Improving the Quality of Municipal Solid Waste Compost by Using Expanded Perlite and Natural Zeolite

The scope of this study was to investigate the effects of natural zeolite and expanded perlite on the quality of municipal solid waste compost. Various ratios of the materials were added as supplements to the organic fraction of municipal solid waste. These applications were periodically compared with an untreated control process. The results obtained from experimental studies clearly showed that municipal solid waste collected from the metropolitan city center of Samsun, Turkey could not be composted without any additions due to the very high moisture content, which reached up to 75–80%. In the untreated control process, thermophilic temperatures were not supported during the composting. In this system, ammonia and other odors became a problem because of the high pH levels, and the electrical conductivity was too high for aged compost. However, the addition of natural zeolite and expanded perlite had a positive affect on the quality of the final compost. Natural zeolite trapped ammonium and reduced nitrogen losses from the compost. Expanded perlite held excess moisture and supported improved aeration. The results also indicated that the use of natural zeolite together with expanded perlite in municipal solid waste composting processes produced mature and stable compost.     

Statistical Comparison of Leachate from Hazardous, Codisposal, and Municipal Solid Waste Landfills

There has been considerable debate regarding the chemical characterization of landfill leachate in general and the comparison of various types of landfill leachate (e.g., hazardous, codisposal, and municipal) in particular. For example, the preamble to the U.S. EPA Subtitle D regulation (40 CFR Parts 257 and 258) suggests that there are no significant differences between the number and concentration of toxic constituents in hazardous versus municipal solid waste landfill leachate. The purpose of this paper is to statistically test this hypothesis in a large leachate database comprising 1490 leachate samples from 283 sample points (i.e., monitoring location such as a leachate sump) in 93 landfill waste cells (i.e., a section of a facility that took a specific waste slream or collection of similar waste streams) from 48 sites with municipal, codisposal, or hazardous waste site histories. Results of the analysis reveal clear differention between landfill leachate types, both in terms of constituents detected and their concentrations. The result of the analysis is a classification function that can estimate the probability that new leachate or ground water sample was produced by the disposal of municipal, codisposal, or hazardous waste. This type of computation is illustrated, and applications of the model to Superfund cost-allocation problems are discussed.     

An inexact inventory-theory-based chance-constrained programming model for solid waste management

In this study, an inexact inventory-theory-based chance-constrained programming (IICP) model is proposed for planning waste management systems. The IICP model is derived through introducing inventory theory model into a general inexact chance-constrained programming framework. It can not only tackle uncertainties presented as both probability distributions and discrete intervals, but also reflect the influence of inventory problem in decision-making problems. The developed method is applied to a case study of long-term municipal solid waste (MSW) management planning. Solutions of total waste allocation, waste allocation batch and waste transferring period associated different risk levels of constraint violation are obtained. The results can be used to identify inventory-based MSW management planning with minimum system cost under various constraint-violation risks. Compared with the ICP model, the developed IICP model can more actually reflect the complexity of MSW management systems and provide more useful information for decision makers.     

Identification of optimal plans for municipal solid waste management in an environment of fuzziness and two-layer randomness

A superiority-inferiority-based inexact fuzzy-stochastic chance-constrained programming (SI-IFSCCP) approach is developed for supporting long-term municipal solid waste management under uncertainty. Through SI-IFSCCP, multiple uncertainties expressed as intervals, possibilistic and probabilistic distributions, as well as their combinations, could be directly communicated into the optimization process, leading to enhanced system robustness. Through tackling fuzziness and two-layer randomness, various subjective judgments of many stakeholders with different interests and preferences could be extensively reflected, guaranteeing a lower degree of biases during data sampling and a higher degree of public acceptance for the generated plans. Two levels of system-violation risk could also be reflected by SI-IFSCCP, reflecting the relationship between economic efficiency and system reliability. A two-step solution method with improved computational efficiency is proposed for SI-IFSCCP. To demonstrate its applicability, the developed methodology is then applied to a long-term municipal solid waste management problem. Useful solutions have been generated. Satisfactory waste flow plans could be identified according to system conditions and policy inclination, supporting in-depth tradeoff analyses between system optimality and reliability as well as between economic and environmental objectives.     

An interval-parameter mean-CVaR two-stage stochastic programming approach for waste management under uncertainty

In this research, approaches of interval mathematical programming, two-stage stochastic programming and conditional value-at-risk (CVaR) are incorporated within a general modeling framework, leading to an interval-parameter mean-CVaR two-stage stochastic programming (IMTSP). The developed method has several advantages: (i) it can be used to deal with uncertainties presented as interval numbers and probability distributions, (ii) its objective function simultaneously takes expected cost and system risk into consideration, thus, it is useful for helping decision makers analyze the trade-offs between cost and risk, and (iii) it can be used for supporting quantitatively evaluating the right tail of distributions of waste generation rate, which can better quantify the system risk. The IMTSP model is applied to the long-term planning of municipal solid waste management system in the City of Regina, Canada. The results indicate that IMTSP performs better in its capability of generating a series of waste management patterns under different risk-aversion levels, and also providing supports for decision makers in identifying desired waste flow strategies, considering balance between system economy and environmental quality.     

ISMISIP: an inexact stochastic mixed integer linear semi-infinite programming approach for solid waste management and planning under uncertainty

An inexact stochastic mixed integer linear semi-infinite programming (ISMISIP) model is developed for municipal solid waste (MSW) management under uncertainty. By incorporating stochastic programming (SP), integer programming and interval semi-infinite programming (ISIP) within a general waste management problem, the model can simultaneously handle programming problems with coefficients expressed as probability distribution functions, intervals and functional intervals. Compared with those inexact programming models without introducing functional interval coefficients, the ISMISIP model has the following advantages that: (1) since parameters are represented as functional intervals, the parameter’s dynamic feature (i.e., the constraint should be satisfied under all possible levels within its range) can be reflected, and (2) it is applicable to practical problems as the solution method does not generate more complicated intermediate models (He and Huang, Technical Report, 2004; He et al. J Air Waste Manage Assoc, 2007). Moreover, the ISMISIP model is proposed upon the previous inexact mixed integer linear semi-infinite programming (IMISIP) model by assuming capacities of the landfill, WTE and composting facilities to be stochastic. Thus it has the improved capabilities in (1) identifying schemes regarding to the waste allocation and facility expansions with a minimized system cost and (2) addressing tradeoffs among environmental, economic and system reliability level.     

Planning of municipal solid waste management systems under dual uncertainties: a hybrid interval stochastic programming approach

In this study, a random-boundary-interval linear programming (RBILP) method is developed and applied to the planning of municipal solid waste (MSW) management under dual uncertainties. In the RBILP model, uncertain inputs presented as interval numbers can be directly communicated into the optimization process; besides, intervals with uncertain lower and upper bounds can be handled through introducing the concept of random boundary interval. Consequently, robustness of the optimization process can be enhanced. To handle uncertainties with such complex presentations, an integrated chance-constrained programming and interval-parameter linear programming approach (ICCP) is proposed. ICCP can help analyze the reliability of satisfying (or risk of violating) system constraints under uncertainty. The applicability of the proposed RBILP and ICCP approach is validated through a case study of MSW management. Violations for capacity constraints are allowed under a range of significant levels. Interval solutions associated with different risk levels of constraint violation are obtained. They can be used for generating decision alternatives and thus helping waste managers to identify desired policies under various environmental, economic, and system-reliability constraints.     

Assessing the Hazard of Environmental Pollution by Landfills of Industrial and Municipal Wastes

Water Resources - The environmental effect of landfills of solid municipal wastes is considered, including their effect on groundwater. The accumulation of municipal wastes causes considerable...     

Stability and permanent displacements analysis of wasteland during earthquakes

IntroductionStability of municipal solid waste (MSW) was not a major concern early because waste instability was considered as an operational problem that can be remedied by replacing the waste in its original position. However, with the introduction of liners and leachate collection and removal systems (LCRS), the integrity of the liner and LCRS may be concerned. Instability or displacement of a wasteland may result in failure of above system and contamination of groundwater or surface wa…     

Effects of local site conditions on the seismic response of municipal solid waste landfills

Over the last decade, the seismic response of landfills made of municipal solid waste has drawn attention mainly due to the environmental and public-health issues that could be raised in the event of a failure. Nevertheless, there are several associated technical issues that have not been adequately investigated. One of these is the impact of local site conditions on the earthquake-induced accelerations and, thereby, on the seismic design of a landfill. This study presents the results of a parametric numerical simulation that has been performed in order to examine the effects of local site conditions on the dynamic response of a typical landfill. Emphasis is given on the special characteristics of ground motion, while the material nonlinearity of both soil and waste is taken into account by an equivalent-linear procedure. Results indicate that local site conditions may play a significant role in the seismic response of a landfill. However, this role cannot be judged a priori as beneficial or detrimental, as it depends not only on soil conditions and seismic excitation, but also on the material and geometric characteristics of the landfill.     

The effect of Marmara (Izmit) Earthquake on the chemical oceanography of Izmit Bay,Turkey

After the Marmara (Izmit) Earthquake (magnitude 7.4) on 17 August 1999, chemical oceanographical characteristics of Izmit Bay were investigated in order to examine the possible effects of the refinery fire and uncontrolled entrance of domestic wastes to the surface waters. The dissolved oxygen (DO) content of the water column in August 1999 was the lowest value of all the measurement periods. It was found to be lower than the detection limit of the method (0.03 mgl(-1)) in the lower layer of eastern and central basins of the Bay, whereas the dissolved hydrogen sulfide (DHS) values were high, varying between 0.14 and 1.28 mgl(-1). The deficiency of DO and in turn formation of DHS were caused by the spreading petroleum from the refinery fire onto the sea surface and waste loads from the damaged municipal waste effluent system. The increasing organic/inorganic loads into the Bay stimulated the phytoplankton blooms which cause locally saturated DO concentrations in the eastern basin during autumn 1999. DO concentrations increased in lower layer waters during winter, whilst DHS formation disappeared when water originating from the Marmara Sea replenish the water column of Izmit Bay. However, DHS formation established again in August 2000.     

Reuse of waste water: impact on water supply planning / Remploi de l'eau résiduaire: influence sur la planification des systèmes de distribution des eaux

Abstract

As the urban population of the world increases and demand on easily developable water supplies are exceeded, cities have recourse to a range of management alternatives to balance municipal water supply and demand. These alternatives range from doing nothing to modifying either the supply or the demand variable in the supply-demand relationship. The reuse or recycling of urban waste water in many circumstances may be an economically attractive and effective management strategy for extending existing supplies of developed water, for providing additional water where no developable supplies exist and for meeting water quality effluent discharge standards. The relationship among municipal, industrial and agricultural water use and the treatment links which may be required to modify the quality of a municipal waste effluent for either recycling or reuse purposes is described. A procedure is described for analysing water reuse alternatives within a framework of regional water supply and waste water disposal planning and management.     

The Geochemistry of Boron in a Landfill Monitoring Program

Ground water monitoring data collected during the past eight years at a permitted municipal solid waste (MSW) disposal facility located in the midwestern United States indicated fluctuations in typical leachate indicator parameter concentrations. Apparent trends in the data inferred leachate outbreak, generating suspicion as to the integrity of the landfill liner. Eight ground water monitoring wells were installed in three distinct geologic units at the landfill facility, including glacial drift, silurian dolomite, and a post-glacial peat fen, which is downgradient from the landfill. Piezometer nests were used to define ground water gradients at the site. Using boron as an indicator, the occurrence of analytes of concern in the downgradient monitoring wells were shown to be indicative of the natural geochemistry of site ground water. This work emphasizes the importance of understanding site hydrogeology during the interpretation of ground water quality data.     

城市垃圾填埋场地震稳定分析及永久位移计算

根据城市生活垃圾室内外试验结果，提出了确定浸润线自由面的方法．通过静力和动力有限元计算，对某填埋场边坡进行稳定分析，给出了在地震过程中每一小时段的稳定安全系数．结果表明，在地震过程中，最危险滑动面的位置比较稳定；在此基础上，对Newmark方法进行了改进，使之建立在比较精确的基础上，得到了填埋场在地震作用下的永久位移，对填埋场的抗震设计具有重要的指导意义．这一方法对一般坝体的工程抗震也有很大的参考价值．      

热带富营养化湖泊中浮游植物的脂肪酸组成与分布

星湖位于广东省．是一个热带地区的湖泊．本文测定和分析了该湖的两个子湖仙女湖和中心湖浮游植物群落的脂肪酸组成,探讨了浮游植物群落特征与脂肪酸组成之间的关系．两个子湖的富营养化程度较高,其中中心湖更严重．仙女湖的浮游植物群落以蓝藻为主导,而在中心湖则蓝藻或金藻占优势．浮游植物样品中检测到的脂肪酸碳链长为16碳到22碳．其中饱和脂肪酸和单不饱和脂肪酸种类较少,均有3种;而高不饱和脂肪酸的种类相对较多．两个子湖的脂肪酸均以饱和脂肪酸为主,高不饱和脂肪酸浓度相对较低．对于单一的脂肪酸种类来说,C16：0浓度最高,其浓度与蓝藻数量有很高的相关性(R^2=0．955,P=0．001),表明样品中的C16：0主要来源于蓝藻．而富含EPA(二十碳五烯酸)的硅藻和隐藻生物量高时其浮游植物的EPA浓度也较高;在中心湖中高浓度的DHA(二十二碳六烯酸)主要来源于金藻总之．两个子湖泊的脂肪酸组成与浮游植物群落结构特征基本一致．     

Dissolved Organic Carbon Fractions Formed during Composting of Municipal Solid Waste: Properties and Significance

The properties and transformation of dissolved organic matter (DOM) extracted (10 L water per kilogram compost) from municipal solid waste (MSW) compost at five stages (days 47, 77, 105, 126, and 187) of composting were investigated. The DOM was fractionated into hydrophobic or hydrophilic neutrals, acids, and bases. The unfractionated DOM, the hydrophobic acids and neutrals (HoA and HoN, respectively), and the hydrophilic neutrals (HiN) fractions were studied using solid-state ¹³C-NMR, FTIR, and DRIFT spectroscopy. The HoA fraction was found to be the dominant (percentage of total DOM) hydrophobic fraction, exhibiting a moderate increase during composting. The HoN fraction increased sharply from less than 1% to 18% of the total DOM during 187 days of composting, while the hydrophobic bases (HoB) exhibited the opposite trend. The HiN represented the major fraction of the hydrophiles up to 120 days of composting, decreasing thereafter by 38%. The relative concentration of the hydrophilic acids and bases (HiA and HiB, respectively) exhibited no consistent trend during composting. DRIFT spectra of the unfractionated DOM taken from the composting MSW revealed a decreasing level of polysaccharide structures with time. The ¹³C-NMR and FTIR spectra of the HoA fraction exhibited a polyphenol-humic structure, whereas the HoN spectra exhibited strong aliphatic features. The spectra of the HiN fraction confirmed its polysaccharide nature. During the final stage of composting, the DOM concentration was steady, while a relative decrease of HiN concomitant with an increase of HoA and HoN fractions was observed. These indicate that the DOM contained a low concentration of biodegradable organic matter and a higher content of macromolecules related to humic substances. The biological significance and heavy metal binding of these fractions are being studied based on earlier observations showing enhanced plant growth in the presence of DOM extracted from mature as opposed to immature compost.     

Eutrophication of Surface Water in the Arctic Region

The problem of eutrophication of the surface water in the Arctic Regions is discussed. The natural hydrochemical indices of the trophic status of lakes are analyzed in connection with the landscape and physiographic features of the Kola Peninsula. The regular features of changes in the hydrochemical indices of the trophic status of lakes and the development of the process of eutrophication are analyzed in the case of subarctic Lake Imandra, which has been polluted with municipal and industrial (phosphorus-containing waste of the apatite production) wastewater for more than fifty years. Criteria are proposed for establishing and assessing water eutrophication in cold climate.     

Dual inexact fuzzy chance-constrained programming for planning waste management systems

This study develops a dual inexact fuzzy chance-constrained programming (DIFCCP) method for planning municipal solid waste (MSW) management systems. The concept of random boundary interval (RBI) is introduced to address the high uncertain parameters in the studied system. Fuzzy flexible programming and chance-constrained programming are also introduced to take into account the uncertainties of RBIs and various uncertainties in MSW management system. Compared with the existing methods, the developed method could deal with the uncertainty without simplification and thus is more robust. Moreover, the potential system-failure risks in MSW management system due to the existing uncertainties could be quantified by means of violation levels and satisfaction levels in DIFCCP. The developed method then is applied to a MSW management system. The obtained solutions could be used for generating efficient management schemes. The values of violation and satisfaction levels could help decision makers understand the tradeoffs between system cost and system-failure risk, and identify desired strategy according to the practical economic and environmental situation.     

Design of store‐release covers to minimize deep drainage in the mining and waste‐disposal industries: results from a modelling analyses based on ecophysiological principles

Sustainable long‐term storage of municipal waste and waste rock from mining activities in waste dumps (either above or below the land surface) requires minimization of percolation of rainwater into and then through stored waste material. There has been increasing attention given to the use of store‐release covers (transpirational covers) to achieve this. However, the design of such covers remains problematic because of the unique combinations of weather, vegetation composition, soils and their interactions that determine the efficacy of each design that could be available for the construction of the covers. The aim of the work described here was to use ecophysiological knowledge of soil‐plant‐atmosphere (SPA) interactions through the application of a detailed mechanistic model of the SPA continuum. We examined the relative influence of soil depth, soil texture, leaf area index and rainfall as determinants of rates of evapotranspiration and water budget for several different theoretical cover designs. We show that minimizing deep drainage requires a cover that has the following attributes: (i) a water storage capacity that is large enough to store the volume of water that is received as rainfall in above‐average wet months/seasons; (ii) a root distribution that explores the entire depth of the cover; (iii) a leaf area index that is present all year sufficient to evapotranspire monthly rainfall; and (iv) takes into account the intra‐annual and inter‐annual variability in rainfall and other climatic variables that drive ET. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Chemical and toxicological characteristics of sewage sludge ocean dumped in the New York Bight

This paper compares and contrasts data on the chemical characteristics and acute toxicities of the waste from nine applicants (representing 20 sewage treatment facilities) currently disposing of municipal sewage sludge at the 12-Mile dumpsite located in the New York Bight Apex. Each of the chemical analytes examined for the 20 facilities was highly variable, both within and among facilities. Toxicity tests conducted by the applicants revealed that, in the majority of tests, Mysidopsis bahia was the most sensitive of the three species tested. Five facilities that receive large volumes of industrial waste were found to contribute over 75% of the total toxic load to the dumpsite.