Indirect Discharge Research Articles

DETERMINATION OF SOLUBLE SALTS IN INTERSTITIAL WATER OF FLUVIAL SEDIMENTS BY IE-HPLC

An ionic exchange high resolution liquid chromatography (IE-HPLC) method for determination of cations and anions in interstitial water of sediments, affluent and effluent of dams is proposed in this paper. Cations: Na+, Ca2+, K+, and Mg2+ and anions: Cl-, CO 3 2-, NO 3 - and SO 4 2- were analyzing by IE-HPLC method. Optimized analytical conditions were validated in terms of accuracy, recovery and detection limit. The method of flame spray atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) was used as an additional method for the determination of Ca and Mg. It must be indicated that cations may be analyzed by several analytical methods such as AAS, ICP, etc., but there are not enough methods to analyze anions; IE-HPLC methods are good alternative to determine these ions. The aim of this study was to determine ions in interstitial water in the affluent and effluent of the Chilean dams Cogoti, Corrales, La Paloma, Rapel and Recoleta in order to determine if the water is suitable for irrigation or human consumption and estimate the effect of dams on water quality. The results indicate that the highest concentrations observed were for the cations: Ca2+ (mean 43.5 mgL-1), Na+ (mean 16.4 mgL-1), Mg2+ (mean 12.6 mgL-1), and K+ (mean 2.3 mgL-1). The highest concentration of anions was found for CO 3 2- (mean 55.9 mgL-1); the concentrations of SO 4 2-, Cl- and NO 3 - reached 59.3 mgL-1, 12.8 mgL-1 and 27.0 mgL-1, respectively. The results indicate that although the origin of soluble salts is lithogenic, the high concentrations of these salts found in some places indicate anthropogenic effect, either by direct or indirect discharges or by diffuse pollution. These high concentrations may be significant , considering that these waters are used mainly for irrigation, which would affect the quality of agricultural soils irrigated with this moderately saline water.

Passive sampling in the study of dynamic and environmental impact of pesticides in water

Pesticides are the most applied substances in agricultural activities which can contaminate water bodies by direct or indirect discharge, but large volumes and natural transformation processes can decrease the concentration of these substances and their degradates in watershed. Currently, conventional extraction methods such as: solid phase extraction (SPE) and solid phase micro extraction (SPME) among others do not permit low detection limits. However low levels of pesticides and degradates could produce chronic toxicity in different species. Nowadays, passive sampling is widespread used for monitoring pesticides and for ensuring the water quality and bioaccumulation studies due to this methodology allows the detection of pollutant from parts per quadrillion (ppq). The most popular membranes used in passive sampling are the semipermeable membrane devices (SPMD), which permit the concentration of lipophilic substances and the polar organic chemical integrative sampler (POCIS), which permits concentration of the hydrophilic ones. This review is about the application of passive samplers in pesticides analysis, the importance of these devices in the bioaccumulation studies and the evaluation of the ecotoxicological risks. Finally, passive sampling allows reducing costs, time and the amount of organic solvent used which classifies it within the environmental trends of “green analytical chemistry”.

Steady-State Corona Discharges in Atmospheric Air for Cleaning and Decontamination

It is shown that high-voltage corona discharges in atmospheric air have significant potential for bacterial inactivation. Neutral reactive oxygen and nitrogen species and ions generated by the corona discharges act upon the target liquid or solid surfaces and produce chemical or biological effects. The concentration of ions and reactive species including ozone generated by these discharges defines the efficiency of the corona treatment. In this paper, the chemical (oxidation) effect of direct corona discharges (where ions act upon the target surface) and indirect corona discharges (where ions are screened by a grounded metallic mesh) in atmospheric air is studied by measuring the degree of decolorization of a blue dye dissolved in water. The biological effects of the direct and indirect discharges are studied by observing the degree of bacterial inactivation of gram-negative and gram-positive microorganisms, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, seeded on agar plates. The relationship between the ozone concentration and biological efficiency of the corona treatment is evaluated. The obtained results can be used for optimization of cleaning and inactivation treatment processes based on the use of nonthermal plasma produced under dc energization conditions.

Printing ink and paper recycling sources of TMDD in wastewater and rivers

2,4,7,9-Tetramethyl-5-decyne-4,7-diol (TMDD) is a non-ionic surfactant which is preferentially used as defoamer in paints and printing ink and for the treatment of surfaces. Effluents of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) have been identified as the domination point sources for TMDD in rivers since the removal rate of the compound in the WWTPs is in general less than 70%. However, the dominating entry pathways of TMDD into the sewage were unknown so far. In this study effluents from both, municipal WWTPs with and without treatment of indirect industrial dischargers and from industrial WWTPs with direct discharge of wastewater into receiving rivers were analyzed for the first time to identify the proportions of TMDD coming from domestic wastewater and from various industrial sources. Moreover, rivers were samples before and after the influent of sewage water from WWTPs. The TMDD concentrations in the water samples were measured using solid phase extraction (SPE) followed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). High TMDD concentrations were found in rivers (up to 63.5μg/L), and in effluents of WWTPs (up to 310μg/L) affected by wastewater from paper recycling industry and factories producing paint and printing ink. Concentrations of TMDD revealed to be far higher in wastewater from factories processing recycled paper (up to 113μg/L) compared to wastewater from factories not processing recycled paper (0.066μg/L). The results indicate that the use of recycling paper in the paper production process is the dominating reason for increased TMDD concentrations in wastewaters and receiving rivers due to the wash out of TMDD from the paper impregnated with printing ink. Very high TMDD concentrations (up to 3300μg/L) were also detected in wastewater from a printing ink factory and a paint factory.

The Effect of the Earthed Electrode Size on the Ignition Voltage of Low-Pressure RF Capacitive Discharge in Argon

The effect of the grounded electrode diameter on the ignition voltage using 13.56 MHz in argon gas is studied experimentally. The results indicate a systematic decrease of the breakdown voltage with increasing electrode area for the same pd value. No multi-valued breakdown voltages are observed. The Paschen minimum is not affected by the electrode diameter as long as the parallel plane approximation is valid. A modified Paschen equation which takes into account indirect discharge via the chamber walls at high pd values gives reasonable fits to the experimental data.

Ozone correlates with antibacterial effects from indirect air dielectric barrier discharge treatment of water

Ambient-condition air plasma produced by indirect dielectric barrier discharges can rapidly disinfect aqueous solutions contaminated with bacteria and other microorganisms. In this study, we measured key chemical species in plasma-treated aqueous solutions and the associated antimicrobial effect for varying discharge power densities, exposure times, and buffer components in the aqueous medium. The aqueous chemistry corresponded to air plasma chemistry, and we observed a transition in composition from ozone mode to nitrogen oxides mode as the discharge power density increased. The inactivation of E. coli correlates well with the aqueous-phase ozone concentration, suggesting that ozone is the dominant species for bacterial inactivation under these conditions. Published values of ozone-water antibacterial inactivation kinetics as a function of the product of ozone concentration and contact time are consistent with our results. In contrast to earlier studies of plasma-treated water disinfection, ozone-dependent bacterial inactivation does not require acidification of the aqueous medium and the bacterial inactivation rates are far higher. Furthermore, we show that the antimicrobial effect depends strongly on gas-liquid mixing following plasma treatment, apparently because of the low solubility of ozone and the slow rate of mass transfer from the gas phase to the liquid. Without thorough mixing of the ozone-containing gas and bacteria-laden water, the antimicrobial effect will not be observed. However, it should be recognized that the complexity of atmospheric pressure plasma devices, and their sensitivity to subtle differences in design and operation, can lead to different results with different mechanisms.

Effect of Radiated Field Due to ESD on Ones and Zeroes of the Serial Data Stream

The circuit with an output of specified serial data stream has been exposed to the radiated electromagnetic fields generated by indirect discharge from the ElectroStatic Discharge (ESD) simulator. The circuit malfunctioned at a distance of 35 cm from the point of discharge. The ESD transient pulse introduced affected only the data stream and binary counter Integrated Circuit (IC) SN74LS393N was found to be malfunctioning. The counter IC passed the parameter test but failed functionally as all the output pins were malfunctioning. The circuit that failed did not have decoupling capacitors connected to the Vcc supply. Another circuit designed with decoupling capacitors connected to the Vcc supply of all the IC’s has been exposed to indirect ESD air discharge. The effect of the ESD transient pulse on the ones and zeroes of the specified data stream has been observed. The amplitude of the serial data stream has been affected but the order of transmission of the bits has not changed. If the change in amplitude is greater than the set threshold then the order of transmission of bits can change and this becomes critical for sensitive circuits where the set threshold is very small. The decoupling capacitors provided protection against any malfunction of the integrated circuits.

Direct and indirect lead-containing waste discharge in the electrical and electronic supply chain

This study utilized an input–output analysis to determine the amount of lead-containing waste generated throughout the industrial supply chain in Taiwan, specifically for the electrical and electronic industries. In the European Union, lead use in electrical and electronic equipment has been prohibited since 2005. However, this does not ensure the complete absence of lead-containing waste discharge during the production of these items. Lead-containing waste is generated in various forms and arises from various life stages of multiple industries. The RoHS and WEEE directive does not control the hazardous metals generated in the raw material extraction and manufacturing stages. It is important to investigate how much hazardous lead-containing waste is generated throughout the supply chain of a lead-free product. The aim of this study is to examine discharge of lead-containing wastes along the supply chain of electrical and electronic products in Taiwan, including the product disposal phase and the upstream supply chain.The results of this study show that the generation of lead-containing waste continues to grow; however, the amount of lead-containing waste in the electrical and electronic industry shows a decline. In this study, the electrical and electronic industry comprises six sectors according to manufacturing characteristics. The sector of Electrical Materials, which includes battery manufacturing, shows the highest degree of direct lead-containing waste generation of the six sectors. The greatest amount of indirect lead-containing waste is primarily attributed to the Electrical and Electronic Equipment sector, which produces final electric products. The main indirect lead-containing waste generation is found to occur in tier 2 and tier 3 sectors of the supply chain. The Pig Iron and Crude Steel sector and Electricity and Steam sector are two major contributors of lead-containing waste to the entire supply chain of electrical and electronic equipment products.As lead-free regulation has successfully controlled the lead content in the electrical and electronic products, more attention should be paid to indirect waste discharge from the upstream supply chain of production.

Extreme flood response to short-duration convective rainfall in South-West Germany

Abstract. The 2 June 2008 flood-producing storm on the Starzel river basin in South-West Germany is examined as a prototype for organized convective systems that dominate the upper tail of the precipitation frequency distribution and are likely responsible for the flash flood peaks in Central Europe. The availability of high-resolution rainfall estimates from radar observations and a rain gauge network, together with indirect peak discharge estimates from a detailed post-event survey, provided the opportunity to study in detail the hydrometeorological and hydrological mechanisms associated with this extreme storm and the ensuing flood. Radar-derived rainfall, streamgauge data and indirect estimates of peak discharges are used along with a distributed hydrologic model to reconstruct hydrographs at multiple locations. Observations and model results are combined to examine two main questions, (i) assessment of the distribution of the runoff ratio for the 2008 flash flood and how it compares with other less severe floods; and (ii) analysis of how the spatial and temporal distribution of the extreme rainfall, and more specifically storm motion, controls the flood response. It is shown that small runoff ratios (less than 20%) characterized the runoff response and that these values are in the range of other, less extreme, flood events. The influence of storm structure, evolution and motion on the modeled flood hydrograph is examined by using the "spatial moments of catchment rainfall". It is shown that downbasin storm motion (in the range of 0.7–0.9 m s−1) had a noticeable impact on flood response by increasing the modeled flood peak by 13%.

Electrical Coupling of Lightning Through a Hole in a Metal Barrier

This paper discusses the penetration and coupling of a lightning return stroke through a hole in a metal barrier to a conductor located behind the hole. Indirect field coupling (electric and magnetic) and direct discharges are considered both analytically and experimentally. Although here we consider the hole to be preexisting, one application of this work is lightning return stroke coupling through holes burned in metallic barriers by the continuing current component of lightning. The goal is to develop an understanding of the mechanisms and expected penetrant levels in lightning burnthrough.

Metal Ion and Other Key Water Quality Constituent Attenuation in Soil Columns

A set of soil columns was constructed to simulate discharge of disinfected tertiary treated wastewater to a river via nearby land application or indirect discharge. The system was primarily designed to observe the fate of metal ions and nutrients. The following three experiments were conducted: (1) flow through saturated soils only, which simulates indirect discharge where water is directly applied to groundwater; (2) flow through unsaturated soil followed by saturated flow, which simulates vadose then saturated zone transport; and (3) saturated flow only using ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid-metal chelates, which determined effects of metal organic complexes on metal mobility through the soil. Metal ion attenuation was substantial but not complete in experiments 1 and 2 (removal: 68% Cu2+, 43% Ni2+, 98% Pb2+, and 96% Hg2+), which was somewhat contrary to modeling results. Cyanide attenuation was also monitored (92% removal). In experiment 3, lead attenuation was somewhat reduced (92% removal) and delayed (requiring additional residence time); copper attenuation was significantly reduced (38% removal) and delayed; and nickel concentrations were higher in the 28-day sample (> 80 microg/L) than in the column feed water (58 microg/L). Near-complete denitrification and total phosphorus attenuation were observed. For the water quality constituents studied, unsaturated (vadose zone) transport did not appear to add additional benefit.

Impact of wastewater treatment plant discharge of lidocaine, tramadol, venlafaxine and their metabolites on the quality of surface waters and groundwater

The presence of the anesthetic lidocaine (LDC), the analgesic tramadol (TRA), the antidepressant venlafaxine (VEN) and the metabolites O-desmethyltramadol (ODT) and O-desmethylvenlafaxine (ODV) was investigated in wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluents, in surface waters and in groundwater. The analytes were detected in all effluent samples and in only 64% of the surface water samples. The mean concentrations of the analytes in effluent samples from WWTPs with wastewater from only households and hospitals were 107 (LDC), 757 (TRA), 122 (ODT), 160 (VEN) and 637 ng L(-1) (ODV), while the mean concentrations in effluents from WWTPs treating additionally wastewater from pharmaceutical industries as indirect dischargers were for some pharmaceuticals clearly higher. WWTP effluents were identified as important sources of the analyzed pharmaceuticals and their metabolites in surface waters. The concentrations of the compounds found in surface waters ranged from <LOQ to 176 (LDC), 381 (TRA), 261 (ODT), 122 (VEN) and 743 ng L(-1) (ODV) and were dependent on the concentrations of the compounds in the WWTP effluents, the proportion of wastewater in the recipient water, the mean flow rate of the surface water, and the proximity of the sampling point to the WWTP discharge point. The dependence of the concentrations of the target compounds in the surface water on the distance between the sampling points and the points of WWTP discharge into the recipient rivers and streams indicates possible degradation of the compounds in the surface waters. Infiltration of the target analytes into groundwater was not observed.

ESDガンのテーパー型垂直結合板への間接放電に対する発生磁界のばらつき低減と実験検証

The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) prescribes in IEC 61000-4-2 immunity tests of electronic equipment against electrostatic discharge (ESDs), in which indirect discharges of an ESD gun onto a vertical coupling plane (VCP) in the vicinity of equipment under test (EUT) are specified for simulating human discharges to conductive materials being adjacent to the EUT. According to IEC 61000-4-2 2008-04, the VCP shall be placed at a distance of 0.1m from EUT to be tested, and the indirect discharges of an ESD gun should be conducted to the centre of a vertical edge of the VCP, though the reference arrangement of EUT is not specifically determined. In the previous study, we measured electromagnetic fields due to indirect discharges of an ESD gun onto a VCP to investigate their variations with respect to EUT positions, which showed that indirect discharges onto a vertical edge from the back side of a VCP are very likely to reduce the above-mentioned variations, while the induced voltage levels become low. In the present study, to cope with this problem, we proposed a tapered-type VCP in lieu of the IEC-specified VCP, and by using a magnetic field probe in place of EUT, we measured its induced voltages of a magnetic field probe for indirect discharges of an ESD gun onto the VCP, and examined the variations in peaks and waveform energy with respect to the probe positions. As a result, we found that the tapered-type VCP suppresses the variations in peaks by 71% and waveform energy by 40% compared to the IEC-specified VCP. To further validate the above findings, as an actual EUT, we used a commercially available ESD detector for an impulsive electric field to reveal that the tapered-type VCP provides 16%-reduced variations in its detection rates with respect to the detector positions in comparison with the present VCP.

Reducing the uncertainty in indirect estimates of extreme flash flood discharges

Direct current meter measurements are rarely available for extreme flash floods. Corresponding discharges are generally estimated using so-called “indirect” techniques such as the slope – area method. These methods are based on empirical hydraulic formulae that typically use Manning’s equation, and have been calibrated and also widely tested for flow conditions that differ significantly from those encountered during flash floods. Recent work conducted in Europe, as part of the HYDRATE research project and other studies, has shown that the use of these formulae and their associated tabulated roughness values available in current guidance documents, without further verification, can lead to over-estimates of peak discharges in the case of flash floods. After having discussed the limitations of indirect methods based on Manning’s formula, the paper illustrates how the uncertainty in indirect discharge estimates can be reduced through the analysis of various types of data that can be collected during post-event surveys and through consistency checks. Based on a review of current literature and on recent flash flood studies, this paper proposes simple guidelines to assist practitioners in estimating extreme discharges during post-event surveys.

Occurrence and fate of TMDD in wastewater treatment plants in Germany

The occurrence and fate of 2,4,7,9-tetramethyl-5-decyne-4,7-diol (TMDD) was investigated in four wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in Germany. The concentration of TMDD in influents and effluents in the WWTPs ranged from 134 ng/L to 5846 ng/L and from <LOQ to 3539 ng/L correspondingly. Loads determined in influents (10.1 g/d–1142 g/d) and effluents (<LOQ – 425 g/d) indicate that TMDD is partially removed from the wastewater. The elimination rates varied between 33% and 68%. Based on the load analysis, the TMDD effluent discharge of WWTPs investigated varied from 8.29 kg/a to 52.6 kg/a. Day and week profiles were recorded and indicated that TMDD is introduced into the sewage through household and indirect dischargers with high fluctuations. Seasonal variations in the TMDD loads were also analyzed in three of the studied WWTPs. One of the WWTPs demonstrated statistically higher TMDD loads during the warm period (164 g/d) than during the cold period (91.3 g/d), for the others WWTPs any differences could not be established. The input of TMDD during weekends and working days was also studied. The results did not show any significant trend of TMDD discharge into the WWTPs.

Towards a complete recycling of phosphorus in wastewater treatment – options in Germany

Global reserves of mineral phosphorus are finite and the recycling of phosphorus from wastewater, a significant sink for phosphorus, can contribute to a more sustainable use. In Germany, Switzerland, and the Netherlands, an increasing percentage of municipal sewage sludge is incinerated and the contained phosphorus is lost. This paper reviews current technologies and shows that a complete phosphorus recovery from wastewater is technically feasible. Depending on the composition of the sewage sludge ash (SSA), there are various options for phosphorus recovery that are presented. Iron-poor SSAs can be used directly as substitute for phosphate rock in the electrothermal phosphorus process. SSAs with low heavy metal contents can be used as fertilizer without prior metal elimination. Ashes not suitable for direct recycling can be processed by thermal processes. Operators of wastewater treatment plants can additionally influence the ash composition via the selection of precipitants and the control of (indirect) dischargers. This way, they can choose the most suitable phosphorus recovery option. For sewage sludge that is co-incinerated in power plants, municipal waste incinerators or cement kilns phosphorus recovery is not possible. The phosphorus is lost forever.

New political topographies. Mining companies and indirect discharge in Southern Katanga (DRC)

Nouvelles topographies politiques. Entreprises minières et décharges indirectes au Sud du Katanga (RDC) Cet article entend analyser les reconfigurations actuelles du système politique en Afrique en étudiant la manière dont les multinationales gèrent la sécurité dans les régions minières de cuivre et de cobalt au Sud du Katanga (République démocratique du Congo – RDC). Ce texte cherche à démontrer que l’extension du rôle des entreprises dans la gestion du système politique au Sud du Katanga peut être interprétée comme une nouvelle forme de décharge indirecte effectuée par le pays d’accueil et par le pays d’origine de l’entreprise multinationale, pour externaliser, en grande partie, la gouvernance locale. Cela suggère des topographies politiques qui diffèrent de celles de la gestion de la sécurité par les entreprises au xix e et xx e siècles.

ESDガンの垂直結合板への間接放電で生ずる空間電磁界のばらつき

ESDガンの垂直結合板への間接放電で生ずる空間電磁界のばらつき

Shotguns, Spray, and Smoke: Regulating Atmospheric Deposition of Pollutants under the Clean Water Act

I. INTRODUCTION II. ATMOSPHERIC MERCURY POLLUTION AS A CASE STUDY ILLUSTRATING THE SCIENCE OF ATMOSPHERIC DEPOSITION AND THE EXISTING REGULATORY SCHEME III. THE CLEAN WATER ACT AND THEORIES DE DISCHARGE IV. ATMOSPHERIC DEPOSITION OF POLLUTANTS AND THE TWO RATIONALES OF DISCHARGE A. The Indirect Discharge Rationale B. The Point Source Rationale 1. Addition of Pollutants via Land: The Effect of Gravity 2. Addition of Pollutants via the Atmosphere; The Effects of Gravity and Predictability a. Shotgun Pellets and Clay Pigeons b. Pesticide Spray and Incinerator Emissions i. The Non-textual Approach to Discharge of Pollutants ii. The Textual Approach to Discharge of Pollutants 3. Applying a Textual Interpretation of the Clean Water Act to Atmospheric Deposition of Pollutants a. Congressional Intent and Regulatory Conflict b. Fear of Irrational Results V. CONCLUSION I. INTRODUCTION I recently watched a fireworks display from the shore of a lake. I looked on with interest as breathtaking fireworks burst over the lake. My interest turned to concern as burning embers of fireworks residue drifted downward to the lake. My concern stemmed from knowing that this particular lake is a source of drinking water for the city of Portland, Maine. (1) Fireworks contain a number of potentially dangerous pollutants, including barium, copper, cadmium, lithium, rubidium, strontium, lead, and others. (2) Given the lake's use as a source of drinking water, I wondered whether the person shooting the fireworks had obtained a permit to do so pursuant to the Clean Water Act. (3) It appeared that the residue falling from the fireworks into the lake should have been regulated under the Clean Water Act. Discharges of pollutants within the purview of the Clean Water Act are those that involve addition of any pollutant to navigable waters from any point source. (4) Courts have held that liquid or misted pollutants released over land from a point source, which then flow into navigable waters, are within the purview of the Clean Water Act. (5) The same is true for solid pollutants released into or near navigable waters--they too are regulated under the Clean Water Act. (6) In essence, as long as a solid or liquid is considered a pollutant, (7) its discharge from a point source to navigable water may be regulated under the Clean Water Act. The common theme is that courts, pursuant to the Clean Water Act, proscribe releases of solid, liquid, and misted pollutants when it is demonstrated with certainty that the pollutant--shortly after release--deposited in navigable waters, even if the pollutant is not released directly into navigable waters. (8) Undoubtedly, then, the fireworks show should have been subject to the regulations of the Clean Water Act, at least for the debris that fell directly into the lake. I thought about the fireworks episode later that week when I saw a power plant on the shores of a river. The wind that day was pushing smoke and steam from the plant's stack downward, such that it hovered several feet above the surface of the water. I could not tell whether any of the pollutants, such as heavier particulate matter, were depositing directly into the river, but I wondered whether there was a scenario where emissions from the power plant could be regulated under the Clean Water Act. For example, what about particulates or other emissions that landed in the river shortly after their release from the power plant? Even if there had not been wind on that day, it is likely that particulates from the smoke I saw would deposit into the river. (9) Logically, pollutants released, e.g., from a smokestack into the atmosphere, could be regulated pursuant to the Clean Water Act if it could be proven with certainty that the pollutant would deposit into navigable waters. …

Reply to Comment on &amp;quot;A dynamic rating curve approach to indirect discharge measurement by Dottori et al. (2009)&amp;quot; by Koussis (2009)

In a recent comment, Koussis (2010) moved a number of critiques on the paper by Dottori et al. (2009), which describes a methodology for indirect discharge measurement using simultaneous water stage measurements at two adjacent cross sections in a river reach. The procedure, which requires the geometrical description of the two cross sections, allows for direct computation of water surface slope, and improves accounting for unsteady flow effects through the use of the complete or simplified momentum equation (a reason for calling it DyRaC, the acronym of Dynamic Rating Curve). Among others, Koussis argues that the procedure is not suited for practical use since it is too demanding in terms of data set and flow conditions, and the requirements for its application are generally not met in practice, particularly in rivers with a complex morphology. Then Koussis suggests using an alternative procedure for discharge measurement, based on a modification of the well known Jones Formula he developed several years ago (Koussis, 1975, 1976). Finally, he contends that the procedure proposed by Dottori et al. (2009) is based upon the well known “standard step method” for computing flood depth profiles. The aim of this reply, is to show that the criticisms moved are not really motivated: DyRaC, the proposed approach, may be used for operational measurements in rivers with noticeable advantages with respect to alternative methodologies. As a matter of fact DyRaC has already been installed in Italy and thoroughly tested on-line for estimating unsteady discharges in real-time on the River Parma, as well as successfully applied for flow estimates on several gauging stations along the River Arno course.