Manar Fayyad

Some environmental problems associated with the use of treated wastewater for irrigation in Jordan

Abstract Treated effluent was used for eggplant (aubergine) irrigation through a trickle system at As-Samra experimental site. The soil characteristics were determined prior to irrigation. Physical, chemical and biological characteristics of the effluent were determined during the growing season. Suitability of the effluent for irrigation was studied. The crop and soil were tested for pathogenic pollution. The accumulation of salts and heavy metals in the soil as well as concentration of the nutrients and heavy metal accumulation in the plant tissues were determined. Clogging of the irrigation system was evaluated and treated. Yield was determined. Results of the study showed that the effluent has a low heavy metal content. It showed moderate restriction for surface trickle irrigation. Regarding the microbiological quality of the treated wastewater, it was found that the faecal coliform ranged from 2.1 × 10 3 to 1.8 × 10 Most Probable Number (MPN) per 100 ml at the irrigated site, while it is free from nematode eggs. The soil surface under the effluent irrigation water was found to contain faecal coliform, but the count drastically decreased with depth. Except for a very low coliform count on fruit skins, no colifonn count was found on the crop leaves, whether they were free or in contact with the soil. The effluent showed a rather high concentration of chlorophyll a due to the presence of algae. Results of soil analysis after eggplant harvest showed a slight increase in heavy metals and salt accumulation at the periphery of the wet zone. Nutrients and heavy metal concentration in eggplant tissue under treated effluent irrigation was within the normal range in agricultural crops. Although filtration of the effluent was not practised, there was minimum clogging of the irrigation system. This clogging was successfully controlled with acid and chlorine. Eggplant yield under treated effluent was twice the average eggplant production under fresh water irrigation using conventional fertiliser application in Jordan.

Sequential anaerobic–aerobic treatment for domestic wastewater – A review

Introduction, consolidation and even standardization of expensive conventional aerobic systems for domestic wastewater treatment imposed significant financial constraints on the expansion of sanitary services including treatment in developing countries. A viable alternative is the sequential anaerobic-aerobic systems. If compared with the conventional aerobic technologies based on activated sludge processes, lower energy consumption and lower excess sludge production can be achieved with a high-rate anaerobic pre-treatment step. Particularly with concentrated sewage, the energy benefit of applying anaerobic pre-treatment will become very significant. This study aims on putting the effectiveness of sequential systems for treatment of domestic wastewater on view, through displaying results presented in literature on the performance of these systems.

Grey Water Treatment Systems: A Review

This review aims to discern a treatment for grey water by examining grey water characteristics, reuse standards, technology performance and costs. The review reveals that the systems for treating grey water, whatever its quality, should consist of processes that are able to trap pollutants with a small particle size and convert organic matter to mineralized compounds. For efficient, simple and affordable treatment of grey water with safe effluent reuse, a combined anaerobic-aerobic process is recommended, with disinfection being an optional step. The removal and subsequent conversion of suspended and colloidal particles in the anaerobic process need further improvement. Furthermore, the reuse standards should be revised and classified considering the reuse options and requirements.

Treatment of domestic wastewater by subsurface flow constructed wetlands in Jordan

The use of subsurface flow constructed wetlands for treating domestic wastewater in Jordan is described. The objective was to study the performance of subsurface flow constructed wetlands as a low-cost technology for treating domestic wastewater. Results show that subsurface flow constructed wetlands are capable of reducing biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), different forms of nitrogen, total suspended solids (TSS), fecal coliform count (FCC), and total coliform count (TCC). However, removal efficiencies differ from bed to bed and from month to month. Results show that there is strong correlation between BOD, removal efficiency and BOD, loading in kg/ha, which is defined as BOD, loading rate in kg/ha.d multiplied by residence time. The coefficient of determination (R’) for the six beds varied from 0.827 for bed number one to 0.608 for bed number four. Total nitrogen, ammonia nitrogen, and nitrate nitrogen reductions were observed, which suggest that, nitrification as well as denitrification took place in the beds. TSS reduction was observed in all beds. However, removal efficiency differed from bed to bed and for the same bed from month to month. Total and fecal coliform counts were reduced by one to three logs, because influent was high in total and fecal coliform counts, effluent total colifonn, and fecal coliform counts were still high. Keyworak Subsurface flow; Constructed wetlands; Wastewater treatment; Wetlands; Nitrogen removal; BOD, removal

Effect of Khirbet As-Samra treated effluent on the quality of irrigation water in the Central Jordan Valley

Khirbet As-Samra (KA) treated wastewater is being used in irrigation in the Central Jordan Valley. The treated water is collected in King Talal Dam (KTD) and then mixed with King Abdullah Canal (KAC) water, which is diverted from the Yarmouk River for further use in agriculture. The treated water has adversely affected the water quality of Yarmouk River. Comparison of the results of water quality tests with guidelines for water to be used for irrigation, salt tolerance of agricultural crops and the influence of water quality on the potential clogging of drip irrigation systems reveals that treated effluent from KA can be used for irrigation with restrictions. Moreover, concentrations of all trace elements were found to be low and within guidelines for irrigation water. Clogging of drip emitters is expected due to high calcium and magnesium contents, besides the high bacterial counts and nutrients that promote algal growth.

Grey water treatment in a series anaerobic – Aerobic system for irrigation

This study aims at treatment of grey water for irrigation, focusing on a treatment technology that is robust, simple to operate and with minimum energy consumption. The result is an optimized system consisting of an anaerobic unit operated in upflow mode, with a 1 day operational cycle, a constant effluent flow rate and varying liquid volume. Subsequent aerobic step is equipped with mechanical aeration and the system is insulated for sustaining winter conditions. The COD removal achieved by the anaerobic and aerobic units in summer and winter are 45%, 39% and 53%, 64%, respectively. Sludge in the anaerobic and aerobic reactor has a concentration of 168 and 8 mg VSL(-1), respectively. Stability of sludge in the anaerobic and aerobic reactors is 80% and 93%, respectively, based on COD. Aerobic effluent quality, except for pathogens, agrees with the proposed irrigation water quality guidelines for reclaimed water in Jordan.

Determination of N-chloramines in As-Samra chlorinated wastewater and their effect on the disinfection process

Chlorine is the most widely used disinfectant of wastewater due to its capacity to inactivate most pathogenic microorganisms quickly. However, chlorine reacts with natural organic compounds present in wastewater to produce some undesirable organic byproducts. One such class of compounds is the nitrogenous compounds. The reaction between chlorine and compounds containing a nitrogen atom with one or more hydrogen atoms attached to it will form chloramines which have lower disinfection efficiency. Eighty percent of the wastewater generated in Jordan is treated at the Khirbet As-Samra wastewater treatment plant for eventual use in agriculture. In this study efficiency of chlorination was studied by collecting samples from the effluent of the treatment plant. The yield concentration of N-chloramines upon chlorination was determined. Efficiency of disinfection process as a function of contact time, concentration of chlorine dosage, concentration of nitrogenous compound and pH were studied. In this study, it has been found that at a chlorine dosage of 15 mg/L and contact time of 15 min, the percentage total coliform kill in As-samra wastewater sample was 100%. After addition of histidine, glycine and phenylalanine (15 mg/L in each case) to the wastewater sample, the percentage of total coliform kill dropped to 58, 78 and 79% respectively. When chlorine dosage was increased to 24 mg/L the percentage total coliform kill reached 96, 99 and 100% in wastewater samples treated with 5 mg/L histidine, glycine and phenylalanine, respectively. The percentage total coliform kill dropped to zero in wastewater samples treated with histidine, glycine and phenylalanine at a concentration of 30 mg/L each. This work supports the theory that amino acids and ammonia preferentially react with chlorine to form N-chloramine which significantly reduces the disinfection efficiency of the chlorination process.

Separation of Polyphenols from Jordanian Olive Oil Mill Wastewater

This research aims at separation of polyphenols from Jordanian olive mill wastewater which have possible applications in pharmaceutical industry. The phenolic compounds were isolated using silica column chromatography based on using different solvents after extracting the acidified solution with n-hexane and ethyl acetate. The structural elucidation of the separated compounds was achieved using 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR and mass spectrometry. The concentrations of these compounds were determined by GC-MS after derivatization with N, O-bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide (BSTFA). The concentrations of the main isolated phenolic compounds in the Jordanian olive mill wastewater were ferulic acid (93.6 mg/L), trans-cinnamic acid (105.3 mg/L), p-coumaric acid (117.0 mg/L), vanillic acid (128.7 mg/L), caffeic acid (140.4 mg/L), tyrosol (210.6 mg/L), and hydroxytyrosol (315.9 mg/L).

Indirect trace determination of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) in water by potentiometric stripping analysis

Abstract An analytical method for indirect trace determination of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) in water, by potentiometric stripping analysis is described. Excess Bi(III) was added to form a 1:1 complex with EDTA at pH 2.3. The uncomplexed Bi(III) was then deposited on a glassy carbon electrode at a potential of −0.40 V vs. SCE and subsequently stripped potentiometrically using potassium dichromate as oxidant. The stripping time of uncomplexed Bi(III) was recorded. The Concentration of EDTA in the sample was determined from the concentration of added Bi(III) and the potentiometrically stripped Bi(III) at −0.4 V by the standard addition method. The relative standard deviation for EDTA concentration of 95 ppb and 4.5 ppb was 1.9% and 2.6%, respectively. The detection limit was about 1 ppb EDTA for a deposition time of 3 minutes.

Simple rapid method for the determination of dissolved oxygen by potentiometric stripping analysis

A method is described for the determination of dissolved oxygen in natural water by potentiometric stripping analysis. Oxygen standards are prepared by the reaction of permanganate with peroxide and are used to oxidise the Cd-Hg formed at the glassy carbon electrode from a standard solution of Cd2+. The quantitative reduction in the stripping time is used to measure the oxygen concentration in the water. The method is simple and rapid, with a higher correlation coefficient between added and measured oxygen levels than is obtainable using the Winkler procedure. The use of the method in acidic solutions is also an advantage for the measurement of dissolved oxygen in natural and waste waters.