Grey Water Footprint Assessment from the Perspective of Water Pollution Sources: A Case Study of China

Water Resources - With the acceleration of industrialization and urbanization, the water crisis is becoming more severe and may threaten the future of sustainable development. Assessing grey water...     

Assessment of Seismic Site Conditions: a Case Study from Guwahati City,Northeast India

The 1897 Great Shillong earthquake revealed considerable seismic susceptibility in Guwahati City, such as soil liquefaction, landslides, and surface fissures. In an attempt to quantify the seismic vulnerability of the city based on geological, seismological, and geotechnical aspects concerning seismic site characterization, in-depth analysis was performed using a microtremor survey with recordings of five small to moderate magnitude (4.8 ≤ m_b ≤ 5.4) earthquakes that occurred in 2006 and geotechnical investigations using the Standard Penetration Test (SPT). Additionally, the basement topography was established using vertical electrical resistivity sounding and selected drill-hole information. Region-specific relationships are derived by correlating the estimated values of predominant frequency, shear-wave velocity, and basement depth indicating conformity with the predominant frequency distribution and the basin topography underlain by a hard granitic basement. Most parts of the city adhere to the predominant frequency range of 0.5–3.5 Hz, setting aside areas of deep sediment fills or hilly tracts, suggesting that the existing moderate-rise RC buildings in the territory are seismically vulnerable. Furthermore, the geotechnical assessment of the soil liquefaction potential reveals widespread susceptibility across the terrain. Eventually, a site classification map of the city is prepared following the National Earthquake Hazard Program (NEHRP) provision. The average site amplification factor from geotechnical modeling for site class D is about 3 in the frequency range of 2–4 Hz. In addition, earthquake data yield an average site amplification factor of 4–6 in the frequency range of 1.2–5.0 Hz at the seismic stations located in site class E and F. High site amplifications of around 5.5 and 7.5 at 2 Hz, respectively, are observed at AMTRON and IRRIG seismic stations, which are located in the proximity of Precambrian rocks, indicating probable basin edge effects—scattering and diffraction of incident energy. Interplay of dispersed valleys surrounded by small hillocks in the study region is likely to induce micro-basin effects where the sediment thickness/depth vis-à-vis predominant frequency and basin geometry in conjunction play pivotal roles in the augmentation of site response.     

Planning Urban Growth in Ground Water Recharge Areas: Central Valley, Costa Rica

Nitrate levels in the ground water of the Central Valley of Costa Rica have increased in relation to the past. Previous studies determined that the unseweved sanitation systems in the recharge areas are the main source of nitrogen. Calculations are made in this study to estimate the maximum population density allowable without improved sewage systems in order to keep the nitrogen levels in ground water below the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. Results were achieved employing a mass balance that involved the concentration and rate of domestic effluents and the flow rate in the aquifer, as well as an estimation of the effects caused by the agricultural activity. It was concluded that, in general terms, the population density must not exceed 45 inhabitants per hectare. Otherwise, sewage systems and treatment plants are necessary. These conclusions provide a basis for urban growth planning, which will protect ground water quality. The method used in this case should apply to similar situations.     

Probabilistic Microzonation of Urban Territories: A Case of Tashkent City

—?The problem of accounting for local soil effect on earthquake ground motion is especially urgent when assessing seismic hazard – recent needs of earthquake engineering require local site effects to be included into hazard maps. However, most recent works do not consider the variety of soil conditions or are performed for generalized site categories, such as “hard rock,”“soft soil” or “alluvium.” A technique of seismic hazard calculations on the basis of the Fourier Amplitude Spectra recently developed by the authors allows us to create hazard maps involving the influence of local soil conditions using soil/bedrock spectral ratios. Probabilistic microzoning maps may be constructed showing macroseismic intensity, peak ground acceleration, response and design spectra for various return periods (probability of exceedance), that allow optimization of engineering decisions. An application of this approach is presented which focused on the probabilistic microzoning of the Tashkent City.     

Cryptosporidium Oocysts in Drinking Water Supply of Chennai City,Southern India

Cryptosporidium is an enteric parasitic protozoan capable of causing chronic diarrhea. One of the most common modes of transmission is through faeces‐contaminated water. This study determines the distribution of Cryptosporidium oocysts for the first time in Chennai City's drinking water supply. 199 drinking water samples were collected from ten zones of the city. In the water samples Cryptosporidium, a common pathogenic protozoan of the gastrointestinal tract, has been analyzed physico chemically as well as microbiologically for heterotrophic organisms and total coliforms (TC). The studies revealed that three zones of the city were highly contaminated with coliforms and parasitic protozoa. A statistical analysis was done to find any correlation between heterotrophic organisms, total coliforms, and oocysts. Even though a positive correlation exists between oocysts and bacteriological parameters, a regression equation shows that heterotrophic plate count (HPC) and total coliforms were only 20% responsible for the presence of oocysts. The level of Cryptosporidium oocysts isolated from the water samples may present a public health hazard although no major outbreaks have so far been reported in Chennai City. Routine surveillance of water quality throughout the city is needed to curb the pollutants.     

Ground Water Replenishment with Reclaimed Water in the City of Los Angeles

A two-year pilot study involving the recharge of a ground water basin with reclaimed water was completed in the city of Los Angeles. The city's Department of Water and Power is planning to initiate several ground water recharge projects using reclaimed water in the near future. One such project is the Headworks Recharge Project, the focus of this paper, Approximately 1 cfs of the Los Angeles (LA) River water comprised of 70% tertiary treated reclaimed water was recharged on a two-day wet and five-day dry cycle. The recharge water was then extracted from the basin approximately 1000 feet downgradient. Results showed greater than 4-log removal of coliform bacteria, up to 87% reduction in TOC, and compliance of the product water with federal and state drinking water standards. Model simulation showed after 15 years of recharging 3000 acre-feet per year of the LA River water and extracting about 10,000 acre-feet from the basin, the product water would contain from 5% to 15% reclaimed water. This is well below the maximum allowable limit of 20% stipulated by the California regulation.     

The Ground Water Recharge and Pollution Potential of Dry Wells in Pima County, Arizona

This paper summarizes a study to estimate the potential for dry-well drainage of urban runoff to recharge and pollute ground water in Tucson, Arizona. We selected three candidate dry wells for study. At each site we collected samples of runoff, dry-well sediment, vadose-zone sediment, perched ground water, and ground water. Water content data from vadose-zone samples suggest that dry-well drainage has created a transmission zone for water movement at each site. Volatile organic compounds, while undetected in runoff samples, were present in dry-well sediment, perched ground water at one site, and ground water at two sites. The concentrations of volatile organics (toluene and ethylbenzene) in the water samples were less than the corresponding EPA human health criteria. Pesticides were detected only in runoff and dry-well sediment. Lead and chromium occurred in runoff samples at concentrations above drinking water standards. Nickel, chromium, and zinc concentrations were elevated in vadose-zone samples at the commercial site. Of the metals, only manganese, detected at the residential site, exceeded Secondary Drinking Water Standards in ground water. It is concluded that the three dry wells examined during this study are currently not a major source of ground water pollution.     

Remediation of Sea Water Intrusion: A Case Study

Sea water intrusion and remediation in the Upper Floridan Aquifer in South Carolina is simulated using the finite-element model SUTRA developed by the U.S. Geological Survey. A sensitivity analysis of the effect of the hydrogeologic parameters on the sea water recharge and seepage velocities is performed. An increase in confining unit and/or in aquifer conductivity results in an increase of the sea water recharge. An increase in aquifer porosity results in a decrease of the sea water recharge. Among the three remedial techniques simulated—reduced aquifer withdrawals, an injection well, and a combined injection and capture well—the reduced aquifer withdrawals and injection well are the best methods for preventing sea water intrusion.     

Landfill Leachate Treatment: A Case Study for Istanbul City

One of the most important problems arising from landfilling solid wastes is the leachate which contains high amount of pollution. Discharge of leachate without treatment causes negative effects on environmental and public health. In this study, parameters of chemical oxygen demand (COD), total nitrogen (TN), ammonia nitrogen (NH₄‐N), and total phosphorus (TP) were examined in the samples taken from the influent and effluent of leachate treatment plant, where Odayeri landfill leachate is treated. Obtained results showed that the treatment plant, which consisted of preanoxic biological treatment system, ultrafiltration (UF) and nanofiltration (NF) units were operating with high efficiency. Among the examined parameters during study, COD, TN, NH₄‐N, and TP were found to be treated at the rate of 99, 94.5, 99, and 93.8%, respectively. Landfilling is increasing rapidly in the world and this consequently brings the need of leachate treatment facilities. Therefore, this study is considered to be a guide for construction and operation stages of proposed new treatment plants.