Tap Water Treatment Research Articles

Foliar Application of Saudi Desert Plants Extract Improved Some Mungbean Agronomic Traits Under Drought Stress

To evaluate Saudi desert plants potential to promote mungbean growth under drought stress, a pot experiment was performed at field experimental station, King Abdulaziz University during 2016/2017 season. Drought stress was imposed by application of 40% and 60% field capacity (FC) levels. Pots with 100% field capacity were also maintained as control. Natural plant extracts of ten desert plants (Eucalyptus globulus, Azadirachta indica, Moringa oleifera Lam, Moringa peregrine Forssk., Tetraena simplex L., Simmondsia chinensis, Indigofera tinctoria, Dianella ensata, Emex spinosa, Ambrosia dumosa) were foliar applied prior to stress treatment application. Tap water treatment was used as control. Data for mungbean growth and pod characteristics were recorded. Drought stress decreased mungbean growth and severity of impact increased with lowering field capacity. The natural plant extract (NPE); NPE 9 (Dianella ensata) and NPE 11 (Ambrosia dumosa) favoured both plant growth 33% and pod characteristics 11%. The effect of NPE 6 (Tetraena simplex L.) and NPE 7 (Simmondsia chinensis) were significant for plant growth 21-24 cm while non-significant for pod characteristics under severe drought stress. On contrary, NPE 2 (Eucalyptus globulus) and NPE 3 (Azadirachta indica) effect was significant for mungbean pod characteristics 60% and non-significant for growth traits. The rest of the applied NPEs were non-significant for both growth and yield traits. The combination of NPE9 × FC-2, NPE6 × FC-2, NPE11 × FC-1 and NPE7 × FC-1 produced tallest plants (29.33 cm), maximum fresh biomass (8.54 g), dry biomass (6.71 g) and number of branches per plant (6.8). The combination of NPE2 × FC-2, NPE3 × FC-1, NPE9 × FC-1 and NPE11 × FC-3 produced maximum pods per plant (4.2), pod length (7 cm), pod fresh weight (5.4 g) and dry weight (4.5 g) respectively. It’s clear from the statistical analysis that mungbean performed better under medium stress level (FC-2) while NPE6, NPE7, NPE9 and NPE11 significantly stimulated plant growth under stressed environment. In conclusion, by application of Dianella ensata and Ambrosia dumosa, mungbean can be successfully grown under medium drought stress conditions.

The effectiveness comparison of same balneotherapy applications with different frequency within different time periods in patients with fibromyalgia; a randomized controlled single blind study

Aim: To observe the short and middle term effects of intermittent and consecutive (traditional) regimens of same balneotherapy applications in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome. Material and Method: Fifty female patients who were diagnosed as fibromyalgia syndrome according to the American College of Rheumatology 2010 criteria were randomly assigned to either consecutive (group 1) or intermittent treatment (group 2) groups. After randomization 5 patients from each group dropped out from the study with different excuses. Both groups received 20 minutes of full body immersion in tap water (at 38°C) and 30 minutes of mud pack treatment (at 45°C) on back region. Treatments in group1 (n=25) were delivered 5 weekdays for 2 consecutive weeks, and for group 2 (n=25) 2 times weekly for 5 consecutive weeks (totally 10 sessions for both groups) in Hydroclimatology Therapy Unit. All patients continued to use their usual medical treatment. An investigator who was blinded to the interventions assessed all the patients before and after the treatment, at the first and the third month of follow-up. Outcome measures were pain, patient’s and physician’s global assessments on VAS, tender point count, Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), Beck Depression Index (BDI) and the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ). Results: There was a statistically significant improvement in both groups in terms of pain (VAS) and tender point count at the end of the treatment that lasted up to the 3rd month. Results were found to be the same for physician’s global assessments (VAS) except for after treatment evaluation. While there was a significant improvement in patient’s global assessment (VAS) and BDI at the 3rd month follow-up for group 1, group 2 was observed to have significant improvements during all the assessments for patient’s global assessment (VAS) and at 1st and 3rd month controls for FIQ. In between-group comparisons, group 2 was found to be superior for fatigue (at 1st month) and pain subscales (at 3rd month) of FIQ. Conclusion: The consecutive or intermittent delivery of ambulatory balneotherapy programs, consisting of full body immersion in heated tap water and mud pack treatment on back region, both are effective in the treatment of fibromyalgia. For some parameters evaluating pain and fatigue intermittent treatment seems to be superior.

Greywater impact on green roofs’ provision of ecosystem services

Previous research showed that some herbaceous perennial species could offer summertime cooling better than succulent species on green roofs (GRs), if supplementary irrigation is available during times of drought. In light of increasing water shortages, use of greywater (GW) instead of mains tap water (TW) for this purpose comes into focus. A glasshouse experiment was conducted in summer 2015 at the University of Reading (UK) to assess the impact of GW irrigation on the health, growth and functioning (in terms of leaf stomatal conductance (gs) and associated water uptake) of four plant genotypes (Salvia, Stachys, Heuchera and Sedum), and their ability to deliver ecosystem services, particularly cooling. Twenty-two replicates of each genotype, plus controls of bare, unvegetated substrate, were irrigated with fixed volumes of TW or synthetic GW for 6 weeks. Plant growth and visual quality, and gs were measured. In Week 7, daily water loss from each container following saturation was determined. For the first 6 weeks, plant growth, visual quality and gs were similar for both TW and GW treatments for all genotypes, indicating no negative impact of short-term GW irrigation and no apparent impact on cooling when plants were well-watered. However, in Week 7 water uptake (and thus presumably gs) was significantly lower for plants irrigated with GW compared to TW for some genotypes (Salvia and Heuchera), especially as substrate became drier, suggesting a reduction in evapotranspiration and potentially reduced cooling service when the soil is dry.

Occurrence of Fungi in Drinking Water Sources and Their Treatment by Chlorination and UV-Irradiation

A TOTAL of 54 cfu/ml fungal species were isolated from 9 water samples collected from Nile water, Water Treatment Plant (WTP) and tap water in many governorates in Egypt. The fungal species Aspergillus alutaceus, A. flavus, A. fumigatus, A. niger, A. sulfurous, A. terreus, Penicillium chrysogenum, P. globrum and Trichoderma viride were isolated from water samples. Nile water (S1) was polluted with the highest fungal count and diversity followed by treated tap water in Al Sharqia (S5) Governorate. The physicochemical analysis revealed higher COD and conductivity in Al Sharqia tap water sample than that in untreated Nile water sample which may be due to the old rusted distribution systems or heavy metals contamination. Laboratory scale treatment of tap water in Al Sharqia sample (S5) indicated that single treatment with chlorination was not efficient to eliminate fungal contamination except by using high chlorine concentration with long exposure time. Similarly single UV treatment to drinking water was not effective enough. Combination between UV irradiation followed by chlorination exerted synergistic effect and disinfected water from fungal contamination in very short exposure time and very low chlorine concentration.

Effect of slightly acidic electrolyzed water on bioactive compounds and morphology of broccoli sprouts

The producers of broccoli sprouts have become increasingly interested in improving their sulforaphane content. This study has evaluated the effects of slightly acidic electrolyzed water (SAEW) with different available chlorine concentrations (ACC) on broccoli sprouts: their content of some bioactive compounds such as glucosinolates, their morphology, and their total bacterial counts. The results have shown that SAEW might affect the content of sulforaphane by influencing the content of glucosinolates and the activity of myrosinase. SAEW inhibited the growth of broccoli sprouts: their fresh weight decreased as the available chlorine concentration (ACC) of the SAEW increased, but the different solutions did not affect their dry weight. The number of microorganisms on the broccoli sprout decreased by 1.71logCFU/g after using the SAEW with ACC value of 50mg/L treatment compared with tap water treatment. Overall, although SAEW adversely affected the morphology of broccoli sprouts, with a suitable ACC it can be a useful tool for enhancing the amount of secondary metabolites and reducing the microbial counts on broccoli sprouts intended for fresh consumption as a functional food.

Effects of effluent water on the abundance of cowpea insect pests.

Botswana experiences low and unreliable rainfall. Thus, the use of effluent water in agriculture is increasingly important. Insect damage is the major constraint for cowpea grain production in the most cowpea-producing lands. We investigated the effects of effluent water on insect pest abundance on cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) under field conditions. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with 100, 75, 50, and 25% of effluent water and 0% (control-clean tap water) treatments. Treatments with 100% effluent water resulted in a significant increase in insect pest populations as compared with the control. These results show that the use of effluent water to irrigate crops may increase incidence, abundance, and damage caused by insect pests possibly by decreasing plant vigor. The use of effluent water in agriculture should be addressed in a wise way.

Effects of an Extreme Flood on Trace Elements in River Water-From Urban Stream to Major River Basin.

Major floods adversely affect water quality through surface runoff, groundwater discharge, and damage to municipal water infrastructure. Despite their importance, it can be difficult to assess the effects of floods on streamwater chemistry because of challenges collecting samples and the absence of baseline data. This study documents water quality during the September 2013 extreme flood in the South Platte River, Colorado, USA. Weekly time-series water samples were collected from 3 urban source waters (municipal tap water, streamwater, and wastewater treatment facility effluent) under normal-flow and flood conditions. In addition, water samples were collected during the flood at 5 locations along the South Platte River and from 7 tributaries along the Colorado Front Range. Samples were analyzed for 54 major and trace elements. Specific chemical tracers, representing different natural and anthropogenic sources and geochemical behaviors, were used to compare streamwater composition before and during the flood. The results differentiate hydrological processes that affected water quality: (1) in the upper watershed, runoff diluted most dissolved constituents, (2) in the urban corridor and lower watershed, runoff mobilized soluble constituents accumulated on the landscape and contributed to stream loading, and (3) flood-induced groundwater discharge mobilized soluble constituents stored in the vadose zone.

Abstract 086: Knockdown of the Neuronal (Pro)renin Receptor in the Paraventricular Nucleus of the Hypothalamus Attenuates ERK1/2 Activation and the Development of Salt Sensitive Hypertension

The (Pro)renin (PRR) receptor is a key player of the brain renin-angiotensin system. We previously reported that neuron-specific knockout of the PRR attenuated the development of salt-sensitive hypertension (SSH). However, the brain region responsible for this effect is unknown. To test our hypothesis that PRR plays a regulatory role in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) during SSH development, we knocked down PRR using adeno-associated virus (AAV2)-mediated Cre recombinase micro-injection into the PVN of PRR-LoxP mice. Blood pressure (BP, mmHg), heart rate (HR, bpm), and autonomic function were monitored with radio telemetry. Immunofluorescence was used to determine cell localization of AAV2 in the PVN and ERK1/2 activation (pERK1/2). We found that AAV2-eGFP positive cells co-localized with the neuronal marker NeuN, but not with astrocytes (GFAP) or microglia (IBa1). PRR-LoxP mice were injected with either AAV2-eGPF (GFP) or AAV2-Cre-eGFP (Cre) bilaterally into the PVN (1.8x10 8 Vg). Three days post viral injection, mice received either DOCA-salt (50mg DOCA pellet + 0.9%NaCl drinking solution) or sham (sham pellet + tap water) treatment for 21 days. PVN injection of Cre or GFP had no effect on baseline BP. After 21 days of DOCA-salt treatment, the BP (119 ± 3 vs. 139 ± 7) was significantly lower in mice that received Cre compared with GFP. The cardiac sympathetic tone (ΔHR to propranolol: -123 ± 46 vs. -181 ± 16) and vasomotor sympathetic tone (ΔBP to chlorisondamine: -47 ± 9 vs. -69 ± 5) were also lowered in Cre compared GFP treated mice following DOCA-salt treatment. The pERK1/2 levels in the PVN were increased in the DOCA-salt compared to sham (fold change: 3.29 ± 0.62, P<0.0001) treated mice. Importantly, the pERK1/2 elevation in the PVN was blocked by Cre (0.98 ± 0.15) compared with GFP with DOCA-salt treatment. PVN-targeted PRR knockdown had not effect on pERK1/2 in the subfornical organ compared to GFP (0.74 ± 0.05 vs. 1.0 ± 0.14); while, it reduced pERK1/2 in the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) (0.77 ± 0.06 vs. 1.23 ± 0.11, P<0.001). In summary, PVN-targeted PRR deletion attenuates SSH and ERK1/2 activation in the PVN and RVLM, and is associated with reduction in sympathetic tone in mice indicating an important role of PVN PRR in BP regulation.

The effect of bitter, umami and sweet tastants on the food intake regulation

Background. In the past decades, the prevalence of obesity and overweight has risen to epidemic dimensions. Nowadays, there is a great demand for new and efficient treatments to decrease this prevalence. Literature revealed, that the gastrointestinal tract contains taste receptors, similar to those present on the tongue, which may have an influence on the regulation of food intake and energy expenditure. However the exact working mechanism is unknown. Objective. This study investigated, the effects of the bitter-, sweet-, umami tastants and a combination of those on ad libitum food intake and gastrointestinal hormone release. Hypothesis. We hypothesized that an intraduodenal infusion of the bitter, umami and sweet tastants and a combination of these tastants, results in a significant reduction in food intake and an significant increase in the release of the gastrointestinal peptides GLP-1 and CCK. Furthermore, the largest reduction on ad libitum food intake, will be achieved by the combination treatment, because this will stimulate multiple taste receptors instead of just one group. Finally, a bitter infusion will induce greater effects on the ad libitum food intake and gastrointestinal hormone release, compared to the sweet and umami tastants. This because the bitter receptor is more sensitive to sense its tastant compared to the others.Methods. In this double blind, randomized, placebo controlled, cross-over study, we tested 15 healthy volunteers (Men: 5; Age 23.94±1.97 years; BMI 22.43±0.33 kg/m2 ). The study consisted of five identical test days. During these days, the effects of the tastants umami (Monosodium glutamate), sweet (Rebaudioside A), bitter (Quinine), a combination of these tastants and the placebo (tap water) treatment, were collected. This by infusing them into the duodenum by means of a nasoduodenal tube. Furthermore, multiple blood samples were drawn before, during and after the infusions to determine gastrointestinal peptide release of GLP-1 and CCK into the blood. Finally, an ad libitum pasta meal was provided to define the effects of the tastants on ad libitum meal intake.

Sanitizer efficacy in preventing cross-contamination during retail preparation of whole and fresh-cut cantaloupe

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of tap water (TW), commercial electrolyzed water (EW), and a commercial acid-based sanitizer (AS) in preventing cross-contamination of cantaloupe during processing in retail settings. A whole cantaloupe was dip-inoculated with a cocktail of Salmonella or L. monocytogenes to achieve approximately 5 log CFU/cm2. One inoculated and two non-inoculated whole cantaloupes were treated in 76 L of TW, EW (free chlorine: 50–60 ppm), or AS (pH 2.8, combination of lactic acid and phosphoric acid) for 5 min. Subsequently, fresh-cut cantaloupe flesh from the inoculated and non-inoculated cantaloupes were soaked together in 76 L of TW, EW, or AS for 90 s. EW treatment resulted in an approximately 1.5 log reduction in both Salmonella and L. monocytogenes on the rind of whole cantaloupe, which was significantly greater than with the TW treatment (0.5 log reduction) (P < 0.05). Cross-contamination of non-inoculated whole cantaloupes occurred when washed with inoculated whole cantaloupe in TW (four of four cantaloupes positive for Salmonella and L. monocytogenes) or AS (four of four cantaloupes positive for Salmonella and two of four positive for L. monocytogenes). Cross-contamination did not occur when whole cantaloupes were washed in EW. Additional washing of mixed fresh-cut cantaloupe flesh from the inoculated and non-inoculated cantaloupes prepared after washing of whole cantaloupes demonstrated that the EW treatment reduced the likelihood of cross-contamination compared with TW and AS. No viable Salmonella or L. monocytogenes were detected from 100 mL sample of EW processing water, but were detected in TW and AS (L. monocytogenes only). The addition of a sanitizing agent to water used for the processing of whole and fresh-cut cantaloupe in a retail setting is recommended to prevent cross-contamination and reduce microbial load.

Perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) in the Pra and Kakum River basins and associated tap water in Ghana.

Perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) are persistent environmental pollutants that have been detected in various media including human serum. Due to concerns regarding their bioaccumulation and possible negative health effects, an understanding of routes of human exposure is necessary. PFAAs are recalcitrant in many water treatment processes, making drinking water a potential source of human exposure. This study presents the first report on contamination from PFAAs in river and drinking water in Ghana. The targeted PFAAs were perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) with C4-14 carbon chain and perfluoroalkane sulphonic acids (PFSAs) with C6, 8, 10. Five PFAA congeners - PFOA, PFOS, PFHxA, PFDA and PFPeA - were commonly detected in river and tap water. The mean concentrations of ∑PFAAs in the Kakum and Pra Rivers were 281 and 398ng/L, while tap water (supplied from the treatment of water from those rivers) contained concentrations of 197 and 200ng/L, respectively. PFOA and PFOS constituted about 99% of the ∑PFAAs. The risk quotient (RQ) attributed to drinking of tap water was estimated at 1.01 and 1.74 for PFOA and PFOS, respectively. For a country that has not produced these compounds, the RQs were unexpectedly high, raising concerns particularly about contamination from such emerging pollutants in local water sources. The study revealed limitations of local tap water treatment in getting rid of these emerging pollutants.

오존-마이크로버블-열수 처리한 세절 도라지의 품질 및 저장성

The quality and shelf life of sliced root of Platycodon grandiflorum (Doraji) treated by ozon-microbubble-heat shock (OMH) were investigated by combining modified-atmosphere packaging [MAP, (50% O2+15% CO2+35% N2)]. The study was based on microbiological (total viable bacteria, fungi, Enterobacteriaceae and coliforms numbers), physicochemical and sensory changes. OMH treatment was effective in reducing microbial populations of the sliced Doraji, especially Enterobacteriaceae and coliforms reduced by 2 log CFU/g. However OMH-MAP treatment remained the aerobe and fungi numbers. Regarding the color, OMH-MAP delayed the change of Hunter b* and the sliced Doraji by OMH-MAP treatment exhibited lower decrease of flavor and overall acceptability compared to those by polypropylene packaging after tap water treatment (Control). The OMH and 50%O2+15%CO2 MAP treatment gave better sensory quality and extended shelf-life for sliced Doraji (~3 days longer shelf-life than Control). Flavor was significantly related to overall acceptability at both Control and OMH-MAP, whereas total coliforms prevalence was associated with overall acceptability at only OMH-MAP. Therefore microbubble-heat shock treatment may improve microbial safety and sliced Doraji by OMH treatment can stored under 50%O2+15%CO2 treatment for up to 7 days. Thus, OMH and MAP treatment may be used in maintaining the storage quality and marketability of sliced Doraji.

Evaluation of various soaking agents as a novel tool for pesticide residues mitigation from cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis).

The increasing use of pesticides for boosting the yield of agricultural crops also impart toxic residues which ultimately extend to numerous physiological disorders upon consumption. The present study was designed as an effort to assess the reduction potential of various chemical solutions and to minimize the pesticide residues in cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis). The samples were soaked in various solutions along with tap water to mitigate pesticide residues. Afterwards, the extracted supernatant was passed through column containing anhydrous sodium sulfate trailed by activated carbon for clean-up. Eluents were first evaporated and then completely dried under gentle stream of Nitrogen. Finally, the residues were determined using gas chromatography equipped with electron capture detector (GC-ECD). Results revealed the highest reduction of endosulfan, bifenthrin and cypermethrin residues with acetic acid (10%) was 1.133±0.007 (41%), 0.870±0.022 (60%) and 0.403±0.003 (75%), respectively among the tested solutions. However, simple tap water treatment also resulted in 0.990±0.02 (12%), 1.323±0.015 (14%) and 1.274±0.002 (21%) elimination of endosulfan, bifenthrin and cypermethrin residues, respectively. Moreover, among various solutions, acetic acid depicted maximum reduction potential followed by citric acid, hydrogen peroxide, sodium chloride and sodium carbonate solutions. The percent reduction by various solutions ranged from 12 to 41, 14 to 60 and 21 to 75% for the elimination of endosulfan, bifenthrin and cypermethrin residues, respectively.

Influence of Some Pregerminaton Treatments on Seed Germination and Seedling Quality of Two Ornamental Palm Species Common in Egypt I- Golden Cane Palm (Chrysalidocarpus lutescens H. Wendl)

A pot experiment was conducted under shade at the nursery of Antoniades Botanical Garden, Hort. Res. Inst., Alexandria, Egypt during 2014 and 2015 seasons in order to overcome the hardseededness of golden cane palm (Chrysalidocarpus lutescens H. Wendl.) seeds by subjecting them after removing the fleshy exocarp to the following treatments: untreated depulped seeds (control), soaking in either tap or hot (60-70 °C) water for 48 h. under room temperature, scarifying the hard endosperm by either clefting it with a hacksaw or rasping it at the distal rounded end that facing the placental pointed-end with a file and soaking in concentrated H2SO4 (98.5 %) for either 1 or 2 h in a completely randomized design, replicated thrice, each replicate contained 10 seeds. The results have shown that soaking treatments either in tap or hot water for 48 h. gave the highest germination % (87.33 and 85.00 % in the first season and 90.00 and 87.50 % in the second one, respectively) compared to the control and other treatments in the two seasons. The least percent of germination was recorded by soaking in concentrated sulphuric acid for either 1 or 2 h., while the seeds treated with clefting or rasping treatments have failed to germinate in both seasons. The least no. days to either the highest percent of germination (G.V.) or 50 % germination (MGR) was also achieved by soaking either in tap or in hot water treatments. The means of germination rate index (GRI), vigour index (V.I.), seed viability (S.V.) and plumule length, as a real indicator for germination vigour, the lengths of seedling, sheath, leaf, petiole and root and No. leaves/seedling, as well as leaf content of chlorophyll a, b, carotenoids and total soluble sugars were also improved by the various treatments used in this study except the treatments of H2SO4 , but the excellence in most previous parameters was for soaking the depulped seeds in tap water treatment, which gave the utmost highest values at all in both seasons and followed by soaking in hot water one. Hence, it can be recommended to soak the depulped seeds of golden cane palm (Chrysalidocarpus lutescens H. Wendl.) in either tap or hot water for 48 h. in order to get the best germination characters and seedling quality.

Efficacy of Steinernema spp. plus anti-desiccants to control two serious foliage pests of vegetable crops, Spodoptera litura F. and Plutella xylostella L.

Survival rates of the infective juvenile stage (IJ) of two entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN), Steinernema carpocapsae and Steinernema sp. isolate K8 (Thai isolate), plus a surfactant of 0.2% and 0.4% APSA-80™, a fire retardant gel of 0.25% and 0.5% Barricade®, and tap water were investigated by spraying the EPN suspensions (200IJs) onto kale leaf discs. Three hours after incubation, the survival rates of the EPNs plus 0.25% and 0.5% Barricade® (80.2–85.0%) were significantly higher than all other treatments (12.9–70.1%). The infectivity of the two EPNs plus 0.25% and 0.5% Barricade® against third-instar Spodoptera litura F. and Plutella xylostella L., which were evaluated by spraying 100IJs/50μl onto a 1cm kale leaf disc in the laboratory, were 82.5–100% 72h after application. In greenhouse tests, the infectivity of S. carpocapsae plus 0.25% and 0.5% Barricade® against third-instar S. litura and P. xylostella was evaluated by spaying 2500IJs/15ml/plant and assessing mortality after 72h. The results showed that the mortality rates of S. litura larvae in the S. carpocapsae plus 0.25% or 0.5% Barricade® treatment (66.0% and 61.5%, respectively) were significantly higher than in the S. carpocapsae plus tap water treatment (29.5%) and also resulted in significantly less leaf damage (11.0–11.1%) compared to control treatments (33.8–61.6%). A significant difference between the mortality rates of P. xylostella larvae (15.0–27.0%) and the percentages of leaf damage (7.1–11.0%) were also recorded for the same two treatments. Overall results were similar to previous studies which showed that fire retardant gel (Barricade®) can improve EPN virulence when they are applied to control these two insect pests. Barricade® could protect EPNs from rapid desiccation for at least 3h following application.

Removal of organic micropollutants from drinking water by a novel electro-Fenton filter: Pilot-scale studies

To assess the performance of a novel ‘filter’-type electro-Fenton (EF) device, results are reported from pilot-scale studies of continuous water treatment, to degrade diclofenac (DCF), a typical organic micro-pollutant, with no addition of oxidants. The novel ‘filter’ consisted of three pairs of anode/cathode electrodes made of carbon felt, with cathodes impregnated with iron nanoparticles (γ-Fe2O3/F3O4 oxides). The best ‘filter’ performance was obtained at applied potential of 2 V and low water superficial velocities (∼0.09 cm/s), i.e., the mineralization current efficiency (MCE) was >20%, during continuous steady state treatment of tap water with low DCF concentrations (16 μg/L). The EF ‘filter’ exhibited satisfactory stability regarding both electrode integrity (no iron leaching) and removal efficiency, even after multiple filtration/oxidation treatment cycles, achieving (under steady conditions) DCF and TOC removal 85% and 36%, respectively. This performance is considered satisfactory because the EF process took place under rather unfavorable conditions, such as neutral pH, low dissolved O2 concentration, low electrical conductivity, and presence of natural organic matter and inorganic ions in tap water. Ongoing R&D is aimed at ‘filter’ development and optimization for practical applications.

Negative Effects of Pollution on English Daisy (Bellis perennis) Height and Flower Number

River pollution is an increasingly serious issue that can lead to an imbalance in an ecosystem. Chemicals found in fertilizers and pesticides, such as phosphate and nitrogen, often end up in nearby water and can have a negative effect on surrounding plant life. In this experiment, we assessed the effect of water containing different nitrogen levels on the height and number of mature flowers of the English daisy (Bellis perennis). We compared English daisy plants exposed to water with high levels of added nitrogen (representing high pollution), low levels of added nitrogen (representing low pollution), and tap water. The high pollution treatment caused plants to decrease in height over three weeks. Plants in the low pollution treatment increased in height the first week, but then decreased during weeks two and three. The plants treated with tap water stayed fairly constant in height during the experiment. There was a small increase in the number of mature flowers in the low pollution treatment, while the plants exposed to the high pollution treatment and tap water treatment both lost similar numbers of flowers. This indicates that there is a negative effect of pollution on plant height and an inconclusive effect on number of mature flowers. Further studies, including beginning plants from seedlings and investigating the effects of different chemical pollutants, are needed to determine the full effect of water pollution on the English daisy.

중수돗물 관수에 따른 크리핑벤트그래스의 생육과 품질

Water shortage is becoming a serious problem of turfgrass management on sand green. Many superintendents in golf course in Korea have interested in use of irrigation of recycled water for turfgrass water management. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of greywater as an irrigation source on the growth and quality of creeping bentgrass green. Turfgrass was irrigated with tap water (TW) and greywater (GW), under with or without compound fertilizer application (nonfertilizer + TW, N-TW; non-fertilizer + GW, N-GW; fertilizer + TW, F-TW; fertilizer + GW, F-GW). The chemical properties of the green sand soil were not changed by irrigation. Turf color index, chlorophyll index, root length, clipping yield and nutrient uptake of GW treatment were similar to TW treatment. The growth and quality of turfgrass were more likely related with the fertilizer application than irrigation source or quality. These results indicated that GW could be used as alternative irrigation source on the sand greens of golf courses.

Reduction in pesticide residue levels in olives by ozonated and tap water treatments and their transfer into olive oil

The effects of different wash times (2 and 5 min) with tap and ozonated water on the removal of nine pesticides from olives and the transfer ratios of these pesticides during olive oil production were determined. The reliability of the analytical methods was also tested. The applied methods of analysis were found to be suitable based on linearity, trueness, repeatability, selectivity and limit of quantification all the pesticides tested. All tap and ozonated water wash cycles removed a significant quantity of the pesticides from the olives, with a few exceptions. Generally, extending the wash time increased the pesticide reduction with ozonated water, but did not make significant differences with tap water. During olive oil processing, depending on the processing technique and physicochemical properties of the pesticides, eight of nine pesticides were concentrated into olive oil (processing factor > 1) with almost no significant difference between treatments. Imidacloprid did not pass into olive oil. Ozonated water wash for 5 min reduced chlorpyrifos, β-cyfluthrin, α-cypermethrin and imidacloprid contents by 38%, 50%, 55% and 61% respectively in olives.

Prevention of enzymatic browning of Chinese yam (Dioscorea spp.) using electrolyzed oxidizing water.

In this study, the effects of electrolyzed oxidizing water (EOW) on the prevention of enzymatic browning of fresh-cut "Jiu Jinhuang" Chinese yam were investigated. The yams were immersed in the inhibitors for 25 min at 20 °C. Compared with the tap water (TW) treatment, the chromatic attributes were significantly different after 72 h of storage (P < 0.05). The activities of polyphenol oxidase (PPO, EC 1.10.3.1), peroxidase (POD, EC 1.11.1.7), and L -phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL, EC 4.3.1.5) were inhibited when measured at 24 h. The contents of phenolic acids, including gallic and chlorogenic acid, in the group treated with the slightly acidic electrolyzed water (SAEW) were higher than those treated with TW and neutral electrolyzed water (NEW). The group treated with NEW had the highest total phenol content (P < 0.05, at 24 h), while the group treated with SAEW had the highest flavonoid content (P < 0.05) during storage. Without being treated with inhibitors, the Km and Vmax values of yam PPO were 0.0044 mol/L and 0.02627 U/min, respectively, and the Ki of samples treated with SAEW and citric acid (CA) were 15.6607 and 2.3969 μmol/L, respectively. These results indicate that EOW is beneficial as a browning inhibitor.