Biodiversity of amoebae and amoeba-associated bacteria in water treatment plants.

In this study, we enlarged our previous investigation focusing on the biodiversity of chlamydiae and amoebae in a drinking water treatment plant, by the inclusion of two additional plants and by searching also for the presence of legionellae and mycobacteria. Autochthonous amoebae were recovered onto non-nutritive agar, identified by 18S rRNA gene sequencing, and screened for the presence of bacterial endosymbionts. Bacteria were also searched for by Acanthamoeba co-culture. From a total of 125 samples, we recovered 38 amoebae, among which six harboured endosymbionts (three chlamydiae and three legionellae). In addition, we recovered by amoebal co-culture 11 chlamydiae, 36 legionellae (no L. pneumophila), and 24 mycobacteria (all rapid-growers). Two plants presented a similar percentage of samples positive for chlamydiae (11%), mycobacteria (20%) and amoebae (27%), whereas in the third plant the number of recovered bacteria was almost twice higher. Each plant exhibited a relatively high specific microbiota. Amoebae were mainly represented by various Naegleria species, Acanthamoeba species and Hartmannella vermiformis. Parachlamydiaceae were the most abundant chlamydiae (8 strains in total), and in this study we recovered a new genus-level strain, along with new chlamydiae previously reported. Similarly, about 66% of the recovered legionellae and 47% of the isolated mycobacteria could represent new species. Our work highlighted a high species diversity among legionellae and mycobacteria, dominated by putative new species, and it confirmed the presence of chlamydiae in these artificial water systems.

Removal of nitrogen, phosphorus, copper and zinc from swine breeding waste water by bermudagrass and cattail in constructed wetland systems

This work aimed to study the agronomic performance and capacity of nutrient removal by bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.) and cattail (Typha sp.) when grown in constructed wetlands systems (CWSs) of vertical and horizontal flow, respectively, used in the post-treatment of swine breeding wastewater (ARS). The average yield of dry matter (DM) of bermudagrass in sections of 60-day interval ranged from 14 to 43 t ha-1, while the cultivated cattail produced in a single cut after 200 days of cultivation between 45 and 67 t ha-1 of DM. Bermudagrass extracted up to 17.65 kg ha-1 d-1 of nitrogen, 1.76 kg ha-1 d-1 of phosphorus, 6.67 g ha-1 d-1 of copper and 54.75 g ha-1 d-1 of zinc. Cattail extracted up to 5.10 kg ha-1 d-1 of nitrogen, 1.07 kg ha-1 d-1 of phosphorus, 1.41 g ha-1 d-1 of copper and 16.04 g ha-1 d-1 of zinc. Cattail and bermudagrass were able to remove, respectively, 5.0 and 4.6% of the nitrogen and 11.2 and 5.4% of the phosphorus applied via ARS, being less efficient in extracting N and P when the initial intake of these nutrients is evaluated.

Membrane development for oil contaminated water treatments

The aim of this Master’s thesis study was to develop a membrane for oil contaminated water treatments. Oily wastewaters are a big problem to environment and therefore it is important to find an efficient method for their treatment. There are several treatment methods, but one of the most promising methods is membrane filtration. In the theoretical part of this study the membrane technology and polymeric membrane preparation with phase inversion and membrane modification methods was discussed. It was also told about the most important properties of the membranes. Oily waters, their treatment methods and oily wastewater sources were discussed more specifically. In the experimental part membranes from cellulose acetate were prepared and membranes were modified with two different methods. Modification methods were surface modification and polymer mixing. The modification purpose was to make membranes more hydrophilic and increase surface charge, which can reduce fouling. Membranes were characterized by determining zeta potential, contact angle, oil retention, pure water permeability, pressure-normalized flux and fouling. It were used both synthetic and real spent oil-water emulsion in membrane filtration. Surface modification resulted membranes, which had better properties than unmodified membrane. The amount of substance used in surface modification affected a lot to membrane properties, so it would be necessary to try different amounts of substance to develop the best membrane for oil-water emulsion treatment.

Adsorption of arsenic from ammonia containing waste water by ferrous hydroxide waste

Arsenic is a toxic substance. The amount of arsenic in waste water is a raising problem because of increasing mining industry. Arsenic is connected to cancers in areas where arsenic concentration in drinking water is higher than recommendations. The main object in this master’s thesis was to research how ferrous hydroxide waste material is adsorbed arsenic from ammonia containing waste water. In this master’s thesis there is two parts: theoretical and experimental part. In theoretical part harmful effects of arsenic, theory of adsorption, isotherms modeling of adsorption and analysis methods of arsenic are described. In experimental part adsorption capacity of ferrous hydroxide waste material and adsorption time with different concentrations of arsenic were studied. Waste material was modified with two modification methods. Based on experimental results the adsorption capacity of waste material was high. The problem with waste material was that at same time with arsenic adsorption sulfur was dissolving in solution. Waste material was purified from sulfur but purification methods were not efficient enough. Purification methods require more research.

Eliminación de compuestos causantes de olores mediante adsorbentes/catalizadores obtenidos a partir de lodos de depuradora

El aumento de la cantidad de lodos y las dificultades inherentes a su aplicación agrícola y/o disposición en vertederos, hace necesario encontrar nuevas alternativas para su gestión. A nivel europeo, hoy en día se tiende hacia la aplicación de tratamientos térmicos (incineración, pirólisis y gasificación) que permiten una valoración energética de los lodos, si bien generan un residuo sólido que sigue siendo necesario gestionar. El problema medioambiental provocado por (malos) olores resulta difícil de abordar de una manera genérica, teniendo en consideración la propia naturaleza del olor y sus posibles causas. Los olores en las EDARs son provocados básicamente por la degradación de la materia orgánica en condiciones anaeróbicas y se detectan en todas las operaciones unitarias en diferentes niveles de concentración. Esta tesis incidiendo en ambos aspectos, tiene por objeto investigar la valorización de lodos como materiales precursores de adsorbentes/ catalizadores para la eliminación de olores en el entorno de las EDARs, maximizando la reutilización de los lodos. Para la realización de los experimentos se han seleccionado lodos procedentes de tres EDARs situadas en la región de Girona (SC, SB, SL) que difieren en cuanto al tratamiento de los lodos. Ambas muestras han sido caracterizadas con el fin de determinar las diferencias más importantes en los lodos de partida. Los parámetros de caracterización incluyen el análisis de composición química (análisis elemental e inmediato, determinación contenido en cenizas, medida pH, DRX, FT-IR, SEM / EDX) así como análisis de superficie (adsorción de N2 y CO2). En primer lugar los lodos caracterizados han sido sometidos a diferentes tratamientos térmicos de gasificación y pirólisis y los adsorbentes/ catalizadores obtenidos se han probado como adsorbentes para la eliminación de H2S. Como consecuencia de este estudio, se ha desechado el uso de uno de lodos (SC) puesto que se obtenían resultados muy similares a (SB), a continuación el estudio se centró en el lodo de SL. Con este objetivo se han preparado 12 muestras 6 de ellas pirolizadas y 6 gasificadas en el rango de temperaturas que comprende 600-1100 ºC. Posteriormente las muestras han sido caracterizadas y se ha determinado la capacidad de eliminación (x/M) del H2S. Los resultados muestran que hemos sido capaces de obtener unos materiales que si bien, presentan un bajo desarrollo de porosidad dan lugar a valores de capacidades de eliminación elevados y comparables a carbones y materiales adsorbentes comerciales (Centaur, Sorbalit). Las elevadas eficiencias de eliminación se atribuyen básicamente a la presencia de especies catalíticamente activas tales como los óxidos mixtos de calcio y hierro determinados por DRX en las muestras tratadas térmicamente. El segundo bloque de resultados se centra la mejora de las propiedades texturales de estos materiales adsorbentes. Con este objetivo se llevaron acabo procesos de activación física con CO2 y química con H3PO4 e hidróxidos alcalinos (NaOH y KOH), que hasta el momento no se había probado con este tipo de precursores. Los resultados indican que la activación física (CO2) y química (H3PO4) no son unos buenos métodos para la obtención de adsorbentes altamente porosos con este tipo de materia prima bajo las condiciones probadas, sin embargo la activación con hidróxidos alcalinos da lugar a materiales adsorbentes con superficies específicas de hasta 1600 m2g-1. En el caso de la activación con hidróxidos, tanto el incremento de la relación agente activante/ precursor como el incremento de la temperatura producen un descenso del rendimiento, al mismo tiempo que incrementan el valor de SBET. Los materiales resultantes de la activación con hidróxidos alcalinos se han probado como adsorbentes/ catalizadores para la eliminación de H2S. Los resultados indican que un incremento del área superficial no es indicativo de un aumento de la capacidad de eliminación dada la naturaleza ácida de estos materiales obtenidos. Con el fin de contrarrestar el efecto ácido de estos materiales se han realizado los mismos ensayos añadiendo NaOH al lecho de reacción llegando a valores de x/M de hasta 450 mgg-1. Posteriormente también se han realizado ensayos de eliminación de NH3 con algunas de estas muestras, y los resultados obtenidos de x/M son del orden de carbones activados comerciales. Los materiales adsorbentes obtenidos tras la activación con hidróxidos alcalinos se convierten en materiales muy atractivos para ser utilizados como adsorbentes/ catalizadores de múltiples contaminantes (COVs, Hg...).

Sugarcane grown in an oxisol amended with sewage sludge and vinasse: nitrogen contents in soil and plant

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

The effect of electricity tariffs over the operating costs of the Spanish wastewater treatments plants

Given the complex structure of electricity tariffs and their steady growth in Spanish, we've studied its effect over the operating costs of the wastewater treatment plants (WWTP), concluding that in the last three years the revisions of electricity rates have meant increases in electricity costs of 64.5% in the rate 3.1.A and 79.1% in the rate 6.1. This has caused the cost of electricity, which was the most important, has increased from a 44% of total operating costs in the year 2009, to more than a 56% in the year 2012.

Waste water disposal by Connecticut industries, inventory as of January 1, 1961.

"Compiled from basic data files of the Connecticut Water Resources Commission."

Computer cost models for potable water treatment plants /

Mode of access: Internet.

The development and application of automated and remote control telemetry for drinking water package plants : cooperative research and development agreement with George H. Drysdale & Associates, Inc..

Mode of access: Internet.

Ozone in water and waste water treatment : a bibliography.

Mode of access: Internet.

Effects of waste water disposal, Fruitvale Oil Field, Kern County: cooperative water quality investigation, conducted by U.S. Dept. of the Interior, Geological Survey and the Dept. of Water Resources.

At head of title: State of California, the Resources Agency of California, Dept. of Water Resources.

The operation of water filtration plants of the mechanical gravity type.

Originally issued in 1923, prepared by George F. Catlett, as Special bulletin no. 211 of the North Carolina Board of Health, Bureau of Engineering and Inspection.

Wastes from water treatment plants : literature review, results of an Illinois survey, and effects of alum sludge application to cropland /

"SWS Contract report 429." -- Cover.