1
|
Qiao S, Huang W, Kuzma D, Kormendi A. Acesulfame and other artificial sweeteners in a wastewater treatment plant in Alberta, Canada: Occurrence, degradation, and emission. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 356:141893. [PMID: 38582168 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.141893] [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: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
Acesulfame (ACE), sucralose (SUC), cyclamate (CYC), and saccharin (SAC) are widely used artificial sweeteners that undergo negligible metabolism in the human body, and thus ubiquitously exist in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Due to their persistence in WWTPs, ACE and SUC are found in natural waters globally. Wastewater samples were collected from the primary influent, primary effluent, secondary effluent, and final effluent of a WWTP in Alberta, Canada between August 2022 and February 2023, and the artificial sweeteners concentrations were measured by LC-MS/MS. Using wastewater-based epidemiology, the daily per capita consumption of ACE in the studied wastewater treatment plant catchment was estimated to be the highest in the world. Similar to other studies, the removal efficiency in WWTP was high for SAC and CYC, but low or even negative for SUC. However, ACE removal remained surprisingly high (>96%), even in the cold Canadian winter months. This result may indicate a further adaptation of microorganisms capable of biodegrading ACE in WWTP. The estimated per capita discharge into the environment of ACE, CYC, and SAC is low in Alberta due to the prevalent utilization of secondary treatment throughout the province, but is 17.4-18.8 times higher in Canada, since only 70.3% of total discharged wastewater in Canada undergoes secondary treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Qiao
- Department of Civil Engineering, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Wendy Huang
- Department of Civil Engineering, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1N4, Canada.
| | - Darina Kuzma
- Advancing Canadian Water Assets, University of Calgary, 3131 210 Ave SE, Calgary, Alberta, T0L 0X0, Canada
| | - Aleshia Kormendi
- Advancing Canadian Water Assets, University of Calgary, 3131 210 Ave SE, Calgary, Alberta, T0L 0X0, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Colín-García K, Elizalde-Velázquez GA, Gómez-Oliván LM, García-Medina S. Influence of sucralose, acesulfame-k, and their mixture on brain's fish: A study of behavior, oxidative damage, and acetylcholinesterase activity in Daniorerio. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 340:139928. [PMID: 37625490 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.139928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 08/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
Sucralose (SUC) and acesulfame-k (ACE-K) are widely used artificial sweeteners worldwide; however, they are frequently detected in aquatic environments due to their low metabolism and inadequate removal during wastewater treatment. The harmful effects of these compounds on hydrobionts have yet to be fully understood, as data on their toxicity is limited and inconclusive. This research aimed to determine the impact of SUC (50, 75, 125 μg/L) and ACE-K (50, 75, 125 μg/L), individually and in combination, on fish's swimming behavior, acetylcholinesterase activity, and oxidative stress response after four months of exposure. Following exposure, adult Danio rerio displayed anxiety-like behavior, as evidenced by increased freezing time and decreased swimming activity. Additionally, analysis of fish brain tissue revealed a disruption of REDOX homeostasis, leading to oxidative stress, which may be responsible for the observed inhibition of AChE activity. The results indicated that ACE-K was more toxic than SUC, and the mixture of both compounds produced a more detrimental effect than when each compound was administered alone. These findings highlight the hazardous impacts of SUC and ACE-K on fish in environmentally relevant concentrations, suggesting that these compounds should be added to the priority pollutant list.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karla Colín-García
- Laboratorio de Toxicología Ambiental, Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma Del Estado de México, Paseo Colón Intersección Paseo Tollocan, Colonia Residencial Colón, CP 50120, Toluca, Estado de México, Mexico
| | - Gustavo Axel Elizalde-Velázquez
- Laboratorio de Toxicología Ambiental, Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma Del Estado de México, Paseo Colón Intersección Paseo Tollocan, Colonia Residencial Colón, CP 50120, Toluca, Estado de México, Mexico
| | - Leobardo Manuel Gómez-Oliván
- Laboratorio de Toxicología Ambiental, Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma Del Estado de México, Paseo Colón Intersección Paseo Tollocan, Colonia Residencial Colón, CP 50120, Toluca, Estado de México, Mexico.
| | - Sandra García-Medina
- Laboratorio de Toxicología Acuática, Departamento de Farmacia, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Unidad Profesional Adolfo López Mateos, Av. Wilfrido Massieu S/n y Cerrada Manuel Stampa, Col. Industrial Vallejo, Ciudad de México, CP, 07700, Mexico
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Gvozdić E, Bujagić IM, Đurkić T, Grujić S. Untreated wastewater impact and environmental risk assessment of artificial sweeteners in river water and sediments of the Danube River Basin in Serbia. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:84583-84594. [PMID: 37368207 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-28348-5] [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: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Artificial sweeteners are receiving increasing attention as newly recognized emerging contaminants that mainly reach the aquatic environment through the discharge of municipal wastewater containing large amount of these compounds. In this study, the impact of raw untreated wastewater discharges on the levels and the water/sediment distribution of artificial sweeteners in the Danube River and its largest tributaries in Serbia was evaluated, and a comprehensive assessment of environmental risks for freshwater and benthic organisms was performed. Acesulfame and sucralose were detected in all river water samples (100%), while saccharin (59%) and cyclamate (12%) were less frequently found, indicating long-term continuous sewage-derived pollution. Aspartame (100%) and neotame (60%) were the only artificial sweeteners recorded in the sediment samples due to their preference to sorb to particulate matter in the water/sediment system. In terms of ecotoxicological risk, a low risk for aquatic organisms was determined at the detected levels of saccharin in river water, while a high to medium risk was found for benthic biota at the concentrations of neotame and aspartame detected in sediments. The largest contribution to the pollution of the Danube River Basin with artificial sweeteners, and consequently the highest environmental risk, was determined in the two largest cities, the capital Belgrade and Novi Sad, which raises the issue of transboundary pollution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Gvozdić
- Innovation Centre of the Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, Karnegijeva 4, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Ivana Matić Bujagić
- Academy of Applied Technical Studies Belgrade, Belgrade Polytechnic College, Katarine Ambrozić 3, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Tatjana Đurkić
- Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, University of Belgrade, Karnegijeva 4, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Svetlana Grujić
- Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, University of Belgrade, Karnegijeva 4, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Li D, O'Brien JW, Tscharke BJ, Okoffo ED, Mueller JF, Sun H, Thomas KV. Artificial sweeteners in end-use biosolids in Australia. WATER RESEARCH 2021; 200:117237. [PMID: 34051459 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2021.117237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Revised: 05/02/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Artificial sweeteners are contaminants of emerging concern that can enter the aquatic and terrestrial environments via wastewater effluent discharge and the environmental application of biosolids. The release of artificial sweeteners from the use of biosolids in Australia was assessed. The concentration of seven artificial sweeteners was quantified in biosolids samples collected from 71 wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) across Australia during Census 2016. Sucralose, saccharin, acesulfame, aspartame and cyclamate were detected in biosolids samples at median concentrations ranging from 0.18 ng/g (dry weight) (range: <LOQ-34 ng/g) for cyclamate to 220 ng/g (range: <LOQ -3,670 ng/g) for sucralose, while neotame and neohesperidin dihydrochalcone were not detected. The relationship between the concentration of artificial sweeteners in biosolids and moisture content was assessed with the concentration of artificial sweeteners decreasing as dewatering time increased in a biosolids drying hall. The geometric means (± standard deviation) for per capita loads of individual artificial sweeteners ranged from 8.7 (1.6, 48) µg year-1 person-1 for cyclamate to 4,000 (1,000, 15,000) µg year-1 person-1 for sucralose with 223 kg of artificial sweeteners released to terrestrial environment from biosolids end-use annually in Australia. Due to the low loads of artificial sweeteners in biosolids compared with wastewater effluent, risks associated with artificial sweeteners in biosolids are likely limited.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dandan Li
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China; Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, 4102 QLD, Australia
| | - Jake W O'Brien
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, 4102 QLD, Australia
| | - Benjamin J Tscharke
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, 4102 QLD, Australia
| | - Elvis D Okoffo
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, 4102 QLD, Australia
| | - Jochen F Mueller
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, 4102 QLD, Australia
| | - Hongwen Sun
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China.
| | - Kevin V Thomas
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, 4102 QLD, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Guo W, Li J, Liu Q, Shi J, Gao Y. Tracking the fate of artificial sweeteners within the coastal waters of Shenzhen city, China: From wastewater treatment plants to sea. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2021; 414:125498. [PMID: 33667807 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.125498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Revised: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 02/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Artificial sweeteners (ASs), as a new emerging pollutant, the fate from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) to sea is growing concerned. In this study, the distribution and polluted loading of six typical ASs were analyzed based on the measurement in influent, primary effluent, secondary effluent, tertiary effluent, suspended particulate matter (SPM), and sludge from four WWTPs and receiving waters near the coast of Shenzhen city, China. Elevated levels of ASs were detected in WWTPs located near a highly populated area (about 14,000 people km-2). Sucralose was predominant in all water samples (0.1-22.2 μg L-1), and had a 1.6-704.0 times higher concentration than the means of other ASs detected. Aspartame were mainly distributed in SPM and sludge, and the fractions in offshore water exceeded 45%. Acesulfame, sucralose, cyclamate and saccharin could be effectively removed by secondary biochemical treatment. The average daily loading (4.2 g d-1 1000people-1) and discharge loading (0.4 g d-1 1000people-1) of sucralose in WWTPs was higher than those of the other ASs. Dissolved organic carbon and UV254 can affect the fate of ASs, and SPM mainly affects the distributions of aspartame and neotame. As a potential sewage indicator, neotame deserves further attention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wei Guo
- College of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China.
| | - Jun Li
- College of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Qingwei Liu
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Integrated Surface Water-Groundwater Pollution Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Jianghong Shi
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Integrated Surface Water-Groundwater Pollution Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Yue Gao
- Analytical, Environmental and Geochemistry (AMGC), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), 1050, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Alves PDCC, Rodrigues-Silva C, Ribeiro AR, Rath S. Removal of low-calorie sweeteners at five Brazilian wastewater treatment plants and their occurrence in surface water. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2021; 289:112561. [PMID: 33865021 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.112561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Revised: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The consumption of low-calorie sweeteners (LCSs) such as acesulfame (ACE), sucralose (SUC), saccharin (SAC), cyclamate (CYC), aspartame (ASP), neotame (NEO), and stevioside (STV) is increasing worldwide to meet the demand for reduced-calorie foods and beverages. However, there are no consumption data available in Brazil, as well as their concentration in sewage and removal on wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). In the present study, ACE, SUC, SAC, CYC, ASP, NEO, and STV were assessed at five WWTPs located in the metropolitan region of Campinas (São Paulo State, Brazil), in operation with different treatment processes. Surface water was also analyzed. Analyses were carried out by on-line solid-phase extraction ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The major points are the following: LCS concentrations in the influents ranged from 0.25 to 189 μg L-1 and followed the order CYC > ACE > SAC > SUC. NEO, ASP, and STV were not detected at any sampling site. Sweetener concentrations in the WWTP outputs differed mainly due to the different treatment setups employed. CYC and SAC were completely removed by biodegradation-based processes, while ACE removal was favored by the anaerobic-anoxic-aerobic process. SUC presented the highest concentration in the treated sewage, even at the WWTP operating with ultrafiltration membranes and therefore could be a marker compound for evaluation of the efficiency of removal of contaminants in WWTPs. Risk quotient estimation, using the PNEC and MEC values, indicated that the levels of the LCS reported here were harmless to the biota. The consumption of ACE, CYC, SAC, and SUC was estimated to be 2634 t year-1.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Priscilla da Costa Cunha Alves
- Institute of Chemistry, Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of Campinas, P.O. Box 6154, 13084-971, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Caio Rodrigues-Silva
- Institute of Chemistry, Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of Campinas, P.O. Box 6154, 13084-971, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Alyson Rogério Ribeiro
- Institute of Chemistry, Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of Campinas, P.O. Box 6154, 13084-971, Campinas, SP, Brazil; Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary School, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Minas Gerais, 31270-901, Brazil.
| | - Susanne Rath
- Institute of Chemistry, Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of Campinas, P.O. Box 6154, 13084-971, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Naik AQ, Zafar T, Shrivastava VK. Environmental Impact of the Presence, Distribution, and Use of Artificial Sweeteners as Emerging Sources of Pollution. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 2021:6624569. [PMID: 33936216 PMCID: PMC8060115 DOI: 10.1155/2021/6624569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2020] [Revised: 03/06/2021] [Accepted: 03/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Artificial sweeteners are posing a new threat to the environment. The water ecosystem is the primary recipient of these emerging contaminants. Once ingested, sufficient amount of these artificial sweeteners escape unchanged from the human body and are added to the environment. However, some are added in the form of their breakdown products through excretion. Artificial sweeteners are resistant to wastewater treatment processes and are therefore continuously introduced into the water environments. However, the environmental behavior, fate, and long-term ecotoxicological contributions of artificial sweeteners in our water resources still remain largely unknown. Some artificial sweeteners like saccharin are used as a food additive in animal feeds. It also forms the degradation product of the sulfonylurea herbicides. All artificial sweeteners enter into the wastewater treatment plants from the industries and households. From the effluents, they finally reside into the receiving environmental bodies including wastewaters, groundwaters, and surface waters. The global production of these sweeteners is several hundred tons annually and is continuously being added into the environment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ab Qayoom Naik
- Laboratory of Endocrinology, Department of Biosciences, Barkatullah University, Bhopal 462026, MP, India
| | - Tabassum Zafar
- Laboratory of Endocrinology, Department of Biosciences, Barkatullah University, Bhopal 462026, MP, India
| | - Vinoy Kumar Shrivastava
- Laboratory of Endocrinology, Department of Biosciences, Barkatullah University, Bhopal 462026, MP, India
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Li D, Yao Y, Sun H. Emission and Mass Load of Artificial Sweeteners from a Pig Farm to Its Surrounding Environment: Contribution of Airborne Pathway and Biomonitoring Potential. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:2307-2315. [PMID: 33539083 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c05326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
An investigation was conducted by determining artificial sweeteners (ASs) in 80 samples from various environmental matrices, including dry deposition, rainfall, soil, leaf, and bark samples around a pig farm in Tianjin, China. Saccharin, cyclamate, and acesulfame were predominant in dry deposition and rainfall samples. Spatially, the distribution of ASs showed a consistent trend of farm center > downwind sites > upwind sites > reference site. The annual total mass loads of saccharin (70%), cyclamate (25%), and acesulfame (5%) via dry deposition and precipitation within a 5 km radius of the pig farm were estimated at 3.9 and 6.2 kg in the average-case and worst-case scenarios, respectively, accounting for 12-18% of the overall emission, indicating that pig farms are a significant source of ASs to the atmosphere and to the vicinal environment via dry and wet deposition. The distribution trends of ASs in tree bark and leaves were similar and tree bark performed better in passively biomonitoring the AS contamination. Overall, pig farms were predicted to release 65-114, 22-38, 2.0-3.5, and 0.6-1.1 tons by feed application in China, Europe, Latin America, and North America, respectively, to the vicinal environment via dry deposition and precipitation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dandan Li
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Yiming Yao
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, 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
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Chow CH, Law JCF, Leung KSY. Degradation of acesulfame in UV/monochloramine process: Kinetics, transformation pathways and toxicity assessment. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2021; 403:123935. [PMID: 33264984 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.123935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Revised: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
UV/monochloramine (UV/NH2Cl) is an emerging advanced oxidation process that can generate various reactive species like reactive chlorine species (RCS) and hydroxyl radicals for micropollutant removal. This study investigated the potential toxicity of transformation products resulting from UV/NH2Cl treatment of acesulfame (ACE), as an example of micropollutant, found in worldwide aquatic environment. Compared with UV photolysis and chloramination, the UV/NH2Cl process more effectively degraded ACE. The transformation products of ACE treated with the UV/NH2Cl process were identified and characterized with high resolution mass spectrometry. The formation of chlorinated-TPs indicated the role of RCS in UV/NH2Cl transformation even though UV photolysis was predominantly responsible for the ACE degradation. The Vibrio fischeri bioluminescence inhibition assay revealed a higher toxicity of TPs derived from UV/NH2Cl than from UV photolysis. The increased toxicity could be attributed to most of the generated chlorinated-TPs (Cl-TPs), in particular those halo-alcohols. The ECOSAR program predicts that halo-alcohol TPs are more toxic than their non-chlorinated analogues and other Cl-TPs. This study provides insight into the important role of reactive species in the micropollutants' transformation of UV/NH2Cl process. It further provides information relevant to the potential risk when applying the process for micropollutant removal in water treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chi-Hang Chow
- Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Japhet Cheuk-Fung Law
- Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Kelvin Sze-Yin Leung
- Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; HKBU Institute of Research and Continuing Education, Shenzhen Virtual University Park, Shenzhen, China.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Xu J, Jia H, Ma H, Tian C, Zhu C. Salinity relief aniline induced oxidative stress in Suaeda salsa: Activities of antioxidative enzyme and EPR measurements. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2020; 205:111293. [PMID: 32949840 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.111293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater from printing and dyeing processes often contains aniline and high salinity, which are hazardous to aquatic species. Glycophytic plants cannot survive under high-salinity conditions, whereas halophytes grow well in such an environment. In this study, we investigated the influence of NaCl on the antioxidant level in Suaeda salsa affected by aniline stress. The seedlings showed various growth toxicity effects under different concentrations of aniline. The results showed that the effect of the aniline was more severe for the root growth compared to that for the shoot growth. Aniline exposure significantly increased the total free radicals and ·OH radicals in the plants. Suaeda salsa exposure to aniline caused oxidative stress by altering the superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POD) activity, which resulted in the overproduction of H2O2 and the inducement of lipid peroxidation. Analysis revealed that the malondialdehyde (MDA) content was enhanced after aniline exposure and that the chlorophyll content was significantly decreased. The results showed that aniline induced the production of free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS), and changed the antioxidant defense system. This ultimately resulted in oxidative damage in S. salsa; however, it was found that moderate salinity could mitigate the effects. In conclusion, salinity may alleviate the growth inhibition caused by aniline by regulating the antioxidant capacity of S. salsa.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jie Xu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an, 710021, China; College of Resources and Environment Science, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, 830046, China; State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, 830011, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Honglei Jia
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an, 710021, China.
| | - Hongrui Ma
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an, 710021, China.
| | - Changyan Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, 830011, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Chao Zhu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an, 710021, China
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Belton K, Schaefer E, Guiney PD. A Review of the Environmental Fate and Effects of Acesulfame-Potassium. INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT 2020; 16:421-437. [PMID: 32065497 PMCID: PMC7318193 DOI: 10.1002/ieam.4248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2019] [Revised: 11/12/2019] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The use of low and no calorie sweeteners (LNCSs) has increased substantially the past several decades. Their high solubility in water, low absorption to soils, and reliable analytical methods facilitate their detection in wastewater and surface waters. Low and no calorie sweeteners are widely used in food and beverage products around the world, have been approved as food additives, and are considered safe for human consumption by the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) and other regulatory authorities. Concerns have been raised, however, regarding their growing presence and potential aquatic toxicity. Recent studies have provided new empirical environmental monitoring, environmental fate, and ecotoxicity on acesulfame potassium (ACE-K). Acesulfame potassium is an important high-production LNCS, widely detected in the environment and generally reported to be environmentally persistent. Acesulfame-potassium was selected for this environmental fate and effects review to determine its comparative risk to aquatic organisms. The biodegradation of ACE-K is predicted to be low, based on available quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) models, and this has been confirmed by several investigations, mostly published prior to 2014. More recently, there appears to be an interesting paradigm shift with several reports of the enhanced ability of wastewater treatment plants to biodegrade ACE-K. Some studies report that ACE-K can be photodegraded into potentially toxic breakdown products, whereas other data indicate that this may not be the case. A robust set of acute and chronic ecotoxicity studies in fish, invertebrates, and freshwater plants provided critical data on ACE-K's aquatic toxicity. Acesulfame-potassium concentrations in wastewater and surface water are generally in the lower parts per billion (ppb) range, whereas concentrations in sludge and groundwater are much lower (parts per trillion [ppt]). This preliminary environmental risk assessment establishes that ACE-K has high margins of safety (MOSs) and presents a negligible risk to the aquatic environment based on a collation of extensive ACE-K environmental monitoring, conservative predicted environmental concentration (PEC) and predicted no-effect concentration (PNEC) estimates, and prudent probabilistic exposure modeling. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2020;16:421-437. © 2020 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kerry Belton
- Grocery Manufacturers AssociationArlingtonVirginiaUSA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Fu Y, Li S, Shi Y, Geng J, Li J, Wu G, Xu K, Ren H. Removal of artificial sweeteners using UV/persulfate: Radical-based degradation kinetic model in wastewater, pathways and toxicity. WATER RESEARCH 2019; 167:115102. [PMID: 31574346 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2019.115102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2019] [Revised: 09/05/2019] [Accepted: 09/19/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Artificial sweeteners (ASs) have been frequently detected in aquatic environment and are of emerging concern due to their environmental persistence, acesulfame (ACE) and sucralose (SUC) are two ASs that are difficult to remove. The ultraviolet/persulfate (UV/PS) advanced oxidation process has been proven to remove ASs in real wastewater effectively. In this study, radical-based degradation kinetic model, pathways and toxicity evaluation of ASs by UV/PS process were explored. ACE and SUC were effectively removed by UV/PS process, and UV photolysis, hydroxyl radicals (HO∙) and sulfate radicals (SO4∙-) contributes the degradation of ASs. A kinetic prediction model for ASs degradation was established based on the second-order rate constants with HO∙ and SO4∙-, and the steady state concentrations of HO∙ and SO4∙- were calculated through the degradations of two reference compounds. The kinetic model could predict the degradation process of ASs in five real wastewaters effluents. Furthermore, two models based on the kinetic and the water matrices parameters for ASs degradation in wastewater were compared. Finally, the tentative pathways of ASs degradations by UV/PS were proposed. Also, toxicity evaluation showed that ASs after UV/PS treatment enhanced the toxicity on C. carpio liver, and prolongation of treatment time and recovery in fresh water can reduce the toxicity on C. carpio.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yingying Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Shengnan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Yufei Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Jinju Geng
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Jiangsu, PR China.
| | - Juechun Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Gang Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Ke Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Hongqiang Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Jiangsu, PR China
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Chow CH, Sze-Yin Leung K. Transformations of organic micropollutants undergoing permanganate/bisulfite treatment: Kinetics, pathways and toxicity. CHEMOSPHERE 2019; 237:124524. [PMID: 31549647 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.124524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2019] [Revised: 07/28/2019] [Accepted: 08/04/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Permanganate/bisulfite (PM/BS) is a relatively new advanced oxidation process that can degrade organic micropollutants at extraordinary high rates. In this study, the degradability of PM/BS process towards different representative types of compounds was studied by investigating the kinetics, reaction site specificity and transformation chemistry. Acesulfame (ACE) and carbamazepine (CBZ) were two typical compounds containing olefinic moieties. Sucralose (SUC) was selected as a reference compound, and it is without aromatic and olefinic moieties. The kinetics results indicated that ACE and CBZ were effectively degraded while SUC was not. Preferred reaction sites of Mn3+ species was elucidated by identification of the ACE-transformation products (TPs) and CBZ-TPs with UHPLC-QTOF-MS. Seventeen ACE-TPs including two new compounds and eleven CBZ-TPs produced during the PM/BS process were identified and characterized. Transformation pathways revealed that cleavage of olefinic double bonds was the main reaction mechanism. Chemical structures containing electron-donating groups preferentially reacted with electrophilic Mn3+ species during the process. In addition, transformation products of ACE and CBZ during PM/BS process did not induce higher toxicity. This study provides a preliminary interpretation on the selectivity of PM/BS process according to the micropollutants' chemical structures, which hope to shed light on the future development of PM/BS treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chi-Hang Chow
- Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Kelvin Sze-Yin Leung
- Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; HKBU Institute of Research and Continuing Education, Shenzhen Virtual University Park, Shenzhen, China.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Luo J, Wu L, Zhang Q, Wu Y, Fang F, Feng Q, Li C, Xue Z, Cao J. Review on the determination and distribution patterns of a widespread contaminant artificial sweetener in the environment. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2019; 26:19078-19096. [PMID: 31104241 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-019-05261-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2018] [Accepted: 04/22/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The accurate determination of widespread artificial sweeteners (ASs) and the information of their distributions in environments are of significance to investigate the environmental behaviors. This paper firstly reviews the typical analytic methodologies for ASs and the main influencing factors during the analytic processes. Solid-phase extraction (SPE) with LC-ESI-MS is currently the leading-edge method. However, the efficiency and accuracy for ASs analysis in environmental samples are also dependent on the SPE cartridges, buffers and pH, matrix effects, and sample stability. A basic procedure for ASs determination in different environmental samples is proposed. The current occurrences of ASs in environments are then evaluated. The ASs, especially the acesulfame and sucralose, are widely detected in various environmental medium. The concentrations of investigated ASs are generally in the order of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) influent > WWTPs effluent > surface water > groundwater > drinking water; and atmosphere > soil. The ASs levels in the environment exhibit significant differences among different regions. Further analysis indicates that the phenomenon is highly correlated with the consumption patterns and the removal efficiency of WWTPs in a specific country.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jingyang Luo
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, China.
- College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, China.
| | - Lijuan Wu
- Jiangsu Provincial Academy of Environmental Science, Nanjing, 210098, China
| | - Qin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, China.
- College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, China.
| | - Yang Wu
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, China
- College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, China
| | - Fang Fang
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, China
- College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, China
| | - Qian Feng
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, China
- College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, China
| | - Chao Li
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, China
- College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, China
| | - Zhaoxia Xue
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, China
- College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, China
| | - Jiashun Cao
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, China
- College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, China
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Davididou K, Chatzisymeon E, Perez-Estrada L, Oller I, Malato S. Photo-Fenton treatment of saccharin in a solar pilot compound parabolic collector: Use of olive mill wastewater as iron chelating agent, preliminary results. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2019; 372:137-144. [PMID: 29567303 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2018.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2017] [Revised: 03/06/2018] [Accepted: 03/09/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this work was to investigate the treatment of the artificial sweetener saccharin (SAC) in a solar compound parabolic collector pilot plant by means of the photo-Fenton process at pH 2.8. Olive mill wastewater (OMW) was used as iron chelating agent to avoid acidification of water at pH 2.8. For comparative purposes, Ethylenediamine-N, N-disuccinic acid (EDDS), a well-studied iron chelator, was also employed at circumneutral pH. Degradation products formed along treatment were identified by LC-QTOF-MS analysis. Their degradation was associated with toxicity removal, evaluated by monitoring changes in the bioluminescence of Vibrio fischeri bacteria. Results showed that conventional photo-Fenton at pH 2.8 could easily degrade SAC and its intermediates yielding k, apparent reaction rate constant, in the range of 0.64-0.82 L kJ-1, as well as, eliminate effluent's chronic toxicity. Both OMW and EDDS formed iron-complexes able to catalyse H2O2 decomposition and generate HO. OMW yielded lower SAC oxidation rates (k = 0.05-0.1 L kJ-1) than EDDS (k = 2.21-7.88 L kJ-1) possibly due to its higher TOC contribution. However, the degradation rates were improved (k = 0.13 L kJ-1) by increasing OMW dilution in the reactant mixture. All in all, encouraging results were obtained by using OMW as iron chelating agent, thus rendering this approach promising towards the increase of process sustainability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- K Davididou
- School of Engineering, Institute for Infrastructure and Environment, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3JL, United Kingdom
| | - E Chatzisymeon
- School of Engineering, Institute for Infrastructure and Environment, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3JL, United Kingdom
| | - L Perez-Estrada
- Plataforma Solar de Almeria - CIEMAT, Carretera de Senés, km 4, 04200 Tabernas, Spain; CIESOL, Joint Centre of the University of Almería-CIEMAT, 04120 Almería, Spain
| | - I Oller
- Plataforma Solar de Almeria - CIEMAT, Carretera de Senés, km 4, 04200 Tabernas, Spain; CIESOL, Joint Centre of the University of Almería-CIEMAT, 04120 Almería, Spain
| | - S Malato
- Plataforma Solar de Almeria - CIEMAT, Carretera de Senés, km 4, 04200 Tabernas, Spain; CIESOL, Joint Centre of the University of Almería-CIEMAT, 04120 Almería, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Chow CH, Leung KSY. Removing acesulfame with the peroxone process: Transformation products, pathways and toxicity. CHEMOSPHERE 2019; 221:647-655. [PMID: 30665093 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.01.082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2018] [Revised: 01/07/2019] [Accepted: 01/11/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Emerging contaminants (ECs) are receiving considerable attention because of their widespread occurrence, persistence and potential threat to the environment, wildlife and humans. Acesulfame (ACE), an extensively used artificial sweetener, is the most worrisome example of ECs. The photolysis/photocatalysis, chlorination and/or permanganate oxidation of ACE produces transformation products (TPs) that are more persistent and toxic than precursors. Thus, an alternative treatment method to treat ACE is required; oxidation by the peroxone process could be that method and was systematically investigated, as reported here. During the peroxone process, ACE degradation followed pseudo-first-order kinetics, with a rate that was significantly higher than after conventional ozonation. The hydroxyl radical was the major reactive species. Amount of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) used, pH and type of water matrix showed significant influence on ACE degradation. Fifteen TPs in ultrapure water extracts, including four newly reported compounds, were identified and characterized by high resolution mass spectrometry (HR-MS) based on accurate mass measurements and MS/MS fragmentation. The reduced toxicity compared to other reported treatments of ACE was likely due to different transformation pathways and TPs generated. The peroxone process therefore appears to be one viable choice for safe removal of ACE.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chi-Hang Chow
- Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong
| | - Kelvin Sze-Yin Leung
- Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong; HKBU Institute of Research and Continuing Education, Shenzhen Virtual University Park, Shenzhen, China; School of Environment, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Environmental Exposure and Health, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Luo J, Zhang Q, Cao M, Wu L, Cao J, Fang F, Li C, Xue Z, Feng Q. Ecotoxicity and environmental fates of newly recognized contaminants-artificial sweeteners: A review. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 653:1149-1160. [PMID: 30759555 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.10.445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2018] [Revised: 10/25/2018] [Accepted: 10/31/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Artificial sweeteners (ASs) are used in countless application in daily life. ASs are newly recognized as pollutants due to their high detection frequency in various environmental media, which has aroused great concern. This review presents the current knowledge of AS ecotoxicity and possible elimination routes in the environment. The obtained results indicate that the negative impacts of ASs are more severe than previously expected. More attention should be paid to the chronic and metabolite toxicities of ASs. Moreover, numerous processes (physical, chemical and biological) have been reported to be able to degrade ASs. However, the elimination efficiency varies greatly depending on the specific AS and the particular experimental conditions. Cyclamate and saccharin are easily removed, while sucralose and acesulfame are generally persistent. Additionally, there is a large gap in the ASs removal efficiency between bench tests and full-scale studies. The potential for microbial degradation of persistent ASs was reported in some regions, but clarification of the underlying mechanisms is necessary to increase the likelihood of using this approach in wide applications with a satisfactory performance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jingyang Luo
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China; College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China
| | - Qin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China; College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China; Hohai University Wentian College, Ma'anshan, China
| | - Miao Cao
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China; College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China
| | - Lijuan Wu
- Jiangsu Provincial Academy of Environmental Science, Nanjing 210098, China
| | - Jiashun Cao
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China; College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China
| | - Fang Fang
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China; College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China
| | - Chao Li
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China; College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China
| | - Zhaoxia Xue
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China; College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China
| | - Qian Feng
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China; College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Law JCF, Leung KSY. Redox mediators and irradiation improve fenton degradation of acesulfame. CHEMOSPHERE 2019; 217:374-382. [PMID: 30419391 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.11.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2018] [Revised: 11/02/2018] [Accepted: 11/03/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Widely recognized as a promising approach to degrading recalcitrant pollutants, Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs) have drawn much attention for their effectiveness and efficiency. Among all the AOPs, the Fenton system has been widely applied for oxidation and mineralization of micropollutants due to its ease of implementation and high catalytic efficiency. However, the necessity of preceding acidification, together with rapid consumption and slow regeneration of Fe(II) resulting in deterioration of reactivity, has reduced its competitiveness as a practical option for water treatment. Acknowledging the above drawbacks, this study investigates the potential viable option to enhance the Fenton system. Acesulfame was chosen as the model compound due to its ubiquitous occurrence and persistence in the environment. UV-assisted photo-Fenton treatment was found to remove the parent compound effectively; the transformation profile of acesulfame was identified and elucidated with the ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Prolonged UV photo-Fenton treatment was effective for mineralization of the majority of the transformation products, without increasing the overall toxicity as indicated by Vibrio fischeri bioluminescence assay. The positive effects of the addition of redox mediators to Fenton systems at neutral pH were confirmed in this study. The results could be the basis for further development of homogeneous catalytic degradation techniques for the oxidation of environmental contaminants at circumneutral pHs to neutral pHs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Japhet Cheuk-Fung Law
- Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Kelvin Sze-Yin Leung
- Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; HKBU Institute of Research and Continuing Education, Shenzhen Virtual University Park, Shenzhen, China; School of Environment, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Environmental Exposure and Health, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Comparative study of the toxicity between three non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and their UV/Na 2S 2O 8 degradation products on Cyprinus carpio. Sci Rep 2018; 8:13512. [PMID: 30202028 PMCID: PMC6131391 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-29524-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2018] [Accepted: 06/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The efficiency of advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) for disposing of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) has been widely studied, but the environmental fates and effects of the NSAIDs and their degradation products (DPs) are poorly understood. In this study, the efficiency of ultraviolet light/Na2S2O8 (UV/PS) in degrading three NSAIDs—diclofenac, naproxen, and ibuprofen—and the toxicity of their DPs on Cyprinus carpio (C. carpio) was investigated. Results showed that the three NSAIDs can be completely removed (removal rate > 99.9%) by UV/PS, while the mineralization rate of the NSAIDs was only 28%. When C. carpio were exposed to 0.1 μM NSAIDs, 10 μM persulfate (PS), and 0.1 μM DPs of the NSAIDs for 96 h, respectively, the toxicity effects are as the NSAID DPs > PS > NSAIDs. Research results into the time-dependent effect of NSAID DPs on C. carpio demonstrated that obvious toxicity effects were observed in the first 48 hours, and the toxicity effects strengthened over time. NSAID DPs may have more severe toxicity effects than NSAIDs on C. carpio; therefore, the operating conditions of UV/PS must be optimized to eliminate the ecotoxicity of DPs.
Collapse
|
20
|
Li S, Geng J, Wu G, Gao X, Fu Y, Ren H. Removal of artificial sweeteners and their effects on microbial communities in sequencing batch reactors. Sci Rep 2018; 8:3399. [PMID: 29467367 PMCID: PMC5821853 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-21564-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2017] [Accepted: 02/06/2018] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Concern is growing over contamination of the environment with artificial sweeteners (ASWs) because of their widespread existence in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). To evaluate ASWs removal and the effect on activated sludge, acesulfame (ACE), sucralose (SUC), cyclamate (CYC) and saccharin (SAC) were introduced individually or in mixture to sequencing batch reactors (SBRs) in environmentally relevant concentrations (100 ppb) for 100 days. Comparisons between ACE removal in a full-scale WWTP and in lab-scale SBRs were conducted. Results showed that CYC and SAC were completely removed, whereas SUC was persistent. However, ACE removal in lab-scale SBRs was significantly greater than in the full-scale WWTP. In SBRs, chemical oxygen demand (COD), ammonia nitrogen (NH4+-N) and total nitrogen (TN) removal appeared unchanged after adding ASWs (p > 0.05). Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) concentrations and triphenyl tetrazolium chloride-dehydrogenase activity (TTC-DHA) declined significantly (p < 0.05). The mixed ASWs had more evident effects than the individual ASWs. Microbial community analyses revealed that Proteobacteria decreased obviously, while Bacteroidetes, Chloroflexi and Actinobacteria were enriched with the addition of ASWs. Redundancy Analysis (RDA) indicated ACE had a greater impact on activated sludge than the other ASWs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shaoli Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, P.R. China
| | - Jinju Geng
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, P.R. China.
| | - Gang Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, P.R. China
| | - Xingsheng Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, P.R. China
| | - Yingying Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, P.R. China
| | - Hongqiang Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Li S, Ren Y, Fu Y, Gao X, Jiang C, Wu G, Ren H, Geng J. Fate of artificial sweeteners through wastewater treatment plants and water treatment processes. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0189867. [PMID: 29293534 PMCID: PMC5749728 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0189867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2017] [Accepted: 12/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Five full-scale wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in China using typical biodegradation processes (SBR, oxidation ditch, A2/O) were selected to assess the removal of four popular artificial sweeteners (ASs). All four ASs (acesulfame (ACE), sucralose (SUC), cyclamate (CYC) and saccharin (SAC)) were detected, ranging from 0.43 to 27.34μg/L in the influent. Higher concentrations of ASs were measured in winter. ACE could be partly removed by 7.11–50.76% through biodegradation and especially through the denitrifying process. The A2/O process was the most efficient at biodegrading ASs. Adsorption (by granular activated carbon (GAC) and magnetic resin) and ultraviolet radiation-based advanced oxidation processes (UV/AOPs) were evaluated to remove ASs in laboratory-scale tests. The amounts of resin adsorbed were 3.33–18.51 times more than those of GAC except for SUC. The adsorption ability of resin decreased in the order of SAC > ACE > CYC > SUC in accordance with the pKa. Degradation of ASs followed pseudo-first-order kinetics in UV/H2O2 and UV/PDS. When applied to the secondary effluent, ASs could be degraded from 30.87 to 99.93% using UV/PDS in 30 minutes and UV/PDS was more efficient and economic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shaoli Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Jiangsu, PR of China
| | - Yuhang Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Jiangsu, PR of China
| | - Yingying Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Jiangsu, PR of China
| | - Xingsheng Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Jiangsu, PR of China
| | - Cong Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Jiangsu, PR of China
| | - Gang Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Jiangsu, PR of China
| | - Hongqiang Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Jiangsu, PR of China
| | - Jinju Geng
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Jiangsu, PR of China
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Affiliation(s)
- Susan D Richardson
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of South Carolina , Columbia, South Carolina 29205, United States
| | | |
Collapse
|