The present invention relates to a treatment system having a barium carbonate (BaCO.sub.3) dispersed alkaline substrate (BDAS) for use in the remediation or at least partial remediation of mine drainage (MD) and/or environmental media contaminated with a source of MD. The invention utilizes chemical, biological and combined treatment systems remove high concentrations of sulfates, hardness, heavy metals and N-compounds, that may exist in the MD as well as high concentrations of alkalinity produced during the remediation process. The invention further extends to a process for treating MD and/or environmental media contaminated with MD and to an apparatus for use in this process.

The present disclosure relates generally to processes and systems for maintaining a live culture of microorganisms in the activated sludge unit of a refinery during an extended refinery shut-down.

A process for producing PHA comprises obtaining biomass produced in the course of biologically treating a first wastewater source containing RBCOD. The biomass is to be exploited with a second wastewater source having a different RBCOD content from the first wastewater source in order to accumulate and thereby produce PHA. Before subjecting the biomass to a PHA accumulation process, the biomass PHA accumulation potential is enhanced via an acclimation process with the second wastewater source. During acclimation, the biomass is subjected to repeated feast-famine periods. During each feast period, the biomass is exposed to a fraction of the second wastewater source. The RBCOD uptake and/or biomass respiration rate is directly or indirectly measured during each feast period. The famine period is maintained for a period of time that is at least two times greater than the length of time of the proceeding feast period. After at least two feast-famine acclimation periods or after one or more measured parameters reveal an increased RBCOD relative uptake or respiration rate of the biomass during a subsequent feast period, the biomass is subjected to a PHA accumulation process using the second wastewater source.

A process for removal of selenium and nitrate from waste water includes both electrochemical and bioprocessing treatment. Embodiments include use of activated walnut shell a growth media for selenium-reducing bacteria.

Disclosed is a method for improving biological production of hydrogen from protein-containing wastewater comprising two stages: ultraviolet radiation pretreatment of protein-containing wastewater and biological production of hydrogen under a neutral pH condition and intermediate temperature condition.

A method for enhancing in situ bioremediation of a volume containing groundwater and a quantity of contaminant, the method comprising the steps of: quantifying the mass of the contaminant; and amending the volume by adding thereto a compound that provides a source of NO.sub.3.sup.−. The method is characterized in that the compound is added such that the mass of the NO.sub.3.sup.− source is provided at the ratio of about 1 mg NO.sub.3.sup.− per 0.21 mg contaminant. The contaminant can be BTEX or petroleum-related VOC.

A biofilm process is disclosed for treating wastewater containing readily biodegradable dissolved organic matter GP (measured as chemical oxygen demand or COD) and producing surplus biomass from the biofilm process that includes an enhanced polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) content. The process comprises directing a wastewater influent containing the readily biodegradable COD (RBCOD) into a biofilm unit process. The PHA content of surplus biomass is enhanced by controlling for a decreased biofilm process specific organic loading rate in combination with controlling phosphorus loading rates relative to the process RBCOD loading rates: (1) controlling the wastewater influent phosphorus loading rate to the biofilm unit process includes maintaining an average RBCOD/P ratio of the influent that is between 200 and 800 g/g; (2) decreasing the process specific organic loading rate includes producing a biofilm unit process effluent having readily separable mixed liquor volatile suspended solids (RS-MLVSS); and (3) separating a portion of the RS-MLVSS from the biofilm unit process effluent and recycling at least a portion of the separated RS-MLVSS back to the biofilm unit process. The combination of the RBCOD/P control and specific loading rate control maintains, on average, the surplus biomass with a PHA content that is greater than 30% gPHA/g VSS.

A modular liquid waste treatment system is disclosed. In accordance with some embodiments, the system includes a central distribution unit and one or more treatment fins in flow communication therewith. The distribution unit may be configured to receive liquid waste from a given source and distribute that waste, at least in part, to one or more treatment fins. In turn, bacteria present in a given treatment fin treat the liquid waste, and the resultant treated liquid may drain from the fin to the surrounding environment. In some embodiments, a given treatment fin may include porous media providing a large surface area on which bacteria may grow to facilitate treatment. The system may be installed in and/or above the ground, and in some cases may be surrounded, at least in part, with treatment sand and/or other treatment media. The system may be used in aerobic and/or anaerobic processing of liquid waste.

According to present disclosure, there is disclosed an algae growth and cultivation system that provides a cost-efficient means of producing algae biomass as feedstock for algae-based products, such as, biofuel manufacture, and desirably impacts alternative/renewable energy production, nutrient recovery from waste streams, and valued byproducts production. The system as discussed herein is an integrated systems approach to wastewater treatment, algal strains selection for byproducts production, and recycle of algal-oil extraction waste or additional algae harvested as feedstock for fertilizer production. Embodiments of a system as discussed herein present an economically viable algae production system and process that allows algae-derived products such as biofuels, fertilizer, etc. to compete with petroleum products in the marketplace.

The present invention relates to a method for reducing the aniline content of hypersaline wastewater, said method comprising the steps of (a) providing a composition A comprising hypersaline wastewater and aniline, and (b) contacting composition A with cells of at least one halophilic microbial strain, thereby generating a composition B comprising said composition A and cells of said at least one halophilic microbial strain. The present invention further concerns a method for the production of chlorine and sodium hydroxide. Further encompassed by the present invention is a composition comprising hypersaline wastewater, aniline, and cells of at least one halophilic microbial strain.