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The border city of El Paso, Texas, and its water utility, El Paso Water, initiated a SARS-CoV-2 wastewater monitoring program to assess virus trends and the appropriateness of a wastewater monitoring program for the community. Nearly weekly sample collection at four wastewater treatment facilities (WWTFs), serving distinct regions of the city, was analyzed for SARS-CoV-2 genes using the CDC 2019-Novel coronavirus Real-Time RT-PCR diagnostic panel. Virus concentrations ranged from 86.7 to 268,000 gc/L, varying across time and at each WWTF. The lag time between virus concentrations in wastewater and reported COVID-19 case rates (per 100,00 population) ranged from 4–24 days for the four WWTFs, with the strongest trend occurring from November 2021 - June 2022. This study is an assessment of the utility of a geographically refined SARS-CoV-2 wastewater monitoring program to supplement public health efforts that will manage the virus as it becomes endemic in El Paso. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The occurrence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) has become an occupational and environmental concern. WWTPs are engineered systems that treat wastewater to meet public health standards before release into the environment. The residuals, as either effluent or solids, are then discharged or beneficially recycled into the environment. Since these wastes contain a diverse array of microorganisms, some of which are resistant to commonly used antibiotics, there is a potential for these organisms to spread in the environment via residual recycling and effluent discharge. Human infections with ARB are increasing, and it is not well known how the interaction between humans and the environment plays a role in this process. WWTP workers, who are on the front lines, may come into direct contact with materials containing these microbes. This study aimed to determine the number of ARB present in both air and sewage sludges in a WWTP using nonselective media supplemented with two antibiotics (ciprofloxacin and azithromycin). The densities of total heterotrophic bacteria, ciprofloxacin-resistant bacteria, and azithromycin-resistant bacteria were 7.82 × 105 − 4.7 × 109, 7.87 × 103 − 1.05 × 108, and 2.27 × 105 − 1.16 × 109 CFU/g, respectively. The prevalence [(concentration on medium with antibiotics/concentration on medium without antibiotics) × 100] of ciprofloxacin-resistant bacteria in treated sludge was twice as low as in digested sludge and approximately three times lower than in raw sludge. For azithromycin, the prevalence of resistant bacteria in treated sludge was about the same in digested and nearly twice lower than in raw sludge. Despite a marked reduction in the mean prevalence of resistant bacteria in dewatered treated sludge for both antibiotics, these differences were not significant. The highest prevalence of antibiotic resistance was observed for azithromycin. Similarly, the prevalence of airborne azithromycin-resistant bacteria inside the belt filter press room (BFPR) was nearly seven times higher than the prevalence of airborne ciprofloxacin-resistant bacteria. These concentrations of ARB were not negligible and may represent an exposure pathway for some workers in WWTPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a fast analytical method based on hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatographic-Ultraviolet detection (HILIC-UV) using a short narrow bore cyano-bonded silica column packed with fully porous sub-2 μm particles has been developed for simultaneous determination of eight pharmaceuticals in wastewater. The method involved pre-concentration and clean-up by solid phase extraction using Oasis HLB extraction cartridges. The analytes were separated using a mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile and 5 mM ammonium acetate buffer (95:5 v/v) with a flow rate of 0.6 mL/min. The chromatographic separation was optimized in order to achieve short analysis time and good resolution for all analytes in a single run. Each analyte was detected at its maximum wavelength for higher sensitivity. All analytes could be separated in 5.7 min with resolution ⩾2.7. The optimized method was validated based on linearity, precision, detection and quantification limits, selectivity and accuracy. The detection limits of the studied pharmaceuticals ranged from 0.6 to 3 μg/L, while limits of quantification were in the range from 2 to 10 μg/L with UV detection. The developed method is fast, reliable, cost-effective and could be used for the analysis of the studied analytes in other matrices such as food, pharmaceutical preparations and biological fluids [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wastewater analysis is a direct and objective method used to measure human consumption of illicit drugs. In the last few years these have become a new class of environmental contaminants. The aim of our study was the identification of drugs in Tiber River waters. We collected 20 water samples from May to June 2012, at six points of the river: at the source, near Perugia, near Rome and at the mouth. Samples were analysed using gas chromatography with a mass detector. Basic analytes were extracted using the method of Varian Certify. For acidic analytes we proceed to direct extraction using organic solvents. The most detected drug was ecstasy. We also identified traces of methadone, morphine, heroine, methylamphetamine and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The highest concentration of cocaine was found near Perugia with a peak in the weekend (4744 ng/ml). Psychoactive substances had constant concentrations in the week. Ecstasy (MDMA) was the most detected drug. The most interesting finding was the increased concentration of cocaine and heroin in waters near Perugia showing the alarming phenomenon of weekend use of these substances. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

To relate population structure and activity to wastewater volume and composition, field trials were conducted at the outlets of two urban catchments that have different population structures (residential-only and mixed). Macropollution and metal micropollution were both considered. In the residential-only catchment, a diurnal pattern with a morning peak (at 10:00) and an evening peak (at 20:00, corresponding to dinner) was observed for all seasons. No difference was observed throughout the year; patterns in summer days, in which daily mobility out of the catchments should be reduced, were similar to those observed in other seasons. For both catchments, N-NH4(from urine) and chemical oxygen demand (from urine and grey water) correlated with Cu, Zn, Al, Fe and Mn but not with alkaline earth metals. The observed diurnal pattern is associated with work and school mobility and with the general lifestyle of the population. Such an approach is useful to model expected domestic pollution patterns, with respect to lifestyle changes in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This study was undertaken to analyze the efficiency of Botryococcus sp. in the phycoremediation of domestic wastewater and to determine the variety of hydrocarbons derived from microalgal oil after phycoremediation. The study showed a significant (p < 0.05) reduction of pollutant loads of up to 93.9% chemical oxygen demand, 69.1% biochemical oxygen demand, 59.9% total nitrogen, 54.5% total organic carbon, and 36.8% phosphate. The average dry weight biomass produce was 0.1 g/L of wastewater. In addition, the dry weight biomass of Botryococcus sp. was found to contain 72.5% of crude oil. The composition analysis using Gas Chromatogram - Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) found that phthalic acid, 2-ethylhexyltridecyl ester (C29H48O4), contributed the highest percentage (71.6%) of the total hydrocarbon compounds to the extracted algae oil. The result of the study suggests that Botryococcus sp. can be used for effective phycoremediation, as well as to provide a sustainable hydrocarbon source as a value-added chemical for the bio-based plastic industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The technical bases for the development of asset management plans (AMPs) for municipal water infrastructure are rapidly evolving, with regard to both available software and strategies for data assembly. The challenges and assistance available from an array of AMPs in the technical literature are reviewed, including the capabilities and suitability of some data acquisition technologies. Specific strategies which are important for municipalities while developing effective AMPs are also described. The review concludes there is extensive literature on ‘how’ successful AMPs can be implemented for drinking water and wastewater systems in Canada, but guidance for stormwater is lacking. Guidance on assessing the condition of existing assets, how to define and maintain acceptable levels of service, and the availability of software tools to assist in asset management exist for the former, but not the latter. Moving forward, opportunities to better link both grey (traditional) and green (non-traditional) stormwater, wastewater and drinking water infrastructure are described. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Particulate matter (PM), which may serve as a vector of pollutants in both natural and human-impacted waters, is of primary interest in water quality studies, particularly for those conducted in urban areas. Separating solids from the liquid phase is one of the main goals of water treatment practices. Above all, the settling process is the most commonly used for this purpose. Generally, settling column tests are used in the laboratory to assess the total PM removal. Besides the traditional graphical method used for the interpretation of the laboratory results, other mathematical methods were developed – with the goal of simplifying the settling efficiency evaluation procedure and making it less subjective. To make a contribution in that direction, a study based on the comparison of four different mathematical methods for estimating PM removal efficiencies was conducted. The analysis was carried out on 15 samples of wastewater and showed that only two methods gave satisfactory results, and only one of them was physically based. Consequently, it is recommended to assess the overall PM removal,Etot, by a monoparametric exponential function, depending on the settling time (t) and on the first-order decay coefficient (k). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, sediment samples were collected from Kabul River (Pakistan) and analyzed for heavy metals including zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni) and lead (Pb). The physico-chemical characteristics were also determined which are known to influence the metal accumulation within the sediment matrix. Heavy metal concentrations (mg kg−1, dry weight basis) in the sediment were in the order of Zn > Cr > Ni > Pb > Cd. Heavy metal concentrations were found in moderately polluted category set by U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). However, Cr and Ni concentrations exceeded the screening levels at the sites where a larger volume of industrial effluents enter into Kabul River. Higher concentrations of almost all the tested metals were detected at locations of greater industrial and sewage entry points. Sediment organic matter (OM) exhibited strong correlation with Pb (R2= 0.80), Ni (R2= 0.67) and Zn (R2= 0.46), indicating that OM plays a significant role in metal retention and accumulation. The findings of this study showed that Kabul River is reasonably contaminated with selected heavy metals released from anthropogenic sources. In the study area, sewage discharge was the major source of heavy metals including Zn and Pb, which were observed at locations where sewage effluents enter into the river. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sewer layout in flat areas significantly influences the final design which is desired to be optimized for the construction and operational costs. This study introduces a model for designing the layout of sewer networks considering their reliability. A reliability criterion is introduced and optimized using a simple simulated annealing scheme. The best layout with the maximum reliability represents an optimum sewer layout in which clogging in a sewer has the least effect on its upstream lines. A case study is solved using the proposed model. Then, for the obtained layout, the sewer specifications are designed using a dynamic programming model. The reliability somehow reflects the operational costs that can be taken into account in the system design by the proposed model. Furthermore, it is concluded that the network's reliability and construction cost are in conflict with each other such that more reliable layouts lead to more expensive designs. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A new surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) array is easily fabricated that offers strong enhancement with rapid, simple, and inexpensive detection. A gold nanoparticle-functionalized glycidyl methacrylate–ethylene dimethacrylate suspension was prepared to fabricate SERS arrays with an injection procedure in large quantities. The performance and stability of SERS arrays were characterized. Pesticides of imidacloprid, acetamiprid, and thiabendazole in aqueous solution were determined at concentrations of 10, 0.01, and 0.01 mg L−1, respectively. The SERS activity of the substrate endured for 5 months. Thiabendazole was determined at 0.5 mg kg−1in apples and potatoes and acetamiprid in wastewater with SERS arrays. This substrate may have potential for use in rapid monitoring of pesticides on fruits and vegetables and allow quality inspection of wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sorption optimization and mechanism of hardness and alkalinity on bifunctional empty fruit bunch-based powdered activation carbon (PAC) were studied. The PAC possessed both high surface area and ion-exchange properties, and it was utilized in the treatment of biotreated palm oil mill effluent. Batch adsorption experiments designed withDesign Expert®were conducted in correlating the singular and interactive effects of the three adsorption parameters: PAC dosage, agitation speed and contact time. The sorption trends of the two contaminants were sequentially assessed through a full factorial design with three factor interaction models and a central composite design with polynomial models of quadratic order. Analysis of variance revealed the significant factors on each design response with very highR2values indicating good agreement between model and experimental values. The optimum operating conditions of the two contaminants differed due to their different regions of operating interests, thus necessitating the utility of desirability factor to get consolidated optimum operation conditions. The equilibrium data for alkalinity and hardness sorption were better represented by the Langmuir isotherm, while the pseudo-second-order kinetic model described the adsorption rates and behavior better. It was concluded that chemisorption contributed majorly to the adsorption process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mercury in aqueous systems can be present in different chemical forms. Of these, dissolved elemental Hg(0) (DEM) is of great importance because it can readily be partitioned between air and water. Analytical methods used for determining DEM are conventionally based on removal of Hg(0) by purging, pre-concentration on gold and detection by either cold vapour atomic absorption (CV-AAS) or atomic fluorescence spectrophotometry (CV-AFS). At present, there is no agreed protocol for the measurement of DEM in aqueous samples. A new method is described here, which is based on continuous stripping of DEM by mercury-free nitrogen in a flow injection mode and detection by CV-AAS. The partitioning of DEM between aqueous and gas phases is largely dependent on the composition of the former. Moreover, calibration using the standard addition method is not possible due to the reactivity of DEM introduced from calibration solutions. Calibration is therefore done by reference measurements using a manual method for DEM involving quantitative removal and CV-AFS detection. DEM is then determined in the water sample by applying the partitioning factor. The optimised method is precise, sensitive and linear over a wide concentration range. It has provided comparable results with the manual method when applied on board a research vessel in the Mediterranean Sea (0.02–0.05 ng L−1) and during a pilot laboratory-scale experiment on industrial aqueous media from wet flue gas desulphurisation (WFGD) equipment (2–300 ng L−1). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Zinc oxide (ZnO)/reduced graphene oxide (rGO) hybrids have been fabricated by hydrothermal method using zinc nitrate and GO as raw materials. The photocatalytic properties of the prepared ZnO/rGO hybrids have been investigated toward the degradation of methylene blue, methylene orange, and Rhodamine 6 G upon ultraviolet (UV) light irradiation. Experimental results show that the prepared ZnO/rGO hybrids possessed highly stable and repeatable promising photocatalytic abilities. About 99% of the tested dyes were decomposed in the presence of ZnO/rGO hybrids after 30 min. of UV light irradiation. The dramatically enhanced activity can be assigned to the low recombination probability of photogenerated carriers due to efficient electron transfer from ZnO to rGO, which will enhance the generation of reactive oxygen species for dye degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of sulfamethoxazole (SMX) in a real-time poultry wastewater was identified via HPLC analysis. Subsequently, SMX removal from the poultry wastewater was investigated using a continuous-mode membrane-photocatalytic slurry reactor (MPSR). The real-time poultry wastewater was found to have an SMX concentration of 0–2.3 mg L−1. A granular activated carbon supported TiO2(GAC-TiO2) was synthesized, characterized and used in MPSR experiments. The optimal MPSR condition, i.e., HRT ∼125 min and catalyst dosage 529.3 mg L−1, for complete SMX removal was found out using unconstrained optimization technique. Under the optimized condition, the effect of SMX concentration on MPSR performance was investigated by synthetic addition of SMX (i.e., 1, 25, 50, 75 and 100 mg L−1) into the wastewater. Interestingly, complete removals of total volatile solids (TVS), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and SMX were observed under all SMX concentrations investigated. However, a decline in SMX removal rate and proportionate increase in transmembrane-pressure (TMP) were observed when the SMX concentration was increased to higher levels. In the MPSR, the SMX mineralization was through one of the following degradation pathways: (i) fragmentation of the isoxazole ring and (ii) the elimination of methyl and amide moieties followed by the formation of phenyl sulfinate ion. These results show that the continuous-mode MPSR has great potential in the removal for SMX contaminated real-time poultry wastewater and similar organic micropollutants from wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Generation of liquid and gaseous effluents is associated with almost all anthropogenic activities. The discharge of these effluents into the environment without treatment has reduced the availability and quality of natural resources, representing a serious threat to the balance of different ecosystems and human health. Universal access to water and global warming are topics of intense concern and are listed as priorities in the vast majority of global scientific, social and political guidelines. Conventional techniques to treat liquid and gaseous effluents pose economic and/or environmental limitations that prevent their use in certain applications. The technique of phycoremediation, which uses microalgae, macroalgae, and cyanobacteria for the removal or biotransformation of pollutants, is an emerging technology that has been highlighted due to its economic viability and environmental sustainability. This literature review discusses different techniques of microalgae cultivation and their use in the phycoremediation of contaminants in wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A synthetic secondary effluent containing an aqueous mixture of emerging contaminants (ECs) has been treated by photocatalytic ozonation using Fe3+or Fe3O4as catalysts and black light lamps as the radiation source. For comparative purposes, ECs have also been treated by ultraviolet radiation (UVA radiation, black light) and ozonation (pH 3 and 7). With the exception of UVA radiation, O3-based processes lead to the total removal of ECs in the mixture. The time taken to achieve complete degradation depends on the oxidation process applied. Ozonation at pH 3 is the most effective technique. The addition of iron based catalysts results in a slight inhibition of the parent compounds degradation rate. However, a positive effect is experienced when measuring the total organic carbon (TOC) and the chemical oxygen demand (COD) removals. Photocatalytic oxidation in the presence of Fe3+leads to 81% and 88% of TOC and COD elimination, respectively, compared to only 23% and 29% of TOC and COD removals achieved by single ozonation. The RCTconcept has been used to predict the theoretical ECs profiles in the homogeneous photocatalytic oxidation process studied. Treated wastewater effluent was toxic toDaphnia magnawhen Fe3+was used in photocatalytic ozonation. In this case, toxicity was likely due to the ferryoxalate formed in the process. Single ozonation significantly reduced the toxicity of the treated wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four pharmaceuticals and personal care product components including salbutamol sulfate, cimetidine, ibuprofen, and carbamazepine are difficult to separate by conventional high-performance liquid chromatography. In this work, a method using solid phase extraction sample preparation and capillary electrophoresis with ultraviolet detection was developed for the determination of these compounds in wastewater. Separation parameters were optimized, and under these conditions (20 mM phosphate solution at pH 6.70 as the running buffer, 10 mM phosphate with 20% v/v methanol as sample solvent), the analytes were well separated. This method showed good linearity from 3.0 to 20.0 mg/L, detection limits of 1.3 to 2.9 µg/L, and relative standard deviation values less than 5% for n = 7. Wastewater and local pond water were analyzed. The recoveries of the analytes in wastewater were between 89.7 and 108%. Carbamazepine was detected in the influent and effluent from the wastewater plant (329.30, 291.94 µg/L) and pond water (91.87 µg/L). The results demonstrated that the developed method may serve as alternative method for the determination of these compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The present study was conducted to evaluate the potential benefits and risks of the sewage water and recycled treated water on three ornamental plant species, including Umbrella plant (Cyperus alternifolius), Euonymus (Euonymus japonicas), and Dracaena (Cordyline terminalis). Plants in the pots were irrigated with equal volumes of water in 2-day intervals. Treatment plants were analyzed for sodium (Na), potassium (K), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), and lead (Pb) concentrations, in roots and shoots. The experiment was conducted by using a completely randomized design (CRD) with five replications. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance technique and least significance difference (LSD) test was applied at 5% probability level. Plants species performed better in sewage water after recycled water, in terms of growth, number of leaves, chlorophyll content, and leaf thickness, which proved sewage water accelerates the growth and development of ornamental foliage plants, but plants irrigated with this water exhibited greater concentration of Pb than other treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

L-Quebrachitol (QCT) is a valuable active ingredient found in rubber latex serum. Due to its high polarity, quantitative analysis of QCT is difficult on traditional reverse phase liquid chromatography (RPLC). Hydrophilic interaction chromatography (HILIC) using a Shiseido PC HILIC column (250 × 4.6 mm) and an evaporative light-scattering detector (ELSD) was found to be convenient for the analysis of QCT. The mobile phase was acetonitrile–water (60:40,v/v), retention factor is 0.92. Outstanding detection linearity (5 × 10−5–4 g/L) and limit of detection (LOD, 8 × 10−6 g/L) was achieved. Using this method, 2.2% wt QCT was determined to be present in rubber latex waste water. The retention of QCT on PC HILIC, which was immobilized with phosphorylcholine, was also investigated theoretically, the interaction energy between QCT and phosphorylcholine group is −51.498 kJ/mol, and ΔH0and ΔS0for the retention of QCT on PC HILIC is −0.699 kJ/mol and 2.72 J/mol · K, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Rapid and sensitive analytical method for the simultaneous determination of sulfonamides (sulfacetamide, sulfadiazine, sulfathiazole, sulfamethazine, sulfamethoxypyridazine, and sulfamethoxazole) in poultry litter wastewater samples by microextraction packed sorbent (C8) and liquid chromatography with spectrophotometric detection (MEPS/LC) analysis. We evaluated how MEPS variables, such as the pH extraction, draw-eject cycles, ionic strength, and desorption conditions (solvent and solvent volume) affected extraction performance, to obtain a more efficient extraction process in the proposed method. The proposed MEPS/LC method presented linear range at concentrations from 5.0 ng mL−1(Limit of quantification - LOQ) to 200 ng mL−1, inter-day precision with coefficient of variation lower than 8%, correlation coefficient greater than 0.998; the extraction phase C8 was used. On the basis of analytical validation, the MEPS/LC methodology can be used to analyze sulfonamides in poultry litter wastewater samples. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The determination of polyvinylalcohol (PVA) by the formation of the blue iodine–PVA complex method was established for a semi-micro method scale. The direct addition of iodine solution proved to be a better iodine source than iodine generatedin situ. The ageing of reagents requires frequent calibrations. Common biopolymers such as starch, albumin and cellulose produced much lower colour intensity with reagents and their impact on the analysis is negligible. The method is not affected by paper filter filtration. The detection of PVA was successfully tested in different wastewater types and the method proved to be a powerful tool for PVA detection. It must be emphasised that quantification of PVA is strongly dependent on the PVA type and the quantification capacity; without information of the PVA structure or type is only tentative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The epidemiology on recreational drug use is based on self-reported user surveys. The scope of this is limited as users are often not aware of exactly what drug(s) they are using. Waste water (sewage plant) analysis has been used to identify 'regional' recreational drug use but is limited by a lack of understanding of the metabolism and stability of novel recreational drugs. Aims: The feasibility of collecting pooled urine samples from a sub-population attending a night-club using a portal urinal to confirm the classical and novel recreational drugs being used. Design and Methods: Urine samples were collected from a nightclub over one weekend for analysis by various chromatographic techniques involving mass spectrometry. Results: Classical recreational drugs and novel psychoactive substance, including mephedrone, 3-trifluoromethylphenylpiperazine and 2-aminoindane were found. Parent drug/metabolites were also detected for amphetamine, cocaine, ketamine, MDMA, mephedrone and 3-trifluoromethylphenylpiperazine. Conclusion: Anonymous pooled urine samples from within a nightclub can be used to confirm the actual drugs being used by some individuals within this sub-population. Metabolite detection indicates drugs were being used and not simply discarded into the urinal. This methodology could be used to monitor recreational drug trend in other environments, e.g. schools, geographical regions/areas and compare drug use over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel headspace single drop microextraction method coupled with ion chromatography was developed for the determination of propylamine, sec-butylamine, and butylamine in industrial wastewater. The method was based on a deionized water microdrop (10 µL) which hung in the headspace of the sample bottle. The ammonium ion produced in the microdrop was measured subsequently by ion chromatography. The conditions for the single-drop microextraction process were optimized by employing an orthogonal experimental design. The enrichment factors of propylamine, sec-butylamine, and butylamine were 40, 73, and 45, respectively, under the optimal conditions. Baseline separation of three alkylamines was achieved within 15 min in concentrations varying from 0.5 to 15.0 mg L−1(,,) and the detection limits (signal-to-noise ratio of 3) were 0.96, 4.28, and 8.18 µg L−1by using 30 mmol L−1methanesulfonic acid as the eluent. The method was successfully employed to determine the three aliphatic amines in industrial wastewater with recoveries of 97.2% to 102.9%. The relative standard deviation, according to peak area, was 0.96%. The experimental results showed that headspace single-drop microextraction combined with ion chromatography is a simple, rapid, and low-cost method for the determination of the alkylamines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some epidemiologic studies conducted in developing countries demonstrated a high incidence of enteroparasites, Ascaris sp. being the most prevalent. Therefore, the use of sewage sludge in agriculture may pose risks to human health. In order to protect public health, a Brazilian regulation has established standards regarding its use in rural areas. The objective of this study was to quantify Ascaris sp. and other helminth eggs in sewage sludge from five wastewater treatment plants from a dense metropolitan region, and also to check compliance with the law. The analysis was carried according to USEPA 2003. A rich parasitological fauna was found, with a prevalence of the eggs of Ascaris sp. (9.55%). The samples analyzed presented a large variety of helminth eggs, and Ascaris sp. proved to be the most prevalent which put in evidence that its application poses public health concerns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an integrated simulation-optimisation assessment of the various physical, chemical, and microbiological processes that determine the transport and fate of key constitutes associated with coastal wastewater treatment and disposal effluents in coastal environments. The well-calibrated and validated ocean mixing simulation model - Cornell mixing zone expert system (CORMIX) - was employed in the first stage as an indispensable tool to simulate the initial dilution factor with respect to two major water quality indicators, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and Escherichia coli. The CORMIX outputs, which were obtained in a companion study, were used as the inputs in both deterministic and chance-constraint based stochastic programming models to evaluate a few alternatives for system planning and design. Such integration allowed the identification of the optimal expansion strategies for a large-scale coastal wastewater treatment and ocean outfall system in the city of Kaohsiung, South Taiwan. Research findings clearly indicate that the original alternative proposed by the city government, which had planned on upgrading the wastewater treatment process directly from the primary to the secondary level, is economically undesirable. Given the technology options of primary or enhanced primary treatment, in the most cost-effective expansion strategy, the optimal length of a newly constructed second ocean outfall pipe is no less than 1260 m in order to gain sufficient assimilative capacity in the ocean environment. With this strategy, the BOD standards in the ocean environment are met for both Classes B and A types of ocean waters. The reliability of this system design may be assessed by taking the stochastic characteristics of sewerage inflow and diffusion and dispersion processes into consideration. Such an optimisation analysis could eventually lead to considerable cost savings of up to 75% when compared to the original, officially favoured alternative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geothermal (ground source) heat pumps (GHP) and permeable pavement systems (PPS) have demonstrated their effectiveness in both industry and academic research during recent decades. To meet the rising demand for sustainable, recyclable and energy efficient techniques, research has focused on the combination of techniques to enhance existing or develop new applications. This paper reports on an experimental programme that combined GHP with PPS for nutrient removal and system energy balancing. Experimental data collected over a 3-year period have provided evidence of highly efficient removal rates of up to 99% for ammonia-nitrate and biochemical oxygen demand; and 96% removal rates were obtained for orthophosphate-phosphorus. This paper also contains energy efficiency ratio (EER) and coefficient of performance (COP) calculations. Cyclic heat removal and heat rejection allowed for stable temperature and pump COP and EER sustainability. The results prove that PPS systems are appropriate for GHP installation, delivering high and stable pollutant removal with EER efficiencies between 1.5 and 5.5. The combination of GHP with PPS has the potential to provide a new sustainable and eco-friendly practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to examine the transcriptional levels of selected genes in liver and head kidney of Atlantic cod Gadus morhua sampled in Store Lungegårdsvann, a seawater recipient situated in the middle of the city of Bergen, Norway, for effects of contaminants released from municipal sewage effluents and former dump sites. Five males and six females were caught with fish traps in Store Lungegårdsvann in 2006. Cod from a location near Jondal in the Hardanger Fjord were used as controls (five males and four females). The following 12 genes were picked as potential markers of contaminant exposure: cytochrome P-450 1A (CYP1A), cytochrome P-450 2C33-like (CYP2C33-like), cytochrome P-450 3C (CYP3C), glutathione S-transcriptase π (GST) (detoxification and biotransformation), Mn superoxide dismutase (Mn SOD), glutathione reductase (GR), heat-shock protein 70 (HSP70) (oxidative stress), vitellogenin A (VtgA), vitellogenin B (VtgB), zona pellucida 2 (ZP2) (effects of estrogen disruptors), B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1A (CDKN1A) (radiation). The results showed that two males caught in Store Lungegårdsvann possessed high transcriptional levels of VtgA, VtgB, and ZP2 mRNA in the liver. In addition, CYP1A was 4.9-fold higher expressed in males from Store Lungegårdsvann compared to males from the reference population. CYP2C33-like mRNA expression was significantly higher (1.8-fold) in females from Store Lungegårdsvann than in females from the reference population. CYP1A was significantly lower (4.7-fold) expressed in head kidney of females from Store Lungegårdsvann than in females from Hardanger Fjord. In a follow-up examination with sexually mature cod sampled in Store Lungegårdsvann in 2007, the livers were shown to contain high levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) and dioxin-like PCB. In conclusion, fish inhabiting Store Lungegårdsvann are exposed not only to endocrine disruptors but also to other contaminants that affect the transcription of phase I biotransformation genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Land application of secondary industrial effluent to Chihuahuan Desert upland near Las Cruces, New Mexico, was designed to meet the water demand of creosote and mesquite shrubs. The major objective of this study was to assess changes in chemical and physical properties of desert soils after 4 years (2002-2005) of irrigation with secondary industrial effluent. Soil texture and bulk density (pb) did not differ between irrigated and control plots, but did so between bare ground and mesquite sites in the control and irrigated plots. Reductions in saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks), drainable porosity (θd), and effective porosity (θe) in the upper 0-15 cm of irrigated plot soils were attributed to decline of soil structure and dispersion of clays resulting from the addition of highly sodic and alkaline effluent to irrigated plots. Although rarely significant, consistently higher electrical conductivity, sodium adsorption ratio, chloride, exchangeable sodium percentage, and Na+ in the soil profile (between 30 cm and 210 cm) at creosote and mesquite sites compared to the bare ground site suggested deeper leaching of wastewater constituents at shrub sites. Deeper leaching of wastewater constituents beneath shrubs compared to bare ground areas may be attributed to higher water inputs caused by sprinkler spray interception, and higher Ks, θd, and θe of soils beneath creosote and mesquite canopies. Continued application of industrial effluent to a Chihuahuan Desert ecosystem over the long term should consider the relative importance of canopy and intercanopy areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effect of low temperature on up-flow anaerobic sludge bed (UASB) reactor performance treating raw sewage was investigated in terms of the variations in methanogenic diversity using the 16S rRNA based Fluorescence In-Situ Hybridization (FISH) technique. The diversity of microorganisms present in the anaerobic granular sludge and the structure of the granules operated at 13°C have been investigated using FISH combined with CSLM (Confocal Scanning Laser Microscopy). According to FISH results, archaeal cells representing methanogens were found intensively dominant in the bottom sampling port of the UASB reactor and acetoclastic Methanosaeta was the abundant methanogen. Other methanogens such as Methanosarcina and Methanobacterium like species were also observed. The abundance of originally mesophilic Methanosaeta-related Archaea under low temperature at all sampling days revealed the microbial adaptation to psychrophilic conditions. This might be attributed to the enzymatic alterations in Methanosaeta cells originating from seed sludge, which were exposed to sub-mesophilic temperatures at start-up and then to psychrophilic conditions during gradual decreases of temperature. According to CSLM observation, even though the sludge retained in the reactor kept its granular form as a whole, the majority of the granules had a tendency to be partly broken and they lost their rigidity when raw sewage was fed following synthetic sewage. Besides, Methanosaeta related species prevailing in seed sludge have noticeably lost their long filamentous forms and deteriorated during raw sewage feeding. Members of the order Methanobacteriales constituted the major hydrogenothrophic methanogens present in the psychrophilic UASB reactor, whereas the other hydrogenothrophic methanogens—members of the order Methanococcales and Methanogenium relatives—were absent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the impact of organic water pollutant biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) emissions on Malaysia's manufacturing sector productivity growth and the factors that determine its growth. Exclusion of externalities such as BOD pollutant emissions created a deficiency in growth accounting models as those BOD pollutant emissions were internalized in order to calculate the green total factor productivity (TFP). The results show a slowdown in the contribution of TFP growth and a negative impact of BOD pollutant emissions produced by the sector on productivity growth in general and TFP growth in particular in comparison with other productivity indictors of the sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three hundred and thirty-one phytoplankton taxa were identified from Lake Uluabat over a 12-month period in 1998-1999. Phytoplankton richness varied between 35 and 79 taxa, and the Shannon-Wiener diversity index range was 1.574-3.151. Lake Uluabat was characterized by a high variety of Bacillariophyta (152 taxa), Chlorophyta (89 taxa), and Cyanobacteria (42 taxa). Total diversity was strongly correlated with dissolved oxygen and pH, but total species richness and total density were mostly influenced by temperature and Secchi depth. The lake supported a dynamic phytoplankton community through most months of the year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biosensors are very versatile devices that can be used to solve various kinds of problem that are increasingly found in the various branches of chemistry, particularly in the fields of foodstuffs and the environment. In recent years, there has been considerable development in a new biosensor sector, that of OPEEs (organic phase enzyme electrodes). These are biosensors able to function also in organic solvents or in mixtures of several different organic solvents. One of these enzymatic biosensors that has recently proved to be particularly versatile is the tyrosinase biosensor, of which several different versions have been developed. Our group in particular has in recent years developed both a version that operates in aqueous solutions and one suitable for organic solvents. These tyrosinase biosensors are essentially made up of an amperometric transducer for oxygen (Clark type), coupled with the tyrosinase enzyme, which is suitably immobilized according to the solvent in which it must operate. In this article the possibility was assessed of using them to determine the polyphenol ‘pool’ in olive oil mill wastewater. The method has been optimized as regards both the solvent and the type of enzymatic immobilization to be used. Results have been compared with those obtained using the Folin–Ciocalteau method, which is chosen as reference method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An aged raw landfill leachate was taken from the equalization storage tank at Clover Bar Landfill Leachate Treatment Plant, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The average quality parameters of this leachate were: COD=1,090mg/L, BOD5=39mg/L, color=1,130 TCU, NH3-N=455mgN/L, alkalinity=4,030mg/L as CaCO3 and pH=8.30. The major fraction of this leachate was large refractory organic compounds. Ozone (O3) only and O3 combined with hydrogen peroxide (O3/H2O2) were applied to treat this leachate, aiming at enhancing COD and color reduction and increasing its biodegradability (i.e., the ratio of BOD5/COD). All of the O3 only and O3/H2O2 oxidation experiments were performed in a gas washing bottle equipped with a fine bubble diffuser. The used ozone dose ranged from 1.2 to 12.5g O3/L leachate for O3 only treatment, and 1.8 to 13.8g O3/L leachate for O3/H2O2 treatment. H2O2 dose for O3/H2O2 treatment was 0.63g H2O2/L leachate. COD, BOD5, color, NH3-N, nitrite+nitrate, and alkalinity were measured before and after treatment. Meanwhile the molecular size distribution of the leachate, before and after treatment, was analyzed by using a high-performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC) with gel filtration column and UV detector at 254nm. The addition of H2O2 had an insignificant effect (at 5% significance level) on enhancing COD and color reduction. After oxidation, the maximum BOD5 increase was about 110% for O3/H2O2 treatment and about 141% for O3 only treatment at a used ozone dose of 3.6g O3/L leachate and 2.6g O3/L leachate for O3/H2O2 and O3 only, respectively. As the used ozone dose increased, NH3-N and alkalinity decreased considerably, and nitrite+nitrate increased accordingly. Treatment efficiency models, which describe the changes in COD, BOD5/COD, NH3-N, nitrite+nitrate, and alkalinity as functions of the used ozone dose, were developed. Statistically (at 5% significance level), the treatment efficiency models for both treatments are not different. According to the results of molecular size distribution analysis, no correlation was observed between the BOD5 increase and oxidation by-products' formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies have demonstrated the presence of traces of various pharmaceutical drugs in the aquatic environment. Comprehensive data about the distribution of such compounds between the aqueous phase and suspended particulate material are still missing. In the present article a gas chromatographic method with mass spectrometric detection is presented which allows the determination of the particle-bound fraction of some pharmaceuticals commonly found in surface water. Determination limits are between 2 and 12 ng/g particles. Results from surface water samples indicate the possibility that less hydrophilic pharmaceuticals like mefenamic acid are present as suspended particulate material, although the amounts are small in comparison with the concentrations found in aqueous phase. Additional work will be necessary to evaluate the full importance of particle-bound pharmaceuticals with respect to transportation in the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work is presented as a continuation of our previous work where optimum time and power were studied to determine the chemical oxygen demand in standard solutions prepared from potassium hydrogenphthalate using a microwave oven. A gradual digestion in microwave oven was compared with conventional oven digestion at 150±2°C during 2hours. The method was applied to urban and industrial wastewater coming from different sources of the Alicante province. The organic load in urban wastewater is variable due to the contribution of different industrial sources. Samples were digested in an oven according to the traditional method, as well as in a microwave oven applying different times and powers between 100 and 300 watts. The method was checked to be more effective if microwave digestion was carried out working with different and gradually higher powers than working with a high, fixed one. The analytical method that we propose is appropriate for samples of varied sources, such as urban and industrial wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was undertaken to investigate the color forming phenomena and biotoxicity related problems during the initial stage of ozonation in the wastewater containing phenol or aniline. Experimental results indicate that the phenol under alkaline condition and aniline in all pH conditions cause a serious color problem during the period of early initial ozonation. In addition, the ozonated aniline exhibited more severe color formation than the ozonated phenol did. Both of these compounds revealed that either a high compound concentration or low ozone dosage applied incurred a strong color forming phenomena. Moreover, according to the Microtox test, both ozonated byproducts increased the toxicity during early ozonation when the color formation occurred. The EC[SUB50]-value as COD decreased from 0.72 (for phenol, pH=7) to 1.38 (for aniline, pH=4) orders-of-magnitude. This observation implies that the ozonated color formation would generate new toxicity problems if these colored matters were not further oxidized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents an integrative approach , using toxicological and chemical analyses, to screen for toxic substances that could be illegally added to the chemical - toilet sludge received at the wastewater treatment plant of the Montreal urban community . Four toxicity tests (Microtox, bacterial - respiration, root - elongation, and seed - germination tests) were used to establish the toxicity range of a" normal" sludge and the determination of threshold limits criteria. Chemical - toilet sludge samples were spiked with two types and amounts of contaminants (zinc, phenol. Conservative criteria were used to detect abnormal toxicity with great reliability and avoid false positives (i.e., detecting abnormal toxicity in nonspiked sludge). Taken individually, the seed - germination test was the least discriminating toxicological method (detecting only 10 % of the spiked samples); the bacterial - respiration test was relatively better (detecting 72 % of the spiked samples). Using a limited battery of two toxicity tests (Microtox and respiration test), the identification of contaminated chemical toilet sludge can be detected with good efficiency and possibly great reliability (more than 80 % of the spiked samples). This proposed procedure is efficient , easy to apply, cost - effective, and very fast (an abnormal toxicity level can be determined within a few hours). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]