Spatial and temporal evolution of trihalomethanes in three water distribution systems

Spatial and seasonal changes in trihalomethane (THM) concentrations were investigated in three distribution systems of Quebec (Canada) which are supplied by different surface waters and which use a variety of physicochemical treatment strategies. The investigation was based on an intensive 25-week sampling programme, undertaken at a time of year when the temperature of southern Quebec surface waters exceeds 4 degrees C (April-November). THMs and other water quality and operational parameters were monitored at points along the distribution system--between the treatment plant and the system extremities--which represented variable residence times of water. Results showed that THM concentrations vary significantly (from 1.5 to 2 times, depending on the utility) between finished waters as they leave the plant and water at the system extremities. When water temperature exceeds 15 degrees C, spatial THM variations are particularly high (from 2 to 4 times, depending on the utility). The development of multivariate regression models showed that water temperature was a better predictor of THM seasonal variability than chlorine dose, surrogates of natural organic matter and pH. Also, initial THM formation (in finished waters leaving the plant) was a good predictor of THM levels at distribution system extremities.     

Oscillations of Foundations Installed on the Ground and Cast-in-Place Piles Subject to Kinematic Effects

Results are presented for experimental investigations on the traffic-induced oscillations of two full-scale foundations of a metallic tunnel, one of which is installed directly on the ground, and the other on cast-in-place piles. The foundations are close to one another with respect to mass and the load applied to them. Differences are revealed between the parameters of the actual oscillations of these foundations and their computed values.     

Features of disinfection kinetics of water containing <Emphasis Type="Italic">Escherichia Coli</Emphasis> in conditions of hydrodynamic cavitation

The paper has investigated the disinfecting effect of hydrodynamic cavitation on the microorganisms of E. coli in water. It has been found that disinfection kinetics depend on the intensity of the hydrodynamic cavitation field, the microbial load, and gas content. We have studied structure and morphology variation of the E. coli bacteria. It has been demonstrated that the antimicrobial effect is achieved owing to the physicochemical effects of the cavitation field, under whose influence there occurs mechanical destruction of cells and chemical disinfection by the radicals of hydroxyl and hydrogen peroxide.     

Sorption of phosphorous to Filtralite-P--the effect of different scales

Sorption of P to the filter material Filtralite-P was examined at a small, medium and large scale. In the small- and meso-scale laboratory models, the sorbed amount of total phosphorus (P) was heterogeneously distributed with more P sorbed in the inlet zone and the bottom layers. The full-scale system had, on the other hand, the highest sorbed concentration in the outlet region. The overall P sorption capacity of the material was 8030, 4990 and 521 mg P kg(-1) Filtralite-P for Box 1, Box 2 and meso scale, respectively. This equals 4.4, 2.8 and 0.29 kg P m(-3) material, respectively. However, the maximum sorption capacities found were 2500, 3887 and 4500 mg P kg(-1) Filtralite-P for the two small-scale box systems and the meso-scale container, respectively. In the full-scale system the overall P sorption capacity of the material was 52 mg P kg(-1) Filtralite-P (0.029 kg P m(-3) Filtralite-P with a maximum sorbed amount of P of 249 mg P kg(-1). Results from both the small- and meso-scale system show that when a constructed wetland (CW) is saturated, i.e. when the outlet concentration has reached its maximum allowed concentration of 1.0 mg P l(-1), only parts of the filter material will have reached the sorption capacity. Sequential extractions of Filtralite-P showed that the loosely bound P, Ca-P and Al-P were the primary P sorption pools both in the small-scale models and in the full-scale CW. However, the proportion of these three fractions varied with time and change in pH. A white product precipitated in the outlet zone of both the small-scale box models as well as the onsite CW. The surface of these precipitation particles was identified by X-ray diffraction and SEM method as CaCO3 and precipitated Ca- and Mg-phosphates.     

Effects of adding organic materials to an acid sulfate soil on the growth of cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) seedlings

Acid sulfate soils having a pH of less than 3.5 are widespread in Malaysia. Some of these soils are planted to cocoa, but the yield is reported to be low due to soil infertility related to Al toxicity. Cocoa growth is sensitive to the presence of Al in the soil. To a certain extent, Al toxicity in soils can be reduced by organic matter application and to a greater extent in iron-poor acid sulfate soil. A study was conducted to determine the efficacy of various types of organic materials easily available in the country to ameliorate acid sulfate soil infertility for growing cocoa seedlings. The treatments were control (nil), lime (3 t/ha), peat (10% w/w), peat plus green manure (10% w/w), peat plus rice straw (10% w/w), peat plus chicken dung (10% w/w) and peat plus POMS (Palm oil mill sludge) (10% w/w). The growth of cocoa seedlings was affected significantly by the presence of Al in the cocoa tissues. As the amount of Al in the leaves increased, the relative top dry weight of cocoa seedlings decreased. Likewise, the relative plant height was negatively correlated with Al in the leaves. Peat as well as peat in combination with green manure, rice straw, chicken dung or palm oil mill sludge was able to reduce Al toxicity in acid sulfate soil; the highest top dry weight of cocoa seedlings were obtained in the peat plus green manure treatment. The best cocoa seedlings root growth was found for the peat treatment alone. The relative top dry weight of cocoa seedlings was negatively correlated with Al(3+) as well as Al(3+)+Al(OH)(2+)+Al(OH)(2)(+) activity in the soil solution. The critical values for Al(3+) and the combination of Al(3+)+Al(OH)(2+)+Al(OH)(2)(+) activity in the soil solution were 10 microM and 15 microM, respectively.     

Extending the Q system's prediction of support in tunnels employing fuzzy logic and extra parameters

Rock mass classifications predict support measures according to expert rules by rating rock mass and taking into account the span of the opening. A similar procedure is adopted, in this work, and computerized using statistics and fuzzy logic. Fuzzy expert systems are trained with data of previously constructed underground openings. Using subtractive clustering the systems have the intelligence to pick up the relations between input and output and define the rules that represent the system's behavior automatically. These systems are found to predict support to be used more successfully than the Q system. With the introduction of extra input variables, which are important in numerical analysis, such as depth and intact rock strength, an extended fuzzy system is developed. This system is suggested for preliminary use as it is able to predict support even better.     

Online Documentation for Engineering Software: A Hypertext Application

Abstract: This article describes the use of 'hypertext' as a means to document engineering software online. An extensive hypertext document can be built with relative ease using an authoring tool. Hypertext documents enhance the learning process through the association of facts. The user has the freedom to arrange his/her own study sequence in a particular session. The article provides a brief introduction to the hypertext technology and authoring tools, and describes a Mohr's Circle program, which has been developed to explore the use of hypertext for online users' manuals. The strengths and weaknesses of the software tool, KnowledgePro, as well as the development techniques, are discussed.     

Hybrid reactor for priority pollutant-trichloroethylene removal

The present study was initiated to explore the potential of a hybrid biological reactor, combining trickling filter (TF) and activated sludge process (ASP), to treat wastewater containing trichloroethylene (TCE) at ambient temperature at different hydraulic retention time (HRT). The biofilm acclimation was achieved in 55-60 days with gradual increase in TCE concentration from 1 mg/l to 100 mg/l with a parallel increase in the concentration of substrate sodium acetate and other nutrients. COD and TCE concentration were taken as prime parameters for monitoring the growth of biofilm. During acclimation COD removal varied between 54.6-97.5% while TCE was removed 72.6-99.9%. HRT study was performed after acclimation. The removal efficiency increased with decreasing flow rate with maximum TCE removal (99.99%) at 6 l/d corresponding to an HRT of 28 h (TF 18 h + ASP 10 h). This was followed by a C:N:P ratio study. A ratio of 100:20:1 led to the sustenance of maximum TCE removal. Maximum TCE removal (99.99%) was observed at a substrate:cosubstrate ratio of 100:1. A pH of 7.4 +/- 0.2 was found to be optimum for degradation. Finally, volatilization losses were estimated to be 18.5%. A mass balance gave an efficiency of 81.51% for biological removal of TCE.