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The best method to treat seawater is known to be the use of reverse osmosis (RO) systems. The cost factor becomes the most important issue when using RO systems. Although quite costly, RO systems are essential systems for ships. As known very well, water is a critical resource on ships, especially the ones serving quite a large number of passengers. In this study, therefore, RO system capability under different conditions together with cost analysis was examined on a relatively small cruise ship. The system used had a daily water treatment capacity of 30 m³. The RO system was composed of a sand filter, a cartridge filter, four pieces of membrane filter modules and a mineral filter. During the study, samples from the Black Sea, the Aegean Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, which have different physical and chemical properties, were examined from the quality point of view. A comprehensive cost analysis was also performed in order to determine the feasibility of the system for the production of potable water for a cruise ship. 

This study examined the trends in anthropogenic chemical contaminants in groundwater samples in rural areas of Ebonyi State, South-eastern Nigeria. Groundwater samples were collected from Ezza North (a quarry mining area) and Ezza South (an agricultural/commercial area) and were analysed using standard techniques. The target compounds evaluated were As(V), phosphate, nitrate, sulfate, chloride and other physicochemical parameters. Pearson’s correlation and factor analyses were used to distinguish the statistical relationship between the various analytes and possible contamination sources in the study areas respectively. The results obtained showed that the pH, temperature, total hardness, electrical conductivity, phosphate, nitrate, chloride and sulfate were within the permissible limits of Water Quality Standards (WQS). Also, 67% of the samples had turbidity and alkalinity values above the WQS, while 25% contained As(V) slightly above the WQS. The qualities of the groundwater samples were found to be influenced mainly by the geochemistry of the soil while commercial and agricultural activities were found to have slight effect on the water quality.  This study finally advocates adequate monitoring of As(V), and other potential toxic contaminants in groundwater in the areas.

This study features an analysis of the influences and effects of different postures performed within tasks of waste collection. Four men, ages 30, 46, 60 and 65, and two women, ages 38 and 48, took part in this study.  The assessment makes use of a 3D Static Strength Prediction Program (3DSSPP™) to analyze the lifting and dumping postures observed in the experiment and evaluate strength requirements and the lower back impact of the different tasks. Additional analysis tools Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) and Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) were used to assess the risks associated with the tasks, and assessing the usability of this tool-setup to evaluate this kind of tasks with respect to the results expected. 3DSSPP results showed that only 86% of the population would be able to lift 9kg in this posture and 96% of the population would be capable of performing dumping. The results obtained using RULA and REBA indicated that the lifting and dumping postures are in need of change as soon as possible. Overall, this paper evaluates the postural risks of waste collection tasks mainly considering lifting and dumping tasks and assesses the physiological impacts on waste collection task performance.  

Water quality of Edion and Omodo Rivers were assessed chemically from March to October, 2010. The abstracted water samples were also subjected to bacteriological examination. The Rivers were each sampled at upstream and downstream locations. Twenty (20) physico-chemical characteristics which included heavy metals were determined in the laboratory. Air temperature ranged from the mean 30.69 to 31.38 °C, water temperature 26.50 to 27.00 °C, pH 7.05 to 7.15, electrical conductivity 7.99 to 25.55mScm^-1, turbidity 24.11 to 54.65FTU, total dissolved solids 6.14 to 7.78mgl^-1, total hardness 25.10 to 30.38mgl^-1, chlorine 22.06 to 25.02mgl^-1, BOD₅ 0.88 to 2.42mgl^-1, DO 3.81 to 6.50mgl^-1 and the nutrient elements such as  sulphate,  phosphate and Nitrate ranged between 0.03 and 3.81mgl^-1, sodium 1.87 to 3.81mgl^-1 and potassium 1.08 to 1.27mgl^-1. Heavy metals levels were low, ranging from 0.0025 to 5.6650mgl^-1 (Copper 0.0350 to 0.0910mgl^-1, Iron 0.2825 to 0.5112mgl^-1, cadmium 0.0015 to 0.0104mgl^-1, lead 0.0025 to 0.0230mgl^-1, zinc 2.7013 to 5.6650mgl^-1 and chromium 0.0025 to 0.0263mgl^-1). Conductivity, sulphate, zinc and fecal coliform count showed significant difference (P<0.05) with low values indicating good water quality. Water Quality Index (WQI) revealed that Stations 2 and 4 respectively had good water quality. All the characteristics had their values within FEPA Limit except for Zn (> 3.0mgl^-1).