The coexistence of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) and methanogenic archaea (MA) in anaerobic biofilms developed in sewer inner pipe surfaces favors the accumulation of sulfide (H2S) and methane (CH4) as metabolic end products, causing severe impacts on sewerage systems. In this study, we investigated the time course of H2S and CH4 production and emission rates during different stages of biofil...

Circular DNA such as plasmids and some viruses is the major source of genetic variation in bacteria and thus has the same important evolutionary function as sexual reproduction in eukaryotic species: It allows dissemination of advantageous traits through bacterial populations. Here, we present the largest collection of novel complete extrachromosomal genetic elements to date, and compare the di...

A nation can use its current output to provide for the future in numerous ways: it can undertake private capital investment, add to the stock of public capital, enhance income-producing assets abroad, invest in human capital through education and health programs, conserve natural resources and the environment, and invest in science and technology. During the 1980s none of these approaches were ...

The archaeological evidence for parasites in the Roman era is presented in order to demonstrate the species present at that time, and highlight the health consequences for people living under Roman rule. Despite their large multi-seat public latrines with washing facilities, sewer systems, sanitation legislation, fountains and piped drinking water from aqueducts, we see the widespread presence ...

In an agricultural catchment area in Germany we analyzed water samples from five entry routes for 2 insecticides. 5 fungicides and 13 herbicides. The sewage plant outlet and the emergency overflow of a sewage sewer contained only herbicides. In each farmyard runoff we found on average 24 g pesticides during application period, presumably caused by cleaning the spraying equipment. In comparison,...

The paper sketches KURT, an autonomous robot platform prototype that is able to navigate inside a network of sewage pipes. KURT is a six-wheeled device; it has modular, layered hardware and control architectures. Its sensor connguration consists mostly of stationary and one exible ultrasound sensors and of two inclinometers. In experiments run in a test sewerage system consisting of concrete pi...

A sensitive method was developed to measure the sediment concentration of 10 wastewater micropollutants selected as potential sanitary tracers of sewage contamination and include: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (acetaminophen - ACE and diclofenac - DIC), an anti-epileptic drug (carbamazepine - CBZ), a β-blocker (atenolol - ATL), a stimulant (caffeine - CAF), a bronchodilator (theophylline...

The archaeological evidence for parasites in the Roman era is presented in order to demonstrate the species present at that time, and highlight the health consequences for people living under Roman rule. Despite their large multi-seat public latrines with washing facilities, sewer systems, sanitation legislation, fountains and piped drinking water from aqueducts, we see the widespread presence ...