A review is given in this paper of the up-to-date results observed in differentiation and transformation studies on petroleum-type pollutants in underground and surface waters. Water and particulate matter derived from the locality of Pančevo Petroleum Refinery, Serbia (River Danube alluvial formations). It was shown that distributions of n-alkanes, steranes and triterpanes, and δ¹³CPDB values of n-alkanes may successfully be used for qualitatively differentiating the petroleum-type pollutants from native organic matter in recent sedimentary formations. In underground waters, a petroleum-type pollutant is exposed to microbiological degradation which is manifested through relatively fast degradation of n-alkanes. Following an almost complete degradation of crude oil n-alkanes in underground water, the biosynthesis of novel, even carbon-number C₁₆-C₃₀ n-alkanes may be observed. It is shown that the n-alkane distribution observed in a petroleum-type pollutant may depend on the intensity of its previous interaction with water. The fate of petroleum-type pollutants in environmental waters may be predicted through laboratory simulative microbiological degradation experiments by using microorganism consortiums similar to those observed under relevant natural conditions, as well as on corresponding nutrient base.

GOAL, SCOPE AND BACKGROUND: This paper is a part of the research work on ‘Integrated treatment of industrial wastes towards prevention of regional water resources contamination — INTREAT’ the project. It addresses the environmental pollution problems associated with solid and liquid waste/effluents produced by sulfide ore mining and metallurgical activities in the Copper Mining and Smelting Complex Bor (RTB-BOR), Serbia. However, since the minimum solubility for the different metals usually found in the polluted water occurs at different pH values and the hydroxide precipitates are amphoteric in nature, selective removal of mixed metals could be achieved as the multiple stage precipitation. For this reason, acid mine water had to be treated in multiple stages in a continuous precipitation system-cascade line reactor. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All experiments were performed using synthetic metal-bearing effluent with chemical a composition similar to the effluent from open pit, Copper Mining and Smelting Complex Bor (RTB-BOR). That effluent is characterized by low pH (1.78) due to the content of sulfuric acid and heavy metals, such as Cu, Fe, Ni, Mn, Zn with concentrations of 76.680, 26.130, 0.113, 11.490, 1.020 mg/dm³, respectively. The cascade line reactor is equipped with the following components: for feeding of effluents, for injection of the precipitation agent, for pH measurements and control, and for removal of the process gases. The precipitation agent was 1M NaOH. In each of the three reactors, a changing of pH and temperature was observed. In order to verify efficiency of heavy metals removal, chemical analyses of samples taken at different pH was done using AES-ICP. RESULTS: Consumption of NaOH in reactors was 370 cm³, 40 cm³ and 80 cm³, respectively. Total time of the experiment was 4 h including feeding of the first reactor. The time necessary to achieve the defined pH value was 25 min for the first reactor and 13 min for both second and third reactors. Taking into account the complete process in the cascade line reactor, the difference between maximum and minimum temperature was as low as 6°C. The quantity of solid residue in reactors respectively was 0.62 g, 2.05 g and 3.91 g. In the case of copper, minimum achieved concentration was 0.62 mg/dm³ at pH = 10.4. At pH = 4.50 content of iron has rapidly decreased to < 0.1 mg/dm³ and maintained constant at all higher pH values. That means that precipitation has already ended at pH=4.5 and maximum efficiency of iron removal was 99.53%. The concentration of manganese was minimum at pH value of 11.0. Minimum obtained concentration of Zn was 2.18 mg/dm³ at a pH value of 11. If pH value is higher than 11, Zn can be re-dissolved. The maximum efficiency of Ni removal reached 76.30% at a pH value of 10.4. DISCUSSION: Obtained results show that efficiency of copper, iron and manganese removal is very satisfactory (higher than 90%). The obtained efficiency of Zn and Ni removal is lower (72.30% and 76.31%, respectively). The treated effluent met discharge water standard according to The Council Directive 76/464/EEC on pollution caused by certain dangerous substances into the aquatic environment of the Community. Maximum changing of temperature during the whole process was 6°C. CONCLUSION: This technology, which was based on inducing chemical precipitation of heavy metals is viable for selective removal of heavy metals from metal-bearing effluents in three reactor systems in a cascade line. RECOMMENDATIONS AND PERSPECTIVES: The worldwide increasing concern for the environment and guidelines regarding effluent discharge make their treatment necessary for safe discharge in water receivers. In the case where the effluents contain valuable metals, there is also an additional economic interest to recover these metals and to recycle them as secondary raw materials in different production routes.

There was carried out microbiological analysis of five bottled water of manufacturers from Serbia. Bacteriological quality was estimated using important parameter-aerobic mesophylic bacteria. Two nutrient media were used: standard (PCA) and low nutrient R2A. Plates were incubated at two temperatures (37 deg C and 22 deg C) during 24 hours, 48 hours, 3 days and 5 days. Results show that this group of bacteria is very abudant in bottled waters and their number depends on water types and manufacturers. Moreover, water from different bottles of the same manufacturer has different microbiological quality. Used media, temperatures and period of incubation also have influence on results and R2A medium gives higher values of aerobic mesophylic bacteria.

Removal of colour by coagulation in the drinking water treatment is described. Optimal results are obtained by pH correction. Buffer capacity of raw water is dominant on efficiency and rentability of the process.

This work considers the possibility of enhancing the iron (III) chloride coagulation process in natural organic matter removal by flocculation sludge recirculation. The results show that flocculation sludge has the potential to coagulate organic matter, and shows a dependence on the depth in the precipitator (0, 30 or 70 cm). Recirculation of flocculation sludge at a dose of 1.6 g/l (from a depth of 30 cm), results in a reduction of required coagulant by 25%.

Stable complexes formation caused by usage of complexing agents as additive in plating solutions, made waste water treatment aggravated and expensive. The investigation results of samples that contain some cations expected in waste waters from this type of facilities, are presented in this paper. The precipitation of disolved heavy metals by neutralization, in the presence of strong chelators, do not give requested results. The dithiocarbamates are effective in complexing heavy metal ions forming insoluble compounds, with solubility far below that of the corresponding hydroxides. Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy is used for wastewater samples analysis. After the reduction of Cr6+ into Cr3+ ions and homogenization, dithiocarbamate is added. Modified neutralization process with unchanged retention time and pH 9.0 +/- 0.2 results the Law permitted wastewater quality.

During technological process of coal treatment and coal improvement in RB Kolubara waste water is produced in the waste water cleansing installation and waste mud is separated. The examination have been executed concerning agrochemical and mechanical properties of this material as well as the presence of heavy metals and phenol. Based on the results which appeard during examination, this materail can be included in the biological reclamation process as bonifactor and deposol fertilizer. Inserting such organic materials, the requared organogenic features are increased and the physical and mechanical characteristics of deposol substrate are improved. The economical effects are important for RB Kolubara as well as for Kolubara-Prerada. The most important contribution is to environmental protection and fulfilling the legal regulations for bringing back of degraded soil to the primary purpose.

Filamentous bacteria are commonly found in activated sludge. If numerous, they can cause bulking problems. In order to control their number in a system detailed identification of filaments is necessary. In Subotica Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) daily analyses of filamentous bacteria were performed from January 2006 till March 2007. The dominant and constantly abundant was Thiothrix sp. The filaments of Haliscomenobacter hydrosis and Type 1863 were also common (moderately numerous with periods when develop massively). Nostocoida limicola was frequent, but not numerous. Sphaerotilus natans was numerous in some periods when even dominant. Type 1701, Beggiatoa sp. and nocardioform actinomycetes were rarely found and were not abundant.

In Serbia, in the most cases, drinking water supply is based on alluvial sources. The appearance of nitrate in some important alluvium aquifer has been observed and an increasing of this problem can be expected with a currently tendency for intensifying the agricultural production. Therefore, the used techniques which are able to identify the source of nitrate in groundwaters and existing processes of its reduction will be more and more requested. Simultaneously determination of both nitrogen and oxygen isotopic fingerprints allows us to make a difference between nitrate from artificial fertilizer and manure or animal waste as well as nitrate formed from nitrification of organic material and consequently the dominant source of the nitrate to be indicated. Once the origin of nitrate in drinking water sources is understood, corrective measures may be taken to prevent or minimize further contamination.

Water quality in drainage canals system is under big influence of activities on surrounding agricultural land. In order to decrease transport and deposition part of plant protection chemicals and mineral fertilizers, vegetation belts with different shapes, characteristics and rules are possible to use. Besides the main purpose, this kind of belts are corridors for moving, but also place for living of wild plants and animals, what is increasing biodiversity. In that way, favourable conditions for organic agriculture in land reclamation area are possible to create.