Poles and Zeros of Generalized Carathéodory Class Functions

This thesis establishes certain representations for generalized Carathéodory functions in terms of related classical Carathéodory functions. The equation is reduced for a simple example to a form that accounts for both the zeros and poles of the function simultaneously

H2S Removal from Groundwater by Chemical Free Advanced Oxidation Process Using UV-C/VUV Radiation

Sulfide species may be present in groundwater due to natural processes or due to anthropogenic activity. H2S contamination poses odor nuisance and may also lead to adverse health effects. Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) are considered promising treatments for hydrogen-sulfide removal from water, but conventional AOPs usually require continuous chemical dosing, as well as post-treatment, when solid catalysts are applied. Vacuum-UV (VUV) radiation can generate ·OH in situ via water photolysis, initiating chemical-free AOP. The present study investigated the applicability of VUV-based AOP for removal of H2S both in synthetic solutions and in real groundwater, comparing combined UV-C/VUV and UV-C only radiation in a continuous-flow reactor. In deionized water, H2S degradation was much faster under the combined radiation, dominated by indirect photolysis, and indicated the formation of sulfite intermediates that convert to sulfate at high radiation doses. Sulfide was efficiently removed from natural groundwater by the two examined lamps, with no clear preference between them. However, in anoxic conditions, common in sulfide-containing groundwater, a small advantage for the combined lamp was observed. These results demonstrate the potential of utilizing VUV-based AOP for treating H2S contamination in groundwater as a chemical-free treatment, which can be especially attractive to remote small treatment facilities

Quality of Roof-Harvested Rainwater as a Function of Environmental and Air Pollution Factors in a Coastal Mediterranean City (Haifa, Israel)

The quality of roof-harvested rainwater in a Mediterranean climate, which is characterised by dry summers and erratic wet winters, was studied. The effects of environmental factors (rain depth, length of dry period between consecutive rain events, time since the beginning of the rainy season, roof type, wind speed, and wind direction) and air pollution parameters (O3, SO2, NO2, NO, PM2.5, and PM2.5–10) on roof runoff quality were studied. Three roofs of three common types (concrete, steel sheets, and tiles) were constructed. Roof-generated runoff was collected over two rainy seasons (>50 rain events) and were analysed for presence of metals, chemical and physical constituents, and faecal coliforms (a total of 23 parameters). Rain depth and runoff volume from each roof were recorded for each rain event. Most parameters examined complied with the Israeli potable water regulations. A stepwise multivariate linear regression established a significant effect of roof type on runoff pollutant concentrations, especially for ones generated by the roof material itself (e.g., Ca from the concrete roof and Zn from roof tiles). A significant effect of various air pollutants on the quality of roof-runoff water was found, as explained by rain washing off pollutants that accumulated in the atmosphere during the antecedent dry period. Both O3 and PM2.5–10 affected 17 quality parameters each. Rain depth affected only four out of the 23 water quality variables. In contrast, the length of the dry period between consecutive rain events was an important factor, affecting 12 roof-runoff quality variables

Quantitative Microbial Risk Analysis for Various Bacterial Exposure Scenarios Involving Greywater Reuse for Irrigation

Greywater reuse can significantly reduce domestic water consumption. While the benefits are promising, risks are still under debate. Using a quantitative microbial risk-assessment model, we assessed the health risks associated with greywater reuse. The pathogens Salmonella enterica, Shigella spp., and Staphylococcus aureus were evaluated due to their possible prevalence in greywater and limited information regarding their potential risk with relation to greywater reuse for irrigation. Various exposure scenarios were investigated. Monte Carlo simulation was used and results were compared to the maximum “acceptable” limit of 10−6 disability-adjusted life years (DALY) set by the World Health Organization. Safe reuse was met for all worst-case exposure scenarios for Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella enterica and Shigella spp. If their concentrations were kept below 10,000, 50 and 5 cfu/100 mL, respectively. For the best-practice (more realistic) scenarios, safe reuse was met for Staphylococcus aureus if its concentration was kept below 106 cfu/100 mL. Salmonella enterica met the safe reuse requirements if a maximum concentration of 500 cfu/100 mL was maintained and Shigella spp. if a maximum concentration was lower than 5 cfu/100 mL. Based on reported concentrations of these bacteria in greywater, proper treatment and disinfection are recommended

Impact of Suspended Solids and Organic Matter on Chlorine and UV Disinfection Efficiency of Greywater

Reusing greywater (GW) can lower domestic water consumption. However, the GW must be treated and disinfected for securing user health. This research studied at the laboratory scale, and in flow-through setups, which are generally used in full-scale GW treatment the disinfection efficiency of the two commonly used technologies (a) chlorination and (b) low-pressure UV irradiation. The disinfection methods were studied under a commonly found range of total suspended solids (TSS; 3.9–233 mg/L) and 5-d biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5) concentrations (0–107 mg/L) as a representative/proxy of bioavailable organic matter. The negative effect of TSS began even at low concentrations (<20 mg/L) and increased consistently with increasing TSS concentrations across all the concentrations tested. On the other hand, the negative effect of BOD5 on FC inactivation was observed only when its concentration was higher than 50 mg/L. Multiple linear regression models were developed following the laboratory results, establishing a correlation between FC inactivation by either chlorination or UV irradiation and initial FC, TSS, and BOD5 concentrations. The models were validated against the results from the flow-through reactors and explained the majority of the variability in the measured FC inactivation. Conversion factors between the laboratory scales and the flow-through reactor experiments were established. These enable the prediction of the required residual chlorine concentration or the UV dose needed for an on-site flow-through reactor. This approach is valuable from both operational and research perspectives

Media 3: Tomographic phase microscopy with 180° rotation of live cells in suspension by holographic optical tweezers

Originally published in Optics Letters on 15 April 2015 (ol-40-8-1881

Media 4: Tomographic phase microscopy with 180° rotation of live cells in suspension by holographic optical tweezers

Originally published in Optics Letters on 15 April 2015 (ol-40-8-1881