Blast furnace slag can effectively remediate coastal marine sediments affected by organic enrichment

There is an urgent need to control nutrient release fluxes from organically-enriched sediments into overlying waters to alleviate the effects of eutrophication. This study aims to characterize blast furnace slag (BFS) and evaluate its remediation performance on organically-enriched sediments in terms of suppressing nutrient fluxes and reducing acid volatile sulfide. BFS was mainly composed of inorganic substances such as CaO, SiO₂, Al₂O₃ and MgO in amorphous crystal phase. Container experiments showed that the phosphate concentration in the overlying water, its releasing flux from sediment and AVS of the sediment decreased by 17-23%, 39% and 16% compared to the control without BFS, respectively. The loss on ignition was significantly decreased by 3.6-11% compared to the control. Thus, the application of BFS to organically-enriched sediment has a suppressive role on organic matter, AVS concentration and phosphate releasing flux from sediments and therefore, is a good candidate as an effective environmental remediation agent.     

Optimization of Minimal Salt Medium for Efficient Phenanthrene Biodegradation by Mycoplana sp. MVMB2 Isolated from Petroleum Contaminated Soil Using Factorial Design Experiments

This study presents the degradation of phenanthrene by Mycoplana sp. MVMB2 isolated from petroleum contaminated soil and the media optimization by factorial design experiments. The Plackett–Burman design was used to evaluate the effects of eight variables (potassium dihydrogen phosphate, disodium hydrogen phosphate, magnesium sulfate, calcium chloride, ferrous sulfate, glucose, inoculum concentration, and phenanthrene concentration) on phenanthrene degradation. Based on the results, the critical medium components having significant influence on the degradation were found to be disodium hydrogen phosphate, magnesium sulfate, ferrous sulfate, and phenanthrene. Furthermore, these four variables were used as central composite design parameters. The optimum minimal salt medium composition obtained by conventional and factorial design experiments for the degradation of phenanthrene by Mycoplana sp. MVMB2 at pH 6.5 and 30°C were found to be, potassium 2.5 g/L dihydrogen phosphate, 0.3505 g/L disodium hydrogen phosphate, 0.5501 g/L magnesium sulfate, 0.02 g/L calcium chloride, 0.0261 g/L ferrous sulfate, 0.6756 g/L phenanthrene, 0.5 g/L glucose, 0.5 g/L ammonium sulfate, and inoculum 5% v/v. The phenanthrene degradation was confirmed by analyzing the metabolites formed.     

Adsorption of Phosphate by Biomass Char Deriving from Fast Pyrolysis of Biomass Waste

Biomass char (BC) deriving from fast pyrolysis of biomass was a potential adsorption material due to its relative high fixed‐carbon content and the inherent porous structures. Adsorption of phosphate from aqueous solution by BC was investigated in this paper. The results showed that the adsorption capacity of BC was dependent on pyrolysis conditions, such as temperature and holding time. The maximum adsorption capacity for phosphate was approximately 15.11 mg g^?1 at 298 K. The pseudo‐second order model of the adsorption kinetics indicated that the adsorption process was complex and several mechanisms were involved. Equilibrium isotherm was satisfactorily followed the Freundlich isotherm model. The K_F value in Freundlich equation gradually increased with elevating temperature. Moreover, the thermodynamic constants: ΔG⁰, ΔH⁰, and ΔS⁰ were evaluated as ?6.49 kJ mol^?1 (at 298 K), 13.41 kJ mol^?1, and 66.70 J mol^?1 K^?1, respectively. Phosphate adsorption onto BC was spontaneous and endothermic. As a waste, BC was a potentially attractive adsorbent for phosphate removal from aqueous solution with low cost and high capability.     

Porosity and pathway determination in crystalline rock by positron emission tomography and neutron radiography

This study demonstrates that positron emission tomography (PET) and neutron radiography (NR) techniques are complementary methods for determining the fluid pathway and porosity in crystalline rock. After preliminary injection of an organic solvent (e.g. isopropanol) front followed by the injection of the polymer solution (e.g. epoxy used for both techniques) and resin hardening, rock cutting may be performed. Flow pathway may be imaged by using a β⁺ emitter (e.g. ⁶⁸Ga) in the resin. With a high-resolution PET camera, determination of the original water carrier features is possible in granodiorite pieces 20 cm in size and in simulated features with porosities of the order of 0.2. The use of a β⁺ tracer and the camera field, however, limit the lateral resolution of the technique (10 mm). Neutron radiography makes it possible to visualize the simulated porous phases by neutron transmission. The transmission process depends on the neutron scattering properties of the hydrogen-rich material (e.g. epoxy resin). Combination of 2D pictures may rebuild the 3D pattern. Lateral resolution may be in the range of 1 mm; however, the thickness of the rock sample must not exceed 10 cm. Complementarity of these techniques is discussed and they are compared with other methods used to determine porosity.     

硫铝酸盐水泥去除微污染水体中磷的性能及机理

微污染湖泊、水库等水体中磷的去除已成为水质研究的主要方向.磷是造成水体富营养化的关键因素,其浓度较低时即可导致水体富营养化与水华的发生,许多除磷方法对低浓度磷的去除效果不佳.因此,我们从22种天然矿物、火山灰质材料和水硬性材料中,筛选出了能高效去除低浓度磷的硫铝酸盐水泥(代号R.SAC 42.5,简称R),该材料在中性...     

Extraction of physically realistic pore network properties from three-dimensional synchrotron X-ray microtomography images of unconsolidated porous media systems

This paper presents application of a series of algorithms used to extract pore network structure from high-resolution three-dimensional synchrotron microtomography images of unconsolidated porous media systems. These algorithms are based on the three-dimensional skeletonization that simplifies the pore space to networks in the form of nodes connected to paths. Dilation algorithms were developed to generate inscribed spheres on the nodes and paths of the medial axis to represent pore-bodies and pore-throats of the network, respectively. The end result is a physically representative pore network structure, i.e. three-dimensional spatial distribution (i.e. x-, y-, and z-coordinates) of pore-bodies and pore-throats, pore-body size distribution, pore-throat size distribution, and the connectivity. Systems analyzed in this study include different glass bead systems and natural marine sand. The media ranged in size from 0.123 to 1.0 mm, while the image volumes ranged between 7.7 and 108.9 mm³. In addition to extracting the pore network structure, the porosity, specific surface area, and representative elementary volume analysis on the porosity were calculated. Spatial correlation between pore-body sizes in the network was investigated using semivariograms and integral scale concepts. The impact of resolution on the calculated property was also investigated.

In this work, we show that microtomography is an effective tool to non-destructively extract the structure of many systems. The quality of the datasets depends on photon energy, photon flux, size of the sample, type of the sample, and size of the sample ‘features’. Results show that the developed method of extracting pore network structure is applicable to ideal and natural porous media systems. The impact of resolution on the quantification of the network structure properties varies in its significance based on feature size of the system and the properties being calculated. Therefore, a thorough resolution sensitivity analysis should be carried out to determine the degree of error associated with a system imaged at a given resolution.     

Characterization and Application of Dried Plants to Remove Heavy Metals,Nitrate, and Phosphate Ions from Industrial Wastewaters

Low cost adsorbents were prepared from dried plants for the removal of heavy metals, nitrate, and phosphate ions from industrial wastewaters. The efficiency of these adsorbents was investigated using batch adsorption technique at room temperature. The dried plant particles were characterized by N₂ at 77 K adsorption, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and phytochemical screening. The adsorption experiments showed that the microparticles of the dried plants presented a good adsorption of heavy metals, phosphate, and nitrate ions from real wastewaters. This adsorption increased with increasing contact time. The equilibrium time was found to be 30 min for heavy metals and nitrate ions and 240 min for phosphate ions. After the adsorption process, the Pb(II) concentrations, as well as those of Cd(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II) were below the European drinking water norms concentrations. The percentage removal of heavy metals, nitrates, and phosphates from industrial wastewaters by dried plants was ～94% for Cd²⁺, ～92% for Cu²⁺, ～99% for Pb²⁺, ～97% for Zn²⁺, ～100% for ${\rm NO}_{{\rm 3}}^{{-} } $ and ～77% for ${\rm PO}_{{\rm 4}}^{3{-} } $ ions. It is proved that dried plants can be one alternative source for low cost absorbents to remove heavy metals, nitrate, and phosphate ions from municipal and industrial wastewaters.     

Wave damping by a vertical porous structure placed near and away from a rigid vertical wall

Damping of water waves by a vertical porous structure placed at some distance from a vertical wall is investigated within the framework of linear water wave theory. The rectangular porous structure is placed on a small rectangular elevation. An incident wave of small amplitude propagates through the structure – some portion gets reflected back while some portion gets transmitted to a third region bounded vertically by a rigid wall which is considered to be at a distance near the porous structure, and also away from the wall at a large distance as a separate case. Boundary value problems are set up in all three regions and, by using the matching conditions along the vertical boundaries, a system of linear equations is deduced. The roots of the relevant dispersion relation are used in setting up the system of equations. The overall scattering phenomenon is studied with respect to different relevant parameters. The dependence of the coefficients on the thickness (width) of the porous structure is investigated for different numbers of modes and porosity. It is observed that, except for the case when the porous structure is thin, the reflection and transmission coefficients give rise to values as expected. In the case, when the rigid wall is nearer to the structure, the reflection coefficient decreases rapidly for a thin structure and converges for all numbers of evanescent modes afterwards. The transmission coefficient also decreases as the width increases, ultimately converging and vanishing for a wide structure. When the wall is at a large distance away from the structure, the behavior of both the reflection and transmission coefficients remain the same. For both cases of the wall being nearer and away from the structure, higher porosity gives rise to lower reflection coefficients and higher transmission coefficients. However, the transmission coefficients converge and vanish when the porous structure is very wide. We also discuss the energy loss against the width of the porous structure for different values of number of modes and porosity. Irrespective of the positioning of the rigid wall, we observe that for higher values of porosity, energy loss is more pronounced when the structure is not thin, whereas energy loss is same for all numbers of modes. All our observations are supported by graphs. Good agreement of our result with earlier results justifies our model.     

Copper(II) Biosorption on Soda Lignin From Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunches (EFB)

The adsorption of Cu(II) ions from aqueous solutions by soda lignin as an absorbent using a batch adsorption system is presented in this paper. The soda lignin used in this study was extracted from black liquor derived from oil palm empty fruit bunches (EFB) using 20% v/v sulfuric acid. The effects of varying experimental parameters such as pH value, adsorbent dosage, different concentrations of Cu(II) ions, and agitation period were investigated. The results revealed that the optimum adsorption of Cu(II) onto soda lignin was recorded at a pH of 5.0 at an adsorbent dosage of 0.5 g soda lignin and an agitation period of 40 min. The adsorption capacities and rates of Cu(II) ions onto soda lignin was evaluated. The Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption models were applied to calculate the isotherm constants. It was found that the adsorption isothermal data could be well interpreted by the Freundlich model. The kinetic experimental data properly correlated with the pseudo‐second‐order kinetic model, which implies that chemical sorption is the rate‐limiting step.     

Denitrification and Phosphate Removal in Experiments Using Al Stearate

Hydrophobic Al monostearate was tested as a low-solubility denitrification substrate for anaerobic bacteria and a source of aluminum for phosphate precipitation. Flow-through laboratory columns at 25 ± 2°C were used with O₂-saturated solutions containing 1x, 2x, 8x, and 16x concentrations of 2.26 mg/L NO₃-N and 3.26 mg/L PO₄-P. Denitrification was exponential, approximating first-order reaction kinetics with the rate constant being a function of the initial nitrate concentration. The half life in minutes can be approximated by 5.29 (mg/L NO₃- N°)^1/2 where NO₃-N° was the initial input nitrate concentration. The reaction times were significantly shorter than those required using Ca distearate as a carbon source and much shorter than those using cellulose (white pine shavings) as a carbon source. Al stearate has potential for use in a flow-through container for denitrification of oxidized effluent from home sewage systems.
Aqueous phosphate removal with Al stearate depended upon dissolution of the Al stearate followed by precipitation of Al phosphate. Only 5% to 10% of the phosphate was removed from the solution. The amounts removed were similar to those obtained using bauxite grains as an aluminum source, following saturation of sorption sites with phosphate on bauxite. Aqueous phosphate removal with Ca stearate was insignificant, as the released calcium was apparently precipitated as calcite rather than as hydroxyapatite.     

NMR Imaging of Fluid Exchange between Macropores and Matrix in Eogenetic Karst

Sequential time-step images acquired using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) show the displacement of deuterated water (D₂O) by fresh water within two limestone samples characterized by a porous and permeable limestone matrix of peloids and ooids. These samples were selected because they have a macropore system representative of some parts of the eogenetic karst limestone of the Biscayne Aquifer in southeastern Florida. The macroporosity, created by the trace fossil Ophiomorpha , is principally well connected and of centimeter scale. These macropores occur in broadly continuous stratiform zones that create preferential flow layers within the hydrogeologic units of the Biscayne. This arrangement of porosity is important because in coastal areas, it could produce a preferential pathway for salt water intrusion. Two experiments were conducted in which samples saturated with D₂O were placed in acrylic chambers filled with fresh water and examined with NMR. Results reveal a substantial flux of fresh water into the matrix porosity with a simultaneous loss of D₂O. Specifically, we measured rates upward of 0.001 mL/h/g of sample in static conditions, and perhaps as great as 0.07 mL/h/g of sample when fresh water continuously flows past a sample at velocities less than those found within stressed areas of the Biscayne. These experiments illustrate how fresh water and D₂O, with different chemical properties, migrate within one type of matrix porosity found in the Biscayne. Furthermore, these experiments are a comparative exercise in the displacement of sea water by fresh water in the matrix of a coastal, karst aquifer since D₂O has a greater density than fresh water.     

Accuracy of formation factors for three-dimensional pore-scale images of geo-materials estimated by renormalization technique

The formation factor, the dimensionless electric resistivity of porous rock/sediment saturated with conductive fluid, is an important quantity in geophysical exploration for petroleum reservoirs and groundwater aquifers. The renormalization technique is a promising approximation method for the quick estimation of the formation factors from large three-dimensional images of porous geo-materials obtained by X-ray microtomography. In the present study, we applied the renormalization technique to various pore-scale image sets of real geo-materials (sandstones, pumice, lava, and sandy sediments). The purpose is to explore the factors controlling the estimation accuracy of the formation factor. The results revealed that the accuracy increases with increasing (i) porosity, (ii) degree of the pore elongation along the direction of the applied electric field, and (iii) size of the initial subsystem with which the renormalization step starts and with decreasing (iv) pore or grain size. Most importantly, a high degree of elongation of the pore structure along the applied field ensures good accuracy even if the porosity is low, the initial subsystem is small, and the pore or grain size is large.     

基于自适应杂交遗传算法的CO_2地质封存的储层参数反演研究

二氧化碳地质封存是减少温室气体排放和减缓温室效应的重要手段.二氧化碳封存的一个重要组成部分是地震监测,即用地震的方法监测封存后的二氧化碳的分布变化.为了实现这个目标,需要建立储层参数与地震性质之间的关系(岩石物理模型)和从地震监测数据中反演获得储层流体的饱和度等参数.首先,本文以Biot理论为基础,结合多相流模型研究了多个物理参数(孔隙度、二氧化碳饱和度、温度和压力等)对同时含有二氧化碳和水的孔隙介质的波速和衰减等属性的影响.结果表明:孔隙度和二氧化碳饱和度对岩石的频散和衰减属性影响强烈,而温度和压力通过孔隙流体性质对岩石的波速产生影响.然后,本文基于含多相流的Biot理论,应用抗干扰能力强、且具有更好的局部搜索能力和抗早熟能力的自适应杂交遗传算法对实际数据进行了反演研究.对岩心实验数据的反演研究表明了算法的有效性,而且表明含多相流的Biot理论能够很好地解释水和二氧化碳饱和岩石的波速特征.最后,我们将自适应杂交遗传算法应用于实际封存项目的地震监测数据,获得了封存后不同时期的二氧化碳饱和度,达到了用地震方法监测二氧化碳分布的目的.     

Estimation of the water balance of alluvial aquifers in region of high isotopic contrast: an example from southeastern France

The much contrasted orographic and climatic characters of southeastern France serve to establish a hydrological balance of the porous aquifers in the region. Comparing a regional average gradient of ¹⁸O content versus elevation, which was calculated on low-water period karst waters content, with a −10.5‰ average δ of Alpine rivers, an estimate of the percentages brought to these aquifers is proposed under the form of an abacus. It appears that the main groundwaters of the Var, the Durance and the Rhône are fed by an average of 20–30% of Provençal underground contribution, and 70–80% shallow contribution from the Alpine rivers. These figures reveal that local supplies range between 25 and 10% of the average yearly discharge flowing in the porous and shallow aquifers.     

Quantification of Diclofenac in Hospital Effluent and Identification of Metabolites and Degradation Products

In this study the occurrence of diclofenac and sub‐products in effluent emerging from the University Hospital at the Federal University of Santa Maria was investigated. One metabolite was identified and, in aqueous solution, three degradation products. The quantification was conducted by means of HPLC‐DAD, and the determination of metabolite and degradation products by LC–ESI–MS/MS–QTrap. For the HPLC‐DAD method, a 70:30 mixture of methanol/sodium phosphate was used in isocratic mode. For the LC–ESI–MS/MS–QTrap determinations, a mobile phase, where phase A was an ammonium acetate solution 5 × 10^?3 mol L^?1, and phase B was methanol (5 × 10^?3 mol L^?1)/ammonium acetate (9:1, v/v), on gradient mode. The LDs for the HPLC and LC–MS/MS methods, respectively, were 2.5 and 0.02 µg L^?1, the LQs, 8.3 and 0.05 µg L^?1, and the linear range from 10 up to 2000 µg L^?1 and 0.05 up to 10 µg L^?1. As expected, the LC–ESI–MS/MS–QTrap method was more sensitive and less laborious. The metabolite 4′‐hydroxy‐diclofenac was identified. Photolysis was used for the degradation studies and three products of diclofenac were identified (m/z of 214, 286 and 303) in aqueous solution. These results notwithstanding, no degradation products of diclofenac were found in the hospital effluent.     

Development of Polymeric and Polymer‐Based Hybrid Adsorbents for Chromium Removal from Aqueous Solution

Ferric oxide‐loaded hybrid sorbents are environmentally benign and exhibit sorption behaviors for chromium removal from waters. In the current study, glycidyl methacrylate‐based polymer (GMD) and nanosized ferric oxide loaded glycidyl methacrylate‐based polymer (GMDFe) were prepared and assayed to examine the effect of ferric oxide loading on chromium sorption from aqueous solution for the first time from the equilibrium and kinetic points of view. The experimental equilibrium data, suitably fitted by the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms, have shown that ferric oxide loaded hybrid sorbent exhibits higher adsorption capacity than glycidyl methacrylate‐based polymer (GMD). The Langmuir isotherm model was found to be the most suitable one for the Cr(VI) adsorption. The maximum adsorption capacities of GMD and GMDFe sorbents were determined at pH 4 as 109.54 and 157.52 mg/g, respectively. A series of column experiments was carried out to determine the breakthrough curves. The column was regenerated by eluting Cr(VI) using NaOH (10% w/v) solution after adsorption studies.     

Removal of Selenium Species from Waters Using Various Surface‐Modified Natural Particles and Waste Materials

Waste red mud and natural pumice/volcanic slag particles were surface modified and their selenium adsorption from waters was investigated. Acid activation/heat treatment of original red mud (ORM) particles significantly increased their micropore and external surface area and cumulative volume of pores. Iron oxide coating of pumice/slags and acid activation of ORM decreased their pH_pzc values and increased surface acidity. Selenite/selenate adsorption on iron oxide surfaces and acid activated red mud (AARM) was very fast with approximately first‐order adsorption kinetics. Iron oxide coating of pumice/slag and acid activation of ORM particles significantly enhanced their selenite and selenate uptakes. Maximum Se adsorption capacities as high as 6.3 (mg Se/g adsorbent) were obtained by AARM. The extent of selenate uptakes by the surface modified particles was generally lower than those of selenite. Due to competition among Se species and other background water matrix for iron oxide adsorption sites, reduced selenite/selenate uptakes were found in natural water compared to single solute tests. Higher Se uptakes by iron oxide surfaces were found at pH 7.5 compared to pH 8.9, due to increased electrostatic repulsion among iron oxides and Se species at higher pH. The most effective adsorbents among the tested 17 different particles for Se uptake were AARM and iron oxide coated pumice. Se concentrations less than drinking water standards (5–10 µg/L) can be achieved by these particles. These low‐cost, natural, or recyclable waste particles appear to be promising adsorbents for Se removal after their surface modification.     

Numerical analysis of bacterial transport in saturated porous media

A mathematical model to describe bacterial transport in saturated porous media is presented. Reversible/irreversible attachment and growth/decay terms were incorporated into the transport model. Additionally, the changes of porosity and permeability due to bacterial deposition and/or growth were accounted for in the model. The predictive model was used to fit the column experimental data from the literature, and the fitting result showed a good match with the data. Based on the parameter values determined from the literature experimental data, numerical experiments were performed to examine bacterial sorption and/or growth during bacterial transport through saturated porous media. In addition, sensitivity analysis was performed to investigate the impact of key model parameters for bacterial transport on the permeability and porosity of porous media. The model results show that the permeability and porosity of porous media could be altered due to bacterial deposition and growth on the solid matrix. However, variation of permeability due to bacterial growth was trivial compared with natural permeability variation. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Mixing-induced precipitation and porosity evolution in porous media

The dynamics of porosity evolution are explored during mineral precipitation that is induced by the mixing of two fluids of different compositions. During mineral precipitation in geological formations, the physical parameters that characterize the porous matrix, such as porosity and specific surface area, can change significantly. A series of coupled equations that determine the changes in porosity is outlined and solved for a 2D model domain using a finite element scheme. Using model parameters equivalent to those for calcite precipitation in a saline system, the evolution of porosity is examined for two types of porous media: (1) an initially homogeneous system and (2) a heterogeneous system containing high porosity regions that serve initially as preferential flow paths. In addition, the influence of two different expressions that relate specific surface area to porosity is explored. The simulations in both domains indicated that porosity was reduced primarily in the regions in which significant degrees of mixing occurred. Although an effective barrier was created in these regions, the fluids bypassed the clogged areas allowing precipitation to continue farther “downstream”. Furthermore, mixing-induced precipitation can account for systems in which some high porosity regions are filled while others remain almost unchanged. Thus, mixing-induced precipitation represents a viable mechanism for the infilling of pores in fractured and porous rocks. The simulations also demonstrate that the choice of functional form for specific surface area plays an important role in controlling porosity patterns by influencing both the kinetics of precipitation and the permeability of the porous medium. As specific surface area is currently one of the least constrained parameters in models of porosity evolution, this result highlights the need for future experimental studies in this field of research.     

利用X—CT研究大庆油田双重介质裂缝和砂岩孔隙度

采用Ｘ－ＣＴ图象分析技术以研究双重介质的砂岩裂缝和孔隙度，对于稳产开采石油是很有价值的。Ｘ－ＣＴ法测量双重介质也隙度的优越性在于利用图象分析技术可以分别给出裂缝和砂岩的孔隙度，它同移重方法和核孔隙计测量的数据对比，是一种精度高，直观，无损伤的实验技术，Ｘ－ＣＴ测量双重介质孔隙度可给出孔隙度的分布，这有利于了解和预测残余油的分布。