Determination of the vertical and horizontal groundwater hydraulic gradient within a landfill is the first step in determining the potential of groundwater contamination from the landfill leachate. The length of a study and the frequency at which measurements are recorded can greatly affect the description of the local groundwater environment. A more comprehensive analysis can be preformed for longer periods of study and greater measurement frequency. The intent of this study was to install a continuous groundwater level monitoring system around the st. Johns Landfill for a minimum study length of one year. This would allow a more thorough study of the seasonal character and behavior of the groundwater system beneath the landfill than in previous studies. Particular interest was paid to groundwater level changes resulting from seasonal weather changes. Additional attention was paid to other forcing mechanisms which could be perturbing groundwater levels, and variations in the geochemical groundwater constituents. Included throughout this report is a literature review of various studies pertinent to the analysis of groundwater level variations. Seasonal variations in vertical groundwater hydraulic gradients were reviewed and time averaged vertical seepage rates were estimated. Areal plots of groundwater levels were used to view expected horizontal groundwater hydraulic gradients during seasonal maximum and minimum groundwater levels. A computer model was developed to study the effects temporal variations in slough water levels had on groundwater seepage rates through the perimeter dike separating the landfill from the sloughs. The modeling provided an estimate of the average horizontal leachate seepage rate into the sloughs. Comparison plots of monitoring well groundwater levels were used to analyze potential swash zones beneath the landfill and potential effects of lowered water levels in Bybee Lake. Spectral analysis techniques were imployed to determine the dominant frequencies observed in the groundwater levels, allowing determination of the type of forcing mechanism driving the fluctuations. Geochemical groundwater constituents were statistically analyzed to determine the significance of observed trends in the data: areal plots of chloride concentrations and electrical conductivity were made to view constituent distributions within the underlying aquifers. Estimated vertical and horizontal groundwater seepage rates into the local waters showed that horizontal leachate seepage is insignificant compared to vertical leachate seepage. Groundwater level comparison plots indicated no significant swashing beneath the landfill occurred. The statistical studies on groundwater forcing mechanisms indicated that either the slough or the Columbia River water levels could be perturbing groundwater levels. Trend analyses on the geochemical groundwater constituents indicated significant, positive trends in chloride concentrations, and undeterminable trends in electrical conductivity.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are persistent organic pollutants known for their toxicological effects. Though industrial production of legacy PCBs was banned in 1977, they can still be measured in nearly all environmental matrices. The Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal (CSSC) is lined with industry and the receiving waters to the Stickney Water Reclamation Plant, the World's largest waste water treatment plant and was therefore speculated to be a potential source of PCBs to the Greater Chicago Area. Surficial sediment samples were acquired along a 45 km stretch of the CSSC, from Kedzie Ave. to Lockport. PCBs in the bulk sediment were extracted using accelerated solvent extraction while PCBs in the porewater were extracted using solid phase micro extraction. The PCBs were identified and quantified using a variation on EPA method 1668C. A total of 176 individual and coeluting PCBs were identified and quantified in this study. The sum of PCB concentrations in the bulk sediment was found to range from 70 to 4970 ng/g dry wt. The sum of PCB concentrations in the freely dissolved sediment-porewater was found to range from 2 to 366 ng/L. The bulk and porewater concentrations were used to estimate an average mass flow rate of PCBs through the CSSC of 368 kg/y. The large mass flow rate of PCBs passing through the CSSC and the fact that the CSSC connects Lake Michigan to the Mississippi River suggest that continued monitoring of PCB concentrations are necessary to better understand the transport and fate of PCBs in and out of the Great Chicago Area.

Abstract not available

Groundwater contamination by landfill generated leachate is a problem that is increasingly addressed for proposed and existing landfill sites.This thesis examines groundwater contamination movement from the abandoned Delaware County Municipal landfill. The site is located in the crest of a highly permeable sand and gravel glacial esker which allows for rapid movement of ground water and any contaminants introduced into it.The landfill site was originally investigated in the late 1970's by Ed Lusch, a graduate student at the Ball State University Geology Department. That study showed some indications of ground water contamination movement to about 400 feet west of the site, in the direction of ground water flow. This indicated position of a contamination plume suggested that leachate, generated from the landfill site, had moved to that position since (or possibly before) the closing of the landfill in 1971.The present study, using a combination of surface resistivity methods, on-site test wells, and chemical analyses of ground water, attempted to determine the degree of contamination movement from the site since the original study and the extent to which the local aquifer had been affected. Results of this investigation revealed an apparent slow movement of leachate from the landfill westward towards the Mississinewa River, also in the direction of ground water flow. Surface resistivity methods of this study revealed the plume of contamination (indicated by resistivity "low" area) to now exist at approximately the same location as indicated in the earlier study, but to have expanded laterally. This investigation also found indications of the contamination plume well into the underlying fractured dolostone.Chemical analyses of nearby residential wells also revealed slightly elevated amounts of chloride, ammonia and specific conductivity in the ground water of the glacial esker south of the abandoned landfill site. The presence of three other dump sites, including a sludge dump, along the esker south of the landfill, offers questions as to the source of ground water contamination.Ball State UniversityMuncie, IN 47306

The objective of this study is to develop a membrane-based generic treatment scheme for wastewaters of indigo dyeing process of denim industry, based on water reuse. For this purpose, firstly the performances of microfiltration (MF), coagulation, and ultrafiltration (UF) processes were evaluated as pretreatment alternatives and the best pretreatment alternatives appeared to be single stage 5 &micro / m MF and sequential 5 &micro / m MF followed by 100 kDa UF providing high permeation rate and high color retention. These two pretreatment alternatives were compared based on the performance of nanofiltration (NF) using NF 270 membrane, and the best pretreatment process was evaluated as 5 &micro / m MF that provided 87-92% color and 10% chemical oxygen demand (COD) retention. After the pretreatment tests, three different NF (NF 270, NF 90, Dow Filmtec, USA and NF 99, Alfa Laval, Denmark) and two different reverse osmosis (RO) membranes (HR 98 PP and CA 995 PE, Alfa Laval, Denmark) were tested to produce reusable water. Permeate COD and color performances of the tested NF and RO membranes were similar and satisfactory in meeting the relevant reuse criteria, while permeate conductivity was satisfactory only for HR 98 PP RO membrane and for NF 90 membrane. On the other hand, NF 270 membrane was superior to the other membranes in terms of permeation rate. For NF 270 membrane / cumulative color, COD and conductivity retentions were found to be 93 %, 92 %, and 60 %, respectively. When the developed process chain (5&micro / m MF+ NF 270) was also tested for a dilute indigo dyeing wastewater, it was found out that the developed scheme works similarly and is generic for indigo dyeing wastewaters.

Bioflocculation happens naturally and microorganisms aggregate into flocs during wastewater treatment. It is critical to understand the mechanisms of bioflocculation and its impact on the following solid/liquid separation process since seperation by settling is one of the key aspects that determine the efficiency and the overall economy of activated sludge systems. Bioflocculation occurs via extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and cations by creating a matrix to hold various floc components together so the cations become an important part of the floc structure. The main objective of this study is to investigate the effects of monovalent cations specifically potassium and sodium (K and Na) on the bioflocculation, settleability and dewaterability of activated sludge. The particular aim is to grow the mixed culture microorganisms in the presence of specific cation so that the effect of cation on the stimulation of EPS production can be seen. In order to achieve this aim, semi-continuous reactors were separately operated at concentrations of 5, 10, and 20 meq/L of each cation with mixed culture bacteria and fed with synthetic feed medium representing influent to the activated sludge systems. Also, a control reactor at low cation dose was operated for each reactor set. The effective volume of the reactors was 2 L with 8 days of sludge residence time (SRT) and pH was kept at 7.7&plusmn / 0.3. The activated sludge reactors were operated until the reactors reached steady state and then related analyses were conducted. It was found that addition of potassium and sodium ions at increasing concentrations resulted in increase in total polymer concentration. However, potassium ions promoted the synthesis of both polysaccharide and protein type polymers whereas sodium ions tended to stimulate production of protein type polymers and had an affinity to bind more protein within the floc structure. Sodium sludges had lower hydrophobicity and higher surface charges, so sodium ions led to deterioration in flocculation of sludges. Addition of both these ions decreased the dewaterability, sodium ions had more detrimental effect on dewaterability of sludges compared to potassium ions. The examination of data related to settleability showed that potassium ions led to no drastic deterioration in settling characteristics of the activated sludge but the addition of sodium ions deteriorated the settleability. In addition, it was seen that while the addition of potassium ions to the feed led to a decrease in viscosity, increase in sodium concentration correlated with an increase in viscosity. Finally, the comparison of chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency of these cations showed that sodium is more efficient in COD removal.

The activated sludge process efficiency depends on separation of microbial cells from treated wastewater. Separation can fail due to a number of problems. One of these problems is sludge bulking which is non-settling situation of biomass. Former studies showed that phosphorus deficiency caused filamentous sludge bulking with increasing magnesium ion concentrations. The main objectives of this study are to find out the effect of magnesium ions on sludge properties in phosphorus deficient medium and to determine if there is any bulking. Three different concentrations of magnesium (0.5, 5, 15 meq/L) were added to three bioreactors which contained phosphorus deficient medium. In first set C: N: P ratio was 100:5:0.05. In second set, C:N:P ratio was elevated to 100:5:1. At steady state, physical characteristics including sludge volume index (SVI), viscosity, turbidity and dewaterability were determined. Besides concentration of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) as well as conductivity was measured. By using API kits, bacterial identification was achieved. In first set phosphorus deficiency and increasing magnesium ion concentration caused filamentous bulking. Carbohydrate content of extracellular polymeric substance significantly increased by magnesium addition. Dewaterability of the system got worse and viscosity decreased. Sludge Volume Index (SVI) indicated severe bulking at all magnesium concentrations. By using biochemical tests microorganisms dominant in the system were determined In second set, all of the parameters indicated healthy flocculation. By magnesium addition, EPSp and EPSc increased. Dewaterability and settleability, improved by the presence of phosphorus with close values measured at different magnesiuim concentrations. Nocardia related genera of Corynebacterium and Enteric microorganisms were identified.

衛浴設備在亞太市場的策略分析和銷售計劃 / In the past decades many economies in the Asia-Pacific region have shown impressive growth rates, leading to an unprecedented level of new construction. Across the region many new hotels and resorts, apartment buildings and private houses have been built. For Fima Carlo Frattini, an Italy-based medium-sized manufacturer in the sanitary industry, supplying fittings for private and commercial bathroom applications, this development has been an enticing business opportunity. However the markets and clients of Asia-Pacific are far away and the company is considering the establishment of its own regional office in order to improve its sales revenue. The target of this paper has been to conduct the strategic analysis of the markets in Asia-Pacific and assess the company’s revenue potential, further on to develop the appropriate sales and market strategy. However the final conclusion drawn is that the company should not engage in opening its own regional office, as the required financial investments are likely to outweigh the gained sales results.

published_or_final_version / Geography and Geology / Master / Master of Philosophy

Water is an indispensable basic human need which is protected by several provisions within legislation. However, despite extensive legislation access to water is problematic for many rural schools in South Africa. The achievement of the Millennium Development Goals and national goals that are time bound are not possible with the structural barriers that loom. This research study, sketches the experiences of learners and educators who have been exposed to poor access to water within a rural primary school in Jozini, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. This research study employs a qualitative research paradigm using a case study method to provide an in-depth understanding of the schooling context where there is poor access to water. The main aim was to explore in-depth how the schooling community is affected and what coping strategies are employed to deal with poor access to water. The research study was approached using ecological systems and social justice perspectives. Findings suggest that the consequences of poor access to water at school level are numerous and become even more complex when there is a lack of water at community level. In a compounding manner the consequences have the potential to, in the long term, have irreversible negative effects on learners and their potential to access quality education. Furthermore educators and management are placed in an invidious position to accommodate the challenges associated with poor access to water at school as part of their everyday teaching routine. Educators are failing to teach and learners are failing to learn thus the education system is rendered dysfunctional. The recommendations echo those of the participants who maintain that the community and the school must have access to water in order to improve the quality of life of all. Changes at the structural level in terms of how access to education is defined are a necessity. Co-operative governance, more stringent monitoring and evaluation of the education system, approaching education from a child-friendly perspective, adopting a human rights approach to fiscal spending and the involvement of chapter 9 institutions to ensure social justice are examples of the structural changes required and are part of the recommendations. / Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2010.