A comparative study for pathogen removal using different filter media during vermifiltration.

The present study focuses on the effect of filter media (riverbed gravel, mud balls, coal and glass balls) for the removal of pathogens during vermifiltration of domestic wastewater. This novel study was conducted for the first time on different vermifilters (VFs) with different media, and pathogen removal was extensively investigated for a period of 3 months. Results indicated that vermifilter with riverbed material (VFR) showed maximum biochemical oxygen demand and chemical oxygen demand removal of 76 and 67%, respectively and vermifilter with mud balls (VFM) showed maximum log removal of total coliforms (2.8), fecal coliforms (2.7), fecal streptococci (2.2), Salmonella (2.1) and Escherichia coli (2.1). The area-based bacterial removal rate constant (k) was found in the range of 2.96-6.68 m/d, which is very high in comparison to the reported values. The population of total heterotrophic bacteria and total fungi was found to be 2-log (99%) higher in VFR and VFM, as compared to other media. The growth rate of Eisenia fetida was higher (42% increase in biomass) in glass balls vermifilter (VFG), and also the abrasions on the body wall of earthworms in VFG showed fewer injuries. Overall, the results of the study described the importance and role of each filter medium.

Pathogen removal during wastewater treatment by vermifiltration.

The study was designed to determine the effect of earthworms and the mechanism behind removal of pathogens during wastewater treatment by vermifiltration. The experimental phase continued for 10 weeks, starting after the initial stabilization phase of one week. Significant organic matter degradation and coliform removal were observed during vermifiltration of domestic wastewater. It was observed that vermifilter (VF) reduced biochemical oxygen demand and chemical oxygen demand by 84.8% and 73.9%, respectively. Significant log removal was observed for total coliforms (TC), faecal coliforms (FC), faecal streptococci (FS) and Escherichia coli with a mean log removal value (K) of 2.92, 2.20, 1.85 and 1.68, respectively. The decay rate constant (k) for indicator organisms (TC, FC and FS) was observed to be high as 8.04, 6.59 and 5.55 m day(-1), respectively. The population of total heterotrophic bacteria, total fungi and actinomycetes reduced remarkably by 3.14, 1.29 and 2.13 log units, respectively. Antibacterial activity of the isolated microorganisms from VF against gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 29213) and gram-negative E. coli (ATCC 25922) was observed which indicated the existence of a mechanism that may be responsible for pathogen removal during wastewater treatment. This demonstrated the production of antibacterial substance, from the microorganisms associated with earthworms, that causes inhibition of other microbes, specifying the effect of earthworms for pathogen removal. Overall, the present study contributes to the understanding of mechanism for pathogen removal during vermifiltration through antibacterial action of microflora.

Antibacterial and enzymatic activity of microbial community during wastewater treatment by pilot scale vermifiltration system.

The present study investigated microbial community diversity and antibacterial and enzymatic properties of microorganisms in a pilot-scale vermifiltration system during domestic wastewater treatment. The study included isolation and identification of diverse microbial community by culture-dependent method from a vermifilter (VF) with earthworms and a conventional geofilter (GF) without earthworms. The results of the four months study revealed that presence of earthworms in VF could efficiently remove biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total and fecal coliforms, fecal streptococci and other pathogens. Furthermore, the burrowing activity of earthworms promoted the aeration conditions in VF which led to the predominance of the aerobic microorganisms, accounting for complex microbial community diversity. Antibacterial activity of the isolated microorganisms revealed the mechanism behind the removal of pathogens, which is reported for the first time. Specifically, cellulase, amylase and protease activity is responsible for biodegradation and stabilization of organic matter.

Gaseous and bioaerosol emissions from municipal wastewater treatment plants.

Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are identified as potential emission sources of greenhouse gases (GHGs) and bioaerosols. This paper reviews and analyse the potential sources of GHGs and bioaerosols from different unit operations and processes of WWTPs. Aeration tanks of activated sludge process (ASP) are found to be the most important sources of GHGs as well as bioaerosol emissions. Nitrification and denitrification processes are found to be important sources of nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions. To minimize the N2O emissions from WWTPs, dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration should be kept greater than 2 mg/L in nitrification process, whereas purely anoxic condition (0 mg/L DO) is required in denitrification process. Diffused aeration emits fewer microbes into the air than surface aerators. It is observed that fixed-film processes emit microbes by two orders of magnitude less than aeration tanks. The various WWTPs discussed in this study used different methods of treatment sample collection and species of microorganisms studied. It is realised that the standardisation of the microorganisms to be analysed and methods of sample collection needs to be done. It is also found that from the microbiological point of view, there is no clean air in the vicinity of a WWTP.

Sludge age, stability, and safety factor for the biofilm-activated sludge process reactor.

The average sludge age (theta(c)) of the activated sludge process (ASP)-biofilm were developed and verified experimentally. In addition, the stability and safety factor were investigated against theta(c). through a series of curves. These curves are important to explain, in concept, the function of the hybrid system under different values of theta(c). The proposed curves of this study are simple and can be modified for any specified wastewater. The definition of theta(c) of ASP was found to be applicable to the hybrid system after including the biofilm. A ratio ranging from 70 to 80% of the total mass of biofilm may be used in the definition of theta(c). to give close results with the experimental values. Furthermore, the minimum sludge age (theta(c)(M)) does not exist in the hybrid reactor because of the presence of biofilm; however, theta(c) should come down to a critical value under some specific conditions of the reactor.

On site domestic organic waste treatment through vermitechnology using indigenous earthworm species.

In India the exotic epigeic species, Eisenia fetida is mostly used for vermicomposting. The introduction of exotic species into local bio system may affect the indigenous earthworm species population. A comparative study between exotic species (Eisenia fetida) and indigenous species Perionyx sansibaricus and Perionyx excavates was performed to determine the potential of indigenous species of the area vis-à-vis the exotic species for composting of domestic organic waste blended with cattle manure. The results of the study show a significant reduction in initial C/N ratio from 55 to 13 for P. excavates and 15 for P. sansibaricus of the ready product which was within the agronomic acceptable limit ( < 20). The total organic matter reduced by 50% and pH also reduced to be nearer to neutral, but there was an increase in total nitrogen to 102% and total phosphorus increased from the initial concentration of 7.62 g kg(-1) up to 13.2 g kg(-1). Overall, by employing above indigenous species, domestic organic waste can be directly converted into high-quality hygienic stable fertilizer (vermicompost) which is rich in nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium and free from pathogens.

Nitrification kinetics of activated sludge-biofilm system: a mathematical model.

Although activated sludge (AS)-biofilm system has many advantages, it lacks in the mathematical concepts for its design. This paper deals with deducing a mathematical model for the simulation of ammonical nitrogen in such systems starting from the basic mass balance equations. Monod kinetic equation and Fickian diffusion principles are coupled to derive the model. The model thus developed is solved numerically and validated with the experimental results obtained on a laboratory scale AS-biofilm system. It is found that the model validated well with the experimental results which was supported by the R(2) value of 0.79, further the statistical analysis between the observed and predicted values for various experimental conditions showed that the model tends to under-predict at high removal efficiency, whilst a slight tendency towards over-prediction at low removal efficiency values. Fractional error plot for the NH(4)(+)-N data sets showed that the difference between observed and predicted values are insignificant at 5% level of probability for NH(4)(+)-N.

Effect of organic shock loads on a two-stage activated sludge-biofilm reactor.

The effects of short-term organic shock loads on the performance of a laboratory scale two-stage activated sludge (AS)-biofilm reactor working at 6 h HRT and treating medium strength domestic wastewater was studied by increasing the influent chemical oxygen demand (COD) to 2-4 times the normal values. Each shock load was applied for a period of 6 h, after which normal loading conditions were resumed. The maximum effluent COD concentration obtained was 169, 169, 250 and 617 mg/L under the shock loads of 808, 1170, 1358 and 1900 mg COD/L, respectively. The COD removal rate increased with increasing effective OLR. The system recovered quickly from shock loads; recovery time proportional to the magnitude of shock loads. The optimum loading rate of the reactor was found at effective OLR of 170 mg COD/m(3)/h. Shock loads changed the dominant bacterial type in the reactor from Gram-positive rods to Gram-negative oval shaped bacteria.

Prosthodontic management of a child with ectodermal dysplasia: a case report.

Ectodermal dysplasia is a rare congenital disease that affects several ectodermal structures. Children with ectodermal dysplasia may have various manifestation of the disease that differ in severity and may or may not involve teeth, skin, hair, nails, sweat glands and sebaceous glands. The most common form of the ectodermal dysplasia syndrome is hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia and is usually inherited as an X-linked recessive trait. Female carriers may have a variable degree of clinical manifestations. This case report discusses the management of a 5-year-old girl with ectodermal dysplasia. Clinical management consisted of fabricating upper and lower dentures to help in psychosocial development and to restore the vertical dimension, esthetics and functioning of the stomatognathic system.

Bioconversion of filter mud using vermicomposting employing two exotic and one local earthworm species.

Three different earthworm species Eisenia fetida, Eudrilus eugeniae and Perionyx excavatus in individual (Monocultures) and combinations (Polycultures) were utilized to compare the suitability of worm species for vermicomposting of filter mud as well as the quality of the end product. The filter mud blended with saw dust can be directly converted into good quality fertilizer (vermicompost). Eight different reactors including three monocultures and four polycultures of E. fetida, E. eugeniae and P. excavatus and one control were used for the experiment. Vermicomposting resulted in significant reduction in C/N ratio, pH, total organic matter (TOC) but increase in electrical conductivity (EC), total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP) and macronutrients (K, Ca and Na). Oxygen uptake rate (OUR) dropped up to 1.64-1.95 mg/g (volatile solids) VS/day for monoculture reactors and 1.45-1.78 mg/g VS/day for polycultures reactors, respectively, after 45 days of vermicomposting. Cocoon production and the earthworm biomass increased as vermicomposting progressed. On an overall the mono as well as polyculture reactors produced high quality stable compost free from pathogens and no specific differentiation could be inferred between the reactors.

Vermitechnology for sewage sludge recycling.

The present paper is aimed at safe reuse and recycling of sewage sludge (SS) and production of good quality compost using vermicomposting. Three different earthworm species Eiseniafetida (E. fetida), Eudrilus eugeniae (E. eugeniae), Perionyx excavatus (P. excavatus) in individual and combinations were utilized to compare the suitability of worm species for composting of sewage sludge as well as the quality of the end product. The sewage sludge without blending can be directly converted into good quality fertilizer (vermicompost). Vermicomposting resulted in reduction in C/N ratio 25.6 to 6-9, TOC (25%) but increase in electrical conductivity (EC) (47-51%), total nitrogen (TN) (2.4-2.8 times), potassium (45-71%), calcium (49-62%), sodium (62-82%) and total phosphorous (TP) (1.5-1.8 times), which indicated that sewage sludge can be recycled as a good quality fertilizer. The present study also inferred that the application of sewage sludge in the agricultural fields after vermicomposting would not have any adverse effect as the heavy metals (Cu, Mn, Pb and Zn) are now within the permissible limits.

A simplified model for the steady-state biofilm-activated sludge reactor.

A simplified mathematical model is proposed to describe the steady-state completely mixed biofilm-activated sludge reactor (hybrid reactor). The model is derived based on Monod kinetic expressions and the Fickian diffusion law in biofilm. In addition, it considers all the essential concepts that describe the two types of growth (suspended and attached) and the competition between them for limiting substrate. Also the present study has been extended to investigate simple and accurate mathematical expressions for describing the substrate diffusion in biofilm (J). The expression for substrate flux has an explicit solution, which may be useful in the proposed model and many other applications. The application of the model for the hybrid system has been explained for a given set of data and verified by comparison with another solution. Also the model was applied to experimental results for a trace level of suspended biomass concentration (X). It was found that the biofilm flux (J) is the key factor in the model prediction, hence the accuracy of the model output is influenced by the accuracy of J. Compared with other solutions for such systems the model is simple, easy to use, and provides an accurate tool for describing such systems based on fundamental principles.