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Betsholtz A, Falås P, Svahn O, Cimbritz M, Davidsson Å. New Perspectives on the Interactions between Adsorption and Degradation of Organic Micropollutants in Granular Activated Carbon Filters. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:11771-11780. [PMID: 38889182 PMCID: PMC11223462 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c00815] [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: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 04/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
The removal of organic micropollutants in granular activated carbon (GAC) filters can be attributed to adsorption and biological degradation. These two processes can interact with each other or proceed independently. To illustrate the differences in their interaction, three 14C-labeled organic micropollutants with varying potentials for adsorption and biodegradation were selected to study their adsorption and biodegradation in columns with adsorbing (GAC) and non-adsorbing (sand) filter media. Using 14CO2 formation as a marker for biodegradation, we demonstrated that the biodegradation of poorly adsorbing N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) was more sensitive to changes in the empty bed contact time (EBCT) compared with that of moderately adsorbing diclofenac. Further, diclofenac that had adsorbed under anoxic conditions could be degraded when molecular oxygen became available, and substantial biodegradation (≥60%) of diclofenac could be achieved with a 15 min EBCT in the GAC filter. These findings suggest that the retention of micropollutants in GAC filters, by prolonging the micropollutant residence time through adsorption, can enable longer time periods for degradations than what the hydraulic retention time would allow for. For the biologically recalcitrant compound carbamazepine, differences in breakthrough between the 14C-labeled and nonradiolabeled compounds revealed a substantial retention via successive adsorption-desorption, which could pose a potential challenge in the interpretation of GAC filter performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Betsholtz
- Department
of Process and Life Science Engineering. Division of Chemical Engineering, Lund University, Lund 221 00, Sweden
| | - Per Falås
- Department
of Process and Life Science Engineering. Division of Chemical Engineering, Lund University, Lund 221 00, Sweden
| | - Ola Svahn
- School
of Education and Environment, Division of Natural Sciences, Kristianstad University, Kristianstad 291 88, Sweden
| | - Michael Cimbritz
- Department
of Process and Life Science Engineering. Division of Chemical Engineering, Lund University, Lund 221 00, Sweden
| | - Åsa Davidsson
- Department
of Process and Life Science Engineering. Division of Chemical Engineering, Lund University, Lund 221 00, Sweden
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Kirchen F, Fundneider T, Lackner S. Implications of the operation of continuous granular activated carbon filters on the effluent quality. WATER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY : A JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION ON WATER POLLUTION RESEARCH 2024; 89:3079-3092. [PMID: 38877631 DOI: 10.2166/wst.2024.178] [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: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024]
Abstract
Granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration is a commonly used method for advanced wastewater treatment. Filters can be operated continuously or discontinuously, with continuous operation not requiring feed flow interruption for backwashing and circulation (B/C). This study investigated the influence of B/C on the effluent quality of continuous filters. Two continuous GAC filters were operated for 1.5 years, with analysis of dissolved substances and particulate matter in the influent and effluent. The results indicated that various B/C modes had no impact on the removal of dissolved organic carbon and organic micropollutants (OMP), achieving an OMP removal of over 70% after 5,600 treated bed volumes (m3 treated wastewater per m3 GAC). However, it was evident that continuous B/C over 2-4 h resulted in increased turbidity, total suspended solids over 30 mg/L and total phosphorus concentrations of 1.3 mg/L in the filter effluent. Additionally, the study demonstrated that longer and more intensive B/C processes resulted in GAC size degradation with AC concentrations of up to 6.9 mg/L in the filter effluent, along with a change in GAC particle size. Furthermore, the importance of pre-filtration in reducing particulate matter in the filter influent and decreasing hydraulic head loss could be demonstrated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franziska Kirchen
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Sciences, Institute IWAR, Chair of Water and Environmental Biotechnology, Technical University of Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Thomas Fundneider
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Sciences, Institute IWAR, Chair of Water and Environmental Biotechnology, Technical University of Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany; Mecana AG, Industriestrasse 39, 8864 Reichenburg, Switzerland
| | - Susanne Lackner
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Sciences, Institute IWAR, Chair of Water and Environmental Biotechnology, Technical University of Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany E-mail:
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Richardson SD, Manasfi T. Water Analysis: Emerging Contaminants and Current Issues. Anal Chem 2024; 96:8184-8219. [PMID: 38700487 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.4c01423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Susan D Richardson
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of South Carolina, JM Palms Center for GSR, 631 Sumter Street, Columbia, South Carolina 29208, United States
| | - Tarek Manasfi
- Eawag, Environmental Chemistry, Uberlandstrasse 133, Dubendorf 8600, Switzerland
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Wagner TV, Rempe F, Hoek M, Schuman E, Langenhoff A. Key constructed wetland design features for maximized micropollutant removal from treated municipal wastewater: A literature study based on 16 indicator micropollutants. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 244:120534. [PMID: 37659177 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/04/2023]
Abstract
The removal of micropollutants from wastewater by constructed wetlands (CWs) has been extensively studied and reviewed over the past years. However, most studies do not specifically focus on the removal of micropollutants from the effluent of conventional wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) that still contains micropollutants, but on the removal of micropollutants from raw wastewater. Raw wastewater has a significantly different composition compared to WWTP effluent, which positively or negatively affects micropollutant removal mechanisms. To determine the optimal CW design for post-treatment of WWTP effluent to achieve additional micropollutant removal, this review analyzes the removal of 16 Dutch indicator micropollutants for post-treatment technology evaluation from WWTP effluent by different types of CWs. It was concluded that CW systems with organic enhanced adsorption substrates reach the highest micropollutant removal efficiency as a result of adsorption, but that the longevity of the enhanced adsorption effect is not known in the systems studied until now. Aerobic biodegradation and photodegradation are other relevant removal mechanisms for the studied micropollutants. However, a current knowledge gap is whether active aeration to stimulate the aerobic micropollutant biodegradation results in an increased micropollutant removal from WWTP effluent. Further knowledge gaps that impede the wider application of CW systems for micropollutant removal from WWTP effluent and allow a fair comparison with other post-treatment technologies for enhanced micropollutant removal, such as ozonation and activated carbon adsorption, relate to i) saturation of enhanced adsorption substrate; ii) the analysis of transformation products and biological effects; iii) insights in the relationship between microbial community composition and micropollutant biodegradation; iv) plant uptake and in-plant degradation of micropollutants; v) establishing design rules for appropriate hydraulic loading rates and/or hydraulic retention times for CWs dedicated to micropollutant removal from WWTP effluent; and vi) the energy- and carbon footprint of different CW systems. This review finishes with detailed suggestions for future research directions that provide answers to these knowledge gaps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas V Wagner
- Department of Environmental Technology, Wageningen University & Research, P. O. Box 17, 6700 EV, Wageningen, the Netherlands.
| | - Fleur Rempe
- TAUW B.V., Handelskade 37, 7400 AC Deventer, the Netherlands
| | - Mirit Hoek
- TAUW B.V., Handelskade 37, 7400 AC Deventer, the Netherlands
| | - Els Schuman
- LeAF B.V., Bornse Weilanden 9, 6708 WG Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Alette Langenhoff
- Department of Environmental Technology, Wageningen University & Research, P. O. Box 17, 6700 EV, Wageningen, the Netherlands
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Rios-Miguel AB, Jhm van Bergen T, Zillien C, Mj Ragas A, van Zelm R, Sm Jetten M, Jan Hendriks A, Welte CU. Predicting and improving the microbial removal of organic micropollutants during wastewater treatment: A review. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 333:138908. [PMID: 37187378 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Organic micropollutants (OMPs) consist of widely used chemicals such as pharmaceuticals and pesticides that can persist in surface and groundwaters at low concentrations (ng/L to μg/L) for a long time. The presence of OMPs in water can disrupt aquatic ecosystems and threaten the quality of drinking water sources. Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) rely on microorganisms to remove major nutrients from water, but their effectiveness at removing OMPs varies. Low removal efficiency might be the result of low concentrations, inherent stable chemical structures of OMPs, or suboptimal conditions in WWTPs. In this review, we discuss these factors, with special emphasis on the ongoing adaptation of microorganisms to degrade OMPs. Finally, recommendations are drawn to improve the prediction of OMP removal in WWTPs and to optimize the design of new microbial treatment strategies. OMP removal seems to be concentration-, compound-, and process-dependent, which poses a great complexity to develop accurate prediction models and effective microbial processes targeting all OMPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana B Rios-Miguel
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Science, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
| | - Tamara Jhm van Bergen
- Department of Environmental Science, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Science, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
| | - Caterina Zillien
- Department of Environmental Science, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Science, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Ad Mj Ragas
- Department of Environmental Science, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Science, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Rosalie van Zelm
- Department of Environmental Science, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Science, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Mike Sm Jetten
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Science, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - A Jan Hendriks
- Department of Environmental Science, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Science, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Cornelia U Welte
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Science, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
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Aumeier BM, Georgi A, Saeidi N, Sigmund G. Is sorption technology fit for the removal of persistent and mobile organic contaminants from water? THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 880:163343. [PMID: 37030383 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2023]
Abstract
Persistent, Mobile, and Toxic (PMT) and very persistent and very mobile (vPvM) substances are a growing threat to water security and safety. Many of these substances are distinctively different from other more traditional contaminants in terms of their charge, polarity, and aromaticity. This results in distinctively different sorption affinities towards traditional sorbents such as activated carbon. Additionally, an increasing awareness on the environmental impact and carbon footprint of sorption technologies puts some of the more energy-intensive practices in water treatment into question. Commonly used approaches may thus need to be readjusted to become fit for purpose to remove some of the more challenging PMT and vPvM substances, including for example short chained per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). We here critically review the interactions that drive sorption of organic compounds to activated carbon and related sorbent materials and identify opportunities and limitations of tailoring activated carbon for PMT and vPvM removal. Other less traditional sorbent materials, including ion exchange resins, modified cyclodextrins, zeolites and metal-organic frameworks are then discussed for potential alternative or complementary use in water treatment scenarios. Sorbent regeneration approaches are evaluated in terms of their potential, considering reusability, potential for on-site regeneration, and potential for local production. In this context, we also discuss the benefits of coupling sorption to destructive technologies or to other separation technologies. Finally, we sketch out possible future trends in the evolution of sorption technologies for PMT and vPvM removal from water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedikt M Aumeier
- RWTH Aachen University, Institute of Environmental Engineering, Mies-van-der-Rohe-Strasse 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany.
| | - Anett Georgi
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Department of Environmental Engineering, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Navid Saeidi
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Department of Environmental Engineering, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Gabriel Sigmund
- Department of Environmental Geosciences, Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, University of Vienna, 1090 Wien, Austria; Environmental Technology, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 17, 6700 AA Wageningen, the Netherlands.
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