http://www.ijehse.com The latest research articles published by Journal of Environmental Health Science and Engineering 2013-06-19T00:00:00Z Catechol is used in many industries. It can be removed from wastewater by various methods but biological processes are the most superior and commonly used technology. The SCR is a modified form of SBR used to degrade catechol. The objective of this study was to investigate the performance of SCR for biodegradation and mineralization of catechol under various inlet concentrations (630--1500 mg/L) and hydraulic retention times (HRT) (18--9 h). This study used a bench scale SCR setup to test catechol degradation. The acclimation time of biomass for catechol at degradation at 630 mg/L was 41 d. The SCR operating cycle time was 6 h and the consecutive times taken for aerating, settling and decanting were 4, 1.5 and 0.5 h, respectively. This study investigated the effects of inlet catechol concentration (630--1560 mg/L) and HRT (18--9 h). The average catechol removal efficiencies in steady-state conditions of 630, 930, 12954 and 1559 mg/L of catechol were 98.5%, 98.5%, 98.2% and 96.9% in terms catechol and 97.8%, 97.7%, 96.4% and 94.3% for COD, respectively. SCR with acclimated biomasses could effectively remove the catechol and the corresponding COD from wastewater with concentrations of up to 1560, at the loading rate of 5.38 kg COD/m3.d and at a HRT of up to 13 h. The HRT was determined as an important variable affecting catechol removal from wastewater. Reducing the HRT to below 13 h led to reduced removal of catechol and COD. http://www.ijehse.com/content/11/1/3 Ali Aghapour Gholamreza Moussavi Kamyar Yaghmaeian Journal of Environmental Health Science and Engineering 2013, null:3 2013-06-19T00:00:00Z doi:10.1186/2052-336X-11-3 /content/figures/2052-336X-11-3-toc.gif Journal of Environmental Health Science and Engineering 2052-336X ${item.volume} 3 2013-06-19T00:00:00Z PDF The aim of this study was to investigate the performance of a two-stage fluidized bed reactor (FBR) system for the post-treatment of secondary wastewater treatment plant effluents (Shahrak Gharb, Tehran, Iran). The proposed treatment scheme was evaluated using pilot-scale reactors (106-L of capacity) filled with PVC as the fluidized bed (first stage) and gravel for the filtration purpose (second stage). Aluminum sulfate (30 mg/L) and chlorine (1 mg/L) were used for the coagulation and disinfection of the effluent, respectively. To monitor the performance of the FBR system, variation of several parameters (biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), chemical oxygen demand (COD), turbidity, total phosphorous, total coliform and fecal coliform) were monitored in the effluent wastewater samples. The results showed that the proposed system could effectively reduce BOD5 and COD below 1.95 and 4.06 mg/L, respectively. Turbidity of the effluent could be achieved below 0.75 NTU, which was lower than those reported for the disinfection purpose. The total phosphorus was reduced to 0.52 mg/L, which was near the present phosphorous standard for the prevention of eutrophication process. Depending on both microorganism concentration and applied surface loading rates (5--10 m/h), about 35 to 75% and 67 to 97% of coliform were removed without and with the chlorine addition, respectively. Findings of this study clearly confirmed the efficiency of the FBR system for the post-treatment of the secondary wastewater treatment plant effluents without any solid problem during the chlorination. http://www.ijehse.com/content/11/1/10 Golam Hossein Safari Kaan Yetilmezsoy Amir Hossein Mavi Mansur Zarrabi Journal of Environmental Health Science and Engineering 2013, null:10 2013-06-17T00:00:00Z doi:10.1186/2052-336X-11-10 /content/figures/2052-336X-11-10-toc.gif Journal of Environmental Health Science and Engineering 2052-336X ${item.volume} 10 2013-06-17T00:00:00Z PDF In this study, high permeability flat sheet polysulfone nanofiltration membranes were prepared for amoxicillin (AMX) recovery from pharmaceutical wastewater. Membrane fabrication includes two steps: raw ultrafiltration membrane synthesis by phase inversion method and nanaofiltration membrane synthesis by surface photopolymerization. Raw ultrafiltration membranes were synthesized using different molecular weights of polyethylene glycol (PEG) as pore former and different coagulation bath temperatures (CBTs). The synthesized ultrafiltration membranes were modified using UV-assisted polymerization technique and their performance in the separation of AMX at different pHs, were studied. The results showed that the more irradiation time, the smaller surface pore size. Moreover, the membranes made with higher molecular weight of PEG and coagulation bath temperatures were more susceptible for UV-modification at these conditions; fabricated membranes had higher flux as well as relatively high AMX separation. Moreover, pH enhancement increased AMX rejection by 85%. The effect of irradiation on membrane surface morphology was studied by SEM surface images and the morphological effects of pore former and coagulation bath temperatures on membrane structure were confirmed by SEM cross section images. A fairly comprehensive discussion about the effects of PEG, coagulation bath temperature and irradiation time on membrane structure and AMX recovery performance was represented in this study. http://www.ijehse.com/content/11/1/9 Reza Derakhsheshpoor Maryam Homayoonfal Ahmad Akbari Mohammad Mehrnia Journal of Environmental Health Science and Engineering 2013, null:9 2013-06-13T00:00:00Z doi:10.1186/2052-336X-11-9 /content/figures/2052-336X-11-9-toc.gif Journal of Environmental Health Science and Engineering 2052-336X ${item.volume} 9 2013-06-13T00:00:00Z PDF The high-strength wastewater is now well known as a threat to the natural water since it is highly possible to arouse water eutrophication or algal blooms. The effects of various light emitting diode wavelengths and intensities on the microalgae biological wastewater treatment system was studied in this research. The various nutrient removals and economic efficiencies represented similar variation trends, and these variations under both high C and N loading treatments were similar too. The order for microalgae C. vulgaris reproduction in terms of dry weight and nutrient removal efficiency both were red > white > yellow > blue, under high carbon and nitrogen loading treatments, indicating that the red light was the optimum light wavelength. Furthermore, considering the optimal light intensity in terms of nutrient removal efficiency was 2500 and 2000 mumol/m2[bullet]s, while in terms of economic efficiency was 1000, 1500 and 2000 mumol/m2[bullet]s. Therefore, the optimum light intensity was found to be 2000 mumol/m2[bullet]s. In addition, the optimal experimental illumination time was determined as 120 h. The Chlorella vulgaris microalgae biological wastewater treatment system utilized in this research was able to purify the high-strength carbon and nitrogen wastewater effectively under optimum light wavelength and intensity. http://www.ijehse.com/content/11/1/8 Zhigang Ge Hui Zhang Yuejin Zhang Cheng Yan Yongjun Zhao Journal of Environmental Health Science and Engineering 2013, null:8 2013-06-13T00:00:00Z doi:10.1186/2052-336X-11-8 /content/figures/2052-336X-11-8-toc.gif Journal of Environmental Health Science and Engineering 2052-336X ${item.volume} 8 2013-06-13T00:00:00Z PDF The concentrations of heavy metals (Ag, Cd, Co, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn) were analyzed in muscle, skin and liver of Anatolian Khramulya, Capoeta tinca (Heckel, 1843) from Caml[latin small letter dotless i]goze Dam Lake located at Central Anatolian region of Turkey. The heavy metal analysis of samples was carried out by using a flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Ag, Cd, Co, Pb and Zn were found in all of the examined tissues. Cu and Ni were not determined in all tissues studied. The mean concentrations of heavy metals in all of the examined tissues of Capoeta tinca were as follows: Ag: 0.057 +/- 0.038--0.120 +/- 0.051, Cd: 0.020 +/- 0.004--1.451 +/- 0.879, Co: 0.127 +/- 0.067--0.205 +/- 0.086, Pb: 1.939 +/- 0.477--2.604 +/- 0.393 and Zn: 0.056 +/- 0.014--0.530 +/- 0.129 mug/g in Caml[latin small letter dotless i]goze Dam Lake. According to international criterias and Turkish regulation, heavy metal concentrations especially Cd and Pb in Caml[latin small letter dotless i]goze Dam Lake were found above the permissible levels for examined tissues of Capoeta tinca. Furthermore, frequent consumption of contaminated fish is able to offer a serious public health risk. Therefore, the concentrations of metals accumulated in the fish, which are commonly consumed by public, should be monitored periodically in Caml[latin small letter dotless i]goze Dam Lake. http://www.ijehse.com/content/11/1/7 Seher Dirican Süleyman Çilek Hakan Çiftçi Mutluhan B¿y¿ko¿lu Servet Karaç¿nar Ahmet Yoku¿ Journal of Environmental Health Science and Engineering 2013, null:7 2013-06-13T00:00:00Z doi:10.1186/2052-336X-11-7 /content/figures/2052-336X-11-7-toc.gif Journal of Environmental Health Science and Engineering 2052-336X ${item.volume} 7 2013-06-13T00:00:00Z PDF Atrazine is widely used in the agriculture as an herbicide. Due to its high mobility, Atrazine leaks into the groundwaters, surface waters, and drinking water wells. Many physical and chemical methods have been suggested for removing Atrazine from aquatic environments. However, these methods are very costly, have many performance problems, produce a lot of toxic intermediates which are very harmful and dangerous, and cannot completely mineralize Atrazine. In this study, biodegradation of Atrazine by microbial consortium was evaluated in the aquatic environment. In order to assess the Atrazine removal from the aquatic environment, submerged biological aerated filter (SBAF) was fed with synthetic wastewater based on sucrose and Atrazine at different hydraulic retention times (HRTs). The maximum efficiencies for Atrazine and Soluble Chemical Oxygen Demand (SCOD) removal were 97.9% and 98.9%, respectively. The study findings showed that Stover-Kincannon model had very good fitness (R2 > 99%) in loading Atrazine in the biofilter and by increasing the initial concentration of Atrazine, the removal efficiency increased. Aerobic mixed biofilm culture was observed to be suitable for the treatment of Atrazine from aquatic environment. There was no significant inhibition effect on mixed aerobic microbial consortia. Atrazine degradation depended on the strength of wastewater and the amount of Atrazine in the influent. http://www.ijehse.com/content/11/1/6 Mohammad Baghapour Simin Nasseri Zahra Derakhshan Journal of Environmental Health Science and Engineering 2013, null:6 2013-06-12T00:00:00Z doi:10.1186/2052-336X-11-6 /content/figures/2052-336X-11-6-toc.gif Journal of Environmental Health Science and Engineering 2052-336X ${item.volume} 6 2013-06-12T00:00:00Z PDF The report released by the Intergovernmental Committee for Climate Change indicates that Romania ranks among the top seven countries in Europe that would be strongly impacted by aridity in the next few years, with climate changes consisting in a rise of average annual temperatures by as much as 5[degree sign]C. The research work was conducted in the South of the Oltenia South-Western Development Region, where more than 700,000 hectares of farmland is impacted by aridification, more than 100,000 hectares among them impacted by aridity. Research methodology encompassed the analysis of average annual temperatures over the time span data was available for, at three weather stations, an analysis of average annual precipitations, an analysis of the piezometric data, the evolution of land use as a result of the expansion of the aridity process. The assessment of the aridity process also involved taking into consideration the state of the vegetation by means of the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), used to assess the quality of the vegetal stratum, an important element in the complex analysis of the territory. The aridity process is an effect of global warming, and, based on the results of this study, the post-1990 escalation of its effects was brought about by socio-economic factors. The destruction of the irrigation systems and protective forest belts because of the uncertain situation of land ownership are the main factors that contributed to amplification of the effects of aridity on the efficiency of agricultural systems that nowadays are exposed to very high risks. http://www.ijehse.com/content/11/1/3 Daniel Peptenatu Igor Sîrodoev Remus Pravalie Journal of Environmental Health Science and Engineering 2013, null:5 2013-05-24T00:00:00Z doi:10.1186/2052-336X-11-3 /content/figures/2052-336X-11-5-toc.gif Journal of Environmental Health Science and Engineering 2052-336X ${item.volume} 5 2013-05-24T00:00:00Z PDF Background: Group A rotaviruses are the most significant cause of acute gastroenteritis in children worldwide. Rotaviruses are shed in high numbers and dispersed widely throughout bodies of water in the environment. This represents a significant health hazard for humans, mainly due to the stability of the viruses during wastewater treatment processes. This study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of rotaviruses, to determine G genotypes of circulating rotaviruses and to assess the efficiency of rotavirus removal in urban and hospital sewage treatment plants in Shiraz, Iran.Materials and methods: During the period from October 2010 to June 2011, a total of sixty sewage samples from urban and hospital sewage disposal systems were collected by Grab Sampling in Shiraz, Iran. All the samples were concentrated in pellet form and two-phase methods and then group A rotaviruses were investigated with enzyme immunoassays (EIA). Rotavirus-positive specimens were genotyped by the nested RT-PCR and by using different types of specific primers. Results: In total, rotaviruses were identified in 25% (15 cases) of sewage samples, representing 73.33% (11 cases) of influent and 26.67% (4 cases) of effluent systems. The frequency of rotavirus detection in autumn, winter and spring was 46.67%, 33.33% and 20%, respectively (P= 0.004). The most common circulating genotype was G1 (73.33%), followed by G1G4 (20%) and non-typeable (6.67%), respectively. Conclusions: The high prevalence of rotaviruses in urban and hospital sewage systems highlights the importance of environmental surveillance as a tool to detect new genotypes and to investigate the epidemiology of rotaviruses circulating in the community. http://www.ijehse.com/content/11/1/2 Mohammad Kargar Negin Javdani Akram Najafi Yahya Tahamtan Journal of Environmental Health Science and Engineering 2013, null:4 2013-05-24T00:00:00Z doi:10.1186/2052-336X-11-2 /content/figures/2052-336X-11-4-toc.gif Journal of Environmental Health Science and Engineering 2052-336X ${item.volume} 4 2013-05-24T00:00:00Z PDF The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of using nonmetallic printed circuit board (PCB) waste as filler in recycled HDPE (rHDPE) in production of rHDPE/PCB composites. Maleic anhydride modified linear low-density polyethylene (MAPE) was used as compatibilizer. In particular, the effects of nonmetallic PCB and MAPE on mechanical properties of the composites were assessed through tensile, flexural and impact testing. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to study the dispersion of nonmetallic PCB and MAPE in the matrix. Nonmetallic PCB was blended with rHDPE from 0--30 wt% and prepared by counter-rotating twin screw extruder followed by molding into test samples via hot press for analysis. A good balance between stiffness, strength and toughness was achieved for the system containing 30 wt% PCB. Thus, this system was chosen in order to investigate the effect of the compatibilizer on the mechanical properties of the composites. The results indicate that MAPE as a compatiblizer can effectively promote the interfacial adhesion between nonmetallic PCB and rHDPE. The addition of 6 phr MAPE increased the flexural strength, tensile strength and impact strength by 71%, 98% and 44% respectively compared to the uncompatibilized composites. http://www.ijehse.com/content/10/1/33 Shantha Muniyandi Johan Sohaili Azman Hassan Siti Mohamad Journal of Environmental Health Science and Engineering 2013, null:2 2013-05-10T00:00:00Z doi:10.1186/1735-2746-10-33 /content/figures/2052-336X-11-2-toc.gif Journal of Environmental Health Science and Engineering 2052-336X ${item.volume} 2 2013-05-10T00:00:00Z PDF Developing a water quality index which is used to convert the water quality dataset into a single number is the most important task of most water quality monitoring programmes. As the water quality index setup is based on different local obstacles, it is not feasible to introduce a definite water quality index to reveal the water quality level. In this study, an innovative software application, the Iranian Water Quality Index Software (IWQIS), is presented in order to facilitate calculation of a water quality index based on dynamic weight factors, which will help users to compute the water quality index in cases where some parameters are missing from the datasets. A dataset containing 735 water samples of drinking water quality in different parts of the country was used to show the performance of this software using different criteria parameters. The software proved to be an efficient tool to facilitate the setup of water quality indices based on flexible use of variables and water quality databases. http://www.ijehse.com/content/10/1/32 Ramin Nabizadeh Maryam Valadi Amin Mahmood Alimohammadi Kazem Naddafi Amir Mahvi Samira Yousefzadeh Journal of Environmental Health Science and Engineering 2013, null:1 2013-04-26T00:00:00Z doi:10.1186/2052-336X-10-32 /content/figures/2052-336X-11-1-toc.gif Journal of Environmental Health Science and Engineering 2052-336X ${item.volume} 1 2013-04-26T00:00:00Z PDF