Performance and microbial community analysis of a full-scale hybrid anaerobic-aerobic membrane system for treating molasses-based bioethanol wastewater

We evaluated the efficacy of a full-scale combined biophysicochemical system for treating molasses-based bioethanol wastewater in terms of organic substances, nutrient, and dark brown color removal. The main organic removal unit, i.e., the upflow anaerobic sludge blanket [UASB] reactor, achieved 80.7% removal and 4.3 Nm3 methane production per cubic meter of wastewater with a hydraulic retention time of 16.7 h. Downflow hanging sponge [DHS] reactors were important in reducing the biochemical oxygen demand [BOD], and the lowest possible organic waste intake prevented excessive biomass formation. The BOD removal efficiency was 71.2-97.9%. The denitrification upflow anaerobic fixed bed [UFB] reactor achieved 99.2% total nitrogen removal. Post-physicochemical membrane treatment reduced the total phosphate, color, and remaining organic matter by 90.4%, 99.1%, and 99.8%, respectively. We analyzed the microbial diversity of the sludge from the UASB reactors. Methanosaeta was the dominant archaeal genus in the system, followed by Methanolinea, Methanomicrospillum, Caldiserica, Bacteroidetes, and Deltaproteobacteria

Rubber and methane recovery from deproteinized natural rubber wastewater by coagulation pre-treatment and anaerobic treatment

A newly developed natural rubber deproteinization process produces deproteinized natural rubber [DPNR] wastewater as an intermediate product containing a high concentration of sodium dodecyl sulfate [SDS] and rubber. In this study, a novel process to recover the residual rubber and energy as methane from DPNR wastewater was developed. As a pretreatment, SDS and residual rubber in DPNR wastewater were coagulated and recovered by addition of CaCl[2] at Ca[2+]/SDS and Ca[2+]/rubber mass ratios of 0.070 and 0.055, respectively. The remaining organic matter in the pre-treated DPNR wastewater was converted to methane by using a mesophilic up-flow anaerobic sludge bed [UASB] reactor. The UASB reactor with the diluted pre-treated DPNR wastewater showed a total chemical oxygen demand [COD] removal efficiency of 92 +/- 2% at a maximum loading rate of 6.8 +/- 1.8 kgCODm[-3]d[-1] at a hydraulic retention time [HRT] of 12 h. Under the condition of effluent recirculation with raw pre-treated DPNR wastewater, the UASB reactor showed a total COD removal efficiency of 84 +/- 8% at the maximum loading rate of 6.4 +/- 1.7 kgCODm[-3]d[-1] at HRT of 39 h. The results suggest that the newly developed resource recovery process for DPNR wastewater could be a promising treatment system

Evaluation of treatment characteristics and sludge properties in a UASB, reactor treating municipal sewage at ambient temperature

The evaluation of treatment characteristics and sludge properties of an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket [UASB] process was investigated using a pilot-scale 1.15 m[3]reactor. The UASB, inoculated with digester sludge, was operated at a hydraulic retention time of 8 h at sewage temperatures ranging from 10.6 to 27.7 °C for more than 1100 days. The stable removal efficiencies for total COD[Cr] and SS were 63 +/- 13% and 66 +/- 20%, respectively. The average concentration of the retained sludge increased to more than 24.5 gSS/L of the column volume after two years of operation. In summer, the water temperature increased above 20 °C, and biodegradation of solid organic matter was enhanced. The solid retention time was evaluated to be as long as 293 +/- 114 days; this is sufficient for mineralisation of solid organic matter, as indicted by a low sludge conversion of 0.029 gVSS/gCOD[removed] and a growth yield of 0.132 gVSS/gCOD, determined by seasonal sludge profiling. The bacterial communities, based on bacterial 16S rRNA genes in the retained sludge, were significantly diverse. Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes were the dominant phyla of the decomposers of solid organic matter in the library. A Ruminocoecus-related clone detected in the Firmicutes phylum acted as a cellulose decomposer

Cyclopidae (Crustacea, Copepoda) from the upper Paraná River floodplain, Brazil

Cyclopid copepods from samples of fauna associated with aquatic macrophytes and plancton obtained in lotic and lentic environments were obtained from the upper Paraná River floodplain (in the states of Paraná and Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil). Macrophytes were collected in homogeneous stands and washed. Plankton samples, taken from the water column surface and bottom, were obtained using a motor pump, with a 70 mum mesh plankton net for filtration. Twelve taxa of Cyclopidae were identified. Among them, Macrocyclops albidus albidus, Paracyclops chiltoni, Ectocyclops rubescens, Homocyclops ater, Eucyclops solitarius, Mesocyclops longisetus curvatus, Mesocyclops ogunnus, and Microcyclops finitimus were new finds for this floodplain. Eight species were recorded exclusively in aquatic macrophyte samples. Among these species, M. albidus albidus and M. finitimus presented greatest abundances. Only four species were recorded in plankton samples, and Thermocyclops minutus and Thermocyclops decipiens are limited to this type of habitat. Among these four species, T. minutus is the most abundant, especially in lentic habitats.

Foram obtidos copépodes cyclopídeos de amostras de fauna associadas a macrófitas aquáticas e plâncton de ambientes lóticos e lênticos da planície de inundação do alto rio Paraná (nos Estados do Paraná e Mato Grosso do Sul). As amostras foram coletadas em bancos homogêneos e lavadas. As amostras de plâncton, tomadas à superfície e fundo da coluna de água, foram obtidas com o auxílio de uma motobomba, utilizando-se uma rede de plâncton de abertura de malha de 70 mim para filtração. Doze táxons de Cyclopidae foram identificados. Entre eles, Macrocyclops albidus albidus, Paracyclops chiltoni, Ectocyclops rubescens, Homocyclops ater, Eucyclops solitarius, Mesocyclops longisetus curvatus, Mesocyclops ogunnus e Microcyclops finitimus representam novos registros para essa planície. Oito espécies foram registradas exclusivamente em amostras de macrófitas aquáticas. Entre essas, M. albidus albidus e M. finitimus são as mais abundantes. Somente quatro espécies foram registradas em amostras de plâncton, e Thermocyclops minutus e Thermocyclops decipiens são exclusivas para esse tipo de habitat. Dessas quatro espécies, T. minutus é a mais abundante, especialmente em ambientes lênticos.

EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDIES ON ASCARIS AND HOOK-WORM INFECTION IN HEAVY SNOWING AREA / 日本農村医学会雑誌

My epidemiological studies on ascaris and hook-worm infection in heavy snowing area, Tamugiyama, Chida, Kamioguni and other villages in Niigata Prefecture, conducted from 1951 to 1955, have revealed the following facts.<BR>1. Incidence of ascaris and hook-worm infection in heavy snowing area did not differ much from the one in non snowing area.<BR>2. Epidemiological studies on ascaris.<BR>a. The average rate of ascaris infection per year in Tamugiyama village was 23%, during the 3 years from 1952 to 1955.<BR>b. The average rate of ascaris infection per year among schoolchildren in Tamugiyama and Kamioguni villages was 60.4% from 1951 to 1952.<BR>c. The seasonal fluctuation of ascaris infection indicated higher ratesfrom harvest time to winter (from October to January), then became lower.<BR>d. By the mass treatment conducted in every winter, the incidence of ascaris infection gradually decreased from 54% in 1952 to 35% in 1955.<BR>3. Epidemiological studies on hook-worms.<BR>a. Both species of hook-worms were found; however, Ancylostoma duodenale Dubini predominated in Niigata Prefecture, especially in snowy areas.<BR>b. By the mass treatment conducted in every winter, the incidence of hook-worm infection decreased rapidly, from 52% in 1952 to 21% in 1955.<BR>4. By these various investigations, I found out that the speed of ascaris and hook-worminfection (how soon reinfection occurred) was lower in heavy snowing area than those in non snowing area.