Darbo tikslas – sukurti patogią kompiuterizuotą sistemą, kurį leistų klientui, pagal savo parametrus, sudaryti jam tinkančią nuotekų valymo schemą. Uždaviniai: atlikti pasirinktos firmos UAB „Biovalis“ veiklos analizę ir suprasti kaip pateikiama pirminė informacija klientui apie nuotekų valymo sistemas ir jų sudedamąsias dalis; rasti sprendimą kaip galima patobulinti informacijos pateikimo sistemą; atlikti nuotekų valymo schemos sudarymo principų analizę; suprojektuoti ir realizuoti kompiuterizuotą sistemą, kurį leistų vartotojui, įvedus reikiamus parametrus, sudaryti jam tinkančią nuotekų valymo schemą; Mokslinis naujumas: Atlikus šios srities firmų veiklos analizę, pastebėta, kad analogiškos nuotekų valymo schemos sudarymo sistemos rinkoje neegzistuoja. Tai leidžia manyti, kad įdiegus šią sistemą, UAB „BIOVALIS“ pagerins klientų informavimą ir pritrauks daugiau naujų klientų. Klientai galės ne tik gauti informaciją apie nuotekų valymo schemos sudedamąsias dalis, bet ir patys apskaičiuoti jiems tinkančią nuotekų valymo schemą. Tai leis klientui tinkamai pasirinkti būsimą nuotekų valymo sistemos montavimo rangovą. / The project goal: create a user-friendly computerized scheme of wastewater treatment system, which provide our customers with the initial information about a product is suitable for him. Objectives: analysis of UAB “Biovalis” operations and understanding for customer supplied initial information about the wastewater treatment systems and their components; how to find a solution to improve the information system; analysis of the wastewater treatment scheme of the principles of; to design and implement a computerized system which allows the user account suitable wastewater treatment system entering the required parameters; Novelty of the study: The analysis of the performance of similar firms noted that a similar computerized scheme of wastewater treatment systems accounting by the parameters of the client in the market does not exist. This suggests that using such system UAB “Biovalis” can expect that this system will significantly improve customer information and attract more new customers. Customers will be able not only obtain information about the wastewater treatment system components but will be able to calculate suitable for he the wastewater treatment scheme. This will allow clients to choose a future wastewater treatment systems installation contractor. Used softwar: For the system design was used UML and the contemporary UML instrument “Magic Draw” software. For system implementation was used the open-source PHP language. MySQL relational database management... [to full text]

The application of natural tundra wetlands for municipal wastewater treatment is an option to meet upcoming federal wastewater systems effluent regulations for Canada’s Far North. A treatment performance assessment with physical, hydraulic and biogeochemical contextual data was conducted on the wetland treatment area of Coral Harbour, Nunavut. A modified Tanks-In-Series model was used to model treatment kinetics. The study showed seasonal variability in treatment performance and hydraulic characteristics. A decrease in vegetation diversity and deposition of organic detritus was observed in high effluent loading areas. Effective reduction in effluent concentrations was observed. Dilution from watershed contributions accounted for much of the reductions observed. The importance of the determination of the hydraulic residence time, field delineation of the wetted area, and delineation of the watershed was demonstrated. First order rate coefficients determined suggested that the selection of the lowest percentiles from literature of southern treatment wetlands is conservative in this case.

Darbo objektas: Marijampolės nuotekos. Darbo tikslas: Įvertinti Marijampolės miesto nuotekų išvalymo efektyvumą. Darbo metodai: Tyrimo metu vertintas šešių nuotekų kokybės rodiklių koncentracijos. Tyrimai atlikti UAB ,,Sūduvos vandenys” cheminių tyrimų laboratorijoje. Analizuojami 2005– 2013 m. duomenys. Visų rodiklių koncentracijos nuotekose buvo tiriamos prieš nuotekų valymą, po nuotekų valymo. Vertinti pagrindiniai nuotekų kokybės rodikliai: aktyvi vandens reakcija pH (ISO 10523:2012), skendinčių medžiagų kiekis (ISO 11923:1997); biocheminis deguonies suvartojimas (BDS ) (LAND 1988:2012); fosfatų koncentracija (LAND 58–2003), amonio jonai (ISO 71501:1998), fosforas bendras (ISO 6878:2004), nitratai ( ISO 10304:2009), nitritai ( ISO 26777:1999). 7 Analitiniai duomenys imti iš UAB ,,Sūduvos vandenys”,bei Lietuvos hidrometeorologijos tarnybos prie Aplinkos ministerijos. Darbo rezultatai: Išanalizavus duomenis buvo nustatyta, kad Marijampolės miesto nuotekos išvalomos efektyviai kada valoma biologiniu būdu. Analizuojant Marijampolės nuotekų valyklos darbą galima teigti, jog atitekėjusių nuotekų debitas priklauso nuo kritulių kiekio iškritusio per atitinkamus metus, tačiau duomenys rodo, kad nei krituliai, nei oro temperatūra neturi įtakos nuotekų kokybės rodiklių kiekiui. Tik biologinio valymo metu galima pasiekti išvalymo reikšmes atitinkančias normas, kurios reikalingos norint išvalytas nuotekas išleisti į paviršinius vandens telkinius. / The object: Marijampolės wastewater. Aim: To evaluate the Marijampoles urban wastewater treatment plant performance. Working methods : The study was performed with six wastewater and water quality indicators . Investigations were carried out Marijampoles urban chemical research laboratory analysis of 2005 - 2013 m . data. Effluent concentrations of all parameters were tested before water treatment , effluent treatment . Evaluating the main effluent quality indicators : active water reaction pH (ISO 10523:2012), suspended matter (ISO 11923:1997); biochemical oxygen demand ( BDS7 ) (LAND 1988:2012); phosphate concentration (LAND 58-2003), ammonium ions (ISO 7150-1:1998) , total phosphorus (ISO 6878:2004) , nitrates (ISO 10304:2009 ) , nitrite (ISO 26777:1999) . The results: After analyzing the data, it was found that Marijampoles municipal sewage treated effectively when biologically clean. Analyzing Marijampoles wastewater treatment work suggests that its arrival, the waste water flow depends on rainfall snowfall in a given year, however, the data suggest that neither precipitation nor the air temperature does not affect the effluent quality in quantity. Only biological treatment can be reached at values consistent cleaning standards that are required to spend a purified wastewater into surface water bodies.

O presente trabalho propÃs uma alternativa de polimento de efluentes sanitÃrios por meio da tÃcnica deeletrocoagulaÃÃo/floculaÃÃo. O trabalho investigou a aplicaÃÃo desta tecnologia com dois conjuntos de eletrodos, alumÃnio e aÃo carbono,no polimento do efluente da lagoa de estabilizaÃÃo da estaÃÃo de tratamento de efluentes do Conjunto Nova MetrÃpole, localizada na cidade de Caucaia, CearÃ. Os estudos de aplicaÃÃo da tÃcnica para tratamento de efluentes foram feitos em nÃvel de bancada. Com o objetivo de avaliar a viabilidade tÃcnico-econÃmica da implantaÃÃo do polimento eletrolÃtico do efluente de lagoas de estabilizaÃÃo, foram conduzidos testes em cÃlulas eletrolÃticas de 4,0 L operando em batelada, variando-se algumas configuraÃÃes, tais como pH, velocidade de agitaÃÃo e concentraÃÃo de eletrÃlito. Com base na eficiÃncia de reduÃÃo de DQO foram determinadas as configuraÃÃes Ãtimas para o conjunto de eletrodos onde houve maior remoÃÃo de matÃria orgÃnicadurante os ensaios, a partir do delineamento experimental Box-Behnken. Observou-se que as configuraÃÃes Ãtimas para os eletrodos de aÃo carbono foram 7,91 de pH inicial, 210 rpm develocidade de agitaÃÃo e 0,5049 mg/L de NaCl de concentraÃÃo de eletrÃlito e 10 minutosde tempo de reaÃÃo. Nestas condiÃÃes foram obtidas remoÃÃes de DQO de69,20%, de DBO de 89,29 % e ainda fÃsforo total e coliformes totais de 100%, adequando o efluente ao lanÃamento em corpo receptor. / This paper proposed a wastewater polishing alternative by electrocoagulation / flocculation technique. The study investigated the application of this technology with two sets of electrodes, aluminum and carbon steel, polish the effluent from the treatment plant of Nova MetrÃpole, located in Caucaia, CearÃ. The technique of application for wastewater treatment studies were carried out in bench level. In order to assess the technical and economic feasibility of the implementation of electrolytic polishing of wastewater stabilization ponds, tests were conducted in 4,0 L of electrolytic cells operating in batch, varying some settings, such as pH, stirring speed and the concentration of electrolyte. Based on COD reduction efficiency were determined the optimal settings for the set of electrodes where there was a greater removal of organic matter during the tests, from the Box-Behnken experimental design. It was noted that the optimal settings for the carbon steel electrodes were the initial pH 7,91, 210 rpm stirring speed and 0,5049 mg/L de NaCl electrolyte concentration, and 10 minutes reaction time. Under these conditions COD removals were obtained from 69,20% of BOD 89,29% and total phosphorus and total coliforms 100%, adjusting the effluent to launch in receiving body.

Orientador: Edson Aparecido Abdul Nour / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Civil, Arquitetura e Urbanismo / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-07T10:54:06Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Domingues_LigiaMaria_M.pdf: 3689935 bytes, checksum: 34e7505224ee444054fb9606a9599e36 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2005 / Resumo: Este trabalho fundamentou-se na concepção, construção e operação de um sistema combinado anaeróbio-aeróbio, constituído de filtro anaeróbio (FA) e biofiltro aerado submerso (BAS), em escala de laboratório, aplicado ao tratamento de esgoto sanitário. Para atingir o objetivo principal de avaliar o desempenho global do sistema, o trabalho foi dividido em 3 etapas: estudo hidrodinâmico, avaliação da partida e avaliação da nitrificação em diferentes TDH. Baseado numa rotina de monitoramento dos parâmetros físicos, químicos e microbiológicos foi possível avaliar e adequar as condições requeridas para a nitrificação. Verificou-se o desempenho do sistema para diferentes taxas de carregamento volumétrico orgânico e de amônia, relacionando-o com as populações de bactérias nitrificadoras existentes. Constatou-se que remoção de matéria orgânica alcançada foi equivalente para os TDH de 8h (média de 86 ± 6 % para 1,89 ± 0,61 kg DQO/m3.dia com DQO efluente de 87 ± 46 mg O2/L) e 10h (média de 87 ± 4 % para 1,88 ± 0,83 kg DQO/m3 dia com DQO efluente de 89 ± 32 mg O2/L). Para TDH total de 8h (4h de aeração) e taxa de carregamento volumétrico de amônia de 0,33 ± 0,05 kg /m3.dia no BAS a remoção de amônia foi de 27 ± 14 % e a nitrificação completa foi de 20 ± 8 %, para 108 oxidadoras da amônia/g STV e 107 oxidadoras do nitrito/g STV. Para TDH total de 10h (5h de aeração) e taxa de carregamento volumétrico de amônia de 0,39 ± 0,10 kg /m3.dia no BAS a remoção de amônia foi de 47 ± 20 % e a nitrificação foi de 40 ± 19 %, para 1012 oxidadoras da amônia/g STV e 107 oxidadoras do nitrito/g STV. A concepção do sistema FA-BAS operando com TDH de 10 h foi adequada à nitrificação, quando aplicada ao tratamento de esgoto doméstico com média concentração de amônia (em torno de 30 mg/L). Indicou ainda ter grande potencial para tratar esgoto com maior concentração de amônia (acima de 50 mg/L) / Abstract: The present project was based on the conception, construction and operation of an anaerobic-aerobic combined system. This was formed by an anaerobic filter (AF) and an aerated submerged biofilter (ASB), in a laboratory scale, and used for sanitary wastewater. The main objective of this project was to analyze the general performance of the system, and for that, it was divided in 3 parts: hydrodynamic study, start-up evaluation and nitrification analysis in different HRT. Based on a frequent monitoring of physical, chemical and microbiological parameters, it was possible to evaluate and adequate the required conditions for nitrification. The performance of the system for different organic and ammonia volumetric loading rates were verified. Afterwards it was related to the populations of nitrifying bacteria. The system demonstrated organic matter removal not only for HRT of 8 h (average of 86 ± 6% for 1,89 ± 0,61 kg COD/m3.day, with effluent COD of 87 ± 46 mg O2/L) but also for HRT of 10 h (average of 87 ± 4 % for 1,88 ± 0,83 kg COD/m3.day, with effluent COD of 89 ± 32 mg O2/L). For total HRT of 8 h (4 h of aeration) and volumetric loading rates of ammonia of 0,33 ± 0,05 kg/m3.day at ASB, the ammonia removal was 27 ± 14% and the complete nitrification was 20 ± 8 %, for 108 ammonium oxidizers/g TSV and 107 nitrite oxidizers/g TSV. For total HRT of 10 h (5 h of aeration) and volumetric loading rates of ammonia of 0,39 ± 0,10 kg/m3.day at ASB, the ammonia removal was 47 ± 20 % and the complete nitrification was 40 ± 19 %, for 1012 ammonium oxidizers/g TSV and 107 nitrite oxidizers/g TSV. The system AF-ASB operated with HRT of 10 h demonstrated to be useful for nitrification if applied to sewage treatment with average concentration of ammonia (around 30 mg/L). It can also be pointed out that the system can be used to treat sewage with higher concentrations (over 50 mg/L) / Mestrado / Saneamento e Ambiente / Mestre em Engenharia Civil

Orientador: Everson Alves Miranda / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Química / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-23T06:45:13Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Oliveira_Sheilade_M.pdf: 1089976 bytes, checksum: 416dea7e320edfbe15467ca471df7a72 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013 / Resumo: As indústrias cítricas geram grandes quantidades de efluentes líquidos. Estes efluentes são potencialmente poluidores para descarte em corpos d'água e necessitam de tratamento adequado. A maioria das plantas de tratamento de efluentes cítricos utiliza processos biológicos, devido a custos operacionais mais baixos quando comparado aos processos físico-químicos. Porém, estas plantas têm apresentado problemas de eficiência de remoção da carga orgânica e inibição da atividade biológica, em função das características tóxicas do efluente cítrico, devido à presença residual do d-limoneno, um monoterpeno extraído da casca da laranja. O d-limoneno, quando separado e purificado, tem ampla aplicação industrial, na área cosmética como fragrância e na área alimentícia como agente antimicrobiano e também pode ser bioconvertido em produtos como ácidos e alcoóis perílicos e carvona que podem ser utilizados na terapia do câncer. Os objetivos deste estudo foram selecionar e identificar microrganismos capazes de degradar o d-limoneno em altas concentrações (até 5%), simulando condições similares aos efluentes cítricos e avaliar o comportamento de consórcio destes microrganismos. Também foi avaliada a qualificação dos produtos obtidos da bioconversão do d-limoneno. Os microrganismos foram isolados a partir do lodo ativado de uma estação de tratamento de esgotos. Uma pré-seleção, de 56 linhagens de bactérias foi realizada, durante as 3 etapas de enriquecimento com o d-limoneno, através da técnica de esgotamento em superfície. Foram selecionadas 10 linhagens, que apresentaram maior crescimento visual, que foram caracterizados através da morfologia, coloração diferencial (Gram) e análise filogenética. A biodegradação do d-limoneno foi avaliada pela remoção de DQO em meios de cultivos diferentes variando as concentrações de d-limoneno (1%, 3% e 5%) sob condição agitada e estática na temperatura de 30°C. A bioconversão dos produtos foi qualificada por cromatografia gasosa. Foram isoladas bactérias Gram-positivas, do gênero Bacillus resistentes à concentração de 5% de d-limoneno sem fonte complementar de carbono. A remoção de DQO foi de 77% e terpineol, alcoóis ciclodecanol e octanediol foram qualificados como produtos bioconvertidos / Abstract: The citrus' industries generate large quantities of wastewater. These effluents are potentially polluting to disposal in water bodies and require treatment. Most sewage treatment plants citrus use biological process due to lower operating costs compared to physical-chemical processes. However these plants have presented problems in the efficiency removal of organic charge and inhibition of the biological activity due to citric toxic characteristics because of the presence of residual d-limonene, a monoterpene extracted from orange peel. The d-limonene, when it is separated and purified, has large industrial application, on field cosmetics as fragrances and foods fields as antimicrobial agent. Besides, the d-limonene can be bioconverted in perillic acids and perillyl alcohol, ?-terpineol and carvone that can be used in cancer therapy. The achievement of this study was select and isolate microorganism able to degradation high containing limonene (since 5%), simulating the same condition of wastewater characterizes of citric plants and evaluated the consortium microorganism behavior. In addition, the products of biotransformation d-limonene were qualified. Microorganisms were isolated from activated sludge of sewage treatment plant. A pre-selection, with 56 strains, was undertaken, during the 3 stage of enrichment with d-limonene, using depletion technique to isolate microorganisms. Ten strains were selected that showed the greater visual growth. They were characterized through of morphology, Gram and phylogenetic analysis. The d-limonene biodegradation was determinate by reduction COD in different cultivation media, varying the concentration of d-limonene (5 %, 3 % and 1 %) in agitated and stationary condition at temperature 30°C. The bioconversion of product obtained was confirmed by gas chromatography. Gram-positive bacteria were isolated of the Bacillus genus, bacteria resist to 5% of limonene-containing without complementary source of carbon. The removal of COD was 77% and terpineol, cyclodecanol and octadienol was evaluated as products bioconverted / Mestrado / Desenvolvimento de Processos Biotecnologicos / Mestra em Engenharia Química

Three wastewater treatment systems (WWTS) situated on Cayes in the Belize Barrier Reef System were assessed in terms of the unique public health and environmental circumstances of being a tourist destination surrounded by fragile coral reef. Laughing Bird Caye, Silk Caye, and Little Water Caye are three small cayes that are the staging points for local diving, fishing, and other recreational tourism. All three systems are based upon pour-flush toilets, semi-anaerobic biodigesters and drainage fields. Limitations in cost, available resources, useable area, high infiltration rates of the sand, and salinity of the water have played a major factor in the construction and performance of the WWTS on the Cayes. This thesis aims to form an understanding of treatment efficiency of the WWTS, investigate the effectiveness of decentralized saltwater-based WWTS in comparison to freshwater-based WWTS, and provide recommendations to improve the performance and resource recovery in a manner appropriate for the context in which the systems are deployed. A mathematical model was developed to predict the performance of the WWTS based on available operational and water-quality input data. The model is based on the mass balances of six species: inert solids, fecal solids, bacterial biomass, soluble substrate (i.e. dissolved organic carbon), ammonium and nitrate. Effects of salinity were estimated for the two saltwater-based WWTS. The model predicted the effluent concentrations of fecal solids, soluble biological oxygen demand (BOD), ammonium, and nitrate. A sensitivity analysis was also performed on the predicted effluent treatment efficiency based upon influent load, oxygen concentration and system salinity. Results from Silk Caye and Laughing Bird Caye indicate that varying the number of visitors from seasonal lows to highs has a moderate impact on the effluent fecal solids and soluble BOD in the effluent. Due to the relatively large volume of the WWTS at Little Water Caye, and thus high HRT, varying the number of visitors did not have a significant effect. The model predicted a reduction of nitrogen from the effluent due to settled solids and the assimilation of the nitrogen into bacteria. However the model consistently projected an effluent nitrate concentration (as mg/L as N) between 60 and 63 across the three WWTS. The oxygen concentration within the WWTS had the greatest effect on effluent BOD of the three parameters tested in the sensitivity analysis. Results from the sensitivity analysis indicate that a minimum concentration of 0.95 mg/L of oxygen is required before the model can accurately predict the effluent BOD concentration. The concentration of effluent fecal solids did not significantly change with changes in oxygen concentration. Salinity had a significant effect on the predicted fecal solids and soluble BOD in the effluent. Predicted fecal solids in the effluent wastewater increased approximately 60 percent from freshwater conditions to 4 percent salinity. Similarly, effluent BOD concentration increased strongly with increasing salinity. The increase in concentration is due to the major reduction of substrate-consuming bacteria by cell-die-off. The model predicts that a significant increase in cell die-off begins to occur at 2.4 percent salinity. The predicted effluent of the freshwater-based WWTS on Little Water Caye was compared to 166 wastewater treatment plants operating in Brazil. Comparison between the WWTS on the Caye and the decentralized WWTS in Brazil indicate that the predicted removal efficiencies of total suspended solids and soluble BOD are higher than the measured efficiencies of the WWTS. However, the total nitrogen removal efficiency for the WWTS on the Caye was the least effective; most-likely because the model does not account for denitrification within the biodigester. The comparison between the WWTS illustrates that the predicted removal efficiency of BOD and TSS solids is most likely less in the actual measurement than predicted value from the model. The WWTS on the Cayes were constructed to mitigate the impacts of the wastewater produced by visitors on the general health of the pubic and the environment. Considering the reports of the eutrophication affecting the coral reefs surrounding the Cayes, the WWTS have largely failed in at least one aspect of their purpose. The effluent water quality predicted by the model also suggests that significant concentrations of nitrogen are entering the surrounding ocean habitat as ammonia and nitrate. Recommendations to improve the effluent wastewater quality were separated into three categories based upon the required level of input to realize the recommendation. The input includes the capital cost and labor of the change, the level of buy-in from the users of the system, and the resulting maintenance requirements. The implementation of a urine separation toilet system was proposed as a method to reduce effluent nitrogen entering the environment and to create a resource recovery system (RR) from the already constructed WWTS.

M.Sc. (Chemistry) / Volatile fatty acids (VFAs) play a pivotal in the process of nutrient removal by biological processes particularly the enhanced biological nutrient removal process with a side-stream elutriation process using activated sludge. These acids are said to act as intermediates which provide feed for the organisms in a biological phosphorus and nitrogen removal (BNPR) system, such as phosphorus-accumulating organisms (PAOs) and nitrate-accumulating bacteria (NABs). In wastewater treatment plants, VFAs play a vital role as intermediate organic compounds during the fermentation processes which generate methane gas and when present at elevated levels they are known to cause microbial stress, acidification as well as the poor performance of anaerobic digesters. For these reasons, the routine monitoring of VFA levels in wastewater treatment plants is crucial as they will act as indicators of the efficiency and optimal operation performance of the anaerobic digesters. Normally the VFAs that are commonly produced during the anaerobic fermentation process include acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, and valeric acid and of these, acetic and propionic acids form the major VFAs that are generated, thus the yields of these two compounds provide a useful measure of the anaerobic digester performance. For example, the ratio of propionic acid to acetic acid is always used as an indicator of digester imbalance while high concentrations of acetic acid (e.g. > 800 mg/ℓ) or a propionic acid to acetic acid ratio greater than 1.4 is an indication of digester failure. This study was thus aimed at establishing the complete VFA profile at the Johannesburg Water (JW) Northern Works Wastewater Treatment Plant in Johannesburg, South Africa, by developing analytical methods to quantify the VFAs in the wastewater treatment plant. In addition, the level of VFAs quantified was used to evaluate the efficiency of the fermentation treatment process in wastewater treatment systems in order to give an indication of the bacterial activities in the systems; to determine the ratios of the VFAs, especially the propionic acid to acetic acid ratio, to establish the performance and efficiency of various wastewater treatment plants; and to determine whether there is any imbalance in the anaerobic digesters. Two analytical methods for the determination of VFAs were successfully developed and applied to real wastewater samples. The first method developed was a liquid-liquid extraction method using gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC-TOF-MS. The method involved two extracting solvents, namely dichloromethane (DCM) and methyl-tert-butyl ether (MTBE). The extraction capacity of these two solvents was compared. The second method successfully developed and optimised headspace-solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME) using GC-TOF-MS. The microextraction fibre used was a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) fibre. Studies to validate the developed methods were also carried out by calculating the limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ). Ratios of propionic acid to acetic acids were determined as well as the concentrations of acetic acid for both developed methods in order to evaluate the performance and efficiency of the treatment process. The results of the study show that the extraction procedure using solvents DCM and MTBE showed that exhaustive extraction was achieved by MTBE. Higher concentrations of acetic acid and propionic acid were obtained by MTBE. The overall fermentation performance for all three units in the period when the samples were collected, which was measured by the ratio of propionic to acetic acid was good since the ratio did not exceed 1.4. The acetic acid concentration in mg/ℓ was < 800 mg/ℓ for all units thus it can be said that the reactor balance was maintained for the period studied. The method LOD ranged from 0.034 mg/ℓ to 0.21 mg/ℓ and the method LOQ ranged from 0.11 mg/ℓ to 0.70 mg/ℓ. Optimisation of extraction parameters was achieved for headspace solid-phase microextraction using the PDMS fibre method. The extraction method was conducted for 60 min using a sample volume of 4 mℓ and the amount of sodium salt added was 1.50 g. The desorption temperature and time was 210ºC and 5 min, respectively. The LOD values ranged from 0.079 to 2.07. The PDMS fibre was found to be suitable for extracting higher carbon chain fatty acids as compared to lower carbon chain fatty acids. The plant performance for the period studied was on par as indicated by ratios of propionic acid to acetic acid which all fell below 1.4. There were no digester failures for the period studied. The acetic acid concentration in mg/ℓ was < 800 mg/ℓ for all 3 units.

The discharge of point- and non-point source pollutants into surface waters resulting from industrial and/or municipal activities is a major focus of environmental regulation in the United States. As a result, the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program was established in 1972 in an effort to regulate discharges from industrial or municipal sources, including wastewater treatment plants (WWTP). To further protect Florida water quality, in 1978, State legislation enacted the Grizzle-Figg Act for Tampa Bay, which requires advanced wastewater treatment for any discharge into sensitive water bodies. A common use of wastewater effluent in the Tampa Bay area is for reclaimed water for irrigation. This leads to an estimated 90% reduction of total nitrogen (TN) load to the bay in comparison to direct discharge (TBEP, 2016). One type of wastewater treatment process that has been shown to have low aeration and chemical requirements is simultaneous nitrification denitrification (SND), which can be carried out in an oxidation ditch. SND is a biological process for nitrogen removal where nitrification and denitrification occur at the same time within the same reactor. An oxidation ditch is a race-track type reactor that promotes the occurrence biological conversion of reactive nitrogen to nitrogen gas (N2) and additionally can provide enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR). Many theories exist as to the mechanisms that allow SND to occur, but the literature is inconclusive as to whether the presence of different zones within the floc, within the reactor itself, a combination of the two or unique microorganisms are responsible for SND. Advantages of SND include efficient (80-96%) nitrogen removal, with significant reductions in energy, chemical, equipment and spatial requirements. Specifically, oxygen requirements are reduced and dedicated aerobic/anoxic zones, internal recirculation and supplemental carbon and alkalinity are not required. Despite these advantages, widespread use of SND is limited because of a lack of understanding of SND kinetics as well as interactions between factors affecting SND performance. This research was carried out at the Falkenburg Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant (AWWTP) in Hillsborough County Florida, which carries out SND, biological and chemical phosphorous removal in an oxidation ditch system. Although this facility continually meets and exceeds its permit requirements, improvements in process control strategies have the potential to improve energy efficiency, as well as decrease chemical use, sludge production, greenhouse gasses (GHG) emissions and costs. Therefore, the overall goal of this research was to investigate mechanisms of nitrogen and phosphorus removal at the Falkenburg AWWTP. These goals were achieved through bench scale SND studies carried out at varying temperatures. Kinetic parameters were determined using a simple kinetic model of nitrification/denitrification. Additionally, carrying out sampling campaigns completed the investigation of the fate of phosphorus in the Falkenburg AWWTP. The results were combined with information on alum dosing and sludge wasting to determine the overall fate of phosphorus in the system and make additional recommendations regarding the addition of alum. To mimic an oxidation ditch at Falkenburg AWWTP, bench scale bioreactor experiments were set up in glass beakers at 22°C and 29.5 C. Influent wastewater and return activated sludge (RAS) for these experiments were collected from the Falkenburg AWWTP. Bioreactors were constantly mixed and aeration was controlled to maintain a target dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration based on measurements of DO at the facility. Three phosphorous sampling campaigns (October, November and December) were also carried out to understand the fate of phosphorous, nitrogen and organic carbon at the facility. In these campaigns, samples were taken at six locations at Falkenburg AWWTP and samples were analyzed for filtered and unfiltered total phosphorus, orthophosphate and polyphosphates, filtered and unfiltered total nitrogen, soluble, total and readily biodegradable COD (rbCOD), volatile acids, cations, anions, alkalinity, total suspended solids (TSS) and volatile suspended solids (VSS). pH and DO were also measured on site. In the nitrification batch reactors, in four hours, 50% of ammonia was successfully removed at a rate of 6.31 mg-N/L/hr indicating that four hours is not sufficient time to achieve complete removal. In the denitrification batch reactors, in six hours, there was successful removal of nitrate and nitrite at a rate of 23.70 mg-NO3-/L/hr and 3.6 mg-NO2-/L/hr. In an SND batch reactor experiments at 22° C, ammonia oxidation successfully occurred in 12 hours but denitrification was inhibited due to insufficient rbCOD in the reactor. In an SND batch reactor at 29.5° C, no accumulation of nitrate or nitrite was observed, indicating successful SND. At a higher temperature, sludge bulking occurred in the reactor resulting in variations in TSS and VSS concentrations. Results from the sampling campaigns at the treatment plant indicate that successful phosphorus removal was achieved. Alum addition varied before each sampling and a relationship between alum addition and sulfate can be made. rbCOD was consumed throughout the treatment process as expected and noticeable results can be noted when rbCOD was low in terms of phosphorus removal. The results of the bench-scale experiments showed that the SND was successfully achieved at the Falkenburg facility and that temperature, DO and rbCOD are all important factors controlling biological nutrient removal at SND facilities. DO is much more difficult to maintain and control at a higher temperature further supporting the idea that stricter operator control is needed in warmer months. Additionally, because SND removal still occurred with poor DO control at 29.5°C, it further supports the idea that SND occurs because of zones within the floc, the reactor or that novel microorganisms exist that allow denitrification to occur above ideal DO concentration and nitrification to occur below ideal concentrations of DO. A variation in rbCOD in the influent wastewater at the treatment plant caused nitrification and denitrification to be inhibited in different trials. With too much rbCOD, nitrification was inhibited and with too little rbCOD, denitrification was inhibited. Additionally, alkalinity consumption was minimal which supports the idea that supplemental alkalinity is not needed in SND processes. The results from the phosphorous sampling campaign show how important influent COD is for successful phosphorus removal in the system. The objectives were achieved and overall, the plant is achieving SND and EBPR and the plant is performing as designed. The addition of alum should continue to be studied to determine a better dose and save the county ratepayers money while still meeting permit regulations. Jar tests should be used to determine the proper dosing that will not hinder the settling properties further in the treatment train. Additionally, alum feed pipe sizes should be investigated at the plant to ensure no clogging occurs with a decrease in alum flow and automated aeration based on ammonia concentrations should be considered to remove the manual operation of aerators.

Conventional wastewater treatment plants are able to reduce contaminant loads within regulations but do not take into account emerging contaminants. Antibiotic resistance genes and antibiotic resistant bacteria have been shown to survive wastewater treatment and remain detectable in effluents. The safety of treated wastewaters is crucial, otherwise unregulated and unmitigated emerging contaminants pose risks to public health and impede wastewater reuse. This dissertation aimed to further understanding of emerging microbial threats, and tested two natural and low-cost tools for their mitigation: sunlight, and bacteriophages. A wastewater bacterial isolate, named E. coli PI-7, which is highly antibiotic resistant, carries the novel antibiotic resistance gene New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase NDM-1 gene, and displays pathogenic traits, was chosen to model responses to the treatments. Results found that solar irradiation was able to achieve a 5-log reduction in E. coli PI-7 numbers within 12 hours of exposure. However, the results also emphasized the risks from emerging microbial contaminants since E. coli PI-7, when compared with a non-pathogenic strain E. coli DSM1103 that has less antibiotic resistance, showed longer survival under solar irradiation. In certain instances, E. coli PI-7 persisted for over 6 hours before starting to inactivate, exhibited complex stress resistance gene responses, and activated many of its concerning pathogenicity and antibiotic resistance traits. However, upon solar irradiation, gene expression results obtained from both E. coli strains also showed increased susceptibility to bacteriophages. Hence, bacteriophages were coupled with solar irradiation as an additional mitigation strategy. Results using the coupled treatment found reduced cell-wall and extracellular matrix production in E. coli PI-7. DNA repair and other cellular defense functions like oxidative stress responses were also impeded, rendering E. coli PI-7 more susceptible to both stressors and successfully hastening the onset of its inactivation. Overall, the dissertation is built upon the need to develop strategies to further mitigate risks associated with emerging microbial contaminants. Solar irradiation and bacteriophages demonstrate potential as natural and low-cost mitigation strategies. Sunlight was able to achieve significant log-reductions in tested E. coli numbers within a day’s exposure. Bacteriophages were able to overwhelm E. coli PI-7’s capacity to resist solar inactivation while not affecting the indigenous microbiota.