Water and Environment Institute

Carbaryl is an important and widely used insecticide that pollutes soil and water systems. Bacteria from the local soil ecosystem of the Gaza Strip capable of utilizing carbaryl as the sole source of carbon and nitrogen were isolated and identified as belonging to Bacillus, Morganella, Pseudomonas, Aeromonas and Corynebacterium genera. Carbaryl biodegradation by Bacillus, Morganella and Corynebacterium isolates was analyzed in minimal liquid media supplemented with carbaryl as the only source of carbon and nitrogen. Bacillus and Morganella exhibited 94.6% and 87.3% carbaryl degradation, respectively, while Corynebacterium showed only moderate carbaryl degradation at 48.8%. These results indicate that bacterial isolates from a local soil ecosystem in the Gaza Strip are able to degrade carbaryl and can be used to decrease the risk of environmental contamination by this insecticide.

The main objective of the current research is to evaluate the disinfection process of water supply system in highly populated area in the Gaza Strip based on world health organization limitations for residual chlorine to ensure the microbiological safety of drinking water. The study relied mainly on the measurements of residual chlorine in the drinking water network of Jabalia city in the period between February 2009 until April 2010 of fixed sampling points representing the whole area network. Digital colorimeter is used to measure free chlorine and/or total chlorine residual at the monitoring points. A DPD-1 (free chlorine) or DPD-3 (total chlorine) tablet is added to a vial of sample water that causes a color change to pink. The vial is inserted into a meter that reads the intensity of the color change by emitting a wavelength of light and automatically determining and displaying the color intensity (the free or total chlorine residual) digitally. The study showed that some concentrations of residual chlorine in municipal water distribution network was infringement of the allowed values according to WHO standards by 41.4%, moreover a high rate of residual chlorine in some monitoring points up than value of the chlorine injected into the source for Jabalia. The study confirmed the existence of inverse correlation between the amount of residual chlorine and the distance from the source of chlorination in water supply networks. The results were discusses and appropriate recommendations were done in order to maintain the quality and safety of drinking water.

Degradation of Organic in MSW and WW sludge by Co-composting technology is one of the alternatives, are available to handle the disposal of solid wastes. Co-composting is the highest form of recycling of biodegradable solid waste and it reduces the volume of waste effective. Addition of an oily waste to a co-composting process of dairy cow manure with food waste, and the influence in the final product was evaluated. Rubber waste constitutes valuable source of organic matter but its high C/N ratio and low moisture content. The co compost from the aerobic reactor provides good humus to build up a poor physical soil and some basic plant nutrients. A chestnut burr and leaf litter with solid poultry manure co-composting mixed was assessed. The use of hair waste as agricultural fertilizer is one of its most promising applications. Agricultural value of hair can be increased by composting.
Results show that: 1) co-composting method will be an attractive solid waste management option in poor context. 2) Dairy cow manure with food waste co-composting process was feasible even at the highest fat content. It can be a feasible way of adding value to fatty wastes. 3) The final co compost can be promoted for fertilizer. The best results were obtained by mixing rubber waste with sewage sludge from municipal wastewater treatment plan, and water hyacinth. 4) The final pH of chestnut burr and leaf litter with solid poultry manure co-compost was 8.89 and the C/N ratio was 13. The germination index (GI) was obtained using the co-compost varied with the seeds used. 5) Good results were obtained when hair and de-inking co composted with raw sludge from a municipal wastewater treatment plant. In contrast, Respiratory Quotient (RQ) values were not adequate to follow the development of the process. In all cases, more stable compost was achieved at the end of the process.

Preface to the second edition

In the second edition of Medical Statistics from A to Z I have addedmany new definitions and taken the opportunity to correct and clarify a number of entries. More references are also provided that point readers to more detailed accounts of topics.

cambridge university press

BACKGROUND

The City is responsible to provide an approval process framework for new development and significant redevelopment that occurs within the City’s boundaries to ensure that development occurs in an organized fashion that reflects the vision of the community, assesses the environmental issues associated with the project, and provides a regulatory framework to ensure that standards set by the City are implemented. The City is required by the Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board’s NPDES Permit for urban storm water runoff to minimize short and long-term adverse impacts that new development and significant redevelopment may have on water quality to the maximum extent practicable. The City’s General Plan includes development goals and policies, landscaping policies and requirements, open space goals and policies, including preservation or integration with natural features, and water conservation policies that reflect the vision of the community. The following bullets provide a sample of the policies and goals contained in the General Plan:
 Protect water quality and conserve water supply.
 Local drainage courses, channels, and creeks should be improved to protect vegetation and wildlife habitat wherever possible.
 Reduce and eliminate contamination of water supply from industrial operations.
 Conserve and protect significant topographical features, important watershed areas, resources, and soils.
 Control erosion during and following construction through proper grading techniques, vegetation replanting, and the installation of proper drainage control improvements.
 Encourage the practice of proper soil management techniques to reduce erosion, sedimentation, and other soil-related problems.

Presentation

This Guide is a contribution of the Pan American Health Organization, Regional Office for the Americas of the World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), to aid developing countries in their preparation of national drinking water quality standards (DWQS).

The structure of the document is that of a pyramid, the base being the general principles and recommendations, which represents the foundation of the Guide. The second level explains the methodology suggested for developing a standard.

The third level focuses on each of the components or “sections” of the standard and describes their most important features and how to apply them. The fourth level presents a case study to help visualize the use of the Guide.

This paper describes the results of monthly sampling of physico-chemical parameters and fecal indicators at six monitoring stations on the Gaza coast over a period of five months period in 2012. The results show spatial and temporal variation in physico-chemical parameters (pH, water temperature, TDS, turbidity, ....etc) and faecal indicators (faecal coliform and faecal streptococci) that appear to be linked to problems of raw sewage discharge and storm water runoff.

Analysis of variance confirmed that station close to the raw sewage discharge points had significantly higher faecal coliform and faecal streptococci levels than stations free from and raw sewage discharge. The data indicate high microbiological contamination of seawater above internationally accepted limits, especially at stations close to raw sewage outlets. TDS, turbidity and Nitrates levels also varied significantly, also under the influence of sewage and storm water runoff.

This paper describes the results of monthly sampling of physico-chemical parameters at four monitoring sites on the Gaza Governorate coast during five months period in 2012. Temporal variation study was carried out to examine level of varying physico-chemical parameters (seawater temperature, pH value, turbidity, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids and nitrate). The physico-chemical parameters have exhibited considerable temporal variations. TDS, turbidity and nitrates levels varied significantly, under the influence of sewage and storm water runoff. The qualitative study revealed the present status of the physico-chemical characteristics, which would be very helpful for policy makers to take precautionary measures to save the Gazan coast.

This study has been conducted to comprehensively investigate and determine the physico-chemical and microbiological characteristics of the seawater quality of northern Gaza Strip. The main objective of the study is to identify the characteristic of the near shore water quality and to determine the extent of compliance with the Palestinian local standards, WHO and other international standards.

The investigation was conducted through analysis of seawater samples from six sites along the coastal water of northern Gaza Strip. The total samples 168 (84 for physicochemical and 84 for microbiological) were analyzed during the winter season period (8/2011 to 12/2011).

Samples were collected from the study area of about 14 km along the seashore region from Wadi Gaza until Al-Forisa Club in the north. The study area was divided into six sites (1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6) according to several criteria such as the presence of pollution points of direct and indirect and the most crowded areas of swimmers and sea visitors.

The analysis of the results shows significant spatial and temporal variations in the physico-chemical parameters (turbidity, electrical conductivity, nitrates, and total dissolved solids) but no significant variations in pH and water temperature. On the other hand, the analysis of the results shows significant variations in the microbiological indicators (total coliform, fecal coliform, fecal streptococcus and pseudomonas aeruginosa) which is apparently due to raw sewage discharge.

Analysis of variance confirmed that sites close to the raw sewage discharge points had significantly higher levels of total coliform, fecal coliform, fecal streptococcus and pseudomonas aeruginosa than sites free from any sewage discharge. The data indicate high microbiological contamination of seawater above internationally accepted limits, especially at sites close to sewage outlets. Turbidity, electrical conductivity, nitrates, and total dissolved solids levels also varied significantly also under the influence of sewage discharge.

Based on the main findings of the current study, negative health impacts on Gaza Strip population especially seashore visitors, are expected. Several recommendations that may help in controlling and/or protecting the coastal area and the marine ecosystem in the study area have been suggested. They mainly include; the construction of new wastewater treatment plants and upgrading the existing ones, routine monitoring of the pollution level of the coastal area especially the recreational zones and development of a national program for the protection of the marine environment that can be enforced by setting the necessary rules and regulations. The study recommended finally; the need for further studies to assess the health impacts of the seawater pollution.

The study was implemented to test if the sandy shoreline of Gaza city is contaminated with human gastrointestinal parasites or not and to determine the types of intestinal parasites and the extent of contamination. A total of 104 sand samples (52 dry sand and 52 wet sand) were analyzed during the summer season period. Samples were collected from the study area of about 12km along the seashore region of Gaza City. Dry samples and wet sand samples were analyzed using water-sedimentation technique and a light microscope. The results showed that the percentage of the parasitic contamination was 40.4% of the wet sand samples and 34.6% of the dry sand samples along the shoreline region of the Gaza City. The human gastrointestinal parasites detected were the following: Ascaris lumbricoides, S. stercoralis, E. vermicularis, E. histolytica/dispar, G. lamblia, E. coli and Taenia. spp. The findings showed that there was no statistically significant difference in the concentration of parasitic contamination between the dry and wet sand samples at confidence level of p-value < 0.05. It is recommended to conduct a periodical routine sampling of sand at the swash zone because the results of this study showed that the wet and the dry sand may pose a high level of health risk. Residents should be informed clearly by posting signs indicating polluted areas to keep them safe.

According to the findings of the current study, negative health impacts on Gaza City population especially seashore visitors are anticipated. The main recommendations include: the construction of new wastewater treatment plants and upgrading the existing ones, routine monitoring of the pollution level of the coastal area especially the recreational zones and development of a national program for the protection of the marine environment that can be enforced by setting the necessary rules and regulations.