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Levin R, Villanueva CM, Beene D, Cradock AL, Donat-Vargas C, Lewis J, Martinez-Morata I, Minovi D, Nigra AE, Olson ED, Schaider LA, Ward MH, Deziel NC. US drinking water quality: exposure risk profiles for seven legacy and emerging contaminants. JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2024; 34:3-22. [PMID: 37739995 PMCID: PMC10907308 DOI: 10.1038/s41370-023-00597-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Advances in drinking water infrastructure and treatment throughout the 20th and early 21st century dramatically improved water reliability and quality in the United States (US) and other parts of the world. However, numerous chemical contaminants from a range of anthropogenic and natural sources continue to pose chronic health concerns, even in countries with established drinking water regulations, such as the US. OBJECTIVE/METHODS In this review, we summarize exposure risk profiles and health effects for seven legacy and emerging drinking water contaminants or contaminant groups: arsenic, disinfection by-products, fracking-related substances, lead, nitrate, per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) and uranium. We begin with an overview of US public water systems, and US and global drinking water regulation. We end with a summary of cross-cutting challenges that burden US drinking water systems: aging and deteriorated water infrastructure, vulnerabilities for children in school and childcare facilities, climate change, disparities in access to safe and reliable drinking water, uneven enforcement of drinking water standards, inadequate health assessments, large numbers of chemicals within a class, a preponderance of small water systems, and issues facing US Indigenous communities. RESULTS Research and data on US drinking water contamination show that exposure profiles, health risks, and water quality reliability issues vary widely across populations, geographically and by contaminant. Factors include water source, local and regional features, aging water infrastructure, industrial or commercial activities, and social determinants. Understanding the risk profiles of different drinking water contaminants is necessary for anticipating local and general problems, ascertaining the state of drinking water resources, and developing mitigation strategies. IMPACT STATEMENT Drinking water contamination is widespread, even in the US. Exposure risk profiles vary by contaminant. Understanding the risk profiles of different drinking water contaminants is necessary for anticipating local and general public health problems, ascertaining the state of drinking water resources, and developing mitigation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronnie Levin
- Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Cristina M Villanueva
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER epidemiología y salud pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
- IMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Daniel Beene
- Community Environmental Health Program, College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM, USA
- University of New Mexico Department of Geography & Environmental Studies, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | | | - Carolina Donat-Vargas
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER epidemiología y salud pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Johnnye Lewis
- Community Environmental Health Program, College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Irene Martinez-Morata
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Darya Minovi
- Center for Science and Democracy, Union of Concerned Scientists, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Anne E Nigra
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Erik D Olson
- Natural Resources Defense Council, Washington, DC, USA
| | | | - Mary H Ward
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
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Guo K, Zhang Y, Wu S, Qin W, Wang Y, Hua Z, Chen C, Fang J. Comprehensive Assessment of Reactive Bromine Species in Advanced Oxidation Processes: Differential Roles in Micropollutant Abatement in Bromide-Containing Water. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:20339-20348. [PMID: 37946521 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c04641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Reactive bromine species (RBS) are gaining increasing attention in natural and engineered aqueous systems containing bromide ions (Br-). However, their roles in the degradation of structurally diverse micropollutants by advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) were not differentiated. In this study, the second-order rate constants (k) of Br•, Br2•-, BrO•, and ClBr•- were collected and evaluated. Br• is the most reactive RBS toward 21 examined micropollutants with k values of 108-1010 M-1 s-1. Br2•-, ClBr•-, and BrO• are selective for electron-rich micropollutants with k values of 106-108 M-1 s-1. The specific roles of RBS in aqueous micropollutant degradation in AOPs were revealed by using simplified models via sensitivity analysis. Generally, RBS play minimal roles in the UV/H2O2 process but are significant in the UV/peroxydisulfate (PDS) and UV/chlorine processes in the presence of trace Br-. In UV/PDS with ≥1 μM Br-, Br• emerges as the major RBS for removing electron-rich micropollutants. In UV/chlorine, BrO• contributes to the degradation of specific electron-rich micropollutants with removal percentages of ≥20% at 1 μM Br-, while the contributions of BrO• and Br• are comparable to those of reactive chlorine species as Br- concentration increases to several μM. In all AOPs, Br2•- and ClBr•- play minor roles at 1-10 μM Br-. Water matrix components such as HCO3-, Cl-, and natural organic matter (NOM) significantly inhibit Br•, while BrO• is less affected, only slightly scavenged by NOM with a k value of 2.1 (mgC/L)-1 s-1. This study sheds light on the differential roles of multiple RBS in micropollutant abatement by AOPs in Br--containing water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaiheng Guo
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, People's Republic of China
| | - Yifei Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, People's Republic of China
| | - Sining Wu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenlei Qin
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuge Wang
- School of Civil Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhechao Hua
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, People's Republic of China
| | - Chunyan Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, People's Republic of China
| | - Jingyun Fang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, People's Republic of China
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Sharma N, Zeng C, Eaton A, Karanfil T, Ghosh A, Westerhoff P. Co-Occurrence of Bromine and Iodine Species in US Drinking Water Sources That Can Impact Disinfection Byproduct Formation. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:18563-18574. [PMID: 36648192 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c06044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Bromine and iodine species are precursors for forming disinfection byproducts in finished drinking waters. Our study incorporates spatial and temporal data to quantify concentrations of inorganic (bromide (Br-), iodide (I-), and iodate (IO3-)), organic, and total bromine (BrT) and iodine (IT) species from 286 drinking water sources and 7 wastewater effluents across the United States. Br- ranged from <5-7800 μg/L (median of 62 μg/L in surface water (SW) and 95 μg/L in groundwater (GW)). I- was detected in 41% of SW (1-72 μg/L, median = <1 μg/L) and 62% of GW (<1-250 μg/L, median = 3 μg/L) samples. The median Br-/I- ratio in SW and GW was 22 μg/μg and 16 μg/μg, respectively, in paired samples with detect Br- and I-. BrT existed primarily as Br-, while IT was present as I-, IO3-, and/or total organic iodine (TOI). Inorganic iodine species (I- and IO3-) were predominant in GW samples, accounting for 60-100% of IT; however, they contributed to only 20-50% of IT in SW samples. The unknown fraction of IT was attributed to TOI. In lakes, seasonal cycling of I-species was observed and was presumably due to algal productivity. Finally, Spearman Rank Correlation tests revealed a strong correlation between Br- and IT in SW (RBr-,IT = 0.83) following the log10 (Br-, μg/L) = 0.65 × log10 (IT, μg/L) - 0.17 relationship. Br- and I- in treated wastewater effluents (median Br- = 234 μg/L, median I- = 5 μg/L) were higher than drinking water sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naushita Sharma
- School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
| | - Chao Zeng
- School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
| | - Andrew Eaton
- Eaton Environmental Water Quality Consulting, LLC, Pasadena, California 91101, United States
| | - Tanju Karanfil
- Environmental Engineering & Earth Sciences, Clemson University, Anderson, South Carolina 29634, United States
| | - Amlan Ghosh
- Corona Environmental Consulting, Lewisville, Texas 75067, United States
| | - Paul Westerhoff
- School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
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Štenclová L, Wilde SB, Schwark M, Cullen JL, McWhorter SA, Niedermeyer THJ, Henderson WM, Mareš J. Occurrence of aetokthonotoxin producer in natural samples - A PCR protocol for easy detection. HARMFUL ALGAE 2023; 125:102425. [PMID: 37220978 PMCID: PMC10206276 DOI: 10.1016/j.hal.2023.102425] [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: 01/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Cyanobacteria are well known producers of bioactive metabolites, including harmful substances. The recently discovered "eagle killer" neurotoxin aetokthonotoxin (AETX) is produced by the epiphytic cyanobacterium Aetokthonos hydrillicola growing on invasive water thyme (Hydrilla verticillata). The biosynthetic gene cluster of AETX was previously identified from an Aetokthonos strain isolated from the J. Strom Thurmond Reservoir, Georgia, USA. Here, a PCR protocol for easy detection of AETX-producers in environmental samples of plant-cyanobacterium consortia was designed and tested. Three different loci of the AETX gene cluster were amplified to confirm the genetic potential for AETX production, along with two variable types of rRNA ITS regions to confirm the homogeneity of the producer´s taxonomic identity. In samples of Hydrilla from three Aetokthonos-positive reservoirs and one Aetokthonos-negative lake, the PCR of all four loci provided results congruent with the Aetokthonos presence/absence detected by light and fluorescence microscopy. The production of AETX in the Aetokthonos-positive samples was confirmed using LC-MS. Intriguingly, in J. Strom Thurmond Reservoir, recently Hydrilla free, an Aetokthonos-like cyanobacterium was found growing on American water-willow (Justicia americana). Those specimens were positive for all three aet markers but contained only minute amounts of AETX. The obtained genetic information (ITS rRNA sequence) and morphology of the novel Aetokthonos distinguished it from all the Hydrilla-hosted A. hydrillicola, likely at the species level. Our results suggest that the toxigenic Aetokthonos spp. can colonize a broader array of aquatic plants, however the level of accumulation of the toxin may be driven by host-specific interactions such as the locally hyper-accumulated bromide in Hydrilla.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lenka Štenclová
- Biology Centre of the CAS, Institute of Hydrobiology, České Budějovice, 370 05 Czechia; University of South Bohemia, Faculty of Science, České Budějovice, 370 05 Czechia
| | - Susan B Wilde
- Daniel B. Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602 USA
| | - Markus Schwark
- Institute of Pharmacy, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), 06120 Germany
| | - Jeffrey L Cullen
- Daniel B. Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602 USA
| | - Seth A McWhorter
- Daniel B. Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602 USA; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling, Athens, GA, 30605 USA
| | - Timo H J Niedermeyer
- Institute of Pharmacy, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), 06120 Germany
| | - W Matthew Henderson
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling, Athens, GA, 30605 USA
| | - Jan Mareš
- Biology Centre of the CAS, Institute of Hydrobiology, České Budějovice, 370 05 Czechia; University of South Bohemia, Faculty of Science, České Budějovice, 370 05 Czechia; Centre Algatech, Institute of Microbiology of the CAS, Třeboň, 379 01 Czechia.
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Orobchenko O, Koreneva Y, Paliy A, Rodionova K, Korenev M, Kravchenko N, Pavlichenko O, Tkachuk S, Nechyporenko O, Nazarenko S. Bromine in chicken eggs, feed, and water from different regions of Ukraine. POTRAVINARSTVO 2022. [DOI: 10.5219/1710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The purpose of these studies was to analyse and compare the content of bromine in samples of chicken eggs, feed, and water from different regions of Ukraine in the dynamics of 2016 – 2020: with an increased risk of bromine in products (Kharkiv, Poltava, Dnipropetrovsk and Mykolaiv regions) and outside the risk zone (Volyn, Vinnytsia and Zaporizhzhia). Studies of bromine content in eggs, feed, and water were performed in the laboratory of toxicological monitoring of the National Scientific Center "Institute of Experimental and Clinical Veterinary Medicine" (Kharkiv) using X-ray fluorescence analysis. As a result of the conducted researches, the increase of the bromine content in chicken eggs in the dynamics of 2016 – 2020 was established: the bromine content increased regardless of the region of the poultry farm location. The highest bromine concentration in chicken eggs was found in Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Mykolaiv, and Zaporizhia regions. Bromine source in poultry products is the excessive intake of bromine in the poultry body with alimentary environmental factors (feed and water). Bromine content in feed for chickens increased in the research dynamics (from 35.1% in the Poltava region to 2.5 times in the Zaporizhzhia region). It exceeded the established EFSA (4.4% of the total) and the average in Ukraine (51.2% of the total number of samples). In addition, the average bromine content in feed from poultry farms of the studied regions of Ukraine correlated with the number of registered and approved bromine-containing pesticides. The average bromine concentration in water sources in the studied regions of Ukraine had no significant differences compared to the beginning of the study but exceeded the maximum allowable concentration by 21.7% in 2016, 34.8% in 2018 and 39.1% in 2020. The maximum bromine concentration was in water sources in Mykolayiv, Kharkiv, and Dnipropetrovsk regions.
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Seid MG, Cho K, Hong SW. UV/sulfite chemistry to reduce N-nitrosodimethylamine formation in chlor(am)inated water. WATER RESEARCH 2020; 185:116243. [PMID: 32750569 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2020.116243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Revised: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The disinfection by-product N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) is a major concern in water quality management due to its carcinogenicity. Thus, a proper pretreatment is necessary to mitigate NDMA formation upon periodic chloramination by removing precursors, such as ranitidine (RNT). This study investigated the effect of UV/sulfite pretreatment on NDMA formation from an RNT-spiked tap and chloraminated synthetic swimming pool (SSP) water. At UVC intensity of 2.1 mW cm-2 and 0.5 mM of sulfite, UV/sulfite chemistry showed complete degradation of 20 µM RNT within 30 min. It was found that SO4•- primarily reduced the NDMA formation potential (FP) of RNT, while hydrated electrons effectively mitigated the pre-formed NDMA in the SSP water. The UV/sulfite pretreatment alleviated NDMA formation during post-chloramination (24 h) by up to 82%, outperforming the commonly employed advanced oxidation processes such as UV/H2O2. However, in the presence of bromide ions, the effectiveness of UV/sulfite pretreatment was seriously deteriorated, although the bromide ion itself was found to inhibit the NDMA formation from RNT especially at pH < 8 during chloramination. Mass spectrometric analysis indicated that the NDMA-FP of RNT could be removed by UV/sulfite principally via N-methylation, dealkylation, and oxygen transfer pathways. Consequently, UV/sulfite could be used as an alternative unit process for water treatment with reduced NDMA formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingizem Gashaw Seid
- Division of Energy and Environment Technology, KIST-School, University of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea; Water Cycle Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Hwarangro 14 gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 136-791, Republic of Korea
| | - Kangwoo Cho
- Division of Environmental Science and Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang 790-784, Republic of Korea; Institute for Convergence Research and Education in Advanced Technology (I-CREATE), Yonsei University International Campus, Incheon 21983, Republic of Korea.
| | - Seok Won Hong
- Division of Energy and Environment Technology, KIST-School, University of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea; Water Cycle Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Hwarangro 14 gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 136-791, Republic of Korea.
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Gingerich DB, Mauter MS. Flue Gas Desulfurization Wastewater Composition and Implications for Regulatory and Treatment Train Design. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2020; 54:3783-3792. [PMID: 32146805 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.9b07433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is currently revising its regulations on trace element discharges from flue gas desulfurization (FGD) wastewater. In this work, we expand a predictive model of trace element behavior at coal-fired power plants (CFPPs) to estimate the trace element concentration of FGD wastewater at the plant level. We demonstrate that variation in trace element concentrations in FGD wastewater can span several orders of magnitude and is a function of both coal rank and installed air pollution control devices. This conclusion suggests that the benefits and costs of FGD wastewater treatment for the median plant will poorly describe the actual benefits and costs over the full range of existing CFPPs. Our model can be used to identify different "classes" of CFPPs for future regulatory and technology development efforts and to evaluate the robustness of proposed treatment technologies in light of large intraplant variability. The model can also elucidate new compliance pathways that exploit empirical and mechanistic relationships between coal concentration, trace element partitioning, and FGD wastewater composition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel B Gingerich
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
- National Energy Technology Laboratory, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15236, United States
| | - Meagan S Mauter
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
- National Energy Technology Laboratory, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15236, United States
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Kolb C, Good KD, VanBriesen JM. Modeling Trihalomethane Increases Associated with Source Water Bromide Contributed by Coal-Fired Power Plants in the Monongahela River Basin. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2020; 54:726-734. [PMID: 31846301 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.9b01544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Increases in source water bromide concentrations are challenging for drinking water utilities since bromide contributes to the formation of disinfection byproducts (DBPs) that have negative human-health effects. The present work evaluates the role of coal-fired power plant wet flue gas desulfurization (FGD)-associated bromide loads on in-stream bromide concentrations in the Monongahela River Basin in the water year (WY) 1998 (during a nationwide study) and over a five-year period from WYs 2013 through 2017. Under mean flow conditions in the lower Monongahela River for the WYs of interest, the median-estimated wet FGD bromide discharges are modeled to represent a significant fraction (27-57%) of observed bromide concentrations with the range representing the change in load conditions across WYs. Seasonal effects are predicted due to changes in the dilution capacity of the river with elevated concentrations under lower flows in the third and fourth quarters (July through December). The effect of these bromide concentration contributions, which range from 6.8 to 23 μg/L under median load estimates and median flow conditions, on trihalomethane (THM) formation and associated risk were assessed. A simple model was applied to demonstrate an analytical approach for evaluating the power plant total THM (TTHM) and risk contributions. Utilizing this model, the power plant TTHM contribution was estimated to range from 7.6 to 27 μg/L with a median risk contribution of 0.0014.
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Jiang Y, Goodwill JE, Tobiason JE, Reckhow DA. Comparison of ferrate and ozone pre-oxidation on disinfection byproduct formation from chlorination and chloramination. WATER RESEARCH 2019; 156:110-124. [PMID: 30909124 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2019.02.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2018] [Revised: 02/18/2019] [Accepted: 02/24/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated the effects of ferrate and ozone pre-oxidation on disinfection byproduct (DBP) formation from subsequent chlorination or chloramination. Two natural waters were treated at bench-scale under various scenarios (chlorine, chloramine, each with ferrate pre-oxidation, and each with pre-ozonation). The formation of brominated and iodinated DBPs in fortified natural waters was assessed. Results indicated ferrate and ozone pre-oxidation were comparable at molar equivalent doses for most DBPs. A net decrease in trihalomethanes (including iodinated forms), haloacetic acids (HAAs), dihaloacetonitrile, total organic chlorine, and total organic iodine was found with both pre-oxidants as compared to chlorination only. An increase in chloropicrin and minor changes in total organic bromine yield were caused by both pre-oxidants compared to chlorination only. However, ozone led to higher haloketone and chloropicrin formation potentials than ferrate. The relative performance of ferrate versus ozone for DBP precursor removal was affected by water quality (e.g., nature of organic matter and bromide concentration) and oxidant dose, and varied by DBP species. Ferrate and ozone pre-oxidation also decreased DBP formation from chloramination under most conditions. However, some increases in THM and dihaloacetonitrile formation potentials were observed at elevated bromide levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanjun Jiang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, 01003, United States
| | - Joseph E Goodwill
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, 02889, United States.
| | - John E Tobiason
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, 01003, United States
| | - David A Reckhow
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, 01003, United States
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Sun X, Gingerich DB, Azevedo IL, Mauter MS. Trace Element Mass Flow Rates from U.S. Coal Fired Power Plants. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2019; 53:5585-5595. [PMID: 31074623 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.9b01039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Trace elements (TEs) exit coal-fired power plants (CFPPs) via solid, liquid, and gaseous waste streams. Estimating the TE concentrations of these waste streams is essential to selecting pollution controls and estimating emission reduction benefits. This work introduces a generalizable mass balance model for estimating TE mass flow rates in CFPP waste streams and evaluates model accuracy for the U.S. coal fleet given current data constraints. We stochastically estimate, using a bootstrapping approach, the 2015 plant-level mass flow rates of Hg, Se, As, and Cl to solid, liquid, and gas phase waste streams by combining publicly available data for combusted coal TE concentrations with estimates of TE partitioning within installed air pollution control processes. When compared with measured and reported data on TE mass flow rates, this model generally overestimates masses by 30-50%, with larger errors for Hg. The partitioning estimates are consistent for Se, As, and Cl removal from flue gas, but tend to underestimate Hg removal. While our model is suitable for first-order estimates of TE mass flows, future work to improve model performance should focus on collecting and using new data on TE concentrations in the coal blend, where data quality is the weakest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaodi Sun
- Department of Engineering and Public Policy , Carnegie Mellon University , 5000 Forbes Ave. , Pittsburgh Pennsylvania 15213 , United States
| | - Daniel B Gingerich
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering , Carnegie Mellon University , 5000 Forbes Ave. , Pittsburgh Pennsylvania 15213 , United States
- National Energy Technology Laboratory , Department of Energy , 626 Cochrans Mill Road , Pittsburgh Pennsylvania 15236 , United States
| | - Inês L Azevedo
- Department of Engineering and Public Policy , Carnegie Mellon University , 5000 Forbes Ave. , Pittsburgh Pennsylvania 15213 , United States
- Wilton E. Scott Institute for Energy Innovation , Carnegie Mellon University , 5000 Forbes Ave. , Pittsburgh Pennsylvania 15213 , United States
| | - Meagan S Mauter
- Department of Engineering and Public Policy , Carnegie Mellon University , 5000 Forbes Ave. , Pittsburgh Pennsylvania 15213 , United States
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering , Carnegie Mellon University , 5000 Forbes Ave. , Pittsburgh Pennsylvania 15213 , United States
- National Energy Technology Laboratory , Department of Energy , 626 Cochrans Mill Road , Pittsburgh Pennsylvania 15236 , United States
- Wilton E. Scott Institute for Energy Innovation , Carnegie Mellon University , 5000 Forbes Ave. , Pittsburgh Pennsylvania 15213 , United States
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Tasker TL, Burgos WD, Ajemigbitse MA, Lauer NE, Gusa AV, Kuatbek M, May D, Landis JD, Alessi DS, Johnsen AM, Kaste JM, Headrick KL, Wilke FDH, McNeal M, Engle M, Jubb AM, Vidic RD, Vengosh A, Warner NR. Accuracy of methods for reporting inorganic element concentrations and radioactivity in oil and gas wastewaters from the Appalachian Basin, U.S. based on an inter-laboratory comparison. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2019; 21:224-241. [PMID: 30452047 DOI: 10.1039/c8em00359a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Accurate and precise analyses of oil and gas (O&G) wastewaters and solids (e.g., sediments and sludge) are important for the regulatory monitoring of O&G development and tracing potential O&G contamination in the environment. In this study, 15 laboratories participated in an inter-laboratory comparison on the chemical characterization of three O&G wastewaters from the Appalachian Basin and four solids impacted by O&G development, with the goal of evaluating the quality of data and the accuracy of measurements for various analytes of concern. Using a variety of different methods, analytes in the wastewaters with high concentrations (i.e., >5 mg L-1) were easily detectable with relatively high accuracy, often within ±10% of the most probable value (MPV). In contrast, often less than 7 of the 15 labs were able to report detectable trace metal(loid) concentrations (i.e., Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, and Pb) with accuracies of approximately ±40%. Despite most labs using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) with low instrument detection capabilities for trace metal analyses, large dilution factors during sample preparation and low trace metal concentrations in the wastewaters limited the number of quantifiable determinations and likely influenced analytical accuracy. In contrast, all the labs measuring Ra in the wastewaters were able to report detectable concentrations using a variety of methods including gamma spectroscopy and wet chemical approaches following Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standard methods. However, the reported radium activities were often greater than ±30% different to the MPV possibly due to calibration inconsistencies among labs, radon leakage, or failing to correct for self-attenuation. Reported radium activities in solid materials had less variability (±20% from MPV) but accuracy could likely be improved by using certified radium standards and accounting for self-attenuation that results from matrix interferences or a density difference between the calibration standard and the unknown sample. This inter-laboratory comparison illustrates that numerous methods can be used to measure major cation, minor cation, and anion concentrations in O&G wastewaters with relatively high accuracy while trace metal(loid) and radioactivity analyses in liquids may often be over ±20% different from the MPV.
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Affiliation(s)
- T L Tasker
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, 212 Sackett Building, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA.
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Good KD, VanBriesen JM. Coal-Fired Power Plant Wet Flue Gas Desulfurization Bromide Discharges to U.S. Watersheds and Their Contributions to Drinking Water Sources. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2019; 53:213-223. [PMID: 30512930 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.8b03036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Wet flue gas desulfurization (FGD) wastewater discharges from coal-fired power plants may increase bromide concentrations at downstream drinking water intakes, leading to increased formation of toxic disinfection byproducts (DBPs). Despite this, bromide was not regulated in FGD wastewater in the 2015 Effluent Limitations Guidelines and Standards for the Steam Electric Power Generating Point Source Category (ELGs). Case-by-case management was recommended instead, depending on downstream drinking water effects. The present work seeks to identify U.S. regions where power plant discharges could affect drinking water. Bromide loads were evaluated for all coal-fired power plants operating wet FGD, and flow paths were used to identify downstream surface water sources. A population-concentration metric was used to evaluate the effect of wet FGD on downstream drinking water and the vulnerability of drinking water to upstream discharges. On a hydrologic region level, results indicate the Ohio, South Atlantic Gulf, and Missouri Regions are the most likely to see effects of power plant bromide discharges on populations served by surface water. Increased refined coal use, which may be treated with bromide, contributes to uncertainty in potential bromide effects on drinking water. Measurement of bromide concentrations in wet FGD discharges would reduce this uncertainty, and control of bromide discharges may be needed in some watersheds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly D Good
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering , Carnegie Mellon University , 5000 Forbes Avenue , Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania 15213 , United States
| | - Jeanne M VanBriesen
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering , Carnegie Mellon University , 5000 Forbes Avenue , Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania 15213 , United States
- Department of Engineering and Public Policy , Carnegie Mellon University , 5000 Forbes Avenue , Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania 15213 , United States
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Chebeir M, Liu H. Oxidation of Cr(III)-Fe(III) Mixed-Phase Hydroxides by Chlorine: Implications on the Control of Hexavalent Chromium in Drinking Water. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2018; 52:7663-7670. [PMID: 29772182 PMCID: PMC6052407 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.7b06013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2017] [Revised: 05/15/2018] [Accepted: 05/17/2018] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The occurrence of chromium (Cr) as an inorganic contaminant in drinking water is widely reported. One source of Cr is its accumulation in iron-containing corrosion scales of drinking water distribution systems as Cr(III)-Fe(III) hydroxide, that is, Fe xCr(1- x)(OH)3(s), where x represents the Fe(III) molar content and typically varies between 0.25 and 0.75. This study investigated the kinetics of inadvertent hexavalent chromium Cr(VI) formation via the oxidation of Fe xCr(1- x)(OH)3(s) by chlorine as a residual disinfectant in drinking water, and examined the impacts of Fe(III) content and drinking water chemical parameters including pH, bromide and bicarbonate on the rate of Cr(VI) formation. Data showed that an increase in Fe(III) molar content resulted in a significant decrease in the stoichiometric Cr(VI) yield and the rate of Cr(VI) formation, mainly due to chlorine decay induced by Fe(III) surface sites. An increase in bicarbonate enhanced the rate of Cr(VI) formation, likely due to the formation of Fe(III)-carbonato surface complexes that slowed down the scavenging reaction with chlorine. The presence of bromide significantly accelerated the oxidation of Fe xCr(1- x)(OH)3(s) by chlorine, resulting from the catalytic effect of bromide acting as an electron shuttle. A higher solution pH between 6 and 8.5 slowed down the oxidation of Cr(III) by chlorine. These findings suggested that the oxidative conversion of chromium-containing iron corrosion products in drinking water distribution systems can lead to the occurrence of Cr(VI) at the tap, and the abundance of iron, and a careful control of pH, bicarbonate and bromide levels can assist the control of Cr(VI) formation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Haizhou Liu
- Phone (951) 827-2076; fax (951) 827-5696; e-mail:
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Tasker TL, Burgos WD, Piotrowski P, Castillo-Meza L, Blewett TA, Ganow KB, Stallworth A, Delompré PLM, Goss GG, Fowler LB, Vanden Heuvel JP, Dorman F, Warner NR. Environmental and Human Health Impacts of Spreading Oil and Gas Wastewater on Roads. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2018; 52:7081-7091. [PMID: 29845864 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.8b00716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Thirteen states in the United States allow the spreading of O&G wastewaters on roads for deicing or dust suppression. In this study, the potential environmental and human health impacts of this practice are evaluated. Analyses of O&G wastewaters spread on roads in the northeastern, U.S. show that these wastewaters have salt, radioactivity, and organic contaminant concentrations often many times above drinking water standards. Bioassays also indicated that these wastewaters contain organic micropollutants that affected signaling pathways consistent with xenobiotic metabolism and caused toxicity to aquatic organisms like Daphnia magna. The potential toxicity of these wastewaters is a concern as lab experiments demonstrated that nearly all of the metals from these wastewaters leach from roads after rain events, likely reaching ground and surface water. Release of a known carcinogen (e.g., radium) from roads treated with O&G wastewaters has been largely ignored. In Pennsylvania from 2008 to 2014, spreading O&G wastewater on roads released over 4 times more radium to the environment (320 millicuries) than O&G wastewater treatment facilities and 200 times more radium than spill events. Currently, state-by-state regulations do not require radium analyses prior to treating roads with O&G wastewaters. Methods for reducing the potential impacts of spreading O&G wastewaters on roads are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- T L Tasker
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering , The Pennsylvania State University , 212 Sackett Building , University Park , Pennsylvania 16802 , United States
| | - W D Burgos
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering , The Pennsylvania State University , 212 Sackett Building , University Park , Pennsylvania 16802 , United States
| | - P Piotrowski
- Department of Chemistry , The Pennsylvania State University , 104 Chemistry Building , University Park , Pennsylvania 16802 , United States
| | - L Castillo-Meza
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering , The Pennsylvania State University , 212 Sackett Building , University Park , Pennsylvania 16802 , United States
| | - T A Blewett
- Department of Biological Sciences , University of Alberta , 11455 Saskatchewan Drive , Edmonton , Alberta T6G 2E0 , Canada
| | - K B Ganow
- Penn State Law , The Pennsylvania State University , Lewis Katz Building , University Park , Pennsylvania 16802 , United States
| | - A Stallworth
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering , The Pennsylvania State University , 212 Sackett Building , University Park , Pennsylvania 16802 , United States
| | - P L M Delompré
- Department of Biological Sciences , University of Alberta , 11455 Saskatchewan Drive , Edmonton , Alberta T6G 2E0 , Canada
| | - G G Goss
- Department of Biological Sciences , University of Alberta , 11455 Saskatchewan Drive , Edmonton , Alberta T6G 2E0 , Canada
| | - L B Fowler
- Penn State Law , The Pennsylvania State University , Lewis Katz Building , University Park , Pennsylvania 16802 , United States
| | - J P Vanden Heuvel
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences , The Pennsylvania State University , 115 Henning Building , University Park , Pennsylvania 16802 , United States
- INDIGO Biosciences, Inc., 1981 Pine Hall Road , State College , Pennsylvania 16801 , United States
| | - F Dorman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology , The Pennsylvania State University , 107 Althouse Lab , University Park , Pennsylvania 16802 , United States
| | - N R Warner
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering , The Pennsylvania State University , 212 Sackett Building , University Park , Pennsylvania 16802 , United States
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