The long-term physical and chemical effects of using coal-combustion residues (CCRs), in particular fixated flue gas desulfurisation (FGD) sludge, have been monitored as a major component in the reclamation of a pyritic refuse deposit. This was undertaken to determine the consequences of placing these controversial materials in an unrestricted environment.
17 May 2012
Dissolved organic carbon is examined in streams with varying anthropogenic influences, using a technique to determine organic quality with and without upstream wastewater treatment plant inputs. Effluent-derived organics can persist for a long way downstream of discharge points.
15 May 2012
This study reviews the literature on the uptake of radiocations on titanosilicate materials, in particular the influence of physicochemical parameters on uptake. The use of titanosilicates is found to be beneficial as cleaning agents for radioactive effluents.
14 May 2012
This study uses historical data from more than 100 years to predict the future replacement needs for drinking water distribution networks. The historical data provide a reliable prediction, and the data fit well with commonly used lifetime distribution curves.
10 May 2012
This paper reviews changes in water quality, with all its consequences, during selected recent extreme hydrological situations in the Czech Republic.
09 May 2012
This paper targets improved management of water bodies for preserving water quality through nitrate source determination. The use of stable isotope and chemical markers is considered, to differentiate between nitrate sources to surface waters. Chemical markers are also assessed to differentiate sewage and manure nitrate inputs.
02 May 2012
This work analyses the optimal plant operation of brackish water reverse osmosis (BWRO) desalination, to reduce the specific energy consumption. Model-based optimisation was developed to guide RO operation, with the modelling results validated by plant data.
30 April 2012
This review article summarises recent developments in novel engineering systems for the detection of Cryptosporidium in drinking water.
27 April 2012
An infiltration tracer experiment has been used to investigate contaminant transport from the surface to wells drilled into bedrock. The surface-applied tracer reached the pumped wells quickly, in just hours. Thus infiltration tracer experiments can provide valuable information on contaminant transport.
12 April 2012
A vibratory shear enhanced process (VSEP) has been used to treat concentrate from a spiral wound reverse osmosis (RO) system, to enhance feed water recovery. The high shear rate restricted the deposition of nanocolloidal silica on the VSEP membrane, but it was found that barium sulphate precipitation limited the performance of the VSEP system.
10 April 2012
The modern opportunities of forward osmosis are considered, with five key challenges faced by FO systematically reviewed and discussed. These are concentration polarisation, membrane fouling, reverse solute diffusion, and the need for new membrane development and draw solute design in FO. The intrinsic relationships between these five challenges are explored.
04 April 2012
This special issue of Water Research comprises a collection of papers addressing the potential impact of climate change on cyanobacteria, and the resulting effects on drinking water quality and supply.
03 April 2012
Performance data for a solar membrane distillation desalination plant in Gran Canaria, Spain have been analysed for a five-year period. There is a direct correlation between solar radiation and the feed and distillate volume. This technology is suitable for small supplies, isolated populations, and autonomous systems.
30 March 2012
The removal of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) and other micropollutants from treated wastewater has been compared using reverse osmosis and ozonation. Ozone/biofiltration and RO are comparable for micropollutant removal, but ozonation is better than RO in terms of energy consumption, water recovery, and waste production.
29 March 2012
A unique operating mode is developed to enhance distillation performance in this solar diffusion driven desalination process. Water and air recirculation in the process enhances distillation performance, and external water cooling for the distillation process is eliminated.
20 March 2012
This review of current Legionellae detection and quantification methods discusses the conditions that favour the occurrence of Legionellae in engineered systems. It looks at quantitative microbial risk assessment as a tool to predict Legionellae exposure risk.
19 March 2012
The impact of operating conditions on permeate flux and process economics has been determined for crossflow ceramic membrane ultrafiltration of surface water. It is found that minimising membrane area – by maximising flux – results in the lowest total plant cost. Minimising flux decline results in a higher total plant cost.
15 March 2012
This work reports on the development of a nanocomposite cation-exchange adsorbent, analytical applications, and its conducting behaviour. The composite cation-exchange adsorbent is successfully applied to the treatment of sewage water and synthetic mixtures, and it can also be used as a conducting material.
15 March 2012
This study evaluates the effect of natural water composition on the bactericidal and physicochemical properties of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) stabilised with three different polymeric compounds. The results may help to explain the risk associated with discharging AgNPs in natural aquatic systems.
13 March 2012
Membrane life is a significant component of the operating costs of membrane bioreactors (MBRs). Here the membrane life has been determined by analysis of all ZeeWeed MBRs installed in North America since their introduction in 1996. It is found that the estimated membrane life of the current product should be greater than 10 years.
08 March 2012