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Carneiro RB, Gil-Solsona R, Subirats J, Restrepo-Montes E, Zaiat M, Santos-Neto ÁJ, Gago-Ferrero P. Biotransformation pathways of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) during acidogenesis and methanogenesis of anaerobic digestion. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 478:135444. [PMID: 39153297 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.135444] [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: 01/15/2024] [Revised: 07/05/2024] [Accepted: 08/05/2024] [Indexed: 08/19/2024]
Abstract
Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) exhibit varying biodegradability during the acidogenic and methanogenic phases of anaerobic digestion. However, there is limited information regarding the end products generated during these processes. This work investigates the biotransformation products (BTPs) generated in a two-phase (TP) acidogenic-methanogenic (Ac-Mt) bioreactor using advanced suspect and nontarget strategies. Fourteen BTPs were confidently identified from ten parent PPCPs including carbamazepine (CBZ), naproxen (NPX), diclofenac (DCF), ibuprofen (IBU), acetaminophen (ACT), metoprolol (MTP), sulfamethoxazole (SMX), ciprofloxacin (CIP), methylparaben (MPB) and propylparaben (PPB). These BTPs were linked with oxidation reactions such as hydroxylation, demethylation and epoxidation. Their generation was related to organic acid production, since all metabolites were detected during acidogenesis, with some being subsequently consumed during methanogenesis, e.g., aminothiophenol and kynurenic acid. Another group of BTPs showed increased concentrations under methanogenic conditions, e.g., hydroxy-diclofenac and epoxy-carbamazepine. The most PPCPs showed high removal efficiencies (> 90 %) - SMX, CIP, NPX, MTP, ACT, MPB, PPB, while DCF, CBZ and IBU demonstrated higher persistence - DCF (42 %); CBZ (40 %), IBU (47 %). The phase separation of anaerobic digestion provided a deeper understanding of the biotransformation pathways of PPCPs, in addition to enhancing the biodegradability of the most persistent compounds, i.e., DCF, CBZ and IBU.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo B Carneiro
- Department of Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA), Severo Ochoa Excellence Center, Spanish Council of Scientific Research (CSIC), Jordi Girona 18-26, E-08034 Barcelona, Spain; Laboratory of Chromatography (CROMA), São Carlos Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo (USP), 400, Trabalhador São-Carlense Ave., São Carlos, São Paulo 13566-590, Brazil.
| | - Rubén Gil-Solsona
- Department of Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA), Severo Ochoa Excellence Center, Spanish Council of Scientific Research (CSIC), Jordi Girona 18-26, E-08034 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Jessica Subirats
- Department of Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA), Severo Ochoa Excellence Center, Spanish Council of Scientific Research (CSIC), Jordi Girona 18-26, E-08034 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Esteban Restrepo-Montes
- Department of Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA), Severo Ochoa Excellence Center, Spanish Council of Scientific Research (CSIC), Jordi Girona 18-26, E-08034 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Marcelo Zaiat
- Laboratory of Biological Processes (LPB), São Carlos School of Engineering, University of São Paulo (USP), 1100, João Dagnone Ave., Santa Angelina, 13563-120 São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Álvaro J Santos-Neto
- Laboratory of Chromatography (CROMA), São Carlos Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo (USP), 400, Trabalhador São-Carlense Ave., São Carlos, São Paulo 13566-590, Brazil.
| | - Pablo Gago-Ferrero
- Department of Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA), Severo Ochoa Excellence Center, Spanish Council of Scientific Research (CSIC), Jordi Girona 18-26, E-08034 Barcelona, Spain.
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2
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Nosek K, Zhao D. Transformation products of diclofenac: Formation, occurrence, and toxicity implication in the aquatic environment. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 266:122388. [PMID: 39270499 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.122388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2024] [Revised: 08/27/2024] [Accepted: 09/03/2024] [Indexed: 09/15/2024]
Abstract
Diclofenac (DCF) is the first drug on the EU Watch List of Priority Substances due to its extensive uses, incomplete removal in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), and toxic effects. Once in the environment, DCF undergoes processes that yield various transformation products (TPs) or metabolites, whichcan be more toxic than DCF. While these TPs or metabolites often dominate the majority of the drug load in municipal wastewater, they have been largely ignored. This review critically examines recent data on the formation, occurrence, fate, and toxicology of DCF TPs in the aquatic environment. This review reveals some important findings. First, DCF TPs may constitute >57 % of DCF in wastewater influent, ∼60 % in effluent, and ∼30 % in surface waters. Second, TPs persistently retain the core structure of DCF and may pose greater environmental risks than the parent drug. Third, some metabolites may revert back to the parent drug. Fourth, WWTPs serve as a consistent source that release DCF and its by-products into the environment. Fifth, mixtures of DCF and its metabolites, along with other contaminants, may pose elevated and synergistic environmental risks than individual compounds. These findings suggest that current risk assessment practices, which ignore the impacts of the metabolites and the chemical interactions/synergies, may seriously underestimate the overall toxicity of DCF and likely other pharmaceuticals. Further studies are needed to monitor the long-term fate and toxicity of the metabolites, as well as new analytical methods and standards to unveil the hidden metabolites and the associated environmental risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Nosek
- Department of Fuels Technology, Faculty of Energy and Fuels, AGH University of Krakow, Al. A. Mickiewicza 30, Krakow 30-059, Poland.
| | - Dongye Zhao
- Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182-1324, USA
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3
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Matesun J, Petrik L, Musvoto E, Ayinde W, Ikumi D. Limitations of wastewater treatment plants in removing trace anthropogenic biomarkers and future directions: A review. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2024; 281:116610. [PMID: 38909392 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116610] [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: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 03/31/2024] [Accepted: 06/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024]
Abstract
This review highlights the limitations faced by conventional wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in effectively removing contaminants of emerging concern (CECs), heavy metals (HMs), and Escherichia coli (E. coli). This emphasises the limitations of current treatment methods and advocates for innovative approaches to enhance the removal efficiency. By following the PRISMA guidelines, the study systematically reviewed relevant literature on detecting and remedying these pollutants in wastewater treatment facilities. Conventional wastewater treatment plants struggle to eliminate CECs, HMs, and E. coli owing to their small size, persistence, and complex nature. The review suggests upgrading WWTPs with advanced tertiary processes to significantly improve contaminant removal. This calls for cost-effective treatment parameters and standardised assessment techniques to enhance the fate of MPs in WWTPs and WRRFs. It recommends integrating insights from mass-balance model studies on MPs in WWTP to overcome modelling challenges and ensure model reliability. In conclusion, this review underscores the urgent need for advancements in wastewater treatment processes to mitigate the environmental impact of trace anthropogenic biomarkers. Future efforts should focus on conducting comprehensive studies, implementing advanced treatment methods, and optimising management practices in WWTPs and WRRFs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Matesun
- Water Research Group, New Engineering Building, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town 7701, South Africa.
| | - Leslie Petrik
- Environmental and NanoScience Research Group, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, Cape Town 7535, South Africa
| | - Eustina Musvoto
- TruSense Consulting Services (Pty) Ltd, 191 Hartley Street Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Wasiu Ayinde
- Water Research Group, New Engineering Building, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town 7701, South Africa
| | - David Ikumi
- Water Research Group, New Engineering Building, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town 7701, South Africa.
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4
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Nanusha MY, Frøkjær EE, Søndergaard J, Mørk Larsen M, Schwartz Glottrup C, Bruun Nicolaisen J, Hansen M. Quantitative Non-targeted Screening to Profile Micropollutants in Sewage Sludge Used for Agricultural Field Amendments. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:9850-9862. [PMID: 38758285 PMCID: PMC11155239 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c01441] [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: 02/07/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
A considerable number of micropollutants from human activities enter the wastewater network for removal. However, at the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), some proportion of these compounds is retained in the sewage sludge (biosolids), and due to its high content of nutrients, sludge is widely applied as an agricultural fertilizer and becomes a means for the micropollutants to be introduced to the environment. Accordingly, a holistic semiquantitative nontarget screening was performed on sewage sludges from five different WWTPs using nanoflow liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution Orbitrap mass spectrometry. Sixty-one inorganic elements were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Across all sludges, the nontarget analysis workflow annotated >21,000 features with chemical structures, and after strict prioritization and filtering, 120 organic micropollutants with diverse chemical structures and applications such as pharmaceuticals, pesticides, flame retardants, and industrial and natural compounds were identified. None of the tested sludges were free from organic micropollutants. Pharmaceuticals contributed the largest share followed by pesticides and natural products. The predicted concentration of identified contaminants ranged between 0.2 and 10,881 ng/g dry matter. Through quantitative nontarget analysis, this study comprehensively demonstrated the occurrence of cocktails of micropollutants in sewage sludges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mulatu Y. Nanusha
- Department
of Environmental Science, Environmental Metabolomics Lab, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, Roskilde DK-4000, Denmark
| | - Emil Egede Frøkjær
- Department
of Environmental Science, Environmental Metabolomics Lab, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, Roskilde DK-4000, Denmark
| | - Jens Søndergaard
- Department
of EcoScience, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, Roskilde DK-4000, Denmark
| | - Martin Mørk Larsen
- Department
of EcoScience, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, Roskilde DK-4000, Denmark
| | | | | | - Martin Hansen
- Department
of Environmental Science, Environmental Metabolomics Lab, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, Roskilde DK-4000, Denmark
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5
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Costa JL, Silva LG, Veras STS, Gavazza S, Florencio L, Motteran F, Kato MT. Use of nitrate, sulphate, and iron (III) as electron acceptors to improve the anaerobic degradation of linear alkylbenzene sulfonate: effects on removal potential and microbiota diversification. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024:10.1007/s11356-024-33158-4. [PMID: 38613756 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-33158-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024]
Abstract
Linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) is a synthetic anionic surfactant that is found in certain amounts in wastewaters and even in water bodies, despite its known biodegradability. This study aimed to assess the influence of nitrate, sulphate, and iron (III) on LAS anaerobic degradation and biomass microbial diversity. Batch reactors were inoculated with anaerobic biomass, nutrients, LAS (20 mg L-1), one of the three electron acceptors, and ethanol (40 mg L-1) as a co-substrate. The control treatments, with and without co-substrate, showed limited LAS biodegradation efficiencies of 10 ± 2% and 0%, respectively. However, when nitrate and iron (III) were present without co-substrate, biodegradation efficiencies of 53 ± 4% and 75 ± 3% were achieved, respectively, which were the highest levels observed. Clostridium spp. was prominent in all treatments, while Alkaliphilus spp. and Bacillus spp. thrived in the presence of iron, which had the most significant effect on LAS biodegradation. Those microorganisms were identified as crucial in affecting the LAS anaerobic degradation. The experiments revealed that the presence of electron acceptors fostered the development of a more specialised microbiota, especially those involved in the LAS biodegradation. A mutual interaction between the processes of degradation and adsorption was also shown.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joelithon L Costa
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Laboratory of Environmental Sanitation, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Luiz Galdino Silva
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Laboratory of Environmental Sanitation, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Shyrlane T S Veras
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Laboratory of Environmental Sanitation, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Sávia Gavazza
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Laboratory of Environmental Sanitation, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Lourdinha Florencio
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Laboratory of Environmental Sanitation, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Fabrício Motteran
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Laboratory of Environmental Sanitation, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Mario Takayuki Kato
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Laboratory of Environmental Sanitation, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil.
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6
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Aguilar-Romero I, Madrid F, Villaverde J, Morillo E. Ibuprofen-enhanced biodegradation in solution and sewage sludge by a mineralizing microbial consortium. Shift in associated bacterial communities. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 464:132970. [PMID: 37976863 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132970] [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: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Ibuprofen (IBP) is a widely used drug of environmental concern as emerging contaminant due to its low elimination rates by wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), leading to the contamination of the environment, where IBP is introduced mainly from wastewater discharge and sewage sludge used as fertilizer. This study describes the application of a consortium from sewage sludge and acclimated with ibuprofen (consortium C7) to accelerate its biodegradation both in solution and sewage sludge. 500 mg L-1 IBP was degraded in solution in 28 h, and 66% mineralized in 3 days. IBP adsorbed in sewage sludge (10 mg kg-1) was removed after bioaugmentation with C7 up to 90% in 16 days, with a 5-fold increase in degradation rate. This is the first time that bioaugmentation with bacterial consortia or isolated bacterial strains have been used for IBP degradation in sewage sludge. The bacterial community of consortium C7 was significantly enriched in Sphingomonas wittichii, Bordetella petrii, Pseudomonas stutzeri and Bosea genosp. after IBP degradation, with a special increase in abundance of S. wittichii, probably the main potential bacterial specie responsible for IBP mineralization. Thirteen bacterial strains were isolated from C7 consortium. All of them degraded IBP in presence of glucose, especially Labrys neptuniae. Eight of these bacterial strains (B. tritici, L. neptuniae, S. zoogloeoides, B. petrii, A. denitrificans, S. acidaminiphila, P. nitroreducens, C. flaccumfaciens) had not been previously described as IBP-degraders. The bacterial community that makes up the indigenous consortium C7 appears to have a highly efficient biotic degradation potential to facilitate bioremediation of ibuprofen in contaminated effluents as well as in sewage sludge generated in WWTPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inés Aguilar-Romero
- Institute of Natural Resources and Agrobiology of Seville, Spanish National Research Council (IRNAS-CSIC), 41012 Seville, Spain.
| | - Fernando Madrid
- Institute of Natural Resources and Agrobiology of Seville, Spanish National Research Council (IRNAS-CSIC), 41012 Seville, Spain.
| | - Jaime Villaverde
- Institute of Natural Resources and Agrobiology of Seville, Spanish National Research Council (IRNAS-CSIC), 41012 Seville, Spain.
| | - Esmeralda Morillo
- Institute of Natural Resources and Agrobiology of Seville, Spanish National Research Council (IRNAS-CSIC), 41012 Seville, Spain.
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7
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Angeles-de Paz G, León-Morcillo R, Guzmán S, Robledo-Mahón T, Pozo C, Calvo C, Aranda E. Pharmaceutical active compounds in sewage sludge: Degradation improvement and conversion into an organic amendment by bioaugmentation-composting processes. WASTE MANAGEMENT (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2023; 168:167-178. [PMID: 37301089 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2023.05.055] [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: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Around 143,000 chemicals find their fate in wastewater treatment plants in the European Union. Low efficiency on their removal at lab-based studies and even poorer performance at large scale experiments have been reported. Here, a coupled biological technology (bioaugmentation and composting) is proposed and proved for pharmaceutical active compounds degradation and toxicity reduction. The optimization was conducted through in situ inoculation of Penicillium oxalicum XD 3.1 and an enriched consortium (obtained from non-digested sewage sludge), into pilot scale piles of sewage sludge under real conditions. This bioaugmentation-composting system allowed a better performance of micropollutants degradation (21 % from the total pharmaceuticals detected at the beginning of the experiment) than a traditional composting process. Particularly, inoculation with P. oxalicum allowed the degradation of some recalcitrant compounds like carbamazepine, cotinine and methadone, and also produced better stabilization features in the mature compost (significant passivation of copper and zinc, higher macronutrients value, adequate physicochemical conditions for soil direct application and less toxic effect on germination) compared to the control and the enriched culture. These findings provide a feasible, alternative strategy to obtain a safer mature compost and a better removal of micropollutants performance at large scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Angeles-de Paz
- Environmental Microbiology Group, Institute of Water Research, University of Granada, Granada, Spain.
| | - R León-Morcillo
- Environmental Microbiology Group, Institute of Water Research, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - S Guzmán
- Environmental Microbiology Group, Institute of Water Research, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - T Robledo-Mahón
- Environmental Microbiology Group, Institute of Water Research, University of Granada, Granada, Spain; Department of Microbiology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - C Pozo
- Environmental Microbiology Group, Institute of Water Research, University of Granada, Granada, Spain; Department of Microbiology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - C Calvo
- Environmental Microbiology Group, Institute of Water Research, University of Granada, Granada, Spain; Department of Microbiology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - E Aranda
- Environmental Microbiology Group, Institute of Water Research, University of Granada, Granada, Spain; Department of Microbiology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain.
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8
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Silva AR, Mesquita DP, Salomé Duarte M, Lado Ribeiro AR, Pereira MFR, Madalena Alves M, Monteiro S, Santos R, Cunha MV, Jorge S, Vieira J, Vilaça J, Lopes LC, Carvalho M, Brito C, Martins A, Pereira L. Exploring the correlations between epi indicators of COVID-19 and the concentration of pharmaceutical compounds in wastewater treatment plants in Northern Portugal. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS ADVANCES 2023; 10:100315. [PMID: 37193121 PMCID: PMC10171898 DOI: 10.1016/j.hazadv.2023.100315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus led to changes in the lifestyle and human behaviour, which resulted in different consumption patterns of some classes of pharmaceuticals including curative, symptom-relieving, and psychotropic drugs. The trends in the consumption of these compounds are related to their concentrations in wastewater systems, since incompletely metabolised drugs (or their metabolites back transformed into the parental form) may be detected and quantified by analytical methods. Pharmaceuticals are highly recalcitrant compounds and conventional activated sludge processes implemented in wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) are ineffective at degrading these substances. As a results, these compounds end up in waterways or accumulate in the sludge, being a serious concern given their potential effects on ecosystems and public health. Therefore, it is crucial to evaluate the presence of pharmaceuticals in water and sludge to assist in the search for more effective processes. In this work, eight pharmaceuticals from five therapeutic classes were analysed in wastewater and sludge samples collected in two WWTP located in the Northern Portugal, during the third COVID-19 epidemic wave in Portugal. The two WWTP demonstrated a similar pattern with respect to the concentration levels in that period. However, the drugs loads reaching each WWTP were dissimilar when normalising the concentrations to the inlet flow rate. Acetaminophen (ACET) was the compound detected at highest concentrations in aqueous samples of both WWTP (98. 516 μg L - 1 in WWTP2 and 123. 506 μg L - 1in WWTP1), indicating that this drug is extensively used without the need of a prescription, known of general public knowledge as an antipyretic and analgesic agent to treat pain and fever. The concentrations determined in the sludge samples were below 1.65 µg g - 1 in both WWTP, the highest value being found for azithromycin (AZT). This result may be justified by the physico-chemical characteristics of the compound that favour its adsorption to the sludge surface through ionic interactions. It was not possible to establish a clear relationship between the incidence of COVID-19 cases in the sewer catchment and the concentration of drugs detected in the same period. However, looking at the data obtained, the high incidence of COVID-19 in January 2021 is in line with the high concentration of drugs detected in the aqueous and sludge samples but prediction of drug load from viral load data was unfeasible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana R Silva
- CEB, Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Braga 4710-057, Portugal
- LABBELS -Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães 4800-122, Portugal
| | - Daniela P Mesquita
- CEB, Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Braga 4710-057, Portugal
- LABBELS -Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães 4800-122, Portugal
| | - M Salomé Duarte
- CEB, Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Braga 4710-057, Portugal
- LABBELS -Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães 4800-122, Portugal
| | - Ana R Lado Ribeiro
- LSRE-LCM - Laboratory of Separation and Reaction Engineering - Laboratory of Catalysis and Materials, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, Porto 4200-465, Portugal
- ALiCE - Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, Porto 4200-465, Portugal
| | - M Fernando R Pereira
- LSRE-LCM - Laboratory of Separation and Reaction Engineering - Laboratory of Catalysis and Materials, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, Porto 4200-465, Portugal
| | - M Madalena Alves
- CEB, Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Braga 4710-057, Portugal
- LABBELS -Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães 4800-122, Portugal
| | - Sílvia Monteiro
- Laboratório de Análises de Águas, Técnico Lisboa, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Ricardo Santos
- Laboratório de Análises de Águas, Técnico Lisboa, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Mónica V Cunha
- cE3c - Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes & CHANGE - Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute (BioISI), Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - António Martins
- AdP VALOR- Serviços Ambientais, S.A, Portugal
- Água do Algarve, S.A, Portugal
| | - Luciana Pereira
- CEB, Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Braga 4710-057, Portugal
- LABBELS -Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães 4800-122, Portugal
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9
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Gkika DA, Mitropoulos AC, Lambropoulou DA, Kalavrouziotis IK, Kyzas GZ. Cosmetic wastewater treatment technologies: a review. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:75223-75247. [PMID: 36131179 PMCID: PMC9553780 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-23045-1] [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: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Over the past three decades, environmental concerns about the water pollution have been raised on societal and industrial levels. The presence of pollutants stemming from cosmetic products has been documented in wastewater streams outflowing from industrial as well as wastewater treatment plants. To this end, a series of consistent measures should be taken to prevent emerging contaminants of water resources. This need has driven the development of technologies, in an attempt to mitigate their impact on the environment. This work offers a thorough review of existing knowledge on cosmetic wastewater treatment approaches, including, coagulation, dissolved air flotation, adsorption, activated sludge, biodegradation, constructed wetlands, and advanced oxidation processes. Various studies have already documented the appearance of cosmetics in samples retrieved from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), which have definitely promoted our comprehension of the path of cosmetics within the treatment cycle; however, there are still multiple blanks to our knowledge. All treatments have, without exception, their own limitations, not only cost-wise, but also in terms of being feasible, effective, practical, reliable, and environmentally friendly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Despina A. Gkika
- Department of Chemistry, International Hellenic University, Kavala, Greece
| | | | | | | | - George Z. Kyzas
- Department of Chemistry, International Hellenic University, Kavala, Greece
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10
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The impact of sewage sludge processing on the safety of its use. Sci Rep 2022; 12:12227. [PMID: 35851096 PMCID: PMC9293921 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-16354-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Particular attention is devoted to pharmaceutical residues in sewage sludge caused by their potential ecotoxicological effects. Diclofenac, ibuprofen and carbamazepine, 17-α-ethinylestradiol, β-estradiol, were analysed in four types of fertilizers, based on sewage sludge commercial products, in compliance with Polish requirements. The release of active pharmaceutical compounds from fertilizers to water the phase after 24 h and 27 days was analysed. Solid-water partition coefficients (Kd) and partitioning coefficient values normalized on organic carbon content (log KOC) were evaluated. The environmental risk to terrestrial ecosystems, due to the application of fertilizers onto soils, was estimated. Cumulative mass of pharmaceuticals emitted to water from fertilizers ranged from 0.4 to 30.8 µg/kg after 24 h contact. The greatest amount of the material that was released, over 70%, was observed for carbamazepine. No presence of compounds except ibuprofen was observed after 27 days of testing. The highest environmental risk in fertilizers is due to carbamazepine, risk quotation, RQ = 0.93 and diclofenac RQ = 0.17. The values of risk quotation estimated for soil were below RQ = 0.01. This fact means that no risk to terrestrial ecosystems is expected to occur. The important decrease of the concentrations of active compounds after passing from sewage sludge to fertilizers [and] to fertilized soil could be observed.
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Liberatori G, Mazzoli C, Ferraro F, Sturba L, Vannuccini ML, Baroni D, Behnisch PA, Puccini M, Vitolo S, Corsi I. Aryl hydrocarbon reporter gene bioassay for screening polyhalogenated dibenzo-p-dioxins/furans and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls in hydrochar and sewage sludge. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 428:128256. [PMID: 35038666 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.128256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The suitability of the AhR reporter gene bioassays to screen the presence of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/furans (PCDD/Fs) and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dl-PCBs) in sewage sludge (SL) and related hydrochar (HC) was here investigated. Samples of SL obtained from six WWTPs were processed by hydrothermal carbonization to obtain the resultant HCs and both tested with DR-CALUX® bioassay. Levels of PCDD/Fs and dl-PCBs were also determined analytically in the same samples by GC-MS/MS. Bioanalytical Toxicity Equivalent values (BEQ) resulted in one order of magnitude higher in HC compared to SL samples and those obtained from the dl-PCBs fraction higher than those from PCDD/Fs. BEQ and TEQWHO values, the latter obtained by GC-MS/MS analysis on the same matrices, were highly correlated showing also a similar trend in the six WWTPs (RS= 0.8252, p < 0.001; Pearson's R RP =0.8029, p < 0.01). The suitability of AhR bioassays and in particular of the DR-CALUX® to screen the presence and biological activity of legacy organohalogen compounds in both SL and HC matrices was demonstrated for the first time which support their usage for the assessment of potential risks associated with their further environmental applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Liberatori
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
| | - Carola Mazzoli
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Ferraro
- pH TÜV Italia srl, Loc. Sambuca Tavarnelle Val di Pesa, Florence, Italy
| | - Lucrezia Sturba
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Maria Luisa Vannuccini
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Davide Baroni
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | | | - Monica Puccini
- Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Sandra Vitolo
- Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Ilaria Corsi
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
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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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Pharmaceuticals and Their Main Metabolites in Treated Sewage Sludge and Sludge-Amended Soil: Availability and Sorption Behaviour. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26195910. [PMID: 34641452 PMCID: PMC8513156 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26195910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
This work evaluated the availability and sorption behaviour of four pharmaceuticals and eight of their metabolites in sewage sludge and sludge-amended soil. Digested sludge and compost were evaluated. The highest levels found in digested sludge corresponded to caffeine (up to 115 ng g−1 dm), ibuprofen (45 ng g−1 dm) and carbamazepine (9.3 ng g−1 dm). The concentrations measured in compost were even lower than in digested sludge. No compound was detected in sludge-amended soils. This fact could be due to the dilution effect after sludge application to soil. Different adsorption capacities in sludge–soil mixtures were measured for the studied compounds at the same spike concentration. In general, except for paraxanthine and 3-hydroxycarbamazepine, the metabolite concentrations measured in the mixtures were almost two-fold lower than those of their parent compounds, which can be explained by their mobility and lixiviation tendency. The log Kd ranged from −1.55 to 1.71 in sludge samples and from −0.29 to 1.18 in soil–sludge mixtures. The log Kd values calculated for compost were higher than those calculated for digested sludge. The obtained results implied that the higher organic carbon content of compost could influence soil contamination when it is applied to soil.
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Nas B, Dolu T, Argun ME, Yel E, Ateş H, Koyuncu S. Comparison of advanced biological treatment and nature-based solutions for the treatment of pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs): A comprehensive study for wastewater and sewage sludge. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 779:146344. [PMID: 34030227 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.146344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2020] [Revised: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Passing of pharmaceutical residues into environment in an uncontrolled manner as a result of continuous increase in drug consumption across the globe has become a threatening problem for the ecosystems and almost all living creatures. In this study, diclofenac (DCF), carbamazepine (CBZ), 17β-estradiol (17β-E2) and 17α-ethynylestradiol (EE2) belonging to different therapeutic classes were investigated simultaneously in advanced biological treatment and nature-based treatments during 12-months sampling campaign. In this context, behavior patterns of pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs) throughout the both wastewater and sludge lines in advanced biological wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), wastewater stabilization pond (WSP) and constructed wetland (CW) were discussed in detail based on each treatment processes seasonally. Furthermore, statistically evaluated data obtained in full-scale WWTPs were compared with each other in order to determine the valid removal mechanisms of these pharmaceutical compounds. While DCF and CBZ were detected very intensively both in the wastewater and sludge lines of the investigated WWTPs, steroid hormones,17β-E2 and EE2, were determined below the LOQ value in general. Annual average removal efficiencies achieved in studied WWTPs for DCF ranged between -23.3% (in CW) and 75.2% (in WSP), while annual average removal rates obtained for CBZ varied between -20.7% (in advanced biological treatment) and 10.0% (in CW). It has been found that DCF was highly affected by different wastewater treatment processes applied in the WWTPs compared to CBZ which showed extraordinary resistance to all different treatment processes. Although calculated in different rates for each compounds, biodegradation/biotransformation and sorption onto sewage sludge were determined as the main removal mechanisms for PhACs in plants. Although showed a similar behavior in the sludge dewatering unit (decanter) present in the advanced biological WWTP, quite different behaviors observed in the anaerobic digester for DCF (up to 15% decrease) and CBZ (up to 95% increase). Sorption and desorption behaviors of DCF and CBZ were also evaluated in the sludge treatment processes found in advanced biological WWTP. Percentages of originated extra annual average of pharmaceutical loads were calculated as 0.64% and 0.90% for DCF and CBZ, respectively in the advanced biological WWTP due to the sidestream caused by the sludge dewatering unit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bilgehan Nas
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Konya Technical University, Konya, Turkey.
| | - Taylan Dolu
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Konya Technical University, Konya, Turkey.
| | - Mehmet Emin Argun
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Konya Technical University, Konya, Turkey.
| | - Esra Yel
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Konya Technical University, Konya, Turkey.
| | - Havva Ateş
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Konya Technical University, Konya, Turkey.
| | - Serdar Koyuncu
- Konya Municipality Water and Sewerage Administration, Konya, Turkey.
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Taoufik N, Boumya W, Achak M, Sillanpää M, Barka N. Comparative overview of advanced oxidation processes and biological approaches for the removal pharmaceuticals. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2021; 288:112404. [PMID: 33780817 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.112404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Revised: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/13/2021] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Nowadays, pharmaceuticals are the center of significant environmental research due to their complex and highly stable bioactivity, increasing concentration in the water streams and high persistence in aquatic environments. Conventional wastewater treatment techniques are generally inadequate to remove these pollutants. Aiming to tackle this issue effectively, various methods have been developed and investigated on the light of chemical, physical and biological procedures. Increasing attention has recently been paid to the advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) as efficient methods for the complete mineralization of pharmaceuticals. Their high operating costs compared to other processes, however, remain a challenge. Hence, this review summarizes the current and state of art related to AOPs, biological treatment and their effective exploitation for the degradation of various pharmaceuticals and other emerging molecules present in wastewater. The review covers the last decade with a particular focus on the previous five years. It is further envisioned that this review of advanced oxidation methods and biological treatments, discussed herein, will help readers to better understand the mechanisms and limitations of these methods for the removal of pharmaceuticals from the environment. In addition, we compared AOPs and biological treatments for the disposal of pharmaceuticals from the point of view of cost, effectiveness, and popularity of their use. The exploitation of coupling AOPs and biological procedures for the degradation of pharmaceuticals in wastewater was also presented. It is worthy of note that an integrated AOPs/biological system is essential to reach the complete degradation of pharmaceuticals; other advantages of this hybrid technique involve low energy cost, an efficient degradation process and generation of non-toxic by-products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nawal Taoufik
- Sultan Moulay Slimane University of Beni Mellal, Research Group in Environmental Sciences and Applied Materials (SEMA), FP Khouribga, Morocco.
| | - Wafaa Boumya
- Sultan Moulay Slimane University of Beni Mellal, Research Group in Environmental Sciences and Applied Materials (SEMA), FP Khouribga, Morocco
| | - Mounia Achak
- Science Engineer Laboratory for Energy, National School of Applied Sciences, Chouaïb Doukkali University, El Jadida, Morocco; Chemical & Biochemical Sciences, Green Process Engineering, CBS, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Ben Guerir, Morocco
| | - Mika Sillanpää
- Institute of Research and Development, Duy Tan University, Da Nang, 550000, Viet Nam; Faculty of Environment and Chemical Engineering, Duy Tan University, Da Nang, 550000, Viet Nam; Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Mining, Metallurgy and Chemical Engineering, University of Johannesburg, P. O. Box 17011, Doornfontein, 2028, South Africa
| | - Noureddine Barka
- Sultan Moulay Slimane University of Beni Mellal, Research Group in Environmental Sciences and Applied Materials (SEMA), FP Khouribga, Morocco.
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