Wastewater Outlet Research Articles

Low-field magnetic susceptibility: a proxy method of estimating increased pollution of different environmental systems

A need for rapid and inexpensive (proxy) methods of outlining areas exposed to increased pollution by atmospheric particulates of industrial origin caused scientists in various fields to use and validate different non-traditional (or non-chemical) techniques. Among them, soil magnetometry seems to be a suitable tool, at least in some cases. This method is based on the knowledge that ferrimagnetic particles, namely magnetite, are produced from pyrite during combustion of fossil fuel. Besides the combustion processes, magnetic particles can also originate from road traffic, for example, or can be included in various waste-water outlets. Magnetite, Fe3O4, ranks among the main ferrimagnetic minerals and its identification in various ecosystems can contribute to fast and simple outlining of areas and sites exposed to higher pollution impact. Here the method of magnetic mapping of anthropogenic pollution will be introduced using a review of our recent case studies on different ecosystems in the Czech Republic and Germany.

Kriging and heavy metal pollution assessment in wastewater irrigated agricultural soil of Beijing's eastern farming regions

In this paper, kriging analysis was applied in predicting and mapping for the contents of Cu, Cr, and Pb in a sampling area of Beijing's eastern farming regions irrigated with wastewater. Based on the kriging interpolation results, the pollution index maps of soil heavy metals were produced and the assessment of pollution was attempted. The results show that 56% of the surface soil of the sampled site was found to have been slightly polluted. The pollution indices of Cu, Cr and Pb were found to be the highest in the northeastern part of the sampling site, followed by the northern part and the southern part in descending order. The variations in pollution may be on account of specific distribution of wastewater outlets and also due to periodical utilization of contaminated sludge in the vegetable garden. Under these circumstances, the crops of the area were yet not substantially affected by these soil pollutants. It appears that immediate soil treatment or any remedial measures may not be necessary. However, it must be taken into account that a further irrigation with wastewater, especially increased utilization of contaminated sludge, could lead to greater accumulation of pollutants in the soil and create health hazards.

Study of microbiological pollution of a pleasure boat harbour using mussels as bioindicators

The bacteriological analysis of samples of the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis, used as a biological indicator, has shown a microbiological pollution of Saint Gervais harbour in the gulf of Fos. Experiments were carried out with the use of classical tests (faecal coliforms, faecal streptococci, salmonellae) taking into account the study of the environmental factors able to modify the physiological activity of mussels (wind, rain, temperature, salinity, turbidity). The highest values, which sometimes widely exceeded the French and European guidelines regarding edible shellfish, were revealed in summer but also during the weekends of Whitsun and All Saints' day, times when boat activity was greatest. The absence of storm and wastewater outlets and the stability of the meteorological conditions at the times of sampling show that this pollution is directly connected to the pleasure boats, the toilets of which flow into the harbour in most cases. The present study of this small harbour demonstrates the importance of boats being fitted with toilets to prevent the flow of faecal material into the ambient waters.

Impact of PAH outlets from an oil refinery on the receiving water area—Sediment trap fluxes and multivariate statistical analysis

PAH concentrations (15 compounds) in settling particulate matter (SPM) collected in the waters outside a petroleum refinery on the Swedish Baltic coast, and in samples of particulate and dissolved fractions in the wastewater from the refinery were determined. SPM concentrations varied between 550 and 4250 ng × g dw −1 and the corresponding calculated fluxes varied between 0.1 and 3.7 ng × cm −2 × day −1. Both concentrations and fluxes did not differ significantly from background coastal or offshore locations in the Baltic. PAH profiles of the SPM samples were compared with the wastewater samples and SPM samples from background areas in the Baltic, using pattern recognition techniques. This analysis showed that the SPM samples from the petroleum refinery displayed a PAH composition similar to that found in background reference sites in the Baltic, and that the SPM samples could not be connected to the wastewater samples from the refinery. This indicates that Nynas AB is not a significant source of PAHs to the waters in its immediate surroundings, i.e. the waters in the Nynäshamn area, and/or that the hydraulic residence time of the water outside the refinery is low. A budget calculation showed that the wastewater outlet from Nynas AB is only a minor contributor of the PAH load to the waters outside the refinery.

Policing the urban pumping race: Industrial groundwater overexploitation in Indonesia

This article examines the problem of urban groundwater mining in West Java, Indonesia. Groundwater tables in urban West Java have been sinking rapidly for two decades. Overpumping has driven up pumping costs while intruding salt or polluted water threatens groundwater quality. Industrial pumpers are mainly responsible for the increase in groundwater exploitation. Government efforts to regulate groundwater exploitation have so far lacked the street-level impact needed to stop the pumping race. Shifting the focus of monitoring and regulation from factory boreholes to factory waste-water outlets is discussed as a possible solution to the problem of limited administrative capacity.

Volatile organic compounds in water near petrochemical factories in Taiwan

Water samples were analyzed for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from various locations in and around Taiwan's Ho-Chin River. High concentrations of 1,2-dichloroethane and benzene were detected near a petrochemical plant's waste water outlet.

Relationship between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentrations in bottom sediments and liver tissue of bream ( Abramis brama) in Rybinsk Reservoir, Russia

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) were measured in bottom sediments from Rybinsk Reservoir, Russia, and livers of bream ( Abramis brama). Sediments were heavily contaminated by a variety of PAH compounds in Sheksninsky Bay adjacent to the industrial centre at Tcherepovets. Differences in spatial distribution of high and low molecular weight PAHs suggest separate routes into the reservoir. PAHs recorded in low concentrations at two reference sites may be derived from atmospheric inputs and contamination from shipping. Elevated concentrations of low molecular weight PAHs were found in livers of bream from Sheksninsky Bay, particularly at a site close to the waste water outlet from a metallurgical plant.

Sanitary conditions in three creeks in Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman Emirates on the Arabian gulf (UAE)

A one-year monitoring program was carried out to assess the degree of pollution in three creeks on the northern coast of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), through measuring for chemical nutrients such as phosphate, ammonium, nitrate, nitrite and dissolved oxygen, in addition to enumerating selected microbial communities such as the heterotrophic bacteria, salt tolerant heterotrophic bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria, total coliform and faecal coliform bacteria. The results indicated that Dubai and Sharjah creeks have occasional unusually high nutrients levels with sharp fluctuations and wide spatial and temporal variations, suggesting the presence of an anthropogenic sources of pollution, creating these conditions, near the sampling sites. These sources includes several wastewater outlets and recreational facilities. Ajman creek had much less nutrients levels. The microbial counts in the three creeks had a distinct pattern where numbers peaked in mid spring (May) and autumn (October) and were relatively low during the summer and winter months. Total and faecal coliform fluctuated depending on several factors including the presence of nearby recreation and commercial areas, but were at no time consistently high. It was concluded that there is no major pollution problem in these creeks and recommendation were made to prevent it in the future.

Microbial and nutrient pollution assessment of coastal and creek waters of northern U.A.E.

Enumeration and distribution of heterotrophic, salt-tolerant heterotrophic, Gram-negative, total and faecal coliform bacteria, and dominant genera of bacteria, in addition to nutrients concentrations, were carried out for one year as part of a large scale project aimed at determining the pollution levels in the coastal and creek waters of Northern United Arab Emirates (UAE). The results showed a distinct pattern for the microbial populations, where bacterial numbers peaked through April to May followed by a dramatically sharp decrease in the summer months and a minimum in August. This was followed by a second peak in October and a subsequent drop during winter. Nutrient levels were generally normal to that of sea water, however, sharp fluctuations occurred in the concentration of ammonia and therefore, total dissolved nitrogen, in some of the sites. Total and faecal coliforms fluctuated in numbers at different sites depending on several factors including the presence of nearby drains and wastewater outlets or recreational areas. The predominant heterotrophic bacterial genera and the common coliform species present in the studied area were identified. It was concluded that there is a small degree of microbial pollution in these coastal areas, and recommendations on more stringent measures to prevent further pollution were suggested.

Determination of nonylphenol and nonylphenol ethoxylates as their pentafluorobenzoates in water, sewage sludge and biota

A method has been developed for the determination of nonylphenol and nonylphenol ethoxylates containing one to three ethoxy units in water, sludge and biota. After isolation the substances are converted into their corresponding pentafluorobenzoyl derivatives and quantified by GC/ECD or GC/MS. Results from investigations of secondary sludge from eight municipal sewage treatment plants in Sweden revealed concentrations of 4-nonylphenol from 26 to 1100 mg/kg d.m. An uptake study on blue mussels ( Mytilus edulis ) was carried out near the waste water outlet of a manufacturer of nonylphenol ethoxylates. The concentrations of 4-nonylphenol in the mussels ranged from 0.20 to 0.40 μg/g wet weight.

Comparative Quality of Potable Waters at Bhagalpur, India

AbstractThe present study deals with the comparative quality of potable waters of different sources at Bhagalpur, India, which is located on the south bank of river Ganga at 87°02′ N latitude and 25°15′ E longitude. Surface water (river Ganga) receives a number of drains and domestic wastewater outlets. The municipal surface water gets severely contaminated by rusted, damaged parallel pipelines and the groundwater through seepage from septic tanks, drains and a deep sewerage system. The contaminants from these sources have deteriorated the quality of potable water by increasing the concentration of turbidity (40 NTU), nitrate‐N (42.5 ppm), total bacterial density (21.649 × 107/l) and MPN coliform (12,900/100 ml). The higher concentration of nitrate‐N, chloride and the presence of E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus vulgaris, Salmonella typhii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa indicated the faecal contamination.

Aboral depressions in the tests of the sea urchin Tripneustes cf. gratilla (L.) in the Gulf of Eilat, Red Sea

Flattening and aboral depressions occurred in high proportions in Tripneustes cf. gratilla (L.) populations that inhabited an artificial lagoon in the northern Gulf of Eilat, Red Sea. The average test height to diameter ( H D ) ratio of the most affected population, near a small wastewater outlet, was 0.43 ± 0.01 (Se) and 76% showed aboral depressions. The H D ratio was 0.54 ± 0.01 in populations outside the lagoon and <1% exhibited aboral depressions. The exposure of normal T. cf. gratilla to industrial CaCO 3 precipitation inhibitors affected the growth and H D ratio in a similar manner within 30–45 days. The light-weight tests of the deformed urchins and the occurrence of skeletal resorption in the interior part of the test indicate that the unknown pollutant, possibly contained in laundry wastewater, reduced calcification by these animals and resulted in a mechanical collapse of the tests. A regular pattern of small pits at the aboral tip of the ambulacra suggests that intestinal mesenterial threads, attached to the test at the same points from within, facilitated this collapse by a mechanical pull. The normal test morphology of the regular echinoids may be regulated by the mechanical activity of various contractile and elastic tissue elements, among which mesenterial threads are probably included.