In dieser Arbeit wurden zwei verschiedene Wärmebadankopplungen an klassische Spin-Systeme realisiert. Zum einen wurde ein stochastischer Ansatz mittels Landau-Lifshitz-Dämpfung und Fluktuationen numerisch realisiert und zum anderen wurde ein vollkommen deterministischer Ansatz entworfen und optimiert. Mit Hilfe dieser Ankopplungsmethoden ist es möglich, sowohl statische magnetische Eigenschaften klassischer Spin-Systeme als auch deren dynamische magnetische Eigenschaften zu simulieren. Als Anwendung wurden Spin-Gitter-Relaxationszzeiten und Neutronenstreuquerschnitte für molekulare Magneten wie z.B. dem "ferric wheel" berechnet und mit aktuellen experimentellen Ergebnissen verglichen. Als zweite Anwendung wird die Magnetisierungsumkehr in einem sphärischen Teilchen diskutiert.

The main objective of this project is to synthesize the first family of polynuclear chromium pyrazolate complexes. Complexity in analysis of the experimental magnetic data of multinuclear complexes arises from their (2S +1)N microstates, where S is the spin of each metal center and N is the number of metal centers. For example, high-spin (HS)-FeIII3 has 216 microstates and HS-FeIII8 ≈ 1.7x106 microstates (S= 5/2). However, complexes with chromium(III) S = 3/2 will have a noticeable reduction of microstates. Mononuclear complexes with formula [mer-CrCl3(pzH*)3] (pz*H = pyrazole, 3-Me-pzH, 4-Me-pzH, 4-Cl-pzH, 4-I-pzH, 4-Br-pzH) and [trans-CrCl2(pzH*)4]Cl (pzH* = pyrazole and 3-Me-pzH) were synthesized and thoroughly characterized. Polynuclear iron pyrazolate complexes are prepared by the addition of base to [mer-FeCl3(pzH*)3] and [trans-FeCl2(pzH*)4]Cl complexes; the path is not paralleled by mononuclear chromium(III) pyrazole complexes. There is a challenging situation with these reactions, caused by the attainment of equilibrium, where the stable mononuclear complexes and traces of dinuclear species coexist in solution. Microwave assisted reaction of Cr(NO3)3·9H2O and pyrazole ligand in dimethylformamide (DMF) solution afforded redox inactive trinuclear formate-pyrazolate mixed-ligand complexes with formula [Cr3(μ3-O)(μ-O2CH)3(μ-4-R-pz)3(DMF)3]+ (pz = pyrazolate anion; R= H, Me, Cl). Thermally assisted synthesis with non-hydrolysable solvent yielded an electrochemically active all-pyrazolate complex. Complex with formula (Ph4P)2[Cr3(μ3-O)(μ-4-Cl-pz)6Cl3] and (Ph4P)2[Cr3(μ3-O)(μ-4-Cl-pz)6Br3] have an oxidation process at 0.502 V at 0.332 V, respectively. The latter has a second accessed oxidation process at 0.584 V. These systems are the first example of electrochemically amendable trinuclear pyrazolate complex with {Cr3O} core. The all-ferric complexes [Fe3(μ3-O)(μ-4-NO2-pz)6(L)3]2- (L = NCO-, N3) were synthesized from reaction of [Fe3(μ3-O)(μ-4-NO2-pz)6Cl3]2- with NaNCO and NaN3. Expected reversible reduction processes were observed for both complexes at more negative potential, -0.70 V, compared to the thiocyanate complex (-0.36 V). The 57Fe Mössbauer of the reduced [Fe3(μ3-O)(μ-4-NO2-pz)6(N3)3]3- is suggestive of a HS-to-LS electronic reorganization, as seen for the [Fe3(μ3-O)(μ-4-NO2-pz)6(SCN)3]3- complex. Furthermore, compound [Fe3(μ3-O)(μ-4-NO2-pz)6(N3)3]2-, shows a unique reversible oxidation process at 0.82 V (vs. Fc+/Fc) to a mixed-valent, formally Fe3+2/Fe4+ species.

Integrating ultrafiltration (UF) membranes in lieu of traditional media filters within conventional surface water coagulation-flocculation-sedimentation processes is growing in popularity. UF systems are able to produce low turbidity filtered water that meets newer drinking water standards. For typical drinking water applications, UF membranes require periodic chemically enhanced backwashes (CEBs) to maintain production; and citric acid is a common chemical used for this purpose. Problems may arise when the backwash recycle stream from a citric acid CEB is blended with raw water entering the coagulation basin, a common practice for conventional surface water plants. Citric acid is a chelating agent capable of forming complexes that interfere with alum or ferric chloride coagulation. Interference with coagulation negatively affects settled water quality. Acetic acid was investigated as a potential substitute for citric acid in CEB applications. A jar testing study was conducted to compare the impacts of both citric acid and acetic acid on the effectiveness of aluminum sulfate (alum) and ferric chloride coagulants. Citric acid was found to adversely affect coagulation at lower acid to coagulant (A/C) molar ratios than acetic acid, and a coagulation interference threshold was identified for both acids based on settled water turbidity goals recommended by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Pilot testing was conducted to assess the viability of acetic acid as a UF CEB chemical. Acetic acid CEBs maintained pilot performance in combination with sodium hypochlorite CEBs for filtering a raw California surface water. It is believed that this is the first ultrafiltration membrane process application of acetic acid CEBs for municipal potable water production in the United States.

Submitted by Angela Maria de Oliveira (amolivei@uepg.br) on 2018-09-26T18:45:00Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 811 bytes, checksum: e39d27027a6cc9cb039ad269a5db8e34 (MD5) Cliciane de Fátima Penteado.pdf: 1840845 bytes, checksum: 18dc4724410a4385a2e03dc8971cb26e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-09-26T18:45:00Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 811 bytes, checksum: e39d27027a6cc9cb039ad269a5db8e34 (MD5) Cliciane de Fátima Penteado.pdf: 1840845 bytes, checksum: 18dc4724410a4385a2e03dc8971cb26e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-03-13 / As mulheres vêm se destacando cada vez mais no âmbito esportivo, sendo a corrida de rua, entre os esportes, o mais procurado. Por conseguinte, conhecer as influências do ciclo menstrual na resposta fisiológica das mulheres corredoras, com foco não somente para atletas profissionais, tem despertado atenção da comunidade científica. Dentro desta temática, o objetivo deste trabalho foi o de avaliar a influência do ciclo menstrual e o uso de contraceptivos orais no desempenho aeróbio de praticantes de exercícios de “endurance” (corrida de rua). Este estudo se caracteriza por ser transversal e observacional, realizado com 22 mulheres com idade média de 31,00 ± 5,1 anos, com IMC médio de 22,66 ± 2,5 e percentual de gordura de 22,38 ± 3,4 %, divididas em 3 grupos: grupo 1 - controle (n=9) não corredoras e que não utilizavam contraceptivos, grupo 2 corredoras que não utilizavam contraceptivos (n=6) e grupo 3 corredoras que utilizavam contraceptivos (n=7). Após assinatura de Consentimento Livre e Esclarecido, as voluntárias foram submetidas a uma anamnese prévia e avaliação física. Durante oito semanas realizaram testes de VO2 máx., através da corrida de 12 minutos de Cooper, bem como responderam questionários de saúde (RESTQ-sport, WURSS-21), além de responderem ao referente à Escala de Percepção Subjetiva de Esforço. Nas quatro últimas semanas do período experimental foram coletadas amostras de sangue das voluntárias para determinar os níveis hormonais (Estradiol e Progesterona) e níveis de ferro e ferretina séricos. Os resultados obtidos demonstraram níveis bem mais baixos de estradiol e progesterona no grupo 3, grupo de corredoras que faziam o uso de contraceptivos orais, assim como foi observado melhor VO2 máx., maior distância percorrida no teste de Cooper, além de apresentarem concnetrações de ferro mais elevadas comparado aos outros dois grupos (grupo1 e grupo2). No grupo 2, grupo de corredoras que não faziam uso de contraceptivos orais, as concentrações de ferro foram ainda menores que o grupo controle (grupo 1). Os grupos 2 e 1, respectivamente, grupo de corredoras que não faziam uso de contraceptivos orais e o grupo controle, apresentaram diferença significativa na distância percorrida entre as fases do ciclo menstrual, sendo menor na fase lútea, contudo apenas o grupo controle (grupo 1) obteve redução no VO2 máx. Não foi observada nenhuma correlação entre as variáveis da qualidade de vida e do sistema imune com o ciclo menstrual, assim como, com o desempenho, já a percepção de esforço foi maior na fase lútea para todos os grupos estudados. Portanto, conclui-se que o ciclo menstrual apresenta influência no desempenho aeróbio, na percepção de esforço, nos níveis férricos de corredoras e não corredoras com ciclo menstrual regular, e o uso de contraceptivos orais contínuos evitam tais influências, favorecendo melhor desempenho das atletas de endurance. / Women have stood out increasingly in the sports scene, being the street running, among other sports, the most sought after one. Therefore, getting to know the influences of the menstrual cycles in the physiological response of the female runners, focusing not just on the professional athletes, has caught attention of the scientific community. In this theme, the aim of this work has been to evaluate the influence of the menstrual cycle as well as the use of oral contraceptives in the aerobic performance of endurance exercises (street running) users. This study is characterized by being transversal and observational, carried out with 22 women in the average age of 31,00 ± 5,1, with average BMI of 22,66 ± 2,5 and body fat of 22,38 ± 3,4 %, split in 3 groups: group 1 - control (n=9) non-runners that didn’t use to have contraceptives, group 2 - runners that didn’t used to have contraceptives (n=6) and group 3 – runners that used to have contraceptives (n=7). After the signing of the free and informed consent, the volunteers were submitted to a prior anamnesis and physical exam. After 8 weeks, they were conducted to tests of VO2 máx. through a 12 min Cooper, as well as answered heath questionnaires (RESTQ-sport, WURSS-21), besides answering to the one concerning the Subjective Effort Perception Scale. On the 4 last weeks of experimental phase, samples of blood from the volunteers were collected in order to determine the hormonal levels (Estradiol and Progesterone) and levels of iron and ferritin. The results obtained showed lower levels of estradiol and progesterone in the G3, group of runner that used to have oral contraceptives, just as was observed a better VO2 max., longer distance covered in the Cooper test, besides showing higher iron concentrations compared to the 2 other groups (Group1 and Group 2). In group 2, group of runners that didn’t used to have oral contraceptives. The iron concentrations were even lower than the one in the luteal phase. However, just the control group (Group 1) had reduction in VO2 max. Any correlation between the quality of life variables and the immune system with the period cycle hasn’t been observed, such as the performance. The effort perception was higher in the luteal phase for all groups studied. Thus, it is concluded that the menstrual period shows influence in aerobic performance, in effort perception, in ferric levels of the runners and non-runners with regular menstrual cycle and the use of continuous oral contraceptives avoid such influences, promoting better performance of the endurance athletes.

Uma das abordagens para minimizar o volume de captação de água potável e o descarte de efluentes é o reuso da água dentro da unidade industrial através de técnicas avançadas de tratamento como o sistema de osmose reversa, porém esse sistema exige um afluente com uma baixa quantidade de sólidos, além de outros requisitos. A água residuária utilizada nesse estudo é proveniente de uma empresa do ramo metal-mecânico que utiliza processos de coagulação-floculação-sedimentação como forma de remover os sólidos antes de um sistema de osmose reversa. A proposta deste trabalho foi avaliar três diferentes coagulantes (aluminato de sódio, cloreto férrico e uma mistura de dois coagulantes comerciais, Procytrat 100A e Procytrat 300) em processos de coagulação-floculação e separação de sólidos da fase líquida por sedimentação e flotação por ar dissolvido e também comparar os custos aproximados dos processos envolvidos. Foram realizados ensaios em testes de jarros e flotateste e com os dados obtidos construíram-se diagramas de coagulação-floculação e escolhidas as regiões de maior remoção de sólidos. Através das regiões escolhidas, foram feitas as comparações de eficiência de remoção e custos para cada coagulante estudado. Verificou-se que os diagramas de coagulação-floculação-sedimentação foram os que apresentaram as regiões de maior área com turbidez remanescente menor que 2%, principalmente para os coagulantes cloreto férrico e a mistura Procytrat 100A + Procytrat 300, chegando a alcançar valores próximos a 0,5%. A opção mais econômica foi alcançada com custo de cloreto férrico, na dosagem de 200 mg/L, pH igual a 8,3 e turbidez remanescente igual a 0,6%, de R$0,47/\'M POT.3\' de água tratada. Os diagramas de coagulação-floculação-flotação apresentaram regiões de turbidez remanescente com áreas bem mais reduzidas se comparadas aos diagramas de coagulação-floculação-sedimentação, sendo que não foram atingidos valores de turbidez remanescente menores que 1,5%. Os menores valores de turbidez remanescente para o processo de flotação foram encontrados utilizando-se como coagulante a mistura Procytrat 100A + Procytrat 300, sendo a opção mais econômica alcançada para pH igual a 3,3, dosagem de 60 mg/L e turbidez remanescente igual a 1,6%, com custo de R$0,33/\'M POT.3\' de água tratada. De um modo geral, para todos os coagulantes testados, as regiões escolhidas nos diagramas de coagulação-floculação-flotação, cujos valores de turbidez remanescente foram menores, estavam concentradas em valores de pH baixos (3,2 a 5,5), dosagens de coagulante reduzidas (10 a 80 mg/L) e dosagens de alcalinizante também reduzidas (0 a 60 mg/L de Ca(\'OH)IND.2\'). Esse comportamento foi contrário ao apresentado pelos diagramas coagulação-floculação-sedimentação cujos valores de turbidez remanescente foram menores em valores de pH mais altos (6,5 a 8,5), maiores dosagens de coagulante (40 a 380 mg/L) e altas dosagens de alcalinizante (100 a 400 mg/L de Ca(\'OH)IND.2\'). / One approach to minimize the consumption of drinking water and effluent disposal is the reuse of water within the plant through advanced treatment techniques such as reverse osmosis system, however, this system requires an affluent with a low amount of solids and other requirements. The wastewater used in this study comes from a metalworking company that uses coagulation-flocculation-sedimentation process as a way to remove the solids before a reverse osmosis system. The purpose of this study was to evaluate three different coagulants (sodium aluminate, ferric chloride and a mixture of two commercial coagulants, Procytrat 100A and Procytrat 300) in the process of coagulation-flocculation and separation of solids from the liquid phase by sedimentation and dissolved air flotation and also compare the approximate costs of the processes involved. Jar tests and flotatests were performed and the coagulation-flocculation diagrams were built. In the coagulation-flocculation diagrams were selected areas of higher solids removal. Through the chosen regions, comparisons were made of removal efficiency and cost study for each coagulant. It was found that the diagrams of coagulation-flocculation-sedimentation presented the areas of higher turbidity remaining area with less than 2%, mainly for the coagulants ferric chloride and the mixture Procytrat 100A + Procytrat 300, reaching values close to 0.5 %. The most economical option was achieved at a cost of ferric chloride at a dosage of 200 mg/L, pH 8.3, and the remaining turbidity equal to 0.6%, from R$ 0.47/\'M POT.3\' treated water. The diagrams of coagulation-flocculation-flotation showed regions with turbidity remaining areas much reduced compared to the diagrams of coagulation-flocculation-sedimentation, and the turbidity remaining values were more than 1.5%. The lower values of turbidity remaining for the flotation process were found using the mixture Procytrat 100A + Procytrat 300, and the most economical option was reached for a pH of 3.3, dosage of 60 mg/L and remaining turbidity equal to e 1.6%, at a cost of R$ 0.33/\'M POT.3\' of treated water. In general, for all coagulants tested, the selected regions in the diagrams of coagulation-flocculation-flotation, whose remaining turbidity values were lower, were concentrated in low pH values (3.2 to 5.5), dosages of coagulant reduced (10 to 80 mg/L) and dosages of alkaline also reduced (0 to 60 mg/L of Ca(\'OH)IND.2\'). This behavior was contrary to the diagrams presented by coagulation-flocculation-sedimentation whose remaining turbidity values were lower in higher pH values (6.5 to 8.5), larger amounts of coagulant (40 to 380 mg/L) and high doses of alkaline (100 to 400 mg/L Ca(\'OH)IND.2\').

No que tange o saneamento, cresce a opinião entre a comunidade técnico-científica de que é necessário que a água seja gerida levando em conta a complexidade de seu ciclo hidrológico e que o esgoto e os resíduos sejam vistos como fontes de recursos. É nesses preceitos que se baseia o saneamento ecológico. Neste trabalho é avaliado o desempenho de uma tecnologia de saneamento ecológico, operada tratando esgoto doméstico real e projetada para atender à demanda de uma família de três pessoas e promover a reciclagem de nutrientes. O sistema é composto por 3 reservatórios que atuam como um reator anaeróbio, um decantador e um alagado construído de fluxo vertical ascendente. O sistema apresentou remoção global de DQO de 88,6% ± 6,3% com concentração final de 80 ± 35 mg O2.L-1 e as remoções de nutrientes foram insignificantes. Como o fósforo é o nutriente mais difícil de ser tratado biologicamente, e, como o lodo de Estações de Tratamento de Água (ETA) é um tipo de resíduo sólido que carece de manejo e tratamento adequado, propõe-se também uma tecnologia inovadora para as situações em que é necessário remover grandes cargas de fósforo. Essa tecnologia consiste no reaproveitamento do lodo de ETA como adsorvente, utilizando-o como meio de preenchimento de alagados construídos. Primeiramente, foram feitos ensaios em mesa giratória com solução padrão e foram obtidas as isotermas de Freundlich e Langmuir para 4 diferentes valores de pHs. A adsorção foi favorecida em pHs ácidos e a capacidade máxima de adsorção variou entre 1,44 mg P.g-1 a 4,76 mg P.g-1. Posteriormente, foi avaliado o desempenho desse lodo tratando esgoto real. Para isso, adicionou-se um estágio complementar de tratamento no sistema apresentado anteriormente. A aplicação do lodo como meio de preenchimento do alagado construído apresentou bom desempenho e levou à conclusão que o tempo de vida útil do sistema seria entre 1,6 e 9,7 anos. Por fim, busca-se trazer contribuições que transcedam a esfera da técnica; por essa razão é apresentada uma reflexão analítica conceitual com o intuito de analisar o processo sócio histórico de formação do paradigma tradicional do saneamento, baseado no referencial teórico das ciências sociais da tecnologia (DOSI, 1982; FEENBERG, 1992, 1999, 2003). A partir disso intenta-se vislumbrar uma alternativa de futuro e avaliar as potencialidades e limitações do saneamento ecológico para construção de outro paradigma sanitário. / Regarding sanitation, there is a growing consensus among the technical-scientific community that water must be managed considering the complexity of its hydrological cycle and that sewage and waste should be considered as sources of resources. It is in these precepts that ecological sanitation is based. In this work the performance of an ecological sanitation technology, operated by treating domestic sewage and designed to meet the demand of a family of three people and promote the recycling of nutrients, is evaluated. The system consists of 3 stages that act as an anaerobic reactor, a decanter and an upflow constructed wetland. The system had a total COD removal of 88.6 ± 6.3% with a final concentration of 80 ± 35 mg O2.L-1 and nutrient removals were insignificant. As phosphorus is the most difficult nutrient to be treated biologically, and since water treatment plant (WTP) sludge is a type of solid waste that still lacks proper management and treatment in Brazil, it is also proposed an innovative technology for situations where it is necessary to remove large loads of phosphorus. This technology consists in the reuse of the WTP sludge as an adsorbent, using it as a constructed wetland filling material. First, rotary table tests with stock solution were taken and the Freundlich and Langmuir isotherms were obtained for 4 different pH values. Adsorption was favored at acidic pHs and the maximum adsorption capacity ranged from 1.44 mg P.g-1 to 4.76 mg P.g-1. Subsequently, the performance of this sludge treating sewage was evaluated. To this end, a further stage of treatment was added in the system shown above. The application of the sludge a constructed wetland filling material presented good performance and led to the conclusion that the useful life of the system would be between 1.6 and 9.7 years. Finally, we seek to bring contributions that transcend the technical sphere; for this reason, a conceptual analytical reflection is presented with the purpose of analyzing the socio-historical process of formation of the traditional sanitation paradigm, based on the theoretical reference of the social sciences of technology (DOSSIER, 1982; FEENBERG, 1992, 1999, 2003). From this it is tried to glimpse an alternative of future and to evaluate the potentialities and limitations of the ecological sanitation to the construction of another sanitary paradigm.

Os reatores anaeróbios de tratamento de esgoto possibilitam elevada remoção de matéria orgânica, com menor custo em comparação com os processos aeróbios. Entretanto, esses reatores geralmente são pouco eficientes na remoção de nutrientes e seu efluente pode apresentar valores relativamente elevados de DQO e de sólidos suspensos. Por isso, investigou-se a aplicação de cloreto férrico e auxiliares de floculação no afluente de um reator anaeróbio de leito expandido em escala real (Volume = 32 m3; TDH = 3,2 h), no intuito de elevar as eficiências de remoção de DQO, turbidez, fósforo e sólidos. Foram realizados testes de Atividade Metanogênica para avaliar a toxicidade do cloreto férrico ao lodo do reator, mas nenhum efeito tóxico foi detectado para concentrações de até 500 mg FeCl3/l. Em seguida, foram realizados testes em reator de bancada (jar test), quando foi investigado o uso de cloreto férrico (dosagens entre 40 e 200 mg/l) em conjunto com um polímero catiônico, um polímero aniônico e amido natural de batata (dosagens entre 0,5 e 2,0 mg/l), sendo obtidos os melhores resultados com cloreto férrico e polímero aniônico. As eficiências médias diárias de remoção no reator de leito expandido foram elevadas de 64% para 71%, para DQO; de 47% para 59%, para turbidez; de 17% para 31%, para fósforo; e de 52% para 77%, para SST, quando aplicadas dosagens de 40 mg/l de cloreto férrico e 1,0 mg/l de polímero aniônico. / Anaerobic reactors for wastewater treatment have high capacity in removing organic matter and lower costs in comparison with aerobic processes. Nevertheless, anaerobic reactors generally are less efficient in nutrient removal and their effluents may present relatively high COD and total suspended solid (TSS) concentrations. Hence, the application of ferric chloride (FeCl3) and flocculant aids to a full-scale (Volume = 32 m3; HRT = 3,2 h) anaerobic expanded bed reactor influent was investigated to improve removal of COD, turbidity, phosphorous and solids. Methanogenic activity tests were conducted to evaluate toxicity of ferric chloride against methanogenic anaerobic reactor sludge. Tests showed that no toxic effect occurred before concentrations of FeCl3 reached 500 mg/l. Conventional bench-scale jar tests were conducted and ferric chloride was tested in combination with a cationic polymer, an anionic polymer and natural potato starch. Best results were obtained when ferric chloride was employed with anionic polymer. Average daily removal rates were increased from 64% to 71% for COD, from 47% to 59% for turbidity, from 17% to 31% for phosphorous and from 52% to 77% for TSS when dosages close to 40 mg/l of ferric chloride and 1,0 mg/l of anionic polymer were applied to anaerobic expanded bed reactor influent.

No description available.

The study was inspired by the need to assess long-term metal retention in municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills. The long-term processes in landfills are poorly known due to the relatively short time that such landfills have been in existence. Natural analogues where similar metal binding processes could be expected were therefore sought for. The work described in this thesis aims to elucidate the long-term transport and attenuation processes involved in the retention of heavy metals in a peat bog, through field studies and modelling. The Oostriku peat bog (central Estonia) has been exposed to metal-rich groundwater discharge over a long period of time and was found to have accumulated high concentrations of Fe, other heavy metals (e.g. Pb, Cu, Zn, Mn), and As. It was characterised in detail with respect to metal depth distribution and main metal binding mechanisms (using an optimised Tessier extraction scheme). The oxidation of metal sulphides in the surrounding carbonate bedrock was proposed to be a possible long-term source of heavy metals in the water emerging in a spring at the peat site. The water in the spring and peat pore-water was sampled and analysed. The dissolution sequence of the sulphide minerals and evolution of the water composition along a flowpath in the carbonate rock were modelled. Resulting aqueous phase concentration of major and minor elements are discussed in relation to governing geochemical processes. The simulated water composition was compared with that observed. Retention of metals transported with water through the peat was assessed through modelling equilibrium sorption on solid organic matter and amorphous ferric oxyhydroxide by using a simplified quantitative modelling approach and independently obtained data. Dynamic evolution of metal sorption fronts along a peat profile over time was modelled to test metal-metal competition effects. A possible formation of ferric oxyhydroxide in the peat bog was also assessed with the model. / QC 20101001

Waste water containing high concentrations of dissolved metals were delivered to the environmental company SAKAB. After standard treatment procedure, involving regulation of pH and addition of flocculation agents, the water still contained nickel concentrations of 26 mg/l. Since SAKAB’s regulatory concentration limit value for nickel in outgoing water is 0.5 mg/l, further treatment was necessary. According to the supplier of the water, a complexing agent similar to EDTA had been added to the water. The aim of this study was to decrease concentrations of nickel, zinc and copper. One part of this study was the precipitation experiments as hydroxide, sulphide and adsorption to hydrous ferric oxide. The other part was adsorption to natural, organic materials such as peat, wood chips and one commercial bark compost. Adsorption to hydrous ferric oxide was the most efficient of the precipitation experiments. When 2000 mg FeCl3 was added to 100 ml waste water and pH of the solution was adjusted to pH 8, a decrease up to 74 % of total nickel concentrations was achieved. Most efficient of the adsorption experiments were the one with commercial bark compost which decreased nickel concentrations in solution up to 94 % after 20 hours of agitation.