Concentração de Zn e Mn nos efluentes do beneficiamento de carvão mineral e em Typha domingensis Pers (TYPHACEAE)

O estudo objetivou investigar a concentração de zinco e manganês nos efluentes do beneficiamento de carvão e em Typha domingensis Pers. Amostras de sedimento, água, raízes, caules e folhas (n = 8 cada) foram coletadas no Lavador da Mina do Trevo, Siderópolis, SC, e em um banhado sem influência da mineração (área-controle). O conteúdo disponível dos metais no sedimento, dissolvido na água e total em T. domingensis, foi determinado por espectrofotometria de absorção atômica. Os dados de concentração de metais nos diferentes compartimentos e áreas foram submetidos ao teste "t", à análise de variância (ANOVA I) e à análise de correlação de Pearson (r). A significância estatística entre as diferenças verificadas na ANOVA foi avaliada por meio do teste SNK (Student-Newman-Keuls-Test), p < 0,05 e > 0,01. Zn e Mn apresentaram-se em concentrações mais elevadas no sedimento do que na água, nas duas áreas. Ambos os metais foram detectados na água em concentrações mais elevadas na área minerada do que na área-controle, enquanto no sedimento apenas o Zn seguiu essa tendência. T. domingensis concentrou Zn em valores mais elevados na raiz, enquanto o Mn, nas folhas, evidenciando, ainda, concentrações mais elevadas de Zn na área minerada do que na área-controle. A explotação do carvão, portanto, disponibilizou Zn e Mn em concentrações mais elevadas na área minerada do que aquelas verificadas na área não minerada, comprometendo, assim, a biota. T. domingensis comportouse como espécie concentradora de metais, o que comprova sua potencialidade para utilização na fitorremediação de áreas degradadas.

Crescimento em diâmetro do tronco das árvores de Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill. ex. Maiden e relação com as variáveis climáticas e fertilização mineral

Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o incremento em diâmetro do tronco de árvores de Eucalyptus grandis por 24 meses e sua relação com as variáveis climáticas e fertilização mineral. As árvores foram plantadas no espaçamento de 3 x 2 m e fertilizadas com potássio e sódio (plantio, 6 e 12 meses). Foram selecionadas 20 árvores de eucalipto por tratamento, de acordo com a distribuição de área basal do povoamento e instaladas faixas dendrométricas na altura do DAP. Os resultados indicaram efeito da sazonalidade climática no incremento em diâmetro do tronco das árvores, com períodos de máximo e de mínimo crescimento e uma defasagem (lag) de 28 dias, em função da resposta da atividade cambial às variações climáticas. A aplicação de potássio em relação ao sódio e controle promoveu maior taxa de incremento acumulado do tronco das árvores, com valores de 4,14; 3,28; e 3,08 cm, respectivamente.

EFEITOS DA FERTILIZAÇÃO MINERAL NA PRODUÇÃO E GERMINAÇÃO DE SEMENTES E NA BIOMASSA DE PLÂNTULAS DE Dalbergia miscolobium Benth.1

Mesmo adaptadas à baixa fertilidade dos solos, acredita-se que as espécies de plantas do Cerrado seriam capazes de responder a uma maior disponibilidade de nutrientes e alterar sua produtividade. Este estudo teve por objetivo comparar a produção de frutos, massa de frutos e sementes, germinação e comprimento e biomassa das plântulas da espécie arbórea Dalbergia miscolobium entre áreas fertilizadas e não fertilizadas de Cerrado sensu stricto na Reserva Ecológica do IBGE, Distrito Federal, Brasil. Não houve aumento na produção de frutos, na massa de sementes e na biomassa das plântulas de D. miscolobium em resposta ao aumento da disponibilidade de nutrientes minerais no solo. A massa dos frutos e a porcentagem de germinação foram menores em resposta à fertilização, enquanto o comprimento radicular foi maior em plântulas de sementes fertilizadas. Plantas adaptadas aos solos oligotróficos do Cerrado são menos exigentes em nutrientes e possuem estratégias, como a retranslocação de elementos minerais e orgânicos de órgãos senescentes que podem suprir a demanda por nitrogênio, fósforo e potássio necessários para as atividades reprodutivas.

INFLUENTIAL FACTORS IN SURFACE WATER QUALITY IN CATCHMENTS WITHIN THE PAMPA BIOME WITH DIFFERENT LAND USE1

The aim of this study was to identify, by multivariate statistical technique, the physic, chemical and biological variables that best characterize the quality of surface waters in two small rural catchments with different land uses (eucalyptus silviculture (SC) vs. pasture and extensive livestock (LC)) located in Rosário do Sul, RS - Brazil. Monitoring was conducted during the months of August 2011 to August 2012 and the following parameters were analyzed: Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, SO42-, Cl-, pH, electrical conductivity, turbidity, alkalinity, suspended and dissolved solids, biochemical oxygen demand , total coliforms, Escherichia coli and temperature, flow and rainfall. Through the use of FA/PCA, it was found that the model best fit to express water quality of in LC that was composed of five factors which account for 83.5% of the total variance, while for SC, four factors accounted for 85.12% of the variance. In LC, the five main factors were, respectively, soluble salts, diffuse pollution, solid, and both anthropogenic and organic factors. In SC, the four factors were namely: soluble salts, mineral, nutritional and diffuse pollution factors. The results of this study showed that by replacing the traditional soil usage (pasture and livestock) with planted forest, diffuse pollution was attenuated but, however, it did not result in major changes in the physical-chemical and biological characteristics of the water. Another point to note is that factorial analysis did not result in a large reduction in the number of variables, once the best model fit occurred with the addition of 15 of 18 analyzed variables (LC) and 17 of 18 analyzed variables (SC).

Segregation of powder mixtures in silos with particular reference to dry mineral-based construction materials

Segregering eller segregation är ett fenomen som kan förekomma inom olika områden av samhället. Inom samhällsvetenskaperna kan segregering definieras som det rumsliga åtskiljandet av befolkningsgrupper på urval av ras eller etniskt ursprung, kön, social härkomst, religion, ålder, yrke, osv. Segregering av befolkningsgrupper sker ofta mer eller mindre frivilligt och är motsatsen till integration. Inom partikelteknologi definieras segregering oftast som det rumsliga åtskiljandet av beståndsdelarna i en blandning av olika partiklar. Segregering sker då på urval av bl.a. partiklarnas storlek, densitet, form, elektrostatiska eller mekaniska egenskaper, och kan beskrivas som motsatsen till blandning. Segregeringsmekanismer används för att förklara hur och varför en partikelblandning segregerar samt vad slutresultatet i form av den rumsliga fördelningen av partiklarna blir till följd av att blandningen utsetts för en viss behandling. I denna avhandling har segregering av partikelblandningar och speciellt torra mineralbaserade byggmaterial (t.ex. murbruk) till följd av lagring i siloer studerats. Vid industriell produktion av mineralbaserade byggmaterial används siloer för korttidslagring av slutprodukterna precis innan förpackning. Segregering leder till kraftiga variationer i sammansättningen för partikelströmmen ut ur silon, vilket gör att slutprodukterna inte uppfyller kvalitetskraven och kan därmed inte säljas till kunder. Detta leder till arbetsam och dyr bearbetning (återcirkulation) av produkterna med påföljder för produktionsekonomin samt hållbara utvecklingen. I avhandlingen identifierades de väsentligaste segregeringsmekanismerna för torra mineralbaserade byggmaterial i siloer. Dessutom klargjordes effekterna av materialegenskaper, processbetingelser och siloparametrar. Slutligen behandlas möjliga åtgärder för minskning av partikelsegregering i siloer samt tillämpning av matematiska metoder för simulering av partikelflöden med hjälp av datorer.

Cultivo de flores com o uso de água residuária e suplementação mineral

Este trabalho visa a avaliar o efeito da adubação nitrogenada e potássica na produção de gérbera (Gerbera jamesonni), tipo comercial Rambo, utilizando-se de dois tipos de águas (residuária de origem urbana e de abastecimento) para irrigação. O experimento foi realizado em casa de vegetação, na Universidade Federal de Campina Grande, de outubro de 2006 a janeiro de 2007, abrangendo um ciclo completo de produção. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos casualizados, com três repetições, e os tratamentos foram dispostos em esquema fatorial 3 x 4 x 2, em que os fatores estudados foram: níveis crescente de nitrogênio (N1 = 100; N2 = 200 e N3 = 300 mg L-1) e potássio (K1 = 100; K2 = 200; K3 = 300 e K4 = 400 mg L-1) adicionados a uma solução contendo fósforo (P1 = 50 mg L-1); com a utilização de dois tipos de água (A1 = abastecimento, e A2 = residuária de origem urbana). As variáveis monitoradas foram: número de botões florais emitidos e intervalo de emissão; número de flores colhidas e intervalo entre colheitas; diâmetro das flores e comprimento das hastes. O incremento de nitrogênio, apesar de propiciar incremento no número de botões e reduzir o tempo de emissão de botões, ocasionou efeito negativo quanto à qualidade das flores produzidas; já o incremento de potássio foi benéfico. O uso de água residuária possibilitou melhoria significativa na produtividade e redução no tempo de colheita sem efeito significativo na qualidade das flores produzidas. Não foram observadas interações significativas entre os fatores estudados.

Desenvolvimento do feijoeiro sob o uso de biofertilizante e adubação mineral

A produção intensiva de alimentos exige manejo adequado do solo para garantir a produtividade e a sustentabilidade ambiental. Uma das alternativas é a utilização de resíduos orgânicos no desenvolvimento das culturas, diminuindo a dependência de adubos minerais. Com o objetivo de avaliar o desenvolvimento da cultura de feijão (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), utilizando biofertilizante e adubação mineral, conduziu-se o experimento com seis tratamentos dispostos ao acaso, em esquema fatorial, em quatro blocos, com parcelas de 8,0 x 5,0 m. Os tratamentos sob solo cultivado com a cultura de feijão caracterizaram-se como: com e sem biofertilizante (CB e SB, respectivamente) e para a adubação mineral foram utilizadas a dose recomendada no plantio, ½ dose de adubação e sem adubação mineral (AM, 1/2AM, SAM). Adotaram-se práticas culturais convencionais para o preparo inicial do solo, e em seguida foi efetuada a aplicação de biofertilizante de origem bovina na dosagem de 100 m³ ha-1, com antecedência de três meses da semeadura. Foram avaliados os parâmetros massa da matéria seca acumulada na parte aérea da planta, área foliar e produtividade da cultura. Os resultados mostraram semelhanças entre as características analisadas, obtendo-se melhor desenvolvimento à cultura que recebeu biofertilizante.

Soil salinization and maize and cowpea yield in the crop rotation system using saline waters

The use of saline water and the reuse of drainage water for irrigation depend on long-term strategies that ensure the sustainability of socio-economic and environmental impacts of agricultural systems. In this study, it was evaluated the effects of irrigation with saline water in the dry season and fresh water in the rainy season on the soil salt accumulation yield of maize and cowpea, in a crop rotation system. The experiment was conducted in the field, using a randomized complete block design, with five replications. The first crop was installed during the dry season of 2007, with maize irrigated with water of different salinities (0.8, 2.2, 3.6 and 5.0 dS m-1). The maize plants were harvested at 90 days after sowing (DAS), and vegetative growth, dry mass of 1000 seeds and grain yield were evaluated. The same plots were utilized for the cultivation of cowpea, during the rainy season of 2008. At the end of the crop, cycle plants of this species were harvested, being evaluated the vegetative growth and plant yield. Soil samples were collected before and after maize and cowpea cultivation. The salinity of irrigation water above 2.2 dS m-1 reduced the yield of maize during the dry season. The high total rainfall during the rainy season resulted in leaching of salts accumulated during cultivation in the dry season, and eliminated the possible negative effects of salinity on cowpea plants. However, this crop showed atypical behavior with a significant proportion of vegetative mass and low pod production, which reduced the efficiency of this strategy of crop rotation under the conditions of this study.

Performance of UASB reactors in two stages under different HRT and OLR treating residual waters of swine farming

In this study it was evaluated the effects of hydraulic retention time (HRT) and Organic Loading Rate (OLR) on the performance of UASB (Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket) reactors in two stages treating residual waters of swine farming. The system consisted of two UASB reactors in pilot scale, installed in series, with volumes of 908 and 188 L, for the first and second stages (R1 and R2), respectively. The HRT applied in the system of anaerobic treatment in two stages (R1 + R2) was of 19.3, 29.0 and 57.9 h. The OLR applied in the R1 ranged from 5.5 to 40.1 kg CODtotal (m³ d)-1. The average removal efficiencies of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total suspended solids (TSS) ranged, respectively, from 66.3 to 88.2% and 62.5 to 89.3% in the R1, and from 85.5 to 95.5% and 76.4 to 96.1% in the system (R1 + R2). The volumetric production of methane in the system (R1 + R2) ranged from 0.295 to 0.721 m³CH4 (m³ reactor d)-1. It was found that the OLR applied were not limiting to obtain high efficiencies of CODtotal and TSS removal and methane production. The inclusion of the UASB reactor in the second stage contributed to increase the efficiencies of CODtotal and TSS removal, especially, when the treatment system was submitted to the lowest HRT and the highest OLR.

Swine wastewater associated with mineral fertilization on corn crop (Zea mays)

This study aimed to evaluate the agronomical and environmental aspects in corn, soil characteristics and leachate resulting from the material combination of swine wastewater and mineral fertilizer in the long run. The experimental area has a history of swine wastewater application for experiments conducted since 2006, this being the seventh crop cycle in the area. Four doses of swine wastewater (0; 100; 200 and 300 m³ ha-1) associated with presence and absence of mineral fertilizer were applied, consisting of eight treatments. The results obtained were subjected to variance analysis and means compared by Tukey test at 5% significance. We conclude that the swine wastewater can be partially used as an alternative fertilizer, since the P and Mn are complemented with specific fertilization. There must be carefulness about Fe+2, Cu+2 and Zn+2 accumulation in soil, and also to the concentrations of Fe+2, Cu+2, Zn+2, NO3- + NO2- and Na+ in leachate which exceeded the limits at the highest SWW applied levels.

Estudo da associação de água residuária de suinocultura e adubação mineral na cultura do milho e no solo

RESUMOO uso de água residuária em solo agrícola pode-se caracterizar como uma fonte alternativa de adubação, além de melhorar as condições edáficas do solo devido à matéria orgânica adicionada. Neste contexto, este trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar os efeitos na cultura do milho e em Latossolo Vermelho distroférrico típico, devido à aplicação de água residuária de suinocultura associada com adubação química. No experimento, utilizou-se de cinco doses de ARS (0; 112,5; 225; 337,5 e 450 m3 ha-1) durante o ciclo do milho, combinadas com duas adubações químicas (50 e 75% da dose recomendada), para compor os respectivos tratamentos, com três repetições. Os parâmetros da cultura do milho avaliados foram: produtividade (PROD), altura de plantas (AP), teor de macronutrientes (N, P, K e Mg) e de micronutrientes (Fe, Zn, Cu e B). Os parâmetros de solo avaliados foram: conteúdo de matéria orgânica (MO), soma e saturação por bases (SB e V), pH e teores disponíveis de N, P, K, Cu, Zn, Fe e Mn. A partir dos resultados obtidos, concluiu-se que: na cultura do milho, a aplicação de água residuária da suinocultura é fator predominante no aumento da produtividade e na nutrição mineral em K, Mg, Fe, Cu e B, e insuficiente para N e P; no solo, de modo geral, a água residuária da suinocultura propiciou aumentos positivos nos parâmetros de P, Zn, Cu, pH e SB, negativos nos teores de K e Fe, e nenhum efeito nos parâmetros N, V, MO e Mn; os parâmetros P, Cu e Zn aumentaram significativamente os teores no solo ao longo do experimento, indicando a importância do fator tempo nesse tipo de estudo.

LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF SWINE wastewater AND MINERAL FERTILIZER ASSOCIATION ON SOIL MICROBIOTA

ABSTRACT Swine wastewater (SW) application in agricultural soils may affect its microbial community in a long term. The objective of this study was to evaluate prospective changes in soil bacterial community after eight years continuous application of swine wastewater. The wastewater doses tested were 0; 100; 200 and 300 m3 ha-1, being applied from the beginning of the experiment and with or without recommended fertilization. Three soil samples were taken from each plot for determinations of basal respiration, microbial biomass and metabolic quotient. We also performed DGGE analysis and made a correlation between soil chemical conditions and microbial activity. Microbial community underwent significant structural changes from swine wastewater applications. Higher SW doses (200 and 300 m3 ha-1) influenced significantly (p <0.05) and benefitted certain bacteria groups.

Ion selective electrodes for determination of low and ultra low concentrations of lead (II) in natural waters

Att övervaka förekomsten av giftiga komponenter i naturliga vattendrag är nödvändigt för människans välmående. Eftersom halten av föroreningar i naturens ekosystem bör hållas möjligast låg, pågår en ständig jakt efter kemiska analysmetoder med allt lägre detektionsgränser. I dagens läge görs miljöanalyser med dyr och sofistikerad instrumentering som kräver mycket underhåll. Jonselektiva elektroder har flera goda egenskaper som t.ex. bärbarhet, låg energiförbrukning, och dessutom är de relativt kostnadseffektiva. Att använda jonselektiva elektroder vid miljöanalyser är möjligt om deras känslighetsområde kan utvidgas genom att sänka deras detektionsgränser. För att sänka detektionsgränsen för Pb(II)-selektiva elektroder undersöktes olika typer av jonselektiva membran som baserades på polyakrylat-kopolymerer, PVC och PbS/Ag2S. Fast-fas elektroder med membran av PbS/Ag2S är i allmänhet enklare och mer robusta än konventionella elektroder vid spårämnesanalys av joniska föroreningar. Fast-fas elektrodernas detektionsgräns sänktes i detta arbete med en nyutvecklad galvanostatisk polariseringsmetod och de kunde sedan framgångsrikt användas för kvantitativa bestämningar av bly(II)-halter i miljöprov som hade samlats in i den finska skärgården nära tidigare industriområden. Analysresultaten som erhölls med jonselektiva elektroder bekräftades med andra analytiska metoder. Att sänka detektionsgränsen m.hj.a. den nyutvecklade polariseringsmetoden möjliggör bestämning av låga och ultra-låga blyhalter som inte kunde nås med klassisk potentiometri. Den verkliga fördelen med att använda dessa blyselektiva elektroder är möjligheten att utföra mätningar i obehandlade miljöprov trots närvaron av fasta partiklar vilket inte är möjligt att göra med andra analysmetoder. Jag väntar mig att den nyutvecklade polariseringsmetoden kommer att sätta en trend i spårämnesanalys med jonselektiva elektroder.

Element speciation and behaviour in metal-rich Boreal river and estuarine systems using ultrafiltration and chemical modelling

The bioavailability of metals and their potential for environmental pollution depends not simply on total concentrations, but is to a great extent determined by their chemical form. Consequently, knowledge of aqueous metal species is essential in investigating potential metal toxicity and mobility. The overall aim of this thesis is, thus, to determine the species of major and trace elements and the size distribution among the different forms (e.g. ions, molecules and mineral particles) in selected metal-enriched Boreal river and estuarine systems by utilising filtration techniques and geochemical modelling. On the basis of the spatial physicochemical patterns found, the fractionation and complexation processes of elements (mainly related to input of humic matter and pH-change) were examined. Dissolved (<1 kDa), colloidal (1 kDa-0.45 μm) and particulate (>0.45 μm) size fractions of sulfate, organic carbon (OC) and 44 metals/metalloids were investigated in the extremely acidic Vörå River system and its estuary in W Finland, and in four river systems in SW Finland (Sirppujoki, Laajoki, Mynäjoki and Paimionjoki), largely affected by soil erosion and acid sulfate (AS) soils. In addition, geochemical modelling was used to predict the formation of free ions and complexes in these investigated waters. One of the most important findings of this study is that the very large amounts of metals known to be released from AS soils (including Al, Ca, Cd, Co, Cu, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Si, U and the lanthanoids) occur and can prevail mainly in toxic forms throughout acidic river systems; as free ions and/or sulfate-complexes. This has serious effects on the biota and especially dissolved Al is expected to have acute effects on fish and other organisms, but also other potentially toxic dissolved elements (e.g. Cd, Cu, Mn and Ni) can have fatal effects on the biota in these environments. In upstream areas that are generally relatively forested (higher pH and contents of OC) fewer bioavailable elements (including Al, Cu, Ni and U) may be found due to complexation with the more abundantly occurring colloidal OC. In the rivers in SW Finland total metal concentrations were relatively high, but most of the elements occurred largely in a colloidal or particulate form and even elements expected to be very soluble (Ca, K, Mg, Na and Sr) occurred to a large extent in colloidal form. According to geochemical modelling, these patterns may only to a limited extent be explained by in-stream metal complexation/adsorption. Instead there were strong indications that the high metal concentrations and dominant solid fractions were largely caused by erosion of metal bearing phyllosilicates. A strong influence of AS soils, known to exist in the catchment, could be clearly distinguished in the Sirppujoki River as it had very high concentrations of a metal sequence typical of AS soils in a dissolved form (Ba, Br, Ca, Cd, Co, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Rb and Sr). In the Paimionjoki River, metal concentrations (including Ba, Cs, Fe, Hf, Pb, Rb, Si, Th, Ti, Tl and V; not typical of AS soils in the area) were high, but it was found that the main cause of this was erosion of metal bearing phyllosilicates and thus these metals occurred dominantly in less toxic colloidal and particulate fractions. In the two nearby rivers (Laajoki and Mynäjoki) there was influence of AS soils, but it was largely masked by eroded phyllosilicates. Consequently, rivers draining clay plains sensitive to erosion, like those in SW Finland, have generally high background metal concentrations due to erosion. Thus, relying on only semi-dissolved (<0.45 μm) concentrations obtained in routine monitoring, or geochemical modelling based on such data, can lead to a great overestimation of the water toxicity in this environment. The potentially toxic elements that are of concern in AS soil areas will ultimately be precipitated in the recipient estuary or sea, where the acidic metalrich river water will gradually be diluted/neutralised with brackish seawater. Along such a rising pH gradient Al, Cu and U will precipitate first together with organic matter closest to the river mouth. Manganese is relatively persistent in solution and, thus, precipitates further down the estuary as Mn oxides together with elements such as Ba, Cd, Co, Cu and Ni. Iron oxides, on the contrary, are not important scavengers of metals in the estuary, they are predicted to be associated only with As and PO4.

Electrocoagulation in the treatment of industrial waters and wastewaters

Chemical coagulation is commonly used in raw water and wastewater treatment plants for the destabilisation of pollutants so that they can be removed in the subsequent separation processes. The most commonly used coagulation chemicals are aluminium and iron metal salts. Electrocoagulation technology has also been proposed for the treatment of raw waters and wastewaters. With this technology, metal cations are produced on the electrodes via electrolysis and these cations form various hydroxides in the water depending on the water pH. In addition to this main reaction, several side reactions, such as hydrogen bubble formation and the reduction of metals on cathodes, also take place in the cell. In this research, the applications of electrocoagulation were investigated in raw water treatment and wastewater applications. The surface water used in this research contained high concentrations of natural organic matter (NOM). The effect of the main parameters – current density, initial pH, electric charge per volume, temperature and electrolysis cell construction – on NOM removal were investigated. In the wastewater treatment studies, the removal of malodorous sulphides and toxic compounds from the wastewaters and debarking effluents were studied. Also, the main parameters of the treatment, such as initial pH and current density, were investigated. Aluminium electrodes were selected for the raw water treatment, whereas wastewaters and debarking effluent were treated with iron electrodes. According to results of this study, aluminium is more suitable electrode material for electrocoagulation applications because it produces Al(III) species. Metal ions and hydroxides produced by iron electrodes are less effective in the destabilisation of pollutants because iron electrodes produce more soluble and less charged Fe(II) species. However, Fe(II) can be effective in some special applications, such as sulphide removal. The resulting metal concentration is the main parameter affecting destabilisation of pollutants. Current density, treatment time, temperature and electrolysis cell construction affect the dissolution of electrodes and hence also the removal of pollutants. However, it seems that these parameters have minimal significance in the destabilization of the pollutants besides this effect (in the studied range of parameters). Initial pH and final pH have an effect on the dissolution of electrodes, but they also define what aluminium or iron species are formed in the solution and have an effect on the ζ-potential of all charged species in the solution. According to the results of this study, destabilisation mechanisms of pollutants by electrocoagulation and chemical coagulation are similar. Optimum DOC removal and low residual aluminium can be obtained simultaneously with electrocoagulation, which may be a significant benefit of electrocoagulation in surface water treatment compared to chemical coagulation. Surface water treatment with electrocoagulation can produce high quality water, which could be used as potable water or fresh water for industrial applications. In wastewater treatment applications, electrocoagulation can be used to precipitate malodorous sulphides to prevent their release into air. Technology seems to be able to remove some toxic pollutants from wastewater and could be used as pretreatment prior to treatment at a biological wastewater treatment plant. However, a thorough economic and ecological comparison of chemical coagulation and electrocoagulation is recommended, because these methods seem to be similar in pollutant destabilisation mechanisms, metal consumption and removal efficiency in most applications.