Thesis. 1975. Ph.D.--Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Earth and Planetary Sciences. / Vita. / Bibliography: leaves 169-187. / by Daniel H. Stuermer. / Ph.D.

The purpose of this investigation was to study the aerobic digestion of trickling filter humus and the relationship between digestion and the subsequent filterability of the sludge. Five individual, ten liter, batch-type digestion studies were conducted at 20°C for detention periods ranging from 22 to 38 days. Various water quality parameters were monitored during the three digestion runs of trickling filter humus, one digestion run of a 70% primary and 30% trickling filter sludge (by volume), and one digestion run of waste activated sludge completed during this investigation. Results of the investigation showed that trickling filter humus responds to the aerobic digestion process in a manner similar to that of waste activated sludge. Significant total and volatile solids reductions along with consistent mixed liquor BOD₅ reductions were noted for digestion periods of 22 days. Using the concept of specific resistance, the filtration characteristics of the aerobically digested humus were determined to be poorer than those usually obtained for aerobically digested waste activated sludge. The degree of filterability was observed to deteriorate during periods of prolonged endogenous respiration. The primary-trickling filter sludge mixture was observed to adapt to the aerobic digestion process in a manner strikingly similar to that of the purely biological trickling filter humus. / Master of Science

Mémoire (M.Sc.A.) -- Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, 1987. / Document électronique également accessible en format PDF. CaQCU

The work was focused on the research of soil organic matter content and quality of selected forest soils. In the theoretical part of the thesis there were described in detail terms important to understand the given topic. In the practical part soil probes were excavated and soil samples were taken from individual horizons. The probing was carried out in two stands with a different representation of trees (forest type 0P, district Hodějov, Forest Management Třeboň, ownership of the Czech Republic, right to manage Forests of the Czech Republic, etc.). In the first case, it was a vegetation of deciduous trees (vegetation 356D12), in the second one with a vegetation of coniferous trees (356E11). In the laboratory of the Department of Agroecosystems of the Faculty of Agriculture of the University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice soil samples were modified and further examined in terms of the quantity and quality of soil organic matter. A new method, proposed by the collections of authors Kopecký, Kolář, Borová-Batt (2016), was used to compare the quality of the primary soil organic matter in individual samples by determining the velocity constant of the oxidation of the primary soil organic matter. The humus content was then determined and the degree of humification was calculated. The results show that the monitored parameters differ considerably in individual soil horizons. Significant differences were also observed when comparing soils of coniferous and deciduous stands. A considerable difference can be seen, for example, in the organic carbon content at the top horizons. For example, at the Ahe horizon, the total organic carbon content was found to be 39.71 % for coniferous soil, while in the leafy soil the carbon content at the same horizon was only 7.06 %. The highest value of the velocity constant to oxidation of the primary soil organic matter, which indicates its highest quality, was recorded at the Ep horizon (9-20 cm depth) of the deciduous soil probe.

Orientador: Egle Novaes Teixeira / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas. Faculdade de Engenharia Civil, Arquitetura e Urbanismo / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-04T03:18:56Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 AguirreMorales_ManuelLuis_M.pdf: 10188161 bytes, checksum: b4b606bb6c38de233ce896076211663a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2004 / Resumo: O tratamento do Resíduo Sólido Urbano (RSU) ou "lixo", geralmente, segue a estratégia de se livrar do lixo ao menor custo possível; normalmente é um sistema custoso de adquirir, instalar, operar e manter, para satisfazer aos requisitos ambientais. O sistema AAA tem a meta de aproveitar todo o RSU, de forma sustentável, pela venda de produtos comerciais, sem poluir e gerando receita. Por outro lado, os sistemas comerciais de simulação, de propósito geral, são custosos, complexos e requerem longo tempo de aprendizado. Usando uma modelagem matemática simples e acessível, como ferramenta para a simulação do sistema AAA, é possível quantificar, para casos reais, o que pode-se esperar em cada etapa de implantação. Iniciando desde o mais simples diagrama de blocos, se pode, na presente simulação, ter uma idéia real do faturamento que se pode obter do RSU, baseado numa implementação por etapas, para transformar o resíduo em matéria prima secundária e, finalmente, em produtos comerciais de qualidade. A modelagem é abordada em forma simples, para ver como funciona, e progressivamente, vai-se integrando capacidades, segundo necessário. Para visualizar a complexidade da depuração, são estudadas diferentes configurações, simulando o desempenho, para dados hipotéticos e valores dos parâmetros de depuração, o que permite, num caso real, dispor de uma idéia de quanto material será rejeitado para se obter uma dada pureza versus a seletividade dos equipamentos de depuração. O modelo matemático desenvolvido, usando a planilha Excel, permite imediata aplicação, entrando com os dados locais, para simular o faturamento esperado da comercialização dos produtos com demanda local. O modelo é aberto e flexível o que permite sua adaptação a diferentes situações e pode ser completado progressivamente. Um estudo de caso (Ribeirão Preto) foi usado para a aplicação com dados reais / Abstract: The acquisition, installation and operation of an urban waste treatment normally are very expensive to satisfy legal requirements. The AAA system has the goal to be self-sufficient by using all the waste through the commercialization of quality products, without polluting and instead, creating profit. On the other hand, the commercial simulation systems are complex and a long training time is necessary in order to master their use. By using simple and accessible mathematical modeling as a tool to simulate the AAA system, it is possible to quantify, as in real life case, what could be expected at each implementation step. Starting from scratch, from the simplest block diagram, it is possible, by simulation step by step, to have a glimpse of how much money can be gotten from treated waste to quality products commercialization. The modeling starts as simple as possible, to see how it works, then, progressively adding capacities as necessary. To understand the complexity of a cleaning system, different configurations are studied; simulating the performance for hypothetical data, in order to have an idea of how much material is necessary to reject to get a desired cleanness in the real world, based on cleaning equipment selectivity. The mathematical model, developed in Excel chart, permits immediate use by entering the local data, to simulate the expected money profit from the commercialization of locally demanded products. The model is open and flexible, so it can be adapted to different situations and it can be completed in progressive form. A case study (Ribeirão Preto) was the first application with real data / Mestrado / Saneamento e Ambiente / Mestre em Engenharia Civil

A study of the humus content and the water content of San Saba clay and Denton clay. Studies show that the physical properties of soil are conducive to moisture retention and the availability of moisture to plants.

Call number: LD2668 .T4 1979 B57 / Master of Science

Ethylene (C₂H₄) production was monitored in twelve desert soils incubated moist at constant temperature for various incubation periods. In all but two soils with high organic matter content, C₂H₄ production was low. Statistical analysis showed a good correlation between organic matter content and C₂H₄ production. Minimum levels of C₂H₄ were observed in saline and sodic soils. Adding ethanol, glucose, glycerol and methionine to soil samples significantly increased C₂H₄ formation. Methionine induced the highest level of C₂H₄ in all soils tested. Increased concentrations of methionine resulted in further significant increases in C₂H₄ production possibly indicating its role as a precursor for C₂H₄. Chloramphenicol did not have a significant effect except in a saline soil suggesting that bacterial C₂H₄ production is of less significance in the other soils. The addition of salts to the high C₂H₄ producing soils suppressed C₂H₄ production most likely because of a direct effect on C₂H₄ producing microorganisms through toxic salt levels, high osmotic pressure and/or increased pH. Leaching of four saline soils and subsequent incubation resulted in significant increases in C₂H₄ in two soils. Ethylene producers, previously inhibited by salinity, were probably reactivated when the salts were removed. A Fusarium isolate obtained from the highest C₂H₄ producing soil, produced the most C₂H₄ in pure culture followed by isolates belonging to the genera Aspergillus, Penicillium, Curvillaria, and Rhizopus. In a comparative study, a number of species, some of which were known to produce C₂H₄, were tested in culture media. Nine species produced C₂H₄ in varying amounts of which Penicillium digitatum produced the highest concentration. A sterilized saline soil produced significant C₂H₄ when inoculated with spores of Mucor hiemalis and the Fusarium isolate, 5 to 14 times that in non-sterilized soil probably indicating an originally low population of C₂H₄ producing organisms. The amounts of C₂H₄ produced in sterilized inoculated mollisol and garden soils were only a fraction of that produced in non-sterilized samples probably indicating the involvement of a number of species in the production of C₂H₄ in these soils.

En el presente estudio de memoria de título, se investiga la prefactibilidad técnico económica y se establece una configuración óptima de proyecto de producción de abono orgánico a partir de las condiciones de mercado actuales y de abastecimiento que están en este minuto presentes en la Séptima Región del Maule particularmente en las plantas de Patagoniafresh y Agrozzi. Con relación al proyecto, éste surge de la oportunidad de negocio que representa el manejo de residuos, en particular de los orgánicos que se generan en la industria agroalimentaria. En un comienzo se pensó como mercado objetivo una fracción de la agricultura extensiva en su conjunto, no obstante al realizar un estudio basado en estadísticas y reunión con expertos, se llegó a la conclusión que la estrategia de competir en el mercado tradicional contra los fertilizantes tradicionales no era conveniente, de modo que se fijó, en segunda instancia, la mirada en la agricultura orgánica particularmente de exportación sin mejorar la perspectiva de negocio debido a la baja disponibilidad de insumo y a la alta dispersión entre plantas generadoras, así como también a las bajas cantidades potenciales para ser comercializadas, sin contar la logística compleja, hicieron replantear el mercado objetivo. La explicación para restringir el campo de acción a un nicho específico se sustenta sobre el hecho que actualmente, la industria de fertilizantes, posee variedades de alto rendimiento para distintos cultivos por lo que siguiendo la sugerencia de expertos del área de agricultura orgánica del SAG se barajó la posibilidad de estudiar el mercado viverista, en particular el de frutales para ver si la posibilidad de vender el humus en aquel nicho. Con relación al resultado, el proyecto en términos estrictos es rentable arrojando un VAN de 388 millones con una tasa de descuento del 15% y TIR de 35%. No obstante según los antecedentes que se recabaron en el desarrollo del trabajo, no es recomendable implementar una planta sólo con un estudio de prefactibilidad debido a temas de control de atributos en la producción, los cuales deben ser testeados en una experiencia de laboratorio para sustentar una factibilidad propiamente tal.

Uma alternativa para o destino dos resíduos urbanos é a reciclagem através da compostagem e vermicompostagem (produção de húmus). A falta de padrão de qualidade destes materiais tem prejudicado o desenvolvimento dessa alternativa, tendo prejuízos, produtores e consumidores. Neste trabalho procurou-se parâmetros que pudessem ser utilizados para padronização. Por Ressonância Paramagnética Eletrônica (EPR) as amostras com nível de radicais livres semiquinona de 1017 spin/g de amostra e 1018 spin/g de carbono, ou superior, indicaram melhor qualidade do produto, no que se refere ao grau de humificação. Com o objetivo de avaliar o potencial de sorção do húmus e seu possível efeito catalítico na degradação e fotodegradação do herbicida Atrazina (AT), realizou-se vários experimentos. Resultados de espectroscopia no Ultravioleta e Visível (UV-Vis) mostraram que, para pH\'s próximos do pKa da AT (1,68) o húmus possui similar efeito catalítico que ácidos húmicos e fúlvicos na degradação da AT. Em pH neutro não foi observado degradação da AT, mesmo para altas concentrações de húmus e longos períodos de interação (262 dias). A partir de dados de Polarografia de Pulso Diferencial (PPD) em conjunto com dados de UV-Vis, observou-se uma curva de sorção da AT com máximo (20%) em torno de pH 4,0, decaindo para menos de 5% de sorção para os demais pH\'s utilizados (2,0; 6,0; 7,0; 8,0 e 10,0). Dados de EPR não mostraram reações de transferência de elétrons entre a AT e o húmus. Assim, considerando a forma da curva de sorção, observada por PPD, o mecanismo de reação mais importante entre a AT e o húmus é via ligação hidrofóbica. Experimentos de fotodegradação da AT com luz UV-Vis (300-450 nm) mostraram maior eficiência no processo quando da presença do húmus. Isto ocorreu, provavelmente, devido a ação de agentes fotooxidantes da AT, formados a partir do húmus excitado pela radiação UV. Observou-se também, uma dependência com a concentração de húmus, sendo que, dentro do intervalo de 10 a 1800 mg houve maior fotodegradação da AT para valores em torno de 300 mg.L-1. / One alternative to disposal of urban residues is recycling through composts and earthworm composts (humus production). The absence of a quality standard of these materials however brings limitations to commercial development with damage to producers and consumers. In this work was proposed a strategic parameter to be used as standard. From Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) analysis samples of humus with level semiquinone free radicals of 1017 spin/g of sample and 1018 spin/g of carbon, or higher, indicated good quality of product, with adequate humification degree. Also were studied mechanisms of interaction between humus and the herbicide Atrazine (AT). The proposal was evaluate potential of AT sorption by humus and possible catalytic effect in the degradation and photodegradation of this herbicide. Data from Ultraviolet and Visible Spectroscopy (UV-Vis) showed that for pH\'s close to AT pKa (1.68) the humus showed catalytic effect in degradation of AT similar as those observed in literature with purified humic and fulvic acids. However for neutra1 pH\'s AT degradation was not observed even in the presence of high humus concentrations and long periods of interaction (262 days). Using Differential Pulse Polarography (DPP), combined with data of UV-Vis Spectroscopy, an AT sorption curve on humus was obtained showing a maximum value of 20% around pH 4.0, decreasing for less than 5% of sorption for other pH\'s analyzed (2.0; 6.0; 7.0; 8.0 and 10.0). Data from EPR gave no evidence of electron transfer reaction. So from the kind of sorption curve, obtained by DPP, the major mechanism of reaction between AT and humus was suggested to be hydrophobic bonding. Experiments of AT photodegradation using UV-Vis light (300-450 nm) showed larger efficiency of the process in the presence of the humus. This occurred probably due action of photo-oxidants on AT, originated from excitation of humus by the UV radiation. It was also observed, dependence with the humus concentration, and in the range 10 to 1800 mg.L-1 there was larger photodegradation of the AT for values around 300 mg.L-1.