Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering

ISSN 2095-2201

ISSN 2095-221X(Online)

CN 10-1013/X

Postal Subscription Code 80-973

2018 Impact Factor: 3.883

   Online First

Administered by

, Volume 5 Issue 2

For Selected: View Abstracts Toggle Thumbnails
FEATURE ARTICLE
Control of hydrogen sulfide emissions using autotrophic denitrification landfill biocovers: engineering applications
Daoroong SUNGTHONG, Debra R. REINHART
Front Envir Sci Eng Chin. 2011, 5 (2): 149-158.  
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11783-011-0324-4

Abstract   HTML   PDF (314KB)

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) emitted from construction and demolition waste landfills has received increasing attention. Besides its unpleasant odor, long-term exposure to a very low concentration of H2S can cause a public health issue. In the case of construction and demolition (C&D) waste landfills, where gas collection systems are not normally required, the generated H2S is typically not controlled and the number of treatment processes to control H2S emissions in situ is limited. An attractive alternative may be to use chemically or biologically active landfill covers. A few studies using various types of cover materials to attenuate H2S emissions demonstrated that H2S emissions can be effectively reduced. In this study, therefore, the costs and benefits of H2S-control cover systems including compost, soil amended with lime, fine concrete, and autotrophic denitrification were evaluated. Based on a case-study landfill area of 0.04 km2, the estimated H2S emissions of 80900 kg over the 15-year period and costs of active cover system components (ammonium nitrate fertilizer for autotrophic denitrification cover, lime, fine concrete, and compost), ammonium nitrate fertilizer is the most cost effective, followed by hydrated lime, fine concrete, and yard waste compost. Fine concrete and yard waste compost covers are expensive measures to control H2S emissions because of the large amount of materials needed to create a cover. Controlling H2S emissions using fine concrete and compost is less expensive at landfills that provide on-site concrete recovery and composting facilities; however, ammonium nitrate fertilizer or hydrated lime would still be more cost effective applications.

Figures and Tables | References | Related Articles | Metrics
RESEARCH ARTICLE
Chromium steel from chromite ore processing residue----A valuable construction material from a waste
Jay N. MEEGODA, Wiwat KAMOLPORNWIJIT
Front Envir Sci Eng Chin. 2011, 5 (2): 159-166.  
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11783-011-0325-3

Abstract   HTML   PDF (337KB)

As species we humans generate excessive amounts of waste and hence for sustainability we should explore innovative ways to recover them. The primary objective of this study is to demonstrate an efficient and optimum way to recover chromium and iron from chromite ore processing residues (COPR) for the production of chrome steel and stainless steel. In Hudson County, New Jersey, there are more than two million tons of leftover COPR. Part of COPR was used as fill materials for construction sites, which spread the problem to a larger area. With high solubility along with their toxicity leached chromate from COPR is threatening the environment as well as human health. In this research, COPR was thermally treated to recover iron with chromium by applying techniques used in steel manufacturing. An extensive experimental program was performed using a Thermo-Gravimetric Analyzer (TGA) and bench scale tests to thermally treat the processed chromium contaminated soils with carbon and sand at varying temperatures and under reducing environment. The optimum chemical composition of COPR and additives to be used in the melts were evaluated based upon the thermodynamic properties of the mixture to ensure good phase separation, least amounts of iron and chromium oxides in the slag and minimum variability of final product (steel or iron with chromium). The impact of other oxides on the steel making process was evaluated to minimize the adverse impact on the process. The research demonstrated the feasibility of recovering a valuable construction material (chrome steel) from a waste (COPR).

Figures and Tables | References | Related Articles | Metrics
Thermal cracking of waste printed wiring boards for mechanical recycling by using residual steam preprocessing
Yao CHEN, Jinhui LI, Huabo DUAN, Zhishi WANG
Front Envir Sci Eng Chin. 2011, 5 (2): 167-174.  
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11783-011-0308-4

Abstract   HTML   PDF (603KB)

Mechanical waste-processing methods, which combine crushing and separation processes for the recovery of valuable materials, have been widely applied in waste printed wiring board (PWB) treatment. However, both the high impact toughness and the tensile and flexural strengths of whole PWB with a laminated structure result in great energy consumption and severe abrasion of the cutters during multi-level crushing. In addition, the high temperatures occurring in continual crushing probably cause the decomposition of the polymer matrix. A thermal-crack method using residual steam as the heating medium has been developed to pre-treat waste PWBs. This treatment reduces the mechanical strength in order to improve the recovery rate of valuable materials in subsequent mechanical recycling. The changes of the PWBs’ macro-mechanical properties were studied to evaluate thermal expansion impacts associated with changes in temperature, and the dynamic dislocation micro-structures were observed to identify the fracture mechanism. The results showed that thermal cracking with steam at the temperature of 500 K can effectively attenuate the mechanical properties of waste PWBs, by reducing the impact, tensile and flexural strengths respectively, by 59.2%, 49.3% and 51.4%, compared to untreated PWB. Thermal expansion can also facilitate the separation of copper from glass fiber by reducing peel resistance by 95.4% at 500 K. It was revealed that the flexural fracture was a transverse cracking caused by concentrated stress when the heating temperature was less than 500 K, and shifted to a vertical cracking after exceeding 500 K.

Figures and Tables | References | Related Articles | Metrics
Interaction and independence on methane oxidation of landfill cover soil among three impact factors: water, oxygen and ammonium
Pinjing HE, Na YANG, Wenjuan FANG, Fan Lü, Liming SHAO
Front Envir Sci Eng Chin. 2011, 5 (2): 175-185.  
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11783-011-0320-8

Abstract   HTML   PDF (422KB)

To understand the influence patterns and interactions of three important environmental factors, i.e. soil water content, oxygen concentration, and ammonium addition, on methane oxidation, the soils from landfill cover layers were incubated under full factorial parameter settings. In addition to the methane oxidation rate, the quantities and community structures of methanotrophs were analyzed to determine the methane oxidation capacity of the soils. Canonical correspondence analysis was utilized to distinguish the important impact factors. Water content was found to be the most important factor influencing the methane oxidation rate and Type II methanotrophs, and the optimum value was 15% (w/w), which induced methane oxidation rates 10- and 6- times greater than those observed at 5% (w/w) and 20% (w/w), respectively. Ambient oxygen conditions were more suitable for methane oxidation than 3% oxygen. The addition of 100? mg-N·kgdrysoil-1 of ammonium induced different effects on methane oxidation capacity when conducted at low or high water content. With regard to the methanotrophs, Type II was sensitive to the changes of water content, while Type I was influenced by oxygen content. Furthermore, the methanotrophic acidophile, Verrucomicrobia, was detected in soils with a pH of 4.9, which extended their known living environments.

Figures and Tables | References | Related Articles | Metrics
Thermogravimetric coupled with Fourier transform infrared analysis study on thermal treatment of monopotassium phosphate residue
Yuheng FENG, Xuguang JIANG, Yong CHI, Xiaodong LI, Hongmei ZHU
Front Envir Sci Eng Chin. 2011, 5 (2): 186-192.  
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11783-011-0322-6

Abstract   HTML   PDF (247KB)

In China, safe disposal of hazardous waste is more and more a necessity, urged by rapid economic development. The pyrolysis and combustion characteristics of a residue from producing monopotassium phosphate (monopotassium phosphate residue), considered as a hazardous waste, were studied using a thermogravimetric, coupled with Fourier transform infrared analyzer (TG-FTIR). Both pyrolysis and combustion runs can be subdivided into three stages: drying, thermal decomposition, and final devolatilization. The average weight loss rate during fast thermal decomposition stage in pyrolysis is higher than combustion. Acetic acid, methane, pentane, (acetyl) cyclopropane, 2,4,6-trichlorophenol, CO, and CO2 were distinguished in the pyrolysis process, while CO2 was the dominant combustion product.

Figures and Tables | References | Related Articles | Metrics
A steam dried municipal solid waste gasification and melting process
Gang XIAO, Baosheng JIN, Mingjiang NI, Kefa CEN, Yong CHI, Zhongxin TAN
Front Envir Sci Eng Chin. 2011, 5 (2): 193-204.  
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11783-010-0268-0

Abstract   HTML   PDF (500KB)

Considering high-moisture municipal solid waste (MSW) of China, a steam dried MSW gasification and melting process was proposed, the feasibility was tested, and the mass and energy balance was analyzed. Preliminary experiments were conducted using a fixed-bed drying apparatus, a 200 kg per day fluidized-bed gasifier, and a swirl melting furnace. Moisture percentage was reduced from 50% to 20% roughly when MSW was dried by slightly superheated steam of 150°C–350°C within 40 min. When the temperature was less than 250°C, no incondensable gas was produced during the drying process. The gasifier ran at 550°C–700°Cwith an air equivalence ratio (ER) of 0.2–0.4. The temperature of the swirl melting furnace reached about 1240°C when the gasification ER was 0.3 and the total ER was 1.1. At these conditions, the fly ash concentration in the flue gas was 1.7 g·(Nm3)-1, which meant over 95% fly ash was trapped in the furnace and discharged as slag. 85% of Ni and Cr were bound in the slag, as well as 60% of Cu. The mass and energy balance analysis indicates that the boiler heat efficiency of an industrial MSW incineration plant reaches 86.97% when MSW is dried by steam of 200°C. The boiler heat efficiency is sensitive to three important parameters, including the temperature of preheated MSW, the moisture percentage of dried MSW and the fly ash percentage in the total ash.

Figures and Tables | References | Related Articles | Metrics
Microwave enhanced stabilization of copper in artificially contaminated soil
Hua ZHANG, Zhiliang ZHU, Noboru YOSHIKAWA
Front Envir Sci Eng Chin. 2011, 5 (2): 205-211.  
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11783-010-0290-2

Abstract   HTML   PDF (173KB)

Microwave processing was used to stabilize copper ions in soil samples. Its effects on the stabilization efficiency were studied as a function of additive, microwave power, process time, and reaction atmosphere. The stabilization efficiency of the microwave process was evaluated based on the results of the toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) test. The results showed that the optimal experimental condition contained a 700 W microwave power, 20 min process time and 3 iron wires as the additive, and that the highest stabilization efficiency level was more than 70%. In addition, the different reaction atmospheres showed no apparent effect on the stabilization efficiency of copper in the artificially contaminated soil. According to the result of the Tessier sequential extraction, the partial species of copper in the contaminated soil was deduced to transform from unstable species to stable states after the microwave process.

Figures and Tables | References | Related Articles | Metrics
Adsorption of fluoride on clay minerals and their mechanisms using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy
Junyi DU, Daishe WU, Huayun XIAO, Ping LI
Front Envir Sci Eng Chin. 2011, 5 (2): 212-226.  
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11783-010-0255-5

Abstract   HTML   PDF (840KB)

This research investigates the adsorption mechanisms of fluoride (F) on four clay minerals (kaolinite, montmorillonite, chlorite, and illite) under different F- concentrations and reaction times by probing their fluoride superficial layer binding energies and element compositions using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). At high F- concentrations (C0 = 5–1000 mg·L-1), the amount of F- adsorbed (QF), amount of hydroxide released by clay minerals, solution F- concentration, and the pH increase with increasing C0. The increases are remarkable at C0>50 mg·L-1. The QF increases significantly by continuously modifying the pH level. At C0<5–100 mg·L-1, clay minerals adsorb H+ to protonate aluminum-bound surface-active hydroxyl sites in the superficial layers and induce F- binding. As the C0 increases, F-, along with other cations, is adsorbed to form a quasi-cryolite structure. At C0>100 mg·L-1, new minerals precipitate and the product depends on the critical Al3+ concentration. At [Al3+]>10-11.94 mol·L-1, cryolite forms, while at [Al3+]<10-11.94 mol·L-1, AlF3 is formed. At low C0 (0.3–1.5 mg·L-1), proton transfer occurs, and the F- adsorption capabilities of the clay minerals increase with time.

Figures and Tables | References | Related Articles | Metrics
Multi-scale evaluation of river health in Liao River Basin, China
Fei XU, Yanwei ZHAO, Zhifeng YANG, Yuan ZHANG
Front Envir Sci Eng Chin. 2011, 5 (2): 227-235.  
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11783-010-0219-9

Abstract   HTML   PDF (268KB)

Previous studies on river health evaluation mainly focused on characterizations at a river-corridor scale and ignored the complex interactions between the river ecosystem and other components of the river basin. Based on the consideration of the interactions among rivers, associated river basin and habitats, an assessment framework with multi-scale indicators was developed. An index system divided among these three scales to characterize the health of river ecosystems in China’s Liao River Basin was established. Set pair analysis was applied to integrate the multi-scale indicators and determine the health classes. The evaluation results indicated that the rivers in the western and eastern zones of the Liao River were classified as sick, and rivers in the main stream of the Liao and Huntai rivers were classified as unhealthy. An excessive level of disturbances, such as large pollution loads and dense construction of water conservation projects within the river basin, were the main causes of the river health deterioration.

Figures and Tables | References | Related Articles | Metrics
SHORT COMMUNICATION
Copper and zinc interaction on water clearance and tissue metal distribution in the freshwater mussel, Cristaria plicata, under laboratory conditions
Tianxiang XIA, Xuehua LIU
Front Envir Sci Eng Chin. 2011, 5 (2): 236-242.  
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11783-010-0218-8

Abstract   HTML   PDF (233KB)

Copper and zinc interaction on clearance from water and distribution in different tissues was investigated for the freshwater mussel, Cristaria plicata, under laboratory conditions. Clearance rate of Cu or Zn from water was highly dependent on exposure concentration. Interaction effect was most evident at 300 μg·L-1 Cu exposure and depressed the Zn clearance rate significantly (p<0.05). However, the presence of 100 μg·L-1 and 300 μg·L-1 Zn hardly affected the Cu clearance rate. The 300 μg·L-1 Cu presence enhanced Cu accumulation in each tissue most significantly (p<0.01), but caused Zn content to decrease in the gills by 62% (p<0.05), viscera by 49% (p<0.05) and foot by 31% (p<0.05), and increase in the mantle by 97% (p<0.05) and the muscles by 243% (p<0.05) for different Zn exposure treatments. The response of metal accumulation in various tissues of the test mussels indicated that Zn transferred from the gills, viscera and foot to the mantle and muscles might be one of the important characteristics of the Zn regulatory mechanism by leading to a narrow range of Zn concentration in the different tissues.

Figures and Tables | References | Related Articles | Metrics
RESEARCH ARTICLE
Integrated river basin management in rapidly urbanizing areas: a case of Shenzhen, China
Lei LIU, Xiaoming MA
Front Envir Sci Eng Chin. 2011, 5 (2): 243-254.  
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11783-010-0276-0

Abstract   HTML   PDF (380KB)

The rapid urbanization of China is causing a burden on their water resources and hindering their sustainable development. This paper analyzes effective methods to integrated river basin management (IRBM) using Longgang River basin of Shenzhen as an example, which is the city with the fastest rate of urbanization in China and even the whole world. Over the past 20 years, China has undergone a population boom due to the increase of immigrant workers and rapid development of labor-intensive industries, which led to the sharp increase of water consumption and sewage discharge. However, the construction of the water infrastructure is still lagging far behind the environmental and social development, with only 32.7% of sewage in the district being treated. Currently, every water quality indicator of the Longgang River basin was unable to meet the required corresponding environmental standards, which further aggravated the water shortages of the region. Thus, an analytical framework is proposed to address the IRBM of the study area. The problems with the current management system include the lack of decentralization in decision-making, lack of enforcement with redundant plans, weak management capacity, financial inadequacy, and a poor system of stakeholder participation. In light of the principles of IRBM and the situation of the region, corresponding measures are put forward, including an increase of power given to sub-district offices, fewer but more feasible plans, capacity building among stakeholders, a combination of planning and marketing for overcoming financial inadequacy, and profound reform in the public participation system. The framework and institutional suggestions could inform similar processes in other representative river basins.

Figures and Tables | References | Related Articles | Metrics
Scenario analysis of water pollution control in the typical peri-urban river using a coupled hydrodynamic-water quality model
Haifeng JIA, Shuo WANG, Mingjie WEI, Yansong ZHANG
Front Envir Sci Eng Chin. 2011, 5 (2): 255-265.  
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11783-010-0279-x

Abstract   HTML   PDF (614KB)

The water quality pollution and ecological deterioration in peri-urban rivers are usually serious under rapid urbanization and economic growth. In the study, a typical peri-urban river, Nansha River, was selected as a case study to discuss the scheme of peri-urban river rehabilitation. Located in the north part of the Beijing central region, the Nansha River watershed has been designated as an ecologically friendly garden-style area with high-tech industry parks and upscale residential zones. However, the Nansha River is currently seriously contaminated by urban and rural pollutants from both nonpoint sources (NPS) and point sources (PS). In this study, the pollutant loads from point sources and nonpoint sources in the Nansha River watershed were first assessed. A coupled model, derived from the Environmental Fluid Dynamics Code and Water Quality Analysis Simulation Program, was developed to simulate the hydrodynamics and water quality in the Nansha River. According to the characteristics of the typical peri-urban river, three different PS and NPS control scenarios were designed and examined by modeling analyses. Based on the results of the scenario analysis, a river rehabilitation scheme was recommended for implementation.

Figures and Tables | References | Related Articles | Metrics
Trends of environmental accidents and impact factors in China
Pengli XUE, Weihua ZENG
Front Envir Sci Eng Chin. 2011, 5 (2): 266-276.  
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11783-010-0267-1

Abstract   HTML   PDF (564KB)

An overview of the spatial and temporal variations of the environmental accidents in China in recent years was presented in this paper using available data. The results showed that the frequency of pollution accidents was significantly decreased, from 3462 in 1990 to 462 in 2007. The water and air pollution accidents were found to be the dominant types, accounting for more than 80% of the total accidents. Considering the classification of environmental accidents at 4 scales, the general environmental accident, i.e., the least serious type, was the most frequent event, taking up 58.98% of the total pollution accidents. In addition, the distribution of environmental accidents was generally in accordance with the industrial layout in the country during the past decade. It is very important to note that the extraordinarily severe environmental accidents showed an increasing trend in underdeveloped regions, which was caused by the transfer and the development of heavy polluted industry in these areas. As to the losses of environmental accidents, the casualties presented an obvious reduction tendency, while the direct economic loss per accident tended to climb up. Furthermore, some key factors that affect the spatial and temporal tendencies of environmental accidents in China were discussed and some suggestions were put forward, hoping to shed light on environmental risk management and emergency plans making associated with environmental accidents in China.

Figures and Tables | References | Related Articles | Metrics
Short-term effect of temperature variation on the competition between PAOs and GAOs during acclimation period of an EBPR system
Nanqi REN, Han KANG, Xiuheng WANG, Nan LI
Front Envir Sci Eng Chin. 2011, 5 (2): 277-282.  
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11783-010-0226-x

Abstract   HTML   PDF (329KB)

Sequencing batch reactor (SBR) for enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) processes was used to investigate the impact of the temperature shock on the competition between phosphorus-accumulating organisms (PAOs) and glycogen accumulating organisms (GAOs) in start-up stage. During the 34 days operation, SBR was set with temperature variation(0–5 d, 22±1°C; 6–13 d, 29±1°C; 14–34 d, 14±1°C). PAOs and GAOs were analyzed by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), and intracellular polyphosphate granules were stained by Neisser-stain. The results showed that the influence of temperature shock on PAOs’ abundance was more serious than that on GAOs in the enriching process. Under sudden and substantially temperature variation, from 22±1°C to 29±1°C and then to 14±1°C, the domination of PAOs was deteriorated. After temperature shock, PAOs’ competitive advantages at low temperature that concluded in other study did not appear in our study. As mesophilic, GAOs (indicated by Alphaproteobacteria and Gammaproteobacteria) were more temperature adaptive and better grew and took the domination at 14±1°C in the end. In the competition process, organisms of tetrad forming organisms (TFOs)-like shape which were considered as typical GAOs, were observed. With the evidence of poly-P granules containing by Neisser-straining and result of FISH, these organisms of TFOs-like shape were better to be assumed as adaption state or a special self-protecting shape of PAOs.

Figures and Tables | References | Related Articles | Metrics
Research on polyhydroxyalkanoates and glycogen transformations: Key aspects to biologic nitrogen and phosphorus removal in low dissolved oxygen systems
Hongjing LI, Yinguang CHEN
Front Envir Sci Eng Chin. 2011, 5 (2): 283-290.  
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11783-010-0243-9

Abstract   HTML   PDF (390KB)

In this paper, a study was conducted on the effect of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) and glycogen transformations on biologic nitrogen and phosphorus removal in low dissolved oxygen (DO) systems. Two laboratory-scale sequencing batch reactors (SBR1 and SBR2) were operating with anaerobic/aerobic (low DO, 0.15–0.45 mg·L-1) configurations, which cultured a propionic to acetic acid ratio (molar carbon ratio) of 1.0 and 2.0, respectively. Fewer poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB), total PHA, and glycogen transformations were observed with the increase of propionic/acetic acid, along with more poly-3-hydroxyvalerate (PHV) and poly-3-hydroxy-2-methyvalerate (PH2MV) shifts. The total nitrogen (TN) removal efficiency was 68% and 82% in SBR1 and SBR2, respectively. In the two SBRs, the soluble ortho-phosphate (SOP) removal efficiency was 94% and 99%, and the average sludge polyphosphate (poly-P) content (g·g-MLVSS-1) was 8.3% and 10.2%, respectively. Thus, the propionic to acetic acid ratio of the influent greatly influenced the PHA form and quantity, glycogen transformation, and poly-P contained in activated sludge and further determined TN and SOP removal efficiency. Moreover, significant correlations between the SOP removal rate and the (PHV+ PH2MV)/PHA ratio were observed (R2>0.99). Accordingly, PHA and glycogen transformations should be taken into account as key components for optimizing anaerobic/aerobic (low DO) biologic nitrogen and phosphorus removal systems.

References | Related Articles | Metrics
Influence of influent on anaerobic ammonium oxidation in an Expanded Granular Sludge Bed-Biological Aerated Filter integrated system
Daijun ZHANG, Cui BAI, Ting TANG, Qing YANG
Front Envir Sci Eng Chin. 2011, 5 (2): 291-297.  
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11783-010-0270-6

Abstract   HTML   PDF (248KB)

Shortcut nitrification-denitrification, anaerobic ammonium oxidation (ANAMMOX), and methanogenesis have been successfully coupled in an Expanded Granular Sludge Bed-Biological Aerated Filter (EGSB-BAF) integrated system. As fed different synthetic wastewater with chemical oxygen demand (COD) of 300–1200 mg·L-1 and NH4+-N of 30–120 mg·L-1 at the outer recycle ratio of 200%, the influence of influent on ANAMMOX in the integrated system was investigated in this paper. The experimental results showed that higher COD concentration caused an increase in denitrification and methanogenesis but a decrease in ANAMMOX; however, when an influent with the low concentration of COD was used, the opposite changes could be observed. Higher influent NH4+-N concentration favored ANAMMOX when the COD concentration of influent was fixed. Therefore, low COD/NH4+-N ratio would decrease competition for nitrite between ANAMMOX and denitrification, which was favorable for reducing the negative effect of organic COD on ANAMMOX. The good performance of the integrated system indicated that the bacterial community of denitrification, ANAMMOX, and methanogenesis could be dynamically maintained in the sludge of EGSB reactor for a certain range of influent.

Figures and Tables | References | Related Articles | Metrics
16 articles