Saturday, January 25, 2020

Effectiveness Of Biologigal Wastewater Treatment Environmental Sciences Essay

Effectiveness Of Biologigal Wastewater Treatment Environmental Sciences Essay Wastewater treatment is a serious environmental concern due to the hazards of discharging poorly treated effluent to the environment. Poor wastewater treatment poses a pollution threat to receiving water bodies, groundwater pollution, soil contamination and resulting loss of biodiversity (Mantila, 2002). Dandora Estate Sewerage Treatment Works treats on average 62,000m3 per day annually of wastewater from Nairobi city and its environs through biological treatment and will form the study area. The population targeted in this study is wastewater received and treated at DESTW. The purpose of this study is to find out the effectiveness of biological wastewater treatment and the pollution potential of DESTW activities to the environment. An experimental research design will be used to determine the wastewater characteristics and contaminant removal while a descriptive design will be used to determine the environmental implications of wastewater treatment. The instruments used in the study are observation, laboratory experiments, leopold matrix, network analysis, and impact characteristic analysis. Data analysis will be done using both inferential and descriptive statistics. Wastewater treatment has been defined as the process of removing contaminants from wastewater produced by both domestic and industrial sources (Tchobanglous, 1993). Its objective is to produce treated effluent and sludge suitable for discharge or reuse back into the environment which is achieved through physical, chemical and biological processes. The issue of wastewater treatment and disposal assumed increasing importance in the early 1970s as a result of the general concern expressed in the United States and worldwide about the wider problem of pollution of the human environment, the contamination of the atmosphere, rivers, lakes, oceans, and groundwater by domestic, municipal, agricultural, and industrial waste (Oswald, 1996) A great deal of wastewater treatment plants are scattered all over the world and until recently not much scientific attention was given to these plants. They were considered to solve local problems so specific that one did not want to think it worthwhile to discuss design and operation of them in international fora. However, the interest shown for the 1st International Specialized Conference on Design and Operation of Wastewater Treatment Plants (Trondheim, 1989), and the IAWQ Specialist Group on the same subject (formed in 1991), demonstrated that there is a need to discussion on international scale the strategies for planning and the technical development of such plants. The reason for this interest must be found in the abundance of cases around the world where small wastewater treatment plants have to be put in operation to prevent environmental pollution and hazards. There is a global shift from the traditional centralized wastewater treatment system to locally based wastewater solutions (Hallvard, 1993) following the UN Decade for Water and Sanitation recommendations. The need for good solutions for wastewater treatment plants is therefore crucial in many developing countries. Developed countries mainly use mechanical and chemical treatment processes which though requiring less land are very expensive to establish and maintain. Alabaster (1994) cites that many developing countries favour the use of biological treatment which uses wastewater stabilization ponds since climate favours its operation and it is a low-cost, low-maintenance, highly efficient and natural method of wastewater treatment. The Dandora Sewerage Treatment Works (DESTW) which treats wastewater from Nairobi city and its environs uses biological treatment. However, due to stricter discharge standards set by National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA), DESTW is increasingly falling short of those standards. Parr and Horan (1994) highlight three principal reasons for wastewater treatment plants failure: a lack of technical knowledge, failure to consider all relevant local factors at pre-design stage and inappropriate discharge standards. Mara (1992) cites the following broad impacts to the environment due to poorly treated effluent: pollution of receiving aquatic water body, groundwater pollution from seepage of effluent, soil pollution from dumping sludge and health impacts from drinking contaminated water or food grown by the same water. 1.2 Problem Statement The problem under investigation in this study is the effectiveness of biological treatment in removing contaminants from wastewater and pollution potential of DESTW activities. Factors making the problem a critical issue to warrant research are: the physical treatment unit at DESTW has not been operational for the past four years; all pond series apart from series 3 and 5 lack anaerobic ponds; closure of series 8 due to water hyacinth infestation may overload series 7; lack of pretreatment facilities in many industries that discharge into the Nairobi city sewer network may reduce treatment effectiveness; and the environmental implications of groundwater pollution by effluent seepage and soil pollution by dumping of toxic sludge. Purpose of the Study Based on the problem stated the purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of biological treatment at removing contaminants from wastewater through empirical method of inquiry and propose sustainable methods of improving treatment effectiveness at DESTW. This study also aims at identifying the potential impacts to the environment resulting from DESTW activities and proposes methods of mitigating negative impacts based on findings. 1.4 Objectives of the Study The objectives of this study are as follows: To analyze the composition of wastewater received at DESTW To analyze the effectiveness of contaminants mass removal at DESTW To determine the pollution potential in relation to activities of DESTW To identify alternative uses of treated effluent 1.5 Hypothesis There is a positive relationship between the functioning of biological treatment and the quality of effluent at DESTW. 1.6 Significance and Justification of the Study This study addresses gaps in knowledge that exist in biological treatment effectiveness in treating wastewater from Nairobi, sewage effluent has long been cited as the cause of Nairobi River pollution, this study will quantify the extent to which effluent from DESTW pollutes the river. By addressing the above gaps in knowledge, the study will add to the body of knowledge in the field of wastewater treatment in Kenya. This study is important since the results will influence future environmental policies on wastewater management, recommendations will propose sustainable methods suitable for Kenya of further treating the effluent to ensure compliance with discharge standards, and they will also propose methods on improving existing methods of treating wastewater e.g. by harvesting methane gas from anaerobic ponds to provide electricity for running the physical treatment works. The findings and recommendations will mitigate negative impacts to the environment as a result of DESTW activities. Beneficiaries from findings of this study are the community surrounding DESTW who will enjoy cleaner groundwater resources and decrease health risks from eating vegetables grown by effluent or eating fish caught from oxidation ponds. Downstream users of R. Nairobi will enjoy cleaner river water which will decrease prevalence of waterborne diseases. DESTW will benefit from this studys recommendations by increased environmental compliance and they will also cut down on operational costs through generating electricity from anaerobic ponds methane gas. Researchers will benefit from this studys findings which will form background information and methodology reference for future related studies. Policy makers will use the findings and recommendations of this study in formulating policies for wastewater management in Kenya. 1.7 Limitations and Assumptions Limitations Length of the study was limited to 3 months from January to March 2008 where data was to be collected. To overcome this limitation, data for previous years was obtained from the DESTW database. Breakdown of some laboratory machines hindered analysis of samples e.g. water distiller breakdown prevented analysis on some days due to lack of distilled water. Lack of a permanent vehicle at DESTW prevented final effluent sampling on some days. Assumptions It is assumed that the reagents were not contaminated. It is assumed that the measuring equipments were calibrated properly. It is assumed that sampling and storage cans were kept clean to prevent sample contamination. 1.8 Study Area This study will be carried out at the Dandora Estate Sewerage Treatment Works (DESTW) which treats wastewater from Nairobi city and its environs using biological treatment process. The study area was chosen since it forms a representative sample of Nairobi city wastewaters. Commissioning The first phase was completed in 1977 and commissioned on 1978. The second phase was completed in 1990 and commissioned on 1992. Location DESTW is located at Ruai in Embakasi division approximately 30km from the city center and about 3km off Kangundo road. Access to the plant is on a permanent earth road. The site is approximately 1000ha and the oxidation ponds are on 200ha. Climate The climate is a typical Nairobi climate with temperature ranging between 15-30 degrees centigrade. The average rainfall is approximately 760mm with the most of the rains falling in two seasons, March to May (long rains) and October to December (short rains). Geology, soils and topography The geology of the area mainly comprise of Nairobi volcanics covered by black cotton clay soils. The area is generally flat with Nairobi River forming the north Eastern boundary of the land. Flora and fauna The area is generally arid with scanty vegetation cover, mainly sisal and shrubs. The ponds have attracted crocodiles and hippos from the nearby Nairobi River since they provide habitat and cheap source of food to for fauna and flora. Large colonies of different species of birds such as birds of prey (e.g., buzzard, golden eagle, and barn-owl), garden and woodland birds (e.g., pigeon, crow, and sparrow) water-birds and sea-birds (e.g., heron, swans, kingfisher, and curlew), and game birds such as quail hovered around the stabilization ponds during the day. Mudfish and tilapia fish have also been introduced in the maturation ponds to assist in quality monitoring. Number of ponds and arrangement There are a total of 38 waste stabilization ponds at DESTW which occur in 8 series. Facultative and maturation (aerobic) ponds run in parallel. Only series 3 and 5 have anaerobic ponds. Types of ponds There are three types of ponds at DESTW and these are: Anaerobic ponds- they are 4.0m deep and measure 100m by 100m. They are deigned for organic matter removal e.g. helminth eggs. Facultative ponds they are 2.5 m deep and measure 700m by 300m. They are designed for BOD5 removal. Maturation ponds- they are 1.5m deep and measure m by m. They are designed for nitrogen and phosphorus removal. Pretreatment and flow measurement facilities DESTW has a conventional inlet works where large suspended solids are screened by coarse bar screens before being automatically raked by cup screens. Grit is removed by use of constant velocity grit traps. A venturi flume is provided for flow measurement. CHAPTETR TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW 2.1 Nature of Wastewater 2.1.1 Origin and Quantity Wastewater originates mainly from domestic, industrial, groundwater, and meteorological sources and these forms of wastewater are commonly referred to as domestic sewage, industrial waste, infiltration, and storm-water drainage, respectively(Mara, 1997). Domestic sewage results from peoples day-to-day activities, such as bathing, body elimination, food preparation, and recreation, averaging about 90 liters per person daily in Kenya (Asano, 1998). The quantity and character of industrial wastewater is highly varied, depending on the type of industry, the management of its water usage, and the degree of treatment the wastewater receives before it is discharged. A typical metropolitan area discharges a volume of wastewater equal to about 60 to 80 percent of its total daily water requirements, the rest being used for washing cars and watering lawns, and for manufacturing processes such as food canning and bottling (WHO, 1992). 2.1.2 Composition The composition of wastewater is analyzed using several physical, chemical, and biological measurements. The most common analyses include the measurements of solids, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), chemical oxygen demand (COD), and pH (Pena, 2002). The solid wastes include dissolved and suspended solids. Dissolved solids are the materials that will pass through a filter paper, and suspended solids are those that do not. The concentration of organic matter is measured by the BOD5 and COD analyses. The BOD5 is the amount of oxygen used over a five-day period by microorganisms as they decompose the organic matter in sewage at a temperature of 20 ° C. Similarly, the COD is the amount of oxygen required to oxidize the organic matter by use of dichromate in an acid solution and to convert it to carbon dioxide and water. The value of COD is always higher than that of BOD 5 because many organic substances can be oxidized chemically but cannot oxidize biologically (Curtis, 1992) . Commonly, BOD5 is used to test the strength of untreated and treated municipal and biodegradable industrial wastewaters. COD is used to test the strength of wastewater that is either not biodegradable or contains compounds that inhibit activities of microorganisms. The pH analysis is a measure of the acidity of a wastewater sample. 2.2 Biological Wastewater Treatment 2.2.1 Waste Stabilization Ponds Technology Overview Waste stabilization ponds (WSPs) are usually the most appropriate method of domestic and municipal wastewater treatment in developing countries, where the climate is most favourable for their operation WSPs are low-cost (usually least-cost), low-maintenance, highly efficient, entirely natural and highly sustainable (Alabaster, 1994). The only energy they use is direct solar energy, so they do not need any electromechanical equipment, saving expenditure on electricity and more skilled operation. They do require much more land than conventional electromechanical treatment processes such as activated sludge but land is an asset which increases in value with time, whereas money spent on electricity for the operation of electromechanical systems is gone forever). WSP systems comprise one or more series of different types of ponds. Usually the first pond in the series is an anaerobic pond, and the second is a facultative pond. These may need to be followed by maturation ponds, but this depends on the required final effluent quality which in turn depends on what is to be done with the effluent: used for restricted or unrestricted irrigation; used for fish or aquatic vegetable culture; or discharged into surface water or groundwater (Horan, 1994). Prior to treatment in the WSPs, the wastewater is first subjected to preliminary treatment à ¢Ã‹â€ Ã¢â‚¬â„¢screening and grit removal à ¢Ã‹â€ Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ to remove large and heavy solids. Basically, primary treatment is carried out in anaerobic ponds, secondary treatment in facultative ponds, and tertiary treatment in maturation ponds. Anaerobic and facultative ponds are for the removal of organic matter (normally expressed as biochemical oxygen demand or BOD), Vibrio cholerae and helminth eggs; and maturation ponds for the removal of faecal viruses (especially rotavirus, astrovirus and norovirus), faecal bacteria (for example, Salmonella spp., Shigella spp., Campylobacter spp. and pathogenic strains of Escherichia coli), and nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus). Due to their high removal of excreted pathogens, WSPs produce effluents that are very suitable for reuse in agriculture and aquaculture. 2.2.2 Related Research on Biological Wastewater Treatment Mandi (1993) in his comparative study of Wastewater treatment by stabilization ponds with and without macrophytes under arid climate found that ponds using water hyacinth proved most efficient than those using microphytic plants (algae). Howver, the process based on water hyacinth for wastewater purification is faced with two major problems: first the water loss by evapotranspiration reaches 60% during summer time and secondly the development of mosquito during summer time. He however does not address the huge quantities of biomass produced from water hyacinth treatment systems and the resulting increase in sludge deposition rate. Ghrabi (1989) in his experimental study Treatment of wastewater by stabilization ponds application to Tunisian conditions concluded that sediment accumulation occurs mainly in the first pond: the deposition rate is high (5 cm/year). In the maturation ponds, it ranges from 1.3 cm/year to 1.6 cm/year. The first pond can be desludged yearly or once each two years. He however in his study doesnt mention the environmental impacts of sludge to the soil and he also doesnt suggest methods of decreasing the amounts reaching the wastewater stabilization ponds. Jensen (1992) in his study on the Potential use of constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment in Northern environments concluded that wetlands achieve 98% phosphorus removal, 88% BOD removal and 55% nitrogen removal respectively. COD removal was only 64% due to discharge of organic matter that is slowly biodegradable e.g. humic acids. This study however didnt estimate the productive lifespan of the constructed wetlands. 2.3 Problems in Wastewater Treatment and Disposal 2.3.1 Wastewater Treatment Plant Problems Many wastewater treatment plants (WwTP) of all kinds in developing countries do not function properly. Parr and Horan (1994) found that there are three principal reasons for WwTP failure: a lack of technical knowledge; failure to consider all relevant local factors at the pre-design stage; and inappropriate discharge standards. As a result, wrong decisions are often made and inappropriate unsustainable treatment processes are selected and implemented. This is then exacerbated by the absence of any real incentive to operate the WwTP correctly once it has been commissioned. It is therefore essential for the long-term sustainability of WwTP that simple efficient technologies such as WSPs are always considered at the pre-design (or feasibility) stage. An honest comparison of the cost-effectiveness of wastewater treatment technologies will almost always favour the selection of WSPs in warm-climate countries. 2.3.2 Environmental Problems of Wastewater Treatment and Disposal If wastewater is discharged before it is properly treated, it can adversely affect the environment, public health and destinations economic well-being. The cost of these negative impacts can be expressed in monetary, health and ecological terms (Mara, 1997). Mantila (2002) identifies a number of consequences of poorly treated wastewater: Health Impacts from pathogenic bacteria, viruses and toxic algae cause diarrhoea, shellfish poisoning and other diseases; bathing in polluted water causes gastroenteritis and upper respiratory diseases; eating polluted shellfish results in hepatitis, liver damage and in some cases death. Impact on Marine Environment in the form of suspended solids may cause excessive turbidity and shading of sea grasses, produce sedimentation, damaging benthic (bottom layer) habitats and affect anaerobic conditions at the sea bottom; high BOD levels may cause severe oxygen depletion especially in shallow and enclosed aquatic systems such as estuaries that are ideal breeding grounds for various marine species resulting in fish deaths and anaerobic conditions which release bad odors(hydrogen sulfide); adverse nutrient levels cause algal blooms, resulting in the death of coral and sea grasses and eutrophication leading to severe oxygen depletion which kills living resources; many toxic materials and suspected carcinogens and mutagens can concentrate in fish tissue, putting humans at risk when they eat them; metals in specific forms can be toxic to humans and various marine organisms especially shellfish which is vulnerable, in areas with highly contaminated sediment layers; fats, oil an d grease that float on the water surface interfere with natural aeration, are possibly toxic to aquatic life, destroy coastal vegetation and reduce recreational use of waters and beaches. Impact on Groundwater and Water Resources in the form of improper disposal of wastewater can directly impact the quality of an areas groundwater and water resources and since their movements are dynamic, contaminants can spread far beyond the immediate pollution area. 2.4 Wastewater Management Options Oswald (1995) states that the following issues should be addressed before designing an effective wastewater management plan: assess current wastewater management practice before water is discharged to the municipal treatment facility, identification of sources of wastewater, determine whether discharged wastewater quality meets effluent standards, identify whether industries carry out pre-tretment of their wastewater and finally assessing complaints from users of reclaimed wastewater effluent. Once the situation has been assessed, a range of approaches and techniques to deal with wastewater can be considered. Bartone (1996) argues that to ensure effective treatment o wastewater, the volume has to be reduced to prevent overloading of wastewater treatment plants and this can only be achieved at the source through installation of water efficiency equipment e.g. ultra-low flush toilets, spray nozzles, low-flow showerheads, water spigots, all which reduce overall water consumption. Collection of domestic wastewater and transportation to a distant treatment plant is a difficult and highly expensive task, if the catchment area to be served is low in population density (Tchobanoglous, 1993). Onsite treatment of sewage is the alternative and has been applied al around the world for many centuries. However, purification achieved by traditional onsite treatment systems such as septic tanks (DIN, 1993) is rather poor especially with respect to nutrient removal and as a result impacts on the quality of groundwater are inevitable. The basic idea of the biofilter septic tank was introduced by Toshio Yahata (1981) and further developed by Stubner and Sekoulov (1987). The biofilm reactor septic tank has been found to be more efficient (Robert, 1996) and effluent can be reused for irrigating or flushing toilets. 2.5 Conceptual Framework This study is based on the conceptual framework below that aims at optimal use of resources in an environmentally sustainable manner. Stage Description The main sources of generation are households, commercial and industrial sources. This is done through the sewer network in Nairobi and conveyed to DESTW. An annual average of 62000 m3 wastewater reaches DESTW daily It aims at screening solids and grit removal from wastewater stream. Coarse bar screens- remove large suspended solids Medium bar screens remove smaller suspended solids Cup screens- remove finer suspended solids Grit traps- remove grit and sand particles from wastewater Involves use of wastewater stabilization ponds Anaerobic ponds are designed for organic matter removal Facultative ponds- are designed for BOD removal Maturation ponds- designed for nitrogen and phosphorus removal Treated effluent disposed of in Nairobi River Effluent reused for agricultural irrigation and livestock watering. Fig 1: Conceptual framework for wastewater treatment and disposal in Nairobi.(Adapted from WHO,1992) CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY 3.1 Research Design The design used in this research is experimental since analysis of wastewater quality is done in the laboratory. It is also descriptive since the state of the environment and biological treatment process are described. The approach used in this study is deductive since it begins with the perceptual experience and observation of an environmental problem, leads to hypothesis formulation, experimental design, data collection, statistical analysis, theory construction, and finally to explanation. 3.2 Population and Sample Population The population targeted in this study is the wastewater received and treated at DESTW which averages 62,000m3 per day annually. Sample types Grab samples were necessary for parameters such as pH, ammonia, and faecal indicator bacteria. Flow-weighted composite samples were necessary for raw sewage parameters such as electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen, Frequency of sampling Raw sewage was sampled hourly because its composition varies considerably throughout the day. Flow was sampled hourly throughout the day. Final effluents were sampled once daily before noon. Pond series were sampled once every week. Nairobi River upstream and downstream was sampled once a week. Data Collection Instruments 3.3.1 Field Observation Environmental impacts will be identified using field observation which will be aided by the following instruments a) Leopold matrix It is a grid-like table that is used to identify the interaction between project activities, which are displayed along one axis, and environmental characteristics, which are displayed along the other axis. Using the table, environment-activity interactions can be noted in the appropriate cells or intersecting points in the grid. Entries are made in the cells to highlight impact severity or other features related to the nature of the impact, e.g. numbers in this study are used to indicate scale in this study. This instrument was chosen for environmental impact identification because it links the action to the impact, shows impact magnitude and significance, and is a good way of displaying environmental impact results. b) Network analysis Networks illustrate the cause-effect relationship of project activities and environmental characteristics. They are, therefore, particularly useful in identifying and depicting secondary impacts (indirect, cumulative, etc). They are drawn by identifying first order impacts first then linking them to second order impacts and third order impacts by use of an arrow. This instrument was chosen for environmental impact identification since it links the actions to the impacts, is useful I simplified form for checking for second order impacts and can handle direct and indirect impacts. c) Impact characteristics analysis It is normally in the form of a summary table and this instrument was chosen for environmental impact identification because it shows impact nature, magnitude, extent/location, timing, duration, reversibility, likelihood (risk), and significance. 3.3.2 Laboratory experiments Experiments were performed to determine the composition of wastewater at DESTW and the mass removal of contaminants from the wastewater. The apparatus below will be used during the laboratory experiments: Plastic sampling cans were used to collect and store samples. A wooden pole with 1cm graduations was used to measure depth at the venturi flume. A refrigerator was used to store samples at below 4 degrees Celsius. Burettes, conical flasks, pipettes, beakers, and digestion tubes were used to hold samples and reagents when analyzing for various parameters in the laboratory. Ovens, digestion blocks, water baths, and fume chambers were used in creating conducive conditions for chemical reactions to take place in the laboratory. Pan balances, beam balances, UV spectrophotometers, atomic absorption spectrophotometers, water quality meters and flame photometers were used to measure values of various parameters in the samples. 3.4 Data Collection Procedures 3.4.1 Laboratory Analysis Procedures Parameters will be analyzed according to Alabasters 1989 Practical Guide to the Monitoring of Waste Stabilization Ponds standard operations manual that was adopted by the DESTW laboratory. a) Flow This will be measured on the raw sewage and final effluents using the venturi flume which is a restriction in the channel carrying wastewater. The formula below was used to calculate flow. Q =2à ¢Ã‹â€ Ã¢â‚¬ ¢3 à ¢Ã‹â€ Ã… ¡2/3 g CV.CD . b. h3/2 Where Q= flowrate m3/s CV = coefficient of velocity CD = coefficient of discharge b = width of throat (m) h = upstream depth (m) b) COD total and filtered The micro-digestion sealed tube method will be used with potassium dichromate as digestion solution and ferrous ammonium sulphate as titration solution. Procedure 1.5 ml of digestion solution is dispensed into a digestion tube, 2.5 ml of sample is added using a pipette and mixed well, 3.5 ml of catalyst solution (silver sulphate in 2.5 liters of sulphuric acid ) is added, the tube is capped tightly using a PTFE sealing gasket, the tubes contents are then mixed by gentle swirling, the tubes are then placed in a digestion block at 1500 C for 120 minutes, contents of the tube are transferred quantitavely to 100ml conical flask and sufficient water added to a final volume around 25 ml , 1 drop of ferroin indicator is added and the solution mixed well, it is titrated with FAS (N/40) until the faint blue colour changes to red and the value of the titre T ml recorded, a blank titration is carried out following the same procedure but using distilled water instead and the value of blank titre B ml recorded. COD calculated as follows: COD = (B-T) / S ÃÆ'- 1000 mg/l c) BOD total The standard 5 days, 20 0C, BOD bottle test will be used. Reagents Dilution water, ferric chloride solution, manganous sulphate solution, sodium azide solution, alkali- iodide solution, 90 % orthophosphoric acid, N/40 sodium thiosulphate, starch solution. Procedure Dilution water is prepared, sample added and incubated at 200C for 5 days to determine dissolved oxygen, remove stopper from the BOD bottle and 2ml each of manganous sulphate solution, sodium azide solution, alkali- iodide solution, immediately after the addition of alkali-iodide reagent a brown flocculent precipitate forms therefore the bottle is shaken to ensure that all the dissolved oxygen reacts with the reagents, when the floc settles add 2ml orthophosphoric acid and shaken until the bottle contents turn yellow, 205 ml of the bottle contents is titrated with N/40 sodium thiosulp

Friday, January 17, 2020

Josef Ackermann Essay

Using Darling and Leffel’s (2010) framework, this essay will evaluate on how Josef Ackermann demonstrated his leadership style as a Swiss banker, the former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Deutsche Bank and Chairman of Zurich Insurance. As defined by Peter Northouse (2001), leadership is a process, in which an individual influences a group to achieve a common goal. And to achieve that goal, a visionary leader should put forth much effort to critically apply his leadership skills and knowledge. In general, leadership is more than management. To be successful, a leader has to be strategic, show motivation and innovation, and should be flexible and focused on systems and structures. (Lussier & Achua, 2010). The basic interactive dimensions of assertiveness and responsiveness form two axes of the Darling and Leffel leadership styles paradigm, the four primary quadrants represent the four styles: Analyser, Connector, Director and Creator. It should also be mentioned that different situations require accurate application of different leadership styles. According to Lussier and Achua (2010) there are four key leadership theories: Autocratic, with job-centred (task-initiating structure) behaviour that focuses on the leader who is taking control in order to get the job done quickly (Professional Organizations, n.d.); Laissez-Faire, a style that depicts an inert leader who is averse to stimulating subordinates or giving focus (Deluga, 1990); Participative (democratic),a style in which leaders empower their employees in the decision-making process by meeting with them periodically and listening and trusting them (UCF, n.d.); and Transactional, one that asserts that people will follow leaders who are inspirational as the leader develops a vision, sells the vision and leads the way (Taylor, 2009). Of the four main leadership styles outlined by Darling and Leffel (2010), Josef Ackermann, reputed as the most powerful banker in Europe, could be regarded as Analyser and Director. The author describes the Analyser leadership style as having a low level of assertiveness and responsiveness. Analysers are self-controlled, logical, objective, well-organized and generally leaders who prefer analysis over emotion. Also, the Analyser can be inflexible and formal, prefer clarity and order and tend to resist compromise in problem situations. Furthermore, Analyser-type leaders often find their career tracks in the finance field, very much like Ackermann (Darling & Leffel, 2010). Josef Ackermann charted his own course throughout his life, described as a man of integrity that has acquired huge influence over E.U. finances. As an objective chairman of Deutsche bank, 134-year-old Deutsche Bank became the world’s seventh-largest bank in terms of revenue in 2003. Deutsche bank was ranked 12 th in mergers and acquisitions and 21st in terms of market capitalization (Guyon, 2004). As an Analyser, a lot of people see him as a systematic, formal, ambitious and deliberate lead-by-example leader. In addition to having an Analyser style, Ackermann, could also be described as having a Director-leadership style that shows low level of emotional responsiveness (Darling & Leffel, 2010). Such leaders tend to be results-oriented, objective, independent and pragmatic. The authors state that Directors often find their way into positions of authority and central decision-making in organisations. They are firm and forceful leaders, confident, competitive, decisive and generally willing to take risk. In Ackermann’s effort to turn Deutsche Bank from a German lender into a global competitor, he eliminated results-oriented 14,470 jobs and cut costs by one-third by closing retail branches and outsourcing management of the bank’s computer systems and real estate (Schlager, 2005). Ackermann showed the ability to take high risk, but was especially emotionless for his o wn benefit. On the other hand, he personifies therefore for a lot of people the arrogance and greediness of the banking sector. One of his biggest goals was turning Deutsche Bank into one of the world’s top three advisers on mergers and acquisitions and returning its status to the top ten in market value (Guyon , 2004). As a Director-level leader, Josef Ackermann has been well regarded and  recognised by many as a successful and effective manager and leader, shifting the style of management from a conventional mode to one that focused on the needs of shareholders and on international expansion (Mitchell, 2010). According to Lussier and Achua (2010), leaders such as Ackermann are able to take swift and decisive action, even in the most difficult situations, and take calculated risks while persevering in the face of failure. Strong communication skills, self-confidence, the ability to manage others and willingness to embrace change also characterize a successful leader. Ackermann has also been a member of the influential Washington-based financial advisory body, the Group of Thirty and also served on other company boards, including Bayer AG, Deutsche Lufthansa AG, Linde, Mannesman, and Siemens AG. Ackermann changed the distribution of power within Deutsche Bank, resulting in criticism from traditionalists and praise from those who shared his global focus, allowing him to become the most powerful man in Germany’s financial industry (Loades-Carter, 2005). Ackermann successful steered his bank through the 2008 global financial crisis. Quoted in his speech before the Atlantic Council, ‘Germany will ultimately take whatever steps [are] necessary to keep the euro zone intact’ (Robb, 2012). It is unusual to find all four styles in one leader. However, it is important for leaders to be aware of their weaknesses. The Director can become dominating and insensitive while weaknesses of the Analyser are perfectionism and inflexibility. Leadership style has a major impact on the success of an organisation. Without Josef Ackermann ´s determination, focus and vision as a Director and Analyser, Deutsche Bank, may not have become one of the world ´s leading financial services with global focus. Being a symbol of German financial might, he is at the centre of more concentric circles of power than any other banker on the Continent. He has successfully led Deutsche for a decade during the global financial crisis and euro zone debt turmoil. From this seat at the nexus of money and politics, Ackermann, for better or worse, is helping to shape Europe’s economic and financial future. He seems such a fixture that it is hard to imagine Germany without him (Ewing & Alderman, 2011 ). References: Darling, J. & Leffel, A. (2010). Developing the leadership team in an Entrepreneurial Venture: A Case of Focusing on the Importance of Styles: Journal of Small Business and Entrepreneurship, 23(3), 355-371. Deluga, R. (1990). The Effects of Transformational, Transactional, and Laissez Faire Leadership Characteristics on Subordinate Influencing Behavior. Basic & Applied Social Psychology, 11(2), 191-203. Retrieved from Academic Search Premier database. Ewing, J. & Alderman, L. (2011). Deutsche Bank’s Chief Casts Long Shadow in Europe. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/12/business/12bank.html?pagewanted=all Guyon J., 2004, The trials of Josef Ackermann, Fortune Europe, 149( 2), 111-114. Loades-Carter, J. (2005). FT.com site: Profile: Josef Ackermann. FT.Com,1. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.libraryproxy.griffith.edu.au/docview/228871346?accountid=14543. Lussier, R., & Achua, C. (2004). Leadership Theory, Application, Skill Development. Minnesota: Southwestern. Mitchell, J. (2010). The last hurrah for deutsche bank CEO Josef Ackermann. Institutional Investor, Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.libraryproxy.griffith.edu.au/docview/221507850?accountid=14543. Northouse, Peter G. (2001). Leadership Theory and Practice, second edition. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc. Professional Organizations: Leadership. List and explain the styles of leadership used by effective leaders. D.O. CAPS. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.temple.edu/cte/research/DOCAPS/DOCAPS_09.pdf. Robb, G. (2012). MarketWatch, â€Å"German[y] will rescue euro zone: Ackermann† Schlager N. (ed.). International Directory of Business Biographies, vol.1- A-E (2005) (466s). Taylor, R. (2009). Leadership theories and the development of nurses in primary healthcare. Primary Health Care, 19(9), 40-46. Retrieved from Academic Search Premier database. University of Central Florida, (n.d.). Advantages and Disadvantages of the Leadership Styles. Retrieved from mhtml:file://E:UCFAdvantages and Disadvantages of the Leadership Styles.mht.

Thursday, January 9, 2020

Essay about Case Study Bankruptcy and the Bible - 3614 Words

Case Study: Your long-time friend Carl comes to you with a serious problem in his life. He is a believer, and he wants your advice. For years he and his family have lived above their means. They did this by continually refinancing their house and rolling their credit card and other debt onto their home mortgage. However, now that real estate prices are no longer rising but actually falling, Carl cant refinance anymore and cant pay his monthly bills as they come due. He is in a real credit crisis. His creditors are calling him threatening lawsuits, garnishments, and other unpleasant things. One of his friends at work said that he should file bankruptcy. He comes to you for advice from a Christian perspective. In particular, he wants to†¦show more content†¦26 Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny. Matthew 5:33-37 New International Version (NIV) Oaths 33 â€Å"Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ 34 But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. 36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. 37 All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.[a] Matthew 5:38-42 New International Version (NIV) Eye for Eye 38 â€Å"You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’[a] 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. Psalm 37:21 New International Version (NIV) 21 The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously; Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 New International Version (NIV) 4 When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. 5 It is betterShow MoreRelatedLegalization of Gambling Pro/Pro1561 Words   |  7 Pagessupports lotteries which high school students spend thousands of dollars playing, all while increasing problems at home and addiction. The bible points out many quotes disputing gambling. Gambling promotes covetousness and greed (Luke 12:15), Gambling violates the Golden Rule (Matthew 7:12), and Gambling can become addictive (1 Corinthians 6:12) (King James Bible). These statements dont actually say that gambling is evil but the principals definitely suggest evil intentions. Another aspect ofRead More Legalization Of Gambling Essay1545 Words   |  7 Pagesschool students spend thousands of dollars playing, all while increasing problems at home and addiction. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;The bible points out many quotes disputing gambling. â€Å"Gambling promotes covetousness and greed† (Luke 12:15), â€Å"Gambling violates the Golden Rule† (Matthew 7:12), and â€Å"Gambling can become addictive† (1 Corinthians 6:12) (King James Bible). These statements don’t actually say that gambling is evil but the principals definitely suggest evil intentions. Another aspect of religionRead MoreThe For The Housing Crisis And The Economic Collapse1002 Words   |  5 Pagesfailings of the parties involved in the financial crisis. There is no denying that the financial crisis has delivered a major to the housing policy. According to Kevin Dowd, a Professor of Financial Risk Management at the Centre for Risk and Insurance Studies, Nottingham University Business School. A moral hazard is where one party is responsible for the interests of another, but has an incentive to put his or her own interests first: the standard example is a worker with an incentive to shirk on the jobRead MoreLincoln Electric Company Essay1024 Words   |  5 Pagesthat company’s success; such as: ï  ¶ The continuing influence of the founders of the company. ï  ¶ The incentive management plan. ï  ¶ The performance appraisal system. ï  ¶ The way people communicate in the company. Lincoln Electric Company 3 Write a three page case analysis that summarizes your understanding of the culture of the Lincoln Electric Company. Being successful in life has ever been an easy thing, let say it is not a piece of cake. All of the successful people have inclined themselves to some rigidRead MoreThe Ethical Systems And Morals Essay1575 Words   |  7 Pagesbinding moral laws, that everything is relative†. (Geisler, 2010) With antinomianism we would go against what laws and morals do exist. Some Christians fall to the belief in antinomianism mainly due to the fat that we sin and God forgives. â€Å"In the case of Christianity, the controversy arises out of the doctrine of grace, the forgiveness of sins and atonement by faith in Jesus Christ. If God forgives sins, what exactly is the disadvantage in sinning, or the reward of obedience?† (Theopedia) â€Å"AccordingRead MoreDeath of the Newspaper: Where Will Journalism Go From Here?1337 Words   |  6 Pagesthe decade is out if Syracuse University professor Vin Crosbie’s prediction comes to fruition (Kirchhoff, 2010, p. 1). However, even if Crosbie’s prediction is off, the numbers are still staggering. Eight major U.S newspaper companies filed for bankruptcy between 2008 and 2010, and hundreds of smaller papers also shut down or switched to Internet only (Kirchhoff, 2010, p. 1). As advertising revenue continues its’ sharp decline and print readership creeps ever lower, it’s becoming ever more clearRead MoreLegal Analysis Of Contract Case Study1779 Words   |  8 PagesCONTRACT ANALYSIS 8 Running Head: CONTRACT ANALYSIS 1 Legal Analysis of Contract Case Study Rachelle Sepich Liberty University Summary of Contractual Issue Marshall and I have an existing business relationship in that I manufacture and supply products that Marshall needs. Generally, the relationship has gone well except for Marshall?s late payments from time to time. Astoundingly, Marshall prepared a contract which was presented as a technicality intended for documentation of commitment betweenRead MoreSlavery : The Old Testament4666 Words   |  19 Pagesit has a clear teaching on ethical treatment of slaves, which was part of the culture of the surrounding nations. Slavery in the bible in the time of the Jews was not an exploitation act but rather an act of enabling the poor to provide for themselves. The word slave was used in referring to various forms of servile situations, not the slave familiar to many modern bible readers. In the ancient Israel, the â€Å"slave† referred to both a person who is under the masters’ law and to any subordinate personRead MoreForensic Science : How Our Cats Companions Can Crack Case s1828 Words   |  8 PagesWrigley (Enriched) Forensic Science 20 December 2016 Forensic Felines: How Our Cat Companions Can Crack Cases For centuries, forensic science has relied on one thing: evidence. That evidence has come in many different forms over the years; it can be derived from eyewitness testimony, ballistics, fingerprints, and even DNA. Investigators painstakingly search crime scenes for clues to solve cases, making sure to check every possible location for a key bit of trace evidence. It is therefore ironic thatRead MoreEssay on Paideia and Modern Educational Policy3842 Words   |  16 Pagespaideia of the early Christian church was the morphosis of Christ and the study of the Bible. In the Book of Acts, the apostle Philip said, I have come to Athens in order to reveal to you the paideia of Christ. Gregory writes, ...the prophet Isaiah educates us... and ...the apostle educates us... What this early force in the evolution of Greco-Christian thought illustrates is the formative function of the object—in this case what is written. This becomes the ...paideutic interpretation of the

Wednesday, January 1, 2020

The Nature of a Mistress-Servant Relationship in Daniel...

Relationships play a large part in the average modern day persons everyday life, just as relationships were important in the past. Although types of companionships have somewhat changed over time, the presence and importance of them still remains. Viewing, analysing and comparing other individuals relationships to our own is something most people do, as a sort of assurance that things are natural. This is why many people are interested in novels about ways that other human beings interact with individuals and groups. Daniel Defoes character Roxana has her own way of interacting with and manipulating people. In his novel Roxana, Defoe uses examples of extreme faithfulness from the Amy to demonstrate the intimate relationship present†¦show more content†¦At the start of the novel, Roxana gives Amy the task of abandoning her children. Amy performs this task without asking any questions, as a loyal servant of friend should. The children are only brought back into the novel when Roxana realizes that one of her daughters is living in her home as a cook maid. Amy is again given the task of dealing with her mistresss children. She dresses up and visits them, giving them money on their mothers part, while careful not to reveal the secret about Roxana. When one of the children figures out who her mother is, Amy kills her against Roxanas wishes. This goes to show how loyal she is: even though she disobeyed her mistress, she treated the incident as if the daughter had wronged her, rather than Roxana. This may just be what the murder is about – Amy has been close to Roxana for so long, sharing the secret identity, that it has almost become her own secret in many ways. Her choice of words - â€Å"shell ruin us all† (272) (using â€Å"us† instead of â€Å"you†)– shows that she feels as much in trouble as her mistress; on the other hand, her loyalty is still evident when she tells Roxana: â€Å"Ill put you out of your Pain, and her too† (273). Amy is obviously thinking about preventing her mistress from suffereing, more than she is thinking about herself. Amy again takes on the family when she confronts Roxanas first husband. She finds out all there is to know and reports back to her mistress, as she does in many cases.