Pub Date : 2014-10-21DOI: 10.2174/1874829501407010010
B. Naticchia, G. Fava, A. Carbonari, Emanuela Quaquero
One of the critical aspects in health and safety is the control of fine particle emissions from demolition and construction activities. Such exposure is very often the cause of professional illnesses causing a relevant economic burden for welfare and insurance institutions, besides harming workers. Hence this paper performs a feasibility study of a real- time control system of fine particle concentration on construction sites. It was conceived as a Zigbee TM based wireless, pervasive and non-invasive system, which is easy to deploy over the site and relatively cheap. Dust sensors were inter- faced with the system and calibrated in the laboratory. The prototype is described in detail and tested under controlled and real conditions, in order to determine its potential for application. The prototype was shown to be an excellent tool to sup- port health and safety inspectors, to provide in real-time a broad map of dust concentration over the whole extension of the site, provided that calibration coefficients are worked out for the various types of dust which can be encountered on the site.
{"title":"Preliminary tests on a wireless sensor network for pervasive dust monitoring in construction sites","authors":"B. Naticchia, G. Fava, A. Carbonari, Emanuela Quaquero","doi":"10.2174/1874829501407010010","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/1874829501407010010","url":null,"abstract":"One of the critical aspects in health and safety is the control of fine particle emissions from demolition and construction activities. Such exposure is very often the cause of professional illnesses causing a relevant economic burden for welfare and insurance institutions, besides harming workers. Hence this paper performs a feasibility study of a real- time control system of fine particle concentration on construction sites. It was conceived as a Zigbee TM based wireless, pervasive and non-invasive system, which is easy to deploy over the site and relatively cheap. Dust sensors were inter- faced with the system and calibrated in the laboratory. The prototype is described in detail and tested under controlled and real conditions, in order to determine its potential for application. The prototype was shown to be an excellent tool to sup- port health and safety inspectors, to provide in real-time a broad map of dust concentration over the whole extension of the site, provided that calibration coefficients are worked out for the various types of dust which can be encountered on the site.","PeriodicalId":344616,"journal":{"name":"The Open Environmental Engineering Journal","volume":"124 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2014-10-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"133877720","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2014-08-06DOI: 10.2174/1874829501407010001
Ashok Kumar, Akhil Kadiyala, Dipsikha Sarmah
This paper evaluates the performance of six different Geographic Information System based interpolation methods: inverse distance weighting (IDW), radial basis function (RBF), global polynomial interpolation, local polyno- mial interpolation, kriging, and cokriging, using the Ohio homes database developed between 1987 and 2011. The best performing interpolation method to be used in the prediction of radon gas concentrations in the unmeasured areas of Ohio, USA was determined by validating the model predictions with operational performance measures. Additionally, this study performed a zip code level-based analysis that provided a complete picture of the radon gas concentration distribution in Ohio. The RBF method was identified to be the best performing method. While the RBF method performed significantly better than the IDW, it was statistically similar to the other interpolation methods. The RBF predicted radon gas concentration results indicated a significant increase in the number of zip codes that exceeded the United States Environmental Protec- tion Agency and the World Health Organization action limits, thereby, indicating the need to mitigate the Ohio radon gas concentrations to safe levels in order to reduce the health effects. The approach demonstrated in this paper can be applied to other radon-affected areas around the world.
{"title":"Evaluation of Geographic Information Systems-Based Spatial InterpolationMethods Using Ohio Indoor Radon Data","authors":"Ashok Kumar, Akhil Kadiyala, Dipsikha Sarmah","doi":"10.2174/1874829501407010001","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/1874829501407010001","url":null,"abstract":"This paper evaluates the performance of six different Geographic Information System based interpolation methods: inverse distance weighting (IDW), radial basis function (RBF), global polynomial interpolation, local polyno- mial interpolation, kriging, and cokriging, using the Ohio homes database developed between 1987 and 2011. The best performing interpolation method to be used in the prediction of radon gas concentrations in the unmeasured areas of Ohio, USA was determined by validating the model predictions with operational performance measures. Additionally, this study performed a zip code level-based analysis that provided a complete picture of the radon gas concentration distribution in Ohio. The RBF method was identified to be the best performing method. While the RBF method performed significantly better than the IDW, it was statistically similar to the other interpolation methods. The RBF predicted radon gas concentration results indicated a significant increase in the number of zip codes that exceeded the United States Environmental Protec- tion Agency and the World Health Organization action limits, thereby, indicating the need to mitigate the Ohio radon gas concentrations to safe levels in order to reduce the health effects. The approach demonstrated in this paper can be applied to other radon-affected areas around the world.","PeriodicalId":344616,"journal":{"name":"The Open Environmental Engineering Journal","volume":"43 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2014-08-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"122700376","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2013-12-27DOI: 10.2174/1874829520131205001
Wendy A. Mussoline, G. Esposito, P. Lens, A. Giordano
A novel co-digestion approach was evaluated to determine if agricultural and industrial waste residues could efficiently degrade straw without pretreatment. Untreated rice straw was co-digested with pig wastewater and anaerobic sludge from the pulp and paper mill treatment process in a pilot-scale digester (1 m) operated in dry, mesophilic conditions. The total weight ratio of dry straw to pig wastewater to sludge was 1 to1.25 to 0.5. The experiment was performed for a total of 153 days, however, the optimum period to balance the maximum energy output with the minimum retention time was determined to be 93 days. The addition of paper mill sludge accelerated VFA formation and gas production when compared to another pilot-scale digester operated under the same conditions without the sludge material. The straw in the pilot-scale digester with the sludge yielded 231 LCH4/kg VS within a 93-day digestion cycle compared to 189 days without the sludge. Daily leachate recirculation (0.2m/m straw-day), however, was not adequate for internal mixing and homogenization of the digester material. With adequate mixing, this co-digestion approach could enhance methane production and reduce the digestion time for untreated rice straw in a farm-scale digester.
{"title":"Enhanced Methane Production from Pilot-Scale Anaerobic DigesterLoaded with Rice Straw","authors":"Wendy A. Mussoline, G. Esposito, P. Lens, A. Giordano","doi":"10.2174/1874829520131205001","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/1874829520131205001","url":null,"abstract":"A novel co-digestion approach was evaluated to determine if agricultural and industrial waste residues could efficiently degrade straw without pretreatment. Untreated rice straw was co-digested with pig wastewater and anaerobic sludge from the pulp and paper mill treatment process in a pilot-scale digester (1 m) operated in dry, mesophilic conditions. The total weight ratio of dry straw to pig wastewater to sludge was 1 to1.25 to 0.5. The experiment was performed for a total of 153 days, however, the optimum period to balance the maximum energy output with the minimum retention time was determined to be 93 days. The addition of paper mill sludge accelerated VFA formation and gas production when compared to another pilot-scale digester operated under the same conditions without the sludge material. The straw in the pilot-scale digester with the sludge yielded 231 LCH4/kg VS within a 93-day digestion cycle compared to 189 days without the sludge. Daily leachate recirculation (0.2m/m straw-day), however, was not adequate for internal mixing and homogenization of the digester material. With adequate mixing, this co-digestion approach could enhance methane production and reduce the digestion time for untreated rice straw in a farm-scale digester.","PeriodicalId":344616,"journal":{"name":"The Open Environmental Engineering Journal","volume":"70 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2013-12-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"133158236","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2013-12-12DOI: 10.2174/1874829501306010022
D. Ogoyi, V. Muinde, P. Shiundu, E. Nguu
Winam Gulf is facing major pollution threats from anthropogenic input of pollutants such as heavy metals and agrochemical residues. This has deleterious effects on flora and fauna in the lake and consequently the quality of omega - 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) which have numerous health benefits in humans. In addition, heavy metal bioac- cumulation in fish poses a threat to human health. The major objective of the study was to establish whether there is a cor- relation between the heavy metal pollutants and the levels of omega - 3 PUFAs in fish. Levels of heavy metals - lead, cadmium, Zinc and chromium in sediments, water, and tilapia from selected sites in Winam Gulf were investigated. They were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Fish muscles were further analyzed for omega -3 PUFAs us- ing gas chromatography. Sediment samples accumulated the highest levels of heavy metals ranging from below detection limit to as high as 277 mg/kg on dry weight basis. Zinc levels in fish muscles were the highest whereas cadmium was the lowest. Heavy metal levels in water were found to be lowest compared to sediments and fish. Omega-3 PUFAs, particu- larly alpha-linolenic, eicosapentaenoic, docosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids were in substantial amounts in fish. Oil contents were in the range of (2.47- 3.87) %. There was no clear link observed between the levels of heavy metals and omega-3 PUFAs in fish although the fish muscles showed presence of these metals.
{"title":"Effects of heavy metal pollution on ω3 polyunsaturated fatty acids levels in tilapia fish from Winam Gulf of Lake Victoria","authors":"D. Ogoyi, V. Muinde, P. Shiundu, E. Nguu","doi":"10.2174/1874829501306010022","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/1874829501306010022","url":null,"abstract":"Winam Gulf is facing major pollution threats from anthropogenic input of pollutants such as heavy metals and agrochemical residues. This has deleterious effects on flora and fauna in the lake and consequently the quality of omega - 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) which have numerous health benefits in humans. In addition, heavy metal bioac- cumulation in fish poses a threat to human health. The major objective of the study was to establish whether there is a cor- relation between the heavy metal pollutants and the levels of omega - 3 PUFAs in fish. Levels of heavy metals - lead, cadmium, Zinc and chromium in sediments, water, and tilapia from selected sites in Winam Gulf were investigated. They were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Fish muscles were further analyzed for omega -3 PUFAs us- ing gas chromatography. Sediment samples accumulated the highest levels of heavy metals ranging from below detection limit to as high as 277 mg/kg on dry weight basis. Zinc levels in fish muscles were the highest whereas cadmium was the lowest. Heavy metal levels in water were found to be lowest compared to sediments and fish. Omega-3 PUFAs, particu- larly alpha-linolenic, eicosapentaenoic, docosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids were in substantial amounts in fish. Oil contents were in the range of (2.47- 3.87) %. There was no clear link observed between the levels of heavy metals and omega-3 PUFAs in fish although the fish muscles showed presence of these metals.","PeriodicalId":344616,"journal":{"name":"The Open Environmental Engineering Journal","volume":"6 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2013-12-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"131022535","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2013-09-06DOI: 10.2174/1874829501306010014
H. A.T, Pratap H.B, Katima H.J.Y, K. Mugittu, Mbwette T.S.A
The role of six indigenous macrophytes (Cypreus grandis, C. dubis, Kyllinga erectus, Phragmites mauritianus, Typha domingensis and T. capensis) was investigated for nitrogen removal in horizontal subsurface flow constructed wet- lands at the University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania receiving waste stabilization ponds effluent. Seven horizontal sub- surface flow constructed wetlands were fed with the same source of domestic wastewater, where six of them were planted with a monoculture macrophytic species while the seventh was not planted and it acted as a control cell. On alternatedays' basis for twenty eight weeks both the influent and effluent water samples from each cell were collected and sent to the laboratory for ammonia-N, nitrate-N and Total Kjeldahl-N analysis. Nitrogen bioaccumulation and plant biomasses were analyzed during the transplanting time, after ten weeks and after flowering. Temperature, pH and plant heights were de- termined in situ. Results show that overall nitrogen removal was through denitrification where K.erectus performed better (75.59%) than the rest.Since P.mauritianus(74.37% )established well and had the longest growing period after harvest useso therefore it was selected as the best macrophyte. More research needs to be done prior to making a final decision on the use of any of these macrophytes for nitrogen removal depending on the weather and soils of the specific area.
{"title":"Potential Macrophytes for Nitrogen Removal from Domestic Wastewater in Horizontal Subsurface Flow Constructed Wetlands in Tanzania","authors":"H. A.T, Pratap H.B, Katima H.J.Y, K. Mugittu, Mbwette T.S.A","doi":"10.2174/1874829501306010014","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/1874829501306010014","url":null,"abstract":"The role of six indigenous macrophytes (Cypreus grandis, C. dubis, Kyllinga erectus, Phragmites mauritianus, Typha domingensis and T. capensis) was investigated for nitrogen removal in horizontal subsurface flow constructed wet- lands at the University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania receiving waste stabilization ponds effluent. Seven horizontal sub- surface flow constructed wetlands were fed with the same source of domestic wastewater, where six of them were planted with a monoculture macrophytic species while the seventh was not planted and it acted as a control cell. On alternatedays' basis for twenty eight weeks both the influent and effluent water samples from each cell were collected and sent to the laboratory for ammonia-N, nitrate-N and Total Kjeldahl-N analysis. Nitrogen bioaccumulation and plant biomasses were analyzed during the transplanting time, after ten weeks and after flowering. Temperature, pH and plant heights were de- termined in situ. Results show that overall nitrogen removal was through denitrification where K.erectus performed better (75.59%) than the rest.Since P.mauritianus(74.37% )established well and had the longest growing period after harvest useso therefore it was selected as the best macrophyte. More research needs to be done prior to making a final decision on the use of any of these macrophytes for nitrogen removal depending on the weather and soils of the specific area.","PeriodicalId":344616,"journal":{"name":"The Open Environmental Engineering Journal","volume":"2 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2013-09-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"130299247","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2013-07-26DOI: 10.2174/1874829501306010007
Jingjie Teng, Arun Kumar, P. Gurian, M. Olson
Due to the complexity of risk assessments, models tend to be dense and difficult for users to follow and modify in order to meet their needs. A spreadsheet-based tool, named the Spreadsheet Microbial Assessment of Risk: Tool for Biosolids (SMART Biosolids), has been developed for quantitative microbial risk assessment of land-applied biosolids, which is intended to address these challenges. The model combines spreadsheets with add-in visual basic macros in a ra- tional and supportable manner. Spreadsheets serve as a familiar interface for an archive of relevant inputs for parameter values and references.The exposure model is also encoded in the spreadsheet, which allows users to trace back computa- tions through the model and modify parameters if necessary. Add-in macros are used to implement a nested sampling rou- tinethat calls the exposure model encoded in the spreadsheet many times to calculate values for different pathogens and to perform a Monte Carlo uncertainty analysis. An example application finds that adenovirus is the pathogen presenting the highest risk by the groundwater pathway. However, uncertainties are large indicating that additional information on the fate and transport of adenovirus in groundwater would be helpful. The SMART Biosolids model may be useful for in- forming a number of decisions. Regulators and land application program managers may be able to use the model to re- view different sites and determine which sites are most appropriate for land application. Researchers may use the model to integrate information and identify key gaps in knowledge warranting future research.
{"title":"A Spreadsheet-Based Site Specific Risk Assessment Tool for Land-Applied Biosolids","authors":"Jingjie Teng, Arun Kumar, P. Gurian, M. Olson","doi":"10.2174/1874829501306010007","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/1874829501306010007","url":null,"abstract":"Due to the complexity of risk assessments, models tend to be dense and difficult for users to follow and modify in order to meet their needs. A spreadsheet-based tool, named the Spreadsheet Microbial Assessment of Risk: Tool for Biosolids (SMART Biosolids), has been developed for quantitative microbial risk assessment of land-applied biosolids, which is intended to address these challenges. The model combines spreadsheets with add-in visual basic macros in a ra- tional and supportable manner. Spreadsheets serve as a familiar interface for an archive of relevant inputs for parameter values and references.The exposure model is also encoded in the spreadsheet, which allows users to trace back computa- tions through the model and modify parameters if necessary. Add-in macros are used to implement a nested sampling rou- tinethat calls the exposure model encoded in the spreadsheet many times to calculate values for different pathogens and to perform a Monte Carlo uncertainty analysis. An example application finds that adenovirus is the pathogen presenting the highest risk by the groundwater pathway. However, uncertainties are large indicating that additional information on the fate and transport of adenovirus in groundwater would be helpful. The SMART Biosolids model may be useful for in- forming a number of decisions. Regulators and land application program managers may be able to use the model to re- view different sites and determine which sites are most appropriate for land application. Researchers may use the model to integrate information and identify key gaps in knowledge warranting future research.","PeriodicalId":344616,"journal":{"name":"The Open Environmental Engineering Journal","volume":"113 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2013-07-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"115733415","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2013-06-07DOI: 10.2174/1874829501306010001
M. Chacha, T. Julius, G. Nkwengulila
Cysticercosis and Taeniosis are global health problems with impacts on human beings and the development of the livestock industry. This study tested the presence of Taenia eggs in the soil of two villages in Iringa rural district, Tan- zania. No recognizable Taenia egg was found, though those found were difficult to identify due to absorption of the flota- tion fluid which made them dark with difficulties to see the innermost structures. In view of their sizes (30 - 40 microns in diameter) these eggs were considered to be of Taenia spp. In addition, eggs from four geo-helminth species were identi- fied namely; Ascaris lumbricoides, Schistosoma mansoni, Strongyloides stercoralis and Trichuris trichiura eggs. The fre- quency of T. trichiura was 81.97%, Ascaris lumbricoides was 8.2%, unidentified eggs 6.01%, Strongyloides stercoralis 3.3% and Schistosoma mansoni was 0.5%. The most contaminated sites were backyard with a prevalence of 30.1% fol- lowed by west disposal site (WDS) 25.7%, open defaecation area (ODA) 24.0% and the least was toilet 20.2%. About 31 (31%) samples had no eggs. The findings revealed that the environment of Izazi village was more contaminated by geo- helminth eggs (19.4%) than that of Migoli village (12.1%) and that higher moisture content in soils favors the growth, de- velopment, spread and transmission of geo-helminth eggs.
{"title":"Environmental Contamination by Taenia Eggs in Iringa Rural District, Tanzania","authors":"M. Chacha, T. Julius, G. Nkwengulila","doi":"10.2174/1874829501306010001","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/1874829501306010001","url":null,"abstract":"Cysticercosis and Taeniosis are global health problems with impacts on human beings and the development of the livestock industry. This study tested the presence of Taenia eggs in the soil of two villages in Iringa rural district, Tan- zania. No recognizable Taenia egg was found, though those found were difficult to identify due to absorption of the flota- tion fluid which made them dark with difficulties to see the innermost structures. In view of their sizes (30 - 40 microns in diameter) these eggs were considered to be of Taenia spp. In addition, eggs from four geo-helminth species were identi- fied namely; Ascaris lumbricoides, Schistosoma mansoni, Strongyloides stercoralis and Trichuris trichiura eggs. The fre- quency of T. trichiura was 81.97%, Ascaris lumbricoides was 8.2%, unidentified eggs 6.01%, Strongyloides stercoralis 3.3% and Schistosoma mansoni was 0.5%. The most contaminated sites were backyard with a prevalence of 30.1% fol- lowed by west disposal site (WDS) 25.7%, open defaecation area (ODA) 24.0% and the least was toilet 20.2%. About 31 (31%) samples had no eggs. The findings revealed that the environment of Izazi village was more contaminated by geo- helminth eggs (19.4%) than that of Migoli village (12.1%) and that higher moisture content in soils favors the growth, de- velopment, spread and transmission of geo-helminth eggs.","PeriodicalId":344616,"journal":{"name":"The Open Environmental Engineering Journal","volume":"25 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2013-06-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"122719207","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2012-07-13DOI: 10.2174/1874829501205010084
F. Muyodi, Raphael Kapiyo
Water quality and socio-economic status of beach communities was studied in the Thruston Bay catchments of Lake Victoria. The major aim of the study was to establish the relation between water quality and socio-economic status of the communities in the study sites and come up with a sustainable community-designed system to control water quality degradation. Physico-chemical characteristics of water were determined on-site while total and fecal coliforms were determined in the laboratory using standard methods. The most probable number (MPN) technique was used to determine the total coliforms (TC) while the fecal coliform (FC) Test was used for testing the presence or absence of fecal coliforms. All sites tested positive for total and fecal coliforms. Borehole water had the highest MPN values followed by 10 m site. To compliment on the water quality data collected, a socio-economic status study of beach communities was conducted using questionnaires, structured interviews, focus group discussions and observations. Data and information on the demographic characteristics, asset ownership, livelihood activities, social facilities, health and sanitation, communication and outreach, solid waste and fisheries management and Beach Management Units (BMU) establishments, among others, was collected. A method in form of a model was designed using a participatory approach by the beach communities to be used to ameliorate lakeshore degradation by the communities in collaboration with other stakeholders.
{"title":"Beach Community-Designed System To Ameliorate Water Quality Deterioration in Catchments of Lake Victoria","authors":"F. Muyodi, Raphael Kapiyo","doi":"10.2174/1874829501205010084","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/1874829501205010084","url":null,"abstract":"Water quality and socio-economic status of beach communities was studied in the Thruston Bay catchments of Lake Victoria. The major aim of the study was to establish the relation between water quality and socio-economic status of the communities in the study sites and come up with a sustainable community-designed system to control water quality degradation. Physico-chemical characteristics of water were determined on-site while total and fecal coliforms were determined in the laboratory using standard methods. The most probable number (MPN) technique was used to determine the total coliforms (TC) while the fecal coliform (FC) Test was used for testing the presence or absence of fecal coliforms. All sites tested positive for total and fecal coliforms. Borehole water had the highest MPN values followed by 10 m site. To compliment on the water quality data collected, a socio-economic status study of beach communities was conducted using questionnaires, structured interviews, focus group discussions and observations. Data and information on the demographic characteristics, asset ownership, livelihood activities, social facilities, health and sanitation, communication and outreach, solid waste and fisheries management and Beach Management Units (BMU) establishments, among others, was collected. A method in form of a model was designed using a participatory approach by the beach communities to be used to ameliorate lakeshore degradation by the communities in collaboration with other stakeholders.","PeriodicalId":344616,"journal":{"name":"The Open Environmental Engineering Journal","volume":"53 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2012-07-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"124613825","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2012-07-13DOI: 10.2174/1874829501205010103
F. Kariuki, Victor G. Nganga, K. Kotut
Greywater recycling has been identified as an efficient method to conserve water. The purpose of this study was to investigate some selected hydrochemical characteristics, plant nutrients and metal content of greywater and soils in residential areas of Homa Bay town. Laundry greywater had the highest pH (9.1 ± 0.01), Electrical conductivity (2900 ± 215 � S cm -1 ) and salinity (0.4 ± 0.02 - 0.8 ± 0.01 mg L -1 ). The lowest electrical conductivity (400 ± 50 � S cm -1 ) was recorded in bathing greywater. The highest SAR (4.63 ± 0.23) was recorded in laundry gerywater from non-sewered households and the lowest SAR (0.72 ± 0.12) in kitchen greywater from sewered households. The SAR values of greywater in Homa Bay were lower than the acceptable limit of 6 for moderate restriction on the use of such water for irrigation. The SAR values for soils in Homa Bay were 2.12 ± 0.13 and 4.21 ± 0.11 in soils that had received kitchen and bathing greywater respectively and 27 ± 0.5 for rainfed soil. Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Sodium, Iron, Copper, Cadmium and Chromium concentration were highest in laundry greywater. The highest values of Zinc and Manganese were in kitchen greywater from non-sewered households. Levels of metals in soils that had been exposed to greywater were lower than the recommended limits. A significant (p<0.05) positive correlation was recorded between concentration of Cd in bathing greywater and in the soil. A significant (p<0.05) negative correlation between the concentration of Cu in kitchen greywater and in soils was also recorded.
灰水回收已被确定为节约用水的有效方法。本研究的目的是调查一些选定的水化学特征，植物养分和土壤中的金属含量在霍马湾镇的居民区。洗涤中水pH值最高(9.1±0.01)，电导率最高(2900±215±S cm -1)，盐度最高(0.4±0.02 ~ 0.8±0.01 mg L -1)。洗澡用的灰水中电导率最低(400±50°S cm -1)。非污水户的洗衣用水SAR最高(4.63±0.23)，污水户的厨房灰水SAR最低(0.72±0.12)。Homa Bay灰水的SAR值低于适度限制使用灰水灌溉的可接受限值6。厨房灰水和洗浴灰水土壤的SAR值分别为2.12±0.13和4.21±0.11，雨养土壤的SAR值为27±0.5。洗涤灰水中氮、磷、钠、铁、铜、镉、铬的浓度最高。锌和锰含量最高的是来自没有下水道的家庭的厨房灰水。接触过灰水的土壤中的金属含量低于建议的限度。洗浴灰水中镉含量与土壤中镉含量呈显著正相关(p<0.05)。厨房污水中Cu含量与土壤中Cu含量呈显著负相关(p<0.05)。
{"title":"Hydrochemical Characteristics, Plant Nutrients and Metals in Household Greywater and Soils in Homa Bay Town","authors":"F. Kariuki, Victor G. Nganga, K. Kotut","doi":"10.2174/1874829501205010103","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/1874829501205010103","url":null,"abstract":"Greywater recycling has been identified as an efficient method to conserve water. The purpose of this study was to investigate some selected hydrochemical characteristics, plant nutrients and metal content of greywater and soils in residential areas of Homa Bay town. Laundry greywater had the highest pH (9.1 ± 0.01), Electrical conductivity (2900 ± 215 � S cm -1 ) and salinity (0.4 ± 0.02 - 0.8 ± 0.01 mg L -1 ). The lowest electrical conductivity (400 ± 50 � S cm -1 ) was recorded in bathing greywater. The highest SAR (4.63 ± 0.23) was recorded in laundry gerywater from non-sewered households and the lowest SAR (0.72 ± 0.12) in kitchen greywater from sewered households. The SAR values of greywater in Homa Bay were lower than the acceptable limit of 6 for moderate restriction on the use of such water for irrigation. The SAR values for soils in Homa Bay were 2.12 ± 0.13 and 4.21 ± 0.11 in soils that had received kitchen and bathing greywater respectively and 27 ± 0.5 for rainfed soil. Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Sodium, Iron, Copper, Cadmium and Chromium concentration were highest in laundry greywater. The highest values of Zinc and Manganese were in kitchen greywater from non-sewered households. Levels of metals in soils that had been exposed to greywater were lower than the recommended limits. A significant (p<0.05) positive correlation was recorded between concentration of Cd in bathing greywater and in the soil. A significant (p<0.05) negative correlation between the concentration of Cu in kitchen greywater and in soils was also recorded.","PeriodicalId":344616,"journal":{"name":"The Open Environmental Engineering Journal","volume":"5 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2012-07-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"130298370","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2012-07-13DOI: 10.2174/1874829501205010119
A. Makokha, P. Kinyanjui, H. Magoha, Leonard R. Mghweno, Amina Nakajugo, John M. Wekesa
The objective of this study was to determine the level of arsenic in the environment and in foods consumed around Kisumu, and compare these levels with the recommended WHO maximum limits. Arsenic was determined in water samples from Lake Victoria, River Nyamasaria, tap water as well as in the soil samples. It was also determined in staple foods including maize, beans, fish and vegetables. Arsenic content in the samples was determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. The results showed that arsenic content in the water and soil ranged from 0.00 to 8.30 ng/100 ml and 12.39 to 24.36 � g/100 g, respectively, and the mean arsenic levels in all water and soil samples were within the safe WHO limits for arsenic. The arsenic content in the maize and bean samples ranged from 5.21 to 7.03 � g/100 g. The arsenic content in the vegetables and fish ranged from 2.89 to 7.34 and 4.31 to 7.66 � g/100 g, respectively. The arse- nic content in all the food samples were also within the safe WHO arsenic limits. However, there were variations in arse- nic contents between the species of fish studied. The arsenic content was significantly higher in soil samples in compari- son to water samples (p<0.05). Overall the arsenic levels in all the food, water and soil samples were within the maximum WHO safe limits. It is recommended that continuous monitoring of arsenic levels of water, soil and foods be put in place since there could be seasonal variations in their levels.
{"title":"Arsenic Levels in the Environment and Foods Around Kisumu, Kenya","authors":"A. Makokha, P. Kinyanjui, H. Magoha, Leonard R. Mghweno, Amina Nakajugo, John M. Wekesa","doi":"10.2174/1874829501205010119","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/1874829501205010119","url":null,"abstract":"The objective of this study was to determine the level of arsenic in the environment and in foods consumed around Kisumu, and compare these levels with the recommended WHO maximum limits. Arsenic was determined in water samples from Lake Victoria, River Nyamasaria, tap water as well as in the soil samples. It was also determined in staple foods including maize, beans, fish and vegetables. Arsenic content in the samples was determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. The results showed that arsenic content in the water and soil ranged from 0.00 to 8.30 ng/100 ml and 12.39 to 24.36 � g/100 g, respectively, and the mean arsenic levels in all water and soil samples were within the safe WHO limits for arsenic. The arsenic content in the maize and bean samples ranged from 5.21 to 7.03 � g/100 g. The arsenic content in the vegetables and fish ranged from 2.89 to 7.34 and 4.31 to 7.66 � g/100 g, respectively. The arse- nic content in all the food samples were also within the safe WHO arsenic limits. However, there were variations in arse- nic contents between the species of fish studied. The arsenic content was significantly higher in soil samples in compari- son to water samples (p<0.05). Overall the arsenic levels in all the food, water and soil samples were within the maximum WHO safe limits. It is recommended that continuous monitoring of arsenic levels of water, soil and foods be put in place since there could be seasonal variations in their levels.","PeriodicalId":344616,"journal":{"name":"The Open Environmental Engineering Journal","volume":"7 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2012-07-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"132764826","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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