bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Degradation of rhodamine B with manganese dioxide nanorods
Authors: Sabna V. , Thampi Santosh G. , Chandrakaran S. 
Published: October 2018

Abstract
This is an investigation on oxidative degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) by manganese dioxide (MnO2) nanorods synthesized by redox co-precipitation method. Field emission scanning electron microscopy of MnO2 nanorods at an electron voltage of 10 kV revealed a rod-like morphology for the synthesized nanoparticles. Fourier transform infrared spectra exhibited characteristic peaks of MnO2. Surface area of MnO2 nanorods was 277 m2/g. Effect of various parameters like initial concentration and pH of RhB solution, time of contact between MnO2 nanorods and RhB, dosage of MnO2, and stirring speed on decolouration of RhB was evaluated in batch experiments. Rapid decolouration in the initial period of the reaction was observed due to the adsorption of RhB molecules onto the surface of MnO2 nanorods followed by oxidative degradation. Percentage decolouration decreased with increase in initial concentration and increased with increase in dosage, speed of stirring the mixture and with increase in pH up to pH 7. Near complete decolouration was achieved at a dose of 0.5 g/L of MnO2 nanorods from 20 mg/L RhB solution within 3 min. Observations fitted best to the pseudo second order kinetic model. This study could pave the way for development of cost-effective, nontoxic nanostructures for treatment of wastewaters containing RhB.
Snow angels – the microbiology of freshly fallen snow: implications for immunocompromised patients
Authors: Moore John E. , McCaughan John , Stirling Jonathan , Bell Jane , Millar B. Cherie 
Published: October 2018

Abstract
The frequency of seasonal snowfall results in the transient covering of gardens/amenity sites/open public spaces, which encourages recreational interaction mainly with children. No data is available demonstrating the microbiological composition of such fallen snow and therefore a study was undertaken to examine the microbiology of snow from 37 sites, estimating (i) total viable count (TVC), (ii) identification of bacteria, and (iii) the presence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Mean TVC count of 8.3 colony-forming units (cfu)/ml snow melt water, 51.7 cfu/ml, 865 cfu/ml and 2,197 cfu/ml, was obtained for public amenity sites, domestic gardens, public open spaces and melting snow from public footpaths, respectively. No bacterial organisms (&lt;10 cfu/ml) were detected in 5/14 (35.7%) open public spaces, 2/5 (40%) amenity sites and in 1/10 (10%) domestic gardens. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was not detected from any snow sample examined. Bacterial diversity consisted of 15 bacterial species (11 Gram-positive/four Gram-negative). The six Gram-positive genera identified from snow were Actinomyces, Bacillus, Brevibacillus, Micrococcus, Staphylococcus and Streptococcus. The four Gram-negative genera identified were Enterobacter, Pantoea, Pseudomonas and Xanthomonas. Bacillus licheniformis was the most commonly isolated organism from snow; it was isolated from every snow type. Snow may contain a diverse range of bacteria, many of which are capable of causing human infections.
Revisiting the distributional impacts of water subsidy policy in Chile: a historical analysis from 1998–2015
Authors: Contreras Dante , Gómez-Lobo Andrés , Palma Isidora 
Published: October 2018

Abstract
The distributional incidence of the Chilean water subsidy scheme is revisited by analyzing its evolution from 1998 to 2015. This is one of the only means-tested water subsidies in a developing country and is frequently used as an example in policy discussions and recommendations. Many changes have been introduced in the program since its inception and at least three different targeting instruments have been used to identify needy households in the last 20 years. We find that the incidence of the subsidy is progressive but moderate, with a Gini coefficient of close to 0.3. It has also remained stable between 1998 and 2015. The errors of inclusion and exclusion have also remained stubbornly high. These incidence results are surprising given the efforts made in the Chilean welfare system to target social benefits. Possible explanations for these results are given and compared to other developing country experiences.
Equity impacts of informal private water markets: case of Kathmandu Valley
Authors: Raina Aditi , Gurung Yogendra , Suwal Bhim 
Published: October 2018

Abstract
South Asia is a hotspot for populations and economies adversely impacted by poor water security. This is evident in the case of Nepal where it has been estimated that 20% of households have no access to a domestic water source and two-thirds of the urban households live with inadequate water supply. Therefore, many depend on private solutions, such as private wells and purchasing water from informal water markets, to meet household water needs. Within this context, this paper examines whether private water vendors provide equitable access to both poor and wealthy households, whether they practice discriminatory pricing and whether poor households face a greater financial burden in meeting their household water needs. The analysis uses primary data collected from a 1,500-household survey conducted in 2014 and uses regression analyses to derive the results. The results reveal patterns of inequity in the private water market, but seemingly not purely due to an inherent bias against poorer households. Regardless, the market does not serve the poor adequately and given the lack of alternatives that poor households have, it points to an urgent need for the government to step in to counterbalance the deficiencies of the market.
Alternative pathways to food security and nutrition – water predicaments and human behavior
Authors: Lundqvist Jan , Unver Olcay 
Published: October 2018

Abstract
Remarkable successes and new challenges to cope with requirements for food and water are analyzed. Trends in demography, food preferences and consumer habits are scrutinized together with their implications for human well-being and natural resources. Making best use of variable and limited water resources presumes proper management and efficient technologies, but also a worthwhile use of goods and services produced, for example, food. Reduction of food losses and waste, and reversing trends in overweight and obesity promise significant water savings. Transformations of food systems in this direction provide opportunities to meet human nutrient and food requirements in a resource-effective manner. In line with the principle of the Sustainable Development Goals, ‘no-one should be left behind’, governments, producers and consumers must be involved in efforts to ensure food security and nutrition. Naturally, farmers are major actors in food systems. The business community is showing a commitment to contribute to food security and nutrition and to reduce water risks. Consumers are dynamic drivers as well as beneficiaries, victims and culprits in water and food systems and need to internalize resource-use efficiency in their behavior, for example, by reducing food waste and aiming for better nutrition and sustainable diets.
Comparing urban wastewater systems in India and Brazil: options for energy efficiency and wastewater reuse
Authors: Never Babette , Stepping Katharina 
Published: October 2018

Abstract
This paper compares the drivers and barriers to urban wastewater treatment in India and Brazil. The analysis of various different cities focuses on energy efficiency and reuse of treated wastewater. Drawing on 60 semi-structured interviews in Brazil and 20 semi-structured interviews in India, the paper finds that the wastewater systems in both countries are still largely in a situation of lock-in, although innovative initiatives that focus on more resource-footprint, lifecycle-oriented approaches exist in some niche sectors. A combination of specific institutional changes and external triggers has the potential to break the lock-in. Pricing, mandatory regulations and standard setting present helpful instruments to advance institutional change, while a high number of stakeholders, vested interests and economic benefits of the status quo block it. Urbanization and land and water scarcity have been identified as external triggers for shifts in the dominant mindsets towards more sustainable solutions in both countries. For governance of the water–energy–food nexus, this paper finds that using less abstract concepts and language will increase the acceptance of the idea among local stakeholders. Additionally, cross-sectoral integration needs to be tailor-made and well-timed; immediate, full integration is not always the best option.
Extracting the spatio-temporal linkages between land use/land cover and water quality parameters using spatio-temporal weighted regression
Authors: Karimipour Farid , Madadi Arash , Bashough Mohammad Hosein 
Published: October 2018

AbstractStudies in water quality management have indicated significant relationships between land use/land cover (LULC) variables and water quality parameters. Thus, understanding this linkage is essential in protecting and developing water resources. This article extends the conventional geographical weighted regression (GWR) to a temporal version in order to take both spatial and temporal variations of such linkages into account, which has been ignored by many of the previous efforts. The approach has been evaluated for total nitrates and nitrites' concentration as the case study. For this, observations of 45 water quality sampling stations were examined in a time interval of 20 years (1992–2011), and the linkages between LULC variables and NO2 + NO3 concentration were extracted through Pearson correlation coefficient as a global regression model, the conventional geographic weighted regression, and the proposed spatio-temporal weighted regression (STWR). Comparing the results based on two global criteria of goodness-of-fitness (R2) and residual sum of squares (RSS) verifies that the simultaneous consideration of spatial and temporal variations by STWR substantially improves the results.
Characterization of heavy metal in soils as affected by long-term irrigation with industrial wastewater
Authors: Haroon Bushra , Ping An , Pervez Arshid , Faridullah  , Irshad Muhammad 
Published: October 2018

AbstractInvestigation of heavy metals (HM) fractions in soils irrigated with wastewater (WW) would ascertain their bioavailability and contamination level in soils. This study investigated HM fractions in soils after long-term WW irrigation. WW irrigation profoundly affected HM fractions in soil. The ranges of HM concentrations in soils irrigated with WW were apparently wide. All fractions were significantly higher in the fields irrigated with industrial WW than rain-fed fields. HM concentrations varied in the soils as Pb &gt; Cu &gt; Ni &gt; Zn &gt; Fe &gt; Cd &gt; Mn after WW irrigation. In rainfed fields, HM concentrations differed in soils as Fe &gt; Zn &gt; Mn &gt; Pb &gt; Cd &gt; Cu &gt; Ni. The HM fractions were dominant in the residual form followed by oxides bound and carbonate associated fractions in WW-irrigated soils. Lower contents of HM in the soil were obtained in the exchangeable fraction. WW irrigation resulted in the transformation of HM into different fractions as residual &gt; oxide associated &gt; carbonate associated &gt; organically bound &gt; exchangeable form. Repeated WW irrigation increased pH values of the soils. The higher EC of soil indicated an accumulation of salts in the soils due to WW irrigation. Mitigation of HM contamination in Hattar industrial effluent is required before irrigation.
A modified fouling index (MFI40) and fouling predicting approach for ultrafiltration of secondary effluents
Authors: Cai B. J. , Baudin I. , Ng H. Y. 
Published: October 2018

Abstract
Fouling indices for evaluating fouling propensity of secondary effluents (SEF) as feed of ultrafiltration (UF) systems are important parameters for the design and operation of the UF process. However, limited fouling indices have been developed and applied for UF feedwater. This study (i) established a modified UF fouling index (MFI40) by raising operating pressure from 30 psi in a traditional MFI test to 40 psi. Standard deviation of MFI40 tests was lower than that of traditional MFI by 68.6%, indicating better stability and repeatability of MFI40. It (ii) investigated the combined effects of UF feedwater characteristics on MFI40. Biopolymers and turbidity played a dominant and secondary positive role in the MFI40, respectively. The effect of conductivity on MFI40 changed from positive to negative with a turbidity increase. It also (iii) validated the MFI40 in both laboratory- and pilot-scale UF membrane units, and UF fouling rates were linearly correlated to the MFI40 of their feeds, and (iv) explored the practical use of the MFI40. It was applied to determine the maximum allowable UF feedwater quality (MFI40max), which could be used to select an appropriate pre-treatment process. A fouling predicting model was established based on the feedwater MFI40 and the operating flux, with an average predicting error of 26.8%.
Prediction of pipe failure rate in Tehran water distribution networks by applying regression models
Authors: Motiee Homayoun , Ghasemnejad Sonya 
Published: October 2018

Abstract
Four statistical models (linear regression, exponential regression, Poisson regression and logistic regression) applied to analyze the variables in pipe vulnerabilities with the objective of finding equations to predict probable future pipe accidents. The most effective variables in pipe failures are material, age, length, diameter and hydraulic pressure. To evaluate these models, the data collected in recent years in the water distribution network of district 1 in Tehran were used, with a total length of 582,702 m of pipes, and 48,500 consumers. The results demonstrate that among the four studied models, the logistic regression model is best able to give a good performance and is capable of predicting future accidents with a higher probability.
Calculation of water environmental capacity and pollutant sharing rate with water diversion: a case study of Qinhuai River
Authors: Song Weiwei , Pang Yong , Li Yiping , Zhang Peng , Xu Qing , Fu Xingqian 
Published: October 2018

AbstractWith an overall consideration of hydrology, water quality and pollution sources, and the pollution source area, which affect the water quality, the Qinhuai River basin has been simplified as a control unit. Based on the establishment of the control unit water environmental model, the most unfavorable hydrological condition has been set up. The model comprehensively considers the effects of boundary water quality and the response relationship between the water quality of a cross-section and the general population. The allowable discharge of each generalization outfall can be calculated by the response relationship, and the chemical oxygen demand (COD), NH3-N, and total phosphorus (TP) water environment capacity of the control unit can be obtained. As shown in the results: in the near future (2017–2019) with 35% sewage interception and 30 m3/s water diversion; in the long term (after 2020) with 82% sewage interception, the water quality can reach the standard. Combined with the measured calculation, the paper also has made a quantitative analysis of the sharing rate of the main tributary and sewage pump station pollutant flux in the control unit and the whole basin within the administrative district.
Improved grey prediction method for optimal allocation of water resources: a case study in Beijing in China
Authors: Men Baohui , Wu Zhijian , Liu Huanlong , Hu Zehua , Li Yangsong 
Published: October 2018

Abstract
Water shortages and the deterioration of water quality in the natural environment have a negative effect on social development of many countries. Therefore, optimizing the allocation of water resources has become an important research topic in water resources planning and management. An essential step in improving the utilization efficiency of water resources is the prediction of water supply and demand. Because it has a great number of merits, the grey prediction method has been widely used in population prediction and temperature prediction. However, it also has limitations such as low prediction precision since original data seriously fluctuates. This paper aims to handle the sample values by an innovative method utilizing moving-average technique (MA) model and optimizing the background values to make them more typical. Results proved that the prediction accuracy of the traditional model was effectively improved by the proposed method. The proposed model was then applied in the multi-objective planning to establish an optimal water resources allocation model for Beijing in the short-term (2020) planning timeframe, including local water resources, transfer water volumes, and other water supplies. The results indicated that industrial and agricultural water use could be well met, while domestic and environmental water resources may face a shortage.
Remediation of polluted river water by floating treatment wetlands
Authors: Shahid Munazzam Jawad , Tahseen Razia , Siddique Muhammad , Ali Shafaqat , Iqbal Samina , Afzal Muhammad 
Published: October 2018

Abstract
In this study, the potential of floating treatment wetlands (FTWs), inoculated with selected bacteria, to ameliorate polluted river water was evaluated. Floating cells were prepared by vegetating plants, Typha domingensis and Leptochloa fusca, on a floating mat. The plants were inoculated with three different pollutant-degrading rhizospheric and endophytic bacterial strains. Significantly greater decrease in chemical oxygen demand (COD), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5) and total organic carbon (TOC) was observed in inoculated FTWs than in the wetlands without bacterial inoculation. However, a slight decrease in pH and EC was seen in most of the treatments. The total nitrogen (TN), nitrate and total phosphorus (TP) contents decreased to 1.77 mg/L, 0.80 mg/L and 0.60 mg/L, respectively. Additionally, the concentration of iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), manganese (Mn), lead (Pb), and chromium (Cr) in the water lowered to 0.41, 0.16, 0.10, 0.25, and 0.08 mg/L, respectively. Overall the performance of T. domingensis was significantly better than L. fusca. The treated effluents meet the water quality guidelines for irrigation and aquatic life. This study revealed that FTWs supplemented with selective bacteria are a promising approach for the restoration and management of polluted river water.
Performance of a storage tank coupled with UV light on enteric virus inactivation in drinking water
Authors: Garcia Lucas Ariel Totaro , Barardi Célia Regina Monte 
Published: October 2018

Abstract
Water destined for personal and household consumption should be safe and acceptable in taste, odor and color. However, complaints about drinking water quality are a common issue among the Brazilian population. Also, due to the pollution of water bodies, social groups that are not supplied by treated water may be exposed to different contaminants. The aim of this study was to assess the efficiency of a water treatment tank coupled with UV light on the inactivation of enteric viruses and the reduction of chlorine concentration for use in residences, as well as in rural and isolated communities. Viral disinfection and chlorine concentration decay assays were performed in a tank with capacity of 300 L and a 36-W UV lamp coupled, with controlled temperature. Recombinant human adenovirus (AdHu5-GFP) and murine norovirus (MNV-1) infectivity were assessed after 0, 3, 6 and 12 h of water recirculation. 99.99% inactivation was reached after 12 h for AdHu5-GFP and before 6 h for MNV-1. Chlorine concentration had a decay of 0.77 mg/L after 12 h. Regarding the efficiency observed, a product model was designed. This tank model was efficient in ensuring viral inactivation as well as in reducing residual chlorine and can be adjusted to other scales.
Enhancement of COD, ammonia, phosphate and sulfide simultaneous removal by the anaerobic photosynthetic bacterium of Ectothiorhodospira magna in batch and sequencing batch culture
Authors: Zhao Xin , Li Xuejie , Qi Nan , Fu Zhongtian , Chen Meng , Jiang Binhui , Hu Xiaomin 
Published: October 2018

AbstractAn anaerobic photosynthetic bacterium, with chemical oxygen demand (COD), ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N), total phosphorus (TP) and sulfide (S2−) simultaneous removal ability, strain SU6, was isolated and identified as belonging to Ectothiorhodospira magna. Its removal efficiencies were simultaneously evaluated in batch culture and influenced in sequencing batch culture. The maximum COD, NH3-N, TP and S2− removal rates of 93.04%, 86.70%, 37.55% and 99.99% were obtained in batch culture with an initial pH 8.0 at 35 °C after 72 h. The simultaneous removal efficiency was enhanced in sequencing batch culture, and 789.27 mg/L COD, 68.91 mg/L NH3-N, 70.20 mg/L S2− and 5.26 mg/L TP were removed by the end of the last cycle within 24 h. This was the first time of reporting contaminants' simultaneous removal by a pure-cultured photosynthetic bacterium. The experimental results demonstrate that E. magna can efficiently serve as a good candidate in anaerobic wastewater contaminants' simultaneous removal, and maybe as another model anaerobic photosynthetic microorganism for water purification investigations.
The use of steel slags in the heterogeneous Fenton process for decreasing the chemical oxygen demand of oil refinery wastewater
Authors: Heidari Behnam , Soleimani Mohsen , Mirghaffari Nourollah 
Published: October 2018

Abstract
The Fenton process is a useful and inexpensive type of advanced oxidation process for industrial wastewater treatment. This study was performed with the aim of using the steel slag as a catalyst in the heterogeneous Fenton process in order to reduce the chemical oxygen demand (COD) of oil refinery wastewater. The effects of various parameters including the reaction time (0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0 h), pH (2.0, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0, 6.0 and 7.0), the concentration of steel slag (12.5, 25.0 and 37.5 g/L), and H2O2 concentration (100, 250, 400 and 500 mg/L) on the Fenton process were investigated. Furthermore, the effect of microwave irradiation on the process efficiency was studied by considering the optimum conditions of the mentioned parameters. The results showed that using 25.0 g/L of steel slag and 250 mg/L H2O2, at pH = 3.0, could reduce COD by up to 64% after 2.0 h. Also, microwave irradiation decreased the time of the process from 120 min to 25 min in the optimum conditions, but it consumed a high amount of energy. It could be concluded that steel slags had a high potential in the treatment of oil refinery wastewater through the Fenton process.
A VFA-based controller for anaerobic digestion of industrial winery wastewater
Authors: Vargas-Morales Gustavo , Chamy Rolando , García-Gen Santiago 
Published: October 2018

Abstract
A variable-gain controller for anaerobic digestion of industrial winery wastewater is presented. A control law using both volatile fatty acids (VFA) and methane production rate as controlled variables and organic loading rate (OLR) as manipulated variable is defined. The process state is quantitatively estimated by an empirical function comparing VFA measurements against a setpoint value; then, it is modified with a second empirical function that compares the methane flow rate with a maximum capacity reference, and finally it is adjusted with a third factor considering the actual hydraulic retention time. The variable-gain function determines the extent of the OLR change applied to the system. The controller was successfully validated in a 95 L upflow-anaerobic-sludge-blanket (UASB) reactor, treating industrial wine wastewater at OLR ranged between 2.0 and 39.2 g COD/L d for 120 days at mesophilic conditions. Higher performance was achieved contrasted with a conventional strategy carried out in a parallel UASB unit.