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Finspång Municipality suspects that the stormwater discharge has a negative impact on the quality of lake Skutbosjön due to its poor quality. Therefore, Tyréns is currently working together with the municipality to introduce new stormwater measures that would help to improve the state of the lake. This study will provide supporting evidence for decision-making by analysing and comparing the potential environmental impacts of a detention pond, an underground detention chamber system (UDCS) and a biofiltration system by utilising life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology. Metrics used in this study include 18 mid-point impact categories that are quantified for each system’s life cycle. The modelled pond had significantly lower adverse environmental impact in 12 impact categories than other systems, and UDCS had the highest environmental impacts in 13 impact categories. For pond, majority of the impacts where attributed to the transport of bulky materials during the decommissioning phase while for UDCS and biofilters, the material production in the construction phase dominated the life cycle impacts. Overall, applying LCA in a context of stormwater management can help in gaining a better understanding of the system’s life cycle and identifying areas of improvement. / Finspångs kommun misstänker att dagvattenutsläppet till Skutbosjön har en negativ påverkan på vattenkvalitet i sjön. Därför arbetar Tyréns tillsammans med kommunen för att införa nya dagvattenåtgärder som ska bidra till att förbättra sjöns tillstånd. Denna studie kommer att ge underlag för beslutsfattande genom att analysera och jämföra den potentiella miljöpåverkan av en dagvattendamm, ett underjordiskt avsättningsmagasin och dagvattenbiofilter genom en livscykelanalys (LCA). Mätvärden som används i denna studie inkluderar 18 effektkategorier som är kvantifierade för varje systems livscykel. Den modellerade dammen hade betydligt lägre negativ miljöpåverkan i 12 effektkategorier än andra system, och avsättningsmagasinen hade den högsta miljöpåverkan i 13 effektkategorier. För dammen tillskrevs merparten av påverkan transporten av skrymmande material under byggfasen, medan för avsättningsmagasinen och dagvattenbiofilter dominerade materialproduktionen i byggfasen. Att tillämpa LCA i ett sammanhang med dagvattenhantering kan hjälpa till att få en bättre förståelse av systemets livscykel och identifiera förbättringsområden.

A variety of methods exist to remove volatile organic compound (VOC) air pollutants from contaminated gas streams. As regulatory and public opinion pressures increase, companies are searching for more effective methods to control these emissions. This document is intended as a guide to help determine if existing systems are adequate and to provide additional information to improve the efficiency of the systems. It explores conventional methods of controlling VOC emissions, as well as innovative technologies including membrane separation, plasma destruction, and ozone catalytic oxidation. The conventional technologies covered include condensation, adsorption, absorption (or scrubbing), thermal incineration, flaring, catalytic incineration, and biofiltration. Each chapter includes a description of the technology, a discussion of the types of systems available, notes on the design of the system, economic estimates, an explanation of potential problems, and a list of considerations for installation and maintenance concerns. The final chapter is dedicated to the preparation and characterization of metal catalysts which were developed to improve the reaction rate of VOCs using ozone as an oxidant. / Ph. D.

Neste trabalho foi estudado o tratamento simultâneo por biofiltração de emissões de compostos orgânicos voláteis, COV e gás sulfídrico, H2S, em estações de tratamento de despejos industriais, de refinaria de petróleo, ETDI. A biofiltração dos gases emanados da EDTI mostrou ser uma técnica de alta eficiência, atingindo valores de 95 a 99 % para tratamento simultâneo de COV e H2S em concentrações de 1000 e 100 ppmv, respectivamente. Foram realizados testes em 95 dias consecutivos de operação, em uma planta piloto instalada na Superintendência da Industrialização do Xisto, SIX, em São Mateus do Sul, Paraná, de março a agosto de 2006. O biofiltro foi do tipo fluxo ascendente, com 3,77 m3 de leito orgânico, composto de turfa, carvão ativado, lascas de madeira, serragem brita fina além de outros componentes menores. Foi realizada inoculação biológica com lodo filtrado de estação de tratamento de esgoto sanitário. As vazões de gás aplicadas variaram de 85 a 407 m3/h, resultando em taxas de carga de massa de 11,86 a 193,03 g de COV/h.m3 de leito e tempos de residência de 24 segundos a 6,5 minutos, com tempo ótimo de 1,6 minutos. A capacidade máxima de remoção do sistema encontrada, nas condições testadas, foi de 15 g de COV/h. m3, compatível com os valores encontrados na literatura para depuração biológica de COV na escala praticada. Também foi verificada a redução de componentes específicos de BTX, demonstrando boa degradabilidade dos compostos orgânicos. Finalmente o biofiltro demonstrou boa robustez biológica diante dos desvios operacionais intencionalmente provocados, tais como falta de umidade do leito, baixa temperatura, alta vazão, falta de carga de COV e baixo pH do leito. Depois de retomada a condição de operação estável, a biofiltração rapidamente atingiu o estado de equilíbrio, assegurando o uso eficiente e confiável da técnica no tratamento de gases de EDTI na indústria do hidrocarbonetos ou em refinarias de petróleo. / In this project the biofiltration technique was applied as air pollution control technology to treat simultaneously emissions containing volatile organic compounds, VOC and hydrogen sulfide, H2S, in hydrocarbon processing industries and oil refinery Waste Water Treatment Plant, WWTP. The technique demonstrated high biological efficiency up to 95 and 100 % of simultaneous biofiltration of VOC and H2S, with inicial concentration of 1000 and 100 ppmv, respectively. Tests were conducted at UN-SIX/ Petrobras Oil Shale Processing Unit facilities through 95 consecutives days, from March to August 2006. The chosen reactor model was an up stream system, pilot plant scale with volume of 3.77 m3 of an organic compost media made out a blend of peat, rotten wood chips, activated carbon, lime, among other minor components. The biological inoculation was done with sanitary sludge from WWTP. The pilot plant capacity was able to treat from 85 to 480 m3/h of WWTP off-gas, resulting COV application rate from 11.86 to 193.03 g VOC/ h. m3 of media, and residence time from 24 sec to 6.5 minutes, with optimum value at 1.6 minutes. The system maximum elimination rate was about 15 g VOC/h. m3, value comparable to ones presented in open literature. The specific BTX compounds depuration was observed, demonstrating relevant media specificity to treat organic compounds. Finally the biofiltration systems demonstrated good biological toughness considering the operational provoked upsets, as lack of media bed humidity, low biofiltration temperature, high flow rate, lack of VOC flow and acid pH. After normal operational conditions were retaken all process characteristics and efficiency [was] reached the correspondent values, showing reliable and efficient use of the technique to treat off gases in WWTP of hydrocarbon processing industries and Oil Refineries.

Neste trabalho foi estudado o tratamento simultâneo por biofiltração de emissões de compostos orgânicos voláteis, COV e gás sulfídrico, H2S, em estações de tratamento de despejos industriais, de refinaria de petróleo, ETDI. A biofiltração dos gases emanados da EDTI mostrou ser uma técnica de alta eficiência, atingindo valores de 95 a 99 % para tratamento simultâneo de COV e H2S em concentrações de 1000 e 100 ppmv, respectivamente. Foram realizados testes em 95 dias consecutivos de operação, em uma planta piloto instalada na Superintendência da Industrialização do Xisto, SIX, em São Mateus do Sul, Paraná, de março a agosto de 2006. O biofiltro foi do tipo fluxo ascendente, com 3,77 m3 de leito orgânico, composto de turfa, carvão ativado, lascas de madeira, serragem brita fina além de outros componentes menores. Foi realizada inoculação biológica com lodo filtrado de estação de tratamento de esgoto sanitário. As vazões de gás aplicadas variaram de 85 a 407 m3/h, resultando em taxas de carga de massa de 11,86 a 193,03 g de COV/h.m3 de leito e tempos de residência de 24 segundos a 6,5 minutos, com tempo ótimo de 1,6 minutos. A capacidade máxima de remoção do sistema encontrada, nas condições testadas, foi de 15 g de COV/h. m3, compatível com os valores encontrados na literatura para depuração biológica de COV na escala praticada. Também foi verificada a redução de componentes específicos de BTX, demonstrando boa degradabilidade dos compostos orgânicos. Finalmente o biofiltro demonstrou boa robustez biológica diante dos desvios operacionais intencionalmente provocados, tais como falta de umidade do leito, baixa temperatura, alta vazão, falta de carga de COV e baixo pH do leito. Depois de retomada a condição de operação estável, a biofiltração rapidamente atingiu o estado de equilíbrio, assegurando o uso eficiente e confiável da técnica no tratamento de gases de EDTI na indústria do hidrocarbonetos ou em refinarias de petróleo. / In this project the biofiltration technique was applied as air pollution control technology to treat simultaneously emissions containing volatile organic compounds, VOC and hydrogen sulfide, H2S, in hydrocarbon processing industries and oil refinery Waste Water Treatment Plant, WWTP. The technique demonstrated high biological efficiency up to 95 and 100 % of simultaneous biofiltration of VOC and H2S, with inicial concentration of 1000 and 100 ppmv, respectively. Tests were conducted at UN-SIX/ Petrobras Oil Shale Processing Unit facilities through 95 consecutives days, from March to August 2006. The chosen reactor model was an up stream system, pilot plant scale with volume of 3.77 m3 of an organic compost media made out a blend of peat, rotten wood chips, activated carbon, lime, among other minor components. The biological inoculation was done with sanitary sludge from WWTP. The pilot plant capacity was able to treat from 85 to 480 m3/h of WWTP off-gas, resulting COV application rate from 11.86 to 193.03 g VOC/ h. m3 of media, and residence time from 24 sec to 6.5 minutes, with optimum value at 1.6 minutes. The system maximum elimination rate was about 15 g VOC/h. m3, value comparable to ones presented in open literature. The specific BTX compounds depuration was observed, demonstrating relevant media specificity to treat organic compounds. Finally the biofiltration systems demonstrated good biological toughness considering the operational provoked upsets, as lack of media bed humidity, low biofiltration temperature, high flow rate, lack of VOC flow and acid pH. After normal operational conditions were retaken all process characteristics and efficiency [was] reached the correspondent values, showing reliable and efficient use of the technique to treat off gases in WWTP of hydrocarbon processing industries and Oil Refineries.

Nonpoint source pollution captured by urban stormwater runoff is the greatest challenge for surface water quality improvements. Computer-based design tools have been developed to help mediate this issue by guiding end users through the implementation of decentralized stormwater management. The majority of these tools focus on treatment via biofiltration, yet concern regarding this treatment regime is rising. Case studies from research past clearly indicate the susceptibility of groundwater to contamination from extensive anthropogenic activity at the surface. Contaminants, such as nitrates and pathogens, are not completely removed before runoff enters the underground watercourse. Additionally, national and state legislation, which explicitly lists where neglect for groundwater quality is permissible—exacerbate concerns. This research analyzes the efficiency the BMP Siting Tool developed by the US Environmental Protection Agency and the Grey-to-Green Decision Support Tool developed by the University of South Florida. The tools were used to obtain cartographic data illustrating suitable sites for bioswales and infiltration basins throughout northern portion of Hillsborough County, Florida. This data was then integrated with the Karst Aquifer Vulnerability Index (KAVI) groundwater vulnerability model. The area of bioswales and infiltration basins that intersected areas of the KAVI model listed as ‘highly vulnerable’ or ‘moderate-to-highly vulnerable’ was calculated. This permitted an assessment of which BMP facility had the greatest sitings atop vulnerable areas, respective of the tool. The BMP Siting Tool sited 2.80% of all bioswales and 27.89% of all infiltration basins above vulnerable areas. Likewise, the Grey-to-Green Decision Support Tool sited 21.66% of all bioswales and 9.62% of all infiltration basins above vulnerable areas. These results prompted the development of a supplemental groundwater vulnerability framework to be incorporated into both tools’ analytical process.

The development of the chemical and pharmaceutical industry and the massive use of synthetic substances in various industries has become indispensable for our society. Unfortunately, this progress has brought a whole new kind of pollution. It is a group of substances which imagine for living organisms’ greater risk than 'normal' organic pollution. Because they have extraneous origin compared with naturally occurring compounds, they are called "Xenobiotics." It is a group comprising a large number of different substances, with dissimilar physical, chemical and biological properties such as pharmaceuticals, pesticides, detergents, paints, varnishes, plastic packaging, food additives, cosmetic products, drugs, and many others. Although these substances began to enter the water cycle as early as 30 years of the 20th century, their concentration often moves to the limit of the detection limit, so their presence in the water began to be examined in more detail in the 1980s, following the development of analytical technologies chemical composition of water. The main danger of these substances is that doesn’t primarily effect on water quality, but directly affect on the organisms by confusing of the endocrine system or by directly damaging RNA or DNA, causing mutagenic changes, cancer-causing proliferation, birth defects, metabolic disorders, gender changes, the degeneration of reproductive capacity of entire populations or the disappearance of self-preservation instinct. The source of xenobiotics in the water cycle is predominantly wastewater, which generated through the wastewater treatment, which not designed to eliminate this type of pollution. he dissertation thesis deals with the issue of xenobiotics in wastewater and is divided into the theoretical and experimental part. The theoretical part summarizes the xenobiotics current state of knowledge in wastewater from their history, origin, classification, possibilities of elimination to impacts on the environ

M. Tech. (Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology), Vaal University of Technology. / Over time, the quality standard of stormwater in the City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) has deteriorated due to industrial, commercial, residential and farming activities. Stormwater quality directly impacts the treatment chain of potable water, and therefore, it should be kept in check at all stages. Innovations in the biofiltration process can provide useful, practical solutions to overcome crucial stormwater pollution problems. In 2013, the CoE developed stormwater design guidelines and standards to be implemented for the design of stormwater management, which include the principles of Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) and Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS) in particular. The CoE stormwater design guidelines and standards do not provide details on how the city plans to implement SuDS treatment trains to reduce stormwater pollution experienced by the city. This study aimed to verify the efficiency and effectiveness of vegetated biofilters on the stormwater treatment using CoE – Olifantsfontain's natural stormwater and to determine the most suitable vegetation to be used in the region. The CoE experimental case study was conducted to assess the efficiency of selected vegetated biofilters in lowering the concentration of orthophosphate (PO4-3), ammonium (NH4+), and nitrate (NO3-) from Tembisa/Olifantsfontain stormwater. In the experimental setup, six selected plant species were planted into 30 vegetated biofilter columns, namely: Agapanthus praecox (Dryland plant), Carpobrotus edulis (Dryland plant), Stenotaphrum secundatum (Dryland plant), Zantedeschia aethiopica (Wetland plant), Typha capensis (Wetland plant) and Phragmites australis (Wetland plant). The six species were grouped according to general habitats, i.e. three wetland and three dryland plants. Wetland plants were planted into fifteen vegetated biofilters, and dryland plants were also planted on another fifteen vegetated biofilters. The biofilters contained layers of sandy loam soil, coarse and and gravel sand. Each biofilter had a designated inlet and outlet section fitted with a gate valve to control retention time. The raw stormwater consisting of natural nutrient pollutants was applied to each vegetated biofilter through the inlet section. The samples were collected from the inlet and outlet of the six grouped vegetated biofilters during the month of June. All six plant species reduced outflow concentrations of PO4-3 and NH4+ by an average of 99% and 98%, respectively. The results also show that all plant species excluding Phragmites australis were able to reduce NO3- with outflow concentrations being reduced by an average of 58%. From the results obtained, it may be concluded that all the six plant species may be suitable variants to be applied as biofilter material for the purposes of treating urban stormwater in the CoE. The reason is that the determined removal efficiencies for bio-retention fall within 50% – 60% for PO4-3, and 40% - 50% for NH4+ and NO3- respectively. The results also show that if the plant species were applied for SuDs in the CoE, there could be a great improvement in the urban stormwater quality with the consequent improvement in both surface and groundwater quality of the receiving water bodies in the area. Regardless of the nutrient removal by selected plant species, the inclusion of vegetation in a field setting would slow flow rates and thus encourage infiltration into the soil, improve water quality, and support urban biodiversity. In the CoE, all the selected species could be used in the SuDS treatment trains targeting PO4-3, NH4+ and/or NO3-. The case study results provide a informed records for the CoE in the future/intended application SuDs in the upgrade/rehabilitation of its stormwater system.

Au Canada, en 2006, plus de 27 millions de tonnes de déchets solides non-dangereux (DS) ont dû être éliminées. Au Québec, la principale méthode utilisée pour ce faire est l'enfouissement. Par exemple, en 2000, plus de 75% des 7 millions de tonnes de DS étant éliminées l'ont été par enfouissement. Cette méthode a pour inconvénient majeur la génération de lixiviat résultant de la percolation des eaux de précipitations au travers des masses de déchets. Ce lixiviat est généralement capté et doit être traité avant d'être rejeté vers un milieu récepteur. Les systèmes de traitement présentement utilisés peuvent s'avérer coûteux en plus de devoir être opérés par du personnel spécialisé. De plus, avec l'arrivée en 2009 au Québec d'une nouvelle réglementation sur les lieux d'enfouissement de DS, plusieurs de ces systèmes risquent de ne plus répondre aux normes quant aux concentrations en polluants dans les eaux traitées, particulièrement en ce qui a trait au zinc et à l'azote ammoniacal. Dans cette optique, des essais ont été effectués au Centre de recherche industrielle du Québec (CRIQ), en collaboration avec l'Université Laval, afin d'évaluer la performance de la biofiltration sur support organique pour le traitement du lixiviat de lieux d'enfouissement de DS. Deux biofiltres ayant chacun un diamètre de 200 mm et une hauteur de garnissage de 1500 mm ont été alimentés avec un lixiviat prélevé sur un site d'enfouissement existant. Un suivi bimensuel des paramètres normes par le règlement sur l'enfouissement et l'incinération des matières résiduelles (REIMR) a été effectué sur le lixiviat en entrée et en sortie de ces biofiltres, et ce pour une période d'opération de plus de 300 jours. D'autre part, cinq colonnes ayant chacune un diamètre de 76 mm et une hauteur de garnissage de 300 mm ont été construites et différents médias ont été mis à l'essai pour évaluer leur capacité à capter les métaux résiduels à la sortie d'un des biofiltres. Les résultats obtenus laissent entrevoir que la technologie de biofiltration sur support organique combinée à une couche de média spécifique pour le captage des métaux permet de traiter le lixiviat d'un lieu d'enfouissement de DS de manière à ce que leur rejets respectent l'ensemble des normes stipulées par le REIMR.

Au Biodôme de Montréal, la culture d'algues marines pourrait contribuer à l'amélioration de l'habitat aquatique et permettre à l'institution de combler ses exigences en termes de qualité de l'eau. En effet, les macroalgues peuvent diminuer les concentrations en nitrates et en phosphates générés par la décomposition des déchets métaboliques des animaux captifs puisqu'elles absorbent ses nutriments pour combler leurs besoins de croissance. L'objectif de ce projet est de contribuer au développement d'un biofiltre macroalgal adapté aux conditions d'opération de l'écosystème marin du Biodôme de Montréal. Les performances de bioremédiation de deux espèces d'algues marines indigènes, Palmaria palmata et Ulva lactuca, ont été évaluées sous des conditions expérimentales similaires à celles des bassins d'exposition, soit deux températures (5 et 10°C) et trois concentrations élevées en nitrate et phosphate (2 856:194 vs. 3 570:242 vs. 4 284:291 µM NO₃-:PO₄³⁻). Après six jours de culture, nos résultats démontrent 1) que les différentes concentrations en nutriments et la température n'influencent pas significativement la vitesse d'absorption des nutriments chez les deux espèces; 2) que la croissance de P. palmata n'est pas influencée par les traitements et 3) qu'U. lactuca démontre une croissance maximale à 10°C et à concentration intermédiaire. Le niveau élevé de saturation tissulaire en N, en lien avec les conditions environnementales nutritives du milieu de culture, limiterait l'absorption des nutriments et la croissance des macroalgues. Entre les deux espèces, U. lactuca semble une meilleure candidate que P. palmata dans nos conditions expérimentales, car elle démontre une vitesse d'absorption des nitrates trois fois supérieure (1,76 ± 0,59 vs. 0,65 ± 0,15 mg N MS⁻¹ d⁻¹), une vitesse d'absorption des phosphates deux fois supérieure (0,32 ± 0,21 vs. 0,14 ± 0,11 mg P DW⁻¹ d⁻¹) et un taux de croissance trois fois supérieur à P. palmata (2,12 ± 0,89 vs. 0,64 ± 0,18 % MF d⁻¹). Pour poursuivre le développement d'un biofiltre macroalgal efficace, l'accès à la lumière, le contrôle du pH et la disponibilité en microéléments devraient être optimisés