Driven by excess nutrients in water bodies, eutrophication has long been an issue in water resources management. Harmful algal blooms (HABs) in a highly eutrophic water body lead to hypoxia, creating a “dead zone,” which renders the oxygen levels inadequate for the survival of marine life. This study examined the field-scale filtration performance of two specialty absorbents to improve watershed remediation within a Total Maximum Daily Load program. The goal was to simultaneously remove nutrients and biological pollutants along Canal 23 (C-23) in the St. Lucie River Basin, Florida. The filtration system installed in the C-23 river corridor was equipped with either clay– perlite with sand sorption media (CPS) or zero-valent iron and perlite green environmental media (ZIPGEM). Both media were formulated with varying combinations of sand, clay, perlite, and/or recycled iron based on distinct recipes. Seasonality effects were also evident in nutrient removal efficiencies while the decomposition of dissolved organic nitrogen played a pivotal role in nutrient removal, Overall, ZIPGEM demonstrated a more stable nutrient removal efficiency than CPS in the phase of seasonal changes while biological pollutants can be fully removed over seasons.

[Truncated abstract] The use of constructed wetlands for tertiary purification of municipal wastewater has received increasing attention around the world because direct discharge of secondary-treated municipal wastewater to water bodies has caused eutrophication. Plant species selection and vegetation management may enhance nutrient removal efficiency in constructed wetlands. However, there is a lack of knowledge on the relations between plant growth and nutrient removal efficiency in constructed wetlands. The objective of this study is to better understand how plant growth and resource allocation are influenced by nutrients in wastewater and how nutrient removal efficiencies are affected by plant species and vegetation management. The preliminary experiment was conducted to select macrophytes, especially ornamental species, to grow in the wastewater in the wetland microcosms. Ten plant species, comprising six ornamental species: Alocasia macrorrhiza, Canna indica, Iris louisiana, Lythrum sp., Zantedeschia aethiopica, Zantedeschia sp., and four sedge species: Baumea articulate, Baumea juncea, Carex tereticaulis and Schoenoplectus validus, were planted in the wetland microcosms and fed a simulated wastewater solution in the concentrations similar to the secondary-treated municipal wastewater. C. indica has shown vigorous and healthy growth, and a relatively high potential of rooting-zone aeration and nutrient removal efficiency. B. articulata and S. validus also showed relatively high nutrient removal efficiency. ... The high nutrient availability and optimum N/P ratio were required for stimulating plant growth, resulting in allocation of more resources to above-ground tissues compared to below-ground parts, and enhancing nutrient removal efficiency. Nutrient removal efficiencies were significantly influenced by growth of C. indica and S. validus, nutrient loading rates and N/P ratios in the wastewater. The nutrient uptake kinetics of C. indica and S. validus were investigated to elucidate the differences in nutrient uptake between species. Wetland plant species have shown differential nutrient uptake efficiency and different preferences for inorganic N source, with C. indica preferring NO3-N and S. validus preferring NH4-N. C. indica had greater capacity than S. validus to take up PO4-P when the concentration of PO4-P in the solution was relatively low, whereas S. validus was more capable than C. indica to take up NO3-N when the concentration of NO3-N in the solution was relatively low. The PO4-P uptake capacity was higher in younger than older plants. Overall, the study has suggested that different plant species have differential capacity to take up nutrients. In addition to nutrient uptake, plants have significant other roles in terms of nutrient removal from the wastewater (such as leaking oxygen into the rhizosphere in which oxidation of substances like ammonia can occur). The properly high nutrient availability and optimum N/P ratio are required to stimulate the plant growth, resulting in enhancing the treatment performance in the wetlands. These findings have important implications for improving our ability to engineer ecological solutions to the problems associated with nutrient-rich wastewater.

Wastewaters from intensive agricultural activities contain high concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus that contributes to water management problems. During the past few years, there has been considerable interest in the use of constructed wetlands for treating surface water runoff from farmyards. If the contaminated runoff is not treated, this wastewater along with other non-point sources of pollution can seriously contaminate the surface water and groundwater. Integrated Constructed Wetlands (ICWs) are a type of free water surface wetlands. They are engineered systems that are designed, constructed and operated successfully for treating farmyard runoff in the British Isles. However, the long-term treatment performance of these systems, the processes involved in contaminant removal and the impact on associated water bodies are not well-known. The aims of this project were to assess the performance of full-scale integrated constructed wetlands and understand nutrient removal in them. Performance evaluation of these systems through physical, chemical and microbiological parameters collected for more than 7 years showed good removal efficiencies compared to international literature. The monitored nutrient concentrations in groundwater and surface waters indicate that ICW systems did not pollute the receiving waters. The role of plants (Typha latifolia) and sediment in removing nutrients was also assessed. More nitrogen and phosphorus were stored in wetland soils and sediments than in plants. The results demonstrate that the soil component of a mature wetland system is an important and sustainable nutrient storage compartment. A novel molecular toolbox was used to characterise and compare microbial diversity responsible for nitrogen removal in sediment and litter components of ICW systems. Diverse populations of nitrogen removing bacteria were detected. The litter component of the wetland systems supported more diverse nitrogen removing bacteria than the sediments. Nitrogen removing bacteria in the wetland systems appeared to be stochastically assembled from the same source community. The self-organising map model was applied as a prediction tool for the performance of ICW and to investigate an alternative method of analysing water quality performance indicators. The model performed very well in predicting nutrients and biochemical oxygen demand with easy to measure and cost-effective water quality parameters. The results indicate that the model was an appropriate approach to monitor wastewater treatment processes and can be used to support management of ICW in real-time.

Submitted in fulfillment for the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Technology: Biotechnology, Durban University of Technology, 2012. / Nitrification is a crucial step in biological nutrient removal (BNR) processes, mostly carried out by a group of nitrifying bacteria which includes ammonia-oxidising bacteria (AOB) and nitrite-oxidising bacteria (NOB). Nitrification failure has proven to be a common operational problem in full-scale wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) since nitrifying bacteria are very sensitive to sudden changes in environmental or plant operating conditions. The current investigation was carried out to advance our understanding of the distribution of nitrifying bacterial populations and their performance at three different BNR plants in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The latest molecular techniques such as fluorescent in situ hybridisation (FISH)-confocal scanning laser microscopy (CSLM), polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and real-time quantitative PCR (Q-PCR) were applied to detect and quantify nitrifying bacteria. When using FISH to target the nitrifying population, it necessitated optimising pre-treatment protocols of the samples to improve accuracy during quantification. Sonication was found to be the superior method of dispersion based on the least disruption of nitrifier cell integrity, irrespective of the sludge type. The effect of plant configurations and wastewater characteristics on the distribution of the nitrifying bacterial population and subsequently on the nitrification performance was evaluated using FISH and PCR. FISH results revealed the dominance of Nitrosomonas (AOB), Nitrobacter (NOB) and Nitrospira (NOB) for all BNR plants. The 16S rRNA analysis of PCR products using genus-specific primers, revealed the presence of more than one species of the same group at these plants. Nitrosomonas spp. including Nitrosomonas halophila, Nitrosomonas eutropha, Nitrosomonas europaea, Nitrosomonas aestuarii and an unidentified Nitrosomonas spp. were found to dominate among the AOB and Nitrobacter vulgaris, Nitrobacter alkalicus, Nitrobacter hamburgensis and an unidentified Nitrobacter spp. were the dominant species for NOB. Among these species, Nitrosomonas aestuarii, Nitrosomonas europaea, Nitrobacter hamburgensis were detected only from the industrial wastewater samples. The efficiency of two commonly used techniques viz., FISH and Q-PCR for the detection of nitrifiers from WWTP were also studied and compared, specifically targeting Nitrobacter sp. Even though there were slight variations in the quantification results, changes in the Nitrobacter community at these plants were consistent for both FISH and Q-PCR results. Both techniques have their own limitations and advantages. This study has helped to add to the platform of understanding the distribution and activity of nitrifying bacteria by correlating population dynamics with the operational parameters at full-scale level. The observations made in this study will assist researchers and engineers to minimise future nitrification failure at full-scale BNR plants. This study also confirmed the highly complex activities of wastewater treatment processes, which is dependant on a number of factors. Specific AOB or NOB predominant in wastewater rather suggests that the wastewater type and characteristics may contribute to significantly different microbial environments. Among the AOB, Nitrosomonas dominated at all BNR plants throughout the study period and for NOB both Nitrobacter and Nitrospira were found in significant numbers but their dominance varied across the plants. These dissimilar, distinct distribution patterns could be attributed to their environment which in turn impacted on the nitrification performance of the system. It was also noted that the co-existence of more than one group of these communities at the same plant could help the plant escape complete functional failures such as nitrification, due to sudden changes in temperature and substrate concentrations, as this function can be performed by different groups. Although it would have been meritorious to conduct a nitrogen balance in this study, this was not possible since the research focused on full-scale systems. / National Research Foundation / D

Neste trabalho, estudou-se a utilização de filtros percoladores como tratamento complementar de efluente de lagoa de estabilização visando a remoção de nitrogênio, principal causador de problemas como a eutrofização de corpos hídricos em conjunto com o fósforo. A motivação principal para o desenvolvimento desta pesquisa foi a dificuldade encontrada para o atendimento ao padrão definido pela Resolução CONAMA 357/05, a qual define concentração máxima de nitrogênio para lançamento de efluentes em corpos hídricos receptores de 20 mg/l. Em 2008 foi promulgada a Resolução CONAMA nº 397 a qual estabeleceu, em seu Artigo 34, que o padrão de emissão de nitrogênio amoniacal seria suspenso temporariamente para efluentes de estação de tratamento de esgoto sanitário, continuando a valer a concentração máxima nos corpos receptores estabelecidas na Resolução CONAMA 357/05. Sendo assim, a questão sobre a remoção de nutrientes constitui uma preocupação diretamente relacionada ao emprego dos sistemas de lagoas de estabilização. Para esta pesquisa, utilizou-se os efluentes tratados por lagoas facultativas provenientes da Estação de Tratamento de Esgoto do município de Lins/SP e, para o experimento em questão, foram construídos dois filtros biológicos seguidos de decantadores, ambos em escala piloto. Os filtros foram construídos em um corpo cilíndrico de polipropileno com diâmetro de 1,2 metros e teve seu volume dividido igualmente por uma placa vertical também de polipropileno, propiciando área superficial de 1,13 m² e volume útil total de 4,52m³. Para o fornecimento de oxigênio, indispensável para o processo de nitrificação, o filtro foi apoiado sobre uma base de concreto com drenos de fundo para permitir a ventilação do sistema, garantindo a concentração de oxigênio necessária. Para comparação da eficiência na remoção do nitrogênio, cada filtro foi preenchido com determinado tipo de material, ou seja, um filtro continha pedra britada variando de 4 a 8, admitindo-se área superficial de 70 m²/m³ e possibilitando uma área para formação de biofilme de 316,7 m², enquanto que no outro filtro foram utilizado anéis plásticos com área superficial de 100m³/m³, fornecendo 542,9 m² de área superficial para a formação de biofilme. Também foram construídos decantadores após os filtros percoladores para a remoção dos sólidos em suspensão, não sendo alvo da pesquisa em questão Tendo em vista que o molhamento de todo o material de preenchimento se faz importante para a eficiência do sistema, foi utilizado um sistema de recalque para o transporte do esgoto para o filtro, distribuído continuamente sobre o meio suporte e com vazão divida igualmente para os dois filtros por meio de um sistema de distribuição de pvc perfurado com diâmetro de 40 mm e com funcionamento semelhante a um aspersor de jardim A taxa de aplicação superficial variou entre baixa, intermediária e alta, tendo aumento de vazão no sistema até que o processo de nitrificação cessasse e cada fase teve duração de 180 dias. Conforme verificado nos resultados obtidos, filtros percoladores apresentam boa eficiência na remoção do nitrogênio do efluente, seja pela desnitrificação via nitrito ou pela volatilização do nitrogênio. A ETAPA 1 apresentou resultados bastante satisfatórios para o filtro de brita em relação ao filtro com anéis plásticos, podendo ter sido ocasionado pela área rugosa das britas, a qual facilitou a formação do biofilme, enquanto que a superfície lisa dos anéis plásticos dificulta a formação do biofilme, resultando na baixa eficiência apesar da maior área superficial. Já na ETAPA 3, com taxas de aplicação maiores, o filtro preenchido com anéis plásticos apresentou maior eficiência do que o filtro com brita. Tal fato pode ter sido conseqüência da maior área disponível para a formação do biofilme nos anéis plásticos. Ambos os casos apresentaram eficiência suficiente para remoção de nitrogênio a concentrações inferiores a 20 mg/l. Tais resultados demonstram que os filtros percoladores possuem boa funcionalidade para a remoção do nitrogênio de efluente sanitário tratado por sistemas de lagoas de estabilização. / It was studied in this paper the use of trickling filters as a complementary treatment of wastewater stabilization pond seeking removal of nitrogen, the main cause of problems such as eutrophication of water bodies in conjunction with phosphorus. The main motivation for this research was the difficulty to meet the standard set by CONAMA 357/05 Resolution, which defines the maximum nitrogen concentration for disposal of effluents in water bodies as 20 mg / l. In 2008 was created the CONAMA Resolution 397 which established, in Article 34 that the emission pattern of ammonia nitrogen would be temporarily suspended for wastewater treatment plant discharge, continuing to enforce the maximum concentration in the water bodies established in CONAMA Resolution 357/05. Thus, the question on the removal of nutrients is a concern related to the use of systems of waste stabilization ponds. For this study, was used the treated effluent by anaerobic and facultative ponds from the Sewage Treatment Plant in the city of Lins/SP, and for this experiment was constructed two trickling filters followed by settlers, both in pilot scale. The filters were constructed on a cylindrical body of polypropylene with a diameter of 1.2 meters and its volume was divided symmetrically by a vertical plate also made of polypropylene, providing superficial area of 1.13m² and total net volume of 4.52m³. To supply oxygen, essential for the nitrification process, the filter was supported on a concrete base with bottom drains to allow the ventilation system, to supply the concentration of oxygen needed. To compare the efficiency of nitrogen removal, each filter was filled with a certain type of material, ie, a filter containing crushed rock ranging from 4 to 8, considering surface area of 70m²/m³ and a possible area for biofilm formation of 316.7m², while in the other filter was used plastic rings with surface area of 100m²/m³, providing 542.9m² of surface area for biofilm formation. Settlers were constructed after the trickling filters for the removal of suspended solids, because that are not the focus of this research. Considering that the wetness around the filling material is important for system efficiency, it was used a pumping system to transport sewage to the filter, continuously distributed on the support materials and flow split equally for both filters by a distribution system made of perforated PVC with a diameter of 40mm and functioning like a garden sprinkler. The application rate surface ranged from low, intermediate and high, having increased flow in the system until the process of nitrification ended and each phase lasted 180 days. As shown in the results, trickling filters show good efficiency in removing nitrogen from wastewater, either by denitrification by nitrite or by the volatilization of nitrogen. The STEP 1 showed satisfactory results for the filter of crushed rocks over the filter with plastic rings, which may have been caused by the rocks rough area, which facilitated the formation of biofilms, while the smooth surface of the plastic rings makes harder the formation of biofilm, resulting in low efficiency despite the larger surface area. In STEP 3, with higher rates of application, the filter filled with plastic rings showed higher efficiency than the filter with crushed rocks. This might have been a consequence of the greater area available for biofilm formation in plastic rings. Both cases had efficient enough to achieve nitrogen concentrations lower than 20 mg/l. These results demonstrate that the trickling filters have good functionality for removing nitrogen from sanitary wastewater treated systems for waste stabilization ponds.

Tendo em vista as questões ambientais relacionadas com a disposição oceânica de esgotos sanitários, muito tem sido debatido sobre qual nível de tratamento deve ser adotado ou quais constituintes presentes nos esgotos devem ser removidos antes do lançamento em regiões costeiras. Dentro deste contexto, este estudo teve como objetivo principal fornecer subsídios para uma tomada de decisão quanto à necessidade de remoção de nutrientes para lançamento de esgotos sanitários por meio de emissários submarinos, de maneira a garantir um nível de tratamento mínimo sem que haja um comprometimento do corpo receptor em termos de potencial de eutrofização. Para isso, foram utilizados dois sistemas de disposição oceânica de esgotos sanitários: Santos/São Vicente e Praia Grande 2. O impacto ambiental do lançamento de esgotos pelos emissários submarinos foi avaliado por um modelo numérico de eutrofização, sendo as características da pluma de esgoto no campo próximo determinada pelo software CORMIX e acoplado no modelo de campo distante. A necessidade de remoção de nitrogênio e fósforo foi estimada com base na metodologia do Plano Oceânico da Califórnia. Os resultados demonstraram que tanto para o caso do emissário submarino de Santos quanto para o de Praia Grande haveria necessidade de remover amônia e fosfato para atender a legislação CONAMA 357/2005 quando operados com vazões de 3,0 e 5,3 m³.s-¹. Além disso, quando os sistemas foram operados sem tratamento ocorreu um aumento significativo na concentração de clorofila-a, atingindo valores de até 16 µg chl-a/L 12 µg chl-a/L na baía de Santos e Praia Grande, respectivamente. Os resultados demonstraram também que a utilização de um tratamento secundário com oxidação parcial da amônia promoveria uma redução de apenas 30% na concentração de clorofila-a, enquanto que a utilização de um TPQA com remoção de fosfato promoveria uma resposta ambiental melhor, levando a uma redução de até 71% na concentração de clorofila-a, resultados semelhantes ao tratamento terciário com remoção de nitrogênio e fósforo, resultados semelhantes aos obtidos quando foi considerado o tratamento terciário com remoção de nitrogênio e fósforo. / Due to environmental issues related to wastewater ocean discharge, much has been debated about the level of treatment that should be adopted or which constituents must be removed from wastewater before its final disposal in coastal zones. Within this context, this study aimed to provide support for a decision making on the need of wastewater nutrient removal before its final disposal through submarine outfalls in order to ensure an adequate treatment level, minimizing the environmental impact on the receiving body in terms of eutrophication potential. For this purpose, two wastewater ocean disposal systems: Santos/San Viciente and Praia Grande 2, were evaluated. The environmental impact of wastewater discharge through submarine outfalls was evaluated by a 2D eutrophication numerical model. Wastewater mixing conditions in the near field plume was evaluated using the software CORMIX, and the results were coupled to a far-field model. Nitrogen and phosphorus removals were evaluated through the California Ocean Plan methodology. The results showed that the removal of ammonia and phosphate is required for both submarine outfalls, Santos and Praia Grande, to meet the Brazilian legislation(CONAMA357/2005) when they are operated with flow rates of 3.0 and5.3m³.s-¹. Furthermore, when the systems are operated without treatment, modeled chlorophyll-a concentrations increased up to 16 µg chl-a/L and 12 µg chl-a/L in Santos bay and Praia Grande, respectively. The results also demonstrate that the use of a secondary treatment with partial ammonia oxidation promote a reduction of only 30% in the chlorophyll-a, while the use of a CEPT with phosphate removal promote a better environmental response, resulting a chlorophyll-a concentration reduction of 71%, similar results were obtained when tertiary treatment was considered for nitrogen and phosphorus removals.

Tendo em vista as questões ambientais relacionadas com a disposição oceânica de esgotos sanitários, muito tem sido debatido sobre qual nível de tratamento deve ser adotado ou quais constituintes presentes nos esgotos devem ser removidos antes do lançamento em regiões costeiras. Dentro deste contexto, este estudo teve como objetivo principal fornecer subsídios para uma tomada de decisão quanto à necessidade de remoção de nutrientes para lançamento de esgotos sanitários por meio de emissários submarinos, de maneira a garantir um nível de tratamento mínimo sem que haja um comprometimento do corpo receptor em termos de potencial de eutrofização. Para isso, foram utilizados dois sistemas de disposição oceânica de esgotos sanitários: Santos/São Vicente e Praia Grande 2. O impacto ambiental do lançamento de esgotos pelos emissários submarinos foi avaliado por um modelo numérico de eutrofização, sendo as características da pluma de esgoto no campo próximo determinada pelo software CORMIX e acoplado no modelo de campo distante. A necessidade de remoção de nitrogênio e fósforo foi estimada com base na metodologia do Plano Oceânico da Califórnia. Os resultados demonstraram que tanto para o caso do emissário submarino de Santos quanto para o de Praia Grande haveria necessidade de remover amônia e fosfato para atender a legislação CONAMA 357/2005 quando operados com vazões de 3,0 e 5,3 m³.s-¹. Além disso, quando os sistemas foram operados sem tratamento ocorreu um aumento significativo na concentração de clorofila-a, atingindo valores de até 16 µg chl-a/L 12 µg chl-a/L na baía de Santos e Praia Grande, respectivamente. Os resultados demonstraram também que a utilização de um tratamento secundário com oxidação parcial da amônia promoveria uma redução de apenas 30% na concentração de clorofila-a, enquanto que a utilização de um TPQA com remoção de fosfato promoveria uma resposta ambiental melhor, levando a uma redução de até 71% na concentração de clorofila-a, resultados semelhantes ao tratamento terciário com remoção de nitrogênio e fósforo, resultados semelhantes aos obtidos quando foi considerado o tratamento terciário com remoção de nitrogênio e fósforo. / Due to environmental issues related to wastewater ocean discharge, much has been debated about the level of treatment that should be adopted or which constituents must be removed from wastewater before its final disposal in coastal zones. Within this context, this study aimed to provide support for a decision making on the need of wastewater nutrient removal before its final disposal through submarine outfalls in order to ensure an adequate treatment level, minimizing the environmental impact on the receiving body in terms of eutrophication potential. For this purpose, two wastewater ocean disposal systems: Santos/San Viciente and Praia Grande 2, were evaluated. The environmental impact of wastewater discharge through submarine outfalls was evaluated by a 2D eutrophication numerical model. Wastewater mixing conditions in the near field plume was evaluated using the software CORMIX, and the results were coupled to a far-field model. Nitrogen and phosphorus removals were evaluated through the California Ocean Plan methodology. The results showed that the removal of ammonia and phosphate is required for both submarine outfalls, Santos and Praia Grande, to meet the Brazilian legislation(CONAMA357/2005) when they are operated with flow rates of 3.0 and5.3m³.s-¹. Furthermore, when the systems are operated without treatment, modeled chlorophyll-a concentrations increased up to 16 µg chl-a/L and 12 µg chl-a/L in Santos bay and Praia Grande, respectively. The results also demonstrate that the use of a secondary treatment with partial ammonia oxidation promote a reduction of only 30% in the chlorophyll-a, while the use of a CEPT with phosphate removal promote a better environmental response, resulting a chlorophyll-a concentration reduction of 71%, similar results were obtained when tertiary treatment was considered for nitrogen and phosphorus removals.

Neste trabalho, estudou-se a utilização de filtros percoladores como tratamento complementar de efluente de lagoa de estabilização visando a remoção de nitrogênio, principal causador de problemas como a eutrofização de corpos hídricos em conjunto com o fósforo. A motivação principal para o desenvolvimento desta pesquisa foi a dificuldade encontrada para o atendimento ao padrão definido pela Resolução CONAMA 357/05, a qual define concentração máxima de nitrogênio para lançamento de efluentes em corpos hídricos receptores de 20 mg/l. Em 2008 foi promulgada a Resolução CONAMA nº 397 a qual estabeleceu, em seu Artigo 34, que o padrão de emissão de nitrogênio amoniacal seria suspenso temporariamente para efluentes de estação de tratamento de esgoto sanitário, continuando a valer a concentração máxima nos corpos receptores estabelecidas na Resolução CONAMA 357/05. Sendo assim, a questão sobre a remoção de nutrientes constitui uma preocupação diretamente relacionada ao emprego dos sistemas de lagoas de estabilização. Para esta pesquisa, utilizou-se os efluentes tratados por lagoas facultativas provenientes da Estação de Tratamento de Esgoto do município de Lins/SP e, para o experimento em questão, foram construídos dois filtros biológicos seguidos de decantadores, ambos em escala piloto. Os filtros foram construídos em um corpo cilíndrico de polipropileno com diâmetro de 1,2 metros e teve seu volume dividido igualmente por uma placa vertical também de polipropileno, propiciando área superficial de 1,13 m² e volume útil total de 4,52m³. Para o fornecimento de oxigênio, indispensável para o processo de nitrificação, o filtro foi apoiado sobre uma base de concreto com drenos de fundo para permitir a ventilação do sistema, garantindo a concentração de oxigênio necessária. Para comparação da eficiência na remoção do nitrogênio, cada filtro foi preenchido com determinado tipo de material, ou seja, um filtro continha pedra britada variando de 4 a 8, admitindo-se área superficial de 70 m²/m³ e possibilitando uma área para formação de biofilme de 316,7 m², enquanto que no outro filtro foram utilizado anéis plásticos com área superficial de 100m³/m³, fornecendo 542,9 m² de área superficial para a formação de biofilme. Também foram construídos decantadores após os filtros percoladores para a remoção dos sólidos em suspensão, não sendo alvo da pesquisa em questão Tendo em vista que o molhamento de todo o material de preenchimento se faz importante para a eficiência do sistema, foi utilizado um sistema de recalque para o transporte do esgoto para o filtro, distribuído continuamente sobre o meio suporte e com vazão divida igualmente para os dois filtros por meio de um sistema de distribuição de pvc perfurado com diâmetro de 40 mm e com funcionamento semelhante a um aspersor de jardim A taxa de aplicação superficial variou entre baixa, intermediária e alta, tendo aumento de vazão no sistema até que o processo de nitrificação cessasse e cada fase teve duração de 180 dias. Conforme verificado nos resultados obtidos, filtros percoladores apresentam boa eficiência na remoção do nitrogênio do efluente, seja pela desnitrificação via nitrito ou pela volatilização do nitrogênio. A ETAPA 1 apresentou resultados bastante satisfatórios para o filtro de brita em relação ao filtro com anéis plásticos, podendo ter sido ocasionado pela área rugosa das britas, a qual facilitou a formação do biofilme, enquanto que a superfície lisa dos anéis plásticos dificulta a formação do biofilme, resultando na baixa eficiência apesar da maior área superficial. Já na ETAPA 3, com taxas de aplicação maiores, o filtro preenchido com anéis plásticos apresentou maior eficiência do que o filtro com brita. Tal fato pode ter sido conseqüência da maior área disponível para a formação do biofilme nos anéis plásticos. Ambos os casos apresentaram eficiência suficiente para remoção de nitrogênio a concentrações inferiores a 20 mg/l. Tais resultados demonstram que os filtros percoladores possuem boa funcionalidade para a remoção do nitrogênio de efluente sanitário tratado por sistemas de lagoas de estabilização. / It was studied in this paper the use of trickling filters as a complementary treatment of wastewater stabilization pond seeking removal of nitrogen, the main cause of problems such as eutrophication of water bodies in conjunction with phosphorus. The main motivation for this research was the difficulty to meet the standard set by CONAMA 357/05 Resolution, which defines the maximum nitrogen concentration for disposal of effluents in water bodies as 20 mg / l. In 2008 was created the CONAMA Resolution 397 which established, in Article 34 that the emission pattern of ammonia nitrogen would be temporarily suspended for wastewater treatment plant discharge, continuing to enforce the maximum concentration in the water bodies established in CONAMA Resolution 357/05. Thus, the question on the removal of nutrients is a concern related to the use of systems of waste stabilization ponds. For this study, was used the treated effluent by anaerobic and facultative ponds from the Sewage Treatment Plant in the city of Lins/SP, and for this experiment was constructed two trickling filters followed by settlers, both in pilot scale. The filters were constructed on a cylindrical body of polypropylene with a diameter of 1.2 meters and its volume was divided symmetrically by a vertical plate also made of polypropylene, providing superficial area of 1.13m² and total net volume of 4.52m³. To supply oxygen, essential for the nitrification process, the filter was supported on a concrete base with bottom drains to allow the ventilation system, to supply the concentration of oxygen needed. To compare the efficiency of nitrogen removal, each filter was filled with a certain type of material, ie, a filter containing crushed rock ranging from 4 to 8, considering surface area of 70m²/m³ and a possible area for biofilm formation of 316.7m², while in the other filter was used plastic rings with surface area of 100m²/m³, providing 542.9m² of surface area for biofilm formation. Settlers were constructed after the trickling filters for the removal of suspended solids, because that are not the focus of this research. Considering that the wetness around the filling material is important for system efficiency, it was used a pumping system to transport sewage to the filter, continuously distributed on the support materials and flow split equally for both filters by a distribution system made of perforated PVC with a diameter of 40mm and functioning like a garden sprinkler. The application rate surface ranged from low, intermediate and high, having increased flow in the system until the process of nitrification ended and each phase lasted 180 days. As shown in the results, trickling filters show good efficiency in removing nitrogen from wastewater, either by denitrification by nitrite or by the volatilization of nitrogen. The STEP 1 showed satisfactory results for the filter of crushed rocks over the filter with plastic rings, which may have been caused by the rocks rough area, which facilitated the formation of biofilms, while the smooth surface of the plastic rings makes harder the formation of biofilm, resulting in low efficiency despite the larger surface area. In STEP 3, with higher rates of application, the filter filled with plastic rings showed higher efficiency than the filter with crushed rocks. This might have been a consequence of the greater area available for biofilm formation in plastic rings. Both cases had efficient enough to achieve nitrogen concentrations lower than 20 mg/l. These results demonstrate that the trickling filters have good functionality for removing nitrogen from sanitary wastewater treated systems for waste stabilization ponds.

Submitted by Jean Medeiros (jeanletras@uepb.edu.br) on 2016-03-03T13:09:48Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) PDF - Dayane de Andrade Lima.pdf: 1792563 bytes, checksum: bf31a949af64eea8dcf7052839249da2 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-03-03T13:09:48Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) PDF - Dayane de Andrade Lima.pdf: 1792563 bytes, checksum: bf31a949af64eea8dcf7052839249da2 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-02-05 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / This study aimed to investigate the efficiency of a hybrid anaerobic reactor followed by a reactor with immobilized algae in sewage treatment in the removal of carbonaceous material, nutrients and indicator bacteria of faecal contamination (fecal coliform). It was built in one PVC Hybrid Anaerobic Reactor (HAR), with volume of 52 liters for tratar108 liters. The HAR consisted of an anaerobic upflow sludge blanket (UASB) followed by anaerobic filter (AF) containing polyurethane diced as a means support, fed with domestic sewage. The effluent of this reactor was led to an Immobilized Algae Reactor (IAR) for post-treatment. The Immobilized Algae Reactor (IAR) was constructed of glass with a total volume of 6 liters and operated with characteristics reactor with moving bed biofilm using an aquarium pump to promote the displacement of the liquid. The IAR operated in the first three stages was characterized by low rates of photosynthesis, in the second step was added ammonium sulfate to stimulate nitrification in the third operation phase it was observed increase in photosynthesis rates, with phosphorus precipitation, the ammonia volatilization and decay of fecal coliforms. The physical, chemical and microbiological parameters analyzed gave support the evaluation of removing carbonaceous material, nutrients and indicators of fecal contamination. The hybrid reactor provided considerable organic matter removal efficiency (77%), 60% in UASB and 17% in the anaerobic filter. Showed good removal efficiency of solid being 21% ST and 38% removal STV, the SST and VSS removals were 88%. The IAR showed removal efficiency NTK-N for the three phases respectively of 96%, 79% and 62% for ammonia were 99%, 89% and 80% sequence of three phases of operation. In the first and second phase occurred nitrification nitrite remained low at all stages. The removal of orthophosphate was negligible in the first two stages, but in the third stage reached values around 87% of orthophosphate removal and 70% of total phosphorus, resulting mainly from chemical precipitation. The removal of fecal coliforms was 4 logs in the third stage. Polyurethane proved to be a good means support for immobilization of algae, providing removal of nutrients and fecal coliform. / O presente estudo teve o objetivo de investigar a eficiência de um reator anaeróbio híbrido seguido de um reator com algas imobilizadas no tratamento de esgoto doméstico na remoção de material carbonáceo, nutrientes e bactérias indicadoras de contaminação fecal (coliformes termotolerantes). Foi construído em PVC um Reator Anaeróbio Híbrido (RAH), com volume de 52 litros, para tratar108 litros diários. O RAH era constituído de um reator anaeróbio de manta de lodo de fluxo ascendente (UASB) seguido de filtro anaeróbio (FAN) contendo poliuretano cortado em cubos como meio suporte, alimentado com esgoto doméstico. O efluente desse reator era conduzido a um Reator de Algas Imobilizadas (RAI) para póstratamento. O Reator de Algas Imobilizadas (RAI) foi construído em vidro com volume total de 6 litros e operou com características de reator com biofilme de leito móvel, usando uma bomba de aquário para promover o deslocamento do líquido. O RAI operou em três fases a primeira foi caracterizada pelas baixas taxas de fotossíntese, na segunda fase foi adicionado sulfato de amônio que estimulou a nitrificação, na terceira fase de operação observou-se elevação nas taxas fotossintéticas, com precipitação de fósforo, volatilização da amônia e decaimento dos coliformes termotolerantes. Os parâmetros físicos, químicos e microbiológicos, analisados deram suporte a avaliação da remoção de material carbonáceo, nutrientes e indicadores de contaminação fecal. O reator híbrido proporcionou considerável eficiência de remoção de matéria orgânica (77%), sendo 60% no UASB e 17% no filtro anaeróbio. Apresentou boa eficiência de remoção de sólidos sendo 21% de ST e 38% de remoção de STV, as remoções de SST e SSV foram de 88%. O RAI apresentou eficiência na remoção de N-NTK para as três fases respectivamente de 96%, 79 % e 62%, para a amônia foram de 99%, 89% e 80% sequência das três fases de operação. Na primeira e na segunda fase ocorreu nitrificação, o nitrito manteve-se baixo em todas as fases. A remoção de ortofosfato foi pouco significativa nas duas primeiras fases, contudo na terceira fase atingiu valores em torno 87% de remoção de ortofosfato e de 70% de fósforo total, resultante principalmente da precipitação química. A remoção de coliformes termotolerantes foi de 4 logs na terceira fase. O poliuretano mostrou-se um bom meio suporte para imobilização de algas, proporcionando remoção de nutrientes e coliformes termotolerantes.

Submitted by Jorge Silva (jorgelmsilva@ufrrj.br) on 2016-10-19T19:18:40Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2015 - Jo?o Ant?nio Montibeller Furtado e Silva.pdf: 2711514 bytes, checksum: effd09162dc88c6c073a5293a03578ff (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-10-19T19:18:40Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2015 - Jo?o Ant?nio Montibeller Furtado e Silva.pdf: 2711514 bytes, checksum: effd09162dc88c6c073a5293a03578ff (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-08-26 / CAPES / FAPERJ / In the zones that produce swine, the farms have a high concentration of animals that generate large amounts of slurry, which becomes a problem due to lack of agricultural area for distribution, at the rates calculated to be used as a supply of nutrients to crops. Systematic application of pig slurry (PS) can increase the levels of heavy metals (HMs) in the soil. The HMs dynamics in the soil depends on their chemical form, the slurry characteristics, plant absorption capacity and the phytomass management. The purpose of this study was to study the effect of applying PS fertilizing and intensity of nutrient removal, represented by managements of biomass, in the dynamics of soil HMs. The levels of heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Mn, Ni and Pb) were evaluated in a area with Typic Hapludox soil, after three applications of PS. The Humic Acid (HA) obtained from PS samples was characterized in terms of elemental composition, nuclear magnetic resonance of carbon-13 and infrared spectroscopy, in order to evaluate their potential to interact with the HMs. The total contents of Cu, Zn, Mn, Ni and Pb was determined in feed samples, PS from slurry tanks on a finishing swine farm and plants fertilized with PS, consisting a consortium of lopsided oat (Avena strigose, Schreb.) and Italian rye grass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.). The dynamics of HMs in soil was assessed by determining the pseudototals levels in six layers (0-2.5; 2.5-5; 5-10; 10-20; 20-40; 40-80 cm), and bioavailable in the layer of most exploration of consortium roots studied (0-20 cm). The metals Cu, Zn, Mn, Ni e Pb were found in the feed, indicating the source and origin of the HMs in the PS. With 55% of aliphatic chains, 14% of oxygenated aliphatics and 15% of carboxyl, the characterization of HA in the PS showed a high capacity to interact and form soluble complexes with HMs. All analysed HMs had pseudototals levels that increased in all six layers of soil, as a function of the PS dose applied, and the bioavailable forms in the arable layer (0-20 cm). The management with higher intensity of biomass removal, the soil showed the lowest levels of HMs, pseudototal and bioavailables. The total metal accumulation in plants showed a positive and significant correlation with the levels of bioavailables in the soil, suggesting that the HMs were in exchangeable and/or hydrosoluble forms, capable of being transferred to water bodies and to enter the food chain. / Nas regi?es produtoras de su?nos, as granjas apresentam elevadas concentra??es de animais que geram grandes quantidades de res?duos, tornando-se um problema devido ? falta de ?rea agr?cola para sua distribui??o, em taxas calculadas para o fornecimento de nutrientes para as culturas.Aplica??es sistem?ticas de dejeto l?quido de su?nos (DLS) podem elevar os teores de metais pesados (MPs) no solo. A din?mica dos MPs depende da forma qu?mica que se encontram no solo, das caracter?sticas do res?duo aplicado, da absor??o pelas plantas e do manejo da fitomassa. Com o objetivo de estudar os efeitos da aplica??o de dejeto l?quido de su?nos e da intensidade de remo??o de nutrientes, representadas por manejos de fitomassa, na din?mica de MPs do solo, o presente trabalho avaliou os teores de metais pesados (Cu, Zn, Mn, Ni e Pb) em uma ?rea de Nitossolo Vermelho Distr?fico, ap?s tr?s aplica??es de DLS.Os ?cidos h?micos (AH) obtidos de amostras de DLS foram caracterizados quanto ? composi??o elementar,resson?ncia magn?tica nuclear do carbono-13 e espectroscopia de infravermelho, a fim de se avaliar o seu potencial de intera??o com os MPs. Foram determinados os teores totais de Cu, Zn, Mn, Ni ePb em amostras de ra??o, DLS oriundo de esterqueiras, e em tecido do cons?rcio de plantas de aveia preta (Avena strigosa Schreb.) e azev?m (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) adubadas com DLS. A din?mica dos MPs no solo foi avaliada atrav?s da determina??o dos teores pseudototais em seis camadas do solo (0-2,5; 2,5-5; 5-10; 10-20; 20-40, e 40-80 cm), e biodispon?veis na camada de maior explora??o das ra?zes do cons?rcio estudado (0-20 cm).Os metais Cu, Zn, Mn, Ni e Pb foram encontrados na ra??o, indicando a origem desses MPs no DLS. A caracteriza??o dos AH do DLS, com 55% de cadeias alif?ticas, 14% alif?ticas oxigenadas e 15% de carboxilas, demonstra a sua alta capacidade de intera??o e forma??o de complexos sol?veis com MPs. Todos os metais avaliados apresentaram ac?mulo nas seis camadas do solo em fun??o da dose de DLS aplicada, inclusive em formas biodispon?veis na camada ar?vel (0-20 cm). No manejo com maior intensidade de remo??o de fitomassa, o solo apresentou os menores teores de MPs, tanto pseudototais, como biodispon?veis. O ac?mulo total desses metais nas plantas apresentou correla??o positiva e significativa com os teores biodispon?veis do solo, indicando que os MPs se encontravam em formas troc?veis e/ou hidrossol?veis, com capacidade para serem transferidos para corpos h?dricos e entrar na cadeia tr?fica.