Enviromental engineering Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Enviromental engineering - Essay Example Chemical or biological processes can help specific sources of phosphorus as from wastewater treatment plants (Henze & Van Loosdrecht 155). Biological nutrient removal processes in the treatment of waste waters lead to environmental, operational and economic benefit. For this purpose, stricter rules are being implemented for removing phosphorus from waste water. The different nutrient removal processes are chemical, physical and biological. Various biological methods are available for removing both nitrogen and phosphorus. The process of biological nutrient removal or BNR is based on a chain of biochemical reactions that convert nitrogen to another form. The main changes are nitrification and denitrification. â€Å"Nitrification is the conversion of ammonium, NH4+ to nitrite, NO2-, and finally to nitrate, NO3-â€Å" (PWTB A-4). Denitrification is the process by which, without dissolved oxygen bacteria use nitrate as a terminal electron acceptor and convert it to nitrogen gas. Denitrification occurs rapidly when an external substrate like wastewater or methanol is present for bacterial growth. Denitrification takes place slowly in the event of bacteria using nitrate in the absence of an external substance source. This is also termed as endogenous-level denitrification. The denitrification rates at endogenous level depend on sludge age and the active mass fraction of denitrifying bacteria (PWTB A-4). The effectiveness of the biological nutrient removal system is impacted by the â€Å"characteristics of the waste water influent to each zone of the process† (PWTB A-13). Both biological nitrogen removal and biological phosphorus removal can be carried out successfully only in the presence of adequate biodegradable organic substrate. The efficiency of the biological phosphorus removal process differs according to the specific organic compound available in the anaerobic zone. There is reduced efficiency of nitrogen

Consumers Activities and Consumption Assignment

Consumers Activities and Consumption - Assignment Example Anthony Giddens has theorized consumption as a concurrent basis and therapeutic response to the predicament of identities, originating from the pluralization of societies, their values as well as knowledge within the post-traditional social universe. Other post-modernists consumption researchers, like Baudrillard, have theorized consumption and the practices of consumer society as the semiotic system whereby signs are consumed and not just the products. For instance, societies are recognized by the institution and expansion of exchange networks by which individuals acquire essential goods plus services. This is evident in the messages in which firms convey, such as the Scotland Food & Drink Ltd vision which states that in order to make Scotland globally acknowledged as a place of quality food and drink, they bring together their clients to discuss the organization successes, its problems, and ideas. Hence, the firm harness the combined resources of its entire supply chain and the con sumer s within the general public so as to celebrate their products. According to Don Slater, the consumer culture is an engine for redirecting any reflection of critical consciousness towards product desires, whereby the trouncing of consciousness is characterized by manipulation as well as persuasion. Furthermore, the consumption and consumer society is theorized as an opulent and materially satisfying consciousness that has replaced the real society with desires which are more purposeful to capitalism.