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Meyer C, Stravs MA, Hollender J. How Wastewater Reflects Human Metabolism─Suspect Screening of Pharmaceutical Metabolites in Wastewater Influent. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:9828-9839. [PMID: 38785362 PMCID: PMC11154963 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c00968] [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: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 04/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Pharmaceuticals and their human metabolites are contaminants of emerging concern in the aquatic environment. Most monitoring studies focus on a limited set of parent compounds and even fewer metabolites. However, more than 50% of the most consumed pharmaceuticals are excreted in higher amounts as metabolites than as parents, as confirmed by a literature analysis within this study. Hence, we applied a wide-scope suspect screening approach to identify human pharmaceutical metabolites in wastewater influent from three Swiss treatment plants. Based on consumption amounts and human metabolism data, a suspect list comprising 268 parent compounds and over 1500 metabolites was compiled. Online solid phase extraction combined with liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry was used to analyze the samples. Data processing, annotation, and structure elucidation were achieved with various tools, including molecular networking as well as SIRIUS/CSI:FingerID and MetFrag for MS2 spectra rationalization. We confirmed 37 metabolites with reference standards and 16 by human liver S9 incubation experiments. More than 25 metabolites were detected for the first time in influent wastewater. Semiquantification with MS2Quant showed that metabolite to parent concentration ratios were generally lower compared to literature expectations, probably due to further metabolite transformation in the sewer system or limitations in the metabolite detection. Nonetheless, metabolites pose a large fraction to the total pharmaceutical contribution in wastewater, highlighting the need for metabolite inclusion in chemical risk assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corina Meyer
- Eawag:
Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Ueberlandstrasse 133, 8600 Duebendorf, Switzerland
- Institute
of Biogeochemistry and Pollutant Dynamics, ETH Zurich, Universitaetstrasse
16, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Michael A. Stravs
- Eawag:
Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Ueberlandstrasse 133, 8600 Duebendorf, Switzerland
| | - Juliane Hollender
- Eawag:
Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Ueberlandstrasse 133, 8600 Duebendorf, Switzerland
- Institute
of Biogeochemistry and Pollutant Dynamics, ETH Zurich, Universitaetstrasse
16, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
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2
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Zhang J, Liu ZH, Wu JL, Ding YT, Ma QG, Hayat W, Liu Y, Wang PJ, Dang Z, Rittmann B. Deconjugation potentials of natural estrogen conjugates in sewage and wastewater treatment plant: New insights from model prediction and on-site investigations. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 926:172071. [PMID: 38554960 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172071] [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: 12/08/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
Natural estrogen conjugates play important roles in municipal wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), but their deconjugation potentials are poorly understood. This work is the first to investigate the relationships between the enzyme activities of arylsulfatase/β-glucuronidase and deconjugation potentials of natural estrogen conjugates. This work led to three important findings. First, the enzyme activity of β-glucuronidase in sewage is far higher than that of arylsulfatase, while their corresponding activities in activated sludge were similar. Second, a model based on β-glucuronidase could successfully predict the deconjugation potentials of natural estrogen glucuronide conjugates in sewage. Third, the enzyme activity of arylsulfatase in sewage was too low to lead to evident deconjugation of sulfate conjugates, which means that the deconjugation rate of estrogen sulfates can be regarded as zero. By comparing their theoretical removal based on enzyme activity and on-site investigation, it is reasonable to conclude that reverse deconjugation of estrogen conjugates (i.e., conjugation of natural estrogens to form conjugated estrogens) likely exist in WWTP, which explains well why natural estrogen conjugates cannot be effectively removed in WWTP. Meanwhile, this work provides new insights how to improve the removal performance of WWTP on natural estrogen conjugates. SYNOPSIS: This work is the first to show how arylsulfatase/β-glucuronidase could affect deconjugation of natural estrogen conjugates and possible way to enhance their removal in wastewater treatment plant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Zhang
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, Guangdong, China
| | - Ze-Hua Liu
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, Guangdong, China; Key Lab Pollution Control & Ecosystem Restoration in Industry Cluster, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou 510006, Guangdong, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Labora tory of Solid Wastes Pollution Control and Recycling, Guangzhou 510006, Guangdong, China.
| | - Jia-le Wu
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, Guangdong, China
| | - Yu-Ting Ding
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, Guangdong, China
| | - Qing-Guang Ma
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, Guangdong, China
| | - Waseem Hayat
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, Guangdong, China
| | - Yun Liu
- South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People's Republic of China, Guangzhou 510655, China
| | - Peng-Jie Wang
- Shijing Water Purification Branch, Guangzhou Water Purification Co. LTD, China
| | - Zhi Dang
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, Guangdong, China
| | - Bruce Rittmann
- Swette Center for Environmental Biotechnology, Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University, Tempe 85287-5701, AZ, United States
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Kovačič A, Gulin MR, Nannou C, Koronaiou LA, Kosjek T, Heath D, Maier MS, Lambropoulou D, Heath E. Aerobic degradation of tetramethyl bisphenol F (TMBPF) with activated sludge: Kinetics and biotransformation products. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 227:115790. [PMID: 37003551 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.115790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated the bio-degradation kinetics of tetramethyl bisphenol F (TMBPF), a non-estrogenic alternative to bisphenol A (BPA). Batch biotransformation experiments were performed whereby samples were inoculated with activated sludge and analysed using liquid chromatography-Orbitrap-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-Orbitrap-MS) utilising two non-targeted workflows (commercial and freely available online) for biotransformation products (BTP) identification. The degradation of TMBPF followed single first-order reaction kinetics and depended on the initial concentration (ci) with faster degradation -kt = 0.16, (half-life = 4.4 days) at lower concentrations ci = 0.1 mg L-1, compared with -kt = 0.02 (half-live = 36.4 days) at ci = 10.0 mg L-1. After 18 days, only 8% of the original TMBPF remained at the lowest tested concentration (0.1 mg L-1). Twelve BTPs were identified, three of which were workflow and one condition-specific. The highest relative quantities of BTPs were observed in nutrient-mineral and mineral media after ten days, while after 14 days, 36 and 31% of TMBPF (ci = 1 mg L-1) remained in the nutrient-mineral and mineral media, respectively. Also, the kinetics of TMBPF and its BTPs were the same with and without an additional carbon source. A newly proposed biodegradation pathway for TMBPF involves cleavage of the methylene bridge, hydroxylation with further oxidation, sulphation, nitrification, nitro reduction with further oxidation, acetylation, and glycine conjugation, providing a deeper insight into the fate of TMBPF during biological wastewater treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Kovačič
- Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova Cesta 39, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | | | - Christina Nannou
- Department of Chemistry, International Hellenic University, Kavala, Greece
| | - Lelouda-Athanasia Koronaiou
- Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control, Department of Chemistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-541 24, Thessaloniki, Greece; Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation (CIRI-AUTh), Thessaloniki, GR-57001, Greece
| | - Tina Kosjek
- Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova Cesta 39, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia; International Postgraduate School Jožef Stefan, Jamova Cesta 39, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - David Heath
- Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova Cesta 39, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Mark S Maier
- Sheperian Toxicology, LLC, BioRisk Sciences Team, Albuquerque, NM, 87123, USA
| | - Dimitra Lambropoulou
- Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control, Department of Chemistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-541 24, Thessaloniki, Greece; Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation (CIRI-AUTh), Thessaloniki, GR-57001, Greece
| | - Ester Heath
- Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova Cesta 39, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia; International Postgraduate School Jožef Stefan, Jamova Cesta 39, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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4
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Su Q, Huang S, Zhang H, Wei Z, Ng HY. Abiotic transformations of sulfamethoxazole by hydroxylamine, nitrite and nitric oxide during wastewater treatment: Kinetics, mechanisms and pH effects. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 444:130328. [PMID: 36402107 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.130328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Hydroxylamine (NH2OH), nitrite (NO2-) and nitric oxide (NO), intermediates enzymatically formed during biological nitrogen removal processes, can engage in chemical (abiotic) transformations of antibiotics. This study determined the kinetics, mechanisms and pathways of abiotic transformations of the antibiotic sulfamethoxazole (SMX) by NH2OH, NO2- and NO in a series of batch tests under different pH and oxygen conditions. While NH2OH was not able to directly transform SMX, NO2- (with HNO2 as the actual reactant) and NO can chemically transform SMX primarily through hydroxylation, nitration, deamination, nitrosation, cleavage of S-N, N-C and C-S bonds, and coupling reactions. There were substantial overlaps in transformation product formations during abiotic transformations by HNO2- and NO. The second order rate constants of SMX with NO2- and NO were determined in the range of 1.5 × 10-1 - 4.8 × 103 M-1 s-1 and 1.0 × 102 - 3.1 × 104 M-1 s-1, respectively, under varying pH (4 - 9) and anoxic or oxic conditions. Acidic pH significantly enhanced abiotic transformation kinetics, and facilitated nitration, nitrosation, and cleavage of S-N and N-C bonds. The findings advance our understanding of the fate of antibiotics during biological nitrogen removal, and highlight the role of enzymatically formed reactive nitrogen species in the antibiotic degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingxian Su
- National University of Singapore Environmental Research Institute, 5A Engineering Drive 1, 117411, Singapore; Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Shujuan Huang
- School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Qingdao University of Technology, 11 Fushun Road, Qingdao 266033, China
| | - Hui Zhang
- College of Resources and Environment, Chengdu University of Information Technology, Chengdu, Sichuan 610225, China
| | - Zongsu Wei
- Centre for Water Technology (WATEC), Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Aarhus University, Universitetsbyen 36, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - How Yong Ng
- National University of Singapore Environmental Research Institute, 5A Engineering Drive 1, 117411, Singapore; Center for Water Research, Advanced Institute of Natural Sciences, Beijing Normal University at Zhuhai, 519087, China.
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5
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Wang Y, Wang L, Cao Y, Bai S, Ma F. Phase transformation-driven persulfate activation by coupled Fe/N-biochar for bisphenol a degradation: Pyrolysis temperature-dependent catalytic mechanisms and effect of water matrix components. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 314:120296. [PMID: 36181933 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Fe-N co-doped biochar is recently an emerging carbocatalyst for persulfate activation in situ chemical oxidation (ISCO). However, the involved catalytic mechanisms remain controversial and distinct effects of coexisting water components are still not very clear. Herein, we reported a novel N-doped biochar-coupled crystallized Fe phases composite (Fe@N-BC800) as efficient and low-cost peroxydisulfate (PDS) activators to degrade bisphenol A (BPA), and the underlying influencing mechanism of coexisting inorganic anions (IA) and humic constituent. Due to the formation of graphitized nanosheets with high defects (AI index>0.5, ID/IG = 1.02), Fe@N-BC800 exhibited 2.039, 5.536, 8.646, and 23.154-fold higher PDS catalytic activity than that of Fe@N-BC600, Fe@N-BC400, N-BC, BC. Unlike radical pathway driven by carbonyl group and pyrrolic N of low/mid-temperature Fe@N-BCs. The defective graphitized nanosheets and Fe-Nx acted separately as electron transfer and radical pathway active sites of Fe@N-BC800, where π-π sorption assisted with pyrrolic N and pore-filling facilitated BPA degradation. The strong inhibitory effects of PO43- and NO2- were ascribed to competitive adsorption of phosphate (61.11 mg g-1) and nitrate (23.99 mg g-1) on Fe@N-BC800 via electrostatic attraction and hydrogen bonding. In contrast, HA competed for the pyrrolic-N site and hindered electron delivery. Moreover, BPA oxidation pathways initiated by secondary free radicals were proposed. The study facilitates a thorough understanding of the intrinsic properties of designed biochar and contributes new insights into the fate of degradation byproducts formed from ISCO treatment of micropollutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujiao Wang
- State Key Lab of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150090, PR China
| | - Li Wang
- State Key Lab of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150090, PR China.
| | - Yuqing Cao
- State Key Lab of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150090, PR China
| | - Shanshan Bai
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Exposure and Health Intervention of Zhejiang Province, Interdisciplinary Research Academy, Zhejiang Shuren University, Hangzhou, 310021, PR China
| | - Fang Ma
- State Key Lab of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150090, PR China
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6
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Li JP, Liu Q, Gu YN, Wang SX, Li GF, Fan NS, Huang BC, Jin RC. The response of anaerobic ammonium oxidation process to bisphenol-A: Linking reactor performance to microbial community and functional gene. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 838:156030. [PMID: 35595149 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156030] [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: 03/27/2022] [Revised: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
As a typical endocrine disruptor, bisphenol A (BPA) has been widely detected in various water bodies. Although the influence of BPA on traditional biological treatment system has been investigated, it is not clear whether it has potential impact on anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) process. The short- and long-term influences of BPA on reactor operational performance, sludge characteristics and microbial community were investigated in this study. Results revealed that 1 and 3 mg L-1 BPA exhibited a limited adverse impact on granular sludge reactor performance. However, exposure of sludge under 10 mg L-1 BPA would cause an obvious inhibition on nitrogen removal rate from 10.3 ± 0.2 to 7.6 ± 0.4 kg N m-3 d-1. BPA would affect granular sludge metabolic substance excretion and lead to effluent dissolved organic content increase. Both the microbial community and redundancy analysis showed that BPA exhibited a negative influence on Ca. Kuenenia but a positive correlation with SBR1031. Low BPA concentration appeared a limited impact on functional genes while 10 mg L-1 BPA would cause decline of hzsA and hdh abundances. The results of this work might be valuable for in-depth understanding the potential influence of endocrine disruptor on anammox sludge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing-Peng Li
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Qi Liu
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Ye-Nan Gu
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Shi-Xu Wang
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Gui-Feng Li
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Nian-Si Fan
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Bao-Cheng Huang
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China.
| | - Ren-Cun Jin
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
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7
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Scholes RC. Emerging investigator series: contributions of reactive nitrogen species to transformations of organic compounds in water: a critical review. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2022; 24:851-869. [PMID: 35546580 DOI: 10.1039/d2em00102k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Reactive nitrogen species (RNS) pose a potential risk to drinking water quality because they react with organic compounds to form toxic byproducts. Since the discovery of RNS formation in sunlit surface waters, these reactive intermediates have been detected in numerous sunlit natural waters and engineered water treatment systems. This critical review summarizes what is known regarding RNS, including their formation, contributions to contaminant transformation, and products resulting from RNS reactions. Reaction mechanisms and rate constants have been described for nitrogen dioxide (˙NO2) reacting with phenolic compounds. However, significant knowledge gaps remain regarding reactions of RNS with other types of organic compounds. Promising methods to quantify RNS concentrations and reaction rates include the use of selective quenchers and probe compounds as well as electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. Additionally, high resolution mass spectrometry methods have enabled the identification of nitr(os)ated byproducts that form via RNS reactions in sunlit surface waters, UV-based treatment systems, treatment systems that employ chemical oxidants such as chlorine and ozone, and certain types of biological treatment processes. Recommendations are provided for future research to increase understanding of RNS reactions and products, and the implications for drinking water toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel C Scholes
- Department of Civil Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z4, Canada.
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8
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Osorio V, Cruz-Alcalde A, Pérez S. Nitrosation and nitration of diclofenac and structurally related nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in nitrifying activated sludge. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 807:150533. [PMID: 34597575 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150533] [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: 07/29/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Diclofenac (DCF) is a highly consumed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug that is excreted partially metabolized and is poorly removed during wastewater treatment. Previous findings demonstrated that DCF in wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) is partially removed to nitro/nitroso compounds. The reactive nitrogen species, that are microbially produced during nitrification in the activated sludge of WWTP, were suspected to be involved in the transformation of DCF. Therefore, here, we investigated the molecular features governing such biotransformation and the role played by nitrifying bacteria by biodegradation experiments at lab scale in enriched nitrifying sludge bioreactors spiked with DCF and other structurally related non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). We provided evidence of the incorporation of NO/NO2 groups into DCF originated from ammonia by isotopically labelled biodegradation experiments. Nitroso and nitro-derivatives were tentatively identified for all NSAIDs studied and biotransformation mechanisms were proposed. Our findings from biodegradation experiments performed under different incubation conditions suggested that biotransformation of DCF and its related NSAIDs might not only be microbially mediated by ammonia oxidizing bacteria, but other nitrifiers co-occurring in the activated sludge as ammonia oxidizing archaea and nitrite oxidizing bacteria. Follow-up studies should be conducted to disentangle such complex behaviour in order to improve removal of these contaminants in WWTPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Osorio
- ENFOCHEM, IDAEA-CSIC, c/Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain; Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Emili Grahit 101, 17003 Girona, Spain; Department of Chemistry, University of Girona, c/ Maria Aurèlia Capmany, 69, E-17003 Girona, Spain.
| | | | - Sandra Pérez
- ENFOCHEM, IDAEA-CSIC, c/Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
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Wang L, Liu Z, Jiang X, Li A. Aerobic granulation of nitrifying activated sludge enhanced removal of 17α-ethinylestradiol. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 801:149546. [PMID: 34438142 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.149546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 07/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The positive correlation between the nitrification activity of activated sludge and 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) removal has been widely reported. However, up to now the effect of the granulation of nitrifying activated sludge (NAS) on EE2 removal has not been determined. In this study, nitrifying granular sludge (NGS) exhibited more effective EE2 removal efficiency with 3.705 μgEE2∙(gMLSS∙h)-1 in a sequential batch reactor (SBR). Through the artificial neural network (ANN) model and Spearman correlation analysis, nitrite accumulation was demonstrated to be the key factor affecting EE2 removal. Notably, under the same aeration condition (0.15 L/min), nitrite accumulation was more easily achieved in NGS because of its dense structure. Full-length 16S rRNA gene sequencing suggested that EE2 could strongly influence the microbial communities of NAS and NGS. NGS exhibited an increase in community diversity and richness, but NAS exhibited a decrease. In addition, the relative abundance of Nitrosomonas (ammonia-oxidizing bacteria, AOB) decreased considerably in both NAS and NGS, whereas the expression of amoA and nirK genes in Nitrosomonas was upregulated. It was suggested that Nitrosomonas was forced to regulate its gene expression to resist the negative effects of EE2. Denitrifying bacteria, such as Comamonas, were enriched in both NAS and NGS, and there were more species of heterotrophs that can degrade micropollutants in NGS with exposure to EE2. The transformation pathways of EE2 were uniform in NAS and NGS. Ammonia monooxygenase (AMO) in AOB directly biotransformed EE2 while reactive species produced by AOB chemically transformed EE2. Heterotrophs degraded EE2 and its transformation products (TPs) generated by AOB. According to TPs and microbial structure, NGS exhibited better performance than NAS regarding the collaborative removal of EE2 by AOB and heterotrophs. These results provide important information for the development and application of NGS to treat wastewater containing estrogen and high-strength ammonium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lili Wang
- Key Laboratory of Water and sediment Sciences of Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Zhifang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Water and sediment Sciences of Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Xiaoman Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Water and sediment Sciences of Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Anjie Li
- Key Laboratory of Water and sediment Sciences of Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China.
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10
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Kelova ME, Ali AM, Eich-Greatorex S, Dörsch P, Kallenborn R, Jenssen PD. Small-scale on-site treatment of fecal matter: comparison of treatments for resource recovery and sanitization. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:63945-63964. [PMID: 33666847 PMCID: PMC8610962 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-12911-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
On-site small-scale sanitation is common in rural areas and areas without infrastructure, but the treatment of the collected fecal matter can be inefficient and is seldom directed to resource recovery. The aim of this study was to compare low-technology solutions such as composting and lactic acid fermentation (LAF) followed by vermicomposting in terms of treatment efficiency, potential human and environmental risks, and stabilization of the material for reuse in agriculture. A specific and novel focus of the study was the fate of native pharmaceutical compounds in the fecal matter. Composting, with and without the addition of biochar, was monitored by temperature and CO2 production and compared with LAF. All treatments were run at three different ambient temperatures (7, 20, and 38°C) and followed by vermicomposting at room temperature. Materials resulting from composting and LAF were analyzed for fecal indicators, physicochemical characteristics, and residues of ten commonly used pharmaceuticals and compared to the initial substrate. Vermicomposting was used as secondary treatment and assessed by enumeration of Escherichia coli, worm density, and physicochemical characteristics. Composting at 38°C induced the highest microbial activity and resulted in better stability of the treated material, higher N content, lower numbers of fecal indicators, and less pharmaceutical compounds as compared to LAF. Even though analysis of pH after LAF suggested incomplete fermentation, E. coli cell numbers were significantly lower in all LAF treatments compared to composting at 7°C, and some of the anionic pharmaceutical compounds were detected in lower concentrations. The addition of approximately 5 vol % biochar to the composting did not yield significant differences in measured parameters. Vermicomposting further stabilized the material, and the treatments previously composted at 7°C and 20°C had the highest worm density. These results suggest that in small-scale decentralized sanitary facilities, the ambient temperatures can significantly influence the treatment and the options for safe reuse of the material.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariya E. Kelova
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management (MINA), Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), Fougnerbakken 3, NO-1433 Ås, Norway
| | - Aasim M. Ali
- Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science (KBM), Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), Chr. M. Falsens vei 1, NO-1433 Ås, Norway
- Department of Contaminants and Biohazards, Institute of Marine Research, NO-5817 Bergen, Norway
| | - Susanne Eich-Greatorex
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management (MINA), Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), Fougnerbakken 3, NO-1433 Ås, Norway
| | - Peter Dörsch
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management (MINA), Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), Fougnerbakken 3, NO-1433 Ås, Norway
| | - Roland Kallenborn
- Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science (KBM), Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), Chr. M. Falsens vei 1, NO-1433 Ås, Norway
| | - Petter D. Jenssen
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management (MINA), Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), Fougnerbakken 3, NO-1433 Ås, Norway
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11
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Ma Y, Modrzynski JJ, Yang Y, Aamand J, Zheng Y. Redox-dependent biotransformation of sulfonamide antibiotics exceeds sorption and mineralization: Evidence from incubation of sediments from a reclaimed water-affected river. WATER RESEARCH 2021; 205:117616. [PMID: 34583203 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2021.117616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Trace levels of sulfonamide antibiotics are ubiquitous in reclaimed water, yet environmental pathways to completely remove those chemicals are not well understood when such water is used to restore flows in dried rivers. This study investigated sulfonamide sorption-desorption, biodegradation, and mineralization processes with seven sediments from a reclaimed water-dominant river. Batch experiments were conducted under oxic and anoxic (nitrate-reducing) conditions, and each removal process of sulfamethazine, sulfadiazine, and sulfamethoxazole (SMX) was evaluated individually at environmentally relevant concentrations (≤ 10 μg/L). Over 28 days, 44 ± 32% of sulfonamides were biodegraded, while the full mineralization to carbon dioxide was < 1%. Around 5% of sulfonamides were removed via sediment sorption, with a positive correlation with sediment organic contents. Detailed investigation of SMX biodegradation revealed that although its transformation appeared to be faster in anoxic than oxic tests by day 2, it reversed over 28 days with a longer apparent half-life in anoxic tests (69 ± 25 days) than that in oxic tests (12 ± 11 days). This is attributed to the formation of reversible metabolites at denitrifying conditions, such as DesAmino-SMX of which the production was affected by nitrite concentrations. Despite measurements of three frequently reported metabolites, > 70% biotransformation products remained unknown in this study. The findings highlight the persistency of sulfonamides and their derivatives, with research needed to further elucidate degradation mechanisms and to perform risk assessment of reclaimed water reuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunjie Ma
- 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; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil and Groundwater Pollution Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Jakub J Modrzynski
- Department of Geochemistry, Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland, 1350 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Yuxia Yang
- 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; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil and Groundwater Pollution Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Jens Aamand
- Department of Geochemistry, Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland, 1350 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Yan Zheng
- 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; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil and Groundwater Pollution Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
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12
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Graumans MHF, Hoeben WFLM, van Dael MFP, Anzion RBM, Russel FGM, Scheepers PTJ. Thermal plasma activation and UV/H 2O 2 oxidative degradation of pharmaceutical residues. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 195:110884. [PMID: 33631140 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.110884] [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: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The aquatic environment becomes increasingly contaminated by anthropogenic pollutants such as pharmaceutical residues. Due to poor biodegradation and continuous discharge of persistent compounds in sewage water samples, pharmaceutical residues might end up in surface waters when not removed. To minimize this pollution, onsite wastewater treatment techniques might complement conventional waste water treatment plants (WWTPs). Advanced oxidation processes are useful techniques, since reactive oxygen species (ROS) are used for the degradation of unwanted medicine residues. In this paper we have studied the advanced oxidation in a controlled laboratory setting using thermal plasma and UV/H2O2 treatment. Five different matrices, Milli-Q water, tap water, synthetic urine, diluted urine and synthetic sewage water were spiked with 14 pharmaceuticals with a concentration of 5 μg/L. All compounds were reduced or completely decomposed by both 150 W thermal plasma and UV/H2O2 treatment. Additionally, also hospital sewage water was tested. First the concentrations of 10 pharmaceutical residues were determined by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The pharmaceutical concentration ranged from 0.08 up to 2400 μg/L. With the application of 150 W thermal plasma or UV/H2O2, it was found that overall pharmaceutical degradation in hospital sewage water were nearly equivalent to the results obtained in the synthetic sewage water. However, based on the chemical abatement kinetics it was demonstrated that the degree of degradation decreases with increasing matrix complexity. Since reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) are continuously produced, thermal plasma treatment has the advantage over UV/H2O2 treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martien H F Graumans
- Department for Health Evidence, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
| | - Wilfred F L M Hoeben
- Department of Electrical Energy Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, the Netherlands
| | - Maurice F P van Dael
- Department for Health Evidence, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Rob B M Anzion
- Department for Health Evidence, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Frans G M Russel
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Paul T J Scheepers
- Department for Health Evidence, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
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13
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Ramu AG, Yang DJ, Al Olayan EM, AlAmri OD, Aloufi AS, Almushawwah JO, Choi D. Synthesis of hierarchically structured T-ZnO-rGO-PEI composite and their catalytic removal of colour and colourless phenolic compounds. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 267:129245. [PMID: 33321274 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.129245] [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: 11/06/2020] [Revised: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/05/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Phenolic compounds bisphenol A (BPA) and 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) are the prime water contaminants. As reported, these compounds are some of the highly hazardous ones to the human and living species. In this study, T-ZnO-rGO-PEI composite was synthesized employing hydrothermal method and the obtained composite samples were systematically characterized by FTIR, XPS, FE-SEM and HR-TEM studies. The FTIR, XPS analysis confirmed the successful surface modification of T-ZnO-rGO-PEI composite. The FE-SEM morphology confirmed the formation of ZnO (arm length about 2.5 μm) tetrapod structured in synthesized T-ZnO-rGO-PEI composite. The thickness of formed ZnO arm (0.44 μm) was increased after the polymer coating which confirmed the successful surface modification by PEI polymer. The HR-TEM images confirm the uniform coating of PEI polymer on T-ZnO-rGO surface. The catalytic activity and adsorption capacity of the synthesized T-ZnO-rGO-PEI composite was successfully explored using 4-nitrophenol and bisphenol-A as model pollutants .T-ZnO-rGO-PEI composite and found that 4-NP reduction reaction was completed within 10 min with the rate of 0.224 min-1. The BPA adsorption over T-ZnO-rGO-PEI exhibited high adsorption rate of 0.0210 min-1. In addition, the detailed 4-NP reduction and BPA adsorption mechanism was demonstrated. Hence the synthesized T-ZnO-rGO-PEI composite is a promising catalyst for the removal of micropollutants in aqueous medium.
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Affiliation(s)
- A G Ramu
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Hongik University, 2639-Sejong- Ro, Jochiwon- Eup, Sejong-city, 30016, Republic of Korea
| | - D J Yang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Hongik University, 2639-Sejong- Ro, Jochiwon- Eup, Sejong-city, 30016, Republic of Korea
| | - Ebtesam M Al Olayan
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ohoud D AlAmri
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abeer S Aloufi
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; The Research Chair of Vaccines for Infectious Disease - Deanship of Scientific Research - King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Jory Omer Almushawwah
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Dongjin Choi
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Hongik University, 2639-Sejong- Ro, Jochiwon- Eup, Sejong-city, 30016, Republic of Korea.
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14
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Su Q, Schittich AR, Jensen MM, Ng H, Smets BF. Role of Ammonia Oxidation in Organic Micropollutant Transformation during Wastewater Treatment: Insights from Molecular, Cellular, and Community Level Observations. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:2173-2188. [PMID: 33543927 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c06466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Organic micropollutants (OMPs) are a threat to aquatic environments, and wastewater treatment plants may act as a source or a barrier of OMPs entering the environment. Understanding the fate of OMPs in wastewater treatment processes is needed to establish efficient OMP removal strategies. Enhanced OMP biotransformation has been documented during biological nitrogen removal and has been attributed to the cometabolic activity of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and, specifically, to the ammonia monooxygenase (AMO) enzyme. Yet, the exact mechanisms of OMP biotransformation are often unknown. This critical review aims to fundamentally and quantitatively evaluate the role of ammonia oxidation in OMP biotransformation during wastewater treatment processes. OMPs can be transformed by AOB via direct and indirect enzymatic reactions: AMO directly transforms OMPs primarily via hydroxylation, while biologically produced reactive nitrogen species (hydroxylamine (NH2OH), nitrite (NO2-), and nitric oxide (NO)) can chemically transform OMPs through nitration, hydroxylation, and deamination and can contribute significantly to the observed OMP transformations. OMPs containing alkyl, aliphatic hydroxyl, ether, and sulfide functional groups as well as substituted aromatic rings and aromatic primary amines can be biotransformed by AMO, while OMPs containing alkyl groups, phenols, secondary amines, and aromatic primary amines can undergo abiotic transformations mediated by reactive nitrogen species. Higher OMP biotransformation efficiencies and rates are obtained in AOB-dominant microbial communities, especially in autotrophic reactors performing nitrification or nitritation, than in non-AOB-dominant microbial communities. The biotransformations of OMPs in wastewater treatment systems can often be linked to ammonium (NH4+) removal following two central lines of evidence: (i) Similar transformation products (i.e., hydroxylated, nitrated, and desaminated TPs) are detected in wastewater treatment systems as in AOB pure cultures. (ii) Consistency in OMP biotransformation (rbio, μmol/g VSS/d) to NH4+ removal (rNH4+, mol/g VSS/d) rate ratios (rbio/rNH4+) is observed for individual OMPs across different systems with similar rNH4+ and AOB abundances. In this review, we conclude that AOB are the main drivers of OMP biotransformation during wastewater treatment processes. The importance of biologically driven abiotic OMP transformation is quantitatively assessed, and functional groups susceptible to transformations by AMO and reactive nitrogen species are systematically classified. This critical review will improve the prediction of OMP transformation and facilitate the design of efficient OMP removal strategies during wastewater treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingxian Su
- National University of Singapore Environmental Research Institute, 5A Engineering Drive 1, 117411 Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kgs., Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Anna-Ricarda Schittich
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kgs., Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Marlene Mark Jensen
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kgs., Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Howyong Ng
- National University of Singapore Environmental Research Institute, 5A Engineering Drive 1, 117411 Singapore, Singapore
- Centre for Water Research, Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, National University of Singapore, 1 Engineering Drive 2, 117576 Singapore, Singapore
| | - Barth F Smets
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kgs., Lyngby, Denmark
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15
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Wu G, Geng J, Xu K, Ren H. Removal of pharmaceuticals by ammonia oxidizers during nitrification. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2021; 105:909-921. [PMID: 33415368 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-020-11032-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
The adverse effect of pharmaceuticals on ecosystem and human health raises great interest for the removal of pharmaceuticals in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Enhanced removal of pharmaceuticals by ammonia oxidizers (AOs) has been observed during nitrification. This review provides a comprehensive summary on the removal of pharmaceuticals by AOs-ammonia oxidizing bacteria (AOB), ammonia oxidizing archaea (AOA), and complete ammonia oxidizer (comammox) during nitrification in pure ammonia oxidizing culture and mixed microbes systems. The superior removal of pharmaceuticals by AOs in conditions with nitrifying activity compared with the conditions without nitrifying activity was proposed. The contribution of AOs on pharmaceuticals removal in pure and mixed microbe systems was discussed and activated sludge modeling was suggested as the proper measure on assessing the contribution of AOs on the removal of pharmaceuticals in mixed microbe culture. Three transformation processes and the involved reaction types of pharmaceuticals transformation during nitrification were reviewed. The present paper provides a systematical summary on pharmaceuticals removal by different AOs across pure and mixed microbes culture during nitrification, which opens up the opportunity to optimize the wastewater biological treatment systems for enhanced removal of pharmaceuticals. KEY POINTS: • The superior removal of pharmaceuticals by ammonia oxidizers (AOs) was summarized. • The removal contribution of pharmaceuticals attributed by AOs was elucidated. • The transformation processes and reaction types of pharmaceuticals were discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinju Geng
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.
| | - Ke Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongqiang Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
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16
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Warner W, Licha T, Nödler K. Qualitative and quantitative use of micropollutants as source and process indicators. A review. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 686:75-89. [PMID: 31176825 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.05.385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2019] [Revised: 04/24/2019] [Accepted: 05/24/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Nowadays, micropollutants such as pharmaceuticals, pesticides and personal care products can be found ubiquitously in the anthropogenically influenced water cycle. As micropollutants have virtually no natural background concentrations they are significantly more sensitive in detecting processes and flow paths than classic inorganic tracers and indicators and at the same time they are often highly source specific. Therefore, using micropollutants as environmental indicators for anthropogenic activities is a common and frequently applied method today. As they interact in many ways with environmental matrices they can be used for source apportionment as well as to estimate flow paths and residence times in waterbodies. This review gives a systematic overview over the large variety of micropollutants used as indicators in the aquatic environment over the last decades together with the prerequisites on their use. Their application is subdivided into their qualitative (compound presence or absence) and quantitative (volume flows) use and shows the numerous possibilities from gaining basic information on the water regime up to advanced applications such as wastewater-based epidemiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wiebke Warner
- Department of Applied Geology, Geoscience Centre, University of Goettingen, Goldschmidtstr. 3, 37077 Goettingen, Germany.
| | - Tobias Licha
- Department of Applied Geology, Geoscience Centre, University of Goettingen, Goldschmidtstr. 3, 37077 Goettingen, Germany
| | - Karsten Nödler
- TZW: DVGW-Technologiezentrum Wasser, Karlsruher Straße 84, 76139 Karlsruhe
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17
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Ali AM, Nesse AS, Eich-Greatorex S, Sogn TA, Aanrud SG, Aasen Bunæs JA, Lyche JL, Kallenborn R. Organic contaminants of emerging concern in Norwegian digestates from biogas production. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2019; 21:1498-1508. [PMID: 31257390 DOI: 10.1039/c9em00175a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to analyze a variety of environmental organic contaminants of emerging concern (CEC) and their metabolites in representative digestate samples from Norwegian biogas production plants. Biogas digestates can be a valuable source for soil amendments and/or fertilizers in commercial agriculture. It is important to assess whether the digestates contain harmful contaminants in order to avoid unintended exposure of human consumers. In total 19 biogas digestates from 12 biogas production plants in Norway were collected and analyzed. Furthermore, process related parameters such as pretreatment of substrates, additives, flocculation and temperature conditions were considered for interpretation of the results. The CEC levels found in the digestates were shown to be dependent on the original composition of the substrate, dry-matter content, and conditioning of the substrate. The sunscreen octocrylene (147 μg L-1) and acetaminophen (paracetamol; 58.6 μg L-1) were found at the highest concentrations in liquid digestates, whereas octocrylene (>600 ng g-1, on a wet weight basis = ww) and the flame retardant TCPP (tris(1-chloro-2-propyl) phosphate, >500 ng g-1 ww) were found at the highest levels in solid digestates, exceeding even the upper limit of quantification (uLOQ) threshold. The highest levels of total CECs were measured in solid digestates (1411 ng g-1 ww) compared to liquid digestates (354 μg L-1 equals 354 ng g-1). The occurrence of CECs in digestate samples, even after extensive and optimized anaerobic digestion, indicates that the operational conditions of the treatment process should be adjusted in order to minimize CEC contamination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aasim M Ali
- Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science (KBM), Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), NO-1432 Aas, Norway.
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18
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Wu G, Geng J, Li S, Li J, Fu Y, Xu K, Ren H, Zhang X. Abiotic and biotic processes of diclofenac in enriched nitrifying sludge: Kinetics, transformation products and reactions. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 683:80-88. [PMID: 31136967 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.05.216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2019] [Revised: 05/14/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Diclofenac (DCF), as an emerging contaminant in aquatic environments, has sparked increasing concerns about its impact on the environment. Nitrification in wastewater treatment processing has removed DCF to a large extent. However, the removal characteristics and mechanisms of DCF in the nitrification process are still poorly understood. In this study, enriched nitrifying sludge was used to investigate the transformation of DCF during the nitrification process. Elimination of DCF caused by volatilization, hydrolyzation and adsorption was limited. Abiotic nitration removal was confirmed as significant in enriched nitrifying sludge at a low pH and high nitrite concentration. Free nitrite acid was proposed as the reaction species participating in the DCF transformation process, and a regression equation was developed to predict the contribution of abiotic nitration on DCF removal in enriched nitrifying sludge. By slowly and continuously adding an ammonia stock solution and controlling the pH, we avoided the effect of abiotic nitration removal, and DCF biodegradation was positively correlated to specific ammonium oxidation rates (SAORs). The removal of DCF fit the first order kinetic model (R2 = 0.8285, p < 0.05) with an SAOR of 0.25 mg NH4+-N/(gMLSS·min). The high removal rate constant of k (0.1286 L/(gMLSS·h)) and short half-life (2.48 h) revealed the strong capability of nitrifying bacteria to transform DCF. Nine DCF transformation products were identified and three of them were quantified in the transformation process. The formation of kinetic profile 4-OH-DCF, 5-OH-DCF and DCF-Benzoic acid (DCF-BA) implied that hydroxylation may be the first reaction of DCF and DCF-BA may be a terminal product that resists further degradation. The postulated reactions concerning the transformation of DCF were hydroxylation, lactam formation and oxidation. Accordingly, a detailed degradation pathway was presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, 210023, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Jinju Geng
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, 210023, Jiangsu, PR China.
| | - Shengnan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, 210023, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Juechun Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, 210023, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Yingying Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, 210023, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Ke Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, 210023, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Hongqiang Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, 210023, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Xuxiang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, 210023, Jiangsu, PR China
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19
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan D Richardson
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of South Carolina , Columbia, South Carolina 29205, United States
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20
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Castro G, Rodríguez I, Ramil M, Cela R. Evaluation of nitrate effects in the aqueous photodegradability of selected phenolic pollutants. CHEMOSPHERE 2017; 185:127-136. [PMID: 28688846 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2017.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2017] [Revised: 06/26/2017] [Accepted: 07/01/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The effect of nitrate in the aqueous photodegradation of five phenolic environmental pollutants (ortho-phenylphenol, OPP; methyl paraben, MeP; propyl paraben, PrP; Triclosan, TCS and bisphenol A, BPA) is evaluated. Time-course of precursor compounds and formation of transformation products (TPs) were investigated by liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-QTOF-MS). Nitrate showed a positive effect in the removal of selected pollutants. Observed TPs resulted from hydroxylation, aromatic nitration (with or without molecule cleavage) and nitro dehalogenation processes. The above reactions involved the participation of ·OH and ·NO2 radicals arising from photolysis of nitrate. Nitro TPs were produced in a different extent depending on the structure of the precursor pollutant, nitrate concentration, light source (254 nm UV and solar light) and water matrix (ultrapure, surface and urban wastewater). Some of these nitro TPs were also observed during UV irradiation of untreated and unbuffered wastewater, either naturally polluted with parent phenolic compounds or spiked with these species at the sub μg L-1 level. Nitration reactions were particularly favourable for OPP with the generated nitro TPs displaying a higher stability than the precursor molecule and the hydroxylated TPs of the same compound.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Castro
- Departamento de Química Analítica, Nutrición y Bromatología, Instituto de Investigación y Análisis Alimentario (IIAA), Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela 15782, Spain
| | - I Rodríguez
- Departamento de Química Analítica, Nutrición y Bromatología, Instituto de Investigación y Análisis Alimentario (IIAA), Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela 15782, Spain.
| | - M Ramil
- Departamento de Química Analítica, Nutrición y Bromatología, Instituto de Investigación y Análisis Alimentario (IIAA), Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela 15782, Spain
| | - R Cela
- Departamento de Química Analítica, Nutrición y Bromatología, Instituto de Investigación y Análisis Alimentario (IIAA), Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela 15782, Spain
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21
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Brienza M, Duwig C, Pérez S, Chiron S. 4-nitroso-sulfamethoxazole generation in soil under denitrifying conditions: Field observations versus laboratory results. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2017; 334:185-192. [PMID: 28412628 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2017.04.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2017] [Revised: 04/04/2017] [Accepted: 04/05/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The formation of 4-nitroso-sulfamethoxazole and 4-nitro-SMX, two transformation products (TPs) of sulfamethoxazole (SMX) was investigated under batch soil slurry experiments and in a field study. Due to their low occurrence levels (ng/L) in environmental waters, a suitable analytical method based on liquid chromatography - high resolution - mass spectrometry was developed. Consequently, field observations revealed, for the first time, the occurrence of 4-nitroso-SMX in groundwater at concentrations as high as 18ng/L.Nitric oxide (NO) steady-state concentrations were determined in soil slurry experiments because this reactive specie accounted for the formation of 4-nitroso-SMX and 4-nitro-SMX. Measurements revealed that environmental SMX concentrations (0.2-2μg/L) at neutral pH induced the accumulation of nitric oxide. Under acidic conditions (pH<6), nitrous acid (HONO) was the major source of nitric oxide while under neutral/basic conditions nitric oxide release was related to the inhibition of denitrification processes. Under laboratory experiments, SMX nitration reaction appeared to be an irreversible transformation pathway, while 4-nitroso-SMX was slowly transformed over time. The occurrence of 4-nitroso-SMX conditions was therefore unexpected in the field study but could be due to its continuous input from soil and/or its relative persistence under anoxic conditions. A mechanism for 4-nitroso-SMX formation was proposed involving a nitrosative desamination pathway through a phenyl radical.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Brienza
- UMR HydroSciences 5569, IRD, Montpellier University, 15 Avenue Ch. Flahault, 34093 Montpellier Cedex 5, France
| | - Céline Duwig
- UMR LTHE 5564, IRD, Grenoble University, 70, rue de la physique - Domaine Universitaire, 38041 Grenoble Cedex 9, France
| | - Sandra Pérez
- Water and Soil Quality Research Group, IDAEA-CSIC, c/Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Serge Chiron
- UMR HydroSciences 5569, IRD, Montpellier University, 15 Avenue Ch. Flahault, 34093 Montpellier Cedex 5, France.
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Zhou H, Lian L, Yan S, Song W. Insights into the photo-induced formation of reactive intermediates from effluent organic matter: The role of chemical constituents. WATER RESEARCH 2017; 112:120-128. [PMID: 28153698 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2017.01.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2016] [Revised: 01/21/2017] [Accepted: 01/23/2017] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
In the present study, the formation of triplet states of organic matters (3OM∗) from effluent organic matter (EfOM) under simulated solar irradiation was investigated. EfOM was separated into hydrophobic (HPO), transphilic (TPI), and hydrophilic (HPI) components. The quantum yield coefficients (ƒTMP) of 3OM∗ were measured for each component and compared to those of reference natural organic matter (NOM). NaBH4 reduction was performed on the EfOM, and the effect of aromatic ketones moieties on triplet formation was also determined. Furthermore, the apparent quantum yield of 1O2 (Φ1O2) and O2•- (ΦO2•-) was measured. Our results suggested that the HPI fraction acted as a sink for 3OM∗. A linear correlation was observed between ƒTMP and Φ1O2 for NOM/EfOM, except for NaBH4-reduced effluent and HPI components. Both ƒTMP and Φ1O2 were positively correlated with the contribution rates of NaBH4-reducible moieties (aromatic ketones) toward 3OM∗. Aromatic ketones were primarily responsible for the production of 3OM∗ from EfOM, whereas quinone moieties played a key role in the production of 3OM∗ in NOM-enriched solutions. Understanding the role of chemical constituents on the photo activity of EfOM/NOM is essential for providing useful insights on their photochemical effects in aquatic systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huaxi Zhou
- Department of Environmental Science & Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, PR China
| | - Lushi Lian
- Department of Environmental Science & Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, PR China
| | - Shuwen Yan
- Department of Environmental Science & Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, PR China
| | - Weihua Song
- Department of Environmental Science & Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, PR China.
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Polesel F, Andersen HR, Trapp S, Plósz BG. Removal of Antibiotics in Biological Wastewater Treatment Systems-A Critical Assessment Using the Activated Sludge Modeling Framework for Xenobiotics (ASM-X). ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2016; 50:10316-10334. [PMID: 27479075 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.6b01899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Many scientific studies present removal efficiencies for pharmaceuticals in laboratory-, pilot-, and full-scale wastewater treatment plants, based on observations that may be impacted by theoretical and methodological approaches used. In this Critical Review, we evaluated factors influencing observed removal efficiencies of three antibiotics (sulfamethoxazole, ciprofloxacin, tetracycline) in pilot- and full-scale biological treatment systems. Factors assessed include (i) retransformation to parent pharmaceuticals from e.g., conjugated metabolites and analogues, (ii) solid retention time (SRT), (iii) fractions sorbed onto solids, and (iv) dynamics in influent and effluent loading. A recently developed methodology was used, relying on the comparison of removal efficiency predictions (obtained with the Activated Sludge Model for Xenobiotics (ASM-X)) with representative measured data from literature. By applying this methodology, we demonstrated that (a) the elimination of sulfamethoxazole may be significantly underestimated when not considering retransformation from conjugated metabolites, depending on the type (urban or hospital) and size of upstream catchments; (b) operation at extended SRT may enhance antibiotic removal, as shown for sulfamethoxazole; (c) not accounting for fractions sorbed in influent and effluent solids may cause slight underestimation of ciprofloxacin removal efficiency. Using tetracycline as example substance, we ultimately evaluated implications of effluent dynamics and retransformation on environmental exposure and risk prediction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Polesel
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark (DTU) , Bygningstorvet 115, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Henrik R Andersen
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark (DTU) , Bygningstorvet 115, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Stefan Trapp
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark (DTU) , Bygningstorvet 115, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Benedek Gy Plósz
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark (DTU) , Bygningstorvet 115, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
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Chiron S, Duwig C. Biotic nitrosation of diclofenac in a soil aquifer system (Katari watershed, Bolivia). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2016; 565:473-480. [PMID: 27183461 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.05.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2016] [Revised: 05/04/2016] [Accepted: 05/07/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Up till now, the diclofenac (DCF) transformation into its nitrogen-derivatives, N-nitroso-DCF (NO-DCF) and 5-nitro-DCF (NO2-DCF), has been mainly investigated in wastewater treatment plant under nitrification or denitrification processes. This work reports, for the first time, an additional DCF microbial mediated nitrosation pathway of DCF in soil under strictly anoxic conditions probably involving codenitrification processes and fungal activities. This transformation pathway was investigated by using field observations data at a soil aquifer system (Katari watershed, Bolivia) and by carrying out soil slurry batch experiments. It was also observed for diphenylamine (DPA). Field measurements revealed the occurrence of NO-DCF, NO2-DCF and NO-DPA in groundwater samples at concentration levels in the 6-68s/L range. These concentration levels are more significant than those previously reported in wastewater treatment plant effluents taking into account dilution processes in soil. Interestingly, the p-benzoquinone imine of 5-OH-DCF was also found to be rather stable in surface water. In laboratory batch experiments under strictly anoxic conditions, the transformation of DCF and DPA into their corresponding N-nitroso derivatives was well correlated to denitrification processes. It was also observed that NO-DCF evolved into NO2-DCF while NO-DPA was stable. In vitro experiments showed that the Fisher-Hepp rearrangement could not account for NO2-DCF formation. One possible mechanism might be that NO-DCF underwent spontaneous NO loss to give the resulting intermediates diphenylaminyl radical or nitrenium cation which might evolve into NO2-DCF in presence of NO2 radical or nitrite ion, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serge Chiron
- UMR HydroSciences 5569, Montpellier University, 15 Avenue Ch. Flahault, 34093 Montpellier Cedex 5, France.
| | - Céline Duwig
- Université Grenoble Alpes, LTHE, F38000 Grenoble, France; IRD, LTHE, F38000 Grenoble, France
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25
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Isolation and identification of oxidation products of syringol from brines and heated meat matrix. Meat Sci 2016; 118:108-16. [PMID: 27085115 DOI: 10.1016/j.meatsci.2016.03.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2015] [Revised: 03/16/2016] [Accepted: 03/31/2016] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
In this study we developed new extraction and detection methods (using HPLC-UV and LC-MS), making it possible to analyze the smoke phenol syringol and its oxidation products nitrososyringol, nitrosyringol, and the syringol dimer 3,3',5,5'-tetramethoxy-1,1'-biphenyl-4,4'-diol, which were identified in heated meat for the first time. Preliminary brine experiments performed with different concentrations of ascorbic acid showed that high amounts of this antioxidant also resulted in almost complete degradation of syringol and to formation of the oxidation products when the brines were heated at low pH values. Heat treatment (80°C) and subsequent simulated digestion applied to meat samples containing syringol, ascorbic acid and different concentrations of sodium nitrite produced 3,3',5,5'-tetramethoxy-1,1'-biphenyl-4,4'-diol even at a low nitrite level in the meat matrix, while nitroso- and nitrosyringol were isolated only after the digestion experiments. Increasing amounts of oxygen in the meat matrix decreased the syringol concentration and enhanced the formation of the reaction products in comparison to the samples without added oxygen.
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Prasse C, Stalter D, Schulte-Oehlmann U, Oehlmann J, Ternes TA. Spoilt for choice: A critical review on the chemical and biological assessment of current wastewater treatment technologies. WATER RESEARCH 2015; 87:237-70. [PMID: 26431616 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2015.09.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 164] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2015] [Revised: 09/02/2015] [Accepted: 09/11/2015] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The knowledge we have gained in recent years on the presence and effects of compounds discharged by wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) brings us to a point where we must question the appropriateness of current water quality evaluation methodologies. An increasing number of anthropogenic chemicals is detected in treated wastewater and there is increasing evidence of adverse environmental effects related to WWTP discharges. It has thus become clear that new strategies are needed to assess overall quality of conventional and advanced treated wastewaters. There is an urgent need for multidisciplinary approaches combining expertise from engineering, analytical and environmental chemistry, (eco)toxicology, and microbiology. This review summarizes the current approaches used to assess treated wastewater quality from the chemical and ecotoxicological perspective. Discussed chemical approaches include target, non-target and suspect analysis, sum parameters, identification and monitoring of transformation products, computational modeling as well as effect directed analysis and toxicity identification evaluation. The discussed ecotoxicological methodologies encompass in vitro testing (cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, mutagenicity, endocrine disruption, adaptive stress response activation, toxicogenomics) and in vivo tests (single and multi species, biomonitoring). We critically discuss the benefits and limitations of the different methodologies reviewed. Additionally, we provide an overview of the current state of research regarding the chemical and ecotoxicological evaluation of conventional as well as the most widely used advanced wastewater treatment technologies, i.e., ozonation, advanced oxidation processes, chlorination, activated carbon, and membrane filtration. In particular, possible directions for future research activities in this area are provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carsten Prasse
- Federal Institute of Hydrology (BfG), Department of Aquatic Chemistry, Koblenz, Germany; Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, United States.
| | - Daniel Stalter
- National Research Centre for Environmental Toxicology, The University of Queensland, Queensland, Australia; Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Duebendorf, Switzerland
| | | | - Jörg Oehlmann
- Goethe University Frankfurt, Department Aquatic Ecotoxicology, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Thomas A Ternes
- Federal Institute of Hydrology (BfG), Department of Aquatic Chemistry, Koblenz, Germany
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Wang C, Cyterski M, Feng Y, Gao P, Sun Q. Spatiotemporal characteristics of organic contaminant concentrations and ecological risk assessment in the Songhua River, China. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2015; 17:1967-1975. [PMID: 26442573 DOI: 10.1039/c5em00375j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
To control source pollution and improve water quality, an understanding of the spatiotemporal characteristics of organic contaminant concentrations in affected receiving waters is necessary. The Songhua River in northeast China is the country's third-largest domestic river and loadings of organic contaminants along an industrialized section have made it the focal point of a national pollution reduction plan. In addition to water quality issues, management of the Songhua River basin must also address local economic development, aquatic ecosystem sustainability and political relationships with Russia. In three periods spanning 2006 to 2010, eight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and eight phenols were measured in surface waters at ten monitoring sites along the river. A generalized linear model (GLM) was used to characterize water quality at different sites and time periods. Chemical concentrations of the organic compounds showed significant sinusoidal seasonal patterns and the concentrations declined significantly from 2006 to 2010, possibly due to management practices designed to control water pollution. A critical body residue analysis showed that water concentrations measured during the winter of 2007 across all monitoring sites, but especially at S1-Shaokou and S2-Songhuajiangcun, presented a high risk for fish species. The spatiotemporal characteristics of water quality and estimated ecological risks shown here add to the body of knowledge to develop policies on industrial output and pollution management strategies for the Songhua River basin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ce Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control & Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, P. R. China.
| | - Mike Cyterski
- Ecosystems Research Division, National Exposure Research Laboratory, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, USA.
| | - Yujie Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, No. 73 Huanghe Road, Nangang District, Harbin 150090, P. R. China
| | - Peng Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, No. 73 Huanghe Road, Nangang District, Harbin 150090, P. R. China
| | - Qingfang Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, No. 73 Huanghe Road, Nangang District, Harbin 150090, P. R. China
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28
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Brezina E, Prasse C, Wagner M, Ternes TA. Why Small Differences Matter: Elucidation of the Mechanisms Underlying the Transformation of 2OH- and 3OH-Carbamazepine in Contact with Sand Filter Material. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2015; 49:10449-10456. [PMID: 26302402 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.5b02737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Carbamazepine (CBZ) is a worldwide used antiepileptic drug, which is metabolized to a large extent in the human body to several metabolites, including 10,11-dihydroxy-10,11-dihydrocarbamazepine (DiOHCBZ), 2-hydroxycarbamazepine (2OHCBZ), and 3-hydroxycarbamazepine (3OHCBZ). 2OHCBZ and 3OHCBZ were previously detected in raw and treated wastewater revealing their widespread emission into the aquatic environment, eventually leading to the contamination of drinking water resources. Sand filtration is frequently applied in drinking water treatment for the removal of inorganic species and suspended particles but has been shown to be capable of removing trace organic contaminants. This study focuses on the elucidation of the (bio)transformation mechanisms of 2OHCBZ and 3OHCBZ in contact with material taken from a rapid sand filter of a German waterworks. Despite their similar structure, which differs only in the position of the phenolic OH moiety, both compounds underwent distinct transformation reactions leading to the formation of a variety of transformation products (TPs). The main biochemical reactions thereby included enzymatic transformation of 2OHCBZ resulting in the formation of a reactive iminoquinone intermediate (2OHCBZ) and nitration via peroxynitrite (2OHCBZ and 3OHCBZ) as well as formation of radicals leading to dimerization (3OHCBZ). Further transformation reactions included hydroxylation, ring cleavage, loss of carbamoyl group, and decarboxylation, as well as O-methylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Brezina
- Federal Institute of Hydrology (BfG), Am Mainzer Tor 1, 56068 Koblenz, Germany
| | - Carsten Prasse
- Federal Institute of Hydrology (BfG), Am Mainzer Tor 1, 56068 Koblenz, Germany
| | - Manfred Wagner
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research (MPI), Ackermannweg 10, Mainz, Germany
| | - Thomas A Ternes
- Federal Institute of Hydrology (BfG), Am Mainzer Tor 1, 56068 Koblenz, Germany
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29
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Transformation products of emerging contaminants in the environment and high-resolution mass spectrometry: a new horizon. Anal Bioanal Chem 2015; 407:6257-73. [DOI: 10.1007/s00216-015-8739-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2015] [Revised: 04/12/2015] [Accepted: 04/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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30
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Li F, Jiang B, Nastold P, Kolvenbach BA, Chen J, Wang L, Guo H, Corvini PFX, Ji R. Enhanced transformation of tetrabromobisphenol a by nitrifiers in nitrifying activated sludge. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2015; 49:4283-4292. [PMID: 25754048 DOI: 10.1021/es5059007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The fate of the most commonly used brominated flame retardant, tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), in wastewater treatment plants is obscure. Using a (14)C-tracer, we studied TBBPA transformation in nitrifying activated sludge (NAS). During the 31-day incubation, TBBPA transformation (half-life 10.3 days) was accompanied by mineralization (17% of initial TBBPA). Twelve metabolites, including those with single benzene ring, O-methyl TBBPA ether, and nitro compounds, were identified. When allylthiourea was added to the sludge to completely inhibit nitrification, TBBPA transformation was significantly reduced (half-life 28.9 days), formation of the polar and single-ring metabolites stopped, but O-methylation was not significantly affected. Abiotic experiments confirmed the generation of mono- and dinitro-brominated forms of bisphenol A in NAS by the abiotic nitration of TBBPA by nitrite, a product of ammonia-oxidizing microorganisms (AOMs). Three biotic (type II ipso-substitution, oxidative skeletal cleavage, and O-methylation) and one abiotic (nitro-debromination) pathways were proposed for TBBPA transformation in NAS. Apart from O-methylation, AOMs were involved in three other pathways. Our results are the first to provide information about the complex metabolism of TBBPA in NAS, and they are consistent with a determining role for nitrifiers in TBBPA degradation by initiating its cleavage into single-ring metabolites that are substrates for the growth of heterotrophic bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangjie Li
- †State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, 163 Xianlin Avenue, 210023 Nanjing, China
| | - Bingqi Jiang
- ‡Fujian Provincial Academy of Environmental Science, No. 10, Huan Bei San Cun, Fuzhou 350013, China
| | - Peter Nastold
- §Institute for Ecopreneurship, School of Life Sciences, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland, Gründenstrasse 40, Muttenz CH-4132, Switzerland
| | - Boris Alexander Kolvenbach
- §Institute for Ecopreneurship, School of Life Sciences, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland, Gründenstrasse 40, Muttenz CH-4132, Switzerland
| | - Jianqiu Chen
- ∥Department of Environmental Science, China Pharmaceutical University, Tongjia Alley 24, 210009 Nanjing, China
| | - Lianhong Wang
- †State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, 163 Xianlin Avenue, 210023 Nanjing, China
| | - Hongyan Guo
- †State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, 163 Xianlin Avenue, 210023 Nanjing, China
| | - Philippe François-Xavier Corvini
- †State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, 163 Xianlin Avenue, 210023 Nanjing, China
- §Institute for Ecopreneurship, School of Life Sciences, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland, Gründenstrasse 40, Muttenz CH-4132, Switzerland
| | - Rong Ji
- †State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, 163 Xianlin Avenue, 210023 Nanjing, China
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31
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Badia-Fabregat M, Lucas D, Gros M, Rodríguez-Mozaz S, Barceló D, Caminal G, Vicent T. Identification of some factors affecting pharmaceutical active compounds (PhACs) removal in real wastewater. Case study of fungal treatment of reverse osmosis concentrate. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2015; 283:663-71. [PMID: 25464308 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2014.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2014] [Revised: 09/17/2014] [Accepted: 10/06/2014] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Many technologies are being developed for the efficient removal of micropollutants from wastewater and, among them, fungal degradation is one of the possible alternative biological treatments. In this article, some factors that might affect pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs) removal in a fungal treatment of real wastewater were identified in batch bioreactor treating reverse osmosis concentrate (ROC) from urban wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). We found that degradation of PhACs by Trametes versicolor was enhanced by addition of external nutrients (global removal of 44%). Moreover, our results point out that high aeration might be involved in the increase in the concentration of some PhACs. In fact, conjugation and deconjugation processes (among others) affect the removal assessment of emerging contaminants when working with real concentrations in comparison to experiments with spiked samples. Moreover, factors that could affect the quantification of micropollutants at lab-scale experiments were studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Badia-Fabregat
- Departament d'Enginyeria Química, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Daniel Lucas
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), H2O Building, Scientific and Technological Park of the University of Girona, 101-E-17003 Girona, Spain
| | - Meritxell Gros
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), H2O Building, Scientific and Technological Park of the University of Girona, 101-E-17003 Girona, Spain
| | - Sara Rodríguez-Mozaz
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), H2O Building, Scientific and Technological Park of the University of Girona, 101-E-17003 Girona, Spain
| | - Damià Barceló
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), H2O Building, Scientific and Technological Park of the University of Girona, 101-E-17003 Girona, Spain; Water and Soil Quality Research Group, Department of Environmental Chemistry (IDAEA-CSIC), Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Glòria Caminal
- Institut de Química Avançada de Catalunya (IQAC) CSIC, Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Teresa Vicent
- Departament d'Enginyeria Química, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
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32
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Richardson SD, Ternes TA. Water analysis: emerging contaminants and current issues. Anal Chem 2014; 86:2813-48. [PMID: 24502364 DOI: 10.1021/ac500508t] [Citation(s) in RCA: 479] [Impact Index Per Article: 47.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Susan D Richardson
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of South Carolina , Columbia, South Carolina 29208, United States
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