Thesis (Ph.D. (Biochemistry)) --University of Limpopo, 2010 / A heavy-metal resistant bacterium (GM 16) was isolated from a South African antimony mine, and the non-viable cells of the isolate were used to investigate its biosorption capacity for Cd(II) and Cu(II) from aqueous solution in a batch process. The biosorption of both metals were found to be influenced by factors such as pH of the metal solution, initial metal ion and biomass concentrations, rate of agitation, presence of other metal ions, contact time of the metal solution with the biomass and temperature. The initial biosorption of both Cd(II) and Cu(II) was rapid and equilibrium was reached within 1 hour of biomass contact with the metal solutions. The sorption of both metal ions was higher in weak acid than in strong acid conditions and the optimum pH values for Cd(II) and Cu(II) biosorption were 7 and 6, respectively. The presence of the other metal ions in the metal adsorption media influenced the biosorption of both Cd(II) and Cu(II). Mg2+ ions decreased the uptake of Cu(II) and Cd(II) by 4.7 and 6.5 %, respectively. Whereas K+, Na+ and Ca2+ ions increased the uptake of Cd(II) by 12.3, 8.7, and 3.2 %, respectively, they slightly decreased the sorption Cu(II) (2-6.4 %). Increases in initial metal ion (40-120 mg L-1) and biomass (0.8-4.8 g L-1) concentrations enhanced the sorption of Cd(II) and Cu(II) by GM16 biomass. When the biomass concentration was increased from 0.8 to 4.8 g L-1, the biosorption capacity of Cd(II) increased from 5.5 to 14.5 mg g-1 while that of Cu(II) increased from 2.8 to 14.7 mg g-1 at optimum pHs and a temperature of 40 °C. Maximum adsorption of both metals occurred at an agitation rate of 100 rpm. In addition, increase in initial metal ion concentration from 40-120 mg L-1 increased the initial adsorption rates (h) and the equilibrium metal sorption capacity (qe) of the GM 16 biomass from 6.07 to 16.51 mg g-1 for Cu(II) and 8.9 to 17.9 mg g g-1 for Cd(II). Adsorption equilibrium data for both metal ions fitted well to the Langmuir adsorption model with high correlation coefficients (r2 > 0.90) but the data for Cu(II) could also be described by the Freundlich adsorption model. Increase in temperature from 25-40 °C only caused marginal increases in maximum metal sorption capacities (qmax). The results on kinetic analysis showed that the biosorption processes of Cd(II) and Cu(II) ions by the non-viable GM 16 cells followed pseudo-second order kinetic model betterthan the pseudo-first order model, although the calculated metal sorption capacities obtained with the model were overestimated. The calculated thermodynamic parameters showed that the biosorption of Cd(II) and Cu(II) ions was feasible, spontaneous and slightly endothermic for Cd(II) but slightly exothermic for Cu(II) under examined conditions. Based on 16S ribosomal DNA sequencing, the bacterial isolate (GM 16) was identified as a Bacillus sp. and is closely related to Bacillus thuringiensis and Bacillus cereus strains. The biosorption capacity of the non-viable GM 16 biomass was higher than the biosorption capacity reported for the viable GM 16 cells, 65 % of Cd(II) was removed by non-viable biomass whereas 48 % was removed by the viable biomass. For the biosorption of Cu(II), the % metal ion adsorbed for the non-viable GM 16 cells was slightly higher than the % adsorbed for the viable cells although not statistically significant. Only 67 % of Cu(II) was removed by the non-viable cells whereas 65 % was removed by the viable cells. / National Research Foundation

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Bowling Green State University, 2007. / Document formatted into pages; contains viii, 345 p. : ill. Includes bibliographical references.

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This paper explores the dynamics of two regional heavy metal styles. It focuses on the aesthetics of Florida death metal and Norwegian black metal. This paper seeks to contribute but also deviate from the great studies linking music with cultural studies. Heavy metal has gained international attention from many social leaders concerned with the direction of its listeners. Heavy metal, from its early foundation, has been used to rebel against social order. As the music evolves, it becomes dangerous to the social establishment; challenging ideologies such as religion, globalization, feminism and common decency. This paper seeks to tell the story of the battle between hegemony and the subversive subculture of intense metal, giving voice to some truly disturbed individuals dissatisfied with the existing social institution. In doing so, I hope this study serves as model for future studies of radical youth culture.

The research focuses on the fate of heavy metals and their emissions from pulp mill recovery boilers. Heavy metals are extremely toxic and cause adverse effects on human health. There is limited information about factors affecting heavy metal vaporization from recovery boilers, in which spent pulping liquors, (also called black liquor) is burnt. The heavy metals are present in trace quantities in black liquor. They are emitted in the air as submicron particles, and their amount of emission depends on the input of metals into the recovery boiler, volatilization of metals in the boiler and the efficiency of the electrostatic precipitator (ESP) to remove the metals. The heavy metals vaporization from different recovery boilers vary widely and the reason is not known. My thesis will focus on determining what conditions affect the volatility of the heavy metals, and whether differences in heavy metal vaporization are due to differences in boiler operating conditions or the composition of the liquor. I will examine black liquor pyrolysis, combustion and gasification in well-controlled laboratory conditions. I will analyze three different black liquors. The liquors will be spray-dried and burnt or gasified in a laminar entrained-flow reactor at high temperatures of 1000-1100C and residence times ranging from 0.5 to 1.5 s. Equilibrium calculations will be performed to determine the distribution of heavy metals and species under set conditions from previous devolatilization experiments. The equilibrium calculations will serve as a useful tool for prior estimation of the distribution of heavy metals. The impact of different liquors on volatilization of heavy metals in the experiments will be determined. The char residue and condensation aerosol (fume) particles from each experiment will be analyzed using ICP-AES. The amount of heavy metals volatilization during combustion and gasification will be determined based on the amount of the metals in the char residues and fume particles. Based on the results of the experimental study combined with data from the equilibrium analysis program the main cause of variability in heavy metal vaporization can be found. Also the boiler operating conditions can be studied to determine its affects on the volatility of the heavy metals.

The main purpose of this research was to analyze the distribution and accumulation of metals in sediment cores of Gao-ping Canyon nearby areas. Enrichment factor (EF) and Sediment Quality Guidelines (SQGs) were also used to assess the pollution history, sources and extent of heavy metal pollution. The results revealed that copper and cadmium metal concentrations have not been contaminated significantly; while zinc and lead concentrations reached moderate degree of pollution, which exceeded guidelines of Low-SLG in Ontario and ERL in NOAA. The concentration of lead was higher than most found in Taiwan. Although chromium was found mild polluted, but attention should still be paid as those concentrations exceeded the values of Low-SLG¡BSevere-SLG and ERL. Comparing results from cores in Southern and Northern shelves of Gao-ping Canyon, the trend of heavy metal concentrations in Northern shelf rose gradually but had an apparent downward trend in surface mixed layer; while distinct variation with time was observed in Southern shelf.

Biological and physical chemistry treatment methods always are used to remove COD of organic wastewater contains PCB. The effect is not obvious when the compositions of pollutant are too refractory or complicated. The primary treatment method of wastewater containing copper is chemical coagulation/sedimentation and its disadvantage is producing a large of sludge. The objective of this study, using two combinative method of UV/H2O2-Ferrite Process and Fenton-Ferrite Process, is to remove organic compounds and heavy metal in real wastewater. Not only supernatant liquid could meet the standard of discharge wastewater but also produce general(non-hazardous) industrial wastes of heavy metal. The primary operation condition of Fenton and UV/H2O2 process, was ferrous ion and hydrogen peroxide concentration, pH, reaction time, and chemical dosing, searching best operation condition to combine with Ferrite Process. Operation of Fenton and UV/H2O2 process under acid condition (pH=2) and neutral condition (pH=8) showed the best operation condition of Fenton and UV/H2O2. The removal decreased when the dose of hydrogen peroxide was added too more or too less. As Fenton and UV/H2O2 process test finished, Ferrite Process is next used for treatment of heavy metal wastewater; Ferrite Process conducted as three stages and the operation conditions were controlled with temperature, pH and the ratio of Fe/M mole. The results showed that the best removal of treatment of copper containing wastewater by Ferrite Process achieved when the ratio of Fe/M mole was at 10. Treatment of PCB industrial real wastewater by Fenton-Ferrite Process and UV/H2O2-Ferrite Process which combined with Fenton, UV/H2O2 and Ferrite Process. The supernatant liquid containing organic compounds and heavy metal both could meet the standards of discharge wastewater and the sludge was judged with general(non-hazardous) wastes. The characteristic of the sludge were the diameter lattice less 100 nm and with magnetism and to develop recovery and utilization in a further work.

In the present work, in order to evaluate the seriousness of environmental pollution caused by antibiotics abuse, and by industrial and agricultural pollutants, different strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were collected from industrial area, abandoned metal hardware factory, fishery pool, vegetable garden and fruit farm, river mud, and different origins of water bodies in southern Taiwan. The organisms were analyzed for their drug resistance against a variety of antibiotics and agricultural pesticides. They were also analyzed for endurance toward heavy metal ions including mercury, cadmium, arsenic and chromium ions. As the data indicated that, in terms of their resistance to clinical frequently used antibiotics, about 40% of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates of the environment have developed resistance against Cefoperazone, about 20% showed resistance against Tobramycin, and only about 4% revealed resistance against Imipenem and Ceftazidime. As to heavy metal ion resistance, about 27% of the environmental Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains demonstrated resistance against mercury ion, and about 10% exhibited resistance against arsenic ions, whereas no resistance was observed toward chromium ions. In terms of resistance to agricultural pesticides, about 36% environmental isolates demonstrated resistance against Paraquat, but none of the tested Pseudomonas aeruginosa show resistance toward Cartap and Methomyl. To sum up the findings, so far only minor portion of Pseudomonas aeruginosa acquired drug resistance, therefore, immediate measure is required to prevent the spreading of drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa . It is suggested that all the physicians and pharmacists to prescribe antibiotics should be more careful and responsible manner. Meanwhile, it would also call on the restrained usage of pesticides and antibiotics in the livestock and aquatic product industry, and strengthening pollution control in the industrial sector.

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Weil in Sachsen die vorhandene Datenbasis zu Schwermetallgehalten in Düngemitteln, Bodenhilfsstoffen und Kultursubstraten im Jahr 2005 zu gering war, wurde ein Projekt mit dem Vorhabenstitel „Bestimmung und Bewertung der Schwermetallgehalte von Düngemitteln, Bodenhilfsstoffen und Kultursubstraten“ durchgeführt, um rechtzeitig Ableitungen für einen sachgerechten und effizienten Hoheitsvollzug in Sachsen treffen zu können. Das Forschungsprojekt beinhaltete folgende Ziele: - Bestimmung von anorganischen Schadstoffen in Düngemitteln, Bodenhilfsstoffen und Kultursubstraten - Bewertung der Analysenergebnisse auf der Grundlage geltender Rechtsverordnungen - Ableitung von Kontrollschwerpunkten für die Düngemittelverkehrskontrolle auf gesicherter Datenbasis. Im vorliegenden Heft werden die Ergebnisse dieses Projektes dargestellt.