Temperature effect on aerobic biodegradation of feces using sawdust as a matrix

Temperature is one of the most important factors affecting microbial growth and biological reactions. In this study, the effect of temperature on aerobic biodegradation of feces is described through the comparison and analysis of experimental oxygen utilization rates (OUR) profiles obtained from batch tests conducted at several temperatures covering mainly mesophilic and thermophilic ranges. Additionally, the temperature effect was incorporated into the bio-kinetic model introduced by Lopez Zavala et al. (Water Res 38(5) (2004) 1327) and simulation of experimental OUR profiles was conducted. Results show that mesophilic and thermophilic microorganisms behaved differently to temperature; additionally, results suggest that the optimum temperature from the viewpoint of feces biodegradability is within the thermophilic range, nearly 60 degrees C. The enzymatic activity of microorganisms at 70 degrees C was remarkably diminished. For better predictions in the mesophilic range, two fractions of slowly biodegradable organic matter were identified, easily hydrolyzable organic matter (X(Se)) and slowly hydrolyzable organic matter (X(Ss)).     

Transformation and characterisation of dissolved organic matter during the thermophilic aerobic biodegradation of faeces

We conducted a comparison of the characteristics of dissolved organic matter (DOM) taken from the bio-toilet and other sources. A characterisation of DOM was carried out to assess the stability of the compost generated during the thermophilic and aerobic biodegradation of faeces. In addition, levels of soluble microbial products generated in the bio-toilet composting reactor were compared with those taken from other sources. The results showed that (i) the main component of DOM from the bio-toilet are solutes with molecular weight (MW)>30,000 Da (40%), whereas micromolecules (MW< 1000 Da) constituted more than 60% of the DOM from other solid samples, while liquid samples reached even more than 90%; (ii) the DOM stabilisation level in the composting reactor of the bio-toilet system was greater than that shown by DOM from other sources; (iii) stabilisation of DOM in the bio-toilet system was characterised by an increasing amount of macromolecules (MW>30,000 Da) after a decreasing trend was observed in the early stages of the biodegradation process; and (iv) net production of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in wastewater treatment plants is greater than in the bio-toilet.     

Influence of the hydrophilic moiety of anionic and nonionic surfactants on their aerobic biodegradation in seawater

The extent and kinetics of the primary biodegradation have been characterized for the most commonly-used surfactants, employing four homologues with the same alkyl chain: dodecyl ethoxy sulfate (C₁₂AES), sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), dodecyl alcohol ethoxylate (C₁₂AEO) and dodecyl benzenesulfonate (C₁₂LAS). A brief acclimatization period has been required to enable an effective degradation of C₁₂LAS and C₁₂AES to take place, but this lag phase has not been detected for SDS and C₁₂AEO. Primary biodegradation percentages at the end of these experiments were higher than 99%, showing a fast degradation rate in all cases (average half-life lower than 2 days). The secondary biodegradation of C₁₂LAS was also monitored. C₁₂LAS external isomers, which are predominant, are preferentially degraded by successive β-oxidations, generating significant amounts of external even isomers of sulfophenylcarboxylic acid (SPC) (mainly 2,3ΦC_4,6SPCs). In ontrast, internal isomers are converted into internal odd isomers of SPC (mostly 4,5ΦC_5,7SPCs) by ω-oxidation followed by α-oxidation and/or β-oxidations.     

Inhibition of aerobic metabolic cis-1,2-di-chloroethene biodegradation by other chloroethenes

The presence of other chloroethenes influences aerobic metabolic biodegradation of cis-1,2-dichloroethene (cDCE). A new metabolically cDCE degrading enrichment culture was identified as also being capable of degrading vinyl chloride (VC), but not 1,1-dichloroethene (1,1DCE), trans-1,2-dichloroethene (tDCE), trichloroethene (TCE), or tetrachloroethene (PCE). The fastest degradation of cDCE was observed in the absence of any other chloroethene. In the presence of a second chloroethene (40-90 μM), the rate of cDCE (60 μM) degradation decreased in the following order: cDCE (+PCE) > cDCE (+tDCE) > cDCE (+VC)> cDCE (+1,1DCE) ≈ cDCE (+TCE). With increasing concentrations of VC, ranging from 10 to 110 μM, the rate of cDCE (60 μM) degradation decreased. This study demonstrates that the inhibiting effects of chloroethene mixtures have to be considered during laboratory studies and bioremediation approaches based on metabolic cDCE degradation.     

Influence of feed concentration on the kinetics of biodegradation of phenol in a continuous stirred reactor

The rate of phenol degradation by activated sludge was studied in a completely mixed continuous-flow reactor with sludge recycle, operated at steady-state conditions at 20°C. Monod kinetics was followed when the influent concentration (C_s°) was kept constant. When using different C_s° levels, the phenol removal rate was found to have an inverse dependence on C_s°. It is suggested that this kinetic anomaly is due to inhibition of the biooxidation by some secondary reaction product(s). A kinetic model based on this concept is able to interpret experimental facts.     

Kinetics of 4-nitrophenol biodegradation in a sequencing batch reactor

In this paper, the biodegradation process of 4-nitrophenol (4NP) in a sequencing batch reactor has been investigated. Kinetic tests have been carried out on biomass grown on mixed substrate (4NP plus biogenic substrate) both in the presence of a biogenic substrate fraction in the feed and with 4NP as the sole carbon source. Removal kinetics for all tests is well described by the typical substrate inhibition pattern as predicted by the Haldane equation. In both sets, estimated kinetic parameters are very similar: no beneficial effect of the biogenic fraction is observed on the 4NP removal while increasing trend of 4NP maximum removal rate with the 4NP/COD(TOT) ratio in the feed has been observed. This finding has been modelled by estimating the fraction of the total biomass involved in 4NP biodegradation as a function of 4NP concentration in the feed. High removal rates, short acclimation times and good settling characteristics of produced sludge (observed during the whole working period) confirm the suitability of periodic systems in enhancing the bacterial potentialities for biodegradation of xenobiotic compounds.     

Pilot studies for in-situ aerobic cometabolism of trichloroethylene using toluene-vapor as the primary substrate

In-situ pilot studies of aerobic cometabolism were conducted to evaluate the injection of toluene-vapor and air into TCE-contaminated aquifer. Delivery of primary substrate (toluene) in a vapor state with air enhanced the growth of indigenous toluene-utilizing bacteria that would degrade TCE by aerobic cometabolism. Meanwhile, delivering toluene in a vapor state effectively reduced potential clogging near the injection points due to excessive microbial growth, which was observed in the field when the injection of neat toluene was employed. Over 90% removal of TCE was achieved with primary substrate (toluene) degraded to a concentration below 10 microg/L.     

Fate characterization of a novel herbicide ZJ0273 in aerobic soils using multi-position C labeling

ZJ0273, propyl 4-(2-(4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-2-yloxy)benzylamino)benzoate, is a novel herbicide being developed for use on rape crops. The environmental behavior and fate of ZJ0273, however, are not well understood. In this study, multi-position ¹⁴C-labeled compounds (B-ZJ0273 and C-ZJ0273) were used to investigate the fate of ZJ0273 in aerobic soils, and compare their differences in extractable residues (ER), bound residues (BR), and mineralization. ER for both ¹⁴C labels followed a similar dissipation trend in the same soil, and results showed a strong effect of soil pH, with the ER level being significantly higher in acidic soils than neutral or alkaline soils. The disappearance of parent compound followed first-order dynamics for both labels in the same soils. No difference in BR was observed between the two ¹⁴C-labels. BR increased with time and reached 17.5-35.3% of applied ¹⁴C in the three soils after 100-d incubation, which is much smaller than the non-accumulative criteria (70%) as stated in the directives by the Commission of the European Communities. Mineralization to CO₂ also depended closely on the soil type, with the cumulative mineralized fraction being substantially greater in the neutral and alkaline soils than in the acidic soil. Results also showed that cumulative mineralization rates of the two labels in the acidic soil were much smaller than those in the neutral and alkaline soils. Mineralization of C-ZJ0273 (1.2-9.9%) was found to be more extensive than that of B-ZJ0273 (0.5-6.6%), suggesting that benzyl ring was more susceptible to cleavage than pyrimidine ring. The use of multi-position labeling proved to be valuable; it served the purpose of validating the rigorousness of experimental protocols, and provided insights into the behavior and fate of the different molecular fragments.     

A study of Cr(VI) and NH4+adsorption using greensand (glauconite) as a low‐cost adsorbent from aqueous solutions

This paper investigates the removal of Cr(VI) and NH⁴⁺ from aqueous solutions using greensand (glauconite). The effects of adsorbent dosage, contact time, initial Cr(VI) and NH⁴⁺ concentrations, and pH were investigated in batch experiments. The results show that these parameters influenced Cr(VI) and NH⁴⁺ removal using glauconite considerably. Pseudo‐first‐order, pseudo‐second‐order and intraparticle diffusion kinetic models were applied to explain the kinetic data, and the pseudo‐second‐order model achieved good agreement. The equilibrium isotherm data are coordinated with the Freundlich, Langmuir models, Temkin and Dubinin–Radushkevich; the Freundlich model proved most best suitable. The removal efficiency of Cr(VI) and NH₄⁺ were 12.21 mg/g (54% at pH 3) and 19.24 mg/g (77.08% at pH 7). All in all, the results showed that the adsorption process on glauconite could be used as an effective method for removing Cr(VI) and NH⁴⁺ from aqueous solutions.     

Modeling of the upflow anaerobic sludge bed-filter system: a case with hysteresis

A hybrid upflow sludge bed-filter (UBF) anaerobic reactor was successfully used for treatment of synthetic soluble 1% sugar waste. An hysteresis phenomenon was observed and discussed with respect to changes in acidogenic/acetoclastic specific activities ratio. The Haldane equation was adapted for predicting performance inhibition by undissociated acids as a function of substrate-COD and pH. The Monod and adapted Haldane models were solved simultaneously with substrate mass balance for a UBF reactor. The soluble COD removal efficiency and methane productivity were predicted as a function of the dilution rate. Critical values of solid and hydraulic residence times were also estimated and discussed in detail.     

Aerobic transformations of organic matters in sewer wastewater,a case study of Milan,Italy

Today, we know that not only the sewers carry urban wastewater, but also act as chemical and biological reactors, in which both organic and inorganic substances undergo significant transformations. This article describes a study on the western part of the sewer system of the city of Milan. The hydraulic model of the sewer system was coupled with the chemical and dynamic biological model to assess the extent of the degradation of organic matter in the network. The hydraulic and biological models were calibrated with real data obtained at the entrance of the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) ‘Milan South’ and assuming standard values of daily per capita loads of COD and BOD₅.     

A study of external mass transfer effect on biodegradation of phenol using low‐density polyethylene immobilized Bacillus flexus GS1 IIT (BHU) in a packed bed bioreactor

The impact of external mass transport on the biodegradation rate of phenol in a packed bed bioreactor (PBBR) was studied. A potential bacterial species, Bacillus flexus GS1 IIT (BHU), was isolated from the petroleum‐contaminated soil. Low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) immobilized with the B. flexus GS1 IIT (BHU) was used as packing material in the PBBR. The PBBR was operated by varying the inlet feed flow rate from 4 to 10 mL/min, and the corresponding degradation rate coefficients were found to be in the range of 0.119–0.157 L/g h. In addition, the highest removal rate of phenol was obtained to be 1.305 mg/g h at an inlet feed rate of 10 mL/min. The external mass transfer was studied using the model . A new empirical correlation for the biodegradation of phenol in the PBBR was developed after the evaluation at various values of K and n.     

岩土参数概率密度函数的正交多项式推断

岩土参数的概率密度函数在岩土工程可靠性的分析中有很重要的作用。文章基于数值逼近原理，直接根据试验样本矩，运用勒让德正交多项式来拟合岩土随机参数的概率密度函数。并且用X^2法进行检验，根据有限比较法确定其中的最佳分布概型，在理论上证明该方法的正确性和实用性。通过算例表明，所得到的逼近表达式有很好的拟舍性能，数值计算稳定，可以满足岩土工程可靠性分析的要求。     

校园作为防灾避难场所的功能适宜性研究

512汶川大地震给我们带来了严重的损失及深刻的教训,使我们意识到应该从广义建筑学的角度审视城市防灾避难的课题。本文探讨了校园作为防灾避难场所的布局原则、体系设置以及功能设计,阐述“防灾校园”的必要性。     

基于结构方程模型的既有住区适老化改造研究 ——以湖北省宜昌市为例

我国社会人口老龄化形势日趋严峻,未来居家养老在我国养老发展格局中仍将占据主导,现有的老旧小区将成为居家养老生活的重要载体。以宜昌市地区为例,构建适用于既有住区适老化现状及需求评价的社区适老化程度指标体系。并在此基础上选取宜昌市7个典型社区中老年居民开展问卷调研和上门走访,结合调研数据通过因子分析法确定研究变量的权重,构建适合宜昌本地的既有社区适老化改造评估的结构方程模型。最后根据各项指标排序,选取室内空间、无障碍改造和健康管理等权重排名靠前、对居家养老幸福感效应最显著的因素,对宜昌既有社区提出了建筑改造、信息化方面的适宜性改造技术策略。     

大颗粒岩块对月壤钻取过程的影响分析

针对月壤钻取采样过程中存在大颗粒岩块情况进行三维离散元动态仿真分析。建立考虑扭转、弯曲力矩及等效引力作用的新型三维离散元月壤模型,通过三轴仿真试验进行细观参数标定,得到黏聚力为0.90 kPa,内摩擦角为42.25°的满足真实月壤宏观力学指标的仿真模型。针对月壤内层存在大颗粒情况设计4种采样工况分别进行仿真分析,监测大颗粒运动轨迹与采样效率,发现了“旋入效应”、“纵向运移效应”与“阻塞效应”,仿真结果表明岩块粒径大小直接影响采样结果：当岩块粒径小于钻头“虚拟切削圆”时,其无论存在于任何位置对采样效率与后续样品缠绕收集均无明显影响;当岩块粒径大于“虚拟切削圆”时,阻塞现象严重,样品收集困难,极易导致采样失败。研究结论对月壤钻取采样控制设计与钻具结构设计具有重要的工程参考价值。     

Improved calibration of a rainfall‐pollutant‐runoff model using turbidity and electrical conductivity as surrogate parameters for total nitrogen

To address data scarcity for calibration of rainfall‐pollutant‐runoff (RPR) models, we evaluated the suitability of nutrient levels estimated based on surrogate parameters as a novel source of data, using runoff of total nitrogen (TN) in the Tegiru basin as a case study. A linear regression equation was developed for estimating TN based on turbidity and electrical conductivity; this expression was then used to generate TN data (n = 113) for calibration of a catchment‐specific RPR model. Using solely the estimated TN concentrations for calibration, the model accurately predicted TN concentrations (21% error based on measured TN, n = 13) and revealed runoff trends during periods in which TN measurements were lacking. Finally, we utilised this model to show that TN runoff was highest during months with frequent and high intensity rainfall. In summary, this study demonstrates the applicability of surrogate parameters to extend data on difficult‐to‐monitor nutrient loads for model calibration.     

A Bayesian analysis of mouse infectivity data to evaluate the effectiveness of using ultraviolet light as a drinking water disinfectant

Modelling disinfectant performance using Bayesian hierarchical methods can overcome problems with traditional methods and lead to improved estimates. Animal and cell-culture assays are used to estimate the degree of inactivation of a microorganism produced by a given disinfectant dose. Assay data traditionally are analyzed with logistic model or most probable number (MPN) method. These methods are limited particularly when assays show all (or no) animals or cells to be infected-estimates are reported as greater than (or less than) a measurement limit (i.e., censored data). The proposed Bayesian approach (1) properly models the propagation of uncertainty through the data analysis/modelling process, resulting in reduced model uncertainty, and (2) uses appropriate probability distribution models for the response variables, avoiding the censored data problem and more accurately describing statistical error when estimating dose-response behavior. This paper applies the Bayesian hierarchical models to logistic and MPN data from published papers for the ultraviolet (UV) inactivation of Cryptosporidium. Results are compared to those from three alternative models. The Bayesian model estimates a significantly lower UV dose for a given level of Cryptosporidium inactivation than the alternative models, due mainly to the reduced model uncertainty.     

Performance evaluation of the current construction of the Great Wall of China in Jinshanling: using a fuzzy system

This research paper focuses on evaluating the performance of the Great Wall of China in Jinshanling using the Fuzzy Performance Tree Analysis (FPTA), Baldwin’s fuzzy-set rotational model, and defuzzification using the centroid and mean methods. The inputs for the performance tree analysis and Baldwin’s model are derived from the knowledge base of the authors’ earlier study. The outputs from the defuzzification process show that the Jinshanling section of the Great Wall is fairly severe in terms of damages, and immediate repair should be performed to prevent additional damages, especially in the eastern and western Jinshanling sections. The results derived from this evaluation process provide consistent, quantitative, and systematic conclusions concerning the current performance of the structure. The authors hope that these scientific methodologies introduced in this paper would be further researched and implemented in evaluating the performance of other facilities, both ancient and modern.     

城镇风貌整治设计适宜策略研究——以重庆市歌乐山镇风貌整治为例

城镇风貌规划建设中以整体设计和再利用的思维,可以在不牺牲经济利益的情况下做到对城镇地域、历史及文化性的呼应,同时满足现代使用功能的要求。以重庆市歌乐山镇风貌整治设计为例,在对现状资源利用评估、控制目标和手段充分论证的基础上,从城镇风貌形态、控制元素、整治模式、个案操作和过程总结等方面,对"自下而上"的城镇风貌整治设计的适宜策略进行了探讨和研究。