Global NEST Journal

ISSN:

Print ISSN: 1790-7632

Electronic ISSN: 2241-777X

Issue 4

Volume number:

18

Publication year:

2016

Publication month:

December

Articles

Modeling the dispersion of NOx and SO2 emissions from a proposed biogas producing facility

Abdul-Wahab S.A., Ikhile E., En S.C.F., Elkamel A., Ahmadi L. and Yetilmezsoy K., Pages:674-689

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30955/gnj.001941

Paper Topic:

Air Quality

Issue:

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Abstract

This study aims to model the dispersion of two pollutants: nitrogen oxides (NO_x) and sulfur dioxide (SO₂) from an onsite biogas fueled generator by using CALPUFF modeling system. CALPUFF is a non-steady state puff simulating software that takes into account, meteorological data, terrain data and land use data, to effectively simulate dispersion from a given source. These data are taken from the different governmental and accredited organizations and used in conjunction with CALPUFF. Results showed a wider dispersion of both pollutants in January as supposed to June. This was due to rapid changes of wind’s speed and directionin the month of January. It was also discovered that the emission results were well below the point of impregnation (POI) limits set by the Ministry of Environment for its 24 hour, 1 hour and 30 minute averaging time periods of exposure. The findings of this study reveal that the proposed facility’s operation is in compliance with the Ontario regulations and that it should be able to operate in accordance with them, in the winter and summer seasons.

Cold Vapor Atomic Absorption and Microwave Digestion for the Determination of Mercury in Honey, Pollen, Propolis and Bees of Greek Origin

Maragou N.C., Pavlidis G., Karasali H. and Hatjina F. , Pages:690-696

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30955/gnj.001956

Paper Topic:

General

Issue:

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Abstract

In the present study a fast and reliable cold vapor atomic absorbance method was developed and validated for the determination of mercury in four beehive matrices (honey, pollen, propolis and bees) from Greece. For the sample preparation microwave digestion with H₂O₂ and HNO₃in closed vessels under pressure was applied. The analysis of the apiary products showed that the mercury content is < 0.05 μg g^-1 for honey, < 0.06 μg g^-1 for pollen, < 0.3 μg g^-1 for propolis and < 0.8 μg g^-1 for honey bees d.w. The findings of the present study, in comparison with the literature data, do not trigger a special concern regarding mercury contamination of honey, pollen, propolis and bees from any of the sampled areas in Greece.

Biodegradation of aniline by Enterobacter ludwigii KH-5 isolated from the soil around Shiraz refinery, Iran

Kafilzadeh F. and Khezri A., Pages:697-707

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30955/gnj.002016

Paper Topic:

Pollution Control Technology

Issue:

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Abstract

Aniline is a harmful substance that pollutes the environment and seriously endangers human health. In the present study five different bacteria were enriched and isolated from the soil around Shiraz refinery (Iran) as aniline degrading bacteria. They were identified as Enterobacter ludwigii KH-5, Raoultella planticola KH-A2, Alcaligenes faecalis KH-A3, Serratia marcescens KH-A4 and Microbacterium barkeri KH-A1 based on 16S rDNA gene sequencing. The highest aniline degradation rate (96%) was observed by E. ludwigii KH-A5. This strain with the greatest amount of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was the most aniline resistant bacterium. The optimum pH and temperature that supported biodegradation of aniline by strain KH-A5 were 7.0 and 28-35 °C, respectively. The maximum growth and biodegradation of aniline by KH-A5 were observed at the initial aniline concentration of 100 mg l^-1. The strain could growth on aniline up to concentration of 700 mg l^-1 with the degradation rate of 11%. Further studies demonstrated that the addition of 0.5 g l^-1 glucose or potassium nitrate as a second carbon or nitrogen source could slightly enhance the biodegradation efficiency from 96.0% to 99.0%. However, even more addition of glucose or potassium nitrate could not further enhance the biodegradation process but delayed the biodegradation of aniline by the strain KH-A5. It could be concluded that these new strains, particularly E. ludwigii KH-A5, have a potential use for bioremediation of the site contaminated with aniline.

Quantification of health effects of exposure to air pollution (PM10) in Tabriz, Iran

Ghozikali M.G., Borgini A., Tittarelli A., Amrane A., Mohammadyan M., Heibati B. and Yetilmezsoy K., Pages:708-720

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30955/gnj.001985

Paper Topic:

Air Quality

Issue:

Issue 4

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Abstract

Epidemiological studies show that long-term exposure to PM is associated with an increased risk of cancer or cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. The main objective of the present study was the assessment of health outcomes related to PM₁₀ (particulate matter (PM) of aerodynamic diameter ≤ 10 µm) exposure in Tabriz, Iran. Related health impacts (relative risk and baselineincidence) due to exposure to PM₁₀in the city of Tabriz were assessed by using the well-established AirQ2.2.3 model by the World Health Organization European Center for Environment Health. We estimated that out of 15,651 total deaths in the city, 7679 and 1020 people died due to cardiovascular and respiratory related deaths respectively. Among the 19,467 people admitted to hospital due to respiratory disease, 1114 diseases could be attributed to PM₁₀. According to this model, cases of natural mortality, cardiovascular deaths and respiratory mortality caused by PM₁₀were about 832, 439, and 85, respectively.

Characterization of odours emitted by liquid waste treatment plants (LWTPs)

Zarra T., Naddeo V. and Belgiorno V., Pages:721-727

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30955/gnj.002077

Paper Topic:

CEST

Issue:

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Abstract

Odour emissions from liquid waste treatment plants (LWTPs) generally cause significant effects on the environment in terms of nuisance to exposed population. The particular and complex nature of the mixture of the volatile substances, its variability in time and the strong influence of the atmospheric conditions, are the elements that delayed their regulation and relative management.

Limited data are available in the technical and scientific literature, regarding the odour emissions characterization from liquid waste treatment plants. Moreover there isn’t a common strategy from the different European Countries in the regulation of their emissions.

Different methods can be used to measure odour emissions from environmental engineering plants, and currently, in Europe, the most used techniques for odour emissions characterization and quantification is the dynamic olfactometry, according to EN 13725:2003.

The aim of this study is the characterization of the odour emissions from different liquid waste treatment plants (LWTPs), trough a case study of two large real LWTPs, in order to identify the principal odour sources and to define their related odour emissions.

Odour Concentration Index (OCI) is proposed as a useful and simply odour management tool for the identification of the priority actions necessary to identify and control the main odorous sources. Relationship between the measured odour emissions and the types of treated liquid waste (identified in terms of EWC code, COD and NH4+) is also discussed.

Results show that the influent collection tank is the source with the highest detected odour emissions. OCI results are useful for the definition of a clear priority action for odour control, similar for both investigated plants. Between the characterized types of liquid waste treated by LWTPs the leachate (EWC 190703) show the maximum odour emissions.

Odour measurement in wastewater treatment plant using both European and Japanese standardized methods: correlation and comparison study

Naddeo V., Zarra T., Kubo A., Uchida N., Higuchi T. and Belgiorno V., Pages:728-733

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30955/gnj.002078

Paper Topic:

CEST

Issue:

Issue 4

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Abstract

Odours discharged from wastewater treatment plants generally cause severe damage to locals. When facility odors affect air quality and cause citizen complaints, an investigation of those odours may require using standardized scientific methods. Odour intensity is one of the main odour characterization parameter, and represents an important sensory indicator of environmental odours.

Presently, different international standards have been developed for the measurement of odours. Main consolidated methods are the measurement of odour index assessed by panelists, standardized in Japan and developed there more than 40 years ago; and the measured of odour concentration by dynamic olfactometer according to European standard EN13725:2003.

In this study odour samples were collected on a municipal wastewater treatment plant to investigate the relationship between odour index assessed by Japanese standard methods and odour concentration measured with dynamic olfactometry. A monthly sampling and relative odour measurement were carried out for consecutive 8 months at the Laboratory of the Sanitary Environmental Engineering Division (SEED) at the University of Salerno (Italy).

Results show a strong linear correlation between the two investigated odour measurement methods, in the case of the measurement of high concentrations. While at lower odour concentrations were observed a difference between the two methods.

Odour control strategies for a sustainable nuisances action plan

Fasolino I., Grimaldi M., Zarra T. and Naddeo V., Pages:734-741

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30955/gnj.002109

Paper Topic:

CEST

Issue:

Issue 4

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Abstract

Different land uses, infrastructures, industrial activities and residential patterns of developed cities expose simultaneously people to several annoying sources.

Over recent years, the European Union has provided several tools to harmonize noise mapping methodologies and relative Noise Action Plans through directives. Unfortunately, the same effort has not been made for the harmonization of approaches of other annoying sources such as odours. As a consequence, each European Member State has defined its own direct or indirect approach to limit odour impacts.

The most common approach to deal with noise impact is the use of priority indices to highlight areas that are sensitive to both noise and, generally, odour impacts. The aim of the present research is to provide a brief review of the most widely used European strategies in noise action plans as well as try to extend the approaches to the definition of a nuisance action plan, capable of controlling both odour and noise.

The analysis underlines that is possible to define the degree of sensitivity of areas according to population, land uses, levels of exposures and/or distance from the annoying sources. Nuisance acceptability levels are then definable according to the sensitivity degree of the locations.

Heavy metal migration along a rural highway route: Ilesha-Akure roadside oil, Southwestern, Nigeria

Ojuri O.O., Taiwo O.A. and Oluwatuyi O.E. , Pages:742-760

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30955/gnj.001997

Paper Topic:

General

Issue:

Issue 4

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Abstract

This paper present migration of some selected heavy metal (zinc, lead, copper, chromium and nickel) of roadside soil samples from along Ilesa-Akure highway with a view to assess the degree of contamination such soils contain and the likelihood that this contamination can be remobilized. Soil samples were collected from 5 locations (Ilesa, Ipetu-ijesa, JABU, Ilara-mokin and FUTA north gate) at depths of 0-5, 15-20, 35-40 and 55-60cm and analysed for the five selected heavy metals in the bulk sample and clay fraction. Their concentrations and distributions in four different road verge zones (5m, 30m, 60m and 110m) were determined. The 5m zone had the highest mean concentration of the five metals whereas the 110m zone exhibited the lowest mean concentration. Zinc and lead exhibited a significant decrease in the roadside soils with the increasing distance from the road while chromium and nickel showed significant increase, copper on the other hand showed no significant difference. Quantitative assessment of the heavy metal contamination using the I_geoand PI indexes showed that the selected heavy metals were in the order of Cu < Pb < Zn < Ni <Cr for both Indexes. Soil characteristics (which include pH, Cation exchange capacity {CEC}, organic matter and other basic geotechnical tests) responsible for the mobility and vertical distributions of these heavy metals from the road side soil were also assessed.

Comparison of a black-box model to a traditional numerical model for Hydraulic Head Prediction

Tapoglou E., Chatzakis A. and Karatzas G.P., Pages:761-770

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30955/gnj.002002

Paper Topic:

General

Issue:

Issue 4

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Abstract

Two different methodologies for hydraulic head simulation were compared in this study. The first methodology is a classic numerical groundwater flow simulation model, Princeton Transport Code (PTC), while the second one is a black-box approach that uses Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs). Both methodologies were implemented in the Bavaria region in Germany at thirty observation wells. When using PTC, meteorological and geological data are used in order to compute the simulated hydraulic head following the calibration of the appropriate model parameters. The ANNs use meteorological and hydrological data as input parameters. Different input parameters and ANN architectures were tested and the ANN with the best performance was compared with the PTC model simulation results. One ANN was trained for every observation well and the hydraulic head change was simulated on a daily time step. The performance of the two models was then compared based on the real field data from the study area. The cases in which one model outperforms the other were summarized, while the use of one instead of the other depends on the application and further use of the model.

Efficiency of integrated ultrasonic and anaerobic digestion of oil refinery wastewater sludge

Almasi A., Mosavi A., Mohammadi M., Azemnia S., Godini K., Zarei A., Mohammadi S. and Saleh E. , Pages:771-777

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30955/gnj.001924

Paper Topic:

Wastewater treatment

Issue:

Issue 4

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Abstract

The main effects of ultrasonic sludge are solubilization and release of organic components and biodegradability enhance of sludge by disrupting the physical, chemical and biological properties sludge. The objective of the current study was to determine the effect of ultrasound on anaerobic digestion of oil refinery sludge subjected to different pretreatments. A 300-ml anaerobic reactor was filled with 250 of the waste activated sludge and placed on a hot plate magnet for 41 d. A vibrato bath (40 kHz, 100W) was used in 30 min, 60 min and three cycles of 15 min. Mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS)was ranged between 28100±282 and 12000±642 mg/L. The data were collected in a log phase condition. TSS, VSS, TCOD and BOD₅ were measured following the standard methods. The combined reactor had the best performance in sludge digestion compared to anaerobic reactor with/ without ultrasonic pretreatment. Between two irradiation times (30, 60 min) and the same situation, 60 min ultrasonic pretreatment was found to be more effective. Ultrasonic pretreatment accelerated the digestion process. In this project, oil refinery sludge with industrial feature attained to log phase after 41 days.

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