International Journal Of Environmental Research
Volume:5 Issue: 4, Autumn2011

The evaluation of treatment characteristics and sludge properties of an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) process was investigated using a pilot-scale 1.15 m3 reactor. The UASB, inoculated with digester sludge, was operated at a hydraulic retention time of 8 h at sewage temperatures ranging from 10.6 to 27.7 °C for more than 1100 days. The stable removal efficiencies for total CODCr and SS were 63 ± 13% and 66 ± 20%, respectively. The average concentration of the retained sludge increased to more than 24.5 gSS/L of the column volume after two years of operation. In summer, the water temperature increased above 20 °C, and biodegradation of solid organic matter was enhanced. The solid retention time was evaluated to be as long as 293 ± 114 days; this is sufficient for mineralisation of solid organic matter, as indicted by a low sludge conversion of 0.029 g VSS/gCODremoved and a growth yield of 0.132 g VSS/g COD, determined by seasonal sludge profiling. The bacterial communities, based on bacterial 16 S rRNA genes in the retained sludge, were significantly diverse. Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes were the dominant phyla of the decomposers of solid organic matter in the library. A Ruminococcus-related clone detected in the Firmicutes phylum acted as a cellulose decomposer.

Methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) belongs to the group of gasoline oxygenates and persistent environment contaminants, and shows potential for biodegradation in aerobic and anaerobic conditions, through application of pure microbial cultures. Presented research shows that indigenous bacterial isolates 6sy and 24p, selected from oil hydrocarbons-contaminated environments, were capable of utilizing MTBE as sole carbon and energy source. Based on 16S rDNA sequence analysis, bacterial isolates 6sy and 24p were identified as Staphylococcus saprophyticus subsp. saprophyticus and Pseudomonas sp., respectively. The MTBE biodegradation rate was affected by longevity of incubation period and initial MTBE concentration. After 3 weeks of incubation at 25°C in a dark, the removal rates of initial 25 and 125 ppm MTBE concentrations by Staphylococcus saprophyticus 6sy were found to be 97, and 63%, respectively, while efficiency of Pseudomonas sp. in degradation of indicated concentrations was 96, and 40%, respectively. Both bacterial isolates were able to grow in MTBE-containing growth medium. Highest growth rate of bacterial isolates was observed at the end of incubation period. The presented results indicated the potential of these bacterial isolates in bioremediation of MTBE-contaminated environments.

Dead yeast cells are an abundant residue of the Brazilian ethanol industry and the industries still don’t have a proper or desirable destiny for all these cells, which means tons of vitamins and proteins that have not a major end. In the other hand, heavy metal residues are a problem, especially for leather industry, where Brazil is also a great producer. In this work, dead yeast cells were used to evaluate cadmium biosorption samples. Results have shown that dried dead yeast cells at 20 % (W/V) immobilized in Na-alginate beads 0.5 % can be an efficient alternative for the capture of cadmium. The average biosorption rate was 122.10 mg Cd/ g of dry biomass in comparison to the control using only the Na-alginate beads 0.5 % where the biosorption rate achieved 57.29 mg Cd/g of dry biomass. This research opens wide opportunities to allies two major residues created in Brazilian industries with a noble end for the industries it selves as for the environment.

Naturally occurring radionuclide of terrestrial origin (also called primordial radionuclide) are present in various degrees in all media in the environment, including the human body itself. Their concentrations in environment decrease continually by decaying. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the radioactivity levels and health risks due to terrestrial radionuclide in soil of Yalova, northwestern Turkey. For this purpose, activity concentrations of radionuclide in soil and the environmental outdoor gamma dose rates (terrestrial and cosmic) have been investigated in the city of Yalova. In addition, maps for the radionuclide activity concentrations of soil and the outdoor gamma dose rates distributions have been plotted for the region. The average activities of radionuclide, 238U, 232Th, 226Ra, 40K, and 137Cs in the soil were determined as 17.95 (8.5-37.3) Bq/kg, 26.87 (3.8-43.9) Bq/kg, 22.36 (8.3-41) Bq/kg, 419.32 (197.1-950.0) Bq/kg, 2.53 (0.5-13.4) Bq/kg, respectively, in the region. The average outdoor gamma dose rates due to terrestrial and cosmic radiations were found to be 49 nGy/h and 35 nGy/h with the total of 84 nGy/h outdoor gamma exposure rate in the region. Annual effective dose due to environmental outdoor gamma radiation exposures was determined as 103 nSv with the excess lifetime cancer risk of 0.042 x 10-2 in the region. The results of the study were discussed with the studies done in the close cities and the worldwide averages.

A comprehensive study on the chemical composition of rainwater was carried out in Obuasi, a gold mining town in Ghana. Rainwater samples were analyzed for major ions (Ca2+,Mg2+, K+, Na+, NH4 +, Cl-, NO3 - and SO4 2-) and trace metals (Fe, Al, Zn, Pb, Cr, and Cd). The rainwater was typically acidic with a mean pH of 4.76±0.47, which ranged from 4.0 to 5.6. The low pH found in the water suggests that the concentration of the alkaline particles in the rainwater were not high enough to neutralize acidic species present. SO4 2" and Cl” were the main anions, while Ca2+ and K+ were the main cations. Concentrations of trace metals in this study were compared with those of other studies conducted at different sites in the world. The result of this study generally suggests that rainwater chemistry in the area is strongly influenced by local anthropogenic sources (mining). The pollutants in rainwater samples were mainly derived from mining activities. Concentrations of Pb in all the samples were above the WHO permissible limit of 0.01 mg/L for drinking water.

The paper deals with the analysis of the external factor (solar activity, volcanic eruptions) influence on tree growth at the Kola Peninsula, northwestern Russia. Pinus sylvestris L. (Scots pine) tree-ring chronologies collected nearby the northern timberline (68.63N, 33.25E) include the oldest (1445-2005 AD) living pine tree found up to date in the Kola Peninsula. A total of 18 living trees Pinus sylvestris were sampled taking two cores. Tree rings measured with a precision of 0.01 mm by using an image analysis system (scanner and relevant software). The samples were cross-dated using standard dendrochronological practices and the COFECHA program. A negative exponential curve was used to remove the age trend from individual annual ring series prior to construction of the chronology using the ARSTAN modeling. It was shown that the past climatic variations in the Kola Peninsula were fairly strongly connected to solar variability and volcanic activity. A superposed epoch analysis of 18 large (Volcanic Explosivity Index, VEI>5) volcanic events revealed a significant suppression of tree growth for up to 8 years following volcanic eruptions. The data analysis enabled us to get some conclusions on the past climate variations and to demonstrate the relation of global and regional climatic variations in the European North.

This study investigated the effects of sewage discharge on nutrient concentrations and BOD5 levels in the coastal waters and sediments ofthe City of Mombasa. The results indicated that nutrient concentrations in Tudor, Mtwapa and Makupa Creeks were elevated as compared to concentrations in Gazi Creek (mean ranges of 0.022-0.039mg/L, 0.038-0.163mg/L and 0.034-0.118mg/Lphosphates, nitrates and ammonium respectively). Sediments were found to harbour relatively higher concentrations of nutrients than water compartment (mean ranges of 0.217-1.131mg/L, 0.199-0.603mg/L and 9.394-26.73mg/L for phosphates, nitrates and ammonium respectively) thus serving as a reservoir and potential source if sediments are resuspended during heavy storms or dredging. Based on Chl-a levels, Makupa Creek could be classified as eutrophic whereas Mtwapa and Tudor Creeks could be placed at the upper limit of higher mesotrophy while Gazi Creekcould be considered as an oligotrophic system. Of the three impacted Creeks, Tudor was found to be the most polluted.

In this paper, we introduce environmental systems engineering (ESE) and describe some of its applications combined with process systems engineering (PSE) to problems related to environmental systems. These systems—the water cycle and ecosystem cycles—are complex and highly dynamic, with an uncertainty level comparable to that of chemical systems. To illustrate the challenges of applying PSE to ESE, some novel approaches and examples of the latter are shown for water and wastewater systems. The challenges associated with the modeling, control and optimization of environmental systems provide fascinating opportunities. These opportunities for PSE researchers, as well as the challenges, are the goals of this paper.

This study focused on use of bacterial extracellular enzyme activities as biochemical parameters, along with the microbiological and physicochemical characteristics, in a comprehensive assessment of water quality of four lake ecosystems in the Province of Vojvodina (northern Serbia): Provala, Ludas, Zobnatica and Palic. Water samples were collected in June and October, 2008. For assessment of microbiological water quality, heterotrophic plate count, total and fecal coliform count, as well as total bacterial count was determined. Based on microbiological parameters, the water ecosystems were appropriately classified. The following extracellular enzyme activities were determined: alkaline phosphatase, β-D-glucosidase and acetate esterase using fluorogenic 4-methylumbelliferone labeled substrates. The results showed that Provala Lake had the best water quality taking in consideration all of the parameters, followed by Zobnatica, while Ludas and Palic had a significant level of organic water pollution both in June and October. The results indicate that further similar studies should include both microbiological and biochemical analyses, in order to obtain more relevant data on water quality.

Concentrations of eight metals namely, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn and Pb were examined in the surface sediments of discharge channels of six industries in Lagos using x-ray fluorescence spectrometry.These channels drain into the Isolo Canal which empties into the Lagos Lagoon and eventually into the Atlantic Ocean. This study was conducted to detect any contamination levels within the sedimentsand possibly determine their sources. Sediment samples were collected over a period of six months.The results provided evidence of large differences in total metal concentrations in the sediment samples from the six industrial sites. Box plots of the average absolute deviation from median emphasized that metal concentrations were not homogeneously distributed similarly, calculation of the F ratio confirmed location effect on the concentration of the various metals investigated. The trace metals Cr, Mn, Co, Ni and Cu might be entirely from crustal materials or natural weathering processes whilea significant amount of Zn and Pb are from anthropogenic sources.

Single and joint toxicity of chloramphenicol and Hg acting on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), Chinese cabbage (Brassica campestris L.) and corn (Zea mays L.) were investigated. The results showed positive correlations between root elongation inhibition of three plants and concentrations of pollutants added to soil (P<0.01) in test concentration range. In terms of root elongation, wheat was the most sensitive to toxicity of chloramphenicol with an IC50 (concentration when 50% plants show inhibition) value as high as 26.8 mg/kg and also was the most sensitive one to the toxicity of Hg with the IC50 value as high as 300.8 mg/ kg. The toxicity of chloramphenicol to the plants is stronger than that of Hg. Chloramphenicol and Hg had an antagonistic effect on the inhibition of root elongation of the three plants when the concentration of added Hg reached 30 mg/kg. Chloramphenicol and Hg had significantly synergistic effects on the inhibition of root elongation when Hg concentration was up to 200 mg/kg (P<0.05).

The purpose of this study was to estimate relative potential hazards to birds and bats from wind developments in Texas. We compiled lists of rare, threatened, or endangered species, along with their respective ranges in Texas. Using a geographic information system (GIS), we calculated a potential hazard index (PHI) for 31 bird and ten bat species based upon the percentage of known or observed species range area (by county) within each wind speed classification. Results demonstrate considerable range in relative hazard, with the lesser prairie chicken and ferruginous hawk among the most potentially impacted birds; and the pale Townsend’s bat, western small-footed bat, and big free-tailed bat among the most potentially impacted bats. While additional data are necessary to establish actual impacts of wind developments, relative potential hazard indices may help prioritize future studies.

The purpose of this work is to develop robust and interpretable quantitative structure”activity relationship (QSAR) models for assessing the aquatic toxicity of phenols using a combined set of descriptors encompassing the logP and recently developed variables (Monconn-Z variables). The used dataset consists of 250 chemicals with toxicity data to the ciliate Tetrahymena pyriformis. For each compound, a total of 197 physico-chemical descriptors including logP and Molconn-Z descriptors were calculated. Multiple linear regression (MLR) and Partial least squares (PLS) were used to obtain QSARs and the predictive performance of the proposed models were verified using external statistical validations. The results of stepwise-MLR analysis reveal that the AlogP, MlogP and ClogP models were not successful for the prediction of aquatic toxicity for all the compounds. And by using the logP (AlogP and MlogP) with Molconn-Z descriptors, the obtained QSARs were not successful enough nutill removal of some outliers. Two optimal QSARs were built with R2 of 0.71 and 0.70 for the training sets and the external validation Q2 of 0.69 and 0.68 respectively. All these selected descriptors in the best models account for the hydrophobic (AlogP, MlogP) and other electrotopological properties like SHCsatu, Scarboxylicacid, SHBa, gmax and nelem. PLS produces a good model using all the calculated descriptors with R2 of 0.78 and Q2 of 0.64, and hydrophobic and electrotopological descriptors show importance for the prediction of phenolic toxicity.

There is a need to analyze and map rainfall erosivity to assess soil erosion at the regional scale. The objectives of this study were to develop a regional model to estimate seasonal erosivity from seasonal rainfall data and to study temporal and spatial distribution of rainfall erosivity for the Gorganrood drainage basin in the northeast of Iran. Six gauging stations with a high temporal resolution (15 min) and eleven monthly totals stations located into the study area have been used. Regression models for pluviograph stations indicated that storm rainfall explained 22–51% of the variation in storm erosivity. But, at the seasonal scale, the explained variation increased to 62–86% and modified coefficient of efficiency increased from 0.12-0.29 to 0.38-0.64. Also, the results of ANOVA showed that EI30 values have significant difference between autumn/ summer seasons and winter/spring seasons. Interpolation surfaces were created from all 17 stations seasonal values using the local polynomial algorithm. The results showed, during the wet season, erosivity varied from 438 Mj/mm/h (west) to 1015 Mj/ mm/h (Middle). But, in the dry season, values of erosivity were lower than from values in wet season and the highest values were at the middle parts of the study area and the lowest were at the eastern and the western parts of the study area. Our findings provide good guidance to integrate pluviograph and pluviometric data for rainfall erosivity assessment in regional scales, where short duration rainfall intensity data, usually are not available.

This paper presents participation of faculties and Heads of Department (HODs) in environmental education. For this purpose 60 HODs/faculties from polytechnic colleges of Tamilnadu, India and 100 HODs/ faculties from Associate Degree Level Technical Institutions in Iran from civil engineering branch were selected. Several hypotheses were formulated to achieve certain objectives of the study. The results revealed that there are significances between Iranian and Indian HODs/faculty on arrangement of industrial visits/field trips for students; laboratory resources for practical works and also teaching environmental subjects. The results also show a good agreement on students undertaking project work on environmental topics, teaching prevention ofpollution and protection of environment in theory classes and evaluation of environmental related programs.

Metal pollution has become one of the most serious environmental problems resulting from human activity. Phytoremediation utilizes plants to uptake contaminants and can potentially be used to remediate metal-contaminated sites. The present study investigates heavy metal uptake (Cd, Cr, and Ni) from soil by different organs of Populus alba and Morus alba. For this purpose, Cd (40, 80, and 160 mg/kg), Cr (60, 120, and 240 mg/kg) and Ni (120, 240, and 480 mg/kg) were added to the soil in pot experiments over the course of a growing season in open air. The total concentration of these metals was measured in the roots, stems, green leaves, fallen leaves, and the corresponding soil. Our results show that the highest accumulation of all studied metals was found in the leaves. Furthermore, the fallen leaves had higher concentrations of Cd and Cr in P. alba and Cr and Ni in M. alba when compared to the green leaves. In the two species, Cd and Ni did not transport from the leaves to the roots and stems, or vice versa, in the fall season, but Cr was transported from the roots and stems to the leaves in the 240 and 480 mg/kg treatments.In addition, the determination of a bioconcentration factor and a translocation factor showed that P. alba and M. alba were suitable for phytoextraction of Cd and Ni in all treatments respectively; however, none of the plants was suitable for phytostabilization.

This research work attempts to compare the legal and technical criteria of locating household and municipal landfills and discuss them along with legal and technical principles. For this purpose, it was attempted to discuss and compare the related most important national an international standards. Due to say, employing the legal standards of locating household and municipal landfills in corporation with managerial decision making is considered as the most significant issues. Thus, selection of evaluation legal methods of and weighting the criteria of locating the landfills were technically investigated. The main landfill location of Tehran (Kahrizak) was investigated in order to analyze the analytical hierarchical process of its impacts resulted from environmental problems along with the legal aspects of the main landfill site’s by the means of Delphi, AHP and Expert Choice techniques, in conflict with the rules adopted from waste act, enacted executive guidelines and content of the published references on Guidelines of Department of the Environment. Ultimately, regarding the questionnaires, recommendations of the learnt and through the items resulted from investigation and analysis of hierarchical process; the following 4 conclusions were achieved: 1) Education and discipline of people as well as the authorities who enforce the rules; 2) Investigation and amendment of Waste Management Act clauses; 3) Receiving the costs of waste management from waste producers and 4) Setting up waste exchange market to utilize the wastes economically. Considering the results “investigation and amendment of Waste Management Act clauses” was selected and recommended as the best option. As a result of further technical investigations on the Waste Management Act, the necessity of employing the criteria of impact evaluation in amending the clauses of Waste Management Act was also recommended.

The excess sludge treatment and sludge disposal are major factors to the over-all economy of wastewater treatment plants (WWTP). The ideal solution to the problem of sludge disposal is to combine sludge minimization with contamination removal at the source. In this study, the effect of ozonation, chlorination and 3,3,4,5–tetrachlorosalicylanilide (TCS) to treat part of the return activated sludge flow with the intention of reducing the overall plant yield in a conventional activated sludge pilot, were investigated in a side-stream pilot reactor. It was found that in the case of ozonation 8% g O3/g MLSS, and in the case of chlorination 2% g Cl2/g MLSS produce the best results. In the utilization of TCS method, the excess sludge production was reduced by 80% per day at a TCS dose of 1% g TCS/g MLSS. In all the above experiments a reduction in the volume of the excess sludge was achieved, while the efficiency of removal chemical oxygen demand (COD) from the reactor without the use of those methods was not significantly different.

The acute ecotoxicity of a set of mixture samples (washing powders, wastes, fuel extracts etc.) was assessed using four acute ecotoxicity assays with aquatic organisms (Daphnia magna, Poecilia reticulata, Artemia salina and Desmodesmus subspicatus). The experimental concentration-response curves were fitted by seven two-parameter sigmoid equations using non-linear regression. The regression performance of the equations was compared in three categories (overall fit, mid-range fit, and low-effect fit) using non-parametric statistics. The best overall fit was achieved by Weibüll, Bolztman (i.e. logistic), modified Gompertz and log- Weibüll equations. The best low-effect fit was achieved by a modified Gompertz curve. Those equations transforming concentrations to log c fitted significantly worse than those not transforming them. The obtained EC50 values calculated by all of the equations were comparable to those calculated by the probit model. The results show that regardless of the knowledge of the susceptibility distribution or the mechanisms of toxic action simple two-parameter equations fit the data from acute ecotoxicity assays well and might be used for their evaluation.

Influence of soil organic matter (SOM) on the adsorption, desorption and transport of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) has already been given full investigation in soils. In this paper, confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) was used to elucidate aqueous leaching of PAHs in different types of soil with soil columns, which enhanced understanding on transport of PAHs appreciably. Four typical soils in China including fluvo-aquic soil (FAS), aquic brown soil (ABS), red soil (RS) and black soil (BS) were selected in the experiment. Target pollutants of phenanthrene and pyrene were extracted from the leachate by solid phase extraction (SPE) and then determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The experimental results showed that the retardation ability of pollutants to the four selected types of soil increased in the order: FAS H” ABS < RS < BS. To better expatiate the dissimilar ability of the PAHs transported in the four typical soils, the retardation factor (R), distribution constant (Kd) and partition coefficient (Koc) were evaluated based on the observed breakthrough curves (BTCs). Furthermore, CLSM was used to visualize the effects of SOM on the transport ability of PAHs in different types of soil. All the results provided vivid understanding with mathematical and especially optical measures that SOM was considered the single most important factor limiting the availability and mobility of PAHs in soil over the duration of the experiment.

Technology Foresight is a methodology for making the complexity and advanced nature of new technologies of future more comprehensible and transparent. The objective of this survey is to analyze and interpret weakness and strength of the current situation of Iran organizations regarding utilization of foresight activities of developing new technologies and its influence over the country by using qualitative Likert-scale questionnaire. The participants who took part in this survey were from different organizations in Iran, and they also participated in a workshop for practicing the related methods of Technology Foresight (TF). Statistical methods implemented for analyzing the results of the questionnaires are histogram chart, Kruskal- Wallis test and Mann-Whitney test for multi-comparison between organizations. The highlighted points of the analysis are lack of specialist, moderate attention on TF programmes and inconsistency between organization goals and government perspective. However, they have prepared plans and policies regarding foresight activities for shaping their organizations to meet future needs of technology competitiveness and development. Extensive explanations of responses are prepared in the statistical analysis of the paper

One of the most popular measures of ecological worldview, predicting environmental attitudes and behaviors is the New Ecological Paradigm (NEP) Scale developed by Dunlap and Van Liere has been applied to measure children’s environmental attitudes across cultures. There is however some controversy about the cross-cultural applicability and the relevance of the NEP scale items. This article reflects on the case study of 59 Dutch school children between the ages 10 and 12, probing their comprehension of the NEP scale through focus group discussions and in-depth interviews. It appears that some items in the NEP scale appeared ambiguous revealing differences in cognitive beliefs (knowledge) and affective states. On the basis of this study, the author calls for a deeper ethnographic analysis of the socio-cultural context in which the children form their worldviews to complement and deepen the largely quantitative studies. In conclusion, it is suggested that qualitative approach adds contextual complexity to the otherwise sound system of measurement, allowing probing of theories about the influence of social, political and institutional influence in shaping environmental attitudes.

The ever increasing rate of power consumption has led to an increase in public exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MFs) and brought severe concerns about their health effects. Considering previous studies and the facts about potential health effects of these fields, the present study aimed to evaluate the ELF-MF flux densities from power distribution lines near hospitals in Tehran. ELF-MF measurements were performed according to IEEE standard procedures-Std 644-1994 near the hospitals entrances using HI-3604 Power Frequency Field Strength Measurement System during three different time periods (i.e. 12-3 AM, 9-12 AM, 6-9 PM). The results were analyzed using One-Way ANOVA Test. Mean, minimum, and maximum values of ELF-MF flux densities were 0.165 ± 0.08 μT, 0.018 μT, 0.52 μT, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in ELF-MF flux densities neither among different hospital groups nor among different time periods. The ELF-MF flux densities from power distribution lines around Tehran hospitals were much less than the standards values, implying that it can be considered only in epidemiological studies. In fact, in the case of powerful sources, magnetic field intensity is declined rapidly by distance and is limited to a few meters around the sources. This subject is considered as one of the main reasons for contradictory results in previous studies. Results of the present study can be used as a part of hospital patients’ exposure to quantify the total exposure levels of patients as a critical and sensitive group in Tehran hospitals.

There are several factors influencing the water quality based on its usage. The quality of drinking water is of the vital concern for human health and life. An essential attempt has to be done to develop a water quality index (WQI) corresponding with different conditions and characteristics of the relevant river or water body such as geographical, hydrological, discharge rate and pollution sources. The index is not specifically focused on human health or aquatic life regulations. However, a water index based on some very important parameters can determine a simple indicator of water quality. In the present study, the Gorganrood water quality has been evaluated by available NSF water quality index. Subsequently, the nine present NSF parameters’ weights have been changed and modified using the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) method as well as experts’ opinions in the field in a way to satisfy local conditions. In the newly developed WQI, more weights are given to relation with these parameters it can be said that the factors like dissolved oxygen (Do), fecal coliform (F.c) and biological oxygen demand (BOD) when compared with NSF-WQI.

This research summarizes the data on benthic macro invertebrates collected from 25 points in the urmia Lake wetlands during November 2008 to February 2009. The purpose of the study was to assess the effects of elevated salinity and nutrient (nitrogen and phosphorus) levels on macro invertebrate abundance and composition. A total of 32 taxa were collected, and the common taxa, including Chironomidae (midges), Corixidae (water boatmen), Erythemis (damselflies), Ephemerella (mayflies), Hyalella (amphipods), and snails. Samples at ponds with salinities greater than 10 ppt showed a shift in community composition to salt-tolerant taxa and a reduction in total diversity. The corixid Trichocorixa verticalis, the brine shrimp Artemia partenogenetica, and the dipteran Ephydra are salt-tolerant species that only occur at high salinity levels. Ponds relatively high in nutrients had fewer total taxa, reduced abundance and diversity of aquatic beetles, lower diversity index values, and a greater dominance by chironomids than ponds low in nutrients. It is suggested to allocate about 10 ×106 cubic meters freshwater of the represented rivers to these wetlands to improve their trophic condition and transfer their hypereutrophic waters into the Urmia Lake for more production of the macro invertebrates both in the wetlands and on the lake.

This paper gives an account of the implementation of geomorphological, hydrogeological, hydrochemical and isotopic techniques to understand groundwater-surface water interactions in a multiple use area, Los Padres-La Brava Corridor (SE of Buenos Aires Province, Argentina). The isophreatic map reveals a regional flow from the SW to NE sector, and allowed us to define the effluent-influent behavior of the permanent wetlands in the area. Hydrochemistry and isotopic analysis confirm this flow system in the unconfined aquifer and the relationships among the different water sources. Obtained data indicate that the recharge to the aquifer is influenced by the natural rainfall input, wetland discharge and the concentration of surface run-off from the range fringes to inter-range depressions. Wetlands in the corridor are considered recharge areas for the aquifer system. Moreover, they contribute to water quality as well as groundwater and stream availability. This study proposes a holistic approach to water resources management recognizing most of the components of the hydrological cycle and its interactions with other natural resources and ecosystems, both aquatic and terrestrial ones. In this sense, the idea of water resources assessment in an integrated way for an efficient management, including wetlands, streams and groundwater, is reinforced in this work.

Protein-rich hydrolysate from feather waste was obtained using a mixed culture of selected thermophilic actinomycete strains, and was tested for possible application as soil amendment and biological control agent. For this purpose, a 4 months laboratory experiment was carried out using two types of urban soils (Sofia, Bulgaria): native park soil and anthropogenic soil. The effect of the obtained hydrolysate on some soil parameters (pH, some enzyme activities and microbial activity), seed germination and ryegrass growth, and activity against some plant pathogenic fungi was studied. The results demonstrated that soil enrichment with the organic solution in low concentrations exerted a positive effect on soil urease and microbial activity, seed germination and ryegrass growth, and this trend was better expressed in the anthropogenic soils. Feather hydrolysate showed good activity against plant pathogenic fungi Fusarium solani, Fusarium oxysporum, Mucor sp. and Aspergillus niger. Produced antifungal compounds were isolated and partially characterized as amphiphilic peptides. To the best of our knowledge, antifungal peptides produced by Thermoactinomyces sp. have not been reported. Therefore, the feather hydrolysate obtained by means of the mixed culture of Thermoactinomyces strains has potential to be used as alternative organic amendment for restoration of contaminated soils and for accelerating ryegrass growth. It could successfully used also for as biocontrol agent applicable to crop plant soil.

The photocatalytic degradation of a common analgesic (acetaminophen) with titanium dioxide irradiated with low energy ultraviolet light (365 nm) was studied in order to determine the effect of several parameters such as catalyst’s weight, photochemical effect, and initial concentration. The results indicate that acetaminophen is degraded in the order of 4% by the photochemical effect. The presence of titanium dioxide in optimal amounts increases the rate of reaction and the overall conversion. The kinetic study demonstrated that photocatalytic degradation of acetaminophen follows a pseudo first order reaction rate which could be represented by a model similar to Langmuir-Hinshelwood equation. Accordingly, the results confirmed that the degradation of acetaminophen proceeds even while other intermediate organic products (IOP) are being formed; some of these organic products were identified by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). These products (OIP) remain in the solution for a while before being degraded to CO2. Furthermore, the experimental results indicate that the mineralization of acetaminophen can be described by an overall kinetic rate equation obtained from the experimental values of total organic carbon (TOC).

The present study investigated oil/water demulsification and treatment of oily wastewater originated from port waste reception facilities by electro coagulation using aluminum electrodes in a batch reactor. The efficiency of Al electrodes in removing SS, COD, and oil & grease from wastewater with different current densities and operational times were investigated. The characteristics of the wastewater vary in a wide range e.g. SS 13.3–660 mg/L, COD 240–2783 mg/L, and oil & grease 6.5–736 mg/L. The results of the study indicated that the SS, COD, and oil & grease can be removed effectively by EC process using Al electrodes. The optimum EC time and current density for SS removal (98.8%) was determined as 5 min and 16 mA/cm2, respectively. The first 5 min of the EC process give a considerable removal of COD for all current intensities (61-90%). The optimal current density for COD removal was determined as 12 mA/cm2 with the EC time of 20 min. Results indicated that oil & grease removal reached to a rate higher than 80% after EC time of 10 min for all current densities. The results demonstrated the applicability of electrocoagulation as a possible and reliable technique for the treatment of wastewater of port waste reception facilities.