No abstract

Moss transplants of Tortula ruralis were used as active biomonitoring organisms as part of a monitoring study to assess the metals (Al, Cd, Cu, Cr, Fe, Ni, Pb, V and Zn) associated with ambient particles on mosses in Budapest, the capital town of Hungary. The moss samples were collected in a nature conservation area from a semi-arid sand grassland (Festucetum vaginatae danubiale), less than 1 month before transplantation. Moss cushions were exposed to pollution in Budapest during October-November 1993 and February-March 1994. In the study area, 16 sites were marked out as measuring sites, in accordance with the structure of the city. A similar stand was established in the Botanical Gardens of the Szent István University in Gödöllo as a control site. ICP-AES analysis of moss for metals showed the ability of Tortula ruralis to accumulate the metals under study. Control site showed lower impact in comparison to the other sites.

No abstract

A 160-day-long preliminary laboratory scale MBR treatment study and the performance test of a new 480 m3/day capacity full scale plant for quality improvement of effluent from a bitumen plant off-gas scrubbing followed by dissolved air flotation were conducted. Two testing periods were distinguished during the laboratory study, specifically the first with 100 days SRT and the second with 50 days SRT. To evaluate the possibility of the organic matter removal enhancement at the end of each testing period powdered activated carbon (PAC) treatment was carried out. The COD and oil & grease removal efficiency of the well acclimated MBR sludge was greater than 90% and 98%, respectively. The COD content of the treated wastewater during the full scale performance test period was reduced below 100 mg·L−1. To ensure an optimal treatment process, the organic loading rate should be kept in 1.5 – 3 kg COD m−3 d−1 range. and optimal biomass concentration of 10-15 g·L−1 should be ensured to reduce the cleaning frequency of the membrane ultrafilters. To avoid exceedance of compliance with respect to the discharge criteria, further treatment step(s) should be considered prior to any treated wastewater reuse.