The effect of land use patterns on river water quality was studied in three different river basins located in Epirus, Northwestern Greece. Studies were conducted from October 2000 to September 2001. During this period, the parameters chemical oxygen demand (COD), biological oxygen demand (BOD), NO − 2 , NO − 3 , NH + 4 and PO 3− 4 were measured, employing standard methods of analysis. The results were subjected to principal component analysis (PCA) for the estimation of the underlying variable correlations and were further explored by means of cluster analysis. The values of the above parameters were also compared with those awkward in the Fresh Water Fisheries Directive (78/659/EEC). It was found that the phosphate content was much higher than the upper limiting criteria for eutrophication for salmonid waters, whereas nitrate levels were lower than the permissible criteria according to the Nitrates Directive 91/676/EEC for drinking water. The inorganic nutrient load was mostly attributed to sites that drain agricultural areas, especially during winter and spring. The organic matter was due to urban activities during autumn.
Abstract. Biochar is the carbon-rich product obtained when biomass, such as wood, manure or leaves, is heated in a closed container with little or no available air. In more technical terms, biochar is produced by so-called thermal decomposition of organic material under limited supply of oxygen (O 2 ), and at relatively low temperatures (< 700 • C). Hydrochar differentiates from biochar because it is produced in an aqueous environment, at lower temperatures and longer retention times. This work describes the production of hydrochar from rice husks using a simple, safe and environmentally friendly experimental set-up, previously used for degradation of various wastewaters. Hydrochars were obtained at 200 • C and 300 • C and at residence times ranging from 2 to 16 h. All samples were then characterized in terms of yield, surface area, pH, conductivity and elemental analysis, and two of them were selected for further testing with respect to heating values and heavy metal content. The surface area was low for all hydrochars, indicating that porous structure was not developed during treatment. The hydrochar obtained at 300 • C and 6 h residence times showed a predicted higher heating value of 17.8 MJ kg −1 , a fixed carbon content of 46.5 % and a fixed carbon recovery of 113 %, indicating a promising behaviour as a fuel.
Abstract. Biochar is the carbon-rich product obtained when biomass, such as wood, manure or leaves, is heated in a closed container with little or no available air. In more technical terms, biochar is produced by so-called thermal decomposition of organic material under limited supply of oxygen (O2), and at relatively low temperatures (<700 °C). Hydrochar differentiates from biochar because it is produced in an aqueous environment, at lower temperatures and longer retention times. This work describes the production of hydrochar from rice husks using a simple, safe and environmentally-friendly experimental set-up, previously used for degradation of various wastewaters. Hydrochars were obtained at 200°C and 300°C and at residence times ranging from 2 to 16 h. All samples were then characterized in terms of yield, surface area, pH, conductivity and elemental analysis and two of them were selected for further testing with respect to heating values and heavy metal content.
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