. Moreover, the anaerobic sludge with the SVI value of 109.1 and the aerobic sludge with the SVI value of 103.2 had good settling properties, which was verified by hardly any presence of suspended solids in the effluent and an observation under an electron-scanning microscope. The adsorption and biodegradation were considered as the mechanism for the stability of the SBR system during the long-term run.
Mixing and its impact on faecal coliform removal in a stabilisation pond
Authors: Brissaud F. , Tournoud M.G. , Drakides C. , Lazarova V.
Published: May 2018

Faecal coliform removal in stabilisation ponds is highly dependent on shortest water retention times. Tracer tests have been performed in a 3,300 m2 and 1.0 m deep pond, located in Southern France, to measure the retention times and bring light on the main influencing factors and mechanisms. Tracer concentrations were monitored at the outlet and 60 locations within the pond - at the surface, mid depth and the bottom of the water column. Pond water temperatures were measured at different depths and locations, together with pH, DO and redox potential. Wind velocity and rainfall were recorded. Water quality was monitored at the inlet, outlet and within the pond. Water retention times were shown to be strongly affected by weather conditions. Windy periods appeared to favour mixing regardless of the season. In sunny periods of spring and summer, a clear stratification was observed during daytime and vanished gradually during the night, suggesting alternation of mixed and stratified hydrodynamic patterns. This alternation was shown to influence microorganism contents within and at the outlet of the pond. Accurate prediction of shortest water retention times and disinfection performance requires 3D unsteady state fluid dynamic models that are able to take the influence of wind and water temperature distribution into account.
Non-contact measurement of wastewater polluting load - the Loadmon project
Authors: Russell S.L. , Marshallsay D.R. , MacCraith B. , Devisscher M.
Published: May 2018

A new approach to the measurement of polluting load in crude wastewaters is described. The Loadmon project has developed an optical technique which enables suspended solids and organic load of a crude wastewater to be measured in an open channel. There is no requirement for any sampling equipment or sensor contact of any kind. The paper covers the laboratory study of wastewater optical properties, the prototype development, testing in the laboratory and field trials. Future plans for product development are outlined.
Progress in sensor technology - progress in process control? Part I: Sensor property investigation and classification
Authors: Rieger L. , Alex J. , Winkler S. , Boehler M. , Thomann M. , Siegrist H.
Published: May 2018

To ensure correctly operating control systems, the measurement and control equipment in WWTPs must be mutually consistent. The dynamic simulation of activated sludge systems could offer a suitable tool for designing and optimising control strategies. Ideal or simplified sensor models represent a limiting factor for comparability with field applications. More realistic sensor models are therefore required. Two groups of sensor models are proposed on the basis of field and laboratory tests: one for specific sensors and another for a classification of sensor types to be used with the COST simulation benchmark environment. This should lead to a more realistic test environment and allow control engineers to define the requirements of the measuring equipment as a function of the selected control strategy.
Suitability of macrophytes for nutrient removal from surface flow constructed wetlands receiving secondary treated sewage effluent in Queensland, Australia
Authors: Greenway M.
Published: May 2018

From a botanical perspective the major difference between waste stabilisation ponds and wetlands is the dominance of algae or floating plants in the former and emergent plants in the latter. Algae, floating and submerged plants remove nutrients directly from the water column whereas emergent species remove nutrients from the sediment. Water depth is a crucial factor in determining which plant types will become established. Surface flow constructed wetlands offer the greatest potential to grow a wide variety of different types of macrophytes. In assessing the suitability of plant species for nutrient removal, consideration must be given not only to nutrient uptake for growth but also storage of nutrients as plant biomass.

A survey of macrophytes in 15 surface flow constructed wetlands treating secondary effluent was conducted in Queensland; 63 native species and 14 introduced species were found. Emergent species have been able to tolerate deeper water than in their natural environment and permanent waterlogging. All species grew well in the higher nutrient enriched wastewater. Submerged, floating leaved-attached and free floating species had the highest tissue nutrient content, followed by aquatic creepers. All these species remove nutrients from the water column. Emergent species had lower nutrient content but a greater biomass and were therefore able to store more nutrients per unit area of wetland. In order to maximise the efficiency of constructed wetlands for nutrient removal, a range of species should be used. Native species should be selected in preference to introduced/exotic species.
Variable photosynthetic characteristics in waste stabilisation ponds
Authors: Weatherell C.A. , Elliott D.J. , Fallowfield H.J. , Curtis T.P.
Published: May 2018

Algae play several key roles in waste stabilisation ponds. A model has been developed to predict algal concentration in waste stabilisation ponds, in which the relationship between photosynthesis and underwater light availability is central. One equation was selected from several alternative expressions that describe this relationship. The selected equation consisted of four photosynthetic parameters. A field sampling programme was designed to investigate the relationships between the photosynthetic parameters and the pond environment. Although initial regression analyses were unsuccessful, distinct diurnal variations were revealed in two key photosynthetic parameters, related to an inverse variation in chlorophyll a concentration. This led to the derivation of a dynamic feedback hypothesis which challenges the classic assumption in algal modelling of constant photosynthetic parameters.
Advanced pond system: performance with high rate ponds of different depths and areas
Authors: Craggs R.J. , Davies-Colley R.J. , Tanner C.C. , Sukias J.P.
Published: May 2018

Many domestic Wastewater Stabilisation Ponds (WSPs) or oxidation ponds in New Zealand require upgrading to reduce pollution of receiving waters. Advanced Pond Systems (APS) consisting of an Advanced Facultative Pond, High Rate Pond, Algae Settling Pond and Maturation Pond may provide a cost effective upgrade option. This paper presents the results of a 2-year study of the performance of two pilot APS systems with High Rate Ponds of different depths and areas. The HRPs of the APS systems both had the same flow rate (5 m3 d-1), volume (37.5 m3) and thus hydraulic retention time (7.5 d). However, the East HRP had an operating depth of 0.30 m and a surface area of 128 m2, and the West HRP had an operating depth of 0.45 m and a surface area of 85 m2. APS system performance was compared in terms of improvement of water quality. For nearly all parameters measured, there was little difference in performance between the two systems suggesting that the system with the smaller area could be used without affecting treatment. Comparison of final effluent with typical effluent of New Zealand WSPs showed that APS effluent was of higher quality and much less variable over time.
Comparison of oxygen and carbon dioxide balances in HRAP (high-rate algal ponds)
Authors: El Ouarghi H. , Praet E. , Jupsin H. , Vasel J.-L.
Published: May 2018

We previously suggested a method to characterize the oxygen balance in High-Rate Algal Ponds (HRAPs). The method was based on a hydrodynamic study of the reactor combined with a tracer gas method to measure the oxygen transfer coefficient. From such a method diurnal variations of photosynthesis and respiration can be quantified and the net oxygen production rate determined. In this paper we propose a similar approach to obtain carbon dioxide balances in HRAPs. Then oxygen and carbon dioxide balances can be compared.
A comparitive study of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria in lab-scale industrial wastewater treatment reactors
Authors: Rowan A.K. , Moser G. , Gray N. , Snape J.R. , Fearnside D. , Curtis T.P. , Barer M.R. , Head I.M.
Published: May 2018

The diversity and community structure of the b-proteobacterial ammonia oxidising bacteria (AOB) in a range of different lab-scale industrial wastewater treatment reactors were compared. Three of the reactors treat waste from mixed domestic and industrial sources whereas the other reactor treats waste solely of industrial origin. PCR with AOB selective primers was combined with denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis to allow comparative analysis of the dominant AOB populations and the phylogenetic affiliation of the dominant AOB was determined by cloning and sequencing or direct sequencing of bands excised from DGGE gels. Different AOB were found within and between different reactors. All AOB sequences identified were grouped within the genus Nitrosomonas. Within the lab-scale reactors there appeared to be selection for a low diversity of AOB and predominance of a single AOB population. Furthermore, the industrial input in both effluents apparently selected for salt tolerant AOB, most closely related to Nitrosococcus mobilis and Nitrosomonas halophila.
Calorimetric assessment of activity in WWTP biomass
Authors: Daverio E.
Published: May 2018

A heat flux bench-scale calorimeter (Bio-RC1) has been used to assess the metabolic activity of microbial populations involved in wastewater treatment biological processes under aerobic, anoxic and anaerobic conditions. Under strictly aerobic conditions, a linear correlation was observed between oxygen uptake rate and heat flux for heterotrophic and nitrifying bacterial populations. Using the same calorimetric approach and the same apparatus, toxicity and biodegradability of a pesticides factory wastewater were investigated. The activity of heterotrophic and nitrifying aerobic communities was monitored considering both oxygen consumption and heat dissipation, whereas, under anoxic conditions, calorimetric data were compared to the traditional NUR (nitrate uptake rate) test. Heterotrophic activity was found to be 52% inhibited after toxic wastewater exposure under both aerobic and anoxic conditions and 30% inhibition was observed on autotrophic ammonia oxidation. Additionally, calorimetric measurements have been successfully applied to investigate anaerobic digestion. The thermal response of a mesophilic granular sludge to repetitive glucose pulses has been evaluated and a toxicity test has been performed by exposing the biomass to increasing concentrations of formaldehyde.
Novel bacterial ratio for predicting faecal age
Authors: Nieman J. , Brion G.M.
Published: May 2018

This study presents an extension of ongoing research into the utility of the ratio of colonies isolated on membrane filters during the total coliform test using m-Endo broth media. Investigations into the relative shifts in concentrations of indicator bacterial populations over time, in laboratory-based survival studies conducted with filtered river water, were undertaken. Also, analysis of Kentucky River water quality data collected from the inlet of a local water treatment plant was carried out. Survival studies found that the ratio between the raw concentrations of atypical colonies (AC) and total coliform colonies (TC) was directly related to the amount of time coliform spiked river water had been held in open jars in the laboratory. The AC/TC ratio in the jars would rise from <1 at the time of coliform spiking to >200 within 4d. The rise in AC/TC ratio with time in river water was confirmed in the analysis of two years of Kentucky River water quality data where the average AC/TC ratio during months with high river flow (rain) was 3.37 and rose to an average of 27.58 during months with low flow. The average AC/TC ratio during high flow months compared to that of raw human sewage (3.9) and the ratio increased to values associated with animal impacted urban runoff (18.9) during low flow months.
Environmental factors influencing the microbiological contamination of commercially harvested shellfish
Authors: Lee R.J. , Morgan O.C.
Published: May 2018

Filter-feeding bivalve molluscs (such as oysters, clams, mussels and cockles) can concentrate contaminants from the water column. The extent of faecal contamination in shellfish is usually estimated by determining the concentration of faecal coliforms and/or Escherichia coli. Three sample points in each of three geographically separate commercial shellfisheries were selected for analysis for the effect of season, spring/neap and high/low tidal cycles, rainfall and wind direction on the results of routine E. coli monitoring. General linear modelling was used for the analyses. The principle factors affecting the contamination of shellfisheries were season, high/low tidal cycle and rainfall. The effects varied between harvesting areas and between individual sampling points within harvesting areas. Undertaking such analyses for all harvesting areas would contribute to the management of monitoring programmes and assist in the evaluation of potentially contaminating sources, such as sewage discharges. The type of analyses undertaken on E. coli monitoring data would also be pertinent for the analysis of putative viral indicators, such as F+ coliphage, and could be extended to data on bacterial and viral pathogens.
The use of IL-6 induction as a human biomarker for inflammatory agents in water
Authors: Pool E.J. , Jagals C. , van Wyk J.H. , Jagals P.
Published: May 2018

A rapid whole blood culture (WBC) assay system was developed to monitor the inflammatory potential of water samples collected in the Manguang Municipal area, South Africa. Several systems associated with the Modder River catchment area were investigated in this preliminary study to find out whether there were potential problems in this catchment area. Three focus areas were investigated: (a) the impact of the Klein Modder River, which passes through a densely populated residential area, on the inflammatory activity of the Modder River; (b) the efficiency of the treatment plants in eliminating inflammatory activity; and (c) the efficiency of chlorination of treated water in eliminating inflammatory activity that was not eliminated by the treatment system. Water contaminated with inflammatory substances induced the pro-inflammatory hormone interleukin 6 (IL-6). All water samples collected from the Modder River induced IL-6 secretion, and the quantity of IL-6 secreted was dependent on the concentration and origin of the sample. The lowest IL-6 inducing activity for river water was obtained for samples collected near the origin of the river (Rustfontein). Samples at subsequent points downstream from confluence with the Klein Modder River showed a major increase in IL-6 inducing activity. The two treatment plants along the Modder River also received water of different inflammatory activity. Both treatment plants eliminated some of the inflammatory activity during processing, however inflammatory residues remained after processing which might have been potentially harmful for infants and people with suppressed immune systems. Chlorination eliminated most of the inflammatory activity, indicating that chlorination of water was a necessary process in ensuring water of low inflammatory content.
Enteric virions and microbial biofilms - a secondary source of public health concern?
Authors: Storey M.V. , Ashbolt N.J.
Published: May 2018

Through their many sorption sites, microbial biofilms can accumulate both organic and inorganic particulate and colloidal material from bulk water environments. An application of such first principles to the ecology of “biocolloidal” enteric virions would suggest that they too may be concentrated by biofilms in a similar way. Though previous studies have isolated human gastrointestinal (enteric) virions from microbial biofilms, the exact human health significance of this has been neither fully investigated nor completely understood. Through an assessment of the location, accumulation and persistence of model enteric virions (φX174, MS2 and B40-8 bacteriophages as well as 20 nm fluorescent latex microspheres) within biofilms, the aim of the current study was to investigate whether the interaction of enteric virions with distribution pipe biofilms could provide a secondary source of public health concern to consumers. Model enteric virions were found to be incorporated into biofilms at concentrations representing 1% of those present in the adjacent bulk water environment. A sub-population (0.01%) of these persisted throughout an experimental period of 30 days, inferring their potential to accumulate over time. Furthermore, model enteric virions were partitioned into bacterial microcolonies, environments where biofilm bacteria can persist and re-grow, even in the presence of “acceptable” levels of disinfection. A risk model for enteric virion accumulation and release from distribution pipe biofilms suggested that associated risks may exceed USEPA benchmark values. These findings could have wide-reaching implications in water treatment and distribution strategies, and necessitate a re-appraisal of current water guideline values.
Fluid hydrodynamics in submerged and sidestream membrane bioreactors
Authors: Le-Clech P. , Alvarez-Vazquez H. , Jefferson B. , Judd S.
Published: May 2018

As with all membrane processes, turbulence, as promoted by aeration in submerged membrane bioreactors (MBRs) or pumping in sidestream (SS) systems to produce somewhat higher effective cross-flow velocities, increases mass transfer and reduces fouling. This is manifested in an elevated critical flux, the flux at which the membrane permeability is sustained. However, the non-Newtonian nature of the sludge makes precise rheological characterisation difficult. In this study, a calculation of the appropriate hydrodynamics parameters for a SS MBR configuration is presented. Optimisation of the aeration in a submerged MBR system has been attained by defining the minimum air velocity required for Taylor bubble formation.
Removal of microbes from municipal wastewater effluent by rapid sand filtration and subsequent UV irradiation
Authors: Rajala R.L. , Pulkkanen M. , Pessi M. , Heinonen-Tanski H.
Published: May 2018

The elimination of wastewater microbes is often necessary when effluent receiving waters are reused for different purposes e.g. for irrigation or as a raw water source of drinking water. In the present study, rapid sand filtration (SF) combined with the use of polyaluminium chloride coagulation was used as a pre-treatment to improve the quality of wastewater effluent before further treatment with UV irradiation. Pilot-scale experiments were run in four treatment plants in Finland. Treatment performance was followed by measuring physical and microbial parameters. Rapid sand filtration reduced suspended solids, turbidity and colour of effluents by about 90%, 70-80% and 20-50% respectively. It also improved the UV transmittance of water by up to 20%. Microbes and phosphorus were reduced by 90-99% and to 0.05 mg/L respectively. UV irradiation further reduced the number of microbes up to 99.9%. The efficiency of UV doses in pilot UV reactors was confirmed with collimated-beam device determinations and with added FRNA phages. More than 99.9% reduction of MS2 was achieved with the dose of 140mWs/cm2 in pilot UV reactors. Rapid sand filtration and the subsequent UV irradiation reduced the number of all the tested microbes to a low level, often below the detection limit. Suspended solids and the water turbidity were reduced to 1-2 mg/L and ~1 NTU respectively.
Inactivation differences of microorganisms by low pressure UV and pulsed xenon lamps
Authors: Otaki M. , Okuda A. , Tajima K. , Iwasaki T. , Kinoshita S. , Ohgaki S.
Published: May 2018

UV disinfection has been applied to water treatment in recent years with low-pressure and medium-pressure UV lamps mainly used as the light source. In general, UV disinfection is considered to be inefficient with water of high turbidity because of inhibition of light penetration. Additionally, photoreactivation may be a problem that should be considered in case a disinfected water is discharged to the environment where sunlight causes reactivation. Recently, other types of lamps have been proposed including a flush-type lamp (such as a pulsed-xenon lamp) that emits high energy and wide wavelength intermittently. In this study, the difference between inactivation efficiencies by low-pressure UV (LPUV) and pulsed-xenon (PXe) lamps was investigated using two coliphage types and three strains of Escherichia coli. PXe had a suppressive effect on photoreactivation rate of the E. coli strains even though there was no significant effect on inactivation rate and maximum survival ratio after photoreactivation. PXe also had a benefit when applied to high turbidity waters as no tailing phenomena were observed in the low survival ratio area although it was observed in LPUV inactivation. This efficiency difference was considered to be due to the difference in irradiated wavelength of both lamps.
Factors influencing faecal contamination in coastal marinas
Authors: Sobsey M.D. , Perdue R. , Overton M. , Fisher J.
Published: May 2018

Recreational pleasure and fishing boats are potential sources of human faecal contamination because the sanitary wastes from boat occupants may be discharged into the surrounding water. The impacts of such faecal contamination from boats is potentially high in marinas where boats are often kept and occupied for varying periods of time. The nature and extent of such faecal contamination from boats in marinas of different design and use is still inadequately understood. In this study the levels of faecal coliform (FC) bacteria were measured in the waters of a confined and an open water marina over a 6 d period encompassing a holiday weekend. Levels of FC rose with increasing occupancy by boats and boaters during the study period and then declined again. FC levels were higher in waters of a confined or basin marina than in waters of an open or unconfined marina. In both confined and open water marinas, FC levels were highest in water samples collected near boats but they also became elevated on occasion in water samples taken a distance of 305 m from boats. Concentrations of FC in marina waters exceeded the standards and guidelines for shell-fishing and primary contact recreation waters. Therefore, greater consideration of human health risks from enteric microbes in marina waters and shellfish is recommended.
The role of resuspension in enterococci distribution in water at an urban beach
Authors: Le Fevre N.M. , Lewis G.D.
Published: May 2018

This study investigated the process and effects of bacterial resuspension on microbiological water quality in a small urban embayment. Water and sediments were sampled for enterococci at a small urban bay, on both irregular and intensive time scales, with a focus on the potential sources of faecal contamination to the system. Distribution of enterococci in sediments was influenced by the location and microbiological quality of major sources of enterococci to the embayment. Stream and storm water contributed the greatest numbers of enterococci and, consequently, high numbers of enterococci were found in both water and sediments surrounding discharge points for these sources. To investigate bacterial resuspension, water samples were collected from within the surf zone (at water depths of 1-1.5 m) as a wave crest passed. Two samples were collected simultaneously at each sampling location at 10 cm above the seabed and 10 cm below the water surface. Samples were analysed for enterococci and data compared with bacterial numbers in adjacent sediments as well as in stream and storm water sources. Vertical distribution data for enterococci in the water column revealed evidence of spatial and temporal variability in bacterial resuspension and the role of wave action was demonstrated. Bacterial resuspension under waves was directly related to weather and wave conditions. The resuspension of enterococci was not detected beyond the surf zone suggesting that wave action was the main cause of resuspension at the study site.