No description available.

Caulobacters are gram-negative bacteria that have a biphasic life cycle consisting of a swarmer and a stalked stage. As a result they have elicited interest as a simple developmental model. Less attention has focussed on their role in the environment, although they have been found in almost every aquatic environment as well as in many soils. Caulobacters are often described as oligotrophic bacteria because of their prevalence in pristine waters but have now been isolated from the relatively nutrient-rich wastewater environment. In order to learn more about this population some basic characterization was carried out and an assay system to determine their prevalence in sewage plants was designed. Most of the organisms isolated from sewage treatment facilities had similar gross morphological features, but differed in holdfast composition, total protein profile, antibiotic resistance and restriction fragment length polymorphism, thereby indicating a greater diversity than originally assumed. Most of the organisms hybridized with flagellin and surface array genes that had previously been cloned, and only one of 155 non-Caulobacter sewage isolates hybridized with the flagellin gene probe; consequently these were used in a DNA-based enumeration strategy. DNA was isolated directly from sewage and probed with the flagellin and the surface array gene probes. The signals obtained were compared to standards made up of pooled Caulobacter DNA from the sewage isolates and non-Caulobacter DNA from organisms also present in sewage. Using this assay Caulobacters could only be detected above the 1% level, which was higher than their proportion in the wastewater environment. It appears that this approach will not be useful in monitoring Caulobacters in treatment plants unless a more highly conserved or higher copy number probe is found. / Science, Faculty of / Microbiology and Immunology, Department of / Graduate

Distress over pollution of natural water courses by industrial and domestic wastes is causing national concern. However, wastes must be disposed of by some method and these natural water courses have been and still are obvious sources for disposal. By careful study of the natural capacity of rivers and streams for assimilation of wastes, they can be used for disposal as long as this capacity is not exceeded. One method of determining this capacity without destroying the water course is by modeling the system mathematically to determine limits of pollution. This thesis contains the results of a preliminary study on the effect of the new Annacis Island Treatment Plant on coliform concentrations in the Fraser Estuary from Barnston Island to Garry Point. Mathematical formulas predicting coliform concentrations were used to computer simulate coliform profiles on the river. These results were then compared to present measured concentrations in the Estuary. Once a correlation between measured and simulated concentrations was established the effect of future discharges to the system could be simulated on the computer. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Civil Engineering, Department of / Graduate

The Avena Coleoptile Test indicated that there were no indolyl- 3-acetic acid-like growth substances present in treated municipal wastewater from the Activated Sludge Sewage Treatment Plant in Tucson, Arizona. Using the bioassay of kinetin (6-furfurlyamino purine) as a standard in delaying chlorophyll degradation, wastewater extract was capable of maintaining chlorophyll in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) leaf tissue; however, toxic contaminants present in municipal wastewater may have prevented a consistent dose response. In the process of repeated chromatography, kinetin broke down into two zones that were capable of retarding chlorophyll degradation. After repeated chromatography, wastewater extract and degradation products of kinetin resulted in similar Rf values. Wastewater extract obtained through repeated chromatography resulted in increased total chlorophyll retention, with increased concentrations; however, the nature of the cytokinin-like growth substances present in wastewater appeared to be unique. The high yields of high protein plant products obtained from plants grown with wastewater may have resulted from cytokinin-like growth substances present in treated municipal wastewater.

No description available.

M.Sc. (Chemistry) / In this study the stability as well as the fate and behavior of ZnO engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) in municipal wastewater systems were investigated. The first part of the study examined the influence of pH and ionic strength on the stability of ZnO ENPs in domestic wastewater to elucidate the dynamic changes on the ENPs physicochemical characteristics (e.g. aggregation or dissolution). The ZnO ENPs obtained commercially were characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), dynamic light scattering (DLS), BET surface area determination, and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS). Results derived from inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) for zinc analysis indicated a decrease on the released zinc concentration from wastewater as the pH and ionic strength increased. Conversely, an increase on zinc concentration from the sludge was observed. The findings suggest the removal of ZnO ENPs from the influent wastewater as the sludge settled out, and the removal efficiency was directly proportional to ionic strength and pH. In addition, the ZnO ENPs suspension in the wastewater was used to monitor the particle size distribution using the dynamic light scattering analysis (DLS). The formation of agglomerates was observed which the TEM and EDS analysis confirmed to be ZnO aggregates. The distribution of zinc in the sludge was investigated using XRD analysis and the findings indicated partial sedimentation of ZnO ENPs as the sludge settled out. The second part of the study assessed the fate and behavior of ZnO ENPs in wastewater treatment systems. This study was carried out in a simulated activated sludge wastewater treatment plant (AS WWTP), constructed in accordance to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD 303 A) guidelines. Results from the ICP-OES analysis for zinc indicated 50 – 200 μgL-1 and about 3 000 mgkg-1 were released into the effluent and sludge, respectively, after spiking the influent wastewater with 5 mgL-1 ZnO ENPs. Moreover, we noted that increasing the ZnO ENPs concentration up to 20 mgL-1 resulted in a linear increase in the zinc releases into effluent wastewater. However, the increase was insignificant in comparison to the zinc found in the control unit. Therefore, the findings indicated that ZnO ENPs had stronger affinity for the suspended bio-solids during wastewater treatment, and postulated that the ENPs removal from the influent wastewater was due to bio-sorption, and bio-solid settling mechanisms. These were confirmed by results from XRD and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) analysis of the sludge as they showed the presence of ZnO in the sludge. The dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) were concurrently monitored during the ENPs exposure studies to indirectly assess the ZnO ENPs impact to the bacterial degradation of the organic matter. An average of 43 and 91 % for DOC and COD removal efficiencies, respectively, were observed throughout the study. Overall, from results obtained indicated the suitability of the OECD 303 A method to assess the fate and behavior of ZnO ENPs in WWTPs. Secondly, in light of low concentrations of ZnO ENPs found in the treated effluent due to their removal with the waste activated sludge (WAS), suggest low likelihood of ZnO ENPs release and dispersion into the aquatic systems from WWTPs as point sources. Finally, the elevated concentrations of ZnO ENPs in the sludge therefore necessitates additional treatment steps to ensure mitigation of possible dispersion of ENPs from various disposal mechanisms such as landfilling, incineration, and agricultural applications.

The purpose of this research was to apply analytical techniques to identify and investigate specific organic compounds present in a municipal landfill leachate and an industrial wastewater. Accurate characterization of wastewaters can assist environmental engineers and scientists in the design of treatment systems. Several extraction and analytical techniques were utilized for the analysis of components in complex environmental samples focusing on nonvolatile or thermally labile compounds. Of the extraction procedures evaluated, C₁₈ solid phase extraction was found most useful in preparing the samples for analysis. Recoveries ranged from 48% for a benzenesulfonamide to 96% for 2,4-dinitrotoluene. Liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) techniques were utilized in conjunction with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and liquid chromatography with a diode array detector (LC/DAD), to identify specific organic chemicals in the samples. GC/MS analysis of the leachate confirmed the presence of two benzenesulfonamides and two phthalate esters. Several other components were detected, but not identified. A significant number of components were detected by LC/MS that were not detected by GC/MS. Thermospray LC/MS results provided positive and negative ionization spectra which were useful for identifying standards and providing molecular weight information. GC/MS, LC/DAD and LC/MS analysis of the industrial wastewater confirmed the presence of 2,4-dinitrotoluene, 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene, diphenylamine, and dibutyl phthalate. GC/MS analysis also confirmed the presence of 4-nitro-2-aminotoluene. Tentative identification of methylnitrobenzene, dinitrobenzene, aminonitrobenzaldehyde, and a dinitrotoluene isomer was made by GC/MS while two components remained unidentified. LC/DAD analysis also confirmed the presence of dioctyl phthalate, aminobiphenyl and a diphenylamine impurity while ten components were not identified. LC/MS results suggested the presence of a dinitrotoluene isomer, a diphenylamine dimer, N-nitrosodiphenylamine, methylnitrobenzenamine and dioctyl phthalate, while ten other components remained unidentified. Thermospray has severe limitations in its ability to identify unknown constituents. However, the application of the methods explored in this work to monitor the effectiveness of wastewater treatment is warranted. / Master of Science

Wastewater samples were collected from both the secondary settling and the chlorine contact tanks at a secondary sewage treatment plant (trickling filter) in Blacksburg, Virginia and analyzed for fecal coliforms using three procedures. Physical parameters including total suspended solids, DO, pH, turbidity, temperature and total chlorine residual were measured in effort to ascertain their effect on fecal coliform recoveries. The three procedures employed included the multiple-tube fermentation technique that yields the most probable number (MPN), the standard MF technique (SF-MF), and a modified MF technique (IF-MF) which consisted of a lactose overlay and a 5-hour incubation period at 44.5°C. A statistical analysis of the data showed that the means of the recoveries by the IF-MF technique were significantly greater (0.01 level) than those by the SF-MF technique in both the secondary settling tank and the chlorine contact tank samples. Recoveries by the IF-MF technique were comparable to those by the MPN technique when samples from the secondary settling basin were analyzed, but not in samples from the chlorine contact tank. However, the means of the IF-MF recovery procedure were within the 95 percent confidence interval associated with the MPN. No relationships could be established between the observed variations in the physical and chemical characteristics of the treated sewage samples and the fecal coliform densities. / Master of Science

Ce travail de thèse est consacré au développement d’un dispositif autarcique pour le contrôle des amphétamines dans les égouts. Il a été conçu dans le cadre du projet européen MicroMole pour aider la police scientifique à résoudre des scènes concernant la localisation des laboratoires clandestins d’amphétamines et produits dérivés. Il est composé de trois volets : le premier volet est dédié au développement de deux générations de capteurs potentiométriques sélectifs à l’amphétamine en utilisant le ionophore commercial dibenzo-18-crown-6 éther dans un premier temps puis le ion-pair complexe [amphetamine-H]+[3,3’-Co(1,2-C2B9H11)2]- synthétisé comme sites actifs pour la reconnaissance sélective d’amphétamine. Le deuxième volet est consacré au développement d’un système microfluidique passif permettant de contrôler le flux d’échantillon arrivant à la partie sensible du capteur en utilisant des micro-filtres et micro-mélangeurs. Le troisième et dernier volet est dédié à la conception et fabrication d’un système autonome d’échantillonnage miniaturisé pour le stockage des échantillons dans les égouts lors des enquêtes menées par la police scientifique correspondant à la localisation de laboratoires clandestins d’amphétamines / The work in this thesis is devoted to the development of an autarkic device for real-time monitoring of amphetamines in sewage. It has been developed within the EU project Micromole to help Law Enforcement Agents (LEA) to solve forensic scenarios related to the production of amphetamines and amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS). It is composed of three main sections. The first section is devoted to the development of two generation of potentiometric sensors for the detection of amphetamines using first, the commercial ionophore dibenzo-18-crown-6 ether, then the synthesized ion-pair complex [amphetamine-H]+[3,3’-Co(1,2-C2B9H11)2]- as active sites for amphetamine recognition. The second section is dedicated to the fabrication of a passive microfluidic system integrated into a Lab-on-a-Chip to protect the sensor from the harsh environment through the control of the sample amount reaching the sensor. For this purpose, the microfluidic system formed a combination of passive micromixers, microfilters and microchannels. The final section was devoted to the development of an autarkic sample storage unit to help LEA to store spontaneous samples during forensic investigations related to the clandestine production of amphetamines in illegal laboratories

CAPES / Uma das grandes preocupações atuais é referente à qualidade das águas dos corpos aquáticos. A Bacia hidrográfica do Alto Iguaçu, considerada uma das mais significativas bacias do estado do Paraná, segundo a Secretaria Estadual do Meio Ambiente, tem sido apontada como um ambiente que está sofrendo marcantes alterações nas suas características físicas, biológicas e químicas. Isso ocorre, principalmente, devido à presença de águas residuárias industriais e domésticas incidindo na mesma, fazendo com que todo seu entorno e a população, dependente de suas águas, sejam afetadas. Este estudo teve por finalidade a caracterização física e química, da matéria orgânica dissolvida e a determinação de poluentes ambientais, como os fármacos, nas águas da Bacia do Alto Iguaçu. Os ambientes que foram monitorados localizam-se na Região Metropolitana de Curitiba e são os rios Belém, Barigui, Iguaçu, Iraí e Atuba. Esses rios sofrem grande influência da urbanização da Região Metropolitana de Curitiba e encontram-se em uma situação crítica, considerando a qualidade de suas águas. Foram realizadas quatro amostragens nestes rios, onde foi possível observar com o presente estudo a forte influência por esgoto não tratado devido aos altos valores dos nutrientes (Namoniacal e ortofosfato) e matéria orgânica, com indício de fonte antrópica. Para a detecção e quantificação dos fármacos foi adaptada uma metodologia para a simultânea extração de ibuprofeno, paracetamol e diclofenaco, tanto na forma dissolvida na água como na matriz sedimento. Os fármacos analisados foram detectados com frequência em todas as amostragens realizadas, principalmente na forma dissolvida aonde chegou a ter picos de concentração de 729 ng.L-1 de ibuprofeno e 369 ng.L-1 de paracetamol, respectivamente, ambos no rio Belém e na coleta 1. Já o diclofenaco chegou a 317 ng.L-1 na terceira coleta realizada no ponto do rio Iguaçu. Nos sedimentos a maior parte ficou abaixo dos limites de detecção, o que está de acordo, pois os compostos aqui avaliados apresentam propriedades hidrofílicas. De uma forma geral, o rio Iguaçu, o principal rio da Bacia hidrográfica do Alto Iguaçu reflete o resultado de toda a contaminação encontrada nos rio Atuba, Iraí e Belém, devido à alta carga poluidora que esses rios despejam nele. / A major concern today is related to water quality of water bodies. The Upper Iguaçu Watershed, one of the most significant watersheds in Paraná’s state, according to State Department of Environment, has been appointed as an environment that is undergoing remarkable changes in their physical, biological and chemical characteristics. This occurs, mainly, by the incidence of domestic and industrial wastewater, affecting the entire surrounding environment and the population dependent on this water. This study aimed at the physical and chemical characterization, the dissolved organic matter and the determination of environmental pollutants such as pharmaceuticals, in the waters of the Upper Iguaçu. The environments that were monitored in the Metropolitan Region of Curitiba are the rivers Belém, Barigui, Iguaçu, Iraí and Atuba. These rivers are suffering significant influence of Metropolitan Region of Curitiba’s urbanization and they are in a critical situation, considering the quality of their waters. Four sampling were taken in these rivers, where them were possible to observe the influence by untreated sewage with high nutrient values (N-ammoniacal and orthophosphate) and organic matter, with evidence of anthropogenic sources. For detection and quantification of pharmaceuticals were adjusted a method of simultaneous extraction of ibuprofen, paracetamol and diclofenac, as much in dissolved form in water as sediment matrix. These pharmaceuticals were frequently detected in all samples taken, especially dissolved were found maximum concentration of 729 ng.L-1 and 369 ng.L-1 of ibuprofen and paracetamol, respectively, both on Belém river and in first sampling. Already the diclofenac was found of 317 ng.L-1 in the third sampling of the Iguaçu river’s sites. In the sediments, most were below detection limits, what is in accordance, because the compounds evaluated have hydrophilic properties. In general, the problems found in the Iguaçu river, one of the major rivers of the state of Parana, are the result of contamination found in the rivers Atuba, Iraí and Belém, due to high pollution load in these rivers.