Detection of enteric viruses, Giardia and Cryptosporidium in two different types of drinking water treatment facilities

In this study, two types of drinking water treatment facilities (two conventional drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs) and two compact units (Cus)) were compared referring to their production capacity. Water samples were collected from three main points: (a) different water treatment steps (b) washings of sand filters and (c) distribution system at different distances from the water treatment plants. Both viruses and protozoa were concentrated from each water sample by adsorption and accumulation on the same nitrocellulose membrane filters (0.45 microm pore size). Enteroviruses were detected by plaque infectivity assay in BGM cells and HAV, HEV and Norovirus were detected by RT-PCR. Giardia and Cryptosporidium were detected by conventional staining methods and PCR. The results revealed that enterovirus load at the intake ranged between 10-15 PFU/L for the two compact units and between 4.5 and 75 PFU/L for the two conventional DWTPs. The virus load in distribution system of the first type DWTPs at 1 km from the plant was the same as that of the intake. Viruses in the other type of treatment plants CUs at 1, 5 and 7 km, were much reduced. Investigation of raw water sediments of the two DWTPs showed enterovirus counts between 12 and 17.5 PFU/L. Virus count was reduced in sand of filters after washing. Giardia cysts were equally detected by microscopy and PCR in only intake samples of EL-Hawamdia CU (33.3%) and Meet Fares DWTP (50%). Cryptosporidium oocysts were equally detected by microscopy and PCR in intake samples of Abo EL-Nomros CU (100%), EL-Hawamdia CU (66.7%) and Fowa DWTP (50%). At Meet Fares DWTP three positive intake samples for Cryptosporidium were detected by PCR, compared with only two positive samples by microscopy. Giardia cysts and Cryptosporidium oocysts were detected in raw water sediment and sand of filters before washing. Only one sample from Meet Fares DWTP sand of filters after washing was positive for both Giardia and Cryptosporidium. It can be concluded that the poor microbial quality of the water may be due to improper operational skills and management of the various water treatment plants (especially at the two high capacity treatment plants).     

社区环境管理取得成果的要素:美国酸性矿物废水治理的经验教训

1980年代,社区环境管理(CBEM:community-based environmental management)作为处理棘手环境问题的创新途径在美国开始出现.CBEM指的是地方团体采用与各类代理机构、地方政府或其他组织以合作方式处理环境问题.为更好地理解这一流行的环境管理手段,本文首先回顾环境管理制度的演变以及影响CBEM过程的资源变化,在此基础上,本文建构了关于CBEM过程的评估框架,并列举了两个通过发起CBEM来治理酸性矿物废水对流域污染的案例.     

THE EFFECTS OF IMPROVING SEWAGE SLUDGE DIGESTION

A model was developed and tested to investigate the effects of various parameters on the processing costs of anaerobic digestion. The model was based on empirical data collected from full-scale plants which varied in size from 35,000 to 900,000 population equivalents. (Equivalent to loading rates of 0.5 to 2.7 kg VS/m³/d.) In spite of different operating regimes and conditions of the plants analysed, various relationships were discovered between: sludge quality and volatile solids destruction; sludge quality and biogas yield; and, effluent volatile solids and dewatering. Where correlations existed, these were used to make predictions on operating costs of the digestion and dewatering plant based on sensitivity analysis. The results of the model were used to make recommendations on how to optimise the operation of an anaerobic digestion plant.     

Design Water Levels in Tidal River Systems under the Influence of Typhoons

Water levels in tidal rivers are subject to the influence of both fluvial and tidal factors. The interaction between these factors is rendered more complex in regions affected by typhoons, which typically result in the combined occurrence of heavy rainfall and high sea levels.
Previous studies have outlined an analytical approach for calculating design water levels based on dividing the fluvial and tidal series into a typhoon and a non-typhoon component. This paper illustrates the steps involved in the analytical approach and describes its application to drainage basins in Hong Kong.
The approach provides a practical means for calculating design water levels, and is recommended for final design purposes. The results of using the full analysis may be approximated by using a sub-set of analytical results, and should prove satisfactory for the purposes of outline design.     

Observations on the changes in nitrate concentrations along streams in seven upland moorland catchments in Northeast Scotland

River water has been sampled under baseflow conditions in both summer and winter at c. 250-m intervals along the length of each of seven rivers in northeast Scotland, and the nitrate contents have been determined. The resultant data have been examined in the context of the nitrogen saturation hypothesis. Capacity of the catchment soils to retain nitrate was generally minimal in winter. Although biological uptake of nitrate was evident in summer, in the upper part of each catchment substantial nitrate leaching still occurred. The phenomenon was most marked in water draining from hill peats, except where these were conspicuously waterlogged. The results are discussed in the context of possible nitrogen saturation effects on upper catchment slopes.     

Oxygen consumption and activity of the white sucker (Catostomus commersoni), in lethal and nonlethal levels of the organochlorine insecticide, methoxychlor

The survival, oxygen consumption and spontaneous activity of suckers were determined at 15°C in water containing different concentrations of methoxychlor in ethanol, ethanol, and no added substances. A dynamic bioassay was used to estimate the 96 h LC50, which was found to be 0·0345 ppm. Routine oxygen consumption was determined in a continuous-flow respirometer, and the activity was recorded in separate experiments by measuring the water disturbance using silver wire electrodes.After 24 h fish exposed to untreated, ethanol-treated and 0.01 ppm methoxychlor-treated water had oxygen uptake rates which were relatively constant and near standard levels. At 0.10 ppm methoxychlor (lethal to all fish within 85 h), oxygen consumption rates were 2–3.5 × as high as those of control fish. Activity also greatly increased. The fish lost their balance along with the coordination between opercular and locomotor movements. Suckers that died in 0.04 ppm methoxychlor showed oxygen uptake rates and poisoning symptoms similar to 0.10 ppm treated fish, while those that survived this treatment had rates similar to control fish. The increase in ventilation which accompanies this hyperactivity may result in increased uptake of insecticide and thereby explain the irreversible nature of the response.     

Geomechanical model simulation for the varied rock formations of the Kadana dam foundation,Gujarat, India

Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment - Precambrian layered rocks consisting of quartzites, phyllites and metagreywackes of the Aravallis having a large variation in thickness,...     

Rapid enumeration of water bacteria

The research reported in this paper is devoted towards the development of a rapid bacteriological test for water. The proposed technique consists in measuring “Cold T.C.A. insoluble portion” of metabolized phosphorus in multiplying bacterial cells with recourse to radioactive phosphorus-32 as a tracer and enumerates bacteria in 1 h incubation time. A linear correlation (coefficient of correlation = +0·989) has been shown to exist between this portion of phosphorus and cell population for bacterial species of public-health significance, thereby providing a point d'appui for this approach of enumerating water bacteria.The data reported in the paper reveal a promise for the differential enumeration of Grams positive and negative cells by incorporating suitable chemical inhibitors in appropriate concentrations in the test portions for rapid test.The technique has been exhibited to be applicable to field samples drawn from surface and underground sources of water. Its reproducibility and economics are comparable with “Standard Method” procedures.     

Dynamic analysis and optimal feedback control synthesis applied to biological waste treatment

The dynamics and optimal feedback control of biological waste treatment processes are examined. Modern feedback control theory is applied and results are obtained for both proportional and proportional plus integral control. A dynamic mathematical model of the system is developed by employing a Monod kinetic model, which is modified to account for endogenous metabolism, and a complete mixing flow model in the growth chamber. The feedback control is implemented via the flow rate so as to maintain desired effluent concentrations. External disturbances which cause changes in substrate concentration and/or cell concentration are considered and optimal control effort is applied. Results are also presented for impulse and step changes in the influent substrate concentration. It is found that by changing the values of the weighting factors in the objective function, it is possible to obtain good control of either the effluent substrate concentration or cell concentration.