Spatiotemporal distribution of opportunistic pathogens and microbial community in centralized rural drinking water: One year survey in China.

Centralized water supply in rural areas, supported by small waterworks (small-central mode) and by municipal water treatment plants (urban-extension mode), is an important guarantee to implement the Rural Revitalization Strategy Plan (2018-2022) in China. Opportunistic pathogens (OPs) could not be evaluated by the national drinking water sanitation standards in China (GB 5749-2022), posing potential microbial risks in rural drinking water. In this study, the spatiotemporal distribution of OPs, microbial community and the associated functional composition under two central water supply modes were investigated by molecular approaches. The results indicated that OPs were widely presented in the rural drinking water regardless of water supply modes, and were more abundant than those in the urban tap water. The insufficient residual chlorine and higher turbidity triggered more microbial proliferation, posing a seasonal variation of OPs gene copy numbers and bacterial community compositions. In warm seasons of summer and autumn, the gene copies of E. coli, M. avium, Pseudomonas spp. and the amoeba host Acanthamoeba spp. achieved up to 4.92, 3.94, 6.75 and 3.74 log10 (gene copies/mL), respectively. Potential functional prediction indicated higher relative abundance of pathogenic genes and infectious risks associated with the rural drinking water under small-central water supply mode. This one-year survey of the spatiotemporal distribution of OPs and microbial community provided scientific insights into microbial safety of rural drinking water, prompting attention on small-central water supply mode against OPs risks.

Coupled process of in-situ sludge fermentation and riboflavin-mediated nitrogen removal for low carbon wastewater treatment.

Volatile fatty acid recovery from waste activated sludge (WAS) was highly suggested to supplement carbon source for nitrogen removal. However, it was not easy to separate them from the metabolites under the ex-situ fermentation. In this study, in-situ WAS fermentation combined in the denitrification system was established to treat low carbon wastewater (COD/TN = 4), and riboflavin was employed as a redox mediator. This coupled process could simultaneously enhance the WAS fermentation and nitrogen removal, and riboflavin could significantly enrich the fermentative bacteria (Firmicutes phylum), denitrifying bacteria (Denitratisoma genus) and related functional genes (narGHJI, napABC, nirKS, nosZ, norBC), generating more available carbon sources for efficient nitrogen removal. This resulted in the effluent TN (<15 mg/L) satisfying the required discharge standard in China. This study provided new insights into the efficient nitrogen removal from low carbon wastewater, realizing the carbon-neutral operation of new concept wastewater treatment plant in China.

Modeling the Perceptual Quality of Immersive Images Rendered on Head Mounted Displays: Resolution and Compression.

We develop a model that expresses the joint impact of spatial resolution s and JPEG compression quality factor qf on immersive image quality. The model is expressed as the product of optimized exponential functions of these factors. The model is tested on a subjective database of immersive image contents rendered on a head mounted display (HMD). High Pearson correlation and Spearman correlation (> 0.95) and small relative root mean squared error (< 5.6%) are achieved between the model predictions and the subjective quality judgements. The immersive ground-truth images along with the rest of the database are made available for future research and comparisons.

Volatile fatty acids produced by co-fermentation of waste activated sludge and henna plant biomass.

Anaerobic co-fermentation of waste activated sludge (WAS) and henna plant biomass (HPB) for the enhanced production of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) was investigated. The results indicated that VFAs was the main constituents of the released organics; the accumulation of VFAs was much higher than that of soluble carbohydrates and proteins. HPB was an advantageous substrate compared to WAS for VFAs production; and the maximum VFAs concentration in an HPB mono-fermentation system was about 2.6-fold that in a WAS mono-fermentation system. In co-fermentation systems, VFAs accumulation was positively related to the proportion of HPB in the mixed substrate, and the accumulated VFAs concentrations doubled when HPB was increased from 25% to 75%. HPB not only adjust the C/N ratio; the associated and/or released lawsone might also have a positive electron-shuttling effect on VFAs production.

Calcium alginate encapsulated Ni/Fe nanoparticles beads for simultaneous removal of Cu (II) and monochlorobenzene.

Calcium alginate encapsulated Ni/Fe bimetallic nanoparticles beads (CA-Ni/Fe beads) were synthesized to simultaneously remove Cu (II) and monochlorobenzene (MCB) from aqueous solution. SEM, EDS, and XRD analyses confirmed that Ni/Fe bimetallic nanoparticles were not oxidized and successfully encapsulated by calcium alginate (CA). The experiments showed that the encapsulation process improved the simultaneous removal efficiency of Cu (II) and MCB, from 83.9% to 86.7% for Cu (II) and 94.7% to 99.1% for MCB compared with bare Ni/Fe nanoparticles after 120min treatment. Furthermore, the removal efficiency of Cu (II) and MCB increased with higher temperature, calcium alginate: Ni/Fe ratios and pH. Pseudo-second-order model for adsorption and pseudo-first-order model for the reduction process fitted the simultaneous removal of Cu (II) and MCB using CA-Ni/Fe beads. Based on the above results, it could be concluded that the simultaneous removal was a two-step process: firstly, the adsorption of Cu (II) and MCB on the CA-Ni/Fe beads; and secondly, reduction of Cu (II) and dehalogenation of MCB by Ni/Fe in CA-Ni/Fe beads. Finally, the efficiency of regenerated CA-Ni/Fe beads was tested using synthesized wastewater which showed a satisfactory removal efficiency of Cu (II) and MCB maintained at 83.8% and 91.7% after three times' regeneration.

Distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in water, sediment and soil in drinking water resource of Zhejiang Province, China.

The spatial and temporal distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was investigated in Qiantang River, the most important drinking water resource in Zhejiang Province, China. A total of 270 water samples, 64 sediment samples and 21 soil samples near riverbank were collected during January 2005-July 2006. The total concentrations of PAHs in water, sediments and soils ranged from 70.3 to 1844.4 ng/L, from 91.3 to 1835.2 ng/g and from 85.2 to 676.2 ng/g, respectively. The concentrations of PAHs in rural areas were lower than those in city zones. The concentrations of PAHs in July were the lowest while those in January were the highest during four seasons. The concentrations of PAHs in 2006 were compared with those in 2003 and 2005. The result showed PAHs pollution in this drinking water resource was increasing with time. The relationship between log K(oc) and log K(ow) of PAHs for field data on sediments and predicted values indicated that Qiantang River was mainly contaminated by petrogenic PAHs. The same result was obtained by the ratios of AN/(AN + Phen) and Flur/(Flur + Pye). Ratios of K(oc) for PAHs on sediments to that on corresponding soils indicated that PAHs in Qiantang River were mainly obtained from soil runoff.

Levels and source of organochlorine pesticides in surface waters of Qiantang River, China.

Qiantang River is a typical river used for drinking water source, flowing through agricultural area in east China. Surface water samples at 45 sampling sites from the river were collected and analyzed for 13 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) during six surveys in 2 years of 2005-2006. Sediments, soils, farmland runoff water and dry/wet deposition of this region were also measured for their OCPs residue in order to know possible source of OCPs contamination. The total OCPs concentrations in surface water were 7.68-615.2 ng/l. Beta-HCH, delta-HCH, Aldrin, Heptachlor, Heptachlor epoxide are the major OCPs in water. The maximum levels of OCPs in water were found in July, while significantly lower OCP concentrations were measured in January. Significant linear correlation was found between the concentration of HCH and that of total 13 OCPs in water. The measured OCP concentrations in sediments, soils, farmland runoff water and dry/wet deposition are discussed in relation to concentrations and patterns found in the surface water. Comparison of OCP levels in sediments and soils led to conclusion that erosion of soil contribute significantly to the contamination of water. The OCPs dry and wet deposition to water body was estimated to 0.49 and 0.86 ton/year, respectively. The ratio of alpha/gamma-HCH and (DDE+DDD)/ sigmaDDT in environmental matrix indicated there probably existed new OCPs input of lindane and dicofol into the river.

Concentrations and characteristics of organochlorine pesticides in aquatic biota from Qiantang River in China.

The Qiantang River is a typical river flowing through an agricultural area in China. It was studied in 2006 for its aquatic biota quality by determining 13 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in the edible parts of crabs, clams, shrimp, fish, aquatic plants, as well as water and sediments collected from seven sites along its upper reaches all the way downstream. The levels of all insecticides were in the range of 17+/-13 (water plants), 35+/-36 (shrimp), 32+/-14 (crabs), 39+/-21 (clams), 47+/-35 (fish) ng/g wet weight (ww) and in the range of 2936+/-2356 (water plants), 5827+/-6013 (shrimp), 2102+/-966 (crabs), 1859+/-1018 (clams), 3624+/-11331 (fish) ng/g lipid. DDT and its metabolites were the predominant contaminants in most biota. A linear relationship was observed between the log bio-concentration factor (BCF) and log octanol-water partition coefficients (Kow) for fish, clams and shrimp. Composition analyses in various environmental media indicated a recent usage of lindane and dicofol into the river.

Levels and distribution of organochlorine pesticides in shellfish from Qiantang River, China.

Various shellfish collected from different locations along the Qiantang River in 2006 were analyzed for the levels of 13 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in order to elucidate the status of OCPs pollution in shellfish for human consumption. Total concentrations of OCPs in shellfish ranged from 16.9 to 78.6 ng/g wet weight (ww), with HCHs (alpha-, beta-, gamma-, delta-HCH), DDTs (p,p'-DDD, p,p'-DDE, p,p'-DDT, o,p'-DDD) and other OCPs (aldrin, diedrin, endrin, heptachlor and heptachlor epoxide) in the range of 3.33-13.2, 8.38-40.1 and 2.32-14.3 ng/g ww, respectively. The dominant OCPs in shellfish were p,p'-DDE among DDTs, beta-HCH among HCHs and heptachlor epoxide among other OCPs. It is noticeable that higher OCPs biota-sediment accumulation factor (BSAF) occurred at site with high concentration of OCPs in sediments. The field bioconcentration factor (BCF) increased exponentially with the increase of Kow (octanol-water partition coefficients) of the OCPs. Concentrations of DDTs and HCHs in shellfish from Qiantang River kept at middle level compared with those from marine environment. The concentrations of DDTs in more than 50% of edible shellfish in this study were higher than the limit of 14.4 ng/g ww for human consumption recommended by US EPA (2000).

Persistent chlorinated pesticides in fish species from Qiantang River in East China.

Thirteen organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in 18 fish species from Qiantang River were firstly determined by GC-ECD. To elucidate the sources and the environment fate of these pollutants, water and sediment samples were also analyzed for OCPs contents. Total concentrations of OCPs in fish muscles ranged from 7.43 to 143.79 ng g(-1) wet weight (ww) with highest concentration recorded in sole fish (Cynoglossus abbreviatus), a benthic carnivore. The results indicated that carnivore fish have higher OCPs concentration than other fish with different feeding modes. OCPs concentration in fish was in the range of 1.86-5.85, 2.65-133.51 and 1.94-12.48 ng g(-1) for HCHs (alpha-, beta-, gamma-, delta-HCH), DDTs (p,p'-DDD, p,p'-DDE, p,p'-DDT, o,p'-DDD) and other OCPs (aldrin, diedrin, endrin, heptachlor, heptachlor expoide), respectively. The highest OCPs concentration in fish organs of four big fish species was found in brain of silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix), 289.26 ng g(-1) ww followed by kidney, liver, heart and gill. Among the OCPs analyzed, DDE, gamma-HCH and heptachlor were the predominant contaminants in fish muscle, which indicated that there was recent input of lindane. Significant correlation was observed between concentrations of DDTs and lipid content as well as between OCPs and lipid contents in fish species. Both field water bioconcentration factors (BCF) and sediment BCF showed a positive correlation with octanol-water partition coefficients (Kow) in the sole fish.

Characterization and distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon in surface water and sediment from Qiantang River, China.

The spatial and temporal distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) has been investigated in Qiantang River, an important drinking water resource in Yangzi River Delta, China. A total of 218 samples, including 180 water and 38 sediment samples were collected in January, April, July and October, 2005. The concentrations of total PAHs in water ranged from 70.3 to 1844.4ng/L with the mean value of 283.3ng/L, which were predominated by two- and three-ring PAHs. The concentration of total 15 PAHs in sediment ranges from 91.3 to 614.4ng/g dry weight with the mean value of 313.1ng/g dry weight, and three- and four-ring PAHs were dominant species. The ratios of AN/(AN+Phen) and Flur/(Flur+Pye) were calculated to evaluate the possible sources of PAHs. These ratios reflected a pattern of petrogenic input of PAHs in Qiantang River. The contents of PAHs in city zones were much higher than those in rural areas. It may be concluded that the urbanization and industrialization are causing some negative effect on the drinking water resource. As a drinking water resource, there existed certain potential health risks to drinking water consumers and organism in Qiantang River Basin.

Distribution of organochlorine pesticides in surface water and sediments from Qiantang River, East China.

The levels of 13 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in surface water and sediments from Qiantang River in East China were investigated to evaluate their potential pollution and risks. A total of 180 surface water samples at 45 sampling sites and 48 sediment samples at 19 sampling stations were collected along the river in four seasons of 2005. Soil samples and wet deposition samples were also collected to provide evidence on the source of OCPs pollution. The total OCPs concentrations in surface water and sediments were 7.68-269.4 ng/L and 23.11-316.5 ng/g-dry weight (dw), respectively. The concentrations of OCPs in sediments were in the range of 8.22-152.1 ng/g-dw for HCHs (alpha-, beta-, gamma-, delta-HCH), 1.14-100.2 ng/g-dw for DDTs (p,p'-DDD, p,p'-DDE, p,p'-DDT o,p'-DDD), 9.41-69.66 ng/g-dw for other OCPs (aldrin, diedrin, endrin, heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide). The total OCPs concentrations in soils and wet deposition were 5.04-214.9 ng/g-dw and 16.18-242.4 ng/L, respectively. Among the OCPs, HCHs, DDTs and heptachlor were the most dominant compounds in the sediments. The dominant OCPs in water were gamma-HCH among HCHs, heptachlor among other OCPs and p,p'-DDE among DDTs. Also, different contamination patterns among sampling seasons were found. The concentrations of OCPs in sediment collected in spring were higher than those in summer and autumn. In contrast, the concentrations of OCPs in surface water in summer and autumn were higher among four sampling seasons. Distribution of HCHs, DDTs and other OCPs were different indicating their different contamination sources. The notable contamination was found in Fuchun reservoir. Composition analyses in sediments indicated a recent usage or discharge of lindane into the river.