Submitted by Rosangela Silva (rosangela.silva3@unioeste.br) on 2018-05-30T14:40:38Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Camila Ester Hollas.pdf: 1390526 bytes, checksum: fda6b2a6373f5f1f7bf0cf8b63022b1e (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-05-30T14:40:38Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Camila Ester Hollas.pdf: 1390526 bytes, checksum: fda6b2a6373f5f1f7bf0cf8b63022b1e (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-02-16 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / The intensive animal production generates high volume of effluents, which is potentially damaging to the environment, when improperly managed. One of the production chains known for its high pollutant load is the swine production. An alternative of treatment is to remove ammoniacal nitrogen, which is one of the main pollutant, by nutrient biological removal processes. However, for this to occur properly the solid-liquid separation (SLS) becomes a fundamental step, due to the necessity to reduce total solids and its carbon/nitrogen ratio. Therefore, with the solids removal the discrete particles are removed thereby avoiding overload in subsequent treatment steps. In addition, besides the high nitrogen load, swine manure also presents high organic load when compared to sanitary sewage, which makes possible to use nitrification and denitrification processes to remove nitrogen without the need to add external carbon sources. The modified Ludzack-Ettinger system (MLE) is known as an efficient configuration to use this process for nitrogen and carbon removal from effluents. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of SLS process in swine manure for nitrogen removal using a MLE system. For such purpose, a MLE system was carried out with continuous feeding and aeration. The system was fed with effluent from a SLS in tapered decanter, with variable hydraulic retention time (HRT) as a function of volumetric organic matter concentration (volatile solids). The study was conducted in three stages (I, II and III), according to three different hydraulic retention times of the decanter (5, 10, and 30 minutes), pre-determined through tests of sedimentation. The system showed high nitrogen removal efficiency in the three phases under study, 99.6, 99.1%, and 96.5% in each respective phases I, II and III, with high total solids concentration reaching the value of 18.45 g L-1 in the third stage. In addition, the average of carbon removal efficiency was 74.8, 86.3, and 86.3% to phases I, II and III respectively. It was possible verify that the carbon (solids) increase has a detrimental effect on the MLE system, since there is an increase in the oxygen consumption and the sludge volume discarded, leading to an inhibitory effect observed in the kinetic data. It was possible to conclude that the proposed SLS technique used is efficient as a pre-treatment before the nitrogen removal from pig slurry in a MLE system. Moreover, settling times shorter than 30 minutes may cause reduction of nitrification and denitrification efficiency, as well as make the treatment system more expensive. / A produção intensiva de animais gera elevado volume de resíduos com potencial causador de impactos ambientais quando não gerenciados corretamente. Nesse sentido, a suinocultura é conhecida pela elevada carga poluente de seus dejetos. Uma das principais alternativas de tratamento do nitrogênio amoniacal, o qual é um dos principais poluentes, é a remoção biológica desse nutriente. Porém, para que esta ocorra corretamente, a separação sólido-líquido (SSL) torna-se uma etapa fundamental, devido à necessidade de reduzirem-se os sólidos totais e a relação carbono nitrogênio para que não haja comprometimento do processo supracitado. Com a remoção dos sólidos, as partículas discretas são removidas, evitando assim a sobrecarga nas etapas subsequentes de tratamento. Os dejetos de suínos, além da alta carga de nitrogênio apresentam elevada carga orgânica, quando comparados com esgoto sanitário, o que viabiliza a utilização do processo de nitrificação e desnitrificação para a remoção de nitrogênio, sem a necessidade de adição de fontes externas de carbono. O sistema Ludzack-Ettinger modificado (MLE) se caracteriza como uma configuração eficiente na remoção de nitrogênio e carbono de efluentes. Nesse sentido, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a influência das técnicas de separação sólido-líquido em dejetos suínos, na remoção de nitrogênio em sistema Ludzack-Ettinger modificado (MLE). Para isto, foi utilizado um sistema MLE com alimentação e aeração contínua. O sistema foi alimentado com efluente proveniente do processo de separação sólido-líquido, em decantador cônico, com TRH variável em função da carga orgânica volumétrica (sólidos voláteis) planejada. O estudo foi conduzido em três fases (I, II e III), em função de três diferentes tempos de retenção hidráulico no decantador (5, 10 e 30 minutos), pré-determinados por meio de testes de sedimentação. O sistema apresentou uma alta eficiência na remoção de nitrogênio nas três fases em estudo, em média de 99,6, 99,1 e 96,5% nas fases I, II e III, respectivamente, e suportou altas concentrações de sólidos, atingindo o valor de 18,45 g L -1, na terceira fase. Além disso, em média a eficiência de remoção de carbono foi de 74,8, 86,3 e 86,3% para as fases I, II e III, respectivamente. Foi possível verificar que o acréscimo de carbono (sólidos) tem um efeito prejudicial sobre o sistema MLE, visto que há um aumento no consumo de oxigênio e no volume de lodo a ser descartado, acarretando em um efeito inibitório, observado com base nos dados cinéticos. Diante desses resultados foi possível concluir que a SSL proposta é eficiente, como pré-tratamento para a remoção de nitrogênio de dejetos suínos em sistema MLE, sendo que tempos de decantação inferiores a 30 minutos podem causar redução na eficiência do processo de nitrificação e desnitrificação, além de encarecer o sistema de tratamento.

Com a utilização de filtros percoladores aeróbios, procurou-se promover a remoção de nitrogênio amoniacal do esgoto sanitário efluente de reator anaeróbio compartimentado, através do processo de nitrificação. O trabalho foi desenvolvido em duas fases; na primeira foi realizada a preparação da serragem de couro utilizando-se peneiramento e lavagens e a seguir iniciou-se a aplicação do esgoto sanitário em quatro filtros percoladores. Os filtros F1 e F2 foram operados com a mesma taxa de aplicação (1,91 'M POT.3'/'M POT.2'.dia) e diferentes meios suportes, sendo brita e serragem de couro do tipo wet blue respectivamente. Os filtros F3 e F4 foram preenchidos com serragem de couro e operaram com taxa de aplicação hidráulica de 4,00 e 6,00 'M POT.3'/'M POT.2'.dia . O filtro F3 apresentou melhores eficiências de remoção para todos os parâmetros, com eficiência média de remoção de NTK, 'N'-'NH IND.3' e DQO de 71%; sendo que a partir do sexagésimo quarto dia, esse filtro passou a apresentar 100% de remoção de NTK e 'N'-'NH IND.3'. Os filtros F1 e F2 podem ter tido problemas com a aeração, já que foram operados com menores taxas de aplicação hidráulica e deveriam apresentar melhores resultados. O filtro F4 apresentou baixas eficiências de remoção, provavelmente devido a maior taxa de aplicação hidráulica. / The aim of the work is to promote the ammoniacal nitrogen removal from anaerobic baffed reactor effluent using aerobic trickling filters, through the nitrification process. The research was developed in two phases; firstly the leather sawing was prepared through sieving and washing, later the domestic sewage was applied into four tricking filters. The F1 and F2 filters were operated with the same hydraulic loading (1,91 'M POT.3'/'M POT.2'.day) and different filter packing. For the F1 filter was used rock and for the F2 wet blue leather sawing. The F3 and F4 filters were filled with leather sawing and operated in a hydraulic loading of 4,00 and 6,00 'M POT.3'/'M POT.2'.day respectively. The F3 filter presented better removal efficiencies for all the parameters, with 70% of average removal efficiency of KTN (Kjeldahl Total Nitrogen), 'NH IND.3'-'N' (ammoniacal nitrogen) and COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand). From the 49th day on, this filter presented 100% of removal efficiency of KTN and 'NH IND.3'-'N'. The F1 and F2 filter were supposed to present better results due to the lower hydraulic loading, but it did not happen, probably because the aeration was not enough. The F4 filter presented low removal efficiency, possibly due to the higher hydraulic loading.

O pós-tratamento de efluentes de reatores anaeróbios, tais como o Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB), na maior parte de suas aplicações, faz-se necessário, já que esse tipo de tratamento biológico promove remoção de DBO na faixa de 60 a 75% e tem baixa eficiência na remoção de nitrogênio e fósforo. A remoção de nitrogênio geralmente é feita de forma convencional pela nitrificação, seguida da desnitrificação. Tanto a nitrificação, como a desnitrificação podem ser efetuadas em reatores com crescimento suspenso ou crescimento aderido, contudo é conhecido que sistemas baseados em biofilmes exercem influência direta na taxa da degradação de substrato e facilitam a retenção de bactérias nitrificantes em reatores. O principal objetivo deste trabalho é o de acompanhar o desenvolvimento de biofilmes aeróbios em reatores do tipo célula de fluxo para a nitrificação de substrato sintético simulando efluente de UASB, submetidos a diferentes velocidades superficiais (1, 4 e 8 m/h) e taxas de carregamento (0,25; 0,5 e 1,0 g N/\'M POT.2\' biofilme.dia). O desenvolvimento dos biofilmes nitrificantes foi acompanhado mediante perfis de microssensores e estimativa do número mais provável de bactérias nitrificantes (NMP). Nas células de fluxo operadas com taxa de carregamento mais baixa (0,25 g N/\'M POT.2\' biofilme.dia), foram obtidas as melhores eficiências de remoção de NTK, a qual representa valor menor que as taxas de carregamento empregadas na literatura para reatores de crescimento aderido usados na nitrificação. Considerando as células de fluxo com taxa de carregamento mais baixa, a célula que apresentou remoção de NTK próxima a 100% foi a de menor velocidade superficial de (1 m/h). Porém, esses sistemas apresentaram baixa eficiência para a nitrificação completa, obtendo maior produção de nitrito do que de nitrato; poderiam ser usados então na remoção de nitrogênio pela via curta. Os microssensores de OD foram eficientes para as análises de perfis de OD no interior dos biofilmes nitrificantes, mostrando grandes variações, à medida que o biofilme se desenvolvia, nas concentrações de OD do líquido circundante e do fundo do biofilme. / The post-treatment of anaerobic reactor effluents, such as the Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB), in most applications, is necessary, since this kind of biological treatment promotes BOD removal ranging from 60 to 75% and it has low efficiency in nitrogen and phosphorous removal. Nitrogen removal is usually carried out in a conventional way through nitrification, followed by denitrification. Nitrification, as well as denitrification, can be achieved in suspended growth reactors, or in adhered growth reactors, however it is known that systems based on biofilms exert direct influence in substrate degradation rates and ease the retention of nitrifying bacteria in reactors. The main objective of this work is to follow the development of aerobic biofilms in flow cell type reactors for the nitrification of synthetic substrate simulating an UASB effluent, submitted to different superficial velocities (1, 4 and 8 m/h) and loading rates (0.25; 0.5 and 1.0 g N/\'M POT.2\' biofilm.day). The development of nitrifying biofilms was followed by microsensors profiles and an estimative of the most probable number of nitrifying bacteria (MPN). The best NTK removal efficiencies were obtained in flow cells operated with a lower loading rate (0.25 g N/\'M POT.2\' biofilm.day), which represents a lower level than the levels applied in literature for adhered growth reactors used for nitrification. Considering the flow cells with a lower loading rate, the cell that presented NTK removal close to 100% was the one with the lowest superficial velocity (1 m/h). However, these systems present low efficiency for complete nitrification, obtaining higher nitrite than nitrate production; they could then be used in nitrogen removal by short way. The DO microsensors were efficient for analyses of DO profiles inside nitrifying biofilms, showing great variations, while the biofilm developed itself, in the DO concentrations in the contiguous liquid and at the bottom of the biofilm.

Orientador: Edson Aparecido Abdul Nour / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Civil, Arquitetura e Urbanismo / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-26T09:02:50Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Foco_MarioLuizRodrigues_D.pdf: 4289583 bytes, checksum: d1eb026afe6452cef2dbcf25f6dbef83 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014 / Resumo: Neste estudo foi verificado o desempenho de um sistema combinado anaeróbio-aeróbio na remoção de matéria orgânica e de compostos de nitrogênio presentes em esgoto sanitário, por meio da utilização de recirculação do efluente tratado para o início do sistema, de forma a propiciar a desnitrificação sem adição de carbono ou alcalinizante externos. Foram estudados dois tipos de sistemas: Sistema 1 (escala de bancada) composto por filtro anóxico (FA) seguido de biofiltro aerado submerso (BAS) e decantador secundário (DS) com os respectivos volumes: 32,6; 17,6 e 7,2 L; Sistema 2 (escala piloto) constituído por filtro anaeróbio/anóxico (FAA), seguido de BAS e DS com os respectivos volumes: 298,7; 131.5 e 188,5 L. As razões de recirculação (R) utilizadas foram: 0,5; 1,5; 2,0; 3,0 e 4,0. No Sistema 1, com R=4,0 a máxima desnitrificação teórica (D%) possível foi de 86±5%, nessa configuração alcançou-se remoções de demanda química de oxigênio (DQO) e Nitrogênio Total (NT) de 92±4% e 83±8%, respectivamente. No Sistema 2, com R=3,0 o valor da D% possível foi de 78±9%, nessa configuração alcançou-se remoções de DQO e NT de 89±4 e 60±7%, respectivamente. Os resultados indicam a viabilidade do uso da recirculação do efluente tratado, na configuração proposta pelo Sistema 1, como alternativa para remoção de nitrogênio em Estações de Tratamento de Esgoto Combinadas Anaeróbio-Aeróbia, com biomassa imobilizada, uma vez que as concentrações finais de Nitrogênio Total (12±3 mg N L-1) estão abaixo do valor estipulado pela Resolução CONAMA N° 357/2005 / Abstract: This study verified the performance of anaerobic-aerobic combined systems in removing organic matter and nitrogen compounds from sewage by recirculation of treated effluent to the beginning of the system, aiming denitrification without addition of external carbon or alkalinity. System 1 (bench scale) were an anoxic filter (AF) followed by aerated submerged biofilter (ASB) and clarifier with respective volumes: 32.6, 17.6 and 7.2 L. System 2 (pilot scale), were an anaerobic/anoxic filter (AAF), followed by ASB and clarifier with their volumes: 298.7, 131.5 and 188.5 L. The recirculation ratios (R) were 0.5, 1.5, 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0. In System 1, with R=4.0 the maximum theoretical denitrification (D%) possible was 86±5%, and this configuration achieved removals of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and Total Nitrogen (TN) of 92±4% and 83±8%, respectively. In system 2, with R=3.0 the D% possible was 78±9%, and this configuration reached removal of COD and NT of 89±4 and 60±7%, respectively. The results indicate the feasibility of using effluent recirculation, in the System 1 configuration, as an alternative to nitrogen removal in sewage anaerobic-aerobic combined treatment plants, with immobilized biomass, since the final concentrations of Total Nitrogen (12±3 mg N L-1) are below the value established by CONAMA Resolution No. 357/2005 / Doutorado / Saneamento e Ambiente / Doutor em Engenharia Civil

Two ecological models of nitrogen processes in treatment wetlands have been evaluated and compared. These models have been implemented, simulated, and visualized in the Modelica language. The differences and similarities between the Modelica modeling environment used in this thesis and other environments or tools for ecological modeling have been evaluated. The modeling tools evaluated are PowerSim, Simile, Stella, the MathModelica Model Editor, and WEST. The evaluation and the analysis have been performed using McCall’s factors for software quality (McCall et al, 1977), a correlation analysis and the Constant Comparative Method (Glaser&Strauss, 1999). The results show that the modeling tools and the models can both be separated into two categories: Simple Components and Complex Components for the modeling tools, and Simple Models and Complex Models for the models. The major difference between the Simple Components and the Complex Components is the higher possibility of the Complex Components to create and reuse separate components and the higher complexity in these components. The similarities between the categories are that they are consistent, easy to overview and use, if no new components are to be created. The major difference between the Simple Models and the Complex models lies in the number of functions and in the possibility of reuse and expansion. The similarities between all the models are that they are all consequent, logical, valid, specialized, and easy to use if the user has programming skill. To conclude thisthesis, the nitrogen decrease in a constructed treatment wetland can well be simulated using the Nitrification/Denitrification model expressed in Modelica and the MathModelica Model Editor. However, some changes to the Model Editor are recommended to make the creation of the model easier. The most important of these changes are the addition of a tutorial, the ddition of useful error handling and messages, and the removal of unnecessary Visio features.

Nitrogen is usually the element present in higher concentration in pig slurry and the one that causes the major problems related to environmental pollution, since it is subjected of several transformations after soil slurry application. This work was carried out in order to evaluate the soil nitrogen biotransformation during the wheat straw and pig slurry decomposition. The experiment was conduced under controlled conditions, in the Soil and Environmental Microbiology Laboratory, Soil Department, UFSM - RS. The pig slurry, with the ammoniacal fraction enriched of 15N, and the wheat straw were applied to a Hapludalf soil. The experimental was set as a completely randomized design with three repetitions. The treatments were the following: T1 - Soil; T2 - Soil + straw in surface; T3 - Soil + incorporated straw; T4 - Soil + pig slurry in surface; T5 - Soil + incorporated pig slurry; T6 - Soil + incorporated pig slurry + straw in surface; T7 - Soil + incorporated pig slurry + incorporated straw; T8 - Soil + straw in surface + pig slurry in surface. Soil humidity was adjusted for 100% of the field capacity. The experimental units were conditioned in an incubator for 95 days to a temperature of 25ºC. The mineral N, organic N and 15N organic concentrations was determined in each soil experimental unit. The soil nitrogen nitrification rates of the slurry ammoniacal nitrogen and the mineralization/immobilization were estimated. The main conclusions were: a) the ammoniacal N of pig slurry is quickly nitrified with or without the incorporation of slurry into the soil; b) the mineralization of the organic nitrogen of pig slurry occur in the first days after the slurry application in the soil; c) the wheat straw incorporation favor the N immobilization compared to its maintenance in soil surface; d) the N application through of pig slurry together with wheat straw stimulate the microbial N immobilization; e) the mineral N position in the soil affects the amount of immobilized N, with the highest values observed when N is in the active decomposition zone of the straw. / O nitrogênio é, normalmente, o elemento presente em maior concentração nos dejetos de suínos e também aquele que provoca os maiores problemas de poluição ambiental, em função das inúmeras transformações a que está sujeito após a aplicação dos dejetos ao solo. Este trabalho foi realizado a fim de avaliar as biotransformações do nitrogênio no solo durante a decomposição de palha de trigo e dejetos líquidos de suínos. Para isso, foi conduzido um experimento em condições controladas, no Laboratório de Microbiologia do Solo e do Ambiente do Departamento de Solos, na UFSM - RS. Num Argissolo Vermelho distrófico arênico foram adicionados dejetos líquidos de suínos, com a fração amoniacal enriquecida com15N, e palha de trigo. O delineamento experimental foi o inteiramente casualizado com três repetições. Os tratamentos avaliados foram os seguintes: T1 - Solo; T2 - Solo + palha em superfície; T3 - Solo + palha incorporada; T4 - Solo + dejetos em superfície; T5 - Solo + dejetos incorporados; T6 - Solo + dejetos incorporados + palha em superfície; T7 - Solo + dejetos incorporados + palha incorporada; T8 - Solo + palha em superfície + dejetos em superfície. A umidade do solo foi ajustada para 100% da capacidade de campo. As unidades experimentais foram acondicionadas em uma incubadora por 95 dias a uma temperatura de 25ºC. No solo de cada unidade experimental foram avaliados os teores de N mineral, N orgânico e 15N orgânico. Com base nestas avaliações, foram realizadas estimativas das taxas de nitrificação do N amoniacal dos dejetos e da mineralização e imobilização do N no solo. Os resultados obtidos permitiram concluir que: a) o N amoniacal dos dejetos líquidos de suínos é rapidamente nitrificado com ou sem a incorporação dos mesmos ao solo; b) a mineralização da fração nitrogenada orgânica dos dejetos ocorre nos primeiros dias após a sua aplicação ao solo; c) a incorporação da palha de trigo favorece a imobilização de N, comparado a sua manutenção na superfície do solo; d) a aplicação de N, através dos dejetos, juntamente com a palha de trigo, estimula a imobilização microbiana de N; e) a localização do N mineral afeta a quantidade de N imobilizada, com os maiores valores sendo observados quando o N permanece na zona de decomposição ativa da palha.

Nitrogênio é o nutriente mais utilizado mundialmente na agricultura devido promover grandes aumentos de produtividade e de qualidade, porém durante seu uso pode haver perdas de N por lixiviação e volatilização. O uso de inibidores de urease e de nitrificação podem aumentar a eficiência de uso de adubos nitrogenados. Objetivouse: a) estudar doses e fontes de nitrogênio na produção de cana-de-açúcar (Saccharum spp.) colhida sem despalha a fogo e avaliar a resposta desta cultura em aplicação do N na superfície do solo; b) avaliar a eficiência do uso de dicianodiamida em solos de diferentes texturas, com e sem a presença de palha, em estudo de incubação com sulfato de amônio; c) avaliar a eficiência de DCD e DMPP em solos do Brasil e da Alemanha em estudo de incubação e d) avaliar a eficiência de DCD e de NBPT na volatilização de amônia e na taxa de nitrificação de uréia. Houve aumento de produção de colmos de cana-de-açúcar nas doses de 0, 50, 100 e 150 kg ha-1 de N, porém não houve diferença das diferentes fontes nitrogenadas, mesmo havendo redução de volatilização de NH3 da uréia com o uso de NBPT, em torno de 60%. Houve redução da taxa de oxidação de amônio como uso de DCD, com maior eficiência no solo de textura média e, consequentemente menor formação de nitrato. Com a redução da taxa de nitrificação houve uma menor acidificação do solo. Houve redução da população de microrganismos nitritadores com o uso de DCD. O uso de inibidores de nitrificação (DCD e DMPP) retardou o processo de nitrificação em todos os solos (alemão e brasileiros), porém, com uma eficiência bem mais acentuada no solo arenoso. Houve maior eficiência do DCD nos primeiros 10 dias de incubação devido seu maior movimento no solo e no período final de incubação o DMPP foi mais eficiente devido sua menor degradação no solo. O NBPT foi eficiente em reduzir as perdas por volatilização, já o uso de DCD aumentou as perdas de N-NH3 da fonte uréia e diminuiu a eficiência do NBPT quando aplicado em conjunto com este, independente da dose. O DCD foi eficiente em diminuir o processo de nitrificação e não teve influencia na sua eficiência quando foi utilizado em associação com NBPT. / Nitrogen is the most world widely applied plant nutrient in agriculture because promote high yield and quality increases but, during youre using in agriculture losses by volatilization and leaching can occur. By using urease and nitrification inhibitors the nitrogen fertilizers efficiency can be increase. The objectives of this study was: a) study rates and sources of nitrogen fertilizers on sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) production harvested without burning and evaluate the response of this crop to over trash applied N; b) evaluate the efficieny of using DCD in different texture soils, with or without sugarceane trash, in a icubation experiment with amonium sulphate; c) evaluate the efficiency of DCD and DMPP in Brazilian and German soils in a incubation experiment and d) evaluate the efficiency of DCD and NBPT on ammonia volatilization and nitrification process of urea. Sugarcane yields increase with 0, 50, 100 and 150 kg ha-1 de N rates, but not with different N sources. With using NBPT ammonia volatilization was about 60% less, but also didnt increase sugarcane yield. Ammonium oxidation process in incubation study was inhibited with DCD use and, this inhibition was high in the soil with less clay. With reduction in nitrification process acidification of soil was lower. It was less nitrification microorganisms in soil with using DCD. With nitrification inhibitors (DCD and DMPP) the nitrification processa was delayed in all soils (german and brazilians), especially in sandy soil. DCD was more efficient in the next 10 days because have more mobility in soil wile DMPP was more efficient in the end of nitrification process because is more persistent in soil by his slow degradation process. The use of NBPT with urea is efficient to reduce ammonia volatilization wile urea treated with DCD these N loss is increased. When urea is treated with DCD and NBPT together the ammonia volatilization less is more than NBPT alone, but less of total ammonia volatilization of urea alone. DCD alone is efficient in inhibit nitrificatio

<p>Variations in stable isotope abundances of nitrogen (δ¹⁵N) and oxygen (δ¹⁸O) of nitrate are a useful tool for determining sources of nitrate as well as understanding the transformations of nitrogen within soil (Chapter 2). Various sources of nitrate are known to display distinctive isotopic compositions, while nitrogen transformation processes fractionate both N and O isotopes and can reveal the reaction pathways of nitrogen compounds. However, to fully understand the δ¹⁵N and δ¹⁸O values of nitrate sources, we must understand the chemistry and the isotopic fractionations that occur during inorganic and biochemical reactions. Among all N cycle processes, nitrification and denitrification displayed some of the largest and most variable isotope enrichment factors, ranging from -35 to 0‰ for nitrification, and -40 to -5‰ for denitrification. In this dissertation, I will first characterize the isotopic enrichment factors of ¹⁵N during nitrification and denitrification in a Midwestern agricultural soil, two important microbial processes in the soil nitrogen cycle. Nitrification incubations found that a large enrichment factor of -25.5‰ occurs during nitrification NH₄⁺ è NO₃^-, which agrees well with previous studies (Chapter 3). Additionally, oxygen isotopic exchange that occurs between nitrite and water during nitrification was also quantified and found that 82% of oxygen in NO₃^- are derived from H₂O, much greater than the 66% predicted by the biochemical steps of nitrification. The isotopic enrichment that occurs during denitrification was assessed by measuring the change in δ¹⁵N as the reactant NO₃^- was reduced to N₂ gas (Chapter 4). The incubations and kinetic models showed that denitrification can causes large isotopic enrichment in the δ¹⁵N of remaining NO₃^-. The enrichment factor for NO₂^- è gaseous N was -9.1‰, while the enrichment factors for NO₃^- è NO₂^- were between -17 to -10‰, both of which were within the range of values report in literature. The results demonstrated that nitrification and denitrification caused large isotope fractionation and can alter the presumed δ¹⁵N and δ¹⁸O values of nitrate sources, potentially leading to incorrect apportionment of nitrate sources.</p> <p>The results of the denitrification incubation experiments were applied to a field study, where the measured enrichment factor was utilized to quantify loss of N by field-scale denitrification (Chapter 5). Field-based estimates of total denitrification have long been a challenge and only limited success has been found using N mass balance, N₂O gas flux, or isotope labeling techniques. Here, the flux of nitrate and chloride from tile drain discharge from a small field was determined by measuring both dissolved ions (ion chromatography) and monitoring water discharge. The δ¹⁵N and δ¹⁸O of tile nitrate was also measured at a high temporal resolution. Fluxes of all N inputs, which included N wet and dry deposition, fertilizer application, and soil mineralization were determined. The d¹⁵N and d¹⁸O values of these nitrate sources was also determined. Using this data, I first detected shifts in δ¹⁵N and δ¹⁸O values in the tile drain nitrate, which indicated variable amounts of denitrification. Next, a Rayleigh distillation model was used to determine the fraction of NO₃^- loss by field scale denitrification. This natural abundance isotope method was able to account for the spatial and temporal variability of denitrification by integrating it across the field scale. Overall, I found only 3.3% of applied N was denitrified. Furthermore, this study emphasized the importance of complementary information (e.g. soil moisture, soil temperature, precipitation, isotopic composition of H₂O, etc.), and the evidence it can provide to nitrogen inputs and processes within the soil.</p>

Nitrification in water distribution networks has become a growing concern for water supplies in the United States. The use of chloramines as a disinfectant in distribution pipe networks has become increasingly popular to reduce the disinfectant byproducts that are formed with free chlorine. In chloraminated systems there is potential for nitrification to occur because it reduces chloramine residuals. As chloramines decompose in the network, ammonia is released. Nitrifiers oxidize ammonia into nitrites, which react with chloramines resulting in its further reduction. As this cycle continues, chloramines will be consumed faster in the network, causing regrowth of heterotrophic bacteria. A study was conducted to compare the Fargo and Moorhead distribution networks for the occurrence of nitrification and their potential to deteriorate water quality. Each distribution network was analyzed independently for variations in operational conditions and water quality parameters that can serve as indications of nitrification in a distribution network. / Moorhead Water Treatment Plant

Avloppsreningsverket i Hallsberg kommun är beläget i direkt anslutning till Hallsberg, med Ralaån som recipient. Tekniken på reningsverket bygger på principerna för en klassisk aktivslamanläggning med mekanisk rening, kemisk rening, biologisk rening och en slambehandling där rötning av primär- och sekundärslam används för utvinning av biogas. Hallsberg ARV har under en längre tid haft problem med kvävereningen. Under senaste åren har man överskridit riktvärdet för kväveutsläpp vid ett flertal tillfällen och under 2009 överskreds även gränsvärdet. Riktvärdet för Hallsberg ARV är i dagsläget satt till 10mg NH4-N/l som medelvärde per månad, gränsvärdet är satt till 10 mg NH4-N/l som medelvärde per kalenderår. Då Hallsberg ARV inte drivs vid full kapacitet antas en minskning av kväveutsläppen vara möjlig att genomföra genom trimning av befintligutrustning och processer på verket. Detta antagande låg till grund för det här examensarbetet som syftar till att optimera kvävereningen på Hallsberg ARV. I optimeringen ingick en teknisk, ekonomisk och miljömässig utvärdering av olika alternativa lösningarna för att förbättra funktionen hos anläggningen. Extra hänsyn togs till energi- och kemikalieåtgång i syfte att få en så effektiv drift av verket som möjligt. Arbetet genomfördes genom en initial litteraturstudie på området, vartefter en provtagningsserie om fyra veckor realiserades på verket. Data som ligger till grund för slutsatserna i projektet har också inhämtats från onlinemätare på verket samt från äldre externt analyserade prover. Efter analys av insamlad data antas orsakerna till Hallsberg ARV:s höga utsläpp av kväve bero på en kombination av flera faktorer: -Vid vår och höst kan brunnsslamintaget vara så stort att bräddning sker ut till verket. Detta leder till att kvävebelastningen höjs så kraftigt att nitrifierarna inte hinner acklimatisera sig och får förhöjda kväveutsläpp till följd. -Mycket kväve följer med slammet från simultanfällningen till rötningen. Detta kan påverka halten kväve i rejektet från rötkamrarna som i sin tur kan leda till störningar i kvävereningen. -Centrifugens rejekt innehåller mycket kväve och körs idag endast under ett par dagar i veckan vilket leder till stora variationer i inkommande kvävehalt. -En hög förfällning av fosfor och organiskt material har bidragit till en låg halt av organiskt material i denitrifikationen. Sammantaget föreslås att vidare studier bör genomföras av ovan nämnda områden för att driften på Hallsberg ARV ska kunna drivas med så låga miljömässiga och ekonomiska kostnader som möjligt. / The waste water treatment plant in Hallsberg municipal is situated adjacent to Hallsberg, with Ralaån as a recipient. The technique at the waste water treatment plant is based on the principles for a classical activated sludge treatment plant and includes mechanical treatment, chemical treatment, biological treatment, and a sludge treatment where the digestion of primary and secondary sludge is used for extraction of biogas. Hallsberg waste water treatment plant has during some time had problems with the nitrogen removal with high nitrogen emissions as a consequence. The target value has been exceeded a couple of times during the last years and in 2009 the limit value was exceeded as well. The target value for Hallsberg waste water treatment plant is 10 mgNH4-N/l as an average value per month, the limit value is set to 10 mg NH4-N/l, as an average value per year. Since the waste water treatment plant in Hallsberg not is operating at full capacity, a lowering of the nitrogen emissions is assumed to be possible though a trimming of the existing equipment and of the processes on the site. This assumption formed the basis for this thesis, designed to optimize the nitrogen removal at the waste water treatment plant in Hallsberg. A technical, economical and environmental evaluation was included in the optimization to improve the function of the plant. Extra evaluations were made in the energy- and chemical consumption in order to streamline the operations at the plant as much as possible. The project was carried out through an initial literature-investigation followed by a four week period of sampling and analyzing at the site. The data that form the conclusion in this project has also been collected through online measurements at the plant as well as through analyses of older samples. After analyzing the collected data, the reasons for the high emissions of nitrogen is thought to be due to a combination of reasons: -During the spring and the autumn the external intake of well sludge can lead to a direct release of sludge in to the plant. The change of nitrogen content will not give enough time for the nitrifying bacteria to acclimatize, with elevated emissions of nitrogen as a consequence. -The usage of simultaneous precipitation could lead to an irregular concentration of nitrogen released to the treatment plant from the digesters. This in turn could contribute to higher nitrogen emissions. -The irregularities of the usage of the centrifuge contribute to nitrogen irregularities and contribute to the difficulties of acclimatization of the nitrifying bacteria. -A high pre-precipitation of phosphorus and organic matter has contributed to a level of organic material in the denitrifikation below what is recommended. To sum up, further investigations are suggested in the above mentioned areas to make the operations at the plant carried trough at the lowest possible environmental and economically cost.