A sorbent based monitoring system for measuring the solute concentration of at least one component of a fluid. The system has a sorbent regeneration system for regeneration of the fluid and has a sorbent cartridge that has at least one material layer. The fluid is conveyed through the sorbent cartridge and contacts at least one sensor after having contacted at least one material layer.

Compositions and methods useful in identifying and/or selecting maize plants having resistance to northern leaf blight are provided herein. The resistance may be newly conferred or enhanced relative to a control plant. The methods use markers to identify, select and/or construct resistant plants. Maize plants identified, selected, and/or generated by the methods described herein are also provided.

Compositions and methods useful in identifying and/or selecting maize plants having resistance to northern leaf blight are provided herein. The resistance may be newly conferred or enhanced relative to a control plant. The methods use markers to identify, select and/or construct resistant plants. Maize plants identified, selected, and/or generated by the methods described herein are also provided.

A system and process for nitrate reduction from a water source. The process includes the steps of passing nitrate contaminated water through a strong acid cation exchange resin to reduce cations. The effluent is thereafter passed through a weak base anion exchange resin in order to reduce nitrate content. The strong acid cation exchange resin is regenerated, and the weak base anion exchange resin is also regenerated.

A novel apparatus for an ion exchange system is provided. The apparatus comprises a first column for housing a first fluidized bed through which particles are flowed countercurrently to an ion-containing fluid to yield ion-loaded particles, a second column through which the ion-loaded particles are flowed countercurrently to an eluent fluid to yield regenerated particles, and a transport section which transfers the regenerated particles for re-introduction into the first column to repeat the ion exchange cycle in a continuous manner. A continuous method of ion exchange is also provided.

A novel apparatus for an ion exchange system is provided. The apparatus comprises a first column for housing a first fluidized bed through which particles are flowed countercurrently to an ion-containing fluid to yield ion-loaded particles, a second column through which the ion-loaded particles are flowed countercurrently to an eluent fluid to yield regenerated particles, and a transport section which transfers the regenerated particles for re-introduction into the first column to repeat the ion exchange cycle in a continuous manner. A continuous method of ion exchange is also provided.

A method of treating wastewater includes removing BOD and ammonium from the wastewater. The wastewater is directed into a tank where it is mixed with mixed liquor or activated sludge from an activated sludge wastewater treatment system. The mixture of wastewater and mixed liquor or activated sludge forms a mixed liquor stream. The mixed liquor stream is directed to a ballasted flocculation system where suspended solids is removed from the wastewater. This produces a clarified effluent that is directed to a zeolite tank. Clarified wastewater from the ballasted flocculation system is directed into the zeolite tank and mixed with zeolite. Zeolite is effective to remove ammonium from the wastewater. Thus, the process as a whole is effective in removing suspended solids, soluble BOD as a result of mixing the mixed liquor or activated sludge with the wastewater, and ammonium.

A method of treating wastewater includes removing BOD and ammonium from the wastewater. The wastewater is directed into a tank where it is mixed with mixed liquor or activated sludge from an activated sludge wastewater treatment system. The mixture of wastewater and mixed liquor or activated sludge forms a mixed liquor stream. The mixed liquor stream is directed to a ballasted flocculation system where suspended solids is removed from the wastewater. This produces a clarified effluent that is directed to a zeolite tank. Clarified wastewater from the ballasted flocculation system is directed into the zeolite tank and mixed with zeolite. Zeolite is effective to remove ammonium from the wastewater. Thus, the process as a whole is effective in removing suspended solids, soluble BOD as a result of mixing the mixed liquor or activated sludge with the wastewater, and ammonium.

A method of sorbent dialysis is provided for enhanced removal of uremic toxins, such as toxic anions and/or organic solutes, from spent dialysate. More highly adsorbable zirconium polymeric complexes of these anions and/or organic solutes can be initially formed in spent dialysate by treatment with zirconium salt solution or other zirconium cation source, and then removed with adsorbent to provide purified or regenerated dialysate. Sorbent dialysis systems for detoxifying spent dialysate containing toxic anions and organic solutes are also provided.

A method of sorbent dialysis is provided for enhanced removal of uremic toxins, such as toxic anions and/or organic solutes, from spent dialysate. More highly adsorbable zirconium polymeric complexes of these anions and/or organic solutes can be initially formed in spent dialysate by treatment with zirconium salt solution or other zirconium cation source, and then removed with adsorbent to provide purified or regenerated dialysate. Sorbent dialysis systems for detoxifying spent dialysate containing toxic anions and organic solutes are also provided.