Municipal Solid Waste Characterization according to Different Income Levels: A Case Study

Solid waste generation and characterization are some of the most important parameters which affect environmental sustainability. Municipal solid waste (MSW) characterization depends on social structure and income levels. This study aims to determine the variations in waste components within MSW mass by income levels and seasonal conditions following the analysis conducted on the characterization of solid wastes produced in the Kartal district of the province of Istanbul, which is the research area of this study. To this end, 1.9 tons of solid waste samples were collected to represent four different lifestyles (high, medium, and low income levels, and downtown) in the winter and summer periods, and characterization was made on these samples. In order to support waste characterization, humidity content and calorific value analyses were also conducted and various suggestions were brought towards waste management in line with the obtained findings. According to the results obtained in the study, organic waste had the highest rate of waste mass by 57.69%. Additionally, significant differences were found in municipal solid waste components (MSWC) based on income level. Average moisture content (MC) of solid waste samples was 71.1% in moisture analyses. The average of calorific (heating) value (HHV) was calculated as 2518.5 kcal·kg−1

Effects of persulfate, peroxide activated persulfate and permanganate oxidation on treatability and biodegradability of leachate nanofiltration concentrate

The effects of persulfate (PS), peroxide activated persulfate (P-PS) and permanganate (PM) oxidation processes on leachate nanofiltration (NF) concentrate treatment have been activated. Additionally, COD fractions were determined and compared before and after each oxidation process. The total COD removal efficiencies by the oxidation processes using PS, P-PS, and PM as the oxidants were determined to be 24.5%, 32.9%, and 39.5%, respectively. The biodegradable COD fraction increased from 6.37% to 9.25%, 11.51%, and 13.64% after the PS, P-PS, and PM oxidation processes, respectively. About 25%, 34%, and 46% removal efficiencies of the inert COD content of the concentrate were obtained after the PS, P-PS and PM oxidation processes, and the soluble COD fraction increased from 71.1% to 87.2%, 89.0% and 84.6% by the PS, P-PS and PM oxidation processes, respectively. Although the highest removal efficiencies were achieved by PM oxidation with the lowest operational cost, all of the processes may be suggested as efficient methods for conversion of insoluble COD into the soluble COD fraction and for inert COD removal. The results of the study showed that the PS, P-PS, and PM oxidation processes may be effectively utilized as post-treatment techniques for leachate NF concentrate treatment

Norfloxacin removal by ultraviolet-activated sodium percarbonate and sodium hypochlorite: process optimization and anion effect

The efficiency of UV-activated sodium percarbonate (SPC) and sodium hypochlorite (SHC) in Norfloxacin (Norf) removal from an aqueous solution was assessed. Control experiments were conducted and the synergistic effect of the UV-SHC and UV-SPC processes were 0.61 and 2.89, respectively. According to the first-order reaction rate constants, the process rates were ranked as UV-SPC > SPC > UV and UV-SHC > SHC > UV. Central composite design was applied to determine the optimum operating conditions for maximum Norf removal. Under optimum conditions (UV-SPC: 1 mg/L initial Norf, 4 mM SPC, pH 3, 50 min; UV-SHC: 1 mg/L initial Norf, 1 mM SHC, pH 7, 8 min), the removal yields for the UV-SPC and UV-SHC were 71.8 and 72.1%, respectively. HCO3−, Cl−, NO3−, and SO42− negatively affected both processes. UV-SPC and UV-SHC processes were effective for Norf removal from aqueous solution. Similar removal efficiencies were obtained with both processes; however, this removal efficiency was achieved in a much shorter time and more economically with the UV-SHC process. HIGHLIGHTS The process rates in the UV-SPC and UV-SHC processes were higher than in single processes.; Norfloxacin removal by the UV-SPC and UV-SHC was 71.8 and 72.1%, respectively.; HCO3−, Cl−, NO3−, and SO42− negatively affected both processes.; UV-SHC is more energy efficient.

The carbon footprint of a university campus: Case study of Yildiz Technical University, Davutpaşa Campus, Turkey.

In this study, the carbon footprint of Yildiz Technical University (YTU), Davutpaşa Campus was calculated to draw attention to the sustainable use of resources, what needs to be done against global climate change, and to reveal the responsibilities of universities in this regard and the importance of their contributions. This study was carried out to emphasize the need for higher education institutions to lead in reducing the carbon footprint in every living area in our country. IPCC and DEFRA methods were used to calculate the carbon footprint. The emission values obtained for 2019 and 2020 were 15244.4 and 7213.3 t of CO2, respectively. The largest component of emissions is electricity consumption, followed by transportation. The obtained values are similar to the results of the studies conducted on other university campuses. The reason for the low emission value in 2020 is the application of the online education system due to the pandemic. The precautions to be taken to reduce the carbon footprint are stated and suggestions are made. YTU, which has already adopted a new environmental policy, is rapidly advancing towards becoming a sustainable campus. In line with the sustainable campus vision, the carbon footprint is expected to decrease significantly