Heterotrophic activity compromises autotrophic nitrogen removal in membrane-aerated biofilms: results of a modeling study

A 1-d multi-population biofilm model was constructed to study the effect of heterotrophic activity on completely autotrophic ammonium (NH4+) removal in membrane-aerated (counter-diffusion) versus conventional biofilm systems (co-diffusion). Growth of heterotrophic bacteria (HB) was supported either solely by biomass decay products or by organic carbon (as chemical oxygen demand (COD)) in the influent. Three scenarios were considered: influence of HB growing on biomass decay products on steady-state performance (total nitrogen (TN) removal efficiency); influence of the influent COD/N ratio on steady-state performance (supplying COD in the influent); and impact of dynamic changes in the influent COD/N ratio on TN removal efficiency. The results revealed that the TN removal efficiency in the counter-diffusion biofilm was significantly different when HB were included in the simulations at NH4+ surface loads of LNH4>2.7 g - N m(-2) d(-1). Influent COD significantly altered the microbial community composition in the counter-diffusion biofilm and anaerobic NH4+ oxidation could not be sustained at COD/N>2. The co-diffusion system, however, was less affected and more than 50% of the TN removal originated from anaerobic NH4+ oxidation at those ratios. Perturbation experiments showed that step increases to influent COD/N ratios of 2 or higher over a period of 50 d or longer caused a loss of anaerobic NH4+ oxidation capacity which could not be regained within a reasonable time frame (>1000 d) in the counter-diffusion system. In contrast, simulating a 1-d sloughing event only caused a disturbance of 200 d although a maximum biofilm loss of 90-95% occurred. These results clearly indicate the importance of heterotrophic activity in autotrophic N removal biofilms, especially in counter-diffusion systems where they may compromise N removal capacity.     

Effects of bacterial activity on estrogen removal in nitrifying activated sludge

The effects of bacterial activity on the degradation of estrone (E1), estradiol (E2), estriol (E3) and ethinylestradiol (EE2) in nitrifying activated sludge (NAS) were studied with different substrates and organic loading rates (OLRs) and low temperature conditions. Heterotroph was shown to have utilized glucose prior to E1 for metabolism. The co-metabolism of ammonia oxidizing bacteria (AOB) dominated the degradation of E1, E2 and EE2 in NAS. The higher the organic loading, the higher the rate of organic matter transformation, with less ammonia oxidation and less degradation of E1, E2 and EE2. The degradation of E3 in NAS was shown to be largely due to heterotroph metabolism. On the basis of the difference of apparent activity between heterotroph and AOB at 4 degrees C, the process of estrogen degradation via the co-metabolism of AOB was able to be identified.     

Uptake of cations under two different water regimes in a boreal scots pine forest

There is still much to find out about how trees react to changing nutrient conditions. In this cation uptake study, 134Cs and 22Na were injected between the humus and the mineral soil, and into a 20-cm depth in the mineral soil, respectively. Half of the experimental site was subjected to desiccation in 1995 and 1996, while the other half was subjected to irrigation in 1995, and desiccation in 1996. One month after the injections, the concentration of 134Cs in the xylem sap was higher in the irrigated plots (ID) than in the desiccated plots (DD). In August 1995, the difference in the 134Cs concentration in the xylem sap was even higher between the treatments. In 1995, 22Na was also higher in the xylem sap on the ID plots than on the DD plots, but not significantly. Exponential relationships were found between the amount of 134Cs and 22Na in the xylem sap; the relative water uptake from humus and 0-10-cm mineral soil (134Cs); and 10-25-cm mineral soil (22Na) in July 1995, when the tracers had not yet reached the top of the boles. The relative uptake of injected 22Na was larger than that of injected 134Cs, probably due to low exchangeability of Cs in the soil. One year after the injection (1996), more 134Cs was found in the wood, bark, needles and cones on the plots irrigated in 1995 than on the desiccated plots. The content of 134Cs in the stem wood and stump amounted to nearly 80% of the total uptake in the trees. The Cs distribution 1 year after the Chernobyl accident was dominated by Cs on/in needles and bark. After 10 years of redistribution, the Chernobyl Cs content of the different parts of the trees approached that of K.     

Investigation on the removal of natural and synthetic estrogens using biofilms in continuous flow biofilm reactors and batch experiments analysed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

The degradation of the natural estrogen 17β-estradiol and the synthetic steroid hormone 17α-ethinylestradiol, two estrogens already detected in surface waters at low concentration levels, was investigated using continuous flow biofilm reactors and batch experiments. Biofilms in continuous flow experiments were created by natural organisms from river systems of the national park Unteres Odertal, Germany, whereas batch experiments were performed with isolated bacterial strains derived from biofilms. The analytical method, including solid phase extraction, silylation of analytes and measurement with GC/MS, was optimised for the target compounds 17β-estradiol, 17α-ethinylestradiol and the possible metabolites estrone and estriol. The performance characteristics of the analytical method, namely recovery, standard deviations, method detection limits (MDL) and method quantification limits (MQL), were evaluated for accurate interpretation of degradation experiments. Continuous flow biofilm reactors were operated with two different nutrient media under dosage of estradiol and ethinylestradiol. Both estrogens were rapidly degraded within several hours; the metabolite estrone (from estradiol as well as from ethinylestradiol) was detected in significant amounts and was further decomposed. In additional batch experiments using isolated bacterial strains from the natural biofilms to decompose estradiol and ethinylestradiol, different metabolisms of isolates were explored. Five of the 15 isolated bacterial strains tested degraded estradiol and ethinylestradiol with different degradation rates. The results suggest that biofilms from national park Unteres Odertal possess a high capability to aerobically decompose natural and also synthetic estrogens so that these microorganisms could provide enhanced removal of pollutants in municipal water treatment plants.     

Retention of pesticides in soil columns modified in situ and ex situ with a cationic surfactant

A study of the effect of a clayey soil modified in situ and ex situ with the cationic surfactant octadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (ODTMA), on the retention of linuron, atrazine and metalaxyl was carried out. Leaching of these compounds was studied in columns of a natural clayey soil and the same clayey soil modified by direct injection of the surfactant in situ, and in columns of a natural sandy soil and the same sandy soil modified by intercalation of a barrier of the clayey soil saturated ex situ with the surfactant. Breakthrough curves indicated the total immobilization of linuron in modified soils and a decrease in the leaching kinetics of atrazine and metalaxyl compared to what was obtained in the natural soil. The results indicate the use of the clayey soil modified in situ or ex situ with the surfactant ODTMA could be of interest in the immobilization of pesticides of different hydrophobicities.     

Annual cycle of nitrogen removal by a pilot-scale subsurface horizontal flow in a constructed wetland under moderate climate

The annual course of nitrogen removal in a stable operating subsurface horizontal flow constructed wetland (SSF) in a moderate climate was evaluated using a large pool of data from 4 years of operation. In spring and autumn removal efficiencies were found to depend on the nitrogen load in a linear mode. The efficiencies in winter and summer differed extremely (mean removal rates of 0.15/0.7 g m(-2) d(-1) (11%/53%) in January/August) and were independent of the nitrogen load (0.7-1.7 g m(-2) d(-1)) in principle. Oscillations of the removal rates in spring, forming several maxima, suggest seasonal specific effects caused by the dynamics of the plant-physiology finally determining the nitrification efficiency, i.e. via O(2)-supply. Nitrification is limited by temperature during all seasons and surprisingly in midsummer additionally restricted by other seasonal aspects forming a clear-cut relative nitrification minimum (mean rate of 0.43 g m(-2) d(-1) (32%)) in July. The importance and the effect of the plants' gas exchange and oxygen input into the rhizosphere are discussed. Denitrification was nearly complete in midsummer and was clearly restricted at seasonal temperatures below 15 degrees C.     

Morphological and physicochemical characteristics of iron corrosion scales formed under different water source histories in a drinking water distribution system

The corrosion scales on iron pipes could have great impact on the water quality in drinking water distribution systems (DWDS). Unstable and less protective corrosion scale is one of the main factors causing “discolored water” issues when quality of water entering into distribution system changed significantly. The morphological and physicochemical characteristics of corrosion scales formed under different source water histories in duration of about two decades were systematically investigated in this work. Thick corrosion scales or densely distributed corrosion tubercles were mostly found in pipes transporting surface water, but thin corrosion scales and hollow tubercles were mostly discovered in pipes transporting groundwater. Magnetite and goethite were main constituents of iron corrosion products, but the mass ratio of magnetite/goethite (M/G) was significantly different depending on the corrosion scale structure and water source conditions. Thick corrosion scales and hard shell of tubercles had much higher M/G ratio (>1.0), while the thin corrosion scales had no magnetite detected or with much lower M/G ratio. The M/G ratio could be used to identify the characteristics and evaluate the performances of corrosion scales formed under different water conditions. Compared with the pipes transporting ground water, the pipes transporting surface water were more seriously corroded and could be in a relatively more active corrosion status all the time, which was implicated by relatively higher siderite, green rust and total iron contents in their corrosion scales. Higher content of unstable ferric components such as γ-FeOOH, β-FeOOH and amorphous iron oxide existed in corrosion scales of pipes receiving groundwater which was less corroded. Corrosion scales on groundwater pipes with low magnetite content had higher surface area and thus possibly higher sorption capacity. The primary trace inorganic elements in corrosion products were Br and heavy metals. Corrosion products obtained from pipes transporting groundwater had higher levels of Br, Ti, Ba, Cu, Sr, V, Cr, La, Pb and As.     

不同温度下矿物掺合料矿渣活性指数试验研究

对不同温度下矿渣矿物掺合料的水泥砂浆的力学性能进行了试验研究,利用同龄期比强度分析法,对不同温度不同龄期矿渣掺合料活性进行了数值分析,并比较了不同温度对活性指数的影响。结果表明,在龄期达到7 d时,(1)温度20℃:活性指数达到76%;(2)温度10℃:活性指数达到42%。在龄期达到28 d时,(1)温度20℃:活性指数达到109%;(2)温度10℃:活性指数达到76%。表明:(1)不同温度下,在20℃下,活性指数比较高,说明低温会阻碍掺合料的强度发展,使得其强度发展缓慢。(2)不同龄期下,28 d的活性指数比较高,20℃可以达到S95级矿渣,说明掺入矿渣的水泥砂浆后期强度高。     

Partitioning of phenanthrene into surfactant hemi-micelles on the bacterial cell surface and implications for surfactant-enhanced biodegradation

Recent studies have suggested that the ability of a surfactant to enhance the bioavailability of hydrophobic organic compounds (HOC) requires the formation of surfactant hemi-micelles on the bacterial cell surface and subsequent partitioning of HOC into the hemi-micelles. However, the studies did not provide direct evidence of HOC partitioning into surfactant hemi-micelles on the bacterial cell surface. In this study, direct evidence is provided to demonstrate that the nonionic surfactant Brij 30 forms hemi-micelles on the bacterial cell surface and that phenanthrene sorption at the bacterial surface is enhanced by the surfactant. These results are in agreement with the current theory describing surfactant-enhanced HOC bioavailability. This enhanced bioavailability is put into context with microbial kinetics and system partitioning processes, and it is demonstrated that the addition of surfactant can enhance, have no effect, or inhibit HOC biodegradation depending upon surfactant concentration and microbial growth rate. Understanding these non-linear relationships between surfactant-enhanced HOC bioavailability, biodegradation kinetics, and system partitioning will assist in the design and implementation of surfactant-enhanced bioremediation programs.     

SBR在三级A/O模式下不同运行条件对脱氮除磷的影响

研究了SBR在三级A/O模式下,不同的运行条件(COD/TN、排水比以及温度等)对脱氮除磷的影响,以期为SBR的过程控制提供依据。结果表明,排水比为50%的条件下,当COD/TN小于5.67时,TN去除率随着COD/TN的升高呈快速上升趋势;当COD/TN大于5.67时,TN去除率稳定在一个范围,基本不受COD/TN的影响。较小的排水比条件下有利于系统对TN的去除,而较大的排水比有利于对TP的去除。在系统温度低于11℃的情况下,硝化细菌的硝化功能受到严重影响,需延长停留时间,并且要经过相当长的一段时间才能恢复;当温度大于11℃时,硝化细菌的功能基本不受影响。     

Effect of vacuum removal on consolidation settlement under a combined vacuum and surcharge preloading

The combined vacuum and surcharge preloading technique is extensively used to accelerate the consolidation process of subsoils. The effect of vacuum pressure is often considered as a loading/unloading cycle of mean effective stress, such that elastic rebound occurs after vacuum removal, which cannot explain the observed postconstruction settlement in the field. In this study, the stress state of subsoils subject to vacuum and surcharge preloading is analyzed and decomposed into two components: (a) geostatic consolidation at a different depth, and (b) loading/unloading in the minor principal stress direction. A series of consolidated drained triaxial tests is conducted to simulate the soil behaviour after vacuum removal. Results show that the contribution of unloading in the minor principal stress direction outweighs the magnitude of elastic rebound after vacuum removal, and hence continued settlement dominates. A field case for highways is provided to further demonstrate the proposed mechanism.     

Adsorption of anionic and cationic dyes on activated carbons with different surface chemistries

The influence of the surface chemical groups of an activated carbon on the removal of different classes of dyes is evaluated. Starting from the same material (NORIT GAC 1240 PLUS), the following treatments were carried out in order to produce a series of samples with different surface chemical properties but with no major differences in their textural properties: oxidation in the liquid phase with 6M HNO(3) and 10 M H(2)O(2) (acid materials) and heat treatment at 700 degrees C in H(2) or N(2) flow (basic materials). The specific micropores volume and mesopores surface area of the materials were obtained from N(2) adsorption equilibrium isotherms at 77K. The surface chemistry was characterised by temperature programmed desorption, by the determination of the point of zero charge (pH(pzc)) and by the evaluation of the acidity/basicity of the samples. Elemental and proximate analyses were also carried out. Equilibrium isotherms of selected dyes (an acid, a basic and a reactive dye) on the mentioned samples were obtained and the results discussed in relation to their surface chemistry. In general, the Langmuir model provided the best fit for the adsorption data. It is shown that the surface chemistry of the activated carbon plays a key role in dye adsorption performance. The basic sample obtained by thermal treatment under H(2) flow at 700 degrees C is the best material for the adsorption of all the tested dyes.     

边荷载下软土边坡稳定的监测及分析

在沟槽施工中重型挖土机械和运输机械的荷载是不可避免的边荷载,如何合理考虑其对沟槽边坡稳定的影响是一个复杂的问题。本文结合蓝田工业园区软土边坡稳定监测实例,比较了两组边坡在边荷载下用瑞典条分法分析的稳定同实际监测到的边坡稳定状态的差异,探讨了边荷载对软土边坡的稳定影响。     

A novel separation of tritiated water formed by biodegradation of surfactant samples and its application to a sample preservation study

Primary biodegradation of a NEODOL^® ethoxylate labeled with tritium primarily in the α and γ positions of the alkyl chain and uniformly with ¹⁴C in the polyoxyethylene chain resulted in a very rapid release of tritiated water (HTO) by cleavage of the surfactant at the hydrophobe-hydrophile junction. This reaction was used to investigate the conditions necessary to preserve samples of biotreater clarifier effluent and mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS). Treatment of the sample with granular activated carbon, followed by filtration, readily isolated the tritiated water. The amount of HTO formed indicated the extent of continued degradation of the surfactant. It was concluded that refrigeration alone was not adequate to prevent primary degradation of the surfactant. Refrigeration in combination with either formalin or 200 ppm HgCl₂ prevented short-term degradation of the surfactant. Formalin, but not HgCl₂, was found adequate for preventing degradation in samples of mixed liquor suspended solids preserved in excess of 14 days.     

Comparison of different cooling regimes within a shortened liquid cooling/warming garment on physiological and psychological comfort during exercise

The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of different cooling regime intensities to maintain physiological and subjective comfort during physical exertion levels comparable to that engaged in during extravehicular activities (EVA) in space. We studied eight subjects (six males, two females) donned in our newly developed physiologically based shortened liquid cooling/warming garment (SLCWG). Rigorous (condition 1) and mild (condition 2) water temperature cooling regimes were compared at physical exertion levels comparable to that performed during EVA to ascertain the effectiveness of a lesser intensity of cooling in maintaining thermal comfort, thus reducing energy consumption in the portable life support system. Exercise intensity was varied across stages of the session. Finger temperature, rectal temperature, and subjective perception of overall body and hand comfort were assessed. Finger temperature was significantly higher in the rigorous cooling condition and showed a consistent increase across exercise stages, likely due to the restriction of heat extraction because of the intensive cold. In the mild cooling condition, finger temperature exhibited an overall decline with cooling, indicating greater heat extraction from the body. Rectal temperature was not significantly different between conditions, and showed a steady increase over exercise stages in both rigorous and mild cooling conditions. Ratings of overall comfort were 30% higher (more positive) and more stable in mild cooling (p<0.001). The mild cooling regime was more effective than rigorous cooling in allowing the process of heat exchange to occur, thus maintaining thermal homeostasis and subjective comfort during physical exertion.     

现役结构在地震作用下抗震性能安全评估

本文基于国内外现行的结构抗震安全评估体系,结合工程实例探讨了应用弹性、动力弹塑性时程及静力非线性Push-over法进行评估的基本原则及各自特点,为进一步的研究提供一定的参考依据。     

氯盐作用下尾矿混凝土的宏观性能研究

为研制一种新型混凝土,有效提高尾矿的利用率,以铁尾矿球替代普通混凝土粗骨料、铁尾矿粉替代细骨料,并掺加了钢纤维制备了不同类型的混凝土。通过抗压试验、劈裂抗拉试验、氯渗试验和气渗试验,得到了在氯盐侵蚀环境下普通混凝土、尾矿混凝土和钢纤维尾矿混凝土力学性能和抗渗性规律。结果表明:随着氯盐侵蚀时间的增长,混凝土的抗压强度和劈裂强度呈先增长后下降的规律。掺加了钢纤维的尾矿混凝土和尾矿混凝土、普通混凝土相比,在侵蚀龄期为180 d时,抗压强度分别降低了7.4%、32.3%,劈裂抗拉强度分别提高了77%、225%,氯离子渗透系数分别提高了150.8%、53.1%,抗气体渗透能力分别提高了31.2%、25.6%。     

Experimental study of subsurface erosion in granitic under the conditions of different soil column angles and flow discharges

Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment - Soil erosion leads to soil loss and affects the hydraulic and mechanical properties of soils, and as a result, the soil fertility,...     

Development of a 2-sludge, 3-stage system for nitrogen and phosphorous removal from nutrient-rich wastewater using granular sludge and biofilms

A novel 2-sludge 3-stage process using a combination of granular sludge and biofilm was developed to achieve biological removal of nitrogen and phosphorus from nutrient-rich wastewater. The system consists of a granular sequencing batch reactor (SBR) working under alternating anaerobic/anoxic conditions supplemented with a short aerobic phase and an aerobic biofilm SBR. The wastewater is first fed to the granular SBR reactor, where easily biodegradable carbon sources are taken up primarily by polyphosphate accumulating organisms (PAOs). The supernatant resulting from quick settling of the granular sludge is then fed to the biofilm SBR for nitrification, which produces oxidized nitrogen that is returned to the granular reactor for simultaneous denitrification and phosphorus removal. While maximizing the utilization of organic substrates and reducing operational costs, as do other 2-sludge processes previously reported in literature, the proposed system solves the bottleneck problem of traditional 2-sludge systems, namely high effluent ammonia concentration, due to its high-volume exchange ratios. An ammonia oxidation rate of 32 mg N/Lh was achieved in the biofilm SBR, which produced nitrite as the final product. This nitrite stream was found to cause major inhibition on the anoxic P uptake and also to result in the accumulation of N(2)O. These problems were solved by feeding the nitrite-containing stream continuously to the granular reactor in the anoxic phase. With a nitrogen and phosphorus removal efficiency of 81% and 94%, respectively, the system produces an effluent that is suitable for land irrigation from a wastewater stream containing 270 mg N/L of total nitrogen and 40 mg P/L of total phosphorus.