Two species of cyanobacteria (Fischeralla sp. 29161 and Phormidium autumnale) and one species of green algae (Fritschiella tuberosa) were found to promote survival of Legionella pneumophila in mineral salts medium cocultures. During the early stage of incubation Fischerella sp. supported growth of Legionella pneumophila even though the bacteria would not grow in the algae-free basal medium.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the liquid form of ferrate for dewatering of biosolids from wastewater treatment facilities. Two different ferrate products prepared using calcium hypochlorite and sodium hypochlorite were used. Samples of anaerobic digested sludge and waste activated sludge with solids content of 2.1% and 0.95 %, respectively were conditioned with both products to evaluate and compare their effectiveness. Centrifugation and filtration of the sludge after conditioning were used. For centrifugation the volume reduction and the turbidity of the supernatant after centrifugation were evaluated. For filtration, the Capillary Suction Time test was used. The optimum doses and conditions for dewatering of the sludge using ferrate were determined for each type of sludge. The centrifugation and filtration results were compared with those obtained for polymer doses currently used at the wastewater treatment plants where the samples were collected and with ferric coagulants as well. The results of this research indicated that optimum pH was 7.0. The time required to achieve mechanical equilibrium defined as the time at which the volume occupied by the solids was no more than one percent of the preceding reading was 1800 seconds for both types of sludge. The optimum rotational speeds were 800 and 2400 for waste activated sludge and anaerobic digested sludge, respectively. The optimum ferrate dose for anaerobic digested sludge for centrifugation and filtration was 5000 mg/l. For waste activated sludge a dose of 10 mg/l was found to be effective for filtration and centrifugation. The results indicated that the ferrate product prepared using calcium hypochlorite provides better results for the waste activated sludge than the ferrate prepared using sodium hypochlorite, while for anaerobic digested sludge no significant difference was observed. Finally, the results show that ferrate is a cost-effective alternative for the conditioning and disinfection of waste activated sludge, but not for the conditioning of anaerobic digested sludge.

Impact of Sludge Volume and Water Quality on DBPs in a Full-Scale Water Works The goal of this research was to determine the role of settled sludge on the formation of disinfection by-products in a full-scale water treatment plant. The occurrence of disinfection by-products in chlorinated drinking water has become a major concern to treatment facilities in their effort to comply with strict regulations set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Water samples were tested for trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids at both ends of the sedimentation process to evaluate formation over the length of the basin. Sludge volume and other important water quality parameters were also measured at the time of sample collection. Statistical analyses were used to analyze contributions from the sludge and to determine influential factors leading to disinfection by-product formation. The treatment plant incorporated chlorine dioxide into the treatment process seasonally, and effects were evaluated. Predictive models were developed from the data to be used under various treatment methods. The models created for trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids require measurements of chlorine dose, reaction time, total organic carbon, pH, water temperature, and sludge volume. The models performed well in predicting actual trihalomethane and haloacetic acid concentrations and could serve as a valuable tool in the control of disinfection by-products. DBP Formation Potential of Settled Sludge in a Full-Scale Water Treatment Facility It is still a common occurrence for water treatment facilities to store sludge in sedimentation basins for extended periods, rather than relying on mechanical collection equipment. The goal of this research was to characterize contributions from settled sludge to the formation of disinfection by-products (DBPs), and determine whether continuous removal is essential in the control of DBPs. Samples were taken from top and bottom sludge layers in the sedimentation basin and water was extracted either by draining or centrifugation. The water was analyzed for trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids and water quality measurements were recorded. Concentrations of both DBPs were very high in top-layer sludge; trihalomethanes ranged from 321.5 μg/L to 568 μg/L and haloacetic acids ranged from 74.6 μg/L to 409.8 μg/L. Evidence of biodegradation was observed in the bottom-layer sludge. The water samples were dosed with 4 mg/L chlorine, the United States Environmental Protection Agency's maximum residual disinfectant level, to determine if further DBP formation was possible. The extracted water from the bottom-layer sludge was shown to form high trihalomethane concentrations when chlorinated, and haloacetic acid concentrations were observed to increase when samples from the top-layer sludge were chlorinated. / Master of Science

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Questionnaires were sent to 500 orthodontists in all states of the U.S., inquiring about the methods of sterilization used for hand instruments (mirrors, explorers, band pushers, etc.) and hinged instruments (pliers). The practitioners were asked if their sterilization/disinfection methods had been changed recently, and if any changes in methods were due to the risk of disease transmission. Opinions were also solicited regarding the importance of complete sterilization (i.e., destruction of all organisms). An opportunity was provided to rate the effectiveness of the sterilization method in use. Finally, information was requested on any barrier methods used routinely. The most commonly used method for hand and hinged instruments was cold sterilization with a 2% glutaraldehyde solution. This solution was used by 46.5% of the office for hand instruments, and by 33.5% of the offices for hinged instruments. Quaternary ammonium compounds were used by 26.5% of the offices for hand instruments, and by 19.2% for hinged instruments. Wiping with alcohol was used by 30.4% of the offices for hinged instruments. The most common heat sterilization method used was the chemiclave system (11.5% for hand instruments and 9.1% for hinged). Of the offices surveyed, 45.5% had changed their methods within the past two years. Of that group, 66.9% had changed as a result of the increased problem with transmissible diseases. Of the offices that had not changed recently, 64.1% were considering doing so as a result of the disease transmission concern. Complete sterilization was considered very important by 47.5% of respondents, while 41.6% ranked it somewhat important. Of the orthodontists surveyed, 16.1% felt that they achieved an excellent level of asepsis in their offices, followed by 58.7% who rated it good, 23.4% average, and 1.4% poor. Protective eyewear was worn by 52.4 % of those surveyed, while gloves and masks were worn routinely by 21.3% and 21.6% of the practitioners, respectively. On the basis of the literature review, the most effective cold sterilization method (other than ethylene oxide) for the orthodontic office appears to be a 2% glutaraldehyde solution. This technique will not corrode plier joints or the stainless steel surfaces. The best heat sterilization method for the orthodontic office is the chemiclave system, due to its lack of corrosion problems, as well as its relatively rapid cycle time. Ultrasonic cleaning of all instruments prior to sterilization is highly recommended.

No description available.

Triclosan, 5-chloro-2-(2,4 dichlorophenoxy)phenol, is an anti-microbial additive in a plethora of Pharmaceutical and Personal Care Products (PPCPs) including, toothpastes, hand creams and soaps, and acne creams. Because many triclosan containing products are topical solutions that are readily washed down the drain, significant quantities of triclosan can be introduced to wastewater treatment systems and eventually, to surface waters. Consequently, triclosan has become a contaminant of concern. The reactions between triclosan and free chlorine have been examined previously; however, no kinetic data for these reactions have been reported for conditions typical of drinking water treatment. This investigation focused specifically on the kinetics of the triclosan and free available chlorine (FAC) reactions under drinking water treatment conditions. Triclosan readily reacted with free chlorine via a second-order reaction (first order with respect to each species). No significant temperature dependency was observed from 8 to 25 °C. The reaction stoichiometry was determined to be 1:1 (triclosan oxidized per free chlorine reduced and did not vary over the pH range examined (pH 4-12). However, the reaction rate coefficients exhibited a significant pH dependency. A model that incorporates the rate coefficients for the reactions between HOCl and both neutral and anionic forms of triclosan was generated to fit the experimental data. The anionic free chlorine species hypochlorite (OCl-) was determined to play an insignificant role in the overall rate of reaction, and therefore, only the reactions involving HOCl were incorporated into the model. Additionally, a hypothesized reaction mechanism was tentatively shown to fit the collected data and its strong pH dependency. / Master of Science

The antibacterial agent, triclosan, is widely used in many household personal care products, and it has recently been detected in wastewater treatment plant effluents and in source waters used for drinking water supply. Accordingly, the reactivity of triclosan with the disinfectants used in wastewater treatment and in the production of potable water is of interest. Monochloramine is used as an alternative disinfectant in drinking water treatment to minimize production of regulated disinfection by-products. This study examined the reactions between triclosan and monochloramine and involved analysis of monochloramine and triclosan decay and product formation under drinking water treatment conditions over a pH range of 6.5 to 10.5. Monochloramine decay in the presence of triclosan was measured relative to monochloramine auto-decomposition in the absence of triclosan using UV-VIS spectrophotometry. Experimental results showed that the monochloramine auto-decomposition intermediates, free chlorine and dichloramine, are responsible for a majority of the observed triclosan decay and product formation. A kinetic model for monochloramine auto-decomposition was modified to include terms and rate coefficients for the reactions of triclosan with monochloramine (<i>k</i> = 90.4 M^-1h^-1), free chlorine (<i>k</i> = 1.94&#215;10⁷ M^-1h^-1), and dichloramine (<i>k</i> = 2&#215;10⁵ M^-1h^-1), and was able to predict triclosan and monochloramine decay. It was determined that the reactions of dichloramine and free chlorine with triclosan were 10³ and 10⁵ times faster, respectively, than the reaction of monochloramine with triclosan. The products of these reactions, detected using GC-MS, included three chlorinated triclosan intermediates, 2,4-dichlorophenol, and 2,4,6-trichlorophenol. Low levels of chloroform were detected at pH values of 6.5 and 7.5. / Master of Science

This investigation includes a study of factors affecting electric soil sterilization under actual greenhouse conditions where steam is available. The soil used for testing was taken from various greenhouse benches being infested with a number of common pathogens, including bacteria, nematodes, black root rot, and weed seeds. The data compiled from various tests includes records of both room and soil temperatures, watt-meter records of power demand, kilowatt hour records of power consumption, ammeter records of current, and summarized records of plant growth in various samples of standardized soil which received different treatments during sterilization. Comparative tests were run on both types of sterilization for determining the most economical, practical, and efficient method of sterilization. The portable resistance sterilizer was given a practical test by sterilizing soil in an electric hotbed located where steam was not available. / Master of Science

In an effort to maintain compliance with current and future United States Environmental Protection Agency regulations governing haloacetic acids (HAAs) and trihalomethanes (THMs), the Blacksburg, Christiansburg, VPI (BCVPI) Water Authority in Radford, Virginia elected to eliminate prechlorination and replace it with preoxidation using chlorine dioxide (ClO2). Prior to full-scale application at the BCVPI Water Treatment Plant, jar testing was done to determine the effects of ClO2 on the formation of HAAs and THMs. Jar testing results showed a significant reduction in THM formation potential when 2.0 mg/L ClO2 was applied to raw water and chlorination was delayed. Chlorine dioxide doses less than 2.0 mg/L were statistically insignificant in the reduction of THM formation potentials below samples that were prechlorinated according to the BCVPI Water Treatment Plant's current practice. Likewise, ClO2 did not alter HAA formation potentials in such a way that statistical differences could be detected between ClO2 pretreatment and prechlorination, even at a dose of 2.0 mg/L ClO2. The two inorganic byproducts of ClO2, chlorite and chlorate, were also measured following jar tests. Chlorite concentrations increased with an increased ClO2 dose, but remained below 1.0 mg/L. Chlorate was formed in all jar-test samples. / Master of Science

Essa pesquisa investigou e interpretou aspectos relevantes da desinfecção por radiação ultravioleta (UV) na inativação de microrganismos indicadores. O efluente sanitário foi proveniente de tratamento anaeróbio (Reator UASB), seguido de Biofiltro Aerado Submerso, em escala real. A pesquisa foi dividida em duas etapas, sendo que na primeira foi dado destaque ao estudo das características operacionais da unidade ultravioleta. Na segunda etapa da pesquisa objetivou-se o estudo da resistência de diferentes microrganismos indicadores à radiação ultravioleta e das possíveis correlações entre as variáveis testadas. Os resultados obtidos na primeira etapa da pesquisa forneceram indicativos de que a limpeza das lâmpadas emersas pode ser feita em períodos superiores a 2 meses, devendo-se levar em consideração também a fragilidade do sistema. A limpeza do canal de desinfecção não teve relação com a eficiência de desinfecção. A operação de unidades UV é relativamente simples desde que haja treinamento dos operadores e condições ergonômicas favoráveis ao trabalho dos mesmos. O custo operacional situou-se na faixa de 0,006 R$/\'M POT.3\' de esgoto desinfetado e o custo de energia elétrica foi de 0,07 R$/\'M POT.3\' de esgoto desinfetado. As eficiências máximas de desinfecção encontradas na segunda etapa da pesquisa foram de 100% para Colifagos, 99,999% para CF (Coliformes Fecais) e 99,993% para CT (Coliformes Totais), o que demonstra que a ordem decrescente de resistência desses organismos é CT > CF > Colifagos. Os resultados indicaram que houve pouca variação da eficiência de inativação para as três lâminas de esgoto testadas (3 cm, 4 cm e 5 cm) o que sugere que a unidade é capaz de atender aumentos moderados de vazão, confirmando os pressupostos adotados no seu dimensionamento. Os dados obtidos a partir do ensaio hidrodinâmico indicaram que o reator de desinfecção testado comporta-se como um sistema composto de um reator pistonado ideal com presença de curtos circuitos hidráulicos. / This research has investigated and interpreted relevant aspects of disinfection by ultraviolet radiation (UVR) in the inativation of indicator microorganisms\' inactivation. The sanitary effluent was provided by anaerobic treatment (UASB reactor), followed by aerated submerged biofilter (ASB), on a real scale. This research was divided into two stages, whereas in the first stage, operational characteristics of the ultraviolet unit studies were highlighted. The aim of the second stage of the research was the resistance of different indicator microorganisms to ultraviolet radiation study and the possible relation among variables tested. Results obtained in the first stage of the research have provided indication that the cleaning of submerged lamps may be done in periods longer than two months, however the fragility of the system must be considered. Disinfection channel cleaning should not be related to the disinfection efficiency. The operation of UV units is relatively simple, as long as the operators are trained and work under favorable ergonomic conditions. The operational cost was set at 0.006 R$/\'M POT.3\' of disinfected sewer system and the electrical energy cost was set at 0.07 R$/\'M POT.3\'. The maximum efficiency found on the disinfection of the research second stage were 100% for Coliphages, 99.999% for FC and 99.993% for TC, which demonstrates that the resistance decreasing order of these organisms is TC > FC > Coliphages. Results indicated that there was a low inactivation efficiency variation for the three tested sewer samples (3 cm, 4 cm and 5 cm), which suggests that the unit is capable of serving moderate increase of flow, confirming adopted predictions in its dimensioning. Information obtained from the hydrodynamic test indicated that the tested disinfection reactor behaves as a compound system of an ideal piston reactor with hydraulic short circuits.