VOC emissions from primary clarifier weirs

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emitted from wastewater treatment processes via stripping and volatilization. Significant progress has been made in modeling these emissions, but questions remain regarding operative mass transfer mechanisms in certain processes. In the case of flow over weirs and drop structures, two approaches have been presented: mass transfer is modeled as taking place either (1) entirely in the nappe, or (2) entirely in air bubbles entrained by falling water in the tailwater pool. In the present work, these two very different modeling approaches are evaluated using experimental results on liquid-side concentrations of chlorinated solvents above and below a primary clarifier weir. The model locating the primary emission mechanism within entrained air bubbles in the tailwater pool is found to predict observed liquid-side VOC concentrations better than the model which considers only emissions from the weir nappe.     

典型双季稻田基施碳酸氢铵和尿素的氨挥发损失研究

采用密闭室连续抽气法研究了湖南典型双季稻田,尿素和碳酸氢铵基施后的氨挥发特征。结果表明,基施碳酸氢铵(NC)稻田初始氨挥发强度和氨挥发总量大于基施尿素(UR)稻田。早稻季NC处理稻田氨挥发排放量为45.19 kg·hm-2,损失率达30.12%,UR处理氨挥发排放量为32.93 kg·hm-2,损失率达21.95%;晚稻季NC处理稻田氨挥发排放量为70.91 kg·hm-2,损失率达31.93%,UR处理氨挥发排放量为61.78 kg·hm-2,损失率达27.04%。基施尿素能够显著降低稻田氨挥发排放,减少氮素损失。     

Chemical changes induced by methyl jasmonate in oilseed rape grown in the laboratory and in the field

The effect of methyl jasmonate (MJ) spraying on the chemistry of Brassica plants was investigated. Glucosinolates (GLS) in the leaves, stems, and roots of laboratory-grown oilseed rape (Brassica rapa subsp. oleifera cv. Tuli and Valo) 3 and 7 days after MJ treatment were analyzed. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from whole oilseed rape plants were collected 3 days after MJ treatment. GLS were also analyzed from field-grown oilseed rape (cv. Valo) treated with MJ. The production of indolyl GLS in laboratory-grown oilseed rape, especially the concentration of 4-hydroxy-3-indolylmethyl (4-OH-glucobrassicin) in leaves, stems, and roots, 3-indolylmethyl (glucobrassicin) in stems, and 4-methoxy-3-indolylmethyl (4-methoxyglucobrassicin) in roots, was induced after MJ treatment. The VOC emission profile changed after MJ treatment, and homoterpene (E)-4,8-dimethyl-1,3,7-nonatriene (DMNT) was detected only in MJ-treated plants. The GLS concentration in the field-grown plants was significantly higher in MJ-treated plants than in control plants. These results suggest that spraying with MJ induces the production of secondary compounds, that is, GLS and VOCs, in Brassica plants. The induction of VOC emissions in oilseed rape is comparable to that caused by insect feeding damage. Thus, MJ-treated crop plants may become less palatable to insect herbivores and more attractive to natural enemies of herbivores.     

Simulations of ozone formation from different emission sources in sweden

An emission inventory concerning volatile organic compounds (VOC) and their emission profile linked to their sources in Sweden has been undertaken. The inventory has been used in model simulations to predict the ozone formation from different emission source categories in Sweden. The studies have been carried out using the IVL photochemical trajectory model for two types of air masses which describes clean and polluted air. In Sweden mobile sources contribute to 45 % by mass of the total national VOC emissions, 58 % of the NOx emissions and to at least 43 % of the ozone formation from national sources. In general, the ozone formation in Sweden is more dependent and sensitive to emissions of NOx rather than VOC.     

Mercury pathways in municipal wastewater treatment plants

A nine-week sampling and analysis program was completed at a large municipal wastewater treatment plant to characterize the fate of Hg entering the plant. Mercury removal in primary treatment averaged 79%, and the average Hg removal across the entire plant was approximately 96%. Mercury loadings on the secondary (activated sludge) treatment process were elevated to near plant influent levels due to the recycle of spent scrubber water from sewage sludge incinerator emissions control equipment. This internal recycle of spent incinerator scrubber water resulted in elevated Hg loadings to the incinerators, and effectively reduced the Hg control efficiency of the emissions control equipment to near zero. Measurements indicate that approximately 95% of the Hg mass entering the plant is discharged to the atmosphere via sludge incinerator emissions. These results indicate that municipal wastewater treatment facilities can remove Hg from wastewater quite effectively; however, where wastewater sludge is incinerated, almost the entire mass of Hg removed from the wastewater can be discharged to the atmosphere.     

The Influence of Biofilm Treatment Systems on Particle Size Distribution in Three Wastewater Treatment Plants

This article presents the results of a research study that analyzed the effect that secondary biofilm treatment systems had on particle size distribution (PSD) in the effluent of wastewater treatment plants. This study focused on three biofilm technologies (i.e. a submerged biofilter system, a trickling filter system, and a rotating biological contactor system) in three working urban wastewater treatment plants. For this purpose, the variation of the fit parameters was analyzed after modeling the PSD with the power law. The greatest reduction in particle number was obtained with the submerged biofilter system, followed by the trickling filter system. In contrast, the rotating biological contactor showed the smallest reduction in particle number under the conditions of our study. It was also found that the variation of the fit parameters of the PSD, caused by the wastewater treatments was related to other wastewater parameters, such as the chemical oxygen demand, suspended solids, and the mean particle size. This showed a direct relation between these parameters and the particles in wastewater.     

Using a Numerical Model to Track the Discharge of a Wastewater Treatment Plant in a Tidal Estuary

Along the coast of Maine, USA, there are numerous wastewater treatment plants that discharge their treated effluents into a river estuary which is shared by commercial fishing and shellfish harvesting. Occasionally, there can be failures or bypasses of treatment plants that lead to untreated or partially treated sewage flowing into shellfish harvesting waters. To prevent any toxic contamination of harvested shellfish, a prohibitive zone is established around the treatment plant where shellfish harvesting is prohibited. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has conducted numerous dye studies on both coasts of the USA to determine these prohibitive zones, based on the guidelines of the National Shellfish Sanitation Program. In May 2010, the FDA conducted such a dye study at the Yarmouth, Maine wastewater treatment plant. The results are compared with a numerical coastal model that provides the velocity field for the currents around the treatment plant. This model includes a diffusion equation to simulate dye dispersion from a point source which is used to determine the prohibitive zone. The numerical model shows good correlation with the FDA dye study report and establishes a prohibitive zone for commercial harvesting in keeping with that of the FDA study. The benefits of the numerical model include sampling at thousands of locations simultaneously, seasonal changes in river volumes, and changes in plant discharge volumes.     

A Module to Calculate Primary Particulate Matter Emissions and Abatement Measures in Europe

Primary particulate matter is emitted directly into the atmosphere from various anthropogenic and natural sources such as power plants (combustion of fossil fuels) or forest fires. Secondary particles are formed by transformation of SO₂, NO_x, NH₃, and VOC in the atmosphere. They both contribute to ambient particulate matter concentrations, which may have adverse effects on human health. Health hazards are caused by small particulate size, high number of especially fine (< 2.5 µm) and ultra-fine (< 0.1 µm) particles and/or their chemical composition. As part of an integrated assessment model developed at IIASA, a module on primary particulate matter (PM) emissions has been added to the existing SO₂, NO_x, NH₃ and VOC sections. The module considers so far primary emissions of total suspended particles (TSP), PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 from aggregated stationary and mobile sources. A primary PM emission database has been established. Country specific emission factors for stationary sources have been calculated within the module using the ash content of solid fuels.     

华北露地茄田氮肥减施综合方案的增效减排成效分析

2018年6-11月在华北露地茄田设置不施肥处理（CK）、常规施氮处理（N1）、减氮20%处理（N2）、减氮50%处理（N3）、减氮20%并施用抑制剂包膜尿素处理（N2I）及减氮20%并增施生物炭（N2B）6个处理。测定并分析不同氮肥减施综合方案对作物氮肥利用率、土壤氨挥发及N2O排放的影响。结果表明：（1）与常规施氮处理（N1）相比,减氮20%（N2）对茄子产量无显著影响,减氮50%处理（N3）茄子显著减产。施用抑制剂包膜尿素（N2I）或添加生物炭（N2B）可提高作物氮肥利用率。（2）土壤氨挥发、N2O排放与施肥关系密切,各施肥处理的氨挥发、N2O排放量均高于不施肥处理（CK）,两种气体的排放系数分别为9.6%～14.8% （氨）和0.9%～1.1%（ N2O）,排放通量峰值均出现于施肥之后。（3）与常规施氮（N1）相比,N2、N3、N2I和N2B的土壤氨挥发累积量分别降低20.3%、48.6%、41.7%和30.7%。在不影响产量的前提下,减氮20%并施用抑制剂包膜尿素处理（N2I）减排效果最好。（4）与常规施氮（N1）相比,N2、N3、N2I和N2B的N2O累积排放量分别降低21.5%、41.7%、44.2%和31.6%。N2I处理的累积排放量远低于常规施氮（N1）处理,与减氮50%处理（N3）的N2O累积水平相当。综上,减氮20%并施用抑制剂包膜尿素处理对蔬菜产量无显著影响,氮肥利用率有一定程度提高,且对环境风险小,主要体现为氨挥发和N2O减排效果显著,成本适中,是华北地区露地茄田增效减排的优选推荐方案。     

A Laboratory Method to Investigate Gaseous Emissions And Solids Decomposition During Composting Of Municipal Solid Wastes

A laboratory method was developed to quantify CO₂, NH₃ and VOC yields and to follow solids decomposition during composting of MSW or its components. All organic substrates were shredded, water and nutrients were added to near optimum levels prior to composting, and composting was continued until feed materials reached approximately the full extent of decomposition. Twenty five L stainless steel digesters were used and aluminum packing was mixed with the wastes to facilitate airflow. Thermophilic temperatures were maintained and air supplied in excess. Nutrients were added to reach an initial C/N ratio of approximately 30. CO₂ and NH₃ gases in the exit air stream were captured in alkaline and acidic solutions, respectively, and quantified through titration on a cumulative basis. VOC traps, prior to the gas traps, captured emitted volatile organic compounds, which were quantified on a cumulative basis. Solids were analyzed for hot water soluble matter, fats and lipids, cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin/humus. Food wastes, yard wastes and mixed paper produced approximately 368, 220 and 153 g C-CO₂/dry kg and approximately 40.5, 4.6 and 2.0 g N NH₃/dry kg of starting material, respectively. VOC volatilization profiles had a decreasing trend with composting. Partially composted MSW produced 8.2 mg/dry kg of 8 selected VOCs. CO₂, NH₃ and VOC recovery tests resulted in efficiencies of 98.6%, 97.6% and 94.6% respectively. Reproducibility of the solids decomposition and gaseous emissions measurements was observed. Carbon and nitrogen mass balance closures ranged from 85.5% to 117.1% and 32.2% to 175% respectively.     

不同施肥模式对设施生菜产量和氮损失的影响

  目的  探讨液体肥滴灌施肥模式和常规施肥模式对设施生菜产量和氮损失（氨挥发、氧化亚氮排放、硝态氮淋洗）的影响。  方法  采用田间小区试验,以日光温室生菜为对象,共设3个处理,分别为液体肥优化施肥模式（LF,170 kg hm?2 N,基肥不施氮肥 + 3次追肥）、固体水溶肥常规施肥模式（CF,200 kg hm?2 N,基肥 + 2次追肥）,以及不施氮对照（CK,0 kg hm?2 N,磷钾做基肥+清水滴灌）。安装水肥一体化设施进行追肥灌水,采用通气法和静态箱法收集并测定生菜生长季内氨挥发和氧化亚氮的排放。  结果  结果表明,与常规施肥处理（CF）相比,液体肥料处理（LF）在生长前期可以延迟氨挥发和氧化亚氮的排放高峰3 ~ 5 d,且在生长季内显著降低土壤氨挥发和氧化亚氮的排放量,减排率分别为24.6%和21.6%;应用液体肥料可以减少0 ~ 100 cm土层硝态氮残留21.0%,降低了氮素淋洗风险;与CF模式相比,LF模式在减氮15.0%的基础上,产量没有下降,氮肥利用率提高了32.4%。  结论  新型液体肥料优化施肥模式（LF）可以显著降低设施菜田氨挥发和氧化亚氮排放量,减轻土壤硝态氮淋洗风险,维持产量不降低并提高肥料利用效率,是一种节氮减排的绿色生产方式。     

Ciprofloxacin Resistance in Domestic Wastewater Treatment Plants

The potential of domestic wastewater treatment plants to contribute for the dissemination of ciprofloxacin-resistant bacteria was assessed. Differences on bacterial counts and percentage of resistance in the raw wastewater could not be explained on basis of the size of the plant or demographic characteristics of population served. In contrast, the treated effluent of the larger plants had significantly more heterotrophs and enterobacteria, including ciprofloxacin-resistant organisms, than the smaller (p?<?0.01). Moreover, longer hydraulic retention times were associated with significantly higher percentages of resistant enterobacteria in the treated effluent (p?<?0.05). Independently of the size or type of treatment used, domestic wastewater treatment plants discharged per day at least 10¹⁰–10¹⁴ colony forming units of ciprofloxacin-resistant bacteria into the receiving environment.     

Computerized Methodology for Evaluating Drinking Water Treatment Technologies: Part I

A computer based system, Best Available Technology Evaluator (BATE), has been developed for the evaluating cost and performance of the best available technologies for removing volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) from drinking water. The treatment processes considered are air stripping tower (AST), and air stripping with off-gas control by gas phase granular activated carbon (GPGAC) and liquid phase granular activated carbon (LPGAC). BATE is unique in its ability to model multicomponents, optimise total cost for different process configurations and yield the best process design for a given VOC scenario. This paper, the first in a two-part series, highlights a new cost optimization method for the AST with GPGAC system and a technique for combining mathematical models for efficient process design of AST and GPGAC processes. Discussion of LPGAC simulation results and comparison of an LPGAC system with AST and GPGAC processes for a variety of VOC scenarios will follow in the next paper.     

Suitability of Test Chambers for Analyzing Air Pollutant Removal by Plants and Assessing Potential Indoor Air Purification

A unique test chamber system, which enables experiments with plants under highly controlled environmental conditions, was used to examine the pollutant removal efficiency of plants. For this purpose, the removal of two different volatile organic compounds (VOC) (toluene, 2-ethylhexanol) from the air by aerial plant parts of two common indoor plant species (Dieffenbachia maculata and Spathiphyllum wallisii) was monitored. While the control over environmental conditions (temperature, relative humidity, CO₂ content, and light condition) worked very well in all experiments, control experiments with the empty chamber revealed high losses of VOC, especially 2-ethylhexanol, over the test duration of 48 h. Nonetheless, compared to the empty chamber, a significantly stronger and more rapid decline in the toluene as well as in the 2-ethylhexanol concentrations was observed when plants were present in the chamber. Interestingly, almost the same VOC removal as by aerial plant parts could be achieved by potting soil without plants. A comparative literature survey revealed substantial heterogeneity in previous results concerning the VOC removal efficiency of plants. This can be mainly attributed to a high diversity in experimental setup. The experimental setup used in the current study offers an excellent opportunity to examine also plant physiological responses to pollutant exposure (or other stressors) under highly controlled conditions. For the analysis of VOC removal under typical indoor conditions, to obtain data for the assessment of realistic VOC removal efficiencies by plants in rooms and offices, a guideline would be helpful to achieve more coherent findings in this field of research.     

Modelling Ammonia Losses After Field Application of Biogas Slurry in Energy Crop Rotations

Over the past few years the number of biogas slurries, which are generally used as nitrogen fertilisers, have seen a steady increase in Germany. A mechanistic ammonia volatilisation model was developed to predict the ammonia losses of these slurries when applied to bare soil, maize, wheat and rye grass canopies. Data for model development were collected from several field measurements carried out at two locations in Northern Germany between the years of 2007 and 2008. Additionally, the behaviour of the slurries on and in the soil was investigated through the use of infiltration pot experiments. The model includes three main compartments: slurry, atmosphere and soil. The soil compartment model is relatively simple, as the slurry infiltration, nitrification and ploughing dislocation into the soil determined in the experiments showed quantitatively no significant differences between the tested slurries (mono-fermented, co-fermented and pig slurry) and soils (sand soil and loamy sand). Hence, instead of a complex soil model, stable reduction factors, as derived from the experiments, were implemented in the model. Simulated ammonia emissions were statistically compared (root mean square error (RMSE), modelling efficiency (ME), linear regression) to the observed emissions. All evaluations showed an acceptable model performance (RMSE = 1.80 kg N ha⁻¹), although there were a few number of anomalies which could not be modelled in an adequate way. A model sensitivity analysis showed that temperature and slurry pH value are the main drivers of NH₃ volatilization in the model. Following a change of +1°C or of +0.1 pH unit ammonia volatilization will increase by about 1% and 1.6% of the applied total ammoniacal nitrogen, respectively. We were able to show that a simple model approach could explain most factors of ammonia volatilization in biogas crop rotations.     

Comparing the Effects of Aquatic Stressors on Model Temperate Freshwater Aquatic Communities

Nuisance odors generation from waste and wastewater treatment plants are a cause of public discomfort and complaints. This situation impairs the air quality and represents a growing social and public health problem, especially in developing countries. Several modeling approaches have been developed and successfully implemented in the frame of a wastewater treatment plant for both the biological treatment and physicochemical processes. The mathematical modeling of the odor generation process is still considered a quite complex issue, mainly due to the fact that olfactory nuisance can be caused by many different chemical compounds and the perception of odors is influenced by subjective thresholds. Moreover, the impact of odor sources on air quality is highly conditioned by complex atmospheric dispersion processes. This review presents a critical state-of-art and assessment where information related to odor emissions impact studies as well as modeling applications are compiled and discussed.     

华北平原水浇玉米-小麦轮作农田氨挥发与反硝化损失

Ammonia (NH3) volatilization, denitriflcation loss, and nitrous oxide (N2O) emission were investigated from an irrigated wheat-maize rotation field on the North China Plain, and the magnitude of gaseous N loss from denitrification and NH3 volatilization was assessed. The micrometeorological gradient diffusion method in conjunction with a Bowen Ratio system was utilized to measure actual NH3 fluxes over a large area, while the acetylene inhibition technique (intact soil cores) was employed for measurement of denitrification losses and N2O emissions. Ammonia volatilization loss was 26.62% of the applied fertilizer nitrogen (N) under maize, while 0.90% and 15.55% were lost from the wheat field at sowing and topdressing, respectively. The differences in NH3 volatilization between different measurement events may be due to differences between the fertilization methods, and to differences in climatic conditions such as soil temperature. Denitrification losses in the fertilized plots were 0.67%-2.87% and 0.31%-0.49% of the applied fertilizer N under maize and wheat after subtracting those of the controls, respectively. Nitrous oxide emissions in the fertilized plots were approximately 0.08%-0.41% and 0.26%-0.34% of the applied fertilizer N over the maize and wheat seasons after subtracting those of the controls, correspondingly. The fertilizer N losses due to NH3 volatilization were markedly higher than those through denitriflcation and nitrous oxide emissions. These results indicated that NH3 volatilization was an important N transformation in the crop-soil system and was likely to be the major cause of low efficiencies with N fertilizer in the study area. Denitriflcation was not a very important pathway of N fertilizer loss, but did result in important evolution of the greenhouse gas N2O and the effect of N2O emitted from agricultural fields on environment should not be overlooked.     

紫云英还田对单季稻田氨挥发的影响

为探究紫云英还田对单季稻田氨挥发损失的影响,以我国南方单季稻-紫云英种植模式为研究对象,采用盆栽试验,设置不施氮(CK)、尿素单施(N)、尿素与紫云英配施(NM)3个处理,研究紫云英还田对南方单季稻田NH_3挥发动态特征的影响。结果表明,N和NM的氨挥发通量在氮肥施用后第3天达到峰值(分别为10.8 kg·hm~(-2)·d-1和9.27 kg·hm~(-2)·d-1),之后迅速下降。在整个监测期间,氨挥发累积量分别为93.4 kg·hm~(-2)和79.8 kg·hm~(-2),分别占氮素施用量的25.7%和21.9%。田面水中铵态氮含量和pH值以及分蘖期土壤中羟胺还原酶活性与氨挥发速率或累积量呈显著线性正相关关系。与N相比,NM显著降低表面水中铵态氮含量以及水稻分蘖期土壤中羟胺还原酶活性(37.8%),最终显著降低外源氮素NH_3挥发累积量和挥发系数(14.6%和14.8%)。综上,NM可有效减少单季稻田外源氮素NH_3挥发损失,从而提高氮素养分利用率,降低氮素养分的环境风险。本研究结果为紫云英在缓解模式内氮肥气态损失,提高氮素当季利用率提供了理论依据。     

不同施肥方式下砂姜黑土冬小麦-夏玉米轮作农田氨挥发特征及排放系数

土壤类型对于农田氨挥发影响较大,而关于砂姜黑土农田氨挥发特征及排放系数研究相对较少,不利于区域性农田土壤氨排放清单的准确评估。基于此,选取豫南典型砂姜黑土为研究对象,设置不施肥（CK）、传统施肥（TR）、优化施肥（OPT）、再优化施肥（ZOPT）和缓控肥（HK）5种施肥处理,利用密闭海绵法,探究砂姜黑土农田不同施肥方式下冬小麦-夏玉米轮作土壤氨挥发特征,并尝试确定氨排放系数。结果表明：砂姜黑土传统施肥条件下冬小麦季土壤氨挥发量为11.1 kg·hm^-2,夏玉米季氨挥发量为13.4 kg·hm^-2,说明夏玉米季是砂姜黑土冬小麦-夏玉米轮作农田氨的高排放时期。对比不同处理的氨挥发量,发现ZOPT和HK处理冬小麦季和夏玉米季的氨挥发量显著低于其他处理（P<0.05）,其次为OPT处理,TR处理的氨挥发量最高。HK处理的氨排放系数最低,其中冬小麦季和夏玉米季分别为1.7%和1.5%,显著低于其他处理（P<0.05）;其次为ZOPT和OPT处理,其氨排放系数冬小麦季分别为2.1%和2.6%,夏玉米季分别为2.6%和3.6%;TR处理的氨排放系数最高,冬小麦季和夏玉米季分别为3.6%和4.7%。不同施肥处理氨挥发量与施肥量的拟合结果表明,随施肥量增加,冬小麦-夏玉米轮作农田氨挥发显示出较强的线性增长趋势,其中夏玉米季和冬小麦季的R²分别为0.934和0.931,说明该区域砂姜黑土传统施肥量的氨挥发未出现明显的激发性增长现象。本研究结果可为砂姜黑土区冬小麦-夏玉米轮作农田氮肥利用率的提高和氮排放清单的估算提供依据。     

The Contribution to Nitrogen Deposition and Ozone Formation in South Norway from Atmospheric Emissions Related to the Petroleum Activity in the North Sea

A photochemical puff-trajectory model (Fotoplume) has been applied to simulate emissions, atmospheric transport and chemical transformations of pollutants from offshore oil and gas production in the North Sea. The above model was used in conjunction with the European Monitoring and Evaluation Programme (EMEP) regional Lagrangian oxidant model. The Fotoplume and EMEP models were used to evaluate the effects of the atmospheric emissions from the oil and gas exploration activity in the Norwegian sector of the North Sea. Deposition of nitrogen and formation of boundary level ozone in Southern Norway due to North Sea emissions of nitrogen oxides (NO_x), carbon monoxide (CO) and volatile organic compounds (VOC) have been studied. The petroleum activity in the North Sea is calculated to contribute approximately 20% of the nitrogen deposition in the coastal areas of Norway in 1992. In addition, the models were used to estimate the AOT40 ozone exposure levels. The results indicate that emissions from British and Norwegian oil and gas exploitation sector separately contribute to less than 5% each of the AOT40 values for coniferous forests and meadows. Comparison of model calculations with experimental measurements is quite satisfactory and the models show realistic results for both the nitrogen deposition and AOT40 values.