Opens with a brief history of human awareness of our effect upon the environment. Culminates with a discussion of a strategy to handle solid wastes. This plan includes the 3R's: (1) source reduction; (2) direct reuse of products; and (3) recycling. Also provides statistics on recycling practices of some countries. (ZWH)

An overview is presented of the sources and chemical nature of odors in waste treatment plants, and of several abatement procedures and techniques. (BB)

The small coastal city of Rockland, Maine solved its pollution problems by building a treatment plant to handle the combined domestic and industrial wastewaters that were being discharged into Rockland Harbor. (BB)

Land application systems are discussed with reference to the options available for applying wastewater and sludge to the site. Spray systems, surface flow methods, and sludge application schemes are all included with discussions of the advantages and disadvantages of each option within these categories. A distinction is made between the choice of…

This module provides information about 14 existing land application systems. Each case study gives the location and description of the system, volume treated, climate and soil type, cost, land area, and other data. A brief comment about the system is given as well as a more detailed discussion. References are cited which may be used to examine 100…

This module summarizes four major reasons for employing monitoring during design and operation of a land application site: documentation of existing water quality and system performance, confirmation of design parameters, provision of data for future designs and for management decisions. Monitoring requirements are examined for different land…

The treatment of wastewater phosphorus via land application includes both chemical and biological mechanisms. Chemically, phosphorus reacts with iron, aluminum, and calcium compounds in the soil providing efficient removal over a wide range of pH values. Phosphorus is also absorbed by rooted plants which, upon harvest, constitute a further removal…

Drainage for land treatment sites must be evaluated with respect to the purpose the system is meant to achieve. Off-site drainage controls the flow of storm runoff onto the site or groundwater incursion into the soil within the site. On-site drainage is employed for a variety of reasons. These two areas of drainage control must be designed as a…

This module discusses the characteristics of alternate sites and management schemes and attempts to evaluate the efficiency of each alternative in terms of waste treatment. Three types of non-crop land application are discussed: (1) forest lands; (2) park and recreational application; and (3) land reclamation in surface or strip mined areas. (BB)

This module expands on the introductory discussion of nitrogen in other modules. The various chemical forms of nitrogen found in land treatment systems are defined. Inputs from waste application as well as natural sources are quantified for typical situations. A discussion of nitrogen transformations in the soil includes mineralization and…

Discusses the problem of solid waste disposal in the United States, suggests ways in which solid wastes might be reduced, and proposes a number of related topics for student debate in classes or in science clubs. (JR)

This module sketches out the impact of sewage organic matter on soils. For convenience, that organic matter is separated into the readily decomposable compounds and the more resistant material (volatile suspended solids, refractory organics, and sludges). The fates of those organics are reviewed along with loading rates and recommended soil…

This module enumerates the benefits to be derived from cropping at a waste application site and criteria to be used in selecting a crop for use in a particular situation. Following basic discussions of the requirements of various crops for water, soil-plant-air moisture potentials, crop water tolerance, nutrient removals by various crops, and…

The highlights of a symposium held in October, 1977 spotlight some problems and solutions. Topics include wastes from coal technologies, radioactive wastes, and industrial and agricultural wastes. (BB)

Discusses some of the problems associated with solid waste disposal and the recovery and recycling of valuable resources found in materials that are discarded as waste. (JR)