The effect of pH and redox potential on the redox equilibria of iron oxides in aqueous-based magnetite dispersions was investigated. The ionic activities of each dissolved iron species in equilibrium with magnetite nanoparticles were determined and contoured within the Eh-pH framework of a composite stability diagram. Both standard redox potentials and equilibrium constants for all major iron oxide redox equilibria in magnetite dispersions were found to differ from values reported for noncolloidal systems. The "triple point" position of redox equilibrium among Fe(II) ions, magnetite, and hematite shifted to a higher standard redox potential and an equilibrium constant which was several orders of magnitude higher. The predominant area of magnetite stability was enlarged to cover a wider range of both pH and redox potentials as compared to that of a noncolloidal magnetite system.
In Malaysia, rivers are the main source of public water supplies. This study was conducted from 2002 to 2003 to determine the levels of selected organochlorine and organophosphate pesticides in the Selangor River in Malaysia. Surface water samples have been collected seasonally from nine sites along the river. A liquid-liquid extraction followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry technique was used to determine the trace levels of these pesticide residues. The organochlorine pesticides detected were lindane, heptachlor, endosulfan, dieldrin, endosulfan sulfate, o,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDT, o,p'-DDE and p,p'-DDE whereas for organophosphate pesticides, they were chlorpyrifos and diazinon. At the river upstream where a dam is located for public water supply, incidents of pesticide levels exceeding the European Economic Community Directive of water quality standards have occurred. Furthermore, the wetland ecosystems located at the downstream of the river which houses the fireflies community is being threatened by occasional pesticide levels above EPA limits for freshwater aquatic organisms. The occurrence of these residual pesticides in the Selangor River can be attributed to the intense agriculture and urban activity.
Matched MeSH terms: Water Pollutants, Chemical/analysis*
The purpose of the present study was to examine the removal of ammoniacal nitrogen (NH4-N) from synthetic wastewater using limestone (LS) and granular activated carbon (GAC) mixture as low cost adsorbent. In batch study, optimum shaking and settling times were 150 and 120 min, respectively. The LS-GAC mixture ratio of 25:15 removed about 58% NH4-N. The smaller particle size of medium yielded higher adsorption capacity. The equilibrium adsorption data followed the Freundlich isotherm (R2 > 0.98) but it showed weak bond. Adsorption kinetics were well described by the pseudo second-order rate model (R2 > 0.93). The upflow column showed that higher flow rate and initial concentration resulted in shorter column saturation time. The study showed that the usage of GAC could be reduced by combining GAC with LS for the removal of NH4-N from wastewater; thus reducing the cost of treatment.
Matched MeSH terms: Water Pollutants, Chemical/isolation & purification*
Studies on the removal of phenol from aqueous solutions by adsorption on sewage treatment plant biosolids (BS) as low-cost adsorbent were carried out with an aim to obtain information on treating phenol-containing wastewater from different industries. A series of experiments were undertaken in a batch adsorption technique to access the effect of the process variables i.e. initial phenol concentration, contact time, initial pH and adsorbent dose. The results showed that the adsorption capacity of BS in aqueous solution increased with the decrease in initial concentration and pH, and increase in contact time and dose of adsorbent. The experimental results were fitted by Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms to describe the biosorption processes.
Matched MeSH terms: Water Pollutants, Chemical/pharmacokinetics*
A moisture detection of single rice grains using a slim and small open-ended coaxial probe is presented. The coaxial probe is suitable for the nondestructive measurement of moisture values in the rice grains ranging from from 9.5% to 26%. Empirical polynomial models are developed to predict the gravimetric moisture content of rice based on measured reflection coefficients using a vector network analyzer. The relationship between the reflection coefficient and relative permittivity were also created using a regression method and expressed in a polynomial model, whose model coefficients were obtained by fitting the data from Finite Element-based simulation. Besides, the designed single rice grain sample holder and experimental set-up were shown. The measurement of single rice grains in this study is more precise compared to the measurement in conventional bulk rice grains, as the random air gap present in the bulk rice grains is excluded.
In recent years, increasing environmental concerns focused greater attention on the development of biodegradable materials. A thermoplastic starch derived from bioresources, sugar palm tree was successfully developed in the presence of biodegradable glycerol as a plasticizer. Sugar palm starch (SPS) was added with 15-40 w/w% of glycerol to prepare workable bioplastics and coded as SPS/G15, SPS/G20, SPS/G30 and SPS/G40. The samples were characterized for thermal properties, mechanical properties and moisture absorption on exposure to humidity were evaluated. Morphological studies through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to explain the observed mechanical properties. Generally, the addition of glycerol decrease the transition temperature of plasticized SPS. The mechanical properties of plasticized SPS increase with the increasing of glycerol but up to 30 w/w%. Meanwhile, the water absorption of plasticized SPS decrease with increasing of glycerol.
The green algal genus Cladophora forms conspicuous nearshore populations in marine and freshwaters worldwide, commonly dominating peri-phyton communities. As the result of human activities, including the nutrient pollution of nearshore waters, Cladophora-dominated periphyton can form nuisance blooms. On the other hand, Cladophora has ecological functions that are beneficial, but less well appreciated. For example, Cladophora has previously been characterized as an ecological engineer because its complex structure fosters functional and taxonomic diversity of benthic microfauna. Here, we review classic and recent literature concerning taxonomy, cell biology, morphology, reproductive biology, and ecology of the genus Cladophora, to examine how this alga functions to modify habitats and influence littoral biogeochemistry. We review the evidence that Cladophora supports large, diverse populations of microalgal and bacterial epiphytes that influence the cycling of carbon and other key elements, and that the high production of cellulose and hydrocarbons by Cladophora-dominated periphyton has the potential for diverse technological applications, including wastewater remediation coupled to renewable biofuel production. We postulate that well-known aspects of Cladophora morphology, hydrodynamically stable and perennial holdfasts, distinctively branched architecture, unusually large cell and sporangial size and robust cell wall construction, are major factors contributing to the multiple roles of this organism as an ecological engineer.
Tubular nanofiltration membrane performance to treat water for reuse was carried out by choosing C.I. Acid Black 210 dye as a model dye. It has been shown that increasing pH causes reduction in irreversible fouling factor (IFF) and the dye removal is also affected by solution pH. The total organic carbon removal for pH 4, pH 7, pH 8 and pH 10 is 97.9, 92.3, 94.5 and 94.6%, respectively. The conductivity removal for pH 4, pH 7, pH 8 and pH 10 is 85.1, 88.3, 87.8 and 90.7% respectively. The increase in the initial dye concentration causes rapid increase in fouling until 100 mg/l. Then the fouling increases gradually as it reaches a maximum IFF around 13%. This study also shows that the colour of permeate changes from colourless to light greenish/yellowish (initial concentration of 2,000 and 4,000 mg/l) as the initial dye concentration increases. The conductivity removal was also reduced as the initial dye concentration increased due to screening of the Donnan effect with the presence of salt.
Matched MeSH terms: Water Pollutants, Chemical/chemistry*
VectoBac DT, a tablet formulation of Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) was evaluated for the potential control of dengue vectors in various types of potable water containers. On introduction to containers, the tablet sinks to the bottom and the Bti toxins are found concentrated at the sides and the base, while the treated water column is free of Bti toxins within 24 hours after tablet introduction. In a simulated study, earthen, HDPE and plastic containers were kept covered and laboratory-bred larvae were introduced to determine the control by the tablet. The efficacy and persistence of the tablet, with a control of > 90%, was significantly longer in earthen containers in comparison to the HDPE and plastic containers. Efficacy and persistence were observed in earthen containers for a minimum period of 5.5 months (166 days) both without water replenishment and with weekly, 50% water volume, replenishment, and for a maximum period of 2.2 months (66 days) with daily, 50% water volume, replenishment. In plastic and HDPE containers, the tablet activity had a persistence of 2.1 months (63 days) without water replenishment and 1.8 months (54 days) with weekly water replenishment. The efficacy and persistence of the VectoBac DT was significantly longer in the earthen containers, with or without regularly treated water exchange, due to the Bti toxins being embedded in the porous earthen container surfaces, which protects them from rapid degradation. Lesser toxin amounts are removed from the water column during water exchange. The efficacy of VectoBac DT was also evaluated for the control of natural infestation of Aedes larvae which were resistant to temephos at the WHO diagnostic dosage of 0.012 mg/l. The tablet significantly reduced the pupal density by 8 fold in earthen containers for 67 days and 5 fold in HDPE containers for 55 days in comparison to untreated containers (p < 0.05). However, the tablet was effective for a shorter period of 25 days post-tablet-introduction due to fungal infestation in the treated plastic containers. There is a need to determine the capacity of the VectoBac DT to reduce the dengue vector population to a threshold which will prevent dengue outbreaks in dengue endemic areas.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the basis of the optimal hydration status for cryopreservation of intermediate oily seeds using Citrus as a model.
Constructed wetland (CW) is a low-cost alternative technology to treat wastewater. This study was conducted to co-treat landfill leachate and municipal wastewater by using a CW system. Typha domingensis was transplanted to CW, which contains two substrate layers of adsorbents, namely, ZELIAC and zeolite. Response surface methodology and central composite design have been utilized to analyze experimental data. Contact time (h) and leachate-to-wastewater mixing ratio (%; v/v) were considered as independent variables. Colour, COD, ammonia, nickel, and cadmium contents were used as dependent variables. At optimum contact time (50.2 h) and leachate-to-wastewater mixing ratio (20.0%), removal efficiencies of colour, COD, ammonia, nickel, and cadmium contents were 90.3%, 86.7%, 99.2%, 86.0%, and 87.1%, respectively. The accumulation of Ni and Cd in the roots and shoots of T. domingensis was also monitored. Translocation factor (TF) was >1 in several runs; thus, Typha is classified as a hyper-accumulator plant.
Matched MeSH terms: Water Pollutants, Chemical; Waste Water
To assess coastal ecosystem status and pollution baselines, prawns were collected from the commercial catches of eight Asia-Pacific countries (Australia, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Myanmar, Philippines, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Thailand). Samples collected from 21 sites along regional coastlines were analysed for trace metal and stable isotopic compositions of H, C, N, O and S. A combination of simple averaging and multivariate analyses was used to evaluate the data. Sites could be assigned to easily recognise polluted and unpolluted groups based on the prawn results. Some filter-feeding clams were also collected and analysed together with the benthic-feeding prawns, and the prawns generally had lower trace metal burdens. Climate change effects were not strongly evident at this time, but altered ocean circulation and watershed run-off patterns accompanying future climate change are expected to change chemical patterns recorded by prawns along these and other coastlines. Stable isotopes, especially (15)N, can help to distinguish between relatively polluted and unpolluted sites.
Matched MeSH terms: Water Pollutants, Chemical/analysis*
We examined the solubility of simvastatin in water in 0.01 mol·dm(-3), 0.02 mol·dm(-3), 0.04 mol·dm(-3), 0.09 mol·dm(-3), 0.18 mol·dm(-3), 0.36 mol·dm(-3), and 0.73 mol·dm(-3) arginine (ARG) solutions. The investigated drug is termed the solute, whereas ARG the cosolute. Phase solubility studies illustrated a higher extent of solubility enhancement for simvastatin. The aforementioned system was subjected to conductometric and volumetric measurements at temperatures (T) of 298.15 K, 303.15 K, 308.15 K, and 313.15 K to illustrate the thermodynamics involved and related solute-solvent interactions. The conductance values were used to evaluate the limiting molar conductance and association constants. Thermodynamic parameters (ΔG (0), ΔH (0), ΔS (0), and E s) for the association process of the solute in the aqueous solutions of ARG were calculated. Limiting partial molar volumes and expansibilities were evaluated from the density values. These values are discussed in terms of the solute-solvent and solute-cosolute interactions. Further, these systems were analyzed using ultraviolet-visible analysis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and (13)C, (1)H, and two-dimensional nuclear overhauser effect spectroscopy nuclear magnetic resonance to complement thermophysical explanation.
Methane hydrates (MHs) are present in large amounts in the ocean floor and permafrost regions. Methane and hydrogen hydrates are being studied as future energy resources and energy storage media. To develop a method for gas production from natural MH-bearing sediments and hydrate-based technologies, it is imperative to understand the thermal properties of gas hydrates. The thermal properties' measurements of samples comprising sand, water, methane, and MH are difficult because the melting heat of MH may affect the measurements. To solve this problem, we performed thermal properties' measurements at supercooled conditions during MH formation. The measurement protocol, calculation method of the saturation change, and tips for thermal constants' analysis of the sample using transient plane source techniques are described here. The effect of the formation heat of MH on measurement is very small because the gas hydrate formation rate is very slow. This measurement method can be applied to the thermal properties of the gas hydrate-water-guest gas system, which contains hydrogen, CO2, and ozone hydrates, because the characteristic low formation rate of gas hydrate is not unique to MH. The key point of this method is the low rate of phase transition of the target material. Hence, this method may be applied to other materials having low phase-transition rates.
The bioaccumulation and bioavailability of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were characterized in sediment and Paphia undulata (short-neck clam) from six mudflat areas in the west coasts of Peninsular Malaysia. The concentrations of total PAHs varied from 357.1 to 6257.1 and 179.9 ± 7.6 to 1657.5 ± 53.9 ng g -1 dry weight in sediment and short-neck clam samples, respectively. PAHs can be classified as moderate to very high level of pollution in sediments and moderate to high level of pollution in short-neck clams. The diagnostic ratios of individual PAHs and principal component analysis indicate both petrogenic and pyrogenic sources with significant dominance of pyrogenic source. The first PAHs biota-sediment accumulation factors and relative biota-sediment accumulation factors data for short-neck clam were obtained in this study, indicating a preferential accumulation of lower molecular weight PAHs. Evaluation of PAH levels in sediments and short-neck clams indicates that short-neck clam could be introduced as a good biomonitor in mudflats. The results also demonstrated that under environmental conditions, the sedimentary load of hydrocarbons appears to be one of the factors controlling their bioavailability to biota.
Matched MeSH terms: Water Pollutants, Chemical/pharmacokinetics*
Wastewater irrigated fields can cause potential contamination with heavy metals to soil and groundwater, thus pose a threat to human beings . The current study was designed to investigate the potential human health risks associated with the consumption of okra vegetable crop contaminated with toxic heavy metals. The crop was grown on a soil irrigated with treated wastewater in the western region of Saudi Arabia during 2010 and 2011. The monitored heavy metals included Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn for their bioaccumulation factors to provide baseline data regarding environmental safety and the suitability of sewage irrigation in the future. The pollution load index (PLI), enrichment factor (EF) and contamination factor (CF) of these metals were calculated. The pollution load index of the studied soils indicated their level of metal contamination. The concentrations of Ni, Pb, Cd and Cr in the edible portions were above the safe limit in 90%, 28%, 83% and 63% of the samples, respectively. The heavy metals in the edible portions were as follows: Cr > Zn > Ni > Cd > Mn > Pb > Cu > Fe. The Health Risk Index (HRI) was >1 indicating a potential health risk. The EF values designated an enhanced bio-contamination compared to other reports from Saudi Arabia and other countries around the world. The results indicated a potential pathway of human exposure to slow poisoning by heavy metals due to the indirect utilization of vegetables grown on heavy metal-contaminated soil that was irrigated by contaminated water sources. The okra tested was not safe for human use, especially for direct consumption by human beings. The irrigation source was identified as the source of the soil pollution in this study.
Microcystins-LR (MC-LR) which is a kind of potent hepatotoxin for humans and wildlife can be biodegraded by microbial community. In this study, the capacity of biofilm in degrading MC-LR was investigated with and without additional metal ions (Mn(2+), Zn(2+) and Cu(2+)) at the concentration of 1 mg L(-1). The results indicated that the degradation rate of MC-LR by biofilm was inhibited by introduced Mn(2+) and Cu(2+) during the whole culture period. MC-LR cannot be degraded until a period of culture time passed both in the cases with Zn(2+) and Cu(2+) (2 and 8 days for Zn(2+) and Cu(2+), respectively). The results of mlrA gene analysis showed that the abundance of MC-LR degradation bacteria (MCLDB) in the microbial community under Mn(2+) condition was generally lower than that under no additional metal ion condition. Meanwhile, a two days lag phase for the proliferation of MCLDB occurred after introducing Zn(2+). And a dynamic change of MCLDB from Cu(2+) inhibited species to Cu(2+) promoted species was observed under Cu(2+) condition. The maximum ratio of MCLDB to overall bacteria under various conditions during culture process was found to follow the tendency as: Cu(2+) > Zn(2+) ≈ no additional metal ion (Control) > Mn(2+), suggesting the adverse effect of Mn(2+), no obvious effect of Zn(2+) and positive effect of Cu(2+) on the distribution ratio of MCLDB over the biofilm.
The approach of this paper is to predict the sand mass distribution in an urban stormwater holding pond at the Stormwater Management And Road Tunnel (SMART) Control Centre, Malaysia, using simulated depth average floodwater velocity diverted into the holding during storm events. Discriminant analysis (DA) was applied to derive the classification function to spatially distinguish areas of relatively high and low sand mass compositions based on the simulated water velocity variations at corresponding locations of gravimetrically measured sand mass composition of surface sediment samples. Three inflow parameter values, 16, 40 and 80 m(3) s(-1), representing diverted floodwater discharge for three storm event conditions were fixed as input parameters of the hydrodynamic model. The sand (grain size > 0.063 mm) mass composition of the surface sediment measured at 29 sampling locations ranges from 3.7 to 45.5%. The sampling locations of the surface sediment were spatially clustered into two groups based on the sand mass composition. The sand mass composition of group 1 is relatively lower (3.69 to 12.20%) compared to group 2 (16.90 to 45.55%). Two Fisher's linear discriminant functions, F 1 and F 2, were generated to predict areas; both consist of relatively higher and lower sand mass compositions based on the relationship between the simulated flow velocity and the measured surface sand composition at corresponding sampling locations. F 1 = -9.405 + 4232.119 × A - 1795.805 × B + 281.224 × C, and F 2 = -2.842 + 2725.137 × A - 1307.688 × B + 231.353 × C. A, B and C represent the simulated flow velocity generated by inflow parameter values of 16, 40 and 80 m(3) s(-1), respectively. The model correctly predicts 88.9 and 100.0% of sampling locations consisting of relatively high and low sand mass percentages, respectively, with the cross-validated classification showing that, overall, 82.8% are correctly classified. The model predicts that 31.4% of the model domain areas consist of high-sand mass composition areas and the remaining 68.6% comprise low-sand mass composition areas.