ORCID Profile
0000-0002-6330-9473
Current Organisations
University of Warsaw
,
University of New South Wales
Does something not look right? The information on this page has been harvested from data sources that may not be up to date. We continue to work with information providers to improve coverage and quality. To report an issue, use the Feedback Form.
Publisher: IWA Publishing
Date: 21-11-2017
DOI: 10.2166/WST.2017.569
Abstract: Odorous volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were analysed via a thermal desorption gas chromatograph coupled with a mass spectrometer and olfactory detection port (TD-GC-MS/ODP) to characterize odour emissions from a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). Three trained ODP assessors, screened according to the European dynamic olfactometry standard (EN: 13725), were used for the olfactory analysis. Their sensitivity to n-butanol varied within the acceptable limits. VOC s les from the WWTP were collected onto Tenax TA sorbent tubes in triplicate and each assessor analysed one tube in the same s le desorbing and analysing conditions. Intensities of odours detected from ODP were scaled from 1 to 4. The ODP assessors used their own odour descriptors based on their own experience as well as referenced descriptors on published compost and wastewater odour wheels. The ODP assessors detected a total of 32 different odorous VOCs however, the intensities assigned by each assessor to particular VOCs varied. Moreover, some odorous VOCs were not detected by all assessors. For ex le, geosmin was detected by only two assessors. The use of a TD-GC-MS/ODP system for the analysis of odorous VOCs is valuable when analysed by different assessors, allowing a range of responses to specific odorants in a populations to be investigated.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2019
DOI: 10.1016/J.CHEMOSPHERE.2019.07.071
Abstract: Odours from stabilized biosolids after anaerobic digestion of wastewater sludge can cause local community impact. Apart from the well-known odorants such as sulfur compounds, contributions from other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to nuisance odours is limited. The presence of compounds with low odour detection thresholds (ODTs) at low concentrations, can present challenges for analytical identification. Thirty-six biosolids s les were taken after anaerobic stabilisation and dewatering at a wastewater treatment plant, Sydney, Australia. Biosolid cake s les were stored outside in loosely covered trays under aerobic conditions, however without interactions with soil microorganisms as it would be in reality. All biosolids cake s les were analysed over a period of 35 days. Emissions were collected onto Tenax TA sorbent tubes using a U.S. EPA flux hood method at storage days 1, 3, 7, 10, 14, 21 and 35. Gas chromatography (GC) coupled with mass spectrometer detector (MSD) and an olfactory detection port (ODP) was used to identify a musty/moldy/earthy type odorant in the biosolids emissions as 2,4,6-trichloroanisole (TCA). Measured odour intensities, classified on a scale from 1 to 4, and odour characters were specified by three ODP assessors. TCA was identified in all biosolid cake emissions. The measured odour intensities of the TCA did not significantly alter as the biosolids were aged, however varied between biosolids cakes. Due to its odour intensity, 85% frequency of detection and its low ODT, which is orders of magnitudes lower than sulfur compounds, TCA should be considered as a potential odorant of concern in biosolids emissions.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2022
DOI: 10.1016/J.ENVRES.2022.113871
Abstract: Biosolids storage areas are a significant contributor to wastewater treatment plant (WWTPs) odour emissions which can cause sensorial impact to surrounding communities. Most odour impact regulations are based on odour concentration (COD) measurements determined by dynamic olfactometry. Understanding the relationship between odorants concentrations and COD in the biosolids emission is important to identify how the measurement and monitoring can be conducted using analytical rather than sensorial techniques. Some of the odorants are unknown in biosolid emissions, increasing the uncertainty in predicting COD. In this study, emissions from 56 biosolid s les collected from two WWTPs located in Sydney, Australia, were analysed by analytical and sensorial methods, including olfactory detection port (ODP) and dynamic olfactometry. Concentrations of 25 odorants and two ordinal variables represented odour events detected by ODP assessors were linked to COD values. Bayesian Model Averaging and Variable Selection with Bayesian Adaptive S ling were applied to model the relation between COD and odorants concentrations. Results indicate the usability of the probabilistic methods and nonlinear transformations in modelling the odour concentrations based on odorants concentrations from biosolids emission and the accuracy of a small dataset.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 04-01-2019
Publisher: IWA Publishing
Date: 10-2012
DOI: 10.2166/WST.2012.361
Abstract: The aim of this paper is the study and the validation of a method for odor s ling on solid area sources. This aim is achieved by considering a suitable theoretical model that accounts for all the variables involved in the volatilization process of odorous compounds from solids into the atmosphere. The simulation of the emission of odors from a solid surface was achieved by designing a suitable experimental setup and a specific wind tunnel for laboratory tests. The results of the tests show a good correspondence between the theoretical data derived from the adopted model and the experimental data. The verification of the possibility of describing the wind tunnel functioning with a theoretical volatilization model proves the applicability of this device for s ling on solid area sources.
Publisher: eLife Sciences Publications, Ltd
Date: 14-08-2018
DOI: 10.7554/ELIFE.34848
Abstract: Dengue is a major health burden, but it can be challenging to examine transmission and evaluate control measures because outbreaks depend on multiple factors, including human population structure, prior immunity and climate. We combined population-representative paired sera collected before and after the 2013/14 dengue-3 outbreak in Fiji with surveillance data to determine how such factors influence transmission and control in island settings. Our results suggested the 10–19 year-old age group had the highest risk of infection, but we did not find strong evidence that other demographic or environmental risk factors were linked to seroconversion. A mathematical model jointly fitted to surveillance and serological data suggested that herd immunity and seasonally varying transmission could not explain observed dynamics. However, the model showed evidence of an additional reduction in transmission coinciding with a vector clean-up c aign, which may have contributed to the decline in cases in the later stages of the outbreak.
Publisher: eLife Sciences Publications, Ltd
Date: 28-01-2020
DOI: 10.7554/ELIFE.48460
Abstract: It has been commonly assumed that Zika virus (ZIKV) infection confers long-term protection against reinfection, preventing ZIKV from re-emerging in previously affected areas for several years. However, the long-term immune response to ZIKV following an outbreak remains poorly documented. We compared results from eight serological surveys before and after known ZIKV outbreaks in French Polynesia and Fiji, including cross-sectional and longitudinal studies. We found evidence of a decline in seroprevalence in both countries over a two-year period following first reported ZIKV transmission. This decline was concentrated in adults, while high seroprevalence persisted in children. In the Fiji cohort, there was also a significant decline in neutralizing antibody titres against ZIKV, but not against dengue viruses that circulated during the same period.
Publisher: IWA Publishing
Date: 10-12-2016
DOI: 10.2166/WST.2016.560
Abstract: The aim of this study was to compare sensory and analytical methods used to measure odour and odorants concentrations for odour impact assessment on municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). A range of sources and odour or odorants concentrations were used to compare the methods. Four different odours and odorants measurement methods were compared: field olfactometry using Nasal Ranger® field olfactometer, dynamic olfactometry according to PN-EN 13725:2007 standard, colorimetric assays (hydrogen sulphide, ammonia) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) methods (methanethiol, ethanethiol, dimethyl sulphide). Mechanical-biological and mechanical-biological-chemical WWTPs were chosen. Receptor points were selected inside of ‘closed’ facilities of the technological line (screening rooms, mechanical thickening and dewatering building) and downwind at ‘open’ facilities (collection chambers, sand trap, mechanical thickeners) which were the most significant regarding the potential for odour nuisance. By the research, it is not possible to specify explicit dependencies between results obtained from different research methods used in the odour impact assessment of WWTPs. A strong correlation (Pearson's correlation coefficient was equal R = 0.79) was determined only once between odour concentrations measured by dynamic olfactometry and methanethiol concentrations in the screen room at the WWTP No. 3.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2022
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2018
DOI: 10.1016/J.SCITOTENV.2018.03.352
Abstract: Odorous emissions from wastewater biosolids processing can cause nuisance impacts to the surrounding community. Odour Wheels are an effective tool for environmental odour management, but have yet to be provided for wastewater biosolids processing. Emissions throughout the biosolids processing from eight wastewater treatment plants, each with different unit operation configurations, were surveyed to identify odorants present and their olfactory properties. Chemical and olfactory methods identified a range of odorants and odours emitted throughout biosolids processing. Within the biosolids processing locations studied Sulfur type odours, described as rotten eggs or cabbage, were typically encountered. However, there was also a varying presence of Rancid utrid and Faecal/manure type odours. Odour Wheels were generated to communicate both the olfactory and chemical components of emissions which were measured throughout biosolids processing. Ex les based on the operation of the eight wastewater treatment plants were used to demonstrate how the Odour Wheels can be used as an onsite odour management aid. The paper demonstrates how Odour Wheels can be prepared using chemical and olfactory measurements and then used to communicate olfactory properties, as well as identify the causes of nuisance emissions throughout biosolids processing at wastewater treatment plants. The linking of odours and odorants to process conditions throughout biosolids processing facilitates effective abatement and management practices.
Publisher: IWA Publishing
Date: 06-2018
DOI: 10.2166/WST.2018.245
Abstract: Malodorous emissions from biosolids limit potential re-use opportunities. Emissions from anaerobically stabilised biosolids have been widely studied. In contrast, emissions from aerobically stabilised biosolids have not been well documented. In idual odorants in complex emissions can be detected using sensorial analysis methods, such as gas chromatography mass spectroscopy coupled with an odour detection port (GC-MS/O) where assessors sniff the GC effluent to identify odorants present. In this study, GC-MS/O was used to study and compare emissions from biosolids produced from aerobically and anaerobically stabilised biosolids from different wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). The WWTPs varied in size, catchments and dewatering technology. Three GC-MS/O assessors were used for the sensorial analysis. The identified odorants varied significantly between the two sites using aerobic stabilisation, in number of odour characters detected, as well as their intensity. Different odour characters were noted from biosolids generated at the aerobic digestion sites compared to characters from biosolids generated at the anaerobic digestion site. Biosolids from the aerobic digestion sites had medicinal, acrid or putrid type odours not noted from the anaerobic site. However, descriptors of biosolids emissions were commonly noted as: rotten vegetables, seaweed, garbage, garlic, or bad-breath. Many of the descriptors were associated with the presence of sulfur-type compounds. The importance of assessor variability was also highlighted in the paper where certain characters were not detected or were described differently by assessors.
Publisher: Water Environment Federation
Date: 2016
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2023
Publisher: IWA Publishing
Date: 20-01-2017
DOI: 10.2166/WST.2017.030
Abstract: Opportunities for the beneficial re-use of biosolids are limited by nuisance odour emissions. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from anaerobically stabilised biosolids were measured to identify compounds that could contribute to the overall odour character of nuisance emissions. Flux hood s ling and chemical analysis were used to identify VOCs emitted from biosolids as they were stored in ambient conditions. Compounds emitted varied as the biosolid cakes were stored for a period of 50 days. VOCs detected in the biosolids are likely to occur from catchment sources as well as abiotic and biotic generation in the wastewater processing and the biosolids as they are stored. Odour activity values (OAVs) were used to compare odorants. Trimethylamine was the only VOC detected that exceeded the sulfur compounds in terms of OAVs. Other compounds such as limonene, ethyl methyl benzene and acetic acid were detected at concentrations exceeding their olfactory detection limits, however at lower OAVs than sulfur compounds.
Start Date: 2022
End Date: 2025
Funder: National Science Center
View Funded Activity