•A modified ER-Calux® (NE-(ER-Calux®)) does not need pre-extraction of raw water samples.•NE-(ER-Calux®) enables determination of estrogenic potential of raw water samples.•The sensitivities of ...NE-(ER-Calux®) and conventional ER-Calux® assay are comparable.•NE-(ER-Calux®) assay is recommended as a screening assay in multi sample studies.
This study describes the modification of the ER-Calux® assay for testing water samples without sample extraction (NE-(ER-Calux®) assay). The results are compared to those obtained with ER-Calux® assay and a theoretical estrogenic potential obtained by GC–MSD. For spiked tap and waste water samples there was no statistical difference between estrogenic potentials obtained by the three methods. Application of NE-(ER-Calux®) to “real” influent and effluents from municipal waste water treatment plants and receiving surface waters found that the NE-(ER-Calux®) assay gave higher values compared to ER-Calux® assay and GC–MSD. This is explained by the presence of water soluble endocrine agonists that are usually removed during extraction. Intraday dynamics of the estrogenic potential of a WWTP influent and effluent revealed an increase in the estrogenic potential of the influent from 12.9ng(EEQ)/L in the morning to a peak value of 40.0ng(EEQ)/L in the afternoon. The estrogenic potential of the effluent was <LOD (<0.68ng(EEQ)/L). The overall reduction in estrogenic potential was 92–98%. Daytime estrogenic potential values varied significantly.
This study reports the occurrence of eight bisphenols (BPs): bisphenol AF (BPAF), bisphenol AP (BPAP), bisphenol B (BPB), bisphenol C (BPC), bisphenol E (BPE), bisphenol F (BPF), bisphenol S (BPS) ...and bisphenol Z (BPZ) in wastewaters (WWs). Sample preparation involved pre-concentration with SPE cartridges (Oasis HLB), followed by derivatization using N-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-N-methyltrifluoroacetamide with 1% tert-butyldimethylchlorosilane. Chemical analysis was based on gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. A validated method with limits of detection (LODs) at ngL−1 range was applied to WWs collected at five Slovene wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and WW inflows from industrial, commercial and residential sources entering the sewerage systems of two catchments (Domžale-Kamnik (DK) and Ljubljana (LJ)). The presence of all BPs was confirmed in three inflows in DK and two inflows in the LJ catchments. High cumulative concentrations of all BPs were determined in WW from food processing facilities (LJ: 3030ngL−1 and DK: 599ngL−1). A high detection frequency was observed in the WW from two textile cleaning companies (6 BPs for LJ and 8 BPs for DK). The analysis of WW from WWTPs revealed that only BPF (36.7ngL−1) and BPS (40.6ngL−1) were >LODs in the influents, whereas other BPs were detected also in the effluents. BPZ was found in the highest concentration (403ngL−1 at WWTP-DK). WW collected at this WWTP also contained the highest amount of BPE (238ngL−1). Although BPs removal could not be directly compared between the WWTPs, with the exception of BPAP and BPB in the case of two smaller WWTPs (6.39%–43.2%) bisphenols were in general highly removed (≥96.2%). Finally, levels of BPC>LOD are reported for first time (WWTP in the DK catchment: 1.01ngL−1–11.8ngL−1; LJ inflow from food processing plant up to 2560ngL−1).
Display omitted
•BPs were measured in different WWs including inflows, influents and effluents.•Most BPs were >LOD in analysed WW.•BP removal efficiencies were in general >96%.•BPZ was most commonly detected and BPC was quantified in WW for the first time.•Food processing and textile cleaning facilities represent major sources of BPs.
Continuous consumption combined with incomplete removal during wastewater treatment means residues of psychoactive substances (licit drugs, medications of abuse and illicit drugs) are constantly ...introduced into the aquatic environment, where they have the potential to affect non-target organisms. In this study, 17 drug residues of psychoactive substances were determined in wastewater influent, effluent and in receiving rivers of six Slovene municipal wastewater treatment plants employing different treatment technologies. Variations in removal efficiencies (REs) during spring, summer and winter were explored, and ecotoxic effects were evaluated using in silico (Ecological Structure-Activity Relationships software–ECOSAR) and in vivo (algal growth inhibition test) methods. Drug residues were detected in influent and effluent in the ng/L to μg/L range. In receiving rivers, biomarkers were in the ng/L range, and there was good agreement between measured and predicted concentrations. On average, REs were highest for nicotine, 11-nor-9-carboxy-∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC-COOH), cocaine residues, and amphetamine (>90 %) and lowest for methadone residues (<30 %). REs were comparable between treatments involving activated sludge and membrane bioreactors, while the moving biofilm bed reactor (MBBR) removed cotinine, cocaine, and benzoylecgonine to a lesser extent. Accordingly, higher levels of nicotine and cocaine residues were detected in river water receiving MBBR discharge. Although there were seasonal variations in REs and levels of drug residues in receiving rivers, no general pattern could be observed. No significant inhibition of algal growth (Chlamydomonas reinhardtii) was observed for the tested compounds (1 mg/L) during 72 h and 240 h of exposure, although effects on aquatic plants were predicted in silico. In addition, environmental risk assessment revealed that levels of nicotine, methadone, 2-ethylidene-1,5-dimethyl-3,3-diphenylpyrrolidine (EDDP), morphine, and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) pose a risk to aquatic organisms. Since nicotine and EDDP can have acute and chronic effects, the authors support regular monitoring of receiving surface waters, followed up by regulatory actions.
Display omitted
•Removal of psychoactive drug residues with activated sludge and MBR were comparable.•MBBR was less efficient at removing nicotine and cocaine residues.•Predicted and measured levels in river water were in good agreement.•Chlamydomonas reinhardtii growth was uninhibited by drug residues at 1 mg/L.•Five drug residues exceeded in silico predicted PNEC.
A full-scale experiment on the anaerobic co-digestion of organic waste from domestic refuse (swill) and municipal sludge is described. In a wastewater treatment plant of 50,000 population ...equivalents, two conventional mesophilic digesters with a combined volume of 2000
m
3 and 20 days hydraulic retention time were used. The digesters’ usual influent is waste sludge from wastewater treatment plants (a mixture of primary sludge and waste activated sludge) with an average organic loading rate of 0.8
kg
m
−3
d
−1 of volatile suspended solids. In the experiment, organic waste was added to the digester influent to increase the organic loading rate by 25% to 1.0
kg
m
3
d
−1 of volatile suspended solids. Biogas quantity increased by 80% and specific biogas production increased from 0.39
m
3
kg
−1 volatile suspended solids inserted prior to the experiment to over 0.60
m
3
kg
−1 volatile suspended solids’ inserted, peaking at 0.89
m
3
kg
−1 volatile suspended solids inserted. The excess biogas was used in a boiler and a 50
kW combined heat and power engine. Electrical energy production increased by 130% and heat production increased by 55%. Volatile suspended solids degradation efficiency increased from 71% to 81% with no increase of volatile suspended solids in the digester effluent. Virtually all of the organic waste was degraded.
Chlorination is one of the most commonly used procedures for drinking waterdisinfection. The research aimed to soptimise the subsequent disinfection ofdrinking water with chlorine in the water supply ...network in the city Velenje,taking into account the applicable legislation. The gradual reduction of chlorinedosage was implemented with simultaneous monitoring of selected physico-chemical and microbiological parameters of drinking water. During the two-month period, 418 samples were taken at 22 previously defined differentsampling spots. Free chlorine values were reduced from the initial 0,18 mg/L tothe final 0,08 mg/L at the outlet, while values at some remote sampling sitesreached only 0,01 mg/L of free chlorine. Microbiological analyses of samplesshowed that the drinking water met the limit values in the regulations, despitethe low values of free chlorine. Based on the results, a modified chlorination ofdrinking water was introduced in the tested supply area, and the introduction ofa similar regime in other supply areas is being actively considered. In this way,we reduce the consumption of disinfectants and ensure the supply of qualityand healthy drinking water to consumers.
Continental dry grasslands are important habitats that are among the endangered vegetation types not only in Croatia but also in the countries of Central and Western Europe. Areas under grassland are ...decreasing year to year due to the decreasing traditional way of using them (mowing and grazing). Reducing the loss of grassland is a strategic goal and flora inventory is one way to protect them from extinction. Overgrown surfaces lead to a progressive succession of vegetation. The aim of this research is to determine the floristic composition of sub-Pannonian grasslands and to isolate invasive species. The research was conducted during the vegetation in 2020 and 2021, and 122 taxa from 37 families were identified.
Kontinentalni suhi travnjaci su važna staništa koja se ubrajaju u ugrožene tipove vegetacije ne samo u Hrvatskoj nego i u zemljama srednje i zapadne Europe. Površine pod travnjacima se iz godine u godinu smanjuju zbog sve manjeg tradicionalnog načina korištenja istih (košnja i ispaša). Smanjenje gubitka površina pod travnjacima strateški je cilj, a inventarizacija flore jedan je način zaštite od nestajanja. Zarastanjem površina dolazi do progresivne sukcesije vegetacije. Cilj ovog istraživanja je utvrditi floristički sastav subpanonskog travnjaka te izdvojiti invazivne vrste. Istraživanje je provedeno tijekom vegetacijske 2020. i 2021. godine pri čemu su utvrđene 122 svojte iz 37 porodica.
Importance of agricultural production (besides strategically significant food production) increases, because of the need for strategic production of energy crops used for energy production. Term ...energy crop includes crops that can be processed using different technologies in order to obtain different energy-generating bioproducts, such as: biodiesel, bioethanol, biogas and biomass for incineration. Correct management and better exploitation of existing land resources, as well as introduction and development of new crops makes possible higher production of plant organic material for processing and production of energy-generating bioproducts. In biogas production, biogas production plants work continuously throughout the year without stopping. To insure that, it is necessary to provide enough organic material in quality and quantity, which will be converted into biogas in production plants. Due to its distinctly high green mass yield, Sudan grass (Sorghum sudanense L.) becomes interesting crop that can replace silage maize in biogas production plants. Sudan grass is an annual high grass, which gives exceptionally high green mass yields that can be used as green forage, haylage or silage. Due to its late sowing period, it is suitable as stubble crop. In conducted research, obtained Sudan grass yield amounted to 82 t/ha. Due to its high yield it is possible to obtain the same amount of silage using only 60% of land we used for maize silage production.
An autothermal aerobic sequencing batch process for sludge digestion and "class A" biosolids production was developed. The process was tested in laboratory and pilot scale size up to 150 PE, which ...can be considered a full scale size in some cases. In this process the maximum temperatures of 61.2 degrees C and 60.2 degrees C were achieved in laboratory scale in pilot scale equipment, respectively. The degradation efficiency of total chemical oxygen demand of sludge was between 50 and 70%. Similar results were achieved using pure oxygen in laboratory scale and oxygen/air mixture 1:1 by volume. The reactor scale greatly affects the achievement of thermophilic temperature. In smaller sizes the convective heat losses are the prevailing heat sink and the process is unable to produce enough heat to reach thermophilic temperature. Larger systems produce excess heat and can be installed with less intense aeration systems. The limit of air aeration system is at the size of about 500 PE.
Kontinentalni suhi travnjaci su važna staništa koja se ubrajaju u ugrožene tipove vegetacije ne samo u Hrvatskoj nego i u zemljama srednje i zapadne Europe. Površine pod travnjacima se iz godine u ...godinu smanjuju zbog sve manjeg tradicionalnog načina korištenja istih (košnja i ispaša). Smanjenje gubitka površina pod travnjacima strateški je cilj, a inventarizacija flore jedan je način zaštite od nestajanja. Zarastanjem površina dolazi do progresivne sukcesije vegetacije. Cilj ovog istraživanja je utvrditi floristički sastav subpanonskog travnjaka te izdvojiti invazivne vrste. Istraživanje je provedeno tijekom vegetacijske 2020. i 2021. godine pri čemu su utvrđene 122 svojte iz 37 porodica.
PROIZVODNJA BIOPLINA IZ GOVEĐE GNOJOVKE Uranjek, Nataša; Kralik, Davor; Kanižai, Gabriella ...
Krmiva,
09/2007, Letnik:
49, Številka:
4
Conference Proceeding
Odprti dostop
Svake godine se oko 590-880 milijuna tona metana oslobodi širom svijeta u atmosferu kroz mikrobiološku aktivnost. (Baličević i sur., 2001). Oko 90% emitiranog metana potječe od biogenih izvora. Na ...udaru kritike ekološkog pokreta našle su se farme s velikom aglomeracijom životinja, kao veliki proizvođači metana. Pravilnim gospodarenjem organskog gnoja moguće je smanjiti zagađenja okoliša, a istovremeno proizvesti energiju i ostvariti dobit. Hrvatska kao članica međunarodne zajednice 1996. godine ratificirala je okvirnu konvenciju Ujedinjenih naroda o promjeni klime. Potpisnici se obvezuju smanjiti emisiju stakleničkih plinova u razdoblju od 2008 do 2012. godine za 5% u odnosu na polaznu godinu (Duić i sur., 2001). Smanjivanje potrošnje energenata fosilnog porijekla, za koje se smatra da su najveći izvori zagađenja okoliša, moglo bi se postići većim korištenjem energije iz obnovljivih izvora. U stočarskoj proizvodnji veliki, a neiskorišteni potencijali za proizvodnju energije akumulirani su u stajskom gnoju i poljoprivrednoj biomasi. Cilj našeg istraživanja bio je ustanoviti mogućnost iskorištenja tekuće goveđe gnojovke za proizvodnju bioplina, utvrditi količinu bioplina, njegovu energetsku vrijednost te količinu konvencionalne energije koja se može zamijeniti bioplinom na istraživanim farmama.
PDF
