Wastewater

Chemosphere, 2004 Jun, 55(9), 1189 - 96
Degradation of azo dye Acid Red 14 in aqueous solution by electrokinetic and electrooxidation process; Wang A et al.; A new wastewater treatment technology--electrokinetic-electrooxidation process (EK-EO process) is developed in this paper . The EK-EO process can take advantage of both electrooxidation on the anode surface and the electrokinetic process of anionic impurities under an electric field, which can enhance the TOC removal in electrolysis process . The degradation of an anionic azo dye Acid Red 14 (AR14) was experimentally investigated . It was found that under an electric field AR14 could be migrated into anode compartment and be efficiently mineralized . After 360 min electrolysis of 100 mgl(-1) AR14 solutions at 4.5 mAcm(-2), complete discoloration was observed in both cathode and anode compartment . About 60% TOC was electromigrated from cathode compartment to anode compartment, and more than 25 mgl(-1) TOC was abated in anode compartment . A possible degradation mechanism of AR14 by EK-EO process was proposed . Additionally, the effect of current density, recycling flux, and electrolyte concentration on the EK-EO degradation of AR14 was also investigated .

Sci Total Environ, 2004 May 25, 324(1-3), 201 - 10
Tertiary filtered municipal wastewater as alternative water source in agriculture: a field investigation in Southern Italy; Pollice A et al.; Results are reported concerning a 2-year field investigation on municipal wastewater reclamation for the irrigation of two experimental crops: tomato and fennel . Throughout the investigation, approximately 500 m(3) of tertiary membrane filtered wastewater without further disinfection was supplied to one of two parcels (500 m(2) each) of a test field located in Southern Italy . The second parcel was comparatively irrigated with 500 m(3) of conventional well water . Objectives of the investigation were (i) the evaluation of the performance of a membrane filtration pilot plant (productivity=0.7 m(3)h(-1)) for tertiary treatment and (ii) the comparison between agronomic results (features of soil and crops) after irrigation with reclaimed wastewater versus conventional groundwater . Over long term operation, the pilot plant performance resulted very good in terms of suspended solids and bacterial removal . Referring to the agronomic results, no substantial differences were observed after 2 years, both in terms of microbiological quality of the crops and characteristics of the soil . The whole results indicate membrane filtered municipal effluent as a viable alternative water resource for irrigation.

Bioresour Technol, 2004 Aug, 94(1), 9 - 12
Optimization of a biological process for treating potato chips industry wastewater using a mixed culture of Aspergillus foetidus and Aspergillus niger; Mishra BK et al.; Potato chips industry wastewater was collected and analyzed for biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total suspended solids (TSS) and total carbohydrates . Two Aspergillus species, A . foetidus and A . niger, were evaluated for their ability to grow and produce biomass and reduce the organic load of the wastewater . A . foetidus MTCC 508 and A . niger ITCC 2012 were able to reduce COD by about 60% and produce biomass 2.4 and 2.85 gl(-1), respectively . Co-inoculation of both Aspergillus strains resulted in increased fungal biomass production and higher COD reduction than in individual culture at different culture pH . pH 6 was optimum for biomass production and COD reduction . Amendment of the wastewater with different N and P sources, increased the biomass production and COD reduction substantially . Under standardized conditions of pH 6 and amendment of wastewater with 0.1% KH2PO4 and 0.1% (NH4)2 SO4, a mixed culture gave 90% reduction in COD within 60 h of incubation.

J Hazard Mater, 2004 Apr 30, 108(1-2), 111 - 7
Removal of lead from aqueous solutions using an immobilized biomaterial derived from a plant biomass; Chandra Sekhar K et al.; Because of the severity of heavy metal contamination and potential adverse health impact on the public, a tremendous effort has taken place to purify waters containing toxic metal ions . Traditional methods which have been employed prove to be costly and prohibitive for low level waste remediation . Biosorption is presented as an alternative to traditional physicochemical means for removing toxic metals from ground and wastewaters . Most recently, plant based biomaterials have been of interest . The bark of Hemidesmus indicus, an extensively available plant biomass commonly called as Indian sarsaparilla was used as biomaterial for removal of lead from aqueous streams . Batch experiments were carried out with immobilized biomass of H . indicus (IPBFIX) to optimize the experimental parameters like effect of contact time, initial metal concentration, initial IPBFIX concentration and co-metal ion effect on biosorption of lead from contaminated waters . Column experiments were performed under flow conditions for regeneration and recycle efficiency of IPBFIX and was found to be effective for three cycles . Elution experiments were carried out to remove lead ions from loaded IPBFIX and 100% elution was achieved with a 0.1M HNO(3) solution . The effectiveness of the IPBFIX for biosorption of lead ions was demonstrated using the wastewater samples emanating from a non-ferrous metal industry and the results are presented in this paper . The results from these studies will be useful for a novel phytofiltration technology to remove and recover lead from wastewaters and this can also be well adapted for secondary treatment or polishing of wastewaters . An attempt has been made to remove lead from the lead polluted waters (both ground and surface) from an industrially contaminated sites.

Waste Manag, 2004, 24(4), 359 - 63
The BATINTREC process for reclaiming used batteries; Xia YQ et al.; The Integrated Battery Recycling (BATINTREC) process is an innovative technology for the recycling of used batteries and electronic waste, which combines vacuum metallurgical reprocessing and a ferrite synthesis process . Vacuum metallurgical reprocessing can be used to reclaim the mercury (Hg) in the dry batteries and the cadmium (Cd) in the Ni-Cd batteries . The ferrite synthesis process reclaims the other heavy metals by synthesizing ferrite in a liquid phase . Mixtures of manganese oxide and carbon black are also produced in the ferrite synthesis process . The effluent from the process is recycled, thus significantly minimizing its discharge . The heavy metal contents of the effluent could meet the Integrated Wastewater Discharge Standard of China if the ratio of the crushed battery scrap and powder to FeSO4.7H2O is set at 1:6 . This process could not only stabilize the heavy metals, but also recover useful resource from the waste.

Waste Manag, 2004, 24(4), 353 - 8
Physico-chemical removal of iron from semi-aerobic landfill leachate by limestone filter; Aziz HA et al.; Limestone has been proven effective in removing metals from water and wastewater . A literature review indicated that limestone is capable of removing heavy metals such as Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, Ni, Cr, Fe and Mn are through a batch process or by filtration technique . The removal capability is reported at up to 90% . However, to date most of the studies have been focused on synthetic wastewater . The present study attempts to investigate the suitability of limestone to attenuate total iron (Fe) from semi aerobic leachate at Pulau Burung Landfill Site in Penang, Malaysia . Iron was found in significant quantities at the landfill site . The study also aims to establish the Fe isotherm and breakthrough time of the proposed limestone filter for post-treatment to the migrating landfill leachate before its release to the environment . The Fe isotherms were established using a batch equilibrium test, while the breakthrough characteristics were determined using continuous flow permeating through a limestone column . The latter was used in order to simulate the continuous flow of leachate that would occur in the proposed limestone filter . The limestone media used in the experiment contain more than 90% CaCO3 with particle sizes ranging from 2 to 4 mm . Four filter columns (each 150 mm in diameter and 1000 mm depth) were installed at the landfill site . Metal loadings were kept below 0.5 kg /m3 day and the experiment was run continuously for 30 days . Initial results indicated that 90% of Fe can be removed from the leachate based on retention time of 57.8 min and surface loading of 12.2 m3/m2 day . For the batch study on the Fe isotherm, the results indicated that limestone is potentially useful as an alternative leachate treatment system at a relatively low cost.

J Agric Food Chem, 2004 Apr 21, 52(8), 2372 - 5
Separation of sardine oil without heating from surimi waste and its effect on lipid metabolism in rats; Toyoshima K et al.; Sardine oil was obtained by centrifugation of surimi wastewater without heating or chemical refining . This oil (CE) showed light yellow color and the peroxide value was less than 1.0 meq/kg . The main lipid class of CE was triacylglycerol (TG) (>99%) . These features indicate that CE can be directly used as food materials without further purification . Commercial sardine oil (CO) is usually prepared via some kind of refining process with high temperature (250 degrees C) and chemical treatment . The comparative study on the physiological effects of these sardine oils (CE and CO) revealed that the dietary sardine oils were more effective in reducing abdominal fat pads, plasma total cholesterol, and TG levels of rats than was a soybean oil diet (control) . Furthermore, these effects were greater in CE than CO, although there was little difference in the fatty acid composition of both oils . Although the main lipid class of CE was TG (>99%), CE was prepared by centrifugation from surimi waste and directly used as dietary fat without further purification . Therefore, CE may contain some kinds of minor components, which could be attributed to the higher physiological activity of CE . To reveal the involvement of the minor compounds in CE, we prepared TG from CE by column chromatography and measured its effect on lipid metabolism of rats . TG from CE also showed the reducing effects on abdominal fad pads and plasma lipid levels . The effect of TG from CE was almost the same as that of original CE, suggesting that the higher nutritional activity of CE than CO may not be due to the minor compounds in CE.

Water Sci Technol, 2004, 49(4), 331 - 7
Textile wastewater treatment and reuse by solar catalysis: results from a pilot plant in Tunisia; Bousselmi L et al.; Based on results from bench-scale flow-film-reactors (FFR) and aerated cascade photoreactors, a solar catalytic pilot plant has been built at the site of a textile factory . This plant has an illuminated surface area of 50 m2 and is designed for the treatment of 1 m3 h(-1) of wastewater . The preliminary results are presented and compared with a bench-scale FFR using textile wastewater and dichloroacetic acid . Equivalent degradation kinetics were obtained and it was demonstrated that the solar catalytic technology is able to remove recalcitrant compounds and color . However, on-site optimization is still necessary for wastewater reuse and for an economic application.

Water Sci Technol, 2004, 49(4), 325 - 30
Photocatalytical polishing of paper-mill effluents; Moiseev A et al.; Photocatalytic oxidation (PCO) is a promising technology for purification of biological pretreated wastewater or destruction of non-biodegradable compounds . For this reason PCO has been investigated as a last step of purification of biologically pre-treated paper-mill effluents . The influence of the parameters pH, TiO2-modification, TiO2-concentration, catalyst re-use, concentration of substances to be oxidised (wastewater quality) has been determined . The TOC of the biologically pretreated wasterwater was up to 55 mg L(-1) . This wastewater was treated with a previously presented aerated cascade photoreactor which was modified for batch experiments . A high specific oxidation rate of up to 0.76 g TOC m(-2) h(-1) as well as a complete TOC mineralization has been achieved after the optimisation of the process parameters . The complete destruction of recalcitrant compounds will offer the opportunity to reuse the wastewater in the production process . The increase of the BOD5/TOC ratio after a short irradiation period indicates the transformation of recalcitrant organic compounds to better biodegradable intermediates . The use of PCO as a pre-treatment step for the enhancement of the biodegradability of wastewater, containing recalcitrant or inhibitory compounds is an alternative to a long and energy-intensive total pollutant mineralization.

Water Sci Technol, 2004, 49(4), 311 - 7
Recycling of dyehouse effluents by biological and chemical treatment; Krull R et al.; A combined biological and chemical process of purification and recycling of residual dyehouse effluents was developed, investigated and installed at a textile finishing company which produces 330,000 m3 colored wastewater effluents per year . The process divided effluent into two streams . Both streams were subjected to anaerobic dye-cleavage, aerobic mineralization of cleavage-products and biomass separation . One stream was also membrane filtered and treated with ozone, which made possible the recycling of 60% of the total discharge . By these means it was possible to increase the quality of the treated streams for recycling purposes, as well as the dye capacity of the textile mill, and to minimize the operating costs . Furthermore, the municipal wastewater treatment plant into which the textile finishing mill's water is discharged, did not need to enhance its capacity.

Water Sci Technol, 2004, 49(4), 261 - 6
H2O2/UV enhanced degradation of pesticides in wastewater; Kowalska E et al.; Photodegradation of organic pesticides in industrial wastewater was examined in a UV/H2O2/air system . An experimentally determined optimal amount of hydrogen peroxide (0.008% v/v) indicates that hydrogen peroxide concentration controlled the efficiency of photodegradation . Pre-treatment operations such as sedimentation, filtration and coagulation were used to obtain better efficiency of pesticide removal and to cut down on irradiation time . Finally, scale-up experiments in the air-sparged hydrocyclone (ASH) reactor were carried out . After 5 min irradiation of 100 dm3 industrial wastewater almost all pesticides were destroyed . Thus the ASH reactor proved to be an effective contactor for carrying out photochemical reactions.

Water Sci Technol, 2004, 49(4), 219 - 25
Treatment of dyehouse effluents with a carbon-based adsorbent using anodic oxidation regeneration; Brown NW et al.; Adsorption is an attractive route for the removal of coloured, toxic and non-biodegradable organics from wastewater as very low discharge standards can be achieved . This paper reports on the use of a novel carbon-based material, Nyex100, as an adsorbent material for the treatment of dyehouse effluent . The adsorbent has low porosity and high electrical conductivity and these factors have allowed the adsorbent to be electrochemically regenerated . This work has demonstrated that the adsorbent can be cycled through the process of adsorption and regeneration a number of times with little drop in adsorptive capacity . However regeneration appears to modify the preference for organic species adsorption . Electrochemical regeneration can be rapidly achieved (15-20 minutes) using low current densities (< 20 mA cm(-2)) . However, the low adsorptive capacity of the adsorbent, because of its small surface area, means that large quantities of adsorbent would need to be cycled within the process to treat the effluent volume generated in even small dyehouses . Thus, it is believed that operating the process in this mode limits the practical application of this technology.

Water Sci Technol, 2004, 49(4), 213 - 8
Treatment of non-biodegradable wastewater by electro-Fenton method; Chang PH et al.; A novel electro-Fenton method, called the Fered-Fenton method, applying H2O2 and electrogenerated ferrous ions for treating organic-containing wastewater was investigated . By combining electrochemical reduction and chemical oxidation, the process can regenerate ferrous ions and remove organic compounds simultaneously in a batch reactor . Because the generation rate of ferrous ions is one of the key parameters in evaluating the oxidation efficiency of the reaction system, the initial current efficiencies (eta(i)) for iron (III) reduction are examined first . It shows that increasing initial ferric ion concentration can achieve high initial current efficiency . In addition, eta(i) decreased (ca . 20-100%) with increasing current density of cathode (ca . 40-199 A/m2) . For illustration, the wastewater from chemical (i.e . electroless) nickel plating was treated in this investigation owing to its non-biodegradability and high organic concentration . The average pH, COD and Ni concentrations of this wastewater were about 5.0, 30,000 and 2,000 mg/L, respectively . Experimental results indicate that traditional Fenton method only removed 60% of COD when using 5,000 mg/L of ferrous ions . However, the COD removal efficiency was promoted after the electricity was introduced into the system (i.e . Fered-Fenton method) . Moreover, Ni concentration was reduced from 2,080 to 0.3 mg/L, indicating that the removal efficiency was higher than 99.9%.

Water Sci Technol, 2004, 49(4), 207 - 12
Electrochemical advanced oxidation process using DiaChem electrodes; Troster I et al.; The electrochemical advanced oxidation process (EAOP) using boron doped diamond (DiaChem, registered trademark of Condias GmbH) has been studied for wastewater treatment and drinking water disinfection . DiaChem electrodes consist of preferentially metallic base materials coated with a conductive polycrystalline diamond film by hot-filament chemical vapour deposition . They exhibit high overpotential for water electrolysis as well as high chemical inertness and extended lifetime . In particular the high overpotential for water decomposition opens the widest known electrochemical window, allowing the energy efficient production of hydroxyl radicals directly from aqueous solutions . The hydroxyl radicals on the other hand are effectively used for the oxidation of pollutants . The EAOP using DiaChem electrodes thus facilitates the direct and, if necessary, complete decomposition of even hazardous or persistent pollutants in different wastewaters . Current efficiencies of more than 90%, also without the use of additives for hydroxyl radical generation, have been demonstrated . Additionally, for drinking water preparation diamond electrodes facilitate disinfection with and without the support of chlorine.

Water Sci Technol, 2004, 49(4), 189 - 93
Paper mill wastewater detoxification by solar photocatalysis; Sattler C et al.; In the WATER project the German Aerospace Center, and the Universidade Federal de Uberlandia, analyse the possibilities of treating paper mill effluents by solar photocatalysis for the paper mill of the Brazilian paper producer Votorantim Celulose e Papel, VCP, at Luiz Antonio, SP, Brazil . The degradation of the bio-polymer lignin is a vast problem in paper production . The tests have shown that treatment by the photocatalyst TiO2 and solar radiation is an ecological future oriented approach to solve this problem . The treatment of lignin containing process water by solar photocatalysis was optimised and the economics for solar treatment plants of different sizes was estimated to check the possibilities for implementing the technology in industrial processes.

Water Sci Technol, 2004, 49(4), 129 - 34
Characterization of effects of selected organic substances on decomposition of hydrogen peroxide during Fenton reaction; Namkung KC et al.; This study aims to investigate the effects of selected organic substances on the degradation of hydrogen peroxide during the Fenton reaction . Since the presence of organic substances can strongly affect the mechanism of the Fenton reaction, the information on effects of organic substances on the reaction would be a vital guide to the success of its application to the destruction of organics in wastewater . Several organic compounds having different structures were selected as model pollutants: 4-chlorophenol, 1,4-dioxane, chloroform, a dye (reactive black-5), and EDTA . Oxidation of 4-chlorophenol and reactive black-5 resulted in enormously fast degradation of hydrogen peroxide, while others such as 1,4-dioxane and chloroform showed much slower degradation . These experimental data were compared to simulation results from a computational model based on a simple *OH-driven oxidation model . Modelling results for chloroform and 1,4-dioxane were in relatively good agreement with the experimental data, while those for 4-chlorophenol and reactive black-5 were very different from the experimental data . The results for EDTA showed a different trend to those for other compounds . From these results, classification of organic substances into several sub-groups was tried.

Water Sci Technol, 2004, 49(4), 103 - 8
Treatment of oilfield wastewater by Fenton's process; Gao YX et al.; A combination of coagulation and Fenton's process was used for the removal of total oxygen carbon (TOC) from oilfield wastewater . Compared with aluminium sulfate, ferric coagulant had better TOC removal efficiency at the same mass dosage . In Fenton's process, the effect of H2O2 and Fe2+ dose on the removal of TOC was studied . The optimum conditions required for TOC removal were an Fe3+ concentration of 40-50 mg/L, an H2O2 dose of 50 mmol/L and an Fe2+ concentration of 1.0 mmol/L . GC-MS chromatographic analysis indicated that most of the alkyl hydrocarbons of carbon numbers < 21 were removed in the first minute of Fenton's process mainly through adsorption . Alkyl hydrocarbons and phenols were oxidized almost completely following 120 min of treatment . The pathway of newly formed intermediates in Fenton's process was proposed on the basis of the GC/MS chromatogram.

Water Sci Technol, 2004, 49(4), 97 - 102
Application of electro-Fenton oxidation for the detoxification of olive mill wastewater phenolic compounds; Khoufi S et al.; Olive mill wastewaters are powerful pollutants that are difficult to treat as they contain high concentrations of recalcitrant and toxic polyphenolics of different molecular masses . We report in this paper that pre-treatment of phenolic fractions extracted from olive mill wastewaters as well as a synthetic phenolic mixture by the electro-Fenton method is a highly efficient procedure in which low mass phenolics are polymerised to polyphenolics and removed by precipitation . This decreases the toxicity load by 78% and makes the waste amenable to further anaerobic post-treatment.

Water Sci Technol, 2004, 49(4), 91 - 6
Evaluation of predominant reaction mechanisms for the Fenton process in textile dyeing wastewater treatment; Bae W et al.; This research quantitatively evaluated the predominant reactions in a large-scale Fenton process that treated dyeing wastewaters and suggested an economical and effective treatment process . Through plant analysis, it was found that a great part of the COD was removed by ferric coagulation . The comparative evaluation of Fenton oxidation and ferric coagulation revealed that ferric coagulation was the predominant mechanism to remove COD and colour . In Fenton oxidation, the removal efficiencies of SCOD and colour were 67.7% and 84.7%, respectively . In ferric coagulation, those of SCOD and colour were 60.8% and 62.0%, respectively . A combined process with iron coagulation/precipitation and Fenton oxidation reduced the hydrogen peroxide dosage by over 40% compared to a conventional dosage.

Water Sci Technol, 2004, 49(4), 69 - 74
Use of iron(VI) and iron(V) in water and wastewater treatment; Sharma VK; Fe(VI) (Fe(VI)O4(2-)) and Fe(V) (Fe(V)O4(3-)) have high oxidizing power, selectivity, and upon decomposition produce a non-toxic by-product, Fe(III), which makes them potential oxidants in water and wastewater treatment . Rates of oxidation increase with a decrease in pH and are related to protonation of Fe(VI)O4(2-) and Fe(V)O4(3-) . Oxidation of sulfur- and nitrogen-containing pollutants by Fe(VI) can be accomplished in seconds to minutes with formation of non-hazardous products . Fe(VI) can easily oxidize the amino acid components of microcystins and is a suitable disinfectant for detoxifying toxins in water . The oxidation of pollutants and amino acids with Fe(V) is 3-5 orders of magnitude faster than with Fe(VI) . The use of ionizing radiation and photocatalytic techniques in the presence of Fe(VI) results in Fe(V) formation and may have synergistic effects on the oxidation of pollutants and removal of toxins in water and wastewater . This paper summarizes the results of multi-functional properties of Fe(VI) and Fe(V) to treat water and wastewater.

Water Sci Technol, 2004, 49(4), 45 - 9
Catalyzed ozonation process with GAC and metal doped-GAC for removing organic pollutants; Oh BS et al.; The purpose of this study was to investigate the catalytic role of granular activated carbon (GAC), and metal (Mn or Fe) doped-GAC, on the transformation of ozone into more reactive secondary radicals, such as hydroxyl radicals (*OH), for the treatment of wastewater . The GAC doped with Mn showed the highest catalytic performance in terms of ozone decomposition into OH radicals . Likewise, activated carbon alone accelerated the ozone decomposition, resulting in the formation of *OH radicals . In the presence of promoters, the ozone depletion rate was enhanced further by the Mn-GAC catalyst system, even under aqueous acidic pH conditions.

Water Sci Technol, 2004, 49(4), 31 - 6
Influence of mass transfer on the ozonation of wastewater from the glass fiber industry; Byun S et al.; The mass transfer rate (kLa) is one of the most important parameters in the ozonation of wastewater, because it frequently constitutes the rate-determining step . This study investigated the influence of kLa on the ozonation of glass fiber wastewater using a high-performance jet loop reactor (HJLR), which is well known for its high mass transfer property, and compared the results of this investigation with those obtained using the bubble column reactor . It was found that the higher kLa achieved by increasing the energy input did not lead to higher ozonation efficiency, since the reaction involving the OH radical was greatly hindered at the low pH produced as a result of ozonation . By maintaining the pH at a value greater than 8.0, the higher kLa in the HJLR reactor contributed to increasing not only the TOC removal of wastewater, but also the ozone consumption efficiency, as expressed by the specific ozone consumption . The specific ozone consumption in the HJLR reactor (7.1 g ozone/ g TOC) was 20% better than that in the bubble column reactor.

J Environ Qual, 2004 Mar-Apr, 33(2), 735 - 9
Fate of phosphorus in dairy wastewater and poultry litter applied on grassland; Johnson AF et al.; Large and repeated manure applications can exceed the P sorption capacity of soil and increase P leaching and losses through subsurface drainage . The objective of this study was to evaluate the fate of P applied with increasing N rates in dairy wastewater or poultry litter on grassland during a 4-yr period . In addition to P recovery in forage, soil-test phosphorus (STP) was monitored at depths to 180 cm in a Darco loamy sand (loamy, siliceous, semiactive, thermic Grossarenic Paleudults) twice annually . A split-plot arrangement of a randomized complete block design comprised four annual N rates (0, 250, 500, and 1000 kg ha(-1)) for each nutrient source on coastal bermudagrass {Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.} over-seeded with ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum L . cv . TAM90) . Increasing annual rates of N and P in wastewater and poultry litter increased P removal in forage (P = 0.001) . At the highest N rate of each nutrient source, less than 13% of applied P was recovered in forage . The highest N rates delivered 8 times more P in wastewater or 15 times more P in poultry litter than was removed in forage harvests during an average year . Compared with controls, annual P rates up to 188 kg ha(-1) in dairy wastewater did not increase STP concentrations at depths below 30 cm . In contrast, the highest annual P rate (590 kg ha(-1)) in poultry litter increased STP above that of controls at depth intervals to 120 cm during the first year of sampling . Increases in STP at depths below 30 cm in the Darco soil were indicative of excessive P rates that could contribute to nonpoint-source pollution in outflows from subsoil through subsurface drainage.

J Environ Qual, 2004 Mar-Apr, 33(2), 703 - 12
Phytoavailability of biosolids phosphorus; O'Connor GA et al.; Efficient utilization of biosolids P for agronomic purposes requires accounting for differences in the phytoavailability of P in various biosolids . Greenhouse studies were conducted with a common pasture grass grown in two P-deficient soils amended with 12 biosolids and a commercial fertilizer (triple superphosphate, TSP) to quantify P uptake and to assess the relative phytoavailabilities of the P sources . Biosolids were grouped into three general categories of phytoavailability relative to TSP: high (> 75% of TSP), moderate (25-75% of TSP), and low (< 25% of TSP) . Two biosolids, produced via biological phosphorus removal (BPR) processes, were in the high category, and mimicked fertilizer P with regard to P phytoavailability . Most biosolids produced by conventional wastewater and solids digestion and additional treatments like composting were in the moderate category . Also included in this category was a BPR that had been pelletized and another BPR supplemented with Al . The low category included biosolids containing greater than normal (> 50 g kg(-1)) total Fe and Al concentrations and processed to high (> 60%) solids content.

J Environ Qual, 2004 Mar-Apr, 33(2), 695 - 702
Use of commercial plant species in a hydroponic system to treat domestic wastewaters; Vaillant N et al.; The objectives in this work were to investigate a conceptual layout for an inexpensive and simple system that would treat primary municipal wastewater to discharge standards . A commercial hydroponic system was adapted for this study and the wastewater was used to irrigate wooly digitalis (Digitalis lanata Ehrh.) and foxglove (Digitalis purpurea L.) . These plants are medicinal and produce cardenolide compounds . Influent and effluent samples were collected once a month for six months and analyzed to determine the various parameters relating to water quality . The legal discharge levels for total suspended solids (SS), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), and chemical oxygen demand (COD) were reached for the two tested plants after 48 h of wastewater treatment; the removal was 82, 93, and 79%, respectively, for wooly digitalis and 92, 92, and 84%, respectively, for foxglove . Similar results were obtained during a 6-mo period although the sewage composition varied widely . The system tended to be unable to remove N and P to concentrations below regulated levels . Compared with the nutrient solution composition, the wastewater was more concentrated in Na+ and Cl- and less in N, K+, and Ca2+ . These variations can lead to the decline of wooly digitalis plants . Foxglove developed a significant root system to increase mineral absorption wastewater being used as the unique nutritive source . After 10 wk all the wooly digitalis seedlings were dead . Despite this fact, however, the root system remained in place for a significant time (< 4 mo), thus continuing to filter wastewater and to be used as a bacterial support thus making it possible to have a security period to replace the dead plants.

Environ Sci Technol, 2004 Mar 15, 38(6), 1901 - 9
Life cycle assessment as a tool for the environmental improvement of the tannery industry in developing countries; Rivela B et al.; A representative leather tannery industry in a Latin American developing country has been studied from an environmental point of view, including both technical and economic analysis . Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) methodology has been used for the quantification and evaluation of the impacts of the chromium tanning process as a basis to propose further improvement actions . Four main subsystems were considered: beamhouse, tanyard, retanning, and wood furnace . Damages to human health, ecosystem quality, and resources are mainly produced by the tanyard subsystem . The control and reduction of chromium and ammonia emissions are the critical points to be considered to improve the environmental performance of the process . Technologies available for improved management of chromium tanning were profoundly studied, and improvement actions related to optimized operational conditions and a high exhaustion chrome-tanning process were selected . These actions related to the implementation of internal procedures affected the economy of the process with savings ranging from US dollars 8.63 to US dollars 22.5 for the processing of 1 ton of wet salt hides, meanwhile the global environmental impact was reduced to 44-50% . Moreover, the treatment of wastewaters was considered in two scenarios . Primary treatment presented the largest reduction of the environmental impact of the tanning process, while no significant improvement for the evaluated impact categories was achieved when combining primary and secondary treatments.

Environ Sci Technol, 2004 Mar 15, 38(6), 1753 - 8
Production of macromolecular chloramines by chlorine-transfer reactions; Bedner M et al.; Chlorination of treated wastewaters is undertaken to prevent dispersal of human pathogens into the environment . Except in well-nitrified effluents, the primary agents in chlorination, Cl2(g) or NaOCl(aq), are short-lived and quickly transfer oxidative chlorine to secondary agents (N-chloramines), which then participate in the disinfection process . Maturation of residual chlorine resulting from chlorine-transfer reactions is still poorly characterized . Using gel permeation and reversed-phase liquid chromatography combined with a novel, oxidant-specific detector, unanticipated trends during the maturation of residual chlorine in wastewater are identified . Within 2 min after addition of NaOCl, and continuing for several hours at least, significant amounts of oxidative chlorine are transferred to secondary agents that are moderately to strongly hydrophobic and to agents that have high relative molecular masses (Mr 1300-25000) . It is hypothesized that hydrophobic stabilization of organic chloramines (RNHCl(o)) thermodynamically drives these transfers, making macromolecular chloramines the ultimate oxidative chlorine carriers . Macromolecular chloramines are expected to be sluggish oxidants, as observed in their reduction by sulfite, and are expected to be poor disinfectants . If transfer of oxidative chlorine to high Mr components occurs widely at treatment plants, then this phenomenon offers a new, physicochemical explanation for the well-known impotency of organic chloramines in wastewater disinfection.

Environ Monit Assess, 2004 Apr-May, 93(1-3), 125 - 38
Characteristics of and human influences on nitrogen contamination in Yellow River system, China; Chen J et al.; Nitrogen (N) contamination in the Yellow River mainstream and its tributaries was studied using data from 1960 to 2000 from 312 monitoring sites in the Yellow River system . Data showed that N concentrations in the Yellow River have increased since 1960, especially after 1990 . N concentrations in the Yellow River mainstream increased from the upper reaches (less than 1.0 mg L(-1) for TN and less than 0.10 mg L(-1) for NH4(+)-N) to lower reaches (higher than 4-5 mg L(-1) for TN and higher than 1.0 mg L(-1) for NH4(+)-N) . However, the highest N contaminations (50-250 mg L(-1) for TN and 10-20 mg L(-1) for NH4(+)-N) was found in some tributaries, which was attributed as an effect of industrial wastewater and municipal sewage . Nitrogen concentrations from several monitoring sites were positively correlated with several regional socio-economic indices, such as population density, fertilization rates, livestock, industrial input and GDP . Depending on location, seasonal N concentrations contrasted among watersheds . Monitoring stations located in rural and agricultural areas showed higher N concentrations during the flood season while those located in areas with urban and industrial centers showed higher N concentration during the dry season . Mainstream flow and N concentrations showed a strong inverse relationship; with higher N concentrations as the river flow declined . Intensive water extraction for agricultural irrigation and increasing N input to the river from fertilized agricultural fields could explain the increasing N concentrations during extensive droughts.

J Hazard Mater, 2004 Mar 19, 107(3), 115 - 21
Integrated Fenton's reagent-coagulation/flocculation process for the treatment of cork processing wastewaters; Peres JA et al.; In the present work two methods were tested for the treatment of cork processing wastewaters . In a first phase, a coagulation/flocculation method was applied using FeCl3 as flocculating agent and Ca(OH)2 as base-precipitant . One cycle of the treatment (1000 ppm of FeCl3) reduced chemical oxygen demand (COD), total polyphenols and aromatic compounds of the effluent by 45, 71 and 58%, respectively . Two cycles of treatment (2x 1000 ppm of FeCl3) increase these reductions until values of 67, 92 and 85%, respectively . In a second phase, an integrated Fenton-coagulation/flocculation process was applied (this second method only requires the addition of H2O2) . One cycle of the integrated process (1000 ppm of FeCl3 and 0.5 mol/l of H2O2) reduced the COD, total polyphenols and aromatic compounds of the effluent by 74, 99 and 98%, respectively, which supposes a considerable improvement compared with the first method.

J Chromatogr A, 2004 Apr 9, 1033(1), 83 - 90
Measuring naphthenic acids concentrations in aqueous environmental samples by liquid chromatography; Yen TW et al.; Naphthenic acids are found in wastewaters from petroleum refineries and oil sands extraction plants . Currently, the concentrations of these toxic carboxylic acids are determined by extracting them into methylene chloride and measuring the absorption of the carboxyl group by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy . An improved HPLC method, that is simpler and faster than the FTIR method, was used to detect the 2-nitrophenylhydrazides of the naphthenic acids at concentrations as low as 5 mg l(-1) . Analyses of 58 oil sands water samples showed that the naphthenic acids concentrations determined by FTIR were on average 11% higher than those determined by HPLC.

Anal Sci, 2004 Mar, 20(3), 531 - 5
Synthesis of a new oxime and its application to the construction of a highly selective and sensitive Co(II) PVC-based membrane sensor; Ganjali MR et al.; A cobalt(II) ion-selective membrane sensor has been fabricated from a poly vinyl chloride (PVC) matrix membrane containing a new oxime compound (oxime of 1-(2-oxocyclohexyl)-1,2-cyclohexanediol, OXCCD) as a neutral carrier, sodium tetraphenyl borate (NaTPB) as an anionic excluder and o-nitrophenyloctylether (o-NPOE) as a plasticizing solvent mediator . The membrane sensor exhibits a linear potential response in the concentration range of 1.0 x 10(-1) - 1.0 x 10(-6) M of Co2+ . The electrode displays a Nernstian slope of 29.8 mV decade(-1) in the pH range of 3.5 - 8.0 . The sensor also exhibits a fast response time of < 25 s . The detection limit of the proposed sensor is 9.0 x 10(-7) M (approximately 40 ng/ml), and it can be used over a period of two months . The selectivity of the sensor with respect to other cations (alkali, alkaline earth, transition and heavy metal ions) is excellent . The practical utility of the sensor has been demonstrated by using it as an indicator electrode in the potentiometric titration of Co2+ with EDTA and for the direct determination of Co(II) in wastewater of the electroplating industry.

Bioresour Technol, 2004 Jul, 93(3), 269 - 78
Sedimentological evolution in an UASB treating SYNTHES, a new representative synthetic sewage, at low loading rates; Aiyuk S et al.; The changes in the sedimentological attributes of the sludge bed in an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor fed with a low-strength wastewater mimicking raw domestic sewage were assessed in this study . The reactor was inoculated with 250 ml of granular sludge from a full-scale UASB reactor . The organic loading rate (OLR) varied from 1 to 2 g COD/ld . During the half-year long study, the reactor was operated at hydraulic retention times (HRTs) of 4.8 and 10 h, at 33 degrees C . Sludge sedimentology showed that the original granular sludge experienced serious instability and disintegration, leading to a much finer final grain assemblage, mainly due to substrate transfer limitation and cell starvation at the interior of larger granules . With time, the size uniformity tended to decrease, sphericity tended to increase, the skewness of the granule size distribution became negative, and the kurtosis became peaked and leptokurtic . In spite of the observed size reduction, reactor efficiency increased to a CODtotal removal of 96% . Biomass (sludge) yield was 0.012 g VS/g COD removed . The CH4 content of the biogas was high (up to 96%) . This study thus highlights the treatment of a new type of wastewater with the deployment of the UASB reactor . It also reports the evolutionary trend of the biomass particle size distribution, making reference to a classic sedimentological appraisal .

Bioresour Technol, 2004 Jul, 93(3), 241 - 7
Anaerobic treatment of wastewater with high suspended solids from a bulk drug industry using fixed film reactor (AFFR); Rao AG et al.; Studies are carried out on the treatment of wastewater from a bulk drug industry using an anaerobic fixed film reactor (AFFR) designed and fabricated in the laboratory . The chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total dissolved solids (TDS) of the wastewater are found to be very high with low Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) to COD ratio and high total suspended solid (TSS) concentration . Acclimatization of seed consortia and start up of the reactor is carried out by directly using the wastewater, which resulted in reducing the period of startup to 30 days . The reactor is studied at different organic loading rates (OLR) and it is found that the optimum OLR is 10 kg COD/m3/day . The wastewater under investigation, which is having considerable quantity of SS, is treated anaerobically without any pretreatment . The COD and BOD of the reactor outlet wastewater are monitored and reduction at steady state and optimum OLR is observed to be 60-70% of COD and 80-90% of BOD . The reactor is subjected to organic shock loads at two different OLR and it is observed that the reactor could withstand shocks and performance could be restored to normalcy at that OLR . The results obtained indicated that AFFR could be used efficiently for the treatment of wastewater from a bulk drug industry having high COD, TDS and TSS .

Biotechnol Prog, 2004 Mar-Apr, 20(2), 636 - 8
Modeling and biokinetics in anaerobic acidogenesis of starch-processing wastewater to acetic acid; Ahn JH et al.; Starch-processing wastewater was anaerobically treated to produce acetic acid in laboratory-scale, continuously stirred tank reactors . The optimal conditions, in which the maximum acetic acid production occurred, were 0.56 d hydraulic retention time, pH 5.9, and 36.1 degrees C . Acetic acid production at the optimum conditions was 672 +/- 20 mg total organic carbon(equivalent) L(-)(1), which indicated a 75% conversion efficiency of influent total organic carbon into acetic acid . A fourth order Runge-Kutta approximation was used to determine the Monod kinetics of the acidogens by using unsteady-state data from continuous unsteady-state experiments at the optimum conditions . The model outputs and experimental data fit together satisfactorily, suggesting that the unsteady-state approach was appropriate for the evaluation of acidogenic biokinetics . These included micro(m), K(s), Y, and k(d), which were evaluated as being 0.13 h(-)(1), 25 mg total carbohydrate (TC) L(-)(1), 0.38 mg volatile suspended solid mg(-)(1) TC, and 0.002 h(-)(1), respectively.

Water Environ Res, 2004 Jan-Feb, 76(1), 29 - 36
A simplified headspace biochemical oxygen demand test protocol based on oxygen measurements using a fiber optic probe; Min B et al.; Batch respirometric tests have many advantages over the conventional biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) method for analysis of wastewaters, including the use of nondiluted samples, a more rapid exertion of oxygen demand, and reduced sample preparation time . The headspace biochemical oxygen demand (HBOD) test can be used to obtain oxygen demands in 2 or 3 days that can predict 5-day biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5) results . The main disadvantage of the HBOD and other respirometric tests has been the lack of a simple and direct method to measure oxygen concentrations in the gas phase . The recent commercial production of a new type of fiber optic oxygen probe, however, provides a method to eliminate this disadvantage . This fiber optic probe, referred to here as the HBOD probe, was tested to see if it could be used in HBOD tests . Gas-phase oxygen measurements made with the HBOD probe took only a few seconds and were not significantly different from those made using a gas chromatograph (t test: n = 15, R2 = 0.9995, p < 0.001) . In field tests using the HBOD probe procedure, the probe greatly reduced sample analysis time compared with previous HBOD and BOD protocols and produced more precise results than the BOD test for wastewater samples from two treatment plants (University Area Joint Authority {UAJA} Wastewater Treatment Plant in University Park, Pennsylvania, and The Pennsylvania State University {PSU} Wastewater Treatment Plant in University Park) . Headspace biochemical oxygen demand measurements on UAJA primary clarifier effluent were 59.9 +/- 2.4% after 2 days (HBOD2) and 73.0 +/- 3.1% after 3 days (HBOD) of BOD, values, indicating that BOD5 values could be predicted by multiplying HBOD2 values by 1.67 +/- 0.07 or HBOD3 by 1.37 +/- 0.06 . Similarly, tests using PSU wastewater samples could be used to provide BOD5 estimates by multiplying the HBOD2 by 1.24 +/- 0.04 or by multiplying the HBOD3 by 0.97 +/- 0.03 . These results indicate that the HBOD fiber optic probe can be used to obtain reliable oxygen demands in batch respirometric tests such as the HBOD test.

Water Environ Res, 2004 Jan-Feb, 76(1), 15 - 22
Cyanide removal from wastewater using gas membranes: pilot-scale study; Shen Z et al.; Results are presented for the removal of cyanide from four different wastewaters using hollow-fiber gas membranes . The pilot-scale membrane facility had a maximum treatment capacity of 1000 L using 10 hollow-fiber modules with a total membrane surface area of 180 m2 . The results are in general agreement with previous laboratory-scale studies . However, different wastewaters contain different dissolved solutes . These dissolved solutes reduce the predicted efficiency of the cyanide removal process and the purity of the recovered cyanide . Other volatile species present in the wastewater could be removed with the cyanide into the strip solution . Further osmotic pressure differences between the wastewater and strip solution could lead to water vapor passing through the gas-filled pores of the microporous hollow-fiber membranes.

J Environ Sci Health A Tox Hazard Subst Environ Eng, 2004, 39(3), 787 - 801
Oxidative treatment of cyanide in wastewater using hydrogen peroxide and homogeneous catalyst; Lee TY et al.; Batch kinetic tests were conducted to determine the effects of experimental conditions and catalysts on cyanide degradation . Cyanide degradation by hydrogen peroxide was found to follow first-order kinetics . Reaction rates increased with increasing pH and decreasing temperature . The activation energy for cyanide degradation by hydrogen peroxide was found to be -13.81 kJ/mol . The addition of Cu2+ or Cd2+ as catalysts resulted in increasing reaction rates . In alkaline conditions, the catalytic effects of Cu2+ or Cd2+ were accelerated and Cu2+ was found to be a more effective catalyst than Cd2+ . The practical relevance of the laboratory oxidation method of cyanide was demonstrated for actual industrial wastewater.

J Environ Sci Health A Tox Hazard Subst Environ Eng, 2004, 39(3), 773 - 86
P-nitrosodimethylaniline (RNO)-based evaluation of enhanced oxidative potential during electrochemical treatment of high-salinity wastewater; Tanaka F et al.; The electrochemical bleaching of p-nitrosodimethylaniline (RNO) was investigated in order to apply its reactions to evaluating electrochemical oxidation . The bleaching rate of RNO during electrochemical treatment was accelerated by the presence of chloride ions . The initial bleaching rate of RNO was found to be accelerated during the electrolysis of NH4Cl, suggesting that electrochemically generated chloramines are sufficiently strong oxidants to convert RNO . A method of evaluating direct or indirect oxidative potential for electrochemical treatment was proposed, provided that the initial bleaching rate of RNO is consistent with low concentrations of RNO . The saline wastewater of Japanese pickle production processes (brown mustard and Japanese radish) was electrochemically treated . The ammonium ion (18 and 8 mg L(-1)) was almost completely removed after 1 h of treatment in the presence of NaCl (3%) . The removal rate of total organic carbon (TOC) exceeded 90% for 7mgL(-1) and 60% for 352mgL(-1), indicating that electrochemical treatment is useful in removing ammonium ions and organic substances from high-salinity wastewater.

J Environ Sci Health A Tox Hazard Subst Environ Eng, 2004, 39(3), 759 - 71
Organic removals from highly proteinous wastewater from soya milk and tofu manufacturing plant; Satyanarayan S et al.; Combined wastewater from soya milk and tofu manufacturing industry was treated by physico-chemical method using conventional coagulants such as lime, alum . ferric chloride, and ferrous sulphate in combination with synthetic cationic polyelectrolyte . The wastewater samples were analyzed as per the Standard Methods and the experiments were carried out using Jar test apparatus (Phipps & Birds) . The ferric chloride in combination with synthetic cationic polymer (Oxyfloc-FL-11) in the ratio of 250:20 mg L(-1) resulted in very good removals of COD, BOD, and SS of 75.4, 79.8, and 96.0% respectively with complete removal of odor, color and turbidity.

J Environ Monit, 2004 Apr, 6(4), 327 - 34 Epub 2004 Feb 16.
Use of sequential extraction to assess the influence of sewage sludge amendment on metal mobility in Chilean soils; Ahumada I et al.; In Chile, the increasing number of plants for the treatment of wastewater has brought about an increase in the generation of sludge . One way of sludge disposal is its application on land; this, however involves some problems, some of them being heavy metal accumulation and the increase in organic matter and other components from sewage sludge which may change the distribution and mobility of heavy metals . The purpose of the present study was to determine the effect of sewage sludge application on the distribution of Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn and Pb in agricultural soils in Chile . Three different soils, two Mollisols and one Alfisol, were sampled from an agricultural area in Central Chile . The soils were treated with sewage sludge at the rates of 0 and 30 ton ha(-1), and were incubated at 25 degrees C for 45 days . Before and after incubation, the soils were sequentially extracted to obtain labile (exchangeable and sodium acetate-soluble), potentially labile (soluble in moderately reducing conditions, K4P2O7-soluble and soluble in reducing conditions) and inert (soluble in strong acid oxidizing conditions) fractions . A two-level factored design was used to assess the effect of sludge application rate, incubation time and their interaction on the mobility of the elements under study . Among the metals determined in the sludge, zinc has the highest concentration . However, with the exception of Ni, the total content of metals was lower than the recommended limit values in sewage sludge as stated by Chilean regulations . Although 23% of zinc in sludge was in more mobile forms, the residual fraction of all metals was the predominant form in soils and sludge . The content of zinc only was significantly increased in two of the soils by sewage sludge application . On the other hand, with the exception of copper, the metals were redistributed in the first four fractions of amended soils . The effect of sludge application rate, incubation time and their interaction depended on the metal or soil type . In most cases an increase in more mobile forms of metals in soils was observed as the final effect.

Biotechnol Bioeng, 2004 Apr 20, 86(2), 226 - 35
High-rate sulfate reduction at high salinity (up to 90 mS.cm(-1)) in mesophilic UASB reactors; Vallero MV et al.; Sulfate reduction in salt-rich wastewaters using unadapted granular sludge was investigated in 0.9 L UASB reactors (pH 7.0 +/- 0.2; hydraulic retention time from 8-14 h) fed with acetate, propionate, or ethanol at organic loading rates up to 10 gCOD x L(-1) x day(-1) and in excess sulfate (COD/SO(4) (2-) of 0.5) . High-rate sulfate reduction rates (up to 3.7 gSO(4) (2-) x L(-1).day(-1)) were achieved at salinities exceeding 50 gNaCl.L(-1) and 1 gMgCl(2) x L(-1) . Sulfate reduction proceeded at a salinity of up to 70 gNaCl x L(-1) and 1 gMgCl(2) x L(-1) (corresponding to a conductivity of about 85-90 mS x cm(-1)), although at lower rates compared to a conductivity of 60-70 mS x cm(-1) . Ethanol as well as propionate were suitable substrates for sulfate reduction, with acetate and sulfide as the end products . The successful high-rate treatment was due to the proliferation of a halotolerant incomplete oxidizing SRB population present in the unadapted inoculum sludge . Bioaugmentation of this sludge with the acetate oxidizing halotolerant SRB Desulfobacter halotolerans was unsuccessful, as the strain washed out from the UASB reactor without colonizing the UASB granules .

Rapid Commun Mass Spectrom, 2004, 18(7), 765 - 74
Sensitive determination of acidic drugs and triclosan in surface and wastewater by ion-pair reverse-phase liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry; Quintana JB et al.; A new method is presented for the determination of 12 acidic pharmaceuticals (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and bezafibrate), including two metabolites from aqueous samples, together with triclosan as a personal care product . Ion-pair liquid chromatography (IP-LC) with electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) in the negative ion mode was employed . The ion-pairing agent (tri-n-butylamine) increased the signal intensity for all acidic analytes and detection limits of 6-200 ng/L were obtained by multiple reaction monitoring . This allows analysis of wastewater samples by direct injection into the LC/MS system without the need for a preceding enrichment step . When combined with a solid-phase extraction (SPE) step, limits of quantification between 0.15 and 11 ng/L were obtained from 100-mL sample volumes, which is adequate for most applications . The occurrence of matrix effects was studied and standard addition was required for reliable quantification after SPE from wastewater . The method was finally applied to surface and wastewaters, with analyte concentrations ranging from below the detection limit up to 5.5 microg/L .

J Colloid Interface Sci, 2004 May 1, 273(1), 95 - 101
Adsorption of Cr(III) from wastewater by wine processing waste sludge; Li YS et al.; Wine processing waste sludge has been shown to be an effective adsorbent for the adsorption of Cr(III) from aqueous solution . The sludge has been characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-rays (EDX) . The effect of pH, initial concentration of Cr(III), sludge particle size, and temperature on the adsorption studied . The equilibrium data could be described well by the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm equations . A separation factor was used to judge the favorable adsorption . The calculated thermodynamic parameters, deltaH0 and deltaS0, are 1.95 kJ/mol and 27.16 J/molK, respectively . The deltaG0 values range from -5.98 to -6.79 J/mol, which shows the physical adsorption properties of the sludge . Adsorption dynamics had been successfully studied by the Lagergren model and an intraparticle diffusion model.

Chemosphere, 2004 May, 55(7), 1035 - 41
A mild photochemical approach to the degradation of phenols from olive oil mill wastewater; Cermola F et al.; Photooxidation of cathecol (1) is carried out in aqueous solution at lambda > 300 nm using different sensitizers: rose bengal (RB), 9,10-dicyanoanthracene (DCA), 2,4,6-triphenylpyrylium tetrafluoroborate (Pyryl) . The highest degradation is observed in the UV/RB-sensitized reaction (66% after 15 h of irradiation), mineralization and formation of dimers are the final events . This procedure has been extended to tyrosol (2), caffeic acid (3), vanillic acid (4), 4-hydroxycinnamic acid (5) and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (6) as well as to a mixture of all phenols . A reduced toxicity of the UV/RB-irradiated solutions of cathecol and tyrosol towards alga Ankistrodesmus braunii is also verified.

Chemosphere, 2004 May, 55(7), 951 - 63
Occurrence of UV filter compounds from sunscreens in surface waters: regional mass balance in two Swiss lakes; Poiger T et al.; Consumer care products often contain UV filters, organic compounds which absorb ultraviolet light . These compounds may enter surface waters directly (when released from the skin during swimming and bathing) or indirectly via wastewater treatment plants (when released during showering or washed from textiles) . Predicted and measured UV filter concentrations were compared in a regional mass balance study for two Swiss lakes: Lake Zurich, a typical midland lake which is also an important drinking water resource, and Huttnersee, a small bathing lake . Both lakes are extensively used for recreational activities and considerable direct input of UV filters is thus expected . This input was estimated from the number of visitors at swimming areas around the lakes and a survey of the usage of sunscreen products among these visitors . Possible additional indirect input via wastewater treatment plants was not considered in this study . The quantitatively most important UV filters, as indicated by the survey data, ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, octocrylene, 4-methylbenzylidene camphor, butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, and benzophenone-3, all lipophilic compounds, were selected for analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry . Concentrations of individual UV filters in water from Lake Zurich were low, ranging from <2 ng l(-1) (detection limit) to 29 ng l(-1), and somewhat higher at Huttnersee, ranging from <2 to 125 ng l(-1), with the highest concentrations found in summer, consistent with direct inputs to the lakes during this time . The concentrations were clearly lower than predicted from input estimates based on the surveys . This may be in part due to (i) an overestimation of these inputs (e.g . less than the 50% wash-off of UV filters assumed to occur during swimming), and (ii) some removal of these compounds from the lakes by degradation and/or sorption/sedimentation . UV filters were also detected in semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs) deployed at Lake Zurich and Greifensee, another midland lake, at concentrations of 80-950 ng SPMD(-1), confirming the presence of the compounds in surface waters and indicating a certain potential for bioaccumulation . SPMD-derived water concentrations were in the range of 1-10 ng l(-1) and thus corresponded well with those determined in water directly . No UV filters were detected above blank levels in SPMDs deployed at a remote mountain lake used for background measurements.

Bioresour Technol, 2004 Jun, 93(2), 205 - 8
Performance and characteristics of an anaerobic baffled reactor; Wang J et al.; The performance and the characteristics of a laboratory scale anaerobic baffled reactor (ABR) were investigated using synthetic wastewater . The experimental results showed that among different volatile fatty acids (VFAs), acetate was the main intermediate of acidogenic degradation of glucose . The VFA concentration decreased longitudinally down the reactor . The analysis of the biogas composition revealed that methane concentration increased steadily from compartment 1 to 5, while hydrogen content decreased in the first compartments . There was no detectable hydrogen in the last two compartments . The methane-producing activity of anaerobic sludge in different compartments depended on the substrate, which suggests that the proper anaerobic consortium in each separate compartment was developed according to the substrate(s) availability and the specific environmental conditions . The ABR has the potential to provide a higher efficiency at higher loading rates and be applicable for extreme environmental conditions and inhibitory compounds .

Sci Total Environ, 2004 Apr 5, 321(1-3), 115 - 25
Phosphorus release rates from sediments and pollutant characteristics in Han River, Seoul, Korea; Kim LH et al.; The Han River is 469.7-km long and drains a 26219-km(2) watershed . The sediments in the river are highly polluted due to inputs from upstream tributaries as well as partially treated municipal wastewaters that are discharged to the river . The water quality and strategy for control are important because the river is the primary drinking water supply for the City of Seoul, as well as being a major source for irrigation and industrial water . The Jamsil submerged dam partitions the river to isolate an upstream area for drinking water, but also captures sediments . Samples from four sites were studied to determine sediment pollutant concentrations and phosphorus release rates . Phosphorus tends to desorb from sediments when the concentration of overlying water is less than 1.4 mg/l . Water column P concentrations range from 0.04 to 0.1 mg/l, which suggests that sediments will act as a P source . In a series of batch experiments, P was released at approximately 15-20 mg/m(2)week in the winter (1-5 degrees C) and as much as 90 mg/m(2)week in the summer (20-24 degrees C), and is also a function of pH and dissolved oxygen concentration . The sediment total phosphorus concentration, which averages 833 mg/kg, is evenly distributed among non-apatite-P (33%), apatite-P (32%) and residual-P (34%) . An equilibrium model is proposed to describe release rate.

Can J Microbiol, 2001 Jan, 47(1), 1 - 8
Ultrastructure of interaction in alginate beads between the microalga Chlorella vulgaris with its natural associative bacterium Phyllobacterium myrsinacearum and with the plant growth-promoting bacterium Azospirillum brasilense; Lebsky VK et al.; Chlorella vulgaris, a microalga often used in wastewater treatment, was coimmobilized and coincubated either with the plant growth-promoting bacterium Azospirillum brasilense, or with its natural associative bacterium Phyllobacterium myrsinacearum, in alginate beads designed for advanced wastewater treatment . Interactions between the microalga and each of the bacterial species were followed using transmission electron microscopy for 10 days . Initially, most of the small cavities within the beads were colonized by microcolonies of only one microorganism, regardless of the bacterial species cocultured with the microalga . Subsequently, the bacterial and microalgal microcolonies merged to form large, mixed colonies within the cavities . At this stage, the effect of bacterial association with the microalga differed depending on the bacterium present . Though the microalga entered a senescence phase in the presence of P . myrsinacearum, it remained in a growth phase in the presence of A . brasilense . This study suggests that there are commensal interactions between the microalga and the two plant associative bacteria, and that with time the bacterial species determined whether the outcome for the microalga is senescence or continuous multiplication.

Sante, 2003 Oct-Dec, 13(4), 269 - 72
{Parasitological analysis of the untreated wastewater of the "Ville Haute" urban emissary (Mâamora district, Kenitra, Morocco)}; Zamo AC et al.; The domestic wastewaters of the city of Kenitra (North-East of Morocco) are rejected without preliminary processing by six emissaries into the Sebou river, the Atlantic Ocean and the Fouarate lake . The present study is based on a qualitative and quantitative analysis of the wastewater parasites load of the "Ville Haute" urban district of Maamora (Kenitra, Morocco) . Untreated wastewater samples taken at the exit of the urban emissary are pretreated and analysed by the modified Bailenger method at the parasitological and hydrobiological laboratory of the Sciences Faculty of Kenitra (Ibn Tofail University) . For diagnostic confirmation purposes, other complementary analysis were made at the parasitological laboratory of the National Institute of Hygiene (Rabat) The results obtained pointed to the existence of the helminths parasites eggs of Ascaris spp., Toxocara spp., Trichuris spp., Hymenolepis spp., Taenia spp and Fasciola hepatica species with respective concentrations of 3 eggs/L, 17 eggs/L, 7 eggs/L, 2 eggs/L, 1 eggs/L and 1 egg/L . The mean concentration is about 31 eggs/L of untreated wastewater . Furthermore, on the samples examined, the percentages of positives tests is 86% for nematodes, 10% for cestodes, and 4% for trematodes . At the end of this preliminary study we insist on the very high level of parasitic helminths transported by untreated wastewater and we recommend that those wastewater be processed before there are recycled in the Sebou river.

Ultrasonics, 2004 Apr, 42(1-9), 87 - 91
Use of ultrasonic energy for intensification of the bio-preparation of greige cotton; Yachmenev VG et al.; Raw unscoured cotton contains approximately 90% cellulose and various noncellulosic impurities such as waxes, pectins, proteins, and fats . To remove these hydrophobic noncellulosics and produce a highly absorbent fiber that can be dyed and finished uniformly, the greige cotton is traditionally processed with relatively harsh and environmentally unfriendly chemicals . New bio-preparation processes that utilize highly specific enzymes instead of conventional organic/inorganic chemicals are becoming increasingly popular in the textile industry . The major shortcoming of this new technology is that the processing time is much longer than the conventional method . This limitation was overcome by use of ultrasound energy in combination with enzyme processing . The combined enzyme/ultrasound bio-preparation of greige cotton offers significant advantages such as less consumption of expensive enzymes, shorter processing time, better uniformity of treatment and a notable decrease in the amount and toxicity of the resulting textile wastewater effluents.

Environ Sci Technol, 2004 Mar 1, 38(5), 1435 - 44
Determination of monochloramine formation rate constants with stopped-flow spectrophotometry; Qiang Z et al.; The production of monochloramine by the reaction of aqueous ammonia and free chlorine is important in both drinking water and wastewater treatment systems . Accurate prediction of the rate of monochloramine formation is a prerequisite for any modeling work related to this fundamental reaction . There are significant discrepancies between rate constants reported in the literature . Furthermore, little information is available on the temperature dependence of the reaction rate constant . The purposes of this study were to kinetically examine the potential reaction pathways, accurately determine the specific rate constants, and establish the Arrhenius equation for the reaction of monochloramine formation using the stopped-flow technique . Results indicate that the rate constants are highly pH dependent due to the speciation of both free chlorine and ammonia . From a strictly kinetic point of view, monochloramine formation could be explained by either the nonionic pathway between HOCl and NH3 or the ionic pathway between OCl- and NH4+ . However, because the ionic pathway is mechanistically implausible the reaction is shown to be between the nonionic species (HOCl and NH3) . The specific rate constant for the nonionic pathway at 25 degrees C was determined to be 3.07 x 10(6) (M(-1) x s(-1)) . The Arrhenius equation was obtained as k(HOCl,NH3) = 5.40 x 10(9) exp(- 2237/T), which provided an activation energy of 18.6 kJ x mol(-1).

Anal Bioanal Chem, 1996 Jun, 355(3-4), 319 - 20
Mercury determination by CV-AAS in wastewater and sewage sludge from a stabilization pond system; Araujo K et al.; The mercury concentrations in wastewater and sewage sludge of a stabilization pond system have been evaluated . The system is built by three parallel facultative ponds followed by two systems of three maturation ponds in series . The samples of wastewater and sludge were digested using nitric acid and placed into a Parr-type bomb for 4 h at 110 degrees C . Mercury was measured by Cold Vapour Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (CV-AAS) at 253.7 nm with sodium tetrahydroborate as reductant . The methodologies were checked with an USEPA quality control sample, a standard reference material from NIST and with another method of mineralization (cold mineralization) showing good results . Concentrations of mercury in wastewater between 1.47 +/- 0.75 microgl(-1) have been found at the entrance of the system and 0.74 +/- 0.0 microgl(-1) at the exit, while in sludge the results were between 0.29 +/- 0.12 microgkg(-1) in the facultative pond and 0.04 +/- 0.02 microgkg(-1) in the second maturation pond (exit).

FEMS Microbiol Lett, 2004 Apr 1, 233(1), 77 - 82
Analysis of microbial diversity in oligotrophic microbial fuel cells using 16S rDNA sequences; Phung NT et al.; Molecular ecological techniques were applied to analyze the bacterial diversity of two oligotrophic microbial fuel cells (MFCs) enriched using river water or artificial wastewater (AWW) as fuel . Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) of the PCR amplified 16S rDNA showed that different microbial communities were present in the two MFCs and these were different from the river sediment used to initiate the enrichment . Nearly complete 16S rDNA was amplified and sequenced . Over 80% of the clones were Proteobacteria . Betaproteobacteria were the dominant clones (46.2%) in MFCs fed with river water, and about 64.4% of the clones in MFCs fed with AWW were Alphaproteobacteria . Actinobacteria were found only in the MFC fed with AWW, and Deltaproteobacteria, Acidobacteria, Chloroflexi and Verrucomicrobia in the MFC fed with river water . Many clones were related to uncultured bacteria, some with homology less than 95%, indicating that many novel bacteria were enriched in the oligotrophic MFCs.

Anal Bioanal Chem, 2004 Jul, 379(5-6), 818 - 24 Epub 2004 Mar 24.
Chemometric procedure for the study of fractionated wastewater ingredients using RP-HPLC/diode array spectrophotometer; Kotti ME et al.; A fast screening method of domestic wastewater is reported based on fractionation with RP-HPLC and diode array absorption detection implemented by chemometric treatment of the spectra using cluster analysis, deconvolution, simulation, and multiple regression statistical techniques . The proposed method is limited to constituents that absorb in the UV-Vis region which include most of the toxic organic pollutants.

Mar Pollut Bull, 2004 Apr, 48(7-8), 768 - 77
Resurvey of a reef flat in American Samoa after 85 years reveals devastation to a soft coral (Alcyonacea) community; Cornish AS et al.; One of the earliest quantitative surveys of soft corals, on a reef flat in Pago Pago Harbour, American Samoa, was repeated 85 years later . The alcyoniid communities there, which were the dominant benthic organisms during the initial survey, have suffered a drastic decline of 99% cover in the interim . The most likely causes of the decline are anthropogenic disturbance associated with reclamation along the harbour from the 1940s to early 1960s, compounded by chronic pollution from industrial wastewater discharge from the mid-1950s to late 1980s . The decline in one dominant species, Sinularia polydactyla, is likely to have serious consequences for the reef as unusually for a soft coral, this had been the major reef building species . Life-history traits of certain Sinularia and Sarcophyton, such as slow growth and low rates of sexual reproduction, mean they will be slower to recover from severe disturbance than many scleractinian corals.

Chemosphere, 2004 May, 55(6), 893 - 904
Photocatalytic degradation of formaldehyde containing wastewater from veterinarian laboratories; Arana J et al.; The photocatalytic destruction of methanol, formaline (mixture of formaldehyde, methanol and water) and formaline wastes from the preservation of vertinarian physiologic samples has been attempted by two different processes, at high concentrations of reagents and by dossification of reagents, varying pH in both . Experiment evolution has been monitored by measuring the organic matter such as TOC and formaldehyde concentrations {H2CO} . Also, methanol and methanol-formaldehyde interactions with the TiO2 surface have been analysed by FTIR spectroscopy . Results indicate that at high concentrations the catalyst surfacial alterations given by methoxy, formates or carbonates, according to the pH of the sample can profoundly affect catalyst behaviour . It has been established that reagent dossification is advantageous for enhancing photonic efficiency as it minimizes the adsorbate presence that hampers the photocatalytic process.

Ecotoxicol Environ Saf, 2004 Mar, 57(3), 303 - 10
Temporal and spatial variability in the estrogenicity of a municipal wastewater effluent; Hemming JM et al.; The estrogenicity of a municipal wastewater effluent was monitored using the vitellogenin biomarker in adult male fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) . The variability in the expression of vitellogenin was evident among the monitoring periods . Significant (alpha< or =0.05) increases in plasma vitellogenin concentrations were detected in March and December, but not in August or June . Additionally, the magnitude of expression was variable . Variability in the spatial scale was also evident during the March and June exposure months . Concurrent exposures in both the creek receiving the effluent from a wastewater treatment plant and an experimental wetland showed estrogenicity to be different with distance from the respective effluent inflow sites . March exposures showed estrogenicity to be somewhat persistent in the receiving creek (>600 m), but to decrease rapidly within the experimental wetland (<40 m) . Results are discussed relative to the monitoring season, to the spatial distribution of the response in both receiving systems, and to possible causative factors contributing to the effluent estrogenicity.

Ecotoxicol Environ Saf, 2004 Mar, 57(3), 278 - 89
Toxic effects of mining effluents on fish gills in a subarctic lake system in NW Russia; Tkatcheva V et al.; The mining company Karelian Pellet in northwestern Russia extracts iron ore and processes it locally into pellets . The production operations affect the environment in the form of air pollution and wastewater emissions to lakes downstream from the factory . The toxic effects of the mining effluents on gills of perch (Perca fluviatilis) and roach (Rutilus rutilus) were studied . In lakes close to the factory, heavy metal concentrations in gills were not high, even though the metal content in sediment was elevated . In fish gills the relative proportion of phosphatidylcholine was elevated and cholesterol reduced, while the histological structure of the gills was changed . The number of mucus cells, as well as the sizes and the lengths of open areas in the chloride cells, had increased in spring and summer . The hypertrophy of chloride cells is possibly caused by the increased ambient concentrations of K+ and Li+ . Changes in gill cholesterol and phospholipid proportions increase the fluidity of membranes and possibly strengthen their protective qualities, counterbalancing the adverse changes in chloride cell structure . The bioavailability and toxic effects of metals on fish are reduced by the hardness and high pH of water discharged by the mining plant.

Environ Monit Assess, 2004 Mar, 92(1-3), 119 - 35
Adaptive consensus principal component analysis for on-line batch process monitoring; Lee DS et al.; As the regulations of effluent quality are increasingly stringent, the on-line monitoring of wastewater treatment processes becomes very important . Multivariate statistical process control such as principal component analysis (PCA) has found wide applications in process fault detection and diagnosis using measurement data . In this work, we propose a consensus PCA algorithm for adaptive wastewater treatment process monitoring . The method overcomes the problem of changing operating conditions by updating the covariance structure recursively . The algorithm does not require any estimation compared to typical multiway PCA models . With this method process disturbances are detected in real time and the responsible measurements are directly identified . The presented methodology is successfully applied to a pilot-scale sequencing batch reactor for wastewater treatment.

J Chromatogr A, 2004 Mar 12, 1029(1-2), 255 - 61
Speciation of V, Cr and Fe by capillary electrophoresis-bandpass reaction cell inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry; Yeh CF et al.; Capillary electrophoresis-dynamic reaction cell inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (CE-DRC-ICP-MS) for the speciation of iron(III/II), vanadium(V/IV) and chromium(VI/III) is described . Two different CE migration modes were employed for separating the six metal ions using pre-capillary complexation . One is counter-electroosmotic mode in which iron(III/II) and vanadium(V/IV) ions were well separated using a 60 cm x 75 microm i.d . fused silica capillary . The voltage was set at +22 kV and a 15 mmol l(-1) tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (Tris) buffer (pH 8.75) containing 0.5 mmol l(-1) ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and 0.5 mmol l(-1) ortho-phenanthroline (phen) was used as the electrophoretic buffer . The other is co-electroosmotic mode in which chromium(VI/III) ions were well separated while the applied voltage was set at -22 kV and a 10 mmol l(-1) ammonium citrate buffer (pH 7.7) containing 0.5 mmol l(-1) diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) and 0.01% polybrene was used as the electrophoretic buffer . The mass spectra were measured at m/z 51, 52 and 56 for V . Cr and Fe, respectively . The interfering polyatomic ions of 35Cl16O+, 40Ar12C+ and 40Ar16O+ on 51V+, 52Cr+ and 56Fe+ determination were reduced in intensity significantly by using NH3 as the reaction cell gas in the DRC . The detection limits were in the range of 0.1-0.5, 0.4-1.3 and 1.2-1.7 ng ml(-1) for V, Cr and Fe, respectively . Applications of the method for the speciation of V, Cr and Fe in wastewater were demonstrated . The recoveries were in the range of 92-120% for various species.

J Environ Sci Health A Tox Hazard Subst Environ Eng, 2004, 39(1), 269 - 80
Dynamic post-treatment response of olive mill effluent wastewater using activated carbon; Azzam MO et al.; Olive mill eflluent (OME) wastewater represents a serious environmental problem in the Mediterranean area . It has extremely high values of COD, BOD, and phenolic content . A new approach of treatment steps composed of settling, centrifugation, and filtration is suggested to be used to condition OME wastewater . The filtrate is then subjected to a post-treatment process, namely adsorption on activated carbon . The dynamic response of phenols concentration, pH, and COD, using different concentrations of activated carbon, shows a peak at which maximum adsorption capacity is achieved . The maximum adsorption capacity for the tested concentrations of activated carbon is reached in less than 4 h . The maximum removal of phenols is about 94%, while it reaches about 83% for organic matter.

J Environ Sci Health A Tox Hazard Subst Environ Eng, 2004, 39(1), 173 - 83
An electrochemical method for decreasing the concentration of sulfate and molybdenum ions in industrial wastewater; Panayotova M et al.; An electrochemical method is proposed for decreasing the concentration of sulfate and molybdenum species in industrial wastewater . The method is based on electromigration, electroosmosis, electrolysis, and subsequent secondary processes . The treatment has been carried out in electrolytic cells with graphite electrodes and anodic and cathodic compartments separated by a special ceramic membrane . Influence of the equipment design and working conditions on the treatment effectiveness has been studied . The concentrations of sulfate and molybdenum were decreased from 2000-2200 mg/L to 900-1100 mg/L and 1.9-2.2 mg/L to 0.8-1.2 mg/L, correspondingly . The pH of the treated water was 8.0-8.5, no additional chemicals were introduced and voluminous sludge was not formed . The method proposed is environmentally friendly and seems to be economically feasible for treating wastewater with large flow.

Prikl Biokhim Mikrobiol, 2004 Jan-Feb, 40(1), 114 - 9
{Effect of heavy metals on wheat seedlings; activation of antioxidant enzymes}; Murzaeva SV; Accumulation of heavy metals in wheat grain exposed to multicomponent pollutants (industrial waste-water) was studied . The absolute content of metals (Zn, Cd, Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb, and Mn) was found to be determined by the extent of purification of wastewater . An increase in the degree of grain contamination with heavy metals was accompanied by activation of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, EC 1.15.1; catalase, EC 1.11.1.6; and peroxidase, EC 1.11.1.7) in leaves and activation of superoxide dismutase and peroxidase in roots . The ratio of activity of membrane enzymes to activity of cytosol enzymes was demonstrated to be high . It was concluded that the membrane-tropic effect of multicomponent contaminants was due to accumulation of heavy metals capable of inducing the antioxidant protection in the next generation of wheat seedlings.

J Environ Sci Health A Tox Hazard Subst Environ Eng, 2004, 39(2), 455 - 64
Ion exchange extraction of heavy metals from wastewater sludges; Al-Enezi G et al.; Heavy metals are common contaminants of some industrial wastewater . They find their way to municipal wastewaters due to industrial discharges into the sewerage system or through household chemicals . The most common heavy metals found in wastewaters are lead, copper, nickel, cadmium, zinc, mercury, arsenic, and chromium . Such metals are toxic and pose serious threats to the environment and public health . In recent years, the ion exchange process has been increasingly used for the removal of heavy metals or the recovery of precious metals . It is a versatile separation process with the potential for broad applications in the water and wastewater treatment field . This article summarizes the results obtained from a laboratory study on the removal of heavy metals from municipal wastewater sludges obtained from Ardhiya plant in Kuwait . Data on heavy metal content of the wastewater and sludge samples collected from the plant are presented . The results obtained from laboratory experiments using a commercially available ion exchange resin to remove heavy metals from sludge were discussed . A technique was developed to solubilize such heavy metals from the sludge for subsequent treatment by the ion exchange process . The results showed high efficiency of extraction, almost 99.9%, of heavy metals in the concentration range bound in wastewater effluents and sludges . Selective removal of heavy metals from a contaminated wastewater/sludge combines the benefits of being economically prudent and providing the possibility of reuse/recycle of the treated wastewater effluents and sludges.

J Environ Sci Health A Tox Hazard Subst Environ Eng, 2004, 39(2), 445 - 54
Potential use of economic instruments in waste management in the Arab countries; Saqqar MM; Changing public behavior towards the environment is considered an essential component in the environmental strategies of all the Arab countries . An important mechanism is using economic instruments (pricing, charges, taxes, and financial incentives) to achieve the desired changes . This article presents potential applications for the use of economic instruments in waste management in the Arab countries . Applications are suggested for implementation in several fields that include wastewater, solid waste, hazardous waste, and agricultural pollution . Examples are presented based on real data from Jordan . In addition, the requirements needed to implement the economic instruments are explained.

J Environ Sci Health A Tox Hazard Subst Environ Eng, 2004, 39(2), 397 - 407
Heavy metals content of municipal wastewater and sludges in Kuwait; Al Enezi G et al.; Municipal wastewater may contain heavy metals, which are hazardous to the environment and humans . With stringent regulations concerning water reuse and sludge utilization in agriculture, there is a great need to determine levels of heavy metals in liquid wastes, sludges and agricultural crops . The state of Kuwait has programs to utilize waste sludge produced at wastewater treatment plants as soil conditioner and fertilizer for greenery and agricultural development projects and to reuse treated wastewater effluents in irrigation . The common metals found in Kuwait's raw wastewater and sludge are Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, and Zn . The effects of accumulation of heavy metals in soil are long lasting and even permanent . In this study, the variations in the concentration levels of heavy metals were measured in wastewater and sludge produced at Ardiya municipal wastewater treatment plant in Kuwait . A relationship was observed between the concentrations of heavy metals in treated wastewater and sludge used for agriculture and the level of accumulated heavy metals found in residual tissues of some crops.

J Environ Sci Health A Tox Hazard Subst Environ Eng, 2004, 39(2), 385 - 95
Application of granular media filtration in wastewater reclamation and reuse; Hamoda MF et al.; Laboratory experiments were conducted at room temperature (20-25 degrees C) using four identical filter columns made of Plexiglas, each of 1 m height and 15 cm internal diameter, packed with granular media of 70 cm depth . Each filter was operated at a constant filtration rate, thus four rates were tested in the range of 2-15 m(3) m(-2) d(-1) . Mono-media (sand) and dual-media (sand and anthracite) were tested and three types of municipal wastewaters, namely raw, primary and secondary-treated effluents were applied . The results obtained indicate that considerable improvements in effluent quality could be attained by tertiary sand filtration . Removal of solids, organics and bacteria was not significantly affected by the increase in filtration rate from 2 to 15 m(3) m(-2) d(-1) . The highest removal efficiency was obtained at low filtration rate of 2 m(3) m(-2) d(-1), but higher filtration rates achieved acceptable removal efficiencies and provided effluents of good quality to satisfy the irrigation water quality standards . Since the conventional sand filters in wastewater treatment plants operate at a rate in the range of 2-5 m(3) m(-2) d(-1), utilization of high rate filtration is advantageous and would result in significant cost savings . However, with high filtration rates the filters require more frequent backwashing . Dual-media filters achieved 50% reductions in BOD suggesting that filtration could be used to treat primary effluents in emergency cases.

J Environ Sci Health A Tox Hazard Subst Environ Eng, 2004, 39(2), 365 - 74
Quality of the bottom sediment prior to dredging in the Golden Horn of Istanbul; Kinaci C et al.; The Golden Horn has experienced severe pollution due to uncontrolled domestic and industrial wastewater discharges until recent years . A restoration project has been developed by our universities, upon a request from Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality . Two principal alternatives for the dredging and disposal of the bottom sediments were considered: disposing on the land and disposing in the sea . Both of these alternatives include several sub-alternatives . Characterization of the sediment quality is crucially important for selecting the best alternative considering the cost, environmental impact and public acceptance . However, only a few and rather old studies were present with which it was not possible to get a comprehensive information on the critical sediment characteristics . Therefore, the aim of this study was determination of spatial distribution of sediment characteristics . The project area, at which the sediment quality determined, covers the part of the Golden Horn remaining at the upstream of Valide Sultan Bridge . The number of sampling stations were thirteen and the sediment samples were collected from 0.0m, 5.0m and 10.0m from the bottom surface . The following parameters were measured on each sample: Total solids, organic matter, total phosphorus, TKN, oil and grease, total sulphur, and sediment oxygen demand (SOD) . Sediment oxygen demand parameter was further divided into three fractions, namely, biological (SOD-B) and chemical (SOD-C) . Average organic content of the bottom sediment was around 10% while ammonia and sulfur exhibit very high levels . It is found that the bottom sediment is well stabilized with very low organic content below 5.0m from the bottom surface . It can be said that, removing the upper 5m of the bottom sediment will be enough for creating a relatively stable bottom surface which will cause oxygen depletion in the overlaying water at acceptable levels . High SOD values of the bottom sediment makes the alternatives considering disposal in the Marmara Sea and Black Sea inapplicable . High SOD-C values, especially, indicate that the sediment will cause a tremendous reduction in the oxygen concentration in a very short time at any marine environment, and even it may create anaerobic conditions . Therefore, disposal of dredged sediment into abandoned mines 4km from the Golden Horn by a pressure pipeline has been chosen as the best applicable alternative.

J Environ Sci Health A Tox Hazard Subst Environ Eng, 2004, 39(2), 329 - 39
Changes in the environmental parameters of treated wastewater in soils; Ghosn AA et al.; Available data about treated sanitary and industrial wastewater in Kuwait were collected and reviewed . Potential changes in the environmental parameters of these waters when permeated through predominantly loamy sand soil samples collected from three agricultural sites in Kuwait, an arid land desert area . The environmental parameters investigated included pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), total organic content (TOC), and total hydrocarbon content (THC) . The results indicated these parameters have generally reflected marked variations . These variations were attributed to the interactions between soil, soil pore water, and influent wastewaters used in this study . The results also indicated that the above-investigated environmental parameters stayed well within the allowable limits set for the reuse of tertiary treated sanitary and industrial wastewaters in agricultural irrigation applications.

Environ Technol, 2004 Jan, 25(1), 15 - 22
Removal of 2-fluoro and 2-iodophenol from aqueous solutions using industrial wastes; Jain AK et al.; A comparative study of the adsorbents prepared from several industrial wastes for the removal of 2-fluorophenol and 2-iodophenol has been carried out . The results show that maximum adsorption on carbonaceous adsorbent prepared from fertilizer industry waste has been found to be 35.3 and 235.3 mg g(-1) for 2-fluorophenol and 2-iodophenol, respectively . Compared to carbonaceous adsorbent, the other three adsorbents (viz., blast furnace sludge, dust, and slag) adsorb phenols to a much smaller extent . This has been attributed to the carbonaceous adsorbent having a larger porosity and consequently higher surface area . The adsorption of phenols on this adsorbent has been studied as a function of contact time, concentration and temperature . The adsorption has been found to be endothermic, and the data conform to the Langmuir equation . The further analysis of data indicates that adsorption is a first order process and pore diffusion controlled . A comparative study of adsorption results with those obtained on standard activated charcoal sample shows that prepared adsorbent is about 45% as efficient as standard activated charcoal and therefore, can be fruitfully employed for the removal of phenolic pollutants from wastewaters.

Water Res, 2004 Apr, 38(7), 1715 - 32
Application of multiway ICA for on-line process monitoring of a sequencing batch reactor; Yoo CK et al.; Multiway principal component analysis has been shown to be a powerful monitoring tool in many industrial batch processes . However, it has the shortcomings that all batch lengths should be equal, the measurement variables must be normally distributed and that future values of the current batch must be estimated to allow on-line monitoring . In this work, it is shown that multiway independent component analysis (MICA) can be used to overcome these drawbacks and obtain better monitoring performance . The on-line MICA monitoring of batch processes is based on a new unfolding method and independent component analysis (ICA) . ICA provides better monitoring performance than PCA in cases with non-Gaussian data because it is not based on the assumption that the latent variables are normally distributed . The MICA algorithm does not require any estimation of future batch values and can also be applied to non-equal batch length data sets . This article describes the application of on-line MICA monitoring of a sequencing batch reactor (SBR) . It is successfully applied to an 80L SBR for biological wastewater treatment, which is characterized by a variety of disturbance sources with non-Gaussian characteristics . The SBR poses an interesting challenge from the point of process monitoring characterized by non-stationary, batchwise, multiscale, and non-Gaussian characteristics . The results of the bench-scale SBR monitoring clearly showed the power and advantages of MICA monitoring in comparison to conventional monitoring methods.

J Chromatogr Sci, 2004 Feb, 42(2), 91 - 9
Analysis of unknown organic pollutants in sewage by solid-phase extraction combined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry; Gao H et al.; A rapid, simple, and reliable method of solid-phase extraction (SPE) combined with gas chromatography (GC)-mass spectrometry (MS) is developed for the analysis of a wide range of polarity of unknown organic pollutants in sewage . Wastewater samples are extracted by passing them through disposable C(18) cartridges, and the extracts are then analyzed by GC-MS . Different SPE parameters for ten organic compounds in the list of priority pollutants suggested by the China Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are studied, and their breakthrough volumes are determined . Extraction recoveries for the tested compounds are greater than 60%, except the recovery of 1,2-dichloroethane is 48% . The relative standard deviations are less than 7.8% (n = 3) . The developed approach is successfully applied for the identification of organic components in a sewage sample . Over 220 organic pollutants are identified, with 5 of these present in the list of priority pollutants suggested by the U.S . EPA and 4 from the list by the China EPA.

Water Res, 2004 Mar, 38(6), 1568 - 78
Optimisation of clarifier-thickeners processing stable suspensions for turn-up/turn-down; Martin AD; Solid-liquid separation equipment operating on wastewater duties seldom functions at steady state and may be expected to perform over a wide range of feed loads . Satisfactory control of the solids residence time in these clarifiers and thickeners is critical to their successful operation . High solids residence times can lead to hydrolysis and rising sludge . This paper addresses the design of clarifiers and thickeners with minimum solids residence times . A one-dimensional force balance theory of sedimentation is used as the basis for the optimal design . Turn-up and turn-down are considered directly within the optimisation . A robust algorithm is presented for the repeated solution of the design equations and the constrained optimisation of the solids residence time . Three types controlling phenomena are identified and illustrated with design cases . The designs are found to be taller with smaller plan areas than their point optimised equivalents.

Water Res, 2004 Mar, 38(6), 1550 - 8
Electro-oxidative abatement of low-salinity reverse osmosis membrane concentrates; Van Hege K et al.; The present study encompasses the application of electrolysis as novel treatment technique for the abatement of low-salinity concentrates generated from the filtrative treatment of water and wastewater . Four different materials have been tested as anode for a number of brine samples in a one-compartment electrolytic cell in galvanostatic mode . It was found that PbO(2) and SnO(2) anodes initiated electrochemical precipitation through an increase of the pH . Boron-doped diamond (BDD) and RuO(2) anodes successfully oxidised the pollutants in the brine and a linear removal of total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) was observed during the first phase of oxidation . Oxidation was predominantly achieved through indirect hypochlorite bulk oxidation; the higher oxidation rate and extent for the BDD anode was attributed to the higher selectivity and activity of the latter . Overall performance of the BDD electrode was higher than for RuO(2): higher rates for TAN (17.9 vs . 13.5mg/Ah) and COD (74.5 vs . 20.0mg/Ah) removal as well as higher overall current efficiencies (35.2% vs . 14.5%) . Extensive colour removal was observed for both anodes (>90% decrease in absorbency at 455 nm).

Water Res, 2004 Mar, 38(6), 1484 - 93
Model-based design of horizontal subsurface flow constructed treatment wetlands: a review; Rousseau DP et al.; The increasing application of constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment coupled with increasingly strict water quality standards is an ever growing incentive for the development of better process design tools . This paper reviews design models for horizontal subsurface flow constructed treatment wetlands, ranging from simple rules of thumb and regression equations, to the well-known first-order k-C* models, Monod-type equations and more complex dynamic, compartmental models . Especially highlighted in this review are the model constraints and parameter uncertainty . A case study has been used to demonstrate the model output variability and to unravel whether or not more complex but also less manageable models offer a significant advantage to the designer.

J Environ Manage, 2004 Apr, 70(4), 309 - 14
Assessment of AWT systems in the metro Atlanta area; Mines RO Jr et al.; A study was conducted to evaluate the performance of six advanced wastewater treatment facilities using biological nutrient removal processes as the primary mechanism for removing carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus from domestic wastewater . One year of operating data was obtained from monthly operating reports provided by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) in Atlanta . Additional information about facility operations and the types of chemicals used was gathered through review of EPD files and interviews with plant personnel . Data evaluated were: influent and effluent five-day Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD(5)); influent and effluent total suspended solids (TSS); influent Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen and effluent Total Nitrogen; and influent and effluent Total Phosphorus (TP) . Although varying from plant to plant, effluent requirements for BOD(5), TSS, ammonia, and TP were met . Chemicals utilized, design capacity, and monthly effluent concentrations are presented in this study.

Environ Microbiol, 2004 Apr, 6(4), 315 - 22
Formation of granules and Methanosaeta fibres in an anaerobic migrating blanket reactor (AMBR); Angenent LT et al.; It has generally been accepted that the formation of granules in anaerobic wastewater treatment systems requires a hydraulic upflow pattern . To evaluate this hypothesis, we operated an anaerobic migrating blanket reactor (AMBR) without a hydraulic upflow pattern, using a synthetic wastewater containing acetate, propionate, butyrate and sucrose . We provided conditions amenable to the formation of granules by operating the system with a moderate hydraulic selection pressure, which in this system was not the result of a hydraulic upflow pattern, but was provided by migration of biomass and intermittent mechanical mixing . Granules were first noticed after 2 months of operation, and it took another 2 months for a mature granular blanket to develop . Besides granules, approximately 1-cm-long Methanosaeta fibres developed and, after 6 months of operation, 30% of biomass consisted of these fibres . Quantitative membrane hybridization showed that almost all the total 16S rRNA extracted from fibres consisted of 16S rRNA from Methanosaeta concilii . This finding indicates that it was possible to develop pockets consisting almost entirely of an organism with a very limited substrate utilization spectrum (only acetate) in a system that was fed a synthetic wastewater containing acetate, propionate, butyrate and sucrose and that is known for its ability to develop biomass with a complex microbial community structure.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 2004 Mar, 70(3), 1617 - 26
Identification and isolation of anaerobic, syntrophic phthalate isomer-degrading microbes from methanogenic sludges treating wastewater from terephthalate manufacturing; Qiu YL et al.; The microbial populations responsible for anaerobic degradation of phthalate isomers were investigated by enrichment and isolation of those microbes from anaerobic sludge treating wastewater from the manufacturing of terephthalic acid . Primary enrichments were made with each of three phthalate isomers (ortho-, iso-, and terephthalate) as the sole energy source at 37 degrees C with two sources of anaerobic sludge (both had been used to treat wastewater containing high concentrations of phthalate isomers) as the inoculum . Six methanogenic enrichment cultures were obtained which not only degraded the isomer used for the enrichment but also had the potential to degrade part of other phthalate isomers as well as benzoate with concomitant production of methane, presumably involving strictly syntrophic substrate degradation . Our 16S rRNA gene-cloning analysis combined with fluorescence in situ hybridization revealed that the predominant bacteria in the enrichment cultures were affiliated with a recently recognized non-sulfate-reducing subcluster (subcluster Ih) in the group 'Desulfotomaculum lineage I' or a clone cluster (group TA) in the class delta-PROTEOBACTERIA: Several attempts were made to isolate these microbes, resulting in the isolation of a terephthalate-degrading bacterium, designated strain JT, in pure culture . A coculture of the strain with the hydrogenotrophic methanogen Methanospirillum hungatei converted terephthalate to acetate and methane within 3 months of incubation, whereas strain JT could not degrade terephthalate in pure culture . During the degradation of terephthalate, a small amount of benzoate was transiently accumulated as an intermediate, indicative of decarboxylation of terephthalate to benzoate as the initial step of the degradation . 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that the strain was a member of subcluster Ih of the group 'Desulfotomaculum lineage I', but it was only distantly related to other known species.

J Microbiol Methods, 2004 Apr, 57(1), 79 - 93
Evaluation of a plasmid-based 16S-23S rDNA intergenic spacer region array for analysis of microbial diversity in industrial wastewater; Cook KL et al.; A plasmid-based 16S-23S rDNA intergenic spacer region (ISR) array was developed and optimized for analysis of microbial diversity within complex environmental samples . Plasmid probes with 16S-23S rDNA ISR inserts (800-1500 bp) from industrial wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) microorganisms were arrayed onto glass slides . Hybridization of fluorescently labeled target sequences from two clones from the ISR WWTP library to arrayed probes showed that there was a good linear relationship between hybridization intensity and ISR similarity (r(2)=0.82) . Hybridization was highly specific (average background from arrayed probes with less than 80% similarity in ISR sequence was less than 7%) . Strong fluorescence intensity corresponded to near-perfect match clones (99% or greater similarity in ISR sequence) . A majority of probes (79%) showed no background hybridization . However, weak background (less than 50% for arrayed probes with 90% and 95% similarity in the 16S rRNA genes) was observed from closely related microorganisms . Background fluorescence from the negative control (plasmid vector with no insert) was similar to water and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)-negative controls . Hybridization using fluorescently labeled ISR sequences from a mixed community sample produced strong fluorescent signals with no background from negative controls . A Cy5-labeled reference standard, part of the vector and present in every spotted probe, was used to normalize hybridization values . These results indicate that arrayed plasmid containing ISR probe insert sequences provides specificity and sensitivity for microbial community analysis in a high-throughput array format.

J Microbiol Methods, 2004 Apr, 57(1), 41 - 53
Improved specificity for Giardia lamblia cyst quantification in wastewater by development of a real-time PCR method; Bertrand I et al.; The protozoan parasite Giardia lamblia is the most common cause of waterborne disease outbreaks associated with drinking water in the United States . The conventional method used for the enumeration of Giardia cysts in water is based on immunofluorescence with monoclonal antibodies . It is tedious and time-consuming and has the major drawback to be non-specific for the only species infecting humans, G . lamblia . We have developed a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method using fluorescent TaqMan technology, which improved the specificity of G . lamblia cyst quantification compared to the immunofluorescence assay (IFA) . However, this PCR was not totally specific for G . lamblia species and amplified Giardia ardeae target as well . This method showed a sensitivity of 0.45 cysts per reaction and an efficiency of 95% in purified suspensions . We have then applied this quantification method to raw wastewater, a medium containing numerous debris, particles and PCR inhibitors . The adaptation to these environmental samples was realized by a screening of three cyst purification methods and six DNA extraction protocols . Real-time quantification was accomplished by the simultaneous amplification of unknown samples and a tenfold serial dilution of purified G . lamblia cysts . For all samples, the concentrations observed with TaqMan PCR method were compared to the IFA values . Giardia spp . cysts were detected in all non-spiked raw wastewater samples with IFA procedure and the concentrations of Giardia spp . cysts used for the comparison between the two methods ranged between 3.3x10(2)/l and 4.3x10(3)/l . The highest TaqMan PCR/IFA ratios were observed when Percoll/sucrose flotation was combined with DNA extraction protocol optimized for cyst wall lysis, impurities adsorption on a resin, and double step protein digestion and column purification . The concentrations observed with this TaqMan PCR method ranged from 2.5x10(2) to 2.4x10(3) G . lamblia cysts/l and only one sample resulted in a no amplification curve . Thus, we developed a TaqMan PCR method increasing the rapidity and specificity of G . lamblia cyst quantification . The combination of Percoll/sucrose flotation and DNA extraction optimized protocol before TaqMan assay has provided a good indication of the G . lamblia contamination level in raw sewage samples.

J La State Med Soc, 2004 Jan-Feb, 156(1), 42, 44 - 9
Is fish consumption safe?
Diaz JH.
Louisiana's vital seafood industry provides nearly 40% of domestic seafood production . Unlike Louisianans, most Americans do not enjoy fresh seafood, yet manage to eat over 4 billion pounds of seafood annually, most of it foreign, frozen, and fried! America's commercial fisheries now face crippling economic and environmental pressures from seafood imports, over-fishing, urban and agricultural wastewater runoff, harmful algal blooms, and coastal wetlands loss . As a result of these ecosystem stresses, seafood-borne disease now causes 37% of all foodborne illness in the United States . Despite recent advisories on high mercury-containing finfish consumption, seafood provides more than a third of the world with essential dietary protein, rich in cardiovascular-protective omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids . Louisiana and other coastal-state physicians can effectively curtail the rising threat of local seafood-borne disease outbreaks by supporting responsible coastal restoration and regulation of commercial fishing, and by recommending careful inspection, selection, and preparation of seafood.

Environ Sci Technol, 2004 Feb 15, 38(4), 1221 - 7
Metribuzin degradation by membrane anodic Fenton treatment and its interaction with ferric ion; Wang Q et al.; Metribuzin, a widely used herbicide and a frequently detected pollutant in the environment, was studied as a target compound for membrane anodic Fenton treatment (AFT), a Fenton technology with application potential for on-site treatment of pesticide wastewater . It was found that the degradation kinetics of metribuzin do not obey the AFT model, a previously developed model that fit AFT degradation kinetics of all previously investigated pesticides . The lack of fit for metribuzin data was determined to result from a weak interaction between metribuzin and the ferric ion, resulting in a significant reduction in availability of metribuzin for reaction with hydroxyl radicals during AFT, thus slowing degradation . A revised kinetic model was developed based on the original AFT model with the addition of this interaction . Results demonstrate that the new kinetic model fits metribuzin degradation data quite well at different delivery rates of Fenton reagent and at different temperatures . This weak interaction is also found to exist between ferric ion and several other triazinone/triazine herbicides during membrane AFT . The interaction intensity correlates with the electron-withdrawing/-donating property of substituents on the triazine/triazinone ring . The stronger the electron-donating ability of substituents, the stronger the interaction.

Environ Sci Technol, 2004 Feb 15, 38(4), 1195 - 200
Removal of chlorophenols using industrial wastes; Jain AK et al.; Development of inexpensive adsorbents from industrial wastes for the treatment of wastewaters is an important area in environmental sciences . Blast furnace slag, dust and sludge from steel plants, and carbon slurry from fertilizer plants after their treatment have been utilized as inexpensive adsorbents for the removal of phenols, which are an important class of pollutants as they are highly toxic . The characterization of the four adsorbents prepared has shown that the carbonaceous adsorbent prepared from carbon slurry possesses high porosity and maximum surface area (380 m2/g) as compared to the other three adsorbents (4-28 m2/g) . The adsorption of four phenols (phenol, 2-chlorophenol, 4-chlorophenol, and 2,4-dichlorophenol) on these adsorbents is parallel to their porosity and surface area order . The uptake of the phenols on carbonaceous adsorbent is substantial and found to be 17.2, 50.3, 57.4, and 132.5 mg/g for phenol, 2-chlorophenol, 4-chlorophenol, and 2,4-dichlorophenol, respectively . The detailed adsorption studies on carbonaceous adsorbent have indicated that the adsorption process follows the Langmuir isotherm, is first order, and is pore diffusion controlled . As adsorption of phenols on prepared carbonaceous adsorbent is significant, its performance has been evaluated with respect to standard activated charcoal . The results indicate that the phenols removal efficiency of carbonaceous adsorbent is about 45% to that of a standard activated charcoal sample . Thus, the carbonaceous adsorbent can be used for the removal of phenols as a low-cost alternative (approximately 0.1 U.S . dollars/kg) to activated charcoal.

Environ Sci Technol, 2004 Feb 15, 38(4), 1183 - 7
Treatment of saline wastewater contaminated with hydrocarbons by the photo-Fenton process; Moraes JE et al.; The application of the photo-Fenton process to the treatment of saline wastewater contaminated with hydrocarbons is investigated . Aqueous saline solutions containing raw gasoline were used as a model oil-field-produced water . The dependence on concentrations of the following reagents has been appropriately evaluated: hydrogen peroxide (100-200 mM), iron ions (0.5-1 mM), and sodium chloride (200-2000 ppm) . The reactions were monitored by measurement of the absorption spectra and total organic carbon (TOC) . Experimental results demonstrate that the photo-Fenton process is feasible for the treatment of wastewaters containing hydrocarbons, even in the presence of high concentrations of salt . The effect of the salt in this process is described through a series of reactions . A simple feedforward neural network model was found to correlate well the observed data for the degradation process.

J Agric Food Chem, 2004 Mar 10, 52(5), 1228 - 33
Improved combined chemical and biological treatments of olive oil mill wastewaters; Bressan M et al.; A novel system was investigated, finalized to reduce the impact of highly polluting wastewaters, and based on combined actions of catalytic oxidations and microbial biotechnologies . Olive oil mill wastewaters (COD 10,000-100,000 mg O(2)/L) were oxidized up to 80-90% by stoichiometric amounts of dilute hydrogen peroxide (35%) and in the presence of water soluble iron catalysts, either Fe(II) or Fe(III), at concentrations up to 1% w/w and more, i.e., much larger than those reported for conventional Fenton processes . In the combined action, the mineralization activity of a selected microbial consortium was used to degrade residual volatile and nonvolatile organic compounds into CO(2) and biomass . The results of this search could suggest an improved operational methodology capable to reduce the potential impact of wastewater.

J Zhejiang Univ Sci, 2004 Apr, 5(4), 436 - 40
Treatment of chitin-producing wastewater by micro-electrolysis-contact oxidization; Yang YP et al.; The technique of micro-electrolysis-contact oxidization was exploited to treat chitin-producing wastewater . Results showed that Fe-C micro-electrolysis can remove about 30% COD(cr), raise pH from 0.7 to 5.5 . The COD(cr) removal efficiency by biochemical process can be more than 80% . During a half year's operation, the whole system worked very stably and had good results, as proved by the fact that every quality indicator of effluent met the expected discharge standards; which means that chitin wastewater can be treated by the technique of micro-electrolysis, contact oxidization.

Sci Total Environ, 2004 Mar 5, 320(1), 63 - 72
Multitracer study of anthropogenic contamination records in the Camargue, Southern France; Miralles J et al.; Contaminants are supplied to the coastal zone by the atmosphere, rivers and point sources like wastewaters or industrial area . Wetlands retain many of these contaminants and can be used to reconstruct sources and magnitudes of contaminant inputs . Radionuclides ((137)Cs, (210)Pb, (239)Pu and (240)Pu) and stable lead isotope ((206)Pb, (207)Pb) profiles were investigated in two cores collected in wetlands of the Rhone River delta, south of France (Camargue), to estimate the recent sediment accumulation rates and reconstruct the deposition of pollutants during the last century . One site was affected by storm or flood deposition from the Rhone river and showed the influence of Marcoule reprocessing plant releases on the plutonium isotopic ratios . The other site appears suitable for the reconstruction, even if mixing is evidenced at the surface by the radionuclides profiles . Plutonium isotopic ratios are characteristic of global fallout and the (210)Pb inventory of 4240 Bq m(-2) is approximately 30% higher than atmospheric deposit estimation . The pollutant lead inventory is 139 microg cm(-2), slightly higher than previous estimation from direct fallout . This difference can be partly due to an over-collection at this site (due to canopy cover) but also to variations with time in the deposition.

Sci Total Environ, 2004 Mar 5, 320(1), 11 - 24
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in agricultural soil and vegetables from Tianjin; Tao S et al.; Several types of vegetables were collected from two contaminated sites in Tianjin, China . The bulk soil and the rhizosphere soil samples were also collected from the same plots . Sixteen PAHs in the samples were measured . The total concentrations of PAH16 in the bulk soil from the two sites were 1.08 and 6.25 microg/g, respectively, with similar pattern . The concentrations of PAH16 and individual compounds in the rhizosphere were significantly higher than those in the bulk soil with mean values of 2.25 and 7.82 microg/g for the two sites, respectively . The contents of both total and dissolved organic matter in the rhizosphere were also higher than those in the bulk soil . Almost all PAH compounds studied were detected in both roots and aerial parts of the vegetables studied . Abundance of higher molecular weight PAHs in vegetable, however, was lower than that in soil . Concentrations of PAH16 in vegetable were higher than those reported in the literature for other areas . It appears that agricultural soils and vegetables in Tianjin, especially those from the site located immediately next to an urban district and irrigated with wastewater for several decades, are severely contaminated by PAHs . Among the eight types of vegetable studied, the highest concentration of PAHs was found in cauliflower . By average, the concentration of PAH16 in the aerial part of vegetables was 6.5 times higher as that in vegetable root, suggesting that foliar uptake is the primary transfer pathway of PAHs from environment to vegetables.

Environ Int, 2004 May, 30(3), 389 - 95
Scanning electron microscopic studies and growth response of the plants of Helianthus annuus L . grown on tannery sludge amended soil; Singh S et al.; The plants of Helianthus annuus L . var . modern were grown in the soil amended with different amounts of tannery sludge (10%, 25%, 35%, 50%, 75% and 100%), collected from Wastewater Treatment Plant Jajmau, Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh, India) under field conditions . The effect of tannery sludge amendments was studied on the growth performance of the plant, i.e . root length, shoot length, leaf area and number of leaves after 30, 60 and 90 days of exposures . The root length of the plant increased up to 35% tannery sludge followed by significant (p<0.01) decrease at higher amendments, whereas the shoot length of the plant increased with increase in sludge amendment ratio at all the exposure periods, compared to their respective controls . The number of leaves and leaf area in the plants of H . annuus increased at all the amendments of tannery sludge at initial exposure periods (30 and 60 days); however, it decreased at higher sludge amendments at highest exposure period (90 days) as compared to their respective controls . The analysis of scanning electron micrographs of the leaf surface of H . annuus grown on 50% and 100% tannery sludge after 90 days showed an increase in the frequency of stomata and trichomes, closure of stomata and degeneration of certain cells in the sludge grown plants.

Rev Panam Salud Publica, 2004 Jan, 15(1), 26 - 34
{Prevalence of hepatitis B viral markers in children 3 to 9 years old in a town in the Brazilian Amazon}; Assis SB et al.; OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of hepatitis B infection and to identify possible means of transmission in children from 3 to 9 years of age in Peixoto de Azevedo, a town in the Brazilian Amazon . METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out with 487 children enrolled in public schools and day-care centers . We obtained data concerning migration, medical history, exposure to classical risk factors for hepatitis B infection, socioeconomic factors, and the habit of sharing a bed or personal objects . We also investigated the presence in the home of persons with sexually transmitted diseases, injecting drug users, heavy alcohol users, men who had sex with other men, persons with multiple sexual partners, and a history of jaundice or hepatitis or of receiving a transfusion of blood products . Blood samples were obtained from the children to test for viral markers . RESULTS: The prevalence of hepatitis B viral markers was 11.1% (54 of 487 children) . Six of the children (1.2%) tested positive for hepatitis B surface antigen . There was no association between viral markers and economic conditions, parental schooling, sanitary conditions (e.g., source of drinking water, method of wastewater disposal, method of trash disposal), number of rooms in the home, the child's history of jaundice or hepatitis, dental treatment, any accidents with needles or syringes, reusing needles or syringes, transfusion of blood products, and the habit of sharing a bed or personal objects . However, children who had contact with heavy alcohol users tended to have a higher prevalence of viral markers (P = 0.06) . Among the children studied, 53 of them (10.9%) had received one or two doses of hepatitis B vaccine, but none had completed the three-dose series . Logistic regression showed that an increased prevalence of viral markers was associated with a maternal history of jaundice during the pregnancy, more than eight persons living in the home, and the mother not working in a professional occupation . CONCLUSION: Hepatitis B is probably moderately endemic in the population of Peixoto de Azevedo, with transmission mainly occurring horizontally . Such factors as being exposed in the home to persons who are heavy users of alcohol are probably important determinants of infection in the first decade of life . The low vaccination coverage promotes free circulation of the virus.

Anal Chem, 2004 Mar 1, 76(5), 1437 - 44
Combination of LC/TOF-MS and LC/Ion trap MS/MS for the identification of diphenhydramine in sediment samples; Ferrer I et al.; Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) is a popular over-the-counter antihistaminic medication used for the treatment of allergies . After consumption, excretion, and subsequent discharge from wastewater treatment plants, it is possible that diphenhydramine will be found in environmental sediments due to its hydrophobicity (log P = 3.27) . This work describes a methodology for the first unequivocal determination of diphenhydramine bound to environmental sediments . The drug is removed from the sediments by accelerated solvent extraction and then analyzed by liquid chromatography with a time-of-flight mass spectrometer and an ion trap mass spectrometer . This combination of techniques provided unequivocal identification and confirmation of diphenhydramine in two sediment samples . The accurate mass measurements of the protonated molecules were m/z 256.1703 and 256.1696 compared to the calculated mass of m/z 256.1701, resulting in errors of 0.8 and 2.3 ppm . This mass accuracy was sufficient to verify the elemental composition of diphenhydramine in each sample . Furthermore, accurate mass measurements of the primary fragment ion were obtained . This work is the first application of time-of-flight mass spectrometry for the identification of diphenhydramine and shows the accumulation of an over-the-counter medication in aquatic sediments at five different locations.

Waste Manag Res, 2003 Dec, 21(6), 501 - 14
Household food waste to wastewater or to solid waste? That is the question; Diggelman C et al.; Decision makers need sound analyses of economic and environmental impacts of options for managing household food waste . Food waste impacts public health (it rots, smells, and attracts rodents) and costs (it drives collection frequency) . A life cycle inventory is used to quantify total materials, energy, costs and environmental flows for three municipal solid waste systems (collection followed by compost, waste-to-energy or landfill) and two wastewater systems (kitchen food waste disposer followed by rural on-site or municipal wastewater treatment) for food waste management . Inventory parameters are expressed per 100 kg of food waste (wet weight) to place data on a normalised basis for comparison . System boundaries include acquisition, use and decommissioning . Parameters include inputs (land, materials, water) and output emissions to air, water and land . Parameters are ranked simply from high to low . Ranking highest overall was the rural wastewater system, which has a high amount of food waste and carrier water relative to the total throughput over its design life . Waste-to-energy was second; burning food waste yields little exportable energy and is costly . Next, municipal wastewater tied with landfill . Municipal wastewater is low for land, material, energy and cost, but is highest for food waste by-product (sludge) . Landfill ranks low for air emissions and cost . Compost ranks lowest; it has the lowest material and water inputs and generates the least wastewater and waterborne waste.

Water Sci Technol, 2004, 49(2), 191 - 9
Struvite control through process and facility design as well as operation strategy; Neethling JB et al.; Struvite deposition is a common problem in municipal wastewater treatment plants and can be significant if not anticipated, but struvite deposits are completely manageable if properly addressed . This paper summarises experiences from a number of facilities that have dealt successfully with struvite problems, elaborates on the interrelations between secondary treatment and anaerobic digestion, and outlines an approach to control struvite and available alternatives.

Water Sci Technol, 2004, 49(2), 177 - 82
Struvite scale formation and control; Parsons SA et al.; Struvite scale formation is a major operational issue at both conventional and biological nutrient removal wastewater treatment plants . Factors affecting the formation of struvite scales were investigated including supersaturation, pH and pipe material and roughness . A range of control methods have been investigated including low fouling materials, pH control, inhibitor and chemical dosing . Control methods exist to reduce scale formation although each has its advantages and disadvantages.

Environ Technol, 2003 Dec, 24(12), 1545 - 51
Study of the impact of mechanical treatments on wastewater solids by UV spectrophotometry; Berho C et al.; The aim of this paper is, from the perspective of improvement of Total Suspended Solids (TSS) measurement by UV spectrophotometry, to study the influence of two pretreatments on the UV responses of urban wastewater (sonication and mechanical grinding) . The study of optical properties evolution the different phenomena involved and show mechanical grinding as a potential pre-treatment is prosed . Mechanical grinding is applied to samples characterised by different TSS concentration and particle size distributions in order to test its feasability . Results show the limit of the pretreatment and the difficulty of exploiting the UV response of urban wastewater for TSS characterization and estimation.

Appl Biochem Biotechnol, 2004 Feb, 112(2), 79 - 90
Roles of pH in biologic production of hydrogen and volatile fatty acids from glucose by enriched anaerobic cultures; Zheng XJ et al.; Batch experiments were carried out to study the roles of pH in the biologic production of hydrogen and volatile fatty acids from glucose by enriched anaerobic cultures . The results showed that 95-99% of glucose in wastewater was acidified at 30 degrees C and pH 4.0-8.5 . Hydrogen yield fluctuated between 1.30 and 1.57 mol of H2/mol of glucose when the reactor was operated at pH 4.0-5.0 . However, a further increase in pH led to a considerable decrease in hydrogen yield, especially for the cases at pH 7.5 and 8.0 . Acetate, propionate, butyrate, and ethanol were the key products of acidogenesis . Production of butyrate was favored at pH 4.0-5.0, whereas production of acetate was favored at pH 6.0-8.0 . A modified Gompertz equation is able to properly describe the batch production of hydrogen from glucose . The optimum pH for the specific hydrogen production was found to be 5.5, close to 5.7, the optimum pH calculated using a semiempirical model.

Water Sci Technol, 2004, 49(1), 163 - 70
Lead removal by a natural polysaccharide in membrane reactors; Reddad Z et al.; Industrial wastewaters often contain heavy metal ions that are toxic to many living species . Therefore, economic treatment methods are investigated, involving the sorption of metal ions onto wastes or natural materials . In the present work, the ability of sugar beet pulp, a common waste of the sugar industry, to remove Pb2+ polluted waters is investigated . The kinetic and equilibrium experiments were performed in batch reactor in order to determine the Pb2+ adsorption mechanisms onto the polysaccharide . The dynamic studies of Pb2+ fixation onto the natural polysaccharide involve an adsorption reactor coupled with microfiltration membrane in order to confine the adsorbent particles . A mass balance model based on the Langmuir equilibrium isotherm was used to describe the Pb2+ breakthrough curves . This model successfully simulated the entire breakthrough curves whatever the operating conditions used . It provides a useful tool for process simulation and optimisation.

Water Sci Technol, 2004, 49(1), 147 - 54
Performance of basaltic dust issued from an asphaltic plant as a flocculant additive for wastewater treatment; Ramirez Zamora RM et al.; The feasibility of using basaltic dust as a flocculant additive or coagulant aid for wastewater treatment was assessed in this research . The experimental study was divided into two stages: 1) physicochemical characterisation of the basaltic dust by applying standardised techniques, and 2) evaluation of this material as flocculant additive for the coagulation-flocculation of wastewater treated for reuse . Coagulation-flocculation experiments were carried out in the laboratory with a mixture of industrial and municipal wastewater samples collected from two points of the final discharge of the Mexico City sewerage system . Aluminium sulphate and lime were used as coagulants and the basaltic dust as flocculant additive, by applying the jar-test technique . The results of the corrosivity, reactivity, explosiveness, toxicity, inflammability and biological risk tests indicated that this material is classified as a non-hazardous waste (according to the Mexican legislation, NOM-052-ECOL-1993) . The density, oxide content and particle size values of basaltic dust were similar to those reported for the flocculant additive denominated activated silica . The jar test results showed a positive effect of basaltic dust over the effluent and sludge qualities, to the extent that coagulant doses can be reduced 30% (from 150 mg/L to 110 mg/L of Al2(SO4)3).

Water Sci Technol, 2004, 49(1), 139 - 46
Preparation and characterization of activated carbon from sewage sludge: carbonization step; Rio S et al.; Sewage sludges produced from wastewater treatment plants continue to create environmental problems in terms of volume and method of valorization . Thermal treatment of sewage sludge is considered as an attractive method in reducing sludge volume which at the same time produces reusable by-products . This paper deals with the first step of activated carbon production from sewage sludge, the carbonization step . Experiments are carried out on viscous liquid sludge and limed sludge by varying carbonization temperature and heating rate . The results show that carbonized residue properties are interesting for activated carbon production.

Water Sci Technol, 2004, 49(1), 131 - 8
Using bioluminescent biosensors for hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP) in wastewater control; Valat C et al.; Starting from a new approach for water pollution control and wastewater treatment plant management, the hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP) quality concept, the interest for the development of new rapid and sensitive methods such as bioluminescence-based methods is evident . After an introduction of the HACCP procedure, a bibliographic study of the bioluminescence potentiality is presented and discussed.

Water Sci Technol, 2004, 49(1), 115 - 22
Removal of chromium hexavalent from rinsing chromating waters electrochemical reduction in a laboratory pilot plant; Martinez SA et al.; In this work, experiments in a 16 L operating volume laboratory pilot plant with ring iron rotary electrodes were performed, obtaining an overall kinetic equation rate of hexavalent chromium reduction concentration and current density-dependent . Other scale-up criteria such as Reynolds' number were also evaluated to ensure a completely stirred reactor at low energy expenditure . A dimensionless N(E) is a relationship between liquid properties and the electric charge supplied to the system . The number, which depends on the rotation iron ring electrode speed number and the current density, is proposed to be used as scale-up criterion . It was found that at N(Re) = 42,179 (130 rpm rotation electrodes rate) and at N(E) = 9.8 x 10(5) (current density of 113 A/m2), complete mixing was reached at minimum energy spent and the process becomes more efficient . In addition, it was found that the higher the current density, the less treatment time and less energy spent on agitation . After the electrochemical treatment the Cr(VI) concentration in the rinsing wastewater was less than 0.5 mg/L.

Water Sci Technol, 2004, 49(1), 79 - 86
Modeling of the acclimation/deacclimation process of a mixed culture degrading 4-chlorophenol; Buitron G et al.; The variation of concentration of the toxic substrate has a negative effect on the sludge activity . Although this loss of activity of the microorganisms under toxic starvation has been reported, this variable is not taken into account in the operation of biological wastewater treatment plants . In order to monitor and control the biological plant with a certain confidence it is necessary to consider the acclimation and deacclimation processes to avoid the reactor malfunctioning, resulting in loss of efficiency or in false data acquisition during monitoring . This paper proposes a model for the acclimation/deacclimation process . The experiments have been done in a sequencing batch reactor during the 4-chlorophenol degradation . The basic idea of the model is to consider the variation of the kinetic parameters of the Haldane law in terms of the acclimation and deacclimation state . The idea is discussed, and the results obtained are presented.

Water Sci Technol, 2004, 49(1), 61 - 8
Dynamic evaluation of a fixed bed anaerobic digestion process in response to organic overloads and toxicant shock loads; Dupla M et al.; This paper details a dynamic evaluation of a 1 m3 fixed bed anaerobic digestion reactor in response to organic overloads and toxicant shock loads . Raw industrial wine distillery wastewater was used as a reference substrate and several disturbances were applied to the process: (i) organic overloads with and without pH regulation in the feeding line, (ii) adding of ammonia in the input wastewater . The purpose of this study was to assess, using on-line instrumentation, the robustness of a fixed bed anaerobic digester . Anaerobic digestion processes have the reputation of being difficult to operate and prone to process instability due to external disturbances and the objective of this study was to demonstrate the possibility of such a reactor configuration for industrial use.

Water Sci Technol, 2004, 49(1), 47 - 52
In situ UV monitoring of wastewater: a response to sample aging; Baures E et al.; The phenomenon of wastewater sample aging is supposed to be treated with a low temperature autosampler . This work presents two examples of treated wastewater, the quality of which varies with the time of conservation . This evolution may pose some problems with respect to regulation compliance or process control . After the explanation of the mechanisms involved in sample aging, some recommendations are proposed in order to improve the UV off-line measurement of TSS and COD of treated wastewater.

Water Sci Technol, 2004, 49(1), 9 - 14
Monitoring of a paper mill wastewater treatment plant using UV/VIS spectroscopy; Langergraber G et al.; A submersible UV/VIS spectrometer was used to monitor a paper mill wastewater treatment plant . It utilises the UV/VIS range (200-750 nm) for simultaneous measurement of COD, filtered COD, TSS and nitrate with just a single instrument . The instrument measures in-situ, directly in the process . Paper mill wastewater shows typical and reproducible spectra at various process measuring points . There is a relative maximum at 280 mm due to the absorbance by dissolved organic substances, mainly ligninic acids . Comparison of absorbance spectra distinctly shows the decrease of this peak, indicating biological degradation throughout the treatment process . Summarising, one can say that paper mill wastewater cannot be monitored by a simple UV probe measuring only the absorbance at a single wavelength . The required information can only be gained from the whole spectra . Regarding plant control it is suggested that only the overall spectral information is used . Calibrations to conventional parameters are now merely carried out for purposes of reference-checking.

Water Sci Technol, 2004, 49(1), 1 - 8
Trends in optical monitoring; Thomas O et al.; Optical techniques are often used for the development of new monitoring systems for wastewater quality . The different techniques, light scattering, UV-IR spectrophotometry, fluorimetry and image analysis have given rise to recent instruments but are often limited for industrial applications . After the presentation of the principles, the advantages and drawbacks are discussed with respect to given applications.

Environ Technol, 2003 Dec, 24(12), 1509 - 15
Remediation of coal mining wastewaters using chitosan microspheres; Geremias R et al.; This study aimed to evaluate the potential use of chitosan and chitosan/poly(vinylalcohol) microspheres incorporating with tetrasulphonated copper (II) phthalocyanine (CTS/PVA/TCP) in the remediation of coal mining wastewaters . The process was monitored by toxicity tests both before and after adsorption treatments with chitosan and microspheres . Physicochemical parameters, including pH and trace-metal concentration, as well as bioindicators of water pollution were used to that end . Wastewater samples colleted from drainage of underground coal mines, decantation pools, and contaminated rivers were scrutinized . Acute toxicity tests were performed using the Brine Shrimp Test (BST) in order to evaluate the remediation efficiency of different treatments . The results showed that the pH of treated wastewater samples were improved to values close to neutrality . Chitosan treatments were also effective in removing trace-metals . Pre-treatment with chitosan followed by microsphere treatment (CTS/PVA/TCP) was more effective in decreasing toxicity than the treatment using only chitosan . This was probably due to the elimination of pollutants other than trace-metals . Thus, the use of chitosan and microspheres is an adequate alternative towards remediation of water pollution from coal mining.

Environ Technol, 2003 Dec, 24(12), 1491 - 500
Sonochemical degradation of phenolic pollutants in aqueous solutions; Emery RJ et al.; The sonochemical degradation of phenol, 2-chlorophenol and 3,4-dichlorophenol in aqueous solutions as a function of several operating conditions has been investigated . Experiments were performed at initial substrate concentrations of 0.1, 0.5 and 1 g l(-1), liquid phase volumes of 0.05, 0.07 and 0.08 l, electric power outputs of 125, 187.5 and 250 W, liquid bulk temperatures of 20, 35, 50 and 70 degrees C and an ultrasound frequency of 20 kHz . Substrate concentration was determined as a function of time by means of high performance liquid chromatography . At the conditions under consideration, the rate of degradation follows first order kinetics with respect to the substrate concentration and increases with increasing electric power and decreasing liquid volume . The relative reactivity appears to decrease in the order: 2-chlorophenol > 3,4-dichlorophenol > phenol . Measurements of liquid phase total organic carbon content showed that degradation by-products are more recalcitrant than the original substrate . The rate of 2-chlorophenol degradation was also found to decrease with decreasing liquid bulk temperature and increasing initial concentration . Addition of t-butanol as a hydroxyl radical scavenger only partially inhibited degradation, thus implying that degradation is likely to proceed via both radical-induced and thermal reactions . Addition of Fe2+ ions at concentrations as low as about 0.2 x 10(3) g l(-1) resulted in increased degradation rates; this is attributed to iron being capable of readily decomposing hydrogen peroxide (generated by water sonolysis) in a Fenton-like process to form hydroxyl radicals as well as being an effective oxidation catalyst . The implications of the use of ultrasound in wastewater treatment are also discussed.

Environ Technol, 2003 Dec, 24(12), 1465 - 70
Volatile fatty acids as malodorous compounds in wool scouring water and lanolin . Origin and characterisation; Jover E et al.; Volatile fatty acids (C2-C7) analysis in wool scouring water and lanolin is presented . These substances are of major interest as malodorous compounds in urban and industrial wastewaters . In this work, they have been analysed in wool scouring water by headspace solid-phase microextraction followed by gas chromatography negative chemical ionisation mass spectrometry . Most of the volatile fatty acids have been identified at microg g(-1) levels . In addition, since lanolin is a major impurity of raw wool, volatile fatty acid patterns of wool scouring water and lanolin have been compared in order to establish the origin of these compounds in the wastewater . Finally, the efficiency of the deodorization step, mandatory to obtain commercial lanolin, has been assessed taking into account the decrease in volatile fatty acid content from the raw wool to the lanolin.

Folia Microbiol (Praha), 2003, 48(5), 639 - 42
Decolorization of textile dyeing wastewater by Phanerochaete chrysosporium; Cing S et al.; The potential use of fungal pellets for decolorization of the textile dyeing wastewater was evaluated . The live pellets of the fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium were found to remove more than 95% of the color of this wastewater within 1 d . The dye-removal capacity was a function of time and was proportional to the agitation rate; the optimum temperature was 30 degrees C . Both live and dead pellets were further examined in a repeated-batch mode for 5 d . The decolorization performance of live pellets remained high and stable for 5 d and they showed twice to thrice higher decolorization capacity than dead pellets.

Water Res, 2004 Mar, 38(5), 1318 - 26
Adsorptive removal of phosphate from aqueous solutions using iron oxide tailings; Zeng L et al.; This study explored the feasibility of utilizing industrial waste iron oxide tailings for phosphate removal in laboratory experiments . The experimental work emphasized on the evaluation of phosphate adsorption and desorption characteristics of the tailing material . The adsorption isotherm, kinetics, pH effect and desorption were examined in batch experiments . Five isotherm models were used for data fitting . The three-parameter equations (Redlich-Peterson and Langmuir-Freundlich) showed more applicability than the two-parameter equations (Freundlich, Langmuir and Temkin) . A modified equation for calculation of the separation factor using the Langmuir-Freundlich equation constants was developed . The initial phosphate adsorption on the tailings was rapid . The adsorption kinetics can be best described by either the simple Elovich or power function equation . The phosphate adsorption on the tailings tended to decrease with an increase of pH . A phosphate desorbability of approximately 13-14% was observed, and this low desorbability likely resulted from a strong bonding between the adsorbed PO(4)(3-)and iron oxides in the tailings . Column flow-through tests using both synthetic phosphate solution and liquid hog manure confirmed the phosphate removal ability of the tailings . Due to their low cost and high capability, this type of iron oxide tailings has the potential to be utilized for cost-effective removal of phosphate from wastewater.

Water Res, 2004 Mar, 38(5), 1147 - 54
Solar photocatalytic treatment of synthetic municipal wastewater; Kositzi M et al.; The photocatalytic organic content reduction of a selected synthetic municipal wastewater by the use of heterogeneous and homogeneous photocatalytic methods under solar irradiation has been studied at a pilot-plant scale at the Plataforma Solar de Almeria . In the case of heterogeneous photocatalysis the effect of catalysts and oxidants concentration on the decomposition degree of the wastewater was examined . By an accumulation energy of 50 kJL(-1) the synergetic effect of 0.2 gL(-1)TiO(2) P-25 with hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) and Na(2)S(2)O(8) leads to a 55% and 73% reduction of the initial organic carbon content, respectively . The photo-fenton process appears to be more efficient for this type of wastewater in comparison to the TiO(2)/oxidant system . An accumulation energy of 20 kJL(-1) leads to 80% reduction of the organic content . The presence of oxalate in the Fe(3+)/H(2)O(2) system leads to an additional improvement of the photocatalytic efficiency.

Water Res, 2004 Mar, 38(5), 1089 - 100
Reaeration in sewers; Huisman JL et al.; The sewer system is a very dynamic system with an abundance of mass transfer processes and transformations . A key process is the mass exchange between the wastewater and the sewer atmosphere . An equation that describes the gas-liquid mass transfer under different hydrodynamic conditions is essential when sewer processes are to be quantified or modelled . In this work, a calibrated reaeration equation is proposed . It is based on the shear Reynolds and the Froude number to correct the increased gas-liquid interface roughness to higher flow rates . The equation was calibrated with previously published data and with new data . This data was obtained with a safe and environmentally friendly gas tracer method for gravity sewers based on the inert gas sulphur hexafluoride (SF6), a new method for the sewer system . Measurements were conducted in four channels under different conditions . The resulting equation will allow for more accurate simulations of the sewer system . Finally, the effect of reaeration with regard to the oxygen consuming processes for different hydrodynamic conditions is discussed.

J Colloid Interface Sci, 2004 Mar 15, 271(2), 321 - 8
Removal of lead and chromium from wastewater using bagasse fly ash--a sugar industry waste; Gupta VK et al.; An inexpensive and effective adsorbent was developed from bagasse fly ash, obtained from a sugar industry, for the dynamic uptake of lead and chromium . Lead and chromium are sorbed by the developed adsorbent up to 96-98% . The removal of these two metal ions up to 95-96% was achieved by column experiments at a flow rate of 0.5 mlmin(-1) . The adsorption was found to be exothermic in nature . The adsorbent was successfully tried for the removal of lead and chromium from wastewater in our laboratory . The developed system for the removal of two ions is very useful, economic, rapid, and reproducible.

Mar Pollut Bull, 2004 Feb, 48(3-4), 254 - 62
Evaluation of a Florida coastal golf complex as a local and watershed source of bioavailable contaminants; Lewis MA et al.; Contaminant fate in coastal areas impacted by golf course runoff is not well understood . This report summarizes trace metal, pesticide and PCB residues for colonized periphyton, Ruppia maritima (widgeon grass), Callinectes sapidus Rathbun (blue crabs) and Crassostrea virginica Gemlin (Eastern oyster) collected from areas adjacent to a Florida golf course complex which receive runoff containing reclaimed municipal wastewater . Concentrations of 19 chlorinated pesticides and 18 PCB congeners were usually below detection in the biota . In contrast, 8 trace metals were commonly detected although concentrations were not usually significantly different for biota collected from reference and non-reference coastal areas . Residue concentrations in decreasing order were typically: zinc, arsenic, copper, chromium, lead, nickel, cadmium and mercury . Mean BCF values for the eight trace metals ranged between 160-57000 (periphyton), 79-11033 (R . maritima), 87-162625 (C . virginica) and 12-9800 (C . sapidus) . Most trace metal residues in periphyton colonized adjacent to the golf complex, were either similar to or significantly less than those reported for periphyton colonized in nearby coastal areas impacted by urban stormwater runoff and treated municipal and industrial wastewater discharges . Consequently, the recreational complex does not appear to be a major source of bioavailable contaminants locally nor in the immediate watershed based on results for the selected biota.

J Environ Sci (China), 2004, 16(1), 126 - 31
Optimum municipal wastewater treatment plant design with consideration of uncertainty; Zeng GM et al.; A newly developed model for the optimum municipal wastewater treatment plant (MWTP) design is presented . Through introducing the interval variables, the model attempts to consider the effects of uncertainties caused by the fluctuation of the wastewater quality and quantity during the design of MWTP . The model solution procedure is illustrated in detail, and a numerical example is given to verify the feasibility and advantage of the model . Furthermore, the possibility of the model application is briefly outlined.

Environ Sci Technol, 2004 Feb 1, 38(3), 918 - 23
Hydrogen sulfide oxidation by a microbial consortium in a recirculation reactor system: sulfur formation under oxygen limitation and removal of phenols; Alcantara S et al.; Wastewater from petroleum refining may contain a number of undesirable contaminants including sulfides, phenolic compounds, and ammonia . The concentrations of these compounds must be reduced to acceptable levels before discharge . Sulfur formation and the effect of selected phenolic compounds on the sulfide oxidation were studied in autotrophic aerobic cultures . A recirculation reactor system was implemented to improve the elemental sulfur recovery . The relation between oxygen and sulfide was determined calculating the O2/S2- loading rates (Q(O2)/Q(S)2- = Rmt), which adequately defined the operation conditions to control the sulfide oxidation . Sulfur-producing steady states were achieved at Rmt ranging from 0.5 to 1.5 . The maximum sulfur formation occurred at Rmt of 0.5 where 85% of the total sulfur added to the reactor as sulfide was transformed to elemental sulfur and 90% of it was recovered from the bottom of the reactor . Sulfide was completely oxidized to sulfate (Rmt of 2) in a stirred tank reactor, even when a mixture of phenolic compounds was present in the medium . Microcosm experiments showed that carbon dioxide production increased in the presence of the phenols, suggesting that these compounds were oxidized and that they may have been used as carbon and energy source by heterotrophic microorganisms present in the consortium.

Environ Sci Technol, 2004 Feb 1, 38(3), 892 - 8
Dissolved phosphorus retention of light-weight expanded shale and masonry sand used in subsurface flow treatment wetlands; Forbes MG et al.; Using surface flow constructed wetlands for long-term phosphorus (P) retention presents a challenge due to the fact that P is stored primarily in the sediments . Subsurface flow wetlands have the potential to greatly increase P retention; however, the substrate needs to have both high hydraulic conductivity and high P sorption capacity . The objective of our study was to assess the P retention capacity of two substrates, masonry sand and lightweight expanded shale . We used sorption/desorption isotherms, flow-through column experiments, and pilot-scale wetlands to quantify P retained from treated municipal wastewater . Langmuir sorption isotherms predicted that the expanded shale has a maximum sorption capacity of 971 mg/kg and the masonry sand 58.8 mg/kg . In column desorption and column flow-through experiments, the masonry sand desorbed P when exposed to dilute P solutions . The expanded shale, however, had very little desorption and phosphorus did not break through the columns during our experiment . In pilot cells, masonry sand retained (mean +/- standard deviation) 45 +/- 62 g P/m2/yr and expanded shale retained 164 +/- 110 g P/m2/yr . We conclude that only the expanded shale would be a suitable substrate for retaining P in a subsurface flow wetland.

J Environ Qual, 2004 Jan-Feb, 33(1), 349 - 57
Organic ligand effects on enzymatic dephosphorylation of myo-inositol hexakis dihydrogenphosphate in dairy wastewater; Dao TH; Animal manure contains partially digested feed fiber and grains where phosphorus (P) is bound in organic compounds that include myo-inositol 1,2,3,5/4,6-hexakis dihydrogenphosphate or phytic acid (IP6) . Information is needed on the effects of other (non-IP6) organic ligands (LIGND) on the enzymatic dephosphorylation of IP6, which is a potential source of dissolved orthophosphate P (PO4-P) in the soil-manure-water system . The effects of 1,2-cyclohexane diamino-tetraacetate (CDTA), diethylenetriamine-N,N,N',N'',N''-pentaacetate (DTPA), ethylenediamine-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetate (EDTA), oxalate (OXA), and phthalate (PHTH) and LIGND to IP6 molar ratio and charge concentration ratio on IP6 dephosphorylation were studied to determine controlling mechanisms of IP6 persistence in manure . Solution PO4-P concentrations were analyzed by ion chromatography as the phosphomolybdate-ascorbic acid method partly includes IP6-P . Uncomplexed IP6 dephosphorylation by Aspergillus ficuum (Reichardt) Henn . phytase EC 3.1.3.8 at pH 4.5 and 6 is unaffected by the presence of LIGNDs . As the concentrations of Ca2+, Al3+, or Fe3+ increase, dephosphorylation is reduced . Their inhibitory effect lessens in the presence of LIGNDs, in the following order: CDTA = EDTA > DTPA >> OXA > or = PHTH . Whether CDTA or EDTA is the most effective LIGND depends upon the acidity of the suspension and LIGND charge concentration, reducing the inhibitory effect of polyvalent counterions to the point of promoting the hydrolysis of a manure phytase-hydrolyzable phosphorus (PHP) fraction that is otherwise unavailable . Therefore, ligand-induced changes increase the mobilization and dephosphorylation of complexed organic P, above and beyond the simple dissolution of inorganic phosphates . An analytical method for potentially bioavailable PHP in animal manure should include a LIGND as extracting reagent . Also, potential LIGNDs in an organic carbon-rich dairy wastewater may increase the release of PHP and environmental dispersion of PO4-P.

J Environ Qual, 2004 Jan-Feb, 33(1), 285 - 93
Nutrient retention efficiency in streams receiving inputs from wastewater treatment plants; Marti E et al.; We tested the effect of nutrient inputs from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) on stream nutrient retention efficiency by examining the longitudinal patterns of ammonium, nitrate, and phosphate concentrations downstream of WWTP effluents in 15 streams throughout Catalonia (Spain) . We hypothesized that large nutrient loadings would saturate stream communities, lowering nutrient retention efficiency (i.e., nutrient retention relative to nutrient flux) relative to less polluted streams . Longitudinal variation in ambient nutrient concentration reflected the net result of physical, chemical, or biological uptake and release processes . Therefore, gradual increases in nutrient concentration indicate that the stream acts as a net source of nutrients to downstream environments, whereas gradual declines indicate that the stream acts as a net sink . In those streams where gradual declines in nutrient concentration were observed, we calculated the nutrient uptake length as an indicator of the stream nutrient retention efficiency . No significant decline was found in dilution-corrected concentrations of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) and phosphate in 40 and 45% of streams, respectively . In the remaining streams, uptake length (estimated based on the decline of nutrient concentrations at ambient levels) ranged from 0.14 to 29 km (DIN), and from 0.14 to 14 km (phosphate) . Overall, these values are longer (lower retention efficiency) than those from nonpolluted streams of similar size, supporting our hypothesis, and suggest that high nutrient loads affect fluvial ecosystem function . This study demonstrates that the efficiency of stream ecosystems to remove nutrients has limitations because it can be significantly altered by the quantity and quality of the receiving water.

J Environ Qual, 2004 Jan-Feb, 33(1), 124 - 32
Assessment of a delta15N isotopic method to indicate anthropogenic eutrophication in aquatic ecosystems; Cole ML et al.; Increased anthropogenic delivery of nutrients to water bodies, both freshwater and estuarine, has caused detrimental changes in habitat, food web structure, and nutrient cycling . Nitrogen-stable isotopes may be suitable indicators of such increased nutrient delivery . In this study, we looked at the differences in response of macrophyte delta15N values to anthropogenic N across different taxonomic groups and geographic regions to test a stable isotopic method for detecting anthropogenic impacts . Macrophyte delta15N values increased with wastewater input and water-column dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) concentration . When macrophytes were divided into macroalgae and plants, they responded similarly to increases in wastewater N, although macroalgae was a more reliable indicator of both wastewater inputs and water-column DIN concentrations . Smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora Loisel.) Delta15N increased uniformly with wastewater inputs across a geographic range . We used the relationship derived between S . alterniflora and relative wastewater load to predict wastewater loads in locations lacking quantitative land use data . The predictions matched well with known qualitative information, proving the use of a stable isotopic method for predicting wastewater input.

Anal Chem, 2004 Feb 15, 76(4), 1028 - 38
In situ derivatization/solid-phase microextraction: determination of polar aromatic amines; Zimmermann T et al.; A solid-phase microextraction GC/MS method for the trace determination of a wide variety of polar aromatic amines in aqueous samples was developed . Prior to extraction the analytes were derivatized directly in the aqueous solution by diazotation and subsequent iodination in a one-pot reaction . The derivatives were extracted by direct-SPME using a PDMS/DVB fiber and analyzed by GC/MS in the full-scan mode . By diazotation/iodination, the polarity of the analytes was significantly decreased and as a consequence extraction yields were dramatically improved . The derivatization proved to be suitable for strongly deactivated aromatic amines and even the very polar diamino compounds can efficiently be enriched after derivatization . We investigated 18 anilines comprising a wide range of functional groups, which could be determined simultaneously . The method was thoroughly validated, and the precision at a concentration of 0.5 microg/L was 3.8-11% relative standard deviation for nonnitrated analytes using aniline-d(5) as internal standard and 3.7-10% for nitroaromatic amines without internal standard . The in situ derivatization/SPME/GC/MS method was calibrated over the whole analytical procedure and was linear over 2 orders of magnitude . Using 10-mL samples, detection limits of 2-13 ng/L were achieved for 15 of the 18 analytes . For two aminodinitrotoluene isomers and a diaminonitrotoluene, detection limits ranged from 27 to 38 ng/L . By allowing quantification at the 0.1 microg/L level, analysis of all target compounds meets EU drinking water regulations . The method provides high sensitivity, robustness, and high sample throughput by automation . Finally, the method was applied to various real water samples and in wastewater from a former ammunition plant the contents of several aromatic amines were quantified.

Water Res, 2004 Feb, 38(4), 921 - 32
Effect of ferric chloride addition on the removal of Cu and Zn complexes with EDTA during municipal wastewater treatment; Christianne Ridge A et al.; The presence of the synthetic chelating agent ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) in municipal wastewater has a significant impact on the efficacy of wastewater treatment plants because pollutant metal-EDTA complexes are difficult to remove . To understand the potential of FeCl3 addition during primary treatment to improve metal removal, laboratory experiments and a full-scale study were conducted . Results of laboratory experiments designed to simulate primary and secondary wastewater treatment indicate that a portion of pollutant metal-EDTA species can be converted into FeEDTA- by addition of FeCl3 during simulated primary treatment . Addition of FeCl3 also resulted in improved metal removal by adsorption . The combination of these two processes improved removal of Cu and Zn by 20% during simulated primary treatment . During full-scale treatment, a slight increase in the concentration of FeEDTA- in secondary effluent was observed when FeCl3 was added during primary treatment . However, FeCl3 addition had no observable effect on metal concentrations in the wastewater effluent . The most noticeable change in EDTA speciation at full scale occurred during primary treatment, where most of the pollutant metal-EDTA complexes were converted into FeEDTA-, irrespective of whether or not FeCl3 was added . The formation of FeEDTA- during primary treatment plays a potentially important role in metal removal and should be considered in future evaluations of wastewater treatment plant performance.

Huan Jing Ke Xue, 2003 Nov, 24(6), 139 - 43
{Treatment of sulfanilamide production wastewater by resin adsorption technique}; Xu Y et al.; According to the character of sulfanilamide production wastewater, in this paper, the recovery process of sulfanilamide, sodium nitrate in wastewater resulting from manufacturing sulfanilamide was developed by using macro porous resin . The conditions of the resin adsorption and desorption capacity were investigated and the optimal parameters were determined . The results of experiment indicated that this technique was suitable for removal of sulfanilamide from wastewater . About 86% COD removal was obtained under the optimized adsorption conditions, about 86% sulfanilamide and 95% sodium nitrate were recovered from wastewater for possible recycling to the manufacturing process and the recovered sulfanilamide's purity reached 99.8% . The adsorption capacity of resin remained constant during the repetition process of adsorption and desorption . This technique not only eliminates the environmental pollution but also obtain distinct economic benefit.

Huan Jing Ke Xue, 2003 Nov, 24(6), 135 - 8
{Application of BAF-BAC process in advanced treatment of secondary effluent of refinery processing factory}; Wu J et al.; To find a new advanced technology for wastewater reuse in refinery processing factory, a pilot test using BAF-BAC process was carried out . The results revealed that when the COD concentration of the influent was less than 130 mg/L and BAF filtration rate was lower than 4.24 m/h, the average effluent COD concentration of BAF-BAC process was less than 50 mg/L, average turbidity was 4.46 NTU . At the same time this process has some effective removal rate on ammonia-nitrogen.

Huan Jing Ke Xue, 2003 Nov, 24(6), 130 - 4
{Study on assistant cleaning of ultrasound for the ultrafiltration membrane}; Zhang G et al.; The effects of ultrasounds with different frequency on membrane performance were investigated in this paper . The experimental results show that there were nearly no effects of 20 W ultrasound on membrane retention coefficient, but it decreased seriously when the ultrasound power was above 30 W . On the basis of these results, low frequency ultrasound (20 W) was introduced to assist the chemical cleaning in the ultrafiltration process of wastewater from bank note printing works . The cleaning time could be shortened from 20-30 min to 5 min by the ultra-liberation and ultra-blend effects of ultrasound, therefore, the cleaning efficiency was highly improved . However, the fouling substances could not be cleaned entirely in the simple physical cleaning process by SEM analysis.

Huan Jing Ke Xue, 2003 Nov, 24(6), 106 - 11
{Oxidation treatment of formaldehyde-containing wastewater by electro-Fenton method}; Hu C et al.; The mechanisms of affecting factors in treating formaldehyde-containing organic wastewater by electro-Fenton reactor which had granular carbon as the filled electrode were investigated . The optimal operating conditions determined by orthogonal experiments and individual factor experiments were as following: 90 min, 25 V, 30 degrees C-40 degrees C, insulating carbon content 40%, Fe2+ concentration 300 mg/L at pH < 3.5 . Formaldehyde degradation mechanisms were proposed after analyzing the oxidation products with UV absorbance spectrum . Experiment of treating the actual wastewater using this method were also performed . The removal rates of formaldehyde and CODCr were about 90%, 30%, respectively . In addition, the operating cost was 42.3% less than that of treatment by Fenton method.

Huan Jing Ke Xue, 2003 Nov, 24(6), 74 - 8
{The treatment of odor containing hydrogen sulfide released in the wastewater of pharmaceutical factory by high efficient bio-reactor with the packed stuffing}; Xie W et al.; The removal experiment of odor containing hydrogen sulfide(H2S) from sewage disposal plant of pharmaceutical factory was carried out continuously by biological deodorization reactor packed with ZX01 stuffing . The results suggested that removal efficiency of hydrogen sulfide was nearly 100% and metabolism products of H2S was mainly composed of SO4(2-), when the maximum influent load of the bio-reactor was 204 g/(m3.h) . When effluent wastewater from second setting pit was used as spray water which containing a small quantity of nitrogen, phosphorus and other elements, the optimum volume of spray water was 3.56 L/(L.d) . The bio-reactor had stronger ability to resist shock of high concentration load . The bio-reactor was not blocked during experiment of six months in which resistance was maintained at lower value, therefore, the bio-reactor need not carry out a back washing frequently, and it can be operated steadily for long-term.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 2004 Feb, 70(2), 1145 - 50
Disinfection of contaminated water by using solar irradiation; Caslake LF et al.; Contaminated water causes an estimated 6 to 60 billion cases of gastrointestinal illness annually . The majority of these cases occur in rural areas of developing nations where the water supply remains polluted and adequate sanitation is unavailable . A portable, low-cost, and low-maintenance solar unit to disinfect unpotable water has been designed and tested . The solar disinfection unit was tested with both river water and partially processed water from two wastewater treatment plants . In less than 30 min in midday sunlight, the unit eradicated more than 4 log10 U (99.99%) of bacteria contained in highly contaminated water samples . The solar disinfection unit has been field tested by Centro Panamericano de Ingenieria Sanitaria y Ciencias del Ambiente in Lima, Peru . At moderate light intensity, the solar disinfection unit was capable of reducing the bacterial load in a controlled contaminated water sample by 4 log10 U and disinfected approximately 1 liter of water in 30 min.

Appl Microbiol Biotechnol, 2004 Jun, 64(5), 740 - 4 Epub 2004 Feb 03.
Comparative analysis of genetic diversity and expression of amoA in wastewater treatment processes; Ebie Y et al.; The genetic diversity and expression of amoA of autotrophic ammonia oxidizers in wastewater treatment processes were investigated by RT-PCR and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) in order to identify active components of ammonia-oxidizer populations in a such processes . Ammonia oxidizers, evidenced by the presence of amoA mRNA, were regarded as metabolically active . The DGGE profiles derived from amoA mRNA and from its gene, which were amplified by RT-PCR or PCR using samples collected from a bench-scale reactor treating high concentration of inorganic ammonia, were similar . In contrast, RNA and DNA-derived DGGE profiles from three domestic wastewater treatment facilities were different from each other . These data indicate that the dominant ammonia oxidizers in the bench-scale reactor exhibited ammonia-oxidizing activity, whereas some ammonia oxidizers in the domestic wastewater treatment facilities apparently did not express high levels of amoA mRNA.

Ann Chim, 2003 Dec, 93(12), 977 - 84
A comparative study on direct and indirect electrochemical oxidation of polyaromatic compounds; Panizza M et al.; This study has been performed to investigate the treatment of an industrial wastewater containing naphthalene- and anthraquinone-sulfonic acids, by direct and indirect electrolyses . The direct electrochemical oxidation has been carried out using boron-doped diamond and lead dioxide anodes, while the indirect electrolyses has been mediated by active chlorine electrogenerated on a platinum anode, or by hydrogen peroxide electrogenerated on a graphite felt cathode . For each type of electrolyses the effects of operating parameters, such as anode material, current density, chloride concentration, ferrous ions concentrations have been also investigated . Measurements of Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and colour fading have been used to compare the results of different electrolyses . Experimental data showed that the complete COD and colour removals have been obtained only by direct oxidation or by active chlorine mediated electrolyses . On the contrary using electrogenerated hydrogen peroxide the solution has been presented a residual COD and colour . In particular, it found that faster oxidation rate has been obtained by direct oxidation using a boron-doped diamond anodes at low current density.

Ann Chim, 2003 Dec, 93(12), 967 - 76
Electrochemical oxidation of phenolic and other organic compounds at boron doped diamond electrodes for wastewater treatment: effect of mass transfer; Polcaro AM et al.; The paper presents the results of an experimental study on oxidation at boron doped diamond electrodes (BDD) of some phenolic compounds: phenol (PH), para-hydroxibenzoic acid (PHB), cathecole (CT), hydroquinone (HQ) are considered, singularly contained in aqueous solutions or in the presence of glucose (G), which was selected to represent the class of biodegradable compounds . Oxidation of benzoquinone (BQ) and maleic acid (MA), generally detected as intermediates products from phenol degradation, is also investigated . Great attention is paid to verify the feasibility of a selective process in which the oxidation is specifically addressed to the phenolic fraction up to non toxic intermediate products which are more biodegradable than the original phenols.

Water Sci Technol, 2003, 48(11-12), 505 - 10
Kinetic study of reactions between ozone and benzothiazole in water; Valdes H et al.; Benzothiazoles are frequently present in wastewater from rubber related applications, and may be found in surface and underground water bodies causing significant environmental impact . Cost effective treatment processes to deal with such contaminants are needed in both small and large-scale applications . These compounds are poorly biodegradable and could be removed by ozone oxidation before discharge to recipient water courses . Unfortunately, there is limited experimental data reported in the literature on such processes involving benzothiazoles . This article presents experimental data on ozone treatment of benzothiazole (BT), with a view to process design . The effects of pH and radical scavengers on process rate and removal efficiency were assessed at bench scale . Experimental results show that BT could be effectively removed using ozonisation, particularly at pH above 4 . The presence of free radical scavengers drastically reduced the BT removal rate even at very low concentrations . Both direct and indirect reactions between ozone and BT were adequately described by second order kinetic schemes, with rate constants estimated at 20 degrees C: kD = 2.3 mol l(-1) s(-1) and kI = 6 x 10(9) mol l(-1) s(-1), respectively . The free radical mechanism accounted for 83-96% of BT removal rate within the pH range 2-9, at 20 degrees C.

Water Sci Technol, 2003, 48(11-12), 497 - 503
On the use of crushed shells of apricot stones as the upper layer in dual media filters; Aksogan S et al.; The use of crushed shells of apricot stones instead of anthracite coal in dual-media filters is investigated . Turbidity removal efficiencies were measured for several filtration rates in dual media filters composed of shells of apricot stones above silica sand and anthracite coal above silica sand . Backwash (fluidization) experiments were carried out using sieved fractions of crushed shells of apricot stones to establish curves of expansion versus backwash velocity at 25 degrees C . Such curves can be used in the design of filters employing this material . It is believed that the use of such a locally available and cheaper alternative filter medium would be of interest in many small water and wastewater treatment systems around the world.

Water Sci Technol, 2003, 48(11-12), 445 - 52
Enhancing biological nitrogen removal in a small wastewater treatment plant by regulating the air supply; Fiter M et al.; Most of the small wastewater treatment plants in Catalonia were not designed to remove nutrients . However, the large safety margins built into their original engineering design has meant that, in many cases, it has been possible to remove part of the nitrogen without being controlled . This paper focuses on the practical experience carried out in one of these facilities, the Bisbal wastewater treatment plant, aimed at enhancing the biological nitrogen removal using simple, low-cost, easy-to-operate measurement and control . The control strategy, which is based on air supply regulation, was previously designed using simulation studies . A dissolved oxygen monitoring system was installed into the facility, while nitrogen concentrations were analysed every day . Optimal dissolved oxygen profiles in the oxidation ditch were identified, while the air supply strategy was modified according to the variations in the influent.

Water Sci Technol, 2003, 48(11-12), 401 - 9
A system for on-site performance evaluation of small wastewater treatment plants according to the European procedure; Vasel JL et al.; The new European standard project for performance evaluation of on-site systems (prEN 12566-3) provides a test procedure at user sites for individual on-site wastewater treatment . For each system, two plants of the same size have to be tested, one operating at 50% and the second one with a load greater than 75% of the nominal capacity . The test duration is one year and several stress tests are included in the program (holidays, bath water discharge and power breakdown) . Flow based composite 24 h samples, on the influent and the effluent have to be used, with 30 day intervals for influent and 15 days for effluent . On each sample, the following measurements have to be done: BOD5 or COD, suspended solids, temperature, power consumption, daily flow . It appears that very few systems have been reported in the literature to follow up such facilities, especially describing how to sample at the inlet of on-site individual equipment . In order to obtain representative samples at the inlet and at the outlet of those on-site treatment systems, we have designed an original mobile sampler system . The whole system ensures the flow measurement and flow based sampling as well . In this paper, we present the different parts of the sampling system (pump, flowmeters, ...), its validation and the results obtained at 5 user sites during the first 9 month period . Preliminary results are very interesting because they clearly demonstrate the need for an efficient on-site control of those user sites and for better legislation in this domain.

Water Sci Technol, 2003, 48(11-12), 393 - 400
Development of a knowledge-based decision support system for identifying adequate wastewater treatment for small communities; Comas J et al.; The identification of adequate treatment for small communities is a complex problem since it makes it necessary to combine aspects of the community and landscape, the receiving environment, and the available wastewater treatment technologies . This paper presents the development and implementation of a Knowledge-Based Decision Support System (KB-DSS) to tackle this problem . Different knowledge sources have been consulted in order to make up a comprehensive and accurate knowledge base . The core of the KB-DSS embraces two objectives . The first one is to assist in the selection of the treatment level adequate to fulfil the target quality standards for the receiving environment . The second one is to select the specific type of treatment . The KB-DSS is being applied to each one of the 3,482 different small communities comprised in the Small Communities Wastewater Treatment Plan of Catalonia, grouped according to river catchments . This paper also summarizes the different steps involved in the operation of the knowledge-based DSS when solving a real case study.

Water Sci Technol, 2003, 48(11-12), 385 - 91
Consumer managed co-operative--a solution for progressing wastewater management in rural areas; Mattila H et al.; In Finland the question of appropriate wastewater treatment in rural areas has become very prominent during the last years . The new Environmental Protection Act stipulates that wastewaters must be treated to the extent that they cannot have a negative impact on nature . The Ministry of the Environment is currently preparing a decree specifying the requirements . The draft of the decree proposes that on-site treatment units should decrease the BOD load by 90, total phosphorus load by 85 and total nitrogen load by 40 per cent . To meet the new requirements, the old systems that include septic tanks only need more efficient wastewater treatment methods . Whatever technical solution is selected, the house owner must pay for it . At the moment, even the septic tanks are emptied and maintained irregularly . More sophisticated wastewater treatment methods definitely need more maintenance, which cannot be made the sole duty of the house owners . One potential organisational alternative for managing wastewater treatment in rural areas is the co-operative . Finland has one such pioneering co-operative formed for on-site sanitation . Varsinais-Suomi Water Services Co-operative provides the house owner with professional assistance in wastewater treatment at a reasonable cost . Suvisaari Water Services Co-operative is another new organisation selling sewerage services to its members . But its technology is different: this co-operative operates an LPS-sewerage system instead of on-site treatment.

Water Sci Technol, 2003, 48(11-12), 355 - 61
Nitrogen removal during secondary treatment by aquatic systems; Erol Nalbur B et al.; Within the context of this study, two lab-scale aquatic plant reactors consisting of duckweed (Lemna minor) ponds, were investigated for the removal of nitrogen forms during the secondary treatment of domestic wastewater . TKN, NH3-N and NO3-N parameters have been measured in both reactors for hydraulic retention times ranging from 3.3 days to 23 days and at various distances from the inlet of reactors . The results were evaluated for hydraulic retention times, hydraulic loading rates and mass loading rates . I was concluded that hydraulic and mass loading parameters were more meaningful than hydraulic retention time . Optimum nitrogen removal values of hydraulic loading rate and mass loading rate were found to be 1.2 cm/day and 90-160 mg TKN/m2-day, respectively . At the higher and lower loading rates, nitrogen removal efficiency was lower than those at optimum conditions . Effluent TKN concentration was around 2.5 to 3.0 mg/l while NH3-N concentration was almost zero at these loading conditions . On the other hand, effluent NO3-N concentrations changed between 7 mg/l to 11 mg/l . When investigating the longitudinal profile, values were reduced rapidly along the reactors . It was concluded that most of the nitrogen conversion occurred at the beginning of the reactor.

Water Sci Technol, 2003, 48(11-12), 337 - 44
An alternate oxic-anoxic process automatically controlled . Theory and practice in a real treatment plant network; Battistoni P et al.; A simple mathematical model of an alternate oxic-anoxic process has been elaborated . It enables us to optimise the cycle time on the basis of maximum nitrates concentration in the effluent and the desired nitrogen removal performance . At the same time the model can be employed to verify the impact of the variations of flow rate and influent characteristics as well as the operational parameters of the process . Actually, the model confirms the process efficiency but its feasibility in real plants needs a local or remote process control . To verify these theoretical conclusions a real wastewater plant (700 PE) has been upgraded in an alternate oxic-anoxic process . It was implemented with software able to elaborate the data of dissolved oxygen concentration and oxidation reduction potential . Moreover, the evaluation of the flexing points was performed to manage mixer and blowers . A one-year experience of plant management allowed us to obtain very high nitrogen removal . However, the performances were different during wet or dry weather periods . The statistical analysis of probe signals evaluation confirmed the capability of the control device to detect the flexing points during the anoxic phase (70-94%) . On the other hand, the capability of detecting the DO signal was lower, in particular when the oxygen demand was similar to the amount of supplied oxygen . The hourly variations of flow rate and mass loading determines different conditions for starting the anoxic phase: over aeration, over loading and the equivalence of oxygen demand and supply, are the main factors determining the blowers stopping.

Water Sci Technol, 2003, 48(11-12), 227 - 34
Degradation of xenobiotic substances using sulfate-reducing bacteria in a UASB reactor; Tsuneda S et al.; An upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor was successfully applied to continuous degradation of ferric ethylene diamine tetraacetate (Fe-EDTA) as a typical xenobiotic substance contained in photo-processing wastewater . The sludge in the UASB reactor had an abundance of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB), which had been anaerobically cultivated in a sulfate-rich culture medium including Fe-EDTA and yeast-extract as the carbon sources . Since the prominent reductions of Fe-EDTA and sulfate ion were observed, the contribution of SRB to Fe-EDTA degradation in the UASB reactor was confirmed . The aggregated sludge in the UASB reactor became gradually large reaching steady state with an equivalent diameter of 60-90 microm after 124 days operation . An increase of the amount of yeast extract addition to feed solution improved the Fe-EDTA removal efficiency up to 90% . Moreover, the combination of ozone treatment with SRB treatment further improved removal efficiency of total organic carbon (TOC) in an actual photo-processing wastewater composed of fixing and developing wastes.

Water Sci Technol, 2003, 48(11-12), 207 - 12
Effect of high salinity on anaerobic treatment of low strength effluents; Ozalp G et al.; In anaerobic treatment, it is obligatory to know the effect of potentially inhibitory compounds due to the fact that methane formation may retard severely and may proceed slower than organic acid production . One of the most important inhibitory substances in anaerobic treatment is high salinity . In many cases, the main collectors of a municipal sewer system should have been built in the coastal zone and below the ground water level due to the available topography of wastewater catchments area, which is carrying the risk of seawater infiltration . Besides, one of the most convenient methods for leachate control is to treat landfill leachates with domestic wastewaters in the central municipal wastewater treatment plants such as in Istanbul . Thus, the nitrogen load of the treatment plants increase significantly . In this study, the effects of high salinity and ammonium nitrogen levels on mesophilic anaerobic tretament processes were investigated . In the first part of the study, high salinity effect on anaerobic treatment was investigated by feeding synthetic wastewater containing high salinity between 0.15%-1.5% ratios . In the second part of the study, the simultaneous effect of high salinity and ammonia (1.5% salinity+1,000 mg NH3/l) was examined by a lab-scale Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Bed Reactor (UASBR) . Results indicated no significant inhibition in both cases and effective COD removals (89%) and total biogas productions having methane content of 84% could be achieved.

Water Sci Technol, 2003, 48(11-12), 139 - 46
Oxidation processes and clogging in intermittent unsaturated infiltration; Bancole A et al.; Intermittent infiltration of wastewater through a non saturated sand bed is an extensive treatment process aimed at eliminating organic pollution, oxidizing ammonia and removing pathogens . A 1D numerical model, IPOX, has been worked out to simulate the transfer and oxidation of dissolved organic matter and nitrogen in unsaturated sand beds . IPOX was calibrated after real scale tests performed in Spain and Burkina Faso . Simulations allowed us to point out the influence of (i) kinetics on oxidation performances and (ii) biomass development on the process sustainability . These results brought a new light on the sizing and operation of infiltration percolation and soil aquifer treatment (SAT) plants.

Water Sci Technol, 2003, 48(11-12), 133 - 8
Pre-treatment of domestic wastewater with pre-composting tanks: evaluation of existing systems; Gajurel DR et al.; A relatively new technology called pre-composting tank or Rottebehaelter, retaining solid material and draining water to a certain extent, has been found to be an interesting component of decentralised systems to replace the usual septic tank . Results of the investigation revealed that solid material which has been retained in the pre-composting tanks still contained a high percentage of water . However, there was no odour problem at and near the tanks . The pre-composted materials have to be further composted together with household and garden wastes for a year prior to their use as soil conditioner . The filtrate is further treated in a constructed wetland . One of the major advantages of this system compared to other systems, such as septic tanks, is that it does not deprive agriculture of the valuable nutrients and soil conditioner from human excreta and does not require an expensive tanker truck . It can be the most appropriate system for application in regions where there is a demand for local reuse of the end product . It has to be stated that maintenance is a crucial factor.

Water Sci Technol, 2003, 48(11-12), 43 - 52
Developments in the application of chemical technologies to wastewater treatment; Tunay O; Increasing demand for high degree of treatment as well as existence of highly resistant organics in wastewaters such as micropollutants has caused wider and ever increasing use of chemical treatment processes . In this paper developments in the chemical treatment as applied to mostly industrial wastewater in the last two decades are summarized and discussed . Two purely chemical means of treatment, chemical oxidation and chemical precipitation were considered and proven and widely used methods of treatment based on these principles were delineated . The review covers theoretical development, application areas and application bases . A brief evaluation of the state of development, advantages, drawbacks and need for further research was given for the processes reviewed.

Water Sci Technol, 2003, 48(11-12), 7 - 14
Small water and wastewater systems: pathways to sustainable development?
Ho G.
Globally we are faced with billions of people without access to safe water and adequate sanitation . These are generally located in developing communities . Even in developed communities the current large scale systems for supplying water, collecting wastewater and treating it are not environmentally sustainable, because it is difficult to close the cycle of water and nutrients . This paper discusses the advantages of small scale water and wastewater systems in overcoming the difficulties in providing water and wastewater systems in developing communities and in achieving sustainability in both developed and developing communities . Particular attention is given to technology and technology choice, even though technology alone does not provide the complete answer . Disadvantages of small scale systems and how they may be overcome are discussed.

Water Sci Technol, 2003, 48(11-12), 1 - 6
Changing needs for appropriate excreta disposal and small wastewater treatment methodologies or The future technology of small wastewater treatment systems; Randall CW; Recent developments will strongly influence the design and utilization of small wastewater treatment systems in the future, e.g . population increases in non-sewered rural areas and developing countries; increasing impairment of surface water quality; the construction of occupied high-rise buildings in metropolitan areas; the development of planned but somewhat isolated communities, growing shortages of water that mandate reuse of wastewaters . It is well known that there is a very strong linkage between wastewater disposal methods in rural areas and developing countries and the general health of the population . These problems could be greatly reduced or prevented by the utilization of well known excreta disposal and small wastewater treatment system technologies, but the development of more innovative on-site systems is needed . It is expected that future environmental and public health pressures in developed countries will require increasingly stringent effluent limitations for small and on-site wastewater disposal systems, based primarily on nutrient discharges . Both on-site and small-scale technologies are available for the more stringent requirements, but innovative and more economical designs are needed for wide-spread acceptance . Water reuse should be a consideration for the designs of these systems . Implementation and utilization of well known technologies are needed, but the obstacles are often more social and political than economical.

Environ Sci Technol, 2004 Jan 15, 38(2), 587 - 93
In-situ measurements of Cu in an estuarine environment using a portable spectrophotometric analysis system; Callahan MR et al.; Application of a portable in-situ spectrophotometric analysis system for the measurement of Cu in estuarine environments is described in this work . Our spectrophotometric elemental analysis system (SEAS) used for in-situ observations of Cu concentrations is capable of fully autonomous or user-controlled operations . The optical cells used in SEAS systems are flexible liquid core waveguides (LCWs) with optical path lengths as long as 5 m . The 1-m waveguide used in the present study provided a 3.0 nM detection limit and a 5.0% relative standard deviation for a 25 nM copper sample . Analysis times range between 1 and 5 min, allowing for acquisition of data on scales appropriate to the highly dynamic biogeochemical nature of copper in the coastal environment . Field deployments of SEAS-Cu in Tampa Bay, FL, showed low Cu concentrations near the mouth of the estuary (3-4 nM), with elevated concentrations (approximately 25 nM) in anthropogenically impacted regions of the bay (e.g., marinas and areas adjacent wastewater treatment plants) . Transect data between Tampa Bay and a deep water harborage exhibited copper concentrations ranging between 5 and 50 nM.

Environ Sci Technol, 2004 Jan 15, 38(2), 515 - 21
Emission, fate and effects of soluble silicates (waterglass) in the aquatic environment; van Dokkum HP et al.; Soluble silicates, commercially known as waterglass, are among the largest volume synthetic chemicals in the world . Silicon from waterglass is rapidly transformed to the biologically active orthosilicic acid (referred to as dissolved silicate) . This paper aims to assess the impact of waterglass on the aquatic environment in Western Europe . The emission to surface waters from the four most relevant application areas, household detergents, pulp and paper production, water and wastewater treatment, and soil stabilization, is estimated to be ca . 88-121 kton of SiO2 per year . This is a small fraction (<2%) of the estimated total amount of dissolved silicate transported by rivers to the oceans . Locally, increases in dissolved silicate concentration will decrease the ratios of N:Si and P:Si, which could influence phytoplankton species composition and favor the growth of diatoms over other groups of algae . Significant adverse effects in aquatic ecosystems are not expected.

Environ Sci Technol, 2004 Jan 15, 38(2), 390 - 5
Occurrence of methyl triclosan, a transformation product of the bactericide triclosan, in fish from various lakes in Switzerland; Balmer ME et al.; The bactericide triclosan and methyl triclosan, an environmental transformation product thereof, have been previously detected in lakes and a river in Switzerland . Both compounds are emitted via wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), with methyl triclosan probably being formed by biological methylation . Passive sampling with semi-permeable membrane devices (SPMDs) showed the presence of methyl triclosan in some lakes, suggesting some potential for bioaccumulation of the compound . In this study, we report the presence of methyl triclosan in fish (white fish, Coregonus sp.; roach, Rutilus rutilus) from various lakes in Switzerland receiving inputs from WWTPs . Identification of the compound was based on mass spectral (MS) evidence including MS/MS data . The concentrations of methyl triclosan in the fish were up to 35 ng g(-1) on a wet weight basis and up to 365 ng g(-1) on a lipid basis with concentrations in a relatively narrow range for fish from the same lake (Thunersee, 4-6 ng g(-1); Zurichsee, 32-62 ng g(-1); Pfaffikersee, 43-56 ng g(-1); Greifensee, 165-365 ng g(-1), lipid basis) . No methyl triclosan (<1 ng g(-1), lipid basis) was detected in fish (lake trout, Salmo trutta) from a remote lake in Sweden (Habberstjarnen) and in fish (roach) from a small lake in Switzerland with no input from WWTPs (Huttnersee, <2-<5 ng g(-1), lipid basis) . The concentrations of methyl triclosan in fish correlated (r2 = 0.85) with the ratio of population in the watershed to water throughflow of the lakes (P/Q ratio), which is considered to be a measure for the domestic burden from WWTPs to a lake . Passive sampling with SPMDs confirmed the presence of methyltriclosan in lakes and a river (Zurichsee and Greifensee; Limmat) but not in a remote mountain lake (Jorisee) and in Huttnersee . The bioconcentration factor (BCF) of methyl triclosan estimated from the fish data and SPMD-derived water concentrations was in the order of 1-2.6 x 10(5) (lipid basis) and thus in the range of other persistent organic pollutants . SPMDs were found to be reliable for monitoring low concentrations of methyl triclosan in surface water . Methyl triclosan appears to be a suitable marker for WWTP-derived lipophilic contaminants in the aquatic environment and fish.

Environ Sci Technol, 2004 Jan 15, 38(2), 367 - 72
Synthetic musk fragrances in Lake Michigan; Peck AM et al.; Synthetic musk fragrances are added to a wide variety of personal care and household products and are present in treated wastewater effluent . Here we report for the first time ambient air and water measurements of six polycyclic musks (AHTN, HHCB, ATII, ADBI, AHMI, and DPMI) and two nitro musks (musk xylene and musk ketone) in North America . The compounds were measured in the air and water of Lake Michigan and in the air of urban Milwaukee, WI . All of the compounds except DPMI were detected . HHCB and AHTN were found in the highest concentrations in all samples . Airborne concentrations of HHCB and AHTN average 4.6 and 2.9 ng/m3, respectively, in Milwaukee and 1.1 and 0.49 ng/m3 over the lake . The average water concentration of HHCB and AHTN in Lake Michigan was 4.7 and 1.0 ng/L, respectively . A lake-wide annual mass budget shows that wastewater treatment plant discharge is the major source (3470 kg/yr) of the synthetic musks while atmospheric deposition contributes less than 1% . Volatilization and outflow through the Straits of Mackinac are major loss mechanisms (2085 and 516 kg/yr for volatilization and outflow, respectively) . Concentrations of HHCB are about one-half the predicted steady-state water concentrations in Lake Michigan.

Environ Int, 2004 Apr, 30(2), 249 - 59
Parameters affecting biological phosphate removal from wastewaters; Mulkerrins D et al.; This paper reviews some of the key wastewater composition parameters, which influence the biological removal of phosphate from wastewaters, such as COD content, volatile fatty acid (VFA) content, cation concentration, phosphorus load, pH and food to microorganism ratio . The discussion also focuses on operational parameters affecting successful nutrient removal in wastewater treatment plants, such as temperature, sludge quality, sludge settlement, dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration, anaerobic P-release and secondary P-release . The aim of this review is to compile an updated document for researchers and operators of biological nutrient removal (BNR) systems . In addition, the article will provide a good foundation for readers with no prior knowledge of the process.

Lett Appl Microbiol, 2004, 38(2), 158 - 63
The effect of hydraulic retention time on the stability of aerobically grown microbial granules; Pan S et al.; AIMS: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of hydraulic retention time (HRT) on the development of aerobically grown microbial granules . METHODS AND RESULTS: Five column-shaped sequential aerobic sludge blanket reactors (SASBRs) were seeded with aerobically grown microbial granules and operated in a cyclic mode at different HRTs . At the shortest HRT of 1 h, the strong hydraulic pressure triggered biomass washout and led to reactor failure . At the longest HRT of 24 h, which represented the weakest hydraulic selection in this study, aerobic granules were gradually substituted by bioflocs because of the lower frequency of volumetric exchange . Within the optimum range of HRTs from 2 to 12 h, however, aerobic granules became stabilized in the presence of adequate hydraulic selection in the reactors, with good mixed liquor volatile suspended solids (MLVSS) retention, high volumetric chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal, low sludge volume index (SVI) values, good effluent quality, low sludge production rate, stronger and more compact structures, high cell hydrophobicity and high ratios of extracellular polysaccharides (PS) to extracellular proteins (PN) . CONCLUSIONS: HRTs between 2 and 12 h provided the hydraulic selection pressures favourable for the formation and maintenance of stable aerobic granules with good settleability and activity . SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This is the first systematic study on the effect of HRT on heterotrophic aerobic granules . The results of the investigation are useful in understanding how aerobic granules can be applied for wastewater treatment.

Health Phys, 2004 Feb, 86(2), 145 - 9
Concurrent determination of 224Ra, 226Ra, 228Ra, and unsupported 212Pb in a single analysis for drinking water and wastewater: dissolved and suspended fractions; Parsa B et al.; A technique has been developed for the measurement of 224Ra, 226Ra, 228Ra, and unsupported 2t2Pb concurrently in a single analysis . The procedure can be applied to both drinking water and wastewater, including the dissolved and suspended fractions of a sample . For drinking water samples, using 3-L aliquots, the radium isotopes are isolated by a fast PbSO4 co-precipitation and then quantified by gamma-ray spectroscopy . The radium isotopes 224Ra, 226Ra, and 228Ra are measured through their gamma-ray-emitting decay products, 212Pb, 214Pb (and/or 214Bi), and 228Ac, respectively . Because of the short half-life of 224Ra (T1/2 = 3.66 d), the precipitate should be counted within 4 d of the sample collection date . In case the measurement of unsupported 212Pb (T1/2 = 10.64 h) is required, the gamma-ray analysis should be initiated as soon as possible, preferably on the same day of collection . The counting is repeated after about 21 d to ensure the 226Ra progeny are in equilibrium with their parent . At this point, the 228Ac equilibration with its 228Ra parent is already established . In the case of samples containing suspended materials, an aliquot of sample is filtered and then the filtrate is treated as described above for drinking water samples . The suspended fraction of sample, collected on the filter, is directly analyzed by gamma-ray spectroscopy with no further chemical separation . Aliquots of de-ionized water spiked with various radium standards were analyzed to check the accuracy and precision of the method . In addition, analysis results of actual samples using this method were compared with the ones performed using U.S . Environmental Protection Agency-approved procedures, and the measured values were in close agreement . This method simplifies the analytical procedures and reduces the labor while achieving the precision, accuracy, and minimum detection concentration requirements of EPA's Regulations.

Environ Sci Technol, 2004 Jan 1, 38(1), 324 - 8
Collagen fiber immobilized Myrica rubra tannin and its adsorption to UO2(2+); Liao X et al.; Tannins, which are rich in ortho-hydroxyl groups, have a high affinity for UO2(2+) . In this paper, Myrica rubra tannin was immobilized on collagen fiber by an aldehydic cross-linking reaction to prepare a novel adsorbent for uranium (UO2(2+)) recovery from wastewater . The adsorption equilibrium, the adsorption kinetics, and the effects of temperature and pH on the adsorption equilibrium were investigated in detail . It was found that the Myrica rubra tannin immobilized on collagen fiber exhibits an excellent adsorption capacity for UO2(2+) . The adsorption capacity at 293 K and pH 5.0 was as high as 1.19 mmol UO2(2+)/g (283.3 mgU/g) when the initial concentration of UO2(2+) in solution was 7.5 mmol/L . The adsorption isotherms could be described by the Freundlich equation, and the increase of temperature promoted the adsorption to UO2(2+) . The adsorption kinetics data were fitted very well by the pseudosecond-order rate model, and the equilibrium adsorption capacity calculated by the pseudo-second-order rate model was almost the same as that determined by the actual measurement with the error < or = 4% . The pH has a significant effect on the adsorption process . According to our experiments, the suitable pH scope should be 5-8.

Environ Sci Technol, 2004 Jan 1, 38(1), 300 - 6
Bioaccumulation of chromium from tannery wastewater: an approach for chrome recovery and reuse; Aravindhan R et al.; The presence of chromium in the effluent is a major concern for the tanning industry . Currently, chemical precipitation methods are practiced for the removal of chromium from the effluent, but that leads to the formation of chrome-bearing solid wastes . The other membrane separation and ion exchange methods available are unfeasible due to their cost . In this study, the removal of chromium from tannery effluent has been carried out using abundantly available brown seaweed Sargassum wightii . Simulated chrome tanning solution was used for the standardization of experimental trials . Various factors influencing the uptake of chromium, viz., quantity of seaweed, concentrations of chromium, pH of the chrome-bearing wastewater, and duration of treatment, have been studied . Chemical modification of the seaweed through pretreatment with sulfuric acid, magnesium chloride, and calcium chloride showed improved uptake of chromium . Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms have been fitted for various quantities of seaweed . The dynamic method of treatment of protonated seaweed with simulated chrome tanning solution at a pH of 3.5-3.8 for a duration of 6 h gave the maximum uptake of about 83% . A similar uptake has been established for commercial chrome tanning wastewater containing the same concentration of chromium . The Sargassum species exhibited a maximum uptake of 35 mg of chromium per gram of seaweed . Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, and flame photometry studies have been carried out to understand the mechanistic pathway for the removal of chromium . The potential reuse of chromium-containing seaweed for the preparation of basic chromium sulfate (tanning agent) has been demonstrated.

Environ Sci Technol, 2004 Jan 1, 38(1), 194 - 201
Dissipation of fragrance materials in sludge-amended soils; DiFrancesco AM et al.; A possible removal mechanism for fragrance materials (FMs) in wastewater is adsorption to sludge, and sludge application to land may be a route through which FMs are released to the soil environment . However, little is known about the concentrations and fate of FMs in soil receiving sludge application . This study was conducted to better understand the dissipation of FMs in sludge-amended soils . We first determined the spiking and extraction efficiencies for 22 FMs in soil and leachate samples . Nine FMs were detected in digested sludges from two wastewater treatment plants in Delaware using these methods . We conducted a 1-year die-away experiment which involved four different soils amended with sludge, with and without spiking of the 22 FMs . The initial dissipation of FMs in all spiked trays was rapid, and only seven FMs remained at concentrations above the quantification limits after 3 months: AHTN, HHCB, musk ketone, musk xylene, acetyl cedrene, OTNE, and DPMI . After 1 year, the only FMs remaining in all spiked trays were musk ketone and AHTN . DPMI was the only FM that leached significantly from the spiked trays, and no FMs were detected in leachate from any unspiked tray . While soil organic matter content affected the dissipation rate in general, different mechanisms (volatilization, transformation, leaching) appeared to be important for different FMs.

Environ Sci Technol, 2004 Jan 1, 38(1), 133 - 8
Evolution of toxicity upon wet catalytic oxidation of phenol; Santos A et al.; This work reports on the evolution of the toxicity of phenol-containing simulated wastewater upon catalytic wet oxidation with a commercial copper-based catalyst (Engelhard Cu-0203T) . The results of the study show that this catalyst enhances detoxification, in addition to its effect on the oxidation rate . The EC50 values of the intermediates identified throughout the oxidation route of phenol have been determined and used to predict the evolution of toxicity upon oxidation . The predicted values have been compared with the ones measured directly from the aqueous solution during the oxidation process . To learn about the evolution of toxicity through out the routes of phenol oxidation, experiments have been performed with simulated wastewaters containing separately phenol, catechol, and hydroquinone as original pollutants . The significant increase of toxicity observed during the early stages of phenol oxidation is not directly related to the development of the brown color that derives mainly from catechol oxidation . This increase of toxicity is caused by the formation of hydroquinone and p-benzoquinone as intermediates, the former showing the highest toxicity . Furthermore, synergistic effects, giving rise to a significant increase of toxicity, have been observed . These effects derive from the interactions among copper leached from the catalyst and catechol, hydroquinone, and p-benzoquinone and demand that close attention be paid to this potential problem in catalytic wet oxidation.

J Agric Food Chem, 2004 Jan 28, 52(2), 267 - 73
Toward a high yield recovery of antioxidants and purified hydroxytyrosol from olive mill wastewaters; Allouche N et al.; We investigated to develop effective procedures to recover the potentially high-added-value phenolic compounds contained in the discontinuous three-phase olive processing wastewaters (OMW) . Particular emphasis was made to extract and purify hydroxytyrosol, one of the major compounds occurring in OMW . Batch optimization experiments showed that ethyl acetate is the most efficient solvent for the recovery of phenolic monomers from OMW . The latter was used with an optimal pH equal to 2 . Furthermore, the percentage of each monomer, and particularly hydroxytyrosol, in the extract was maximum for a solvent ratio and a theoretical extraction stage number equal to 2 and 3, respectively . High yield (85.46%) recovery of hydroxytyrosol was achieved from OMW using a three-staged continuous counter-current liquid-liquid extraction unit . Hydroxytyrosol (1.225 g) were extracted per liter of OMW . One gram of hydroxytyrosol per liter of OMW was then purified by means of a chromatographic system which could be adapted to a large scale production process.

Environ Technol, 2003 Nov, 24(11), 1399 - 411
Literature review on textile wastewater characterisation; Bisschops I et al.; In the textile industry, many different processes are used and almost all of them generate wastewater . The effluents resulting from these processes differ greatly in composition, due to differences in processes, used fabrics and machinery . Textile wastewater is usually treated as a mixed stream . For water and chemicals reuse purposes however, it is preferable to keep process streams apart and treat them separately . Characterisation of textile industry effluents is of great importance for the separate treatment of process streams . This literature review provides an overview of what is known about the wastewater of the separate processes, and the methods used for characterisation of these streams.

Mar Pollut Bull, 2004 Jan, 48(1-2), 137 - 43
Nitrogen loading to Pleasant Bay, Cape Cod: application of models and stable isotopes to detect incipient nutrient enrichment of estuaries; Carmichael RH et al.; To test and refine methods to detect nutrient enrichment and resulting eutrophication, we applied the Waquoit Bay nitrogen loading model (NLM) and Estuarine loading model (ELM) to estuaries of Pleasant Bay that receive increasing but low N loads (25-199 kg N ha(-1) yr(-1)) from land . Contributions of wastewater to these estuaries increased from 7% to 63% as N loads increased, and modeled estimates of dissolved inorganic nitrogen in the water were within approximately 27% of measured values . N isotopic signatures in suspended and benthic organic matter and in tissue of quahogs increased as wastewater contributions to N loads increased, with clams approximately 4 per thousand heavier than organic matter, indicating that even at these low N loads, N from land-derived sources moved detectably up the food web . These results extend the application of NLM and ELM to detect incipient levels of N enrichment and demonstrate that these models can be used in conjunction with isotope measurements as the basis for food web analyses in a system exposed to relatively lower N loads than previously studied.

Water Res, 2004 Feb, 38(3), 645 - 54
Seasonal and diurnal variations of temperature, pH and dissolved oxygen in advanced integrated wastewater pond system treating tannery effluent; Tadesse I et al.; Seasonal and diurnal fluctuations of pH, dissolved oxygen (DO) and temperature were investigated in a pilot-scale advanced integrated wastewater pond system (AIWPS) treating tannery effluent . The AIWPS was comprised of advanced facultative pond (AFP), secondary facultative pond (SFP) and maturation pond (MP) all arranged in series . The variations of pH, DO and temperature in the SFP and MP followed the diurnal cycle of sunlight intensity . Algal photosynthesis being dependent on sunlight radiation, its activity reached climax at early afternoons with DO saturation in the SFP and MP in excess of over 300% and pH in the range of 8.6-9.4 . The SFP and MP were thermally stratified with gradients of 3-5 degrees C/m, especially, during the time of peak photosynthesis . The thermal gradient in the AFP was moderated by convective internal currents set in motion as a result of water temperature differences between the influent wastewater and contents of the reactor . In conclusion, the AFP possessed remarkable ability to attenuate process variability with better removal efficiencies than SFP and MP . Hence its use as a lead treatment unit, in a train of ponds treating tannery wastewaters, should always be considered.

Water Res, 2004 Feb, 38(3), 593 - 600
Metal ions removal from wastewater or washing water from contaminated soil by ultrafiltration-complexation; Molinari R et al.; In the present paper a process for removal of ions from wastewater or from washing water of contaminated soil by using the weakly basic water-soluble polymer polyethylenimine (PEI) as chelating agent and the Cu(2+) ion as model in combination with an ultrafiltration process was investigated . The complexing agent was preliminarily tested to establish the best operative conditions of the process . Next, ultrafiltration tests by using five different membranes were realised to check membrane performance like flux and rejection . Finally, the possibility for recovering and recycling the polymer was tested in order to obtain an economically sustainable process . Obtained results showed that complexation conditions depends on pH: indeed, at a pH>6 PEI-Cu(2+) complexes are formed, while at pH<3 the decomplexation reaction takes place . Saturation condition is 0.333 mg Cu(2+)/mg PEI, meaning a ratio PEI/Cu(2+)=3(w/w) . UF tests showed good results using the PAN 40 kDa membrane reaching an average copper concentration in the permeate of 2 mg/l and a flux of 135.4 and 156.5l/h.m(2) at 2 and 4 bar, respectively . Metal rejection, permeate flow rate, and possibility to regenerating and recycling the polymer makes the polymer-assisted ultrafiltration process (PAUF) very interesting for metal ion removal from waters.

Water Res, 2004 Feb, 38(3), 579 - 84
Treatment of pulp mill and oil sands industrial wastewaters by the partial spray freezing process; Gao W et al.; The spray freezing process, a natural freezing technology, was used to treat pulp mill effluent and oil sands tailings pond water . The wastewaters froze partially or completely (i.e . with or without runoff generation) during the spraying operation . Greater than 60% impurity reduction in the spray ice was obtained when 30% of the total volume of the sprayed water was released as runoff . Organic and inorganic contaminants were rejected with different efficiencies . The impurities were uniformly distributed within the ice columns when the spray ice was produced without generating any runoff . While a significant increase in impurity concentration was observed at the bottom of the ice formed with runoff production . The spray freezing process is an effective and economically feasible technique for wastewater treatment in cold regions . To achieve higher impurity removal efficiency, the wastewater should be only partially frozen during spray ice production.

Indian J Environ Health, 2003 Jan, 45(1), 73 - 82
Treatment of chrome plating wastewater (Cr+6) using activated alumina; Sarkar S et al.; Suitability of activated alumina for removal of hexavalent chromium from electroplating wastewater has been investigated . Activated alumina exhibited good sorption capacity for hexavalent chromium and pH has no pronounced effect on the sorption capacity . Both batch and column adsorption studies have been carried out and an adsorption column design indicated reasonable depth of column for practical application.

Chemosphere, 2004 Apr, 55(1), 65 - 72
Application of flotation for the separation of metal-loaded zeolites; Matis KA et al.; Several industrial wastewater streams may contain heavy metal ions, which must be effectively removed, before the discharge or reuse of treated waters could take place . Different bonding materials, presenting selectivity and fast reaction kinetics for the removal of metals, have been examined for this purpose . The objective of the present paper was to investigate the application of dispersed-air flotation for the separation of metal-loaded sorbents . Two similar zeolite samples were applied as effective bonding agents for the removal of zinc, a toxic metal commonly found in many industrial wastewaters . This combined process, termed sorptive flotation, involves the preliminary scavenging of metal ions, by using the appropriate sorbent particles (usually present as ultrafine particulates), followed by flotation for the effective separation of them . The obtained results were very promising, as both metal and sorbent were effectively removed/separated from the dispersion.

Chemosphere, 2004 Apr, 55(1), 19 - 26
Photo-oxidation of cork manufacturing wastewater; Silva CA et al.; Several photo-activated processes have been investigated for oxidation of a cork manufacturing wastewater . A comparative activity study is made between different homogeneous (H2O2/UV-Vis and H2O2/Fe2+/UV-Vis) and heterogeneous (TiO2/UV-Vis and TiO2/H2O2/UV-Vis) systems, with degradation performances being evaluated in terms of total organic carbon (TOC) removal . Results obtained in a batch photo-reactor show that photo-catalysis with TiO2 is not suitable for this kind of wastewater while the H2O2/UV-Vis oxidation process, for which the effect of some operating conditions was investigated, allows to remove 39% of TOC after 4 h of operation (for C(H2O2)=0.59 M, pH=10 and T=35 degrees C) . The combined photo-activated process, i.e., using both TiO2 and H2O2, yields an overall TOC decrease of 46% (for C(TiO2)=1.0 gl(-1)) . The photo-Fenton process proved to be the most efficient, proceeds at a much higher oxidation rate and allows to achieve 66% mineralization in just 10 min of reaction time (for C(H2O2)=0.31 M, T=30 degrees C, Fe2+:H2O2=0.12 (mol) and pH=3.2).

Biotechnol Lett, 2003 Dec, 25(23), 2013 - 5
beta-Glucan production by Botryosphaeria rhodina on undiluted olive-mill wastewaters; Crognale S et al.; Botryosphaeria rhodina produced beta-glucan when grown on undiluted olive-mill wastewaters (OMW) . The production of exopolysaccharide increased with the COD up to 17.2 g l(-1) on the most loaded OMW (151 and 66 g l(-1) of COD and total sugar, respectively) . The total phenol content of OMW was reduced from 8 to 4.1 g l(-1).

Huan Jing Ke Xue, 2003 Sep, 24(5), 110 - 3
{Removal of phosphorus from aqueous solution by lanthanum hydrate}; Ding W et al.; Aiming at the development of novel efficient absorbents for phosphorus removal from wastewater, metal hydrates (MeH) were selected as adsorbent material . Several kinds of MeH were tested for phosphorus adsorption, and lanthanum hydrate (LaH) was found to possess a high adsorption capacity . Corresponding to solution pH change, LaH' s adsorption capacity changed largely, and at about pH = 3 reached the peak . Its adsorption isotherm accorded prefer Langmuir's to Fruendrich's equations . Influences of different anions on its adsorption capacity were tested . This adsorbent was effective to adsorb orthophosphate but limited to remove polyphosphoric anion . The experimental results demonstrated that the LaH adsorbent was superior to traditional activated alumina adsorbent in adsorption performance.

Huan Jing Ke Xue, 2003 Sep, 24(5), 106 - 9
{Kinetics of P-chlorophenol wastewater treatment by UV/H2O2 oxidation}; Chen L et al.; The photodegradation of p-cholorophenol in a hydrogen peroxide-aided photolysis process was investigated . The reaction was influenced by the original concentration of p-chlorophenol and H2O2 addition and carrier gas . With the aid of dioxygen, the removal of phenol and CODCr were reached about 96% and 50% respectively if the original concentration of H2O2 added was only half of stoichiometric calculation . A pseudo-first order kinetic model was adopted to represent the reaction.

Huan Jing Ke Xue, 2003 Sep, 24(5), 102 - 5
{Experimental study on the disinfection of wastewater by swept pulsed electromagnetic field}; Li M et al.; In this paper, an applicable swept pulsed equipment was developed to treat the domestic wastewater and the effect of swept pulsed electromagnetic field on disinfection was studied . It was found that the effect was obvious and the disinfection performance of electromagnetic field was increased with the increasing of the pH, the temperature, the treatment time and the bactericidal concentration . The experimental results showed that the amounts of total bacterium and coliform per milliliter were decreased from 7.2 x 10(6) to 2.2 x 10(4) and from 9.2 x 10(5) to 3.5 x 10(4) respectively after the treatment period of 4 h when the temperature was 25 degrees C and pH 9.0 . Corresponding, the removal efficiency of total bacterium were 99.7% and 96.2%.

Environ Sci Technol, 2003 Dec 15, 37(24), 5701 - 10
Fluorescence excitation-emission matrix regional integration to quantify spectra for dissolved organic matter; Chen W et al.; Excitation-emission matrix (EEM) fluorescence spectroscopy has been widely used to characterize dissolved organic matter (DOM) in water and soil . However, interpreting the > 10,000 wavelength-dependent fluorescence intensity data points represented in EEMs has posed a significant challenge . Fluorescence regional integration, a quantitative technique that integrates the volume beneath an EEM, was developed to analyze EEMs . EEMs were delineated into five excitation-emission regions based on fluorescence of model compounds, DOM fractions, and marine waters or freshwaters . Volumetric integration under the EEM within each region, normalized to the projected excitation-emission area within that region and dissolved organic carbon concentration, resulted in a normalized region-specific EEM volume (phi(i,n)) . Solid-state carbon nuclear magnetic resonance (13C NMR), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis, ultraviolet-visible absorption spectra, and EEMs were obtained for standard Suwannee River fulvic acid and 15 hydrophobic or hydrophilic acid, neutral, and base DOM fractions plus nonfractionated DOM from wastewater effluents and rivers in the southwestern United States . DOM fractions fluoresced in one or more EEM regions . The highest cumulative EEM volume (phi(T,n) = sigma phi(i,n)) was observed for hydrophobic neutral DOM fractions, followed by lower phi(T,n) values for hydrophobic acid, base, and hydrophilic acid DOM fractions, respectively . An extracted wastewater biomass DOM sample contained aromatic protein- and humic-like material and was characteristic of bacterial-soluble microbial products . Aromatic carbon and the presence of specific aromatic compounds (as indicated by solid-state 13C NMR and FTIR data) resulted in EEMs that aided in differentiating wastewater effluent DOM from drinking water DOM.

Environ Sci Technol, 2003 Dec 15, 37(24), 5636 - 44
Behavior of the polycyclic musks HHCB and AHTN in lakes, two potential anthropogenic markers for domestic wastewater in surface waters; Buerge IJ et al.; The synthetic polycyclic musks HHCB and AHTN are potential chemical markers for domestic wastewater contamination of surface waters . Understanding their environmental behavior is important to evaluate their suitability as markers . This study focuses on the quantification of the processes that lead to an elimination in lakes . Rate constants for all relevant processes were estimated based on laboratory studies and models previously described . In lake Zurich, during winter time, both compounds are eliminated primarily by outflowing water and due to losses to the atmosphere . In summer, direct photolysis represents the predominant elimination process for AHTN in the epilimnion of lake Zurich (quantum yield, 0.12), whereas for HHCB, photochemical degradation is still negligible . HHCB and AHTN were then measured in effluents of Swiss wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), in remote and anthropogenically influenced Swiss surface waters, and in Mediterranean seawater using an analytical procedure based on SPE and GC-MS-SIM with D6-HHCB as internal standard (LODs for natural waters, 2 and 1 ng/L, respectively) . In winter, concentrations of HHCB and AHTN in lakes (<2-47 and <1-18 ng/L, respectively) correlated with the anthropogenic burden by domestic wastewater (ratio population per water throughflow), demonstrating the suitability of these compounds as quantitative, source-specific markers . In summer, however, no such correlations were observed . Vertical concentration profiles in lake Zurich indicated significant losses in the epilimnion during summer, mainly for AHTN, and could be rationalized with a lake modeling program (MASASlight), considering measured, average loads from WWTP effluents (0.80 +/- 0.22 and 0.32 +/- 0.11 mg person(-1) d(-1) for HHCB and AHTN, respectively) and the estimated rate constants for elimination processes.

Environ Sci Technol, 2003 Dec 15, 37(24), 5502 - 10
Destruction of the World Trade Center and PCBs, PBDEs, PCDD/Fs, PBDD/Fs, and chlorinated biphenylenes in water, sediment, and sewage sludge; Litten S et al.; Ash-laden runoff samples collected near Ground Zero soon after the September 11, 2001 attack on the World Trade Center (WTC) and subsequent fire demonstrate the release of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated dipheyl ethers (PBDEs), polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polybrominated dibenzofurans (PBDD/Fs), polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), and tetra- and pentachlorinated biphenylenes (PCBPs) from the incident . Relative abundances of PCDD/F congeners in the runoff water and post-disaster lower Manhattan dust samples were different from those seen in pre-disaster NYC combined sewer outfall (CSO) samples . The WTC-related samples showed a greater relative abundance of 2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF than usually seen in CSOs, sludges, and treated wastewaters . This congener may be associated with certain types of incineration . Comparison of sediment and water samples collected in the lower Hudson River before and shortly after September 11, 2001 (9/11) showed no changes in PCB or PCDD/F concentrations or homologue profiles determined down to the parts per quadrillion range . Comparisons of ambient water samples collected post-9/11 with archived samples suggest that the WTC disaster did not significantly impact ambient concentrations of the target chemicals . Ambient concentrations of PBDD/Fs in New York Harbor are similar to those of PCDD/Fs, suggesting that these contaminants deserve increased scrutiny with respect to toxicity, sources, and fate in the environment.

Environ Sci Technol, 2003 Dec 15, 37(24), 5479 - 86
Occurrence and fate of macrolide antibiotics in wastewater treatment plants and in the Glatt Valley watershed, Switzerland; McArdell CS et al.; An analytical method was developed for determining macrolide antibiotics in treated wastewater effluents and in ambient water based on solid-phase extraction and LC/MS analysis as well as on LC/MS/MS for structural confirmation . In wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) macrolides are only partly eliminated and can therefore reach the aquatic environment . In treated effluents from three WWTPs in Switzerland, clarithromycin, roxithromycin, and erythromycin-H2O, the main degradation product of erythromycin, were found . The most abundant, clarithromycin, reflects the consumption pattern of macrolide antibiotics . Summer concentrations of clarithromycin varied between 57 and 330 ng/L in treated WWTP effluents . In the WWTP Kloten-Opfikon seasonal differences revealed a load two times higher in winter than in summer . The higher abundance of erythromycin-H2O in the effluent of WWTP Kloten-Opfikon can be explained by distinct consumption patterns due to the main international airport of Switzerland in the catchment area . In the Glatt River clarithromycin reached concentrations of up to 75 ng/L . Mass flux determinations in treated effluents and in river water in the Glatt Valley watershed showed that elimination of clarithromycin along the river stretch of 36 km is insignificant (<20%) . Investigations in the Glatt River before and after the diversion of the largest WWTP revealed an observable decrease in clarithromycin loads.

J Environ Monit, 2003 Dec, 5(6), 906 - 12
Inventory compilation and distribution of heavy metals in wastewater from small-scale industrial areas of Delhi, India; Rawat M et al.; Delhi has the highest cluster of small-scale industries (SSI) in India . There are generally less stringent rules for the treatment of waste in SSI due to less waste generation within each individual industry . This results in SSI disposing of their wastewater untreated into drains and subsequently into the river Yamuna, which is a major source of potable water in Delhi, thus posing a potential health and environmental risk to the people living in Delhi and downstream . To study the quantity, quality and distribution of heavy metals in liquid waste from industrial areas, wastewater, suspended materials and bed sediments were collected from industrial areas and from the river Yamuna in Delhi . This study has also focused on the efficiency of production processes in small-scale industries in India . Heavy metals such as Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Ni, Cr, Cd, Co and Pb were detected using a GBC 902 atomic absorption spectrometer . The concentration of heavy metals observed was as follows: Fe 2-212, Mn 0.3-39, Cu 0.2-20, Zn 0.2-5, Ni 0.6-6, Cr 0.2-53, Cd 0.08-0.2, Co 0.013-0.55, Pb 0.3-0.7 mg L(-1) in wastewater; Fe 5842-78 000, Mn 585-10 889, Cu 206-7201, Zn 406-9000, Ni 22-3621, Cr 178-10 533, Co 17-114, Cd 13-141, Pb 67-50 171 mg kg(-1) in suspended material; and Fe 3000-84000, Mn 479-1230, Cu 378-8127, Zn 647-4010, Ni 164-1582, Cr 139-3281, Co 20-54, Cd 37-65, Pb 228-293 mg kg(-1) in bed residues . This indicates that SSI could be one of the point sources of metals pollution in the river system.

J Environ Monit, 2003 Dec, 5(6), 852 - 60
The use of sensor arrays for environmental monitoring: interests and limitations; Bourgeois W et al.; Continuous, in situ monitoring of air, water and land quality is fundamental to most environmental applications . Low cost and non-invasive chemical sensor arrays provide a suitable technique for in situ monitoring . Their ability and performance under realistic conditions is discussed in this paper . Published studies report promising results despite a number of limitations that are associated with both the technology itself and its application in ever changing ambient conditions . Early investigations include the analysis of single substances as well as odour and wastewater organic load monitoring . Reported applications typically highlight the sensitivity of the currently available sensors to changes in temperature, humidity and flow rate . Two types of approaches are recommended to deal with these effects: either working under fixed experimental conditions or measuring the external parameters to numerically compensate for their change . The main challenge associated with the use of non-specific sensor arrays lies in establishing a relationship between the measured multivariate signals and the standards metrics that are traditionally used for quality assessment of gas mixtures . For instance, odour monitoring requires calibration against olfactometric measurements while investigations of wastewater samples still need to be correlated with organic pollution parameters such as BOD, COD or TOC . On the other hand, results obtained in the field have demonstrated how sensor arrays can be readily used as simple alarm devices or as early warning systems based on a general air/water quality index.

Biosens Bioelectron, 2004 Feb 15, 19(7), 633 - 40
Simultaneous multi-analyte determination of estrone, isoproturon and atrazine in natural waters by the RIver ANAlyser (RIANA), an optical immunosensor; Rodriguez-Mozaz S et al.; In most medical and environmental applications of biosensors, only single analytes are determined . However, the monitoring of several analytes is obviously preferable in order to gather more information about the sample under analysis . In line with this, different technologies are being developed to obtain multi-analyte sensors.In this paper, an analytical method for the simultaneous determination of three different contaminants-atrazine, isoproturon, and estrone-in natural waters by using an optical immunosensor prototype, the so-called "RIver ANAlyser" (RIANA), is described . RIANA is based on a rapid solid-phase fluoroimmunoassay that takes place at an optical transducer chip . The transducer surface is chemically modified with three analytes derivatives placed in different discrete locations . The sensor surface can be regenerated thus allowing the performance of several measurements with the same transducer . Each test cycle, including one regeneration step, is accomplished in 15 min . Detection limits achieved were 0.155, 0.046, and 0.084 microg/l, for atrazine, isoproturon, and estrone, respectively . Satisfactory repetition, with relative standard deviations between 1.06 and 6.98%, was obtained . Excluding a minor non-specifical binding of the isoproturon antibodies, no cross-reactivity effects were observed . Matrix effects were significant only in the case of wastewater samples . Biosensor measurements were validated using conventional liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry . The results obtained with both techniques were in good agreement.

Anal Chem, 2003 Oct 1, 75(19), 5129 - 36
Simultaneous quantitative analysis of anionic, cationic, and nonionic surfactants in water by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry with flow injection analysis; Barco M et al.; A rapid method is described for the quantitative analysis of anionic, cationic, and nonionic surfactants in water samples by flow injection analysis coupled to electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (FIA/ESI-MS) . All surfactants were isolated by liquid-liquid extraction and quantified using labeled triethoxylated nonylphenol ({13C6}-NP3EO) and sodium dibutylnaphthalenesulfonate as internal standards . FIA/ESI-MS was performed by alternating both positive and negative ionization modes, which allows simultaneous analysis of most common surfactants in a short time . Quality parameters of the method, such as linear range, repeatability, reproducibility, and limits of detection were studied . This method was applied to the analysis of wastewater treatment plant effluents from Catalonia (NE Spain).

J Agric Food Chem, 2003 Jul 30, 51(16), 4504 - 26
Chemistry, biochemistry, and safety of acrylamide . A review; Friedman M; Acrylamide (CH2=CH-CONH2), an industrially produced alpha,beta-unsaturated (conjugated) reactive molecule, is used worldwide to synthesize polyacrylamide . Polyacrylamide has found numerous applications as a soil conditioner, in wastewater treatment, in the cosmetic, paper, and textile industries, and in the laboratory as a solid support for the separation of proteins by electrophoresis . Because of the potential of exposure to acrylamide, effects of acrylamide in cells, tissues, animals, and humans have been extensively studied . Reports that acrylamide is present in foods formed during their processing under conditions that also induce the formation of Maillard browning products heightened interest in the chemistry, biochemistry, and safety of this vinyl compound . Because exposure of humans to acrylamide can come from both external sources and the diet, a need exists to develop a better understanding of its formation and distribution in food and its role in human health . To contribute to this effort, this integrated review presents data on the chemistry, analysis, metabolism, pharmacology, and toxicology of acrylamide . Specifically covered are the following aspects: nonfood and food sources; exposure from the environment and the diet; mechanism of formation in food from asparagine and glucose; asparagine-asparaginase relationships; Maillard browning-acrylamide relationships; quenching of protein fluorescence; biological alkylation of amino acids, peptides, proteins, and DNA by acrylamide and its epoxide metabolite glycidamide; risk assessment; neurotoxicity, reproductive toxicity, and carcinogenicity; protection against adverse effects; and possible approaches to reducing levels in food . Further research needs in each of these areas are suggested . Neurotoxicity appears to be the only documented effect of acrylamide in human epidemiological studies; reproductive toxicity, genotoxicity/clastogenicity, and carcinogenicity are potential human health risks on the basis of only animal studies . A better understanding of the chemistry and biology of pure acrylamide in general and its impact in a food matrix in particular can lead to the development of improved food processes to decrease the acrylamide content of the diet.

Biotechnol Bioeng, 2004 Jan 20, 85(2), 234 - 6
Preparation of nanoparticles by electrocoagulation from soluble exopolysaccharide produced by Claviceps viridis; Flieger M et al.; Electrocoagulation is an evolving technology that has been effectively applied for wastewater treatment but its applications in biotechnology and nanotechnology are very limited . This method was applied for the preparation of nanoparticles from soluble exopolysaccharide (EPS) produced by Claviceps viridis in a submerged batch culture . A cathode/anode pair electrode (Al or Fe) system was used for determination of the separation rates of electrocoagulation and the yields of EPS nanoparticles production . The separation rates of 0.170 +/- 0.003 mg EPS/sec (Fe electrodes) and 0.250 +/- 0.003 mg EPS/sec (Al electrodes) were calculated for voltage gradient 1 V/1 cm of electrodes distance and were constant during experiments . The specific yield of EPS nanoparticles production based on the consumed electric power was dependent on the material of the electrodes and its value was determined as 0.71 +/- 0.01 mg EPS/W for Fe electrodes and 0.91 +/- 0.01 mg EPS/W for Al electrodes, respectively .

Water Environ Res, 2003 Nov-Dec, 75(6), 512 - 22
Enhanced biological phosphorus removal from wastewater by biomass with different phosphorus contents, Part III: Anaerobic sources of reducing equivalents; Schuler AJ et al.; Laboratory-scale sequencing batch reactors exhibiting enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) operated at different influent phosphorus/chemical oxygen demand (COD) ratios were analyzed to evaluate possible anaerobic sources of reducing equivalents . Assuming anaerobic glycogen degradation was the sole anaerobic reducing equivalent source, an anaerobic phase carbon balance showed that glycogen-accumulating metabolism (GAM)-dominated systems were nearly carbon-balanced, but that polyphosphate-accumulating metabolism (PAM)-dominated systems had end-anaerobic phase carbon deficits . An anaerobic-phase reducing equivalent balance showed a reducing equivalent excess for the GAM-dominated systems and a deficit for the PAM-dominated systems, suggesting that glycogen degradation was not the sole reducing equivalent source for PAM . Reducing equivalent balances showed that metabolic models including complete anaerobic tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle activity, partial TCA cycle activity, and the glyoxylate bypass could provide the reducing equivalents required in PAM . Metabolic precursors produced in glycolysis, the TCA cycle, or modified versions of the TCA cycle could allow anaerobic growth and account for the PAM carbon deficits . The importance of considering both PAM and GAM activity in evaluating EBPR metabolic models was illustrated.

Water Environ Res, 2003 Nov-Dec, 75(6), 499 - 511
Enhanced biological phosphorus removal from wastewater by biomass with different phosphorus contents, Part II: Anaerobic adenosine triphosphate utilization and acetate uptake rates; Schuler AJ et al.; Data from laboratory-scale sequencing batch reactors operated in an anaerobic-aerobic cycle showed that a low influent phosphorus/chemical oxygen demand (COD) ratio feed favored a glycogen-accumulating metabolism (GAM)-dominated culture and that a high influent phosphorus/COD ratio feed favored a polyphosphate-accumulating metabolism (PAM)-dominated culture . The PAM-dominated culture anaerobically took up acetate approximately 7 times faster than the GAM-dominated culture . Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) balances were performed assuming eight different metabolic scenarios that included the Entner-Doudoroff or the Embden-Myerhof glycolytic pathway, acetyl-coenzyme A (CoA) synthase or the acetate kinase-phospho-transacetylase (AK-PTA) system for acetyl-CoA synthesis, and ATP synthesis or no ATP synthesis during fumarate reduction . The ATP available for transport of acetate into the cell (2) was calculated using these balances . The assumed quantity of ATP produced during fumarate reduction had a relatively small effect on alpha, particularly when PAM was dominant . When GAM was dominant, little or no ATP was available for acetate transport depending on the assumed scenario, and the Embden-Myerhof pathway was more feasible . The value of alpha increased with increasing PAM dominance for all eight metabolic pathways . The maximum calculated alpha value of 0.5 mol ATP/C-mol acetate uptake occurred at maximum PAM dominance and when the Embden-Myerhof pathway was active, when ATP was produced during fumarate reduction, and when the AK-PTA system was active . This value of alpha was higher than previously calculated values with the same metabolic assumptions . An acetate uptake mechanism was suggested that included acetyl-CoA synthetase and direct regeneration of the proton motive force by a proton-translocating pyrophosphatase . Polyphosphate-accumulating metabolism may have a competitive advantage over GAM through a higher anaerobic acetate uptake rate made possible by a greater use of energy for acetate uptake, by use of a different acetate uptake mechanism, or both.

Water Environ Res, 2003 Nov-Dec, 75(6), 485 - 98
Enhanced biological phosphorus removal from wastewater by biomass with different phosphorus contents, Part I: Experimental results and comparison with metabolic models; Schuler AJ et al.; Enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) in waste-water treatment involves at least two types of bacterial metabolism: a polyphosphate-accumulating metabolism (PAM) and a glycogen-accumulating metabolism (GAM) . Laboratory-scale sequencing batch reactors operated in an anaerobic-aerobic cycle confirmed that low influent phosphorus/chemical oxygen demand (COD) ratio feed favored a GAM-dominated culture and high influent phosphorus/COD ratio feed favored a PAM-dominated culture, as indicated by changes in phosphorus, acetate, glycogen, and polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) concentrations during the anaerobic phase . Differential PAM and GAM dominance may explain variance in anaerobic phosphorus release, glycogen degradation, and PHA synthesis per acetate uptake ratios previously reported in EBPR systems and proposed metabolic models . The measurement of the ratios of anaerobic phosphorus release to acetate uptake and glycogen degradation to acetate uptake is suggested as an assay to estimate the relative dominance of PAM and GAM, respectively, in EBPR cultures.

Ann Chim, 2003 Nov, 93(11), 935 - 45
Oxidation of phosphorus compounds by Fenton's reagent; Petrucci E et al.; In the present work a Fenton's treatment for the oxidation of a phosphorous compounds mixture, simulating a match manufacturing industry wastewater, were studied . Experimental tests were performed on three sample solutions at a phosphorus concentration of 250, 500 and 750 mg/l . In each solution an equal amount of sodium phosphite and sodium hypophosphite was dissolved . The investigation of pH, temperature and reagents ratio on the oxidation rate led to the individuation of the optimal process operating conditions . The results show that Fenton's reagent provides a powerful conversion to phosphate of the phosphorous solution . In particular at pH=3.5 and 20 degrees C a residual concentration of non oxidized phosphorus in compliance with the Italian regulation limits for industrial wastewater disposal . Tests performed on sample solution of 500 mg/l P and 750 mg/l P by adding hydrogen peroxide and bivalent iron in three sequential steps led to similar reaction efficiencies to tests carried out adding both Fenton's reagents in one step, but with a remarkably lower reagents consumption.

J Colloid Interface Sci, 2004 Feb 15, 270(2), 255 - 61
Adsorption of three azo reactive dyes by metal hydroxide sludge: effect of temperature, pH, and electrolytes; Netpradit S et al.; Adsorption of azo reactive dyes by metal hydroxide sludge were investigated using CI Reactive Red 2 (RR-2), CI Reactive Red 120, (RR-120), and CI Reactive Red 141 (RR-141) . The adsorption isotherms, including the Langmuir constants (Q degrees and b) and the Freundlich constant (K(f)), for RR-2 decreased with increasing temperature, but this was reversed for RR-120 and RR-141 . This behavior implied an exothermic process for RR-2 but an endothermic process for RR-120 and RR-141 . The enthalpy value of adsorption for RR-2, RR-120, and RR-141 was -5.56, 2.77, and 6.41 kJ/mol, respectively, indicating that the adsorption of the less charged dyes (RR-2) was mainly physical, but that of the more charged dyes (RR-120 and RR-141) was chemical . The optimum system pH of 8.6+/-0.3 was maintained even when the solution pH was varied from 3 to 10 . Higher concentration or more valence of anions of electrolytes in dye solution caused decreasing dye adsorption efficiency of metal hydroxide sludge . A higher dosage of sludge is required for real textile wastewater (>1% w/v) than for the synthetic dye solution (0.2% w/v) . The leachates of heavy metals from metal hydroxide sludge to the environment are very low, which are within the standard limit of industrial effluent and leachable substances.

Anal Chem, 2004 Jan 1, 76(1), 228 - 32
Two-step liquid-liquid-liquid microextraction of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs in wastewater; Wen X et al.; A simple and novel two-step liquid-liquid-liquid microextraction technique combined with reversed-phase HPLC has been developed for the determination of the nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs ibuprofen and 2-(4-chlorophenoxy)-2-methylpropionic acid in wastewater samples . In the first step, the analytes were extracted from an acidified sample (donor solution) into 1-octanol immobilized in the pores of 10 pieces of polypropylene hollow fiber and further into a basic acceptor phase inside the hollow fiber channels . This first extraction step, using 0.01 M NaOH as the acceptor phase and 0.1 M HCl within the donor phase, had a 100% relative recovery with an enrichment factor of 100-fold . The extract in the first step was then adjusted to acidic condition with HCl . It now represented the donor phase for the second step of the extraction, using a single piece of hollow fiber, with 2 microL of 0.01 M NaOH solution as the acceptor phase . This analyte-enriched acceptor phase was subsequently withdrawn into a microsyringe and directly injected into an HPLC system for analysis . With this two-step microextraction, sensitivity enhancement of >15,000-fold could be obtained . Detection limits of < or =100 ng/L could be achieved for both compounds . The method was applied to the analysis of wastewater.

Commun Agric Appl Biol Sci, 2003, 68(1), 25 - 31
Overview and quantification of the factors affecting the upstream and downstream movements of Gammarus pulex (Amphipoda); Dedecker AP et al.; Human activities have severely deteriorated the Flemish river systems, and many functions such as drinking water supply, fishing, .. . are threatened . Because their restoration entails drastic social (e.g . change in habits with regard to water use and discharge, urban planning) and economical (e.g . investment in nature restoration, wastewater treatment system installation) consequences, the decisions should be taken with enough forethought . Ecosystem models can act as interesting tools to support decision-making in river restoration management . In particular models that can predict the habitat requirements of organisms are of considerable importance to ensure that the planned actions have the desired effects on the aquatic ecosystems . In preliminary studies, Artificial Neural Network (ANN) models were tested and optimized to obtain the best model configuration for the prediction of the habitat suitability for Gammarus pulex based on the abiotic characteristics of their aquatic environment in the Zwalm river basin (Flanders, Belgium) . Although, these ANN models are in general quite robust with a rather high predictive reliability, the model performance has to be increased with regard to simulations for river restoration management . In particular, spatial-temporal expert-rules have to be included . Migration kinetics (downstream drift and upstream migration) of the organism and migration barriers along the river (weirs, impounded river sections, ...) can deliver important additional information on the effectiveness of the restoration plans, and also on the timing of the expected effects . This paper presents an overview and quantification of the factors affecting the upstream and downstream movements of Gammarus pulex . During further research, ANN models will be used to predict the habitat suitability for Gammarus pulex after several restoration options . The migration models, implemented in a Geographical Information System (GIS), are applied to calculate the migration time to the restored parts of the river . In this way, decision makers have an idea whether and when a selected restoration option has the desired effect.

J Hazard Mater, 2004 Jan 2, 106(1), 19 - 24
Preparation of polyelectrolytes for wastewater treatment; Radoiu MT et al.; Liquid-phase polymerisation of acrylamide-acrylic acid to form polyelectrolytes used in wastewater cleaning was examined using accelerated electron beam and microwave irradiation methods . Polymerisation was carried out in aqueous solutions at temperatures approximately 60 degrees C . Monomers total concentration was established at 40% (36% acrylamide and 4% acrylic acid) . Only using the features of simultaneous radiation-induction and microwave heating can result in the formation of linear polymer chains with good water solubility and low residual monomer concentration . The flocculation capacity of the obtained polymers was tested using two wastewaters, one sampled from a slaughterhouse and the other from a vegetable oil plant . Quality indicators such as total suspended matters (TSM), chemical oxygen demand (COD), biological oxygen demand (BOD) and fat, oils and grease (FOG) were measured before and after the treatment with polymeric flocculants and compared with the results obtained in classical treatment with Al(2)(SO(4))(3) . It was found that the combined treatment with polymers and Al(2)(SO(4))(3) increases the degree of purification of both wastewaters up to 99%.

Anal Bioanal Chem, 2004 Feb, 378(4), 910 - 6 Epub 2003 Dec 20.
Evaluation of three calibration methods to compensate matrix effects in environmental analysis with LC-ESI-MS; Stuber M et al.; In quantitative analysis of environmental samples using high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS) one of the major problems is the suppression or, less frequently, the enhancement of the analyte signals in the presence of matrix components . Standard addition is the most suitable method for compensating matrix effects, but it is time-consuming and laborious . In this study we compare the potential of three calibration approaches to compensate matrix effects that occurred when seven analytes (naphthalene sulfonates) were quantified in time series samples of waters with different matrices (untreated and treated industrial wastewater) . The data obtained by external calibration, internal calibration with one standard, and external sample calibration (corresponding to matrix-matched calibration) were compared with those obtained by standard addition . None of the three approaches were suitable for a sample series of highly loaded, untreated wastewater with highly variable matrix . For less heavily loaded and less variable samples (treated wastewater effluents), the external sample calibration provided reasonable results for most analytes with deviations mostly below 25% as compared to standard addition . External sample calibration can be suitable to compensate matrix effects from moderately loaded samples with more uniform matrices, but it is recommended to verify this for each sample series against the standard addition approach.

Lett Appl Microbiol, 2004, 38(1), 13 - 8
Rhodovulum sulfidophilum in the treatment and utilization of sardine processing wastewater; Azad SA et al.; AIMS: Rhodovulum sulfidophilum was grown in settled undiluted and nonsterilized sardine processing wastewater (SPW) . The aims were to evaluate the effects of inoculum size and media on the biomass production with simultaneous reduction of chemical oxygen demand (COD) . METHODS AND RESULTS: Three levels of inoculum size (10, 20 and 30% v/v) developed in glutamate-malate media (GMM) or settled and undiluted SPW were compared . The highest biomass (4.8 g l-1) was obtained after 96-h culture with 20% (v/v) inoculum size, but the reduction in COD of SPW was the highest (85%) after 120-h culture with a 30% (v/v) inoculum developed in GMM . In cultures with inoculum developed in SPW the COD reduction in SPW was 79-83% . CONCLUSIONS, SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Inoculum developed in GMM supported good growth of Rv . sulfidophilum in settled undiluted SPW and subsequent reduction in COD . A conceptual model was proposed for the treatment and utilization of SPW.

Biosens Bioelectron, 2004 Jan 15, 19(6), 607 - 13
Continuous determination of biochemical oxygen demand using microbial fuel cell type biosensor; Chang IS et al.; A mediator-less microbial fuel cell (MFC) was used as a biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) sensor in an amperometric mode for real-time wastewater monitoring . At a hydraulic retention time of 1.05 h, BOD values of up to 100 mg/l were measured based on a linear relationship, while higher BOD values were measured using a lower feeding rate . About 60 min was required to reach a new steady-state current after the MFCs had been fed with different strength artificial wastewaters (Aws) . The current generated from the MFCs fed with AW with a BOD of 100 mg/l was compared to determine the repeatability, and the difference was less than 10% . When the MFC was starved, the original current value was regained with a varying recovery time depending on the length of the starvation . During starvation, the MFC generated a background level current, probably due to an endogenous metabolism.

Water Sci Technol, 2003, 48(8), 97 - 102
Laboratory scale and pilot plant study on treatment of toxic wastewater from the petrochemical industry by UASB reactors; Stergar V et al.; This research concentrates on the development of an integrated approach to evaluate the possibility of treating very concentrated (COD = 15-20 g/l) and toxic wastewater (nitro-organic effluent) from the petrochemical industry in UASB reactors . A newly developed method utilising a modified Micro-Oxymax respirometer was used to (1) evaluate the inhibitory effects of varying concentrations of nitro-organic effluent on anaerobic granular sludge and (2) to make the proposal of operational parameters for the start up of the continuous process . Subsequently, the continuous tests were undertaken using laboratory scale upflow anaerobic sludge bed reactors to test gradual adaptation of anaerobic biomass to nitro-organic effluent . Practical application of the experimental results of the laboratory-scale continuous tests was evaluated by running the UASB pilot plant . Acceptable COD removal efficiencies were obtained when nitro-organic effluent was diluted with a readily biodegradable substrate up to 80 vol % of nitro-organic effluent in the inlet . The COD removal was 90% and the methane production rate was 4.5 l/d . Wastewater was detoxified and no acute toxicity of the treated wastewater to the anaerobic biomass was detected . This research indicates that anaerobic digestion of the undiluted nitro-organic effluent was not feasible . However, it is possible to blend the nitro-organic effluent with another effluent stream and co-treat these effluents.

Water Sci Technol, 2003, 48(8), 53 - 60
Characterisation of aerobic bio treatment of meat plant effluent; Thayalakumaran N et al.; Primary treated meat processing plant effluent was characterised for the calibration of the ASM 2 model . The total COD of the wastewater was 500-2,000 mg L(-1) . The wastewater contained 15-18% of RBCOD . RBCOD of the meat processing wastewater was from short chain fatty acids (SCFA) . Acetic and iso-valeric acids contributed 50% of the total SCFA COD . The inert soluble and particulate COD fractions were each 4% . The COD exerted by carbohydrate was 5% of the total COD . Fat and protein contributed 51% and 44% of the total COD of the wastewater respectively . The average concentrations of ammonia, total phosphorus, total suspended solids and alkalinity were 75 mg L(-1), 34 mg L(-1), 450 mg L(-1) and 275 mg L(-1) CaCO3 respectively . Maximum specific growth rates of heterotrophs and autotrophs were between 1.2-2.5 day(-1) and 0.65-0.8 day(-1) . The heterotrophs yield coefficient was 0.63 on a COD basis.

Environ Int, 2004 Feb, 29(8), 1057 - 62
Monitoring of eutrophication and nutrient limitation in the Izmir Bay (Turkey) before and after Wastewater Treatment Plant; Kontas A et al.; The distribution of inorganic nutrients and phytoplankton chlorophyll-a was investigated and N/P ratios were determined in Izmir Bay during 1996-2001 . The average concentrations showed ranges of 0.01-0.19 and 0.01-10 microM for phosphate-phosphorus; 0.11-1.8 and 0.13-27 microM for (nitrate+nitrite)-nitrogen, 0.30-4.1 and 0.50-39 microM for silicate and 0.02-4.3 and 0.10-26 microg l(-1) for chlorophyll-a in the outer and middle-inner bays, respectively . The results are compared with the values obtained from the relatively unpolluted waters of the Aegean Sea . The N/P ratio is significantly lower than the assimilatory optimal (N/P=15:1) in conformity with Redfield's ratio N/P=16:1 . Nitrogen is the limiting element in the Izmir Bay . Phosphate, which originates from detergents, is an important source for eutrophication in the bay, especially in the inner bay . In early 2000, a Wastewater Treatment Plant (WTP) began to treat domestic and industrial wastes . This plant treats the wastes about 60% capacity between 2000 and 2001 . The sampling periods cover before and after treatment plant . Although the capacity of wastewater plant is sufficient for removal of nitrogen from the wastes, it is inadequate for removal of phosphate . This is also in accordance with the decreasing N/P ratios observed during 2000-2001 (after WTP) in the middle-inner bays.

Environ Int, 2004 Feb, 29(8), 1029 - 39
Phytoaccumulation of heavy metals by aquatic plants; Kamal M et al.; Three aquatic plants were examined for their ability to remove heavy metals from contaminated water: parrot feather (Myriophylhum aquaticum), creeping primrose (Ludwigina palustris), and water mint (Mentha aquatic) . The plants were obtained from a Solar Aquatic System treating municipal wastewater . All the three plants were able to remove Fe, Zn, Cu, and Hg from the contaminated water . The average removal efficiency for the three plant species was 99.8%, 76.7%, 41.62%, and 33.9% of Hg, Fe, Cu, and Zn, respectively . The removal rates of zinc and copper were constant (0.48 mg/l/day for Zn and 0.11 mg/l/day for Cu), whereas those of iron and mercury were dependent on the concentration of these elements in the contaminated water and ranged from 7.00 to 0.41 mg/l/day for Fe and 0.0787 to 0.0002 mg/l/day for Hg . Parrot feather showed greater tolerance to toxicity followed by water mint and creeping primrose . The growth of creeping primrose was significantly affected by heavy metal toxicity . The selectivity of heavy metals for the three plant species was the same (Hg>Fe>Cu>Zn) . The mass balance preformed on the system showed that about 60.45-82.61% of the zinc and 38.96-60.75% of the copper were removed by precipitation as zinc phosphate and copper phosphate, respectively.

Water Res, 2004 Jan, 38(2), 466 - 74
Microalgae growth-promoting bacteria as "helpers" for microalgae: a novel approach for removing ammonium and phosphorus from municipal wastewater; de-Bashan LE et al.; A combination of microalgae (Chlorella vulgaris or C . sorokiniana) and a microalgae growth-promoting bacterium (MGPB, Azospirillum brasilense strain Cd), co-immobilized in small alginate beads, was developed to remove nutrients (P and N) from municipal wastewater . This paper describes the most recent technical details necessary for successful co-immobilization of the two microorganisms, and the usefulness of the approach in cleaning the municipal wastewater of the city of La Paz, Mexico . A . brasilense Cd significantly enhanced the growth of both Chlorella species when the co-immobilized microorganisms were grown in wastewater . A . brasilense is incapable of significant removal of nutrients from the wastewater, whereas both microalgae can . Co-immobilization of the two microorganisms was superior to removal by the microalgae alone, reaching removal of up to 100% ammonium, 15% nitrate, and 36% phosphorus within 6 days (varied with the source of the wastewater), compared to 75% ammonium, 6% nitrate, and 19% phosphorus by the microalgae alone . This study shows the potential of co-immobilization of microorganisms in small beads to serve as a treatment for wastewater in tropical areas.

Water Res, 2004 Jan, 38(2), 432 - 40
Factors influencing flux decline during nanofiltration of solutions containing dyes and salts; Koyuncu I et al.; In this paper, factors influencing the flux decline of nanofiltration membranes for the treatment of dye bath wastewaters were investigated . Experiments were performed with synthetic wastewaters . Synthetic solutions were prepared in different dye and salt concentrations at laboratory conditions . Operating conditions including cross-flow velocity and pH were changed to observe the effects of interactions between NaCl, dyes and the membrane . Cake formation rate of dye molecules on membrane surface with time was investigated by using linearized forms of cake filtration equations . The results suggest that cake layer formation of dye molecules on membrane surface, especially at low salt concentrations was the principal cause of flux decline . Operating conditions had a strong influence on permeate flux . Effects of cross-flow velocity on permeate flux were more pronounced at low NaCl concentrations . Furthermore, the lowest permeate flux values were obtained at the alkaline conditions due to increased dye hydrophobicity at high pH values.

J Zhejiang Univ Sci, 2004 Feb, 5(2), 206 - 11
Heterogeneous UV/Fenton catalytic degradation of wastewater containing phenol with Fe-Cu-Mn-Y catalyst; Zheng ZW et al.; The heterogeneous UV/Fenton process with the appropriate amount of Fe-Mn-Cu-Y as catalyst was developed and various operation conditions for the degradation of phenol were evaluated . The results indicated that by using the heterogeneous UV/Fenton process, the COD(cr) removal rate reached almost 100% for wastewater containing phenol . Compared with the homogeneous process, the developed catalyst could be used at wider pH range in the UV/Fenton process . Comparison of various heterogeneous process showed that heterogeneous UV/Fenton process was best . The heterogeneous UV/Fenton process with Fe-Mn-Cu-Y catalyst is highly efficient in degrading various organic pollutants.

J Zhejiang Univ Sci, 2004 Feb, 5(2), 180 - 5
Degradation of chlorophenol by in-situ electrochemically generated oxidant; Cong YQ et al.; A novel in-situ electrochemical oxidation method was applied to the degradation of wastewater containing chlorophenol . Under oxygen sparging, the strong oxidant, hydrogen dioxide, could be in-situ generated through the reduction of oxygen on the surface of the cathode . The removal rate of chlorophenol could be increased 149% when oxygen was induced in the electrochemical cell . The promotion factor was estimated to be about 82.63% according to the pseudo-first-order reaction rate constant (min(-1)) . Important operating parameters such as current density, sparged oxygen rate investigated . Higher sparged oxygen rate could improve the degradation of chlorophenol . To make full use of oxygen, however, sparged oxygen rate of 0.05 m(3)/h was adopted in this work . Oxidation-reduction potential could remarkably affect the generation of hydrogen peroxide . It was found that the removal rate of chlorophenol was not in direct proportion to the applied current density . The optimum current density was 3.5 mA/cm(2) when initial chlorophenol concentration was 100 mg/L and sparged oxygen rate was 0.05 m(3)/h.

Ann Chim, 2003 Sep-Oct, 93(9-10), 833 - 40
Removal of cyanides by electrooxidation; Szpyrkowicz L et al.; The paper describes a study on electro-oxidation of cyanides complexed with copper, present in metal plating wastewater . A detailed voltammetric study has indicated that formation in situ of the electrocatalytic film of copper oxide and electro-oxidation of cyanides probably occurs at the same anode potential . By contrary to other materials at which electro-oxidation of cyanide also occurs, at copper oxide elimination of cyanide occurs at a potential lower then the potential of hydroxide ion discharge.

Ann Chim, 2003 Sep-Oct, 93(9-10), 805 - 9
Novel photoreactors for heterogeneous photocatalytic wastewater treatment; Praveena D et al.; Heterogeneous photocatalysis is an effective treatment method for removal of toxic pollutants from industrial wastewaters . A novel, thin film slurry photoreactor was evaluated in this work for its effectiveness in removing phenol . The efficiency of parameters, initial phenol and catalyst concentrations and the light intensity on phenol removal was studied . The reactor performed well giving near complete removal of phenol even at a higher concentration of 500 mg/l.

Ann Chim, 2003 Sep-Oct, 93(9-10), 797 - 803
Application of electrochemical reactors for industrial waste-water treatment; Polcaro AM et al.; The effectiveness of electrochemical reactors for industrial wastewater treatment has been improved since three-dimensional electrodes have been introduced; in fact, limitations of mass transfer can arise, due to the low concentrations of pollutants which may be involved in the process . Three-dimensional electrodes offer a very high electrode area per unit electrode volume and they can act as turbulence promoters or give rise to high linear electrolyte velocity, resulting in high values of mass transport coefficient . However, careful selection of operative parameters is needed in order to obtain high performance . This paper examines the results obtained in our laboratory on the cathodic reduction of copper at RVC electrodes; in particular the interference of dissolved oxygen is studied during the removal of copper from extremely diluted solutions (C < 10 ppm) . Some results are also discussed on the removal of organic pollutants by electrochemical oxidation at three-dimensional anode consisting of a fixed bed of carbon pellets.

Ann Chim, 2003 Sep-Oct, 93(9-10), 777 - 82
Electrochemical treatment of wastewater from a phosphoric acid manufacturing plant; Neti NR et al.; Phosphoric acid plant wastewater containing fluoride, phosphate and chemical oxygen demand etc., was treated using electrooxidation and electroflocculation methods . A maximum of 82% F- and 22.7% COD were removed using Ti/Pt(5c) under electrooxidative conditions . Electrooxidation with respect to F- removal is found mass-transfer limited, and removals below 5-6 mg/L F- are not achievable . Electroflocculation using Al anode resulted in better removal of F-, COD and PO4(3-) . The various results obtained are discussed in this paper.

Ann Chim, 2003 Sep-Oct, 93(9-10), 753 - 60
Removal of fluoride from fluoride contaminated industrial waste water by electrolysis; Joshi VA et al.; Wastewater containing fluoride are generally treated with lime or calcium salt supplemented with aluminium salts . Wastewater generated from different industries does not always behave in the same way due to the presence of interfering contaminants . A number of techniques have been developed and studied for the removal of excessive fluoride . Most of these are based on use of aluminium salt . In alum coagulation the sorption properties of product of hydrolysis of aluminium salts and capacity of fluoride for complex formation plays a very important role . These hydrolysis products of aluminium can be produced by passing direct current through aluminium electrode . The text presented in the paper deals with the various aspect of removal of fluoride by electrolysis using aluminium electrode from fluoride chemical based industrial wastewater.

Ann Chim, 2003 Sep-Oct, 93(9-10), 719 - 28
Photocatalytic degradation of wastewater pollutants: titanium dioxide mediated degradation of methyl orange and beta-naphthol orange; Antharjanam S et al.; The photocatalytic degradation of azo dyes such as methyl orange and beta-naphthol orange in aqueous suspensions of TiO2 has been investigated under a variety of conditions . The kinetics of degradation was studied under different conditions such as reaction pH, substrate and catalyst concentration, and types of titanium dioxide used and in the presence of electron acceptors and electron donors . The degradation rates of the dyes have been found to be strongly influenced by all the above parameters . Carbon dioxide yield measurements indicate that only partial mineralization occurs in the initial phase of oxidation.

Anal Chem, 2003 Dec 15, 75(24), 6789 - 98
Analysis of metal ions by sweeping via dynamic complexation and cation-selective exhaustive injection in capillary electrophoresis; Isoo K et al.; To improve the detection sensitivity of metal ions in capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE), a novel method that combines complex formation and on-line sample preconcentration by sweeping was developed . Sweeping is defined as the picking and accumulating of analytes by a carrier in the background solution, with which they have considerable affinity . In this sweeping method, using ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid as carrier, dynamic complexation to form a UV-absorbing chelate and on-line preconcentration occur simultaneously during a run . The technique was validated in terms of the limit of detection, reproducibility, and sensitivity enhancement . Detection responses of some divalent metal ions, in terms of peak heights, were improved from 60- to 180-fold, relative to conventional CZE which employed precapillary complexation . The limits of detection were in the range of (1.8-23.4) x 10(-8) M . This method was applied to the analysis of trace metal ions in factory wastewater . Furthermore, sweeping in conjunction with sample stacking accompanying electrokinetic injection, cation-selective exhaustive injection (CSEI-sweeping), was also examined . Up to 140 000-fold improvement in detector responses for some divalent and trivalent metal ions was realized by CSEI-sweeping . The limits of detection were in the range (2.4-25.2) x 10(-11) M.

Syst Appl Microbiol, 2003 Nov, 26(4), 529 - 38
Candidatus "Scalindua brodae", sp . nov., Candidatus "Scalindua wagneri", sp . nov., two new species of anaerobic ammonium oxidizing bacteria; Schmid M et al.; Anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) is both a promising process in wastewater treatment and a long overlooked microbial physiology that can contribute significantly to biological nitrogen cycling in the world's oceans . Anammox is mediated by a monophyletic group of bacteria that branches deeply in the Planctomycetales . Here we describe a new genus and species of anaerobic ammonium oxidizing planctomycetes, discovered in a wastewater treatment plant (wwtp) treating landfill leachate in Pitsea, UK . The biomass from this wwtp showed high anammox activity (5.0 +/- 0.5 nmol/mg protein/min) and produced hydrazine from hydroxylamine, one of the unique features of anammox bacteria . Eight new planctomycete 16S rRNA gene sequences were present in the 16S rRNA gene clone library generated from the biomass . Four of these were affiliated to known anammox 16S rRNA gene sequences, but branched much closer to the root of the planctomycete line of descent . Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with oligonucleotide probes specific for these new sequences showed that two species (belonging to the same genus) together made up > 99% of the planctomycete population which constituted 20% of the total microbial community . The identification of these organisms as typical anammox bacteria was confirmed with electron microscopy and lipid analysis . The new species, provisionally named Candidatus "Scalindua brodae" and "Scalindua wagneri" considerably extend the biodiversity of the anammox lineage on the 16S rRNA gene level, but otherwise resemble known anammox bacteria . Simultaneously, another new species of the same genus, Candidatus "Scalindua sorokinii", was detected in the water column of the Black Sea, making this genus the most widespread of all anammox bacteria described so far.

Chemosphere, 2004 Feb, 54(8), 1247 - 53
Level and distribution of DDT in surface soils from Tianjin, China; Gong ZM et al.; One hundred and eighty eight surface soil samples were collected from the Tianjin area to study the contamination of DDT and its metabolites . Measurements were taken for p,p'-DDE, p,p'-DDD, p,p'-DDT, o,p'-DDE, o,p'-DDD and o,p'-DDT for all samples . The results indicated that p,p'-DDT and p,p'-DDE were the predominant contaminant compounds in the surface soil samples, with mean concentrations of 27.5 and 18.8 ng g(-1) respectively . No significant differences in DDT concentrations were found between the soils from wastewater treated irrigated areas and other areas, suggesting that wastewater irrigation is not an important source of DDT in the area . However, the spatial distribution of soil DDTs levels in the area did correlate well with early direct application rates of pesticides . In addition, both pH level and organic carbon content are also known factors affecting the level of DDT and its metabolites . Although it was assumed that the use of these chemicals was banned in the early 1980s, the current concentration levels appear to be too high to be mere residuals after 20 years degradation.

Chemosphere, 2004 Feb, 54(8), 1111 - 20
Concentrations and specific loads of polycyclic musks in sewage sludge originating from a monitoring network in Switzerland; Kupper T et al.; Polycyclic musks (HHCB, AHTN, ADBI, AHDI, ATII) and a metabolite of HHCB (HHCB-lactone) were analyzed in sewage sludge samples within the framework of a monitoring network in Switzerland . Mean values in stabilised sludge from 16 wastewater treatment plants were 20.3 mg/kg d.m . for HHCB, 7.3 mg/kg d.m . for AHTN and 1.8 mg/kg d.m . for HHCB-lactone, respectively . Contents of ADBI, AHDI and ATII were between 0.1 and 1.8 g/kg d.m . The results show that polycyclic musks origin mainly from private households and that loads from craft industry, industry and atmospheric deposition are negligible . The technology of wastewater treatment and sludge processing seems to be of minor importance for degradation processes of polycyclic musks . The calculated input in wastewater of polycyclic musks is lower by a factor of 5-7 than the estimates based on use volumes . This discrepancy might be explained by degradation processes, other emission pathways than wastewater or inappropriate estimation of production volumes.

J Agric Food Chem, 2003 Dec 17, 51(26), 7636 - 41
Antioxidizing potency of phenol compounds in olive oil mill wastewater; Ranalli A et al.; The antioxidizing potency of phenol compounds contained in olive oil mill wastewater (OOMWW) has been elucidated . Commercially available phenol standards at varying concentrations and the Rancimat oxidation test have been used . Refined purified olive oil was utilized as an oxidation lipid substrate . Synthetic antioxidants, such as 2,3-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole (BHA), 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxytoluene (BHT), l-ascorbic acid, and gallates (commonly used as food preservatives), and other known chemicals endowed with antioxidizing properties have been employed as reference compounds . The OOMWW phenol compounds have been classified into different groups depending on their antioxidizing potency . This was significantly affected by the tested concentrations of the standards . Mixtures of phenol standards and other antioxidants (l-proline, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and alpha-, gamma-, and delta-tocopherol) have also been tested . Many phenol compounds present in OOMWW showed antioxidizing potency higher compared to that of the less safe synthetic antioxidants and could therefore replace these in the industrial preservation of food items . They could also be used in combination with other natural antioxidants (e.g., tocopherols) . In fact, some mixtures of antioxidants, owing also to the synergistic phenomena, showed strong antioxidizing potency.

J Chromatogr A, 2003 Dec 5, 1020(1), 99 - 104
Analysis of steroid hormones in effluents of wastewater treatment plants by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry; Ingrand V et al.; This paper presents the development of an analytical procedure for the determination of two sexual steroid hormones: 17beta-estradiol and estrone, and the synthetic contraceptive estrogen, 17alpha-ethynylestradiol in effluents of wastewater treatment plants . Samples are extracted via solid-phase extraction using C18 cartridges . Extracts in ethyl acetate are then purified with a liquid-liquid separation with aqueous sodium chloride, then with a clean-up on a Florisil cartridge . Steroids are analyzed using an LC-MS-MS ion trap system . Internal quantification with the corresponding deuterated steroids leads to limits of quantification at 5 ng/l for estrone and 10 ng/l for estradiol and ethynylestradiol . In mineral spiked water, recoveries are 91% for 17beta-estradiol, 97% for estrone and 87% for 17alpha-ethynylestradiol and RSDs are 15% for 17beta-estradiol, 11% for estrone and 23% for 17alpha-ethynylestradiol.

Anal Bioanal Chem, 2004 Feb, 378(3), 770 - 5 Epub 2003 Dec 05.
Stripping chronopotentiometric measurements of lead(II) and cadmium(II) in soils extracts and wastewaters using a bismuth film screen-printed electrode assembly; Kadara RO et al.; The key to remediative processes is the ability to measure toxic contaminants on-site using simple and cheap sensing devices, which are field-portable and can facilitate more rapid decision-making . A three-electrode configuration system has been fabricated using low-cost screen-printing (thick-film) technology and this coupled with a portable electrochemical instrument has provided a a relatively inexpensive on-site detector for trace levels of toxic metals . The carbon surface of the screen-printed working electrode is used as a substrate for in situ deposition of a metallic film of bismuth, which allows the electrochemical preconcentration of metal ions . Lead and cadmium were simultaneously detected using stripping chronopotentiometry at the bismuth film electrode . Detection limits of 8 and 10 ppb were obtained for cadmium(II) and lead(II), respectively, for a deposition time of 120 s . The developed method was applied to the determination of lead and cadmium in soils extracts and wastewaters obtained from polluted sites . For comparison purposes, a mercury film electrode and ICP-MS were also used for validation.

Environ Sci Technol, 2003 Nov 15, 37(22), 5159 - 67
Acid-base properties of brown seaweed biomass considered as a Donnan gel . A model reflecting electrostatic effects and chemical heterogeneity; Rey-Castro C et al.; Brown seaweeds are interesting materials to be used as biosorbents for heavy metals due to their high binding ability and low cost . The study of the passive biosorption of protons on this kind of materials and its dependency on pH, ionic strength, and medium composition is essential for the practical application of brown algae in wastewater treatment . This work reports the results of the study of the proton binding equilibria of dead biomass from the seaweeds Sargassum muticum, Cystoseira baccata, and Saccorhiza polyschides by potentiometric titration with a glass electrode in the pH range between 2 and 8 . Two different salts, NaCl and KNO3, in concentrations ranging from 0.05 to 2 mol x L(-1), were used as background electrolytes . The influence of the ionic strength was accounted for by means of the Donnan model in combination with the master curve approach . Different empirical expressions to describe the swelling behavior of the biosorbent were tested . On the basis of the intrinsic affinity distribution analysis a unimodal Langmuir-Freundlich isotherm was selected to describe the proton binding properties . The results show very little influence of the type of salt . The ionic strength dependency of the proton binding is very similar for the three species, and average empirical expressions of the Donnan volume are proposed . The maximum proton binding capacities obtained ranged between 2.4 and 2.9 mol x kg(-1), with average intrinsic proton affinity constants between 3.1 and 3.3, and heterogeneity parameters of ca . 0.5 for S . muticum and C . baccata, and slightly higher (ca . 0.7) for S . polyschides . The combined Langmuir-Freundlich equation and Donnan model allowed a good description of the experimental charge vs pH curves obtained.

Water Sci Technol, 2003, 48(7), 97 - 103
Pollutant sources investigation and remedial strategies development for the Kaoping River Basin, Taiwan; Kao CM et al.; The Kaoping River Basin, located in southern Taiwan, flows through approximately 171 km and drains towards the South Taiwan Strait . It is the largest and the most intensively used river basin in Taiwan . Based on the results from the pollutant sources investigation and water quality analysis, the main water pollution sources of the Kaoping River were livestock wastewater from hog farms, municipal wastewater, industrial wastewater, leachate from riverbank landfills, and non-point source (NPS) pollutants from agricultural areas in the upper catchment . Concern about the deteriorating condition of the river led the Government of Taiwan to amend the relevant legislation and strengthen the enforcement of the discharge regulations to effectively manage the river and control the pollution . The following remedial strategies have been taken to improve the river water quality since 2001: (1) hog ban in the upper catchment of the Kaoping River Basin, thus, 510 thousand hogs have been removed/relocated; (2) removal of riverbank landfills; (3) enforcement of the industrial wastewater discharge standards; (4) sewer system construction in five cities along the river corridor; (5) application of best management practices for NPS pollutant control; (6) application of natural wastewater treatment systems (e.g . land treatment, constructed wetland, overland flow, riverbank sedimentation/aeration pond) for domestic wastewater treatment in rural areas; and (7) construction of the watershed geographical information system (GIS) and real time water quality monitoring system to effectively monitor and manage the watershed . Recent water quality investigation results indicate that the biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and nutrient loadings to the Kaoping River have been significantly reduced and the water quality has been improved after the implementation of the remedial strategies described above . Results and experience obtained from this study will be helpful in designing the watershed management strategies for other similar river basins.

Bioresour Technol, 2004 Mar, 92(1), 31 - 9
Decolorization of molasses wastewater by a strain No.BP103 of acetogenic bacteria; Sirianuntapiboon S et al.; Among 170 strains of acetogenic bacteria, a strain No.BP103 showed the highest decolorization yield (76.4+/-3.2%) when cultivated at 30 degrees C for 5 days in molasses pigments medium containing glucose 3.0%, yeast extract 0.5%, KH2PO4 0.1% and MgSO4 x 7H2O 0.05% and the pH adjusted to 6.0 . In addition this strain could decolorize 32.3+/-3.2% and 73.5+/-3.5% of molasses pigments in stillage and anaerobically treated molasses wastewater, both supplementing glucose 3.0%, yeast extract 0.5%, KH2PO4 0.1% and MgSO4 x 7H2O 0.05% . However without nutrients supplement, the decolorization yields were 9.75+/-3.0% and 44.36+/-3.4%, respectively . In a replacement culture system involving six times replacement (30 days), the strain No.BP103 showed a constant decolorization yield of 72.0+/-3.2-84.0+/-3.2% and caused decreases of biological oxygen demand and chemical oxygen demand values of approximately 58.5+/-6.4-82.2+/-7.1% and 35.5+/-0.42-71.20.58%, respectively . Under a periodical feeding system, the decolorization yield was 30.0+/-2.1-45.0+/-3.5%.

Mar Pollut Bull, 2003 Dec, 46(12), 1540 - 8
Restoration of the eutrophic Orbetello lagoon (Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy): water quality management; Lenzi M et al.; The Orbetello lagoon (Tyrrhenian coast, Italy) receives treated urban and land based fishfarms wastewater . The development of severe eutrophication imposed the three main activity adoption focuses on (1) macroalgae harvesting; (2) pumping of water from the sea; (3) confining wastewater to phytotreatment ponds . The responses to these interventions were rapid and macroalgal reduction growth and seagrass return were recorded . Since 1999, a new macroalgal development was recorded . The aim of this research was to discover whether the recent macroalgal growth can be attributed to the continuing wastewater influx from the remaining persistent anthropic sources (PAS) or from the sediment nutrient release . A monitoring programme was carried out between August 1999 and July 2000 in order to measure dissolved inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus in the wastewaters entering into the lagoon and in central lagoon areas, seaweed and seagrass distribution and lagoon N, P annual budgets . The results showed higher N and P values close to PAS . The distribution of the macroalgal species confirms that the available P comes almost entirely from these remaining PAS . In conclusion, the environmental measures adopted produced a significant reduction in algal biomass development in the lagoon; the macroalgal harvesting activities produced a sediment disturbance with following oxidize conditions, which make P unavailable in the lagoon water, excepting close the PAS.

J Environ Sci Health B, 2003 Nov, 38(6), 813 - 27
Removal of MCPA from aqueous solutions by acid-activated spent bleaching earth; Mahramanlioglu M et al.; The removal of MCPA (4-chloro-2-methyl phenoxyacetic acid) from aqueous solutions by activated spent bleaching earth (SBE) was studied as a function of time, initial concentration, adsorbent concentration, and temperature . The Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms were fitted by the adsorption data obtained . The values of Langmuir and Freundlich constants were determined . The adsorption kinetics was described by the Lagergren equation . Mass transfer coefficient and thermodynamic parameters were also calculated . Column experiments were conducted and brekthrough capacities were found for different concentrations and different flow rates . The study demonstrates that acid-treated SBE could be used as an efficient adsorbent for the removal of MCPA-bearing wastewater effluents.

Water Sci Technol, 2003, 48(6), 255 - 62
Liquefaction and methanization of solid and liquid coffee wastes by two phase anaerobic digestion process; Houbron E et al.; This study attempted to investigate the feasibility of volatile fatty acid (VFA) production from coffee pulp hydrolyse, and further to determine the potential of methanization of both the pre-acidified effluent and the coffee wastewater . The experiments were carried out in 2 completely mixed reactors, each one with a working volume of 4 litres . Coffee pulp was used as substrate in the acidogenic reactor and different mixtures of pulper and wash-water and pre-acidified effluent in the methanogenic one . The acidogenic and methanogenic reactors were operated at an organic loading rate of 5 COD g x l(-1) x d(-1) and 0.5 COD g x l(-1) x d(-1) . The total, soluble and VFA's effluent COD concentrations of the acidogenic reactor present average values of 57.75, 17.00 and 13.92 g x l(-1) respectively . Under these experimental conditions, 23% (COD based) of coffee pulp was hydrolysed with a rate of 1.32 gCOD x l(-1) x d(-1) and the soluble fraction was transformed to VFA's with an acidification efficiency of 82% . Total VFA's concentration reached a value of 13.9 gCOD x l(-1), and acetate, propionate, butyrate and valerate represented 52%, 28%, 9% and 11% respectively of the liquid phase COD . In the methanogenic reactor, COD removal and methanization of fresh coffee wastewater, pre-acidified effluent and both combined occur with an efficiency of 85% to 95% respectively, with a characteristic biogas composition of 80% CH4 and 20% CO2 . These results show that a humid coffee "Beneficio" processing daily 23 tons of cherry coffee (fresh fruit), equipped with a two stage anaerobic digestion process could generate at least 1,886 CH4 m3 x d(-1) . This represents an increase in methane production by a factor 3 to 5 compared to a "Beneficio" using anaerobic digestion only for the treatment of its wastewater.

Water Sci Technol, 2003, 48(6), 235 - 40
Effect of aluminium and sulphate on anaerobic digestion of sludge from wastewater enhanced primary treatment; Cabirol N et al.; The combined and individual effects of aluminium and sulphate at concentrations of 1,000 mg/l as Al(OH)3, and 150 mgSO4(2-)/L as K2SO4, respectively, on the anaerobic digestion of sludge from enhanced primary treatment (EPT) were evaluated in 1 L capacity semi continuous reactors . It was found that at 59 days, aluminium inhibits the specific methanogenic activity (SMA) of methanogenic and acetogenic bacteria resulting in a 50% to 72% decrease . Sulphate also inhibits (48% to 65%) the SMA of the same type of bacteria . Methanogenic and acetogenic bacteria were able to adapt, to a different extent, to the assayed concentrations of aluminium and sulphate . However, the combination of aluminium and sulphate resulted in a higher inhibition, especially of the hydrogenophilic methanogenic bacteria . Indeed, this effect remained during the time of the experiment, maintaining an inhibition of 44% at 114 days . Feeding with EPT sludge led to a bigger decrease in SMA of each bacterial group, with respect to the other treatments with time . It is concluded that the acidification of anaerobic reactors fed with EPT sludge is due, among other causes, to the concurrent presence of aluminium and sulphate.

Water Sci Technol, 2003, 48(6), 211 - 7
Impact of temperature on performance, microbiological, and hydrodynamic aspects of UASB reactors treating municipal wastewater; Singh KS et al.; The present study examined the feasibility of treating municipal wastewater by a UASB system under low-temperature conditions . Two reactors were started-up at 20 degrees C and subsequently operated at temperatures of 32, 20, 15, 11, and 6 degrees C applying several hydraulic retention times (HRTs) ranging from 48 to 3 h during an operational period of approximately 900 days . Chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency ranged from 70 to 90% up to an HRT of 6 h and 11 degrees C . The performance of the reactor was not very satisfactory during 6 degrees C operation (average COD removal 40%) . Sulfate reduction played an important role in COD reduction . Digital image analysis and scanning electron microscopic observations of sludge samples revealed aggregation of biomass in the form of irregular shaped granules (mean size ranged from 1.5 to 3.0 mm) . The hydraulic regime in the reactor was impacted by the change in operating temperature . This study demonstrated that the UASB system could be applied successfully for pre-treatment/treatment of municipal wastewater under low-temperature conditions.

Water Sci Technol, 2003, 48(6), 157 - 63
Anaerobic treatment of natural tannin extracts in UASB reactors; Lopez-Fluza J et al.; Tannin extracts are substances commonly used in leather production processes . Since most of the steps of tannery manufacturing processes are carried out in aqueous environments, the presence of these compounds in the wastewaters is important . The aim of this work is to study the feasibility of the anaerobic degradation of three natural tannin extracts in three Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB) reactors, which were fed with increasing concentrations of two condensed (quebracho and wattle) and one hydrolysable tannin extract (chestnut) . Concentrations of applied extracts were 100, 200, 400, 800 and 1,000 mg/l, and 5 g/l of glucose was used as cosubstrate . Reactors were operated during 210 days and their performance was evaluated from the values of total and soluble COD, total and intermediate alkalinity, volatile fatty acids, pH and UV absorption at 280 nm . COD removal efficiencies higher than 85% were achieved in all cases . However, tannin extract removal efficiencies (based on UV-280 nm absorption measurements) were significantly lower, around 20% for condensed extracts and 60% for the hydrolysable one, when the reactors operated with the highest tannin extract concentration . The operation of the reactors was stable, commonly with alkalinity ratios below 0.30 . Mass balances carried out indicate that most of the COD removal efficiencies are due to the removal of the readily biodegradable organic matter (glucose), whereas the tannin extracts are hardly anaerobically biodegradable, especially condensed extracts (wattle and quebracho).

Water Sci Technol, 2003, 48(6), 149 - 55
Influence of feedstock and bleaching technologies on methanogenic toxicity of kraft mill wastewater; Vidal G et al.; Chlorine-bleached effluent is problematic for anaerobic wastewater treatment due to its high toxicity against methanogenic bacteria . To date, alternative bleaching processes are being introduced, such as elemental chlorine-free (ECF) and total chlorine-free (TCF) . The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of bleaching technologies and different types of feedstock on methanogenic activity . In order to compare the toxicity of the different bleaching sequences per unit of COD, the 50%-inhibitory concentration (50% IC) for methanogenic bacteria of the different bleaching effluents were compared . The results show that there is no direct relationship between the effluent's methanogenic toxicity and the bleaching sequences . Methanogenic toxicity ranged from 0.6 to 2.4 g COD/L.

Water Sci Technol, 2003, 48(6), 119 - 24
The effect of the supplementation with a primary carbon source on the resistance to oxygen exposure of methanogenic sludge; Estrada-Vazquez C et al.; Anaerobic methanogenic consortia have a considerable resistance to oxygen exposure . Yet, most research has been focused on the study of the tolerance to oxygen of anaerobic immobilized biomass . Less is known on the potential of the anaerobic suspended biomass for withstanding exposure to oxygen and the effect of a primary degradable substrate on such resistance . Thus, the objective of this work was to determine the effect of the amount of a primary degradable substrate (sucrose) on the resistance of a methanogenic suspended biomass to oxygen exposure . It was found that the inhibition of disperse anaerobic sludge by oxygen exposure decreases when the concentration of the supplemented carbon source increases . This is in agreement with the fact that aerobic respiration of the added substrate by the facultative heterotrophic bacteria, always present in this type of sludge, has been found in previous studies as one of the main mechanisms protecting methanogens against O2 . From a practical point of view, this suggests that aeration of anaerobic systems should be possible without inhibiting the activity of methanogenic bacteria if an adequate ratio between oxygen and COD feeding is maintained . Such a ratio will depend however on the wastewater initial COD concentration.

Water Sci Technol, 2003, 48(6), 103 - 10
Automatic control of volatile fatty acids in anaerobic digestion using a fuzzy logic based approach; Punal A et al.; A control law based on fuzzy logic was developed and validated for an anaerobic wastewater treatment process . The controlled variable was the concentration of volatile fatty acids (VFA) in the reactor and the manipulated variable was the input flow rate . In order to use it as the input of the fuzzy sets, the controlled variable was treated using an algorithm of interpolation, extrapolation and filtering . The treatment of VFA values attempted to anticipate the behaviour of the variable and to avoid the inherent delay of the response, associated to the time constant of the system . Furthermore, the controlled variable derivative was used as a second input of the fuzzy sets to increase or decrease the speed of the control action . The control law was applied to a 0.948 m3 fixed-bed anaerobic reactor treating raw and diluted (1:2) industrial distillery vinasses . The validation was performed establishing different transient states between different set points in the range of 0.8 and 1.8 g VFA/l and different concentrations of the influent . The control law proved to be reliable supplying an adequate control action in terms of amplitude and velocity to achieve the desired set point for different types of perturbation and control purposes.

Water Sci Technol, 2003, 48(6), 87 - 94
Robust regulation of anaerobic digestion processes; Mailleret L et al.; This paper deals with the problem of controlling anaerobic digestion processes . A two-step (i.e . acidogenesis-methanization) mass balance model is considered for a 1 m3 fixed bed digester treating industrial wine distillery wastewater . The control law aims at regulating the organic pollution level while avoiding washout of biomass . To this end, a simple output feedback controller is considered which regulates a variable strongly related to the Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) . Numerical simulations assuming noisy measurements first illustrate the robustness of this control procedure . Then, the regulating procedure is implemented on the considered anaerobic digestion process in order to validate and demonstrate its efficiency in real life experiments.

Water Sci Technol, 2003, 48(6), 41 - 9
Dynamics of extracellular polymeric substances in UASB and EGSB reactors treating medium and low concentrated wastewaters; Punal A et al.; In this work the dynamic study of EPS (Extracellular Polymeric Substances) concentration and distribution during the operation of two different reactor configurations (UASB and EGSB) is presented, treating medium (5 g COD/l) and low-concentrated (0.5 g COD/l) wastewater . Medium-concentrated wastewater was supplied for granules maturation as well as for stabilisation of the process . The effect of substrate change on granule characteristics was followed in both reactors . Total concentration of EPS associated to steady operation, was higher in the UASB reactor . The change to a low-concentrated substrate led to an increased difference, promoting a sharp destabilisation of the EGSB reactor, observing an increment in filamentous structures, causing biomass flotation and wash out . Although total concentration of EPS remained almost constant in the UASB reactor, their composition and distribution presented significant differences . The ratio of protein/polysaccharides as well as acidic-polysaccharides/total (neutral + acidic) polysaccharides decreased drastically in the EGSB reactor, while in the UASB reactor, the decrease was not so important and not enough for destabilisation of granule structure . Moreover, polysaccharides distribution seemed to have an important role in granule stability being enough to maintain granule cohesion only in the case of the UASB reactor . These observations point to composition and distribution of EPS rather than their total concentration as key parameters for granule stability and settleability.

Water Sci Technol, 2003, 48(6), 1 - 8
Essential metal depletion in an anaerobic reactor; Osuna MB et al.; The effect of the absence of trace elements on the conversion of a mixture of volatile fatty acids by a distillery anaerobic granular sludge was investigated . Two UASB reactors were operated under identical operational conditions except for the influent trace metal concentrations, during 140 days . Experiments were carried out in three periods, where different organic loading rates (OLR) were applied to the reactors . The total trace metal concentration steadily decreased at a rate of 48 microg metal/g TS.d in the deprived reactor (down to 35% of their initial value) . In contrast, trace metals accumulated in granules present in the control reactor . At the end of the experiment, the COD removal efficiencies were 99% and 77% for the control and deprived reactors, respectively, due to the lack of propionate conversion . Cobalt sorption experiments were carried out in order to study its speciation, and its effects on the speciation of other metals as well . A paper mill wastewater treating granular sludge was also included in the study as a comparison . Results obtained showed that the principal metal forms normally associated with any sludge are a function of each soluble metal concentration in the system, and the characteristics of the particular sludge.

Chemosphere, 2004 Feb, 54(7), 951 - 67
Cr(VI) removal from synthetic wastewater using coconut shell charcoal and commercial activated carbon modified with oxidizing agents and/or chitosan; Babel S et al.; In this study, the technical feasibility of coconut shell charcoal (CSC) and commercial activated carbon (CAC) for Cr(VI) removal is investigated in batch studies using synthetic electroplating wastewater . Both granular adsorbents are made up of coconut shell (Cocos nucifera L.), an agricultural waste from local coconut industries . Surface modifications of CSC and CAC with chitosan and/or oxidizing agents, such as sulfuric acid and nitric acid, respectively, are also conducted to improve removal performance . The results of their Cr removal performances are statistically compared . It is evident that adsorbents chemically modified with an oxidizing agent demonstrate better Cr(VI) removal capabilities than as-received adsorbents in terms of adsorption rate . Both CSC and CAC, which have been oxidized with nitric acid, have higher Cr adsorption capacities (CSC: 10.88, CAC: 15.47 mg g(-1)) than those oxidized with sulfuric acid (CSC: 4.05, CAC: 8.94 mg g(-1)) and non-treated CSC coated with chitosan (CSCCC: 3.65 mg g(-1)), respectively, suggesting that surface modification of a carbon adsorbent with a strong oxidizing agent generates more adsorption sites on their solid surface for metal adsorption.

Chemosphere, 2004 Feb, 54(7), 935 - 42
Determining the equilibrium partitioning coefficients of volatile organic compounds at an air-water interface; Cheng WH et al.; The single equilibration technique (SET) was adopted to determine the partitioning coefficients (pc) at an air-water interface for volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including ethanol, iso-propanol (IPA), iso-butanol (IBA), methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) and toluene, all extensively used in industrial processes . Standard SET procedures were established . The liquid concentrations (CL) of tested VOCs ranged from 10 to 125 mg l(-1) for alcohols and MEK, and from 0.5 to 20 mg l(-1) for toluene . The temperatures (Tw) of aqueous VOC solutions were maintained at 27, 32, 38 and 42 degrees C to determine the gaseous concentrations at equilibrium (Cg*) and pc of VOCs, using the formula pc=(Cg*/CL) . Results reveal that the pc values of all tested components increase slowly with Tw given a constant CL, and that the pc of alcohols and MEK fall as CL increases at a constant Tw . In contrast, the pc of toluene is not significantly impacted by a variation in CL at a constant Tw . However, the effect of CL concentration has seldom been discussed . The heats of liquid and gaseous phase transfer (DeltaHtr) of VOC, and the highly linear regression (with squared correlation coefficients, R2, from 0.901 to 0.999) between lnCg* and Tw(-1) are also evaluated . The experimental results and the VOC mass transfer characteristics are helpful for evaluating the emission of VOC from the water surface of wastewater treatment facilities.

Chemosphere, 2004 Feb, 54(7), 887 - 94
Lentinula edodes removes phenols from olive-mill wastewater: impact on durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) germinability; D'Annibale A et al.; Olive-mill wastewater (OMW) exhibits highly phytotoxic properties, mainly due to phenols . A valuable option for OMW disposal is its agricultural use provided that phytotoxic effects are removed . The present investigation was aimed at evaluating the efficacy of the lignin-degrading fungus Lentinula edodes in achieving OMW detoxification . Germinability experiments on durum wheat showed that OMW phytotoxicity was significantly reduced by L . edodes cultures . Germinability on undiluted and twofold diluted OMW from fungal cultures was 34+/-5% and 57+/-6%, respectively, while on related incubation controls it was almost completely suppressed.These results suggest that fungal cultures of L . edodes would decrease the phytotoxicity of this waste.

Chemosphere, 2004 Feb, 54(7), 815 - 21
Study on hydrogen production with hysteresis in UASB; Huang GH et al.; This paper uses a 10-l UASB (upflow anaerobic sludge blanket) bench-scale reactor to treat the esterification wastewater of a polyethylene terephthalate manufacturing plant . Two organic loading rates are used to evaluate the effect on H2 production of temperature gradually step-down and step-up in the range of 11-25 degrees C . Experimental results show that H2 production is positively related to temperature . H2 production increases with temperature at the higher organic loading rate (4.5 kg COD m(-3)d(-1)) . However, the H2 produced does not go back to its original concentration but rather follows a hysteresis curve . This hysteresis also occurs in the corresponding concentrations of COD, acetate, propionate and butyrate . As in the H2 profiles, these parameter curves return clockwise during the temperature step-up . At the lower organic loading rate (2.2 kg COD m(-3)d(-1)), no obvious hysteresis is observed for H2 curve . The pattern of other parameters, except for the propionate, returns counterclockwise resulting in the hysteresis phenomena.

Anal Chem, 2003 Aug 15, 75(16), 4103 - 12
A fully automated LC/MS method development and quantification protocol targeting 52 carbamates, thiocarbamates, and phenylureas; Yu K et al.; We have developed a fully automated LC/MS method development and quantification protocol targeting 52 carbamtes, thiocarbamates, and phenylureas . This is a simple LC/MS method with direct injection; no post-column derivatization was required . The method utilized the Waters Alliance HT Chromatography System and the Waters ZQ 2000 mass spectrometer . System control and data processing was by MassLynx 4.0 with QuanLynx Application Manager . Analyte separation was accomplished by Waters Symmetry reversed-phase C8 column . An ammonium acetate water/acetonitrile binary gradient was used for the separation . The MS multichannel ability minimized the LC method development time with less demand on chromatographic peak resolution . Quantification results were obtained for 46 analytes out of the 52 targets . The coefficients of determination ranged from 0.886 to 0.999 . The automated LC/MS protocol has sufficient sensitivity to accommodate the current EPA requirements . The limits of detection (3 times the S/N) ranged from 0.091 to 19.3 ng/mL with 50-microL injection . The highly selective MS detector enabled the matrix effect to be minimized . This method was applied to local drinking water and wastewater samples . Each matrix was spiked with the 52 target analytes at 2 and 20 ng/mL . The recoveries were within the EPA acceptance range.

Anal Chem, 2003 Sep 1, 75(17), 4508 - 13
Quantitative analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in water in the low-nanogram per liter range with two-step laser mass spectrometry; Emmenegger C et al.; Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are of major concern in all environmental compartments due to the mutagenic and carcinogenic properties of many PAHs . Two-step laser mass spectrometry (L2MS) is a sensitive and selective method to measure PAHs in complex solid matrixes . However, in most studies, L2MS was used for qualitative or semiquantitative analyses . Here we present for the first time a quantitative method analyzing PAHs in water at the nanogram per liter level . PAHs are extracted from a 30-mL water sample with a solid PVC membrane, which is then directly measured by L2MS without further treatment . Detection limits are in the low-nanogram per liter range (2-125 ng/L) for skeletal three- to six-ring PAHs . Extraction efficiencies of this method are between 75 and 90% . In a first application, samples from a wastewater treatment plant were measured, showing that microbial activities efficiently decrease PAH concentrations by 75-90%.

Adv Space Biol Med, 2003, 9, 253 - 80
New facilities and instruments for developmental biology research in space; Brinckmann E; Three new ESA facilities will be available for biological experiments in Space, Biopack on the Space Shuttle and two instruments on the International Space Station (ISS): BIOLAB in the European "Columbus" Laboratory and the European Modular Cultivation System (EMCS) in the US Lab "Destiny" . The experiments are housed in standard Experiment Containers, allowing either research in microgravity or acceleration studies with variable g-levels, if mounted on the centrifuges . While Biopack provides only thermal control, BIOLAB and EMCS supply each container with a dedicated atmosphere (controlled CO2, O2 concentration and relative humidity, trace gas removal): EMCS contains also fresh and wastewater reservoirs on its rotors . Power and data lines are available in all the described facilities . Highly automated systems, like BIOLAB's Handling Mechanism and Analysis Instruments, support the telescience concept and help reducing crew time in orbit . A BioGlovebox with its support instruments allows unique research possibilities in Space . The feasibility of experiment hardware inside the containers has been studied by ESA for several kinds of Experiment Support Equipment with potential use for research in Developmental Biology: design concepts for experiments with small eggs, cells and tissues, with small aquatic animals, with insects and with plants are described in this article.

Sci Total Environ, 2003 Dec 30, 317(1-3), 201 - 5
Toxic and essential trace metals in muscle, liver and kidney of bovines from a polluted area of Morocco; Sedki A et al.; Toxic and essential trace metals were measured in muscle, bone, liver and kidney of bovine grazing on the municipal wastewater spreading field of Marrakech City (Morocco) . Bovines were found to be seriously contaminated by toxic metals, for metal bioaccumulation . The high cadmium content seemed to contribute to a reduction in zinc and copper levels . The arithmetic mean concentrations of zinc, especially cadmium, and levels were higher in liver and kidney, specific target organs copper and cadmium in liver and kidney, were respectively: 126, 112 and 5.1 microg/g in liver; 89, 33 and 10.3 microg/g in kidney.

Sci Total Environ, 2003 Dec 30, 317(1-3), 1 - 22
Industrial surface impoundments: environmental settings, release and exposure potential and risk characterization; Johnson B et al.; This paper presents the results of a national scale evaluation of the environmental impact of surface impoundments that contain non-hazardous wastewaters . In the 1990s, it was found that approximately 18,000 surface impoundments existed in the US for treating, storing or disposing of non-hazardous wastewater . In this study, the focus was on the subset of 11,900 impoundments that contain at least one of 256 chemicals of interest or high or low pH wastewater . Questionnaires were sent to facilities chosen in a two-phase nationally representative random sample . The nature, extent and use of surface impoundments across manufacturing industries were characterized using the information collected in the survey . Also, the chemical composition of impounded wastewaters; the potential for chemical releases to the environment from the impoundments; and the risk from these releases were assessed . It is estimated that only approximately 5-6% of facilities with impoundments have the potential to pose risks to human health, although approximately 19-46% of facilities with impoundments release chemicals of concern to the environment . The information in this study should help environmental managers evaluate and avoid those risk factors that have the potential to result in environmental harm, particularly when present in combination.

Water Res, 2004 Jan, 38(1), 206 - 10
Reaction of phenol with nitrite ion: pathways of formation of nitrophenols in environmental waters; Patnaik P et al.; When sodium nitrite is spiked into phenolic waters, 2-nitrophenol is produced immediately while 4-nitrophenol forms in minor yield after an induction period . The reaction occurs at ambient temperature under acidic, neutral and alkaline conditions . The reaction also occurs in the dark . The nature and yield of the products formed in the dark are analogous to that obtained under ordinary light . Results show that the formation of 2-nitrophenol is first order in nitrite, however, within a narrow range of concentrations . No such order of reaction could be determined for 4-nitrophenol, the yield of which increases in presence of excess nitrite ions and at high nitrite to phenol ratios . Results of this study indicate that NO(2)(-) is the active species in the reaction, attacking the phenol ring at the ortho position and at the same time undergoing a para-substitution in excess nitrite atmosphere . Neither any photo-induced oxidation nor any nitronium ion, NO(2)(+) formation is involved as active species in the nitration of phenol . Our study indicates that in environmental waters a simple contact of nitrite ion with phenolic wastewaters under ambient conditions may form mononitrophenols, which are toxic to aquatic species.

Water Res, 2004 Jan, 38(1), 139 - 47
Effects of emergent vegetation on lateral diffusion in wetlands; Serra T et al.; Constructed wetlands are widely used for a variety of environmental applications, such as wastewater treatment and recharge, and their efficacy is largely determined by the hydrodynamic characteristics of the flow system . An experimental study was carried out to quantify the lateral dispersion of passive substances in shallow zones of a constructed wetland wherein water flows though the interstices of the distributed vegetation . The experimental set up was designed to mimic the Tres Rios constructed wetland located in Phoenix, Arizona . The major emphasis was on the lateral diffusivity K(t) of a shallow zone with randomly distributed vegetation . The results are presented in the context of a simple theoretical model where K(t) is expressed in terms of the diameter of the plant stalk D(v), the characteristic distance between the plants d(v), the flow velocity U and the drag coefficient C(D) as (K(t)/UD(v))(d(v)/D(v))=betaC(D), where beta is a dimensionless constant . Fitting of data to the above model indicate that C(D), in general, is a function of the Reynolds number (Re) . The data are also compared with a model proposed by Nepf et al . (Water Res 35 (1999) 479).

Water Res, 2004 Jan, 38(1), 71 - 8
Evaluation of metal hydroxide sludge for reactive dye adsorption in a fixed-bed column system; Netpradit S et al.; The capacity and performance of small-scale column, containing coarse particles of metal hydroxide sludge, were evaluated using 30mgl(-1) dye solutions of C.I . Reactive Red 141 . The studied bed depths were 2.5-20cm and the studied flow rates were 1.1, 2.2 and 3.3mlmin(-1)cm(-2) . At the breakthrough point of 0.1C(t)/C(0), the breakthrough volume was increased with increasing bed depth or decreasing flow rate, due to an increase in empty bed contact time (EBCT) . The data followed the bed depth service time model, and the adsorption capacity was 24-26mgcm(-3) or 27-29mgdyesg(-1) adsorbent . The minimum bed depths should be higher 1.02, 2.04 and 2.59cm with flow rates of 1.1, 2.2 and 3.3mlmin(-1)cm(-2), respectively, while the ratio of bed depth to diameter should not be higher than 6 . With EBCT above 5min, the usage rate of metal hydroxide sludge was 1.3gl(-1) . Using the bed depth of 5cm and the flow rate of 0.55mlmin(-1)cm(-2), 87% of dominant colour, 78% of COD, and 99% of SS could be removed from the textile wastewater, and the leachate of toxic heavy metals was under the standard limitations.

Water Res, 2004 Jan, 38(1), 27 - 36
The efficiency of enhanced biological phosphorus removal from real wastewater affected by different ratios of acetic to propionic acid; Chen Y et al.; The effect of different ratios of propionic to acetic acid on the efficiency of enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) from real wastewater supplemented with volatile fatty acids (VFAs) was investigated . Two sequencing batch reactors (SBRs) were used to acclimate two types (SBR1 and SBR2) of biomass . They were cultured and studied using real wastewater with an average propionic to acetic acid carbon molar ratio of 0.16 and 2.06, respectively . The laboratory results showed that for a given long-term cultured biomass the more the soluble ortho-phosphate (SOP) was released in the anaerobic stage, the higher the SOP was taken up in the aerobic phase . However, the SBR2 biomass had a much greater SOP uptake to release ratio than SBR1, which resulted in a higher SOP removal efficiency than SBR1 (average 87.3% versus 76.9% in SBRs experiments, and 93.5% against 68.1% in batch tests) . The SBR2 biomass therefore had a higher SOP uptake ability than the SBR1 for a given amount of SOP release . In addition, the SBR1 had a higher secondary SOP release following VFAs uptake . It was found that the SBR2 biomass synthesized and utilized less observable polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) during the anaerobic and aerobic stage respectively than SBR1 . The apparent PHAs utilization efficiency for SOP uptake with the SBR2 biomass was much greater than with the SBR1, and the SBR2 biomass synthesized less glycogen during aerobiosis than SBR1, which might mean a higher PHAs fraction was used for SOP removal, resulting in the increased efficiency with the long-term cultured SBR2 biomass . Higher propionic acid content led to superior EBPR in long-term cultivation, but was transiently detrimental in the short term.

Environ Manage . 2003 Nov 21;32(2) {Epub ahead of print}
Components of the Total Water Balance of an Urban Catchment; Mitchell VG et al.; A daily model was used to quantify the components of the total urban water balance of the Curtin catchment, Canberra, Australia . For this catchment, the mean annual rainfall was found to be three times greater than imported potable water, and the sum of the output from the separate stormwater and wastewater systems exceeded the input of imported potable water by some 50% . Seasonal and annual variations in climate exert a very strong influence over the relative magnitude of the water balance components; this needs to be accounted for when assessing the potential for utilizing stormwater and wastewater within an urban catchment.

Biotechnol Adv, 2003 Dec, 22(1-2), 93 - 117
Effects of plants and microorganisms in constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment; Stottmeister U et al.; Constructed wetlands are a natural alternative to technical methods of wastewater treatment . However, our understanding of the complex processes caused by the plants, microorganisms, soil matrix and substances in the wastewater, and how they all interact with each other, is still rather incomplete . In this article, a closer look will be taken at the mechanisms of both plants in constructed wetlands and the microorganisms in the root zone which come into play when they remove contaminants from wastewater . The supply of oxygen plays a crucial role in the activity and type of metabolism performed by microorganisms in the root zone . Plants' involvement in the input of oxygen into the root zone, in the uptake of nutrients and in the direct degradation of pollutants as well as the role of microorganisms are all examined in more detail . The ways in which these processes act to treat wastewater are dealt with in the following order: Technological aspects; The effect of root growth on the soil matrix; Gas transport in helophytes and the release of oxygen into the rhizosphere; The uptake of inorganic compounds by plants; The uptake of organic pollutants by plants and their metabolism; The release of carbon compounds by plants; Factors affecting the elimination of pathogenic germs.

Biotechnol Adv, 2003 Dec, 22(1-2), 81 - 91
Phycoremediation: key issues for cost-effective nutrient removal processes; Olguin EJ; Phycoremediation applied to the removal of nutrients from animal wastewater and other high organic content wastewater is a field with a great potential and demand considering that surface and underground water bodies in several regions of the world are suffering of eutrophication . However, the development of more efficient nutrient removal algal systems requires further research in key areas . Algae growth rate controls directly and indirectly the nitrogen and phosphorus removal efficiency . Thus, maximum algae productivity is required for effective nutrient removal and must be considered as a key area of research . Likewise, low harvesting costs are also required for a cost-effective nutrient removal system . The use of filamentous microalgae with a high autoflocculation capacity and the use of immobilized cells have been investigated in this respect . Another key area of research is the use of algae strains with special attributes such as tolerance to extreme temperature, chemical composition with predominance of high added value products, a quick sedimentation behavior, or a capacity for growing mixotrophically . Finally, to combine most of the achievements from key areas and to design integrated recycling systems (IRS) should be an ultimate and rewarding goal.

Water Sci Technol, 2003, 48(5), 307 - 13
Removal and speciation of heavy metals along the treatment path of wastewater in subsurface-flow constructed wetlands; Lim PE et al.; This study was conducted to: (1) evaluate the performance of constructed wetlands in removing Zn, Pb and Cd, respectively, and Zn, Pb, Cd and Cu in combination and (2) investigate the speciation patterns of the dissolved metals differentiated according to their detectability by anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV) and their lability towards Chelex resin along the treatment path of metal-containing wastewater in horizontal subsurface-flow constructed wetlands . Four laboratory scale wetland units planted with cattails (Typha latifolia) were operated outdoors for six months . Three of the units were, respectively, fed with primary-treated domestic wastewater spiked with Zn(II), Pb(II) and Cd(II) whilst the fourth was spiked with a combination of Zn(II), Pb(II), Cd(II) and Cu(II) . The results demonstrate that a metal removal efficiency of over 99% was achievable for wetland units treating the metals singly or in combination provided the sorption capacity of the media was not exceeded . When treating the metals in combination, an antagonistic effect, more significantly for Pb and Cd, on the sorptive metal uptake by media was observed . Based on the metal speciation patterns, the wetland system seemed to be capable of maintaining the ASV-labile metal species at relatively low level (< 10%) before media exhaustion.

Water Sci Technol, 2003, 48(5), 299 - 305
Distribution of Mn, Al, Cu and Zn in a constructed wetland receiving municipal sewage; Vymazal J et al.; A constructed wetland at Nucice near Prague, Czech Republic, has been in operation since 1996 and the system is designed to treat sewage from 650 PE together with stormwater . The total area of the beds planted with Phalaris arundinacea and Phragmites australia is 3,224 m2 (two beds 62 x 26 m each) . Pea gravel (8/16 mm) is used as a filtration material . During the period 1998-1999, removal of Mn, Al, Cu and Zn from wastewater and distribution of the metals in sediments and plants were studied . Metals were measured in three vertical profiles of the filtration bed (0-15, 15-30 and 30-60 cm) and at four locations along the longitudinal profile of the bed (5, 16, 32, 48 m from the inlet) . Metal concentrations in plant tissues (roots, stems, leaves) of Phalaris arundinacea were measured along the longitudinal profile of the bed at the same locations as for sediments . The results showed that the retention of metals is high (up to 98%) with the major decrease in metal concentrations within the first 5 metres of the bed . The major decrease in metal concentration in the filtration material was observed in the inlet zone between 5 and 16 metres . In Phalaris tissue, metal concentrations decreased in the order roots > stems > leaves but statistically significant differences varied among the studied metals.

Water Sci Technol, 2003, 48(5), 257 - 66
Potential use of mangrove plantation as constructed wetland for municipal wastewater treatment; Boonsong K et al.; The study evaluated the possibility of using mangrove plantation to treat municipal wastewater . Two types of pilot scale (100 x 150 m2) free water surface constructed wetland were set up . One system was a natural Avicennia marina dominated forest system . The other system was a newly planted system in which seedlings of Rhizophora spp., A . marina, Bruguiera cylindrica and Ceriops tagal were planted in 4 strips . Municipal wastewater was retained within the systems for 7 and 3 days, respectively . The results indicated that the average removal percentage of TSS, BOD, NO3-N, NH4-N, TN , PO4-P and TP in the newly planted system were 27.6-77.1, 43.9-53.9, 37.6-47.5, 81.1-85.9, 44.8-54.4, 24.7-76.8 and 22.6-65.3 respectively . Whereas the removal percentage of those parameters in the natural forest system were 17.1-65.9, 49.5-51.1, 44.0-60.9, 51.1-83.5, 43.4-50.4, 28.7-58.9 and 28.3-48.0, respectively . Generally, the removal percentages within the newly planted system and the natural forest system were not significantly different . However, when the removal percentages were compared with detention time, TSS, PO4-P and TP percentages removed were significantly higher in the 7-day detention time treatment . Even though the removal percentages were highly varied and temporally dependent, the overall results showed that mangrove plantation could be used as constructed wetland for municipal wastewater treatment in a similar way to the natural mangrove system.

Water Sci Technol, 2003, 48(5), 241 - 8
Plankton composition, distribution and significance in a tropical integrated pilot constructed treatment wetland in Uganda; Luyiga S et al.; The importance of the plankton community in wastewater treatment has been under-estimated for a long time, simply because of its biomass accumulation resulting in final release of organic matter back into the system after decomposition . In a two-year 3-month periodical study on a tropical integrated wastewater treatment constructed wetland, the phytoplankton role was tested and it has been shown that, through harvesting, the phytoplankton community plays a significant role in municipal wastewater treatment . The high phytobiomass, which was dominated by green algae (Chlorophyta), enhanced high levels of dissolved oxygen and high pH within the open ponds, and because of this, the system was found to be highly efficient in BOD5 (81%) and NH4+-N (93%) removal . The high pH enhanced ammonia volatilization within the open ponds . Regression statistics between the plankton community composition and some of the physicochemical parameters (BOD, NH4+-N, DO, pH) within the wetland system show a significant relationship . In conclusion, open treatment wetlands provide a wide variety of planktonic organisms as water quality improvement systems through the provision of oxygen and alteration of the pH for BOD5 and ammonium reduction respectively.

Water Sci Technol, 2003, 48(5), 233 - 40
The effect of wastewater discharge on biomass production and nutrient content of Cyperus papyrus and Miscanthidium violaceum in the Nakivubo wetland, Kampala, Uganda; Kansiime F et al.; The nutrient content of representative plant parts and biomass production in the Nakivubo wetland, correlation of these with the wastewater flow patterns and determination of nutrient uptake, storage and biomass production of Cyperus papyrus (papyrus) and Miscanthidium violaceum was studied . On average papyrus vegetation under the influence of wastewater had higher nutrient content in the above ground biomass (1.6% N and 0.23% P on dry weight basis) than those not affected (0.98% N and 0.18% P) . The biomass varied between 3,529-5,844 g/m2 and 883-1,156 g/m2 in the two respective sites . The juvenile plants of papyrus and Miscanthidium had higher concentrations of P and N in their organs compared to the mature ones . Considering the nutrients stored by the dominant vegetation and the current flow patterns of wastewater in the Nakivubo wetland, harvesting of the above ground biomass once a year, would remove 7.7% of the N input and 15.8% of the P input of the annual total load entering the wetland . However, if the wetland is bio-manipulated and the wastewater flow distributed over the whole wetland, up to 70% nitrogen and 76% phosphorus would be removed by harvesting above ground papyrus biomass.

Water Sci Technol, 2003, 48(5), 223 - 31
Preliminary investigation of the potential of four tropical emergent macrophytes for treatment of pre-treated pulp and papermill wastewater in Kenya; Abira MA et al.; The potential of four aquatic macrophytes for treatment of wastewater in constructed wetlands was investigated in bucket mesocosms at Pan African Paper Mills (E.A) Limited . The buckets were operated as semi-continuous batch reactors with reversed vertical flow for a period of 3 months . Four treatments were applied involving two hydraulic retention times (HRT) and two wastewater concentrations . Plants appear healthier and greener in treatments at HRT5 than at HRT10 . Cyperus immensus and Typha domingensis had higher biomass gain compared to the other two species . Plant nitrogen and phosphorus content, based on dry weight, was lower at the end of the experiment than at the beginning in all treatments for all species The removal efficiency achieved for COD ranged from 10 to 55% for planted buckets at HRT5 and 15 to 65% at HRT10 for similar buckets . The mean percentage COD removal in unplanted buckets was significantly lower than in planted ones . TSS removal efficiency ranged from 44-86% . Buckets planted with Typha exhibited the highest removal efficiency in all treatments . Those at HRT5 showed significantly higher removal efficiencies than those at HRT10 for all species . The results indicate that the plants are suitable for use in constructed wetlands for treatment of the wastewater provided the appropriate treatment is applied.

Water Sci Technol, 2003, 48(5), 149 - 56
Does batch operation enhance oxidation in subsurface constructed wetlands?
Stein OR, Hook PB, Biederman JA, Allen WC, Borden DJ.
Two side-by-side experimental sub-surface flow systems allowed direct comparison of wetland performance under batch and continuous-flow operation . One system consisted of microcosm "columns" operated in 20-day batch mode while the second consisted of continuous-flow "cells" operated at a five-day residence time . Both systems treated identical synthetic domestic wastewater for two years and then treated identical synthetic mine-impacted water for one year . Each system had replicates planted with Typha latifolia, Scirpus acutus and unplanted controls . Temperature was cycled annually between 4 to 24 degrees C . Results indicated that plant species, season, and mode of operation interacted strongly in controlling dynamics of COD, nitrogen species, phosphate, sulfate, and redox potentials . In batch-loaded columns, between-species differences in oxidation and COD removal were large in winter, during plant dormancy, but absent in summer; COD removal, sulfate concentration, and redox potentials were closely correlated, suggesting that variation in root-zone oxygenation due to seasonal plant growth patterns and temperature-dependent plant and microbial respiration may explain observed differences . In the continuous-flow cells, species and seasonal differences were minimal or non-existent, indicating that under continuous-flow operation plants either did not influence root zone oxidation or that this influence had no effect on wetland performance for COD and nutrient removal or sulfate reduction.

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