Gideon Oron
Publications
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4.36Impact points
Relation between EPS adherence, viscoelastic properties, and MBR operation: Biofouling study with QCM-D.
Water research. 12/2011; 45(19):6430-40.
Membrane fouling is one of the main constraints of the wide use of membrane bioreactor (MBR) technology. The biomass in MBR systems includes extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), metabolic products of active microbial secretion that adversely affect the membrane performance. Solids retention tim... [more] Membrane fouling is one of the main constraints of the wide use of membrane bioreactor (MBR) technology. The biomass in MBR systems includes extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), metabolic products of active microbial secretion that adversely affect the membrane performance. Solids retention time (SRT) in the MBR is one of the most important parameters affecting membrane fouling in MBR systems, where fouling is minimized at optimal SRT. Among the operating parameters in MBR systems, SRT is known to strongly influence the ratio of proteins to polysaccharides in the EPS matrix. In this study, we have direct evidence for changes in EPS adherence and viscoelastic properties due to changes in the sludge removal rate that strongly correlate with the membrane fouling rate and EPS composition. EPS were extracted from a UF membrane in a hybrid growth MBR operated at sludge removal rates of 59, 35.4, 17.7, and 5.9 L day(-1) (corresponding SRT of 3, 5, 10, and 30 days, respectively). The EPS adherence and adsorption kinetics were carried out in a quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D) technology in several adsorption measurements to a gold sensor coated with Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF). EPS adsorption to the sensor surface is characterized by a decrease of the oscillation frequency and an increase in the dissipation energy of the sensor during parallel flow of aqueous media, supplemented with EPS, above the sensor surface. The results from these experiments were further modeled using the Voigt based model, in which the thickness, shear modulus, and shear viscosity values of the adsorbed EPS layers on the PVDF crystal were calculated. The observations in the QCM-D suggested that the elevated fouling of the UF membrane is due to higher adherence of the EPS as well as reduction in viscosity and elasticity of the EPS adsorbed layer and elevation of the EPS fluidity. These results corroborate with confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) image analysis showing thicker EPS in close proximity to the membrane surface operated at reactor conditions which induced more fouling at elevated sludge removal rates.
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4.50Impact points
Surface properties and reduced biofouling of graft-copolymers that possess oppositely charged groups.
Biomacromolecules. 03/2011; 12(4):1169-77.
Microbial biofilms and their components present a major obstacle for ensuring the long-term effectiveness of membrane processes. Graft polymerization on membrane surfaces, in general, and grafting with oppositely charged monomers, have been shown to reduce biofouling significantly. In this study, su... [more] Microbial biofilms and their components present a major obstacle for ensuring the long-term effectiveness of membrane processes. Graft polymerization on membrane surfaces, in general, and grafting with oppositely charged monomers, have been shown to reduce biofouling significantly. In this study, surface forces and macromolecular properties of graft copolymers that possess oppositely charged groups were related to their potent antibiofouling behavior. Graft polymerization was performed using the negatively charged 3-sulphopropyl methacrylate (SPM) and positively charged [2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl]-trimethylammonium (MOETMA) monomers to yield a copolymer layer on polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) surface. Quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D) technology was used to monitor the reduced adsorption of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) extracted from a membrane bioreactor (MBR) wastewater treatment facility. Complemented measurements of attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy provided evaluation of the antifouling properties of the surface. Increase in water content in grafted layer exposed to 100 mM aqueous NaCl solution was observed by QCM-D. Therefore, the grafted copolymer layer is swelled in the presence of 100 mM NaCl because of reversing of polymer self-association by counterions. Force measurements by atomic force microscopy (AFM) showed an increased repulsion between a carboxylate-modified latex (CML) particle probe and a modified PVDF surface, especially in the presence of 100 mM NaCl. The hydration and swelling of the grafted polymer layer are shown to repel EPS and reduce their adsorption. Delineating the surface properties of antifouling grafted layers may lead to the design of novel antifouling surfaces.
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4.80Impact points
Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) in a hybrid growth membrane bioreactor (HG-MBR): viscoelastic and adherence characteristics.
Environmental science & technology. 10/2010; 44(22):8636-43.
Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) comprising the microbial biofilms in membrane bioreactor (MBR) systems are considered the most significant factor affecting sludge viscoelastic properties as well as membrane fouling. Understanding the water chemistry effects on EPS viscoelastic, conformationa... [more] Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) comprising the microbial biofilms in membrane bioreactor (MBR) systems are considered the most significant factor affecting sludge viscoelastic properties as well as membrane fouling. Understanding the water chemistry effects on EPS viscoelastic, conformational, and adherence properties are critical for defining the microbial biofilm's propensity of fouling the membrane surface. In this study, EPS extracted from a hybrid growth membrane bioreactor (HG-MBR) were analyzed for their adherence, viscoelastic properties and size distribution using quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D) and dynamic light scattering (DLS), respectively. Also, adsorption characteristics of EPS extracted from different locations in the HG-MBR (bioreactor liquor, fluidized carriers, and membrane surface) were defined and linked to the extent of the total polysaccharide content in the EPS. In accordance with the Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek (DLVO) theory, more EPS were adsorbed at higher ionic strength, lower pH and in the presence of calcium cations. Based on the QCM-D results, the calculated thickness of the EPS adsorbed layer was increased at lower ionic strength, higher pH, and only had a minor increase in the presence of calcium cations. The calculated shear modules and shear viscosity suggest that at lower pH and in the presence of calcium, EPS becomes more viscous and elastic, respectively. DLS analysis correlated to the QCM-D results: A decrease in the hydrodynamic radius of the EPS colloids was observed at lower pH, and in the presence of calcium, most likely attributed to intermolecular attraction forces. Based on this study, low pH and presence of calcium may induce flocs' stability that resist erosion in the MBRs, while on the other hand, these conditions may induce the formation of an elastic and viscous EPS layer fouling the ultrafiltration (UF) membrane.
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4.80Impact points
Selection of a multi-stage system for biosolids management applying genetic algorithm.
Environmental science & technology. 07/2010; 44(14):5503-8.
An economic analysis and feasibility study of a sequential biosolids management process was developed and tested using Genetic Algorithm (GA). The algorithm was used to identify trends and behaviors of the "Biosolids Process Train". This heuristic method of analysis is robust in that it wi... [more] An economic analysis and feasibility study of a sequential biosolids management process was developed and tested using Genetic Algorithm (GA). The algorithm was used to identify trends and behaviors of the "Biosolids Process Train". This heuristic method of analysis is robust in that it will not only simulate different design scenarios, its analysis will also suggest possible solutions which meet predetermined requirements. This concept was adopted because GA's biggest advantage is the capability to analyze multiple objective functions, design variables, and constraints. The range of "good approximations" provided by the GA solutions could be useful for municipal wastewater planners who need to search for potential alternatives and evaluate new technologies for managing biosolids. The unit processes in the model were arranged sequentially so the effect modifications to thickening and dewatering parameters could easily be observed further along in the process. The model was extended to examine the supernatant return flow quality and the potential impact on the wastewater treatment plant. Results from a sensitivity analysis on operating expenses reveals the impact that fluctuations in fuel, electricity, and labor costs can have on the total biosolids management cost as well as the selection of the appropriate treatment sequence.
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1.09Impact points
Minimizing health risks during secondary effluent application via subsurface drip irrigation.
Water science and technology : a journal of the International Association on Water Pollution Research. 01/2010; 62(10):2330-7.
Health risks posed on consumers due to the use of agricultural products irrigated with reclaimed wastewater were assessed by numerical simulation. The analysis is based on defining of an Exposure Model (EM) which takes into account several parameters: (i) the quality of the applied wastewater, (ii) ... [more] Health risks posed on consumers due to the use of agricultural products irrigated with reclaimed wastewater were assessed by numerical simulation. The analysis is based on defining of an Exposure Model (EM) which takes into account several parameters: (i) the quality of the applied wastewater, (ii) the irrigation method, (iii) the elapsed times between irrigation, harvest, and product consumption, and; (iv) the consumers' habits. The exposure model is used for numerical simulation of human consumers' risks by running the Monte Carlo simulation method. Although some deviations in the numerical simulation which are probably due to uncertainty (impreciseness in quality of input data) and variability due to diversity among populations reasonable results were accepted. Accordingly, there is a several orders of magnitude difference in the risk of infection between the different exposure scenarios with the same water quality. The variability indicates the need for setting risk-based criteria for wastewater reclamation, including the application method and environmental conditions, rather than single water quality guidelines. Extra data is required to decrease uncertainty in the risk assessment. Future research needs to include definite acceptable risk criteria, more accurate dose-response modeling, information regarding pathogen survival in treated wastewater, additional data related to the passage of pathogens into and in the plants during irrigation, and information referring to the consuming habits of the human community.
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1.09Impact points
Sustainable domestic effluent reuse via Subsurface Drip Irrigation (SDI): alfalfa as a perennial model crop.
Water science and technology : a journal of the International Association on Water Pollution Research. 01/2010; 61(3):625-32.
Scarcity of fresh high-quality water has heightened the importance of wastewater reuse primarily in dry regions together with improving its efficient use by implementing the Subsurface Drip Irrigation (SDI) method. Sustainable effluent reuse combines soil and plant aspects, along with the maintainab... [more] Scarcity of fresh high-quality water has heightened the importance of wastewater reuse primarily in dry regions together with improving its efficient use by implementing the Subsurface Drip Irrigation (SDI) method. Sustainable effluent reuse combines soil and plant aspects, along with the maintainability of the application system. In this study, field experiments were conducted for two years on the commercial farm of Revivim and Mashabay-Sade farm (RMF) southeast of the City of Beer-Sheva, Israel. The purpose was to examine the response of alfalfa (Medicago sativa) as a perennial model crop to secondary domestic effluent application by means of a SDI system as compared with conventional overhead sprinkler irrigation. Emitters were installed at different depths and spacing. Similar amounts of effluent were applied to all plots during the experimental period. The results indicated that in all SDI treatments, the alfalfa yields were 11% to 25% higher than the ones obtained under sprinkler irrigated plots, besides the one in which the drip laterals were 200 cm apart. The average Water Use Efficiency (WUE) was better in all SDI treatments in comparison with the sprinkler irrigated plots. An economic assessment reveals the dependence of the net profit on the emitters' installation geometry, combined with the return for alfalfa in the market.
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4.36Impact points
Removal of viruses from surface water and secondary effluents by sand filtration.
Water research. 11/2008;
The filtration of phi X 174, MS2, and T4 bacteriophages out of tap water and secondary effluents was performed by rapid sand filtration. The viruses were characterized, and the influence of their microscopic characteristics on filterability was examined by comparing retention values, residence times... [more] The filtration of phi X 174, MS2, and T4 bacteriophages out of tap water and secondary effluents was performed by rapid sand filtration. The viruses were characterized, and the influence of their microscopic characteristics on filterability was examined by comparing retention values, residence times, attachment, and dispersion coefficients calculated from an advection-dispersion model and residence time variation. The only factor observed to influence retention was virus size, such that the larger the virus, the better the retention. The difference was due to the more effective transport of viruses inside the media, an observation that runs counter to currently accepted filtration theory. Cake formation on top of the filter during the initial stages of secondary effluent filtration significantly increased headloss, eventually resulting in shorter filtration cycles. However, deep filters contain buffering zones where the pressure drop is amortized, thus allowing for continued filtration. After the effluent passed through the buffer zone, regular filtration was observed, during which considerable virus retention was achieved.
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1.09Impact points
Membrane technology for sustainable treated wastewater reuse: agricultural, environmental and hydrological considerations.
Water science and technology : a journal of the International Association on Water Pollution Research. 02/2008; 57(9):1383-8.
Field experiments were conducted in agricultural fields in which secondary wastewater of the City of Arad (Israel) is reused for irrigation. For sustainable agricultural production and safe groundwater recharge the secondary effluent is further polished by a combined two-stage membrane pilot system.... [more] Field experiments were conducted in agricultural fields in which secondary wastewater of the City of Arad (Israel) is reused for irrigation. For sustainable agricultural production and safe groundwater recharge the secondary effluent is further polished by a combined two-stage membrane pilot system. The pilot membrane system consists of two main in row stages: Ultrafiltration (UF) and Reverse Osmosis (RO). The UF stage is efficient in the removal of the pathogens and suspended organic matter while the successive RO stage provides safe removal of the dissolved solids (salinity). Effluents of various qualities were applied for agricultural irrigation along with continuous monitoring of the membrane system performance. Best agricultural yields were obtained when applying effluent having minimal content of dissolved solids (after the RO stage) as compared with secondary effluent without any further treatment and extended storage. In regions with shallow groundwater reduced soil salinity in the upper productive layers, maintained by extra membrane treatment, will guarantee minimal dissolved solids migration to the aquifers and minimize salinisation processes.
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4.36Impact points
Boron removal by the duckweed Lemna gibba: a potential method for the remediation of boron-polluted waters.
Water research. 01/2008; 41(20):4579-84.
Boron (B) is often found in polluted and desalinated waters. Despite its potentially environmental damaging effects, efficient treatments are lacking. The duckweed Lemna gibba has been shown to remove toxic elements from water; however, its applicability to B removal is unknown. In this study, L. gi... [more] Boron (B) is often found in polluted and desalinated waters. Despite its potentially environmental damaging effects, efficient treatments are lacking. The duckweed Lemna gibba has been shown to remove toxic elements from water; however, its applicability to B removal is unknown. In this study, L. gibba was examined for its tolerance to B in water and its B removal efficiency. Duckweed plants were grown in outdoor 12-day batch experiments in nutrient solution containing 0.3-10 mg B L(-1). Plant biomass production was not affected by B over the tested concentrations during the 12-day cultivation period. Boron removal and the bioconcentration factor of B in L. gibba were highest at initial B concentrations below 2 mg L(-1), and decreased as the initial B concentration increased. Boron content in the plants at the end of the experiment ranged between 930 and 1900 mg kg(-1) dry weight, and was comparable to that of wetland plants reported to be good B accumulators. Boron removal by L. gibba may therefore be a suitable option for the treatment of water containing B concentrations below 2 mg L(-1).
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4.80Impact points
Secondary wastewater polishing with ultrafiltration membranes for unrestricted reuse: fouling and flushing modeling.
Environmental science & technology. 12/2006; 40(21):6830-6.
The effects of operating parameters such astransmembrane pressure, retentate, and recirculation volumetric flow rates on the productivity of an ultrafiltration membrane were studied using field data and development of a management model. Correlation equations for predicting the volumetric permeate f... [more] The effects of operating parameters such astransmembrane pressure, retentate, and recirculation volumetric flow rates on the productivity of an ultrafiltration membrane were studied using field data and development of a management model. Correlation equations for predicting the volumetric permeate flow rates were derived from general membrane blocking laws and experimental data. The experimental data were obtained from a pilot study carried out in the Arad wastewater treatment system (a pilot plant operating in feed and bleed operation mode) located several kilometers west of the City of Arad, Israel. Correlation predictions were confirmed with the independent experimental results. The results enabled us to develop a mathematical expression accurately describing the decline in flux due to fouling.
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1.09Impact points
Optimal performance of an immersed membrane bioreactor equipped with a draft tube for domestic wastewater reclamation.
Water science and technology : a journal of the International Association on Water Pollution Research. 02/2006; 54(10):155-62.
One of the options to prevent membrane fouling is to implement air lifting that can improve the cake removal from the membrane surface. This study presents the results of tests that were carried out at the Institutes for Desert Research, Kiryat Sde-Boker, Israel, and focused on the influence of hydr... [more] One of the options to prevent membrane fouling is to implement air lifting that can improve the cake removal from the membrane surface. This study presents the results of tests that were carried out at the Institutes for Desert Research, Kiryat Sde-Boker, Israel, and focused on the influence of hydrodynamic conditions on fouling in a pilot-scale immersed membrane bioreactor (IMBR) using a hollow fiber membrane module of ZW-10 (Zenon Environmental, Canada) under ambient conditions. In this system, the cross-flow velocities across the membrane surface were induced by one conical and four cylindrical draft-tubes. The relationship between the crossflow velocity and the aeration intensity, the influence of the crossflow on fouling rate under various hydrodynamic conditions were investigated and optimal operating conditions were obtained. Optimal operating conditions were reached during the long-term experiment period (70 days) for the treatment of domestic wastewater. The system was stable without external chemical cleaning. The results showed that the permeate was of high quality, and the removal of COD and BOD was 94.0% and 98.8%, respectively.The crossflow near the membrane surface reveals a major contribution for minimizing membrane fouling, and could offer guidelines for future design of similar systems.
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1.09Impact points
Environmental impact and health risks associated with greywater irrigation: a case study.
Water science and technology : a journal of the International Association on Water Pollution Research. 02/2005; 52(8):161-9.
There is an increasing trend to use greywater for irrigation in households. This is partly due to the notion that greywater is of better quality than wastewater and therefore does not need extensive treatment beyond addressing public health issues. The aim of the study was to evaluate the environmen... [more] There is an increasing trend to use greywater for irrigation in households. This is partly due to the notion that greywater is of better quality than wastewater and therefore does not need extensive treatment beyond addressing public health issues. The aim of the study was to evaluate the environmental impact and health risks associated with the use of greywater for irrigation on a small private farm. Over a three-year period, each of three plots on a farm was irrigated with either freshwater, fertilized water, or greywater. Irrigation water and soil from the plots were analyzed for a wide range of chemical and microbial variables. Results suggest that greywater may be of similar quality to wastewater in several parameters such as BOD and faecal coliforms. For some other variables such as boron and surfactants, greywater may even be of worse quality than wastewater. Long-term irrigation of arid loess soil with greywater may result in accumulation of salts, surfactants and boron in the soil, causing changes in soil properties and toxicity to plants. Faecal coliforms did not survive in the soil. Treating greywater before using it for irrigation is recommended, even in places where this is not a requirement.
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1.09Impact points
Immersed membrane bioreactor (IMBR) for treatment of combined domestic and dairy wastewater in an isolated farm.
Water science and technology : a journal of the International Association on Water Pollution Research. 02/2005; 51(10):327-34.
In many regions dairy farms and milk processing industries discharge large quantities of their wastes to the surroundings posing serious environmental risks. This problem is mostly faced in small dairy farms and isolated communities lacking both central collection and conventional wastewater treatme... [more] In many regions dairy farms and milk processing industries discharge large quantities of their wastes to the surroundings posing serious environmental risks. This problem is mostly faced in small dairy farms and isolated communities lacking both central collection and conventional wastewater treatment systems. Dairy wastewater is characterized by high concentrations of organic matter, solids, nutrients, as well as fractions of dissolved inorganic pollutants, exceeding those levels considered typical for high strength domestic wastewaters. With the purpose of treating the combined dairy and domestic wastewater from a small dairy farm in the Negev Desert of Israel, the use of a recent emerging technology of Immersed Membrane BioReactor (IMBR) was evaluated over the course of 500 test hours, under a variety of wastewater feed quality conditions (during the test periods, the feed BOD5 ranged from 315 ppm up to 4,170 ppm). The overall performance of a pilot-scale Ultrafiltration (UF) IMBR process for a combined domestic and dairy wastewater was analyzed based on the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) method. The IMBR performance in terms of membrane performance (permeate flux, transmembrane pressure, and organic removal) and DEA model (Technical Efficiency) was acceptable. DEA is an empirically based methodology and the research approach has been found to be effective in the depiction and analysis for complex systems, where a large number of mutual interacting variables are involved.
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4.36Impact points
A pilot study of constructed wetlands using duckweed (Lemna gibba L.) for treatment of domestic primary effluent in Israel.
Water research. 06/2004; 38(9):2240-7.
Constructed wetlands are well known as highly efficient system to treat wastewater from different sources. This treatment system is cost-effective for reuse in desert areas. A continuous flow, free water surface (FWS) pilot wetland using the duckweed plant Lemna gibba L. was constructed at the Blaus... [more] Constructed wetlands are well known as highly efficient system to treat wastewater from different sources. This treatment system is cost-effective for reuse in desert areas. A continuous flow, free water surface (FWS) pilot wetland using the duckweed plant Lemna gibba L. was constructed at the Blaustein Institute for Desert Research in Kiryat Sde Boker of the Negev, Israel, and operated on domestic primary effluents. Water quality and system efficiency were observed during the experiment for reuse purposes. Results indicated that, hydraulic residence time averaged 4.26+/-0.61d, average influent flow rate was 0.234+/-0.027m(3)/d and hydraulic load 0.22+/-0.03m/d. Hydraulic efficiency in the system was high and allowed good settling conditions. Suspended solids and organic matter removals were the highest and effluent concentrations were 13.1+/-9.7 and 40.3+/-11.9mg/l for TSS and total BOD(5), respectively. Nitrogen removal was lower (10-20%) but slightly increased with higher nitrogen loads. Therefore, nitrogen content in the plants was high (4.3+/-0.5%/kg dry plant). Phosphorus removal was negligible. High removal for fecal coliform (approximately 95%) and effluent turbidity (> 50%) were also observed.
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Microbial transport in soil caused by surface and subsurface drip irrigation with treated wastewater
International Agrophysics. 01/2004;
The objective of this work was to compare and simulate transport and fate of microorganisms from wastewater for surface and subsurface irrigation methods. Adsorption isotherms and water-content dependent survival were measured for fecal coliforms, somatic coliphages and F-specific RNA phages in batc... [more] The objective of this work was to compare and simulate transport and fate of microorganisms from wastewater for surface and subsurface irrigation methods. Adsorption isotherms and water-content dependent survival were measured for fecal coliforms, somatic coliphages and F-specific RNA phages in batch experiments with treated wastewater and clay loam soil. Column experiments with surface and subsurface trickle irrigation were carried out for the same soil. Results of the column experiments were simulated with a combination of Richards equation for water transport and advective-dispersive model with the first-order nonlinear adsorption and moisture-dependent first-order die-off. Simulations showed that die-off rates in column experiments were much higher than in batch experiments for all three organisms. Somatic coliphages were the most persistent organisms probably because of lower adsorption and die-off. The subsurface irrigation appeared to be efficient in decreasing the number of pathogens in irrigated water and preventing their appearance on soil surface that could lead to produce contamination.
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1.09Impact points
Hybrid membrane systems for secondary effluent polishing for unrestricted reuse for agricultural irrigation.
Water science and technology : a journal of the International Association on Water Pollution Research. 01/2004; 50(6):305-12.
Field experiments are in progress for secondary wastewater upgrading for unrestricted utilization for agricultural irrigation. The integrative approach of secondary effluent polishing is based on using a hybrid UltraFiltration (UF) and Reverse Osmosis (RO) membrane pilot system with a capacity of ar... [more] Field experiments are in progress for secondary wastewater upgrading for unrestricted utilization for agricultural irrigation. The integrative approach of secondary effluent polishing is based on using a hybrid UltraFiltration (UF) and Reverse Osmosis (RO) membrane pilot system with a capacity of around 1 m3/hr. The UF effluent is used to feed the RO membranes. The RO permeate is subsequently applied for vegetable irrigation. Field results indicate the importance of the UF component in the removal of the organic matter and the pathogens that are still contained in the secondary effluent. Under specific conditions, when the dissolved solids content is relatively low, regarding sanitary and health aspects, the UF effluent can be applied for unrestricted irrigation. During the RO stage most nutrients are removed, allowing application of the effluent without jeopardizing the soil fertility and the aquifers. Preliminary economic assessment indicates that the extra cost for effluent polishing via the UF stage only is in the range of 5 to 15 US cents/m3. The extra cost for the RO stage is also assessed at 10 to 25 US cents/m3. The additional cost depends to a large extent on the quality of the incoming raw secondary effluent and local requirements of the command region.
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1.09Impact points
Surface and subsurface irrigation with effluents of different qualities and presence of Cryptosporidium oocysts in soil and on crops.
Water science and technology : a journal of the International Association on Water Pollution Research. 02/2002; 46(3):115-22.
A large variety of human pathogens are excreted in wastewater including bacteria, viruses, protozoan cysts and helminth eggs. In raw sewage, human pathogens reach high numbers, thereafter decreasing successively at each treatment step. However, the final effluents still contain a large fraction of t... [more] A large variety of human pathogens are excreted in wastewater including bacteria, viruses, protozoan cysts and helminth eggs. In raw sewage, human pathogens reach high numbers, thereafter decreasing successively at each treatment step. However, the final effluents still contain a large fraction of these pathogens that may pose a serious public health. Among the various crops irrigated with effluents, vegetables are the most vulnerable to contamination. Vegetables, usually eaten raw (uncooked) or with rich dressings (causing regrowth of some pathogenic bacteria) pose the main threat to humans. The importance of microbiological and parasitological criteria for reused water has been repeatedly emphasized. Some microbiological recommendations based on epidemiological data have been established for untreated wastewater, there is still a need to define the criteria for effluent quality required for unrestricted crop irrigation. This paper presents a field study comparison of two irrigation methods: surface and subsurface of field crops (mainly vineyard) and follow-up of Cryptosporidium oocysts in soil at different depths (0 to 90 cm). Oocysts were isolated at all depths without a clear pattern of distribution (0 to 640 oocysts/g). In addition different vegetables irrigated with different effluent qualities were tested for the presence of Cryptosporidium oocysts and Giardia cysts. The highest prevalence of oocysts was found on zucchini that has a sticky and hairy outer surface (80 to 10,000 oocysts/0.5 kg).
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1.09Impact points
Adsorption and survival of faecal coliforms, somatic coliphages and F-specific RNA phages in soil irrigated with wastewater.
Water science and technology : a journal of the International Association on Water Pollution Research. 02/2001; 43(12):117-24.
This study was carried out to compare the adsorption and survival of faecal coliforms, somatic coliphages and F-specific RNA phages in soil irrigated with wastewater. Adsorption isotherms showed that 3-10x more faecal coliforms than somatic coliphages were adsorbed from wastewater onto soil. The ads... [more] This study was carried out to compare the adsorption and survival of faecal coliforms, somatic coliphages and F-specific RNA phages in soil irrigated with wastewater. Adsorption isotherms showed that 3-10x more faecal coliforms than somatic coliphages were adsorbed from wastewater onto soil. The adsorption behavior of F-specific RNA phages was intermediate between those of these two microorganisms. In wastewater, the inactivation factor of somatic coliphages at 8-22 degrees C was 5-7 lower than those of faecal coliforms. F-specific RNA phages have a decrease close to faecal coliforms. In soil, at temperatures of 8-22 degrees C and at moistures of 15-35%, somatic coliphages survived longer than the two other microorganisms. These results seemed to be confirmed by the soil column experiments. The rate of inactivation of all microorganisms was lower in soil than in wastewater and depended extensively on soil temperature and moisture content. Survival was optimal at low temperature (8 degrees C) and low moisture content (15%). Thus, somatic coliphages seemed to be a better indicator of faecal contamination than faecal coliforms under our experimental conditions and based only on the two criteria tested (survival and adsorption). Somatic coliphages were able to contaminate the soil over greater distances and survive better in both wastewater and soil than faecal coliforms. These results need to be confirmed by studies on several soil columns using different kinds of soil and different kinds of wastewater.
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1.09Impact points
Secondary wastewater disposal for crop irrigation with minimal risks.
Water science and technology : a journal of the International Association on Water Pollution Research. 02/2001; 43(10):139-46.
A critical objective for any wastewater reuse program is to close the gap between supply of and demand for water and to minimize health and environmental hazards. Thus, the effects of treated effluent on crops, soils and community health must be considered carefully. When applying wastewater to soil... [more] A critical objective for any wastewater reuse program is to close the gap between supply of and demand for water and to minimize health and environmental hazards. Thus, the effects of treated effluent on crops, soils and community health must be considered carefully. When applying wastewater to soil-plant systems, it is to be noted that the passage of water through the soil reduces considerably the number of microorganisms carried out by the reclaimed wastewater. Nevertheless, there is a need to study the real rate of organism decay subject to water quality, soil and vegetable characteristics, and irrigation method. The aim of this work is to determine the fate of the fecal coliforms, coliphages F+ and CN13, and helminth eggs survival during the application of reclaimed wastewater in a vineyard orchard near the City of Arad (Israel) via onsurface and subsurface drip irrigation systems. Wastewater obtained from a stabilization pond, and soil samples were tested and an important decrease of microorganisms was reached in both cases, with the better values obtained with the sub-surface drip irrigation system.
Following (2)
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Asher Brenner
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev -
Yakov Pachepsky
Agricultural Research Service
Topics (3)
