ORCID Profile
0000-0002-6223-7084
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Ben-Gurion University of the Negev - Sede Boqer Campus
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Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
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Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)
Date: 11-10-2011
DOI: 10.1021/ES104040K
Abstract: Colloidal-sized triacylglycerol droplets demonstrated enhanced transport compared to ideal latex colloid spheres in both saturated and unsaturated quartz sand columns. Oil droplets (mean diameter 0.74 ± 0.03 μm, density 0.92 g cm(-3), ζ-potential -34 ± 1 mV) were injected simultaneously with latex microsphere colloids (FluoSpheres density 1.055 g cm(-3), diameters 0.02, 0.2, and 1.0 μm, ζ-potentials -16 ± 1, -30 ± 2, and -49 ± 1, respectively) and bromide into natural quartz sand (ζ-potential -63 ± 2 mV) via short-pulse column breakthrough experiments. Tests were conducted under both saturated and unsaturated conditions. Breakthrough of oil droplets preceded bromide and FluoSpheres. Recovery of oil droplets was 20% greater than similarly sized FluoSpheres in the saturated column, and 16% greater in the 0.18 ± 0.01 volumetric water content (VWC) unsaturated column. Higher variability was observed in the 0.14 ± 0.01 VWC column experiments with oil droplet recovery only slightly greater than similarly sized FluoSpheres. The research presents for the first time the direct comparison of colloidal oil droplet transport in porous media with that of other colloids, and demonstrates transport under unsaturated conditions. Based on experimental results and theoretical analyses, we discuss possible mechanisms that lead to the observed enhanced mobility of oil droplets compared to FluoSpheres with similar size and electrostatic properties.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2015
DOI: 10.1016/J.SCITOTENV.2015.08.009
Abstract: Graywater reuse is rapidly gaining popularity as a viable source of reclaimed water, mainly for garden irrigation and toilet flushing. The purpose of this study was to determine, by epidemiological survey, the risk for gastroenteritis symptoms associated with graywater reuse. The study comprised a weekly health questionnaire answered by both graywater users and non-graywater users (control group) regarding their health status over a period of 1year, and periodic s ling for graywater quality. Participants were also asked to respond to a one-time lifestyle questionnaire to assess their level of exposure to graywater or potable water used in garden irrigation. Graywater quality was typical and comparable to previous studies, with average fecal coliform concentration of 10(3)CFU 100ml(-1). A Cox Proportional Hazards model indicated a somewhat higher health risk for the control group (P<0.05), suggesting that there was practically no difference in the prevalence of water-related diseases between users of graywater and potable water. Since the concentration of pathogens in the current study was higher than that suggested by quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA), yet there was no difference in the prevalence of water-related diseases between control and graywater users, it was postulated that QMRA is conservative and can safely be used toward the establishment of regulations governing graywater reuse.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2011
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 05-2022
DOI: 10.1016/J.WATRES.2022.118188
Abstract: Waters contaminated with micropollutants are of environmental and public health concern globally. Stormwater is a significant source of anthropogenic micropollutants to receiving waters. Hence, sustainable stormwater remediation is needed to reduce contamination of waterways. Yet designing sustainable bioremediation solutions, including those targeted to remove micropollutants, is a major scientific challenge. This study aimed to adapt the design of stormwater biofiltration systems, to improve the removal of micropollutants and understand the role of the micropollutant-degrading bacteria in this bioremediation process. We investigated the atrazine removal performance of a prototype biofiltration system, in which the filter media was supplemented with Granulated Activated Carbon (GAC). The prototype biofiltration system completely removed atrazine to below detectable limits, significantly exceeding the GAC's adsorption capacity alone, suggesting other biological processes were present. We showed that atrazine degradation capacity, measured by the kinetics of the trzN gene abundance, was accelerated in the prototype system compared to the standard system (which had no added GAC 0.8 vs. 0.37 week
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 07-2013
DOI: 10.2134/JEQ2012.0416
Abstract: A main concern with reuse of treated domestic wastewater (DWW) in irrigation is its possible effect on the soil. Few studies have focused on DWW treated in on-site settings, which generally use low-tech systems that can be constructed and serviced locally. One such system is the recirculating vertical flow constructed wetland (RVFCW). The aim of this study was to assess short- to midterm effects of irrigation with DWW treated in the RVFCW. Four groups of plastic barrels, filled with a sandy loam soil, were irrigated for 36 mo with fresh water (FW), FW with added fertilizer, raw DWW, or DWW treated in the RVFCW followed by ultraviolet disinfection. Principal component analysis revealed that the soil irrigated with treated DWW had physicochemical properties similar to those irrigated with FW amended with fertilizer. Levels of surfactants in soil irrigated with treated DWW were identical to those expected from standard irrigation practices, abating concerns for possible changes in soil hydraulic properties. was not detected in the soil irrigated with treated DWW, demonstrating the importance of disinfection of treated effluents before reuse in irrigation. Furthermore, irrigation with treated DWW did not alter the bacterial community structure according to terminal restriction fragment analysis. This 3-yr study suggests that the practice of irrigation with RVFCW effluents is safe. Continuation of the experiment is required to determine whether longer-term irrigation might show a different pattern.
Publisher: IWA Publishing
Date: 29-03-2014
DOI: 10.2166/WST.2014.159
Abstract: Reuse of greywater (GW) has raised environmental and public health concerns. Specifically, these concerns relate to onsite treatment operated by non-professionals systems must therefore be reliable, simple to use and also economically feasible if they are to be widely used. The aims of this study were to: (a) investigate GW treatment efficiency using 20 full-scale recirculating vertical flow constructed wetlands (RVFCWs) operated in households in arid and Mediterranean regions and (b) study the long-term effects of irrigation with treated GW on soil properties. RVFCW systems were installed and monitored routinely over 3 years. Raw, treated and disinfected treated GW s les were analyzed for various physicochemical and microbial parameters. Native soil plots and nearby freshwater (FW) and treated GW irrigated soil plots were s led twice a year – at the end of the winter and at the end of the summer. Soil s les were analyzed for various physicochemical and microbial parameters. Overall, the RVFCW proved to be a robust and reliable GW treatment system. The treated GW quality met strict Israeli regulations for urban irrigation. Results also suggest that irrigation with sufficiently treated GW has no adverse effects on soil properties. Yet, continued monitoring to follow longer term trends is recommended.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 04-2003
DOI: 10.1046/J.1365-2761.2003.00452.X
Abstract: Amoebic gill disease is the main disease affecting the salmonid industry in Tasmania, but no information on the distribution of the causative pathogen, Neoparamoeba pemaquidensis, in the aquatic environment is available. This pilot study aimed to determine temporal and spatial distributions of paramoebae species in the water column, using an immuno-dot blot technique. Water s les were collected from inside fish cages at various depths (0.5, 5.5 and 11.0 m) in both summer and winter, as well as various distances (0, 0.5, 240, 280, 750 and 1100 m) away from the sea cage and farming site. Paramoebae densities were estimated using the most probable number technique (MPN). Temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, nitrite and nitrates, and bacterial counts were measured for each water s le. Data were analysed using a residual maximum likelihood test and significant associations between paramoebae densities and environmental factors were analysed. Results showed that densities were significantly higher in summer (P = 0.017), at 5.5 m depth (P = 0.029), and reduced to the lowest density at 1100 m away from the cage sites (P = 0.008). Bacterial counts, turbidity and temperature were found to be significantly associated with paramoebae densities.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 03-09-2009
DOI: 10.1007/S11356-009-0232-3
Abstract: The project was set to construct an extensive wetland in the southernmost region of Israel at Kibbutz Neot Smadar (30 degree 02'45" N and 35 degree 01'19" E). The results of the first period of monitoring, summary, and perspectives are presented. The constructed wetland (CW) was built and the subsequent monitoring performed in the framework of the Southern Arava Sustainable Waste Management Plan, funded by the EU LIFE Fund. The specific aims were: (1) To end current sewage disposal and pollution of the ground, the aquifer, and the dry river bed (wadi) paths by biologically treating the sewage as part of the creation of a sustainable wetland ecosystem. (2) Serve as an ex le of CW in the Negev highlands and the Arava Valley climates for neighboring communities and as a test ground for plants and building methods appropriate to hyper arid climate. (3) Serve as an educational resource and tourist attraction for groups to learn about water reuse, recycling, local wildlife and migrating birds, including serving the heart of a planned Ecological-Educational Bird Park. This report is intended to allow others who are planning similar systems in hyper arid climates to learn from our experience. The project is located in an extreme arid desert with less than 40 mm of rain annually and temperature ranges of -5 degree C to +42 degree C. The site receives 165-185 m3 of municipal and agricultural wastes daily, including cowshed and goat wastes and winery outflow. The CW establishment at Neot Smadar was completed in October 2006. For 8 months, clean water flowed through the system while the plants were taking root. In June 2007, the wetland was connected to the oxidation pond and full operation began. Because of seepage and evaporation, during the first several months, the water level was not high enough to allow free flow from one bed to the next. To bed A, the water was pumped periodically from the oxidation pond (Fig. 1) and from there flowed by gravitation through the rest of the system. The initial results of the monitoring are promising. In nearly all measurements, the system succeeded as expected to reduce levels of contaminants at least to the level acceptable for irrigating fruit trees and often to the level of unlimited irrigation. The introduction of the plants in the system and their physiological performance were evaluated and were found to correlate well to the quality of water in the various beds. It should be said at the outset that evaluation of the performance of a CW system is a long-term process. Thus, the main aim of this report is to present the problems, difficulties, preliminary results, and concepts concerned with the first stage of establishment of CW in an extremely dry region. The CW system was designed to dispose of municipal and agricultural wastes in a way that not merely reduces pollution, but adds to environmental quality by creating accessible parkland for local residents and tourists. Several factors affected the performance of the system at the initial stages of operation: ecological balance between microbes and plants, big seasonal variations, seepage and evaporation reduced the flow in the initial operation of the system. Despite the initial difficulties, the quality of water coming out the system is acceptable for irrigation. The CW can function well under extreme dryland conditions. The oxidation pond was the major source of evaporation and bad odors. Therefore, alternatives to the oxidation pond are needed. Cost effectiveness of the system still has to be evaluated systematically.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2007
DOI: 10.1016/J.CHEMOSPHERE.2006.06.006
Abstract: The use of greywater for irrigation is becoming increasingly common. However, raw greywater is often contaminated and can cause environmental harm and pose health risks. Nevertheless, it is often used without any significant pretreatment, a practice mistakenly considered safe. The aim of this study was to develop an economically sound, low-tech and easily maintainable treatment system that would allow safe and sustainable use of greywater for landscape irrigation in small communities and households. The system is based on a combination of vertical flow constructed wetland with water recycling and trickling filter, and is termed recycled vertical flow constructed wetland (RVFCW). The RVFCW's properties, removal efficiency, hydraulic parameters and feasibility were studied, as well as the environmental effects of the treated greywater, as reflected by soil and plant parameters over time. The RVFCW was efficient at removing virtually all of the suspended solids and biological oxygen demand, and about 80% of the chemical oxygen demand after 8h. Fecal coliforms dropped by three to four orders of magnitude from their initial concentration after 8h, but this was not always enough to meet current regulations for unlimited irrigation. The treated greywater had no significant negative impact on plants or soil during the study period. The feasibility analysis indicated a return over investment after approximately three years. We concluded that the RVFCW is a sustainable and promising treatment system for greywater use that can be run and maintained by unskilled operators.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2020
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2018
Publisher: IWA Publishing
Date: 12-2011
DOI: 10.2166/WST.2011.814
Abstract: Microorganisms constitute a central component of constructed wetlands (CWs), playing a major role in these systems' capacity for treating wastewater. The aim of this study was to determine the ersity and composition of the microbial community found in a recirculating vertical flow CW (RVFCW) bed fed with primarily settled domestic wastewater and its response to the presence of plants, season and location in the bed. The RVFCW removed 90–95% of TSS and BOD5 to below 10 mg L−1. The effluent quality was not significantly affected by seasonal temperature or the existence of plants in the bed. None of these factors had discernible effects on bacterial ersity, e.g. in the planted RVFCW, the richness (S′) and Shannon–Weiner ersity (H′) indices were 18.3 (±3.5) and 2.49 (±0.15), respectively, which are similar to the values of 19.4 (±3.5) and 2.57 (±0.18) in the unplanted RVFCW. However, there were indications that the structure of the microbial community underwent changes that were uncorrelated with the environmental factors tested and that did not affect the overall performance. The consistency in ersity and composition/structure of the bacterial community in the face of temporal and environmental influences possibly contributes to the robustness and high treatment capacity of the RVFCW system.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2010
DOI: 10.1016/J.CHEMOSPHERE.2009.09.067
Abstract: Hydrogen Peroxide Plus (HPP) is a newly developed, stabilized-H(2)O(2)-based compound. This study was aimed at determining the disinfection efficiency of HPP in greywater (GW), assessing HPP dose requirements and evaluating the feasibility of its use in small-scale GW-treatment systems. Fecal coliforms were the most sensitive to treatment, followed by somatic coliphages and F+ bacteriophages. The calculated HPP dose required to reduce fecal coliform counts by 99% was 125mg H(2)O(2)L(-1), with a contact time of 35min. The use of HPP was found feasible and comparable to the use of chlorine for small systems with a flow rate of 5m(3)d(-1). HPP is suggested as an alternative for GW disinfection in small communities and private houses.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 02-2008
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2008
DOI: 10.1016/J.BIORTECH.2006.12.016
Abstract: Supplementary nitrogen (N) side-dressing via the irrigation system is needed in organic cropping. The aim here was to improve N-extraction efficiency, by testing five extraction protocols with guano, layer and broiler manures. The manure-N released by the different methods and manures was mainly in the form of ammonia and ranged from 50% to 85% with no differences among extraction methods. Volatilised ammonia from the extract solution was trapped. At the end of the extraction period, the pH of the extract solution was raised and the rest of the volatilised ammonia was trapped. In the case of guano, about 89% of the manure-N that was mineralised to the extract solution volatilised (after a pH increase), whereas in the layer and broiler manures, 59% and 54% were volatilised, respectively. Extraction of ammonia, its volatilisation and entrapment could provide a significantly more efficient N source than using the extract solution as currently recommended.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 02-04-2018
DOI: 10.3390/W10040413
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2023
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 18-08-2015
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2014
DOI: 10.1016/J.SCITOTENV.2014.03.133
Abstract: Reusing greywater (GW) for on-site irrigation is becoming a common practice worldwide. Alongside its benefits, GW reuse might pose health and environmental risks. The current study assesses the risks associated with on-site GW reuse and the main factors affecting them. GW from 34 households in Israel was analyzed for physicochemical parameters, Escherichia coli (as an indicator for rotavirus), Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. Each participating household filled out a questionnaire about their GW sources, treatment and usages. Quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) was performed based on the measured microbial quality, and on exposure scenarios derived from the questionnaires and literature data. The type of treatment was found to have a significant effect on the quality of the treated GW. The average E. coli counts in GW (which exclude kitchen effluent) treated by professionally-designed system resulted in acceptable risk under all exposure scenarios while the risk from inadequately-treated GW was above the accepted level as set by the WHO. In conclusion, safe GW reuse requires a suitable and well-designed treatment system. A risk-assessment approach should be used to adjust the current regulations/guidelines and to assess the performance of GW treatment and reuse systems.
Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)
Date: 09-04-2010
DOI: 10.1021/ES902646G
Abstract: Reuse of greywater for landscape irrigation can significantly reduce domestic water consumption. Alongside its benefits, there are potential drawbacks to greywater reuse, raising legitimate concerns about the impact on human and environmental health. In this review, a risk assessment framework is used to assess the adequacy of different regulations to ensure safe and long-lasting, onsite greywater reuse for irrigation. Existing regulations from around the world are assessed along with a standardized evaluation of measures taken to protect public and environmental health. In most cases, human health considerations currently dominate regulatory strategies, while environmental risks are either ignored or underrepresented. A distinction between single and multiple households was found to be a fundamental component of the regulations which often lead to approved utilization of untreated greywater among single households. We concluded that the use of untreated greywater is not recommended, especially in multihousehold systems as it may compromise public health, with single household systems posing more likely risks to the environment. Existing rules to control greywater use should be further revised toward the establishment of a more advanced regulatory system which can avert the salient potential risks associated with greywater reuse, while exploiting the enormous potential of this alternative water resource.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2017
DOI: 10.1016/J.SCITOTENV.2017.03.115
Abstract: Expansion of dryland agriculture requires intensive supplement of organic fertilizers to improve the fertility of nutrient-poor desert soils. The environmental impact of organic supplements in hot desert climates is not well understood. We report on seasonal emissions of nitrous oxide (N
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2016
DOI: 10.1016/J.WATRES.2016.09.058
Abstract: Millions of decentralized graywater-reuse systems are operating worldwide. This water is directly accessible to household inhabitants, raising environmental and public health concerns. Graywater may contain a variety of harmful organisms, the types and numbers of which vary with source-type, storage time, and background levels of infection in the community source. In this review, we find that most studies indicate high amounts of microbial pathogens in raw graywater and therefore treatment and disinfection are recommended to lower possible health risks. Where these recommendations have been followed, epidemiological and quantitative microbial risk-assessment studies have found negligible health risks of bacterial pathogens in treated graywater. Chlorine is currently suggested as the most cost-effective disinfection agent for inactivating graywater bacterial pathogens and preventing regrowth. Various studies demonstrate that the introduction and ersity of pathogenic bacteria in the soil via irrigation can be affected by several factors, but treated graywater may not be a major contributor of bacterial contamination or antibiotic resistance. However, an accurate assessment of the infectious capabilities, exposure pathways, and resistance of specific pathogens, particularly viruses and antibiotic-resistant bacteria found in treated graywater after disinfection, as well as in the graywater piping, irrigated soils, plants, and associated aerosols is largely lacking in the literature. In addition, research shows that fecal bacterial indicators might not reliably indicate the presence or quantities of pathogens in graywater and thus, the indicator standard for graywater contamination should be revised.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 23-07-2010
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2012
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 22-07-2017
DOI: 10.1007/S00436-017-5561-4
Abstract: We examined the effects of sex, age, and reproductive state of the insectivorous bat Pipistrellus kuhlii on the abundance and prevalence of arthropod ectoparasites (Macronyssidae and Cimicidae) in habitats with either sewage-polluted or natural bodies of water, in the Negev Desert, Israel. We chose water pollution as an environmental factor because of the importance of water availability in desert environments, particularly for P. kuhlii, which needs to drink on a daily basis. We predicted that parasite infestation rates would be affected by both environment and demographic cohort of the host. We found that female bats in the polluted site harbored significantly more mites than female bats in the natural site and that juveniles in the polluted site harbored significantly more cimicid in iduals than juveniles in the natural site. We further found that age and sex (host-related factors) affected ectoparasite prevalence and intensity (i.e., the abundance of parasites) in the polluted site. Our results may suggest that the interaction between host-related and environment-related factors affected parasite infestations, with females and young bats being more susceptible to ectoparasites when foraging over polluted water. This effect may be particularly important for bats that must drink or forage above water for other wildlife that depend on drinking water for survival.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2023
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2013
DOI: 10.1016/J.SCITOTENV.2013.04.023
Abstract: Reuse of graywater (GW) for irrigation is recognized as a sustainable solution for water conservation. One major impediment for reuse of GW is the possible presence of pathogenic microorganisms. The presence and abundance of six pathogens and indicators were investigated in three GW recirculating vertical flow constructed wetland treatment systems and their respective irrigated yard soils. The treated GW and soils were monitored once every two months for six months using real-time quantitative PCR. As a control, s les from four soils irrigated with fresh water (FW) were similarly analyzed for pathogens and indicators. Comparable types of pathogens and fecal indicator bacteria, including Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella enterica, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus faecalis, and Shigella spp., were found in the treated GW, their corresponding irrigated soils and the FW-irrigated soils. Moreover, the abundance of these bacteria in the GW- and FW-irrigated soils was of the same order of magnitude, suggesting that the source of the pathogens cannot be established. Our results suggest that GW irrigation has no effect on the ersity and abundance of the tested pathogens and indicators in yard soils.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2020
DOI: 10.1016/J.SCITOTENV.2019.135630
Abstract: Aquaculture contributes to global food security, producing over 70 million tons of fish and aquatic products annually. Protein rich fish feeds, together with labor costs are the most expensive component costs in aquaculture. Feed application is given as percent of fish weight and therefore, reliable biomass assessment is essential for profitable and environmentally sound aquaculture. Fish biomass estimates are typically based on s ling 20% of the population was s led. Such biases, if indeed common, will most likely result in over/underfeeding, both entailing negative economic and environmental consequences. We advocate conducting similar studies with major cultured fish to generate "bias correction tables" for adjusting fish feeding rate to bias-corrected biomass. These will help reduce the potential economic losses and negative environmental impacts of aquaculture practice.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2023
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2009
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2016
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 05-2008
DOI: 10.1016/J.SCITOTENV.2008.01.004
Abstract: The potential impact of oil and grease (O and G) to soils irrigated with greywater (GW) was investigated. Greywater streams were s led and analyzed for O and G content, along with corresponding GW-irrigated soils. Untreated kitchen GW averaged 200 mg L(-1) O and G, over an order of magnitude more than other GW streams. GW-irrigated soils showed O and G accumulation of up to 200 mg kg(-l) within the first 20-cm of depth. To determine the potential effects of such O and G accumulation on water movement in soil, capillary rise and water drop penetration time (WDPT) experiments were conducted. The results showed up to 60% decrease in capillary rise when sand containing 250 mg kg(-1) O and G was used. Interestingly, no additional reduction in capillary rise was observed at concentrations above 250 mg kg(-1). WDPT was observed to increase linearly with increased O and G content, up to 1000 mg kg(-1). This work demonstrated that O and G in GW used for irrigation can accumulate in soil and may lead to a significant reduction in the soils ability to transmit water.
Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)
Date: 28-06-2008
DOI: 10.1021/ES800784M
Abstract: Although concentrated animal feeding operations constantly generate physiologically active steroidal hormones, little is known of their environmental fate. Estrogen and testosterone concentrations in groundwater and their distribution in sediments below a dairy-farm wastewater lagoon were therefore determined and compared to a reference site located upgradient of the farm. Forward simulations of flow as well as estrogen and testosterone transport were conducted based on data from the sediment profile obtained during drilling of a monitoring well belowthe dairy-farm waste lagoon. Testosterone and estrogen were detected in sediments to depths of 45 and 32 m, respectively. Groundwater s les were directly impacted by the dairy farm, as evidenced by elevated concentrations of nitrate, chloride, testosterone, and estrogen as compared to the reference site. Modeling potential transport of hormones in the vadose zone via advection, dispersion, and sorption could not explain the depths at which estrogen and testosterone were found, suggesting that other transport mechanisms influence hormone transport under field conditions. These mechanisms may involve interactions between hormones and manure as well as preferential flow paths, leading to enhanced transport rates. These types of interactions should be further investigated to understand the processes regulating hormone transport in the subsurface environment and parametrized to forecast long-term fate and transport of steroidal hormones.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2016
Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)
Date: 28-08-2003
DOI: 10.1021/ES026297D
Abstract: A theory developed suggested that significant displacement of solute in saturated porous media results from the propagation of compression waves. Four independent one-dimensional experimental setups and a variety of laboratory methods were used to confirm the predictions of the theory, specifically aimed at developing a novel method of inducing compression waves for use in remediation of contaminated aquifers. Compaction and shock waves were emitted through granular porous media saturated with saline water. The changes in solute concentration at observation points along the propagating wave were used to verify the validity of theory. The first setup was designed mainly to provide a qualitative assessment (i.e., changes in pressure due to the propagating wave were not recorded). In situ quantitative measurements of the pressure and electrical conductivity profiles along a sand column were done with the second and third experimental setups, respectively, to short and long shock waves. In the fourth setup, solute displacement was visualized by X-ray absorption. The findings were consistent with the theory in all experimental setups.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2015
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2000
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 02-2000
DOI: 10.1046/J.1365-2400.2000.00181.X
Abstract: The general hydrological equation, inflow = outflow ± change in storage, can be used to make accurate estimates of water use by ponds for inland aquaculture projects. The primary inflows are precipitation, runoff and regulated water additions. The main outflows are evaporation, seepage, overflow after storms and intentional discharge. Water conservation measures such as maintaining storage capacity in ponds equal to the normal, maximum daily precipitation, reduction in seepage beneath dams and through pond bottoms, fish harvest without draining ponds, and water re‐use are discussed. Even with the implementation of water conservation measures, pond aquaculture is a water‐ intensive endeavour which consumes more water per unit of area than irrigated agriculture. However, the value of aquacultural production per unit of water used greatly exceeds that of irrigated agriculture. Reduction in effluent volume is the most effective water saving means, and not only reduces water consumption but also reduces the pollution potential of pond aquaculture.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 27-05-1998
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2018
DOI: 10.1016/J.SCITOTENV.2018.02.089
Abstract: The development of intensive recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) with low water exchange has accelerated in recent years as a result of environmental, economic and other concerns. In these systems, fish are commonly grown at high density, 50 to 150kg/m
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 11-04-2015
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 27-02-2022
DOI: 10.3390/W14050758
Abstract: There is a growing body of knowledge on the persistence of antibiotic-resistant genes (ARGs) and antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) in greywater and greywater treatment systems such as constructed wetlands (CWs). Our research quantified ARGs (sul1, qnrS, and blaCTXM32), class one integron (intI1), and bacterial marker (16S) in four recirculating vertical flow CWs in a small community in the Negev desert, Israel, using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). The greywater microbial community was characterized using 16S rRNA licon sequencing. Results show that CWs can reduce ARG in greywater by 1–3 log, depending on the gene and the quality of the raw greywater. Community sequencing results showed that the bacterial community composition was not significantly altered after treatment and that Proteobacteria, Epsilonbacteraeota, and Bacteroidetes were the most dominant phyla before and after treatment. Pseudomonas, Citrobacter, Enterobacter, and Aeromonas were the most commonly identified genera of the extended spectrum beta lactamase (ESBL) colonies. Some of the ESBL bacteria identified have been linked to clinical infections (Acinetobacter nosocomialis, Pseudomonas fulva, Pseudomonas putida, Pseudomonas monteilii, and Roseomonas cervicalis). It is important to monitor intI1 for the potential transfer of ARGs to pathogenic bacteria.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2016
DOI: 10.1016/J.SCITOTENV.2016.03.200
Abstract: Greywater (GW) reuse can alleviate water stress by lowering freshwater consumption. However, GW contains pathogens that may compromise public health. During the GW-treatment process, bioaerosols can be produced and may be hazardous to human health if inhaled, ingested, or come in contact with skin. Using air-particle monitoring, BioS ler®, and settle plates we s led bioaerosols emitted from recirculating vertical flow constructed wetlands (RVFCW) - a domestic GW-treatment system. An array of pathogens and indicators were monitored using settle plates and by culturing the BioS ler® liquid. Further enumeration of viable pathogens in the BioS ler® liquid utilized a newer method combining the benefits of enrichment with molecular detection (MPN-qPCR). Additionally, quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) was applied to assess risks of infection from a representative skin pathogen, Staphylococcus aureus. According to the settle-plate technique, low amounts (0-9.7×10(4)CFUm(-2)h(-1)) of heterotrophic bacteria, Staphylococcus spp., Pseudomonas spp., Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterococcus spp., and Escherichia coli were found to aerosolize up to 1m away from the GW systems. At the 5m distance amounts of these bacteria were not statistically different (p>0.05) from background concentrations tested over 50m away from the systems. Using the BioS ler®, no bacteria were detected before enrichment of the GW-aerosols. However, after enrichment, using an MPN-qPCR technique, viable indicators and pathogens were occasionally detected. Consequently, the QMRA results were below the critical disability-adjusted life year (DALY) safety limits, a measure of overall disease burden, for S. aureus under the tested exposure scenarios. Our study suggests that health risks from aerosolizing pathogens near RVFCW GW-treatment systems are likely low. This study also emphasizes the growing need for standardization of bioaerosol-evaluation techniques to provide more accurate quantification of small amounts of viable, aerosolized bacterial pathogens.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 05-2010
DOI: 10.1016/J.SCITOTENV.2010.03.005
Abstract: A controlled study of the effect of greywater (GW) irrigation on soil properties was conducted. Containers of sand, loam and loess soils were planted with lettuce, and irrigated with fresh water, raw artificial GW or treated artificial GW. Greywater was treated using a recirculating vertical-flow constructed wetland. Soil s les were collected every 10 days for the 40-day duration of the study, and plant growth was measured. Soils were analysed for physicochemical and biological parameters to determine changes caused by the different treatments. It was demonstrated that raw artificial GW significantly increased the development of hydrophobicity in the sand and loam soils, as determined by water droplet penetration time. No significant changes were observed for the loess soil under all treatments. Observed hydrophobicity was correlated with increased oil and grease and surfactant concentrations in the soil. Zeta (zeta) potential of the soils was measured to determine changes in the soil particle surface properties as a result of GW irrigation. A significant change in zeta-potential (less negative) was observed in the raw artificial GW-irrigated sand, whereas no difference was observed in the loam or loess. Soils irrigated with fresh water or treated GW exhibited no increase in hydrophobicity. Fecal coliform bacteria were absent or <10 CFU g(-1) in soils irrigated with fresh water or treated GW, but at least 1 order of magnitude higher in raw artificial GW irrigated soils. Only in the last s ling event and only for the loess soil was plant growth significantly higher for fresh water irrigated vs. raw or treated GW irrigated soils. This study demonstrates that treated GW can be effectively irrigated without detrimental effects on soil or plant growth however, raw GW may significantly change soil properties that can impact the movement of water in soil and the transport of contaminants in the vadose zone.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2008
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2012
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 08-04-2013
DOI: 10.3390/W5020405
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 27-05-1998
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 19-08-2020
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 09-2011
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2017
DOI: 10.1016/J.CHEMOSPHERE.2017.06.080
Abstract: Greywater (GW) reuse for irrigation is a common method of reducing domestic consumption of fresh water. Most of the scientific research and legislation efforts have focused on GW's health risks, while less attention has been given to its environmental outcomes. One of the environmental risks of GW irrigation is its possible effect on soil hydraulic properties. This research examined the ability of GW to induce soil hydrophobicity, as well as its degree and persistence. Fresh water (control) and three model GW solutions representing raw, treated and highly treated GW were used to wet fine-grained sand. Every treatment was subjected to five cycles of wetting, incubation (at 5 °C or 30 °C) and drying (60 °C). After each cycle, capillary rise was measured and the contact angle (CA) was calculated. S les were also tested by the Wilhelmy plate method to retrieve advancing and receding CA and reservoir surface tension. Water repellence of the sand, as implied from the CA, increased with increasing GW concentration and was highest in the sand coated with the model raw GW and incubated at 5 °C. However, none of the treatments resulted in what is considered to be "water-repellent soil". Furthermore, when raw GW-coated sand was immersed in water, its surface tension was significantly reduced relative to the other treatments, implying a release of surface-active compounds from the sand into the water. It was postulated that untreated GW may induce sub-critical water repellence in sand. However, this effect is sensitive to biodegradation and washing processes and is therefore temporary.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2007
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2008
DOI: 10.1016/J.CHEMOSPHERE.2008.02.040
Abstract: Excess boron is a growing environmental problem. It often affects agricultural yields, where reuse of wastewater for irrigation is practiced. This problem raises the need for reliable, simple and economical methods to monitor boron concentrations in wastewater and soil extracts. One such method, the commonly used azomethine-H spectrophotometric method, suffers from color interference, originating from high concentrations of dissolved organic matter, when applied to many wastewater and agricultural soil extracts. Moreover, this method only quantifies free dissolved boron and lacks the ability to quantify boron that is adsorbed to either the dissolved organic matter or suspended solids that are present in the s le. This work suggests a modification of the standard azomethine-H method, in which the solution is digested with potassium persulfate prior to the standard procedure. We show that this pretreatment can overcome the color interference and lead to highly accurate and precise boron analyses in wastewater. In soil extracts, the boron concentrations obtained using the suggested procedure were better correlated to inductively coupled plasma (ICP) spectrometry results than those measured by the standard method, because whereas the standard method quantifies the free dissolved boron only, the modified method, like the ICP method, quantifies the total dissolved boron in the s le. Thus, the suggested modification can be used to quantify the respective distributions of free dissolved boron, boron adsorbed to dissolved organic matter and boron adsorbed to suspended solids in soil extracts and water s les.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 04-2012
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2017
DOI: 10.1016/J.WASMAN.2017.11.029
Abstract: Understanding and optimization of composting processes can benefit from the use of controlled simulators of various scales. The Agricultural Research Organization Composting Simulator (ARO-CS) was recently built and it is flexibly automated by means of a programmable logic controller (PLC). Temperature, carbon dioxide, oxygen and airflow are monitored and controlled in seven 9-l reactors that are mounted into separate 80-l water baths. The PLC program includes three basic heating modes (pre-determined temperature profile, temperature-feedback ("self-heating"), and carbon dioxide-dependent temperature), three basic aeration modes (airflow dependence on temperature, carbon dioxide, or oxygen) and enables all possible combinations among them. This unique high flexibility provides a robust and valuable research tool to explore a wide range of research questions related to the science and engineering of composting. In this article the logic and flexibility of the control system is presented and demonstrated and its potential applications are discussed.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2010
Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)
Date: 08-2019
Abstract: Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) has received much attention in recent years as a process to convert wet organic waste into carbon-rich hydrochar. The process also generates an aqueous phase that is still largely considered a burden. The success of HTC is dependent on finding solutions for the aqueous phase. In the present study, we provide the first investigation of recirculation of the aqueous phase from HTC of poultry litter as a means to concentrate nutrients and its subsequent application to agriculture as a fertilizer. Aqueous-phase recirculation generally resulted in an increase in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium concentrations up to cycle 3 with maximum concentrations reaching up to 5400, 397, and 23300 mg L
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 26-03-2021
DOI: 10.3390/W13070903
Abstract: To reduce public health hazards, greywater reuse may involve disinfection, which is often performed through chlorination. The formation of toxic disinfection by-products is a negative side-effect of chlorine’s reaction with organic matter, of which trihalomethanes (THM) are one of the most dominant (though not most toxic) groups. Greywater treatment in vertical flow constructed wetlands leads to a decrease in dissolved organic matter. We hypothesized that these dissolved organic carbon (DOC) changes would be reflected in differences in THM formation. Greywater s les, at different treatment levels (i.e., decreasing organic matter content), were exposed to 5 mg/L of chlorine for 1 h. THM formation in raw greywater s les was significantly lower than in the more treated (recirculated) s les, despite their significantly higher DO concentrations. This trend was verified in six different systems. Furthermore, this was also shown when greywater was exposed to higher chlorine doses (25 and 50 mg/L). It is suggested that the increase in THM formation for longer recirculated water is the result of two factors: competition between a higher number of reactive sites in the raw water’s organic matter, which leads to smaller THM yields, and changes in the abundance of THM formation moieties in the recirculated water’s DOC. The latter was reflected in the SUVA increase in the treated water. Overall, THM formation, following treated greywater chlorination at the lower chlorine concentration studied, is not expected to pose an environmental health risk when the water is reused for irrigation.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2013
DOI: 10.1016/J.JENVMAN.2012.12.049
Abstract: Biowaste such as animal manure poses an environmental threat, due to among others, uncontrolled emissions of ammonia and additional hazardous gases to the atmosphere. This study presents a quantitative analysis of an alternative biowaste management approach aimed at nitrogen recovery and reduction of contamination risks. The suggested technology combines anaerobic digestion of nitrogen-rich biowaste with biofiltration of the resulting gaseous ammonia. A compost-based biofilter is used to capture the ammonia and convert it to nitrate by nitrifying microorganisms. Nitrogen mass balance was applied to quantify the system's capacity under various fowl manure-loading regimes and ammonia loading rates. The produced nitrate was recovered and its use as liquid fertilizer was evaluated with cucumber plant as a model crop. In addition, emissions of other hazardous gases (N(2)O, CH(4) and H(2)S) were monitored before and after biofiltration to evaluate the efficiency of the system for treating these gases. It was found that nitrate-rich liquid fertilizer can be continuously produced using the suggested approach, with an over 67 percentage of nitrogen recovery, under an ammonia loading rate of up to 40 g NH(3) per cubic meter biofilter per hour. Complete elimination of NH(3), H(2)S, CH(4) and N(2)O was achieved, demonstrating the potential of the suggested technology for mitigating emission of these gases from fowl manure. Moreover, the quality of the recovered fertilizer was demonstrated by higher yield performance of cucumber plant compared with control plants treated with a commonly applied organic liquid fertilizer.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 05-2015
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2017
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2010
DOI: 10.1016/J.WATRES.2009.12.011
Abstract: The recirculating vertical flow constructed wetland (RVFCW) was developed for the treatment of domestic wastewater (DWW). In this system, DWW is applied to a vertical flow bed through which it trickles into a reservoir located beneath the bed. It is then recirculated back to the root zone of the bed. In this study, a compartmental model was developed to simulate the RVFCW. The model, which addresses transport and removal kinetics of total suspended solids, 5-day biological oxygen demand and nitrogen, was fitted to kinetical results obtained from pilot field setups and a local sensitivity analysis was performed on the model parameters and operational conditions. This analysis showed that after 5h of treatment water quality is affected more by stochastic events than by the model parameter values, emphasizing the stability of the RVFCW system to large variations in operational conditions. Effluent quality after 1h of treatment, when the sensitivity analysis showed the parameter impacts to be largest, was compared to model predictions. The removal rate was found to be dependent on the recirculation rate. The predictions correlated well with experimental observations, leading to the conclusion that the proposed model is a satisfactory tool for studying RVFCWs.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2003
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 05-2013
DOI: 10.1016/J.WATRES.2013.02.050
Abstract: Treatment and disposal of high volume of salty waste production in recirculating aquaculture systems (RASs) is a major challenge and the sludge is often a source of environmental pollution and salinization of receiving soils and water bodies. Anaerobic digestion is an efficient mean for the treatment of wastes of different origins and might serve a useful tool for the reduction of salty aquaculture discharge load. Use of an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor for digestion of brackish aquaculture sludge from RASs under different C:N ratios, temperatures, and hydraulic retention times demonstrated high removal efficiencies of over 92% as volatile solids (VS), 98% as chemical oxygen demand and 81% as total suspended solids in all reactors. Methane production topped 7.1 mL/gVS d and was limited by low C:N ratio but was not influenced by temperature fluctuations. The treated liquid effluent from all reactors was of sufficient quality for reuse in the RAS, leading to significant water recycling and saving rates. UASB may be an attractive solution for brackish sludge management in RASs.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2014
Publisher: IWA Publishing
Date: 03-2013
DOI: 10.2166/WST.2013.687
Abstract: On-site greywater (GW) treatment and reuse is gaining popularity. However, a main point of concern is that inadequate treatment of such water may lead to negative environmental and health effects. Maintenance of single-family home GW systems is usually performed by home owners with limited professional support. Therefore, unless GW systems are reliable, environmental and public health might be compromised. This study is aimed at investigating the reliability of on-site recirculated vertical flow constructed wetlands (RVFCW) in 20 single-family homes. In order to ensure reliability, the failure-tree approach was adopted during the design and construction of the systems. The performance of the systems was monitored for 1.5 years, by evaluating treated GW flow and quality, and by recording all malfunctions and maintenance work. Only 39 failures occurred during this period, of which four caused irrigation with impaired quality GW, while the rest led to no irrigation. The mean time between failures (MTBF) was 305 days two out of the 20 systems suffered from seven malfunctions (each), while nine systems did not fail at all. Thus, it can be postulated that if on-site GW treatment systems are designed with the right controls, and if scheduled (basic and relatively infrequent) maintenance is performed, GW reuse can be safe to the environment and human health.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2012
DOI: 10.1016/J.WATRES.2012.05.020
Abstract: The treatment and reuse of wastewater in constructed wetlands offers a low-cost, environmentally-friendly alternative for common engineered systems. Salinity in treated wastewater is often increased, especially in arid and semi-arid areas, and may harm crops irrigated from wetlands. We have strong evidence that halophyte plants are able to reduce the salinity of wastewater by accumulating salts in their tissues. Bassia indica is an annual halophyte with unique adaptations for salt tolerance. We performed three experiments to evaluate the capability of B. indica for salt phytoremediation as follows: a hydroponic system with mixed salt solutions, a recirculated vertical flow constructed wetland (RVFCW) with domestic wastewater, and a vertical flow constructed wetland (VFCW) for treating goat farm effluents. B. Indica plants developed successfully in all three systems and reduced the effluent salinity by 20-60% in comparison with unplanted systems or systems planted with other wetland plants. Salinity reduction was attributed to the accumulation of salts, mainly Na and K, in the leaves. Our experiments were carried out on an operative scale, suggesting a novel treatment for green desalination in constructed wetlands by salt phytoremediation in desert regions and other ecosystems.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2008
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2006
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2015
DOI: 10.1016/J.SCITOTENV.2014.11.051
Abstract: Graywater (GW) reuse for irrigation is recognized as a sustainable solution for water conservation. One of the major impediments to GW reuse is the presence of pathogenic microorganisms. This study monitored three similar on-site GW treatment systems bi-monthly over the course of a year to compare the presence of pathogens and indicators in raw, biologically treated, and biologically treated and disinfected [by chlorine and ultraviolet light (UV)] GW. The systems were designed to allow the testing of the same batch (collection) of water as it passed through the treatment chain. The s les were analyzed using standard culture-dependent methods and the data were compared to culture-independent DNA-based methods. Results suggested that the presence and abundance of fecal coliforms, Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica, Enterococcus spp., Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa differ among the various GW streams (e.g. raw, biologically treated, and disinfected). The culture-dependent analyses suggested that both chlorine and UV inactivate most of the bacteria tested in the biologically treated GW, albeit at different efficiencies. Conversely, the DNA-based analyses indicated no significant differences in pathogenic bacterial abundance between the biologically treated GW with or without disinfection. To better understand the discrepancies between the results, we repeated the analysis in the laboratory under controlled conditions using Enterococcus faecalis as a model bacterium and obtained similar results. We suggest that disinfection of biologically treated GW with chlorine or UV is effective for treating pathogens, but that the inactivation efficiency cannot be estimated by DNA-based qPCR.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2016
DOI: 10.1016/J.BIORTECH.2016.08.027
Abstract: The aim of this work was to study the hydrothermal carbonization of poultry litter under a range of process parameters. Experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of HTC of poultry litter under a range of operational parameters (temperature, reaction time, and solids concentration) on the formation and characteristics of its phases. Results showed production of a hydrochar with caloric value of 24.4MJ/kg, similar to sub-bituminous coal. The gaseous phase consisted mainly of CO2. However, significant amounts of H2S dictate the need for (further) treatment. The process also produced an aqueous phase with chemical characteristics suggesting its possible use as a liquid fertilizer. Temperature had the most significant effect on processes and product formation. Solids concentration was not a significant factor once dilution effects were considered.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2014
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2017
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 02-2001
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2018
Publisher: IWA Publishing
Date: 08-2008
DOI: 10.2166/WST.2008.367
Abstract: The quantity of freshwater available worldwide is declining, revealing a pressing need for its more efficient use. Moreover, in many developing countries and lightly populated areas, raw wastewater is discarded into the environment posing serious ecological and health problems. Unfortunately, this situation will persist unless low-cost, effective and simple technologies are brought in. The aim of this study is to present such a treatment method, a novel setup which is termed recirculating vertical flow constructed wetland (RVFCW). The RVFCW is composed of two components: (i) a three-layer bed consisting of planted organic soil over an upper layer of filtering media (i.e. tuff or beads) and a lower layer of limestone pebbles, and (ii) a reservoir located beneath the bed. Wastewater flows directly into the plant root zone and trickles down through the three-layer bed into the reservoir, allowing passive aeration. From the reservoir the water is recirculated back to the bed, several times, until the desired purification is achieved. The results obtained show that the RVFCW is an effective and convenient strategy to treat (domestic, grey and agro) wastewater for re-use in irrigation. The system performance is expected to be further improved once current optimization experiments and mathematical modeling studies are concluded.
Publisher: Alexandrine Press
Date: 07-2016
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 10-2020
Location: United States of America
Location: Israel
No related grants have been discovered for Amit Gross.