Assessment of the effectiveness of orange [Citrus reticulate] peel in the recovery of nickel from electroplating wastewater

Wastewater discharged from electroplating industry contains different concentrations of heavy metals, which when released into the environment pose a health hazard to human beings. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of orange peel as an adsorbent in the recovery of Nickel [Ni] from electroplating wastewater. The effectiveness of orange peel as an adsorbent was assessed by determining the optimum conditions of adsorption [adsorbent dose, pH, and contact time], calculating the recovery percentage, and characterizing the orange peel sludge resulting from adsorption/desorption process as being hazardous or not. Under optimum conditions for adsorption, orange peel was found to be an effective adsorbent of Ni from electroplating wastewater. It achieved 59.28% removal of the metal from a solution containing 528mg/l, at a dose of 60g/l, at pH 7, and for 1-h contact time. The nickel uptake capacity of orange peel was calculated to be 5.2 mg/g. Using HCI for desorption of adsorbed Ni, a recovery of 44.46% of Ni discharged in the wastewater could be reached. Orange peel resulting from the adsorption/desorption process was characterized as being nonhazardous. Orange peel was found to be effective in the recovery of nearly half of the amount of Ni discharged in electroplating wastewater. Further studies are required to determine [a] the impact of the recovered NiCI2 solution on the quality of the plated product, [b] the effect of activation of orange peel on the adsorption process, and [c] the number of cycles during which orange peel can be reused as an effective adsorbent

Environmental education and its effect on the knowledge and attitudes of preparatory school students

Considering the serious environmental threats facing Egypt, environmental education [EE] that provides the knowledge, skills, and motivation to take individual or collective action is needed to create a sustainable quality of life. This study was carried out aiming at measuring the level of environmental knowledge among preparatory school students in Alexandria, determining their attitudes towards some environmental concepts, and assessing the effect of EE on these knowledge and attitudes. The study sample was selected by stratified random method, and the assessment was conducted using a questionnaire. Results of the study revealed that 77% of the students had poor level of environmental knowledge and that 23% had fair level. In addition, 80% of the students were found to have negative attitude toward the environment and the remainder 20% were indifferent. Such knowledge and attitudes were positively correlated to their socio-economic levels. Following six EE sessions, an improvement in their knowledge and attitudes was observed where 69% of the students had a satisfactory level of knowledge and 88% had positive attitude toward the environment. Attitude was found to be positively correlated to their level of knowledge prior to and following the EE sessions. These results support the need for development and implementation of environmental education programs as part of the regular school curriculum

Assessment of the quality of water from some public coolers in Alexandria, Egypt

Drinking water from bottle-less coolers may pose some public health risks to consumers due to either chemical or microbiological contamination. This study was carried out aiming at assessing the quality of water dispensed from some public coolers in order to determine its compliance with the drinking water standards [Egyptian, EPA] and with the WHO guidelines. Twenty water coders were selected randomly from different districts. Water samples were collected thrice from these coolers and once from the mains supplying the coolers. Results of analysis of these samples revealed that 85% of water coolers were containing <0.5 mg/i free residual chlorine, S5% were containing lead higher than 0.01mg/I, and 55% were containing magnesium hardness higher than 150 mg/i. As for the biological contamination, 15% of the coolers were contaminated with Cryptosporidium parvum, 15% were containing total coliform group of bacteria, 5% gave positive thermotolerent coliform test and 5% gave positive Streptococcus fecalis test. The study concluded that such contamination might be from failureto thoroughly clean the coolers on a regular basis. Consequently, the study recommends proper installation of the cooler, a maintenance agreement with the coolerb supplier, testing cooler water a regular intervals by the Ministry Health represefltatives and-if possible-replacing these types of coolers with those with a water purification system

Assessment of the waste stabilization pond performance, New Borg EL-Arab City

New Borg Al-Arab city includes 9 residential areas and 4 industrial Zones. The four industrial zones are Occupied by 266 running factories belonging to different industrial sectors. All the domestic sewage as well as the industrial wastewater is treated at an oxidation pond treatment plant and the plant effluent is used in irrigation of silviculture areas. The plant consists of 2 pond complexes Each complex comprises 9 facultative ponds, arranged in 3 parallel series. Raw wastewater is pre-treated through screens and grit removal before entering the primary ponds. The study aims at assessment of the performance of the waste Stabilization ponds. The results revealed that pre-treatment units were not functioning properly. The retention time was calculated to be 6 days in each pond of the first complex and 3 days in each pond of the second complex. The mean BOD surface loading rate was calculated to be 676 kg/ha/d for the first complex and 1584 kg/ha/d for the second. The plant was hydraulically and organically Overloaded The percentage removal of BOD, COD, SS, and NH3-N had an annual mean of 57%, 56%, 44%, and 39%, respectively for the first complex and 21%, 42%, 39%, and 25%, respectively for the second. Faecal coliforms were reduced by about 1 log10 unit in both complexes. The final pond effluent was not complying with the Egyptian law for reuse in irrigation The study proposed some recommendations which can improve the efficiency of the plant as well as the effluent quality