Thesis (Ph. D.)--West Virginia University, 2008. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains ix, 86 p. : ill. (some col.). Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Virginia, 2008. / Title from title page. Includes bibliographical references. Also available online through Digital Dissertations.

Increasing freshwater scarcity across the world means that wastewater reclamation is being considered as a key method in which to meet the growing demand. Evolution of water reuse schemes where high quality product is required such as for indirect potable reuse has led to the adoption in recent years of the integrated membrane scheme using a combination of microfiltration or ultrafiltration with reverse osmosis membrane. However, despite technological advancements, these membranes are still prone to fouling resulting in increased costs through cleaning or replacement. This thesis aims to look at pretreatment to reduce the fouling propensity of the microfiltration membranes via a 600m3 /d pilot plant which was commissioned to investigate indirect potable reuse. A range of pretreatments including pre-screening, pre-coagulation, powdered activated carbon and granular activated carbon were assessed based on fouling amelioration, water quality improvement and cost analysis. Results showed that ferric sulphate dosing was the most effective in terms of reducing the reversible fouling rate especially at high turbidity loads enabling higher flux to be realised leading to a small cost benefit. Activated carbon proved the most effective pretreatment in terms of organic removal and a significant reduction in the irreversible fouling rate. However, the cost involved in using this as a pretreatment is significant compared to possible cost savings through reduced requirement for chemical cleaning. This pretreatment is only viable if it obviates the need for a separate organic removal process.

Many pharmaceuticals are found in municipal wastewater effluents due to their persistence in the human body as well as in conventional wastewater treatment processes. This discharge to the environment can lead to adverse effects in aquatic species, such as feminization of male fish. During the past decade, these findings have spawned investigations and research into suitable treatment technologies that could severely limit the discharge. Adsorption onto activated carbon has been identified as one of the two main technologies for implementation of (future) full-scale treatment. Recent research has put a closer focus on adsorption with powdered activated carbon (PAC) than on granular activated carbon (GAC). Studies where both methods are compared in parallel operation are thus still scarce and such evaluation in pilot-scale was therefore a primary objective of this thesis. Furthermore, recirculation of PAC can be used to optimize the treatment regarding the carbon consumption. Such a setup was evaluated as a separate treatment stage to comply with Swedish wastewater convention. Additionally, variation of a set of process parameters was evaluated. During successive operation at three different wastewater treatment plants an overall pharmaceutical removal of 95% could consistently be achieved with both methods. Furthermore, treatment with GAC was sensitive to a degraded effluent quality, which severely reduced the hydraulic capacity. Both treatment methods showed efficient removal of previously highlighted substances, such as carbamazepine and diclofenac, however in general a lower adsorption capacity was observed for GAC. By varying the input of process parameters, such as the continuously added dose or the contact time, during PAC treatment, a responsive change of the pharmaceutical removal could be achieved. The work in this thesis contributes some valuable field experience towards wider application of these treatment technologies in full-scale. / <p>QC 20161124</p> / MistraPharma

Although the A-stage high-rate activated sludge (HRAS) process destroys some of the chemical energy present in municipal wastewater, this process has been gaining attention as a viable technology for achieving energy neutrality at water resource recovery facilities. In addition to carbon capture for energy recovery, A-stages are also being utilized upstream of shortcut biological nitrogen removal (BNR) processes as these BNR processes often require a controlled influent carbon to nitrogen ratio that is lower than required for conventional BNR processes. While there is extensive knowledge on conventional activated sludge processes, including process controllers and activated sludge models, there has been little detailed research on the carbon removal mechanisms of A-stage processes operated at solids retention times (SRT) less than about one day. The overall objective of this study was to elucidate the chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal mechanisms of short SRT activated sludge processes with a specific focus on the removal of the different COD fractions under varying operating conditions including dissolved oxygen, hydraulic retention time, temperature, and SRT. Once understood, automatic process control logic was developed with the purpose of producing the influent characteristics required for emerging shortcut BNR processes and capturing the remaining COD with the intent of redirecting it to an energy recovery process. To investigate the removal and assimilation of readily biodegradable substrate (SS), this study evaluated a respirometric method to estimate the SS and active heterotrophic biomass (XH) fractions of the raw wastewater influent and effluent of an A-stage pilot process. The influent SS values were comparable to the SS values determined using a physical-chemical method, but the effluent values did not correlate well. This led to the measurement of the heterotrophic aerobic yield coefficient and decay rate of the pilot process. The yield coefficient was estimated to be 0.79±0.02 gCOD/gCOD, which was higher than the accepted value of 0.67 g/g. It was speculated that the batch respirometry tests resulted in the aerobic storage of SS and this likely contributed to the error associated with the determination of SS and XH. Therefore, physical-chemical fractionation methods were used to determine the removal of the individual COD fractions. It was concluded that the SRT was the primary control parameter and below a 0.5 day SRT the dominate COD removal mechanisms were assimilation and oxidation of readily degradable substrate and sedimentation of particulate matter. At SRTs between 0.5-1 days, COD removal became a function of hydrolysis, as adsorption of particulate and colloidal matter was maximized but not complete because of limited adsorption sites. Once adequate adsorption sites were available, effluent quality became dependent on the efficiency of bioflocculation and solids separation. While the SRT of the pilot process could not be directly controlled because of severe biofouling issues when using in situ sensors, a MLSS-based SRT controller was successfully implemented instead. The controller was able to reduce total COD removal variation in the A-stage by 90%. This controller aslo provided the capability to provide a consistent carbon to nitrogen ratio to the downstream B-stage pilot process. To ascertain the settling, dewaterability, and digestibility of the sludge produced by the pilot A-stage process, several standardized and recently developed methods were conducted. The results from these tests indicated that the A-stage had similar dewaterability and digestibility characteristics to primary sludge with average achievable cake solids of 34.3±0.4% and average volatile solids reduction (VSR) of 82±4%. The A-stage sludge also had an average specific methane yield of 0.45±0.06 m3CH4/kgVS. These results were attributed to low extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) content. However, further research is needed to better quantify EPS and determine the effect of HRAS operating parameters on EPS production. Overall the A/B pilot study was able to capture 47% of the influent COD as waste sludge while only oxidizing 45% of the influent COD. Of the COD captured, the A-stage contributed over 70% as dry solids. Coupled with high sludge production, VSR, and methane yield the A/B process was able to generate 10-20% more biogas and 10-20% less dry solids after anaerobic digestion than a comparable single-sludge BNR process. / Ph. D.

The dystrophin-associated protein complex (DAPC) provides a mechanical link between the intracellular cytoskeleton and extracellular matrix, serving as a mechanosensor and signal transducer across the sarcolemma. Pharmacological stimulation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) induces the expression of DAPC components in skeletal muscle, whereas physiological reductions in AMPK are associated with DAPC dysfunction. We sought to determine whether AMPK was necessary for the maintenance of DAPC expression in skeletal muscle. Fast glycolytic extensor digitorum longus (EDL) and slow oxidative soleus (SOL) muscles from wild-type (WT) mice, as well as from littermates deficient in both isoforms of the AMPK-β subunit in skeletal muscle (MKO) were analyzed. DAPC mRNA levels, as well as protein expression and localization were similar between genotypes, with the exception of nNOS, which displayed a compensatory sarcolemmal enrichment in MKO muscles. The content of transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulators of the DAPC, such as PGC-1α and KSRP, were also not affected by the loss of AMPK. However, MyoD and myogenin expression was significantly diminished in MKO muscles, which is consistent with previous reports of myopathy in these animals. Furthermore, we observed decrements in extrasynaptic utrophin expression selectively in MKO SOL muscles, despite an adaptive accumulation of PGC-1α at the sarcolemmal compartment. Collectively the evidence indicates that AMPK is sufficient, but not essential for the maintenance of DAPC expression in skeletal muscle. However, AMPK is required for preserving extrasynaptic utrophin levels in slow, oxidative muscles, which underscores the role of AMPK in the gene expression of this disease modifying protein. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc) / The dystrophin-associated protein complex (DAPC) connects the interior and exterior of muscle cells. Activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) increases the expression of the DAPC in skeletal muscle. We sought to determine whether AMPK was necessary for DAPC expression in skeletal muscle. Fast and slow muscles from normal mice, as well as from those deficient in skeletal muscle AMPK (MKO) were analyzed. We found DAPC levels and localization were similar between both groups, with the exception of nNOS, which was enriched at the muscle membrane in MKO muscles. Regulators of the DAPC were also not affected by the loss of AMPK. However, genes important for the production of muscle were significantly diminished in MKO muscles. Furthermore, we observed decrements in utrophin at the muscle membrane selectively in slow MKO muscles. Our work indicates that AMPK is not essential for the DAPC expression in skeletal muscle, however it is required for preserving utrophin levels in slow, oxidative muscles.

Indirect potable reuse has been practiced with the potential to enhance sustainability of water resources if planned accordingly. Depending on the pretreatment implemented for potable reuse, emerging contaminants; such as pharmaceuticals, personal care products, industrial solvents, bacterial/viral pathogens, and disinfection byproducts, might be present in source water and difficult to remove via various water treatment technologies. Low molecular weight organic compounds are especially challenging to remove and may require treatment optimization. The overarching purpose of this study was to demonstrate the feasibility of a carbon-based advanced treatment train; including ozonation, biological activated carbon (BAC) filtration and granular activated carbon (GAC) adsorption to achieve water quality suitable for potable reuse and assess the impact of a range of operating conditions for emerging contaminant removal at pilot-scale. The results from this study showed that carbon-based treatment train is equally effective as more commonly used, and more costly, membrane-based treatment trains in terms of pathogen and disinfection byproduct removal. A multiple-barrier approach was implemented, with each treatment stage capable of removing total organic carbon (TOC). GAC was responsible for removal of most of the TOC and emerging contaminants and this removal depended on the number of bed volumes of water processed by GAC. Empty bed contact time was another factor that dictated the extent of TOC removal in the BAC and GAC units as the carbon media was exhausted. Among the emerging contaminants detected, sucralose, iohexol and acesulfame-k were present in the highest concentrations in the influent and were detected consistently in the GAC effluent, thus making them good indicators of treatment performance. Apart from organics removal, BAC played an important role in removal of nutrients, such as ammonia via nitrification. N-Nitrosodimethlyamine (NDMA) was formed in the treatment process by ozone, but was shown to be effectively removed by BAC. EBCT, temperature, ozone dose and presence of pre-oxidants, such as monochloramine, played an important role in determining the amount of NDMA removed. These factors can be further optimized to improve NDMA removal. Sodium bisulfite was used for dechlorinating monochloramine residual post ozone. Nitrification in the BAC was shown to be inhibited by excess of sodium bisulfite dose. Thus monochloramine residual needs to be dechlorinated with sodium bisulfite to help with NDMA degradation but at the same time the sodium bisulfite dose needs to be monitored to allow complete nitrification in the BAC. 1,4-dioxane, another contaminant of emerging concern, was monitored in the treatment process. Biodegradation of 1,4-dioxane was enhanced via addition of tetrahydrofuran as a growth substrate. Biodegradation of 1,4-dioxane can help reduce energy and capital costs associated with advanced oxidation processes that are currently used for 1,4-dioxane removal. Further, relying on biodegradation for the removal of 1,4-dioxane can help avoid the formation of disinfection byproducts associated with advanced oxidation processes such as ozone with peroxide or ultraviolet disinfection with peroxide. The results from this project can be useful for designing potable reuse treatment trains and provide a baseline for removal of organic carbon and emerging contaminants. The conventionally used reverse osmosis and ultrafiltration approach is useful for organics removal in areas where the rationale behind potable reuse is water scarcity. Operational difficulties encountered during this study can prove to be important as this treatment process is scaled up to treat a total of 120 MGD of water for managed aquifer recharge. Overall the lessons learnt from this study can give a better understanding of a carbon-based treatment and further the advancement of reuse projects that have drivers other than water scarcity. / Doctor of Philosophy / The increased growth in urban areas has been accompanied by an increase in potable water demand, leading to depletion of surface and groundwater. Further, the discharge of nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus into some of these water bodies can lead to algal blooms. Water reuse involves treating used water and discharging into either a surface or groundwater body. Water reuse has been sought after as a solution to prevent these nutrients being discharged into surface water and to provide a sustainable solution for depletion of water sources. Direct or indirect potable reuse can include a combination of advanced treatment methods such as membrane filtration using ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis, biological filtration, granular or powdered activated carbon adsorption and disinfection methods such as ozonation and ultraviolet disinfection. This study focused on Hampton Roads Sanitation District's managed aquifer recharge project 'sustainable water initiative for tomorrow' (SWIFT), two different advanced water treatment strategies, namely carbon-based and membrane-based were implemented on a pilot-scale (20,000 L/day). The driver for indirect potable reuse in this study was not related to water shortage but aimed at reducing the nutrients discharged into the Chesapeake Bay. Other reasons for implementing reuse included recharging the depleting groundwater levels, land subsidence, and preventing flooding and seawater intrusion near the coastal areas. Membrane-based treatments, such as reverse osmosis, have been well established and studied for potable reuse. The less frequently used carbon-based treatment, that includes used of activated carbon for adsorption and biodegradation of organics (not involving any membrane barrier), was shown to be cost-effective and provided equal protection as that of the membrane-based system in terms of removal of pathogens. Further, since there is no membrane involved in the carbon-based treatment the energy requirements are less than that of the membrane-based treatment and concentrated brine solution is not produced, which makes it favorable for potable reuse where water scarcity is not an issue. This carbon-based treatment which included ozonation and activated carbon filtration and adsorption was further monitored and optimized for removal of organic contaminants and disinfection byproducts. Emerging contaminants such as pharmaceuticals, industrial solvents and personal care products can be harmful to human health and water ecology even at low concentrations. These contaminants are often present in wastewater effluent and can enter drinking water sources if untreated. These emerging contaminants were shown to be effectively removed by ozonation and granular activated carbon adsorption. The formation of disinfection byproducts such as N-nitrosodimethylamine in the treatment process and its removal in the biological activated carbon filtration was also monitored. The impact of temperature, presence of pre-oxidants and design factors such as ozone dose and empty bed contact time affected the removal of all these contaminants. This study provided an understanding of implementing carbon-based treatment for managed aquifer recharge for optimizing removal of bulk organic carbon and emerging contaminants. The results from this study can be utilized for designing advanced water treatment systems and can prove to be a guideline for monitoring and removing emerging contaminants.

This diploma thesis deals with the efficiency and factors affecting the adsorption of AOM (Algal Organic Matter) amino acids (AAs) arginine (Arg), phenylalanine (Phe) and aspartic acid (Asp) onto granular activated carbon (GAC) Picabiol 12x40 (PIC). The efficiency of AOM AAs removal was studied in laboratory equilibrium and kinetic experiments and it was shown that the adsorption efficiency of the selected AAs is dependent on the structure of the molecule of AAs and the nature of the functional groups of their side chain, and more particularly to solution pH, which determines the nature and size and surface charge of AAs and GAC. In contrast to this, the ionic strength (IS) of solution had relatively low effect on the AAs adsorption. Arg adsorption efficiency increased with increasing pH and reached a maximum at pH 9, where AAs and GAC were oppositely charged, and this leads to attractive electrostatic interactions. In the case of Asp adsorption on PIC practically did not work. The reason is that under all experimental conditions Asp molecules and the surface of the PIC carried identical negative charge. This led to the strong electrostatic repulsion between Asp and PIC which prevented effective adsorption. In the case of Phe the adsorption decreases with increasing pH. Maximum adsorption...

The c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) group and the p38 group of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) are stress-activated protein kinases that regulate cell proliferation, differentiation, development, and apoptosis. These protein kinases are involved in a signal transduction cascade that includes a MAP kinase (MAPK), a MAP kinase kinase (MAP2K), and a MAP kinase kinase kinase (MAP3K). MAPK are phosphorylated and activated by the MAP2K, which are phosphorylated and activated by various MAP3K. The work presented in this dissertation focuses on understanding the regulation and function of the JNK and p38 MAPK pathways. Two different strategies were utilized. First, I used molecular and biochemical techniques to examine how MAP2K and MAP3K mediate signaling specificity and to define their role in the MAPK pathway. Second, I used gene targeted disruption studies to determine the in vivo role ofMAP2K and MAP3K in MAPK activation. I specifically used these approaches to examine: (1) docking interactions between p38 MAPK and MAP2K [MKK3 and MKK6 (Chapter II)]; (2) the differential activation of p38 MAPK by MAP2K [MKK3, MKK4, and MKK6 (Chapter III)]; and (3) the selective involvement of the mixed lineage kinase (MLK) group of MAP3K in JNK and p38 MAPK activation (Chapter IV and Appendix). In addition, I analyzed the role of the MKK3 and MKK6 MAP2K in cell proliferation and the role of the MLK MAP3K in adipocyte differentiation (Chapter III and Chapter IV). Together, these data provide insight into the regulation and function of the stress-activated MAPK signal transduction pathways.

O ácido fólico é uma vitamina essencial a reações do metabolismo e crescimento das células, ao promover a síntese de proteínas para a divisão celular. Segundo pesquisas, a aplicação deste no reator de lodos ativados pode contribuir na otimização do tratamento biológico. A parte experimental deste trabalho foi desenvolvida em duas etapas: bioensaios de respirometria sob condições aeróbias, a fim de avaliar os efeitos da adição de ácido fólico na atividade metabólica da microbiota de lodos ativados; e operação de estação piloto de lodos ativados em batelada, para avaliar a influência do ácido fólico na dinâmica da microfauna e no desempenho geral do tratamento. Nos bioensaios de respirometria destacou-se o consumo de oxigênio diante da adição da maior concentração testada - 4,0 mg/L de ácido fólico, com o consumo de até 78% de oxigênio, enquanto que nos frascos controles o consumo médio foi de 50%. O composto Dosfolat, empregado na concentração 2,5 mg/L, também estimulou a respiração basal da microbiota de lodos estudados, como observado pelo consumo de 100% do oxigênio presente após 24 horas de incubação dos sistemas de respirometria. Nos sistemas de lodos ativados em batelada, o ácido fólico e o composto Dosfolat não exerceram influência na eficiência do tratamento e na produção de lodo excedente. Em relação aos aspectos da microbiologia dos sistemas, a adição de ambas as soluções não ocasionou diferenças na composição e diversidade da microfauna, e não influenciou a dinâmica de crescimento das bactérias filamentosas. Porém, nos reatores que receberam adição de ácido fólico e Dosfolat os flocos apresentaram tamanhos superiores, e melhores características morfológicas em relação aos do lodo do reator controle. Portanto, as taxas de respiração observadas com a adição de ácido fólico e de Dosfolat em sistemas de lodos ativados indicam uma tendência de estímulo da atividade metabólica como resposta ao incremento de ácido fólico. Além deste fator, sugere-se que a utilização de ambas as soluções favorece o crescimento das bactérias dos flocos e a formação destes, em detrimento às bactérias livres. / The folic acid is a essential vitamin to metabolism and growth of the cells by promoting the synthesis of proteins for the cellular division. According to some researches, this application in the activated sludge systems can contribute to in the optimization of the biological treatment. The experimental part of this work was developed in two stages: aerobic respirometry biotests, in order to evaluate the effects of the addition of folic acid in the metabolic activity of the microbiotica of activated sludge; and operation of a pilot plant of activated sludge, to evaluate the influence of the folic acid in microorganisms’s dynamics and the performance of the treatment. In the respirometric bioassays was eminence the consumption of oxygen with addition of the highest concentration tested was added - 4.0 mg/L of folic acid, where the consumption of up to 78% of oxygen was observed, whereas in the control the flocs the consumption was 50%. The composed Dosfolat, employee in the concentration 2,5 mg/L, also contribute the microbiota’s activity of the of sludge, as observed by the consumption of 100% of the present oxygen after 24 hours of incubation of the respirometric systems. In the activated sludge systems, the folic acid and Dosfolat didn't exercise influence in the efficiency of the treatment and in the production of sludge. In relation to the aspects of the microbiology, the addition of both solutions didn’t cause differences on the composition and microorganisms’s diversity, and it didn't influence the dynamics of growth of the filamentous bacterias. Even so, the reactors that received addition of folic acid and Dosfolat the flocs presented superior sizes, and improve morphologic characteristics in relation to sludge of the control reactor. Therefore, the breathing rates observed with addition of folic acid and of Dosfolat in activated sludge systems indicate a tendency of incentive of the metabolic activity as answer to the increment of folic acid. Besides this factor, suggests that the use of both solutions favors bacteria growth of the flocs and this formation of these, in detriment to the free bacterias.