Relationship Between the Atterberg Limits and Clay Content

This study investigates the liquid limit (Casagrande's method) and plastic limit (rolling and thread method) of six inorganic soils and their respective mixtures with fine silica sand. It was observed that the liquid limit and plastic limit values of the mixtures tested, except those with a low clay percentage, are linked to the respective clay size contents by a linear relationship. The Atterberg limits were subsequently recalculated using the equations of the regression lines of the mixtures governed by linear law with the clay percentages. The plotting of the plastic limit as a function of the liquid limit of these data made it possible to determine the relationship among the liquid limit, the plastic limit and clay fraction valid for inorganic soils that contain platey clay minerals and for clay size contents that are not too low. Hence, on the basis of the interdependence among the parameters considered (W_L, W_p, I_p, CF, A), for a given inorganic soil, knowing only two of three parameters (W_L, W_p, CF) that are measurable using standard tests, the values of other three parameters can be obtained.     

Arsenic bioaccessibility in CCA-contaminated soils: Influence of soil properties, arsenic fractionation, and particle-size fraction

Arsenic bioaccessibility in soils near chromated copper arsenate (CCA)-treated structures has recently been reported, and results have shown that soil properties and arsenic fractionation can influence bioaccessibility. Because of the limited data set of published results, additional soil samples and a wider range of soil properties are tested in the present work. The objectives are: (1) to confirm previous results regarding the influence of soil properties on arsenic bioaccessibility in CCA-contaminated soils, (2) to investigate additional soil properties influencing arsenic bioaccessibility, and to identify chemical extractants which can estimate in vitro gastrointestinal (IVG) bioaccessibility, (3) to determine arsenic speciation in the intestinal phase of the IVG method and, (4) to assess the influence of two particle-size fractions on arsenic bioaccessibility. Bioaccessible arsenic in eight soils collected near CCA-treated utility poles was assessed using the IVG method. Five out of the eight soils were selected for a detailed characterization. Moreover, these five soils and two certified reference materials were tested by three different metal oxide extraction methods (citrate dithionite (CD), ammonium oxalate (OX), and hydroxylamine hydrochloride (HH)). Additionally, VMINTEQ was used to determine arsenic speciation in the intestinal phase. Finally, two particle-size fractions (< 250 μm, < 90 μm) were tested to determine their influence on arsenic bioaccessibility. First, arsenic bioaccessibility in the eight study-soils ranged between 17.0 ± 0.4% and 46.9 ± 1.1% (mean value 30.5 ± 3.6%). Using data from 20 CCA-contaminated soil samples, total organic carbon (r = 0.50, p < 0.05), clay content (r = − 0.57, p < 0.01), sand content (r = 0.48, p < 0.05), and water-soluble arsenic (r = 0.66, p < 0.01) were correlated with arsenic bioaccessibility. The mean percentage of total arsenic extracted from five selected soils was: HH (71.9 ± 4.1%) > OX (58.0 ± 3.1%) > water-soluble arsenic (2.2 ± 0.5%), while the mean value for arsenic bioaccessibility was 27.3 ± 2.8% (n = 5). Arsenic extracted by HH (r = 0.85, p < 0.01, n = 8) and OX (r = 0.93, p < 0.05, n = 5), showed a strong correlation with arsenic bioaccessibility. Moreover, dissolved arsenic in the intestinal phase was exclusively under the form of arsenate As(V). Finally, arsenic bioaccessibility (in mg/kg) increased when soil particles < 90 μm were used.     

Investigating the decay rates of Escherichia coli relative to Vibrio parahemolyticus and Salmonella Typhi in tropical coastal waters

Using the size fractionation method, we measured the decay rates of Escherichia coli, Salmonella Typhi and Vibrio parahaemolyticus in the coastal waters of Peninsular Malaysia. The size fractions were total or unfiltered, <250 μm, <20 μm, <2 μm, <0.7 μm, <0.2 μm and <0.02 μm. We also carried out abiotic (inorganic nutrients) and biotic (bacterial abundance, production and protistan bacterivory) measurements at Port Dickson, Klang and Kuantan. Klang had highest nutrient concentrations whereas both bacterial production and protistan bacterivory rates were highest at Kuantan. We observed signs of protist-bacteria coupling via the following correlations: Protistan bacterivory−Bacterial Production: r = 0.773, df = 11, p < 0.01; Protist−Bacteria: r = 0.586, df = 12, p < 0.05. However none of the bacterial decay rates were correlated with the biotic variables measured. E. coli and Salmonella decay rates were generally higher in the larger fraction (>0.7 μm) than in the smaller fraction (<0.7 μm) suggesting the more important role played by protists. E. coli and Salmonella also decreased in the <0.02 μm fraction and suggested that these non-halophilic bacteria did not survive well in seawater. In contrast, Vibrio grew well in seawater. There was usually an increase in Vibrio after one day incubation. Our results confirmed that decay or loss rates of E. coli did not match that of Vibrio, and also did not correlate with Salmonella decay rates. However E. coli showed persistence where its decay rates were generally lower than Salmonella.     

黏性土几种比表面积测试方法的比较

比表面积是黏性土重要的物理化学指标,选择合适的测试方法是正确获得这一参数的前提。采用亚甲基蓝(Methylene Blue)吸附法、乙二醇乙醚(Ethylene Glycol Monoethyl Ether)吸附法、甘油(Glycerin)吸附法以及风干含水率经验公式对5种黏土的比表面积进行试验测定及估算,试验结果表明:对于不含蒙脱石的土样,各种方法测试结果较为一致,偏差较小;但对于含蒙脱石的土样,EGME法的试验结果比其他方法偏小较多。通过X衍射对各种吸附液饱和后的蒙脱石土样进行试验后发现,风干状态下蒙脱石的晶层间距d_(001)=15.6?,而经EGME法、甘油法、MB法饱和后d_(001)分别变为15.9?,17.5?,19.0?,蒙脱石的晶层在甘油及MB饱和后扩展明显,便于吸附分子进入晶层内表面,因此分子覆盖效果更好。统计分析表明,土的比表面积反映了土中各亲水性黏土矿物组分及相对比例的综合影响,因此比表面积与液限、塑性指数及活性等物性指标具有相关性,可用幂函数形式来拟合,而黏粒含量不能反映黏土矿物类型对比表面积的影响,因此当统计试样的黏粒中同时含有膨胀性和非膨胀性矿物时,比表面积与黏粒含量相关性较差。     

Nonwoven geotextiles to filter clayey sludge: An experimental study

A host of mining practices produce fine-grained mineral sludge, such as mature fine tailing from oil-sand extraction. These sludges are hard to dewater because of their high clay content and their low hydraulic conductivity. This paper describes pressure filtration tests in which eight different nonwoven geotextiles (GTXs) were used to filter high-clay-content sludges. The sludges were formulated by mixing kaolinite and silt to obtain eight different grain-size distributions (GSDs) with d₅₀ ranging from 3 to 55 μm and clay content ranging from 0% to 38% (d < 2 μm). The sludges created for this research had the GSD and variability of real fine tailings. The results indicate that sludges can be filtered with nonwoven GTXs selected on the basis of their pore-opening size. Furthermore, calendered GTXs are more efficient in retaining particles than needle punched GTXs. In addition, only during the early stage of filtration do GTXs really influence filtering because it is at this stage that, by retaining coarser particles, they allow progressive formation of filter cake. Upon forming, the filter cake becomes the major contributor to particle retention. Finally, the sludge composition is found to be the most significant factor affecting the final state of dewatering.     

Characteristics of Soils with Low Plasticity: Intermediate Soil from Ishinomaki,Japan and Lean Clay From Drammen,Norway

Two soils with low plasticity are investigated; intermediate soil from Ishinomaki, Japan and lean clay from Dram- men, Norway. Since both the soils were retrieved using the Japanese sampling method, the test results from these samples are comparable. Though they have the same order of plasticity index (I_p), there is a significant difference in the grain size distribution characteristics between these soils. Ishinomaki intermediate soil contains a lot of sand or silt sized particles, its I_p value being nearly proportional to its clay content. On the other hand, Drammen clay consists of a large proportion of rock flour, which contains little clay mineral. The study shows that the unconfined compression test significantly underestimates the undrained shear strength for both soils, and their residual effective stress (p'_r) is also very low. It has been found that to compensate for loss of p'_r, recompression tests are useful methods to evaluate the strength of such soils.     

The Influence of the Dielectric Constant and Electrolyte Concentration of the Pore Fluids on the Undrained Shear Strength of Smectite

It is common knowledge that the engineering properties of clays are greatly influenced by the type of pore fluids. However, the impact of the pore fluids on the geotechnical properties of the samples is even more dependent on the type of mineral and interlayer ions. Completely different behaviours could be observed with identical pore fluids but different clay minerals and vice versa. The liquid limit, plastic limit and undrained shear strength were determined for two types of smectites with different interlayer cations, namely Ca and Na-smectite. The pore fluids were varied by using different dielectric constants (&epsilon;) and electrolyte concentrations (n₀). The results show that the two kinds of soils respond in a similar way but with a different magnitude depending on the ion occupation.     

Effects of particle size on flame spread over magnesium powder layer

The spreading of a flame over a layer of magnesium powder has been examined to clarify the mechanisms of flame spread over metal powder layers and to establish effective ways to extinguish metal fires. Four grades of magnesium powder were used, with average grain diameters of 60, 170, 360 and 500 μm. The flame spread rate for larger particle sizes (D>170 μm) increased slightly with increasing particle size. However, the flame spread rate for smaller particle sizes (D<63 μm) increased sharply. The detailed surface temperature history of the magnesium powder layer was measured using infrared thermography (IR). Based on the temperature distribution in the pre-heat zone, the characteristic length l, characteristic depth δ, and characteristic time τ were calculated. The characteristic scale ratio, L/δ, for the larger particle sizes (D>170 μm) is almost unity, which suggests that the dominant heat transfer mechanism is heat conduction through the magnesium powder layer (solid phase). However, the L/δ for the smaller particle sizes (D<63 μm) is about 2.7, suggesting that the dominant heat transfer mechanism is convection. The flame spread rate over the magnesium powder layer was calculated by the de Ris model, a one-dimensional flame spread model, and a surface flash model. For larger particle sizes (D>170 μm), there is good agreement between the experimental flame spread rate and the flame spread rate estimated by the one-dimensional model. However, the flame spread rate was underestimated by the de Ris model, apparently because the de Ris model only considers heat feedback from the gas phase. For small-particle sizes (D<63 μm), there is good agreement between the experimental flame spread rate and the flame spread rate estimated by the surface flash model. This suggests that the flame spread over a small-particle layer can be described by a mechanism rather similar to that of gas phase flame propagation.     

Testing shrinkage factors: comparison of methods and correlation with index properties of soils

The paper presents a study on the shrinkage properties of three clay soils from Poland. Shrinkage limit, volumetric shrinkage and relative volumetric shrinkage were determined, tested according to PN-88/B-04481 (1988) and BS1377: Part 2 (1990) and correlated with the index properties of soils. The shrinkage limit was also calculated from Krabbe’s (1958) equation. The results showed that shrinkage limit values obtained by the BS method are lower than those obtained using the PN method, but the values calculated from Krabbe’s equation differ significantly. While no strong correlation was found between shrinkage limit and index soil parameters, linear relationships were obtained between volumetric shrinkage and initial moisture content, shrinkage range, plasticity index and clay content. Following multivariable regression analysis, the relative volumetric shrinkage was expressed as a function of plasticity index and moisture content. This function can be used to predict volumetric changes of the foundations based on the moisture content and material properties of the soil.     

Effect of imposed anaerobic conditions on metals release from acid-mine drainage contaminated streambed sediments

Remediation of streams influenced by mine-drainage may require removal and burial of metal-containing bed sediments. Burial of aerobic sediments into an anaerobic environment may release metals, such as through reductive dissolution of metal oxyhydroxides. Mining-impacted aerobic streambed sediments collected from North Fork Clear Creek, Colorado were held under anaerobic conditions for four months. Eh, pH, and concentrations of Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn (filtered at 1.5 μm, 0.45 μm, and 0.2 μm), sulfate, and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) were monitored in stream water/sediment slurries. Two sediment size fractions were examined (2 mm-63 μm and <63 μm). Sequential extractions evaluated the mineral phase with which metals were associated in the aerobic sediment. Released Cu was re-sequestered within 5 weeks, while Fe and Mn still were present at 16 weeks. Mn concentration was lower than in the initial stream water at and beyond 14 weeks for the smaller sized sediment. Cd was not released from either sediment size fraction. Zn was released at early times, but concentrations never exceeded those present in the initial stream water and all was re-sequestered over time. The greatest concentrations of Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn were associated with the Fe/Mn reducible fraction. Sulfate and Fe were strongly correlated (r = 0.90), seeming to indicate anaerobic dissolution of iron oxy-hydroxy-sulfate minerals. DOC and sulfate were strongly correlated (r = 0.81), with iron having a moderately strong correlation with DOC (r = 0.71). Overall concentrations of DOC, sulfate, Cu, Fe, and Zn and pH were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the water overlying the small sized sediment samples, while the concentrations of Mn released from the larger sized sediment samples were greater.     

Study on swelling properties of an expansive soil deposit in Saskatchewan, Canada

The main objective of this paper was to study the swelling properties of Regina clay. The deposit comprises a topsoil (surface to 0.3 m depth), an expansive clay (0.3–8 m), and a bottom till (8–9 m). High liquid limit (70 ± 15 %) and plastic limit (33 ± 4 %) indicated high water retention and adsorption capacity for the clay. Irrespective of the cover type (vegetation and cracked road), the field water content in summer closely matched the plastic limit. The clay was characterized by medium-to-high swelling that was best predicted by SP = 0.16 (I _p)^1.188. The soil had 51 % clay minerals including smectite (32 %), illite (7 %), kaolinite (5 %), and chlorite (3 %). With a CEC of 40 cmol(+)/kg, Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ were found to be the main exchangeable cations: the specific surface area was 50 m²/g. The SP and P _s for a 1.2 m deep sample measured 12 % and 260 kPa, respectively, and the estimated surface heave of 180 mm gradually diminished to 3.6 m depth. These values matched well with consistency-based correlations.     

A multi-component statistic analysis for the influence of sediment/soil composition on the sorption of a nonionic surfactant (Triton X-100) onto natural sediments/soils

The contents of soil/sediment organic carbon and clay minerals (i.e. montmorillonite, kaolinite, illite, gibbsite and 1.4 nm minerals) for 21 natural soil/sediment samples and the sorption of Triton X-100 on these samples were determined. A multi-component statistic analysis was employed to investigate the importance of soil/sediment organic matters and clay minerals on their sorption of Triton X-100. The sorption power of soil/sediment composition for Triton X-100 conforms to an order of montmorillonite>organic carbon>illite>1.4 nm minerals (vermiculite+chlorite+1.4 nm intergrade mineral)>kaolinite. The sorption of Triton X-100 on a montmorillonite, a kaolinite and a humic acid were also investigated and consistent with the result of multi-component statistic analysis. It is clear that the sorption of Triton X-100 on soils or sediments is the combined contribution of soil/sediment organic matters and clay minerals, which depended on both the contents of soil/sediment organic matters and the types and contents of clay minerals. The important influence of illite on the sorption of nonionic surfactants onto soils/sediments is suggested and demonstrated in this paper. Surfactants for aquifer remediation application may be more efficient for the contaminated soils/sediments that contain little clay minerals with 2:1 structure because of the less sorption of nonionic surfactants on these soils/sediments.     

Examining the link between terrestrial and aquatic phosphorus speciation in a subtropical catchment: the role of selective erosion and transport of fine sediments during storm events

This study examined the link between terrestrial and aquatic phosphorus (P) speciation in the soils and sediments of a subtropical catchment. Specifically, the study aimed to identify the relative importance of P speciation in source soils, erosion and transport processes upstream, and aquatic transformation processes as determinants of P speciation in lake sediments (Lake Wivenhoe). Using a sequential extraction technique, NH₄Cl extractable P (NH₄Cl-P; exchangeable P), bicarbonate-dithionite extractable P (BD-P; reductant soluble P), NaOH extractable P (NaOH-rP; Al/Fe oxide P), HCl extractable P (HCl-P; apatite-P), and residual-P (Res-P; organic and residual inorganic P) fractions were compared in different soil/sediment compartments of the upper Brisbane River (UBR) catchment, Queensland, Australia. Multidimensional scaling identified two distinct groups of samples, one consisting of lake sediments and suspended sediments, and another consisting of riverbed sediments and soils. The riverbed sediments and soils had significantly higher HCl-P and lower NaOH-rP and Res-P relative to the lake and suspended sediments (P < 0.05). Analysis of the enrichment factors (EFs) of soils and riverbed sediments showed that fine grained particles (<63 μm) were enriched in all but the HCl-P fraction. This indicated that as finer particles are eroded from the soil surface and transported downstream there is a preferential export of non-apatite P (NaOH-rP, NaOH-nrP, BD-P and Res-P). Therefore, due to the preferential erosion and transport of fine sediments, the lake sediments contained a higher proportion of more labile forms of inorganic-P relative to the broader soil/sediment system. Our results suggest that a greater focus on the effect of selective erosion and transport on sediment P speciation in lakes and reservoirs is needed to better target management strategies aimed at reducing P availability, particularly in P-limited water bodies impacted by soil erosion.     

Mobility of radiocesium in three distinct forest floors

The degree of mixing of organic matter with minerals in organic and hemi-organic horizons of forest soils largely differs between humus types. As clay minerals might control the mobility of radiocesium in these forest floor horizons, plant contamination could greatly vary with the kind of humus. We measured the mobility of radiocesium in the upper O, OAh and Ah horizons of three acid forest soils with three distinct humus types: eumoder, dysmoder and fibrimor. We used two different approaches: a physico-chemical test quantifying the radiocesium interception potential (RIP) and a biological assay simulating an experimental rhizosphere. The results show that the (137)Cs horizon-to-plant transfer is directly governed by RIP, and thus by frayed edge sites born by weathered micaceous minerals. The inverse relationship between RIP and organic matter content indicates that in the three sites investigated the mixing of organic residues with Cs-fixing minerals is a key process in 137Cs mobility. These Cs-fixing clay minerals indeed decrease in the sequence eumoder > dysmoder > fibrimor because they are more diluted in forest floor with less bioturbation. Our results suggest that humus type might be an important parameter in classifying forest soils with respect to their ability to transfer radiocesium to the above standing vegetation.     

Differences in microcystin production and genotype composition among Microcystis colonies of different sizes in Lake Taihu

The cyanobacterium Microcystis, which occurs as colonies of different sizes under natural conditions, can produce toxic microcystins (MCs). To monitor the toxicity and assess the risk of Microcystis blooms in Lake Taihu, it is important to investigate the relationship between MC production and Microcystis colony size. In this study, we classified Microcystis collected from Zhushan Bay of Lake Taihu during blooms into four classes with size of <50 μm, 50–100 μm, 100–270 μm and >270 μm and studied their differences in MC production and genetic structure. The results showed that colonies with size of <50, 50–100, 100–270 and >270 μm produced 12.2 ± 11.2%, 19.5 ± 7.9%, 61.3 ± 12.6%, and 7.0 ± 9.6% of total MC, respectively. The proportion of cell density of colonies with size of 50–100, 100–270 and >270 μm was positively correlated with MC concentration during blooms, while that of colonies with size of <50 μm was negatively correlated. The MC cell quota tended to be higher during blooms in colonies with larger size except that of colonies with size of 100–270 μm was higher than that of colonies with size of >270 μm from June 11 to September 16. Colonies with size of <50 μm showed the highest proportion of the less toxic MC congener MC-RR, and colonies with size of >100 μm showed higher proportion of the most toxic MC congener MC-LR than colonies with size of <100 μm. Real-time PCR indicated that larger colonies had higher proportion of potential toxic genotype. Principal component analysis of PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis profile showed that cpcBA and mcyJ genotype compositions were different between colonies with size of <50 μm and colonies with size of >50 μm, and cpcBA genotype composition was also different among colonies with size of 50–100 μm, 100–270 μm and >270 μm. These results indicated that MC cell quota and congener composition were different in Microcystis colonies with different sizes in Lake Taihu during blooms, and the differences in MC production in colonies with different size resulted chiefly from the difference in their genotype composition. Therefore, the authorities of water quality monitoring and drinking water supply service in Lake Taihu should be alert that the toxicity of Microcystis colony with different size was different during blooms, and the high abundance of colonies larger than 50 μm could be an indicator of relatively high bloom toxicity.     

Three-dimensional geotechnical modeling of the soils in Riyadh city,KSA

A standard penetration test (SPT) was carried out for 700 samples from 143 boreholes in four districts in Riyadh city, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Rock quality designation (RQD) and unconfined compression strength (UCS) tests were also performed for 238 samples from 154 boreholes in 15 districts of the city. Three-dimensional (3D) models of the SPT, RQD, and UCS were produced using the Voxler 3 software package. Further, 333 soil samples collected from 106 boreholes in 11 districts were examined to spatially model the distinctive geotechnical patterns of the alluvial soils in two dimensions. Tests were carried out to determine the soil grain size distribution, natural water content (NWC%), Atterberg’s consistency limits [liquid limit (LL%), plastic limit (PL%), and plasticity index (PI%)], and soil–water chemical components (pH Cl⁻, SO₃²⁻, and CO₃⁻). Spatial maps of the geotechnical parameters were produced by applying the geostatistical ordinary kriging implemented in ArcGIS. Soil samples were classified according to the unified soil classification system (USCS), and a thickness of the silty clay layer was produced. Plasticity charts indicated that the soils are inorganic cohesive clays with low and moderate plasticity (CL). Soil strength parameters showed wide ranges of UCS (average 220, range 21.3–618 kg/cm²), SPT (average 39, 0–100 N), and RQD (average 44, 11–78%). UCS and SPT 3D models clarified a regional southeastward trend of increase. RQD 3D models showed poor to fair engineering quality of rocks (25–75%). The results presented here can help to establish geohazard zonation maps with construction favorability ratings for safe urban expansion.

     

Lime stabilisation of clay soils

Clay soil can be stabilised by the addition of a small percentage, by weight, of lime, that is, it enhances many of the engineering properties of the soil. This produces an improved construction material and so the technique has been used for many construction purposes, notably in highway, railroad and airport construction to improve subgrades and sub-bases. Generally the amount of lime needed to modify a clay soil varies from 1 to 3 per cent, whilst that required for cementation varies from 2 to 8 per cent. When lime is added to clay soils, calcium ions are combined initially with or adsorbed by clay minerals which leads to an improvement in soil workability, that is, to an increase in the plastic limit of the clay and generally to a decrease in its liquid limit. The optimum lime additive for maximum increase of the plastic limit of the soil is referred to as the lime fixation point Lime added in excess of the fixation point is utilised in the cementation process and gives rise to an increase in soil strength. The increase in strength has been attributed to the formation of poorly ordered reaction products which surround the clay minerals.     

Measurement of Soil Tensile Strength and Factors Affecting its Measurements

This paper describes the tensile strength measured for three kinds of statically compacted unsaturated soils; mixtures of clay ~ silt ~ sand, Narita-sand and Kanto loam. Specimens were directly prepared either under controlled compaction stress or under controlled dry density by statically compacting them within the tensile mold of the apparatus. Image analysis was done to show the normality of tensile force to the tensile failure plane. Tensile strengths (q_t) were compared with the unconfined compressive strengths (q_u) for silt ~ sand mixture, clay ~ sand mixture, clay ~ silt mixture and Narita sand, respectively. Increment in tensile strength (also q_u/q_t ratio) with the increase in the percentage and decrease in the size of finer soils could be seen. Effects of number of compaction layers and tensile pulling rates on the q_t were also examined. Increase in the tensile strength with the increase in the number of compaction layers was observed; and it was suggested to prepare the unsaturated compacted specimen by 3 to 4 layers compaction. Increase in tensile strength of 0.3 kPa and 0.003 kPa per one cycle of logarithm of tensile pulling rate was observed for clay ~ sand-4 (1:3) and clay ~ sand-5 (3:1) for the pulling rate of 0.01 to 1.0 mm/min.     

Aerobic treatment of N-nitrosodimethylamine in a propane-fed membrane bioreactor

N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) is a suspected human carcinogen that has recently been detected in wastewater, groundwater and drinking water. Treatment of this compound to low part-per-trillion (ng/L) concentrations is required to mitigate cancer risk. Current treatment generally entails UV irradiation, which while effective, is also expensive. The objective of this research was to explore potential bioremediation strategies as alternatives for treating NDMA to ng/L concentrations. Batch studies revealed that the propanotroph Rhodococcus ruber ENV425 was capable of metabolizing NDMA from 8 μg/L to <2 ng/L after growth on propane, and that the strain produced metabolites that do not pose a significant risk at the concentrations generated (Fournier et al., 2009). A laboratory-scale membrane bioreactor (MBR) was subsequently constructed to evaluate the potential for long-term ex situ treatment of NDMA. The MBR was seeded with ENV425 and received propane as the primary growth substrate and oxygen as an electron acceptor. At an average influent NDMA concentration of 7.4 μg/L and a 28.5 h hydraulic residence time, the reactor effluent concentration was 3.0 ± 2.3 ng/L (>99.95% removal) over more than 70 days of operation. The addition of trichloroethene (TCE) to the reactor resulted in a significant increase in effluent NDMA concentrations, most likely due to cell toxicity from TCE-epoxide produced during its cometabolic oxidation by ENV425. The data suggest that an MBR system can be a viable treatment option for NDMA in groundwater provided that high concentrations of TCE are not present.     

Deposition of aerosol particles on rough surfaces inside a test chamber

We investigated the deposition rate of aerosol particles (diameter between 0.03 and 5 μm) on rough surfaces of wallpapers, wall-plasters, and two types of carpets inside a test chamber. Compared to a smooth aluminum surface, the deposition rate of aerosol particles on the tested surfaces was up to 20 times depending on the surface roughness, mixing intensity, and particle size. A rough surface with a dimensionless surface roughness height k⁺ < 0.06 can be treated as a hydraulically smooth. The estimated deposition rates in this study and those predicted by a deposition model, which incorporates surface roughness, were in good agreement for coarse mode particles (diameter > 1 μm) when k⁺ < 1.04 and for ultrafine particles (diameter < 0.1 μm) when k⁺ < 0.48. The agreement between the model prediction and our estimation was better for coarse mode particles than for ultrafine particles. Deposition of aerosol particles, especially fine particles, needs more empirical investigations aiming at improving the existing models.