Tiziano Zarra

Odour emissions from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are considered to be the main causes of disturbance noticed by the exposed population and have relevant impacts on both tourism economy and land costs. Odour impact from WWTPs is generated by primary and secondary odour emissions. Primary odour emissions are related especially to the wastewater type and variability discharged into the sewer and directed to the WWTP, and to the wastewater collection and sewage system. Secondary odours are related to the treatment units of the plant. Several studies describe the key role of primary odour emissions and how they are strongly related to odour impacts of WWTPs. In this way, a opportune characterization of the emission capacity of primary odour could be an effective way to control odour emission in the WWTPs. In this study the odour emission capacity (OEC) of different domestic sewers was described and investigated; a correlation between the OEC and the main physical-chemical parameters of wastewater quality was also carried out. Results of this study identify the optimum conditions for sampling and measuring OEC in wastewaters and define its dependence by wastewater quality. These results can contribute to setting the standards for the maximum odourant content of wastewater that are discharged into the publicly owned sewage system.

ABSTRACT This chapter contains sections titled: Urban Wastewater Treatment Plant Composting Plant Landfill of Solid Waste Industrial Activities Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) Plants Assessment, Control and Management of Odour in Sensitive Areas

ABSTRACT The selection of an odour sampling device and relative materials may influence the composition of the resulting odour sample. Current literature is limited to discussing how the measurement of emission rates derived from the same odour source could be related to materials and methods. There is therefore compelling evidence that current odour sampling practices should have greater regard for the fundamental physical and chemical principles, the nature of the odour source and the conditions created by the sampling device. Additional studies are necessary to identify the most appropriate situations under which the use of these devices may or may not be correct. The scope of this study is to investigate the influence on the determination of odour concentration with dynamic olfactometry, according to EN 13725 (2003) standards, applying different initial sampling condition, with the objective to define the optimal criteria to evaluate the odour concentration and obtain the highest repeatability and accuracy of the sensorial measure. A critical evaluation was carried out in relation to the same odour source with the comparison of sampling bag materials (Nalophan (TM), Tedlar (R), Teflon (TM)) and intervals of time elapsed between the sampling and analysis phase (3, 7, 14, 30, 48 h). The results obtained show that the selection of an odour sampling materials may influence the composition of the resulting odour sample. There is therefore compelling evidence that current odour sampling practices should have regard for these factors and identify the situations under which these material and methods may be used appropriately.

ABSTRACT AbstractOdor emissions are one of the major environmental impact generated by wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) perceived by exposed population. Consequently, the control of odor emissions is a relevant aspect that must be considered in the management of the WWTPs. Any efficient strategy for odor control was based on direct and/or indirect monitoring and characterization of odor emissions. The presented work focuses on the identification of new indirect indicators for the measurement of the odors emitted by different treatment units in a full-scale wastewater treatment plant, as to reduce the cost of environmental monitoring and the environmental impacts of the plant. The work focuses on the existing correlation in each treatment unit between the odor emission capacity (OEC) of wastewater and the odor concentration measured by dynamic olfactometry according to EN13725:2003 in ambient air. In addition the research shows the correlation between the organic contents measured by BOD5 and COD and the OEC of the wastewater by analyzing different treatment units.

ABSTRACT Strategic environmental assessment (SEA) represents a fundamental tool to guarantee the environmental sustainability of policies, plans and programs. Many national and international regulations in force, however, are not able to define a fair and shared methodology for SEA yet. What is more, environmental impact assessment (EIA) procedures are widely described in literature, while there is still a lack in methodologies capable of evaluate all the involved elements in SEA; one of the main setbacks is the need of public participation during the procedure. The main disadvantage of available methods is the difficulty in correlating technical and social features.In the present work, a list of the major SEA available methods is presented, and a detailed analysis of the SEA procedure – according to Italian and European legislation – is proposed. Furthermore, an innovative dynamic, embedded and objective method is presented, in order to support the SEA. The proposed procedure is based on a multi-criteria analysis made by a matrix assessment. In particular, a new integrated system of indicators is proposed and described, which are able to evaluate both natural and socio-economic environmental aspects, for a sustainable development policy.Steps of explanation of objectives and action plan check, characterization of existing environmental status, identification and assessment of impacts and individuation of mitigation and compensation measures, assessment of residues impacts, verification of environmental compatibility and sustainability, and implementation of a monitoring program are the relevant points of the methodological approach developed, defined and subsequently discussed in its entirety in the present work.The dynamic and embedded evaluation procedure for strategic environmental assessment (DEEP-SEA) is able to ensure more effective information on plan contents, targeting choices to actions that can be able to achieve full compatibility and environmental sustainability, with the highest community consensus.

ABSTRACT More than ten years ago, European Union defined guidelines for surface water quality with the 2000/60/EC Directive, or Water Framework Directive (WFD); this is one of the most important water legislation acts for both Member States and candidate countries, which aims to identify strategies in order to safeguard the EU environment. Main subjects of WFD are the control of pollution in watercourses and the definition of useful tools to help regional policy makers. The aim of the present study is to show in which way Water Framework Directive has been implemented into the Italian legislation, and then to focus on a case study, in which 13 Southern Italy rivers were investigated: sampling frequency of river water was evaluated as a promising parameter to be optimized. Results show that the optimization of this monitoring procedure could lead to reduction in sampling frequencies, when downward trends of macroindicators are found. Considering that the cost of water sampling and analysis has a significant role in water quality assessment, it is useful to point out that it is possible to obtain a reduction of the sampling cost if downward trends are shown, aiming then to redistribute resources to projects which require more effort.

The EU directive 2000/60/EC, also known as the Water Framework Directive (WFD), identifies processes for developing and safeguarding the territory through surface water quality characterisation. This implies controlling pollution loads as well as defining which constraints that are connected to territorial planning. It will be therefore necessary to know in detail the surface water quality in order to forecast the

ABSTRACT The assessment of aquatic ecosystem health has been totally revised in European countries, driven mainly by the European water framework directive (WFD), which requires member states to assess the quality of rivers. Watercourses quality is strongly influenced by both meteorological conditions and human activities; aim of the present work is to investigate potential links between meteorological parameters and ecological quality of a river. In order to reduce surrounding interferences due to the human presence, the study has been focused into a preserved area.The work deals with the case study of the Calore Irpino river, in the Regional Park of " Monti Picentini" (Southern Italy), where ecological quality of the watercourse has been monitored for 5 years, together with meteorological parameters. Ecological quality has been evaluated through the introduction of a set of macroindicators that have been monthly screened for 5 years, according to European and Italian legislation. Based on the hydrological and weighted usable area (WUA) method, the minimum environmental flow was then evaluated considering the most dominant fish species (Brown Trout) as target organisms, and the related habitat suitability models (HSMs) for water depth, current velocity and substrate. These elements are connected with meteorological parameters such as rainfall, therefore the WUA method may better explain causative links between meteorological and water quality parameters, biological and hydrological ones, which have been investigated and discussed in this work. Results confirm the presence of a mutual bond between meteorological and water quality that should raise awareness of both academics and professionals. This knowledge contributes to both the definition of water quality protection plans, supported by a specific chemical and biological monitoring plan, and environmental restoration activities, to foster the river hydrological-hydraulic states variability and to support the living communities. © 2012 Elsevier B.V..

ABSTRACT European Union defined strategies for surface water quality with the 2000/60/EC, or Water Framework Directive (WFD), in order to safeguard Union's water environment; therefore policies have been implemented and became part of Member States legislations. WFD sets guidelines regarding control of river water quality as well as land use planning. However, there is a real requirement of practical investigating procedures, as well as water quality management tools, to help professionals to properly assess the water quality status. In addition, sampling frequencies can be optimized in order to reduce their costs. One of the possible approaches is substantiated into the fuzzy logic, which allows to consider variables not in a binary code but with a certain degree of membership for each of the described classes. The aim of the present study is to show how fuzzy analysis can be implemented when running a water quality assessment, and then focus on a relevant case study. Fuzzy logic approach is studied in order to manage the subjectivity of the analysis, in which examined indicators are classified after data fuzzification and a subsequent defuzzification. A potential optimization of water quality assessment would then reduce sampling frequencies when downward or steady-state trends are found during monitoring campaigns. Sampling frequency studies and non-parametric tests have also been proposed as possible water quality management tools for the application of the EU directive.

ABSTRACT Activated sludge processes are key technologies in wastewater treatment. These biological processes produce huge amounts of waste activated sludge (WAS) or otherwise biosolids. Mechanical, thermal, and/or chemical WAS conditioning techniques have been proposed to reduce the sludge burden. Among the WAS treatments, the pre-treatment with ultrasound (US) is one of the most innovative processes. In many anaerobic digestion processes for the treatment of the sludge produced in wastewater treatment plants, the hydrolysis of the organic matter has been identified as the rate limiting step.This study is focused on the effect of US pre-treatment of WAS to the anaerobic digestion. Particle size reduction, Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) solubilization and biodegradability by anaerobic digestion were monitored in order to find the optimal dose in US pre-treatment.The results show the better sonolysis conditions (US density, sonication time, specific energy) which can significantly improve the COD solubilisation and the anaerobic biodegradability.