Kiwifruit Vine Decline Syndrome (KVDS) has become a major concern in Italy, impacting both plant health and production. This study aims to investigate how KVDS affects soil health indicators and the composition of soil microbial communities by comparing symptomatic and asymptomatic areas in two kiwifruit orchards located in Latium, Italy. Soil samples were collected during both spring and autumn to assess seasonal variations in soil physicochemical properties, enzyme activities, and microbial biomass.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis study aims to develop a solver to calculate the dispersion of emitted odour from the main sources located in a large urban wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). Its seasonal odour impact on surrounding areas, including nearby populations, was also evaluated. Different seasons of the year were studied using the prevailing meteorological conditions in each case, within the framework of a Eulerian model.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNitrification of ammoniacal nitrogen (N-NH) to nitrate (N-NO) was investigated in a lab-scale sequencing batch reactor (SBR) to evaluate its efficiency. During the nitrification process the removal of N-NH reached 96%, resulting in 73% formation of N-NO. A lineal correlation (r = 0.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIn this study, five urban WWTPs (Wastewater Treatment Plant) with different biological treatment (Extended Aeration Activated Sludge - EAAS; Rotating Biological Contactor - RBC), wastewater type (Urban; Industrial) and size, were jointly evaluated. The aim was twofold: (1) to analyze and compare their odor emissions, and (2) to identify the main causes of its generation from the relationships between physico-chemical, respirometric and olfactometric variables. The results showed that facilities with EAAS technology were more efficient than RBC, with elimination yields of organic matter higher than 90%.
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