The main goal of this thesis was to find and compare salt-forming ions from samples of a subsurface zone of sandstone and other porous rocks. The surveyed samples came from different environments (humid and arid climate) from different locations in the Czech Republic, Jordan and the United States of America. Identification of various types of salt was based on evaluation of chemical analyzes of leached samples. Furthermore a laboratory experiment in which I used a fluorescein dye to observe the capillary rise and evaporation in unsaturated samples of sandstone was carried out. The salt content in the Czech Republic humid environment locations is generally lower than the one in foreign arid climate locations. Halit dominates in the locations Petra and Crystal Peak. In the other locations sulphate minerals dominate. The salts containing aluminum - alums were determined in the Czech Republic in the area of Czech Paradise and the surrounding. Relatively high concentrations of nitrate mineral nitratine were identified in the Devil's Pulpit location in Pilsen, the Czech Republic. From the observation of capillary rising experiments performed with artificially created honeycombs, I conclude that the height of the capillary rise is crucial for the transport of solution, and at a certain capillary height,...

Blackwater rivers and lakelets are a common feature of the landscape in the South Western Cape. Contrastingly, white rivers can also be found in the region. Key to the colour of blackwaters is the increased presence of dissolved organic carbon. The vegetation of the regions is known to posses' large amounts of polyphenols and potentially low microbial decomposition. Therefore, are the plant-soil dynamics a possible answer to variation in river colour? To answer this, the chemical correlates of rivers in the region, along with the in vitro leaching of the fynbos vegetation compared to other types and the effects of nutrient fertilisation on microbial activity in soil were determined. The results revealed that organic carbon, Fe and pH are significantly correlated with blackwaters. The Fe in the water appears to be bound to humic compounds. Fynbos vegetation is able to produce greater concentrations of polyphenol leachates (315 mg/l humic acid) compared to savanna species (246 mg/ humic acid) over a four-day period. P fertilisations increased the concentrations of humic acids from 30 mg/1 to 200 mg/l in some soils through their affinity to bind with humic compounds. The N fertilisations moderately increased the humic acid concentrations and in some cases lowered the concentration by 10 mg/l, indicating that it provided a nutrient source to the microbes for carbon breakdown. The interactions between humic compounds, nutrients and Fe are key to the formation of blackwaters in the region. Attached to this is the limited decomposition that takes place due to nutrient limitations. Therefore, the interactions between the carbon leached from the vegetation and below ground activities are determinants of water colour in the South Western Cape.

Landfill leachates and thermal hydrolysis pretreated anaerobic digestion centrate can quench UV light at publicly owned treatment works (POTWs). Increased eutrophication, has led to tightening of nutrient discharge limits in some regions of the country. Biologically recalcitrant organic nitrogen, adds to effluent nitrogen making it difficult to meet these requirements. The study aimed at characterizing landfill leachate and centrate fractions to develop an understanding that might help design on-site treatment methods. Leachates varying in on-site treatment and ages were fractionated on basis of hydrophobic nature. Humic substances were the major UV light quenching fractions. Majority of the humic substances were > 1 kDa molecular weight cut off (MWCO) indicating that membrane treatment might be effective for UV quenching substances removal. UV absorbing substances were found to be more bio-refractory than organic carbon. Significant decrease in humic substances with long term landfilling indicated that age was important in determining the potential for leachates to impact the UV disinfection. Organic nitrogen was observed to be hydrophilic in nature (mostly < 1 kDa). Proteins which are easily biodegradable contributed around one-third of the organic nitrogen. For thermal hydrolysis centrate, the optimum treatment depended on particle size and hydrophobic nature. Biological treatment was observed to be more effective for the removal of organic matter and UV254 quenching substances for fractions < 300 kDa. Biological treatment had little impact on organic nitrogen. Coagulation-flocculation is an effective treatment for higher molecular weight (MW) fractions whereas a membrane bioreactor would be more suitable for smaller MW fractions. / Master of Science

Landfill leachates are often discharged to wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) but their highly varied composition makes their treatment in WWTPs difficult. Landfill leachates contain bio-refractory organic matter which easily passes the biological treatment processes at WWTPs and increases the organic matter in the effluent. Leachates also interfere with the UV disinfection process at treatment plants. Another concern is the presence of large amounts of bio-refractory organic nitrogen in the leachates which makes it difficult for WWTPs to meet the tightening total nitrogen requirements. Studies were conducted to evaluate the applicability of anion exchange resins to remove organic matter, UV quenching substance and organic nitrogen from landfill leachates. Leachate samples based on varying age and treatment methods were utilized. The anion exchange resins were found to work effectively for all studied leachates. The resins were found to remove more bio-refractory UV absorbing substances as compared to total organic carbon (TOC), suggesting that anion exchange resins could be employed for removal of UV absorbing substances. Multiple regenerations of the resin showed slight loss in the capacity to remove UV and organic carbon. Fractionation of leachate samples showed effective removal of humic acid (HA) fraction which is responsible for most of UV quenching. The resin was also found to effectively remove the bio-refractory hydrophilic (Hpi) fraction which tends to persist even after HA fraction has bio-degraded. Membrane filtration (1000 Da and 3000 Da Molecular weight cut off) in conjunction with ion exchange resins achieved better removal of organic matter and UV254 absorbing substances. In addition, this also significantly improved the performance of resins. Significant removal of organic nitrogen was also observed using anion exchange though it was less than both UV and TOC. Around 80% removal of organic nitrogen associated with bio-refractory Hpi fraction was achieved using anion exchange suggesting ion exchange as a viable alternative for removing organic nitrogen. / Master of Science

Este trabalho procurou contribuir na busca por informações das características de tratabilidade de lixiviados de diferentes aterros sanitários do interior de São Paulo, e estabelecer correlações entre parâmetros analisados. As coletas foram realizadas nos aterros sanitários de: São Carlos, Araraquara, Rio Claro, Ribeirão Preto, Catanduva e Votorantim. O experimento foi conduzido a 30ºC, em dois filtros biológicos anaeróbios operados em batelada sequencial, com capacidade de tratamento de 8 L de lixiviado cada e biomassa imobilizada em suportes de poliuretano inoculados com lodo do fundo de uma das lagoas de lixiviados do aterro de São Carlos-SP. Os filtros operados simultaneamente eram idênticos e foram, alimentados com os lixiviados. O monitoramento do reator foi realizado por meio da caracterização físico-química do afluente e efluente de cada ciclo de batelada e dois perfis temporais. Foi realizada a caracterização do lodo, que apresentou morfologias microbianas pertinentes ao tratamento anaeróbio. A caracterização do lixiviado de São Carlos apresentou sólidos totais de 14,5 g/L e sólidos totais voláteis de 5,1 g/L, nitrogênio amoniacal de 2.411 mg/L e nitrato de 115,5 mg/L. Além disso, apresentou resultados mais elevados para DQO (bruta 3.940 mg/L e filtrada 3.565 mg/L); entretanto apresentou características recalcitrantes ao tratamento anaeróbio, assim como os lixiviados de Araraquara, Rio Claro e Ribeirão Preto. Nos tratamentos dos lixiviados de Catanduva e Votorantim a eficiência de remoção de DQO foi de aproximadamente 30%. Com exceção do lixiviado de Catanduva, o nitrogênio amoniacal esteve presente em todos os lixiviados em altas concentrações, representando cerca de 80% do nitrogênio total e refletindo na alcalinidade total. A concentração de metais estava dentro dos valores máximos permitidos pela Resolução no. 430/2011 do CONAMA. A população de coliformes totais manteve-se estável (de 2,3 x \'10 POT.5\' para 1,1 x \'10 POT.5\' NMP/100 mL) no lixiviado de São Carlos, no entanto, em todos os demais tratamentos, os coliformes totais e termotolerantes foram removidos totalmente, demonstrando a eficiência do tratamento em filtro anaeróbio para estes parâmetros. Os lixiviados de aterros jovens apresentaram algumas características de aterros velhos, o que sugere que eles passaram rapidamente para a fase metanogênica. A implementação de filtros biológicos nos aterros sanitários torna-se uma alternativa de pré-tratamento em municípios com número reduzido de habitantes e baixa vazão de lixiviado, sendo possível dimensionar o filtro biológico e viabilizar o tratamento. / The present study intends to contribute in the research for information about anaerobic treatability of leachates from different landfills in the country part of São Paulo State, and also to establish correlation among analyzed parameters. Leachates were collected in landfills from different cities: São Carlos, Araraquara, Rio Claro, Ribeirão Preto, Catanduva and Votorantim. Experiments were carried out in 30ºC, in two anaerobic biological sequencing batch filters, with capacity for treating 8 L of leachate and immobilized biomass in polyurethane supports inoculated with sludge from one of the São Carlos landfill leachate reservoir. Filters are identical and were operated simultaneously a filled with leachates from the places mentioned above. Reactors monitoring was performed by through physicochemical characterization of the influent and effluent of each batch cycle, and two temporal profiles. Characterization of the sludge was performed and showed microbial morphologies pertinent to anaerobic treatment. Characterization of the leachates from São Carlos showed total solids of 14,5 g/L and total volatile solids of 5,1 g/L, ammonia nitrogen of 2.411 mg/L and nitrate of 115,5 mg/L. Furthermore depicted high results of COD (gross 3.940 mg/L and filtered 3.565 mg/L); however presented recalcitrante behavior to anaerobic treatment such as the leachates of Araraquara, Rio Claro and Ribeirão Preto. The treatment of leachates from Catanduva and Votorantim presented removal efficiency of COD of approximately 30%. Except for leachate of Catanduva, the ammonia nitrogen was present in high concentrations from all the leachates representing about of 80% of the total nitrogen. These high concentrations of ammonia nitrogen reflected in the total alkalinity. The metals concentration was within the maximum values allowed by Resolution number 430/2011 of CONAMA. In the leachates of São Carlos, the population of total coliforms remained stable (of 2,3 x \'10 POT.5\' to 1,1 x \'10 POT.5\' NMP/100 mL), however, in all other treatments, the total coliforms and thermotolerant coliforms were fully removed, demonstrating the efficiency of treatment in anaerobic filter for such parameters. The leachates of young landfills presented some characteristics of old landfills, suggesting that it passed quickly to metanogenic phase. The implementation of biological filters in landfills would be an alternative as a pretreatment in \"young\" landfills, with few inhabitants and low leachate flow, making it possible to measure the biological filter and facilitating treatment.

Les écosystèmes forestiers jouent un rôle clé en régulant des cycles du carbone (C) et des nutriments et l’érosion en cours de la biodiversité peut affecter ces fonctions écosystémiques. Ces deux dernières décennies, un effort de recherche important a cherché à comprendre comment la biodiversité affecte la productivité primaire. Le processus inverse de minéralisation du C pendant la décomposition de la matière organique est en revanche beaucoup moins étudié. Dans cette thèse, j’ai cherché à démêler les différents mécanismes par lesquels la diversité des arbres et de leurs litières foliaires affecte la décomposition des litières dans les écosystèmes forestiers d’Europe, à travers trois approches.En utilisant un réseau de placettes forestières contenant des gradients de diversité dans six types de forêts à travers l’Europe, j’ai étudié les effets de la diversité des arbres sur la décomposition de la litière via (i) des modifications de l’environnement de décomposition et (ii) les conséquences directes de la diversité des litières foliaires, avec deux expériences en sachets de litière. A travers tous les sites, alors que la richesse spécifique des arbres a eu un effet limité, la fermeture de la canopée a positivement affecté la décomposition par une modification potentielle des conditions microclimatiques. De plus, les traits moyens de qualité physique et chimique de la chute de litière et la dissimilarité de traits entre les litières d’espèces différentes ont influencé les communautés de décomposeurs permettant dans une certaine mesure de prédire la décomposition de substrats standards. Une fois ces effets pris en compte, la qualité des litières en décomposition a eu un impact supplémentaire mais relativement plus faible sur la décomposition. Ces résultats suggèrent que les effets indirects de la diversité des arbres sur la modification des conditions microenvironnementales sont plus importants pour la décomposition que les effets directs de la qualité intrinsèque des litières en décomposition.J’ai ensuite exploré le rôle des composés solubles lessivés à partir de litière d’espèces différentes sur les processus microbiens du sol par une expérience en microcosmes. Les lessivats de litière d’arbres décidus étaient qualitativement et quantitativement différents de ceux des litières de conifères et ont induit une respiration microbienne du sol plus importante. Le mélange de lessivats des différentes espèces a donné lieu à des effets non-additifs sur les processus microbiens du sol, associés à la dissimilarité de stochiométrie des lessivats. Le lessivage étant un processus dominant pendant la phase initiale de décomposition, l’identité et la diversité des lessivats peut contribuer au contrôle du recyclage du C et des nutriments.Par une troisième approche, mon but a été de mieux comprendre les mécanismes qui sous-tendent les forts effets observées des détritivores du sol sur la décomposition des litières et les effets de diversité. J’ai cherché à comprendre si la transformation de litière en fèces par le détritivores Glomeris marginata stimulait les décomposeurs microbiens, et si cette stimulation dépendait de la qualité de la litière ingérée. L’activité microbienne était stimulée pour les fèces issues de litières récalcitrantes, mais pas pour les fèces issus de litières de meilleure qualité initiale. Ainsi, les conséquences de la transformation de litière en fèces de macroarthropodes pour les décomposeurs microbiens dépend de l’espèce de litières et peut contribuer aux effets de diversité des litières.Les données collectées durant cette thèse montre que la diversité fonctionnelle des arbres peut affecter la décomposition des litières à travers plusieurs mécanismes à différentes étapes de la décomposition. Du fait de cette complexité, les conséquences des changements de diversité pour le cycle du C et des nutriments dans les forêts d’Europe peuvent être importantes, mais sont actuellement difficiles à prédire et à généraliser. / Forest ecosystems play a key role in regulating the global carbon (C) and nutrient cycles, and the ongoing erosion of biodiversity is susceptible to modify these ecosystem functions. Over the past two decades, a strong research effort was put into the understanding of how changing biodiversity impacts primary productivity. The reverse process of respiratory C loss during organic matter breakdown however, remained much less studied. In this PhD thesis, I aimed at teasing apart the different mechanisms of how tree and associated leaf litter diversity may affect litter decomposition in European forest ecosystems using three distinct approaches.First, using a network of forest plots with tree diversity gradients in six major forest types across Europe, I studied the effects of tree diversity on litter decomposition through (i) modifications of the decomposition environment and (ii) the direct consequences of leaf litter diversity, with two litterbag experiments. Across all sites, while tree species richness had only a limited effect, forest canopy closure affected decomposition positively by potentially improving microclimatic conditions. In addition, mean chemical and physical quality traits of the litterfall, and trait dissimilarity in leaf litter from different species influenced decomposer communities in a way that decomposition of the common substrates was predictable to a reasonable degree. Once these effects were accounted for, the quality of decomposing litter showed an additional, but comparatively small impact. Collectively, these results suggest that the indirect effects of tree diversity on decomposition through microenvironmental controls are more important than the direct effects of the inherent quality of decomposing litter.With a second approach using microcosms under controlled-conditions, I aimed at assessing the role of soluble compounds leached from decomposing litter of different species for microbial-driven soil processes. Leachates from litter of broadleaved deciduous species differed in composition and quantity and induced stronger soil microbial respiration than those from litter of coniferous species. When the species-specific leachates were mixed, I observed non-additive mixing effects on soil microbial processes associated to the dissimilarity in leachate stoichiometry. Since leaching is the dominant process during the initial stage of decomposition, litter leachate identity and diversity may significantly contribute to the control of carbon and nutrient cycling.Finally, in a third approach my goal was to better understand the underlying mechanisms of the observed strong effects of soil detritivores on litter decomposition and diversity effects. I investigated whether the transformation of litter into feces by the detritivore Glomeris marginata stimulated microbial decomposers, and whether this stimulation depended on the quality of the ingested litter. Microbial activity was stimulated in feces derived from recalcitrant litter, but not in feces derived from litter of higher initial quality. In conclusion, the consequences of litter transformation into macroarthropod feces for microbial decomposers is litter species-specific which may further contribute to litter diversity effects.The data collected during my PhD thesis shows that the functional diversity of trees can affect litter decomposition through various mechanisms during different stages of decomposition. As a result of this complexity, the consequences of changes in biodiversity for the carbon and nutrient cycles in European forests can be substantial, but are presently difficult to predict and to generalize.

Submitted by Fabricia Fialho Reginato (fabriciar) on 2015-08-03T22:53:16Z No. of bitstreams: 1 MarceloCaetano.pdf: 5404511 bytes, checksum: f5ccf4e834b73eeb355f4e39a14ef0cf (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-08-03T22:53:16Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 MarceloCaetano.pdf: 5404511 bytes, checksum: f5ccf4e834b73eeb355f4e39a14ef0cf (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-03 / Caixa Econômica Federal / CNPQ – Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / FINEP - Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos / MMA - Ministério do meio Ambiente / PROSAB - Programa de Pesquisa em Saneamento Básico / UNISINOS - Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos / Em lixiviados de Aterros Sanitários (LAS), o nitrogênio amoniacal (NA) pode alcançar concentrações superiores a 2000 mg/L e, se disposto no meio ambiente sob estas concentrações, pode causar severos impactos ambientais e à saúde pública. Entre as alternativas para remoção de NA de lixiviados, o processo de “stripping” é um dos métodos utilizados mundialmente e que se destaca tecnicamente. O objetivo deste trabalho foi o estudo da remoção de amônia por “stripping” do lixiviado proveniente do Aterro Sanitário de São Leopoldo/RS, utilizando um processo físico de tratamento. O estudo foi desenvolvido através de ensaios de batelada em Reator de Chicanas (RC) precedidos por ensaios de bancada que empregaram Teste de Jarros. As variáveis testadas para o monitoramento do experimento foram: concentração inicial de NA e vazão de recirculação de lixiviado; sendo realizadas amostragens e análises físicoquímicas dos seguintes parâmetros: pH, DQO, temperatura, série de nitrogênio, série de sólidos, alcalinidade, nitrito e nitrato para verificação da eficiência do sistema. Em nenhum dos ensaios foi promovido a alteração do pH e/ou temperatura do lixiviado. Os resultados mostraram, para um tempo de detenção hidráulica (TDH) de 12 dias, uma remoção de NA variando de 27% a 52%, porém não sendo suficiente para o atendimento dos padrões nacionais legislativos de emissão de efluentes em recursos hídricos. O parâmetro “temperatura”, estatisticamente, mostrou influenciar na remoção de NA, sendo obtidos maiores remoções para temperaturas ambiente superiores a 20ºC. Para as condições avaliadas por esta dissertação, conclui-se que, em temperaturas ambiente superiores a 20ºC a melhor opção técnica-ambiental de tratamento de LAS é a utilização, no RC, de vazão de recirculação de lixiviado de 1,7 m³/h. Já para temperaturas inferiores a 20ºC, o melhor desempenho do RC ocorreu com vazão de recirculação 0,0m³/h (sem bomba); o que representa uma redução do consumo de energia, entretanto sugere-se um aumento do TDH. Pelos resultados conseguidos, o RC se torna uma opção viável tecnicamente para tratamento de LAS, como um processo físico para remoção de amônia por “stripping”, podendo ser indicado como um pré- tratamento aos sistemas biológicos. / The ammoniacal nitrogen (AN) from landfill leachates (LL) may cause severe impacts on the environment and public health if disposal at concentrations above 2000 mg/L. The stripping process is one of the methods worldwide used and technically outstanding among the alternatives for AN removal from leachates. The study of physical treatment process for removal of ammonia from the leachate in a landfill in São Leopoldo/RS was the objective of this work. The study was developed through batch tests in a baffle reactor (BR) that was previous by bench tests using the jar test. The variables tested to monitor the experiment were: initial concentration of AN and leachate recirculation flow. Samplings and physicochemical analyses of the following parameters were performed: pH, COD, temperature, nitrogen series, solids series, alkalinity, nitrite and nitrate to verify system efficiency. None of the assays was realized changes in pH and/or temperature in leachate. The hydraulic detention time (HDT) of 12 days resulted in AN removal ranging from 27% to 52%. However, this is not sufficient to comply with the national legislative standards of effluent emission into water resources. Statistically the “temperature” parameter showed influence on AN removal and greater removals were obtained for ambient temperatures above 20ºC. For the evaluated conditions was conclude that the best technical-enviromental option for treatment of LL is the leachate recirculation flow of 1.7 m³/h at temperatures higher than 20ºC. On the other hand, for temperatures below 20ºC the best BR performance occurred with leachate recirculation flow of 0.0 m³/h (without pump). This represents a reduction of energy consumes but is necessary an increase of HDT. According to the results obtained, the BR is a technically feasible option to treat LL as a physical process to remove ammonia by stripping and it may be indicated as a pre-treatment before biological systems.

As cinzas resultantes da queima de carvão por usinas termelétricas tem sido uma fonte de contaminação constante devido a seu descarte sobre o solo de forma inadequada. Os elementos tóxicos presentes na cinza de carvão quando lixiviados da cinza para o solo podem ficar biodisponíveis e serem absorvidos por plantas, consumidos por animais ou ainda transportados para diversas matrizes ambientais, tais como, águas subterrâneas e águas superficiais. Ensaio de germinação e desenvolvimento das radículas de Lactuca sativa e ensaio de toxicidade aguda com Daphnia similis foram realizados para avaliar a toxicidade dos percolados de colunas de cinza de carvão e de solo com cinza de carvão. De acordo com os valores obtidos por meio dos ensaios de germinação e desenvolvimento das radículas de L. sativa foram observados efeitos tóxicos à germinação das sementes de L. sativa nos percolados da coluna de cinza de carvão. Os valores médios de CI50(120h) destes percolados variaram de 27,6 a 90,6% e os valores do índice de germinação (IG) variaram de 6,7 a 40,8. Nos ensaios de toxicidade aguda com os organismos teste D. similis também foram observados efeitos tóxicos à mobilidade e/ou sobrevivência dos organismos expostos aos percolados da coluna de cinza de carvão. Os valores obtidos para CE50(48h) nestes percolados variaram de 25,6 a 84,1%. Os percolados das colunas de solo com cinza de carvão não apresentaram toxicidade tanto à L. sativa como à D. similis. Os resultados obtidos por meio destes ensaios ecotoxicológicos para os percolados das colunas de cinza de carvão e de solo com cinza de carvão indicam que o solo das colunas retiveram as substâncias tóxicas lixiviadas da cinza de carvão, ou seja, os solos utilizados nestas colunas atuaram como filtros. / The coal fly ash of power plants has been a constant source of contamination due to the improperly disposed on the soil. The toxic elements leached from coal fly ash when in contact with soil could become bioavailable and be absorbed by plants, consumed by animals or transported to different environmental matrices, such as groundwater and surface water. Seed germination and root elongation tests with Lactuca sativa and acute toxicity tests with Daphnia similis were done to evaluate the toxicity of the leachate from coal fly ash and soil with coal fly ash columns. According to the values obtained for the seed germination and root elongation tests were observed toxic effects to seed germination of L. sativa for the leachates from coal fly ash column. The mean values of IC50(120h) for these leachates ranged from 27.6 to 90.6% and the germination index values (IG) ranged from 6.7 to 40.8. In the acute toxicity tests with test organisms D. similis were also observed toxic effects to mobility and/or survival of organisms exposed to leachates of the coal fly ash column. The values obtained for EC50(48h) for these leachates range from 25.6 to 84.1%. The leachates of soil with coal fly ash columns not presented toxicity to both test organisms, L. sativa and D. similis. The data obtained by these ecotoxicological tests to the leachates of soil coal fly ash and soil with coal fly ash columns indicate that the soil of the columns have retained the toxic substances leached from the coal fly ash, thus the soils used in these columns have acted as filters.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Tekn. högsk. / Härtill 6 uppsatser.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Sveriges lantbruksuniv., 2008. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.