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Background Artificial intelligence (AI) is gaining traction in medicine and surgery. AI-based applications can offer tools to examine high-volume data to inform predictive analytics that supports complex decision-making processes. Time-sensitive trauma and emergency contexts are often challenging. The study aims to investigate trauma and emergency surgeons’ knowledge and perception of using AI-based tools in clinical decision-making processes. Methods An online survey grounded on literature regarding AI-enabled surgical decision-making aids was created by a multidisciplinary committee and endorsed by the World Society of Emergency Surgery (WSES). The survey was advertised to 917 WSES members through the society’s website and Twitter profile. Results 650 surgeons from 71 countries in five continents participated in the survey. Results depict the presence of technology enthusiasts and skeptics and surgeons' preference toward more classical decision-making aids like clinical guidelines, traditional training, and the support of their multidisciplinary colleagues. A lack of knowledge about several AI-related aspects emerges and is associated with mistrust. Discussion The trauma and emergency surgical community is divided into those who firmly believe in the potential of AI and those who do not understand or trust AI-enabled surgical decision-making aids. Academic societies and surgical training programs should promote a foundational, working knowledge of clinical AI.

We describe the case of a 31-year-old man who presented with a 3-day history of right iliac fossa pain with associated nausea and vomiting. He denied any previous incidents of abdominal pain and had no relevant medical history or family history to note. Given the typical history, examination findings of localised peritonism and infection risk, he was taken to theatre for laparoscopic appendicectomy without diagnostic imaging. Intraoperatively, we noted gut malrotation and an inflammatory jejunal mass which was resected after converting to a mini-laparotomy. The inflammatory mass was reported to be an ectopic pancreatic tissue from histology. Given that this patient had tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 on admission, we propose a possible case of SARS-CoV-2 infection triggering inflammation of the ectopic pancreatic tissue.

Background. Emergency cholecystectomy is the gold standard treatment for acute cholecystitis according to National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recommendations. The procedure is feasible but carries a higher risk of iatrogenic injury to the bile duct, which should be considered preventable. Intraoperative fluorescence cholangiography following injection of indocyanine green (ICG) has been reported to aid identification of the extrahepatic bile duct. Data on its feasibility in the context of emergency cholecystectomies are missing. Materials and Methods. Fluorescent ICG was used intraoperatively to enhance the biliary anatomy during 33 consecutive emergency laparoscopic cholecystectomies at our institution. Primary outcomes of surgery were considered the length of hospital stay, conversion to open and complications rate, including bile duct injury. Secondary outcome was operating time. A historical population of emergency cholecystectomies was used as control. Results. There were no common bile duct injuries, no adverse effects from ICG, no conversion to open surgery and no deaths. 90% of patients went home within 48 hours after the operation in the absence of complications. ICG demonstrated intraoperative biliary anatomy allowing greater confidence to the surgeon performing emergency cholecystectomies. Six patients were operated beyond 72 hours from admission, without experiencing any complication Clavien-Dindo ≥3. ICG population had the same post-operative hospitalisation and complications rate of the control group, with a shorter operating time. Conclusion. Intraoperative augmented visualisation of biliary anatomy with ICG cholangiography can be a useful technology tool, with the potential to extend the 72 hours window of safety for emergency cholecystectomies.

Introduction Day-case laparoscopic cholecystectomy (DCLC) is not universally adopted and its use is limited to patients selected by non-standardized criteria. Since laparoscopic cholecystectomy is considered technically more difficult in obese patients, a high body mass index (BMI) is often considered an exclusion criterion for DCLC. The aim of this research is to define the feasibility and safety of day case laparoscopic cholecystectomy in obese patients. Presentation of case Data from 730 consecutive patients preoperatively considered suitable for DCLC were analysed. BMI was not considered as parameter of selection and patients were divided in two groups (Obese, 294; Non-obese, 436) according to a BMI ≥ 30 or 2 , respectively. Outcomes measured were morbidity, open conversion rates, hospitalization rates, length of hospital stay and readmission. Overall morbidity and open conversion rates were similar in both groups. No significant differences were observed among the two groups in terms of hospitalization rates ( p 0.0533), early complications ( p 0.2536), length of hospital stay ( p 0.3780) and readmission rates ( p 0.4286). Discussion Day case laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a widely used surgical technique despite not routinely used in every health system. However, many factors related to the patient and procedure, as well as the expertise of surgical-anesthesiologist team, can influence the feasibility of DCLC. Moreover a well-organized health community system is necessary to protect and follow the patients up. Our readmission and complication rates showed how a day case laparoscopic cholecystectomy, if performed in the right setting, is a safe procedure also for patient with a raised BMI. We enrolled a large population of patients and the statistical analysis demonstrated no significant differences among the obese and non-obese patient regarding the primary and secondary endpoints. Conclusions DCLC is a safe and effective procedure in obese patients with morbidity, hospital admission and readmission rates similar to those observed in non-obese patients.

To achieve good dewaterability, the conditioning process should create sludge flocs providing a porous cake during compression but also a high resistance to erosional stresses. This suggests that sludge's rheological characteristics, some of which (like the yield stress or the storage modulus) represent its network strength, should be related to the material's dewatering properties. Previous efforts to verify such a correlation--which would allow prediction of full scale dewaterability--have not provided strong correlations. In this work, commonly accepted rheological and dewatering tests were applied to conditioned sludges. Correlations were seen between different rheological parameters, particularly yield stress and specific energy, but not between rheological and filterability properties. Even using high pressure filtration tests, which should reflect the sludge's responses to normal and shear stresses, results were related to the measured rheological properties only in an indirect manner: a threshold shear strength is required beyond which further strength confers no improvement in filterability. Thus, common rheological tests are unlikely to provide useful information regarding full scale filterability.

The effect of wastewater temperature on the rate of nitrification was studied in two pure-oxygen moving-bed biofilm reactors, fed on secondary effluent from a municipal wastewater treatment plant. The first Reactor (R1) was operated under ammonia-limiting conditions, while the second Reactor (R2) was operated under oxygen-limiting conditions. Quite surprisingly, the former showed a negligible influence of thermal changes on nitrification rates, while the latter showed a much higher dependence. In this paper, a temperature coefficient "theta" has been defined as the actual "intrinsic" biological temperature coefficient, similar to the corresponding coefficient that is usually adopted for the design of activated-sludge processes. In addition, an "apparent" coefficient theta(a) has been quantified independently, which was calculated according to the actual values of nitrification rates at different temperatures. The actual biological temperature coefficient "theta", ranged between 1.086 and 1.109 (average value 1.098) under ammonia-limiting conditions, while under oxygen-limiting conditions was in the range 1.023-1.081 (average value 1.058). The apparent value theta(a) was near to unity (i.e. no temperature effect) under ammonia-limiting conditions, while only under oxygen-limiting conditions and at constant dissolved oxygen concentration "theta(a)" coincided with "theta". An explanation was given that, under oxygen-limiting conditions, the specific biomass activity (i.e. the ratio of nitrification rate to biomass concentration) was strongly influenced by the combined effects of oxygen penetration through the biofilm and effluent temperature.

The risk assessment procedure for identifying the remediation actions which may be adopted at a mercury contaminated site, when the plants are upgraded in the future, is proposed. The potentially active exposure/migration pathways in the future arrangement of the area will be due to Hg contaminated subsoil as a primary source (vapor inhalation and groundwater leaching) and to groundwater as a possible secondary source (transport to the point of compliance).

Laboratory scale tests were carried out in order to evaluate the removal efficiency of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) during the different biological treatments of a Manufacturing Gas Plant site aged soil, heavily contaminated by high molecular weight compounds. Biodegradation studies were carried out at nearly 25 degrees C in solid phase reactors. Three tests were performed, over a period of 100 days for each test. In the first test (P1-bioaugmentated), soil was mixed with wood chips and urea at the start of the treatment and after six weeks from the beginning of the test was also periodically inoculated (at 42, 54, 69, 82, and 96 days) with selected consortia of autochthonous PAH-degrading bacteria. The second test (P2-biostimulated) was performed similarly to the previous one, but without any inoculations. In the third test (P3-control) only soil was introduced. All systems were aerated daily and humidified at the occurrence. PAH concentration, total cultivable heterotrophs, PAH-degrading bacteria, mycetes, pH, ATP concentration, and enzymatic activities were monitored every two weeks during the treatments. Tests showed that nearly 50% of light (three rings) PAHs, 35% of benzo-PAHs and 40% of the total PAHs could be removed in the reactor P2 following 100 days of treatment. Lower removal efficiency could be observed for light PAHs (28%) in the inoculated reactor (P1) at the end of the treatment: comparable abatements were obtained for benzo- and total PAHs. In the reactor P3 (control), the concentration of all polyaromatic hydrocarbons was nearly always constant, suggesting that the physical losses were negligible during the solid phase treatments. Therefore the C to N ratio balance resulted to be the key factor in promoting the biodegradation process of all PAHs.

Many technologies available to remediate soils are not cost-effective when applied to marine and lagoon sediments, due to the physico-chemical characteristics of these matrices (high percentages of small particle size material, high moisture and organic matter content, many different types of inorganic and organic contamination). For these types of waste, slurry phase bioreactors can provide versatile processes, with very high removal efficiencies of recalcitrant organic compounds. The biodegradation of these contaminants strictly depends on the specific structure of the molecules and on environmental factors, such as the dissolved oxygen concentration, salinity, pH, and macronutrient availability. This paper presents the results of lab-scale tests performed to investigate the effect of the above-mentioned factors on the removal efficiency of saturated hydrocarbons, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs) in slurry phase biological treatment of lagoon sediments. Sediments were contaminated by saturated hydrocarbons (958 mg/kg d.w.), polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) (29 mg/kg d.w.) and polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs) (236 µg/kg d.w.). Carbon to nitrogen to phosphorous ratios in the matrix were not properly balanced for biological treatment. High concentrations of metals were also present (Cu: 200 mg/kg d.w.; Zn: 1710 mg/kg d.w.; As: 33 mg/kg d.w.; Cd: 13 mg/kg d.w.; Pb: 244 mg/kg d.w.). Biodegradation studies were carried out at 21 ± 1°C, in completely mixed slurry phase aerobic, anaerobic and sequential anaerobic/aerobic batch systems (3.5 1), with a solid to liquid ratio of 10% w/w. Where required, anaerobic conditions occurred naturally within three days of not aerated treatment. The aerated reactors were also equipped with traps for the waste vapors. Twelve tests were performed, over a period between ten and twenty-two days, mixing water, sediments and different amounts of various additives (macronutrients to balance C:N:P to 100:10:1 w/w, sodium chloride from 0 to 20 g/1, pH buffer solution) in the reactors, depending on the test being performed. No significant differences among the removal efficiencies of saturated hydrocarbons in tests could be observed. Abatements between 63% and 93% were obtained. The dissolved oxygen concentration was the most critical factor affecting the treatment of PAHs. Removal efficiencies below 20% were obtained for two and three-ring PAHs in the non-aerated tests. Higher values, between 45% and 61%, were obtained for these compounds in the aerated treatments; however, large (16% to 21%) abiotic losses (volatilization) were observed in these cases. Four-ring PAH removal efficiency was below 5% in all the non-aerated treatments, except for test performed without additions (30%); in the aerobic processes, removal efficiencies between 40% and 50% were obtained, except for test performed with nutrient addition and 10 g NaCl/1 (16%). Abatements of five and six-ring PAHs were between 43% and 69% in the aerated tests, and between 17% and 51% in the non-aerated treatments. Concerning PCBs, tests evidenced that reductive dehalogenation mechanisms have occurred in the anaerobic reactors with the most stable pH values, resulting in an increase of 2,4,4′-CB and 2,2′,5,5′-CB concentrations; the aerobic treatments did not modify the PCB mixture. In both types of systems, no variation of the total PCB concentration could be observed. This study showed that saturated hydrocarbon removal efficiency was nearly insensitive to the environmental factors investigated. The molecule structure and the dissolved oxygen concentration were the most affecting factors the removal efficiency of PAHs. PCB degradation under anaerobic conditions could be related to the pH values measured during the tests. Evaluation of results suggested that the abatement of pollutants investigated was not limited by a high salinity. High concentrations of dissolved metals and macronutrient addition did not influence the removal efficiency. Recommendations and Outlook. The slurry phase biological treatment of contaminated sediments could be applied whenever moderate removal efficiencies were required for remediation from saturated hydrocarbons and PAHs within a few days; further studies should be performed to improve the PCB abatement. Aerobic conditions should be maintained for the biodegradation of polyaromatic compounds; seawater or lagoon water could be used in the system.

A case study concerning the reclamation of a brownfield for residential purposes is presented. Because a high contamination of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) was detected in soil, a remediation process is necessary. Bench-scale treat-ability tests were carried out in order to evaluate performances of some remediation technologies on this specific matrix, and particularly for the removal of high-molecular-weight PAHs. Biodegradation studies allowed the evaluation of PAH abatement in a slurry phase treatment, the amount of abiotic losses and the effect of macronutri-ents and bioaugmentation on the removal efficiency. The experimental study was performed in compliance with a Quality System, based on ISO 9001:2000 and ISO/ EC 17025:1999; validation of the analytical method provided the expanded uncertainty of the removal efficiency, varying from nearly 13 to 21%, depending on the compound considered. Experimental results showed a high removal efficiency for all PAHs; the addition of nitrogen and phos...

Bench scale tests have been carried out in order to investigatebioremediation feasibility of a Manufacturing Gas Plant site(Bovisa Gasometri – MI – I) aged soil, highly contaminated bypolyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and mineral oils. Biodegradationstudies were carried out at 22 °C in a slurry system reactor, with a solid to liquid ratio of 10% w/w. Three testswere performed, over a period of 23, 24 and 91 days respectively.In the first test, only soil and water were put into the system.In the second test, microbial activity was inhibited to evaluatethe amount of abiotic losses. In the third test, macronutrientswere added to the reactor; bioaugmentation was also carried outby an inoculum of autochthonous PAH-degrading microorganisms. Saturated hydrocarbons, PAHs, transformation products, heterotropic and PAH-degrading bacteria and fungi were monitored.Tests showed that high removal efficiency could be obtained following 23 days of treatment for all PAHs, including high molecular weight compounds. Abiotic losses were an importantprocess contributing to concentration abatement in soil, especially in the first phase of the treatment. Lag time lackfor all polyaromatic hydrocarbons revealed that autochthonousmicroorganisms were well adapted to these contaminants; bioaugmentation did not seem to speed up the process. The higherremoval rate and efficiency for high molecular weight PAHs obtained in the third test suggested that nutrient addition could play an important role in the biodegradation process ofthese compounds, whereas it did not significantly modify total(abiotic + biotic) removal of light compounds.

A quantitative analysis of allowable soil concentrations using deterministic and probabilistic risk analysis methods was carried out for a large and heavily contaminated industrial site where remediation costs to meet soil standards (not risk-based) issued by the regulatory agency were higher than the commercial value of the site. Deterministic cleanup targets, based on a risk-based corrective action procedure, allow a 5-fold reduction in the volume of soil to be decontaminated. The site-specific, probabilistic analysis shows that the deterministic cleanup standards for volatile organic compounds were lower than those required to meet the probabilistic criteria but were higher, and thus less conservative, for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and inorganic substances. The probabilistic methods used show that deterministic standards may hide significantly different levels of conservatism in relation to the uncertainty and variability present in each exposure parameter. The expediency of probabilistic calcul...

An overview of water availability and distribution, water consumption, wastewater treatment trends, with particular reference to advanced ones, is briefly presented. Data about the current situation of municipal wastewater treatment and advanced treatment options are presented and regional trends about wastewater reclamation (agricultural and industrial reuse) are summarised. Some considerations about present and possible future standards, both for disposal into surface waters and for wastewater reclamation in agriculture are discussed. A short list of examples in the field of advanced wastewater treatment and reclamation in various Italian regions is presented and some information about environmental crisis areas in Italy is given.

The object of this research was to investigate the behaviour of the co-digestion of print pastes and primary sludge at lab-scale, in view of a possible fullscale application of this process. The research was focused upon the following aspects: performance and reliability of the co-digestion process, possible interference with the sludge stabilisation (which remained the first aim of the digestion), disappearance of the colour due to the pastes, composition of the supernatant to be sent back to the aerobic wastewater process. Three print pastes were used. Inhibition of the anaerobic process was found during the first period. After approximately 70 days of acclimation, the reactors operated regularly, with satisfactory performance. However, print pastes, that accounted for 10% of the total influent CODs were not biodegraded to a large extent. Absorbance in the visible spectra of the supernatants was modified and/or reduced with respect to the influent, depending on the dyes present in the paste.

Significant amounts of residual print pastes are produced by the industrial textile settlements of the Como area (Italy). Currently, these wastes are directly discharged in the sewer but it is unlikely that in the future this treatment through POTW will be further allowed. Therefore alternative ways of collection and disposal must be evaluated. The most suitable processes appear to be: drying, followed by incineration or landfilling, or anaerobic co-treatment with sewage sludge. The latter option was investigated at pilot scale and a technical feasibility analysis of the full-scale solution was carried out. Results are presented and discussed with reference to the impact that this solution would have on the performance of POTW and on the treatment costs of textile industrial wastewater.

In order to find a reliable, simple and cost-effective small wastewater treatment system, an experimental research programme on duckweed-based treatment systems was carried out. In spite of the profitable characteristics of duckweed (high productivity, high protein content, wide geographic distribution, control of negative impacts from conventional wastewater treatment ponds), the results obtained confirm that their extensive use in Italy seems difficult because of the high requirement of land area and the ceasing of growth in winter months (at least in Northern Italy). In temperate climates, a reasonable use of duckweed looks to be the production of good quality secondary effluents (BOD and SS removal) from small communities, especially in seasonal (summer) wastewater treatment plants. Another use is algae removal from facultative lagoon effluents. Nitrogen removal can only be reasonably obtained in duckweed-covered ponds with supplemental aeration. Because of several constraints due to the markets and to environmental regulations, harvested duckweed has to be disposed of as sewage sludge (e.g. compost or biogas production).

Background. Liver transplantation in the presence of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) generally carries a poor prognosis. However, the outcome of patients found to have incidental CCA (iCCA) on explanted liver histology is less clear. We have evaluated the outcomes of iCCA in our liver transplant population. Methods. A retrospective search was made of the transplantation and histopathology databases for patients fulfilling our definition for iCCA. All records, including archived histopathologic slides were retrieved and analyzed. Results. Of 1288 patients undergoing liver transplantation over the 20-year period 1988-2008, nine were found to have iCCA (0.70%). Seven of the nine patients underwent liver transplantation for primary sclerosing cholangitis. Three additional patients who were transplanted for presumed hepatocellular carcinoma that subsequently turned out to be CCA were identified, but excluded from survival analysis. The majority of tumors were early stage (T2 or below), but five (55.6%) had positive biliary transection margins. Median follow-up was 51 months. Five patients (55.6%) developed recurrence of CCA after a median interval of 25.8 months, giving a disease-free survival of 100% at 1 year and 66.7% at 3 years. Three patients have died of recurrence, with a median interval from transplantation of 25 months. The overall 3-year survival was 66.7%. Conclusions. Patients found to have iCCA after liver transplantation have a relatively poor prognosis. Prospective liver transplant recipients, especially those with primary sclerosing cholangitis, should be investigated rigorously to exclude CCA.

Millions of cubic meters of sediments are dredged every year in the world. About 10–20% on weight basis of this material is contaminated by organic and/or inorganic pollutants. This work presents the laboratory tests performed to study a system for the remediation and reuse of mercury-contaminated sediments. The treatment is based on a cement-based granulation step (solidification/stabilization (S/S)), followed by a thermal process under vacuum during which volatile and semi-volatile compounds are removed. The experiments focused on: (1) cement hydration reactions; (2) pollutant removal efficiencies; and (3) leaching behavior, in relation to temperature and duration of the thermal process. Mercury speciation was also investigated. Dredged at the marine harbor of Augusta (SR, Italy), the sediments used in the experiments were highly polluted by mercury (200 mg kg−1 dry weight (d.w.)). The recipe applied in the S/S step was based on the particle size distribution of the resulting granulates. An indirectly–heated batch system operated under vacuum (2.6 ± 1.3 103 Pa) at: (1) 150°C for 16 h; (2) 200°C for 6 h; (3) 250°C for 4 h; or (4) 280°C for 4 h. X-ray diffraction spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy were used to study cement hydration reactions. Total mercury concentration and leaching tests were carried out to assess the effects of the different treatment conditions. The best results were obtained by treating the granulate at 250°C for 4 h. Under these conditions, mercury final concentration was 49 mg kg−1 d.w., resulting in a removal efficiency of 63% referred to the granular material before thermal treatment, and 75% referred to the sediment. The concentrations measured in the leachate were compatible with the Italian requirements for reuse, with some exceptions (pH, chlorides, nickel, copper, and COD) ascribed to the specific nature of the sediment. Mercury speciation analyses pointed out changes after both the treatment steps. The final granulates accomplish most Italian requirements for reuse, even though an improvement in the S/S step or an additional washing step would help for the exceptions mentioned above. Different reuse options in civil engineering (e.g., filling material, road material, concrete aggregates, etc.) will be evaluated also taking into consideration the mechanical properties. Further studies will be carried out to assess the long-term leaching behavior and leaching under different pH conditions.

Biological sludge contains a large quantity of water and the decrease of its content constitutes one of the main issues for wastewater treatment plant operation. Laboratory tests to estimate the sludge dewaterability, i.e., its capability of being dehydrated, have been developed in the past, but there is no evidence of the tests’ direct correlation with the behavior of the real-scale dewatering devices. Different methods (specific resistance to filtration at different pressure, capillary suction time, expression tests, and drying test) have been applied on civil sludge conditioned with ferric chloride/lime or polymer/ferric chloride and results have been compared with operational data obtained from a full scale plant. The results presented in this paper highlight the role of the expression phase in the sludge dewatering using frame filter presses. To predict the sludge behavior and then to optimize the conditioning step, the laboratory procedure used for selecting the chemicals and doses has also to consi...

A numerical model for predicting the fate and transport of biodegradable polyester residues in soil, following successive applications of mulch film, was developed and applied. The polymer, applied on surface soil, was assumed to be converted into by-products (monomers), according to a first order kinetics with constant K1deg. The monomers released were assumed to sorb on soil organic matter (according to a first-order kinetics with constant Ks), to be leached with the seepage water, through vertical advection and hydrodynamic dispersion, and biodegraded (according to a first-order kinetics with constant Kb). Results suggested that, to assess a possible build-up of mulch film (as a polymer) on the surface soil, the degradation constant K1deg relating the polymer conversion to by-products should be known, whereas the biodegradation constant Kb indicates there is no danger of groundwater pollution. Likewise, on the basis of by-product concentration in deep soil, soil pollution should not occur. © 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Diffuse pollution is generally indirectly estimated by area and specific emission factors as function of land use. However in many cases these estimates were proven to be remarkably inaccurate. Aim of this study was to combine a water quality simulation model, (USEPA-QUAL2E) and Factor Analysis to increase the understanding of the water pollutants source apportionment. The study concerned two different watersheds, an upland area characterised by a very scarce agricultural use, and another area covering both the upland and the lowland physiographic regions. Particularly the lowland region is included in one of the most productive agricultural areas in Italy. By comparing instream measurements with QUAL2E simulations during dry and wet weather conditions, a good fit (errors ± 20%) was found for the dry weather scenario, whereas very poor was the model performance on the wet weather scenario. This was in the same way expected since the rainfall-driven pollutants scenario deviates significantly from QUAL2E general assumptions of constant emissions in steady state streamflow conditions. However the poor fit was also due to the scarcer reliability of the adopted non point emission estimates. Despite of approximations the model wet weather simulations enabled to estimate the non point contribution to the instream load at the rainfall event scale resolution. Such diffuse sources contribution was found around 80% in the area of extensive agricultural land use, and around 40% in the upland region. Factor Analysis applied to the instream measurements data shed light on the exchange from the groundwater to the surface water system that occurred in the upland region. The hypothesis of a groundwater contribution to the instream total load of nitrates was also supported by QUAL2E simulations that, when considering only the point loads, systematically underestimate the dry weather nitrate concentrations. The same pattern was not observed for the lowland region.

A pilot plant membrane bioreactor has been tested in parallel with a full-scale activated sludge wastewater treatment plant fed on the wastewater from a textile factory. The possibility to upgrade the final effluent for internal reuse was investigated. The pilot and full-scale plants are located in a textile factory (Boselli & C., Olgiate Comasco, North Italy) which manufactures and finishes polyester fabric. The activated sludge wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) is an extended aeration system. The MBR pilot plant is a ZW-10 bench hollow fibre module (membrane surface area: 0.93 m2) submerged in a 200 L tank. Performance and operation of the membrane bioreactor (MBR) were evaluated in terms of permeate characteristics and variability (COD, colour, total N and P, microbiological counts), of membrane specific flux (l m−2 h−1 bar−1) and other operational parameters (sludge growth and yield).

Bench-scale treatability tests were carried out in order to evaluate performances of "physical" soil washing (particle size classification aimed at "concentrating" contamination in the fine fraction of the soil) and of a surfactant-aided soil-washing process on a brownfield soil, contaminated by high-molecular-weight Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs). In the first case, soil was classified by wet particle separation using water, whereas it was extracted by water + surfactant in the second case. The chemical agent was selected among non-ionic synthetic and anionic biogenic surfactants (Triton X-100, Igepal CA-720, Brij-30, JBR 325), evaluating the kinetics of the desorption process and the extraction efficiency for different time of contact with soil. Surfactant concentration was selected by evaluating the extraction efficiency at the optimal time of contact. A surfactant-aided soil-washing process was tested, where soil was sequentially treated by fresh soil-washing solution (water + surfactant), and soil-washing solution was recycled for other contaminated soil. Transfer efficiency of PAHs and recovery of surfactant solution were evaluated

The purpose of this work is to check construction and operation costs for simplified post-treatment trains able to produce water displaying a quality suitable for different agricultural uses. Having in mind the quality of most of surface waters in Italy, the main parameters to control for a general purpose reclaimed water supply are microbial quality and TSS content. Therefore a contact filtration followed by disinfection is to be considered the minimum option, while the use of polishing ponds can be strictly limited in many Italian regions due to the area requirements and to the need to provide a full lining of bottom and levees. Some data referring to surface waters quality and to the Italian epidemiological situation are given. On the basis of the current Italian situation, the construction and operation cost increases due to a polishing section, downstream a standard municipal WWTP, are evaluated and the impact of different technical choices is shortly discussed (disinfection options, chemicals, etc.). Some considerations about the link existing in Italy between the cost of water for irrigation and the agricultural economy are made.

Two bench-scale reactors, fed with the secondary effluent of a municipal wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), were used in order to study tertiary nitrification in pure oxygen moving bed biofilm reactors (PO-MBBRs) with patented KMT® media as biofilm carriers. The process allowed to measure very high nitrification rates, both in ammonia limiting conditions (up to 7 gN m−2 d−1; oxygen-to-ammonia nitrogen ratio higher than 3–4 mgO2 (mgN)−1) and in oxygen limiting conditions (up to 8 gN m−2 d−1; oxygen-to-ammonia nitrogen ratio lower than 1–2 mgO2 (mgN)−1). Since the process proved flexible and reliable, it is suitable for full-scale application to municipal WWTPs. Typical application could regard, but is not limited to, tertiary nitrification of secondary effluent from existing high-purity oxygen activated sludge systems designed to achieve only organic carbon removal.

An extensive research programme has been carried out on advanced treatment of secondary effluents discharged by centralized activated sludge treatment plants fed on mixed textile/domestic effluents in order to produce a final effluent suitable for reuse in the textile factories. Activated carbon adsorption or membrane filtration (ranging from microfiltration to reverse osmosis) have been investigated at pilot plant scale in order to determine the most economical and performing advanced treatment. The increase in concentration of refractory pollutants and of salts discharged in the final effluents because of water recycling within the textile processes have been evaluated by relevant mass balances. A techno-economical analysis on the proposed treatment is also presented.

Post-denitrification of a pre-treated textile effluent was tested in a pilot-scale dynamic up-flow sand filter, which has been used as a biofilm reactor, together with filtration of suspended solids (SS) and decolorization. The potential application of the reactor as a three-in-one unit (decolorization, filtration and denitrification) has been successfully tested. Biomass growth and the sloughing of biological film did not prevent the removal of high concentrations of influent SS. Both pilot- and bench-scale tests confirmed that the intrinsic denitrification kinetics was zero-order, corresponding to a half-order removal rate if nitrate concentration is lower than 10 mgN l−1. Zero-order and half-order kinetic constants have also been calculated. At low nitrate loading rates (up to 2 kgN m−3 d−1) the filter followed the ideal plug-flow hydrodynamic model. In the lower part of the filter, zero-order kinetics fitted denitrification removal rates, while in the upper part of the filter denitrification followed half-order kinetics. At nitrate loading rates higher than 2.5 kgN m−3 d−1, nitrogen bubbles developed and partially mixed the reactor. Consequently, flatter concentration profiles were detected in the reactor and denitrification followed half-order kinetics along the entire filter.

In modern intensive agriculture, plastics are used in several applications (i.e. mulch films, drip irrigation tubes, string, clips, pots, etc.). Interest towards the application of biodegradable plastics to replace the conventional plastics is growing because they biodegrade in soil after use and do not produce waste to be disposed of. Ten monomers, which can be applied in the synthesis of potentially biodegradable polyesters, were tested according to ASTM 5988-96 (standard respirometric test to evaluate aerobic biodegradation in soil measuring the carbon dioxide evolution): adipic acid, azelaic acid, 1,4-Butanediol, 1,2-Ethanediol, 1,6-Hexanediol, lactic acid, glucose, sebacic acid, succinic acid and terephthalic acid. Eight replicates were carried out for each monomer for 27-45 days. The numerical code AQUASIM was applied to process the CO2 experimental data in order to estimate values for the parameters describing the different mechanisms occurring to the monomers in soil: i) the first-order solubilization kinetic constant, Ksol (d-1); ii) the first-order biodegradation kinetic constant, Kb (d-1); iii) the lag time in biodegradation, tlag (d); and iv) the carbon fraction biodegraded but not transformed into CO2, Y (-). The following range of values were obtained: [0.006 d-1, 6.9 d-1] for Ksol, [0.1 d-1, 1.2 d-1] for Kb, and [0.32 - 0.58] for Y; tlag was observed for azelaic acid, 1,2-ethanediol, and terephthalic acid, with estimated values between 3.0 e 4.9 d.

Biologically enhanced granular activated carbon (BAC) is a promising wastewater post-treatment to produce a purified effluent suitable for recycle in the textile industry. Three small pilot scale filters were used, filled with three media (two adsorbent media and one non-adsorbent), to compare two different GACs and quantify the biomass contribution to organic removal and colour abatement. A demonstrative scale filter was tested in parallel to evaluate the influence of hydraulic parameters on BAC process efficiency. Biomass contribution was significant when an acclimated biofilm grew on particles; in all cases, wastewater decolorising was due to physical-chemical adsorption only; higher hydraulic load negatively affected the polishing process. Laboratory and semi-industrial scale tests were performed on textile fibres and fabrics using samples of the effluent from the demonstrative filter. The tests confirmed the suitability of the treated water for textile reuse.

The fairly high amounts of sediments dredged in coastal or internal water bodies for navigational and/or environmental purposes claims for the identification of appropriate management strategies. Dredged sediments are frequently affected by organic and inorganic contamination, so that their reuse, as an alternative to final landfill disposal, could need remediation. In this framework, a two-year joint research project was carried out to assess the feasibility of different remediation technologies for the treatment of polluted sediments. The sediment used in this study was similar in composition and contaminant loading to many sediments around the world. It was dredged from the northern canal of the Porto Marghera industrial area (Venice, Italy) and it was homogenized and characterized for the physical properties and chemical composition. The material was found to exceed the regulatory limits established for the reuse of dredged materials in the Venice lagoon for a wide range of pollutants, but this study specifically focused on heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Homogeneous samples were subjected to a number of physico-chemical remediation techniques including chemical oxidation, electrochemical oxidation, and electrokinetics under different operating conditions. The treated material was characterized for the residual contaminants in order to determine the remediation efficiency. The treatments investigated produced a variety of effects in terms of removal of heavy metals and PAHs. For total PAHs, the best results were obtained using H(2)O(2) only as the oxidizing agent (45% removal), and chemically + thermally activated persulfate (up to 72% removal). The kinetics of these chemical oxidation processes was rapid and almost complete in a few hours. Electrooxidation produced up to 44% of total PAHs degradation, whereas no appreciable PAH removal was attained by the electrokinetic treatment. Metal extraction by means of electrokinetics was the highest when both the anodic and the cathodic chambers were conditioned with the complexing agent ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA). The following removal yields were obtained: 81% for As, 69% for Cr, 40% for Cu, 33% for Pb, and 22% for Zn. The modified Fenton-like reactants were not capable of improving the PAH removal compared to the conventional H(2)O(2)-based oxidation process; as a consequence, the latter should be suggested. Comparable PAH removals were obtained using the electrooxidation treatment, whereas the activated persulfate treatment exhibited the highest removal efficiency. Electrokinetics was found to be effective towards heavy metal mobilization only when the process was enhanced by EDTA. Specific modifications should be applied to the electrokinetics treatment to enhance the PAH remediation yield, such as enhancement of the electroosmotic flow in order to achieve a higher liquid to solid ratio; for metals, performance might be optimized by using an EDTA solution as the catholyte and an inorganic salt solution as the anolyte. For all the tested technologies, it would also be mandatory to evaluate whether the presence of residual chemicals or undesired by-products in the material treated might pose any ecotoxicological risk at the site.

This paper presents preliminary results of laboratory tests aimed at evaluating the easibility of the remediation of marine sediments, which are polluted by mercury and petroleum hydrocarbons, dredged at the bay of Augusta (SR, Italy). The treatment is composed of two sequential steps: in the first, a cement-based granular material is produced (based on a high performance concrete approach); then, the volatile and the semi-volatile compounds in the granular material are removed by a thermal desorption step. Treated materials could be reused or put into caissons, according to their mechanical properties and environmental compatibility. The experiments were focused on evaluating the effect of the process parameter values on: (i) the evolution of cement hydration reactions, (ii) thermal desorption removal efficiencies, (iii) leaching behaviour of the treated material.

Contaminated Soil at a Former Manufactured Gas Plant Site G. Petruzzelli, M. Barbafieri, L. Bonomo, S. Saponaro, A. Milani, F. Pedron 1 Institute of Ecosystem Study, Department of Soil Chemistry, CNR, Area della Ricerca CNR, Via Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy 2 Politecnico di Milano, Dipartimento di Ingegneria Idraulica Ambientale e del Rilevamento-Sezione Ambientale, Piazza L. da Vinci 32, 20133 Milano, Italy 3 SET Subsoil Environmental Technologies, via Galvani 14, 20019 Settimo Milanese, Italy

This paper reports some results of an experimental work performed in order to evaluate the potential of different contact techniques for providing information on the adsorption capacity of a natural clay soil. Two different types of test were performed, one based on the widely applied completely mixed solid-liquid contact, the other on static column leaching. Five phenol concentrations ranging from 50 to 2000 mg l−1 and three solid/liquid ratios (12.5%, 25%, and 37.5%) were adopted. After some considerations on the concepts of equilibrium and saturation, results of the two sets of tests were evaluated based on Langmuir's and Freundlich's models. They showed that the two contact techniques give comparable results, once consistent solid/liquid ratios are adopted.

Background A significant proportion of individuals clinically diagnosed with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), but without any disease-causing mutation, are likely to have polygenic hypercholesterolemia. We evaluated the distribution of a polygenic risk score, consisting of 12 low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)-raising variants (polygenic LDL-C risk score), in subjects with a clinical diagnosis of FH. Methods and Results Within the Lipid Transport Disorders Italian Genetic Network (LIPIGEN) study, 875 patients who were FH-mutation positive (women, 54.75%; mean age, 42.47±15.00 years) and 644 patients who were FH-mutation negative (women, 54.21%; mean age, 49.73±13.54 years) were evaluated. Patients who were FH-mutation negative had lower mean levels of pretreatment LDL-C than patients who were FH-mutation positive (217.14±55.49 versus 270.52±68.59 mg/dL, P