Journal of Environmental Engineering 

About: Journal of Environmental Engineering is an academic journal published by American Society of Civil Engineers. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Wastewater & Adsorption. It has an ISSN identifier of 0733-9372. Over the lifetime, 5886 publications have been published receiving 135696 citations. The journal is also known as: ASCE journal of environmental engineering & A.S.C.E. environmental engineering.

Standardization of Methods for Fluence (UV Dose) Determination in Bench-Scale UV Experiments

Abstract: Ultraviolet (UV) disinfection is now an accepted technology for inactivation of a variety of waterborne pathogens in wastewater and drinking water. However, the techniques used in much of the previous research aimed at providing information on UV effectiveness have not yet been standardized. Thus in many peer reviewed published literature, it is not clear how the UV irradiations were carried out, nor how the average \Ifluence\N (or UV dose) given to the microorganisms has been determined. A detailed protocol for the determination of the fluence (UV dose) in a bench scale UV apparatus containing UV lamps emitting either monochromatic or broadband UV light was developed. This protocol includes specifications for the construction of a bench scale UV testing apparatus, methods for determination of the average irradiance in the water, details on UV radiometry, and considerations for microbiological testing. Use of this protocol will aid in standardization of bench scale UV testing and provide increased confidence in data generated during such testing.

Fundamentals of Anaerobic Digestion of Wastewater Sludges

Abstract: This paper presents a literature review of anaerobic digestion of munidpal wastewater sludges. The paper focuses on the fundamentals of anaerobic digestion, setting forth a checklist for review of key process factors including: retention time, mixing, pH, temperature, nutrients, toxic materials, and feed characteristics. Major areas discussed are the microbiology and biochemistry of digestion, kinetics of digestion, environmental factors of concern, process performance indices, product stability, and laboratory and pilot studies on digestion. Although the text is aimed at digestion of municipal sludges, the fundamentals are sufficiently general to permit extrapolation to decomposition of other organics.

Partitioning and first flush of metals in urban roadway storm water

Abstract: Storm water runoff from urban roadways often contains significant quantities of metal elements and solids. These anthropogenic constituents are generated mainly from traffic-related activities. Metal elements partition into dissolved and particulate-bound fractions as a function of pH, pavement residence time, and solids concentration. Lateral pavement sheet flow from an experimental field site on a heavily traveled urban highway in Cincinnati was sampled during five rainfall runoff events in 1995. Results indicate that Zn, Cd, and Cu are mainly in dissolved form while Pb, Fe, and Al are mainly particulate-bound. Dissolved fractions of Zn, Cd, and Cu exhibited a strong first flush in lateral pavement sheet flow. Pb exhibited a weak first flush for all events. Event mean concentrations of Zn, Cd, and Cu exceed surface water quality discharge standards. Findings from this study will assist in the development of effective control strategies for the immobilization of metal elements and solids in urban runoff.

Bioretention Technology: Overview of Current Practice and Future Needs

Abstract: Bioretention, or variations such as bioinfiltration and rain gardens, has become one of the most frequently used storm-water management tools in urbanized watersheds. Incorporating both filtration and infiltration, initial research into bioretention has shown that these facilities substantially reduce runoff volumes and peak flows. Low impact development, which has a goal of modifying postdevel- opment hydrology to more closely mimic that of predevelopment, is a driver for the use of bioretention in many parts of the country. Research over the past decade has shown that bioretention effluent loads are low for suspended solids, nutrients, hydrocarbons, and heavy metals. Pollutant removal mechanisms include filtration, adsorption, and possibly biological treatment. Limited research suggests that bioretention can effectively manage other pollutants, such as pathogenic bacteria and thermal pollution, as well. Reductions in pollutant load result from the combination of concentration reduction and runoff volume attenuation, linking water quality and hydrologic perfor- mance. Nonetheless, many design questions persist for this practice, such as maximum pooling bowl depth, minimum fill media depth, fill media composition and configuration, underdrain configuration, pretreatment options, and vegetation selection. Moreover, the exact nature and impact of bioretention maintenance is still evolving, which will dictate long-term performance and life-cycle costs. Bioretention usage will grow as design guidance matures as a result of continued research and application.

Membrane Fouling in Membrane Bioreactors for Wastewater Treatment

Abstract: Membrane bioreactors (MBRs), in which membranes are applied to biological wastewater treatment for biomass separation, provide many advantages over conventional treatment. However, membrane fouling in MBRs restricts their widespread application because it reduces productivity and increases maintenance and operating costs. Recently much research and development has taken place to investigate, model, and control membrane fouling processes. However, unified and well-structured theories on membrane fouling are not currently available because of the complexity of the biomass matrix, which is highly heterogeneous and includes living microorganisms. Membrane fouling in MBR systems can be reversible (i.e., removable by physical washing) or irreversible (removable by chemical cleaning only), and can take place on the membrane surface or into the membrane pores. Although establishing a general model to describe membrane fouling in such a process is made extremely difficult by the inherent heterogeneity of the syste...