Chromium and other heavy metals are known to cause issues related to human and environmental health when they occur in high concentrations in ecosystems. Chromium poses a particularly large threat if it occurs in its hexavalent form, Cr(VI), as it is highly reactive and carcinogenic. The aim of this project was to investigate the wastewater emitted from a tannery in Liwonde, Malawi, with respect to the metals Cr, Al, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb and Zn, and to reduce the concentrations using locally available materials. A particular emphasis was put on chromium.   Wastewater collected from the tannery was analysed to determine the total and dissolved concentrations of the metals using a Microwave Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectrometer (MP-AES). The wastewater was then mixed with various dosages of peeled and unpeeled Moringa Oleifera seed powder as well as pure Moringa Oleifera shell powder and sand collected from river Shire. Thereafter, the remaining concentrations of metals were analysed. Additional analyses of various contact times were performed for the removal agent that had shown the best results.     The analyses showed a total chromium concentration of 2.25 ppm and a dissolved chromium concentration of 0.251 ppm in the wastewater discharged from the tannery. Both concentrations were lower than what had initially been expected but still above both the WHO guideline value for chromium in drinking water and the Swedish threshold value for chromium in industrial wastewater (0.05 ppm). No other metals were found in concentrations above trace levels. All of the investigated removal agents, except for pure shell powder, showed positive results for chromium removal. The highest removal observed for dissolved chromium was 72 % and occurred with a removal agent mixture of 5.0 g of river sand and 2.0 g of unpeeled Moringa Oleifera seed powder to 100 mL of wastewater. The reduction of total chromium was 97 % for the same removal agent mixture. However, lower dosages of the removal agents also gave a chromium removal of similar size. Due to resource limitations, no analysis of whether the wastewater contained Cr(III) and Cr(VI) could be performed.   Considering the low initial concentrations of metals emitted from the tannery, there is no urgent need for further treatment of the wastewater. This study has however substantiated the theory that Moringa Oleifera seeds can be used as a low-cost chromium remediation agent in wastewater, a result that can be of use to improve the water quality in other industries and applications. / Det har länge varit känt att krom och andra tungmetaller kan orsaka hälso- och miljöproblem när de förekommer i höga koncentrationer i ekosystem. Krom utgör ett särskilt stort hot om det förekommer i sin sexvärda form, Cr(VI), eftersom det är mycket reaktivt och cancerogent. Syftet med detta projekt var att undersöka avloppsvattnet från ett garveri i Liwonde, Malawi, med avseende på metallerna Cr, Al, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb och Zn, samt att minska koncentrationerna med hjälp av lokalt tillgängliga material. En särskilt tonvikt lades på krom.   Avloppsvatten som inhämtats från garveriet analyserades med hjälp av en mikrovågsplasma-atomemissionsspektrometer (MP-AES) för bestämning av total samt löst koncentration av metallerna. Avloppsvattnet blandades sedan med olika doser av pulver från skalade och oskalade Moringa Oleifera-frön, liksom med pulver från skal av Moringa Oleifera-frön och sand från Shire-floden. Därefter analyserades proverna med avseende på återstående metallkoncentrationer. Ytterligare undersökningar genomfördes med olika kontakttider för det inbindningsmedel som visat bäst resultat.   Analyserna visade en total kromkoncentration på 2,25 ppm och en löst kromkoncentration på 0,251 ppm i det avloppsvatten som släpptes ut från garveriet. Båda koncentrationerna var lägre än vad som ursprungligen hade förväntats, men ändå över både WHOs riktlinjer för krom i dricksvatten och det svenska gränsvärdet för krom i industriellt avloppsvatten (0,05 ppm). Inga andra metaller påvisades i betydande koncentrationer. Alla undersökta inbindningsmedel, med undantag av Moringa Oleifera-skal, visade positiva resultat för kromrening. Den största observerade reningen för löst krom var  72 %, och uppmättes för en blandning av 5,0 g sand och 2,0 g pulver av oskalade Moringa Oleifera-frön till 100 mL avloppsvatten. Reduktionen av totalt krom var 97 % för samma blandning. Även lägre doser gav dock en nästan lika hög reningsgrad. På grund av resursbegränsningar kunde ingen analys av huruvida avloppsvattnet innehöll Cr(III) eller Cr(VI) genomföras.   Då avloppsvattnet från garveriet endast innehöll låga koncentrationer av metaller finns inget akut behov av ytterligare rening. Denna studie har dock styrkt tesen att Moringa Oleifera-frön kan användas som ett lågkostnadsalternativ för rening av krom i avloppsvatten. Detta resultat kan vara användbart för att förbättra vattenkvaliteten vid andra industrier och tillämpningar.

In the present work, the breakage of wastewater particles in orifice flow is investigated through numerical simulations. Using maximum strain rate along particle paths as the breakage criterion, breakage is predicted using computational fluid dynamics. The numerical simulations confirm that nominal orifice strain rate cannot explain the higher particle breakage in single-orifice systems compared to that of multi-orifice systems, instead particle breakage was found to correlate well with the maximum strain rates in the system. On the issue of effect of initial particle location on breakage, numerical modeling shows that particles travelling along the centerline are suspected to break less than those travelling near the wall. However, experiments designed to study the breakage of particles injected at various radial locations proved inconclusive. Finally, results suggest that while single orifice systems are ideal for strong particles, multi-orifice systems may be more effective in breaking weak particles.

In the present work, the breakage of wastewater particles in orifice flow is investigated through numerical simulations. Using maximum strain rate along particle paths as the breakage criterion, breakage is predicted using computational fluid dynamics. The numerical simulations confirm that nominal orifice strain rate cannot explain the higher particle breakage in single-orifice systems compared to that of multi-orifice systems, instead particle breakage was found to correlate well with the maximum strain rates in the system. On the issue of effect of initial particle location on breakage, numerical modeling shows that particles travelling along the centerline are suspected to break less than those travelling near the wall. However, experiments designed to study the breakage of particles injected at various radial locations proved inconclusive. Finally, results suggest that while single orifice systems are ideal for strong particles, multi-orifice systems may be more effective in breaking weak particles.

Onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWTSs) are a commonly used means of wastewater treatment in the Dickinson Bayou watershed which is located between Houston and Galveston. The Dickinson Bayou is classified as "impaired" by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality due to high levels of bacteria, specifically E. coli. Failing OWTSs within the bayou's watershed are possible sources for the impairment of the bayou. Conventional OWTSs, comprised of a septic tank and a soil absorption field, rely heavily on soil treatment of effluent. The type of soils is a significant factor in treatment capabilities. In the Dickinson Bayou watershed, soils are primarily composed of clays, which are known to be problematic for conventional systems as they restrict water flow and create perched water tables. These perched water tables may contribute to surface runoff during rainfall events. The HYDRUS modeling software for water and solute flow through variably saturated media was used to simulate OWTSs in the Dickinson Bayou watershed. HYDRUS was used to simulate conventional septic systems with soil absorption fields, aerobic treatment units (ATUs) with spray dispersal systems, and mound systems. Results found that the simulated conventional systems fail due to high water tables and clay soils. However, system failure in the watershed remains uncertain due to lack of field data for validation. The alternative systems mitigate these issues, but ATUs can lead to higher contamination levels without proper maintenance. Therefore, mound systems are the suggested alternative for OWTSs in the watershed.

The use of on-site wastewater treatment systems (OWTS) for the treatment and dispersal of domestic effluent is common in urban fringe areas which are not serviced by centralised wastewater collection systems. However, due to inappropriate siting and soil characteristics, the failure of these systems has become a common scenario. The current standards and guidelines adopted by many local authorities for assessing suitable site and soil conditions for OWTS are increasingly coming under scrutiny due to the public health and environmental impacts caused by poorly performing systems, in particular septic tank-soil adsorption systems. In order to achieve sustainable on-site wastewater treatment with minimal impacts on the environment and public health, more appropriate means of assessment are required. The research described in the thesis details the processes adopted for the development and implementation of an integrated risk based approach to OWTS siting, design and management. This involved detailed investigations into resolution of some of the inherent deficiencies identified in the existing OWTS codes and guidelines, including more thorough site and soil assessment and data analysis, integration of the key risk facets of OWTS siting and design, environmental and public health, and the incorporation of scientific knowledge into the assessment processes. The research undertaken focused on four key research areas; (i) assessment of soil suitability for providing adequate treatment and dispersal of domestic wastewater; (ii) contamination of ground and surface waters as a result of OWTS failure and the major factors influencing contaminant fate and transport; (iii) assessment of environmental and public health risks due to poor OWTS performance; and (iv) the development of an integrated risk assessment framework for OWTS siting, design and management. The research conducted was multidisciplinary in nature, with detailed investigations of the physical, chemical and biological processes involved in on-site wastewater treatment and dispersal. This involved extensive field investigations, sampling, laboratory testing and detailed data analysis across the fields of soil science, groundwater and surface water quality, chemical and microbiological contamination, and contaminant fate and transport processes. The interactions between these different disciplines can be complex, resulting in large amounts of data being generated from the numerous field investigations and sampling processes undertaken. In order to understand the complex relationships that can occur, multivariate statistical techniques were utilised. The use of these techniques were extremely beneficial, as not only were the respective relationships between investigated parameters identified, but adequate decisions based on the respective correlations were formulated. This allowed a more appropriate assessment of the influential factors, and subsequently the inherent hazards related to OWTS, to be conducted. The primary research objectives for this research were investigated through a series of scientific papers centred on these key research disciplines. The assessment of soil suitability was achieved through extensive soil sampling throughout the study area and detailed laboratory testing and data analysis. The studies undertaken are described in Chapters 3, 4 and 5. Paper 1 (Framework for soil suitability evaluation for sewage effluent renovation) outlines a framework for assessing the renovation ability of the major soil groups located throughout Southeast Queensland. This framework formed the basis for the assessment of OWTS siting and design risks employed in the developed risk framework. Paper 2 (Use of Chemometric Methods and Multicriteria Decision-Making for Site Selection for Sustainable On-site Sewage Effluent Disposal) details and justifies the multivariate data analysis techniques used in establishing the soil framework. Paper 3 (Assessment of soil suitability for effluent renovation using undisturbed soil columns) describes investigations of the use of undisturbed soil cores for the assessment of long term soil renovation ability. This study was undertaken to validate the research outcomes achieved through the established framework developed in Paper 1. Papers 4, 5 and 6 (Chapters 6 - 8) focus on contamination issues of ground and surface waters resulting from poor OWTS treatment performance, and the different factors that influence pollutant fate and transport. The investigation of ground and surface water contamination, detailed in Paper 4 (Assessment of High Density of Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems on a Shallow Groundwater Coastal Aquifer using PCA) and Paper 5 (Environmental and anthropogenic factors affecting fecal coliforms and E. coli in ground and surface waters in a coastal environment) was achieved through extensive ground and surface water sampling and testing from several monitored study sites. Analysis of the resulting data indicated that several key factors, including rainfall, site and soil conditions and on-site system density can significantly influence the fate and transportation of pollutants emitted from OWTS. An additional issue found during this research in assessing faecal contamination of water resources was the necessity to ensure that the respective sources of contamination were actually OWTS. The inherent difficulty in identifying the actual source of contamination was resolved by employing a source tracking method, namely antibiotic resistance analysis of faecal coliforms (Paper 6; Sourcing fecal pollution from onsite wastewater treatment systems in surface waters using antibiotic resistance analysis). Finally, Paper 7 (Integrated Risk Framework for On-site Wastewater Treatment Systems) describes the development of the final generic integrated risk assessment framework and how the outcomes, as discussed through the previous 6 papers, were combined to assess the environmental and public health risks inherent in OWTS siting and design. The outcomes of this research have significantly contributed to knowledge of best practice in OWTS siting, design and management. The developed soil suitability framework allows more appropriate assessment of soil characteristics for providing effluent renovation. This is generally not done in the current assessment techniques for OWTS. Additionally, the use of this framework incorporates scientific knowledge into the assessment of OWTS, allowing a more rigorous and scientifically robust assessment process. The processes and techniques used in the soil suitability framework, although based on the common soil types typical of South East Queensland, can be implemented in other regions, provided appropriate soil information is collected for the area of interest. The integrated risk framework has also been developed on a generic level, allowing easy implementation into most assessment processes. This gives the framework the flexibility to be developed for other areas specifically targeting the most influential OWTS siting and design factors, and the potential environmental and public health hazards within those regions. The resulting research outcomes achieved through the studies undertaken were subsequently applied to a case study for the development of the integrated risk framework for the Gold Coast region. The developed framework, based on scientific research, has allowed a more appropriate means of assessing site suitability for OWTS and appropriate management and mitigation of the environmental and public health risks inherent with poor OWTS performance

The use of on-site wastewater treatment systems for the treatment and dispersal of domestic effluent is common in urban fringe areas which are not serviced by centralised wastewater collection systems. However, due to inappropriate siting and inadequate evaluation of soil characteristics, the failure of these systems has become a common scenario. The current standards and guidelines adopted by many local authorities for assessing suitable site and soil conditions for on-site dispersal areas are coming under increasing scrutiny due to the public health and environmental impacts caused by poorly performing systems, in particular septic tank-soil adsorption systems. In order to achieve sustainable on-site wastewater treatment with minimal impacts on the environment and public health, more appropriate means of assessment of long term performance of on-site dispersal areas are required. The research described in the thesis details the investigations undertaken for the development of robust assessment criteria for on-site dispersal area siting and design and assessment of the long term performance of soil dispersal areas. The research undertaken focused on three key research areas; (i) assessment of site and soil suitability for providing adequate treatment and dispersal of domestic wastewater; (ii) understanding sorption, purification and transport processes influencing retention and release of pollutants and the natural controls governing these processes and (iii) the development of assessment criteria for long term behaviour of soils under effluent dispersal. The research conducted was multidisciplinary in nature, with detailed investigations of the physical and chemical processes involved in on-site wastewater treatment and dispersal. This involved extensive field investigations, sampling and monitoring, laboratory and soil column testing and detailed data analysis across the fields of soil science, groundwater quality, subsurface hydrology, chemical contamination, and contaminant fate and transport processes. The interactions between these different disciplines can be complex which resulted in substantial amounts of data being generated from the numerous field and laboratory investigations and sampling undertaken. In order to understand the complex relationships that can occur, multivariate statistical techniques were utilised. The use of these techniques was extremely beneficial. These techniques not only allowed not only the respective relationships between investigated parameters to be identified, but also adequate decisions based on the correlations were able to be formulated. This allowed a more appropriate assessment of the influential factors, and the prediction of ongoing changes to soil properties due to effluent disposal. The primary outcomes for this research were disseminated through a series of peer reviewed scientific papers centred on these key disciplines. The assessment of site and soil suitability was achieved through extensive soil sampling throughout the study areas and detailed laboratory testing and data analysis. The study identified and investigated the role of influential site and soil characteristics in the treatment performance of subsurface effluent dispersal areas. The extent of effluent travel and the ability of the soil to remove pollutants contained in the effluent by adsorption and/or nutrient uptake were investigated. A framework for assessing the renovation ability of the major soil groups located throughout Southeast Queensland was also developed. The outcomes provide a more rigorous scientific basis for assessing the ability of soil and evaluating site factors to develop more reliable methods for siting effluent dispersal areas. The resulting assessment criteria developed was compared with soil column studies to determine the robustness and validity of the outcomes. This allowed refinement of the assessment criteria in developing a more reliable approach to predicting long term behaviour of soils under sewage effluent dispersal. Multivariate techniques assisted in characterising appropriate soils and to determine their long-term suitability for effluent treatment and dispersal. The assessment criteria developed included physical, chemical and sub-surface hydrological properties of a site and soil which can be used to predict suitability for long term effluent treatment and dispersal. These include:  Moderate to slow drainage (permeability) to assist the movement of effluent (percolation) through the soil profile and allow adequate time for treatment and dispersal to occur. With longer percolation times, the opportunity for exchange and transport processes increase.  Significant soil cation exchange capacity and dominance of exchangeable Ca2+ or exchangeable Mg2+ over exchangeable Na+. Although a soil dominated by Mg2+ is found to promote dispersion of soil particles to some extent, its impact is far less than that of Na+. A stable soil would have a Ca: Mg ratio > 0.5.  Low exchangeable Na+ content to maintain soil stability.  Minimum depth of 400mm of potentially unsaturated soil before encountering a restrictive horizon, to permit adequate purification to take place.  Clay type with Illite and mixed mineralogy soils being the most sensitive to Na+. In general, significant increases in ESP occur in soils with 30 to 40% clay and in the presence of illite clay. Small amounts of smectite clays enhance treatment potential of a soil. The research outcomes have significantly contributed to the knowledge base on best practice in on-site dispersal area siting and design. The developed predictive site and soil suitability assessment criteria allows more appropriate evaluation of site and soil characteristics for providing long term effluent renovation. This is generally not done in the current assessment techniques for on-site dispersal areas. The processes and techniques used in the site and soil suitability assessment, although based on the common soil types typical of South East Queensland, can be implemented in other regions, provided appropriate soil information is collected or available. The predictive assessment criteria have been developed at a generic level, allowing easy implementation into most assessment processes. This gives the framework the flexibility to be developed for other areas specifically targeting the most influential on-site dispersal area siting and design factors, and assessment of long term performance under wastewater application.

The aim of this research was to investigate the feasibility of co-digestion of municipal primary sludge and whey by anaerobic CSTR (Continuous Stirred Tank Reactor), as well as the factors that affect the performance of the co-digestion reactors. Before studying the co-digestion process, a semi-continuous whey digestion experiment was conducted to analyze the feasibility of anaerobic digestion of whey along with pH control. The results obtained from the study indicated that supplement of nutrients, trace elements as well as heavy metals was necessary to maintain the anaerobic whey digestion system. To investigate the co-digestion of primary sludge and whey process, the effects of pH, OLR (Organic Loading Rate), HRT (Hydraulic retention time) as well as the COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand) loading ratio of primary sludge to whey on the performance of the reactors were studied. The results of the co-digestion experiments demonstrated that it was feasible to co-digest primary sludge and whey without nutrient, trace element and heavy metal supplement. The TCOD (Total Chemical Oxygen Demand) removal efficiency and the biogas production of the co-digestion system increased with the increase of OLR. At same OLR, digestion of the mixture of primary sludge and whey with higher whey content achieved higher biogas production and TCOD removal efficiency. The anaerobic co-digestion of primary sludge and whey process performed successfully at OLR of 5.8 ± 0.1g COD/l.d without pH control when the COD loading ratio of primary sludge to whey was approximately 70:30, due to the fact that the primary sludge may serve as buffering reagent. By adding sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) to maintain the pH at 6.9 ± 0.1, the OLR of the co-digestion reactor could reach 8.1 ± 0.1 g COD/l.d at HRT of 20 days. Moreover, by co-digestion of primary sludge and whey solution, the reactor could be operated successfully at HRT of 10 days and at OLR of 7.6 ± 0.1 g COD/l.d with COD loading ratio of primary sludge to whey of 53 : 47. The biogas production (3.2 ± 0.1 l/d) was 1.5 l/d higher than digestion of the same amount of primary sludge alone (1.7 ± 0.1 l/d).

The aim of this research was to investigate the feasibility of co-digestion of municipal primary sludge and whey by anaerobic CSTR (Continuous Stirred Tank Reactor), as well as the factors that affect the performance of the co-digestion reactors. Before studying the co-digestion process, a semi-continuous whey digestion experiment was conducted to analyze the feasibility of anaerobic digestion of whey along with pH control. The results obtained from the study indicated that supplement of nutrients, trace elements as well as heavy metals was necessary to maintain the anaerobic whey digestion system. To investigate the co-digestion of primary sludge and whey process, the effects of pH, OLR (Organic Loading Rate), HRT (Hydraulic retention time) as well as the COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand) loading ratio of primary sludge to whey on the performance of the reactors were studied. The results of the co-digestion experiments demonstrated that it was feasible to co-digest primary sludge and whey without nutrient, trace element and heavy metal supplement. The TCOD (Total Chemical Oxygen Demand) removal efficiency and the biogas production of the co-digestion system increased with the increase of OLR. At same OLR, digestion of the mixture of primary sludge and whey with higher whey content achieved higher biogas production and TCOD removal efficiency. The anaerobic co-digestion of primary sludge and whey process performed successfully at OLR of 5.8 ± 0.1g COD/l.d without pH control when the COD loading ratio of primary sludge to whey was approximately 70:30, due to the fact that the primary sludge may serve as buffering reagent. By adding sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) to maintain the pH at 6.9 ± 0.1, the OLR of the co-digestion reactor could reach 8.1 ± 0.1 g COD/l.d at HRT of 20 days. Moreover, by co-digestion of primary sludge and whey solution, the reactor could be operated successfully at HRT of 10 days and at OLR of 7.6 ± 0.1 g COD/l.d with COD loading ratio of primary sludge to whey of 53 : 47. The biogas production (3.2 ± 0.1 l/d) was 1.5 l/d higher than digestion of the same amount of primary sludge alone (1.7 ± 0.1 l/d).

The aim of this research was to investigate the feasibility of co-digestion of municipal primary sludge and whey by anaerobic CSTR (Continuous Stirred Tank Reactor), as well as the factors that affect the performance of the co-digestion reactors. Before studying the co-digestion process, a semi-continuous whey digestion experiment was conducted to analyze the feasibility of anaerobic digestion of whey along with pH control. The results obtained from the study indicated that supplement of nutrients, trace elements as well as heavy metals was necessary to maintain the anaerobic whey digestion system. To investigate the co-digestion of primary sludge and whey process, the effects of pH, OLR (Organic Loading Rate), HRT (Hydraulic retention time) as well as the COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand) loading ratio of primary sludge to whey on the performance of the reactors were studied. The results of the co-digestion experiments demonstrated that it was feasible to co-digest primary sludge and whey without nutrient, trace element and heavy metal supplement. The TCOD (Total Chemical Oxygen Demand) removal efficiency and the biogas production of the co-digestion system increased with the increase of OLR. At same OLR, digestion of the mixture of primary sludge and whey with higher whey content achieved higher biogas production and TCOD removal efficiency. The anaerobic co-digestion of primary sludge and whey process performed successfully at OLR of 5.8 ± 0.1g COD/l.d without pH control when the COD loading ratio of primary sludge to whey was approximately 70:30, due to the fact that the primary sludge may serve as buffering reagent. By adding sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) to maintain the pH at 6.9 ± 0.1, the OLR of the co-digestion reactor could reach 8.1 ± 0.1 g COD/l.d at HRT of 20 days. Moreover, by co-digestion of primary sludge and whey solution, the reactor could be operated successfully at HRT of 10 days and at OLR of 7.6 ± 0.1 g COD/l.d with COD loading ratio of primary sludge to whey of 53 : 47. The biogas production (3.2 ± 0.1 l/d) was 1.5 l/d higher than digestion of the same amount of primary sludge alone (1.7 ± 0.1 l/d).

Thesis (M.S.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1990. / Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 150-155). Also available via the Internet.