Endocrine disrupting chemicals removal in an aerobic granular sludge reactor treating simulated saline wastewater

The occurrence of Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in the environment is a topic of concern. It is commonly accepted that the major source of EDCs to the environment is wastewater treatment plants effluents. Salinity is an additional common stress factor in wastewater treatment. Aerobic granular sludge (AGS) has a number of properties that make it more attractive than conventional biological systems for treatment of wastewater containing EDCs. In the present study, an AGS sequencing batch reactor adapted to salinity was operated for 140 days for treating synthetic saline wastewater containing 17β–estradiol (E2), 17α–ethinylestradiol (EE2) and bisphenol-A (BPA). E2 was removed by biodegradation. EE2 adsorption/desorption to the aerobic granules was observed. The increasing of BPA removal efficiency after bioaugmentation with a degrading bacterial strain shows that biodegradation was the removal mechanism. COD removal was not significantly affected by EDCs shock loads. Activity of ammonia oxidizing bacteria and nitrite oxidizing bacteria did not seem to be inhibited by the presence of EDCs. The activity of phosphate accumulating organisms was affected.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Bacterial strain rhodococcus sp. ED55 degrades endocrine disrupring chemicals in wastewater

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Rhodococcus sp. ED55: a bacterial strain with ability to degrade endocrine disrupting chemicals and potential for bioaugmentation

The occurrence of Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in the environment is a topic of concern. It is commonly accepted that the major source of EDCs to the environment is wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs’) effluents, due to the inefficiency of WWTPs to remove this kind of pollutants. A bacterial strain – Rhodococcus sp. ED55 was isolated from the sediments of a discharge point of a WWTP in Coloane, Macau, for its ability to degrade EDCs. The bacterium was able to biodegrade 17β–estradiol (E2), 17α–ethinylestradiol (EE2), bisphenol-A (BPA) and bisphenol-S (BPS) at different extents. Strain ED55 was able to completely degrade the supplied amount of E2 in few hours, both in synthetic medium and in real wastewater from a municipal WWTP (Parada, Maia – Portugal). Estrone (E1), 4OH-E1 and 4OH-E2 were identified as intermediate degradation metabolites and the metabolic pathway is under elucidation. Bioaugmentation with Rhodococcus sp. ED 55 significantly improved the natural attenuation of the compound in municipal wastewater in batch assays. The acute test with luminescent marine bacterium Vibrio fischeri revealed elimination of the toxicity of the treated effluent and the standardized yeast estrogenic (S-YES) assay with the recombinant strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae revealed decrease of estrogenic activity of samples. Rhodococcus sp. ED55 was applied in a strategy of an AGS sequencing batch reactor adapted to salinity, which was operated for treating a synthetic saline wastewater containing E2, EE2 and BPA. E2 was no longer detected in the bulk liquid after 10 min of aerobic reaction throughout reactor operation, suggesting that this compound was quickly removed by biodegradation. EE2 adsorption/desorption to the aerobic granules was observed. Removal of BPA significantly increased after bioaugmentation with Rhodococcus sp. ED55, showing that biodegradation was the governing removal mechanism. COD removal was not significantly affected by EDCs shock loads. Rhodococcus sp. ED55 can potentially be applied in bioaugmentation strategies for ameliorating treatment of wastewater contaminated with EDCs.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Rhodococcus sp. ED55: a bacterial strain with potential for application in wastewater treatment for effective removal of endocrine disruptors

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Geo-neutrinos: A systematic approach to uncertainties and correlations

Geo-neutrinos emitted by heat-producing elements (U, Th and K) represent a unique probe of the Earth interior. The characterization of their fluxes is subject, however, to rather large and highly correlated uncertainties. The geochemical covariance of the U, Th and K abundances in various Earth reservoirs induces positive correlations among the associated geo-neutrino fluxes, and between these and the radiogenic heat. Mass-balance constraints in the Bulk Silicate Earth (BSE) tend instead to anti-correlate the radiogenic element abundances in complementary reservoirs. Experimental geo-neutrino observables may be further (anti)correlated by instrumental effects. In this context, we propose a systematic approach to covariance matrices, based on the fact that all the relevant geo-neutrino observables and constraints can be expressed as linear functions of the U, Th and K abundances in the Earth's reservoirs (with relatively well-known coefficients). We briefly discuss here the construction of a tentative "geo-neutrino source model" (GNSM) for the U, Th, and K abundances in the main Earth reservoirs, based on selected geophysical and geochemical data and models (when available), on plausible hypotheses (when possible), and admittedly on arbitrary assumptions (when unavoidable). We use then the GNSM to make predictions about several experiments ("forward approach"), and to show how future data can constrain - a posteriori - the error matrix of the model itself ("backward approach"). The method may provide a useful statistical framework for evaluating the impact and the global consistency of prospective geo-neutrino measurements and Earth models.Comment: 17 pages, including 4 figures. To appear on "Earth, Moon, and Planets," Special Issue on "Neutrino Geophysics," Proceedings of Neutrino Science 2005 (Honolulu, Hawaii, Dec. 2005

Geophysical and geochemical constraints on geoneutrino fluxes from Earth's mantle

Knowledge of the amount and distribution of radiogenic heating in the mantle is crucial for understanding the dynamics of the Earth, including its thermal evolution, the style and planform of mantle convection, and the energetics of the core. Although the flux of heat from the surface of the planet is robustly estimated, the contributions of radiogenic heating and secular cooling remain poorly defined. Constraining the amount of heat-producing elements in the Earth will provide clues to understanding nebula condensation and planetary formation processes in early Solar System. Mantle radioactivity supplies power for mantle convection and plate tectonics, but estimates of mantle radiogenic heat production vary by a factor of more than 20. Recent experimental results demonstrate the potential for direct assessment of mantle radioactivity through observations of geoneutrinos, which are emitted by naturally occurring radionuclides. Predictions of the geoneutrino signal from the mantle exist for several established estimates of mantle composition. Here we present novel analyses, illustrating surface variations of the mantle geoneutrino signal for models of the deep mantle structure, including those based on seismic tomography. These variations have measurable differences for some models, allowing new and meaningful constraints on the dynamics of the planet. An ocean based geoneutrino detector deployed at several strategic locations will be able to discriminate between competing compositional models of the bulk silicate Earth.Comment: 34 pages, 6 tables, 5 figures, 2 supplementary figures; revised version submitted to Earth Planet. Sci. Let

Antineutrinos from Earth: A reference model and its uncertainties

We predict geoneutrino fluxes in a reference model based on a detailed description of Earth's crust and mantle and using the best available information on the abundances of uranium, thorium, and potassium inside Earth's layers. We estimate the uncertainties of fluxes corresponding to the uncertainties of the element abundances. In addition to distance integrated fluxes, we also provide the differential fluxes as a function of distance from several sites of experimental interest. Event yields at several locations are estimated and their dependence on the neutrino oscillation parameters is discussed. At Kamioka we predict N(U+Th)=35 +- 6 events for 10^{32} proton yr and 100% efficiency assuming sin^2(2theta)=0.863 and delta m^2 = 7.3 X 10^{-5} eV^2. The maximal prediction is 55 events, obtained in a model with fully radiogenic production of the terrestrial heat flow.Comment: 24 pages, ReVTeX4, plus 7 postscript figures; minor formal changes to match version to be published in PR

Rationale, design and methods of the HEALTHY study physical education intervention component

The HEALTHY primary prevention trial was designed to reduce risk factors for type 2 diabetes in middle school students. Middle schools at seven centers across the United States participated in the 3-year study. Half of them were randomized to receive a multi-component intervention. The intervention integrated nutrition, physical education (PE) and behavior changes with a communications strategy of promotional and educational materials and activities. The PE intervention component was developed over a series of pilot studies to maximize student participation and the time (in minutes) spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), while meeting state-mandated PE guidelines. The goal of the PE intervention component was to achieve ≥150 min of MVPA in PE classes every 10 school days with the expectation that it would provide a direct effect on adiposity and insulin resistance, subsequently reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes in youth. The PE intervention component curriculum used standard lesson plans to provide a comprehensive approach to middle school PE. Equipment and PE teacher assistants were provided for each school. An expert in PE at each center trained the PE teachers and assistants, monitored delivery of the intervention and provided ongoing feedback and guidance

Upper- and mid-mantle interaction between the Samoan plume and the Tonga-Kermadec slabs

Mantle plumes are thought to play a key role in transferring heat from the core\u2013mantle boundary to the lithosphere, where it can significantly influence plate tectonics. On impinging on the lithosphere at spreading ridges or in intra-plate settings, mantle plumes may generate hotspots, large igneous provinces and hence considerable dynamic topography. However, the active role of mantle plumes on subducting slabs remains poorly understood. Here we show that the stagnation at 660 km and fastest trench retreat of the Tonga slab in Southwestern Pacific are consistent with an interaction with the Samoan plume and the Hikurangi plateau. Our findings are based on comparisons between 3D anisotropic tomography images and 3D petrological-thermo-mechanical models, which self-consistently explain several unique features of the Fiji\u2013Tonga region. We identify four possible slip systems of bridgmanite in the lower mantle that reconcile the observed seismic anisotropy beneath the Tonga slab (VSH4VSV) with thermo-mechanical calculations