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The experimentation plant, based on a sub-surface horizontal flow phytodepuration (SSHFP) unit with a pre-treatment by an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor, proved valuable in treating the sewage of a small rural community located in north Brazil. During a six-month trial, the plant achieved an average removal efficiency of 98.2% (1.74 log removal) for fecal coliforms (FC) and 96.0% (1.40 log removal) for Enterococci (EN), as well as 95.6% for BOD5, 91.0% for COD,00 and 95.4% for suspended solids (SS). The contribution of the UASB reactor to this overall performance was very significant as, alone, it achieved a yield of 62.7% for FC and 60% for EN, in addition to 65.2% for BOD5 and 65.0% for SS. EN was chosen, in addition to FC, because of its higher specificity and strong environmental persistence, leading to an increased risk to human health. In fact, the experimental results confirmed its lower removal efficiency compared to FC. The mechanical and biological mechanisms that led to such a removal efficiency of the two fecal indicators (FIs) are outlined in the article. The same mechanisms led to a good level of equivalence between the removal efficiency of the two FIs with the removal efficiency of SS and BOD5, for both the whole plant and the UASB reactor alone. The research demonstrated the close correlation between the concentrations of EN and FC for the plant effluent. This correlation can be explained by the following mathematical expression of the regression line Log EN = 0.2571 Log FC + 3.5301, with a coefficient of determination R2 = 0.912. This implies that the concentration of the more specific indicator EN could be calculated, with acceptable approximation, from the simple analysis of FC and vice versa. The experimental plant brought important health benefits to the local population. In particular, there were no significant odor emissions; moreover, the risk of fecal pathogenic diseases was drastically reduced; finally, there was no proliferation of insects and other disease vectors, due to the absence of stagnant or semi-stagnant water exposed to the atmosphere.
Fabio Conti; Elena Cristina Rada; Paolo Viotti; Massimo Raboni. Removal and Survival of Fecal Indicators in a Constructed Wetland after UASB Pre-Treatment. Sustainability 2021, 13, 9302 .
AMA StyleFabio Conti, Elena Cristina Rada, Paolo Viotti, Massimo Raboni. Removal and Survival of Fecal Indicators in a Constructed Wetland after UASB Pre-Treatment. Sustainability. 2021; 13 (16):9302.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFabio Conti; Elena Cristina Rada; Paolo Viotti; Massimo Raboni. 2021. "Removal and Survival of Fecal Indicators in a Constructed Wetland after UASB Pre-Treatment." Sustainability 13, no. 16: 9302.
Two laboratory tests were carried out to verify the suitability of an Italian commercial biochar as an adsorbing material. The chosen contaminant, considered dissolved in groundwater, was As. The circular economic concept demands the use of such waste material. Its use has been studied in recent years on several contaminants. The possibility of using an efficient material at low cost could help the use of low-impact technologies like permeable reactive barriers (PRBs). A numerical model was used to derive the kinetic constant for two of the most used isotherms. The results are aligned with others derived from the literature, but they also indicate that the use of a large amount of biochar does not improve the efficiency of the removal. The particular origin of the biochar, together with its grain size, causes a decrease in contact time required for the adsorption. Furthermore, it is possible that a strong local decrease in the hydraulic conductibility does not allow for a correct dispersion of the flow, thereby limiting its efficiency.
Maria Boni; Simone Marzeddu; Fabio Tatti; Massimo Raboni; Giuseppe Mancini; Antonella Luciano; Paolo Viotti. Experimental and Numerical Study of Biochar Fixed Bed Column for the Adsorption of Arsenic from Aqueous Solutions. Water 2021, 13, 915 .
AMA StyleMaria Boni, Simone Marzeddu, Fabio Tatti, Massimo Raboni, Giuseppe Mancini, Antonella Luciano, Paolo Viotti. Experimental and Numerical Study of Biochar Fixed Bed Column for the Adsorption of Arsenic from Aqueous Solutions. Water. 2021; 13 (7):915.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMaria Boni; Simone Marzeddu; Fabio Tatti; Massimo Raboni; Giuseppe Mancini; Antonella Luciano; Paolo Viotti. 2021. "Experimental and Numerical Study of Biochar Fixed Bed Column for the Adsorption of Arsenic from Aqueous Solutions." Water 13, no. 7: 915.
The biological denitrification process is extensively discussed in scientific literature. The process requires anoxic conditions, but the influence of residual dissolved oxygen (DO) on the efficiency is not yet adequately documented. The present research aims to fill this gap by highlighting the effects of DO on the specific denitrification rate (SDNR) and consequently on the efficiency of the process. SDNR at a temperature of 20 °C (SDNR20°C) is the parameter normally used for the sizing of the denitrification reactor in biological-activated sludge processes. A sensitivity analysis of SNDR20°C to DO variations is developed. For this purpose, two of the main empirical models illustrated in the scientific literature are taken into consideration, with the addition of a deterministic third model proposed by the authors and validated by recent experimentations on several full-scale plants. In the first two models, SDNR20°C is expressed as a function of the only variable food:microrganism ratio in denitrification (F:MDEN), while in the third one, the dependence on DO is made explicit. The sensitivity analysis highlights all the significant dependence of SDNR20°C on DO characterized by a logarithmic decrease with a very pronounced gradient in correspondence with low DO concentrations. Moreover, the analysis demonstrates the relatively small influence of F:MDEN on the SDNR20°C and on the correlation between SDNR20°C and DO. The results confirm the great importance of minimizing DO and limiting, as much as possible, the transport of oxygen in the denitrification reactor through the incoming flows and mainly the mixed liquor recycle. Solutions to achieve this result in full-scale plants are reported.
Massimo Raboni; Paolo Viotti; Elena Cristina Rada; Fabio Conti; Maria Rosaria Boni. The Sensitivity of a Specific Denitrification Rate under the Dissolved Oxygen Pressure. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2020, 17, 9366 .
AMA StyleMassimo Raboni, Paolo Viotti, Elena Cristina Rada, Fabio Conti, Maria Rosaria Boni. The Sensitivity of a Specific Denitrification Rate under the Dissolved Oxygen Pressure. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2020; 17 (24):9366.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMassimo Raboni; Paolo Viotti; Elena Cristina Rada; Fabio Conti; Maria Rosaria Boni. 2020. "The Sensitivity of a Specific Denitrification Rate under the Dissolved Oxygen Pressure." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 17, no. 24: 9366.
The present paper discusses issues, scenarios, new ideas and processes with the specific purpose of quantitatively evaluating the feasibility of applying industrial symbiosis (IS) to regions where Waste-to-Energy (WtE) processes are not fully utilised (e.g. many Mediterranean regions), in order to exploit the potential synergies between 1) wastewater treatment (WWT), 2) WtE and 3) Anaerobic Digestion (AD) processes in a new, holistic approach that is able to maximise the efficient use of resources, while reducing the current environmental impacts. The enormous energy that can be obtained from residual waste is partially used, through an IS-based biorefinery approach, to thermally support the AD and drying processes of organic waste and sludge, thereby allowing 100% of the increased biogas production to be upgraded to biomethane. The need to landfill can be reduced to less than 5–10%, which allows the 2035 EU target to be achieved, with relevant economic and environmental benefits. Electricity from the WtE plant is exploited to supply the utilities of the 3 main processes and in particular to lower the costs of the required tertiary WWT and wastewater pumping phases in order to make the reclaimed water cost competitive with that of conventional water resources and thus to make this marginal water resource fully sustainable. The proposed approach can be applied in numerous countries, where landfilling is still predominant, to help stakeholders favouring a cultural shift towards a more sustainable, integrated waste/wastewater management while lowering the sterile “Not In Anyone's BackYard” (NIABY) opposition to WtE plants.
G. Mancini; A. Luciano; D. Bolzonella; F. Fatone; P. Viotti; D. Fino. A water-waste-energy nexus approach to bridge the sustainability gap in landfill-based waste management regions. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 2020, 137, 110441 .
AMA StyleG. Mancini, A. Luciano, D. Bolzonella, F. Fatone, P. Viotti, D. Fino. A water-waste-energy nexus approach to bridge the sustainability gap in landfill-based waste management regions. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 2020; 137 ():110441.
Chicago/Turabian StyleG. Mancini; A. Luciano; D. Bolzonella; F. Fatone; P. Viotti; D. Fino. 2020. "A water-waste-energy nexus approach to bridge the sustainability gap in landfill-based waste management regions." Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 137, no. : 110441.
Bottom and fly ashes from a hazardous waste incineration plant, which showed a high concentration of Mo in a leaching test, have been treated to decrease its leachability to below the limit set by the laws in force for admittance to a non-hazardous waste landfill. Both ashes have a basic pH, that is, of around 11–13, therefore most of the molybdenum species were expected to be in the form of molybdate ions (MoO42−), the most soluble molybdenum compound. The aim of the study was to immobilize the molybdate ions using the reducing properties of the Fe2+ ion, in compliance with specific pH and redox potential conditions, which resulted to be crucial for the partial stabilization and immobilization of Mo. The bottom ash was treated both by adding a cost-effective ferrous sulfate-based additive alone and by adding it together with calcium oxide. The fly ash was initially tested with the same ferrous sulfate-based additive; a mix of the former additive and a concentrated solution of sulfuric acid (96%) was then tested to increase the stabilization efficiency. The conducted experiments revealed that the molybdenum leaching behavior can be controlled efficiently by adding ferrous sulfate, under specific pH and redox potential conditions, thereby providing further insight into the sustainable chemical conditions necessary to partially stabilize Mo-containing hazardous waste.
G. Mancini; F. Palmeri; A. Luciano; P. Viotti; D. Fino. Partial Stabilization of Mo-Containing Hazardous Wastes Using a Ferrous Sulfate-Based Additive as a Redox Agent. Waste and Biomass Valorization 2020, 11, 5493 -5502.
AMA StyleG. Mancini, F. Palmeri, A. Luciano, P. Viotti, D. Fino. Partial Stabilization of Mo-Containing Hazardous Wastes Using a Ferrous Sulfate-Based Additive as a Redox Agent. Waste and Biomass Valorization. 2020; 11 (10):5493-5502.
Chicago/Turabian StyleG. Mancini; F. Palmeri; A. Luciano; P. Viotti; D. Fino. 2020. "Partial Stabilization of Mo-Containing Hazardous Wastes Using a Ferrous Sulfate-Based Additive as a Redox Agent." Waste and Biomass Valorization 11, no. 10: 5493-5502.
Strategies for Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) management can be sustainable only because of site-specific analyses and choices that take into account not only financial but also environmental costs. Generally, a correct approach should use different scenarios based on the environmental, social, economic and technological conditions of the specific area and on its expected potential. The aim of this paper is to presents an innovative model for the implementation of integrated MSW management approach which can result extremely useful where the MSW systems have to be refined or even designed such in the case of low-income countries. The proposed approach provides the best solid waste (SW) allocation/distribution among the available treatments and disposal options minimizing at the same time the total cost by means of an optimization procedure. The environmental impacts of potential scenarios are simultaneously estimated by means of a tailored Life Cycle Assessment procedure. The LCA tool in the model focus on the specific impacts from a SW management scenario that makes the model more explicit with respect to traditional LCA application. Additional tools allow, through site-specific numerical models, to provide also a preliminary evaluation of local impacts when required (e.g. atmospheric emissions). Such a model can be useful as a supporting tool in decision making for both governmental and non-governmental institutions involved in the planning of more sustainable eco-friendly strategies for MSW management.
Paolo Viotti; Fabio Tatti; Andreina Rossi; Antonella Luciano; Simone Marzeddu; Giuseppe Mancini; Maria Rosaria Boni. An Eco-Balanced and Integrated Approach for a More-Sustainable MSW Management. Waste and Biomass Valorization 2020, 11, 5139 -5150.
AMA StylePaolo Viotti, Fabio Tatti, Andreina Rossi, Antonella Luciano, Simone Marzeddu, Giuseppe Mancini, Maria Rosaria Boni. An Eco-Balanced and Integrated Approach for a More-Sustainable MSW Management. Waste and Biomass Valorization. 2020; 11 (10):5139-5150.
Chicago/Turabian StylePaolo Viotti; Fabio Tatti; Andreina Rossi; Antonella Luciano; Simone Marzeddu; Giuseppe Mancini; Maria Rosaria Boni. 2020. "An Eco-Balanced and Integrated Approach for a More-Sustainable MSW Management." Waste and Biomass Valorization 11, no. 10: 5139-5150.
Hydrogeological uniqueness and chemical-physical peculiarities guide the contamination dynamics and decontamination mechanisms in the environmental arena. A single composite geodatabase, which integrates geological/hydrological, geophysical, and chemical data, acts as a “cockpit” in the definition of a conceptual model, design of a remediation strategy, implementation, near-real-time monitoring, and validation/revision of a pilot test, and monitoring full-scale interventions. The selected remediation strategy involves the creation of "reactive" zones capable of reducing the concentration of chlorinated solvents in groundwater through the combined action of adsorption on micrometric activated carbon, which is injected into the aquifer, and degradation of organic contaminants, stimulating the dechlorinating biological activity by the addition of an electron donor. The technology is verified through a pilot test, to evaluate the possibility of scaling up the process. The results of post-treatment monitoring reveal abatement of the concentration of chlorinated solvents and intense biological dechlorination activity. Achieving the remediation objectives and project closure is based on the integration of multidisciplinary data using a multiscale approach. This research represents the first completed example in European territory of remediation of an aquifer contaminated with chlorinated solvents by a combination of adsorption and biodegradation.
Paolo Ciampi; Carlo Esposito; Paolo Viotti; Jacopo Boaga; Giorgio Cassiani; Marco Petrangeli Papini. An Integrated Approach Supporting Remediation of an Aquifer Contaminated with Chlorinated Solvents by a Combination of Adsorption and Biodegradation. Applied Sciences 2019, 9, 4318 .
AMA StylePaolo Ciampi, Carlo Esposito, Paolo Viotti, Jacopo Boaga, Giorgio Cassiani, Marco Petrangeli Papini. An Integrated Approach Supporting Remediation of an Aquifer Contaminated with Chlorinated Solvents by a Combination of Adsorption and Biodegradation. Applied Sciences. 2019; 9 (20):4318.
Chicago/Turabian StylePaolo Ciampi; Carlo Esposito; Paolo Viotti; Jacopo Boaga; Giorgio Cassiani; Marco Petrangeli Papini. 2019. "An Integrated Approach Supporting Remediation of an Aquifer Contaminated with Chlorinated Solvents by a Combination of Adsorption and Biodegradation." Applied Sciences 9, no. 20: 4318.
Soils contaminated with organic substances is an important issue across Europe: In some areas, these are the main causes of pollution, or the second after contamination from waste disposal. This paper included an experimental application that compared three methods of remediation of contaminated sites, based on electric fields: A single treatment (electroremediation); and two combined treatments, phyto-electrochemical and electrooxidation (a combination of chemical treatment and a DCT-direct current technology). The contaminated soil was taken from a former industrial area devoted to oil refining, located between two roads: The one national and the other one for industrial use. Nine soil samples were collected at two depths (0.2 and 0.4 m). The initial characterization of the soil showed a density of 1.5 g/cm³ and a moisture of about 20%; regarding grain size, 50% of the soil had particles with a diameter less than 0.08 mm. The electrochemical treatment and electrooxidation had an efficiency of 20% while the two combined methods had efficiencies of 42.5% for electrooxidation (with H2O2) and 20% for phyto-electroremediation (phyto-ER) with poinsettias.
Elena Cristina Rada; Gianni Andreottola; Irina Aura Istrate; Paolo Viotti; Fabio Conti; Elena Romenovna Magaril. Remediation of Soil Polluted by Organic Compounds Through Chemical Oxidation and Phytoremediation Combined with DCT. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2019, 16, 3179 .
AMA StyleElena Cristina Rada, Gianni Andreottola, Irina Aura Istrate, Paolo Viotti, Fabio Conti, Elena Romenovna Magaril. Remediation of Soil Polluted by Organic Compounds Through Chemical Oxidation and Phytoremediation Combined with DCT. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2019; 16 (17):3179.
Chicago/Turabian StyleElena Cristina Rada; Gianni Andreottola; Irina Aura Istrate; Paolo Viotti; Fabio Conti; Elena Romenovna Magaril. 2019. "Remediation of Soil Polluted by Organic Compounds Through Chemical Oxidation and Phytoremediation Combined with DCT." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 16, no. 17: 3179.
Secondary clarifiers are demanded to separate solids created in activated sludge biological processes to achieve both a clarified effluent and to manage the biological processes itself. Indeed, the biological process may influence the sludge characteristics, and conversely, the settling efficiency of the sedimentation basin plays an important role on the biological process in the activated sludge system. The proposed model represents a tool for better addressing the design and management of activated sludge system in wastewater treatment plants. The aim is to develop a numerical model which takes into account both the conditions in the biological reactor and the sludge characteristics coupled to the hydrodynamic behavior of a clarifier tank. The obtained results show that the different conditions in the reactor exert a great influence on the sedimentation efficiency.
Serena Conserva; Fabio Tatti; Vincenzo Torretta; Navarro Ferronato; Paolo Viotti. An Integrated Approach to the Biological Reactor–Sedimentation Tank System. Resources 2019, 8, 94 .
AMA StyleSerena Conserva, Fabio Tatti, Vincenzo Torretta, Navarro Ferronato, Paolo Viotti. An Integrated Approach to the Biological Reactor–Sedimentation Tank System. Resources. 2019; 8 (2):94.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSerena Conserva; Fabio Tatti; Vincenzo Torretta; Navarro Ferronato; Paolo Viotti. 2019. "An Integrated Approach to the Biological Reactor–Sedimentation Tank System." Resources 8, no. 2: 94.
Integrated waste management and sustainable use of natural resources are the basis of the Green Economy. In this context, the management of the Municipal Solid Waste Incineration Bottom Ashes (MSWI BA) is one of the current issues worldwide. This paper presents an application of the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) procedure to the industrial production of ceramic tiles using bottom ashes in the mixture together with feldspathic sands and clays. The comparison between ashes and traditional mixture showed a similar mineralogical and rheological composition. In the reported procedure the MSWI BA, after storage, were treated to separate and recover metals. The residual ashes were added to the mixture and then they followed the traditional industrial production cycle. Samples of the different materials were taken during the experimental industrial activity and leaching tests were carried out to verify the environmental compatibility of MSWI BA use to produce ceramic tiles. The results of the LCA show large environmental and energy benefits related to the proposed reuse of BA. Metal recovery and lower use of clay in traditional mixture avoids emission of substances with a negative potential impact for environment. This study provides a sustainable alternative to the MSWI BA final disposal in landfill as MSWI BA are hazardous wastes that present complicated management and high disposal costs.
Giuseppe Sappa; Silvia Iacurto; Adelaide Ponzi; Fabio Tatti; Vincenzo Torretta; Paolo Viotti. The LCA Methodology for Ceramic Tiles Production by Addition of MSWI BA. Resources 2019, 8, 93 .
AMA StyleGiuseppe Sappa, Silvia Iacurto, Adelaide Ponzi, Fabio Tatti, Vincenzo Torretta, Paolo Viotti. The LCA Methodology for Ceramic Tiles Production by Addition of MSWI BA. Resources. 2019; 8 (2):93.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGiuseppe Sappa; Silvia Iacurto; Adelaide Ponzi; Fabio Tatti; Vincenzo Torretta; Paolo Viotti. 2019. "The LCA Methodology for Ceramic Tiles Production by Addition of MSWI BA." Resources 8, no. 2: 93.
Contaminants removal stoked inside low permeability zones of aquifers is one of the most important challenge of groundwater remediation process today. Low permeability layers can be considered persistent secondary sources of contamination because they release pollutants by molecular diffusion after primary source of contamination is reduced, causing long plum tails (Back-Diffusion). In this study, the Groundwater Circulation Well (GCW) system was investigated as an alternative remediation technology to the low efficient traditional pumping technologies to restore contaminated low permeability layers of aquifers. The GCW system creates vertical groundwater circulation cells by drawing groundwater through a screen of a multi-screen well and discharging it through another screen. The suitability of this technology to remediate contaminated low permeability zones was investigated by laboratory test and numerical simulations. The collected data were used to calibrate a model created to simulate the Back-Diffusion process and to evaluate the effect of different pumping technologies on the depletion time of that process. Results show that the efficiency of the GCW is dependent on the position and on the geometry of the low permeability zones, however the GCW system appears more suitable to restore contaminated low permeability layers of aquifers than the traditional pumping technology.
Fabio Tatti; Marco Petrangeli Papini; Vincenzo Torretta; Giuseppe Mancini; Maria Rosaria Boni; Paolo Viotti. Experimental and numerical evaluation of Groundwater Circulation Wells as a remediation technology for persistent, low permeability contaminant source zones. Journal of Contaminant Hydrology 2019, 222, 89 -100.
AMA StyleFabio Tatti, Marco Petrangeli Papini, Vincenzo Torretta, Giuseppe Mancini, Maria Rosaria Boni, Paolo Viotti. Experimental and numerical evaluation of Groundwater Circulation Wells as a remediation technology for persistent, low permeability contaminant source zones. Journal of Contaminant Hydrology. 2019; 222 ():89-100.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFabio Tatti; Marco Petrangeli Papini; Vincenzo Torretta; Giuseppe Mancini; Maria Rosaria Boni; Paolo Viotti. 2019. "Experimental and numerical evaluation of Groundwater Circulation Wells as a remediation technology for persistent, low permeability contaminant source zones." Journal of Contaminant Hydrology 222, no. : 89-100.
Extra virgin olive-oil (EVO) production is an important economic activity for several countries, especially in the Mediterranean area such as Spain, Italy, Greece and Tunisia. The two major by-products from olive oil production, solid-liquid Olive Pomace (OP) and the Olive Mill Waste Waters (OMWW), are still mainly disposed on soil, in spite of the existence of legislation which already limits this practice. The present study compares the environmental impacts associated with two different scenarios for the management of waste from olive oil production through a comparative Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). The two alternative scenarios are: (I) Anaerobic Digestion and (II) Disposal on soil. The analysis was performed through SimaPro software and the assessment of the impact categories was based on International Life Cycle Data and Cumulative Energy Demand methods. Both the scenarios are mostly related to the cultivation and harvesting phase and are highly dependent on the irrigation practice and related energy demand. Results from the present study clearly show that the waste disposal on soil causes the worst environmental performance of all the impact categories considered here. Important environmental benefits have been identified when anaerobic digestion is chosen as the final treatment. It was consequently demonstrated that anaerobic digestion should be a feasible alternative for olive mills, to produce biogas from common olive oil residues, reducing the environmental burden and adding value to the olive oil production chain.
Esperanza Batuecas; Tonia Tommasi; Federico Battista; Viviana Negro; Giulia Sonetti; Paolo Viotti; Debora Fino; Giuseppe Mancini. Life Cycle Assessment of waste disposal from olive oil production: Anaerobic digestion and conventional disposal on soil. Journal of Environmental Management 2019, 237, 94 -102.
AMA StyleEsperanza Batuecas, Tonia Tommasi, Federico Battista, Viviana Negro, Giulia Sonetti, Paolo Viotti, Debora Fino, Giuseppe Mancini. Life Cycle Assessment of waste disposal from olive oil production: Anaerobic digestion and conventional disposal on soil. Journal of Environmental Management. 2019; 237 ():94-102.
Chicago/Turabian StyleEsperanza Batuecas; Tonia Tommasi; Federico Battista; Viviana Negro; Giulia Sonetti; Paolo Viotti; Debora Fino; Giuseppe Mancini. 2019. "Life Cycle Assessment of waste disposal from olive oil production: Anaerobic digestion and conventional disposal on soil." Journal of Environmental Management 237, no. : 94-102.
This paper investigates municipal solid waste management future scenarios of La Paz, developing big city of Bolivia, for improving the selective collection of recyclable materials. The objective of the paper is to suggest a multidimensional approach, both quantitative and qualitative, for planning sustainable waste management systems in areas with no data availability. The research assessed six different long-term management plans, considering all recycling settings feasible for La Paz. For that purpose, a multi-criteria decision analysis has been introduced, supported by environmental and financial impact assessment concerning transportation, final disposal, and material recovery. Results suggest that the inclusion of the informal sector could be the most feasible option from an economic and technological point of view. Moreover, the curbside collection of organic waste could be considered the best solution for reducing the global warming potential and for improving the useful life of the sanitary landfill. The approach introduced, as well as the combination of solutions evaluated, could be of interest for stakeholders of Latin America for reducing environmental impacts and introducing a new business. Though the multi-criteria decision analysis and the impact-assessment do not provide a dynamic view of future scenarios, their combination could offer a first integrated insight into the possible challenges and opportunities for developing a new municipal solid waste management system in developing cities, encouraging the circular economy and sustainable development.
Navarro Ferronato; Marco Ragazzi; Marcelo Antonio Gorritty Portillo; Edith Gabriela Guisbert Lizarazu; Paolo Viotti; Vincenzo Torretta. How to improve recycling rate in developing big cities: An integrated approach for assessing municipal solid waste collection and treatment scenarios. Environmental Development 2019, 29, 94 -110.
AMA StyleNavarro Ferronato, Marco Ragazzi, Marcelo Antonio Gorritty Portillo, Edith Gabriela Guisbert Lizarazu, Paolo Viotti, Vincenzo Torretta. How to improve recycling rate in developing big cities: An integrated approach for assessing municipal solid waste collection and treatment scenarios. Environmental Development. 2019; 29 ():94-110.
Chicago/Turabian StyleNavarro Ferronato; Marco Ragazzi; Marcelo Antonio Gorritty Portillo; Edith Gabriela Guisbert Lizarazu; Paolo Viotti; Vincenzo Torretta. 2019. "How to improve recycling rate in developing big cities: An integrated approach for assessing municipal solid waste collection and treatment scenarios." Environmental Development 29, no. : 94-110.
Mechanical separation of light packaging waste is a useful practice for improving the quality of the recyclable waste flows and its exploitation in a frame of the circular economy. Materials Recovery Facilities can treat from 3000 to 5000 tons per year of light packaging waste. Concerning the plastic content, this is divided in four flows: PET, HDPE, other plastics, and waste rejects. The last two are generally used for energy recovery. For improving the quality of the recyclable plastic waste, a manual separation is required for reducing the impurities detectable in the final products. However, this practice could enhance the risk at work of the operators, which should be constantly monitored. This article explores the main differences of a manual separation and of a mechanical separation, assessing the costs and the health risk for the workers. The analysis started from the situation in an Italian Materials Recovery Facility, generalizing the context; a future scenario with the application of a mechanical separation is theoretically introduced. The main results obtained suggest that the manual separation plant improves the quality of the material, though increasing the risk of the operators due to the possible contact with sharp waste, sanitary danger, and risk of injuries for the mismanagement of machines, among others. The mechanical separation can be considered a real advantage from an economic point of view, since the operating costs are lower and the investment could be recovered in around 10 years, in an Italian-like context. On balance, on the one hand, the article provides indications for the private sector for improving the management of a Materials Recovery Facility, while, on the other hand, it detects the main pros and cons of both methodologies.
Lucian Ionel Cioca; Navarro Ferronato; Paolo Viotti; Elena Magaril; Marco Ragazzi; Vincenzo Torretta; Elena Cristina Rada. Risk Assessment in a Materials Recycling Facility: Perspectives for Reducing Operational Issues. Resources 2018, 7, 85 .
AMA StyleLucian Ionel Cioca, Navarro Ferronato, Paolo Viotti, Elena Magaril, Marco Ragazzi, Vincenzo Torretta, Elena Cristina Rada. Risk Assessment in a Materials Recycling Facility: Perspectives for Reducing Operational Issues. Resources. 2018; 7 (4):85.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLucian Ionel Cioca; Navarro Ferronato; Paolo Viotti; Elena Magaril; Marco Ragazzi; Vincenzo Torretta; Elena Cristina Rada. 2018. "Risk Assessment in a Materials Recycling Facility: Perspectives for Reducing Operational Issues." Resources 7, no. 4: 85.
This paper investigates dynamic variation in the morphologic distribution of dense non-aqueous phase liquids (DNAPLs), which take into account the coupled mass transfer. Experiments were carried out in a 2D tank representing a reconstructed aquifer model. DNAPL dissolution rates were investigated over a wide range of DNAPL saturations, several source configurations, and different hydraulic conditions. Morphometric indexes are presented that take into consideration further factors affecting the dissolution process. Local information regarding transport parameters related to the characteristics of the medium was obtained through a neural network and an optimization algorithm applied to experimental tracer tests. The history of DNAPL source architecture, in terms of saturation, indentation grade, and orientation, was determined by image analysis. Dissolved concentrations were registered and mass transfer rate coefficients were obtained for a wide range of source-zone configurations. A statistical analysis was performed to develop a constitutive equation that is descriptive of the mass transfer rate as a function of source-zone metric characteristics. A new empirical dissolution model using the proposed morphometric parameters is presented and compared with other models. The mass transfer correlation reported incorporates morphometric parameters and considers the complex and variable architecture of non-miscible contaminants. The proposed correlation can be used for an initial assessment of non-aqueous phase liquid (NAPL) dissolution rates over a wide range of saturation (residual and non-residual) conditions and different aqueous phase velocities within the NAPL source zone.
Antonella Luciano; Giuseppe Mancini; Vincenzo Torretta; Paolo Viotti. An empirical model for the evaluation of the dissolution rate from a DNAPL-contaminated area. Environmental Science and Pollution Research 2018, 25, 33992 -34004.
AMA StyleAntonella Luciano, Giuseppe Mancini, Vincenzo Torretta, Paolo Viotti. An empirical model for the evaluation of the dissolution rate from a DNAPL-contaminated area. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 2018; 25 (34):33992-34004.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAntonella Luciano; Giuseppe Mancini; Vincenzo Torretta; Paolo Viotti. 2018. "An empirical model for the evaluation of the dissolution rate from a DNAPL-contaminated area." Environmental Science and Pollution Research 25, no. 34: 33992-34004.
Low-permeability lenses represent potential sources of long-term release when filled from contaminant solute through direct contact with dissolved plumes. The redistribution of contaminant from low to high permeability aquifer zones (Back-Diffusion) was studied. Redistribution causes a long plume tail, commonly regarded as one of the main obstacles to effective groundwater remediation. Laboratory tests were performed to reproduce the redistribution process and to investigate the effect of pumping water on the remediation time of these contaminated low-permeability lenses. The test section used is representative of clay/silt lenses (k≈1∗10-10m/s/k≈1∗10-7m/s) in a sand aquifer (k≈1∗10-3m/s). Hence, an image analysis procedure was used to estimate the diffusive flux of contaminant released by these low-permeability zones. The proposed technique was validated performing a mass balance of a lens saturated by a known quantity of tracer. For each test, performed using a different groundwater velocity, the diffusive fluxes of contaminant released by lenses were compared and the remediation times of the low-permeability zones calculated. For each lens, the obtained remediation timeframes were used to define an analytical relation vs groundwater velocity and the coefficients of these relations were matched to grain size of the low-permeability lenses. Results show that an increase of the velocity field is not useful to diminish the total depletion times as the process mainly diffusive. This is significant when the remediation approach relies on pumping technology.
Fabio Tatti; Marco Petrangeli Papini; Giuseppe Sappa; Massimo Raboni; Firoozeh Arjmand; Paolo Viotti. Contaminant back-diffusion from low-permeability layers as affected by groundwater velocity: A laboratory investigation by box model and image analysis. Science of The Total Environment 2018, 622-623, 164 -171.
AMA StyleFabio Tatti, Marco Petrangeli Papini, Giuseppe Sappa, Massimo Raboni, Firoozeh Arjmand, Paolo Viotti. Contaminant back-diffusion from low-permeability layers as affected by groundwater velocity: A laboratory investigation by box model and image analysis. Science of The Total Environment. 2018; 622-623 ():164-171.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFabio Tatti; Marco Petrangeli Papini; Giuseppe Sappa; Massimo Raboni; Firoozeh Arjmand; Paolo Viotti. 2018. "Contaminant back-diffusion from low-permeability layers as affected by groundwater velocity: A laboratory investigation by box model and image analysis." Science of The Total Environment 622-623, no. : 164-171.
Glyphosate is a synthesis product and chemical substance that entered in the global market during the 70s. In the beginning, the molecule was used as an active principle in a wide range of herbicides, with great success. This was mainly due to its systemic and non-selective action against vegetable organisms and also to the spread of Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) crops, which over the years were specifically created with a resistance to glyphosate. To date, the product is, for these reasons, the most sprayed and most used herbicide in the world. Because of its widespread diffusion into the environment, it was not long before glyphosate found itself at the center of an important scientific debate about its adverse effects on health and environment. In fact, in 2015 the IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, France), an organization referred to as the specialized cancer agency of the World Health Organization (WHO, Geneva, Switzerland), classified the substance as “likely carcinogenic” to humans. This triggered an immediate and negative reaction from the producer, who accused the Agency and claimed that they had failed to carry out their studies properly and that these conclusions were largely contradictory to published research. Additionally, in 2015, just a few months after the IARC monography published on glyphosate, the EFSA (European Food Safety Authority, Parma, Italy), another WHO related organization, declared that it was “unlikely” that the molecule could be carcinogenic to humans or that it could cause any type of risk to human health. The conflict between the two organizations of the World Health Organization triggered many doubts, and for this reason, a series of independent studies were launched to better understand what glyphosate’s danger to humans and the environment really was. The results have brought to light how massive use of the herbicide has created over time a real global contamination that has not only affected the soil, surface and groundwater as well as the atmosphere, but even food and commonly used objects, such as diapers, medical gauze, and absorbent for female intimate hygiene. How human health is compromised as a result of glyphosate exposure is a topic that is still very debatable and still unclear and unambiguous. This paper is a review of the results of the main independent recent scientific studies.
Vincenzo Torretta; Ioannis Katsoyiannis; Paolo Viotti; Elena Rada. Critical Review of the Effects of Glyphosate Exposure to the Environment and Humans through the Food Supply Chain. Sustainability 2018, 10, 950 .
AMA StyleVincenzo Torretta, Ioannis Katsoyiannis, Paolo Viotti, Elena Rada. Critical Review of the Effects of Glyphosate Exposure to the Environment and Humans through the Food Supply Chain. Sustainability. 2018; 10 (4):950.
Chicago/Turabian StyleVincenzo Torretta; Ioannis Katsoyiannis; Paolo Viotti; Elena Rada. 2018. "Critical Review of the Effects of Glyphosate Exposure to the Environment and Humans through the Food Supply Chain." Sustainability 10, no. 4: 950.
The retention of contaminants in the finest and less-conductive regions of natural aquifer is known to strongly affect the decontamination of polluted aquifers. In fact, contaminant transfer from low to high mobility regions at the back end of a contaminant plume (i.e. back diffusion) is responsible for the long-term release of contaminants during remediation operation. In this paper, we perform pore-scale calculations for the transport of contaminant through heterogeneous porous media composed of low and high mobility regions with two objectives: (i) study the effect of permeability contrast and solute transport conditions on the exchange of solutes between mobile and immobile regions and (ii) estimate the mass of contaminants sequestered in low mobility regions based on concentration breakthrough curves.
Paolo Roberto Di Palma; Andrea Parmigiani; Christian Huber; Nicolas Guyennon; Paolo Viotti. Pore-scale simulations of concentration tails in heterogeneous porous media. Journal of Contaminant Hydrology 2017, 205, 47 -56.
AMA StylePaolo Roberto Di Palma, Andrea Parmigiani, Christian Huber, Nicolas Guyennon, Paolo Viotti. Pore-scale simulations of concentration tails in heterogeneous porous media. Journal of Contaminant Hydrology. 2017; 205 ():47-56.
Chicago/Turabian StylePaolo Roberto Di Palma; Andrea Parmigiani; Christian Huber; Nicolas Guyennon; Paolo Viotti. 2017. "Pore-scale simulations of concentration tails in heterogeneous porous media." Journal of Contaminant Hydrology 205, no. : 47-56.
Ludovica Silvani; Paolo Roberto di Palma; Carmela Riccardi; Espen Eek; Sarah E. Hale; Paolo Viotti; Marco Petrangeli Papini. Use of biochar as alternative sorbent for the active capping of oil contaminated sediments. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering 2017, 5, 5241 -5249.
AMA StyleLudovica Silvani, Paolo Roberto di Palma, Carmela Riccardi, Espen Eek, Sarah E. Hale, Paolo Viotti, Marco Petrangeli Papini. Use of biochar as alternative sorbent for the active capping of oil contaminated sediments. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering. 2017; 5 (5):5241-5249.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLudovica Silvani; Paolo Roberto di Palma; Carmela Riccardi; Espen Eek; Sarah E. Hale; Paolo Viotti; Marco Petrangeli Papini. 2017. "Use of biochar as alternative sorbent for the active capping of oil contaminated sediments." Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering 5, no. 5: 5241-5249.
This study is focused on definition of the typology, capacity and location of waste treatment and disposal facilities for use in both present and future management scenarios on the larger Mediterranean islands, using Sicily as a case study. Following estimation of the amount of waste produced in Sicily and the proposal of a pathway aimed at rapidly achieving the 50% recovery target established by the European Union, a series of progressive and alternative scenarios for the management of residual waste have been proposed and analyzed by means of the software platform TransCad in terms of “facility location” and “minimum-cost flow” problems. The cost of transportation was calculated as the sum of different cost components related to distance traveled, staff involved, and vehicle used to collect waste, including fuel costs, tire costs, road tax and truck maintenance costs. The different scenarios were critically compared in terms of transportation costsAnalysis of traffic flows allowed us to ascertain the general framework of increased traffic elicited by the proposed scenarios and assess the impact caused by an increase in “trucks per day” along three critical sections of the road network in Sicily. Overall transportation costs corresponded to approximately 10% of treatment/disposal costs for all scenarios, highlighting therefore how transportation costs should not be over-inflated or used to condition public acceptance as to the location, size and typology of the facilities.
G. Mancini; F. G. Nicosia; Antonella Luciano; Paolo Viotti; D. Fino. An Approach to an Insular Self-contained Waste Management System with the Aim of Maximizing Recovery While Limiting Transportation Costs. Waste and Biomass Valorization 2017, 8, 1617 -1627.
AMA StyleG. Mancini, F. G. Nicosia, Antonella Luciano, Paolo Viotti, D. Fino. An Approach to an Insular Self-contained Waste Management System with the Aim of Maximizing Recovery While Limiting Transportation Costs. Waste and Biomass Valorization. 2017; 8 (5):1617-1627.
Chicago/Turabian StyleG. Mancini; F. G. Nicosia; Antonella Luciano; Paolo Viotti; D. Fino. 2017. "An Approach to an Insular Self-contained Waste Management System with the Aim of Maximizing Recovery While Limiting Transportation Costs." Waste and Biomass Valorization 8, no. 5: 1617-1627.