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Liu H, Ouyang F, Chen Z, Chen Z, Lichtfouse E. Weak electricity stimulates biological nitrate removal of wastewater: Hypothesis and first evidences. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 757:143764. [PMID: 33248788 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.143764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Revised: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Nitrate pollution in water is a worldwide health and environmental concern. Biological nitrate removal of wastewater is widely used countering eutrophication of water bodies; however it could be troublesome and expensive when influent carbon source is insufficient. Here we present a novel process, the microbial fuel cell (MFC)-resistance-type electrical stimulation denitrification process (RtESD) using microbial weak electricity originated from the wastewater, to enhance nitrate removal. Results show that the optimal nitrate dependent denitrification rate (0.027 mg N/L·h) and nitrate removal efficiency (98.1%) can be achieved; partial autotrophic denitrification was enhanced in RtESD under stimulation of 0.2 V of microbial weak electricity (MWE). Aromatic proteins also increased in the presence of 0.2 V MWE stimulation according to three-dimensional excitation-emission matrix (3D-EEM) fluorescence spectroscopy profiles, indicating that electron transfer could be improved in the case of MWE stimulation. Furthermore, the microbial community structure and diversity analysis results demonstrated that MWE stimulation inhibited the heterotrophic denitrifying bacteria and activated the autotrophic denitrifying bacteria in RtESD. Two hypotheses, enhancement of electron transfer and improvement of microorganism activity, were proposed regarding to the MWE stimulated pathways. This study provided a promising method utilizing MWE derived from wastewater to improve the denitrification rate and removal efficiency of nitrate-containing wastewater treatment processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongbo Liu
- School of Environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, 516 Jungong Road, 200093, Shanghai, China.
| | - Feiyu Ouyang
- School of Environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, 516 Jungong Road, 200093, Shanghai, China
| | - Zihua Chen
- School of Environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, 516 Jungong Road, 200093, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhongbing Chen
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 16500 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Eric Lichtfouse
- Aix-Marseille Univ, CNRS, IRD, INRA, Coll France, CEREGE, 13100 Aix en Provence, France
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Munene A, Hall DC. Factors influencing perceptions of private water quality in North America: a systematic review. Syst Rev 2019; 8:111. [PMID: 31077249 PMCID: PMC6511211 DOI: 10.1186/s13643-019-1013-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2018] [Accepted: 04/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND An estimated four million and 43 million people in Canada and the USA use private water supplies. Private water supplies are vulnerable to waterborne disease outbreaks. Private water supplies in Canada and the USA are often unregulated and private water management is often a choice left to the owner. Perceptions of water quality become important in influencing the adoption of private water stewardship practices, therefore safeguarding public health. METHODS We conducted a systematic literature review to understand factors that shape perceptions of water quality among private water users. We searched six computer databases (Web of science, Medline, Scopus, EBSCO, PubMed and Agricola). The search was limited to primary peer-reviewed publications, grey literature and excluded conference proceedings, review articles, and non-peer review articles. We restricted the search to papers published in English and to articles which published data on surveys of private water users within Canada and the USA. The search was also restricted to publications from 1986 to 2017. The literature search generated 36,478 records. Two hundred and four full text were reviewed. RESULTS Fifty-two articles were included in the final review. Several factors were found to influence perceptions of water quality including organoleptic preferences, chemical and microbiological contaminants, perceived risks, water well infrastructure, past experience with water quality, external information, demographics, in addition to the values, attitudes, and beliefs held by well owners. CONCLUSIONS Understanding the factors that shape perceptions of water quality among private water users is an important step in developing private water management policies to increase compliance towards water testing and treatment in Canada and the USA. As many jurisdictions in Canada and the USA do not have mandatory private water testing or treatment guidelines, delineating these factors is an important step in informing future research and guiding policy on the public health of private water systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abraham Munene
- Department of Ecosystem and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, 3280 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4Z6, Canada.
| | - David C Hall
- Department of Ecosystem and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, 3280 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4Z6, Canada
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Ridpath A, Taylor E, Greenstreet C, Martens M, Wicke H, Martin C. Description of calls from private well owners to a national well water hotline, 2013. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2016; 544:601-5. [PMID: 26674689 PMCID: PMC5088433 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.11.141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2015] [Revised: 11/25/2015] [Accepted: 11/26/2015] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Water Systems Council (WSC) is a national, non-profit organization providing education and resources to private household well owners. Since 2003, WSC has provided wellcare®, a toll-free telephone hotline to answer questions from the public regarding well stewardship. In order to identify knowledge gaps regarding well stewardship among private well owners, we obtained data from WSC and reviewed calls made during 2013 to wellcare®. WSC records data from each wellcare® call-including caller information, primary reason for call, main use of well water, and if they were calling about a cistern, private well, shared well, or spring. We searched for calls with key words indicating specific contaminants of interest and reviewed primary reasons for calls. Calls classified as primarily testing-related were further categorized depending on whether the caller asked about how to test well water or how to interpret testing results. During 2013, wellcare® received 1100 calls from private well owners who were residents of 48 states. Among these calls, 87 (8%) mentioned radon, 83 (8%) coliforms, 51 (5%) chemicals related to fracking, 34 (3%) arsenic, and 32 (3%) nitrates key words. Only 38% of private well owners reported conducting any well maintenance activities, such as inspecting, cleaning, repairing the well, or testing well water, during the previous 12 months. The primary reason for calls were related to well water testing (n=403), general information relating to wells (n=249), contaminants (n=229), and well water treatment (n=97). Among calls related to testing, 319 had questions about how to test their well water, and 33 had questions about how to interpret testing results. Calls from private well owners to the wellcare® Hotline during 2013 identified key knowledge gaps regarding well stewardship; well owners are generally not testing or maintaining their wells, have questions about well water testing treatment, and concerns about well water contaminants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison Ridpath
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Hwy, NE, MS-F-60, Chamblee, GA 30341, United States.
| | - Ethel Taylor
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Hwy, NE, MS-F-60, Chamblee, GA 30341, United States
| | | | - Margaret Martens
- Water Systems Council, 1101 30th St NW, Washington, DC 20007, United States
| | - Heather Wicke
- Water Systems Council, 1101 30th St NW, Washington, DC 20007, United States
| | - Colleen Martin
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Hwy, NE, MS-F-60, Chamblee, GA 30341, United States
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Amogne WT, Gizaw M, Abera D. Physicochemical quality and health implications of bottled water brands sold in Ethiopia. J Egypt Public Health Assoc 2015; 90:72-79. [PMID: 26154834 DOI: 10.1097/01.epx.0000466525.12773.22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Water bottling companies often assert that their products are of the highest quality and are conforming to the standards. OBJECTIVES The objective of the study was to assess the physicochemical quality of bottled waters consumed in Ethiopia and to compare the findings with the national and international water quality standards. MATERIALS AND METHODS Eleven domestic and two imported bottled water brands were randomly purchased in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia at three different occasions from July 2013 to May 2014. A total of 39 composite samples were examined for aggregate parameters, major anions, and common cations in accordance with the procedures described in the standard methods. RESULTS We found that 7.7% of the samples were containing higher levels of alkalinity, hardness, total dissolved solids, pH, HCO3-, Na+, and Ca2+ than the national standards and the WHO guidelines. However, the deviations from standards for all the above parameters were not statistically significant (one-sample t-test, P>0.05). Conversely, in some of the brands, some of the essential elements like Ca2+, K+, Mg2+, and F- were found at very low concentrations. The rest of the parameters, including CO3(2-), SO4(2-), PO4(3-) (orthophosphates), Cl-, F-, NO3-, NO2-, K+, Mg2+, Fe, Mn, Cr, Cd, Cu, Ni, and Pb were within the acceptable ranges in all the brands. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS Bottled water brands containing very high concentrations of dissolved substances may pose health risks for individuals living with heart and kidney related problems. On the other hand, brands having chemicals lower than the optimum level may also harm the health of consumers who choose those brands as a sole source of drinking water. Thus, we suggest those responsible authorities to ensure regular monitoring and testing for chemical compositions of bottled water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wossen T Amogne
- Environmental Health Research Team, Ethiopian Public Health Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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Zhang D, Zhang X, Wang Y, Zhou G, Li G. Innovative slow-release organic carbon-source material for groundwater in situ denitrification. ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY 2015; 36:909-919. [PMID: 25249000 DOI: 10.1080/09593330.2014.966767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Slow-release organic carbon-source (SOC) material, a new kind of electron donor for in situ groundwater denitrification, was prepared and evaluated in this study. With starch as a biologically utilized carbon source and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as a frame, this material performed controllable carbon release rates and demonstrated stable behaviour during the simulated denitrification process. Raman spectrum analysis showed that the PVA skeleton formed cross-linking network structures for hydrogen-bonded water molecules reset in low temperatures, and the starchy molecules filled in the interspace of the skeleton to form a two-phase interlocking/disperse phase structure. In a static system, carbon release processes followed the Fickian law with (1.294-6.560)×10(-3) mg g(-1) s(-1/2) as the release coefficient. Under domestication and in situ groundwater simulation conditions, SOC material played a favourable role during denitrification, with 1.049±0.165 as an average carbon-nitrogen ratio. The denitrification process followed the law of zero-order kinetics, while the dynamics parameter kN was 0.563-8.753 gN m(-3) d(-1). Generally, SOC material was suggested to be a potential carbon source (electron donor) suitable for in situ groundwater denitrification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dayi Zhang
- a Lancaster Environment Centre , Lancaster University , Lancaster LA1 4YQ , UK
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An electrochemical process intensified by bipolar iron particles for nitrate removal from synthetic groundwater. J Solid State Electrochem 2012. [DOI: 10.1007/s10008-012-1956-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Mahajan RK, Walia TPS, Lark BS. Analysis of physical and chemical parameters of bottled drinking water. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH 2006; 16:89-98. [PMID: 16602194 DOI: 10.1080/09603120500538184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Seventeen different brands of bottled drinking water, collected from different retail shops in Amritsar, were analyzed for different physical and chemical parameters to ascertain their compliability with the prescribed/recommended limits of the World Heath Organization (WHO) and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). It was found that the majority of the brands tested were over-treated. Lower values of hardness, total dissolved solids (TDS) and conductance than the prescribed limits of WHO showed that water was deficient in essential minerals. Minerals like magnesium, potassium, calcium and fluoride were present in some cases in such a low concentration that water seemed to be as good as distilled water. Samples showing fluoride lesser than 0.5 mg/l warranted additional sources of fluoride for the people consuming only bottled water for drinking purposes. Zero values for chlorine demand as shown by all the bottled water samples showed that water samples were safe from micro-organisms. In case of heavy metals, only lead had been found to be greater than the limit of 0.015 mg/l as prescribed by WHO and USEPA, in seven out of 17 samples. Lead even at such a low concentration can pose a great health hazard.
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Bharadwaj L, Dhami K, Schneberger D, Stevens M, Renaud C, Ali A. Altered gene expression in human hepatoma HepG2 cells exposed to low-level 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and potassium nitrate. Toxicol In Vitro 2005; 19:603-19. [PMID: 15878651 DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2005.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2005] [Revised: 03/15/2005] [Accepted: 03/15/2005] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and nitrate are agricultural contaminants found in rural ground water. It is not known whether levels found in groundwater pose a human or environmental health risk, nor is the mechanism of toxicity at the molecular/cellular level understood. This study focused on determining whether 2,4-D or nitrate at environmentally realistic levels elicit gene expression changes in exposed cells. cDNA microarray technology was used to determine the impact of 2,4-D and nitrate in an in vitro model of exposure. Human hepatoma HepG2 cells were incubated with 2,4-D or nitrate alone for 24 h. Cell viability (neutral red assay) and proliferation (BrdU incorporation) were assessed following exposure. Total RNA from treated and control cells were isolated, reverse transcribed and reciprocal labelled with Cy3 or Cy5 dyes, and hybridized to a human cDNA microarray. The hybridized microarray chips were scanned, quantified and analyzed to identify genes affected by 2,4-D or nitrate exposure based on a two-fold increase or decrease in gene expression and reproducibility (affected in three or more treatments). Following filtering, normalization and hierarchical clustering initial data indicate that numerous genes were found to be commonly expressed in at least three or more treatments of 2,4-D or nitrate tested. The affected genes indicate that HepG2 cells respond to environmental, low-level exposure and produce a cellular response that is associated with alterations in the expression of many genes. The affected genes were characterized as stress response, cell cycle control, immunological and DNA repair genes. These findings serve to highlight new pathway(s) in which to further probe the effects of environmental levels of 2,4-D and nitrate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lalita Bharadwaj
- Department of Medicine and Toxicology Group, Institute of Agricultural Rural and Environmental Health, University of Saskatchewan, 103 Hospital Drive, P.O. Box 120, Royal University Hospital, Saskatoon, Sask., Canada S7N 0W8.
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Fewtrell L. Drinking-water nitrate, methemoglobinemia, and global burden of disease: a discussion. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2004; 112:1371-4. [PMID: 15471727 PMCID: PMC1247562 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.7216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 132] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2004] [Accepted: 07/22/2004] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
On behalf of the World Health Organization (WHO), I have undertaken a series of literature-based investigations examining the global burden of disease related to a number of environmental risk factors associated with drinking water. In this article I outline the investigation of drinking-water nitrate concentration and methemoglobinemia. The exposure assessment was based on levels of nitrate in drinking water greater than the WHO guideline value of 50 mg/L. No exposure-response relationship, however, could be identified that related drinking-water nitrate level to methemoglobinemia. Indeed, although it has previously been accepted that consumption of drinking water high in nitrates causes methemoglobinemia in infants, it appears now that nitrate may be one of a number of co-factors that play a sometimes complex role in causing the disease. I conclude that, given the apparently low incidence of possible water-related methemoglobinemia, the complex nature of the role of nitrates, and that of individual behavior, it is currently inappropriate to attempt to link illness rates with drinking-water nitrate levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorna Fewtrell
- Centre for Research into Environment and Health, 5 Quakers Coppice, Crewe Gates Farm, Crewe, Cheshire CW1 6FA, United Kingdom.
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Chen YX, Zhang Y, Liu HY, Sharma KR, Chen GH. Hydrogen-based tubular catalytic membrane for removing nitrate from groundwater. ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY 2004; 25:227-234. [PMID: 15116881 DOI: 10.1080/09593330409355456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
A porous tubular ceramic membrane coated with palladium-cupper (Pd-Cu) catalyst on its surface was prepared and evaluated for catalytic reduction of nitrate from groundwater. Nitrate reduction activity and selectivity with the catalytic membrane were compared with Pd-Cu/Al2O3 catalyst particles. The catalytic membrane reactor exhibited a better selectivity by enabling an effective control of hydrogen gas, thus minimizing ammonium production. No leaching of palladium and copper into aqueous phase was observed, thereby indicating a high chemical stability of the metallic ions on the carrier support. This was also evidenced by the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) profiles of fresh and used catalysts, which showed no significant difference in surface compositions. Due to its higher selectivity in nitrate reduction and better flexibility in terms of operating conditions, the tubular catalytic ceramic membrane could be useful in removing nitrate from groundwater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y X Chen
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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Chen YX, Zhang Y, Chen GH. Appropriate conditions or maximizing catalytic reduction efficiency of nitrate into nitrogen gas in groundwater. WATER RESEARCH 2003; 37:2489-2495. [PMID: 12727261 DOI: 10.1016/s0043-1354(03)00028-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
This study focused on the appropriate catalyst preparation and operating conditions for maximizing catalytic reduction efficiency of nitrate into nitrogen gas from groundwater. Batch experiments were conducted with prepared Pd and/or Cu catalysts with hydrogen gas supplied under specific operating conditions. It has been found that Pd-Cu combined catalysts prepared at a mass ratio of 4:1 can maximize the nitrate reduction into nitrogen gas. With an increase in the quantity of the catalysts, both nitrite intermediates and ammonia can be kept at a low level. It has also been found that the catalytic activity is mainly affected by the mass ratio of hydrogen gas to nitrate nitrogen, and hydrogen gas gauge pressure. Appropriate operating values of H(2)/NO(3)-N ratio, hydrogen gas gauge pressure, pH, and initial nitrate concentration have been determined to be 44.6g H(2)/g N, 0.15 atm, 5.2 (-), 100 mg x L(-1) for maximizing the catalytic reduction of nitrate from groundwater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying-Xue Chen
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310029, People's Republic of China.
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