The effects of phenol and some alkyl phenolics on batch anaerobic methanogenesis

Phenol and seven alkylphenols (o-, m- and p-cresol, 2.5-, 2.6-, 3.4- and 3,5-dimethylphenol) were added at various concentrations to aliquots of domestic anaerobic sludge in Hungate serum bottles and these were incubated at 37°C. The concentration of methane in the headspace gas was monitored to determine if the phenolics were fermented to methane or if they inhibited the anaerobic process. Only phenol and p-cresol were fermented to methane. At 500 mg l⁻¹ (but not at 300 mg l⁻¹) 2,5-, 3,4- and 3,5-dimethylphenol reduced the rate and the amount of methane produced. The cresols were inhibitory at 1000 mg l⁻¹ but not at 400 mg l⁻¹.In cultures supplemented with acetate and propionate (VOA), and in unsupplemented cultures, phenol at concentrations up to 500 mg l⁻¹ was fermented to methane. Between 800 and 1200 mg l⁻¹ phenol, methane production was neither enhanced nor inhibited relative to control cultures containing no phenol. Inhibition of methane production was evident when phenol was present at 2000 mg l⁻¹. Thus the methanogens are less susceptible to phenol inhibition than are the phenol-degrading acid formers. In similar experiments with p-cresol: enhanced methane production was observed at concentrations of 400 mg l⁻¹; no enhancement or inhibition was observed at 600 mg l⁻¹; and inhibition was noted when p-cresol was present at 1000 mg l⁻¹.     

Acute toxicity and behavioral responses of coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) and shiner perch (Cymatogaster aggregata) to chlorine in heated sea-water

The acute toxicity and behavioral response to chlorinated and heated sea-water was determined for coho salmon smolts and 1–3 month old shiner perch. LC₅₀'s were determined for 7.5, 15, 30 and 60 min exposure times; 13, 16 and 20°C (Δt = 0, 3, 7°C) temperatures and total residual oxidant (TRO) concentrations ranging from 0.077 to 1.035 mg l⁻¹. The mean 60 min LC₅₀ for shiner perch was significantly reduced (P ≤ 0.05) from 308 μg l⁻¹ TRO at 13°C to 230 μg l⁻¹ TRO at 20°C. The 60 min LC₅₀ for coho salmon decreased from 208 μg l⁻¹ TRO at 13°C to 130 μg l⁻¹ at 20°C. The LC₅₀'s for coho salmon in chlorinated sea-water averaged 55% of those for shiner perch. The relationship between TRO concentration, exposure time, and percent survival in chlorinated sea-water at 13°C is presented for both species.A significant (P ≤ 0.01) avoidance threshold for coho salmon occurred at 2 μg l⁻¹ TRO and was reinforced with increasing temperature. A significant (P ≤ 0.01) avoidance threshold for shiner perch occurred at 175 μg l⁻¹ TRO, while a significant preference (P ≤ 0.05 or 0.01) response at 16°C and 20°C occurred at 10, 25, 50 and 100 μg l⁻¹ TRO. The ecological implications of the toxicity tests and the behavioral responses are discussed.     

Detoxification of seawater used for gas scrubbing in the steel industry

Cyanide ion present in seawater after scrubbing blast furnace and coke ovens gases can be removed by sedimentation of hexacyanoferrate complexes followed by oxidation of residual cyanide with Caro's acid. Zinc ion is removed at the same time by adsorption on the hexacyanoferrate/hydrous ferric oxide precipitate.Sulphide is precipitated as ferrous sulphide, then oxidised by atmospheric oxygen. At 25°C and using an Fe/CN ratio of 1·00, initial concentrations of 50 mg l⁻¹ of CN⁻ and 10 mg l⁻¹ of Zn²⁺ in seawater are reduced to 5–7 mg l⁻¹ and 0·1 mg l⁻¹. Subsequent treatment with H₂SO₅/CN = 1·2 reduces the [CN⁻] to 0·1 mg l⁻¹.Treatment of a combined blast furnace/coke ovens effluent ([CN⁻] = 24 mgl⁻¹, [Zn²⁺] = 4·0 mgl⁻¹) with Fe/CN = 1·5 reduced [CN⁻] to 0·2 mg l⁻¹ and [Zn²⁺] to <0·1 mgl⁻¹. Subsequent treatment with H₂SO₅/CN = 2·0 reduced [CN⁻] to 0·2 mg l⁻¹. The process operates best in the pH range 7–9 and so is not affected by the buffer characteristics of seawater.     

Enhanced uptake of phosphorus by activated sludge-effect of substrate addition

Studies were undertaken to examine the effect of substrate addition upon the release and subsequent uptake of phosphorous by a biological wastewater treatment laboratory scale system.A train of six reactors were fed at a rate of 16 ml min⁻¹ raw wastewater using a sludge recycle ratio of 0.75 (12 ml min⁻¹). The first two reactors were simply stirred (anoxic) without the addition of air and the remaining four were aerated with excess air.Various substrates were added to the first reactor (anoxic) at different concentrations. It was determined that all the short chain substrates tested enhanced the release of phosphorus in the anoxic stages and subsequently led to increased biological uptake (removal) of phosphorus. The substrates tested included sodium acetate, acetic acid, butyric acid, ethanol and methanol.It was determined that 30 mg l⁻¹ sodium acetate was the optimum dose for biological release and uptake of phosphorus and the addition of any greater concentration had marginal effect on the ultimate removal of phosphorus.The effect of these substrates showed some specificity regarding phosphorus release, with butyric acid causing the greatest release and sodium acetate the least. However as far as phosphorus uptake (removal) was concerned, this phenomenon of substrate-specificity was less significant. For all substrates, effluent phosphorus concentration was within ± 1 mg l⁻¹ with an approximate mean concentration of 1 mg l⁻¹ residual.Phosphorus released (approx. 14 mg l⁻¹) at higher temperature (29°C) was 75% greater than at the lower temperature (24°C). Similarly the final residual phosphorus at 29°C was 33% lower than at 24°C.     

An improved determination of chemical oxygen demand in water and wastes by a simplified acid dichromate digestion

A simplified and improved chemical oxygen demand (COD) procedure is suitable for water and waste water samples containing up to 1500 mg Cl l⁻¹. Samples are digested with sulfuric acid, potassium dichromate, silver sulfate, mercury(II) sulfate and sulfamic acid in open glass tubes for 2 h at 140 ± 2°C without boiling, and excess dichromate is determined colorimetrically at 440 nm. The use of 49-position digestion racks, a large oven and a spectrophotometer fitted with a 1-cm flow cell allow analysis of ca. 12 samples h⁻¹. A correction for chloride interference is not required in the 0–500 mg Cl l⁻¹ range. The detection limit is 3 mg l⁻¹, and the relative standard deviation at the 112 mg COD l⁻¹ level is 4.3%. Thirty-five waste water samples were analyzed by the standard dichromate reflux method and by the proposed procedure. There was no significant difference between the two sets of data (P > 0.25). Recovery data for 15 major water pollutants including benzene, toluene and pyridine are presented.     

Cadmium uptake by freshwater bacterial communities

Microcosm experiments in chemostat incubated at 20°C showed that cadmium contamination does not greatly affect bacterial communities in cultures contaminated with up to 1 mg Cd l⁻¹.Bacterial productivity remains unchanged and cadmium-resistant strains arise quickly and in great number. The cadmium accumulation by bacteria depends on the bacterial productivity. The free bacteria can accumulate up to 1200 ppm cadmium whereas the adhering bacteria concentrate up to 6100 ppm. At a steady state, 11–29% cadmium is removed from the water phase of cultures.     

The relationship between dissimilatory nitrate reduction and oxygen uptake by cells of an Alcaligenes strain in flocs and in suspension and by activated sludge flocs

The oxygen uptake and the dissimilatory nitrate reduction by anaerobically grown cells of a denitrifying Alcaligenes strain, occurring in floc form or in suspension, were studied at different oxygen concentrations in the surrounding medium. When the oxygen concentration in the medium fell below 1·5 mg l⁻¹, the nitrate reduction by the cells within flocs increased considerably. The cells in suspension showed an increased nitrate reduction when the oxygen concentration was below 0·1 mg l⁻¹. When anaerobically grown cells had been aerated for 24 h in a nitrogen-free medium, the cells became sensitive to respiration inhibition by nitric oxide, resulting from nitrate reduction. This gave rise to an increased nitrate reduction below 2·5 mg oxygen l⁻¹ when the cells were aggregated in flocs and below 0·1 mg oxygen per litre when the cells were in suspension. The nitrate reduction by the denitrifying, floc-forming pure culture was compared with that of activated sludge flocs.     

A survey of Legionella pneumophila in water in 12 Canadian cities

A survey of 12 cities across Canada was conducted in order to determine the prevalence of Legionella species in potable water and cooling tower water within buildings. Legionellae were detected in 11.9% of the samples overall: 6.7% from potable water sources and 28.9% from cooling tower water. The maximum concentration of the organism was 45,000 l⁻¹ in one shower-water sample by culture methods. A significant difference in the isolation rate of Legionella pneumophila among cities was observed. The organism was isolated from waters at a temperature of 15–41°C and was most frequently isolated in the 20–29°C range. The concentration of free and total available chlorine in the water was not associated with legionellae recovery except that the organisms were never recovered when the free available chlorine residual exceeded 7.5 mg l⁻¹. Although L. pneumophila were in low concentrations or absent in most samples, the isolated organisms were usually serogroups 1 or 6, the same serogroups that are most often implicated in legionellosis cases in Canada.     

Influence de sediments argileux incorpores au milieu d'insemination sur le succes de la fecondation chez la truite arc-en-ciel (Salmo Gairdneri)

The aim of this paper is to determine whether clay sediments suspended in water can prevent trout eggs from being fertilized. Kaolinite-rich clays (granulometric fraction: <2μm) (Fig. 1) were suspended in an artificial insemination diluent in doses ranging between 0 and 20 g l⁻¹. The eggs were exposed for 1, 10 or 20 min (experiment A) or inseminated (experiment B) in the diluent-sediment mixture. In experiment (C), the eggs were exposed to this mixture at three different temperatures (10, 15, 20°C). After insemination, the eggs were incubated for 10 days at 10°C and the percentage of eyed-eggs was used as an approximation of the fertility rate. The presence of clay sediments in the medium in which artificial insemination was carried out did not affect fertilization rate after the ovules had been exposed during 1 min to clay suspensions, at any of the temperatures used (8°C: Fig. 3; 10–15 or 20°C: Fig. 5) or at any of the sperm dilution rates (10⁻², 10⁻³, 10⁻⁴) (Fig. 3). On the contrary, there was a significant decline (P < 0.01) in the fertilization rate after the eggs had been exposed for 10 min at 8°C to doses of sediment exceeding 1.2 g l⁻¹ (Fig. 2). The fertilization rate also decreased significantly (P < 0.05) when the dose of sediment in the medium increased after 20 min at 20°C and 40 min at 15°C (Fig. 4). The 15 and 20°C temperatures were unfavourable for the eggs anyway. It is probable that fertility decreased due to micropyle clogging when the eggs were exposed longer than 10 min to the sediments. It is concluded that presence of sediments in the medium in which the gametes meet does not prevent fertilization.     

The chronic effects of fluoride on the estuarine amphipods Grandidierella lutosa and G. lignorum

The toxicity of fluoride in the estuarine environment was tested, using a mixed culture of the estuarine amphipods Grandidierella lutosa and G. lignorum in life-cycle bioassays. Toxin was dosed in a continuous (intermittent) flow system using a proportional dilution doser. The tests ranged in duration from 39 to 90 days, spanning between 1 and 4 generations in that time. The tests were conducted in sea-water at temperatures of 23–25°C. Background sea-water levels during the experiments fluctuated between 1.3 and 1.7 mg l^−t F′. Improved population increases were detected in fluoride levels slightly above background. Maximum amphipod population increase was measured during three 90-day multi-generation experiments, at a mean fluoride level of 2.64 mg l⁻¹. Population performance returned to levels comparable to control at a mean for the 3 experiments of 5.0 mg l⁻¹ F′. Maximum acceptable toxicant concentration (MATC) was therefore, by definition, set at 5.0–6.2 mg l⁻¹ F′ (mean calculated for three 90-day experiments). Data on female fecundity suggested that the MATC might even be slightly lower, with a mean MATC of 4.15 mg l⁻¹ F′.     

Denitrification with a bacterial disc unit

An enclosed rotating disc unit was operated anaerobically as a denitrifying system, with methanol as the hydrogen donor. As the bacterial population became established, denitrification rate increased by 1·5 mg NO₃⁻—N reduced m⁻² h⁻², to a maximum rate of 260 mg NO₃⁻—N reduced m⁻²h⁻¹. The C:N ratio necessary for complete denitrification was found to be 2·6:1. Optimum pH for denitrification lay in the range between pH 7·0 and 8·5. Q₁₀ values were 1·38 between 10 and 30°C, −2·66 above 30°C and 13·06 below 10°C.     

Uptake of Kepone® by the estuarine bivalve Rangia cuneata, during the dredging of contaminated sediments in the James river, Virginia

The uptake of the pesticide Kepone was monitored in situ in the wedge clam, Rangia cuneata, during the dredging of Kepone-contaminated sediments in the James River estuary, Va. After 2 weeks of dredging, residue levels in Rangia at sites along the disposal area were significantly elevated above background; however, Kepone levels in clams at sites downstream of the dredging were not elevated. The increase in tissue contamination (0.01–0.04 μg g⁻¹, mean values) was persistent 2 weeks after dredging was completed. The ecological significance of the Kepone uptake documented during dredging is discussed in relation to the overall Kepone contamination in the James River ecosystem.     

Studies on the toxicity of copper sulphate to stone loach Noemacheilus barbatulus (L.) in hard water

The toxicity of copper sulphate to Noemacheilus barbatulus was studied for 64 days in a water of total hardness 249 mg l⁻¹ as CaCO₃. The 63-day lc₅₀ was approximately 0.25 mg Cu l⁻¹. Larger fish survived longer, and at concentrations greater than 0.29 mg l⁻¹ fish hid less during daylight. Noemacheilus surviving 0.12 mg Cu l⁻¹ for 64 days shed copper when placed in clean water for 7 days: gill, muscle, eye and vertebrae lost significant amounts of copper during this period. The opportunity to shed copper during a short period when the poison supply to their tank failed, may have allowed fish exposed to 0.49 mg l⁻¹ to live 12 days longer than expected. The sensitivity of Noemacheilus to copper, cadmium and zinc was compared with that of rainbow trout. Salmo gairdneri.     

Trace metals in the marine bivalve Macoma balthica in the westerschelde estuary, The Nertherlands. Part 3: Variability of the role of cytosol in metal uptake by the clams

Tellinid clams Macoma balthica were sampled every 2 months for 2.5 years at two locations from the Westerschelde estuary (The Netherlands) and submitted to in vitro short-term exposure to Cd, Cu and Zn. Total and heat-stable cytosolic metal concentrations have been measured before and after exposure to study the effects of the sampling season on metal uptake by the bivalve. We observed much higher uptakes of Cd and, to a lesser extent, Cu in winter than in summer, while Zn appears to be constantly regulated. These phenomena are amplified in the cytosol, especially for Cd, a non-essential element, for which the concentrations after exposure can reach 35–45 μg·g⁻¹ (dry wt.) in winter, but only a maximum of 0.5 μg·g⁻¹ in summer, all natural values being between 0.01 and 0.1 μg·g⁻¹ on average. The contents (μg) of the various elements, either at the total or at the cytosolic level, are not constant, hence showing that the seasonal body weight fluctuation of the clams (dilution or concentration effect) is not the only parameter responsible for the metal uptake variability. Furthermore, we have shown that the proportion of cytosolic metal is not constant, but increases with the absolute cytosolic concentration up to 35–40. Therefore, the cytosolic phase of the cells plays a growing role in Cd, Cu and Zn storage as long as their total concentration increases.     

The effect of surfactants on the extraction-atomic absorption spectrophotometric determination of copper, iron, manganese, lead, nickel, zinc cadmium and cobalt

Nine surfactants representing pure cationic, anionic and non-ionic detergents, three industrially prepared detergents. sodium pyrophosphate. sodium tripolyphosphate, and a soap were investigated for their effect on the extraction-atomic absorption spectrophotometric determination of copper. iron, manganese and lead. Some results are also given for nickel, zinc, cadmium and cobalt. Cations were extracted into 10 ml of MIBK as APDC chelates. To Avoid emulsion formation, maximum concentration of LAS was 1 mg 1⁻¹, and for formulated and non-ionic detergents and washing powders it was 5 mg 1⁻¹.A standard addition procedure was used to obtain correct results for copper and nickel. Two extractions of iron, cobalt and lead, and one extraction of manganese, zinc and cadmium gave a recovery of 100 ± 5%. Soap gave high recoveries for iron and copper. NTA in concentrations up to 25 mg l⁻¹ did not interfere. EDTA in concentrations up to 25 mg l⁻¹ interfered with iron and nickel determinations, but the addition of 3 mg of aluminium removed the EDTA interference in the determination of copper, manganese, lead, zinc, cadmium and cobalt.For the determination of trace metals in polluted natural waters the amount of 4% APDC was increased to 10 ml and for manganese to 25 ml. An addition of 3 mg aluminium as nitrate after the addition of buffer with subsequent 20 min reaction time is required for the determination of all eight metals by the recommended procedures. The effect of humic acid was also investigated.     

Acute lethality, and sub-lethal effects of acetone, ethanol, and propylene glycol on the cardiovascular and respiratory systems of rainbow trout Salmo gairdneri

Acute lethality and sub-lethal effects of acetone, ethanol, and propylene glycol on the cardiovascular and respiratory systems of rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) were examined. The 24 h LC₅₀ values for acetone and ethanol in a flow-through bioassay system at 10°C ± 0.5, are 6100 mg l⁻² and 11,200 mg l⁻¹, respectively. No mortality to fingerling trout was produced by propylene glycol at 50,000 mg l ⁻¹ during a 24 h exposure period in a static system.Acetone and ethanol, at about 0.48 and 0.26 of the fingerling LC₅₀, respectively, affected cardiovascular/respiratory parameters in adult rainbow trout. Acetone produced an increase in ventilation rate to a maximum of 158% of control values, as well as an increase in buccal pressure amplitude attaining a maximum of 410% of control values. Ethanol exposed fish exhibited a slight depression in ventilation rate and buccal pressure amplitude during initial stages of the 24 h exposure period. Ethanol had no effect on heart rate, despite a significant decrease in Q-T interval. Propylene glycol, at less than 0.08 of a concentration not producing apparent stress in fingerlings, had a mildly stimulatory effect on ventilation rate, and heart rate in adults. It is concluded that of the three solvents employed in this study, propylene glycol is most suitable for use as a solvent in fish toxicity tests.     

Influence of sediment in copper toxicity tests with the polychaete Neanthes arenaceodentata

Adult male Neanthes arenaceodentata were exposed to measured concentrations of 0.04, 0.06, 0.10, 0.16 and 0.26 mg l⁻¹ Cu in a continuous-flow bioassay system, with and without a clean sand, to assess the influence of sand on Cu induced mortality. The presence of sand did affect the results. The 28-day LC50 was lower for polychaetes exposed without sand than those with sand, 0.044 and 0.10 mg l⁻⁵ Cu, respectively. The reasons for this difference are discussed.     

Comparative disinfection of treated sewage with chlorine and ozone: Effect of nitrification

Chlorine and ozone were compared in pilot plants (capacity about 3.2 m³ h⁻¹), which were fed with the same activated sludge treated and filtered water. Together with physico-chemical analysis the water was analysed for different types of microorganisms, including vegetative bacteria (total and thermotolerant coliforms, faecal streptococci and Pseudomonas aeruginosa), bacterial spores (spores of aerobic bacteria at 37°C and sulphite reducing clostridia) and bacterial viruses (somatic coliphages and F-specific bacteriophages).The average chlorine and ozone dose were, respectively, 3.65 and 15.3 mg l⁻¹ of water, while after a contact time for both of about 25 min the average residual concentrations were 1.79 and 0.35 mg l⁻¹ of water. These residuals were measured with the DPD-method. The ammonia-N concentration varied greatly (0.06–72.0 mg l⁻¹) and was used to group the data into four classes: (1) non-nitrified water, defined as water in which nitrate-N was smaller than ammonia-N; (2) moderately nitrified water, in which nitrate-N was larger than ammonia-N and the ammonia-N was higher than 2 mg l⁻¹; (3) well nitrified water, defined as water in which ammonia-N was lower than 2 mg l⁻¹; (4) very well nitrified water, in which ammonia-N was smaller than 0.5 mg l⁻¹.This classification indicated that the concentrations of most other impurities decreased with a better nitrification. Statistical analysis of the data showed also that ozone was a better disinfectant than chlorine in the case where the disinfection is based upon their residual content. The degree of nitrification had a greater effect on chlorine disinfection than on ozone disinfection.During chlorination the total residual chlorine decreased, with better nitrification; the chlorine demand increased; the composition of the residual chlorine changed very much and the inactivation of bacterial viruses improved. The vegetative bacteria showed a varying pattern; most were inactivated in moderately nitrified water, when the dichloramine concentration was highest and false positive FAC concentration was lowest of the four classes. Reduction of bacterial spores was not observed.During ozonization other effects were indicated. Reductions of most organims increased slightly with better nitrification; only reductions of F-specific bacteriophages decreased. There was also a small decrease of bacterial spores. The treated effluent had a high ozone consumption and the inactivation of the organisms was low in relation to ozone dose and residual ozone.The bromide concentration (0.3–2.9 mg l⁻¹) effected the chemistry of chlorine and ozone and had a positive effect on chlorine and ozone disinfection of total coliforms.For most types of micoorganisms the disinfection coefficients of the Selleck model and the germicidal efficiencies could be determined.     

A mercury-free accelerated method for determining the chemical oxygen demand of large numbers of water samples by autoclaving them under pressure with acid-dichromate

In order to fulfill the objective of a water control program based on frequent sampling in several wastewater treatment plants, rivers and lakes a simplified method for measuring COD was developed. The procedure, in this article called the RR-method, includes: small sample and reagent volume; rapid addition of a mixture of all reagents to the sample; exclusion of mercury; autoclaving at 120°C for 1 h in flasks with fitted glass stoppers. To avoid dilution before analysis the method has been adapted for wastewater (I: 10–300 mg O₂ l⁻¹) and fresh water (II: 10–100 mg O₂ l⁻¹).Parallel analyses on different types of water samples according to Standard Methods showed that the yield by the RR-method was about 10% lower (Table 2). With water from the wastewater treatment plant at Uppsala (COD around 20 mg O₂ l⁻¹), the two methods gave an identical result. The somewhat lower yield was mostly due to decreased dichromate concentration and oxidation temperature. The lower oxidation potential made correction for chloride interference unnecessary below 1 g Cl⁻ l⁻¹ (Table 1).The RR-method also showed a good correlation to the values for KMnO₄-consumption. Parallel analyses of 318 samples from 14 wastewater receiving lakes gave the correlation coefficient r = +0.90 (Fig. 1).     

Responses of Cyperus involucratus Rottb. to nitrogen and phosphorus, with reference to wastewater reclamation

There is increasing use of aquatic plants in biosystems to ameliorate wastewaters. Cyperus involucratus Rottb. is a large emergent aquatic plant which may be useful in treating wastewater because it grows quickly, does not die back in winter, has little weed potential and grows in dryland situations. Many wastewaters contain high levels of N and P, and the capacity of C. involucratus to take up these nutrients was studied under glasshouse conditions. Maximum growth was attained between 84 and 168 mg NO₃-Nl⁻¹ and 1–5 mg PO₄-Pl⁻¹. At a low level of supplied NO₃-N, most of the N in plant organs was reduced-N; at levels of supplied NO₃-N above 84 mg l⁻¹, there was considerable accumulation of NO₃-N in plant organs. The accumulation of NO₃-N was greatest in culms where it made up over 50% of their N content when plants were grown on 350 mg NO₃-Nl⁻¹. Linear regression equations best described the relationships between dry matter and reduced-N contents in roots, culms and leaves. Over 60% of the total plant N and P accumulated in above ground organs, and concentrations of up to 0.53% P and 3.4% N (dry wt basis) were recorded in leaves. C. involucratus would be a suitable plant for wastewater reclamation on account of its high dry matter production, its ability to tolerate hyper-eutrophic levels of N and P, and the accumulation of most of the N and P in the harvestable portions of the plant.