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The use of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensors offers a promising quantitative technique for Pb(II) detection in solutions. This study investigated the SPR response of chitosan/graphene oxide (CS-GO) nanostructured thin films in the presence of Pb(II). Gold (Au) or silver (Ag) films incorporating a CS-GO layer were fabricated and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The detection limit of Pb(II) solutions was determined using the SPR sensor on samples from the Saigon River, Vietnam. The XRD analysis revealed little difference in the crystallinity for Au/CS-GO and Ag/CS-GO films. The SPR sensitivity towards the Pb(II) ion solution was 1.332° ppm−1 for Ag/ CS-GO, which was slightly higher than that for the Au/CS-GO, which was 1.222° ppm−1. Compared to the Ag/CS-GO film, the Au/CS-GO film was reusable up to three times for all concentrations of Pb(II). Upon exposure to water samples from the Saigon River, both of the films successfully detected Pb(II) even with the interference of other metals. The CS-GO fabricated on the thin films favours the binding potential with the Pb(II) ions. Thus, the proposed Au/CS-GO film may be an economic solution due to higher reusability and higher sensitivity for the detection of Pb(II) in the polluted water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The water footprint has been established as an indicator to assess water use by a product. However, the grey component of the water footprint (GWF) has received the least focus compared to the green and blue components. In developing countries, the GWF estimation is restricted by the availability of data concerning crop practices. The various biophysical and socioeconomic settings configure a system difficult to standardize even for small areas. The objective of this study was to assess the GWF uncertainty due to primary data for the main greenhouse tomato production from Colombia. The GWF for N and P fertilizers and pesticides were estimated based on detailed crop information collected from 2010 to 2013. The uncertainty was evaluated by fitting univariate theoretical distributions to the empirical distributions of the pollutants' GWFs. Growers applied on average 419.2 and 201.9 kg ha of N and P fertilizers per cycle, respectively. The average rates of application for fungicides and insecticides were 11.8 and 3.5 kg ha, respectively. The average GWF for N and P fertilizers and pesticides were 79, 6182.1 and 223.2 m t, respectively. The empirical distributions of the GWF for N fertilizer and pesticides were fitted to a lognormal distribution while for P fertilizer the Weibull distribution showed the best fit. The pesticides GWF showed the highest coefficient of variation (615.3%), however the results for N and P fertilizers were also high with values of 79.8 and 74.1%, respectively. Additional to the methodological choices involved in the GWF estimation, the primary data is a relevant uncertainty source, which should be considered for systems operating under unstandardized practices. The decision making process to regulate the pollutants losses from the agroecosystem, based on environmental assessments such as the GWF, should consider all sources of uncertainty and address its implications in a quantitatively form. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 20-day mesocosm experiments were carried out to examine the potential influence of polluted water on bacterial community composition of the sediment in Shanmei reservoir, China. Three treatment additions of different types of polluted water (agricultural drainage, fishpond water and domestic sewage) were performed in enclosures. The sediment bacterial communities were profiled by 16S rRNA multitag 454 pyrosequencing. The results showed that the bacterial diversity of the sediment increased significantly, and the composition of sediment bacterial community also significantly varied in all 3 treatments after 20 days of incubation. The relative abundance of bacteria affiliated with Proteobacteria and Firmicutes decreased, and the relative abundance of bacteria affiliated with Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria andAcidobacteria increased after the import of polluted water. Our results strongly highlight the importance of allochthonous bacteria derived from polluted water on shaping the diversity and composition of sediment bacterial community in reservoir ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The case report of a 10 years patient is presented who attended Santa Johana doctor's office, Itamarandiba municipality, Minas Gerais Brazilian state, accompanied by his mother, due to abdominal pain of colic type, with diarrhea mixed with blood and loss of appetite, also a light mucouscutaneous paleness, which corresponded to a schistosomiasis mansoni. The pertinent exams were carried out and the appropriate treatment was indicated, so that the boy had a favorable clinical course. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presently, there is increased attention and focus on heavy metals, which are becoming one of the most serious environmental problems due to their adverse health effects. These toxic heavy metals are not easily degraded and require removal from polluted water to protect people and the environment. The purpose of this work was to prepare two types of dithiocarbamate ligands, one aliphatic (diethyldithiocarbamate) and the other aromatic (diphenyldithiocarbamate), and to use them as chelators to remove Pb, Cd, Cu and Zn from polluted water. Dithiocarbamates were selected because they have good binding ability and can precipitate metal ions as complexes. The metal removal efficiency is compared between both ligands and also compared to the efficiency of activated carbon in an adsorption process to remove the same metals. The investigation results indicated that the diphenyldithiocarbamate ligand was more efficient in removing the studied metals than the diethyldithiocarbamate analogues. Additionally, the metal removal efficiency of the diphenyldithiocarbamate ligand was more effective than using the activated carbon method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The presented research applied the modified Halloysite nanoclay to boost the adsorption efficacy of heavy metals from the water. To improve As (III) adsorption effectiveness from water, the study assessed the characteristics of the prepared materials and improved the experimental conditions. The study was optimized the experimental condition with a dosage of 1 g/L, contact time of 90 min, the solution pH of 8, and the initial concentration of 5 ppm of As (III). The optimization was performed in distilled water and later the experiments were conducted in the real polluted water. The modified Halloysite nanoclay's physical characteristics were investigated using techniques like X-ray diffraction, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and surface area analysis. The experimental result shows the adsorption efficiency of 82.4 % of As (III) at the optimized condition during the usage of modified Halloysite nanoclay. To create a suitable mathematical model for a better description of the interactions between pollutants and solid adsorbents, it is helpful to analyze the process kinetically. The removal process of As (III) was studied kinetically and the observation shows the pseudo-second order kinetics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clean freshwater has been required for drinking, sanitation, agricultural activities, and industry, as well as for the development and maintenance of the eco - systems on which all livelihoods rely. Water contamination is currently a significant concern for researchers all over the world; hence it is essential that somehow this issue is resolved as soon as possible. It is now recognised as one of the most important research areas in the world. Current wastewater treatment techniques degrade a wide range of wastewaters efficiently; however, such methods have some limitations. Recently, nanotechnology has emerged as a wonderful solution, and researchers are conducting research in this water remediation field with a variety of potential applications. The pollutants remediation capability of nanocomposites as adsorbents, photocatalysts, magnetic separation, and so on for contaminant removal from contaminated water has been examined in this study. This study has spotlighted the most significant nanocomposites invention reported to date for contaminated and effluent remediation, as well as a research gap as well as possible future perspectives. • Importance of filtration water and industrial effluent is emphasised in this review. • Benefits and drawbacks of synthetic polymers in water & effluent treatment. • Optimistic traits of polymeric nanocomposite membrane for water filtration. • Selective nanoparticles impregnated nanocomposites membrane application. • This review has proposed practically feasible future directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developed on the south-eastern side of Almãjului Mountains, Eşelniţa drainage basin neighbours upon the following basins: upon S - SV with Mala, upon SV - V with Mraconia, upon V - NV with Berzasca, upon NV - NNE with Nera and on the NNE - SE direction with Cerna. The basin has a surface of 77 km2 and present a 5th degree hydrographic network according to Horton - Strahler ranking system, tributary to Danube by means of Eşelniţa main collector. Developed in a mountain landscape, the basin presents different levels held between minimum altitude of 64 m at the confluence with the Danube and maximum altitude of 1107 m, thus presenting a difference of 1043 m. Geological formations within the basin belong largely the Danubian Domain, so in central and upper courses, these are represented by a crystalline foundation and by magmatic rocks of intrusive nature. But in the lower course, there are both crystalline and the sedimentary formations, last being integrated to Orşova depression and whose presence is related to the evolution of the Danube. The morphometrical indices of Eşelniţa basin allow to distinguish two different sectors: a higher sector, mountainous high energy relief, under the terms of a early fragmentation and a depresional sector with a low energy relief but with a more intense fragmentation on the basis of sedimentary rocks existence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Common sources of chromium in wastewater are electroplating and leather industries. Thus, the present study aimed at investigating and comparing between chemical (H2O2) method and nano-photocatalytical(UV/ZnO) method in removing of Cr(VI) from polluted water. Materials and Methods: In this experimental-analytical study, effective factors on reduction process such as ZnO (0.05–0.15 g/L) , H2O2 (0.5-1.5 mol/L) for UV/H2O2 process and pH(5-9) were investigated. The initial concentration of the substrate was taken 0.1-15mg/L.Stock chromate (V:6) solution was prepared through dissolving Potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7) in originally distilled water. Residual concentrations of Cr(VI) were measured spectrophotometrically at 540nm. Results: The results indicated that with increasing reduction agent concentration and decreasing pH, the removing efficiency increased. For low initial concentrations of Cr(VI) photocatalytic process was more effective than the chemical one, but for high initial concentration the result was the opposite.In the present study, using of these procedures was applied to natural water samples. Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that H2O2 as a cheap and available agent and also UV/ZnO, as a friendly and without residual environmental treatment process, can be used for effective reduction of Cr(VI) to yield Cr(III).

The problems related to the protection of the environment are regarded especially as a result of the local pollution by the industry and agriculture or by the overcrowded areas, which have led to the disturbance of some ecosystems and to worse living conditions of people. The extensive use of chemical substances in the technological processes demands special measures concerning the protection of the environment. A major problem is the purification of industrial waste water.

Resumo. A ação hematofágica exercida por fêmeas de algumas espécies de Culicidae sobre o homem e outros animais pode estar diretamente relacionada à transmissão de patógenos, além de provocar reações alérgicas e causar incômodo. O aparecimento de populações resistentes aos inseticidas químicos impulsiona o uso de métodos de controle alternativos, principalmente o biológico. Objetivando testar a eficiência e persistência de produtos comerciais com principio ativo a base de Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis Berliner e Bacillus sphaericus Neide foram realizados experimentos em três lagoas de tratamento de efluentes, sobre larvas de Culicidae. Testou-se Vectolex (formulação granulada de B. sphaericus), Sphaericus (Formulação líquida de B. sphaericus) e Bt-horus (formulação líquida de B. thuringiensis). As aplicações foram realizadas quinzenalmente com avaliações realizadas a 0, 24, 48, 72 e 120 horas após a aplicação. As lagoas estavam colonizadas por Culex nigripalpus Theobald (1,5%), Culex saltanensis Dyar (2,25%) e Culex quinquefasciatus Say (96,25%). Com o produto Bt horus, registrou-se redução larval de 89,06%, 83,97% e 89,96% respectivamente a 24, 48 e 72 horas após a aplicação. Nos produtos contendo B. sphaericus, respectivamente na formulação granulada e líquida observou-se uma redução de 98,89 % e 98,34%, após 24 horas da aplicação e de 99,79% e 99,78% após 48 horas. Os produtos e as diferentes formulações foram eficientes no controle de larvas das três espécies de culicídeos em lagoas com grande quantidade de matéria orgânica, porém a persistência verificada foi de dois e três dias para produtos contendo respectivamente B. sphaericus e B. thuringiensis israelensis. Efficiency and Persistence of Three Commercial Products Based on Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis and Bacillus sphaericus in Controlling Culicidae (Diptera) in Effluent Treatment Lagoons Abstract. The hematofagic effect caused by females belonging to some species of Culicidae on humans and animals can be directly related to pathogen transmission, allergic reactions and uneasiness. The emergence of populations resistant to chemical insecticides has fostered the use of alternative methods, mainly biological control. The trials were conducted in three effluent treatment lagoons, on larvae of Culicidae to test the efficiency and persistence of commercial products whose active principles are based on Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis Berliner and Bacillus sphaericus Neide. The products tested were Vectolex (a granulated formulation of B. sphaericus), Sphaericus (a liquid formulation of B. sphaericus) and Bt-horus (a liquid formulation of B. thuringiensis). The products were applied biweekly and evaluations were conducted 0, 24, 48, 72, and 120 hours after each application. The lagoons were colonized by Culex nigripalpus Theobald (1.5%), Culex saltanensis Dyar (2.25%), and Culex quinquefasciatus Say (96.25%). Bt-horus reduced larvae by 89.06%, 83.97% and 89.96% at 24, 48 and 72 hours after product application, respectively. The granulated and the liquid formulations containing B. sphaericus reduced larvae by 98.89 % and 98.34% 24 hours after application, and by 99.79% and 99.78% after 48 hours, respectively. The products and the different formulations were effective in controlling larvae of all three Culicidae species in lagoons with high levels of organic matter, but the persistence was recorded in two and three days for products containing respectively B. sphaericus and B. thuringiensis israelensis.

In this study, we employed a facile method to synthesize feather keratin derived biosorbents using water dispersed graphene oxide. The successful cross-linking of feather keratin with graphene oxide was investigated through X-ray photoelectrons spectroscopy (XPS), scanning and transmission electron microscopy, and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis. The modifications resulted in increased surface area of the keratin proteins with substantial morphological changes including the development of cracked and rough patches on the surface. The chicken feather keratin/graphene oxide based biosorbents exhibited excellent performance for the simultaneous removal of metal oxyanions including arsenic (As), selenium (Se), chromium (Cr) and cations including nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and zinc (Zn) up to 99%, from polluted synthetic water containing 600 μgL−1 of each metal concentration in 24 h. The insights into the biosorption mechanism revealed that the electrostatic interaction, chelation and complexation primarily contributed to the removal of multiple heavy metal ions in a single treatment. This study has demonstrated that modification of chicken feather keratin with graphene oxide is an effective way to improve its sorption capacity for removing multiple trace metal ions from contaminated water. [Display omitted] • Keratin based biosorbents are renewable, sustainable and environmentally benign. • Nanomodification of keratin led to the improvement of heavy metals bio-adsorption. • Keratin derived biosorbents removed As (III) and Se (VI) up to 99%. • Bio-adsorption of metal ions was carried out via electrostatic interaction, chelation and complexation. • Developed biosorbents have great potential to be used for simultaneous removal of multiple metals from contaminated water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ammonia in the form of gas or ammonium ion is toxic to the environment. Removal of this compound in either form is important in order to meet the limits set by regulatory authorities. The treatment of the polluted waters can be accomplished by a variety of physical, chemical, and biological methods. Liquid–liquid separation is one of the promising methods that has been developed and demonstrated success for removing ions selectively. In many industrial operations, the solvents used are fossil fuel-based (a non-sustainable source), they have undesirable properties (toxic, corrosive, and health and safety issues). In recent years, there has been research work to examine the feasibility of other solvents from sustainable source and with good characteristics to minimize some of the above adverse effects. In this study, the effectiveness of a new solvent, sunflower oil, is described in the removal of ammonium in a small-scale pilot process at their natural pH. High percentage removal was achieved (in the range 43–73%) from a high feed of concentrated ammonia solution (25,600 ppm). It would require 1,000 L of sunflower oil with 100 L of D2EHPA to treat 1 m3of ammoniated seawater to reduce the concentration to 3,750 ppm from such high concentration. With this reduced concentration, the treated water is suitable for irrigation purposes. The main attraction of the process is the performance of sunflower oil, which offers the benefit of being environmentally friendly, less costly, non-toxic, and from a sustainable source. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The problems related to the protection of the environment are regarded especially as a result of the local pollution by the industry and agriculture or by the overcrowded areas, which have led to the disturbance of some ecosystems and to worse living conditions of people. The extensive use of chemical substances in the technological processes demands special measures concerning the protection of the environment. A major problem is the purification of industrial waste water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of different cortex fruit wastes, including banana, kiwi and tangerine peels, for removing toxic and heavy element Cd +2 , Cr +3 and Zn +2 ions from aqueous solutions has been previously investigated. The ground material was powdered in a mortar and passed through a screen to obtain two different particle sizes, 1 and 2 mm, for all of the powders. In preliminary experiments using kiwi cortex, material with a 1-mm particle size showed a higher retention capability (up to 10–16% of Cd +2 , Zn +2 and Cr +3 ) than material with 2-mm particles. Considering these results, material with a 1-mm particle size was used in further experiments with the other waste materials. For Cd +2 , Zn +2 and Cr +3 removal, it was determined that kiwi and tangerine cortex showed better biosorption capability when compared with banana cortex (up to 35% more for Cd, 25% more for Zn and 35% more for Cr). The effects of the initial concentration (10–100 mg/l), pH (2–10), adsorbent dosage (0.1–2.0 g) and contact time (5–120 min) were studied at room temperature. A strong dependence of the adsorption capacity on the initial metal concentration was observed. The capacity increased as the initial concentrations decreased. A maximum removal was observed at an adsorbent dosage of 2.0 g and an initial concentration of 10 mg/l. The adsorption isotherms of the different cortex fruit wastes were determined. The equilibrium data were tested using a Langmuir isotherm model, and the kinetics conformed to the pseudo-second equation. The order of the maximum adsorption capacity of these metal ions on banana was Cr +3 < Cd +2 < Zn +2 , whereas it was Cd +2 < Cr +3 < Zn +2 for kiwi and tangerine. Complexation is proposed as the adsorption mechanism. The experimental results show that the natural biosorbent was effective for the removal of pollutants from an aqueous solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Car washing is a task performed by every passenger carowner more or less frequently, mainly to achieve a finer appearanceof the vehicle rather than for the need for cleanness.In the transport business, the owner's concern is to presentclean and orderly vehicles on the road as a relevant external elementof order, implying good corporate image to customers. Onthe other hand, in dangerous goods transportation there areother reasons requiring special technology of washing, applicableto the transport means used, depending on the change oftype of goods in carriage, the preliminary preparation of a vehicleto load the cargo, or to undergo maintenance.Water applied in the technology of washing collects the residueof goods carried in the vehicle and is polluted to such an extentthat it cannot be discharged into sewers - nor directly into awatercourse - without previous treatment.The paper presents a solution model and a sequence oftechnological procedures involved in an efficient treatment ofthe polluted wastewater in tank wash stations, in which mostlyvehicles carrying ADR goods are washed.

Increasing use of heavy metals in various fields, their environmental persistency, and poor regulatory efforts have significantly increased their fraction in river water. We studied the effect of Musi river water pollution on oxidative stress biomarkers and histopathology in rat after 28 days repeated oral treatment. River water analysis showed the presence of Zn and Pb at mg/l concentration and Ag, As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Mo, Ni, Sn, and Sb at μg/l concentration. River water treatment resulted in a dose-dependent accumulation of metals in rat organs, being more in liver followed by kidney and brain. Metal content in both control and low-dose group rat organs was below limit of detection. However, metal bioaccumulation in high- and medium-dose group organs as follows: liver-Zn (21.4 & 14.5 μg/g), Cu (8.3 & 3.6 μg/g), and Pb (8.2 & 0.4 μg/g); kidney-Zn (16.2 & 7.9 μg/g), Cu (3.5 & 1.4 μg/g), Mn (2.9 & 0.5 μg/g), and Pb (2.6 & 0.5 μg/g); and brain-Zn (2.4 & 1.1 μg/g), and Ni (1 & 0.3 μg/g). These metals were present at high concentrations in respective organs than other metals. The increased heavy metal concentration in treated rat resulted significant increase in superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, glutathione S transferase enzymes activity, and lipid peroxidation in a dose-dependent manner. However, glutathione content and catalase activity were significantly decreased in treated rat organs. Histopathological examination also confirmed morphological changes in rat organs due to polluted river water treatment. In conclusion, the findings of this study clearly indicate the oxidative stress condition in rat organs due to repeated oral treatment of polluted Musi river water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The adsorbents (such as hydrous ferric oxides, HFO) generated in the electrocoagulation (EC) processing with iron electrodes are able to remove effectively inorganic arsenic (As) present in underground water. A characterization of the HFO phases produced during the arsenic removal by the EC process from low and high arsenic concentration, by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), is presented. The main HFO phase produced by this process is lepidocrocite (γ-FeOOH), and that the sorption of arsenic by this solid-state phase formed as part of the EC process was effective in removing arsenic from aqueous solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed about the potential uses of the rhizosphere bacteria for bioremediation of water contaminated with heavy metals. In particular this review refers to hexavalent chromium. It covered topics such as current problems of water pollution by heavy metals, chromium characteristics and their involvement in pollution. The comparison between conventional methods and bioremediation for treating water with chromium, the characteristics of the rhizobacteria for interaction with metals and future challenges in the implementation of these microorganisms in water treatment, were also analyzed. The rhizobacteria can present different mechanisms for the interaction with pollutants such as heavy metals, since they can perform the immobilization or capture of free metal species. Nevertheless, this microbial group has been little explored for using in water treatment. Indigenous strains isolated from Cuban aquatic ecosystems have shown the ability to remediate hexavalent chromium present in wastewater, involving the combination of different mechanisms for the biosorption of the metal. They comprise not only hexavalent chromium biosorption but possible conversion to chromium trivalent. These data suggest that rhizosphere bacteria may be employed in future technologies for bioremediation of wastewater containing chromium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper explored the purify effects to polluted water on 8 hydrophytes:Acorus calamus,Phragmites australis,Pistia stratiotes,Canna indica,Hydrocotyle vulgaris,Alternanthera bettzickiana,Eichhornia crassipes and Myriophyllum verticillatum,they were setted up for tow groups which were cultivated in pollution water with single species and several species compound planting,and then formed 12 planting units,thereby carried out the comparative study on these hydrophytes purify ability to pollutants of river and compared the removal efficiency and the situation of growth and development. Two groups treatments all had the purification ability to pollutants,with the time extension,the purified efficiency rise gradually to total phosphorus(TP),total nitrogen(TN),ammonia nitrogen(NH3-N)and turbidity; the removal efficiency of CODMn showed that in the initiate period it was higher,then the efficiency had a little drop,and rise again,reached a high purifying efficiency. In all treaments,about 30%-33.3% treatments made the primary polluted water which TP content was 4 times and TN content was 5-6 times as that of Ⅴ grade water reached Ⅲ grade water level,among 20%-25% of them reached Ⅱ grade water level; other treaments,about 20%-30% made TP,TN content dropped 2-3 times,so that the polluted water reached Ⅴgrade or nearⅤgrade water level. In aspect of ammonia nitrogen content,passed through plants purification,the 58.3% planting units(treaments)had made the polluted water that ammonia nitrogen content was 6-7 times as that of Ⅴgrade water reached Ⅲ grade water level,among of them,about 50% planting units reached Ⅱ grade water level; other about 35% units were purified to approach Ⅴgrade water level. Seen the efficiency in whole,except of exceptional species,the purification efficiency of all group treatments were higher than contrast. In the respect of plant morphology,except of Pistia stratiotes presented some leaves lose,their root,stem and leaves of other plants were increase,showed that these plants adapt to these pollution water. The purification level and effect showed that compound species planting were better and more stable than single species planting,the purification ability of emerged aquatic plants were stronger than floating plants and submerged plants. The research results shall provide the theoretical foundation and reference for establishing the hydrophytes communities which is strong ability to purify pollutants,the landscape effect is better and the structures is stable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various planting densities (5, 10, or 20 plants per tank) ofPontederia cordatawere water-cultivated in purifying tanks to treat polluted water. Seasonal effects of the planting densities on the water quality improvement and the morphology and physiology of the plant were analyzed. Results indicated that planting densities affected the nitrogen and phosphorus removal of water, and the morphology and physiology of plants, including activity of peroxidise and catalase, content of chlorophyll and soluble protein (SP), the length of root, stem and leaf, tiller number and root density. When planting density increased from 10 to 20 plants per tank, the morphology and physiology of plants, and the nitrogen and phosphorus removal by plants improved slowly, but caused a tiller number decline in individual plants. This variation was significant in autumn, and associated with seasonal variations of plant physiology. During autumn, there were 26 tillers in each plant with 10 plants per tank, compared to 14 tillers per plant with 20 plants per tank. Increase in the nitrogen and phosphorus contents of the plants for 5–10 plants per tank was 5.41 and 0.79 g kg–1, compared to 1.17 and 0.12 g kg–1for 10–20 plants per tank, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we show an integrate system of water management and an efficient solution that is a floating dock, placed in the harbour area. Water quality is one of the most important elements for life support and contributes to the sustainable development of human society. Following the technical and economic transformations taking place in industry, the waste water remediation system required new approaches to management in this area. It recorded an increase in the variety and complexity of the types and quantities of waste generated in the last years and for administration of this situation are necessary new methods and equipments of waste neutralisation or its transformation in raw materials for industries of profile.

Abstract: Nitrogen removal in polluted water with low carbon source by a membrane bioreactor-attapulgite clay integrated system was investigated, and the contribution of membrane and microorganisms to organic pollutant removal was evaluated and discussed. The result confirmed that the two MBR treatments can be effective for the removal of trace organic matters, which CODMn and UV254 were higher than 80% and 78%, respectively. Moreover, it can be also highlighted that there is a limitation of MBR in removing nitrogen (e.g. ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate) and that attapulgite clay could complement MBR well as a biological carrier. The MBR-attapulgite clay system obviously showed higher nitrogen removal efficiency; the ammonia nitrogen and total nitrogen efficiencies improved by 8% and 40% than that of MBR. Furthermore, the membrane fouling in MBR-attapulgite clay system remarkably reduced as well, which provided a longer operation time (more than 35days) before backwashing with chemical solution. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A photogalvanic cell that employs 2,4-dichlorophenol as a fuel source, an N-substituted phenothiazine as light harvester, and sacrificial zinc anode is presented, and shown to afford a ca. 4% light-to-electrical power conversion efficiency in violet light. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Various planting densities (5, 10, or 20 plants per tank) of Nymphaea tetragona were water-cultivated in nine tanks to treat polluted water. The effects of planting density on nitrogen and phosphorus removal and on plant physiology in various seasons were analyzed. The results indicated that an increase in planting density improved the removal of nitrogen and phosphorus from polluted water. When planting density increased from 10 to 20 plants per tank, the rates of nitrogen and phosphorus removal increased slowly, but some decline in individual plants was observed. The removal of nitrogen and phosphorus from polluted water correlated with seasonal variations in plant physiology, being most significant in autumn. There were 20 tillers in each plant with 10 plants per tank, compared to 11 tillers per plant with 20 plants per tank. The nitrogen and phosphorus contents of the plants for 5–10 plants per tank was 5.2 and 0.52 g kg−1, compared to 1.2 and 0.13 g kg−1 for 10–20 plants per tank, respectively. It is important to choose a reasonable planting density that is based on seasonal variations in plant physiology for the ecological restoration of polluted water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The potential of Rumex acetasa Linn, cultivated in an ecological floating bed to remove nitrogen from polluted water was evaluated. R. acetosa was shown to (i) affect main physicochemical water parameters like dissolved oxygen and pH, (ii) stimulate ammonifying, nitrifying and nitrosifying bacteria growth, and (iii) directly uptake a substantial part of the dissolved nitrogen. When the nutrient-contaminated water was treated with R. acetosa floating bed system, total N, ammonia N and nitrate N removal efficiencies were 94.62, 99.44 and 86.44% in summer but 92.40, 97.00 and 71.38% in winter, respectively. These values are significantly higher than controls without plants (CK) (p<0.05). Although the R. acetosa growth rate, bio-mass, and most probable number of microbial communities in winter were lower than in summer, it could still improve water quality and remove contamination from wastewater because it maintains good vitality and could survive in winter. These findings would help select a suitable species to remove contamination and improve water quality, particularly in low-temperature conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we show an integrate system of water management and an efficient solution that is a floating dock, placed in the harbour area. Water quality is one of the most important elements for life support and contributes to the sustainable development of human society. Following the technical and economic transformations taking place in industry, the waste water remediation system required new approaches to management in this area. It recorded an increase in the variety and complexity of the types and quantities of waste generated in the last years and for administration of this situation are necessary new methods and equipments of waste neutralisation or its transformation in raw materials for industries of profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polluted water is very common in our world. Vividly rendering polluted water can bring people real, different, and fancy feelings. Especially in under water imagery, taking polluted water into consideration will produce more plausible results. Polluted water consists of many kinds of pollutants, which interact with light differently and make water look turbid. The optical properties of polluted water change with the concentrations of pollutants significantly. In this paper, we provide a method to obtain the optical properties of polluted water, which makes a bio-optical model for polluted water and connects the optical parameters with water quality data, i.e., the concentrations of pollutants. Our method can estimate the optical properties of polluted water regardless of the kinds and the concentrations of pollutants in water. Polluted water is inhomogeneous and has multiple scattering effects. We use volumetric photon mapping to render it and provide a 3D weight-varying radiance estimate method for the photon mapping. This radiance estimate method can compute high-frequency effects easily, which can show more details of the pollution process. Experiments demonstrate that our approach can generate polluted water effects unachievable by standard rendering methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purifying tank containing Pontederia cordata was used to treat heavily polluted river water. The relationship between the diurnal variation of plant physiology and water quality was investigated. The study took place from 0800 to 1800 hours and in that period the physiological parameters of the plant and the water quality were analysed. Results indicated that the activity of peroxidase and catalase, the content of soluble protein and the rate of photosynthesis and transpiration were negatively correlated to the concentration of nitrogen and phosphorus in the river water, respectively. Higher sunlight intensity increased the activity of peroxidase and catalase, the content of soluble protein, rate of photosynthesis and transpiration. Sunlight also decreased the concentration of nitrogen and phosphorus, the cations (Al, Fe and Ca), the anions (Cl, NO and SO) and the oxidation-reduction potential and electrical conductivity of the river water. During the treatment from 0800 to 1800 hours, soluble protein content, photosynthesis rate of the plant and dissolved oxygen concentration of the river water showed a bimodal distribution, with peaks at 1200 and 1400 hours and a decrease at 1300 hours due to decrease in photosynthesis at midday. Peroxidase and catalase activity, soluble protein content, photosynthesis and transpiration rate were highest between 1000 and 1400 hours, while nitrogen and phosphorus concentration of the polluted water decreased significantly during this time. The correlation between plant physiology and water quality provided valuable data on the role of this plant in the ecological restoration of polluted water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seven species of plant leaves: nettle, grapevine, marigold, linden, geranium, chestnut and maple naturally dried were tested for copper removal from polluted waters. Different plant species were found to have different abilities to remove copper from aqueous solutions containing 25 ppm copper . To optimize the conditions for maximum adsorption the effect of various parameters such as amount of leaves, contact time and solution pH was studied at room temperature. The best results in copper removal were obtained for grapevine (Vitis vinifera) leaves at pH = 6 with a percentage of 90.3%. Adsorption was suggested as the main mechanism between copper ions and plant leaves. Adsorption kinetic data were tested using pseudo-first order and pseudo-second order models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A comparative study on the use of fly ash (FA) and natural clinker (NC) as heavy metal adsorbents from polluted water was carried out using adsorption experiments at room temperature. The concentrations of heavy metals in the filtrates were determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission (ICP-AE) spectrometry. In batch mode adsorption studies, removal increased with an increase of contact time, adsorbent amount and solution pH. Adsorption of metals from artifitially poluted sulution (APS) was Cr>Cu>Pb>Ni>Zn, whereas from acid mine drainage (AMD) was Pb>Zn>As>Fe>Cr>Cu>Ni. The Lagergren's first-order rate constants were calculated for specific initial concentrations of metal ions, giving an excellent fit as indicated by the correlation coefficient (R²), with values close or equal to 1 for treated APS and from 0.25 to 0.99 for treated AMD. Data from this study reveal that metal cations from aqueous solution can be adsorbed successfully in significant amounts by the used adsorbents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present level of the development of water/wastewater treatment methods, including advanced oxidation processes, allows removal of pollutants of wide spectrum under no question. However, the overall process cost and, especially, associated energy consumption are of increased importance. The present review presents the energy cost calculations made for the pollutants removal reported in more than forty publications for over the last four decades. Phenol, glycols, methyl-tert-butyl ether (MTBE), aliphatic unsaturated compounds, humic acids and lignin were considered as water pollutants for economic evaluation of their removal. Two oxidation processes, ozonation and Fenton reaction, were chosen as water treatment methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lymnaea acuminata breeds round the year. The effect of pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, carbon dioxide, light/dark period and clean/polluted water on the fecundity, hatchability and survival of young snails of L. acuminata were studied. It was observed that these environmental variant abiotic factors caused a significant variation in fecundity, hatchability and survival of young snails. Maximum reproduction of this snail was observed in the months of March to May. A significant positive correlation ( p < 0.05) between D.O. (3.1-7.7 ppm)/pH (7.01-8.96) of water with fecundity (6.0-196.33/20 snails), hatchability (54.69-96.91%) and survival (61.3-95.86%) of young snails was observed for each month and each interval of 24-72 h. In contrast, a significant negative correlation between dissolved CO2 (4.6-16.6 ppm)/temperature (16-37°C) of water was noted with fecundity, hatchability and survival of snails. Percent hatchability in the eggs in different regimens of water was between 96.91-54.69%. The hatching period was prolonged (2-14 days) in snail exposed to different groups of water compared to the control group (2-9 d). This study conclusively shows that variant abiotic factors in different months of the year can significantly alter the reproductive ability and development process in the snail Lymnaea acuminata. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The protection and conservation of natural resources is one of the main priorities of modern society. Water is perhaps our most valuable resource, and thus should be recycled. Many of the current recycling techniques for polluted water only concentrate the pollutant without degrading it or eliminating it. In this sense, advanced oxidation processes are possibly one of the most effective methods for the treatment of wastewater containing organic products (effluents from chemical and agrochemical industries, the textile industry, paints, dyes, etc.). More conventional techniques cannot be used to treat such compounds because of their high chemical stability and/or low biodegradability. This article describes, classifies, and analyzes different types of advanced oxidation processes and their application to the treatment of polluted wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study revealed that municipal waste water can alter the water quality of receiving wetland (Borsola beel) and metamorphic tadpoles treated with beel water showed increase in enzyme Catalase level indicating tissue damage and abnormal development activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vertisols with swell-shrink properties comprise most of the arable land in northwestern Turkey. These soils are important for agricultural activities. Seven sites were selected to represent Vertisols irrigated with polluted water from the Ayvali Canal. The soils occur on flat to gently sloping plains of the region. The soils were formed on marl parent material under thermic temperature and xeric moisture regimes in the western Bursa plain, Turkey. Some agricultural lands in the plain were irrigated with heavily polluted water from the Ayvali Canal. This is a unique surface water source for irrigation in the studied area. The morphology, physico-chemical properties and DTPA-extractable Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn were determined in this research. The heavy metal concentrations were found in high levels in the upper horizon and decreased gradually throughout all the profiles studied. The results showed that accumulation of heavy metals in the upper horizon is due to long periods of irrigation with polluted surface water. Soil characterization was determined to provide useful information to understand the behavior of the heavy metal distribution throughout the soil profiles in the semiarid region with under intensive irrigation with polluted water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of this study is to calculate the hours of diving in benzene-polluted waters acceptable for professional divers. We considered recommended absorption limit as that from pulmonary workplace absorption during an 8-h workday at recommended exposure limits set by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, and developed a formula to determine recommended limits for diving time based on actual water and sediment concentrations and exposure conditions. The recommended absorption limit is 1.6 mg of benzene per workday. This is equivalent to total body dermal absorption over a 1-h dive at water concentration of 7.6 mg/L, or absorption from drinking 0.1 L of water with a concentration of 16.5 mg/L, or dermal absorption with 50% of the body covered in sediment with a concentration of 18,851 mg/kg. A formula that calculates allowable diving time considering benzene water and sediment concentrations, and gastrointestinal and dermal exposures is presented. Water concentrations and not exposure to sediment limit recommended diving time, and unlimited diving in areas with sediment and water concentrations thought to pose a serious human health hazard would not surpass the recommended amount of benzene absorbed in the workplace. We conclude that allowable diving time in polluted waters can be calculated resulting in absorption equivalent to recommended limits for pulmonary absorption in the workplace. Our results suggest that agencies determining significant health risk levels of chemical concentrations in sediment and water should consider our findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]