Adam Paruch

Seniorforsker

(+47) 924 58 374
adam.paruch@nibio.no

Sted
Ås - Bygg O43

Besøksadresse
Oluf Thesens vei 43, 1433 Ås (Varelevering: Elizabeth Stephansens vei 23)

Biografi

Adam M. Paruch er seniorforsker 1183 med professorkompetanse i Divisjon for miljø og naturressurser.

Paruch er ingeniør (BSc/Ing.) innen miljøteknikk, magister (MSc) innen miljøvern, og doktor (PhD/Dr.-Ing.) innen miljøutvikling. Hans kompetanseområder inkluderer:

  • miljø / utvikling / naturvern / teknikk
  • vannkvalitet (overflatevann, dreneringsvann, grunnvann, og avrenningsvann)
  • mikrobiologi i avløpsvann (hvitvann, gråvann, svartvann, bruntvann og gultvann), rensefilter og kompost
  • fekal vannforurensning (antropogenisk og animalsk opprinnelse) og fekale indikatorbakterier
  • mikrobiell kildesporing av fekal vannforurensing (E. coli, Bacteroidales DNA markører, RT-qPCR)
  • mikrobiologi / molekylærbiologi / DNA tester / vertsspesifikke genetiske markører
  • analyser av patogene organismer (gram-negative/-positive bakterier, virus og parasittiske protozoer)
  • naturbaserte rensemetoder (vann, avløp og avfall)
  • kretsløpsteknologi for avfall og avløp
  • kvalitet av vann og jord etter avløpsvanning
  • kompostering av organisk avfall og fekalier fra tørrtoaletter

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Sammendrag

During June 2019, an outbreak of campylobacteriosis occurred in Askøy, an island northwest of Bergen, Norway. According to the publicly available records, over 2000 residents fell ill and 76 were hospitalised, and two deaths were suspected to be associated with Campylobacter infection. By investigating the epidemic pattern and scope, an old caved drinking water holding pool was identified that had been faecally contaminated as indicated by the presence of Escherichia coli (E. coli). Furthermore, Campylobacter bacteria were found at several points in the water distribution system. In the escalated water health crisis, tracking down the infectious source became pivotal for the local municipality in order to take prompt and appropriate action to control the epidemic. A major task was to identify the primary faecal pollution source, which could further assist in tracking down the epidemic origin. Water from the affected pool was analysed using quantitative microbial source tracking (QMST) applying host-specific Bacteroidales 16S rRNA genetic markers. In addition, Campylobacter jejuni, Enterococcus faecalis, Clostridium perfringens and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli were detected. The QMST outcomes revealed that non-human (zoogenic) sources accounted predominantly for faecal pollution. More precisely, 69% of the faecal water contamination originated from horses.

Sammendrag

Aquatic microbial diversity, composition, and dynamics play vital roles in sustaining water ecosystem functionality. Yet, there is still limited knowledge on bacterial seasonal dynamics in lotic environments. This study explores a temporal pattern of bacterial community structures in lotic freshwater over a 2-year period. The aquatic bacterial communities were assessed using Illumina MiSeq sequencing of 16S rRNA genes. Overall, the communities were dominated by α-, β-, and γ-Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Flavobacteriia, and Sphingobacteriia. The bacterial compositions varied substantially in response to seasonal changes (cold vs. warm), but they were rather stable within the same season. Furthermore, higher diversity was observed in cold seasons compared to warm periods. The combined seasonal-environmental impact of different physico-chemical parameters was assessed statistically, and temperature, suspended solids, and nitrogen were determined to be the primary abiotic factors shaping the temporal bacterial assemblages. This study enriches particular knowledge on the seasonal succession of the lotic freshwater bacteria.

Sammendrag

Faecal contamination is one of the major factors affecting biological water quality. In this study, we investigated microbial taxonomic diversity of faecally polluted lotic ecosystems in Norway. These ecosystems comprise tributaries of drinking water reservoirs with moderate and high faecal contamination levels, an urban creek exposed to extremely high faecal pollution and a rural creek that was the least faecally polluted. The faecal water contamination had both anthropogenic and zoogenic origins identified through quantitative microbial source tracking applying host‐specific Bacteroidales 16S rRNA genetic markers. The microbial community composition revealed that Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes (70–90% relative abundance) were the most dominant bacterial phyla, followed by Firmicutes, especially in waters exposed to anthropogenic faecal contamination. The core archaeal community consisted of Parvarchaeota (mainly in the tributaries of drinking water reservoirs) and Crenarchaeota (in the rural creek). The aquatic microbial diversity was substantially reduced in water with severe faecal contamination. In addition, the community compositions diverge between waters with dominant anthropogenic or zoogenic pollution origins. These findings present novel interpretations of the effect of anthropo‐zoogenic faecal water contamination on microbial diversity in lotic ecosystems.

Sammendrag

The aquatic microbiota is known to be an important factor in the sustainability of the natural water ecosystems. However, the microbial community also might include pathogens, which result in very serious waterborne diseases in humans and animals. Faecal pollution is the major cause of these diseases. Therefore, it is of immense importance to assess the potential impact of faecal pollution, originating from both anthropogenic and zoogenic sources, on the profile of microbial communities in natural water environments. To this end, the microbial taxonomic diversity of lotic ecosystems in different regions of Norway, representing urban and rural areas, exposed to various levels of faecal pollution, was investigated over the course of a 1-year period. The highest microbial diversity was found in rural water that was the least faecally polluted, while the lowest was found in urban water with the highest faecal contamination. The overall diversity of the aquatic microbial community was significantly reduced in severely polluted water. In addition, the community compositions diverged between waters where the dominant pollution sources were of anthropogenic or zoogenic origin. The results provide new insight into the understanding of how faecal water contamination, specifically that of different origins, influences the microbial diversity of natural waters.

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Sammendrag

Wastewater (WW) has been identified as a major hotspot of microbial emerging contaminants (MECs), such as antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Currently used WW treatment methods cannot efficiently eliminate these pollutants, resulting in passive contamination of adjacent environments receiving undertreated discharge. More effective WW treatment strategies are therefore urgently required. In this study, newly developed and well-characterised semi-interpenetrating polymer network (semi-IPN) hydrogels derived from the valorisation of marine wastes (e.g., shrimp shells) were investigated for their ARG removal potential. The results indicated that multiple ARGs prevalent in WW, such as ermB, qrnS, sul1 and tetO, were removed by up to 100% after being treated by novel hydrogels. In terms of horizontal gene transfer-associated genetic elements, such as integron-1 intl1, transposons tnpA1 (IS4 group) and tnpA2 (IS6 group), substantial reduction approaching 99.9% was also achieved. Moreover, up to 97% of efflux pump-associated qacE∆1 conferring multidrug resistance (MR) was successfully attenuated. To conclude, the semi-INP hydrogels developed exhibited great potential for ARG mitigation towards strengthening WW decontamination, which provides a viable, cost-effective and environmentally friendly novel treatment approach.

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Sammendrag

The present work aims to study the influence of ammonium-quaternary monomers and chitosan, obtained from different sources, upon the effect of semi-interpenetrating polymer network (semi-IPN) hydrogels upon the removal of waterborne pathogens and bacteria from wastewater. To this end, the study was focused on using vinyl benzyl trimethylammonium chloride (VBTAC), a water-soluble monomer with known antibacterial properties, and mineral-enriched chitosan extracted from shrimp shells, to prepare the semi-IPNs. By using chitosan, which still contains the native minerals (mainly calcium carbonate), the study intends to justify that the stability and efficiency of the semi-IPN bactericidal devices can be modified and better improved. The new semi-IPNs were characterized for composition, thermal stability and morphology using well-known methods. Swelling degree (SD%) and the bactericidal effect assessed using molecular methods revealed that hydrogels made of chitosan derived from shrimp shell demonstrated the most competitive and promising potential for wastewater (WW) treatment.

Sammendrag

Fecal contamination of water constitutes a serious health risk to humans and environmental ecosystems. This is mainly due to the fact that fecal material carries a variety of enteropathogens, which can enter and circulate in water bodies through fecal pollution. In this respect, the prompt identification of the polluting source(s) is pivotal to guiding appropriate target-specific remediation actions. Notably, microbial source tracking (MST) is widely applied to determine the host origin(s) contributing to fecal water pollution through the identification of zoogenic and/or anthropogenic sources of fecal environmental DNA (eDNA). A wide array of host-associated molecular markers have been developed and exploited for polluting source attribution in various aquatic ecosystems. This review is intended to provide the most up-to-date overview of genetic marker-based MST studies carried out in different water types, such as freshwaters (including surface and groundwaters) and seawaters (from coasts, beaches, lagoons, and estuaries), as well as drinking water systems. Focusing on the latest scientific progress/achievements, this work aims to gain updated knowledge on the applicability and robustness of using MST for water quality surveillance. Moreover, it also provides a future perspective on advancing MST applications for environmental research.

Sammendrag

Zoogenic faecal contamination of the environment is one of the indices included in the evaluation of ecological threats, health hazards and adverse impacts on various ecosystems. The risks and environmental concerns are associated with the fact that faeces of wild and domesticated animals constitute the largest source of environmental loading of enteropathogens associated with transmission of zoonotic diseases (enteric zoonoses). Although sick animals are more likely to transmit pathogens, healthy ones can also be the carriers and defecate them into the environment. This is of particular importance given the close human-animal interactions and health effects resulting from human and ecological exposures to faecal hazards from companion and farm animals. We have therefore set out to investigate whether healthy equines can carry and defecate human infectious pathogens. For this purpose, we set up a pilot study to examine the faecal DNA of horses using culture-independent molecular diagnostics – fluorescent probe-based quantitative real-time PCR. Our results revealed that among a total of 23 horses, 6 were found to carry Campylobacter jejuni (C. jejuni), and 5 had Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium). Moreover, Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) was found in 14 horses, while 19 were positive for Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens). Furthermore, the frequently reported protozoan parasites in livestock, Cryptosporidium parvum (C. parvum) and Giardia lamblia (G. lamblia), were discovered in 8 and 7 samples, respectively. This pilot study shed new light on the phenomenon of healthy horses carrying C. jejuni and other human-health-related enteropathogens.

Sammendrag

This study describes microbial and chemical source tracking approaches for water pollution in rural and urban catchments. Culturable faecal indicator bacteria, represented by Escherichia coli, were quantified. Microbial source tracking (MST) using host-specific DNA markers was applied to identify the origins of faecal contamination. Chemical source tracking (CST) was conducted to determine contaminants of emerging concern (CEC) of human/anthropogenic origin, including pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) and endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). In addition, the eutrophication-causing macronutrients nitrogen and phosphorus were studied. MST tests revealed both anthropogenic and zoogenic faecal origins, with a dominance of human sources in the urban stream; non-human/environmental sources were prevalent in the rural creek. CST analyses revealed a higher number of CECs in the urban stream than in the rural watercourse. Positive correlations between PPCPs and both E. coli and the human DNA marker were uncovered in the urban stream, while in the rural creek, PPCPs were only highly correlated with the anthropogenic marker. Interestingly, macronutrients were strongly associated with primary faecal pollution origins in both watercourses. This correlation pattern determines the main pollutant contributors (anthropogenic or zoogenic) to eutrophication.

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Sammendrag

Wastewater (WW) has been widely recognized as the major sink of a variety of emerging pathogens (EPs), antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), which may disseminate and impact wider environments. Improving and maximizing WW treatment efficiency to remove these microbial hazards is fundamentally imperative. Despite a variety of physical, biological and chemical treatment technologies, the efficiency of ARG removal is still far from satisfactory. Within our recently accomplished M-ERA.NET project, novel functionalized nanomaterials, i.e., molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) films and quaternary ammonium salt (QAS) modified kaolin microparticles, were developed and demonstrated to have significant EP removal effectiveness on both Gram-positive bacteria (GPB) and Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) from WW. As a continuation of this project, we took the further step of exploring their ARG mitigation potential. Strikingly, by applying MIP and QAS functionalized kaolin microparticles in tandem, the ARGs prevalent in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), e.g., blaCTXM, ermB and qnrS, can be drastically reduced by 2.7, 3.9 and 4.9 log (copies/100 mL), respectively, whereas sul1, tetO and mecA can be eliminated below their detection limits. In terms of class I integron-integrase I (intI1), a mobile genetic element (MGE) for horizontal gene transfer (HGT), 4.3 log (copies/100 mL) reduction was achieved. Overall, the novel nanomaterials exhibit outstanding performance on attenuating ARGs in WW, being superior to their control references. This finding provides additional merit to the application of developed nanomaterials for WW purification towards ARG elimination, in addition to the proven bactericidal effect.

Sammendrag

During June 2019, an outbreak of campylobacteriosis occurred in Askøy, an island northwest of Bergen, Norway. According to the publicly available records, over 2000 residents fell ill and 76 were hospitalised, and two deaths were suspected to be associated with Campylobacter infection. By investigating the epidemic pattern and scope, an old caved drinking water holding pool was identified that had been faecally contaminated as indicated by the presence of Escherichia coli (E. coli). Furthermore, Campylobacter bacteria were found at several points in the water distribution system. In the escalated water health crisis, tracking down the infectious source became pivotal for the local municipality in order to take prompt and appropriate action to control the epidemic. A major task was to identify the primary faecal pollution source, which could further assist in tracking down the epidemic origin. Water from the affected pool was analysed using quantitative microbial source tracking (QMST) applying host-specific Bacteroidales 16S rRNA genetic markers. In addition, Campylobacter jejuni, Enterococcus faecalis, Clostridium perfringens and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli were detected. The QMST outcomes revealed that non-human (zoogenic) sources accounted predominantly for faecal pollution. More precisely, 69% of the faecal water contamination originated from horses.

Sammendrag

Fekalkildesporing er en teknikk som gir informasjon om hvilken dyregruppe bakterier fra avføring stammer fra. NIBIO har nylig utviklet en metode som angir hvilken andel bakterier som stammer fra fem grupper: fire spesifikke dyregrupper (inkludert mennesker) og en femte gruppe som dekker øvrige dyrearter. Metoden gjør det mulig å skille utslipp fra kommunalt nett (mennesker) fra andre kilder (f.eks dyrehold eller vilt). Denne artikkelen beskriver bruk av metoden langs Nitelva på strekningen gjennom gamle Skedsmo kommune (nå Lillestrøm). De høye konsentrasjonene av Escherichia coli (E. coli) som ble målt på våren (mai 2019) definerer fekal vannforurensing som skyldes dyr (mest sannsynlig vannfugler) og ikke mennesker.

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Sammendrag

Despite major efforts to combat pollution, the presence of pathogenic bacteria is still detected in surface water, soil and even crops due to poor purification of domestic and industrial wastewaters. Therefore, we have designed molecularly imprinted polymer films and quaternary ammonium-functionalized- kaolin microparticles to target specifically Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) and Gram-positive bacteria (GPB) in wastewaters and ensure a higher purification rate by working in tandem. According to the bacteriological indicators, a reduction by 90 % was registered for GNB (total coliforms and Escherichia coli O157) and by 77 % for GPB (Clostridium perfringens) in wastewaters. The reduction rates were confirmed when using pathogen genetic markers to quantify particular types of GNB and GPB, like Salmonella typhimurium (reduction up to 100 %),Campylobacter jejuni (reduction up to 70 %), Enterococcus faecalis (reduction up to 81 %), Clostridium perfringens (reduction up to 97 %) and Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (reduction up to 64 %). In order to understand the bactericidal activity of prepared films and microparticles, we have performed several key analyses such as Cryo-TEM, to highlight the auto-assembly mechanism of components during the films formation, and 29 Si/13 C CP/MAS NMR, to reveal the way quaternary ammonium groups are grafted on the surface of kaolin microparticles.

Sammendrag

Aquatic microbial diversity, composition, and dynamics play vital roles in sustaining water ecosystem functionality. Yet, there is still limited knowledge on bacterial seasonal dynamics in lotic environments. This study explores a temporal pattern of bacterial community structures in lotic freshwater over a 2-year period. The aquatic bacterial communities were assessed using Illumina MiSeq sequencing of 16S rRNA genes. Overall, the communities were dominated by α-, β-, and γ-Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Flavobacteriia, and Sphingobacteriia. The bacterial compositions varied substantially in response to seasonal changes (cold vs. warm), but they were rather stable within the same season. Furthermore, higher diversity was observed in cold seasons compared to warm periods. The combined seasonal-environmental impact of different physico-chemical parameters was assessed statistically, and temperature, suspended solids, and nitrogen were determined to be the primary abiotic factors shaping the temporal bacterial assemblages. This study enriches particular knowledge on the seasonal succession of the lotic freshwater bacteria.

Sammendrag

Faecal contamination is one of the major factors affecting biological water quality. In this study, we investigated microbial taxonomic diversity of faecally polluted lotic ecosystems in Norway. These ecosystems comprise tributaries of drinking water reservoirs with moderate and high faecal contamination levels, an urban creek exposed to extremely high faecal pollution and a rural creek that was the least faecally polluted. The faecal water contamination had both anthropogenic and zoogenic origins identified through quantitative microbial source tracking applying host‐specific Bacteroidales 16S rRNA genetic markers. The microbial community composition revealed that Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes (70–90% relative abundance) were the most dominant bacterial phyla, followed by Firmicutes, especially in waters exposed to anthropogenic faecal contamination. The core archaeal community consisted of Parvarchaeota (mainly in the tributaries of drinking water reservoirs) and Crenarchaeota (in the rural creek). The aquatic microbial diversity was substantially reduced in water with severe faecal contamination. In addition, the community compositions diverge between waters with dominant anthropogenic or zoogenic pollution origins. These findings present novel interpretations of the effect of anthropo‐zoogenic faecal water contamination on microbial diversity in lotic ecosystems.

Sammendrag

The aquatic microbiota is known to be an important factor in the sustainability of the natural water ecosystems. However, the microbial community also might include pathogens, which result in very serious waterborne diseases in humans and animals. Faecal pollution is the major cause of these diseases. Therefore, it is of immense importance to assess the potential impact of faecal pollution, originating from both anthropogenic and zoogenic sources, on the profile of microbial communities in natural water environments. To this end, the microbial taxonomic diversity of lotic ecosystems in different regions of Norway, representing urban and rural areas, exposed to various levels of faecal pollution, was investigated over the course of a 1-year period. The highest microbial diversity was found in rural water that was the least faecally polluted, while the lowest was found in urban water with the highest faecal contamination. The overall diversity of the aquatic microbial community was significantly reduced in severely polluted water. In addition, the community compositions diverged between waters where the dominant pollution sources were of anthropogenic or zoogenic origin. The results provide new insight into the understanding of how faecal water contamination, specifically that of different origins, influences the microbial diversity of natural waters.

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Sammendrag

This article describes the first implementation of green treatment technology for wastewater from agritourism facilities in Romania. The general concept was based on the principles of a nature-based treatment system (NBTS) developed, tested and successfully operated in cold climate in Norway. Two NBTSs, each constituting a three-element system equipped with a septic tank, a pre-treatment section and a filter/wetland bed, were constructed and set in full operation in Mara and Vadu Izei villages (Maramures County, Northern Romania, Carpathian Mountains). Both systems revealed sufficient adaptation to wastewater treatment during the first year of operation. The highest removal rates of BOD5, CODCr, Ntot and Ptot reached 93–97%, 94–98%, 97–98% and 98–99%, respectively. In addition, these parameters did not exceed their permitted values in effluents discharged to water bodies. Both systems demonstrate integrated measures of ecological engineering implemented as “treatment gardens” perfectly suited to the tourist facilities, rural surroundings and cultural landscape of the region.

Sammendrag

Denne rapporten er skrevet på oppdrag fra Fredrikstad kommune i forbindelse med prosjektet «Kildesporing av fekal vannforurensning: Fekal kildesporing i vannprøvene analysert for Fredrikstad kommune i 2019». Formålet med prosjektet var primært å benytte molekylærbiologiske metoder for sporing av fekale forurensningskilder i Vispen badeplass og noen bekker rundt Hunnebunn.

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Sammendrag

The present work focuses on an assessment of the applicability of groundwater table (GWT) measures in the modelling of soil water retention characteristics (SWRC) using artificial neural network (ANN) methods. Model development, testing, validation and verification were performed using data collected across two decades from soil profiles at full-scale research objects located in Southwest Poland. A positive effect was observed between the initial GWT position data and the accuracy of soil water reserve estimation. On the other hand, no significant effects were observed following the implementation of GWT fluctuation data over the entire growing season. The ANN tests that used data of either soil water content or GWT position gave analogous results. This revealed that the easily obtained data (temperature, precipitation and GWT position) are the most accurate modelling parameters. These outcomes can be used to simplify modelling input data/parameters/variables in the practical implementation of the proposed SWRC modelling variants.

Sammendrag

Faecal contamination of water has both anthropogenic and zoogenic origins that can shade various point and nonpoint/diffuse sources of pollution. Due to the dual origin and number of sources of faecal contamination, there are immense challenges in the implementation of effective measures to protect water bodies from pollution that poses threats to human and environmental health. The main health threats refer to infections, illnesses and deaths caused by enteric pathogenicmicrobes, in particular those responsible for waterborne zoonoses. To detect and identify the origins and sources of faecal pollution simultaneously, various methods and indicators have been compiled into a comprehensivemeasuring toolbox. Molecular diagnostics using genetic markers derived from Bacteroidales 16S rRNA gene sequences are quite prevalent in the current methodological implementation for the identification of faecal contamination sources in water. For instance, a culture- and library-independent microbial source tracking toolbox combining micro- and molecular biology tests run as a three-step procedure has been implemented in Norway. Outcomes from the Norwegian studies have identified two general trends in dominance of contributors to faecal water contamination in urban environments. Firstly, there is a tendency of higher contributions from anthropogenic sources during the cold season. Secondly, the identification of the dominance of zoogenic sources in faecalwater contamination during warm periods of the year.

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Sammendrag

Denne rapporten er skrevet på oppdrag fra Bergen kommune i forbindelse med prosjektet «Forurensingsanalyse av drikkevannskilden Jordalsvatnet med vanntilsigsområde». Prosjektet er gjennomført i samarbeid mellom NIBIO, NMBU og SINTEF. Vi har sett på næringsstofftilførsler, algesammensetning, sykdomsfremkallende mikroorganismer, gjeldende restriksjoner og hygieniske barrierer. Hovedutfordringen antas å være økt algemengde og naturlig organisk materiale i råvannskilden, samt næringsstofftilførsler fra Indrevatnet. Det har av det blitt utarbeidet forslag til tiltak for å redusere tilførsler av fosfor fra nedbørfeltet til Indrevatnet. Vi anbefaler også at det gjøres en vurdering av fryse/tine effekter med hensyn til eventuelle lekkasjer fra avløpsledninger, samt en oppfølging av anbefalinger til utvidede klausuleringsbestemmelser som tidligere er gitt av Rådgivende Biologer AS.........

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Sammendrag

This work presents the outcomes from two independent studies evaluating the chemical quality of groundwater in agricultural areas irrigated with wastewater from sugar and yeast industries. The evaluation was determined using chemical parameters representing typical contaminants of sugar industry wastewater (SIWW) and yeast industry wastewater (YIWW), and characterising the content of organic matter (BOD5), nutrients (NH4-N, NO3-N, TN and TP) and salts (Cl, SO4, Na and K). The studies reveal that food industry wastewater constitutes a valuable water-nutrient-rich medium that can be reused in agricultural applications as an alternative water resource for irrigation and nutrients for fertilisation. Furthermore, the reuse facilitates the sustainable discharge of wastewater through a soil-aquifer zone to the natural environment. This does not affect chemical quality of groundwater, which was comparable in areas irrigated and non-irrigated with SIWW and YIWW. Although some parameters (NO3-N, NH4-N, SO4, Cl and Na) displayed higher concentrations in groundwater from the fields irrigated with wastewater, these contents were within recommended healthbased guideline limits defined in either the groundwater quality standards or the drinking water quality norms. Only the contents of K revealed an exclusive groundwater impact from wastewater irrigation. This was confirmed in statistical tests employing theWard’s hierarchical clustering method, which exposed excessive amounts of K introduced into groundwater through irrigation with both SIWW and YIWW. However, this parameter is not considered to pose any health risk to humans or the environment, and its content is not restricted by quality guideline values for either groundwater or drinking water.

Sammendrag

Fekal forurensning i vann kan spre mikroorganismer som utgjør en helserisiko. For å finne de riktige tiltakene er det vesentlig å finne ut hvor forurensingen kommer fra og hva som er den dominerende kilden. NIBIO har introdusert mikrobiell kildesporing for å undersøke opprinnelsen av fekal vannforurensing i forskjellige typer vassdrag som omfatter jordbruk, viktige drikkevannskilder og urbane område. Metoden omfatter standard tester for påvisning av fekal indikatorbakterien E.coli i første trinn. Videre benyttes molekylærbiologiske DNA tester av vertsspesifikke genetiske markører fra bakteriegruppen Bacteriodales 16S rRNA for sporing av fekale forurensning i prøver hvor E.coli ble påvist. Ved hjelp av bioinformatikk utformes en bidragsprofil for hvilke dyregrupper som bidrar prosentvis i vannprøven. Det kan skilles mellom bidrag fra mennesker, drøvtyggere, hest og gruppen “andre dyr”. Rapporten presenterer undersøkelser fra perioden 2013 – 2016. NIBIO mener metoden er egnet til å bli implementert i overvåkningen av - og tiltak mot fekal vannforurensning.

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Sammendrag

This work focuses on modelling soil water reserves using an Artificial Neural Net-work (ANN). Four model variants were established based on 843 records (verifiedthrough 268 measurements) of soil water content (SWC) measured at full-scale fieldsites located in Southwest Poland. It is revealed that commonly recorded climaticdata (precipitation and temperature) linked with SWC and field water capacity(FWC) are applicable in the ANN modelling. The basic model (utilising the meteoro-logical data) was the most suitable for soil profiles with thicknesses of 0–25 cm,while in profiles with thicknesses of 0–50 cm and 0–100 cm the comprehensiveANN model (linking climatic data, FWC and SWC) was the most appropriate. Fur-thermore, comparative studies of the measured and modelled data indicated theirstatistical convergence, thus providing support for the practical implementation ofthe proposed ANN modelling.

Sammendrag

This study describes the first Norwegian microbial source tracking (MST) approach for water quality control and pollution removal from catchment run-off in a nature-based treatment system (NBTS) with a constructed wetland. The applied MST tools combined microbial analyses and molecular tests to detect and define the source(s) and dominant origin(s) of faecal water contamination. Faecal indicator bacteria Escherichia coli and host-specific Bacteroidales 16 s rRNA gene markers have been employed. The study revealed that the newly developed contribution profiling of faecal origin derived from the Bacteroidales DNA could quantitatively distinguish between human and non-human pollution origins. Further, the outcomes of the MST test have been compared with the results of both physicochemical analyses and tests of pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs). A strong positive correlation was discovered between the human marker and PPCPs. Gabapentin was the most frequently detected compound and it showed the uppermost positive correlation with the human marker. The study demonstrated that the NBTS performs satisfactorily with the removal of E. coli but not PPCPs. Interestingly, the presence of PPCPs in the water samples was not correlated with high concentrations of E. coli. Neither has the latter an apparent correlation with the human marker.

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Sammendrag

Rapporten omhandler hygienisk vannkvalitet i Oslos byvassdrag, og beskriver mulig sykdomsrisiko knyttet til eksponering for vannet gjennom rekreasjonsaktiviteter. Forekomst av sykdomsfremkallende virus, bakterier og parasitter fra fekal forurensning vurderes å utgjøre høyest sykdomsrisiko, og det er viktig å ha fokus på tiltak for å minimere tilførslene og nivået av fekal forurensning i urbane vannforekomster der mange mennesker ferdes, samt å unngå at mennesker eksponeres for vannet på dager eller lokaliteter der det er sterkt fekalt forurenset. Rapporten beskriver metoder for å identifisere kilder til fekal forurensning (mikrobiell kildesporing), hurtigmetoder for å overvåke hygienisk vannkvalitet, samt kunnskap om effekt av naturbaserte renseløsninger. Når byvassdrag restaureres refereres det ofte til en rekke økosystemtjenester som tiltaket forventes å oppfylle, der bedre vannkvalitet rangerer høyt, i tillegg til flomdemping, biologisk mangfold, landskapsestetikk mm. I et oppfølgende hovedprosjekt kan det være hensiktsmessig å se på alle aspekter relatert til vannkvalitet og hvordan man best kan lykkes med multifunksjonell restaurering av byvassdrag hvor god vannkvalitet er et viktig delmål. Rapporten identifiserer kunnskapshull og gir forslag til tema som bør utredes mer i forbindelse med restaurering av byvassdrag hvor målet er en forbedret vannkvalitet.

Sammendrag

Vann- og avløpsetaten ved Bergen kommune ble invitert av NIBIO til å delta i et prosjekt der formålet med prosjektet primært var å vurdere molekylærbiologiske metoder for sporing av fekale forurensningskilder i store nedbørfelt med vannkilder til konsum, også bading og/eller vanning. Det andre målet med prosjektet var å forsøke å verifisere metoden i nedbørfelt som er dominert av mennesker eller dyr, samt validere molekylærbiologiske tester for forskjellige dyrearter. Testing av metoden i flere ulike typer nedbørfelt skulle gi NIBIO grunnlag for å vurdere om metodikken er egnet til å bli implementert i standard tester i overvåkningen av, og tiltak mot fekal forurensning i vann. Vann- og avløpsetaten valgte å gå inn i prosjektet med drikkevannskilden Jordalsvatnet som har et sammensatt nedbørfelt med bebyggelse og private og kommunale avløpsanlegg, landbruk og mindre næringsvirksomheter. Samtidig med innsending av prøver fra Jordalsvatnet, ble det tatt ut enkelte stikkprøver fra et prøvepunkt i nedbørfeltet til drikkevannskilden Svartediket og fra Grimseidvassdraget (Birkelandsvatnet), som bare ble analysert med hensyn på fekal forurensning fra mennesker/ikke-mennesker. Resultatene fra prosjektet viser at fekal forurensing med E. coli ble funnet i de fleste ferskvannsprøver tatt ut rundt Jordalsvatnet. E. coli ble også påvist i alle prøvene tatt ut ved Svartediket og Birkelandsvatnet. I tillegg viste resultatene en lik trend som ble observert gjennom tester av alle vannprøvene, dvs. et klart bidrag i fekal forurensingen fra mennesker om forsommeren (mai 2015), forvinteren (oktober 2015) og vinteren (desember 2015), og høyest bidraget fra dyr i den varmeste perioden (juni og august 2015).

Sammendrag

NIBIO ble engasjert av Oslo VAV til å utføre en undersøkelse gjennom et 1-års prosjekt på kildesporing av fekal vannforurensing i tre tilløpsbekker (Movannsbekken, Lautabekken og bekken ved Skjerven) til Maridalsvannet og utløp Akerselva. Formålet med prosjektet var primært å benytte molekylærbiologiske metoder for sporing av fekale forurensningskilder og å definere hvor i nedbørfeltet fekal forurensing fra mennesker, hester og/eller ikke-mennesker (generelt andre dyr) dominerer. Resultatene fra prosjektet viser at fekal forurensing med E. coli ble funnet i 11 av 12 ferskvannsprøver tatt ut ved hvert prøvested i de tre tilløpsbekkene til Maridalsvannet. Også brakkvannet fra Akerselva var fekalt forurenset (E. coli konsentrasjon på 8164 MPN/100 ml i desember 2014). I tillegg viste resultatene en lik trend som ble observert gjennom tester av alle vannprøvene, dvs. et klart bidrag i fekal forurensingen fra mennesker i den kalde perioden og forsommeren, generelt november 2014 - mai 2015, og høyest bidraget fra dyr i den varme perioden, generelt juni - september 2015.

Sammendrag

NIBIO ble engasjert av Vikelvdalen Vannbehandlingsanlegg til å utføre en undersøkelse gjennom et prosjekt på kildesporing av fekal vannforurensing i tilløpsbekker til Jonsvannet (dvs. Jervbekken, Valsetbekken, Lykkjbekken og Sagelva) og i tillegg i en kontrollprøve fra utløp i Jonsvannsveien. Formålet med prosjektet var primært å benytte molekylærbiologiske metoder for sporing av fekale forurensningskilder og å definere hvor i nedbørfeltet fekal forurensing fra mennesker, drøvtyggere og hester dominerer. Resultatene fra prosjektet viser at fekal forurensing med E. coli ble funnet i de fleste ferskvannsprøver tatt ut fra Valsetbekken, Jervbekken og Sagelva. Også, ble E. coli påvist i alle prøver fra Lykkjbekken og fra utløp i Jonsvannsveien. I tillegg viste resultatene en lik trend som ble observert gjennom tester av alle vannprøvene, dvs. et klart bidrag i fekal forurensingen fra mennesker i den kalde perioden (generelt forsommeren og forvinteren) og høyest bidraget fra dyr (særlig drøvtyggere) i den varme perioden (generelt juni - september 2015).

Sammendrag

Water quality problems in Norway are caused mainly by high phosphorus (P) inputs from catchment areas. Multiple pollution sources contributes to P inputs into watercourses, and the two main sources in rural areas are agricultural runoff and discharge from on-site wastewater treatment systems (OWTSs). To reduce these inputs, Constructed wetlands (CWs) treating catchment runoff have been implemented in Norway since early 1990s. These CWs have been proven effective as supplements to agricultural best management practices for water quality improvements and therefore there are more than 1000 CWs established in Norway at present. This study aims to present some overall data on the present status of CWs treating catchment runoff in Norway, and in particular recent results of source tracking and retention of sediments and total phosphorus (TP) in a model, full-scale, long-term operated CW, which in practice treats runoff from a typical rural catchment with pollution from both point and diffuse sources. Nutrient contributions from agricultural runoff and OWTSs have been quantified in eight catchments, while the source tracking and retention of sediments and P has been studied in the model CW. P runoff in the catchments was largely affected by precipitation and runoff situation, and varied both throughout the year (every single year) and from one year to another. Annual TP contribution that origins from OWTSs was in general limited, and only 1 % in the catchment of the model CW. Monthly contribution, however, was higher than 30 % during warm/dry season, and cold months with frost season. For the purpose of source tracking study, faecal indicator bacteria (reported in terms of Escherichia coli - E. coli) and host-specific 16S rRNA gene markers Bacteroidales have been applied. High E.coli concentrations were well associated with high TP inputs into waterbodies during dry or/and cold season with little or no agriculture runoff, and further microbial source tracking (MST) tests proved human contribution. There are considerable variations in retention of sediments and TP in the CW between the years, and the annual yearly retention was about 38 % and 16 %, respectively. During the study period, the average monthly retention of sediments and TP was 54 % and 32 %, respectively. E. coli concentrations were also reduced in water passing the CW. The study confirmed that runoff from agricultural areas is the main P source in watercourses, however, discharges from OWTS can also be of great importance for the water quality, especially during warm/dry- and cold/frosty periods. Small CWs treating catchment runoff contribute substantially to the reduction of sediments, TP and faecal indicator bacteria transport into water recipients.

Sammendrag

Norwegian constructed wetlands (CWs) that treat domestic wastewater are classified as horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetlands (HSFCWs). Over the years of continuous performance, the HSFCWs operating under cold climate conditions have shown a high and stable treatment efficiency with regard to the removal of organic matter (>90 % BOD), nutrients (>50 % N and >90 % P) and microbes (>99 % bacteria). The majority of Norwegian HSFCWs are categorised as small (<50 pe) on-site, decentralised wastewater treatment systems. The Norwegian systems consist of three fundamental elements: a septic tank, a pre-filter (i.e. an aerobic vertical flow biofilter) and a horizontal flow saturated filter/wetland bed. The first, primary treatment step begins in the septic tank from which effluents are pre-treated in the second step occurring in the pre-filter/biofilter section and further in the third, final step taking place in the filter bed/HSFCW. The first and third treatment steps are quite common in systems with CWs, but the pre-treatment in biofilter(s) is mainly known from Norway. The main purpose of using the pre-treatment phase is to supply air during the cold season, to enhance nitrification processes, and to reduce the load of organic matter before entering the filter/wetland bed. If constructed and maintained correctly, the biofilters alone can remove 90 % BOD and 40 % N. Various filter/CW beds have been introduced for treatment of domestic wastewater (as complete or source-separated streams) in Norway, but the most common feature is the use of specific filter media for high phosphorus (P) removal. A few Norwegian municipalities also have limits with respect to nitrogen (N) discharge, but the majority of municipalities use 1.0 mg P/l as the discharge limit for small wastewater treatment systems. This particular limit affects the P retention lifetime of the filter media, which varies from system to system depending on the filter media applied, the type of wastewater treated, and the system design and loading rates. An estimated lifetime of filter media with regard to P removal is approximately 15–18 years for a filter/CW bed of a single household. After completing the lifetime, the filter media is excavated and replaced with new/fresh materials, allowing the system to operate effectively for another lifespan. Since the exploited media are P-rich materials, the main intention is their reuse in a safe and hygienic way, in which P could be further utilised. Therefore, the Norwegian systems can represent a complex technology combining a sustainable technique of domestic wastewater treatment and a bio-economical option for filter media reuse. This is a quite challenging goal for reclamation and recycling of P from wastewater. Thus, there are some scenarios of reusing the P-rich filter media as a complementary P fertiliser, a soil amendment or a conditioner, provided the quality is acceptable for utilisation in agriculture. Alternatively, the filter media could be reused in some engineering projects, e.g. green roof technology, road screening or construction of embankments, if the quality allows application in the environment. The core aspect of the reuse options is the appropriate quality of the filter media. As for the theoretical assumption, it should not be risky to reuse the P-rich media in agriculture. In practice, however, the media must be proven safe for human and environmental health prior to introducing into the environment.

Sammendrag

Nutrients for food production are traditionally extracted from natural resources, most importantly as nitrogen from the air, and phosphorous from limited mineral resources. They can also be recovered and recycled from human waste products. There is generally a low P status in the world’s soils, while Norwegian soils are rich in phosphorous. Most recyclable P is in human and animal waste products as wastewater and manure, but also municipal solid waste and more recently, organic waste contain a considerable amount of P that ideally can be utilized.

Sammendrag

Elevated nutrient concentrations in streams in the Norwegian agricultural landscape may occur due to faecal contamination. Escherichia coli (E. coli) has been used conventionally as an indicator of this contamination; however, it does not indicate the source of faecal origin. This work describes a study undertaken for the first time in Norway on an application of specific host-associated markers for faecal source tracking of water contamination. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) on Bacteroidales host-specific markers was employed for microbial source tracking (MST) to determine the origin(s) of faecal water contamination. Four genetic markers were used: the universal AllBac (Bacteroidales) and the individual specific markers BacH (humans), BacR (ruminants) and Hor-Bac (horses). In addition, a pathogenicity test was carried out to detect the top seven Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) serogroups. The ratio between each individual marker and the universal one was used to: (1) normalise the markers to the level of AllBac in faeces, (2) determine the relative abundance of each specific marker, (3) develop a contribution profile for faecal water contamination and (4) elucidate the sources of contamination by highlighting the dominant origin(s). The results of the qPCR MST analyses indicated the actual contributions of humans and animals to faecal water contamination. The pathogenicity test revealed that water samples were STEC positive at a low level, which was in proportion to the concentration of the ruminant marker. The outcomes were verified statistically by coupling the findings of major contamination sources with observations in the field regarding local land use (residential or agricultural). Furthermore, clear correlations between the human marker and E. coli counts as well as the ruminant marker and STEC quantity in faecally contaminated water were observed. The results of this study have the potential to help identify sources of pollution for targeted mitigation of nutrient losses.

Sammendrag

Laboratory-scale experiments on the survival of Escherichia coli in raw, undiluted, freshly collected, source-separated yellowwater were performed. Concentrations of E. coli and its survival at different temperature regimes and storage times were measured in yellowwater originally cross-contaminated with faeces and yellowwater purposely contaminated (deliberately spiked) with faecal material. The temperature regimes of cold (4°C), mild (10°C) and warm (22°C) were the limited factors, whereas the storage time of the contaminated yellowwater was unlimited and lasted until the E. coli concentrations reached the limit of detection of < 1 Most Probable Number (MPN)/100 mL. Temperature and pH played the main role in the inactivation and longevity of E. coli in source-separated yellowwater. The mild storage conditions were the most favourable for the persistence of E. coli, which reached 40 days with a concentration of 2.0 E+03 MPN in 100 mL of undiluted yellowwater.

Sammendrag

I de fleste kommuner er det gjort en gjennomgang og gitt pålegg om rensing av avløp både for kommunalt og spredt avløp. Likevel observeres det i en del bekker i jordbrukslandskapet høye konsentrasjoner av E. coli fra spredt avløp. Samtidig blir det også i noen tilfeller målt høye konsentrasjoner av næringsstoffer ved lav vannføring, noe som også kan tyde på at det er utslipp fra punktkilder i landskapet. Dette prosjektet har kartlagt spredt avløp i åtte JOVA-nedbørfelt, utført beregninger på fosfortilførsler fra disse nedbørfeltene, og prioritert egnet nedbørfelt for videre mikrobielle analyser for å belyse hva som er kilden til mikrobiell forurensing. Studiet viser at andel gjennomsnittlig årlig tilførsel av fosfor fra spredt avløp var mellom 1 % og 5 % i syv av åtte nedbørfelt, mens det var hele 19 % i et av nedbørfeltene. Andelen fosfor fra spredt avløp kan være betydelig i tørre perioder av året, eksempelvis om sommeren. Studiet har også påvist fekal forurensing fra både spredte avløpsanlegg, hester og drøvtyggere i det feltet hvor dette ble undersøkt.

Sammendrag

Økt årlig nedbør og hyppigere episoder med kraftig nedbør ventes i Norge som en følge av klimaendringer. Her vises resultater fra studier av hvordan nedbør påvirker mengden av fekale indikatorbakterier og parasittiske protozoer (Cryptosporidium and Giardia) som renner av fra beiteområder for hester. Studiene illustrerer hvordan økt nedbør kan øke faren for at tarmbakterier og potensielt patogene mikroorganismer fra beiteområder for husdyr tilføres overflatevann.

Sammendrag

Økt årlig nedbør og hyppigere episoder med kraftig nedbør ventes i Norge som en følge av klimaendringer. I denne artikkelen vises resultater fra studier av hvordan nedbør påvirker mengden av fekale indikatorbakterier og parasittiske protozoer (Cryptosporidium and Giardia) som renner av fra ulike beiteområder for hest, storfe og småfe. Studiene illustrerer hvordan økt nedbør kan øke faren for at tarmbakterier og potensielt patogene mikroorganismer fra beiteområder for husdyr tilføres overflatevann. Gode tiltak mot forurensing i nedbørfeltet og god beskyttelse av sårbare vannkilder, samt god drikkevannsbehandling er viktig i dag, og vil være enda viktigere under fremtidige klimatiske forhold.

Sammendrag

Vi har nylig sett eksempler på alvorlige sykdommer og dødsfall i Tyskland som per dato antas skyldes forurenset vann som er benyttet til vanning av enkelte grønnsaker. Visse typer tarmbakterier i varmblodige dyr og mennesker kan være årsak til disse og andre sykdommer. Det er generelt økende fokus på å overvåke mat, drikkevann, badevann og vanningsvann for å unngå alvorlige sykdommer. Det er viktig å bruke gode indikatororganismer i slik overvåkning. Vårt inntrykk er at det er en viss mangel på kunnskap om grupperinger innen koliforme bakterier og hva analysedata kan fortelle om forurensningsrisiko. Artikkelen gir en kort innføring i dette tema og kan også være interessant for alle som ser spøkelser når E.coli omtales i media.

Sammendrag

Koliforme (KB), termotolerante koliforme (TKB) eller E.coli bakterier - hvilke er relevant indikator av fekal forurensing? Både KB og TKB definerer et bredt spekter av bakterier som kan stamme fra både avføring og ikke-fekal kilder. Den mest relevante indikator for fekal forurensning i miljøet er E.coli som ikke stammer fra miljøet, men finnes utelukkende i stort antall i avføring fra mennesker og varmblodige dyr. Selv om de fleste E.coli-stammer er harmløse er det noen typer som er knyttet til alvorlige menneske- og dyresykdommer. E.coli som hovedgruppe kan i dag oppdages relativt raskt med moderne analysemetoder og en god logistikk for prøvehåndtering og rapportering. Dette kombinert med tiltak kan beskytte mennesker og miljø fra potensielt patogene stammer av E.coli og andre sykdomsfremkallende organismegrupper som finnes i avløpsvann fra dyr og mennesker. E.coli bør derfor være standard analyse i overvåkningsprogram hvor det søkes etter fekal forurensning.

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Sammendrag

This article describes Norwegian and Polish experiences concerning domestic wastewater treatment obtained during nearly 20 years of operation for constructed wetland (CW) systems in rural areas and scattered settlements. The Norwegian CW systems revealed a high performance with respect to the removal of organic matter, biogenic elements and faecal indicator bacteria. The performance of the Polish CW systems was unstable, and varied between unsatisfied and satisfied treatment efficiency provided by horizontal and vertical flow CWs, respectively. Therefore, three different concepts related to the improvement of CW technology have been developed and implemented in Poland. These concepts combined some innovative solutions originally designed in Norway (e.g. an additional treatment step in biofilters) with Polish inspiration for new CWs treating rural domestic wastewater. The implementation of full-scale systems will be evaluated with regard to treatment efficiency and innovative technology; based on this, a further selection of the most favourable CW for rural areas and scattered settlements will be performed.

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Sammendrag

Nine filter beds have been constructed in the Nordic countries, Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden. Filter beds consist of a septic tank followed by an aerobic pre-treatment biofilter and a subsequent saturated flow grass-covered filter. Thus, filter beds are similar to subsurface flow constructed wetlands with pre-treatment biofilters. but do not have wetland plants with roots submerged into the saturated filter. All saturated filters contain Filtralite (R) P. a light-weight expanded clay aggregate possessing high phosphorus sorption capacity. The filter bed systems showed stable and consistent performance during the. testing period of 3 years. Removal of organic matter measured as biochemical oxygen demand (BUD) was >80%, total phosphorus (TP) >94% and total nitrogen (TN) ranged from 32 to 66%. Effluent concentrations of fecal indicator bacteria met the European bathing water quality criteria in all systems. One system was investigated for virus removal and somatic viruses were not detected in the effluent. The investigations revealed that the majority of the BOD and nitrogen removal occurred in the pre-treatment filters and the phosphorus and bacteria removal was more prominent in the saturated filters. The saturated filters could be built substantially smaller than the current design guidelines without sacrificing treatment performance. The used filter material met the Norwegian regulations for reuse in agriculture with respect to heavy metals, bacteria and parasites. When saturated with phosphorus, the light-weight aggregate. Filtralite (R) P used in the saturated bed is a suitable phosphorus fertilizer and additionally has a liming effect. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Sammendrag

This work discusses the potential routes of transport, possible occurrence and predicted fate of parasite eggs corresponding to human pathogens in on-site wastewater treatment systems with Light Weight Aggregates (LWA) media. The discussion is mainly based on scientific evidences supported by practical outcomes derived from a survey of helminth eggs in the specific LWA materials-typical filter media of constructed wetlands (CWs) treating domestic wastewater in Norway. The scientific evidences showed that the greatest reduction in the egg concentrations occurs in septic tanks. The eggs that could pass through the tank trap can be accumulated and effectively eliminated in the filter media of CWs. The practical outcomes did not show any accumulation and the consequent contamination of the LWA media with helminth eggs. Because the outcomes characterised a survey that was carried out for the first time ever on the above-specified filter media and was not replicated, the absence of parasite eggs in the CW filters cannot be definitely stated. However, it could be theoretically assumed that the possibility of finding human parasite eggs originated from domestic wastewater in the LWA filters should be negligible.

Sammendrag

For å få belyst og skape debatt rundt temaet bærekraftige avløpsløsninger, har Nesodden kommune initiert et prosjekt der målet er å gi kommunen et godt grunnlag for å velge bærekraftige løsninger i tråd med kommunens visjon. I dette prosjektet har det vært en praktisk øvelse i å vekte forhold som kan ha betydning for bærekraften. Rapporten beskriver metodikken som ble benyttet og resultatene fra undersøkelsen. Det ble valgt ut 17 indikatorer for bærekraft som omfatter økologi og miljø, helse og sosiale forhold, teknologi og økonomi. Indikatorene ble vurdert mot de fem avløpssystemene: 1) sjøledning med overføring til renseanlegg, 2) lokalt biologisk/kjemisk fellesanlegg, 3) lokalt felles våtmarksanlegg, 4) separate kretsløpsanlegg og 5) separate anlegg av ulike typer som finnes på markedet. Indikatorene og avløpssystemene ble foreslått av innleid VA ekspertise i samarbeid med kommunens administrasjon. Øvelsen har blitt utført for områdene Blylaget og Bomannsvik. Et panel sammensatt av politikere, administrasjon, representanter for berørte områdene og VA-ekspertise på ulike løsninger vektet individuelt betydningen av de ulike indikatorene. Vektingen viste at det er noen indikatorer som skiller seg ut i betydning som: Evne til å redusere helserisiko/ smittefare, renseeffekt (fosfor), økonomi og resirkulering av næringsstoff. Disse 4 indikatorene ble vektlagt ca 50% av de 17 indikatorene.Oppsummering av bærekraftighet i to vekteprosesser foretatt av panelet gav følgende resultat: Kretsløpsløsninger er økologisk og miljømessig mest bærekraftig.Fellesløsninger (sentral løsning) er teknologisk mest bærekraftig, spesielt for Bomannsvik.Overføring til felles renseanlegg via sjøledning er mest bærekraftig ut fra helsemessige og sosiale forhold.Fellesløsninger synes å være mest økonomisk bærekraftigEnkeltløsninger, ulike typer (lokale løsninger) er totalt sett minst bærekraftig.

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Sammendrag

Tie long-term use of a filter-based, on-site wastewater treatment system increases nutrient discharge to receiving waters and may reduce its hygienic barrier efficiency. The main purpose of this research was to assess the hygienic barrier efficiency and the associated health risks of an on-site system that had exceeded its 5-yr design capacity with respect to phosphorus (P) removal. The system was investigated for bacteria and virus removal and assessed with respect to potential health risks in relation to reuse of effluent for irrigation. The system consists of a septic tank, a pressure-dosed vertical flow biofilter, and an up-flow filter unit with lightweight clay aggregates. The total P concentration in the effluent had increased gradually from initially <0.1 mg P L-1 during the first 2 yr of operation to 1.8 mg P L-1 after 5.3 yr. Escherichia coli was used as an indicator organism for fecal bacteria removal, whereas bacteriophages phi X174 and Salmonella typhimurium phage 28B (S.t. 28B) were used to model enteric virus removal. An overall decrease in E. coli removal occurred from a complete (approximately 5.6 log(10)) reduction during the first 3 yr of operation to 2.6 log(10) reduction. The removal amounts of the bacteriophages phi X174 and S.t. 28B were 3.9 and 3.7 log(10), respectively. Based on removal of S.t. 28B, the risks of rotavirus infection and disease for the investigated scenarios were above the acceptable level of 10(-4) and 10(-3), respectively, as defined by the World Health Organization.

Sammendrag

Laboratory scale experiment on survival of Escherichia coli (E. coli) in samples of filter media used in constructed wetlands (CWs) treating domestic wastewater was performed. Concentration of E. coli was examined in 42 samples collected from a wetland filter/bed. All samples positive for E. coli contamination were used to assess the effect of storage time at different temperature regimes on the survival of E. coli. Storage time was set up as an unlimited factor, while temperature conditions were limited by three regimes, 4, 10 and 22 degrees. It was found that E. coli had higher persistence in samples collected from the upper, subsurface level comparing to samples taken from deeper levels (35 - 50 cm and 65 - 80 cm). Survival of E. coli in filter media collected below the depth of 35 cm from the surface level of CWs was counted up to 21 days. It was observed, however, that E. coli could survive for 14 months in samples of filter media collected right below the organic layer (5 cm). Concentration of E. coli in these samples, stored at 10 degrees, increased radically during the first 6 months and then rapidly decreased during next 1,5 month of storage. Thereafter, a slow decrease of E. coli numbers was registered up to the level that no E. coli was detected. The highest survival rate was observed in samples stored at 10 degrees, but the longest period of survival was noticed in samples stored at 4 degrees.

Sammendrag

Både naturbaserte vs tekniske, sentrale vs desentrale avløpsløsninger har sine fordeler og ulemper. I en valgsituasjon mellom ulike løsninger er det ofte et fåtall kriterier som ligger til grunn for valget av løsninger. Ofte ligger det mange kriterier til grunn for et valg. Ved å tydeliggjøre forskjeller mellom ulike systemer i forhold til et utvalg kriterier som er relatert til bærekraftighet som vektes i betydning så vil valgsituasjonen kunne føre til et bedre resultat i forhold til de mål som settes med et avløpssystemet. For å få belyst og skape debatt rundt tema bærekraftige VA-løsninger, har Nesodden kommune initiert et prosjekt der målet er å gi kommunen et godt grunnlag for å velge avløpsløsninger som er i tråd med kommunens ønsker og intensjoner. I prosjektet har det vært en praktisk øvelse i å vekte forhold som kan ha betydning for bærekraften. Det ble valgt ut 17 indikatorer for bærekraft. Øvelsen har blitt utført for områdene Blylaget og Bomansvik. Denne rapporten beskriver metodikken som ble benyttet og resultatene fra undersøkelsen.

Sammendrag

Det var Universitetet i Warszawa og "The Scholarship and Training Fund" som inviterte unge forskere og studenter til konferansen "Mobility of doctoral students and young researches within the European Higher Education Area". Bioforsk var det eneste norske instituttet som var invitert til å holde foredrag.

Sammendrag

I samarbeid med tre polske universitet, jobber Bioforsk for å finne frem til nye og rimeligere løsninger for rensing av avløpsvann i avsidesliggende strøk i Polen. Hensikten er å redusere eutrofiering av overflatevann. I Bioforsk har vi lang erfaring med både anlegging og overvåking av små anlegg, men disse systemene må tilpasses polske forhold. Bioforsk samarbeider med Universitetet i Gdansk, Gdansk Teknologiske Universitet og Universitetet i Lodz. Løsningene må også tilpasses med hensyn til geologi og klima. En spesiell utfordring ligger i å utvikle forfilter løsninger da tradisjonell infiltrasjon ikke er akseptert som metode.

Sammendrag

Tunnel wash waters characterize all waters that run of after washing procedures of tunnels are performed. These waters represent a wide spectrum of organic and inorganic pollutants, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and toxic metals. Removal of such contaminants from water runoff was investigated using laboratory tests after washing procedure was performed on two road tunnels in eastern Norway (Hanekleiv and Bragernes). Due to diverse character of both, treatment media and treated wash waters, the whole investigation was divided into two separate laboratory experiments. The treatment efficiencies were established based on the levels of concentrations and reductions of the measured contaminants in the effluents released from the tested media. In the first part of the article, the contents of nonpolar oil (NPO), 16 individual PAHs, and total PAHs are described. This part revealed that the combination of two organic sorbent materials provided the highest treatment efficiency for wash waters released from the road tunnel and from electrostatic filters. The greatest reduction levels reached 97.6% for NPO, 97.2% for benzo[a]pyrene, and 96.5% for the total PAHs. In the second part of the article, the concentrations and the removal rates of toxic metals are reported.

Sammendrag

It is generally recommended that solutions for the treatment of wastewater and toilet waste is based on a detailed knowledge of the local physical and natural conditions as well as socio-economical factors and socio-cultural factors. Based on experience from previous comparable projects the following components are recommended: " The systems should be build as large as possible based on local natural/financial resources " Infiltration systems are preferred if local soil is usable and local water resources are protected " A combination with pre-treatment, compact filtering and extensive filtering in wetlands or peat filters Based on experience from previous comparable projects the following components might also be recommended given a local acceptance: " Urine separating toilets without water/low water consumption " Separate collection of urine in tanks to be stored and reused or safely disposed off " Toilet solid waste to be stored in separate tanks and co-treated with other organic waste fractions " Separate treatment of greywater and urine in extensive infiltration or filter systems These systems makes it possible to a safe, odour free and recycling waste and wastewater treatment without creating unacceptable loads on the environment or risks to human health. Infiltration systems depend on local soils and previous use of ground water.

Sammendrag

City planners need practical methods to assess and compare the sustainability of different alternatives for urban infrastructure. This article presents the consequences of selecting different methods to normalize the values of sustainability indicators, and the influence of selecting different indicators and different weighting techniques. A nature based sewerage system is compared to a conventional system. The article demonstrates that the method used to normalize the indicators, the choice of relevant indicators and the weighting technique have considerable influence on which system is found to be the most sustainable. By selecting particular indicators, weighting and normalization methods, it is possible to prove that virtually any infrastructure system is more sustainable than any other alternative system. Such a biased approach is difficult to reveal unless the most careful, expert scrutiny is applied. Because of this fact, it is of paramount importance that the consequences of different evaluation methods are discussed and sensitivity analyses are carried out honestly and objectively on the critical parameters. An evaluation process made in this way will enable those parts of the analysis that generate disagreement to be identified, and decisions taken on what is important and unimportant.

Til dokument

Sammendrag

Konstruerte våtmarker og filterbedanlegg er utviklet for å rense kommunalt avløpsvann i spredt bebygde strøk. I disse anleggene brukes filtermaterialer med høy fosforbindingskapasitet for å fjerne fosfor (P) fra avløpsvannet. Evnen som et filtermateriale har til å binde P har vært undersøkt i laboratoriet ved hjelp av risteforsøk, kolonneforsøk og karforsøk. Ved å måle hvor mye P som er bundet til filtermaterialet i storskala renseanlegg kan vi få et estimat på den reelle P-bindingen i felt. Dette nr. av Bioforsk FOKUS gir en oversikt over undersøkelser som ligger til grunn for vurdering av bindingskapasitet og levetid for norske anlegg designet i henhold til VA-miljøblad 49.

Sammendrag

Patogene innvollsormer som er til stede i fekale forurensninger fra mennesker og dyr kan utgjøre en stor helserisiko da eggene har en stor overlevelsesevne som kan gi infeksjoner på lavere nivå og dessuten være resistente mot desinfeksjonsmidler. Derfor er fekalt avfall fra mennesker og dyr hovedkilde til forurensning av egg og larver fra innvollsormer i miljøet. Utveksling mellom vann og fekalier i det ytre miljøet er nødvendig for mange innvollsormer. Likevel er det sjelden det forekommer vannbårne epidemier av disse parasittene i forhold til patogene protozoer. Innvollsormer har en begrenset utbredelse i industrielt utviklede land og det er derfor begrenset informasjon om forekomst av egg fra innvollsormer i norsk avløpsvann. Forekomst av denne typen parasitter må imidlertid vurderes i forhold til behandling av avløpsvann i filtre som siden skal benyttes til landbruksformål, som f eks Filtralite. Dette skyldes at gjenbruk av filtermateriale kan være en spredningsvei for parasitter til omgivelsene. Enkle undersøkelser av smittsomme parasittegg i Filtralite filtermedia fra avløpsanlegg i spredt bebyggelse i Norge viste at det ikke var forekomst av slike patogene organismer. Det kan bety at filtermaterialet ikke utgjøre noen hygienisk risiko for miljøet i forhold til gjenbruksformål. Resultatene fra disse testene er utført på komposittprøver fra filteranlegg med Filtralite og gir ingen oversikt over forekomst av parasitter i råvannet og fjerningsrater i renseprosessen som foregår i slamavskiller, forfilter og filterbed. Denne rapporten presenterer resultatene av en litteratursammenstilling og trekker frem mulig scenarier for fjerning av parasittegg i avløpsvann i filterbed anlegg/konstruerte våtmarker med Filtralite. Det første scenariet refererer seg til vitenskaplige publiserte data som tar for seg fjerning av parasittegg i slamavskiller, videre i forfilter og filterbed hvor egg kan bli ødelagt og eliminert. Det andre scenariet baserer seg på antagelsen om at avløpsvannet er uten parasitter og det derfor er et filtermateriale uten parasitter (under norske forhold i spredt bebyggelse). Dersom en tar i betraktning informasjon fra den foreløpige undersøkelsen av parasittegg forekomst i Filtralite sammen med disse to scenariene, kan det hevdes at muligheten for å finne parasittegg fra humane innvollsormer i Filtralite fra filterbed er fjernet. En slik vurdering er imidlertid basert på et begrenset datagrunnlag foruten denne litteratur gjennomgangen. En mer detaljert undersøkelse av parasittenes skjebne i brukt Filtralite media kan bekrefte eller avkrefte disse scenariene for mht fjerning, eller eventuelt avdekke nye forhold ved fjerning av parasittegg.

Sammendrag

A new compact wastewater treatment system for use in single houses has been constructed in eastern Norway. The system is based on the principles of sub-surface flow constructed wetlands using various types of Filtralite as filter media. It consists of a septic tank followed by an aerobic biofilter succeeded by an upflow saturated filter. The aerobic biofilter is essential to remove organic matter and achieve nitrification, while the upflow filter polishes the wastewater and removes microorganisms and phosphorus. During the first 3 years of operation, the system has show stable and high removal with the following average values measured from the outlet of septic tank to the outlet of the upflow filter: 97.0%-BOD7, 30%-N, 99.4%-P, and 70.8%-SS. No Escherichia coli or somatic coliphages have been detected in the effluent. Due to considerable removal of organic mater, nutrients, and pathogens, the effluent will not negatively affect water and soil ecosystems. The system requires low maintenance and is designed to remove phosphorus for 5 years before renewal of the upflow filter media. When saturated with phosphorus, the media is a suitable fertilizer for plant production. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.