Study of the impacts of process changes of a pulp and paper mill on aerated stabilization basin (ASB) performance.

A laboratory scale (LS) and a field-based pilot plant (PP), designed to simulate aerobic stabilization basin (ASB) operation, were utilized to assess the potential impacts of changes in pulp and paper (P&P) mill operations on full-scale (FS) ASB performance. Two stages of investigation were conducted. The first was undertaken to determine the potential of pre-alum treatment of pulp mill wastewaters on ASB performance.

Changes in the quality of river water before, during and after a major flood event associated with a La Niña cycle and treatment for drinking purposes.

The treatment of organics present in the lower reaches of a major river system (the Murray-Darling Basin, Australia) before (March-July 2010), during (December 2010-May 2011) and after (April-December 2012) a major flood period was investigated. The flood period (over 6months) occurred during an intense La Niña cycle, leading to rapid and high increases in river flows and organic loads in the river water. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) increased (2-3 times) to high concentrations (up to 16mg/L) and was found to correlate with river flow rates.

Changes in character of organics in the receiving environment of effluent from a sulphite pulp mill.

Purpose: The characteristics of organics in sulphite pulp mill effluent and in the receiving environment of effluent discharge were investigated to assess the basis for the persistence or attenuation of colour.

Methods: Characterization of organics was conducted through determination of SUVA, specific colour, and molecular weight distribution of organics using high performance size exclusion chromatography and by solid-state (13) C cross polarization (CP) NMR. The characteristics of organics from mill wastewater before and after secondary aerobic treatment, followed by lime treatment and from the receiving environment, an enclosed brackish lake were compared.