Activated sludge acclimation for toluene and DEHP degradation in a two-phase partitioning bioreactor

The effect of activated sludge acclimation on the biodegradation of toluene in the presence of a biodegradable non-aqueous phase liquid, di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), in a two-phase partitioning bioreactor was characterized. The influence of the presence of DEHP, at a ratio of 0.1 % (volume ratio), and of the acclimation of activated sludge (AS) on the biodegradation of hydrophobic VOC was studied. AS was acclimated to both toluene and DEHP simultaneously. Using acclimated cells, 73 and 96 % improvement of the mean biodegradation rates was recorded for toluene and the organic solvent (DEHP), respectively, if compared to the values recorded in the absence of acclimation, during tests performed in Erlenmeyer flasks. Degradation rates were further improved by the use of acclimated AS in a reactor with a large head space; degradation yields for toluene and DEHP were above 99 and 89 %, respectively.     

Bioadsorption by sugarcane bagasse for the reduction in oil and grease content in aqueous effluent

Several techniques have been used to reduce the oil and grease content in aqueous streams; one excellent is bioadsorption. With a view to provide a sustainable method for the treatment of oily effluents, the aim of this study was to evaluate sugarcane bagasse as bioadsorbent to reduce the oil and grease content of aqueous effluents. Analysis of the material was performed, and the adsorption experiments were in a batch system, using a synthetic effluent. The results showed that the kinetic equilibrium occurred in 0.08 h of contact. The study of influence of pH of the aqueous phase and the temperature showed that the adsorption capacity was proportional to the pH value, but inversely proportional to the temperature. The adsorption isotherm was obtained at a temperature of 298.15 K using the Langmuir and Langmuir–Freundlich models, and the maximum adsorption capacity obtained was 6.65 kg of hydrocarbon per kg of bioadsorbent. It was verified that sugarcane bagasse represents an excellent material for application in the treatment of oily aqueous effluents, since it is associated with low cost and a high adsorption capacity. The variation in the adsorption capacity observed as a function of pH of the aqueous phase was not found to be significant. This is an important characteristic of the material in terms of its industrial application, verifying the possibility for its implementation in any treatment process, demonstrating the great potential of sugarcane bagasse for use as a sustainable alternative in the reduction in oil and grease in aqueous effluents.     

3-D paleotemperature modeling of the geothermal regime of sedimentary basins: Example of the Lunskaya depression,Sakhalin Island

The task of 3-D modeling of the thermal field of a sedimentary basin during sedimentation is considered. The aim of the modeling is to determine the temperature at any point of the basin at a given moment of geological time. The mathematical model is based on a system of equations of thermal conductivity for a heterogeneous layered medium with dynamic boundaries. The conditions of the continuous temperature and thermal flow are given at the boundaries of the adjacent layers. The temperature values, which are determined by the values of the secular course of the earth temperature, are given at the upper boundary coinciding with the sedimentation surface. The thermal flow value is considered to be given at the lower boundary. The medium is approximated using a vertical triangle prism, which is accepted in algorithms of interpretation of the gravitation field and characterized by random upper and lower basements and given values of the thermal physical parameters. The equations of thermal conductivity are solved on the basis of potential theory. The precision of this algorithm is demonstrated by calculation of a test example. The thermal evolution of the sedimentary complexes and dynamics of the major zone of oil formation are reconstructed and possible errors of paleotemperature interpretations caused by ignored 3-D modeling medium are determined on the example of the sedimentary basin of the Lunskaya depression of Sakhalin.