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Mensah L, Petrie B, Scrimshaw M, Cartmell E, Fletton M, Campo P. Influence of solids and hydraulic retention times on microbial diversity and removal of estrogens and nonylphenols in a pilot-scale activated sludge plant. Heliyon 2023; 9:e19461. [PMID: 37809578 PMCID: PMC10558614 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e19461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The removal of EDCs in activated sludge processes can be enhanced by increasing solid and hydraulic retention times (SRT and HRT); it has been suggested that the improvement in removal is due to changes in microbial community structure (MCS). Though the influence of SRT and HRT on chemical removal and MCS has been studied in isolation, their synergistic impact on MCS and the removal of estrogens and nonylphenols in activated sludge remains unknown. Hence, we investigated how both parameters influence MCS in activated sludge processes and their ulterior effect on EDC removal. In our study, an activated sludge pilot-plant was fed with domestic sewage fortified with 100 and 1000 ng/L nonylphenols or 2 and 15 ng/L estrogens and operated at 3, 10 and 27 d SRT (constant HRT) and at 8, 16 and 24 h HRT (constant SRT). The MCS was assessed by phospholipid fatty acids (PLFA) analysis, and the archaeal and bacterial diversities were determined by 16S rRNA analysis. From the PLFA, the microbial abundance ranked as follows: Gram-negative > fungi > Gram-positive > actinomycetes whilst 16S rRNA analysis revealed Proteobacteria > Bacteroidetes > Others. Both PLFA and 16S rRNA analysis detected changes in MCS as SRT and HRT were increased. An SRT increment from 3 to 10 d resulted in higher estrone (E1) removal from 19 to 93% and nonylphenol-4-exthoxylate (NP4EO) from 44 to 73%. These findings demonstrate that EDC-removal in activated sludge plants can be optimised where longer SRT (>10 d) and HRT (>8 h) are suitable. We have also demonstrated that PLFA can be used for routine monitoring of changes in MCS in activated sludge plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lawson Mensah
- Environmental Science Department, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Bruce Petrie
- Robert Gordon University, Garthdee Rd, Garthdee, Aberdeen, AB10 7AQ, UK
| | - Mark Scrimshaw
- Department of Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, UB8 3PH, UK
| | - Elise Cartmell
- Scottish Water, Castle House, 6 Castle Drive, Carnegie Campus, Dunfermline, KY11 8GG, UK
| | | | - Pablo Campo
- Cranfield Water Science Institute, School of Water, Energy & Environment, Cranfield University, MK43 0AL, UK
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Parra-Arroyo L, González-González RB, Castillo-Zacarías C, Melchor Martínez EM, Sosa-Hernández JE, Bilal M, Iqbal HMN, Barceló D, Parra-Saldívar R. Highly hazardous pesticides and related pollutants: Toxicological, regulatory, and analytical aspects. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 807:151879. [PMID: 34826476 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.151879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Revised: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The pervasive manifestation and toxicological influence of hazardous pesticides pose adverse consequences on various environmental matrices and humans, directly via bioaccumulation or indirectly through the food chain. Due to pesticide residues' continuous presence above permissible levels in multiple forms, much attention has been given to re-evaluating to regulate their usage practices without harming or affecting the environment. However, there are regulations in place banning the use of multiple hazardous pesticides in the environment. Thus, efforts must be made to achieve robust detection and complete mitigation of pesticides, possibly through a combination of new and conventional methods. The complex nature of pesticides helps them to react differently across different environmental matrices. Therefore, highly hazardous pesticides are a risk to human well-being and the environment through enzymatic inhibition and the induction of oxidative stress. Consequently, developing fast, sensitive sensing strategies is essential to detect and quantify multiple pesticides and remove the pesticides present in the specific matrix without creating harmful derivatives. Additionally, the technology should be available worldwide to eliminate pesticide residuals from the environment. There are regulations, in practice, that limit the selling, storage, use of pesticides, and their concentration in the environment, although such regulations must be revised. However, the existing literature lacks regulatory, analytical detection, and mitigation considerations for pesticide remediation. Furthermore, the enforcement of such regulations and strict monitoring of pesticides in developing countries are needed. This review spotlights various analytical detection, regulatory, and mitigation considerations for efficiently removing hazardous pesticides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lizeth Parra-Arroyo
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Engineering and Sciences, Monterrey 64849, Mexico
| | | | - Carlos Castillo-Zacarías
- Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Facultad de Ingeniería Civil, Departamento de Ingeniería Ambiental, Ciudad Universitaria S/N, San Nicolás de los Garza, Nuevo León, C.P. 66455, Mexico
| | | | | | - Muhammad Bilal
- School of Life Science and Food Engineering, Huaiyin Institute of Technology, Huaian 223003, China
| | - Hafiz M N Iqbal
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Engineering and Sciences, Monterrey 64849, Mexico.
| | - Damià Barceló
- Department of Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), Jordi Girona, 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain; Catalan Institute of Water Research (ICRA-CERCA), Parc Científic i Tecnològic de la Universitat de Girona, c/Emili Grahit, 101, Edifici H(2)O, 17003 Girona, Spain; College of Environmental and Resources Sciences, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, China.
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Li C, Jin F, Snyder SA. Recent advancements and future trends in analysis of nonylphenol ethoxylates and their degradation product nonylphenol in food and environment. Trends Analyt Chem 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trac.2018.07.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Catherine HN, Ou MH, Manu B, Shih YH. Adsorption mechanism of emerging and conventional phenolic compounds on graphene oxide nanoflakes in water. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 635:629-638. [PMID: 29679835 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.03.389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2018] [Revised: 03/30/2018] [Accepted: 03/31/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Emerging contaminants (ECs) such as bisphenol A (BPA), 4-nonylphenol (4-NP) and tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) have gained immense attention worldwide due to their potential threat to humans and environment. Graphene oxide (GO) nanomaterial is considered as an important sorbent due to its exceptional range of environmental application owing to its unique properties. GO was also considered as one of ECs because of its potential hazard. The adsorption of organic contaminants such as phenolic ECs on GO affects the stability of GO nanoflakes in water and the fate of organic contaminants, which would cause further environmental risk. Therefore, the adsorption behaviors of emerging and common phenolic compounds (PCs) including phenol, 4-chlorophenol, 2,4-dichlorophenol, 2,4,6-trichlorophenol, 4-NP, BPA and TBBPA on GO nanoflakes and their stability in water were studied. The adsorption equilibrium for all the compounds was reached <10h and was fitted with Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. In addition to hydrophobic effect, adsorption mechanisms included π-π bonding and hydrogen bonding interactions between the adsorbate and GO, especially the electrostatic interactions were observed. Phenol has the highest adsorption affinity due to the formation of hydrogen bond. GO has a good stability in water even after the adsorption of PCs in the presence of a common electrolyte, which could affect its transport with organic contaminants in the environment. These better understandings illustrate the mechanism of emerging and common PC interaction with GO nanoflakes and facilitate the prediction of the contaminant fate in the aquatic environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hepsiba Niruba Catherine
- Department of Civil Engineering, National Institute of Technology Karnataka, Surathkal 575025, India; Department of Agricultural Chemistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Han Ou
- Department of Agricultural Chemistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan
| | - Basavaraju Manu
- Department of Civil Engineering, National Institute of Technology Karnataka, Surathkal 575025, India
| | - Yang-Hsin Shih
- Department of Agricultural Chemistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan.
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ARAUJO FREDERICOGDE, BAUERFELDT GLAUCOF, CID YARAPELUSO. Nonylphenol: Properties, legislation, toxicity and determination. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 90:1903-1918. [DOI: 10.1590/0001-3765201720170023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2017] [Accepted: 05/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Petrie B, Barden R, Kasprzyk-Hordern B. A review on emerging contaminants in wastewaters and the environment: current knowledge, understudied areas and recommendations for future monitoring. WATER RESEARCH 2015; 72:3-27. [PMID: 25267363 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2014.08.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1177] [Impact Index Per Article: 130.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2014] [Revised: 08/26/2014] [Accepted: 08/28/2014] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
This review identifies understudied areas of emerging contaminant (EC) research in wastewaters and the environment, and recommends direction for future monitoring. Non-regulated trace organic ECs including pharmaceuticals, illicit drugs and personal care products are focused on due to ongoing policy initiatives and the expectant broadening of environmental legislation. These ECs are ubiquitous in the aquatic environment, mainly derived from the discharge of municipal wastewater effluents. Their presence is of concern due to the possible ecological impact (e.g., endocrine disruption) to biota within the environment. To better understand their fate in wastewaters and in the environment, a standardised approach to sampling is needed. This ensures representative data is attained and facilitates a better understanding of spatial and temporal trends of EC occurrence. During wastewater treatment, there is a lack of suspended particulate matter analysis due to further preparation requirements and a lack of good analytical approaches. This results in the under-reporting of several ECs entering wastewater treatment works (WwTWs) and the aquatic environment. Also, sludge can act as a concentrating medium for some chemicals during wastewater treatment. The majority of treated sludge is applied directly to agricultural land without analysis for ECs. As a result there is a paucity of information on the fate of ECs in soils and consequently, there has been no driver to investigate the toxicity to exposed terrestrial organisms. Therefore a more holistic approach to environmental monitoring is required, such that the fate and impact of ECs in all exposed environmental compartments are studied. The traditional analytical approach of applying targeted screening with low resolution mass spectrometry (e.g., triple quadrupoles) results in numerous chemicals such as transformation products going undetected. These can exhibit similar toxicity to the parent EC, demonstrating the necessity of using an integrated analytical approach which compliments targeted and non-targeted screening with biological assays to measure ecological impact. With respect to current toxicity testing protocols, failure to consider the enantiomeric distribution of chiral compounds found in the environment, and the possible toxicological differences between enantiomers is concerning. Such information is essential for the development of more accurate environmental risk assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruce Petrie
- Department of Chemistry, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, UK
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Petrie B, McAdam EJ, Lester JN, Cartmell E. Obtaining process mass balances of pharmaceuticals and triclosan to determine their fate during wastewater treatment. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2014; 497-498:553-560. [PMID: 25163652 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2014] [Revised: 08/01/2014] [Accepted: 08/01/2014] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
To better understand pharmaceutical fate during wastewater treatment, analysis in both aqueous and particulate phases is needed. Reported herein is a multi-residue method for the determination of ten pharmaceutical drugs and the personal care product triclosan in wastewater matrices. Method quantitation limits ranged from 7.6 to 76.6 ng l(-1) for aqueous phases and from 7.0 to 96.7 ng g(-1) for particulate phases. The analytical method was applied to attain a complete process mass balance of a pilot-scale activated sludge plant (ASP) operated under controlled conditions. The mass balance (inclusive of aqueous and particulate concentrations at all sample points) was used to diagnose removal, revealing pharmaceuticals to be separable into three fate pathways: (a) biological degradation, (b) sorption onto activated sludge and (c) resistant to removal from the aqueous phase. These differences in fate behaviour explained a broad range of secondary removal observed (-8 to 99%). The ASP was also simultaneously compared to a full-scale trickling filter (TF) works whilst receiving the same influent wastewater. Performance of the ASP and TF was similar, achieving total pharmaceutical removals of 253 and 249 μg g(-1) biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) removed, respectively. This corresponded with reductions in total pharmaceutical load of 91 and 90% (ANOVA, p-value>0.05). Interestingly, despite low suspended solid concentrations final effluents of both the ASP and TF contained significant concentrations of some chemicals in the particulate phase. Individually, triclosan and the antibiotics ofloxacin and ciprofloxacin were within the particulate phase of effluents at concentrations ranging from 26 to 296 ng l(-1).
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruce Petrie
- Cranfield Water Science Institute, Cranfield University, Bedfordshire, MK43 0AL, UK
| | - Ewan J McAdam
- Cranfield Water Science Institute, Cranfield University, Bedfordshire, MK43 0AL, UK
| | - John N Lester
- Cranfield Water Science Institute, Cranfield University, Bedfordshire, MK43 0AL, UK
| | - Elise Cartmell
- Cranfield Water Science Institute, Cranfield University, Bedfordshire, MK43 0AL, UK.
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Petrie B, McAdam EJ, Hassard F, Stephenson T, Lester JN, Cartmell E. Diagnostic investigation of steroid estrogen removal by activated sludge at varying solids retention time. CHEMOSPHERE 2014; 113:101-108. [PMID: 25065796 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2014.04.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2013] [Revised: 04/10/2014] [Accepted: 04/11/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
The impact of solids retention time (SRT) on estrone (E1), 17β-estradiol (E2), estriol (E3) and 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) removal in an activated sludge plant (ASP) was examined using a pilot plant to closely control operation. Exsitu analytical methods were simultaneously used to enable discrimination of the dominant mechanisms governing estrogen removal following transitions in SRT from short (3d) to medium (10d) and long (27d) SRTs which broadly represent those encountered at full-scale. Total estrogen (∑EST, i.e., sum of E1, E2, E3 and EE2) removals which account for aqueous and particulate concentrations were 70±8, 95±1 and 93±2% at 3, 10 and 27d SRTs respectively. The improved removal observed following an SRT increase from 3 to 10d was attributable to the augmented biodegradation of the natural estrogens E1 and E2. Interestingly, estrogen biodegradation per bacterial cell increased with SRT. These were 499, 1361 and 1750ng 10(12) viable cells(-1)d(-1). This indicated an improved efficiency of the same group or the development of a more responsive group of bacteria. In this study no improvement in absolute ∑EST removal was observed in the ASP when SRT increased from 10 to 27d. However, batch studies identified an augmented biomass sorption capacity for the more hydrophobic estrogens E2 and EE2 at 27d, equivalent to an order of magnitude. The lack of influence on estrogen removal during pilot plant operation can be ascribed to their distribution within activated sludge being under equilibrium. Consequently, lower wastage of excess sludge inherent of long SRT operation counteracts any improvement in sorption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruce Petrie
- Cranfield Water Science Institute, Cranfield University, Bedfordshire MK43 0AL, UK
| | - Ewan J McAdam
- Cranfield Water Science Institute, Cranfield University, Bedfordshire MK43 0AL, UK
| | - Francis Hassard
- Cranfield Water Science Institute, Cranfield University, Bedfordshire MK43 0AL, UK
| | - Tom Stephenson
- Cranfield Water Science Institute, Cranfield University, Bedfordshire MK43 0AL, UK
| | - John N Lester
- Cranfield Water Science Institute, Cranfield University, Bedfordshire MK43 0AL, UK
| | - Elise Cartmell
- Cranfield Water Science Institute, Cranfield University, Bedfordshire MK43 0AL, UK.
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Petrie B, McAdam EJ, Lester JN, Cartmell E. Assessing potential modifications to the activated sludge process to improve simultaneous removal of a diverse range of micropollutants. WATER RESEARCH 2014; 62:180-192. [PMID: 24956600 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2014.05.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2014] [Revised: 04/15/2014] [Accepted: 05/20/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
It is proposed that wastewater treatment facilities meet legislated discharge limits for a range of micropollutants. However, the heterogeneity of these micropollutants in wastewaters make removal difficult to predict since their chemistry is so diverse. In this study, a range of organic and inorganic micropollutants known to be preferentially removed via different mechanisms were selected to challenge the activated sludge process (ASP) and determine its potential to achieve simultaneous micropollutant removal. At a fixed hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 8 h, the influence of an increase in solids retention time (SRT) on removal was evaluated. Maximum achievable micropollutant removal was recorded for all chemicals (estrogens, nonylphenolics and metals) at the highest SRT studied (27 days). Also, optimisation of HRT by extension to 24 h further augmented organic biodegradation. Most notable was the enhancement in removal of the considerably recalcitrant synthetic estrogen 17α-ethinylestradiol which increased to 65 ± 19%. Regression analysis indicates that this enhanced micropollutant behaviour is ostensibly related to the concomitant reduction in food: microorganism ratio. Interestingly, extended HRT also initiated nonylphenol biodegradation which has not been consistently observed previously in real wastewaters. However, extending HRT increased the solubilisation of particulate bound metals, increasing effluent aqueous metals concentrations (i.e., 0.45 μm filtered) by >100%. This is significant as only the aqueous metal phase is to be considered for environmental compliance. Consequently, identification of an optimum process condition for generic micropollutant removal is expected to favour a more integrated approach where upstream process unit optimisation (i.e., primary sedimentation) is demanded to reduce loading of the particle bound metal phase onto the ASP, thereby enabling longer HRT in the ASP to be considered for optimum removal of organic micropollutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruce Petrie
- Cranfield Water Science Institute, Cranfield University, Bedfordshire MK43 0AL, UK
| | - Ewan J McAdam
- Cranfield Water Science Institute, Cranfield University, Bedfordshire MK43 0AL, UK
| | - John N Lester
- Cranfield Water Science Institute, Cranfield University, Bedfordshire MK43 0AL, UK
| | - Elise Cartmell
- Cranfield Water Science Institute, Cranfield University, Bedfordshire MK43 0AL, UK.
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Camacho-Muñoz D, Martín J, Santos JL, Aparicio I, Alonso E. Occurrence of surfactants in wastewater: hourly and seasonal variations in urban and industrial wastewaters from Seville (Southern Spain). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2014; 468-469:977-84. [PMID: 24091121 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2013.09.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2013] [Revised: 09/06/2013] [Accepted: 09/06/2013] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Surfactants are daily discharged to the environment from urban and industrial activities. The assessment of the risk derived from the presence of these compounds in the environment requires a deep knowledge about their sources and their distribution in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). However, in spite of several studies reporting their presence in WWTPs, only a small number is focused on their different sources. In this work, the distribution of anionic (linear alkylbenzene sulfonates) and non-ionic (nonylphenol ethoxylates) surfactants in WWTPs and in urban and industrial wastewater collection systems has been investigated. Seasonal and daily variability was also assessed. Concentrations of linear alkylbenzene sulfonates in influent and effluent wastewaters ranged from 1155 to 9200 μg L(-1), and from below limit of detection to 770 μg L(-1), respectively, whereas the concentrations of nonylphenol ethoxylates were significantly lower. Linear alkylbenzene sulfonates were efficiently removed (>96%), while mean removal rates of nonylphenol ethoxylates were significantly lower (<20%). Studies carried out in different seasons revealed seasonal discharge patterns from both urban and industrial activities. The analysis of wastewater collection systems showed a major contribution of linear alkylbenzene sulfonates from urban areas while, in the case of nonylphenol ethoxylates, their major contribution came from industrial activities. In all cases the discharge patterns of surfactants were related with the water consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dolores Camacho-Muñoz
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Escuela Politécnica Superior, University of Seville, C/Virgen de África 7, E-41011 Seville, Spain
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