scholarly journals Citizen science to enhance evaluation of local wastewater treatment – a case study from Oslo

2019 ◽  
Vol 79 (10) ◽  
pp. 1887-1896 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Damman ◽  
H. Helness ◽  
I. L. Tyholt Grindvoll ◽  
C. Sun

Abstract The paper discusses how citizen science within an ecosystem services (ESS) framework may enhance evaluation of de-centralized water solutions. In a demonstration case in Oslo, citizens were engaged in long-term monitoring and evaluation of two solutions for treatment of combined sewer overflows. The citizens participated in the design of the study, systematic observations, and final evaluation, via interviews and workshops. A wealth of real-time information was collected, supplementing simulation data and water sampling results. The concept of ESS drew attention to benefits that tend to be ignored in standard evaluations. It is, however, most elaborate for ecological services, and less developed for social aspects. Involving the citizens complemented the framework in these areas, while providing new insights into the contextual interactions influencing ESS and benefits of local treatment. Both solutions, a cross-flow lamella settler and a high-rate filtration system, were quite efficient in removing suspended solids, with a strong impact on visual appearance. A range of wider benefits were identified. These were difficult to monetize, but the citizens' evaluation provided an alternative measure. The study highlights the benefits of citizen science in local water management and suggests the need for more research on beneficiaries in ESS evaluation.

2019 ◽  
Vol 79 (6) ◽  
pp. 1206-1213 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Helness ◽  
C. Sun ◽  
S. Damman ◽  
M. Ahmadi ◽  
G. Raspati ◽  
...  

Abstract Combined sewer overflows (CSOs) pollute receiving waters and have a negative impact on ecosystem services. In urban areas rehabilitation of the sewer system to avoid CSOs is associated with high investment costs. Furthermore, not all CSOs can be closed due to the need for hydraulic reliability of the system. Local treatment of CSO with high rate filtration offers an alternative to rehabilitation of the sewer system that is flexible with respect to design and has lower investment cost than separating sewage and storm water runoff. Results from DESSIN, a 4-year EU demonstration project, are presented. The results showed on average 50% removal of particulate matter during CSO events, with higher removal (80%) in the initial first flush period. Other constituents, for example heavy metals, were removed through their association with particles. Potential impacts on ecosystem services in the catchment and the sustainability of the solution were assessed.


1992 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Battistoni ◽  
G. Fava ◽  
A. Gatto

An Italian seafood factory processing frozen fish and fresh clams was investigated. Specific water consumption (SC) and pollutant emission factors (EF) are evaluated. Results evidence high SC values, in the range 18-74 1/Kg, due to defrost and extensive washing and cleaning practised; EFs appear high although not directly comparable with data reported by other authors. Two high-rate trickling filters, cross flow (CF) and vertical flow (VF), are examined over a two years period. Results suggest a pseudo half-order kinetic reaction with a superior performance of CF plastic media. From the elaboration of the experimental data a semiempirical correlation between specific surface removal (SSR) and operative parameters is obtained.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaofeng Liu ◽  
Jiacai Chen ◽  
Xiaolan Zhang

AbstractCucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) is an important vegetable crop species with great economic value. Shoot architecture determines the visual appearance of plants and has a strong impact on crop management and yield. Unlike most model plant species, cucumber undergoes vegetative growth and reproductive growth simultaneously, in which leaves are produced from the shoot apical meristem and flowers are generated from leaf axils, during the majority of its life, a feature representative of the Cucurbitaceae family. Despite substantial advances achieved in understanding the regulation of plant form in Arabidopsis thaliana, rice, and maize, our understanding of the mechanisms controlling shoot architecture in Cucurbitaceae crop species is still limited. In this review, we focus on recent progress on elucidating the genetic regulatory pathways underlying the determinant/indeterminant growth habit, leaf shape, branch outgrowth, tendril identity, and vine length determination in cucumber. We also discuss the potential of applying biotechnology tools and resources for the generation of ideal plant types with desired architectural features to improve cucumber productivity and cultivation efficiency.


1992 ◽  
Vol 25 (10) ◽  
pp. 319-327 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. D. Rose ◽  
B. A. Maart ◽  
T. D. Phillips ◽  
S. L. Tucker ◽  
A. K. Cowan ◽  
...  

An algal high rate oxidation ponding process for treating organic s present in saline effluents has been described. The extreme halophile Dunaliella salina can be made to predominate in the system by manipulating salinity, producing products of value together with a waste treatment function. Application in treating tannery saline organic wastes was examined. Techniques appropriate for the harvesting of micro-algae from this and other algal production systems presents a limiting factor in the development of algal biotechnology. Cross-flow filtration was evaluated as a technique for micro-algal cell separation. Both microfiltration and ultrafiltration were found to produce effective algal removal from the medium, Cross-flow ultrafiltration with a polyethersulfone coated tubular filter produced effective separation with the production of cell concentrates in a viable condition. Flux rates of 30 - 40 LMH fall within acceptable levels for application in industrial processes. Cell shattering observed with microfiltration precludes its use for recovering whole or viable cell concentrates.


2018 ◽  
Vol 52 (4) ◽  
pp. 7-18
Author(s):  
Robert J. Weaver ◽  
Kelli Hunsucker ◽  
Holly Sweat ◽  
Kody Lieberman ◽  
Abby Meyers ◽  
...  

AbstractBenthic filter feeding organisms have the potential to improve local water quality by filtering microalgae and particulate matter out of the water column. A pilot project was conducted to test the concept of creating a Living Dock by growing these filter feeders at a dock in the Indian River Lagoon. Two different methods (mats and bags) were tested for their ability to recruit benthic organisms, as well as the efficacy of these methods for use as a long-term citizen science project. Eighteen oyster mats were wrapped around dock pilings, and 18 oyster bags were suspended between pilings of the same dock. After 1 year of immersion, healthy populations of barnacles, sponges, algae, bryozoans, mussels, and tunicates were found growing on both the bags and the mats. During that same time period, live oysters were also found growing on both mats and bags, with a maximum of 73 live oysters in one bag. Although the total percent cover of organisms settling on the shells did not differ between the mats or the bags, there was significantly greater organismal diversity in the bag treatment compared to the mat treatment. Bags were a more effective recruiter of benthic organisms, but longevity was an issue, with bags becoming heavily fouled and often breaking loose from the dock over time. It was noted that the mats with the higher shell densities saw greater recruitment and had greater diversity. Although the bags proved to be a better alternative than mats for the recruitment and growth of benthic organisms, they are not sustainable for use as a citizen science project. Future efforts should consider constructing mats with high-density shell counts, as the mats have more durability and are better suited for citizen scientists.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gianluca Lo Coco ◽  
Ambra Gentile ◽  
Ksenija Bosnar ◽  
Ivana Milovanovic ◽  
Antonino Bianco ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectivesTo examine gender, age and cross-country differences in fear of COVID-19 and sense of loneliness during the lockdown, by comparing people from countries with a high rate of infections and deaths (i.e. Spain and Italy) and from countries with a mild spread of infection (i.e. Croatia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina).MethodsA total of 3876 participants (63% female) completed an online survey on “Everyday life practices in COVID-19 time” in April 2020, including measures of fear of COVID-19 and loneliness.ResultsMales and females of all age groups in countries suffering from a strong impact of the COVID-19 pandemic reported higher fear of COVID-19 and sense of loneliness. In less endangered countries females and elder stated more symptoms than males and younger; in Spanish and Italian sample the pattern of differences is considerably more complex.ConclusionFuture research should thoroughly examine different age and gender groups. The analysis of emotional well-being in groups at risk of mental health issues can help to lessen the long term social and economic costs due to the COVID-19 outbreak.


2020 ◽  
Vol V (IV) ◽  
pp. 12-23
Author(s):  
Muhammad Akbar ◽  
Sabahat Subhan ◽  
Haidar Farooqe

This study empirically investigated the mediating role that education plays to channelize Public Spending towards Poverty alleviation in Asian economies. To capture the direct and indirect link between the main explained variable poverty and explanatory variable Public Spending, a relatively new methodology known as Moderated Mediation, has been adopted. For empirical analysis, Seemingly Unrelated Regression technique (SUR) was employed. Results revealed an inverse and significant relationship between Public Spending and Poverty in direct as well as indirect way. The direct impact of public spending on Poverty alleviation programs expressed a strong impact on poverty reduction. The indirect impact that public spending has on poverty through education found inverse and highly significant. The high rate of population growth, unemployment and high inflation cause poverty in sampled Asian economies. Suitable policies need to be adopted in order to cope with poverty in the aforementioned economies.


2011 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-33
Author(s):  
Xuan Hoang Nguyen ◽  
Hoang Viet Le

Municipal solid waste (MSW) in Vietnam has been increasing quickly and became one of the most considered environmental problems in Mekong Delta (MD) region covering 13 provinces and municipalities in the south of Vietnam. With a considerably large amount of MSW, the region produces about 5% of the total amount of MSW of the country. The collection rate of solid waste is about quite high (65 - 72%) in the cities and rather low (about 40 - 55%) in the rural areas, with a high content in organic matter (about 60 - 85%). The climate of MD can be characterized as tropical and monsoonal with a high rate of humidity and a strong impact of flooding. Like other regions too, the MSW collection and treatment system is still underdeveloped and rudimentary, with disposal sites being the sole dumping method of the unsorted MSW remaining untreated by any mechanical and biological pre-treatment steps. Within this paper, the current treatment, management and operation of MSW systems are introduced, as well as the identification of advantages and dis-advantages, environmental impacts, potential risks of the MSW system within the impact of global climate change. The situation of MSW treatment and management is correlated with the climate change impact and the integrated solid waste management is introduced as a new approach for adapting the environmental protection awareness by considering the climate change for the long-term sustainable development orientation. Sự gia tăng chất thải rắn ở các đô thị Việt Nam ngày càng nhanh và chất thải rắn đang là một trong những vấn đề môi trường được quan tâm hàng đầu. Đồng bằng Sông Cửu Long (ĐBSCL) nơi có đến 13 tỉnh và thành phố nằm ở phía Nam Việt Nam. Với lượng chất thải không nhỏ, chiếm khoảng 5 % tổng lượng chất thải rắn sinh hoạt của quốc gia. Tỷ lệ thu gom chất thải rắn thấp, chiếm khoảng 65 - 72 % ở thành thị, tỷ lệ này ở nông thôn thấp 40 - 55%, chất thải có hàm lượng hữu cơ cao chiếm khoảng 60 - 85%. Khí hậu nhiệt đới gió mùa với độ ẩm không khí cao và chịu ảnh hưởng lớn của lũ lụt hàng năm. Cũng như các khu vực khác, hệ thống thu gom và xử lý rác thải ở khu vực ĐBSCL còn rất thô sơ và lạc hậu, bãi rác là nơi duy nhất tiếp nhận trực tiếp hổn hợp rác thải không phân loại và qua bất kỳ công đoạn tiền xử lý nào. Trong phạm vi bài viết này, chúng tôi giới thiệu hoạt động vận hành hệ thống quản lý và xử lý rác đô thị trong khu vực đồng thời phân tích các thuận lợi và bất lợi, cũng như các tác động môi trường, những rủi ro tiềm ẩn trong điều kiện ảnh hưởng của biến đổi khí hậu toàn cầu - khu vực ĐBSCL là nơi chịu ảnh hưởng nặng nề nhất. Tình hình quản lý và xử lý rác được cân nhắc trong điều kiện tác động của biến đổi khí hậu, đồng thời quản lý tổng hợp rác thải cũng được đềxuất như một các tiếp cận mới nhằm đáp ứng nhiệm vụ bảo vệ môi trường trong điều kiện biến đổi khí hậu theo định hướng phát triển bền vững lâu dài.


2004 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 449-456 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jian Guo Li ◽  
Harold Horneck ◽  
David Averill ◽  
J. Alex McCorquodale ◽  
Nihar Biswas

Abstract Experimental investigations were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of a retention treatment basin (RTB) with polymer coagulation for the treatment of combined sewer overflows (CSO) at high hydraulic loading rates. The TSS removal efficiency of the pilot-scale RTB at a surface overflow rate (SOR) of 11 m/h was approximately 35% without chemical addition, and 80% with a polymer dosage range of 5 to 10 milligrams per gram of influent TSS. The results demonstrated that the use of polymer coagulation significantly improved TSS removal and allowed the SOR in the RTB to be significantly increased, resulting in smaller treatment units. An empirical relationship was established to estimate removal efficiencies as a function of overflow rate. The results also compared settling characteristics of CSO, obtained from long column tests, to removal efficiencies in the high-rate RTB.


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