scholarly journals Arsenic removal from water by nanofiltration membrane: potentials and limitations

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 291-319
Author(s):  
Chabi Noël Worou ◽  
Zhong-Lin Chen ◽  
Taofic Bacharou

Abstract Arsenic, in addition to being a confirmed carcinogen, is one of the most toxic elements found in nature, and should therefore be removed if the concentration is greater than 10 μg/L. Nanofiltration (NF) membranes have succeeded in arsenate As (V) ions removal from water almost completely. It is reported in this review that, like reverse osmosis (RO) membranes, NF membranes have not yet performed alone arsenite As (III) ion rejection without being associated with another technology. Commercial NF membranes exhibited a rejection between 86 and 99% towards arsenate As (V) while As (V) removal reached 99.8% for synthesized NF membranes. Since commercial NF membranes have shown their limit, scientists have prepared novel NF membranes that demonstrated long-term efficiency, fouling reduction, cost reduction, an increase in separation of multivalent ions, rejection performance, or a high flux achievement, depending on the area of use. For small treatment plants, NF is a more cost-effective method. The review succinctly reported arsenic as a serious global contamination issue and focused on novel nanofiltration processes for arsenic rejection to safeguard water security. This article also developed a comparative study of nanofiltration and reverse osmosis techniques concerning arsenic removal. Finally, future trends and perspectives have been highlighted with particular emphasis on emerging synthesis techniques of NF membranes without hiding the unpleasant fouling issue that limits its competitiveness.

2010 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alison Fern Watkins ◽  
Judith L. McWhirter ◽  
Carolyn M. King

Context. Relative density indices assuming uniform distribution of the target species are often the only cost-effective method for monitoring a population over the long term and at landscape scale, and the only source of valuable historical data. Yet, theoretical models emphasise the dangers of ignoring spatial heterogeneity, especially in short-term field data. Aims. To test whether Brown’s index of patchiness (BIP) can offer a simple means of checking rodent and mustelid survey data for violations of the assumption of uniform distribution. Methods. We use BIP to interrogate long-term legacy data collected by index trapping of mice (Mus musculus), rats (Rattus rattus and R. norvegicus) and stoats (Mustela erminea) in New Zealand forests. Key results. We found evidence of moderately patchy distributions that were independent of abundance in all three species. In two South Island beech (Nothofagus) forest valleys, 19% (6 of 31) of mouse samples and 8% (3 of 36) of stoat samples were significantly patchy, correlated with a seedfall event; in mixed forest at Pureora in the North Island, significant patchiness in distribution of ship rats was recorded in 19% (16 of 84) of Fenn trap samples and 5% (2 of 42) of rodent trap samples. Conclusions. Moderate patchiness is common. The consequences for any given study depend on the purpose of the work, but may be more important for practical management than for population modeling.


Author(s):  
Gerry May

Pipe support functionality is critical to the long term life of piping system. Spring supports degrade with time due to flexing in the spring and wear in constant support bearings. It is not unusual to measure constant support hangers with resistance 25% to 50% different than the design load. This leads to excessive sustained pipe stress, pipe sag (or uplift), and in high temperature systems, accelerated creep damage. Supports may also not move properly from shut down to full operation, which can create excessive fatigue stress, failed hanger components, and other piping system damage. In-situ hanger testing has been found to be a reliable and cost effective method to determine the functionality of pipe supports. Results are used as input to set revised recommended loads, and to determine if any hangers need to be replaced. This paper provides examples of the types of problems that are often found in the field, the method to test, and typical resolutions to maximize the pipe life and minimize the risk of failure.


Author(s):  
Maximiliane Verfuerden ◽  
Mary Fewtrell ◽  
Kathy Kennedy ◽  
Alan Lucas ◽  
John Jerrim ◽  
...  

Half of all infants are fed formula milk. However, attrition biases evidence on the long-term safety of formula ingredients. We used unconsented linkage between administrative education and health records of 3,500 young people who were randomised as infants to formula milks, to determine long-term safety and efficacy. We discuss the steps that were implemented to safeguard the participants' privacy and achieve ethical and multi-institutional approvals. Achieving provisional ethical approval took 41 days. Achieving agreement-in-principle to match trial data to individual-level education records took 4 months and 2 weeks, while agreement to match trial data to individual level hospital records is still underway (5.5 months so far). Delays in institutional approval were largely due to unharmonised data security certificates between the two government departments holding the health and education records. Digitising all handwritten participant identifiers prior to linkage took 9 months. Results on the success of linkage between trial and education records will be presented at the conference. While directly contributing to the evidence around infant-formula-composition, this project will also act as a proof-of-concept study. Unconsented linkage between dormant RCTs and administrative data could be a novel and cost-effective method to generate evidence on the long-term efficacy and safety of interventions.


2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qin Lu ◽  
Zhenli L. He ◽  
Peter J. Stoffella

Land application of biosolids has proven a cost-effective method of waste disposal by beneficially recycling organic matter and nutrients and improving soil quality; however, it may also pose potential threat to the environment and human health. The purpose of this paper is to provide information on recent research progresses and regulation efforts regarding land application of biosolids, including forms and types and nutrient values of biosolids, environmental and health concerns, and related best management practices (BMPs) of biosolids application, with emphasis on its land application in agriculture. More research and regulations are expected to minimize potential risks of biosolids land application, especially its long-term impacts.


Author(s):  
Vishakha Chandwani ◽  
K. Saraswathi ◽  
G. Bheema Rao ◽  
Vindu Sivastava

The cervix is the narrow inferior segment of the uterus which projects into the vaginal vault.  Conventional cervical cytology is a simple, cost effective method that has been in use for more than 50 years and is still a highly effective cervical cancer screening procedure. Liquid-based, thin-layer preparation of cervical cytology specimens was a subsequent modification in technique. The present study was split-sample study was to compare Thin Prep Liquid-based Cytology with Conventional Pap Smear, relying on a laboratory with long term experience of the former. In our study most of the Conventional preparations showed cell overlapping, inflammatory cells, blood and mucus that obscure the epithelial cell  morphology  which  was much reduced in Liquid based preparations.


2015 ◽  
Vol 60 (9) ◽  
pp. 2762-2770 ◽  
Author(s):  
Casper Steenholdt ◽  
Jørn Brynskov ◽  
Ole Ø. Thomsen ◽  
Lars K. Munck ◽  
Jan Fallingborg ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
F Hammett ◽  
S Ali ◽  
R Adair ◽  
M Peter ◽  
B Dobbins ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction Recent studies have suggested that there should be diagnostic confirmation of appendicitis prior to surgical resection to reduce the rate of negative (normal) appendicectomy. There are few long-term analyses of morbidity after negative appendicectomy. Method All appendicectomy specimens removed for suspected appendicitis from June 2010 to August 2015 at a single-centre surgical unit were identified. Patients with a histologically 'normal' appendix were analysed. Demographics, pre-operative and operative details and post-operative outcomes (Clavien-Dindo system) were recorded. Minimum follow-up was 5 years. Results There were 1977 patients. Most (1938 patients, 98%) had a laparoscopic procedure. There were 241 normal specimens (12.1%); none of these patients had pre-operative CT imaging. Thirty-two patients had at least one re-admission in the 5 years after surgery; 12 of these patients had multiple re-admissions (range, 2-5 re-admissions). 22 patients (69%) had a re-admission within 30 days after primary surgery. 4 patients (<1%) required further surgery and mortality was 0%. 6 patients (2%) had a Grade III complication, and none had a Grade IV complication. Conclusions There was low long-term morbidity after negative appendicectomy in this study. The cost of confirming a normal diagnosis by way of mandatory pre-operative CT does not represent a cost-effective method of management.


2020 ◽  
Vol 45 (3) ◽  
pp. 186-192
Author(s):  
Suzanne Chabaud

Abstract This is a call for action to protect and assist children of hoarding parents. Action that minimises harm to children living in hoarded homes also promotes family safety and health. Optimal care involves the whole family system, both children and parents. Prevention of harm through early identification and intervention for hoarding can reduce the burden of a disorder that often increases in severity over a lifetime and deprives humans of a full and safe life. Helping children and their parents severely affected by hoarding disorder is for the public good. Public policy and funded programmes can reduce long-term and immense costs to children, families and the many systems hoarding affects. Specifically, public policy can facilitate and fund outreach, education, coordination of providers of health, social and public services, and research-driven methods for assessment and intervention on behalf of children, individuals and families. Releasing people from the grips of hoarding disorder can enable them to devote generative resources to themselves, their families and their communities. Ultimately, prevention of hoarding through early assessment and intervention for minors and young adults is the most efficient, long-term and cost-effective method for minimising harm. When unidentified, hoarding disorder intensifies, people go into hiding, risk increases and opportunity for detection and intervention decreases. Informing the public about hoarding disorder must be followed with sufficient resources to address it, otherwise, helplessness ensues, and people will likely remain in the hidden world it governs.


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