Distribución de esteroides estrogénicos en plantas de tratamiento de aguas residuales municipales / Distribution of estrogenic steroids in municipal wastewater treatment plants

En la actualidad, existe una preocupación creciente por la presencia de estrógenos en el medio acuático, donde pueden ser introducidos a partir de aguas residuales después de su eliminación incompleta en las plantas de tratamiento. Las aguas residuales sistemáticamente reciben estrógenos naturales y sintéticos, y por lo tanto una comprensión más profunda de la suerte de ellos en el medio ambiente es necesaria. Se evaluaron los niveles de estrógenos en los efluentes de las Plantas de Tratamiento de Aguas Residuales (PTARs) Penha e Ilha do Governador, ambos de tipo convencional de flujo continuo de lodo activado con aireación prolongada. Fue utilizado como el parámetro de determinación de algunos compuestos de interés como estrógenos naturales [estrona (E1), 17β-estradiol (E2), estriol (E3)) y sintéticos (17α-etinilestradiol (EE2)]. Las muestras individuales se recogieron posteriormente al tratamiento de cada PTAR y después de los procedimientos de laboratorio se realizó la determinación de estrógenos basado en la extracción en fase sólida (SPE) y la cromatografía líquida de alta resolución con detector de arreglo de diodos (HPLC-DAD). Las concentraciones fueron de: 0,7 a 5,2 μg/l y de 0,5 a 5,6 de E1; 0,9 a 7,7 y 1,2 a 9,2 μg/l para E2; 2,01 a 6,09 y 1,07 a 4,08 μg/l para EE2 en PTAR Penha y PTAR Ilha do Governador, respectivamente. La capacidad de eliminación de estrógenos fue eficaz, pero denota que la eliminación sistemática de la población es en la actualidad alta. Se recomienda instalar mecanismos para mitigar el consumo exagerado de estas sustancias o implementar una eliminación completa más eficaz.

Currently, there is a growing concern over the presence of estrogens in the aquatic environment, where they can be introduced from wastewater after their incomplete elimination in the treatment plants. Wastewater systematically receives natural and synthetic estrogens, and thus a deeper understanding of the fate of them in the environment is extremely necessary. It was evaluated estrogen levels in the effluent from the Sludge Wastewater Treatment Plants (SWTPs) Penha and Ilha do Governador, both of type conventional continuous-flow activated sludge with extended aeration. The determination of some target compounds as natural estrogens was used as the evaluation parameter [estrone (E1), 17β-estradiol (E2), estriol (E3) and synthetic (17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2)]. Individual samples were collected posterior treatment of each SWTP, and after laboratory procedures, the determination of estrogens was performed by a method based on solid phase extraction (SPE) and high performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector (HPLC-DAD). Concentrations ranged from 0.7 to 5.2 μg/l and from 0.5 to 5.6 for E1; 0.9 to 7.7 and 1.2 to 9.2 μg/l for E2; 2.1 to 6.9 and 1.7 to 4.8 μg/l for EE2 at SWTPs Penha and Ilha do Governador, respectively. The removal capacity of estrogens despite its effectiveness denotes that the systematic elimination by the population is high nowadays and urging mechanisms to mitigate the exaggerated consumption or to implement most effective complete removal.

Optimization studies on production of a salt-tolerant protease from Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain BC1 and its application on tannery saline wastewater treatment

Treatment and safe disposal of tannery saline wastewater, a primary effluent stream that is generated by soaking salt-laden hides and skin is one of the major problems faced by the leather manufacturing industries. Conventional treatment methods like solar evaporation ponds and land composting are not eco-friendly as they deteriorate the ground water quality. Though, this waste stream is comprised of high concentration of dissolved proteins the presence of high salinity (1-6 percent NaCl by wt) makes it non-biodegradable. Enzymatic treatment is one of the positive alternatives for management of such kind of waste streams. A novel salt-tolerant alkaline protease obtained from P.aeruginosa (isolated from tannery saline wastewater) was used for enzymatic degradation studies. The effect of various physical factors including pH, temperature, incubation time, protein source and salinity on the activity of identified protease were investigated. Kinetic parameters (Km , Vmax) were calculated for the identified alkaline protease at varying substrate concentrations. Tannery saline wastewater treated with identified salt tolerant protease showed 75 percent protein removal at 6 h duration and 2 percent (v/v) protease addition was found to be the optimum dosage value.

Longitudinal study on occurrence of adenoviruses and hepatitis A virus in raw domestic sewage in the city of Limeira, São Paulo / Estudo longitudinal da ocorrência de adenovírus e vírus da hepatite A em esgoto doméstico na cidade de Limeira, SP

The aim of this study was to verify the presence and annual distribution of adenoviruses and hepatitis A virus in domestic sewage in the city of Limeira, São Paulo. Fifty samples with a volume of 8 liters each were collected weekly from December 2004 to December 2005. The viruses were concentrated by filtration through positively charged ZP60S filter membranes, followed by ultracentrifugation. Human adenoviruses (HAdV) were detected by PCR followed by nested-PCR and screening for species F was done by restriction of the PCR product with TaqI endonuclease. Virus infectivity assays were performed by inoculation of concentrates onto HEp-2 cell monolayers. RT-PCR was used for the detection of hepatitis A virus. HAdV were detected in all samples, and 64% of samples were positive for infectious virus. Species F was present in 82% of the samples. Hepatitis A virus was detected in 48% of the samples. These results demonstrate that HAdV and HAV were present in the domestic sewage of Limeira throughout the period of study, demonstrating the importance of an adequate treatment before the disposal in the environment.

O objetivo do estudo foi verificar a ocorrência e a distribuição anual de adenovírus humanos e vírus da Hepatite A (VHA) no efluente doméstico da cidade de Limeira, São Paulo, ao longo do período de Dezembro de 2004 e Dezembro de 2005, com vistas à futura implementação de sistemas de tratmento de água de esgoto. Cinquenta amostras de efluente bruto com volume de 8L cada foram colhidas semanalmente e os vírus concentrados por filtração em membrana eletropositiva ZP60S, seguida de ultracentrifugação. Adenovírus foram detectados por PCR e nested-PCR. Adenovírus da espécie F foram distinguidos das demais por restrição do produto da PCR com endonuclease TaqI. Ensaios de infectividade viral foram realizados em culturas de células HEp-2. A presença do vírus da hepatite A também foi pesquisada nas mesmas amostras, fazendo-se uso de método de RT-PCR. Adenovírus foram detectados em todas as amostras, sendo a espécie F identificada em 82% destas. Sessenta e quatro por cento dos adenovírus detectados ainda estavam infecciosos. O vírus da Hepatite A foi detectado em 48% das amostras examinadas. Estes resultados evidenciam a presença e a circulação de Adenovírus humano e VHA nas águas de esgoto doméstico de Limeira ao longo do período de estudo, demonstrando a importância de um tratamento adequado desse material antes da disposição no meio ambiente.

Feasibility study of organic matter and Ammonium removal using loofa sponge as a supporting medium in an aerated submerged fixed-film reactor (ASFFR)

Biofilm systems are efficient in the removal of organic matter and ammonium from wastewaters. In this study, loofa sponge, a natural product, was used as a supporting medium in an aerated submerged fixed-film reactor to evaluate its performance in removing organic matter and nitrogen from wastewater. Four pilot runs were performed with chemical oxygen demand (COD) concentrations of 100, 200, 300 and 400 mg l-1 to provide an organic loading rate of 0.6, 1.2, 1.8, and 2.4 kg m-3d-1 respectively. In these pilot runs, the influent ammonium nitrogen concentrations were justified to 5, 10, 15 and 20 mg l-1 as N to provide an influent nitrogen loading of 30, 60, 90 and 120 g m-3.d-1 respectively. Although soluble COD removal efficiency greater than 80 percent was achieved up to a loading rate of 2.4 kg m-3d-1, loofa deformation and clogging after 72 days of application might be considered a serious shortcoming during use in full-scale applications. Nitrogen removal efficiency decreased from 85.6 percent at an organic loading rate of 0.6 kg m-3d-1 to 56.1 percent at an organic loading rate of 2.4 kg m-3d-1.

Avaliação de 166 ETEs em operação no país, compreendendo diversas tecnologias. Parte 1: análise de desempenho / Evaluation of 166 treatment plants operating in Brazil, comprising several technologies. Part 1: performance analysis

O trabalho apresenta uma análise de desempenho de 166 estações de tratamento de esgotos urbanos em operação nos estados de Minas Gerais e de São Paulo. Foram investigadas seis modalidades de tratamento diferentes, compreendendo os processos: (a) fossa séptica seguida de filtro anaeróbio, (b) lagoas facultativas, (c) lagoas anaeróbias seguidas por lagoas facultativas, (d) lodos ativados, (e) reatores UASB operando isoladamente e (f) reatores UASB seguidos por pós-tratamento. A avaliação considerou as concentrações efluentes e as eficiências de remoção dos constituintes DBO, DQO, SST, NTK, PT e coliformes (organismos termotolerantes), que foram comparadas com valores típicos reportados na literatura técnica. Em geral, o desempenho na remoção de matéria orgânica esteve dentro do esperado. As eficiências de remoção de SST estiveram abaixo, enquanto a remoção de coliformes foi maior que a descrita na literatura. A remoção de nutrientes foi baixa, já que nenhuma das modalidades analisadas foi projetada com este objetivo.

Assessment of drinking water quality of Borg El-Arab water purification plant

Borg El-Arab drinking water purification plant takes its raw water from El-Noubaria Canal at the Kilometer 95. El-Noubaria canal gets its water from the Nile at two points. The main bulk of water comes from EI-Riah EI-Behiery, while the second source of water coming from EI-Riah EI-Nassery. There are four agricultural drains at the kilometer 53.0, 66.0, 71.9 and 85.4 which return back to the canal and represent the sources of pollution of the canal. Chemical, physical and trace elements analysis were carried out for raw and treated water of Borg El-Arab drinking water purification plant. It was found that the quality of treated water for the different parameter, are in agreement with the Ministry of Health Decree N- 108/1995 for drinking water. Regarding total dissolved solids level, the quality of water was fair during Autumn and Summer as its value was 876.7 mg/l and 701.2 mg/l respectively, it was poor during spring as it reached 1113 mg/l, while during winter it was unacceptable [1312.7 mg/l] which exceed the higher permissible limit of the Ministry of Health Decree N 108/1995. This high TDS values make objectionable tastes in the public water supplied to Borg El-Arab city and the North West coast summer resorts. This taste of water provides no assurance to the public that such water is free of pathogens or toxic inorganic chemicals. So, we recommend EI-Hager canal as new intake source for providing Borg El-Arab drinking water purification plant with raw water free from pollutants and low in total dissolved solids concentration

Estudo cinético do processo de Valo Cynamon-Roque: caracterização e obtenção de parâmetros de projeto / Cynamon-Roque ditch process kinetics study: characterization and design criteria establisment

O processo de valo Cynamon-Roque, de tratamento de esgotos, constituído de um reator anaeróbio e outro aeróbio, vem sendo testado desde 1986, através de uma unidade piloto, construída no Campus da FIOCRUZ, que recebe uma mistura de esgotos domésticos e industriais, oriundos de unidades de ensino, pesquisa, manutenção e fábricas de vacinas. A validade do processo foi amplamente demonstrada, o que resultou na patente obtida em 1996. As características funcionais vantajosas do processo, em relação aos tradicionais são: requer pouca área, sua operação é simples, a remoção de matéria orgânica é elevada, fruto de uma operação semelhante à do processo dos lodos ativados, permite considerável remoção de nutrientes, não libera aerossóis no meio ambiente, pois a unidade aeróbia é fechada, apresenta boa remoção de patogênicos e economia energética. Neste trabalho, avaliamos as características operacionais do valo Cynamon-Roque, quando sujeito a vazões superiores às do projeto original. Devido às grandes variações horárias de vazão, concentração, do afluente da unidade piloto, e a perda de sólidos, foi empregado um modelo cinético transiente, de pouca complexidade, mas adequado para modelagem matemática do processo de degradação. As perdas de sólidos foram ocasionadas em virtude dos decantadores terem sido dimensionados para vazões muito inferiores às utilizadas. Através deste modelo, testamos a validade de duas equações cinéticas, a de Monod e a de Eckenfelder, para degradação de substrato, obtendo-se ajustes semelhantes. Uma metodologia para obtenção de parâmetros para um projeto racional é apresentada e discutida ao longo deste trabalho. O comportamento do processo, noutras condições operacionais, foi previsto, utilizando-se o modelo cinético, com os parâmetros determinados através do ajuste deste, aos dados experimentais...

Cynamon-Roque ditch process, a sewage treatment process, given by an anaerobic reactor followed by an aerobic reactor, has been tested since 1986, throw a pilot plant, build in FIOCRUZ Campus, which receive domestic and industrial sewage from teaching, research, repairing units and vaccines industries. The process validity has been quite demonstrated, so it was patented in 1996. The advantageous functional features of the process, taking into account the traditional process are: it needs small areas, its operation is simple, organic matter removal is high, because it works in a similar way to the activated sludge process, nutrients removal is remarkable, it does not release aerosols in the environment, because the aerobic unit is closed, exhibits good removal of pathogenic organism and saves energy.In this work, Cynamon-Roque ditch operational features has been evaluated, when subject to flows bigger than the original project ones. Due to the great hour variations of flow, concentration, of the influent from the pilot plant, and the loss of solids, it was used a transient kinetic model, of little complexity, but appropriate for the bio-degradation process mathematical modeling. The loss of solids was caused by the fact that the settling tanks were designed to operate at much lower flows than those used. Taking into account the model, the validity of two kinetic equations was tested - Monod and Eckenfelder - for the bio-degradation of substrate, and similar fit resulted.A methodology for determining the coefficients necessary for establishing rational design criteria is presented and discussed throughout this work.The process behavior, under other operational conditions, was previewed, through the kinetic model, which coefficients were determined by adjusting it to the experimental data...

Estudio de la comunidad bacteriana en aguas de albañal y su tratamiento mediante lechos biológicos / Study of bacterial community in newage and its treatment with biological filters

Se estudio la comunidad bacteriana aerobia y facultativa en aguas de albañal, la cual fue tratada por medio de filtros biológicos con diferentes materiales de soportes a dos cargas hidráulicas. Fueron determinados los grupos bacterianos predominantes antes y despues del tratamiento. Nuestros resultados mostraron el predominio de generos de la familia Enterobacteriaceae la cual fue reducida en un 99% durante el tratamiento dependiendo del material de soporte y los valores de la carga hidráulica, los generos y especies identificados principalmente fueron: Encherichia coli, Klebsiella sp., Citrobacter sp., Serratia sp., Proteus sp