Sludge samples treatment

On the other hand, sludge samples showed a slight increase (two- to threefold) of dioxin-like activity after the fungal treatment, reaching values above the mg/L BNF equivalent mark. This data can be interpreted as an indicator for bio-activation of some compounds, other than UV filters, present in the sludge by the treatment with T. versicolor. These results emphasize the need of a broad screening of biological assays tests, as they differ in their capacity to detect specific hazardous effects. 

Fig. 5 Diurnal fluctuations in total FM concentration in influent and final effluent collected from an activated sludge wastewater treatment plant [2]. Hourly samples were combined to represent a 2-h period...

Buchan [92] has carried out a study using electron microscopy combined with energy dispersive X-ray analysis, to determine the location and nature of the stored phosphorus in activated sludge samples from seven different treatment plants in South Africa, which all show enhanced phosphorus removal. The results indicate that there is a biological mechanism of enhanced phosphorus uptake in activated sludge. 

Fig. 24a, b. Typical total ion current mass chromatograms for LAS, coproducts, and their intermediates in a effluent b influent samples of an activated sludge sewage treatment plant (after [322] with permission)... 

With a simple piece of apparatus to extract odour samples from slurry and sludge samples, which is not specific to any particular design of olfactometer the method is suggested as a standard for the day-to-day assessment of slurries, and the determination of operating procedures, particularly at sewage treatment works. 

This chapter presents an overview of sample treatment procedures [e.g., decomposition, digestion, mineralization, oxidation, ultraviolet (UV) decomposition, and ozonation] and discusses a range of analytical techniques for the mineralization of natural aquatic systems. Other samples, such as effluents and sewage sludge, are beyond the scope of this contribution and will not be discussed here. 

Sludge samples from two treatment works, A and B, have been extracted using microsteam distillation and liquid-liquid extraction and analysed by GCMS. As explained previously, Works A receives predominately industrial waste while Works B receives mostly domestic waste. The compounds so far identified from the two samples are listed in Tables 6 and 7. Many of the identifications are only tentative at this stage and confirmation of identity using authentic standards will be undertaken as necessary. 

Galaxolides were detected in sludge samples from both treatment works. These compounds are synthetic musks and are widely used as industrial perfumes, particularly in detergents. In recent years they have been detected in many U.K. river water and industrial effluent samples (Waggott, 1988). 

Furthermore, the inhibition rate of activated sludge samples were determined and a Zahn-Wellens test carried out to assess the potential for removal of the dyes entering the biological stage of a wastewater treatment plant. Dyes were tested up to a concentration of 100 mg r (the EC cut-off limit for classification and labelling). The ecotoxicological profile can be summarized as follows ... 

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