Industrial Waste Effluents Research Articles

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Ya-Er Lake (Hubei, China): sources and distribution

Sources and distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in the Ya-Er Lake area (Hubei, China) sediment cores of 3 ponds in the shallow Ya-Er Lake were investigated for 16 PAH. Analytical procedure included extraction by ultrasonication, clean-up by gel-permeation and quantification by HPLC with fluorescence detection. The total PAH amount in sediment samples of the Ya-Er Lake ranged from 68 to 2242 mu g/kg. Concentrations decreased from pond 1 to pond 3 and from upper to lower sediment layers. In addition a soil sample from Ya-Er Lake area showed a total PAH amount of 58 mu g/kg. The PAH pattern in lower sediment layers were similar to that of the soil sample which indicates an atmospheric deposition into the sediments prior to 1970 only. The PAH profile of upper sediment samples, which differs completely from that of lower layers, may be explained by a gradually increasing input of mixed combustion and raw fuel sources since 1970. Therefore the origin of increased PAH contamination in Ya-Er Lake during the last 3 decades has been probably an industrial waste effluent in pond 1.

Five after Rio and Fifteen Years after Montego Bay: Some Personal Reflections

UN Special Session The UN is holding a Special ~e~ion in June this year to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the UN Conference on Environment and Development (Earth Summit). I hope that one of the focal points of the Special Session will be on the sustainable use of the oceans and their resources. The UN has designated 1998 as the Year of the Ocean in recognition of the fact that 71 percent of the Earth's surface is covered by the sea. The sea is the origin of atmospheric water vapour and a heat accumulator. It is also a source of food, habitat and income for humans. The oceans are in great danger. Marine pollution, caused by the excessive use of fertilisers, the discharge of industrial waste and domestic effluent, is increasing. The seas are also being used by humans as a dumping ground. In many parts of the world, fish stocks have also become depleted or extinct, due to overfishing. Marine eco-syst~ms are being destroyed by dynamite and cyanide fishing.

Advanced separation of harmful metals from industrial waste effluents by ion exchange

Advanced separation methods of harmful metals from industrial waste effluents, i.e., radionuclides from nuclear waste solutions, transition metals from metallurgical waste effluents, developed at the Laboratory of Radiochemistry, are discussed.

The Aquatic Macrophyte Community of Onondaga Lake: Field Survey and Plant Growth Bioassays of Lake Sediments

ABSTRACT Onondaga Lake, located in the Syracuse metropolitan area of upstate New York, has been heavily impacted by domestic and industrial waste effluents, resulting in a lake with high salinity, low light availability, and a highly calcareous, nutrient-poor sediment. These factors appear interrelated in reducing the cover, distribution and diversity of aquatic plants between 1940 and 1990. A quantitative survey in 1991 found that only 13% of the littoral zone had any aquatic plants. The plant community was dominated by Potamogeton pectinatus (11%), with four other submersed aquatic plants found: Ceratophyllum demersum, Heteranihera dubia, Myriophyllum spicatum, and Potamogeton crispus. Aquatic plants were found less often than expected on the calcium-carbonate oncolite sediments, which are formed from precipitated calcium carbonate, compared to other sediment types in the lake. Laboratory studies were developed to evaluate the role of sediments in limiting plant growth. These studies showed that Onondag...

5364537 Process for the oxidation of organic micropollutants in water using the O3/H2O2 combination

A process and device for combined oxidation of polluted water, e.g. industrial waste water or effluents, to make it suitable for drinking, involves injection of hydrogen peroxide (pure aqueous solution or diluted) and ozone (gaseous, or ozonized oxygen or air) simultaneously and in a flow direction co-current with the circulation of the water to be treated, at the inlet of the oxidation reactor. For example, a reactor is endowed with mechanisms to inject ozone and hydrogen peroxide at its base, at very closely-spaced points and simultaneously, in a flow direction the same as the water to be treated, with an automatic control system to regulate the levels of the oxidizing agents.

Microbial interactions with caesium—implications for biotechnology

AbstractThe continuing release of caesium isotopes into the environment has highlighted the necessity for efficient removal of Cs from industrial waste effluents prior to discharge. Existing technologies, e.g. zeolite ion‐exchange for Cs removal, can be expensive and microbial metal adsorption/accumulation may represent a cheap alternative. The distinct chemical properties of Cs+, which dictate a high degree of metabolism‐dependent uptake via monovalent cation transport systems, indicate that different approaches are required for biological Cs removal to those which are generally adopted for other metals/radionuclides. The low toxicity of Cs+eliminates one potential problem in the use of live cells for Cs removal. High levels of Cs+accumulation have been reported in a number of microorganisms, but uptake levels vary markedly in different organisms and are strongly influenced by a number of physico‐chemical and mechanical parameters, e.g. the use of batch or continuous‐flow systems, biomass immobilization (which tends to increase Cs+adsorption at the expense of metabolism‐dependent accumulation), pH and particularly the prevalence of other monovalent cations such as K+and Na+. Inherent differences in Cs+uptake capacities of different microorganisms appear to be largely attributable to differences in the affinity of monovalent cation transport systems for Cs+. The application of rigorous screening procedures involving the use of autoradiography has great potential for isolation of microorganisms with particularly high affinities for Cs+. Alternatively, manipulation of the physiological status of microorganisms can dramatically alter the transport of Cs+and other monovalent cations. Hyper‐ and hypo‐osmotic shock, respectively, have so far proved to be the most successful treatments for stimulating Cs removal and recovery. Other manipulations, at both the cellular and molecular level, which are known to influence K+fluxes but have yet to be characterized for Cs+, are outlined here.

Trace metals, PCBs, and PAHs in benthic (epipelic) diatoms from intertidal sediments; a pilot study

Intertidal sediments in many estuaries around the world have a history of contamination resulting from long term discharges of industrial, agricultural and domestic waste effluents. These contaminated sediments are now regarded as a major source of toxicants for bottom-related organisms which, in turn, may pass on certain contaminants (e.g. methylmercury, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)) to organisms higher in the foodchain. Many studies have been conducted on the contamination of benthic macrofauna, estuarine fish and birds, but to our knowledge no research has yet been carried out on benthic diatoms which form the lowest trophic level of an intertidal ecosystem. Research on the effects of micro-contaminants on primary producers in marine ecosystems is mainly performed with phytoplankton. In the estuaries of temperate regions, benthic diatoms make a significant contribution to primary production in the ecosystem and are predated especially by deposit feeding Polychaete and Mollusca. Knowledge of the level of contamination in benthic diatoms is of major importance to recognize possible effects on growth rate and species composition of the benthic diatom populations and to understand the accumulation of toxicants into the foodchain. For chemical analysis it is difficult to obtain [open quote]pure[close quote] samples of benthic diatoms because they form partmore » of the sediment. A similar problem occurs with the sampling of phytoplankton in turbid estuarine waters. The aim of this pilot study was (a) to improve a trap technique to collect pure samples of benthic diatoms of at least 2 gram dry weight for analysis of trace metals, PCBs and polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and (b) to compare the concentrations in benthic diatoms with levels in sediment and some bottom-related organisms. 16 refs., 2 figs., 2 tabs.« less

An amperometric benzene sensor using whole cell Pseudomonas putida ML2

Using a dissolved oxygen electrode and immobilized Pseudomonas putida ML2 whole cells, a biosensor was developed for the amperometric determination of benzene in aqueous solution. A linear relationship between the sensor response and the concentration of benzene was observed up to 1·35 mM in 50 mM phosphate buffer under the optimum conditions of pH 6·8 and at a temperature about 300K. Linear range sensitivity was 2·82 μA/mM. Maximum error was estimated to be about 3·55 μM. The steady state response time was about 2–10 min within the linear range, comparable to other biosensors currently in use. The sensors response was stable, reproducible and highly specific for the sensing of benzene. With its specificity to benzene, rapid response and ease of operation, this whole cell P. putida ML2 benzene biosensor has potential commercial application for the monitoring and sensing of benzene in industrial waste effluents and in particular for monitoring benzene contamination in groundwater.

Treatment of textile waste effluents by ozonation and chemical coagulation

Ozonation experiments in a multiple reactor system were conducted to investigate the efficiency of this process in reducing the color and chemical oxygen demand of the textile waste effluents. It has been observed that decolorization of those waste effluents can be achieved in less than 10 min in all tested cases. In conjunction with chemical coagulation, the chemical oxygen demand of those waste effluents can be consistently reduced by up to 70% or more. Ozonation is capable of decomposing the highly structured dye molecules into smaller ones which can be easily biodegraded in an activated sludge process. Hence combination of ozonation, chemical coagulation and the activated sludge processes can provide a very effective means for dealing with this particular type of industrial waste effluent.

Pollution chemistry of the River Niger and its tributaries: characteristics of industrial waste effluents.

Pollution chemistry of the River Niger and its tributaries: characteristics of industrial waste effluents.

Permeability of Acrylate, Urethane, and Silicate Grouted Sands with Chemicals

A laboratory study is conducted to evaluate the' long‐term resistance to percolation of grouted sands, using chemicals that represent the more common industrial waste effluents. Such performance data is necessary if grouts are to be considered for sealing off hazardous waste sites. Six different grouts are tested: acrylate, urethane, Pene‐grout, sodium silicate, glyoxal‐modified sodium silicate, and sodium aluminate‐modified sodium silicate. Water, eight chemicals, and two real‐site wastes are used as permeants. The acrylate grout exhibits very low permeability with water, has excellent resistance to the paint and refinery wastes and sodium hydroxide, and performs satisfactorily with cupric sulfate, ethylene glycol, and xylene. The urethane grout has low permeability with water, remains relatively impervious with acetone, aniline, ethylene glycol, methanol, paint and refinery wastes, and performs marginally well with cupric sulfate and hydrochloric acid. The Pene‐grout has moderately low permeability with...

Respirometric analysis of the biodegradation of organic contaminants in soil and water

Client-funded bench-scale investigations concerning the likelihood of successfully applying biological remediation to hazardous wastes must be cost-effective, and they usually need only determine if biodegradation is likely to occur on site. To assess the potential for stimulating biodegradation, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) was used to continuously monitor bacterial respiration during growth on mixed organic wastes from contaminated water and soil. Continuously collected oxygen-consumption data provided information on the overall metabolic activity of the resident bacterial population and permitted direct observation of the cessation of microbial respiratory activity and, thus, the termination of aerobic degradation. The correlation of biological oxygen utilization with biodegradation was confirmed using independent analytical methods. Continuous, long-term BOD analysis was applied to bench-scale studies to assess the biodegradation of mixed organic wastes from contaminated sites and industrial waste effluents. This information was used to make an initial determination regarding the need to further explore bioremediation as a potential remedial-action technology using on-site, pilot-scale testing.

Indirect determination of free cyanide in industrial waste effluent by atomic absorption spectrometry

An indirect method is described for the determination of free cyanide in industrial waste effluent samples by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). In an alkaline medium, cyanide forms a stable complex species [Cu(BPTC)(CN)] (BPTC = 2-benzoylpyridine thiosemicarbazone), which can be extracted into a mixture of isobutyl methyl ketone-isopentyl alcohol (7 + 1) with an efficiency of greater than 98.5%. The extract can be analysed directly for copper (and hence indirectly for cyanide) by flame AAS. The calibration graph is linear up to 5.7 micrograms of cyanide per millilitre of solvent mixture and the limit of detection is 4.8 ng ml-1. A large number of foreign ions were found not to interfere with the proposed method.

Cadmium uptake and toxicity to water hyacinth: Effect of repeated exposures under controlled conditions

Water hyacinth, Eichornia crassipes has drawn attention as a plant of rapid growth and high biomass production, and capable of removing pollutants from domestic and industrial waste effluents. Most of the studies were static assays of short duration (1 to 3 days) and with a single exposure of the plants to cadmium. The authors presumed that repeated exposures to Cd might change the rate of uptake of the metal as well as the growth and physiological state of the plant. This prompted us to undertake the present study in order to evaluate the potential capacity of water hyacinth to remove Cd from solution under conditions of repeated exposures but otherwise favorable growth conditions and without interference from other toxic compounds. Removal of metal from effluents by plants is expected to be compounded by the influence of specific conditions of the medium such as temperature, pH, ionic strength, presence of other metals or complexing ligands. The results of the present study will serve as a comparative reference for evaluating the effect of effluent conditions on CD toxicity to water hyacinth and the plant's capacity for metal removal.

A Cyanide removal process using sulfur dioxide and air

A recently developed process combines sulfur dioxide and air to oxidze cyanide, removing it from industrial waste effluents. The process uses lime for pH control and copper in solution as a catalyst for cyanide oxidation. Significant advantages of the process include thoroughness of cyanide removal, operational simplicity, improved safety and lower reagent requirements. Lower costs are an additional benefit of the process.

Development and fabrication of an in situ Cherenkov radiation detector

A detector has been developed for field surveillance of radioactivity in groundwater in wells that are 7.6 cm in diameter or larger, but it can be adapted to on-line monitoring of industrial waste effluents and municipal water treatment plants, as well as facilities that process chemical and nuclear wastes. The detector utilizes the principle of direct Cherenkov radiation counting of energetic betas and gamma-rays in an aqueous medium. For 90Y in equilibrium with its parent 90Sr, the response of the detector was linear with increased concentrations. The estimated detection limit for 90Y supported by the parent 90Sr is ∼ 1 pCi/ml for a 1000 s counting internal.

Determination and reduction of phytotoxicity of two industrial waste effluents

The objectives of this study were to determine and to reduce phytotoxicity of two industrial effluents. Phytotoxicity of the treated and untreated samples was determined using millet seed germination test. The results of this and other studies showed that the test was reproducible and useful for effluent toxicity determination. Effluent sample I was from an industrial wastewater pretreatment plant and sample II was from a specialty chemical industry. Sample I was weakly acidic and sample II was alkaline. pH adjusted to 7 to 8 was found to have no effect in phytotoxin removal. Granular and powdered activated carbon effectively reduced phytotoxicity. Amberlite XAD-4 (nonionic polymeric adsorbent) and cation exchange resin had a partial effect. Anion exchange resin, silica gel, Sephadex G-75, and starch xanthate had no effect.

Some Industrial Waste Effluents in Asansol-Raniganj Region and their Impact on the Damodar River Water Quality

Abstract The industrial waste effluents from four industries in Asansol-Raniganj industrial complex were examined. The contamination of Damodar river water by pollutants: ammonia, nitrate-nitrite, phosphate, sulphide, phenol and other organic matters, tannin-lignin and mercury, is confirmed.

Meeting the water quality criteria for the metal finishing industries

AbstractIn July of 1977, Texas Instruments, located in Attleboro, Massachusetts was issued a five‐year National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit to discharge a treated industrial waste effluent in compliance with the Clean Water Act (CWA). The company had just completed the installation of a modern waste treatment facility employing metal hydroxide precipitation. At the time, this system was considered the Best Available Technology (BAT), and it was based on such process chemistry criteria that the original permit limits were generated.In 1982, however, when Texas Instruments submitted a renewal application for its NPDES discharge permit, water quality criteria were used in place of BAT to determine the permit limits. Since it had been shown that BAT was insufficient to achieve water qualities in receiving streams equal to their designated uses, the EPA, in compliance with Section 301 (b)(1)(c) of the CWA, began imposing much more stringent limits to attain the necessary water quality standards. Furthermore, the Massachusetts Water Quality Standards, 314 CMR 4.00, required that all waters must be free of toxic substances in amounts or combinations that would impair the most sensitive water uses. Therefore, the draft NPDES permit issued to Texas Instruments in January of 1984 reflected the stringent water quality guidelines. Due to the limited dilution water available in the company's receiving stream, the proposed limits were impossible to meet with any existing technology.Texas Instruments then faced a difficult decision on whether to attempt to relieve the tight proposed limits through aquatic toxicity testing, or whether to re‐direct the effluent to another receiving stream (i.e. Publically Owned Treatment Works (POTW)), or in the worst case, whether to shut‐down its large Attleboro based manufacturing facility employing over 5000 people and relocate to another area. In the final analysis and after much deliberation, TI chose to maintain its Attleboro facility and enter into a long and relatively unexplored avenue of aquatic toxicity testing to raise its permit limits to achievable levels. It was realized early on, that, even if TI succeeded in raising the limits, the existing waste treatment facility would probably require more modifications.As one of the first industries in the New England region to negotiate an NPDES permit based on the new water quality criteria, this article explores the protocol and method by which a new permit was established at Texas Instruments.

Removal of the phytotoxicity of uracil herbicides in water by photodecomposition

AbstractThe efficiency of a photo‐oxidation procedure for the detoxication of water containing herbicides of the uracil group was tested by bioassay. Treated herbicide solutions were checked for their inhibiting effect on germination and photosynthesis in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor). The treated solutions, and the main photodegradation products of bromacil and terbacil did not inhibit significantly either germination or seedling development at concentrations of up to 200 and 10 mg litre−1, respectively. Preliminary tests with industrial waste effluents containing added uracil compounds showed that these compounds were rendered non‐phytotoxic by the photo‐oxidation procedure.