by Wong Suk Ying. / Thesis submitted in: November 2001. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 144-157). / Text in English; abstracts in English and Chinese. / by Wong Suk Ying. / Acknowledgments --- p.i / Abstract --- p.ii / Contents --- p.v / List of Figures --- p.x / List of Tables --- p.xvi / Chapter 1. --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Electroplating Industry in Hong Kong --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.1 --- Typical stages in electroplating process --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.1.1 --- Pre-treatment --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.1.2 --- Electroplating --- p.3 / Chapter 1.1.1.3 --- Post-treatment --- p.3 / Chapter 1.1.2 --- Typical characteristics of wastestreams from electroplating industry --- p.3 / Chapter 1.2 --- Chemical Specific Approach against Toxicity Based Approach --- p.6 / Chapter 1.3 --- Ecotoxicological Study on Electroplating Effluent --- p.7 / Chapter 1.4 --- Toxicity Identification Evaluation --- p.8 / Chapter 1.4.1 --- Phase I: Toxicity Characterization --- p.9 / Chapter 1.4.2 --- Phase II: Toxicity Identification --- p.10 / Chapter 1.4.3 --- Phase III: Toxicity Confirmation --- p.12 / Chapter 1.5 --- Toxicity Identification Evaluation on Electroplating Effluent --- p.14 / Chapter 1.6 --- Selection of Organisms for Bioassays --- p.15 / Chapter 1.6.1 --- Organism used for toxicity identification evaluation --- p.17 / Chapter 2. --- OBJECTIVES --- p.20 / Chapter 3. --- MATERIALS AND METHODS --- p.21 / Chapter 3.1 --- Source of Samples --- p.21 / Chapter 3.2 --- Toxicity Identification Evaluation: Phase I Baseline Toxicity Test --- p.21 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Microtox® test --- p.23 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Growth inhibition test of a marine unicellular microalga Chlorella pyrenoidosa CU-2 --- p.25 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Survival test of a marine amphipod Hylae crassicornis --- p.28 / Chapter 3.2.4 --- Survival test of a marine shrimp juvenile Metapenaeus ensis --- p.31 / Chapter 3.3 --- Toxicity Identification Evaluation: Phase I Toxicity Characterization --- p.34 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- pH adjustment filtration test --- p.35 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Aeration test --- p.36 / Chapter 3.3.3 --- C18 solid phase extraction test --- p.37 / Chapter 3.3.4 --- EDTA chelation test --- p.38 / Chapter 3.3.5 --- Graduated pH test --- p.40 / Chapter 3.4 --- Toxicity Identification Evaluation: Phase II Toxicity Identification --- p.41 / Chapter 3.4.1 --- Filter extraction test --- p.41 / Chapter 3.4.2 --- Total metal content analysis --- p.42 / Chapter 3.5 --- Toxicity Identification Evaluation: Phase III Toxicity Confirmation --- p.43 / Chapter 3.5.1 --- Chemicals --- p.44 / Chapter 3.5.2 --- Mass balance test --- p.44 / Chapter 3.5.3 --- Spiking test --- p.44 / Chapter 4. --- RESULTS --- p.46 / Chapter 4.1 --- Chemical Characteristics of the Electroplating Effluent Samples --- p.46 / Chapter 4.2 --- Toxicity Identification Evaluation: Phase I Baseline Toxicity --- p.46 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Toxicity of electroplating effluent samples on Microtox® test --- p.46 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Toxicity of electroplating effluent samples on growth inhibition test of microalga Chlorella pyrenoidosa CU-2 --- p.46 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- Toxicity of electroplating effluent samples on survival test of amphipod Hyale crassicornis --- p.52 / Chapter 4.2.4 --- Toxicity of electroplating effluent samples on survival test of shrimp juvenile Metapenaeus ensis --- p.52 / Chapter 4.3 --- Toxicity Identification Evaluation: Phase I Toxicity Characterization --- p.52 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- Toxicity Characterization of electroplating effluent samples using Microtox® test --- p.56 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- Toxicity Characterization of electroplating effluent samples using microalgal growth inhibition test of Chlorella pyrenoidosa CU-2 --- p.59 / Chapter 4.3.3 --- Toxicity Characterization of electroplating effluent samples using survival test of amphipod Hyale crassicornis --- p.65 / Chapter 4.3.4 --- Toxicity Characterization of electroplating effluent samples using survival test of shrimp juvenile Metapenaeus ensis --- p.68 / Chapter 4.4 --- Toxicity Identification Evaluation: Phase II Toxicity Identification --- p.73 / Chapter 4.4.1 --- Metal analysis on the electroplating effluents --- p.75 / Chapter 4.4.2 --- Effect of filter extraction test on toxicity recovery of the electroplating effluent samples --- p.75 / Chapter 4.4.2.1 --- Microtox® test --- p.75 / Chapter 4.4.2.2 --- Growth inhibition test of microalga Chlorella pyrenoidosa CU-2 --- p.75 / Chapter 4.4.2.3 --- Survival test of amphipod Hyale crassicornis --- p.81 / Chapter 4.4.2.4 --- Survival test of shrimp juvenile Metapenaeus ensis --- p.90 / Chapter 4.4.3 --- Effect of filter extraction test on metal ions recovery of the electroplating effluent samples --- p.90 / Chapter 4.5 --- Toxicity Identification Evaluation: Phase III Toxicity Confirmation --- p.96 / Chapter 4.5.1 --- Mass balance test results on Microtox® test --- p.96 / Chapter 4.5.2 --- Mass balance test results on survival test of amphipod Hyale crassicornis --- p.104 / Chapter 4.5.3 --- Spiking test results on Microtox® test --- p.106 / Chapter 4.5.4 --- Spiking test results on survival test of amphipod Hyale crassicornis --- p.113 / Chapter 5. --- DISCUSSION --- p.118 / Chapter 5.1 --- Toxicity Identification Evaluation: Phase I Baseline Toxicity --- p.118 / Chapter 5.2 --- Toxicity Identification Evaluation: Phase I Toxicity Characterization --- p.119 / Chapter 5.2.1 --- pH adjustment filtration test --- p.119 / Chapter 5.2.2 --- Aeration test --- p.120 / Chapter 5.2.3 --- C18 solid phase extraction test --- p.120 / Chapter 5.2.4 --- EDTA chelation test --- p.120 / Chapter 5.2.5 --- Graduated pH test --- p.121 / Chapter 5.3 --- Toxicity Identification Evaluation: Phase II Toxicity Identification --- p.122 / Chapter 5.3.1 --- Metal analysis on the electroplating effluents --- p.122 / Chapter 5.3.2 --- Effect of filter extraction test on toxicity and metal ions recovery of the electroplating effluent samples --- p.123 / Chapter 5.3.3 --- Comparison between the concentrations of the metal ions in the electroplating effluent samples with the Technical Memorandum on standards for effluent discharged --- p.124 / Chapter 5.3.4 --- Comparison between the concentrations of the metal ions in the electroplating effluent samples with the toxicity of the metal ions reported in the literature --- p.124 / Chapter 5.3.4.1 --- Microtox® test --- p.126 / Chapter 5.3.4.2 --- Microalga --- p.126 / Chapter 5.3.4.3 --- Amphipod --- p.126 / Chapter 5.3.4.4 --- Shrimp --- p.126 / Chapter 5.4 --- Toxicity Identification Evaluation: Phase III Toxicity Confirmation --- p.131 / Chapter 5.4.1 --- Mass balance test on Microtox® test --- p.132 / Chapter 5.4.2 --- Mass balance test on survival test of amphipod Hyale crassicornis --- p.133 / Chapter 5.4.3 --- Spiking test on Microtox® test --- p.133 / Chapter 5.4.4 --- Spiking test on survival test of amphipod Hyale crassicornis --- p.134 / Chapter 5.5 --- Toxicity of the Metal Ions Identified as the Toxicants in the Electroplating Effluent --- p.135 / Chapter 5.5.1 --- Copper --- p.135 / Chapter 5.5.2 --- Nickel --- p.137 / Chapter 5.5.3 --- Zinc --- p.138 / Chapter 5.6 --- Summary --- p.140 / Chapter 6. --- CONCLUSIONS --- p.142 / Chapter 7. --- REFERENCES --- p.144 / Chapter 7.1 --- APPENDIXES --- p.158

The process of fluid injection into granular media is relevant to a wide number of applications such as enhanced oil recovery, grouting, and the construction of permeable reactive barriers. The response of the subsurface is dependent on multiple factors such as in-situ stresses, fluid properties, flow rate, and formation type. Based on these conditions a variety of response mechanisms can be initiated ranging from simple porous infiltration to hydraulic fracturing. Currently, the mechanics of fluid injection into competent rock are well understood and can be sufficiently modeled using linear elastic fracture mechanics. Because the grains in rock formations are individually cemented together, they exhibit cohesion and are able to support tensile stresses. The linear elastic method assumes tensile failure due to stress concentrations at the fracture tip. A fracture propagates when the stress intensity factor exceeds the material toughness (Detournay, 1988) However, understanding fluid injection in cohesionless granular media presents a much larger obstacle. Currently, no theoretical models have been developed to deal with granular media displacements due to fluid injection. Difficulty arises from the complexity of fluid rheology and composition used in engineering processes, the strong coupling between fluid flow and mechanical deformation, the non-linear response of subsurface media, and the multi-scale nature of the problem. The structure of this thesis is intended to first give the reader a basic background of some of the fundamental concepts for non-Newtonian fluid flow in granular media. Fluid properties as well as some interaction mechanisms are described in relation to the injection process. Next, the results from an experimental series of injection tests are presented with a discussion of the failure/flow processes taking place. We developed a novel technique which allows us to visualize the injection process by use of a transparent Hele-Shaw cell. Specifically, we will be using polyacrylamide solutions at a variety of concentrations to study non-Newtonian effects on the response within the Hele-Shaw cell. By performing tests at a range of solution concentrations and injection rates we are to be able to identify a transition from an infiltration dominated flow regime to a fracturing dominated regime.

published_or_final_version / Public Administration / Master / Master of Public Administration

published_or_final_version / Public Administration / Master / Master of Public Administration

Phylogenetic hybridization and phenotypic fingerprinting were applied to the analysis of bacterial communities in wastewater treatment systems. These approaches were aimed at (i) developing monitoring tools able to foresee operational problems, and (ii) providing the rationale to optimize the operation of bioreactors. The work presented is intended to first describe the community found in two reactors treating pulp and paper mill effluent, and second evaluate the possibilities of these techniques with respect to the development of new monitoring tools. / Phylogenetic membrane hybridization showed that the bacterial communities were dominated by Alpha and Beta Proteobacteria, a structure probably linked to the low F:M ratio. Other important factors determining the community structure were the proportion of COD in the high molecular weight fraction, the sludge age, phosphate addition, and the concentration of specific compounds (alcohols, phenols, volatile fatty acids) in the influent. The community structure partly determined the sludge characteristics demonstrating its potential value in the assessment of reactor performance. The results obtained by phylogenetic membrane hybridization suggest that the probes used in a monitoring tool would not need to be targeted to the species level to provide relevant information. However, they also suggest that the technique is more sensitive to changes in population density as opposed to changes in bacterial metabolism. / Phenotypic fingerprinting measured a smaller difference between the communities of the two reactors studied than what was measured by phylogenetic membrane hybridization. However, differences in heterotrophic activities observed between the two communities were linked to differences in influent composition.

Reported research has suggested that poor persons and/or minorities are disproportionately exposed to environmental hazards such as incinerators, landfills, pesticides, and poor air quality. One accepted form of an environmental hazard is a waste management facility. This present research examined the variables minority percentage and median household income of the population surrounding each waste management facility under scrutiny within Lake County, Indiana. The two variables were each correlated with distance from the center of each waste management facility (as determined through a geographic information system) to a distance of three kilometers. The materials and methods used in this particular research provided for a more precise analysis of such correlations than has typified most of the earlier studies. Three significant correlations were found. First, the Gary landfill rendered a positive relationship between distance from the center of the site and increased income. Second, the Munster landfill revealed a negative relationship between distance to the center of the site and increased minority percentage of the population. Lastly, the Munster landfill also had a negative relationship between income and distance from the center of the landfill. Data showed that the large proportion of minority households surrounding the Munster landfill earned an income that would easily allow for social mobility. Such social mobility, arguably, allows a household to move away from an environmental hazard. It was concluded that no support for a claim of environmental racism could be found. Further, a call for a re-examination of the definition of environmental racism is made based upon the large number of wealthy minorities residing around the Munster landfill. / Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management

Thesis (M.P.H.M. (Primary Health Care Management))--Mahidol University, 2008. / LICL has E-Thesis 0039 ; please contact computer services.

Thesis (M.Sc. Environmental Science)--University of Waikato, 2008. / Title from PDF cover (viewed April 24, 2009) Includes bibliographical references (p. 138-147)

Thesis (MTech (Civil Engineering))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017. / Currently in South Africa, most wastewater from small cellars is pH-adjusted and disposed of via land irrigation. This practice can lead to environmental degradation. There is a need for low cost, low maintenance solutions for the treatment of cellar effluent. Constructed wetlands provide such an option. However, the use of plants is problematic because winery effluent can be phytotoxic. After successful initial laboratory-scale experiments, an in-situ pilot scale biological sand filter (unplanted constructed wetland) system was designed, installed, and used to treat effluent from a small winery in the Western Cape, South Africa. The system is off-grid, totally self-regulating, and uses a modular approach which allows for the addition and subtraction of filter modules within the system to alter treatment capacity, retention time and/or rest filter modules. The system can be easily integrated into existing settling basins and/or retention ponds at small wineries. The biological sand filter was operational for 610 days, and showed promising results. The average chemical oxygen demand removal efficiency was 81% (range: 44-98%) with an average effluent of 324 mg/L, and an average flow rate of 413 L/day after the acclimation (start-up) period. The average hydraulic loading rate after the initial start-up period was 143 L/m3 sand day-1 (range: 67-222/m3 sand day-1), with an organic loading rate of 205 gCOD/m3 of sand day-1 (range: 83-338 gCOD/m3 sand day-1) which resulted in an organic removal rate of 164 gCOD/m3 of sand day-1. There was an average of 67% removal of total phenolics, thereby reducing the potential phytotoxicity of the effluent. In addition, there was a 1.6 times increase in calcium concentration, a 29% decrease in the average sodium adsorption ratio, and complete passive neutralisation of the acidic winery wastewater (final effluent pH range: 6.63 – 8.14. The findings of this study compare well with previous laboratory studies conducted with synthetic and authentic winery effluent. The system can potentially provide a low cost, energy efficient, low maintenance, sustainable means of treating cellar effluent at small wineries. Uptake of this technology may alleviate environmental degradation caused by irrigating land with inadequately treated effluent.

Thesis (MTech (Chemical Engineering))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017. / An increase in the demand for poultry products coupled with the potable water shortages currently experienced in South Africa (SA), attributed to climate change among other factors, makes it crucial for SA to develop water conservation strategies to minimize potable water consumption by water-intensive industries, such as the poultry industry. The development of innovative wastewater treatment processes is therefore paramount in attempting to counteract the large quantity of wastewater generated as well as to manage the environmental health concerns arising from poultry slaughterhouse wastewater (PSW) discharge into the environment. Moreover, increasing wastewater treatment costs and the implementation of increasingly stringent government legislation to mitigate environmental pollution whilst minimizing fresh water source contamination, requires that wastewater such as PSW, be adequately treated prior to discharge. This study, investigated the feasibility of treating PSW from a poultry slaughterhouse to: 1) a water quality standard compliant with industrial wastewater discharge standards and 2) for possible re-use purposes. The performance of a lab-scale PSW treatment system consisting of an anaerobic static granular bed reactor (SGBR) followed by single stage nitrificationdenitrification (SSND) bioreactor and sidestream ultrafiltration membrane module (ufMM) post-treatment systems, were evaluated, with the objective being to: assess the treatment efficiency of the individual treatment systems namely; the SGBR, SSND bioreactor, and ufMM, under varying operational conditions, as well as to determine the performance of the overall designed PSW treatment system. The down-flow SGBR (2 L) was used to reduce the organic matter (COD, BOD5, and FOG) and total suspended solids (TSS) in the PSW. Anaerobic granules from a full-scale mesophilic anaerobic reactor treating brewery wastewater were used to inoculate the SGBR, and the PSW used as feed was obtained from a local poultry slaughterhouse (Western Cape, South Africa). The SGBR was operated continuously at mesophilic temperature (35-37 °C) without pH modification and under varying HRTs (24, 36, 48, 55, and 96 h) and OLRs (0.73 to 12.49 g COD/Lday), for a period of 138 days. The optimization of the SGBR, with regard to a suitable HRT and OLR, was determined using response surface methodology (RSM) and Design Expert® 10.0.3 statistical software. Periodic backwashing of the SGBR system was performed using stored effluent, i.e. treated PSW.