The Microbiological Quality of Private Water Supplies

This paper provides a detailed assessment of the microbiological quality of a selection of private water supplies. Samples were taken from 91 supplies and analyzed for total coliforms, faecal coliforms and faecal streptococci. The microbiological quality of the samples was generally poor, with almost 50% of the supplies failing to meet the required standards on at least one occasion. Given the high level of sanitary microbiological failures, there is the possibility that harmful microorganisms could be present and a significant risk to health cannot be discounted.     

Hydrophilic antioxidants of virgin olive oil. Part 2: Biosynthesis and biotransformation of phenolic compounds in virgin olive oil as affected by agronomic and processing factors

The biosynthesis of the phenolic fraction of olive fruits during ripening and the transformations occurring in this moiety during virgin olive oil (VOO) extraction are discussed in this paper. The influence of agronomical factors that can significantly affect the phenolic profile of VOO is also discussed. Particularly, it is worth emphasizing the role of genetic factors, cultivation and climatic conditions such as water availability, atmospheric temperature, altitude, health status of the fruits, alternate bearing in the olive, and some processing factors such as crushing, malaxation time and temperature or volume of water added during milling. Among these parameters, special attention has been paid to genetic factors due to the high variability observed among Olea europaea genotypes for all recorded traits. In this context, interesting experimental results have been obtained with cultivated and wild olive trees, and also with segregating populations resulting from olive breeding programs. To the authors' knowledge, reviews evaluating the influence of the main factors that contribute to the profile of hydrophilic phenols have not been previously published. The discussion concerning olive breeding programs is a major and novel aspect to be emphasized considering recent trends to obtain new olive cultivars that confer better organoleptic properties and better quality to VOO.     

THE 1999 CRYPTOSPORIDIUM RISK ASSESSMENT EXERCISE IN ENGLAND AND WALES- A GROUNDWATER OVERVIEW

Regulations Introduced in 1999 obliged water companies In England and Wales to conduct risk assessments of their treatment works to establish whether there was a significant risk from Cryptosporidium oocysts in the water supplied. More than 330 treatment works were identified as being at risk, just over half of which were plants treating groundwater. This paper provides an overview of what water companies themselves identified as the most at-risk settings for their groundwater-based works in terms of aquifer and type of supply. Evaluation of results from the subsequent continuous monitoring regulatory regime that came into force on many of these supplies could validate the primarily qualitative nature of the initial assessments of at-risk settings. There would also be public health benefits from confirmation of whether currently-employed risk assessment methods are well-founded because similar procedures could then be applied with confidence to the many small private supplies In Britain.     

BIOFILM FORMATION IN GRANULAR-BED FILTERS

A high microbiological quality of drinking water must be ensured to protect public health. The filtration techniques that are used in treating drinking water play an important role; however, a biofilm can form on granular-media filters and the accumulated bacteria can slough off and enter the filtered water.
The aim of this research was to examine (a) the potential for biofilm formation and detachment from filter sand, and (b) the effect of different backwash regimes on biofilm removal. During the operation of the filter, bacteria became attached to the sand media, particularly in the top 30 mm of the filter bed. A water-only backwash at 20% and 40% bed expansion demonstrated poor removal of biofilm throughout the depth of the bed. Collapse-pulsing is a more efficient method and results in a reduction in the number of bacteria in the filtered water.     

Evaluation of a Radiolabeled Macrocyclic Peptide as Potential PET Imaging Probe for PD−L1

The interaction between the immune checkpoint PD-1 and PD−L1 promotes T-cell deactivation and cancer proliferation. Therefore, immune checkpoint inhibition therapy, which relies on prior assessment of the target, has been widely used for many cancers. As a non-invasive molecular imaging tool, radiotracers bring novel information on the in vivo expression of biomarkers (e. g., PD−L1), enabling a personalized treatment of patients. Our work aimed at the development of a PD−L1-specific, peptide-based PET radiotracer. We synthesized and evaluated a radiolabeled macrocyclic peptide adapted from a patent by Bristol Myers Squibb. Synthesis of [⁶⁸Ga]Ga-NJMP1 yielded a product with a radiochemical purity>95 % that was evaluated in vitro. However, experiments on CHO−K1 hPD−L1 cells showed very low cell binding and internalization rates of [⁶⁸Ga]Ga-NJMP1 in comparison to a control radiopeptide (WL12). Non-radioactive cellular assays using time-resolved fluorescence energy transfer confirmed the low affinity of the reported parent peptide and the DOTA-derivatives towards PD−L1. The results of our studies indicate that the macrocyclic peptide scaffold reported in the patent literature is not suitable for radiotracer development due to insufficient affinity towards PD−L1 and that C-terminal modifications of the macrocyclic peptide interfere with important ligand/receptor interactions.     

Submerged Biotower Technology for Tertiary Nitrification of Poultry Abattoir Wastewater

The paper describes the design and operation of a submerged biotower, i.e. flooded upflow reactor which utilises a random-packed polypropylene medium for supporting the biomass. The process can be used for carbonaceous removal or nitrification. In the application which is described, the process has been used for tertiary nitrification of a poultry abattoir wastewater as an extension to the existing effluent-treatment plant. Details of process commissioning at low temperatures are given and results from twelve months'operation are discussed. Operating costs are compared with other processes.     

Ecological Restoration Options for the Lymington/Keyhaven Saltmarshes

The paper describes the conservation importance and rationale for examining ecological restoration options for the Lymington/Keyhaven saltmarshes in Southern England. Physical process studies have established why this coastal habitat is under pressure and have quantified the rate of erosion. A vegetation survey of the saltmarshes suggested that (a) wave attack, (b) ship wash, (c) poor drainage, (d) deferential sedimentation, and (e) relative sea-level rise are contributing to the loss of saltmarsh quality and quantity. Saltmarsh re-creation is not a viable option for this site; instead, a combination of rehabilitation techniques is proposed.     

Some Hydrogeological Peculiar to Various Types of Problems Small Islands

There are many problems associated with the investigation of small island hydrogeology, including (i) the availability of data and the distribution of both spatial and temporal data sets, (ii) the dynamics of the groundwater to sea-water interface and the shape of the so-called groundwater lens, and (iii) the difficulties of evaluating recharge to groundwater and of calculating the volume of groundwater discharge to the sea. These issues are compounded by (a) the ratio of coast to area in small islands, (b) the problems of extreme topography, and (c) the identification of baseflow to rivers and streams. A simple classification of island types assists in evaluating hydro-geological regimes, and the importance of groundwater in an island context cannot be over-emphasised.     

Discharge Measurement Using Portable Dilution Gauging Flowmeters

This paper suggests that the relative salt (sodium chloride) dilution method should be more widely used for the routine measurement of stream discharge, and has been written to increase awareness of the technique among flow-gauging practitioners. Recent improvements in instrumentation have increased accuracy and simplified practical application, making the method better suited (in many circumstances) than the more widely used alternatives. The paper (a) reports on a field study to evaluate the performance of a portable dilution-gauging flowmeter, and (b) considers the environmental issues which are associated with the method. The review reveals that the use of salt (in the quantities typically required) is unlikely to have any significant ecological impact, and argues that environmental concerns are founded upon little scientific basis.     

Strategic Coastal-Defence Planning: The Role of the Planning System

If a shoreline management plan is to lead to sustainable coastal defences, a long-term strategic view is necessary. This paper examines the issues which are involved in shoreline management planning and the role of the planning system in achieving sustainable coastal defence. Using case studies from the Holderness coastline, it (a) reviews the options with respect to erosion control on a rapidly eroding coast, and (b) acknowledges the need to introduce change gradually if it is to be accepted. Specifically, it assesses the potential to use planning permission controls to prevent new development in areas where maintaining a hard defence line will interrupt longshore transport, with potentially significant down-drift effects.