Factors affecting the fate of dimethoate in soils

For a given application of dimethoate, the loss by leaching increased with soil type in the following order: clay < clay loam < loam < sandy clay loam (S.C.L.) < sand.

In general, the loss through leaching for a single soil type increased with the amount of dimethoate applied. The degree of retention was greatest in the loam and least in the sand. Retention was thought to be affected by physical forces and hydrogen bonding. The loss of the pesticide through evaporation, degradation and irreversible adsorption increased with the dosage applied. It was in descending order of; clay > clay loam > sand > S.C.L. > loam. However, the loss due to evaporation alone was in the order; sand > S.C.L. > clay loam > loam. Biological degradation of dimethoate was of little importance.     

Retention and release of Zn and Cd in spodic horizons as determined by pH(stat) analysis and single extractions

In the northern Campine in Belgium, large areas are contaminated by heavy metals such as Zn and Cd due to the (former) non-ferro metal industry. In the sandy soils, the heavy metal adsorption/attenuation in the spodic horizon represents the main retention mechanism of leached pollutants from the contaminated topsoils. In this study, the pH-dependent behaviour of the elements in these spodic horizons was tested by pH(stat) experiments and compared to sandy loam soils. Extractions with CaCl(2) 0.01 M and EDTA 0.05 M provided a further insight into the binding mechanisms. The results indicate that organic matter is the main factor responsible for the mobility of Cd, Zn and Ca in the spodic horizons. The binding of elements is not very strong, however, and highly dependent on pH. A slight decrease in pH can cause a significant release of metals from the spodic horizons, with up to 60% of Cd and 90% of Zn being released within a 1.5 unit change in pH (starting from the naturally occurring pH). This pH change can happen rapidly in these soils, due to the low buffering capacity, and is realistic given the acidification in Flanders. For the sandy loam soils, a pH decrease of 3 units is needed to release 40% of Cd and 20% of Zn, and the acid neutralization capacity is exhausted more gradually, suggesting that slower buffering mechanisms take place. For the sandy loam soils, Cd retention is mainly governed by organic matter, while for Zn other factors such as the clay minerals also play an important role. Despite the high potential mobility and pH dependence of the heavy metal retention in the spodic horizons, the actual risk for groundwater pollution is limited. For the diffusely contaminated areas, where traditional remediation is not an option, spodic horizons may therefore contribute to a natural attenuation of the soil contamination.     

Virus removal within a soil infiltration zone as affected by effluent composition, application rate, and soil type

The column studies presented in this paper simulated the infiltrative surface of onsite wastewater systems where effluent is applied and where a biomat may form. Two bacteriophages, MS-2 and PRD-1, were used as surrogates for human pathogenic enteric viruses during two tracer tests. A vacuum manifold was used to simulate the drainage effects of an underlying unsaturated soil profile, allowing for the collection of percolate samples at 4 cm immediately below the infiltrative surface. The impact of effluent applied (septic tank effluent (STE) or a simulated ground water), soil type (medium sand or sandy loam), hydraulic loading rate (5 or 25 cm/day) and method of application (four equivalent daily doses or 24 equivalent micro-doses per day) on the removal of viruses were investigated. These unsaturated mini column experiments demonstrated that the removal of viruses within an infiltrative surface zone (of approximately 4 cm) generally improved over time under the conditions studied. An exception occurred in sand-filled columns dosed with STE where the removal of PRD-1 decreased after a period of effluent application. Statistical analysis conducted on the calculated percent removal demonstrated that the quality of the effluent applied to the infiltrative surface is important for removal of MS-2 and PRD-1. Hydraulic loading rate also proved important in the removal of viruses. At the time of tracer test 2, columns dosed at the higher HLR (25 cm/day) had higher percent removals for both MS-2 and PRD-1. Soil type altered the removal of PRD-1 at the time of the second tracer test, at which time sandy loam had higher removal rates for PRD-1. No significant differences were observed between columns dosed four times daily and those dosed 24 times daily for either bacteriophage at either of the tracer test time points. These data suggest that over a relatively short period of operation the infiltrative surface of soil based wastewater treatment systems can achieve much higher removal then initially measured shortly after startup.     

Organic acid transport through a partially saturated liner system beneath a landfill

A one-dimensional model was developed to investigate the transport of organic acids (commonly found in landfill leachate) through a partially saturated composite liner system beneath a landfill. Specific attention was paid to the influence of water content distribution on aqueous-phase diffusion process. Composite liner system was investigated, which was consisted of a geomembrane and a compacted clay liner underlain by three kinds of attenuation layer: sand layer, sandy clay loam layer, and clay layer. Volumetric water content profile in soil layers was obtained by Van Genuchten model, and the Millington and Quirk model was employed to describe the non-linear relationship between volumetric water content and diffusion coefficient. Three cases were analyzed and compared, i.e., totally saturated condition, unsaturated condition without considering unsaturated diffusion model, and unsaturated condition considering unsaturated diffusion model. The numerical results show that the unsaturated sand attenuation layer could serve as excellent diffusion barrier to organic contaminant due to its low water retention capacity. When the dependence of diffusion coefficient on volumetric water content is sufficiently considered, the contaminant flux decreases significantly in all the three kinds of attenuation layer. Unsaturated diffusion model capturing the relationship between water content and diffusion coefficient enables a more reasonable prediction of contaminant transport and distribution in soils.     

Fate of the antiretroviral drug tenofovir in agricultural soil

Tenofovir (9-(R)-(2-phosphonylmethoxypropyl)-adenine) is an antiretroviral drug widely used for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) and Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections. Tenofovir is extensively and rapidly excreted unchanged in the urine. In the expectation that tenofovir could potentially reach agricultural lands through the application of municipal biosolids or wastewater, and in the absence of any environmental fate data, we evaluated its persistence in selected agricultural soils. Less than 10% of [adenine-8-¹⁴C]-tenofovir added to soils varying widely in texture (sand, loam, clay loam) was mineralized in a 2-month incubation under laboratory conditions. Tenofovir was less readily extractable from clay soils than from a loam or a sandy loam soil. Radioactive residues of tenofovir were removed from the soil extractable fraction with DT₅₀s ranging from 24 ± 2 to 67 + 22 days (first order kinetic model) or 44 + 9 to 127 + 55 days (zero order model). No extractable transformation products were detectable by HPLC. Tenofovir mineralization in the loam soil increased with temperature (range 4 °C to 30 °C), and did not occur in autoclaved soil, suggesting a microbial basis. Mineralization rates increased with soil moisture content, ranging from air-dried to saturated. In summary, tenofovir was relatively persistent in soils, there were no extractable transformation products detected, and the response of [adenine-8-¹⁴C]-tenofovir mineralization to soil temperature and heat sterilization indicated that the molecule was biodegraded by aerobic microorganisms. Sorption isotherms with dewatered biosolids suggested that tenofovir residues could potentially partition into the particulate fraction during sewage treatment.     

派酶对不同土壤的固化效果的实验研究

派酶（Perma—Zyme）是一种生物酶制剂,对土壤具有一定的固化效果。通过对细砂土、粗砂土、砂壤土、面砂土、壤粘土的无侧限抗压强度的试验研究,发现派酶对含粘粒多的土壤的固化效果优于含砂粒和粉粒多的土壤。     

Granulometry,cluster analysis and spatial distribution of manganese contaminated soils,Kgwakgwe, southeastern Botswana

The particle size distribution (PSD) of 400 Mn contaminated soil samples was established, and generated data were statistically analysed and spatially presented. The PSD for the 53 µm – 4 µm size fraction soil samples ranged from 11.05 to 100 wt %, whereas that for < 4 µm was from 0.3 to 30 wt %. Texturally, samples were dominantly silt loam, although silt and sandy loam were also present, as well as loam, loamy sand and clay classes. Six clusters were identified with cluster one being the most dominant occurring in sandy loam, silt loam and loamy sand. The < 53 µm fraction had three dominant areas, and the < 4 µm fraction had several unevenly presented populations as reflected in the maps. Because of its spatial distribution, the < 4 µm fraction may pose hazards to human health. Furthermore, predominance of Mn limits land use to subsistence agriculture with possibly low crop yield.     

Degradation of trichloroethylene in wetland microcosms containing broad-leaved cattail and eastern cottonwood

Remediation of aquifers containing trichloroethylene (TCE) relies primarily on physical extraction of contaminated groundwater and soil. Unfortunately, this is typically expensive and does not always attain the desired treatment goals. In situ bioremediation via natural attenuation is an alternative treatment process in which TCE is transformed by indigenous microorganisms and plants. In this study, TCE was observed in a surficial aquifer that discharges into a wetland. Experiments were undertaken to determine whether natural attenuation of TCE in the wetland was possible. Microcosms were constructed using sandy soil+/-eastern cottonwoods (Populus deltoides) from the wetland's edge and organic soil+broad-leaved cattails (Typha latifolia) from the wetland's interior. [14C] TCE was added to each microcosm (1.27 microCi). Overtime, 14C was recovered from four microcosm compartments: (1) as 14C bound to soil and water, (2) as volatilized [14C] TCE, (3) as [14C] CO2 produced by mineralization of [14C] TCE, and (4) as 14C incorporated into the plants. Total recoveries of the 14C-label ranged from 73.6% to 95.8%. Volatilized [14C] TCE accounted for the majority ( > 50%) of the recovered label. In microcosms without plants, [14C] CO2 represented 3.2% (organic soil) to 15.6% (sandy soil) of the recovered 14C, indicating that TCE was mineralized by indigenous microorganisms. The presence of the broad-leaved cattail resulted in increased production of [14C] CO2 to 5.3% in the organic soil. The data thus suggest that natural attenuation is a potential bioremediative strategy for TCE-contaminated wetlands.     

UV disinfection of indigenous aerobic spores: implications for UV reactor validation in unfiltered waters

Conventional validation testing of UV reactors use cultured microorganisms spiked into test water flowing through a reactor. These tests are limited by the microbe titer it is possible to grow, thus limiting the size of the reactor it is possible to validate. The goal of this study was to examine the UV inactivation of indigenous aerobic spores naturally occurring in raw/unfiltered water supplies and to assess their use as an alternative indicator for validation testing of UV reactor performance, specifically for unfiltered water supplies planning large UV reactors. These spores were found in all raw waters tested in concentrations ranging between 20 and 12,000 CFU/100 mL and were very resistant to UV irradiation compared to a range of different microbes in the literature (i.e. adenovirus, MS-2 coliphage, and Cryptosporidium parvum). The inactivation of indigenous natural aerobic spores followed first-order kinetics with an inactivation coefficient ranging between 0.013 and 0.022 cm2/mJ with a high correlation coefficient. It was determined that naturally occurring aerobic spores, well characterized with respect to UV 253.7 nm inactivation, can be a useful tool when validating plant performance, and might also be used as a regular monitor of UV fluence and performance in a water treatment plant.     

Leaching of human pathogens in repacked soil lysimeters and contamination of potato tubers under subsurface drip irrigation in Denmark

The risk for contamination of potatoes and groundwater through subsurface drip irrigation with low quality water was explored in 30 large-scale lysimeters containing repacked coarse sand and sandy loam soils. The human pathogens, Salmonella Senftenberg, Campylobacter jejuni and Escherichia coli O157:H7, and the virus indicator Salmonella Typhimurium bacteriophage 28B, were added weekly through irrigation tubes for one month with low irrigation rates (8 mm per week). In the following six months lysimeters were irrigated with groundwater free of pathogens. Two weeks after irrigation was started, phage 28B was detected in low concentrations (2 pfu ml⁻¹) in leachate from both sandy loam soil and coarse sand lysimeters. After 27 days, phage 28B continued to be present in similar concentrations in leachate from lysimeters containing coarse sand, while no phage were found in lysimeters with sandy loam soil. The added bacterial pathogens were not found in any leachate samples during the entire study period of 212 days. Under the study conditions with repacked soil, limited macropores and low water velocity, bacterial pathogens seemed to be retained in the soil matrix and died-off before leaching to groundwater. However, viruses may leach to groundwater and represent a health risk as for some viruses only few virus particles are needed to cause human disease. The bacterial pathogens and the phage 28B were found on the potato samples harvested just after the application of microbial tracers was terminated. The findings of bacterial pathogens and phage 28 on all potato samples suggest that the main risk associated with subsurface drip irrigation with low quality water is faecal contamination of root crops, in particular those consumed raw.     

DECAY OF ESCHERICHIA COLI IN SOIL FOLLOWING THE APPLICATION OF BIOSOLIDS TO AGRICULTURAL LAND

The decay of Escherichia coli in a sandy loam soil, amended with enhanced and conventionally treated biosolids, was investigated in a field experiment following spring and autumn applications of sewage sludge. Control soils, without the application of biosolids, were also examined to determine the background indigenous populations of E. coli which are present in the environment. The survival of indigenous E coli and populations of E coli applied to soil in biosolids, is assessed in relation to environmental factors influencing pathogen-decay processes in soil.     

Fate of C-triclocarban in biosolids-amended soils

Triclocarban (TCC) is an antibacterial compound commonly detected in biosolids at parts-per-million concentrations. Approximately half of the biosolids produced in the United States are land-applied, resulting in a systematic release of TCC into the soil environment. The extent of biosolids-borne TCC environmental transport and potential human/ecological exposures will be greatly affected by its bioavailability and the rate of degradation in amended soils. To investigate these factors, radiolabeled TCC (¹⁴C-TCC) was incorporated into anaerobically digested biosolids, amended to two soils, and incubated under aerobic conditions. The evolution of ¹⁴CO2 (biodegradation) and changes in chemical extractability (bioavailability) was measured over time. Water extractable TCC over the study period was low and significantly decreased over the first 3 weeks of the study (from 14% to 4% in a fine sand soil and from 3 to < 1% in a silty clay loam soil). Mineralization (i.e. ultimate degradation), as measured by evolution of ¹⁴CO₂, was < 4% over 7.5 months. Methanol extracts of the amended soils were analyzed by radiolabel thin-layer chromatography (RAD-TLC), but no intermediate degradation products were detected. Approximately 20% and 50% of the radioactivity in the amended fine sand and silty clay loam soils, respectively, was converted to bound residue as measured by solids combustion. These results indicate that biosolids-borne TCC becomes less bioavailable over time and biodegrades at a very slow rate.     

Decolorizing and detoxifying textile wastewater, containing both soluble and insoluble dyes, in a full scale combined anaerobic/aerobic system

The wastewater originating from the bleaching and dyeing processes in the textile factory Ten Cate Protect in Nijverdal (the Netherlands) was successfully treated in a sequential anaerobic/aerobic system. In the system, a combination of an anaerobic 70-m3 fluidized bed reactor and a 450-m3 aerobic basin with integrated tilted plate settlers, 80-95% of the color was removed. The color was largely removed in the preacidification basin and the anaerobic reactor. Color, deriving from both reactive as well as disperse, was anaerobically removed, indicating that these type of dyes were reduced to colorless products. Interestingly, the vat dyes, the anthraquinones and indigoids, which were thought to be removed mainly aerobically, were largely anaerobically decolorized. Apparently the anaerobic system is capable of effectively removing the color of both soluble as insoluble dyes. The treated effluent of the sequential anaerobic/aerobic treatment showed no toxicity towards the bioluminescent bacterium Vibrio fisheri (EC20 (95%) > 45%). Partially bypassing the anaerobic stage resulted in increased toxicity (EC20 (95%) of 9% and 14%) in the effluent of the aerobic treatment and caused significant decrease of color removal. The results of this study show a main contribution of anaerobic treatment in decolorizing and detoxifying the textile wastewater in the sequential anaerobic/aerobic system.     

微好氧与厌氧水解酸化对明胶废水的预处理效果

以明胶废水为研究对象,采用微好氧与厌氧水解酸化工艺进行对比处理实验,探讨了不同水力停留时间下微好氧与厌氧水解酸化对明胶废水水质改善的效果。实验结果表明,在水力停留时间达到72h的时候,溶解氧为1.3~1.6mg/L的微好氧反应器的COD去除率最大可达25%,溶解氧为0.3~0.5mg/L的厌氧反应器的COD去除率最大可达22%;微好氧反应器的VFA的含量达到12mg/L左右,厌氧反应器只有8mg/L左右;微好氧反应器的pH值可由最初的12.5降至7.5左右,而厌氧反应器只能降至8.0左右;两个反应器对蛋白质去除效果的差别并不明显,都可以达到90%以上,但是微好氧反应器的氨氮浓度只有22mg/L,小于厌氧反应器中的氨氮浓度,说明微氧条件有利于氨氮的扩散挥发,低浓度的氨氮对微生物的危害较小。对比得出微好氧反应器的出水水质较好,更适合明胶废水水解酸化的预处理。     

Improved retention of imidacloprid (Confidor) in soils by adding vermicompost from spent grape marc

Batch sorption experiments of the insecticide imidacloprid by ten widely different Spanish soils were carried out. The sorption was studied for the active ingredient and its registered formulation Confidor. The temperature effect was studied at 15 degrees C and 25 degrees C. The addition of a vermicompost from spent grape marc (natural and ground), containing 344 g kg(-1) organic carbon, on the sorption of imidacloprid by two selected soils, a sandy loam and a silty clay loam, having organic carbon content of 3.6 g kg(-1) and 9.3 g kg(-1), respectively, was evaluated. Prior to the addition of this vermicompost, desorption isotherms with both selected soils, were also performed. The apparent hysteresis index (AHI) parameter was used to quantify sorption-desorption hysteresis. Sorption coefficients, K(d) and K(f), for the active ingredient and Confidor(R) in the different soils were similar. Sorption decreased with increasing temperature, this fact has special interest in greenhouse systems. A significant correlation (R(2)=0.965; P<0.01) between K(f) values and the organic carbon (OC) content was found, but some soils showed higher sorption coefficients than that expected from their OC values. The normalized sorption coefficients with the soil organic carbon content (K(oc)) were dispersed and low, implying that other characteristics of soils could contribute to the retention capacity as well. The spent grape marc vermicompost was an effective sorbent of this insecticide (K(f)=149). The sorption of imidacloprid increased significantly in soils amended with this vermicompost. The most pronounced effect was found in the sandy loam soil with low OC content, where the addition of 5% and 10% of vermicompost increased K(f) values by 8- and 15-fold, respectively. Soil desorption of imidacloprid was slower for the soil with the higher OC and clay content.     

多孔介质中氚的滞留及对相关试验的影响

在进行氚在黏土矿物中的滞留试验基础上,对试验结果进行了总结,分析了滞留现象对相关水文地质、环境地质参数试验的影响。结果表明:氚在蒙脱石、高岭石、伊利石等孔隙介质中的平均分配系数分别为0.15 ml/g、0.10 ml/g、0.12ml/g;氚的绝对吸附量随氚水比活度的增加而增大,绝对吸附量的对数与相应氚水比活度的对数呈直线相关关系;氚的滞留将使野外弥散试验获得的弥散度和弥散系数减小,使得室内示踪试验获得的孔隙水流速比实际孔隙水流速减小5%~25%,使得按照3H测龄方法获得的亚砂土等含水层中地下水年龄增大5%~20%,按照3H-3He测龄方法获得的地下水年龄比实际情况增大4%~18%。     

Perchlorate removal in sand and plastic media bioreactors

The treatment of perchlorate-contaminated groundwater was examined using two side-by-side pilot-scale fixed-bed bioreactors packed with sand or plastic media, and bioaugmented with the perchlorate-degrading bacterium Dechlorosoma sp. KJ. Groundwater containing perchlorate (77microg/L), nitrate (4mg-NO(3)/L), and dissolved oxygen (7.5mg/L) was amended with a carbon source (acetic acid) and nutrients (ammonium phosphate). Perchlorate was completely removed (<4microg/L) in the sand medium bioreactor at flow rates of 0.063-0.126L/s (1-2gpm or hydraulic loading rate of 0.34-0.68L/m(2)s) and in the plastic medium reactor at flow rates of <0.063L/s. Acetate in the sand reactor was removed from 43+/-8 to 13+/-8mg/L (after day 100), and nitrate was completely removed in the reactor (except day 159). A regular (weekly) backwashing cycle was necessary to achieve consistent reactor performance and avoid short-circuiting in the reactors. For example, the sand reactor detention time was 18min (hydraulic loading rate of 0.68L/m(2)s) immediately after backwashing, but it decreased to only 10min 1 week later. In the plastic medium bioreactor, the relative changes in detention time due to backwashing were smaller, typically changing from 60min before backwashing to 70min after backwashing. We found that detention times necessary for complete perchlorate removal were more typical of those expected for mixed cultures (10-18min) than those for the pure culture (<1min) reported in our previous laboratory studies. Analysis of intra-column perchlorate profiles revealed that there was simultaneous removal of dissolved oxygen, nitrate, and perchlorate, and that oxygen and nitrate removal was always complete prior to complete perchlorate removal. This study demonstrated for the first time in a pilot-scale system, that with regular backwashing cycles, fixed-bed bioreactors could be used to remove perchlorate in groundwater to a suitable level for drinking water.     

Coliphages as indicators of enteric viruses in activated sludge

The use of indigenous coliphage as indicators of enteric viruses during activated sludge treatment of domestic wastewater was examined. Enteric viruses, coliphage attacking three strains of Escherichia coli and a number of wastewater parameters were monitored in the primary effluent, secondary effluent and secondary sludge of a wastewater treatment plant.Removal of viruses during secondary treatment appeared to be the result of rapid adsorption of influent virions to mixed liquor suspended solids. Adsorption was followed by inactivation of the viruses during aeration of the mixed liquor. A larger proportion of influent enteric viruses than coliphage was recovered from the secondary sludge. This suggests that activated sludge treatment was less antagonistic towards enteric viruses than towards the coliphage.Coliphage plaques of less than or equal to 1 mm in diameter were composed of large viruses (approx. 100 nm in diameter). Plaques greater than 3 mm in diameter appeared to be the result of host infection by a much smaller virus (approx. 45 nm in diameter). Plaques between 1 and 3 mm in diameter were composed of both small and large coliphages.Coliphage concentrations could not be correlated with enteric virus concentrations in either primary or secondary effluent. However, it was found that coliphage giving rise to plaques greater than 3 mm in diameter were positively related with enteric viruses in the secondary effluent. This result suggests that this group of coliphage may serve as an indicator of the efficacy of activated sludge treatment of enteric viruses.     

Viruses and bacteriophages

Many of the enteric viruses which are transmitted from person to person by thefecal-oral route are found in raw and treated wastewater, and because of their persistence under adverse conditions may also be found in slightly polluted waters.There is no routine examination procedure of water and wastewater for entero-viruses,mainly because of the cumbersome isolation techniques, high cost and the need for highly skilled laboratory personnel.Phages are specific to single species of bacteria, are known for many entericbacteria, and are very often used for final identification of enteric pathogenic bacteria.Coliphages are provalent in raw and treated sewage as well as in polluted water, where enteric viruses may also be found.Coliphages were often mentioned as possible viral indicators in polluted water.To be a perfect indicator, they should comply with minimum criteria as follows: (a) they should be present wherever human enteric viruses are present: (b) the coliphage numbers recovered should be equal to or larger than those of enteric viruses recovered: (c) the coliphages should be at least as resistant as enteric viruses to adverse environmental conditions: (d) isolation and quantification of the coliphage should be faster and less expensive than isolation of the enteroviruses.Comparative studies show that the coliphage to enterovirus ratio in wastewater is about 10³:1. Levels of poliovirus 1 (attenuated) to coliphage f2 remained stable for a few months in oxidation pond effluents.f2 coliphage exhibited higher resistance to chlorination than poliovirus 1 (attenuated). When the two strains were kept in water of different quality, f2 survived longer. In addition, all coliphage counts were completed within 24 h. while those of enteroviruses required about a week. Results indicate very strongly that coliphages can be used as viral indicators and this is already the practice in a few European and other countries.     

Change of Moisture and Suction Properties of Volcanic Sand Induced by Shaking Disturbance

Mudflow type failure of a gentle fill slope occurred at Dateshita, Tsukidate town during the 2003 Sanriku-Minami earthquake in Japan. The flowed fill material was pyroclastic sediment that was classified as a volcanic sandy soil with pumice. This study conducted laboratory shaking table tests to examine the change of the water retention nature that is attributable to vibration of this volcanic sand under an unsaturated condition. An electrical moisture sensor measured the change of the apparent volumetric water content of the soil mass with various water contents during and after shaking. The apparent volumetric water content was increased by shaking under the condition of a certain extent of water content. The extent of the water content corresponded to an in-situ one. Suction changes of the soil mass as a consequence of shaking were also tested from various initial suction states for both the drying and wetting processes. The suction change caused by shaking disturbance was observed. The suction change direction depends on the initial suction state. It is considered that the observed nature in two tests results, which is attributable to the peculiarity of the volcanic sandy soil with pumice, may be related to mudflow-type slope failure.