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Chen Y, Zeng H, Huang H, Qin L, Qi S, Li H, Shahab A, Zhang H, Chen W. Occurrence and fate of N-nitrosamines in full-scale domestic wastewater treatment plants and their impact on receiving waters along the Lijiang River, China. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 469:133870. [PMID: 38430594 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.133870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Domestic wastewaters contaminated with N-nitrosamines pose a significant threat to river ecosystems worldwide, particularly in urban areas with riparian cities. Despite widespread concern, the precise impact of these contaminants on receiving river waters remains uncertain. This study investigated eight N-nitrosamines in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and their adjacent receiving river, the Lijiang River in Guilin City, Southwest China. By analyzing thirty wastewater samples from five full-scale WWTPs and twenty-three river water samples from Guilin, we quantified the mass loads of N-nitrosamines discharged into the surrounding watershed via domestic effluents. The results revealed that N-nitrosodimethylamine (10-60 ng/L), N-nitrosodiethylamine (3.4-22 ng/L), and N-nitrosopyrrolidine (not detected-4.5 ng/g) were predominant in influents, effluents, and sludge, respectively, with the overall removal efficiencies ranging from 17.7 to 65.6% during wastewater treatment. Cyclic activated sludge system and ultraviolet disinfection were effective in removing N-nitrosamines (rates of 59.6% and 24.3%), while chlorine dioxide disinfection promoted their formation. A total of 30.4 g/day of N-nitrosamine mass loads were observed in the Lijiang River water, with domestic effluents contributing about 31.3% (19.4 g/day), followed by livestock breeding wastewater (34.5%, 12.0 g/day), and unknown sources (24.7%, 7.5 g/day). These findings highlight the critical role of WWTPs in transporting N-nitrosamines to watersheds and emphasize the urgent need for further investigation into other potential sources of N-nitrosamine pollution within watersheds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingjie Chen
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Theory and Technology for Environmental Pollution Control, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin 541004, China; School of Environmental Studies and State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China; Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancashire LA1 4YW, the United Kingdom
| | - Honghu Zeng
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Theory and Technology for Environmental Pollution Control, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin 541004, China
| | - Huanfang Huang
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Water Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, MEE, Guangzhou 510535, China
| | - Litang Qin
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Theory and Technology for Environmental Pollution Control, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin 541004, China
| | - Shihua Qi
- School of Environmental Studies and State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Haixiang Li
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Theory and Technology for Environmental Pollution Control, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin 541004, China
| | - Asfandyar Shahab
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Theory and Technology for Environmental Pollution Control, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin 541004, China
| | - Hao Zhang
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancashire LA1 4YW, the United Kingdom
| | - Wenwen Chen
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Theory and Technology for Environmental Pollution Control, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin 541004, China.
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Chen Y, Huang H, Chen W, Huang X, Zhang Y, Liang Y, Zeng H, Zhang H, Qi S. Impact of agricultural activities on the occurrence of N-nitrosamines in an aquatic environment. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2024; 26:470-482. [PMID: 38282562 DOI: 10.1039/d3em00441d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
N-Nitrosamines, nitroso compounds with strong carcinogenic effects on humans, have been frequently detected in natural waters. In agricultural areas, there is typically a lack of drinking water treatment processes and distribution systems. As a result, residents often consume groundwater as drinking water which may contain N-nitrosamines, necessitating the investigation of the occurrence, sources, and carcinogenic risk of N-nitrosamines within the groundwater of agricultural areas. This study identified eight N-nitrosamines in groundwater and river water in the Jianghan Plain, a famous agricultural region in central China. N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA), N-nitrosomorpholine (NMOR), N-nitrosopyrrolidine (NPYR), and N-nitrosodi-n-butylamine (NDBA) were detected in groundwater, with NDMA being the main compound detected (up to 52 ng L-1). Comparable concentrations of these N-nitrosamines were also found in river water. From laboratory experiments, we found a tremendous potential for the formation of N-nitrosamines in groundwater. Principal component analysis and multiple linear regression analysis results showed that the primary sources of N-nitrosamines in groundwater were the uses of nitrogen fertilizers and pesticides carrying specific N-nitrosamines such as NPYR. The average total carcinogenic risk values of detected N-nitrosamines were higher than the acceptable risk level (10-5), suggesting a potential carcinogenic risk of groundwater. Further research is urgently needed to minimize N-nitrosamine levels in the groundwater of agricultural areas, particularly in those where pesticides and fertilizers are heavily used.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingjie Chen
- School of Environmental Studies and State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, No. 68 Jincheng Street, Hongshan District, Wuhan 430074, China.
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancashire LA1 4YW, UK
| | - Huanfang Huang
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Water Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou 510530, China
| | - Wenwen Chen
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin 541004, China.
| | - Xuelian Huang
- School of Environmental Studies and State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, No. 68 Jincheng Street, Hongshan District, Wuhan 430074, China.
| | - Yuan Zhang
- School of Environmental Studies and State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, No. 68 Jincheng Street, Hongshan District, Wuhan 430074, China.
| | - Yanpeng Liang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin 541004, China.
| | - Honghu Zeng
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin 541004, China.
| | - Hao Zhang
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancashire LA1 4YW, UK
| | - Shihua Qi
- School of Environmental Studies and State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, No. 68 Jincheng Street, Hongshan District, Wuhan 430074, China.
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