1.
Current status and future prospects of sewer biofilms: Their structure, influencing factors, and substance transformations.
Li, W, Zheng, T, Ma, Y, Liu, J
The Science of the total environment. 2019;:133815
Abstract
With rapid urbanization, sewer systems are extensively being constructed for the collection and transportation of sewage to minimize the severe environmental and health issues, especially relating to the spread diseases. The existence of abundant biofilms on the inner walls of sewers could lead to potential risks such as sewer explosions, poisonous gas leaks, and pipe corrosions with the transformations of various kinds of pollutants. Therefore, it is urgent to clarify their inner mechanisms to safely govern sewer systems. In this study, the characteristics of sewer biofilms including their structure, influencing factors, and substance transformations were analyzed in-depth. The results reveal that sewer biofilms (1.0 mm depth approximately) consist of large quantities of inorganic and some organic substances, while the abundant functional genus of the bacteria and archaea are summarized. Sewer biofilms influencing factors were determined to be sewer operation mode, sewage characteristics, and shear stress. Further, the transformation of organics, sulfur, and nitrogen as well as emerging micropollutants (such as, biomarkers, antibiotic resistance genes, and engineered nanoparticles) was investigated to guarantee sewer security and public health. Therefore, the current review could be considered as guidance for researchers and decision-makers.
2.
Effects of the substrate depth on purification performance of a hybrid constructed wetland treating domestic sewage.
Ren, YX, Zhang, H, Wang, C, Yang, YZ, Qin, Z, Ma, Y
Journal of environmental science and health. Part A, Toxic/hazardous substances & environmental engineering. 2011;(7):777-82
Abstract
The depth of substrate in constructed wetlands (CWs) has a significant effect on the construction investment and the purification performance of CWs. In this study, a pilot scale CW system was operated in a domestic sewage treatment plant in Xi'an, China. The experimental systems included three-series CWs systems with substrate depths of 0.1m, 0.3 m and 0.6 m, respectively. Each series was composed of a hydroponic ditch, a horizontal subsurface flow CW and a vertical flow CW. The effluent from the primary clarifier in the sewage treatment plant was intermittently conducted to the wetlands at a flow rate of 0.3 m(3)/d. The hydraulic loading rate of each CWs system was regulated at 0.1 m(3)/m(2).d and the hydraulic retention time was 3 days. Canna indica L. was planted both in the hydroponic ditches and the CWs systems. Results showed that the highest removal efficiency of NH(+)(4)-N and TP was obtained in the hybrid CW with 0.1 m substrate depth. The average removal efficiency for NH(+)(4)-N and TP were 90.6 % and 80.0 %, respectively. The highest average removal efficiency of COD was obtained in hybrid CWs system with 0.6 m substrate depth. Therefore, a simultaneous removal of COD and nutrients can be achieved through the combination of different wetlands using different substrate depths. In addition, the substrate depth presents significant effects on the concentration of DO and root growth characteristics of canna in the system. As a result, the highest concentration of DO (>2 mg/L) and the highest amount of roots production were achieved in the 0.1 m substrate depth horizontal and vertical flow CWs.
3.
Short-cut nitrification of domestic wastewater in a pilot-scale A/O nitrogen removal plant.
Wang, X, Ma, Y, Peng, Y, Wang, S
Bioprocess and biosystems engineering. 2007;(2):91-7
Abstract
The feasibility of nitrite accumulation in a pilot-scale A/O (anoxic/oxic) nitrogen removal plant treating domestic wastewater was investigated at various dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations and pH levels. The results showed that the pH was not a useful operational parameter to realize nitrite accumulation. Significant nitrite accumulation was observed at the low DO concentration range of 0.3-0.8 mg/l and the maximum nitrite accumulation ratio of about 90% occurred at a DO concentration of 0.6 mg/l. This suggests a reduction of 22% in the oxygen consumption, and therefore a considerable saving in aeration. However, the nitrite accumulation was destroyed at the high DO concentration and the resumption was very slow. In addition, the average ammonia removal efficiency reached as high as 93% at the low DO level. Moreover, experimental results indicated that nitrogen could be removed by simultaneous nitrification and denitrification (SND) via nitrite in the aerobic zones at the low DO concentration, with the efficiency of 6-12%.