Biology of Acinetobacter spp.
E. Bergogne-Bénézin, M.L. Joly-Guillou, K.J. Towner in Acinetobacter, 2020
Phosphate removal from wastewater is an important feature of sewage treatment plants in order to minimise the problem of eutrophication. Although the addition of various inorganic compounds (e.g., calcium, iron or aluminium salts) to activated sewage sludge, followed by settlement, can be used to remove phosphates, the ingredients for the process are expensive, and large quantities of chemical waste are generated. Examination of activated sludge samples from sewage treatment plants has shown that acinetobacters form a significant part of the constituent microflora. Although their precise role, and its importance, remains a matter of some debate, it can be shown in the laboratory that such strains can accumulate polyphosphates, thereby forming the potential basis of an inexpensive biological method for the direct removal of phosphate from wastewaters.
Radioactive waste and the decommissioning of radioactive facilities
Alan Martin, Sam Harbison, Karen Beach, Peter Cole in An Introduction to Radiation Protection, 2018
In medical facilities, radioactive effluents arise mainly from the use of radioactive pharmaceutical products in the diagnosis and treatment of disease (see Chapter 16, Section 16.5). Much of the effluent is biologically contaminated in that it arises as excreta from patients. Here there are great advantages in being able to discharge the effluent into the sewage system, either directly or after a period of decay. Discharge to sewers is also widely used for aqueous wastes from research institutions and other facilities where both the volume and the specific activity are low. However, this needs to be strictly controlled. The main considerations are that sewage, sewer walls and sewage works become contaminated, potentially resulting in the exposure of sewage workers. In addition, sewage sludge is often used as an agricultural fertilizer and, if it is contaminated, could result in contamination of crops.
Microalgae for Sustainable Fuel Technology
Gokare A. Ravishankar, Ranga Rao Ambati in Handbook of Algal Technologies and Phytochemicals, 2019
Microbial fuel cells are aimed to generate energy by converting the chemical energy to electrical energy through biological pathway. The biological substrates include sewage sludge, municipal wastewater and agricultural wastes. Several studies have been conducted on the coupling of microalgae and MFC (Raschitor et al., 2015; Yu et al., 2015), that lead to microalgae-MFC (mMFC) development (Cao et al., 2009; Wieczorek et al., 2015). In mMFC, photosynthetic microorganisms readily convert the solar energy into electrical energy (electricity) via metabolic reactions (Bombelli et al., 2011). Moreover, application of mMFCs not only generate bioelectricity but also sequestrate CO2 from air and get rid of nitrogen from air and contaminants from waters (Figure 9.2) (Li et al., 2012; Wang et al., 2010).
The first evidence of microplastic uptake in natural freshwater mussel, Unio stevenianus from Karasu River, Turkey
Published in Biomarkers, 2022
Irregularly shaped microplastics were the most predominant in this study and spherical shaped microplastics, especially microbeads, were also observed at low concentrations in mussels. But, Li et al. (2015) observed a high concentration of spherical microplastics in oysters. The microbeads are commonly used in facial cleansers and other consumer products (e.g. sandblasting media, abrasives) (Eriksen et al. 2013). Additionally, Saruhan et al. (2010) reported that sewage sludge, which may contain microbeads, is generally used as fertilizer in agriculture and public lands. There is an intense agricultural activity around the Karasu River and due to the fertilization carried out in these areas, microbeads may be carried to the river by surface flows. Hence, there are multiple point sources such as wastewaters and agricultural activities where microbeads may enter the Karasu River.
Antimicrobial resistance due to the content of potentially toxic metals in soil and fertilizing products
Published in Microbial Ecology in Health and Disease, 2018
Siamak Yazdankhah, Eystein Skjerve, Yngvild Wasteson
Review articles that focused on bacteria with reduced susceptibility against As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Hg, Pb, or Zn were included. These review articles were used mainly to present information regarding mode of action and mechanisms of resistance. When using the search terms ‘antimicrobial resistance’ AND ‘heavy metals’ AND ‘fertilizers’, no articles were identified. Therefore, we used the search terms ‘manure’ or ‘sewage sludge’, which include organic fertilizers.
Removal efficiency of PAH’s from five wastewater treatment plants in Jordan
Published in Toxin Reviews, 2018
Mahmoud A. Alawi, Ibrahim N. Tarawneh, Zahra’ Ghanem
Sewage sludge is considered as a very complex matrix, it is a mixture of broken down organic and inorganic matter, which is a specific collection matrix for toxins that can be used as the basis for the evaluation of the degree of environmental pollution by harmful substances, many studies showed that the sludge can contain PAH’s which frequently occurs at high levels (Baran & Oleszczuk, 2003).
Related Knowledge Centers
- Anaerobic Organism
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- Sanitation
- Settling
- Putrefaction
- Decomposition
- Sewage Sludge Treatment
- Compost