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- Effect of dew-irrigation on seed yield and physiological traits in
chickpea
Abstract: Water shortage leads researchers and farmers to find new water resources. Water production from air vapor is a new idea. A field experiment was designed to determine the effect of dew-irrigation on chickpea seed yield and physiological traits. The field experiment included three treatments (dew-irrigation, conventional irrigation, and dryland farming). Irrigation treatments had no significant effect on chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, chlorophyll a/b, relative water content, seed yield and yield attributing traits, and morphological traits. The mean comparison showed that dew-irrigation had higher stomatal conductance, chlorophyll fluorescence parameter (FV/FM), and photosynthesis performance index compared to dryland farming (62, 16, and 245% increase, respectively). Conventional irrigation had a higher photosynthesis performance index compared to dryland farming. Some plant physiological traits such as stomatal conductance clearly showed the positive effect of dew-irrigation on plant growth. The study of different levels of energy for water production can be informative in the next experiments.
- Fe/Ti-codoped strontium oxide nanoparticles for enhanced photocatalytic
degradation of methyl orange
Abstract: This study presents a method for enhancing the photocatalytic properties of strontium oxide (SrO) nanoparticles (NPs) through doping with Iron (Fe) and titanium (Ti) ions using hydrothermal synthesis. The materials were characterized using a range of spectroscopic and microscopic techniques to ensure accurate analysis of their structure and composition. Photocatalytic efficiencies of the as-synthesized materials were evaluated against the degradation of methyl orange dye, achieving about 98 % removal in 90 min with 3 % doped material. The degradation efficiency was found to be dependent on several factors including pH, initial dye concentration, and catalyst dosage. Optimal conditions were determined to be a pH of 4, an initial dye concentration of 20 mg/L, and a catalyst dosage of 150 mg. These findings suggest that the Fe/Ti-codoped SrO nanoparticles hold significant potential for applications in environmental cleanup processes, particularly in the degradation of organic pollutants. The study provides valuable insights into the synthesis and application of doped nanoparticles in photocatalysis, highlighting their efficiency and the importance of optimizing reaction conditions to maximize performance.
- Study of cyclophosphamide removal by using sodium hypochlorite: A case
study on hospitals sewage
Abstract: Due to the increasing incidence of cancer, the consumption of anti-cancer or neoplastic drugs has increased significantly. These compounds are not removed during wastewater treatment with sufficient efficiency, they could be found in the groundwater. Oxidation is an efficient method for removing neoplastic drugs such as cyclophosphamide. The previous researchers could make use of a wide range of oxidants because of compiling the health protocols for the lowest risk of drug hazards. The purpose of this research is to remove cyclophosphamide residue in vomit contents, urine, or feces of patients through toilet sewage that merges with household sewage or municipal sewage. In this study, all experiments were done by the oxidation method of cyclophosphamide 10 mg/L with sodium hypochlorite and considering of effectiveness of pH changes and reaction time. It was shown that cyclophosphamide degradation has increased with increased concentration of sodium hypochlorite and reaction time at pH=9.8. The destructive 94.8% of cyclophosphamide was optimized by the concentration of 0.02 % sodium hypochlorite, pH=9.8, and a reaction time of 5 min. Also, the comparative results of drug removal in hospital wastewater with optimal concentration, pH, and time showed increasing of 4% reduction in cyclophosphamide drug removal (98.02%) compared to the test sample. The result of the research can be effective in removing cyclophosphamide by installing a dosing pump in the flush tank or toilet siphon of the oncology department.
- Improvement of anaerobic sludge granulation and biogas production by bone
powder as a natural material
Abstract: Soft drinks are industrial intermediate chemicals found in wastewater and are among the most significant environmental pollutants. Up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactors are used to treat soft drink wastewater, offering high-volume loading capacity, optimal grain deposition, and the ability to bear impact loads. The use of support materials can enhance biological productivity and expedite the UASB start-up period. In this study, bone powder was utilized as a support material in a UASB reactor to remove contaminants from wastewater. During the 70-day sludge adaptation period, the treatment reactor achieved a 93% reduction in COD, while the control reactor achieved a 65% reduction. Biogas production was higher in the bone powder UASB reactor (1750 mL/d) compared to the control UASB reactor (1100 mL/d), and the bone powder UASB reactor demonstrated greater resistance to shock loading. The improvement in sludge settling, shear strength, and higher biological activity in the bone powder UASB reactor was attributed to the formation of large granular sludge. The size of the granular sludge increased further with the colonization of filamentous bacteria at the irregular levels of bone powder.
- Facile synthesis of chitosan/polyacrylamide hydrogel for the efficient
adsorption of bovine serum albumin from water
Abstract: Over recent decades, there has been a documented rise in natural organic matter (NOM) levels in surface waters globally, adversely affecting drinking water treatment processes. This study is focused on employing adsorption techniques to explore the removal of proteinaceous NOM from an aqueous solution. A chitosan/polyacrylamide (chitosan/PAM) hydrogel was synthesized through a multi-step procedure involving chitosan and acrylamide solutions preparation, polymerization initiation, mixing, gelation, purification, and drying. The Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques were employed to characterize the synthesized chitosan/PAM hydrogel, examining its structural and morphological features. Adsorption experiments were conducted to assess performance of chitosan/PAM hydrogel adsorbent for the removal of bovine serum albumin (BSA) from aqueous solutions. Various physical parameters including temperature, time, pH, initial BSA concentration, and adsorbent dosage were examined in batch experiments. The adsorption capacity of chitosan/PAM hydrogel for BSA and removal percent of BSA was found 617 mg/g and 77.2 % at 6 h under optimum conditions (T= 25ºC and pH=7) with kinetic studies indicating a best fit with the pseudo-1st-order model. Isotherm studies demonstrated that the Temkin isotherm model best fitted with experimental BSA adsorption data (R2 > 0.99). The findings underscore the efficacy of the developed adsorbent in efficiently removing natural proteins. Furthermore, the experimental results indicate that the adsorption capacity of the chitosan/PAM hydrogel augmented with rising temperature and initial BSA concentration.
- Identification of pathogenic bacteria by biosensors in water and
wastewater
Abstract: Pathogenic microorganisms, such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, legionella, Shigella and etc. can contaminate drinking water and lead to disease and even death. On the other hand, due to the ability of antibiotics to prevent or treat bacterial infections, they have been used as the main method of infection treatment in humans and animals for the past two decades. The irresponsible use of these antibiotics is one of the most important reasons for the emergence of microbial resistance, which has become a global issue. Therefore, timely diagnosis of these pathogens is very important. the use of specialized personnel, machines, and tools in molecular methods such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) are expensive, and traditional methods such as plate culture are time-consuming. Today, a variety of biosensors are reported to identify these bacteria, which are fast, accurate, and cost-effective. In this review, we described a number of important pathogenic bacteria and biosensors made to identify these pathogens.
- Spatio-temporal variations and pollution status of heavy metals in Ahi
River, Ohiya, Umuahia, Nigeria
Abstract: The levels of heavy metals in the environment have seriously increased during the last few decades due to human activities. Aquatic environment is a major recipient of heavy metal pollution. Heavy metal content of Ahi River was studied between May and October 2023 in three stations, compared with national standards to determine the water’s suitability for drinking. The water samples were collected and analysed using standard methods. The eight evaluated heavy metals and concentrations were: Iron (0.93-2.83 mg/L), Zinc (0.61-0.90 mg/L), copper (0.1-0.9 mg/L), lead (0.05-0.34 mg/L), chromium (0.08-0.64 mg/L), cadmium (0.03-0.21 mg/L), nickel (0.02-0.14 mg/L) and manganese (0.38-1.1 mg/L). All the metals exceeded limits for drinking water (except zinc and copper). The lowest and highest values for most of the metals were recorded in May and September 2023, respectively. However, station 3 had relatively high values in all the metals. The heavy metal content was influenced by geology, rainfall and human activities. Single factor pollution index (SFPI) and comprehensive pollution index (CPI) showed the water was polluted and unsafe while pollution load sharing rate (PLSR) showed that lead and cadmium contributed most to the pollution. The concentrations of the metals influenced the values of the indices, therefore, waters of Ahi River is not suitable for drinking but can be used for other domestic purposes.
- An assessment of the quality of effluent discharged from several
wastewater treatment plants into the Crocodile River of Mpumalanga, South
Africa
Abstract: The effluents from the South African wastewater treatment plant systems have a detrimental effect on the country's water resources and public health. Municipal wastewater services are often considered inadequate when compared to national standards and inter-national benchmarks. The objective of this study was to evaluate the quality of wastewater effluent discharged from multiple sewage treatment facilities throughout the Crocodile River catchment area in the Lowveld. The quality of wastewater effluent was tested at nine wastewater discharge stations along the Crocodile River. Samples were collected monthly during the eight-month duration of 2021. Samples were analyzed by the South African National Accreditation System (SANAS) laboratory and statistical analysis was conducted using the Seaborn program. The results indicated that almost all the sampling sites had very high suspended solid concentrations in their effluent discharges; the highest was recorded at Kanyamazane site with 26,20 mg/L, and the lowest at Kabokweni with 7,2 mg/L. High levels chemical oxygen demand (COD) were recorded, which increased nitrate levels. High COD is an indication of water treatment system inefficiency. In most cases, the levels of E. coli were within the legal required limits, except for Kabokweni (192425)/100 mL) and Hectorspruit (1183/100 mL). R2= 0.83 showed a strong association between suspended particles and ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N). Pollution of the Crocodile River is mostly due to wastewater treatment facility failure; therefore, the South African government should invest in wastewater treatment and sludge management technology. Funds should be utilized efficiently for infrastructure development and maintenance.
- Treating gray water by anaerobic digestion in order to use in landscape
irrigation
Abstract: Wastewater output has increased considerably as a result of global population growth. Efforts to manage wastewater are expanding globally. Bio-based methods are useful and effective for treating a wide range of wastewaters, especially those from homes. In this research, the gray water stream at Sari Agricultural College in the north of Iran was treated using an anaerobic biological method. The purpose of this study was to determine whether using treated gray water for landscape irrigation was feasible or not. A fine screening pre-treatment system and a septic tank system were created in order to achieve this goal. After the first stage screening of superfluous solid components, anaerobic digestion was carried out for 26 hours at a temperature of between 14 and 16 °C in a 5 m3 septic tank. Treatment method function was revealed by measuring and comparing the pollutant indices with the permissible rates. The obtained data were: BOD 19.5 mg/L, COD 185 mg/L, Suspended Solid (SS) 90 mg/L, Organic Matter (OM) 80 mg/L, NO3 26 mg/L, PO4 6.25 mg/L, Oil and Grease (O&G) 9.3%, pH 5.9-7.1. The permissible rates for these indices are 100, 200, 200, 300, 30, 6.75, 10, and 6.8-7.1, respectively. The treated gray water was allowed to be utilized as irrigation water. After irrigating, the landscape did not face any negative effects. Nonetheless, the high acidity was owing to the detergents in effluent and this was the main reason provides a vast range of microelements leading to poisoning plants in a long period.
- Synthesis and optimization of biochar prepared from cow dung for methylene
blue removal
Abstract: Cost-effective dye wastewater treatment approaches are critically required for the long-term sustainability of textile industries. To fill the gaps, multiple high-potential adsorbents derived from biomass have been proposed. For this purpose, this study was conducted to present an applicable and cost-effective biochar synthesized from cow dung to remove methylene blue from the aqueous solutions. The potential of cow dung-based biochar was optimized under various pH, biochar dose, methylene blue concentration, contact time, and temperature. The maximum removal was 96% achieved at optimum conditions, 20 mg/l methylene blue concentration, 0.2 g biochar dose, pH of 6, and 90 min contact time at ambient temperature. The methylene blue adsorption process followed the Freundlich isotherm (R2=0.9827) and pseudo-second-order (R2=0.999) kinetic models, implying multilayered adsorption on the heterogenous surface and chemisorption mechanism, respectively. Furthermore, the adsorption process was spontaneous and exothermic due to negative Gibbs free energy (ΔG0) and enthalpy (ΔH0) with the reduction at randomness of methylene blue molecules and adsorbent interaction based on negative entropy (ΔS0). Regarding the high efficiency of cow dung-based biochar to adsorb methylene blue, it is recommended that further investigations consider the biochar activation and functionalization intending to upgrade its adsorption capacity.
- Modeling the effects of changes made in Sistan's water resources system
using WEAP
Abstract: Water is one of the most basic environmental resources and plays an important role in human life. The Sistan river is the only source of water supply in this area and is completely dependent on the border river of Hirmand. The water of this river fluctuates greatly due to the interference of the country of Afghanistan, climate changes and the existence of Hamon international wetland, which has made the issue of decision-making regarding the management of water resources in Sistan region more than in other regions. This study, using the WEAP model, deals with modeling the effects of changes made in the water resources system in the Sistan region, which has special weather conditions. The results of this study showed that policies implemented in recent years have a positive effect on increasing water resources and decreasing water shortages in agriculture, drinking water, and the environment sectors, and supply-side policies combined with demand-side policies like increasing irrigation efficiency and reducing the per capita consumption of water can have a greater effect on economic, social and environmental development. It was also found that domestic water needs were met in all months, but in the agricultural sector, only 20% of agricultural water was provided to farmers in the summer months. Therefore, based on field observations, the agricultural sector is facing more problems in supplying water to the regions. Finally, for environmental needs, 184,000 cubic meters of water needed by Hamon Hirmand has not been supplied.
- Electro-enhanced membrane separation technology for fouling mitigation in
wastewater treatment: A review
Abstract: The research on membrane-based filtration technology for water treatment has expanded in recent years. Membrane fouling is a major challenge that decreases the permeability and decreases the lifetime and selectivity of the membrane. Recently, it was found that fouling mitigation and better control of membrane fouling can be attained under the application of the electric field. This paper provides an overview of the application of the electric field to the filtration process and its antifouling mechanism. Utilization of conductive polymeric membranes and application of electric field in membrane bioreactors are reviewed as well. The presented review demonstrates that the introduction of negative charge into the membrane surface via preparing conductive membranes or applying an external electric field onto the membrane surface suggests several advantages. These are fouling alleviation, better control of membrane fouling, an increase of membrane resistance to cake deposition on the membrane surface, and superior possible applications such as better salt rejection and antibacterial activity.
- Improvement of COD removal and electricity generation in a MFC through
embedding sulfonated reduced graphene oxide in a SPEEK proton exchange
membrane
Abstract: Graphene oxide has attracted many interests in the recent decade due to its unique mechanical and chemical properties. This study focuses on the modification of graphene oxide and preparation proton exchange membrane (PEM) by sulfonated poly ether ether ketone (SPEEK) as base polymer for using in MFC as a modified membrane to remove COD and electricity generation. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) images, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and contact angle measurements were used to verify hydrophilic properties of the synthesized membranes. First, preparation procedures and properties of sulfonated reduced graphene oxide are briefly described. Subsequently, modification of proton exchange membrane from SPEEK polymer with prepared nano particle of sulfonated reduced graphene oxide 0.5 wt. % and its operation in MFC was considered. COD removal, power density, current density and coulombic efficiency were monitored during the process operation to evaluate the MFC performance. During the process operation, COD removal, power density, current density, and coulombic efficiency were tracked to assess the MFC performance. The power density and current density, 39.43 mW/m2 and 161 mA/m2 and the columbic efficiency 48.9 % was obtained, respectively. The COD removal of 89.5 % was obtained.
- Investigation of integrated model for optimizing the performance of urban
wastewater system
Abstract: Due to the rapid population and economic growth, the demand for water has increased. In addition, the natural resources are limited and degrade because of several factors such as the climate change. These challenges lead to reduce the ability of providing water at the required quantity and quality. One of solutions to maintain the sustainability of water supply from different sources is reuse of wastewater. For this aim, it is crucial to optimize wastewater systems. This research paper aims to describe different modelling possibilities and optimization methods for various components of integrated urban wastewater systems. The main conclusion of this research paper is the lack of study of optimum design and operation of urban wastewater systems in a holistic method. Moreover, most of previous studies on integrated wastewater management have been conducted on combined sewer systems.
- Comparison of head – leakage flow equations for circular holes in water
distribution networks with a new equation
Abstract: In the operation of water distribution networks in cities, leakage from pipes always causes problems for human health and for the environment. Leakage openings in pipes may exist in different shapes. Circular holes are common in corroded and punched pipes. In the leakage studies, the area of these openings is usually assumed to be fixed and the leakage exponent is about 0.5. In this study, an analytical equation has been presented with two purposes. First, Examining the changes in the leak area and leakage exponent of circular holes. Second, providing an equation that contains more parameters than the general leakage equations. By using such an equation, the accuracy of leakage estimation is increased due to the direct involvement of the effective parameters. Also, for the possibility of modeling different leakage equations, including the present equation, a new hydraulic analysis model has been developed. This model tries to improve leakage modeling by including more capabilities than the existing hydraulic analysis models. Results showed that the leak area in circular holes is not fixed and changes due to different parameters. Comparison of the present equation and the orifice equation showed a significant difference which confirms that the orifice equation cannot be always used for circular leaks. In the study of leakage exponent, it was found that for polyethylene pipes, the leakage exponent is higher than value of 0.5 mentioned in the other studies and it can take different values depending on the leakage position in the network. Increasing the hole diameter did not affect the leakage exponent, but increased the leakage coefficient. On the other hand, for steel pipes, the leakage coefficient was fixed and the exponent remained around 0.5. Finally, the results showed the usefulness of the developed hydraulic analysis model for implementing the scenarios defined in this study.
- Evaluation of the various adsorption isotherm models for the
photocatalytic removal of methylene blue from the wastewater by graphene
oxide/TiO2/SiO2
Abstract: Treatment of wastewater is a crucial step in reducing pollution from the textile and dyeing industries. One of the best techniques for dye removal is photocatalytic processes, and TiO2 is frequently employed in numerous wastewater treatment applications. In this study, different adsorption isotherm models and experimental data from the removal of the methylene blue dye from wastewater by applying GO/TiO2/SiO2 nanocomposite were compared. The correlation coefficient values (R2) for the Langmuir isotherm type 1 (Hanes-Woolf), Temkin, and Freundlich were determined to be, respectively, 0.9957, 0.9823, and 0.9515. Additionally, the R2 values for the Redlich-Peterson, Sips, and Toth isotherms models were 0.9575, 0.9626, and 0.9629, respectively. Therefore, Langmuir isotherm type 1 has the highest R2 and is the best model for surface adsorption of methylene blue on GO/TiO2/SiO2 photocatalyst. As a result, monolayer adsorption was most likely dominating during the adsorption. Furthermore, this photocatalyst proved suitable for lower methylene blue concentrations and systems with lower temperature sensitivity.
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