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Bastakoti S, Adhikari A, Thaiba BM, Neupane BB, Gautam BR, Dangi MB, Giri B. Characterization and removal of microplastics in the Guheshwori Wastewater Treatment Plant, Nepal. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 935:173324. [PMID: 38768733 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Contamination of river water systems by microplastic particles (MPPs) is one of the emerging global environmental concerns with potentially widespread ecological, socioeconomic, and health implications. A wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) processes and treats wastewater to remove pollutants and release safe water into the environment. There has been limited research on the characterization of microplastics and their removal in WWTP in South Asia. In this work, we report on the characterization of microplastics in wastewater and sludge samples (n = 300) from Guheshwori WWTP located on the bank of the Bagmati River in Kathmandu city, Nepal representing inlet, secondary aeration tank (SAT), outlet, and sludge from November 2021 to November 2022. On average, we detected 31.2 ± 17.3 MPPs/L, 11.2 ± 9.4 MPPs/L, 8.5 ± 5.6 MPPs/L, and 6.6 ± 4.8 MPPs/g in the samples collected from inlet, SAT, outlet, and sludge, respectively. Commonly found MPPs were in the form of fiber, fragments, foam, and pellets. Largely, MPPs were red, yellow, white, blue, and black. Among the 44 μm - 150 μm, 150 μm - 500 μm and 500 μm - 5 mm categories of size fractions, the most dominant fractions were 500 μm - 150 μm in inlet, SAT, and sludge, and 150 μm - 44 μm in the outlet sampling unit. The Guheshwori WWTP was able to remove 72.5 % of MPPs on average, that mostly occurred in the inlet. The effluent released into the river and the sludge still contained a significant number of MPPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Smriti Bastakoti
- Center for Analytical Sciences, Kathmandu Institute of Applied Sciences, P. O. Box. 23002, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Asmita Adhikari
- Center for Analytical Sciences, Kathmandu Institute of Applied Sciences, P. O. Box. 23002, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Bishan Man Thaiba
- Central Department of Chemistry, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur, Nepal
| | | | - Bhoj Raj Gautam
- Department of Chemistry, Physics and Materials Science, Fayetteville State University, Fayetteville, NC 28301, USA
| | - Mohan B Dangi
- Department of Geography and City & Regional Planning, California State University, Fresno, CA, USA
| | - Basant Giri
- Center for Analytical Sciences, Kathmandu Institute of Applied Sciences, P. O. Box. 23002, Kathmandu, Nepal.
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Aladekoyi O, Siddiqui S, Hania P, Hamza R, Gilbride K. Accumulation of antibiotics in the environment: Have appropriate measures been taken to protect Canadian human and ecological health? ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2024; 280:116513. [PMID: 38820820 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116513] [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: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024]
Abstract
In Canada, every day, contaminants of emerging concern (CEC) are discharged from waste treatment facilities into freshwaters. CECs such as pharmaceutical active compounds (PhACs), personal care products (PCPs), per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and microplastics are legally discharged from sewage treatment plants (STPs), water reclamation plants (WRPs), hospital wastewater treatment plants (HWWTPs), or other forms of wastewater treatment facilities (WWTFs). In 2006, the Government of Canada established the Chemicals Management Plan (CMP) to classify chemicals based on a risk-priority assessment, which ranked many CECs such as PhACs as being of low urgency, therefore permitting these substances to continue being released into the environment at unmonitored rates. The problem with ranking PhACs as a low priority is that CMP's risk management assessment overlooks the long-term environmental and synergistic effects of PhAC accumulation, such as the long-term risk of antibiotic CEC accumulation in the spread of antibiotic resistance genes. The goal of this review is to specifically investigate antibiotic CEC accumulation and associated environmental risks to human and environmental health, as well as to determine whether appropriate legislative strategies are in place within Canada's governance framework. In this research, secondary data on antibiotic CEC levels in Canadian and international wastewaters, their potential to promote antibiotic-resistant residues, associated environmental short- and long-term risks, and synergistic effects were all considered. Unlike similar past reviews, this review employed an interdisciplinary approach to propose new strategies from the perspectives of science, engineering, and law.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oluwatosin Aladekoyi
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University), Canada
| | - Salsabil Siddiqui
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University), Canada
| | - Patricia Hania
- Department of Business and Law, Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University), Canada; TMU Urban Water, Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University), Canada
| | - Rania Hamza
- Department of Civil Engineering, Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University), Canada; TMU Urban Water, Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University), Canada
| | - Kimberley Gilbride
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University), Canada; TMU Urban Water, Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University), Canada.
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Wang F, Xiang L, Sze-Yin Leung K, Elsner M, Zhang Y, Guo Y, Pan B, Sun H, An T, Ying G, Brooks BW, Hou D, Helbling DE, Sun J, Qiu H, Vogel TM, Zhang W, Gao Y, Simpson MJ, Luo Y, Chang SX, Su G, Wong BM, Fu TM, Zhu D, Jobst KJ, Ge C, Coulon F, Harindintwali JD, Zeng X, Wang H, Fu Y, Wei Z, Lohmann R, Chen C, Song Y, Sanchez-Cid C, Wang Y, El-Naggar A, Yao Y, Huang Y, Cheuk-Fung Law J, Gu C, Shen H, Gao Y, Qin C, Li H, Zhang T, Corcoll N, Liu M, Alessi DS, Li H, Brandt KK, Pico Y, Gu C, Guo J, Su J, Corvini P, Ye M, Rocha-Santos T, He H, Yang Y, Tong M, Zhang W, Suanon F, Brahushi F, Wang Z, Hashsham SA, Virta M, Yuan Q, Jiang G, Tremblay LA, Bu Q, Wu J, Peijnenburg W, Topp E, Cao X, Jiang X, Zheng M, Zhang T, Luo Y, Zhu L, Li X, Barceló D, Chen J, Xing B, Amelung W, Cai Z, Naidu R, Shen Q, Pawliszyn J, Zhu YG, Schaeffer A, Rillig MC, Wu F, Yu G, Tiedje JM. Emerging contaminants: A One Health perspective. Innovation (N Y) 2024; 5:100612. [PMID: 38756954 PMCID: PMC11096751 DOI: 10.1016/j.xinn.2024.100612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Environmental pollution is escalating due to rapid global development that often prioritizes human needs over planetary health. Despite global efforts to mitigate legacy pollutants, the continuous introduction of new substances remains a major threat to both people and the planet. In response, global initiatives are focusing on risk assessment and regulation of emerging contaminants, as demonstrated by the ongoing efforts to establish the UN's Intergovernmental Science-Policy Panel on Chemicals, Waste, and Pollution Prevention. This review identifies the sources and impacts of emerging contaminants on planetary health, emphasizing the importance of adopting a One Health approach. Strategies for monitoring and addressing these pollutants are discussed, underscoring the need for robust and socially equitable environmental policies at both regional and international levels. Urgent actions are needed to transition toward sustainable pollution management practices to safeguard our planet for future generations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Soil and Sustainable Agriculture, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Leilei Xiang
- State Key Laboratory of Soil and Sustainable Agriculture, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Kelvin Sze-Yin Leung
- Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China
- HKBU Institute of Research and Continuing Education, Shenzhen Virtual University Park, Shenzhen, China
| | - Martin Elsner
- Technical University of Munich, TUM School of Natural Sciences, Institute of Hydrochemistry, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Ying Zhang
- School of Resources & Environment, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Yuming Guo
- Climate, Air Quality Research Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Bo Pan
- Faculty of Environmental Science & Engineering, Kunming University of Science & Technology, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Hongwen Sun
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Taicheng An
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Guangguo Ying
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environmental Theoretical Chemistry, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, China
| | - Bryan W. Brooks
- Department of Environmental Science, Baylor University, Waco, TX, USA
- Center for Reservoir and Aquatic Systems Research (CRASR), Baylor University, Waco, TX, USA
| | - Deyi Hou
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Damian E. Helbling
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Jianqiang Sun
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China
| | - Hao Qiu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Timothy M. Vogel
- Laboratoire d’Ecologie Microbienne, Universite Claude Bernard Lyon 1, UMR CNRS 5557, UMR INRAE 1418, VetAgro Sup, 69622 Villeurbanne, France
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Yanzheng Gao
- Institute of Organic Contaminant Control and Soil Remediation, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Weigang Road 1, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Myrna J. Simpson
- Environmental NMR Centre and Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, 1265 Military Trail, Toronto, ON M1C 1A4, Canada
| | - Yi Luo
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Scott X. Chang
- Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta, 442 Earth Sciences Building, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E3, Canada
| | - Guanyong Su
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, School of Environmental and Biological Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210094, China
| | - Bryan M. Wong
- Materials Science & Engineering Program, Department of Chemistry, and Department of Physics & Astronomy, University of California-Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Tzung-May Fu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Precision Measurement and Early Warning Technology for Urban Environmental Health Risks, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Dong Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China
| | - Karl J. Jobst
- Department of Chemistry, Memorial University of Newfoundland, 45 Arctic Avenue, St. John’s, NL A1C 5S7, Canada
| | - Chengjun Ge
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Forestry Environmental Processes and Ecological Regulation of Hainan Province, School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
| | - Frederic Coulon
- School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield University, Cranfield MK43 0AL, UK
| | - Jean Damascene Harindintwali
- State Key Laboratory of Soil and Sustainable Agriculture, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xiankui Zeng
- Key Laboratory of Surficial Geochemistry, Ministry of Education, School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Haijun Wang
- Institute for Ecological Research and Pollution Control of Plateau Lakes, School of Ecology and Environmental Science, Yunnan University, Kunming 650504, China
| | - Yuhao Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Soil and Sustainable Agriculture, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Zhong Wei
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab for Organic Solid Waste Utilization, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Solid Organic Waste Resource Utilization, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Rainer Lohmann
- Graduate School of Oceanography, University of Rhode Island, Narragansett, RI, USA
| | - Changer Chen
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environmental Theoretical Chemistry, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, China
| | - Yang Song
- State Key Laboratory of Soil and Sustainable Agriculture, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Concepcion Sanchez-Cid
- Environmental Microbial Genomics, UMR 5005 Laboratoire Ampère, CNRS, École Centrale de Lyon, Université de Lyon, Écully, France
| | - Yu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Soil and Sustainable Agriculture, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Ali El-Naggar
- Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta, 442 Earth Sciences Building, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E3, Canada
- Department of Soil Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Ain Shams University, Cairo 11241, Egypt
| | - Yiming Yao
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Yanran Huang
- Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
| | | | - Chenggang Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Soil and Sustainable Agriculture, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Huizhong Shen
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Precision Measurement and Early Warning Technology for Urban Environmental Health Risks, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Yanpeng Gao
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Chao Qin
- Institute of Organic Contaminant Control and Soil Remediation, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Weigang Road 1, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Hao Li
- Faculty of Environmental Science & Engineering, Kunming University of Science & Technology, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Tong Zhang
- Environmental Microbiome Engineering and Biotechnology Laboratory, Center for Environmental Engineering Research, Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Natàlia Corcoll
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Min Liu
- Key Laboratory of Geographic Information Science of the Ministry of Education, School of Geographic Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Daniel S. Alessi
- Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E3, Canada
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Kristian K. Brandt
- Section for Microbial Ecology and Biotechnology, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, 1871 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
- Sino-Danish Center (SDC), Beijing, China
| | - Yolanda Pico
- Food and Environmental Safety Research Group of the University of Valencia (SAMA-UV), Desertification Research Centre - CIDE (CSIC-UV-GV), Road CV-315 km 10.7, 46113 Moncada, Valencia, Spain
| | - Cheng Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Jianhua Guo
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Jianqiang Su
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China
| | - Philippe Corvini
- School of Life Sciences, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland, 4132 Muttenz, Switzerland
| | - Mao Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Soil and Sustainable Agriculture, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Teresa Rocha-Santos
- Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM) & Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Huan He
- Jiangsu Engineering Laboratory of Water and Soil Eco-remediation, School of Environment, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Yi Yang
- Key Laboratory of Geographic Information Science of the Ministry of Education, School of Geographic Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Meiping Tong
- College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Weina Zhang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Fidèle Suanon
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China
- Laboratory of Physical Chemistry, Materials and Molecular Modeling (LCP3M), University of Abomey-Calavi, Republic of Benin, Cotonou 01 BP 526, Benin
| | - Ferdi Brahushi
- Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Agricultural University of Tirana, 1029 Tirana, Albania
| | - Zhenyu Wang
- Institute of Environmental Processes and Pollution Control, and School of Environment & Ecology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Syed A. Hashsham
- Center for Microbial Ecology, Department of Plant, Soil, and Microbial Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Marko Virta
- Department of Microbiology, University of Helsinki, 00010 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Qingbin Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Gaofei Jiang
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab for Organic Solid Waste Utilization, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Solid Organic Waste Resource Utilization, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Louis A. Tremblay
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, Aotearoa 1142, New Zealand
| | - Qingwei Bu
- School of Chemical & Environmental Engineering, China University of Mining & Technology - Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Jichun Wu
- Key Laboratory of Surficial Geochemistry, Ministry of Education, School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Willie Peijnenburg
- National Institute of Public Health and the Environment, Center for the Safety of Substances and Products, 3720 BA Bilthoven, The Netherlands
- Leiden University, Center for Environmental Studies, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Edward Topp
- Agroecology Mixed Research Unit, INRAE, 17 rue Sully, 21065 Dijon Cedex, France
| | - Xinde Cao
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Xin Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Soil and Sustainable Agriculture, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Minghui Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Taolin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Soil and Sustainable Agriculture, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Yongming Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Soil and Sustainable Agriculture, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Lizhong Zhu
- Department of Environmental Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Xiangdong Li
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Damià Barceló
- Chemistry and Physics Department, University of Almeria, 04120 Almeria, Spain
| | - Jianmin Chen
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Particle Pollution and Prevention (LAP3), Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Baoshan Xing
- Stockbridge School of Agriculture, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Wulf Amelung
- Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation (INRES), Soil Science and Soil Ecology, University of Bonn, 53115 Bonn, Germany
- Agrosphere Institute (IBG-3), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52428 Jülich, Germany
| | - Zongwei Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental and Biological Analysis, Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ravi Naidu
- Global Centre for Environmental Remediation (GCER), The University of Newcastle (UON), Newcastle, NSW 2308, Australia
- Cooperative Research Centre for Contamination Assessment and Remediation of the Environment (CRC CARE), The University of Newcastle (UON), Newcastle, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Qirong Shen
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab for Organic Solid Waste Utilization, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Solid Organic Waste Resource Utilization, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Janusz Pawliszyn
- Department of Chemistry, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Yong-guan Zhu
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China
- State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Andreas Schaeffer
- Institute for Environmental Research, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Matthias C. Rillig
- Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research (BBIB), Berlin, Germany
| | - Fengchang Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
| | - Gang Yu
- Advanced Interdisciplinary Institute of Environment and Ecology, Beijing Normal University, Zhuhai, China
| | - James M. Tiedje
- Center for Microbial Ecology, Department of Plant, Soil, and Microbial Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
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Emmanouil C, Giannakis I, Kyzas GZ. Terrestrial bioassays for assessing the biochemical and toxicological impact of biosolids application derived from wastewater treatment plants. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 931:172718. [PMID: 38677438 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172718] [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: 02/07/2024] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024]
Abstract
Wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) are facilities where municipal wastewater undergoes treatment so that its organic load and its pathogenic potential are minimized. Sewage sludge is a by-product of this process and when properly treated is preferentially called "biosolids". These treatments may include some or most of the following: thickening, dewatering, drying, digestion, composting, liming. Nowadays it is almost impossible to landfill biosolids, which however can well be used as crop fertilizers. Continuous or superfluous biosolids fertilization may negatively affect non-target organisms such as soil macro-organisms or even plants. These effects can be depicted through bioassays on terrestrial animals and plants. It has been shown that earthworms have been affected to various degrees on the following endpoints: pollutants' bioaccumulation, viability, reproduction, avoidance behavior, burrowing behavior. Collembola have been affected on viability, reproduction, avoidance behavior. Other terrestrial organisms such as nematodes and diplopods have also shown adverse health effects. Phytotoxicity have been caused by some biosolids regimes as measured through the following endpoints: seed germination, root length, shoot length, shoot biomass, root biomass, chlorophyll content, antioxidant enzyme activity. Very limited statistical correlations between pollutant concentrations and toxicity endpoints have been established such as between juvenile mortality (earthworms) and As or Ba concentration in the biosolids, between juvenile mortality (collembola) and Cd or S concentration in the biosolids, or between phytotoxicity and some extractable metals in leachates or aquatic extracts from the biosolids; more correlations between physicochemical characteristics and toxicity endpoints have been found such as between phytotoxicity and ammonium N in biosolids or their liquid extracts, or between phytotoxicity and salinity. An inverse correlation between earthworm/collembola mortality and stable organic matter has also been found. Basing the appropriateness of biosolids only on chemical analyses for pollutants is not cost-effective. To enable risk characterization and subsequent risk mitigation it is important to apply a battery of bioassays on soil macro-organisms and on plants, utilizing a combination of endpoints and established protocols. Through combined analytical quantification and toxicity testing, safe use of biosolids in agriculture can be achieved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Emmanouil
- School of Spatial Planning and Development, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | - Ioannis Giannakis
- School of Civil Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | - George Z Kyzas
- Hephaestus Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Democritus University of Thrace, Kavala, Greece.
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5
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Shrivas VL, Choudhary AK, Hariprasad P, Sharma S. Transmission of antibiotic resistance through organic amendments in arable land: A 3-year field study with pigeonpea-wheat cropping system. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 471:134378. [PMID: 38691926 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134378] [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: 02/02/2024] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
The worldwide emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a substantial risk to human health and environmental stability. In agriculture, organic amendments (derived from organic sources such as manure, and plant residues) are beneficial in restoring soil properties and providing essential nutrients to crops but raise concerns about harboring antibiotic resistance, which emphasizes the need for vigilant monitoring and strategic interventions in their application. The current study assessed the impact of farming practices (organic and conventional) in a three-year field experiment with pigeonpea-wheat cropping system, focusing on the transmission of AMR using culture-dependent and -independent approaches, and soil nutrient content. Markers for antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) (aminoglycoside-aacA, β-lactam-blaTEM, chloramphenicol-cmlA1, macrolide-ermB, sulfonamides-sul1, sul2, and tetracycline-tetO) and integrons (intl1 and intl2) were targeted using qPCR. Manure amendments, particularly FYM1, exhibited a higher abundance of copies of ARGs compared to the rhizospheric soil. Organic farming was associated with higher copies of intl2, sul1, blaTEM, and tetO genes, while conventional farming showed increased copies of sul2 and ermB genes in the rhizosphere. Significant positive correlations were observed among soil nutrient contents, ARGs, and MGEs. The notable prevalence of ARGs linked to manure amendments serves as a cautionary note, demanding responsible management practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vijay Laxmi Shrivas
- Department of Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi 110016, India; Centre for Rural Development and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi 110016, India
| | - Anil K Choudhary
- Division of Agronomy, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi 110012, India
| | - P Hariprasad
- Centre for Rural Development and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi 110016, India
| | - Shilpi Sharma
- Department of Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi 110016, India.
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6
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Carter LJ, Dennis S, Allen K, McKenna P, Chen X, Daniell TJ, Evans B, Guest JS, Guo H, Kirk S, Zhu YG, Anik AR, Zuhra N, Banwart SA. Mitigating Contaminant-Driven Risks for the Safe Expansion of the Agricultural-Sanitation Circular Economy in an Urbanizing World. ACS ES&T WATER 2024; 4:1166-1176. [PMID: 38633372 PMCID: PMC11019536 DOI: 10.1021/acsestwater.3c00803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
The widespread adoption of an agricultural circular economy requires the recovery of resources such as water, organic matter, and nutrients from livestock manure and sanitation. While this approach offers many benefits, we argue this is not without potential risks to human and environmental health that largely stem from the presence of contaminants in the recycled resources (e.g., pharmaceuticals, pathogens). We discuss context specific challenges and solutions across the three themes: (1) contaminant monitoring; (2) collection transport and treatment; and (3) regulation and policy. We advocate for the redesign of sanitary and agricultural management practices to enable safe resource reuse in a proportionate and effective way. In populous urban regions with access to sanitation provision, processes can be optimized using emergent technologies to maximize removal of contaminant from excreta prior to reuse. Comparatively, in regions with limited existing capacity for conveyance of excreta to centralized treatment facilities, we suggest efforts should focus on creation of collection facilities (e.g., pit latrines) and decentralized treatment options such as composting systems. Overall, circular economy approaches to sanitation and resource management offer a potential solution to a pressing challenge; however, to ensure this is done in a safe manner, contaminant risks must be mitigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura J. Carter
- School of
Geography, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, U.K.
- Global Food
and Environment Institute, University of
Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K.
| | - Sarah Dennis
- Global Food
and Environment Institute, University of
Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K.
- School of
Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K.
| | - Katie Allen
- Global Food
and Environment Institute, University of
Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K.
- School of
Civil Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K.
| | - Patrick McKenna
- Global Food
and Environment Institute, University of
Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K.
- School of
Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K.
| | - Xiaohui Chen
- School of
Civil Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K.
| | - Tim J. Daniell
- Molecular
Microbiology: Biochemistry to Disease, School of Biosciences, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, U.K.
| | - Barbara Evans
- School of
Civil Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K.
| | - Jeremy S. Guest
- Department
of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana−Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Hongyan Guo
- State
Key
Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the
Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Stuart Kirk
- The Schumacher
Institute, The Create Centre, Bristol BS1 6XN, U.K.
| | - Yong-Guan Zhu
- Research
Center for Eco-environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 18 Shuangqing Road, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Asif Reza Anik
- Department
of Agricultural Economics, Bangabandhu Sheikh
Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Salna, Gazipur 1706, Bangladesh
| | - Naqshe Zuhra
- Institute
of Soil and Environmental Sciences, University
of Agriculture, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan
| | - Steven A. Banwart
- Global Food
and Environment Institute, University of
Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K.
- School of
Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K.
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7
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Strugała-Wilczek A, Basa W, Pankiewicz-Sperka M, Xu D, Duan P, Hao B, Wang Y, Leng L, Yang L, Fan L, Kapusta K. Distribution characteristics and migration pathways of metals during hydrothermal liquefaction of municipal sewage sludge in the presence of various catalysts. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 920:171023. [PMID: 38367729 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024]
Abstract
A series of hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) experiments with two different samples of municipal sewage sludge (MSS) were conducted at 350 °C for 30 min residence time in a high pressure batch reactor. The main aim of the study was to explore the distribution and migration pathways of a broad range of metals and metalloids in the HTL products (bio-oil, char and aqueous phase) obtained in the presence of various homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts (Na2CO3, Li2CO3, K2CO3, Ba(OH)2, Fe2O3, CeO2, NiMo/MoO3, MoS2, Ni/NiO, SnO2, FeS). The elements under study included 16 environmentally significant metals and metalloids (As, B, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Sn, Zn and Hg). The study showed that the quantitative migration of the tested metals and metalloids to the particular HTL products, relative to their initial content in the raw sludge, is different for the individual elements. Most metals exhibited a particularly strong affinity to the solid fraction (biochar). In the obtained HTL bio-oils, all tested elements were identified, except of Cd. It was also found that B and As have high affinity to the aqueous phase. A direct effect of catalysts on the contents of some elements in the products was also proved by the study, e.g. increased concentration of Cr in the biochar when Fe2O3 was used as a process catalyst. Due to the wide scope of the tested elements and broad range of catalyst used, the results obtained represent a unique and comprehensive set of environmental data compared to similar HTL studies previously conducted for MSS.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Wioleta Basa
- GIG, Department of Energy Saving and Air Protection, Plac Gwarków 1, 40-166 Katowice, Poland
| | | | - Donghai Xu
- Key Laboratory of Thermo-Fluid Science & Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Energy and Power Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
| | - Peigao Duan
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Botian Hao
- Key Laboratory of Thermo-Fluid Science & Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Energy and Power Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
| | - Yuanyuan Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Green Process, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Lijian Leng
- School of Energy Science and Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China
| | - Le Yang
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519082, China
| | - Liangliang Fan
- Key Laboratory of Poyang Lake Environment and Resource Utilization, Ministry of Education, School of Resources, Environmental & Chemical Engineering, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Krzysztof Kapusta
- GIG, Department of Energy Saving and Air Protection, Plac Gwarków 1, 40-166 Katowice, Poland.
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8
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Urbaniak M, Baran A, Giebułtowicz J, Bednarek A, Serwecińska L. The occurrence of heavy metals and antimicrobials in sewage sludge and their predicted risk to soil - Is there anything to fear? THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 912:168856. [PMID: 38042192 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168856] [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: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/04/2023]
Abstract
The study assessed the occurrence of legally-monitored heavy metals and unmonitored antimicrobials in sludge from small, medium, large and very large municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), and the predicted environmental risk and risk of resistance selection associated with sludge administration to soil. The temporal variations of the studied compounds in sludge and associated risks to soil were determined by sampling over a year. Although the highest concentrations of heavy metals were noted in sludge from the largest WWTP, i.e. from 1.50 mg/kg (mean 1.61 mg/kg) for Cd to 2188 mg/kg (mean 1332 mg/kg) for Zn, the obtained values only reached a few percent of the legal limits. The same WWTP also demonstrated lower concentrations of antimicrobials compared to the smaller ones. The highest concentrations of antimicrobials, ranging from 24.04 μg/kg for trimethoprim to 900.24 μg/kg for tetracycline, were found in the small and medium WWTPs. However, due to lack of regulations at the national and EU levels, the results cannot be compared with legal limits. Principal Component Analysis (PCA), cluster and heatmap analysis separated samples according to WWTP size. Small WWTP demonstrated correlation with antimicrobials (tetracycline, trimethoprim, clindamycin, ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin), while the large and very large WWTP revealed correlations with heavy metals (Cu and Cr). The obtained environmental risk quotients confirmed that the heavy metals did not present a threat, measured either as individual risk quotients (RQenv), cumulative risk (RQcumulative) or risk of mixture of heavy metals (RQmix-metals). In the case of antimicrobials, only tetracycline demonstrated moderate RQenv, RQcumulative and RQmix-antimicrobials in the small WWTP sludge, with values of 0.1 to 1. Our findings highlight the importance of monitoring sewage sludge before soil application, especially from small WWTPs, to reduce the potential environmental impact of antimicrobials. They also confirm our previous data regarding the environmental risk associated with various toxic compounds, including emerging contaminants, in the sludge from small WWTPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Urbaniak
- European Regional Centre for Ecohydrology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Tylna 3, 90-364 Lodz, Poland.
| | - Agnieszka Baran
- University of Agriculture in Krakow, Department of Agriculture and Environmental Chemistry, al. Mickiewicza 21, 31-120 Krakow, Poland.
| | - Joanna Giebułtowicz
- Medical University of Warsaw, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Drug Chemistry, Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis, Banacha 1, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Agnieszka Bednarek
- University of Lodz, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, UNESCO Chair on Ecohydrology and Applied Ecology, Banacha 12/16, 90-237 Lodz, Poland.
| | - Liliana Serwecińska
- European Regional Centre for Ecohydrology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Tylna 3, 90-364 Lodz, Poland.
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9
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Gunarathne V, Phillips AJ, Zanoletti A, Rajapaksha AU, Vithanage M, Di Maria F, Pivato A, Korzeniewska E, Bontempi E. Environmental pitfalls and associated human health risks and ecological impacts from landfill leachate contaminants: Current evidence, recommended interventions and future directions. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 912:169026. [PMID: 38056656 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169026] [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: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
The improper management of solid waste, particularly the dumping of untreated municipal solid waste, poses a growing global challenge in both developed and developing nations. The generation of leachate is one of the significant issues that arise from this practice, and it can have harmful impacts on both the environment and public health. This paper presents an overview of the primary waste types that generate landfill leachate and their characteristics. This includes examining the distribution of waste types in landfills globally and how they have changed over time, which can provide valuable insights into potential pollutants in a given area and their trends. With a lack of specific regulations and growing concerns regarding environmental and health impacts, the paper also focuses on emerging contaminants. Furthermore, the environmental and ecological impacts of leachate, along with associated health risks, are analyzed. The potential applications of landfill leachate, suggested interventions and future directions are also discussed in the manuscript. Finally, this work addresses future research directions in landfill leachate studies, with attention, for the first time to the potentialities that artificial intelligence can offer for landfill leachate management, studies, and applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viraj Gunarathne
- Ecosphere Resilience Research Centre, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda, CO 10250, Sri Lanka; University of Wuppertal, School of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Institute of Foundation Engineering, Water- and Waste-Management, Laboratory of Soil- and Groundwater-Management, Pauluskirchstraße 7, 42285 Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Ankur J Phillips
- Department of Microbiology, College of Basic Sciences and Humanities, Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, 263145, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Alessandra Zanoletti
- INSTM and Chemistry for Technologies Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Brescia, Via Branze, 38, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Anushka Upamali Rajapaksha
- Ecosphere Resilience Research Centre, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda, CO 10250, Sri Lanka; Instrument Center, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda 10250, Sri Lanka
| | - Meththika Vithanage
- Ecosphere Resilience Research Centre, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda, CO 10250, Sri Lanka
| | - Francesco Di Maria
- LAR5 Laboratory, Dipartimento di Ingegneria, University of Perugia, via G. Duranti 93, 06125 Perugia, Italy
| | - Alberto Pivato
- DICEA - Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 9, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Ewa Korzeniewska
- Department of Water Protection Engineering and Environmental Microbiology, The Faculty of Geoengineering, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Prawocheńskiego 1 Str., 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Elza Bontempi
- INSTM and Chemistry for Technologies Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Brescia, Via Branze, 38, 25123 Brescia, Italy.
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10
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Perelomov L, Rajput VD, Gertsen M, Sizova O, Perelomova I, Kozmenko S, Minkina T, Atroshchenko Y. Ecological features of trace elements tolerant microbes isolated from sewage sludge of urban wastewater treatment plant. STRESS BIOLOGY 2024; 4:8. [PMID: 38273092 PMCID: PMC10810767 DOI: 10.1007/s44154-023-00144-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Worldwide wastewater treatment plants generate enormous amounts of sewage sludge, and their further disposal depends on the treatment technologies applied and spontaneously occurring microbiological processes. From different ages urban sewage sludge, 12 strains of bacteria with simultaneous tolerance to two or more trace elements: Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb at concentration of 3-5 mmol were isolated and identified by PCR of target genes and Sanger sequencing methods. The isloated metal(loids) tolerant strains belong to the species, i.e., Serratia fonticola, Rhodococcus qingshengii, Pseudomonas fragi, Pseudomonas extremaustralis, Pseudomonas cedrina, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Serratia liquefaciens and Citrobacter freundii. The ecological features of the isolated strains were studied. The optimal growth temperatures for most strains was 15-30°C at pH range of 5-9, although some strains grew at 7°C (Pseudomonas fragi SS0-4, Serratia fonticola SS0-9 and Serratia fonticola SS12-11). Satisfactory growth of two strains (Serratia fonticola SS0-1and Citrobacter freundii SS60-12) was noted in an acidic medium at pH 4. Most of the strains grew in the NaCl concentration range of 1-5%. The isolated bacteria resistant to high concentrations of trace elements can be used for the effective mineralization of sewage sludge and for the decontamination of wastewater.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Perelomov
- Tula State Lev Tolstoy Pedagogical University (Lev Tolstoy University), Lenin Avenue, 125, Tula, 300026, Russia.
| | - V D Rajput
- Academy of Biology and Biotechnology, Southern Federal University, Rostov-on-Don, 344006, Russia
| | - M Gertsen
- Tula State Lev Tolstoy Pedagogical University (Lev Tolstoy University), Lenin Avenue, 125, Tula, 300026, Russia
| | - O Sizova
- Federal Research Center "Pushchino Scientific Center for Biological Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences", G. K. Skryabin Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Microorganisms of RAS, Pushchino, 142290, Russia
| | - I Perelomova
- Tula State University, Lenin Avenue, 92, Tula, 300026, Russia
| | - S Kozmenko
- Tula State Lev Tolstoy Pedagogical University (Lev Tolstoy University), Lenin Avenue, 125, Tula, 300026, Russia
- Academy of Biology and Biotechnology, Southern Federal University, Rostov-on-Don, 344006, Russia
| | - T Minkina
- Academy of Biology and Biotechnology, Southern Federal University, Rostov-on-Don, 344006, Russia
| | - Y Atroshchenko
- Tula State Lev Tolstoy Pedagogical University (Lev Tolstoy University), Lenin Avenue, 125, Tula, 300026, Russia
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11
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Bhattacharjee AS, Phan D, Zheng C, Ashworth D, Schmidt M, Men Y, Ferreira JFS, Muir G, Hasan NA, Ibekwe AM. Dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes through soil-plant-earthworm continuum in the food production environment. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2024; 183:108374. [PMID: 38101104 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.108374] [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: 08/26/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Treated municipal wastewater (TMW) can provide a reliable source of irrigation water for crops, which is especially important in arid areas where water resources are limited or prone to drought. Nonetheless, TMW may contain residual antibiotics, potentially exposing the crops to these substances. The goal of this study was to investigate the dissemination of antibiotics resistance genes (ARGs) in the soil-plant-earthworm continuum after irrigation of spinach and radish plants with TMW containing trimethoprim, sulfamethoxazole, and sulfapyridine in a greenhouse experiment, followed by feeding of earthworms with harvested plant materials. Our results showed that antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) were enriched in the soil-plant-earthworm microbiomes irrigated with TMW and TMW spiked with higher concentrations of antibiotics. The number of ARGs and antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) enrichment varied with plant type, with spinach harboring a significantly higher amount of ARGs and ARB compared to radish. Our data showed that bulk and rhizosphere soils of spinach and radish plants irrigated with MilliQ water, TMW, TMW10, or TMW100 had significant differences in bacterial community (p < 0.001), ARG (p < 0.001), and virulence factor gene (VFG) (p < 0.001) diversities. The abundance of ARGs significantly decreased from bulk soil to rhizosphere to phyllosphere and endosphere. Using metagenome assembled genomes (MAGs), we recovered many bacterial MAGs and a near complete genome (>90 %) of bacterial MAG of genus Leclercia adecarboxylata B from the fecal microbiome of earthworm that was fed harvested radish tubers and spinach leaves grown on TMW10 irrigated waters, and this bacterium has been shown to be an emerging pathogen causing infection in immunocompromised patients that may lead to health complications and death. Therefore, crops irrigated with TMW containing residual antibiotics and ARGs may lead to increased incidences of enrichment of ARB in the soil-plant-earthworm continuum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ananda S Bhattacharjee
- US Salinity Laboratory, USDA-ARS, 450 W. Big Springs Rd., Riverside, CA 92507, USA; Department of Environmental Sciences, University of California, Riverside, CA 92507, USA
| | - Duc Phan
- US Salinity Laboratory, USDA-ARS, 450 W. Big Springs Rd., Riverside, CA 92507, USA; Department of Environmental Sciences, University of California, Riverside, CA 92507, USA
| | - Chujing Zheng
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Riverside, CA 92507, USA
| | - Daniel Ashworth
- US Salinity Laboratory, USDA-ARS, 450 W. Big Springs Rd., Riverside, CA 92507, USA
| | - Michael Schmidt
- US Salinity Laboratory, USDA-ARS, 450 W. Big Springs Rd., Riverside, CA 92507, USA
| | - Yujie Men
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Riverside, CA 92507, USA
| | - Jorge F S Ferreira
- US Salinity Laboratory, USDA-ARS, 450 W. Big Springs Rd., Riverside, CA 92507, USA
| | | | - Nur A Hasan
- EzBiome, Gaithersburg, MD, USA; Center for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Abasiofiok M Ibekwe
- US Salinity Laboratory, USDA-ARS, 450 W. Big Springs Rd., Riverside, CA 92507, USA.
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12
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Rede D, Teixeira I, Delerue-Matos C, Fernandes VC. Assessing emerging and priority micropollutants in sewage sludge: environmental insights and analytical approaches. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:3152-3168. [PMID: 38085484 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-30963-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
The application of sewage sludge (SS) in agriculture, as an alternative to manufactured fertilizers, is current practice worldwide. However, as wastewater is collected from households, industries, and hospitals, the resulting sludge could contaminate land with creeping levels of pharmaceuticals, pesticides, heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and microplastics, among others. Thus, the sustainable management of SS requires the development of selective methods for the identification and quantification of pollutants, preventing ecological and/or health risks. This study presents a thorough evaluation of emerging and priority micropollutants in SS, through the lens of environmental insights, by developing and implementing an integrated analytical approach. A quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) extraction method, coupled with gas chromatography and liquid chromatography, was optimized for the determination of 42 organic compounds. These include organophosphorus pesticides, organochlorine pesticides, pyrethroid pesticides, organophosphate ester flame retardants, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, polychlorinated biphenyls, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The optimization of the dispersive-solid phase for clean-up, combined with the optimization of chromatographic parameters, ensured improved sensitivity. Method validation included assessments for recovery, reproducibility, limit of detection (LOD), and limit of quantification (LOQ). Recoveries ranged from 59.5 to 117%, while LODs ranged from 0.00700 to 0.271 µg g-1. Application of the method to seven SS samples from Portuguese wastewater treatment plants revealed the presence of sixteen compounds, including persistent organic pollutants. The quantification of α-endosulfan, an organochlorine pesticide, was consistently observed in all samples, with concentrations ranging from 0.110 to 0.571 µg g-1. Furthermore, the study encompasses the analysis of agronomic parameters, as well as the mineral and metal content in SS samples. The study demonstrates that the levels of heavy metals comply with legal limits. By conducting a comprehensive investigation into the presence of micropollutants in SS, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of the environmental and sustainable implications associated with SS management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Rede
- REQUIMTE/LAQV, Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto, Instituto Politécnico do Porto, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 431, 4249-015, Porto, Portugal
- Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre S/N, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal
| | - Ivan Teixeira
- REQUIMTE/LAQV, Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto, Instituto Politécnico do Porto, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 431, 4249-015, Porto, Portugal
| | - Cristina Delerue-Matos
- REQUIMTE/LAQV, Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto, Instituto Politécnico do Porto, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 431, 4249-015, Porto, Portugal
| | - Virgínia Cruz Fernandes
- REQUIMTE/LAQV, Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto, Instituto Politécnico do Porto, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 431, 4249-015, Porto, Portugal.
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13
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Li X, Zhong X, Yang Z, Cai C, Zhang W, Li X, Sun X, Dong B, Xu Z. Novelty three stages for humification of sewage sludge during hyperthermophilic aerobic fermentation. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 239:117276. [PMID: 37806481 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117276] [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: 08/19/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Compared with conventional aerobic fermentation (CAF), there is limited knowledge of how hyperthermophilic aerobic fermentation (HAF) enhances the humification of sewage sludge. This study compared three novel stages of organic degradation, precursors, functional groups, bacterial community, and humus synthesis mechanism in HAF with CAF. The results showed that organic matter (OM) degraded rapidly, and 68% of the degradation could be completed of stage I in HAF. Compared with the initial stage, ammonium nitrogen (NH4+-N), water-soluble organic carbon, and water-soluble total nitrogen increased by 2.83 times, 40.5 times, and 33.5 times, respectively. Cellulose and hemicellulose decreased by 29.22% and 21.85%, respectively. These results suggested that temperature (>80 °C) and Bacillus dominated accelerate the humification process by rapidly improving OM degradation. Compared with the initial value of HAF, the maximum increment of reducing sugar at stage II was 297%, and the degradation rate of cellulose was effectively increased by 21.03% compared with that of CAF. The precursors such as reducing sugars and amino acids formed humus at stage II. The content of Aryl C increased significantly during the HAF process, the degree of polymerization of humus and the aromatization degree of HA and FA increased significantly, and complex organic macromolecular material polymers were formed at stage III. The sugar-amine condensation was the mechanism of humification in the sludge HAF process. This investigation provided three new stages of insights into the synthesis of humification during the HAF process and extended the current mechanism of humification in the HAF process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Li
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering. Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, PR China
| | - Xinru Zhong
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering. Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, PR China
| | - Zao Yang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering. Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, PR China
| | - Chen Cai
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering. Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, PR China
| | - Wei Zhang
- School of Environment and Architecture. University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200093, PR China.
| | - Xiaowei Li
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Organic Compound Pollution Control Engineering, Ministry of Education, Institute for the Conservation of Cultural Heritage, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, PR China
| | - Xiaojie Sun
- Guangxi Key laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control Theory and Technology, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin, PR China
| | - Bin Dong
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering. Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, PR China; Guangxi Key laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control Theory and Technology, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin, PR China.
| | - Zuxin Xu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering. Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, PR China
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14
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Męcik M, Buta-Hubeny M, Paukszto Ł, Maździarz M, Wolak I, Harnisz M, Korzeniewska E. Poultry manure-derived microorganisms as a reservoir and source of antibiotic resistance genes transferred to soil autochthonous microorganisms. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 348:119303. [PMID: 37832303 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.119303] [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: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
Animal husbandry is increasing yearly due to the growing demand for meat and livestock products, among other reasons. To meet these demands, prophylactic antibiotics are used in the livestock industry (i.e., poultry farming) to promote health and stimulate animal growth. However, antibiotics are not fully metabolized by animals, and they are evacuated to the environment with excreta. Animal manure is used as fertilizer to reduce the volume of waste generated in the livestock sector. However, manure often contains microorganisms harboring antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Then, the microbiome of manure applicate to the soil may contribute to the spread of antibiotic resistance in the environment, including autochthonous soil-dwelling microorganisms. The present study was conducted during the crops growing season in Poland (May to September 2019) to determine the influence of poultry manure as well as poultry manure supplemented with selected antibiotics on the diversity of the soil microbiome in treatments that had not been previously fertilized with manure and the ability of antibiotic-resistant bacteria to transfer ARGs to other soil bacteria. Antibiotic concentrations were elevated at the beginning of the study and decreased over time. Poultry manure induced significant changes in the structure of microbial communities in soil; the diversity of the soil microbiome decreased, and the abundance of bacterial genera Bradyrhizobium, Streptomyces, and Pseudomonas, which are characteristic of the analyzed manure, increased. Over time, soil microbial diversity was restored to the state observed before the application of manure. Genes conferring resistance to multiple drugs as well as genes encoding resistance to bacitracin and aminoglycosides were the most frequently identified ARGs in the analyzed bacteria, including on mobile genetic elements. Multidrug resistance was observed in 17 bacterial taxa, whereas ARGs were identified in 32 bacterial taxa identified in the soil microbiome. The results of the study conclude that the application of poultry manure supplemented with antibiotics initially affects soil microbiome and resistome diversity but finally, the soil shows resilience and returns to its original state after time, with most antibiotic resistance genes disappearing. This phenomenon is of great importance in sustainable soil health after manure application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Męcik
- Department of Water Protection Engineering and Environmental Microbiology, Faculty of Geoengineering, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Prawocheńskiego 1, 10-720, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Martyna Buta-Hubeny
- Department of Water Protection Engineering and Environmental Microbiology, Faculty of Geoengineering, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Prawocheńskiego 1, 10-720, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Łukasz Paukszto
- Department of Botany and Nature Protection, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Plac Łódzki 1, 10-721, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Mateusz Maździarz
- Department of Botany and Nature Protection, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Plac Łódzki 1, 10-721, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Izabela Wolak
- Department of Water Protection Engineering and Environmental Microbiology, Faculty of Geoengineering, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Prawocheńskiego 1, 10-720, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Monika Harnisz
- Department of Water Protection Engineering and Environmental Microbiology, Faculty of Geoengineering, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Prawocheńskiego 1, 10-720, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Ewa Korzeniewska
- Department of Water Protection Engineering and Environmental Microbiology, Faculty of Geoengineering, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Prawocheńskiego 1, 10-720, Olsztyn, Poland.
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Rahman SU, Han JC, Ahmad M, Gao S, Khan KA, Li B, Zhou Y, Zhao X, Huang Y. Toxic effects of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and tetracycline (TC) on the growth and development of Triticum aestivum: A meta-analysis. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 904:166677. [PMID: 37659524 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 08/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/04/2023]
Abstract
The environmental issue of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and tetracycline (TC) contamination in cereal crops has become a growing concern worldwide. An in-depth understanding of this issue would be of importance to promote effective management strategies for heavy metals and antibiotics worldwide. The present study was conducted to assess the toxic effects of heavy metals (Cd, Pb) and antibiotics (TC) on Triticum aestivum (T. aestivum, common wheat) based on studies conducted in the past 22 years. Data pertaining to the growth and development of T. aestivum were extracted and analyzed from 89 publications spanning from 2000 to 2022. Our results showed that Pb, Cd and TC significantly reduced growth and development by 11 %, 9 %, and 5 %, respectively. Additionally, significant accumulation of Cd (42 %) and Pb (17 %) was observed in T. aestivum samples, although there was little change in TC accumulation, which showed limited absorption, accumulation, and translocation of TC in wheat plants. Pb had the greatest impact on the yield of T. aestivum, followed by Cd, while TC had no apparent effect. Furthermore, exposure to Cd, Pb and TC reduced the photosynthetic rate due to chlorophyll reduction, with Cd having the most pronounced effect (58 %), followed by Pb (37 %) and TC (8 %). Cd exposure also significantly enhanced gaseous exchange (37 %) compared to TC and Pb, which reduced gaseous exchange by 4 % and 10 %, respectively. However, the treatments with TC (>50-100 mgL-1), Pb (>1000-2000 mg L-1) and Cd (>500-1000 mg L-1) increased the defense system of T. aestivum samples by 38 %, 15 %, and 11 %, respectively. The obtained findings have significant implications for risk assessment, pollution prevention, and remediation strategies to address soil contamination from Pb, Cd and TC in farmland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shafeeq Ur Rahman
- Water Science and Environmental Engineering Research Center, College of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China; Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Jing-Cheng Han
- Water Science and Environmental Engineering Research Center, College of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China.
| | - Muhammad Ahmad
- Water Science and Environmental Engineering Research Center, College of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China.
| | - Shuai Gao
- Department of Water Resources and Harbor Engineering, College of Civil Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350116, China.
| | - Khalid Ali Khan
- Unit of Bee Research and Honey Production, Research Center for Advanced Materials Science (RCAMS), King Khalid University, P.O. Box 9004, Abha 61413, Saudi Arabia; Applied College, King Khalid University, P. O. Box 9004, Abha 61413, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Bing Li
- Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China.
| | - Yang Zhou
- Water Science and Environmental Engineering Research Center, College of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China.
| | - Xu Zhao
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China.
| | - Yuefei Huang
- Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China; State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China.
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16
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Picken CAR, Buensoz O, Price PD, Fidge C, Points L, Shaver MP. Sustainable formulation polymers for home, beauty and personal care: challenges and opportunities. Chem Sci 2023; 14:12926-12940. [PMID: 38023508 PMCID: PMC10664511 DOI: 10.1039/d3sc04488b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
As society moves towards a net-zero future, the need to adopt more sustainable polymers is well understood, and as well as plastics, less visible formulation polymers should also be included within this shift. As researchers, industries and consumers move towards more sustainable products there is a clear need to define what sustainability means in fast moving consumer goods and how it can be considered at the design stage. In this perspective key challenges in achieving sustainable formulation polymers are highlighted, and opportunities to overcome them are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina A R Picken
- Department of Materials, Henry Royce Institute, The University of Manchester Manchester M13 9PL UK
| | - Orla Buensoz
- Department of Materials, Henry Royce Institute, The University of Manchester Manchester M13 9PL UK
| | - Paul D Price
- Unilever R&D, Port Sunlight Laboratory Quarry Road East, Bebington, Wirral CH63 3JW UK
| | - Christopher Fidge
- Unilever R&D, Port Sunlight Laboratory Quarry Road East, Bebington, Wirral CH63 3JW UK
| | - Laurie Points
- Unilever R&D, Port Sunlight Laboratory Quarry Road East, Bebington, Wirral CH63 3JW UK
| | - Michael P Shaver
- Department of Materials, Henry Royce Institute, The University of Manchester Manchester M13 9PL UK
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Hejna M, Świechowski K, Białowiec A. Study on the Effect of Hydrothermal Carbonization Parameters on Fuel Properties of Sewage Sludge Hydrochar. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 16:6903. [PMID: 37959500 PMCID: PMC10648982 DOI: 10.3390/ma16216903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
In the wake of economic and population growth, increased wastewater production poses a challenge related to sewage sludge treatment, which is problematic given its high moisture content, amount, and hazardous characteristics. This study focuses on the hydrothermal carbonization of sewage sludge to produce carbonous material-hydrochar, which may be an alternative to fossil fuels. The effect of process parameters, namely, temperature (180, 240, 300 °C) and duration time (30, 90, 180 min), on hydrochar properties (proximate and ultimate analysis, heating values) and process performance were studied. Obtained results indicate and confirm that hydrothermal carbonization, especially temperature increase, improves the fuel properties of carbonized sewage sludge. The highest low heating value was obtained for hydrochar derived at 300 °C in 180 min (~23 MJ × kg-1). The highest energy gain was noted for hydrochar derived at 240 °C in 180 min (~23%). As well as relatively high mass and energy yield in comparison to other hydrochars, these parameters are considered the most favorable for sewage sludge hydrothermal carbonization. However, high energy consumption (over 1300 kJ × g-1) suggests that more research on the process's economical efficacy is required.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Andrzej Białowiec
- Department of Applied Bioeconomy, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, 51-630 Wrocław, Poland; (M.H.); (K.Ś.)
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18
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Popoola LT, Olawale TO, Salami L. A review on the fate and effects of contaminants in biosolids applied on land: Hazards and government regulatory policies. Heliyon 2023; 9:e19788. [PMID: 37810801 PMCID: PMC10556614 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e19788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2022] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The increase in world population growth and its resultant increase in industrial production to meet its need, have continued to raise the volume of wastewater received by treatment plant facilities. This has expectedly, led to an upsurge in the volume of sewage sludge and biosolids generated from wastewater treatment systems. Biosolids are best managed by application on land because of their agronomic benefits. However, this usage has been discovered to negatively affect humans and impact the environment due to the accumulation of minute concentrations of contaminants still present in the biosolid after treatment, hence the need for government regulations. This review article examined the fate and effects of pollutants, especially persistent organic pollutants (PoPs) of concern and emerging contaminants found in biosolids used for land applications, and also discussed government regulations on biosolid reuse from the perspectives of the two major regulations governing biosolid land application-the EU's Sludge Directive and USEPA's Part 503 Rule, in an attempt to draw attention to their outdated contents since enactment, as they do not currently meet the challenges of biosolid land application and thus, require a comprehensive update. Any update efforts should focus on USEPA's Part 503 Rule, which is less stringent on the allowable concentration of biosolid pollutants. Furthermore, an update should include specific regulations on new and emerging contaminants and persistent organic pollutants (PoPs) such as microplastics, pharmaceutical and personal care products (P&PCPs), surfactants, endocrine-disrupting chemicals, flame retardants, pathogens, and organic pollutants; further reduction of heavy metal standard limits, and consideration of soil phosphate-metal interactions to regulate biosolid agronomic loading rate. Future biosolid research should focus on the concentration of TCS, TCC, and emerging pharmaceuticals, as well as Microplastic transport in biosolid-amended soils, soil-plant transfer mechanism, and metabolism of PFAs in the soils; all of which will inform government policies on biosolid application on land.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lekan Taofeek Popoola
- Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria
| | - Theophilus Ogunwumi Olawale
- Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, University of Lagos, Akoka, Yaba, Lagos State, Nigeria
- Environmental Engineering Research Unit, Department of Chemical Engineering, Lagos State University, Epe, Lagos State, Nigeria
| | - Lukumon Salami
- Environmental Engineering Research Unit, Department of Chemical Engineering, Lagos State University, Epe, Lagos State, Nigeria
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19
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Pozzebon EA, Seifert L. Emerging environmental health risks associated with the land application of biosolids: a scoping review. Environ Health 2023; 22:57. [PMID: 37599358 PMCID: PMC10440945 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-023-01008-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Over 40% of the six million dry metric tons of sewage sludge, often referred to as biosolids, produced annually in the United States is land applied. Biosolids serve as a sink for emerging pollutants which can be toxic and persist in the environment, yet their fate after land application and their impacts on human health have not been well studied. These gaps in our understanding are exacerbated by the absence of systematic monitoring programs and defined standards for human health protection. METHODS The purpose of this paper is to call critical attention to the knowledge gaps that currently exist regarding emerging pollutants in biosolids and to underscore the need for evidence-based testing standards and regulatory frameworks for human health protection when biosolids are land applied. A scoping review methodology was used to identify research conducted within the last decade, current regulatory standards, and government publications regarding emerging pollutants in land applied biosolids. RESULTS Current research indicates that persistent organic compounds, or emerging pollutants, found in pharmaceuticals and personal care products, microplastics, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have the potential to contaminate ground and surface water, and the uptake of these substances from soil amended by the land application of biosolids can result in contamination of food sources. Advanced technologies to remove these contaminants from wastewater treatment plant influent, effluent, and biosolids destined for land application along with tools to detect and quantify emerging pollutants are critical for human health protection. CONCLUSIONS To address these current risks, there needs to be a significant investment in ongoing research and infrastructure support for advancements in wastewater treatment; expanded manufacture and use of sustainable products; increased public communication of the risks associated with overuse of pharmaceuticals and plastics; and development and implementation of regulations that are protective of health and the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A Pozzebon
- California Conference of Directors of Environmental Health, P.O. Box 2017, Cameron Park, CA, 95682-2017, USA
| | - Lars Seifert
- California Conference of Directors of Environmental Health, P.O. Box 2017, Cameron Park, CA, 95682-2017, USA.
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20
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Dolu T, Nas B. Dissemination of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and metabolites from wastewater treatment plant to soils and agricultural crops via real-scale different agronomic practices. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 227:115731. [PMID: 36958380 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.115731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
One of the most consumed pharmaceutical subgroups across the world is nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). However, the dissemination of these compounds to the natural environments through agronomic practices is a serious global problem. The hypothesis of this study is to reveal the transition of selected NSAIDs, paracetamol (PAR), diclofenac (DCF), ibuprofen (IBU), and naproxen (NAP) together with six main metabolites, detected in raw/treated wastewater (RWW/TWW) and sewage sludge generated in an urban wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) to soils and agricultural crops (corn, barley, sunflower, and sugar beet) through two widely applied agronomic practices, irrigation with TWW and application of sewage sludge as soil amendment. In other words, the cycles of 10 NSAIDs have been evaluated by simultaneously monitoring their concentrations in RWW/TWW, sewage sludge, soils, and crops. It was determined that the parent compounds and detected metabolites were treated at quite higher removal efficiencies (93.4 - >99.9%) in the studied WWTP, while DCF was eliminated poorly (7.9-52.2%). However, although it changes seasonally for some compounds, it was determined that the concentrations of almost all investigated NSAIDs increased at the determined irrigation points in the discharge channel (DC) where agricultural irrigations were performed. Apart from that, DCF, NAP, and 2-hydroxyibuprofen (2-OH-IBU) were always detected in sewage sludge seasonally up to about 20.5, 11.3, and 3.7 ng/g, respectively. While 2-OH-IBU was determined as the dominant metabolite in RWW, TWW, and sewage sludge, the metabolite of 1-hydroxyibuprofen (1-OH-IBU) was determined as the dominant compound in soils. Although 1-OH-IBU was not detected in TWW and sewage sludge in any season, detecting this metabolite as a common compound in all investigated soils (up to 60.1 ng/kg) reveals that this compound is the primary transformation product of IBU in soils. It was observed that at least one of the metabolites of IBU (1-OH-IBU and/or 2-OH-IBU) was detected in all plants grown (up to 0.75 ng/g), especially during the periods when both agricultural practices were applied. In addition, the detection of 1-OH-IBU with increasing concentrations from root to shoots in corn grown as a result of both agronomic practices shows that this compound has a high translocation potential in the corn plant. Apart from this, it was determined that PAR was detected in corn (up to 43.3 ng/kg) and barley (up to 16.8 ng/kg) within the scope of irrigation with TWW, and NAP was detected in sugar beet (up to 11.2 ng/kg) through sewage sludge application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylan Dolu
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Konya Technical University, Konya, Turkey.
| | - Bilgehan Nas
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Konya Technical University, Konya, Turkey.
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21
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Vinay, Surana D, Ghosh P, Kumar M, Varjani S, Kumar V, Mannina G. Contemporary Drift in Emerging Micro(nano)plastics Removal and Upcycling Technologies from Municipal Wastewater Sludge: Strategic Innovations and Prospects. CURRENT POLLUTION REPORTS 2023; 9:174-197. [PMID: 37292232 PMCID: PMC10201030 DOI: 10.1007/s40726-023-00261-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Purpose of Review Annually, huge amounts of microplastics (MPs) are added to farmlands through sewage sludge (SS)/biosolid applications as a fertilizer. Most research emphasizes the enormity of the problem and demonstrates the fate, impacts, and toxicity of MPs during SS treatment processes and land applications. None has addressed the management strategies. To address the gaps, the current review evaluates the performance analysis of conventional and advanced sludge treatment methods in eliminating MPs from sludge. Recent Findings The review uncovers that the occurrence and characteristics of MPs in SS are highly governed by factors such as population density, speed and level of urbanization, citizens' daily habits, and treatment units in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Furthermore, conventional sludge treatment processes are ineffective in eliminating MPs from SS and are accountable for the increased small-sized MPs or micro(nano)plastics (MNPs) along with altered surface morphology facilitating more co-contaminant adsorption. Simultaneously, MPs can influence the operation of these treatment processes depending on their size, type, shape, and concentration. The review reveals that research to develop advanced technology to remove MPs efficiently from SS is still at a nascent stage. Summary This review provides a comprehensive analysis of MPs in the SS, by corroborating state-of-the-knowledge, on different aspects, including the global occurrence of MPs in WWTP sludge, impacts of different conventional sludge treatment processes on MPs and vice versa, and efficiency of advanced sludge treatment and upcycling technologies to eliminate MPs, which will facilitate the development of mitigation measures from the systematic and holistic level. Graphical Abstract
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinay
- Environmental Risk Assessment and Management (EnRAM) Lab, Centre for Rural Development and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, New Delhi-110016, India
| | - Deepti Surana
- Environmental Risk Assessment and Management (EnRAM) Lab, Centre for Rural Development and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, New Delhi-110016, India
| | - Pooja Ghosh
- Environmental Risk Assessment and Management (EnRAM) Lab, Centre for Rural Development and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, New Delhi-110016, India
| | - Manish Kumar
- Engineering Department, Palermo University, Viale Delle Scienze, Ed.8, Palermo, 90128 Italy
| | - Sunita Varjani
- School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong
- Sustainability Cluster, School of Engineering, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248007 India
| | - Vivek Kumar
- Environmental Risk Assessment and Management (EnRAM) Lab, Centre for Rural Development and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, New Delhi-110016, India
| | - Giorgio Mannina
- Engineering Department, Palermo University, Viale Delle Scienze, Ed.8, Palermo, 90128 Italy
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22
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Xiao R, Huang D, Du L, Song B, Yin L, Chen Y, Gao L, Li R, Huang H, Zeng G. Antibiotic resistance in soil-plant systems: A review of the source, dissemination, influence factors, and potential exposure risks. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 869:161855. [PMID: 36708845 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.161855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 01/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
As an emerging environmental contaminant, the widespread of antibiotic resistance has caused a series of environmental issues and human health concerns. A load of antibiotic residues induced by agricultural practices have exerted selective pressure to bacterial communities in the soil-plant system, which facilitated the occurrence and dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) through horizontal gene transfer. As a result, the enrichment of ARGs within crops at harvest under the influence of food ingestion could lead to critical concerns of public health. In this review, the prevalence and dissemination of antibiotic resistance in the soil-plant system are highlighted. Moreover, different underlying mechanisms and detection methods for ARGs transfer between the soil environment and plant compartments are summarized and discussed. On the other hand, a wide range of influencing factors for the transfer and distribution of antibiotic resistance within the soil-plant system are also presented and discussed. In response to exposure of antibiotic residues and resistomes, corresponding hazard identification assessments have been summarized, which could provide beneficial guides of the toxicological tolerance for the general population. Finally, further research priorities for detection and management ARGs spread are also suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruihao Xiao
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control (Hunan University), Ministry of Education, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China
| | - Danlian Huang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control (Hunan University), Ministry of Education, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China.
| | - Li Du
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control (Hunan University), Ministry of Education, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China
| | - Biao Song
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control (Hunan University), Ministry of Education, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China
| | - Lingshi Yin
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control (Hunan University), Ministry of Education, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China
| | - Yashi Chen
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control (Hunan University), Ministry of Education, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China
| | - Lan Gao
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control (Hunan University), Ministry of Education, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China
| | - Ruijin Li
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control (Hunan University), Ministry of Education, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China
| | - Hai Huang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control (Hunan University), Ministry of Education, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China
| | - Guangming Zeng
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control (Hunan University), Ministry of Education, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China.
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23
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Mazurek K, Drużyński S, Kiełkowska U, Węgrzynowicz A, Nowak AK, Wzorek Z, Wróbel-Kaszanek A. Municipal Sewage Sludge as a Source for Obtaining Efficient Biosorbents: Analysis of Pyrolysis Products and Adsorption Tests. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 16:2648. [PMID: 37048946 PMCID: PMC10096161 DOI: 10.3390/ma16072648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
In the 21st century, the development of industry and population growth have significantly increased the amount of sewage sludge produced. It is a by-product of wastewater treatment, which requires appropriate management due to biological and chemical hazards, as well as several legal regulations. The pyrolysis of sewage sludge to biochar can become an effective way to neutralise and use waste. Tests were carried out to determine the effect of pyrolysis conditions, such as time and temperature, on the properties and composition of the products obtained and the sorption capacity of the generated biochar. Fourier transform infrared analysis (FTIR) showed that the main components of the produced gas phase were CO2, CO, CH4 and to a lesser extent volatile organic compounds. In tar, compounds of mainly anthropogenic origin were identified using gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The efficiency of obtaining biochars ranged from 44% to 50%. An increase in the pyrolysis temperature resulted in a decreased amount of biochar produced while improving its physicochemical properties. The biochar obtained at high temperatures showed the good adsorption capacity of Cu2+ (26 mg·g-1) and Zn2+ (21 mg·g-1) cations, which indicates that it can compete with similar sorbents. Adsorption of Cu2+ and Zn2+ proceeded according to the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and the Langmuir isotherm model. The biosorbent obtained from sewage sludge can be successfully used for the separation of metal cations from water and technological wastewater or be the basis for producing modified and mixed carbon sorbents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krzysztof Mazurek
- Faculty of Chemistry, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, 7 Gagarin Street, 87-100 Toruń, Poland
| | - Sebastian Drużyński
- Faculty of Chemistry, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, 7 Gagarin Street, 87-100 Toruń, Poland
| | - Urszula Kiełkowska
- Faculty of Chemistry, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, 7 Gagarin Street, 87-100 Toruń, Poland
| | - Adam Węgrzynowicz
- Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Cracow University of Technology, 24 Warszawska Street, 31-155 Kraków, Poland
| | - Anna K. Nowak
- Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Cracow University of Technology, 24 Warszawska Street, 31-155 Kraków, Poland
| | - Zbigniew Wzorek
- Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Cracow University of Technology, 24 Warszawska Street, 31-155 Kraków, Poland
| | - Adriana Wróbel-Kaszanek
- Faculty of Chemistry, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, 7 Gagarin Street, 87-100 Toruń, Poland
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Mazzeo DEC, Dombrowski A, Oliveira FA, Levy CE, Oehlmann J, Marchi MRR. Endocrine disrupting activity in sewage sludge: Screening method, microbial succession and cost-effective strategy for detoxification. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 330:117207. [PMID: 36621316 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.117207] [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: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Sewage sludge (SS) presents a high agronomic potential due to high concentrations of organic matter and nutrients, encouraging its recycling as a soil conditioner. However, the presence of toxic substances can preclude this use. To enable the safe disposal of this waste in agriculture, SS requires additional detoxification to decrease the environmental risks of this practice. Although some alternatives have been proposed in this sense, little attention is provided to eliminating endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). To fill this gap, this study aimed to develop effective and low-cost technology to eliminate EDCs from SS. For this, a detoxification process combining microorganisms and biostimulating agents (soil, sugarcane bagasse, and coffee grounds) was performed for 2, 4, and 6 months with aerobic and anaerobic SSs. The (anti-)estrogenic, (anti-)androgenic, retinoic-like, and dioxin-like activities of SSs samples were verified using yeast-based reporter-gene assays to prove the effectiveness of the treatments. A fractionation procedure of samples, dividing the target sample extract into several fractions according to their polarity, was conducted to decrease the matrix complexity and facilitate the identification of EDCs. A decrease in the abundance and microbial diversity of the SS samples was noted along the biostimulation with the predominance of filamentous fungal species over yeasts and gram-positive bacteria and non-fermenting rods over enterobacteria. Among the 9 EDCs quantified by LC-ESI-MS/MS, triclosan and alkylphenols presented the highest concentrations in both SS. Before detoxification, the studied SSs induced significant agonistic activity, especially at the human estrogen receptor α (hERα) and the human aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). The raw anaerobic sludge also activated the androgen (hAR), retinoic acid (RARα), and retinoid X (RXRα) receptors. However, no significant endocrine-disrupting activities were observed after the SS detoxification, showing that the technology applied here efficiently eliminates receptor-mediated toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dânia Elisa C Mazzeo
- Department of Biotechnology and Plant and Animal Production, Center for Agricultural Sciences, Federal University of São Carlos - UFSCAR, Araras, Brazil.
| | - Andrea Dombrowski
- Department Aquatic Ecotoxicology, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Flávio Andrade Oliveira
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas - UNICAMP, Rua Alexander Fleming, 105, 13081-970, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Carlos Emílio Levy
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas - UNICAMP, Rua Alexander Fleming, 105, 13081-970, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Jörg Oehlmann
- Department Aquatic Ecotoxicology, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Mary Rosa R Marchi
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista, Araraquara, SP, Brazil
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Martins MR, Zanatta MCK, Pires MSG. Sustainable agricultural use of sewage sludge: impacts of high Zn concentration on on Folsomia candida, Enchytraeus crypticus, Lactuca sativa, and Phaseolus vulgaris. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2023; 195:359. [PMID: 36735091 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-023-10969-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Zinc (Zn) is an essential micronutrient for plants and an important component for maintaining soil quality. Commonly found in the soil due to anthropogenic activities, such as industrialization and application of organic waste as fertilizers, in high concentrations, Zn may induce soil toxicity, affecting important communities, such as edaphic fauna. Despite its high concentrations found in the environment, Zn bioavailability can be affected by the type of soil, organic matter content and pH. In this work, Zn had its toxicity evaluated in a natural tropical soil, sampled in São Paulo-Brazil, for two soil invertebrates (Folsomia candida, Enchytraeus crypticus) and two seeds (Lactuca sativa and Phaseolus vulgaris), through ecotoxicological tests. The invertebrate E. crypticus was exposed to Zn concentrations of 10.0 (T1); 100.0 (T2); 150.0 (T3); 200.0 (T4); 400.0 (T5) mg Zn kg-1 of dry soil, while F. candida, L. sativa and P. vulgaris were exposed to Zn concentrations of 100.0; 200.0; 400.0; 800.0 (t6); 1600.0 (t7); and 2000.0 (t8) mg Zn kg-1 of dry soil. The outcome evaluated were seed germination, for L. sativa and P. vulgaris, and reproduction, for F. candida and E. crypticus. The EC50 obtained for E. crypticus, F. candida, L. sativa, and P. vulgaris were 261.5, 1089.7, 898.5, and 954.5 mg Zn kg-1 of dry soil, respectively, being E. crypticus the most sensitive organism, and only at the highest Zn's concentrations the organisms' reproduction and seeds' germination showed a statistically significant inhibitory effect (p < 0.05). Therefore, this work's results showed that Zn does not present significant toxicity for the tested soil organisms and seeds and that at 100 mg Zn kg-1 of dry soil it can be beneficial to F. candida and E. crypticus' reproduction and L. sativa's germination. These results imply that the presence of Zn in low concentrations, both in soil and biofertilizers, such as sewage sludge, not only is not a concern, but it can even benefit certain crops and functions of edaphic organisms, which may contribute to the engagement of sustainable agricultural practices and the quest for food security.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcela Ravanelli Martins
- State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Limeira, Paschoal Marmo, 1888 - Jd. Nova Itália, 13484-332, Limeira/SP, Brazil.
| | | | - Marta Siviero Guilherme Pires
- State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Limeira, Paschoal Marmo, 1888 - Jd. Nova Itália, 13484-332, Limeira/SP, Brazil
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Wolak I, Bajkacz S, Harnisz M, Stando K, Męcik M, Korzeniewska E. Digestate from Agricultural Biogas Plants as a Reservoir of Antimicrobials and Antibiotic Resistance Genes-Implications for the Environment. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:2672. [PMID: 36768038 PMCID: PMC9915926 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20032672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Antimicrobials and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in substrates processed during anaerobic digestion in agricultural biogas plants (BPs) can reach the digestate (D), which is used as fertilizer. Antimicrobials and ARGs can be transferred to agricultural land, which increases their concentrations in the environment. The concentrations of 13 antibiotics in digestate samples from biogas plants (BPs) were investigated in this study. The abundance of ARGs encoding resistance to beta-lactams, tetracyclines, sulfonamides, fluoroquinolones, macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin antibiotics, and the integrase genes were determined in the analyzed samples. The presence of cadmium, lead, nickel, chromium, zinc, and mercury was also examined. Antimicrobials were not eliminated during anaerobic digestion. Their concentrations differed in digestates obtained from different substrates and in liquid and solid fractions (ranging from 62.8 ng/g clarithromycin in the solid fraction of sewage sludge digestate to 1555.9 ng/L doxycycline in the liquid fraction of cattle manure digestate). Digestates obtained from plant-based substrates were characterized by high concentrations of ARGs (ranging from 5.73 × 102 copies/gDcfxA to 2.98 × 109 copies/gDsul1). The samples also contained mercury (0.5 mg/kg dry mass (dm)) and zinc (830 mg/kg dm). The results confirmed that digestate is a reservoir of ARGs (5.73 × 102 to 8.89 × 1010 copies/gD) and heavy metals (HMs). In addition, high concentrations of integrase genes (105 to 107 copies/gD) in the samples indicate that mobile genetic elements may be involved in the spread of antibiotic resistance. The study suggested that the risk of soil contamination with antibiotics, HMs, and ARGs is high in farms where digestate is used as fertilizer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Izabela Wolak
- Department of Water Protection Engineering and Environmental Microbiology, Faculty of Geoengineering, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Prawocheńskiego 1, 10-720 Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Sylwia Bajkacz
- Department of Environmental Biotechnology, Faculty of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Silesian University of Technology, Akademicka 2, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
| | - Monika Harnisz
- Department of Water Protection Engineering and Environmental Microbiology, Faculty of Geoengineering, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Prawocheńskiego 1, 10-720 Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Klaudia Stando
- Department of Environmental Biotechnology, Faculty of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Silesian University of Technology, Akademicka 2, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
| | - Magdalena Męcik
- Department of Water Protection Engineering and Environmental Microbiology, Faculty of Geoengineering, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Prawocheńskiego 1, 10-720 Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Ewa Korzeniewska
- Department of Water Protection Engineering and Environmental Microbiology, Faculty of Geoengineering, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Prawocheńskiego 1, 10-720 Olsztyn, Poland
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Mokni-Tlili S, Hechmi S, Ouzari HI, Mechergui N, Ghorbel M, Jedidi N, Hassen A, Hamdi H. Co-occurrence of antibiotic and metal resistance in long-term sewage sludge-amended soils: influence of application rates and pedo-climatic conditions. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:26596-26612. [PMID: 36369449 PMCID: PMC9652132 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-23802-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Urban sewage sludge (USS) is increasingly being used as an alternative organic amendment in agriculture. Because USS originates mostly from human excreta, partially metabolized pharmaceuticals have also been considered in risk assessment studies after reuse. In this regard, we investigated the cumulative effect of five annual USS applications on the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and their subsequent resistance to toxic metals in two unvegetated soils. Eventually, USS contained bacterial strains resistant to all addressed antibiotics with indices of resistance varying between 0.25 for gentamicin to 38% for ampicillin and azithromycin. Sludge-amended soils showed also the emergence of resistome for all tested antibiotics compared to non-treated controls. In this regard, the increase of sludge dose generally correlated with ARB counts, while soil texture had no influence. On the other hand, the multi-antibiotic resistance (MAR) of 52 isolates selected from USS and different soil treatments was investigated for 10 most prescribed antibiotics. Nine isolates showed significant MAR index (≥ 0.3) and co-resistance to Cd, As and Be as well. However, events including an extreme flash flood and the termination of USS applications significantly disrupted ARB communities in all soil treatments. In any case, this study highlighted the risks of ARB spread in sludge-amended soils and a greater concern with the recent exacerbation of antibiotic overuse following COVID-19 outbreak.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Mokni-Tlili
- Water Research and Technology Center, University of Carthage, P.O. Box 273, 8020, Soliman, Tunisia
| | - Sarra Hechmi
- Water Research and Technology Center, University of Carthage, P.O. Box 273, 8020, Soliman, Tunisia
| | - Hadda-Imene Ouzari
- Laboratory of Microorganisms and Active Biomolecules, Faculty of Sciences of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, LR03ES03, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Najet Mechergui
- Water Research and Technology Center, University of Carthage, P.O. Box 273, 8020, Soliman, Tunisia
| | - Manel Ghorbel
- Water Research and Technology Center, University of Carthage, P.O. Box 273, 8020, Soliman, Tunisia
| | - Naceur Jedidi
- Water Research and Technology Center, University of Carthage, P.O. Box 273, 8020, Soliman, Tunisia
| | - Abdennaceur Hassen
- Water Research and Technology Center, University of Carthage, P.O. Box 273, 8020, Soliman, Tunisia
| | - Helmi Hamdi
- Food and Water Security Program, Center for Sustainable Development, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, P.O. Box 2713, Doha, Qatar.
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Characteristics of Solidified Carbon Dioxide and Perspectives for Its Sustainable Application in Sewage Sludge Management. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032324. [PMID: 36768646 PMCID: PMC9916872 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032324] [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: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Appropriate management is necessary to mitigate the environmental impacts of wastewater sludge. One lesser-known technology concerns the use of solidified CO2 for dewatering, sanitization, and digestion improvement. Solidified CO2 is a normal byproduct of natural gas treatment processes and can also be produced by dedicated biogas upgrading technologies. The way solidified CO2 is sourced is fully in line with the principles of the circular economy and carbon dioxide mitigation. The aim of this review is to summarize the current state of knowledge on the production and application of solid CO2 in the pretreatment and management of sewage sludge. Using solidified CO2 for sludge conditioning causes effective lysis of microbial cells, which destroys activated sludge flocs, promotes biomass fragmentation, facilitates efficient dispersion of molecular associations, modifies cell morphology, and denatures macromolecules. Solidified CO2 can be used as an attractive tool to sanitize and dewater sludge and as a pretreatment technology to improve methane digestion and fermentative hydrogen production. Furthermore, it can also be incorporated into a closed CO2 cycle of biogas production-biogas upgrading-solidified CO2 production-sludge disintegration-digestion-biogas production. This feature not only bolsters the technology's capacity to improve the performance and cost-effectiveness of digestion processes, but can also help reduce atmospheric CO2 emissions, a crucial advantage in terms of environment protection. This new approach to solidified CO2 generation and application largely counteracts previous limitations, which are mainly related to the low cost-effectiveness of the production process.
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Kazimierowicz J, Dębowski M, Zieliński M. Effect of Pharmaceutical Sludge Pre-Treatment with Fenton/Fenton-like Reagents on Toxicity and Anaerobic Digestion Efficiency. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 20:ijerph20010271. [PMID: 36612592 PMCID: PMC9819895 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20010271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Sewage sludge is successfully used in anaerobic digestion (AD). Although AD is a well-known, universal and widely recognized technology, there are factors that limit its widespread use, such as the presence of substances that are resistant to biodegradation, inhibit the fermentation process or are toxic to anaerobic microorganisms. Sewage sludge generated by the pharmaceutical sector is one such substance. Pharmaceutical sewage sludge (PSS) is characterized by high concentrations of biocides, including antibiotics and other compounds that have a negative effect on the anaerobic environment. The aim of the present research was to determine the feasibility of applying Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOP) harnessing Fenton's (Fe2+/H2O2) and Fenton-like (Fe3+/H2O2) reaction to PSS pre-treatment prior to AD. The method was analyzed in terms of its impact on limiting PSS toxicity and improving methane fermentation. The use of AOP led to a significant reduction of PSS toxicity from 53.3 ± 5.1% to 35.7 ± 3.2%, which had a direct impact on the taxonomic structure of anaerobic bacteria, and thus influenced biogas production efficiency and methane content. Correlations were found between PSS toxicity and the presence of Archaea and biogas yields in the Fe2+/H2O2 group. CH4 production ranged from 363.2 ± 11.9 cm3 CH4/g VS in the control PSS to approximately 450 cm3/g VS. This was 445.7 ± 21.6 cm3 CH4/g VS (1.5 g Fe2+/dm3 and 6.0 g H2O2/dm3) and 453.6 ± 22.4 cm3 CH4/g VS (2.0 g Fe2+/dm3 and 8.0 g H2O2/dm3). The differences between these variants were not statistically significant. Therefore, due to the economical use of chemical reagents, the optimal tested dose was 1.5 g Fe2+/6.0 g H2O2. The use of a Fenton-like reagent (Fe3+/H2O2) resulted in lower AD efficiency (max. 393.7 ± 12.1 cm3 CH4/g VS), and no strong linear relationships between the analyzed variables were found. It is, therefore, a more difficult method to estimate the final effects. Research has proven that AOP can be used to improve the efficiency of AD of PSS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Kazimierowicz
- Department of Water Supply and Sewage Systems, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Environmental Sciences, Bialystok University of Technology, 15-351 Bialystok, Poland
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-571-443-143
| | - Marcin Dębowski
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Geoengineering, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-720 Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Marcin Zieliński
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Geoengineering, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-720 Olsztyn, Poland
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30
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Rodríguez-González L, Núñez-Delgado A, Álvarez-Rodríguez E, García-Campos E, Martín Á, Díaz-Raviña M, Arias-Estévez M, Fernández-Calviño D, Santás-Miguel V. Effects of ciprofloxacin, trimethoprim, and amoxicillin on microbial structure and growth as emerging pollutants reaching crop soils. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 214:113916. [PMID: 35872321 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.113916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The presence of emerging pollutants, and specifically antibiotics, in agricultural soils has increased notably in recent decades, causing growing concern as regards potential environmental and health issues. With this in mind, the current study focuses on evaluating the toxicity exerted by three antibiotics (amoxicillin, trimethoprim, and ciprofloxacin) on the growth of soil bacterial communities, when these pollutants are present at different doses, and considered in the short, medium, and long terms (1, 8 and 42 days of incubation). Specifically, the research was carried out in 12 agricultural soils having different physicochemical characteristics and was performed by means of the leucine (3H) incorporation method. In addition, changes in the structure of soil microbial communities at 8 and 42 days were studied in four of these soils, using the phospholipids of fatty acids method for this. The main results indicate that the most toxic antibiotic was amoxicillin, followed by trimethoprim and ciprofloxacin. The results also show that the toxicity of amoxicillin decreases with time, with values of Log IC50 ranging from 0.07 ± 0.05 to 3.43 ± 0.08 for day 1, from 0.95 ± 0.07 to 3.97 ± 0.15 for day 8, and from 2.05 ± 0.03 to 3.18 ± 0.04 for day 42, during the incubation period. Regarding trimethoprim, 3 different behaviors were observed: for some soils the growth of soil bacterial communities was not affected, for a second group of soils trimethoprim toxicity showed dose-response effects that remained persistent over time, and, finally, for a third group of soils the toxicity of trimethoprim increased over time, being greater for longer incubation times (42 days). As regards ciprofloxacin, this antibiotic did not show a toxicity effect on the growth of soil bacterial communities for any of the soils or incubation times studied. Furthermore, the principal component analysis performed with the phospholipids of fatty acids results demonstrated that the microbial community structure of these agricultural soils, which persisted after 42 days of incubation, depended mainly on soil characteristics and, to a lesser extent, on the dose and type of antibiotic (amoxicillin, trimethoprim or ciprofloxacin). In addition, it was found that, in this research, the application of the three antibiotics to soils usually favored the presence of fungi and Gram-positive bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Rodríguez-González
- Área de Edafoloxía e Química Agrícola. Facultade de Ciencias. Universidade de Vigo, As Lagoas 1, 32004, Ourense. Spain
| | - Avelino Núñez-Delgado
- Departamento de Edafoloxía e Química Agrícola, Escola Politécnica Superior de Enxeñaría, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain
| | - Esperanza Álvarez-Rodríguez
- Departamento de Edafoloxía e Química Agrícola, Escola Politécnica Superior de Enxeñaría, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain
| | - Elena García-Campos
- Departamento de Bioquímica del Suelo, Misión Biológica de Galicia (MBG-CSIC), Apartado 122, 15780, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Ángela Martín
- Departamento de Bioquímica del Suelo, Misión Biológica de Galicia (MBG-CSIC), Apartado 122, 15780, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Montserrat Díaz-Raviña
- Departamento de Bioquímica del Suelo, Misión Biológica de Galicia (MBG-CSIC), Apartado 122, 15780, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Manuel Arias-Estévez
- Área de Edafoloxía e Química Agrícola. Facultade de Ciencias. Universidade de Vigo, As Lagoas 1, 32004, Ourense. Spain
| | - David Fernández-Calviño
- Área de Edafoloxía e Química Agrícola. Facultade de Ciencias. Universidade de Vigo, As Lagoas 1, 32004, Ourense. Spain
| | - Vanesa Santás-Miguel
- Área de Edafoloxía e Química Agrícola. Facultade de Ciencias. Universidade de Vigo, As Lagoas 1, 32004, Ourense. Spain.
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31
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Ghorbani M, Konvalina P, Walkiewicz A, Neugschwandtner RW, Kopecký M, Zamanian K, Chen WH, Bucur D. Feasibility of Biochar Derived from Sewage Sludge to Promote Sustainable Agriculture and Mitigate GHG Emissions-A Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:12983. [PMID: 36232283 PMCID: PMC9564516 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191912983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Sewage sludge (SS) has been connected to a variety of global environmental problems. Assessing the risk of various disposal techniques can be quite useful in recommending appropriate management. The preparation of sewage sludge biochar (SSB) and its impacts on soil characteristics, plant health, nutrient leaching, and greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) are critically reviewed in this study. Comparing the features of SSB obtained at various pyrolysis temperatures revealed changes in its elemental content. Lower hydrogen/carbon ratios in SSB generated at higher pyrolysis temperatures point to the existence of more aromatic carbon molecules. Additionally, the preparation of SSB has an increased ash content, a lower yield, and a higher surface area as a result of the rise in pyrolysis temperature. The worldwide potential of SS output and CO2-equivalent emissions in 2050 were predicted as factors of global population and common disposal management in order to create a futuristic strategy and cope with the quantity of abundant global SS. According to estimations, the worldwide SS output and associated CO2-eq emissions were around 115 million tons dry solid (Mt DS) and 14,139 teragrams (Tg), respectively, in 2020. This quantity will rise to about 138 Mt DS sewage sludge and 16985 Tg CO2-eq emissions in 2050, a 20% increase. In this regard, developing and populous countries may support economic growth by utilizing low-cost methods for producing biochar and employing it in local agriculture. To completely comprehend the benefits and drawbacks of SSB as a soil supplement, further study on long-term field applications of SSB is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Ghorbani
- Department of Agroecosystems, Faculty of Agriculture and Technology, University of South Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice, Branišovská 1645/31A, 370 05 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Konvalina
- Department of Agroecosystems, Faculty of Agriculture and Technology, University of South Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice, Branišovská 1645/31A, 370 05 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Anna Walkiewicz
- Department of Natural Environment Biogeochemistry, Institute of Agrophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Doświadczalna 4, 20-290 Lublin, Poland
| | - Reinhard W. Neugschwandtner
- Department of Crop Sciences, Institute of Agronomy, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, Konrad-Lorenz-Straße 24, 3430 Tulln, Austria
| | - Marek Kopecký
- Department of Agroecosystems, Faculty of Agriculture and Technology, University of South Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice, Branišovská 1645/31A, 370 05 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Kazem Zamanian
- Department of Soil Science of Temperate Ecosystems, Georg August University of Goettingen, Büsgenweg 2, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Wei-Hsin Chen
- Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, National Cheng Kung University, University Road/70101, Tainan 70101, Taiwan or
- Research Center for Smart Sustainable Circular Economy, Tunghai University, Taichung 407, Taiwan
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Chin-Yi University of Technology, Taichung 411, Taiwan
| | - Daniel Bucur
- Department of Pedotechnics, Faculty of Agriculture, Iasi University of Life Sciences, 3 Mihail Sadoveanu Alley, 700490 Iasi, Romania
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32
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Czatzkowska M, Wolak I, Harnisz M, Korzeniewska E. Impact of Anthropogenic Activities on the Dissemination of ARGs in the Environment-A Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph191912853. [PMID: 36232152 PMCID: PMC9564893 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191912853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Over the past few decades, due to the excessive consumption of drugs in human and veterinary medicine, the antimicrobial resistance (AR) of microorganisms has risen considerably across the world, and this trend is predicted to intensify. Many worrying research results indicate the occurrence of pools of AR, both directly related to human activity and environmental factors. The increase of AR in the natural environment is mainly associated with the anthropogenic activity. The dissemination of AR is significantly stimulated by the operation of municipal facilities, such as wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) or landfills, as well as biogas plants, agriculture and farming practices, including animal production and land application of manure. These activities entail a risk to public health by spreading bacteria resistant to antimicrobial products (ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Furthermore, subinhibitory concentrations of antimicrobial substances additionally predispose microbial consortia and resistomes to changes in particular environments that are permeated by these micropollutants. The current state of knowledge on the fate of ARGs, their dissemination and the complexity of the AR phenomenon in relation to anthropogenic activity is inadequate. This review summarizes the state-of-the-art knowledge on AR in the environment, in particular focusing on AR spread in an anthropogenically altered environment and related environmental consequences.
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Kanteraki AE, Isari EA, Svarnas P, Kalavrouziotis IK. Biosolids: The Trojan horse or the beautiful Helen for soil fertilization? THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 839:156270. [PMID: 35636554 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 05/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The simultaneous requirement to manage resources and wastes in more rational way has meant that many communities worldwide have begun to search for long-term alternative solutions. Reuse and recovery of biosolids is considered to be a constant solution of circular sustainability, as waste disposal without further reuse background like fertilizer is no longer an alternative to be promoted. There have been developed many treatment methods over the years for the stabilization and sanitization of biosolids. However, the literature concludes that none of them is fully integrated by meeting all the basic criteria. Each method has its Achilles heel, and the appropriateness of the method lies in what is the goal each time. There are conventional methods with positive reciprocity in terms of sustainability, reuse indicators and technological maturity, but have high risk of microorganisms' reappearance. New advanced sustainable technologies, such as cold plasma, need to be further studied to apply on a large scale. The reuse of biosolids as construction materials is also discussed in the context of circular economy. Biosolids reuse and management legislation frame need to be revised, as a directive adopted 30 years ago does not fully meet communities' current needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- A E Kanteraki
- School of Science and Technology, Hellenic Open University, 26 222 Patras, Greece.
| | - E A Isari
- School of Science and Technology, Hellenic Open University, 26 222 Patras, Greece
| | - P Svarnas
- High Voltage Laboratory, Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, University of Patras, 26 504 Rion, Patras, Greece
| | - I K Kalavrouziotis
- School of Science and Technology, Hellenic Open University, 26 222 Patras, Greece
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Li S, Ondon BS, Ho SH, Jiang J, Li F. Antibiotic resistant bacteria and genes in wastewater treatment plants: From occurrence to treatment strategies. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 838:156544. [PMID: 35679932 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
This study aims to discuss the following: (1) occurrence and proliferation of antibiotic resistance in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs); (2) factors influencing antibiotic resistance bacteria and genes in WWTPs; (3) tools to assess antibiotic resistance in WWTPs; (4) environmental contamination of antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) from WWTPs; (5) effects of ARB and ARGs from WWTPs on human health; and (6) treatment strategies. In general, resistant and multi-resistant bacteria, including Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli, exist in various processes of WWTPs. The existence of ARB and ARGs results from the high concentration of antibiotics in wastewater, which promote selective pressures on the local bacteria present in WWTPs. Thus, improving wastewater treatment technology and avoiding the misuse of antibiotics is critical to overcoming the threat of proliferation of ARBs and ARGs. Numerous factors can affect the development of ARB and ARGs in WWTPs. Abiotic factors can affect the bacterial community dynamics, thereby, affecting the applicability of ARB during the wastewater treatment process. Furthermore, the organic loads and other nutrients influence bacterial survival and growth. Specifically, molecular methods for the rapid characterization and detection of ARBs or their genes comprise DNA sequencing, real-time PCR, simple and multiplex PCR, and hybridization-based technologies, including micro- and macro-arrays. The reuse of effluent from WWTPs for irrigation is an efficient method to overcome water scarcity. However, there are also some potential environmental risks associated with this practice, such as increase in the levels of antibiotic resistance in the soil microbiome. Human mortality rates may significantly increase, as ARB can lead to resistance among several types of antibiotics or longer treatment times. Some treatment technologies, such as anaerobic and aerobic treatment, coagulation, membrane bioreactors, and disinfection processes, are considered potential techniques to restrict antibiotic resistance in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengnan Li
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria of the Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China; State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province 150090, China
| | - Brim Stevy Ondon
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria of the Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Shih-Hsin Ho
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province 150090, China
| | - Jiwei Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria of the Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Fengxiang Li
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria of the Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China.
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Hazra M, Joshi H, Williams JB, Watts JEM. Antibiotics and antibiotic resistant bacteria/genes in urban wastewater: A comparison of their fate in conventional treatment systems and constructed wetlands. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 303:135148. [PMID: 35640694 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.135148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
There is a growing concern that the use and misuse of antibiotics can increase the detection of antibiotic resistant genes (ARGs) in wastewater. Conventional wastewater treatment plants provide a pathway for ARGs and antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) to be released into natural water bodies. Research has indicated that conventional primary and secondary treatment systems can reduce ARGs/ARB to varying degrees. However, in developing/low-income countries, only 8-28% of wastewater is treated via conventional treatment processes, resulting in the environment being exposed to high levels of ARGs, ARB and pharmaceuticals in raw sewage. The use of constructed wetlands (CWs) has the potential to provide a low-cost solution for wastewater treatment, with respect to removal of nutrients, pathogens, ARB/ARGs either as a standalone treatment process or when integrated with conventional treatment systems. Recently, CWs have also been employed for the reduction of antibiotic residues, pharmaceuticals, and emerging contaminants. Given the benefits of ARG removal, low cost of construction, maintenance, energy requirement, and performance efficiencies, CWs offer a promising solution for developing/low-income countries. This review promotes a better understanding of the performance efficiency of treatment technologies (both conventional systems and CWs) for the reduction of antibiotics and ARGs/ARB from wastewater and explores workable alternatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moushumi Hazra
- Department of Hydrology, Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, Uttarakhand, India.
| | - Himanshu Joshi
- Department of Hydrology, Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, Uttarakhand, India
| | - John B Williams
- School of Civil Engineering and Surveying, University of Portsmouth, United Kingdom
| | - Joy E M Watts
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Portsmouth, United Kingdom
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Felis E, Buta-Hubeny M, Zieliński W, Hubeny J, Harnisz M, Bajkacz S, Korzeniewska E. Solar-light driven photodegradation of antimicrobials, their transformation by-products and antibiotic resistance determinants in treated wastewater. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 836:155447. [PMID: 35469868 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to assess the possibility of using solar light-driven photolysis and TiO2-based photocatalysis to remove (1) antibiotic residues, (2) their transformation products (TPs), (3) antibiotic resistance determinants, and (4) genes identifying the indicator bacteria in a treated wastewater (secondary effluent). 16 antimicrobials belonging to the different classes and 45 their transformation by-products were selected for the study. The most susceptible to photochemical decomposition was tetracycline, which was completely removed in the photocatalysis process and in more than 80% in the solar light-driven photolysis. 83.8% removal (on average) was observed using photolysis and 89.9% using photocatalysis in the case of the tested genes, among which the genes sul1, uidA, and intI1 showed the highest degree of removal by both methods. The study revealed that applied methods promisingly remove the tested antibiotics, their TPs and genes even in such a complex matrix including treated wastewater and photocatalysis process had a higher removal efficiency of antibiotics, TPs and genes tested. Moreover, the high percentage removal of the intI1 gene (>93%) indicates the possibilities of use of the solar light-driven photolysis and TiO2-based photocatalysis in minimizing the antibiotic resistance genes transfer by mobile genetic elements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewa Felis
- Silesian University of Technology, Faculty of Power and Environmental Engineering, Environmental Biotechnology Department, Akademicka 2, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland; Silesian University of Technology, Centre for Biotechnology, ul. B. Krzywoustego 8, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland.
| | - Martyna Buta-Hubeny
- Department of Water Protection Engineering and Environmental Microbiology, Faculty of Geoengineering, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Prawocheńskiego 1, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Wiktor Zieliński
- Department of Water Protection Engineering and Environmental Microbiology, Faculty of Geoengineering, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Prawocheńskiego 1, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Jakub Hubeny
- Department of Water Protection Engineering and Environmental Microbiology, Faculty of Geoengineering, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Prawocheńskiego 1, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Monika Harnisz
- Department of Water Protection Engineering and Environmental Microbiology, Faculty of Geoengineering, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Prawocheńskiego 1, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Sylwia Bajkacz
- Silesian University of Technology, Faculty of Chemistry, Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry and Electrochemistry, B. Krzywoustego 6 Str., 44-100 Gliwice, Poland; Silesian University of Technology, Centre for Biotechnology, ul. B. Krzywoustego 8, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
| | - Ewa Korzeniewska
- Department of Water Protection Engineering and Environmental Microbiology, Faculty of Geoengineering, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Prawocheńskiego 1, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland
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Evolution and Prospects in Managing Sewage Sludge Resulting from Municipal Wastewater Purification. ENERGIES 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/en15155633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Municipal sewage sludge is the residual material produced as a waste of municipal wastewater purification. It is a sophisticated multi-component material, hard to handle. For many years, it has been landfilled, incinerated, and widely used in agriculture practice. When unproperly discharged, it is very polluting and unhealthy. The rapidly increasing global amount of municipal sewage sludge produced annually depends on urbanization, degree of development, and lifestyle. Some diffused traditional practices were banned or became economically unfeasible or unacceptable by the communities. In contrast, it has been established that MSS contains valuable resources, which can be utilized as energy and fertilizer. The objective of the review was to prove that resource recovery is beneficially affordable using modern approaches and proper technologies and to estimate the required resources and time. The open sources of information were deeply mined, critically examined, and selected to derive the necessary information regarding each network segment, from the source to the final point, where the municipal sewage sludge is produced and disposed of. We found that developed and some developing countries are involved with ambitious and costly plans for remediation, the modernization of regulations, collecting and purification systems, and beneficial waste management using a modern approach. We also found that the activated sludge process is the leading technology for wastewater purification, and anaerobic digestion is the leading technology for downstream waste. However, biological technologies appear inadequate and hydrothermal carbonization, already applicable at full scale, is the best candidate for playing a significant role in managing municipal sewage sludge produced by big towns and small villages.
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Hušek M, Moško J, Pohořelý M. Sewage sludge treatment methods and P-recovery possibilities: Current state-of-the-art. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2022; 315:115090. [PMID: 35489186 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.115090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
With the growing emphasis on environmental protection, the ways of sewage sludge treatment are changing. In this review, we analyse different methods of sewage sludge treatment in terms of potential environmental risk and raw materials recovery. The review begins with a comparison and assessment of existing reviews on this topic. Then, it focuses on the properties and current utilisation of sewage sludge in agriculture and a brief description of sludge thermal treatment methods (mono- and co-incineration, pyrolysis, and gasification). The final part of the review is devoted to technologies for treating sludge ash from mono-incinerators to recover phosphorus, a substance listed as a critical raw material by the EU. Our results show that direct use of sewage sludge likewise composts containing sewage sludge should no longer be considered as a direct source of nutrients and organic matter in agriculture, because of its pollutant content. Co-incineration and landfilling represent a dead-end in sludge treatment due to the loss of raw materials, whereas pyrolysis is sustainable for remote locations with low heavy metal content sludge. Heavy metals also pose a problem for the direct use of sludge ash and must be therefore removed. There are already sludge ash processing technologies that are capable of processing ash to form a variety of raw materials such as phosphorus. These regeneration approaches are currently in their infancy, but are gradually being introduced. The sewage sludge treatment industry is rapidly evolving, and we have attempted to summarise and discuss the current state of knowledge in this review, which will provide a baseline towards the future of sewage sludge suitable treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matěj Hušek
- Department of Power Engineering, Faculty of Environmental Technology, University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague, Technická 5, 166 28, Prague, 6, Czech Republic; The Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Chemical Process Fundamentals, Rozvojová 135, 165 02, Prague, 6-Suchdol, Czech Republic
| | - Jaroslav Moško
- Department of Power Engineering, Faculty of Environmental Technology, University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague, Technická 5, 166 28, Prague, 6, Czech Republic; The Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Chemical Process Fundamentals, Rozvojová 135, 165 02, Prague, 6-Suchdol, Czech Republic
| | - Michael Pohořelý
- Department of Power Engineering, Faculty of Environmental Technology, University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague, Technická 5, 166 28, Prague, 6, Czech Republic; The Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Chemical Process Fundamentals, Rozvojová 135, 165 02, Prague, 6-Suchdol, Czech Republic.
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Godlewska P, Jośko I, Oleszczuk P. Ecotoxicity of sewage sludge- or sewage sludge/willow-derived biochar-amended soil. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 305:119235. [PMID: 35358635 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Co-pyrolysis of sewage sludge (SL) with plant biomass gains attention as a way to minimize SL-derived biochar drawbacks, such as high amount of toxic substances, low specific surface area and carbon content. The toxicity of soil amended with SL- (BCSL) or SL/biomass (BCSLW)-derived biochar was evaluated in long-term pot experiment (180 days). The results were compared to SL-amended soil. Biochars produced at 500, 600, or 700 °C were added to the soil (podzolic loamy sand) at a 2% (w/w) dose. Samples were collected at four different time points (at the beginning, after 30, 90 and 180 days) to assess the potential toxicity of SL-, BCSL- or BCSLW-amended soil. The bacteria Aliivibrio fischeri (luminescence inhibition - Microtox), the plant Lepidium sativum (root growth and germination inhibition test - Phytotoxkit F), and the invertebrate Folsomia candida (mortality and reproduction inhibition test - Collembolan test) were used as the test organisms. Depending on the organism tested and the sample collection time point variable results were observed. In general, SL-amended soil was more toxic than soil with biochars. The leachates from BCSLW-amended soil were more toxic to A. fischeri than leachate from BCSL-amended soil. A different tendency was observed in the case of phytotoxicity. Leachate from BCSL-amended soil was more toxic to L. sativum compared to BCSLW-amended soil. The effect of biochars on F. candida was very diversified, which did not allow a clear trend to be observed. The toxic effect of SL-, BCSL- or BCSW-amended soil to particular organisms was observed in different time, point's periods, which may suggest the different factors affecting this toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulina Godlewska
- Department of Radiochemistry and Environmental Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Lublin, Poland
| | - Izabela Jośko
- Institute of Plant Genetics, Breeding and Biotechnology, Faculty of Agrobioengineering, University of Life Sciences, Lublin, Poland
| | - Patryk Oleszczuk
- Department of Radiochemistry and Environmental Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Lublin, Poland.
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Investigation of Pyrolysis Behavior of Sewage Sludge by Thermogravimetric Analysis Coupled with Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry Using Different Heating Rates. ENERGIES 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/en15145116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
In this study, pyrolysis of municipal sewage sludge samples from different sources including cattle and chicken manure as well as brook mud, was investigated using a thermogravimetric analysis coupled with a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (TG-FTIR) at different heating rates (25, 50 and 100 °C/min). In order to determine the kinetic parameters, Arrhenius, model-free Kissinger–Akira–Sunose (KAS), as well as Friedman and Flynn–Wall–Ozawa (FWO) methods were compared. The thermogravimetric results revealed that pyrolysis involved different stages, and that the main decomposition reactions took place in the range of 200–600 °C. In this range, decomposition of biodegradable components (e.g., lipids and polysaccharides), proteins and carbohydrates occurred; meanwhile, there were samples (e.g., cattle manure, brook mud) in which the decomposition step could be observed even at temperatures above 700 °C. According to the Arrhenius method, the activation energies of the first decomposition stage were between 25.6 and 85.4 kJ/mol, while the activation energies of the second and third stages were in the ranges of 11.4–36.3 kJ/mol and 20.2–135 kJ/mol, respectively. The activation energies were also calculated by the KAS, Friedman and FWO methods, which were in the range of 100–300 kJ/mol for municipal sewage sludge or distillery sludge, and ranged between 9.6 and 240 kJ/mol for cattle manure, chicken manure and brook mud samples.
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Jaskulak M, Rostami S, Zorena K, Vandenbulcke F. Transcriptome sequencing of Brassica napus highlights the complex issues with soil supplementation with sewage sludge. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 298:134321. [PMID: 35306057 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.134321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Revised: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The soil supplementation with sewage sludge (SS) has become a widespread method to improve soil quality, but its long-term possible consequences are still relatively unknown. SS may contain several groups of contaminants to which the biological responses of the organisms are still poorly understood mainly due to the mixture toxicity. In this context, RNA-seq has been used to assess the impact of the exposure to sewage sludge supplemented soil at the whole-transcriptome level in the Brassica napus (B. napus). Although the municipal sewage sludge passed all safety regulations set by the EU commission (86/278/EEC), soil supplementation with SS caused a significant (p < 0.05) increase in the content of lead (by 68.8%, 71.4% in plant shoots and roots, respectively), zinc (by 22.4% and 31.2%), nickel (by 67.0% and 30.2%), and copper (by 33.1% and 39.2%). The de-novo assembled transcriptome of B. napus identified 555 differently expressed genes (DEGs) in a response to sewage sludge supplementation at the false detection rate below 0.001 (FDR <0.001). Among them, 313 genes were up-regulated and 242 genes were down-regulated. The gene ontology analysis (GO) had shown, that significantly enriched GO groups included genes involved in photosynthesis, carbohydrate metabolism and photosystems repair (41 genes), response to oxidative stress (50 genes), response to pathogens (36 genes), response to xenobiotics (15 genes), and heavy metals (41 genes), cell death (8 genes), cell wall structure (15 genes). These results suggest a significant impact of contaminants in sewage sludge on plants transcriptome. The transcriptomic approach facilitated a better understanding of the molecular level of the potential toxicity of sewage sludge in B. napus. RNA-seq allowed for the identification of potential novel early-warning molecular markers of environmental contamination. This work highlights the crucial necessity for rapid legislation change concerning the allowable levels of contaminants in sewage sludge applied on land, to mitigate the possible adverse outcomes in the ecosystem after its use as a fertilizer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Jaskulak
- University of Lille, IMT Lille Douai, University of Artois, Yncrea Hauts-de-France, ULR4515, LGCgE, Laboratoire de Génie Civil et géo-Environnement, F-59000, Lille, France; Department of Immunobiology and Environmental Microbiology, Medical University of Gdańsk, Poland; Institute of Environmental Engineering, Czestochowa University of Technology, Czestochowa, Poland.
| | - Saeid Rostami
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Katarzyna Zorena
- Department of Immunobiology and Environmental Microbiology, Medical University of Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Franck Vandenbulcke
- University of Lille, IMT Lille Douai, University of Artois, Yncrea Hauts-de-France, ULR4515, LGCgE, Laboratoire de Génie Civil et géo-Environnement, F-59000, Lille, France
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Mixed Contaminants: Occurrence, Interactions, Toxicity, Detection, and Remediation. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27082577. [PMID: 35458775 PMCID: PMC9029723 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27082577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The ever-increasing rate of pollution has attracted considerable interest in research. Several anthropogenic activities have diminished soil, air, and water quality and have led to complex chemical pollutants. This review aims to provide a clear idea about the latest and most prevalent pollutants such as heavy metals, PAHs, pesticides, hydrocarbons, and pharmaceuticals—their occurrence in various complex mixtures and how several environmental factors influence their interaction. The mechanism adopted by these contaminants to form the complex mixtures leading to the rise of a new class of contaminants, and thus resulting in severe threats to human health and the environment, has also been exhibited. Additionally, this review provides an in-depth idea of various in vivo, in vitro, and trending biomarkers used for risk assessment and identifies the occurrence of mixed contaminants even at very minute concentrations. Much importance has been given to remediation technologies to understand our current position in handling these contaminants and how the technologies can be improved. This paper aims to create awareness among readers about the most ubiquitous contaminants and how simple ways can be adopted to tackle the same.
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Cuñat A, Álvarez-Ruiz R, Morales Suarez-Varela MM, Pico Y. Suspected-screening assessment of the occurrence of organic compounds in sewage sludge. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2022; 308:114587. [PMID: 35121452 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.114587] [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: 08/13/2021] [Revised: 01/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The profiling of emerging organic pollutants present in sludge and generated during wastewater treatment is much more limited than in water. This is mainly due to the difficulty of sludge analysis because of its high content of organic matter and interfering compounds. In this study, a generic extraction method using a mixture of buffered water (pH 4.1) and solid phase extraction (SPE) clean-up was applied to samples of sludge obtained in different treatment plants. This extraction was followed by determination of the contaminants by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to high resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS), using suspected screening to detect the most relevant organic compounds that access the environment through sludge application. This screening (including >3000 substances, such as, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, metabolites and industrial chemicals) tentatively identified 122 compound and assigned most probable structure to 39. The set of compounds assigned to a probable structure was increased in 14 compounds by searching in a free database of metabolites. Fifteen compounds were unequivocally confirmed against the analytical standard. Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), with 31 substances identified and 8 confirmed were the main group of compounds. Compounds frequently detected in all sludge samples include nucleotides such as adenosine triphosphate, amino acids such as phenylalanine, or peptides such as leu-phe. Altogether, the results of this work highlight the interest of HRMS to draw the profile of organic compounds in complex matrices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Cuñat
- Environmental and Food Safety Research Group (SAMA-UV), Desertification Research Centre (CIDE), Universitat de València-CSIC-GV, Moncada-Naquera Road Km 4.5, 46113, Moncada, Valencia, Spain
| | - Rodrigo Álvarez-Ruiz
- Environmental and Food Safety Research Group (SAMA-UV), Desertification Research Centre (CIDE), Universitat de València-CSIC-GV, Moncada-Naquera Road Km 4.5, 46113, Moncada, Valencia, Spain
| | - Maria M Morales Suarez-Varela
- Unit of Public Health and Environmental Care, Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain; CIBER Epidemiologia y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Yolanda Pico
- Environmental and Food Safety Research Group (SAMA-UV), Desertification Research Centre (CIDE), Universitat de València-CSIC-GV, Moncada-Naquera Road Km 4.5, 46113, Moncada, Valencia, Spain; CIBER Epidemiologia y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
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Aydın S, Ulvi A, Bedük F, Aydın ME. Pharmaceutical residues in digested sewage sludge: Occurrence, seasonal variation and risk assessment for soil. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 817:152864. [PMID: 34998750 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.152864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2021] [Revised: 12/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
The occurrences, temporal variations and ecotoxicological risks of 38 selected pharmaceuticals from 7 therapeutic classes (i.e. antibiotics, analgesics, anti-inflammatories, beta-blockers, lipid regulators, anticancer agents, and psychiatric drugs) have been observed in the anaerobically treated sludge of the urban wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in Konya, Turkey. Sampling was carried out to assess the seasonal variations in one year. The total daily wastewater flow rate of the WWTP was approximately 200,000 m3/day, and 140 tons/day of treated sludge were produced. The total concentrations of all pharmaceutical compounds ranged from 280 to 4898 μg/kg of dry matter (dm). The dominant therapeutic class was analgesics and anti-inflammatories (49%), which was followed by antibiotics (31%). Clarithromycin and azithromycin were the most abundant compounds, with concentrations of 1496 μg/kg dm. The total daily pharmaceutical load in the treated sludge was as high as 1.002 kg/day in the winter season, while the annual pharmaceutical mass load that was discharged into the environment was estimated to be approximately 71.6 kg. The use of treated sludge as fertilizer in agricultural lands causes continuous contamination of the terrestrial environment by pharmaceuticals. Five antibiotics (i.e., azithromycin, clarithromycin, erythromycin, sulfamethoxazole, and doxycycline), one analgesic (acetylsalicylic acid) and one beta-blocker (atenolol) in the digested sludge pose acute and short chronic high risks to environment. The highest short chronic risk in the digested sludge-amended soils was determined for azithromycin (RQ: 54.9). To reduce the potential environmental impact of pharmaceuticals, digested sludge should be monitored in terms of the pharmaceutical contents before being applied to soil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Senar Aydın
- Necmettin Erbakan University, Department of Environmental Engineering, Konya, Turkey.
| | - Arzu Ulvi
- Necmettin Erbakan University, Department of Environmental Engineering, Konya, Turkey
| | - Fatma Bedük
- Necmettin Erbakan University, Department of Environmental Engineering, Konya, Turkey
| | - Mehmet Emin Aydın
- Necmettin Erbakan University, Department of Civil Engineering, Konya, Turkey
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45
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Composted Sewage Sludge Application in a Sugarcane Seedling Nursery: Crop Nutritional Status, Productivity, and Technological Quality Implications. SUSTAINABILITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/su14084682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Composted sewage sludge (CSS) contains large amounts of organic matter and nutrients and can be used as an organic fertilizer to improve growth, yield, and quality of sugarcane. However, there is a lack of information regarding the impact of CSS application on sugarcane seedling performance in nursery environments. A field study was conducted using a randomized complete block design to evaluate the development, nutritional status, productivity, and technological quality of sugarcane seedlings after CSS application with or without mineral fertilizer. Morphological variables (stem height, diameter, and number, as well as leaf area), technological attributes (total recoverable sugar: ATR; quantity of sucrose in sugarcane juice: Pol; Brix: percentage (weight/weight) of soluble solids contained in juice; TAH: tons of sugar per hectare), nutritional status, and sugarcane productivity were evaluated. Treatments did not influence morphological and technological variables except for TAH but did positively alter nutritional status and seedling productivity. The application rates of 5.0 and 7.5 Mg ha−1 of CSS with or without mineral fertilizers (MF) provided the greatest increase in crop productivity. Our results indicate that CSS can be a sustainable nutritional management option in sugarcane seedling nurseries, resulting in greater crop productivity at lower mineral fertilization rates.
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Kaviani Rad A, Balasundram SK, Azizi S, Afsharyzad Y, Zarei M, Etesami H, Shamshiri RR. An Overview of Antibiotic Resistance and Abiotic Stresses Affecting Antimicrobial Resistance in Agricultural Soils. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19084666. [PMID: 35457533 PMCID: PMC9025980 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19084666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Revised: 01/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Excessive use of antibiotics in the healthcare sector and livestock farming has amplified antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as a major environmental threat in recent years. Abiotic stresses, including soil salinity and water pollutants, can affect AMR in soils, which in turn reduces the yield and quality of agricultural products. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of antibiotic resistance and abiotic stresses on antimicrobial resistance in agricultural soils. A systematic review of the peer-reviewed published literature showed that soil contaminants derived from organic and chemical fertilizers, heavy metals, hydrocarbons, and untreated sewage sludge can significantly develop AMR through increasing the abundance of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARBs) in agricultural soils. Among effective technologies developed to minimize AMR’s negative effects, salinity and heat were found to be more influential in lowering ARGs and subsequently AMR. Several strategies to mitigate AMR in agricultural soils and future directions for research on AMR have been discussed, including integrated control of antibiotic usage and primary sources of ARGs. Knowledge of the factors affecting AMR has the potential to develop effective policies and technologies to minimize its adverse impacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdullah Kaviani Rad
- Department of Soil Science, School of Agriculture, Shiraz University, Shiraz 71946-85111, Iran;
| | - Siva K. Balasundram
- Department of Agriculture Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, University Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia
- Correspondence: (S.K.B.); (M.Z.)
| | - Shohreh Azizi
- UNESCO-UNISA Africa Chair in Nanosciences and Nanotechnology, College of Graduate Studies, University of South Africa, Pretoria 0003, South Africa;
- Nanosciences African Network (NANOAFNET), iThemba LABS-National Research Foundation, Cape Town 7129, South Africa
| | - Yeganeh Afsharyzad
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Modern Sciences, The Islamic Azad University of Tehran Medical Sciences, Tehran 19496-35881, Iran;
| | - Mehdi Zarei
- Department of Soil Science, School of Agriculture, Shiraz University, Shiraz 71946-85111, Iran;
- Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Higher Education Center of Eghlid, Eghlid 73819-43885, Iran
- Correspondence: (S.K.B.); (M.Z.)
| | - Hassan Etesami
- Department of Soil Science, University of Tehran, Tehran 14179-35840, Iran;
| | - Redmond R. Shamshiri
- Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy, 14469 Potsdam-Bornim, Germany;
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Sanz C, Casado M, Navarro-Martin L, Cañameras N, Carazo N, Matamoros V, Bayona JM, Piña B. Implications of the use of organic fertilizers for antibiotic resistance gene distribution in agricultural soils and fresh food products. A plot-scale study. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 815:151973. [PMID: 34843769 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.151973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Revised: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The spread of antibiotic resistance genes (ARG) into agricultural soils, products, and foods severely limits the use of organic fertilizers in agriculture. In order to help designing agricultural practices that minimize the spread of ARG, we fertilized, sown, and harvested lettuces and radish plants in experimental land plots for two consecutive agricultural cycles using four types of fertilizers: mineral fertilization, sewage sludge, pig slurry, or composted organic fraction of municipal solid waste. The analysis of the relative abundances of more than 200,000 ASV (Amplicon Sequence Variants) identified a small, but significant overlap (<10%) between soil's and fertilizer microbiomes. Clinically relevant ARG were found in higher loads (up to 100 fold) in fertilized soils than in the initial soil, particularly in those treated with organic fertilizers, and their loads grossly correlated to the amount of antibiotic residues found in the corresponding fertilizer. Similarly, low, but measurable ARG loads were found in lettuce (tetM, sul1) and radish (sul1), corresponding the lowest values to samples collected from minerally fertilized fields. Comparison of soil samples collected along the total period of the experiment indicated a relatively year-round stability of soil microbiomes in amended soils, whereas ARG loads appeared as unstable and transient. The results indicate that ARG loads in soils and foodstuffs were likely linked to the contribution of bacteria from organic fertilizer to the soil microbiomes, suggesting that an adequate waste management and good pharmacological and veterinarian practices may significantly reduce the presence of these ARGs in agricultural soils and plant products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Sanz
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research, IDAEA-CSIC, Barcelona, Catalunya 08034, Spain
| | - Marta Casado
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research, IDAEA-CSIC, Barcelona, Catalunya 08034, Spain
| | - Laia Navarro-Martin
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research, IDAEA-CSIC, Barcelona, Catalunya 08034, Spain
| | - Núria Cañameras
- Department of Agri-Food Engineering and Biotechnology DEAB-UPC, Esteve Terrades 8, Building 4, Castelldefels 08860, Spain
| | - Núria Carazo
- Department of Agri-Food Engineering and Biotechnology DEAB-UPC, Esteve Terrades 8, Building 4, Castelldefels 08860, Spain
| | - Victor Matamoros
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research, IDAEA-CSIC, Barcelona, Catalunya 08034, Spain
| | - Josep Maria Bayona
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research, IDAEA-CSIC, Barcelona, Catalunya 08034, Spain
| | - Benjamin Piña
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research, IDAEA-CSIC, Barcelona, Catalunya 08034, Spain.
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Calero-Cáceres W, Marti E, Olivares-Pacheco J, Rodriguez-Rubio L. Editorial: Antimicrobial Resistance in Aquatic Environments. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:866268. [PMID: 35283835 PMCID: PMC8908251 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.866268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- William Calero-Cáceres
- UTA-RAM-One Health, Department of Food and Biotechnology Science and Engineering, Universidad Técnica de Ambato, Ambato, Ecuador
| | - Elisabet Marti
- Department of Food Microbial Systems, Agroscope, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Jorge Olivares-Pacheco
- Facultad de Ciencias, Grupo de Resistencia Antimicrobiana en Bacterias Patógenas y Ambientales GRABPA, Instituto de Biología, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaiso, Chile
| | - Lorena Rodriguez-Rubio
- Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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49
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Sellier A, Khaska S, Le Gal La Salle C. Assessment of the occurrence of 455 pharmaceutical compounds in sludge according to their physical and chemical properties: A review. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 426:128104. [PMID: 34996022 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.128104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Sludge agronomical reuse is of major interest due to the beneficial contribution of nutrients. However, it implies the introduction of unregulated pharmaceuticals into amended-soils and creates a controversial issue about sludge management. To limit their dissemination, it is essential to identify the compounds of interest and understand their attenuation mechanisms through the sludge processes. This paper summarizes the knowledge on 455 investigated pharmaceuticals among 32 therapeutical categories in amendable sludge matrices. It contributes to enlarging the list of commonly quantified compounds to 305 residues including 84 additional compounds compared to previous reviews. It highlights that sorption appears as the main mechanism controlling the occurrence of pharmaceuticals in sludge matrices and shows the considerable residual levels of pharmaceuticals reaching several mg/kg in dry weight. Antibiotics, stimulants, and antidepressants show the highest concentrations up to 232 mg/kg, while diuretics, anti-anxieties or anticoagulants present the lowest concentrations reaching up to 686 µg/kg. Collected data show the increase in investigated compounds as antifungals or antihistamines, and underline emerging categories like antidiabetics, antivirals, or antiarrhythmics. The in-depth analysis of the substantial database guides onto the pharmaceuticals that are the most likely to occur in these amendable matrices to assist future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia Sellier
- CHROME Détection, évaluation, gestion des risques CHROniques et éMErgents (CHROME) / Université de Nîmes, 30021 Nîmes Cedex 01 - FRANCE.
| | - Somar Khaska
- CHROME Détection, évaluation, gestion des risques CHROniques et éMErgents (CHROME) / Université de Nîmes, 30021 Nîmes Cedex 01 - FRANCE.
| | - Corinne Le Gal La Salle
- CHROME Détection, évaluation, gestion des risques CHROniques et éMErgents (CHROME) / Université de Nîmes, 30021 Nîmes Cedex 01 - FRANCE.
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50
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Saha JK, Coumar MV. Alteration of contamination threat due to dilution effect on metal concentration in maize-wheat biomass on sludge amended clayey soil. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2022; 194:273. [PMID: 35278144 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-022-09923-8] [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: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Industrial sludge often contains considerable amount of organic matter and plant nutrients to enhance crop production. However, its utilization in agriculture is viewed with concern as it also enhances the entry of toxic heavy metals into the agroecosystem. A field study was conducted to assess the potential of sludge generated from a soft beverage industry in cereal crops after critical analysis of benefits and contamination risks. The treatments were control, recommended doses of major fertilizers applied to both maize and following wheat crops, and organic amendments, viz., cattle dung manure and sludge at graded rates (2-50 t/ha) applied only to maize crop. Growth, yield, and heavy metal concentrations in plant parts were measured. Sludge application rates at ≥ 20 t/ha had significant direct as well as residual effects on crops in terms of enhancing their growth parameters and grain yields in comparison to the direct effects of fertilizer applications. It also enhanced Cu, Cd, Pb, and Zn concentrations in vegetative biomass of both crops even with the lowest rate of application, but had lower or little effect on their concentrations in grains. Sludge facilitated accumulation of metals in vegetative biomass of maize as indicated by increase in dynamic factor of bioaccumulation (BAdyn) to > 1. Relative uptake of added metals by maize biomass increased with increasing sludge rate up to 10 t/ha, but decreased significantly at the highest application rate. Heavy metals concentration in biomass due to increasing rates of sludge application was the result of a trade-off between their "increasing entry in soil-plant system" and "dilution in biomass" due to enhanced crop growth. Strategy for safe application of this contaminated sludge in agroecosystem was discussed through analysis of heavy metals transfer characteristics in soil-plant system. The study indicates that conjoint application of lower rates of both sludge and N fertilizer can minimize risk of heavy metals contamination while ensuring higher crop yields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jayanta Kumar Saha
- Division of Environmental Soil Science, ICAR-Indian Institute of Soil Science, Bhopal (M.P.), India.
| | - M Vassanda Coumar
- Division of Environmental Soil Science, ICAR-Indian Institute of Soil Science, Bhopal (M.P.), India
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