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Regional Comparison of Impacts from Seven Australian Coal Mine Wastewater Discharges on Downstream River Sediment Chemistry, Sydney Basin, New South Wales Australia
Nakia Belmer,
Ian Alexander Wright
Issue:
Volume 5, Issue 2, June 2019
Pages:
37-46
Received:
19 April 2019
Accepted:
29 May 2019
Published:
12 June 2019
Abstract: This study investigates the accumulation of licensed and regulated coal mine wastewater pollutants from seven coal mines on each mines respective receiving waterways river sediments. Results from this study shows that the coal mine wastewater pollutants are accumulating within river sediments downstream of the coal mine wastewater inflows at varying levels often greater than the ANZECC guidelines for sediment and often above reference condition sediment concentrations. This is of great concern as these pollutants will likely continue to persist in the river sediment and eventually become legacy pollutants. Coal mine wastewater discharges in New South Wales are regulated by the New South Wales Environmental Protection Authority [NSW EPA] and environmental protection of receiving waterways is implemented through Environmental Protection Licenses. Environmental Protection Licenses set discharge limits for water quality and chemical concentrations within the coal mine waste waters. Though they do not take into account river sediment concentrations. It appears water column pollution regulation at these coal mines is in fact failing to protect the environment whilst still regulated and will continue into the future post mining, licensing and regulation. Water column regulation may well be impractical in protecting the environment as it appears that water column concentrations do not portray the overall environmental impact. It is recommended that the New South Wales Environmental Protection Authority investigate these findings and continue to improve water column pollutant limits as to alleviate the continued accumulation and magnification of the contaminants.
Abstract: This study investigates the accumulation of licensed and regulated coal mine wastewater pollutants from seven coal mines on each mines respective receiving waterways river sediments. Results from this study shows that the coal mine wastewater pollutants are accumulating within river sediments downstream of the coal mine wastewater inflows at varyin...
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Quantitative Estimation of Recharge Potentialities of Shallow Aquifers in Senegal River Delta Hydrosystem
Moctar Diaw,
Ibrahima Mall,
Marc Le Blanc,
Serigne Faye,
Yves Travi
Issue:
Volume 5, Issue 2, June 2019
Pages:
47-61
Received:
2 April 2019
Accepted:
23 May 2019
Published:
26 June 2019
Abstract: The objective of this paper is to assess quantitatively the potential recharge of shallow aquifers in the Senegal River delta in context of semi-arid climate, of massive irrigation development and of modification of hydrologic and hydrogeological characters after dams building. Quantitative estimation of recharge potentialities have been based on hydrological balance and groundwater table fluctuation calculations and on isotopic tracers techniques of the water molecule (δ18O, δ2H and 3H). This different methodological approaches used to estimate recharge rates have been useful, valuable and complementary. They give results fairly homogeneous and very interesting with indications accurate enough on recharge rates and on recharge spatio-temporal variations in shallow aquifers in alluvial plain (rate varying between 0-37% of annual rainfall) and dunes formations (rate varying between 0-44% of annual rainfall). Results indicate that recharge variations in term of proportions and of distribution are not only depending of volume and frequency rainfall or groundwater depth but also depending of soil and subsoil surface conditions, human activities (water withdraw, irrigation, market gardening, etc.) and evaporative demand. This recharge knowledge in terms of proportions and distribution in shallow aquifers is often very useful to propose groundwater resources management model and to define strategies to exploit them sustainably especially when groundwater resources are very unproductive and often very salty as in Senegal River delta.
Abstract: The objective of this paper is to assess quantitatively the potential recharge of shallow aquifers in the Senegal River delta in context of semi-arid climate, of massive irrigation development and of modification of hydrologic and hydrogeological characters after dams building. Quantitative estimation of recharge potentialities have been based on h...
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Regional Comparison of Impacts to Stream Macroinvertebrates from Active and Inactive Coal Mine Wastewater Discharges, Sydney Basin, New South Wales Australia
Nakia Belmer,
Ian Alexander Wright
Issue:
Volume 5, Issue 2, June 2019
Pages:
62-75
Received:
19 April 2019
Accepted:
29 May 2019
Published:
1 July 2019
Abstract: This study investigates macroinvertebrates from waterways receiving wastewater from coal mines in the Sydney Basin. Three of the coal mines were inactively mining oar and four actively mining oar during sampling. Macroinvertebrates were collected from each collieries receiving waterway upstream and downstream of all mine wastewater inflows. All the coal mines wastewater discharges are licensed and regulated by the New South Wales Environment Protection Authority (NSW EPA). Results of the study show that the coal mine wastewaters being discharged are having varying negative impacts to the receiving waterways aquatic ecosystem through macroinvertebrate biotic indices, despite whether mining is active or inactive. Biotic indices measured at active and inactive coal mines show that actively mined wastewaters are most likely causing less of an impact to the receiving waterways aquatic ecosystem than inactively mined wastewaters. All the waterways receiving un-treated (inactively mining) wastewaters recorded statistical differences for all biotic indices when analysed between their upstream and downstream sample locations. This was in contrasted to the actively mined (treated wastewaters) with only one of the streams sampled recording statistical differences for all biotic indices. Results suggest that once mining ceases and the treatment of the coal mine wastewaters subsequently ceases the receiving waterways aquatic ecosystem are clearly more degraded. This is of great concern as once mining ceases so does the treatment of their wastewaters. It is recommended that the NSW EPA further investigate measures of treatment post coal mining at these mines to ensure further degradation of the receiving waterways ecosystem does not occur.
Abstract: This study investigates macroinvertebrates from waterways receiving wastewater from coal mines in the Sydney Basin. Three of the coal mines were inactively mining oar and four actively mining oar during sampling. Macroinvertebrates were collected from each collieries receiving waterway upstream and downstream of all mine wastewater inflows. All the...
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Regulated Coal Mine Wastewater Contaminants Accumulating in an Aquatic Predatory Beetle (Macrogyrus rivularis): Wollangambe River, Blue Mountains New South Wales Australia
Nakia Belmer,
Kasjan Paciuszkiewicz,
Ian Alexander Wright
Issue:
Volume 5, Issue 2, June 2019
Pages:
76-87
Received:
19 April 2019
Accepted:
29 May 2019
Published:
1 July 2019
Abstract: This study investigates contaminants from a single coal mine wastewater discharge released to the Wollangambe River accumulating in an aquatic predatory beetle (Macrogyrus rivularis). The study was undertaken within the Wollangambe River and its surrounding tributaries. The coal mine wastewater discharge is regulated by the New South Wales Environment Protection Authority and the regulation of the pollutants only concentrates on water column concentrations. The majority of the Wollangambe River flows within the World Heritage Greater Blue Mountains National Park and is protected through many layers of legislation from state to federal and international (Threatened Species Conservation Act 2005, Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation ACT 1999, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization 2000). Results show that many contaminants are at statistically higher concentrations within the water column, stream sediment and beetles sampled when compared between reference and impacted sample locations. Analysis of Similarity (ANOSIM) found significant differences for contaminants in beetles sampled at impacted sites compared to reference sites with no significant difference recorded between reference sites. Biota and/or Environmental matching (Best) found Manganese, Cobalt, Nickel and Zinc as the factors which have the greatest influence in differences. The implications that contaminants from the regulated wastewater being discharged may be accumulating within aquatic biota is of major concern as the regulation of the wastewater only concentrates on water column pollutants and is not taking into account the greater environmental ramifications of the pollution.
Abstract: This study investigates contaminants from a single coal mine wastewater discharge released to the Wollangambe River accumulating in an aquatic predatory beetle (Macrogyrus rivularis). The study was undertaken within the Wollangambe River and its surrounding tributaries. The coal mine wastewater discharge is regulated by the New South Wales Environm...
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Effect of Reduced Grapheme Oxide in Enhancing the Photocatalytic Activity of β-NaYF4:Ho3+@TiO2
Wanyu Han,
Tianhui Wu,
Shuang Zhu
Issue:
Volume 5, Issue 2, June 2019
Pages:
88-95
Received:
9 May 2019
Accepted:
11 June 2019
Published:
4 July 2019
Abstract: β-NaYF4:Ho3+@TiO2–reduced graphene oxide (NYFH@TO–rGO) ternary composites photocatalysts were prepared via a three-step method and used for cleanup of Rhodamine B (RhB) aqueous solution under visible light irradiation. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), fluorescence spectrometries, ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-Vis DRS), electron spin resonance (ESR), and photoelectrochemical properties were used to characterize the photocatalyst. The results revealed that rGO as an excellent platform and successfully to load NYFHo@TO core–shell microcrystals. In this photocatalyst, the loading of UC microcrystals is expected to emit UV (290 nm) light after absorbing Vis (450 nm) light of the solar spectrum and the optical response of the rGO is enhanced from UV to Vis. so as to realize the visible light-driven photocatalysis of TiO2. It was found that add to rGO can efficient charge separation, extended light absorption range (red-shifted to 402.6 nm), enhanced adsorption performance, and improve photocatalytic activity. This novel tenary photocatalyst can reach decomposition rate of RhB as high as 87% after 10 h of irradiation by visible-light Xe lamp. Compared with the blank experiment, the efficiency was significantly improved. It is of great significance to design an effective solar light-driven photocatalysis in promoting environmental protection.
Abstract: β-NaYF4:Ho3+@TiO2–reduced graphene oxide (NYFH@TO–rGO) ternary composites photocatalysts were prepared via a three-step method and used for cleanup of Rhodamine B (RhB) aqueous solution under visible light irradiation. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), fluorescence spectrometrie...
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Study on the Mechanism of Biotreatment of Coke-making Wastewater
Issue:
Volume 5, Issue 2, June 2019
Pages:
96-104
Received:
5 June 2019
Accepted:
2 July 2019
Published:
12 July 2019
Abstract: Based on a large number of experimental data, this paper puts forward a three-stage hypothesis of biochemical degradation of coking wastewater. And studies on the biochemical degradation kinetics in various stages through laboratory experiments have been made. In these studies, a new concept has been proposed, that of substances present in coking wastewater that can be biochemically treated to produce ammonia nitrogen. And this class of substances, we define and call BN for short. BN’s meaning is to produce ammonia nitrogen in the process of biochemical treatment. The relationship between COD, the substances that can biotreatedly produce ammonia nitrogen (BN), ammonia nitrogen and time in biochemical degradation is revealed. In the first stage of biochemistry is the removal of a large amount of organic pollutants, so that the strong smell of the wastewater is removed while most of the COD is removed. In the second stage of biochemistry is the removal of substances that produce ammonia nitrogen (BN). These increases the ammonia nitrogen in the wastewater. In the third stage of biochemistry is degradation of ammonia nitrogen, so that ammonia nitrogen meets the emission standard. The mathematical model of biochemical degradation kinetics is proposed. The mathematical model consists of 12 formulas. The first stage has one formula, the second stage has five formulas, and the third stage has six formulas. The hydraulic retention time of biochemical treatment tank at different stages can be calculated by these formulas. Based on the proposed mathematical model, this paper illustrates the significance of the three-stage theory to the design and operation of the biochemical treatment of coking wastewater. At the same time, we can see the importance of the new concept of BN.
Abstract: Based on a large number of experimental data, this paper puts forward a three-stage hypothesis of biochemical degradation of coking wastewater. And studies on the biochemical degradation kinetics in various stages through laboratory experiments have been made. In these studies, a new concept has been proposed, that of substances present in coking w...
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