Formation of emerging iodinated disinfection by-products during ballast water treatment based on ozonation processes

Pressure-driven membrane filtration technology for terminal control of organic DBPs: A review

Disinfection by-products (DBPs), a series of undesired secondary contaminants formed during the disinfection processes, deteriorate water quality, threaten human health and endanger ecological safety. Membrane-filtration technologies are commonly used in the advanced water treatment and have shown a promising performance for removing trace contaminants. In order to gain a clearer understanding of the behavior of DBPs in membrane-filtration processes, this work dedicated to: (1) comprehensively reviewed the retention efficiency of microfiltration (MF), ultrafiltration (UF), nanofiltration (NF) and reverse osmosis (RO) for DBPs. (2) summarized the mechanisms involved size exclusion, electrostatic repulsion and adsorption in the membrane retention of DBPs. (3) In conjunction with principal component analysis, discussed the influence of various factors (such as the characteristics of membrane and DBPs, feed solution composition and operating conditions) on the removal efficiency. In general, the characteristics of the membranes (salt rejection, molecular weight cut-off, zeta potential, etc.) and DBPs (molecular size, electrical property, hydrophobicity, polarity, etc.) fundamentally determine the membrane-filtration performance on retaining DBPs, and the actual operating environmental factors (such as solute concentration, coexisting ions/NOMs, pH and transmembrane pressure) exert a positive/negative impact on performance to some extent. Current researches indicate that NF and RO can be effective in removing DBPs, and looking forward, we recommend that multiple factors should be taken into account that optimize the existed membrane-filtration technologies, rationalize the selection of membrane products, and develop novel membrane materials targeting the removal of DBPs.

Ecological impacts of ballast water loading and discharge: insight into the toxicity and accumulation of disinfection by-products

Since the implementation of the International Maritime Organization 2004 regulation, most ships have been equipped with on-dock ballast water treatment. While this method is effective in solving the invasive alien species problem, concerns are raised due to the potential release of disinfection by-products (DBPs) as the result of the chemical treatment. This review paper aims to summarize the history of ballast water management (BWM) and the currently used on-dock technology. Chlorination, oxidation, and ozonation are highlighted as the most currently applied methods to treat ballast water on-dock. This paper then focuses on the potential release of toxic DBPs as the result of the selected corresponding treatment methods. Tri-halo methane, haloacetic acid, and several acetic acid-related compounds are emphasized as toxic DBPs with concentrations reaching more than 10 μg/L. The potential toxicities of DBPs, including acute toxicity, carcinogenicity, genotoxicity, and mutagenicity, to aquatic organisms, are then discussed in detail. Future research directions related to the advanced treatment of DBPs before final discharge and analysis of DBPs in coastal sediments, which are barely studied at present, are suggested to enhance the current knowledge on the fate and the ecological impact of BWM.

Recent progress and challenges facing ballast water treatment - A review

The transoceanic movement of non-indigenous microorganisms and organic and inorganic contaminants through the transfer of ballast water of ocean-going vessels can be considered highly likely. The introduction of contaminants and non-indigenous microorganisms can cause changes in indigenous microorganisms, marine species, and biota, which can create problems for the ecology, economy, environment, and human health. This paper compiles and presents ballast water treatment system concepts, principles of inactivation mechanisms used, and the advantages and challenges of the treatment technologies. In addition, the paper aims to draw attention to the relationship between various organisms and the individual mechanism to be inactivated, including the effect of external factors (e.g., pH, salinity, turbidity) on inactivation efficiency. This review can assist in the choice of a suitable ballast water treatment system, taking into account the water conditions (e.g., pH, temperature, salinity) and indigenous species of the maritime areas where the ships intend to operate. This review also provides information describing the responses of the various organisms to different treatment techniques.