Hydrochemical modeling of migration of dissolved oil products in groundwater

Изложена методика прогнозирования распространения нефтепродуктов группы BTEX (бензол, толуол, этилбензол, ксилолы) в подземных водах на основе гидрохимического моделирования с учетом изменения окислительно-восстановительных и кислотно-щелочных свойств раствора в процессе биодеградации нефтепродуктов. Представлена геохимическая модель биологического разложения нефтепродуктов комплекса BTEX на основе модифицированной кинетики Моно с учетом реакций между акцепторами, продуктами реакции биодеградации и неорганическими компонентами раствора. Приведены примеры геохимического моделирования, демонстрирующие важность учета процессов, связанных с изменением гидрогеохимической обстановки в подземных водах при разложении углеводородов. Разработанная модель может быть использована для выполнения геохимических прогнозов распространения легких нефтепродуктов в подземных водах, проведения работ в рамках оценки воздействия на природную среду, разработки систем инженерной защиты подземных вод от загрязнения нефтепродуктами. A method for predicting the spread of BTEX group oil products (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylenes) in groundwater based on hydrochemical modeling with account of changes in the redox, acidity or alkalinity of the solution during the biodegradation of oil products is stated. A geochemical model of the biological decomposition of oil products of BTEX group based on modified Mono kinetics with account of the reactions between acceptors, biodegradation products and inorganic components of the solution is presented. Examples of geochemical modeling are given that demonstrate the importance of taking into account the processes associated with the changes in the hydrogeochemical environment in groundwater during the decomposition of hydrocarbons. The developed model can be used to carry out geochemical predictions of the spread of light-end oil products in groundwater, to carry out works within the framework of estimating the environmental impact, and to develop systems for engineering protection of groundwater from oil pollution.

Investigation of the Kinetic Regularities of the Process of Biodegradation of Betaine Surfactant by Bacteria of the Genus Pseudomonas

Surfactants are extremely common organic compounds that enter the environment in large quantities in the form of household and industrial wastewater. The toxicity of surfactants for biological systems, the high concentration of substances and the duration of the bioremediation process of polluted ecosystems requires improving the biotechnology of microbial wastewater treatment for surfactants. The purpose of this work is to study the kinetic laws of the reaction of the biological decomposition of betaine surfactants. Pseudomonas bacteria were used as bio-destructors of the surfactants. Kinetic data were obtained to create the possibility of further optimization of research on the biodegradation of toxic organic substances. The strains that were promising destructors of cocamidopropylbetaine were selected. The toxicity of high concentrations of surfactants in relation to microorganisms of the genus Pseudomonas was proven. Safe values of the surfactant concentration for conducting biodegradation tests were found. A kinetic model of the biodestructive process was constructed. It proves that the processes of biodegradation are described by a kinetic equation of the first order. With the derived equation, it is possible to determine the time interval of biodegradation of cocamidopropylbetaine to the specified values by means of mathematical calculations.

The Effect of Fertilisation using Trichoderma harzianum and Cow Manure on Releasing CO2 in Two Soils with Different Textures in North of Iraq

laboratory experiment was conducted using the completely randomised design (CRD) to estimate CO2 released from the soil in one of the labs at the College of Agriculture and Forestry using two levels of fungus inoculant (without inoculation and inoculation with Trichoderma harzianum) with 10 cm3, and two levels of cow amendment (without manuring and 2% manure). This experiment was conducted in two types of soils, the first was taken from one of the fields at the College of Agriculture and Forestry and the second soil was taken from the Zaweetah area, which is planted with pine trees targeting the release of CO2 that is considered as an indicator of the biological decomposition of organic fertilisers. The experimental units were incubated for 10, 20, 40 and 60 days at a temperature of 28°C ±2. The results showed that inoculating the soil with T. harzianum fungus, in the presence of the organic amendment (cow manure), gave the highest value of CO2 release at the incubation period of 40 days for both soils as the CO2 release values were 52.9 and 57.7 mg.100 g–1 soil. Moreover, a decrease in the quantity of CO2 released was observed at the incubation period of 60 days in both soils.

Effectiveness of intervention on behaviour change against use of non-biodegradable plastic bags: a systematic review

The devastating impacts that bio-degradable products such as plastic bags are having on human health, wildlife, and the environment is enormous, especially single-use once. Single-use plastics are non-biodegradable products and does not undergo biological decomposition nor degenerate. This review examines various government regulations targeted at changing behaviour against plastic bags consumption and their effectiveness. Following a rigorous search in 13 databases, including PubMed, Science Direct, Springer Nature, etc. only 17 peer-reviewed journal articles that are published between 2000 and 2019 and met the inclusion criteria were included in the study. Each study’s methodological quality was assessed using the GRADE system, and data were extracted using a uniquely designed form. The results revealed that regulations based solely on the thickness of plastic bags does not reduce plastic bags consumption. However, regulations focused on banning ‘single-use’ plastic bag usage, imposing higher taxes and levies on consumers, significantly reduce plastic bags consumption. Overall, the latter is considered the most effective. Also, the results show that attitude, perception and behaviour change toward bio-degradable products or climate-friendly behaviour can be significantly influenced by public policy or regulations. Although the behaviour seems short-lived in some countries, therefore further studies need to probe on why. Also, the absence of a national regulatory strategy in North America reduced the inclusion of studies from the region, hence need for more research focusing on sub-national regulations.

Effectiveness of removal of sulphur compounds from the air after 3 years of biofiltration with a mixture of compost soil, peat, coconut fibre and oak bark

The aim of the study was to assess the impact of the duration of the use of a biofiltration bed on the efficiency of biofiltration of sulphur compounds and on the physicochemical and microbiological properties of the bed. The study was carried out at an animal waste treatment plant. Two biofiltration chambers (beds A and B) filled with different organic mixtures (compost soil, peat, coconut fibre and oak bark) were used in the biofilter. Chromatographic analysis showed a very high rate of effectiveness in the first study period, irrespective of the packaging material used. The best effects were obtained for inorganic sulphur compounds (above 99%). The duration of use of the bed material was shown to affect the efficiency of biofiltration. After 3 years of operation, thiol degradation efficiency fell below 50%. The biological decomposition of inorganic compounds (H2S + SO2) was 73% and 59.6% in beds A and B, respectively. Analysis of the biofiltration material indicated stabilization of its physicochemical parameters. Numbers of bacteria were not found to be depend on the duration of use or the type of filtering media.

ASSESSMENT OF APPLES' DAMAGE IN CONTAINERS WHEN TRANSPORTING THEM ON ROADS WITH DIFFERENT SURFACES

Проблема и цель. Целью настоящего исследования является оценка влияния расположения в кузове автомобиля ящиков с яблоками сорта «Айдаред», устойчивыми к повреждениям, на изменение скорости колебаний отдельных плодов в декартовой системе координат при движении транспортного средства по дорогам с различным покрытием и с различной скоростью. Методология. В качестве объекта исследований были выбраны яблоки, уложенные в стандартный ящик, размещаемый в трех положениях в кузове автомобиля «Форд Транзит». Измерения проводились на дорогах с тремя различными типами покрытий – асфальт, щебень и грунт на скоростях автомобиля, находящихся в диапазоне 20-50 км/ч. При проведении исследований использован метод замера ускорений в трех направлениях встроенным в смартфон акселерометром с установленным на нем программным обеспечением «Измеритель вибрации 1.3.6 APK», а также классические расчетные методы, позволяющие определить скорость яблока и его кинетическую энергию. Результаты. Выявлено наилучшее (с точки зрения повреждаемости плодов) расположение ящиков с яблоками – между осями автомобиля, и наихудшее – над задней осью. Приведена оценка вероятных повреждений плодов на основе расчета изменения их кинетической энергии при движении автомобиля. Определено изменение влажности плодов во времени при имитации получасовой перевозки яблок по щебеночной дороге со скоростью 20 км/ч. Установлено, что зафиксированное повышение абсолютной влажности плодов (более, чем на 10 %) существенно ускорит процессы биологического разложения, и даже дополнительное охлаждение не сможет существенно замедлить этот процесс. Заключение. На основании проведенных исследований рекомендуется избегать дорог с грунтовым и щебеночным покрытием в период их неудовлетворительного состояния, а при невозможности избежать таких участков использовать низкую скорость движения (не выше 20 км/ч), располагая ящики между осями автомобиля. Problem and purpose. The purpose of this study is to assess the efect of the location of boxes with Idared apples, resistant to damage, in the car body on the change in the vibration speed of individual fruits in a Cartesian coordinate system when a vehicle moves on roads with diferent surfaces and at diferent speeds. Methodology. Apples in a standard box placed in three positions in the body of a “Ford Transit” car were chosen as the object of the research. The measurements were carried out on roads with three diferent types of surface – asphalt, crushed stone and soil at vehicle speeds of 20-50 km/h. During the research measuring accelerations was done with the help of an accelerometer built into a smartphone with "Vibration Meter 1.3.6 APK" software installed on it. Besides the classical calculation methods allowing to determine the speed of an apple and its kinetic energy were used. Results. The best (in terms of fruit damage) location of boxes with apples is found and that was between the axles of the car, and the worst ones were above the rear axle. The estimation of probable damage to fruits based on the calculation of changes in their kinetic energy when driving a car was given. The change of fruit moisture was determined when simulating a half-hour transportation of apples along a gravel road at a speed of 20 km/h. It was found that the recorded increase in the absolute humidity of fruits (more than 10%) signifcantly accelerated the processes of biological decomposition. And even additional cooling could not signifcantly slow down this process. Conclusions. Based on the conducted research it is recommended to avoid roads with dirt and crushed stone surfaces during their unsatisfactory condition. If it is impossible to avoid such sections a driver should use a low speed (no higher than 20 km/h) placing boxes between the axles of the car.

Willingness to Pay for a Specialty Blend Compost Product Developed from Brown Seaweed Harvested from Coastal Regions in Texas

Composting is the biological decomposition of organic materials, such as plant tissue, food scraps, paper, animal fodder, and wood chips. The end-product, compost, is a beneficial soil amendment because it can contain a diversity of beneficial microorganisms, has high nutrient and water-holding capacities, can increase total soil porosity, and contains essential plant nutrients that improve soil productivity. Coastal regions of the Gulf of Mexico, as well as the Atlantic and European shorelines, have witnessed a proliferation of brown seaweed (Sargassum sp.). When piled on beaches, tourism appeal is reduced, threatening the local economy. When amassed offshore, thick brown seaweed mats can hinder fishing. Excessive decomposition rates can lead to eutrophication, which threatens coastal areas economically and environmentally. Despite these problems, seaweed may be considered a valuable compost ingredient. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to conduct a market test to determine the potential value of a seaweed-incorporated compost to consumers in Texas and to identify attributes of likely consumers. A marketing survey was developed and distributed to gardeners in the central and south Texas regions. Contingent valuation questions measured participants’ willingness to pay for the seaweed compost products. Participants were able to see, smell, and touch a sample of the compost while completing the survey. Despite 92% of respondents ranking themselves as inexperienced in compost behavior, results indicated a potential for a specialty, competitively priced seaweed-incorporated compost to be introduced to the market. Respondents were most willing to pay $4.00/ft3 to $5.00/ft3 for seaweed-incorporated compost. Additionally, participants who responded positively to buying local, buying compost in the past, having positive environmental attitudes, and buying American were more likely to pay more for the seaweed-incorporated compost. There was not an obvious pattern between willingness to pay for seaweed-incorporated compost and demographic responses.