Different applications of concept maps in Higher Education

Purpose: The aim of this work is to show different applications of concept maps in higher education, concretely in qualifications of the Polytechnic University of Valencia. Design/methodology/approach: Different methodologies have been used depending on the application of concept maps: as evaluation tool, as knowledge organizing tool, and as meaningful learning tool. Findings: Students consider the concept maps useful principally to select key ideas, to achieve a comprehensive view of the lesson, and to bring up the subject. Moreover, concept maps promote the meaningful and active learning, help students to understand, follow-up, and learn subjects with a high load of contents. Research limitations/implications: The most important limitation is the use of the concept maps in subjects with a high number of students. Practical implications: The realization of concept maps allows the student to develop generic competences. Originality/value: The originality of this work is to show how a same tool can be used in different subjects of different qualifications.Peer Reviewe

Wastewater treatment plant as microplastics release source - Quantification and identification techniques

[EN] The high presence of microplastics (MPs) in different sizes, materials and concentrations in the aquatic environment is a global concern due to their potential physically and chemically harm to aquatic organisms including mammals. Furthermore, the bioaccumulation of these compounds is leading to their ingestion by humans through the consumption of sea food and even through the terrestrial food chain. Even though conventional wastewater treatment plants are capable of eliminating more than 90% of the influent MPs, these systems are still the main source of MPs introduction in the environment due to the high volumes of effluents generated and returned to the environment. The amount of MPs dumped by WWTP is influenced by the configuration of the WWTP, population served and influent flow. Thus, the average of MP/L disposed vary widely depending on the region. In addition to MPs disposed in water bodies, more than 80% of these emerging contaminants, which enter the WWTP, are retained in biosolids that can be applied as fertilizers, representing a potential source of soil contamination. Due to the continuous disposal of MPs in the environment by effluent treatment systems and their polluting potential, separation and identification techniques have been assessed by several researchers, but unfortunately, there are no standard protocols for them. Aiming to provide insight about the relevance of studying the WWTP as source of MPs, this review summarizes the currently methodologies used to classify and identify them.Bretas Alvim, C.; Mendoza Roca, JA.; Bes-Piá, M. (2020). Wastewater treatment plant as microplastics release source - Quantification and identification techniques. Journal of Environmental Management. 255:1-11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2019.109739S111255Araujo, C. F., Nolasco, M. M., Ribeiro, A. M. P., & Ribeiro-Claro, P. J. A. (2018). Identification of microplastics using Raman spectroscopy: Latest developments and future prospects. Water Research, 142, 426-440. doi:10.1016/j.watres.2018.05.060Auta, H. S., Emenike, C. ., & Fauziah, S. . (2017). Distribution and importance of microplastics in the marine environment: A review of the sources, fate, effects, and potential solutions. Environment International, 102, 165-176. doi:10.1016/j.envint.2017.02.013Babuponnusami, A., & Muthukumar, K. (2014). A review on Fenton and improvements to the Fenton process for wastewater treatment. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 2(1), 557-572. doi:10.1016/j.jece.2013.10.011Bautista, P., Mohedano, A. F., Casas, J. A., Zazo, J. A., & Rodriguez, J. J. (2008). An overview of the application of Fenton oxidation to industrial wastewaters treatment. Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology, 83(10), 1323-1338. doi:10.1002/jctb.1988Browne, M. A., Crump, P., Niven, S. J., Teuten, E., Tonkin, A., Galloway, T., & Thompson, R. (2011). Accumulation of Microplastic on Shorelines Woldwide: Sources and Sinks. Environmental Science & Technology, 45(21), 9175-9179. doi:10.1021/es201811sCarr, S. A., Liu, J., & Tesoro, A. G. (2016). Transport and fate of microplastic particles in wastewater treatment plants. Water Research, 91, 174-182. doi:10.1016/j.watres.2016.01.002Catarino, A. I., Thompson, R., Sanderson, W., & Henry, T. B. (2016). Development and optimization of a standard method for extraction of microplastics in mussels by enzyme digestion of soft tissues. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 36(4), 947-951. doi:10.1002/etc.3608Chang, M. (2015). Reducing microplastics from facial exfoliating cleansers in wastewater through treatment versus consumer product decisions. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 101(1), 330-333. doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2015.10.074Cole, M., Lindeque, P., Fileman, E., Halsband, C., Goodhead, R., Moger, J., & Galloway, T. S. (2013). Microplastic Ingestion by Zooplankton. Environmental Science & Technology, 47(12), 6646-6655. doi:10.1021/es400663fCourtene-Jones, W., Quinn, B., Murphy, F., Gary, S. F., & Narayanaswamy, B. E. (2017). Optimisation of enzymatic digestion and validation of specimen preservation methods for the analysis of ingested microplastics. Analytical Methods, 9(9), 1437-1445. doi:10.1039/c6ay02343fDevi, P., Das, U., & Dalai, A. K. (2016). In-situ chemical oxidation: Principle and applications of peroxide and persulfate treatments in wastewater systems. Science of The Total Environment, 571, 643-657. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.07.032Duemichen, E., Braun, U., Senz, R., Fabian, G., & Sturm, H. (2014). Assessment of a new method for the analysis of decomposition gases of polymers by a combining thermogravimetric solid-phase extraction and thermal desorption gas chromatography mass spectrometry. 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Extraction of microplastic from biota: recommended acidic digestion destroys common plastic polymers. ICES Journal of Marine Science, 74(1), 326-331. doi:10.1093/icesjms/fsw173Erni-Cassola, G., Gibson, M. I., Thompson, R. C., & Christie-Oleza, J. A. (2017). Lost, but Found with Nile Red: A Novel Method for Detecting and Quantifying Small Microplastics (1 mm to 20 μm) in Environmental Samples. Environmental Science & Technology, 51(23), 13641-13648. doi:10.1021/acs.est.7b04512De Falco, F., Gullo, M. P., Gentile, G., Di Pace, E., Cocca, M., Gelabert, L., … Avella, M. (2018). Evaluation of microplastic release caused by textile washing processes of synthetic fabrics. Environmental Pollution, 236, 916-925. doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2017.10.057Fendall, L. S., & Sewell, M. A. (2009). Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face: Microplastics in facial cleansers. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 58(8), 1225-1228. doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2009.04.025Fischer, M., & Scholz-Böttcher, B. M. (2017). Simultaneous Trace Identification and Quantification of Common Types of Microplastics in Environmental Samples by Pyrolysis-Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry. Environmental Science & Technology, 51(9), 5052-5060. doi:10.1021/acs.est.6b06362Fries, E., Dekiff, J. H., Willmeyer, J., Nuelle, M.-T., Ebert, M., & Remy, D. (2013). Identification of polymer types and additives in marine microplastic particles using pyrolysis-GC/MS and scanning electron microscopy. Environmental Science: Processes & Impacts, 15(10), 1949. doi:10.1039/c3em00214dGies, E. A., LeNoble, J. L., Noël, M., Etemadifar, A., Bishay, F., Hall, E. R., & Ross, P. S. (2018). Retention of microplastics in a major secondary wastewater treatment plant in Vancouver, Canada. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 133, 553-561. doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.06.006Guerranti, C., Martellini, T., Perra, G., Scopetani, C., & Cincinelli, A. (2019). Microplastics in cosmetics: Environmental issues and needs for global bans. Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology, 68, 75-79. doi:10.1016/j.etap.2019.03.007Gündoğdu, S., Çevik, C., Güzel, E., & Kilercioğlu, S. (2018). Microplastics in municipal wastewater treatment plants in Turkey: a comparison of the influent and secondary effluent concentrations. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 190(11). doi:10.1007/s10661-018-7010-yHanvey, J. S., Lewis, P. J., Lavers, J. L., Crosbie, N. D., Pozo, K., & Clarke, B. O. (2017). A review of analytical techniques for quantifying microplastics in sediments. Analytical Methods, 9(9), 1369-1383. doi:10.1039/c6ay02707eHe, D., Luo, Y., Lu, S., Liu, M., Song, Y., & Lei, L. (2018). Microplastics in soils: Analytical methods, pollution characteristics and ecological risks. TrAC Trends in Analytical Chemistry, 109, 163-172. doi:10.1016/j.trac.2018.10.006Hidalgo-Ruz, V., Gutow, L., Thompson, R. C., & Thiel, M. (2012). Microplastics in the Marine Environment: A Review of the Methods Used for Identification and Quantification. Environmental Science & Technology, 46(6), 3060-3075. doi:10.1021/es2031505Hidayaturrahman, H., & Lee, T.-G. (2019). A study on characteristics of microplastic in wastewater of South Korea: Identification, quantification, and fate of microplastics during treatment process. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 146, 696-702. doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.06.071Huerta Lwanga, E., Mendoza Vega, J., Ku Quej, V., Chi, J. de los A., Sanchez del Cid, L., Chi, C., … Geissen, V. (2017). Field evidence for transfer of plastic debris along a terrestrial food chain. Scientific Reports, 7(1). doi:10.1038/s41598-017-14588-2Hurley, R. R., Lusher, A. L., Olsen, M., & Nizzetto, L. (2018). Validation of a Method for Extracting Microplastics from Complex, Organic-Rich, Environmental Matrices. Environmental Science & Technology, 52(13), 7409-7417. doi:10.1021/acs.est.8b01517Jochem, G., & Lehnert, R. J. (2002). On the potential of Raman microscopy for the forensic analysis of coloured textile fibres. Science & Justice, 42(4), 215-221. doi:10.1016/s1355-0306(02)71831-5Kalčíková, G., Alič, B., Skalar, T., Bundschuh, M., & Gotvajn, A. Ž. (2017). Wastewater treatment plant effluents as source of cosmetic polyethylene microbeads to freshwater. Chemosphere, 188, 25-31. doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2017.08.131Käppler, A., Fischer, D., Oberbeckmann, S., Schernewski, G., Labrenz, M., Eichhorn, K.-J., & Voit, B. (2016). Analysis of environmental microplastics by vibrational microspectroscopy: FTIR, Raman or both? Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry, 408(29), 8377-8391. doi:10.1007/s00216-016-9956-3Käppler, A., Fischer, M., Scholz-Böttcher, B. M., Oberbeckmann, S., Labrenz, M., Fischer, D., … Voit, B. (2018). Comparison of μ-ATR-FTIR spectroscopy and py-GCMS as identification tools for microplastic particles and fibers isolated from river sediments. Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry, 410(21), 5313-5327. doi:10.1007/s00216-018-1185-5Lares, M., Ncibi, M. C., Sillanpää, M., & Sillanpää, M. (2018). Occurrence, identification and removal of microplastic particles and fibers in conventional activated sludge process and advanced MBR technology. Water Research, 133, 236-246. doi:10.1016/j.watres.2018.01.049Lei, K., Qiao, F., Liu, Q., Wei, Z., Qi, H., Cui, S., … An, L. (2017). Microplastics releasing from personal care and cosmetic products in China. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 123(1-2), 122-126. doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.09.016Lenz, R., Enders, K., Stedmon, C. A., Mackenzie, D. M. A., & Nielsen, T. G. (2015). A critical assessment of visual identification of marine microplastic using Raman spectroscopy for analysis improvement. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 100(1), 82-91. doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2015.09.026Leslie, H. A., Brandsma, S. H., van Velzen, M. J. M., & Vethaak, A. D. (2017). Microplastics en route: Field measurements in the Dutch river delta and Amsterdam canals, wastewater treatment plants, North Sea sediments and biota. Environment International, 101, 133-142. doi:10.1016/j.envint.2017.01.018Li, J., Liu, H., & Paul Chen, J. (2018). Microplastics in freshwater systems: A review on occurrence, environmental effects, and methods for microplastics detection. Water Research, 137, 362-374. doi:10.1016/j.watres.2017.12.056Li, X., Chen, L., Mei, Q., Dong, B., Dai, X., Ding, G., & Zeng, E. Y. (2018). Microplastics in sewage sludge from the wastewater treatment plants in China. Water Research, 142, 75-85. doi:10.1016/j.watres.2018.05.034Liu, X., Yuan, W., Di, M., Li, Z., & Wang, J. (2019). Transfer and fate of microplastics during the conventional activated sludge process in one wastewater treatment plant of China. Chemical Engineering Journal, 362, 176-182. doi:10.1016/j.cej.2019.01.033Löder, M. G. J., Imhof, H. K., Ladehoff, M., Löschel, L. A., Lorenz, C., Mintenig, S., … Gerdts, G. (2017). Enzymatic Purification of Microplastics in Environmental Samples. Environmental Science & Technology, 51(24), 14283-14292. doi:10.1021/acs.est.7b03055Long, Z., Pan, Z., Wang, W., Ren, J., Yu, X., Lin, L., … Jin, X. (2019). Microplastic abundance, characteristics, and removal in wastewater treatment plants in a coastal city of China. Water Research, 155, 255-265. doi:10.1016/j.watres.2019.02.028Maes, T., Jessop, R., Wellner, N., Haupt, K., & Mayes, A. G. (2017). A rapid-screening approach to detect and quantify microplastics based on fluorescent tagging with Nile Red. Scientific Reports, 7(1). doi:10.1038/srep44501Magni, S., Binelli, A., Pittura, L., Avio, C. G., Della Torre, C., Parenti, C. C., … Regoli, F. (2019). The fate of microplastics in an Italian Wastewater Treatment Plant. Science of The Total Environment, 652, 602-610. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.10.269Mahon, A. M., O’Connell, B., Healy, M. G., O’Connor, I., Officer, R., Nash, R., & Morrison, L. (2016). Microplastics in Sewage Sludge: Effects of Treatment. Environmental Science & Technology, 51(2), 810-818. doi:10.1021/acs.est.6b04048Massonnet, G., Buzzini, P., Monard, F., Jochem, G., Fido, L., Bell, S., … Blumer, A. (2012). Raman spectroscopy and microspectrophotometry of reactive dyes on cotton fibres: Analysis and detection limits. Forensic Science International, 222(1-3), 200-207. doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2012.05.025Mato, Y., Isobe, T., Takada, H., Kanehiro, H., Ohtake, C., & Kaminuma, T. (2000). Plastic Resin Pellets as a Transport Medium for Toxic Chemicals in the Marine Environment. Environmental Science & Technology, 35(2), 318-324. doi:10.1021/es0010498Michielssen, M. R., Michielssen, E. R., Ni, J., & Duhaime, M. B. (2016). Fate of microplastics and other small anthropogenic litter (SAL) in wastewater treatment plants depends on unit processes employed. Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology, 2(6), 1064-1073. doi:10.1039/c6ew00207bMintenig, S. M., Int-Veen, I., Löder, M. G. J., Primpke, S., & Gerdts, G. (2017). Identification of microplastic in effluents of waste water treatment plants using focal plane array-based micro-Fourier-transform infrared imaging. Water Research, 108, 365-372. doi:10.1016/j.watres.2016.11.015Mohapatra, D. P., Cledón, M., Brar, S. K., & Surampalli, R. Y. (2016). Application of Wastewater and Biosolids in Soil: Occurrence and Fate of Emerging Contaminants. Water, Air, & Soil Pollution, 227(3). doi:10.1007/s11270-016-2768-4Munno, K., Helm, P. A., Jackson, D. A., Rochman, C., & Sims, A. (2017). Impacts of temperature and selected chemical digestion methods on microplastic particles. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 37(1), 91-98. doi:10.1002/etc.3935Murphy, F., Ewins, C., Carbonnier, F., & Quinn, B. (2016). Wastewater Treatment Works (WwTW) as a Source of Microplastics in the Aquatic Environment. Environmental Science & Technology, 50(11), 5800-5808. doi:10.1021/acs.est.5b05416Naidoo, T., Goordiyal, K., & Glassom, D. (2017). Are Nitric Acid (HNO3) Digestions Efficient in Isolating Microplastics from Juvenile Fish? Water, Air, & Soil Pollution, 228(12). doi:10.1007/s11270-017-3654-4Napper, I. E., Bakir, A., Rowland, S. J., & Thompson, R. C. (2015). Characterisation, quantity and sorptive properties of microplastics extracted from cosmetics. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 99(1-2), 178-185. doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2015.07.029Ng, E.-L., Huerta Lwanga, E., Eldridge, S. M., Johnston, P., Hu, H.-W., Geissen, V., & Chen, D. (2018). An overview of microplastic and nanoplastic pollution in agroecosystems. Science of The Total Environment, 627, 1377-1388. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.01.341Nizzetto, L., Futter, M., & Langaas, S. (2016). Are Agricultural Soils Dumps for Microplastics of Urban Origin? Environmental Science & Technology, 50(20), 10777-10779. doi:10.1021/acs.est.6b04140Nuelle, M.-T., Dekiff, J. H., Remy, D., & Fries, E. (2014). A new analytical approach for monitoring microplastics in marine sediments. Environmental Pollution, 184, 161-169. doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2013.07.027Prata, J. C., da Costa, J. P., Duarte, A. C., & Rocha-Santos, T. (2019). Methods for sampling and detection of microplastics in water and sediment: A critical review. TrAC Trends in Analytical Chemistry, 110, 150-159. doi:10.1016/j.trac.2018.10.029Qiu, Q., Tan, Z., Wang, J., Peng, J., Li, M., & Zhan, Z. (2016). Extraction, enumeration and identification methods for monitoring microplastics in the environment. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 176, 102-109. doi:10.1016/j.ecss.2016.04.012Rios Mendoza, L. M., Karapanagioti, H., & Álvarez, N. R. (2018). Micro(nanoplastics) in the marine environment: Current knowledge and gaps. Current Opinion in Environmental Science & Health, 1, 47-51. doi:10.1016/j.coesh.2017.11.004Rocha-Santos, T. A. P. (2018). Editorial overview: Micro and nano-plastics. Current Opinion in Environmental Science & Health, 1, 52-54. doi:10.1016/j.coesh.2018.01.003Rocha-Santos, T., & Duarte, A. C. (2015). A critical overview of the analytical approaches to the occurrence, the fate and the behavior of microplastics in the environment. TrAC Trends in Analytical Chemistry, 65, 47-53. doi:10.1016/j.trac.2014.10.011Simon, M., van Alst, N., & Vollertsen, J. (2018). Quantification of microplastic mass and removal rates at wastewater treatment plants applying Focal Plane Array (FPA)-based Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) imaging. Water Research, 142, 1-9. doi:10.1016/j.watres.2018.05.019Sujathan, S., Kniggendorf, A.-K., Kumar, A., Roth, B., Rosenwinkel, K.-H., & Nogueira, R. (2017). Heat and Bleach: A Cost-Efficient Method for Extracting Microplastics from Return Activated Sludge. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 73(4), 641-648. doi:10.1007/s00244-017-0415-8Tagg, A. S., Harrison, J. P., Ju-Nam, Y., Sapp, M., Bradley, E. L., Sinclair, C. J., & Ojeda, J. J. (2017). Fenton’s reagent for the rapid and efficient isolation of microplastics from wastewater. Chemical Communications, 53(2), 372-375. doi:10.1039/c6cc08798aTalvitie, J., Heinonen, M., Pääkkönen, J.-P., Vahtera, E., Mikola, A., Setälä, O., & Vahala, R. (2015). Do wastewater treatment plants act as a potential point source of microplastics? Preliminary study in the coastal Gulf of Finland, Baltic Sea. Water Science and Technology, 72(9), 1495-1504. doi:10.2166/wst.2015.360Talvitie, J., Mikola, A., Koistinen, A., & Setälä, O. (2017). Solutions to microplastic pollution – Removal of microplastics from wastewater effluent with advanced wastewater treatment technologies. Water Research, 123, 401-407. doi:10.1016/j.watres.2017.07.005Talvitie, J., Mikola, A., Setälä, O., Heinonen, M., & Koistinen, A. (2017). How well is microlitter purified from wastewater? – A detailed study on the stepwise removal of microlitter in a tertiary level wastewater treatment plant. Water Research, 109, 164-172. doi:10.1016/j.watres.2016.11.046Von Friesen, L. W., Granberg, M. E., Hassellöv, M., Gabrielsen, G. W., & Magnusson, K. (2019). An efficient and gentle enzymatic digestion protocol for the extraction of microplastics from bivalve tissue. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 142, 129-134. doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.03.016Waller, C. L., Griffiths, H. J., Waluda, C. M., Thorpe, S. E., Loaiza, I., Moreno, B., … Hughes, K. A. (2017). Microplastics in the Antarctic marine system: An emerging area of research. Science of The Total Environment, 598, 220-227. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.03.283Wang, W., & Wang, J. (2018). Investigation of microplastics in aquatic environments: An overview of the methods used, from field sampling to laboratory analysis. TrAC Trends in Analytical Chemistry, 108, 195-202. doi:10.1016/j.trac.2018.08.026Ziajahromi, S., Neale, P. A., Rintoul, L., & Leusch, F. D. L. (2017). Wastewater treatment plants as a pathway for microplastics: Development of a new approach to sample wastewater-based microplastics. Water Research, 112, 93-99. doi:10.1016/j.watres.2017.01.04

The role of the operating parameters of SBR systems on the SMP production and on membrane fouling reduction

[EN] In this work, six identical laboratory SBRs treating simulated wastewater were operated in parallel studying the effect of three food-to-microorganisms ratio (F/M ratio; 0.20, 0.35 and 0.50 kg COD¿kg MLSS-1¿d-1), two hydraulic retention times (HRT; 24 and 16 h) and two values of number of cycles per day (3 and 6). Influence of these operational parameters on the SMPs production and reactor performance, were studied. Results indicated that the highest F/M ratio, HRT and cycles/day produced 72.7% more of SMP. In a second experimental series, biological process yielding the maximal and the minimal SMPs production were replicated and both mixed liquors (ML) and treated effluents were ultrafiltrated. The flux decay in the conditions of minimum and maximum SMPs production were 52% and 72%, when the SBRs effluents were ultrafiltrated while no significant differences in the ultrafiltration of ML were found. In terms of permeability recovery, this was lower for the case of the ML (73% and 49% of initial permeability recovered for effluent and ML ultrafiltration, respectively).This work was supported by the Spanish Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad (CTM2014-54546-P).Ferrer-Polonio, E.; White, K.; Mendoza Roca, JA.; Bes-Piá, M. (2018). The role of the operating parameters of SBR systems on the SMP production and on membrane fouling reduction. Journal of Environmental Management. 228:205-212. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2018.09.036S20521222

Diseño de los procesos de concentración en la línea de fangos de una EDAR

En este artículo docente se explica cómo diseñar los equipos que se emplean habitualmente para concentrar fangos en las Estaciones Depuradoras de Aguas Residuales.Bes Piá, MA.; Mendoza Roca, JA. (2013). Diseño de los procesos de concentración en la línea de fangos de una EDAR. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/3112

Análisis multidisciplinar de la aplicación de técnicas de evaluación continua formativa

El presente trabajo presenta las actividades realizas para la mejora del proceso de aprendizaje en sesiones de prácticas mediante distintas estrategias de evaluación continua formativa por parte de un grupo de innovación educativa de la Universidad Politécnica de Valencia. Se ha estudiado el uso de cuestionarios temporizados realizados antes y al finalizar la práctica mediante el uso de una plataforma de e-learning así como el uso de rúbricas para la valoración del trabajo del alumno y las memorias de prácticas. La eficacia de las distintas estrategias ha sido establecida a partir de datos cualitativos y cuantitativos recogidos mediante observación durante su aplicación, calificaciones obtenidas y realizando un sondeo de opinión. La aplicación de estas metodologías ha sido llevada a cabo en 10 asignaturas de diferentes áreas de conocimiento (Teoría de la Señal y Comunicaciones, Química, Ingeniería Química y Economía) impartidas en diferentes carreras técnicas, por lo que se obtiene una visión multidisciplinar del efecto de las innovaciones

Assessment of Microplastics Distribution in a Biological Wastewater Treatment

[EN] Full-scale wastewater treatment facilities are not able to prevent microplastics (MPs) from discharging into natural waters and they are also associated with the land application of the sludge. This study evaluates the distribution of microfibers (MFs) in a lab-scale sequencing batch reactor (SBR) fed by synthetic wastewater (SW) for 93 days. The MFs were analyzed through optical microscopy in the mixed liquor (ML) and the effluent, and sulfuric acid digestion was applied to discriminate between natural and synthetic MFs (i.e., MPs). The results of the optical microscopy analyses were further validated through FTIR spectroscopy. A model describing the evolution over time of the MF concentration in the ML was created, accounting for the MFs entering the system through the SW and atmospheric deposition. The ratio between the MF concentration in the ML and the effluent was 1409 ± 781, demonstrating that MFs settle with the sludge. Consistently, in the ML, 64.9% of the recovered MFs were smaller than 1000 µm (average size 968 µm), while in the effluent, 76.1% of MFs were smaller than 1000 µm (average size 772 µm). Overall, 72% of MFs recovered from the ML were natural fibers and sulfuric acid digestion was successful in eliminating the natural MFs.This research was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (grant number: RTI2018-096916-B-I00).Castelluccio, S.; Alvim, CB.; Bes-Piá, M.; Mendoza Roca, JA.; Fiore, S. (2022). Assessment of Microplastics Distribution in a Biological Wastewater Treatment. Microplastics. 1(1):141-155. https://doi.org/10.3390/microplastics10100091411551

Ultrafiltration of residual fermentation brines from the production of table olives at different operating conditions

[EN] The membrane process of ultrafiltration (UF) has been investigated as a pretreatment previous to the further recovery and concentration of phenolic compounds from residual table olives fermentation brines. Two UF membranes were tested: a permanently hydrophilic polyethersulfone (PES) membrane with a molecular weight cut-off (MWCO) of 30 kDa and a PES membrane with a MWCO of 5 kDa. Transmembrane pressure and crossflow velocity were varied from 1 to 3 bar and from 2.2 to 3.7 m s(-1), respectively. The best membrane in terms of permeate flux and selectivity was that with MWCO of 5 kDa and the best operating conditions were transmembrane pressure of 3 bar and crossflow velocity of 2.2 m s(-1). In these conditions permeate flux was 21.6 L h(-1).m(-2), while the rejection of COD and phenolic compounds were 50.0% and 21.9%, respectively and the removal of colour and turbidity was almost complete. In addition, an alkaline cleaning protocol was proposed, which was effective to restore the initial permeability of the selected membrane. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.The authors of this work wish to gratefully acknowledge the financial support of CDTI (Centre for Industrial Technological Development) depending on the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (INNPRONTA program, ITP-20111020).Carbonell Alcaina, C.; Alvarez Blanco, S.; Bes-Piá, M.; Mendoza Roca, JA.; Pastor Alcañiz, L. (2018). Ultrafiltration of residual fermentation brines from the production of table olives at different operating conditions. Journal of Cleaner Production. 189:662-672. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.04.127S66267218

Influence of organic matter type in wastewater on soluble microbial products production and on further ultrafiltration

[EN] BACKGROUND Membrane fouling is the main limiting factor for the application of ultrafiltration (UF) to wastewater treatment as tertiary treatment or in membrane bioreactors. Soluble microbial products (SMP) play the more important role on membrane fouling. In this work, four sequencing batch reactors were operated in parallel using two different simulated wastewaters under operating conditions maximizing and minimizing SMP production. The aim was to study the influence of the wastewater type, which until now has hardly been considered, on SMP production and, consequently, on membrane fouling. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION Results showed that organic matter (OM) type in wastewater greatly influenced SMP production and composition (protein : carbohydrate ratio). The food¿to¿microorganisms (F : M) ratio also significantly influenced SMP production. The lowest protein : carbohydrate ratio was achieved for wastewater containing sodium acetate as OM source at a F : M = 0.2. Finally, both mixed liquor and treated effluent were subjected to an ultrafiltration (UF) process and it was confirmed that the carbohydrate concentration in SMP was the main parameter influencing membrane fouling when the reactor effluent was fed to the UF process.This work was supported by the Spanish Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad. (CTM2014-54546-P).Ferrer-Polonio, E.; Fernández-Navarro, J.; Alonso Molina, JL.; Bes-Piá, M.; Mendoza Roca, JA. (2018). Influence of organic matter type in wastewater on soluble microbial products production and on further ultrafiltration. Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology. 93(11):3284-3291. https://doi.org/10.1002/jctb.5689S32843291931

Reduction of the sludge production in a sequencing batch reactor by addition of chlorine dioxide: Influence on the process performance

Costs reduction in the activated sludge process in municipal wastewater treatment plants (MWWTPs) has nowadays become of paramount important due to the current economic situation. One of the saving measures that are being currently studied is the reduction of sludge production. In this work, the influence of the addition of chlorine dioxide to a sequencing batch reactor (SBR) on the sludge production and on the process performance has been studied. After preliminary jar-tests to select the ClO2 concentration range to be studied, two series of experiences were carried out. In the first series of experiments two laboratory SBRs were operated in parallel to test the effect of three different ClO2 doses. In the second one, three laboratory SBRs were operated in parallel to go on studying the influence of the chlorine dioxide addition on the SBRs performance and to compare two different dosing strategies (directly to the reactor and mixing the oxidant with a part of the sludge in a separated tank). SBRs treated simulated municipal wastewater and they were operated with the same operating strategy. Results showed that doses of 5 and 10 mg ClO2/gTSS entailed severe deterioration of the biological process, meanwhile the dose of 2 mg ClO2/gTSS hardly decreased the COD removal performance, implying a reduction of sludge production of 20.2%. An increase of the dose up to 2.5 mg ClO2/gTSS increased the reduction of the sludge production up to 43.4%, when the oxidant was added directly to the reactor in the anoxic reaction phase.Authors thank Fomento Agricola Castellonense S.A. (FACSA) for the support in the project.Zuriaga Agusti, E.; Garrido Mauri, G.; Mendoza Roca, JA.; Bes Piá, MA.; Alonso Molina, JL. (2012). Reduction of the sludge production in a sequencing batch reactor by addition of chlorine dioxide: Influence on the process performance. Chemical Engineering Journal. 209:318-324. doi:10.1016/j.cej.2012.08.004S31832420

Sludge reduction by uncoupling metabolism: SBR tests with para-nitrophenol and a commercial uncoupler

Nowadays cost reduction is a very important issue in wastewater treatment plants. One way, is to minimize the sludge production. Microorganisms break down the organic matter into inorganic compounds through catabolism. Uncoupling metabolism is a method which promote catabolism reactions instead of anabolism ones, where adenosine triphosphate synthesis is inhibited. In this work, the influence of the addition of para-nitrophenol and a commercial reagent to a sequencing batch reactor (SBR) on sludge production and process performance has been analyzed. Three laboratory SBRs were operated in parallel to compare the effect of the addition of both reagents with a control reactor. SBRs were fed with synthetic wastewater and were operated with the same conditions. Results showed that sludge production was slightly reduced for the tested para-nitrophenol concentrations (20 and 25 mg/L) and for a LODOred dose of 1 mL/day. Biological process performance was not influenced and high COD removals were achieved. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.This work was supported by Universitat Politecnica de Valencia (Project reference: PAID-05-12).Zuriaga Agustí, E.; Mendoza Roca, JA.; Bes Piá, MA.; Alonso Molina, JL.; Amoros Muñoz, I. (2016). Sludge reduction by uncoupling metabolism: SBR tests with para-nitrophenol and a commercial uncoupler. Journal of Environmental Management. 182:406-411. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2016.07.100S40641118