Natural coagulates for wastewater treatment; a review for application and mechanism

The increase of water demand and wastewater generation is among the global concerns in the world. The less effective management of water sources leads to serious consequences, the direct disposal of untreated wastewater is associated with the environmental pollution, elimination of aquatic life and the spread of deadly epidemics. The flocculation process is one of the most important stages in water and wastewater treatment plants, wherein this phase the plankton, colloidal particles, and pollutants are precipitated and removed. Two major types of coagulants are used in the flocculation process included the chemical and natural coagulants. Many studies have been performed to optimize the flocculation process while most of these studies have confirmed the hazardous effects of chemical coagulants utilization on the ecosystem. This chapter reviews a summary of the coagulation/flocculation processes using natural coagulants as well as reviews one of the most effective natural methods of water and wastewater treatment

Characterization of karst systems using SIc-Pco2 method coupled with PCA and frequency distribution analysis. Application to karst systems in the Vaucluse county (Southeastern France)

Estimating vulnerability of a karst system to pollution is a major current issue. However, to assess vulnerability, an understanding of the karst system functioning is necessary. The aim of this paper was to characterize the degree of karst network development used by flows (i.e. karst system functioning) to have a better knowledge on the resource and its vulnerability to any possible contamination. This characterization can be done with an analysis of water chemistry emerging from a system. Carbon dioxide partial pressure (Pco2) and saturation index with respect to calcite (SIc) are two significant parameters that can be used to study water chemistry of karst systems through calcium-carbonate equilibriums. These enable the implementation of the SIc–Pco2 method. In this article, a methodology is proposed based on the SIc–Pco2 method coupled with frequency distribution analysis and principal components analysis (PCA). This study considers three karst systems with a developed saturated zone and one epikarst spring, located near the Fontaine de Vaucluse spring (Southeast France). Results show that different water types and flowing conditions in the karst system are identified. From this acquired information, karst network development can be estimated. Finally, results can aid in the vulnerability assessment of karst systems