| 1. |
- Bakyayita, Grace Kizito, 1971-
(författare)
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Batch Sorption Studies of Aqueous Cadmium and Lead from Contaminated Water onto Selected Biosorbents
- 2019
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Groundwater, wastewater, surface runoff and surface water samples from Lake Victoria basin, Uganda was assessed for trace metals contamination. Untreated, base-treated and peroxide-treated biosorbents from Albizia coriaria, Coffea canephora, Cyperus papyrus, Erythrina abyssinica and Musa spp were investigated for removal of selected trace metals from contaminated water in batch studies. The assessed shallow groundwater and surface water was contaminated with iron and manganese. Selected speciation studies using Visual MINTEQ showed that in leachates from Municipal dumpsites 74% of the metal ions were bound to DOM, 13% were free ions and 13% were in inorganic forms moreover for urban streams 37% of the metal ions were bound to DOM, 44% were free ions and 19% were in inorganic forms. The metal levels in surface water, landfill leachate and surface runoff showed elevated levels and revealed increased risks to environmental health. Risk analysis based on the Swedish EPA showed that varied risks of negative effects in 30% – 76% of the sample sites ranging from high to increased risk in surface water whereas the results from Bio-met tool showed potential risk to toxicity effects of Cu2+, Ni2+, Zn2+ and Pb2+ in 15.3% - 30.8% surface water samples and 8.3% - 62.5% groundwater samples. Batch sorption studies revealed that the optimal conditions for Cd2+ and Pb2+ ions uptake were; pH 3.5 – 5.0 for contact time 3.0 – 3.5 hours and biosorbent dosage 10 – 12.5 g/L. Base-treated biosorbents showed 10 – 17 % sorption enhancement for Cd2+ ions and 1.6 – 2.3 % uptake reduction for Pb2+ ions. The biomass negative potential for binding base cations was in the order; Musa spp. > A. coriaria > E. abyssinica and base treatment reduced DOC leaching from biosorbents in the order; E. abyssinica > A. coriaria > Musa spp. Speciation studies showed that more ions were complexed to DOC in solutions at various pH levels. The maximum sorption intensities for both Cd2+ and Pb2+ ions uptake onto biomass occurred for low initial metal concentration; 5 mg/L. Freundlich model best fitted data for Pb2+ ions ions uptake whereas Temkin model fitted the sorption data for Cd2+ ions onto both treated and untreated biomass. For peroxide treated biomass, the maximum sorption efficiencies for both Cd2+ and Pb2+ ions were between 95.2 – 98.7% for C.canephora, 79.9 – 92.2% for Musa spp. and 42.0 – 91.3% for C.papyrus in non-competitive media and 90.8 – 98.0% for C.canephora, 56.4 – 89.3% for Musa spp. and 19.5 – 90.4% for C.papyrus in competitive media. The Langmiur model fitted non-competitive sorption data with 0.769 ≤ R2 ≥ 0.999 and the Freundlich model fitted competitive sorption data with 0.867 ≤ R2 ≥ 0.989. The pseudo second order kinetic model fitted the sorption data for Cd2+ and Pb2+ ions for untreated, peroxide treated and base treated biomass with 0.917 ≤ R2 ≥ 1.000. The sorption of trace metals was a complex potentially monolayer chemisorption with heterogeneous surface properties exhibited. In competitive sorption, sorption suppression effects observed were greater for Cd2+ than Pb2+ ions. The comparative studies on sorption performance presented agreement and no significant difference between the untreated and base treated biosorbents.
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| 2. |
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| 3. |
- Coomar, Poulomee, et al.
(författare)
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Contrasting controls on hydrogeochemistry of arsenic-enriched groundwater in the homologous tectonic settings of Andean and Himalayan basin aquifers, Latin America and South Asia
- 2019
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Ingår i: Science of the Total Environment. - : Elsevier BV. - 0048-9697 .- 1879-1026. ; 689, s. 1370-1387
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- High groundwater arsenic (As) across the globe has been one of the most well researched environmental concerns during the last two decades. Consequently, a large scientific knowledge-base has been developed on As distributions from local to global scales. However, differences in bulk sediment As concentrations cannot account for the As concentration variability in groundwater. Instead, in general, only aquifers in sedimentary basins adjacent to mountain chains (orogenic foreland basins) along continental convergent tectonic margins are found to be As enriched. We illustrate this association by integrating observations from long-term studies of two of the largest orogenic systems (i.e., As sources) and the aquifers in their associated foreland basins (As sinks), which are located in opposite hemispheres and experience distinct differences in climate and land-use patterns. The Andean orogenic system of South America (AB), an active continental margin, is in principle a modern analogue of the Himalayan orogenic system associated with the Indus-Ganges-Brahmaputra river systems in South Asia (HB). In general, the differences in hydrogeochemistry between AB and HB groundwaters are conspicuous. Major-solute composition of the arid, oxic AB groundwater exhibits a mixed-ion hydrochemical facies dominated by Na-Ca-Cl-SO4-HCO3. Molar calculations and thermodynamic modeling show that although groundwater of AB is influenced by cation exchange, its hydrochemical evolution is predominated by feldspar dissolution and relationships with secondary clays. In contrast, humid, strongly reducing groundwater of HB is dominated by Ca-HCO3 facies, suggestive of calcite dissolution, along with some weathering of silicates (monosiallitization). This work demonstrates that although hydrogeochemical evolutionary trends may vary with local climate and lithology, the fundamental similarities in global tectonic settings can still lead to the elevated concentrations of groundwater As.
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| 4. |
- Engström, Emma, 1982-
(författare)
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Predicting the transport of Escherichia coli to groundwater
- 2015
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Groundwater contamination with pathogens poses a health risk worldwide. Predictive modeling could provide decision support for risk analysis in this context. This study therefore aimed to improve predictive modeling of the transport of Escherichia coli (E. coli) to groundwater. Primarily, it included a review of the state-of-the-art of the underlying process, influencing factors and modeling approaches that relate to E. coli transport in the unsaturated zone. Subsequently, two recently developed models were innovatively applied to the context of microbial contamination. The Active Region Model was evaluated as an alternative to the traditional, uniform flow model (Richard’s equation) to describe bacterial transport in a wastewater treatment facility. It resulted in removal rates that were two orders of magnitude smaller than the traditional approach, more consistently with observations. The study moreover assessed the relevance of a spatial probit model to estimate the probability of groundwater source contamination with thermotolerant coliforms in a case study in Juba, South Sudan. A conventional probit regression model resulted in spatially auto-correlated residuals, pointing to that the spatial model was more accurate. The results of this approach indicated that the local topography and the near presence of areas with informal settlements (Tukul zones) were associated with contamination. Statistical analyses moreover suggested that the depth of cumulative, long-term antecedent rainfall and on-site hygiene were significant risk factors. The findings indicated that the contributing groundwater was contaminated in Juba, and that contamination could be both local and regional in extent. They are relevant for environments with similar climatic, hydrogeological and socioeconomic characteristics, which are common in Sub-Saharan Africa. The results indicated that it is important to consider spatial interactions in this subject area. There is a need for studies that assess the distance within which such interactions can occur, using both mechanistic and statistical methods. Lastly, the results in this study consistently emphasized the importance of flow patterns for E. coli transport. It is thus recommended that future studies evaluate how models of preferential flow and transport can incorporate microbial fate. The multidisciplinary nature of the subject calls for a systems approach and collaboration between disciplines.
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| 5. |
- Engström, Emma, et al.
(författare)
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Prevalence of microbiological contaminants in groundwater sources and risk factor assessment in Juba, South Sudan
- 2015
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Ingår i: Science of the Total Environment. - : Elsevier B.V.. - 0048-9697 .- 1879-1026. ; 515-516, s. 181-187
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In low-income regions, drinking water is often derived from groundwater sources, which might spread diarrheal disease if they are microbiologically polluted. This study aimed to investigate the occurrence of fecal contamination in 147 improved groundwater sources in Juba, South Sudan and to assess potential contributing risk factors, based on bivariate statistical analysis. Thermotolerant coliforms (TTCs) were detected in 66% of the investigated sources, including 95 boreholes, breaching the health-based recommendations for drinking water. A significant association (p<. 0.05) was determined between the presence of TTCs and the depth of cumulative, long-term prior precipitation (both within the previous five days and within the past month). No such link was found to short-term rainfall, the presence of latrines or damages in the borehole apron. However, the risk factor analysis further suggested, to a lesser degree, that the local topography and on-site hygiene were additionally significant. In summary, the analysis indicated that an important contamination mechanism was fecal pollution of the contributing groundwater, which was unlikely due to the presence of latrines; instead, infiltration from contaminated surface water was more probable. The reduction in fecal sources in the environment in Juba is thus recommended, for example, through constructing latrines or designating protection areas near water sources. The study results contribute to the understanding of microbiological contamination of groundwater sources in areas with low incomes and high population densities, tropical climates and weathered basement complex environments, which are common in urban sub-Saharan Africa.
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| 6. |
- Engström, Emma, et al.
(författare)
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Water Transport, Retention, and Survival of Escherichia coli in Unsaturated Porous Media : A Comprehensive Review of Processes, Models, and Factors
- 2015
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Ingår i: Critical reviews in environmental science and technology. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1064-3389 .- 1547-6537. ; 45:1
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- The vadose zone can function as both a filter and a passage for bacteria. This review evaluates when and why either effect will apply based on available literature. It summarizes theories and experimental research that address the related, underlying bacterial attenuation processes, the applied macro-scale modeling approaches, and the influencing factors - including the cell, soil, solution and system characteristics. Results point to that the relative importance of each removal mechanism depends on the moisture content and the solution ionic strength. The limitations of available modeling approaches are discussed. It remains unclear in which contexts these are reliable for predictions. The temporal first-order kinetic Escherichia coli (E. coli) removal coefficient ranges three orders of magnitude, from 10(-4) to 10(-1)/min. Results suggest that this rate depends on the pore-water velocity. Spatial filtration of E. coli increases with slower flow and higher collector surface heterogeneity. It could be insignificant in the case of heavy and sudden infiltration and subsequent transport in preferential flow paths, induced, for example, by plant roots or cracks in clayey soils. Future research thus needs to address transport as an effect of extreme weather events such as droughts and subsequent floods.
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| 7. |
- Hamisi, Rajabu, 1978-
(författare)
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Modelling phosphorus dynamics in constructed wetlands upgraded with reactive filter media
- 2017
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Licentiatavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Developing low-cost and effective technologies to upgrade phosphorus (P) removal from the catchment runoffs and rural wastewater treatment facilities is one of the main research agendas to save the Baltic Sea from eutrophication. In Sweden, the construction of the constructed wetlands has been one of the environmental objectives for wastewater quality improvement in the small communities. However, the insufficiently understanding of the mechanisms underlying the process of phosphorus mobility and sorption in the constructed wetlands has limited design of the effective constructed wetlands. To provide the better understanding of sorption process in the catchment and constructed wetland system, this thesis used the GIS-based Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) to predict phosphorus mobility and identify the critical diffusing sources of phosphorus loss in the Oxunda catchment (Paper I). Then, the study developed the three-dimensional numerical Reactive TRAnsPort Model (RETRAP - 3D) in the COMSOL Multiphysics® for evaluating the long - term sorption processes and removal efficiencies of the porous reactive media for upgrading the performance of constructed wetlands (Paper II and III). The latter model coupled many physics equations to solve process of water flow, reaction kinetics and solute transport in the porous reactive adsorbent media for application in the constructed wetlands. The data from the field measurements and column experiments have been used to demonstrate the model simulation accuracy to capture the process of phosphorus sorption in the real environment. Modeling results ranked the phosphorus removal efficiency of the adsorbent media as follows: Polonite® (88 %), Filtralite P® (85%), BFS (62%), Wollastonite (57 %). The satisfactory agreement which obtained between the simulated outputs and measured data confirmed that the SWAT and RETRAP-3D are useful tools for describing various processes in the complicated system. However, further study is required to generate and validate more experimental data to evaluate the sensitivity of local parameters.
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| 8. |
- Paul, Seema, et al.
(författare)
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Bathymetry Development and Flow Analyses Using Two-Dimensional Numerical Modeling Approach for Lake Victoria
- 2019
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Ingår i: Fluids. - Basel, Switzerland : MDPI AG. - 2311-5521. ; 4:4, s. 1-21
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This study explored two-dimensional (2D) numerical hydrodynamic model simulations of Lake Victoria. Several methods were developed in Matlab to build the lake topography. Old depth soundings taken in smaller parts of the lake were combined with more recent extensive data to produce a smooth topographical model. The lake free surface numerical model in the COMSOL Multiphysics (CM) software was implemented using bathymetry and vertically integrated 2D shallow water equations. Validated by measurements of mean lake water level, the model predicted very low mean flow speeds and was thus close to being linear and time invariant, allowing long-time simulations with low-pass filtered inflow data. An outflow boundary condition allowed an accurate simulation to achieve the lake’s steady state level. The numerical accuracy of the linear measurement of lake water level was excellent.
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| 9. |
- Paul, Seema
(författare)
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Data preparation, hydrodynamic and contaminant transport shallow-water simulations of Lake Victoria
- 2019
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Licentiatavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- This study explores shallow lake numerical hydrodynamic processes that support model development and validation, extreme events and effects of water circulation in Lake Victoria. Lake Victoria is the second largest freshwater lake in the world, and the largest in East Africa. It is the major freshwater reservoir and source for domestic, agriculture, industrial, fishery, and transport. The resources support livelihoods and ecosystem services for over 40 million people. The lake is severely affected by water quality degradation by pollution. This thesis aims at improving the understanding by following recommendation of the Lake Victoria Environment Management Project, Lake Victoria Basin Commission climate change adaptation strategy and action plan 2018-2023, Lake Victoria Basin Commission operational plan 2015-2020, and Lake Victoria Basin Commission report. These reports suggested detailed lake bathymetry survey, modelling of lake flow, study of lake hydrometeorological processes by modelling and simulation, to identify extreme weather events, assess water circulation effect, and study lake pollution near the shore. A numerical hydrodynamic model was built in the COMSOL Multiphysics (CM) software for assessing lake flows and water turn-over from river inflows which carry pollution. The work included the development of systematic methods for lake bathymetry that are relevant for lake numerical and hydrodynamic modelling. The hydrometeorological driven simulation model was employed to assess lake water balance, water circulation and soluble transport. Paper 1 creates a bathymetry from several methods and from several data sources, and a vertically integrated free surface flow model was implemented in CM. The model was used to investigate outflow conditions, mean velocities driven by river inflow, outflow, precipitation and evaporation. It is shown to be exactly conservative and give water level variation in reasonable agreement with measurements. The results indicate that the shallow water model is close to linear. An outflow model, linear in water level, predicts water level reasonable agreement with measurements. The findings suggest that the model should consider wind stress driven flow to provide more accurate lake flow behavior. Paper 2 performed an assessment of the hydro-meteorological processes and extreme weather events that are responsible for changing the characteristics of lake water balance, and changing streamflow variations, and lake transportation. We compare historical data over a long time with data from the model including water balance, sources of data uncertainty, correlations, extreme rain and inflow years, and seasonal variations. Solute loading and transportation was illustrated by tracing the water from the river inflows. The results indicate that the lake rainfall has a strong seasonal variation with strong correlations between tributary inflows and precipitation, and between lake outflow and water level. The tracer transport by mean flow is very slow. Flow increases somewhat in wet periods and is faster in the shallow Kenya lake zone than in the deeper Uganda and Tanzanian lake zones, where the major inflow, from the Kagera River, appears to strongly influence transportation.
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