The application of modern molecular techniques has led to the identification, in situ quantification, and partial ecophysiological characterisation of bacteria responsible for bulking and foaming or for nutrient removal in sewage treatment systems. Unexpectedly, previously unrecognised, yet uncultured bacteria were demonstrated to catalyse nitrogen and phosphorous removal in activated-sludge an...

A rapid determination of decabromodiphenyl ether (DeBDE) in polystyrene (PS) by thermal desorption (TD)-GC/MS was studied. The TD-GC/MS method using a pyrolysis-GC/MS system allowed the quick quantification of DeBDE in a waste TV back plate composing of a PS flame-retarded with polybrominated diphenyl ethers on the basis of the resulting chromatogram with a ca. 4% relative standard deviation wi...

The potential of tobacco waste as a viable source of medicinally important flavonoids like rutin has been investigated. Three flavonoids, apigenin, quercetin and rutin, have been isolated from waste tobacco leaves, and their identities have been confirmed by UV-visible, 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR spectroscopy. By using analytical HPLC, the amount of rutin present in the tobacco leaves, before and after...

Post-consumer waste is a small contributor to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (<5%) with total emissions of approximately 1300 MtCO 2-eq in 2005. The largest source is landfill methane (CH 4), followed by wastewater CH 4 and nitrous oxide (N 2 O); in addition, minor emissions of carbon dioxide (CO 2) result from incineration of waste containing fossil carbon (C) (plastics; synthetic texti...