1
|
Mou Y, Liu N, Lu T, Jia C, Xu C, Song M. The effects of carbon nitrogen ratio and salinity on the treatment of swine digestion effluent simultaneously producing bioenergy by microalgae biofilm. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 339:139694. [PMID: 37536538 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.139694] [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: 04/30/2023] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
In order to remove high concentrations of ammonia nitrogen (NH4+-N) and refractory sulfamethazine (SM2) from swine digestion effluent, different carbon/nitrogen (C/N) ratios and salinity were used to determine the effects of pollutants removal in the microalgae biofilm system. Microalgae biofilm treatment under optimal environmental conditions in synthetic swine digestion effluent were C/N ratio of 20 and salinity of 140 mM. In order to make the actual swine digestion effluent discharge up to the standard, three different two-cycle treatments (suspended microalgae, microalgae biofilm, microalgae biofilm under the optimal conditions) were studied. The results showed that after two-cycle treatment with microalgae biofilm under the optimal conditions, the actual swine digestion effluent levels of total nitrogen (TN), NH4+-N, total phosphorus (TP), chemical oxygen demand (COD), SM2 were 22.65, 9.32, 4.11, 367.28, and 0.99 mg L-1, respectively, which could satisfy the discharge standards for livestock and poultry wastewater in China. At the same time, first-order kinetic simulation equations suggested a degradation half-life of 4.85 d for SM2 under optimal conditions in microalgae biofilm, and microbial community analysis indicated that the dominant genus was Halomonas. Furthermore, 35.66% of lipid, 32.56% of protein and 18.44% of polysaccharides were harvested after two-cycle in microalgae biofilm treatment under optimal environmental conditions. These results indicated that the regulation of C/N and salinity in microalgae biofilm for the treatment of swine digestion effluent was a high-efficiency strategy to simultaneously achieve wastewater treatment and bioenergy production.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yiwen Mou
- School of Environmental Science & Engineering, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan, Shandong, 250353, PR China
| | - Na Liu
- School of Environmental Science & Engineering, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan, Shandong, 250353, PR China
| | - Tianxiang Lu
- School of Environmental Science & Engineering, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan, Shandong, 250353, PR China
| | - Cong Jia
- School of Environmental Science & Engineering, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan, Shandong, 250353, PR China
| | - Chongqing Xu
- School of Environmental Science & Engineering, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan, Shandong, 250353, PR China; Ecology Institute of Shandong Academy of Sciences, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan, Shandong, 250013, PR China
| | - Mingming Song
- School of Environmental Science & Engineering, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan, Shandong, 250353, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Sengar A, Vijayanandan A. Fate and removal of iodinated X-ray contrast media in membrane bioreactor: Microbial dynamics and effects of different operational parameters. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 869:161827. [PMID: 36708825 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.161827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Iodinated X-ray contrast media (ICM) are mainly used in medical sector, and their presence in environmental waters is a cause of concern as they are capable of forming highly toxic iodinated disinfection byproducts. In the present study, the removal mechanisms of the three ICM- iohexol, iopromide, and iopamidol were elucidated in a lab-scale aerobic membrane bioreactor (MBR). At steady-state operation (solids retention time (SRT)- 70 days, organic loading rate (OLR)- 0.80 KgCOD/m3-day, nitrogen loading rate (NLR)- 0.08 KgNH4-N/m3-day, hydraulic retention time (HRT)- 12 h), the average removal of iohexol and iopromide was found to be 34.9 and 45.2 %, respectively, whereas iopamidol proved to be highly recalcitrant in aerobic conditions of the MBR (removal <10 % in all phases of the MBR operation). Further, through batch kinetic studies and mass balance analysis, it was observed that ICM were primarily biotransformed in the MBR system and biosorption (Kd < 10 L/Kg) was negligible. The biodegradation rate coefficient values (Kbiol) of the ICM were found to be <0.65 L/g-d which indicate that biotransformation rate of ICM was slow. Increased OLR (1.60 KgCOD/m3-day) and reduced SRT (20 days) were found to negatively affect the removal of the ICM. Further, the removal of ICM was found to depend on its initial concentration, and the increment in the ammonium loading (0.16 KgNH4-N/m3-day) did not favor its removal. The dosing of ICM altered the microbial dynamics of the mixed liquor and reduced the microbial diversity and richness. Bdellovibrio, Zoogloea, and bacteria belonging to TM7-3 class, Cryomorphaceae and Hyphomonadaceae families may contribute in ICM biotransformation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ashish Sengar
- Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi), New Delhi 110016, India
| | - Arya Vijayanandan
- Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi), New Delhi 110016, India.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Gabrielli M, Delli Compagni R, Gusmaroli L, Malpei F, Polesel F, Buttiglieri G, Antonelli M, Turolla A. Modelling and prediction of the effect of operational parameters on the fate of contaminants of emerging concern in WWTPs. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 856:159200. [PMID: 36202354 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159200] [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: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) provide a barrier against the discharge of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) into the environment. The removal of CECs is highly WWTP-specific and the underlying mechanisms are still poorly understood, hampering the optimization of biological treatment steps for their removal. To fill this knowledge gap, we assessed the influence of four operational parameters of activated sludge biological treatment, namely total suspended solids, temperature, pH and redox conditions, on the sorption and biodegradation of four CECs under controlled laboratory conditions. Design of Experiments was used to better address the factors influencing CECs removal and interactions among operational parameters. The derived statistical models showed results in concordance with previous studies and indicated how sorption and biodegradation of the investigated CECs depend on most tested parameters and few of their interactions. The predictions of the developed models have been compared with literature values, indicating how the tested parameters are responsible for most of the variability of sorption, while they could not reliably generalize biodegradation rates. The developed models were also implemented as an extension of a mechanistic biological treatment model, successfully describing the dynamic behaviour of a large-scale WWTP, which was observed during a three-day continuous monitoring campaign. Compared to a traditional modelling approach, the one including the developed models showed on average almost a three-fold uncertainty reduction, favouring its use to aid WWTP managers and regulators for improved assessment of CEC fate and removal. Finally, the models highlighted that, while higher temperatures and solids concentrations generically favoured CECs removal, removal efficiency vary significantly due to operational parameters and no globally optimum conditions for CECs removal exist. The use of these models opens the door to the combined dynamic management of both traditional contaminants and CECs in WWTPs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marco Gabrielli
- Politecnico di Milano, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (DICA), Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Riccardo Delli Compagni
- Politecnico di Milano, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (DICA), Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Lucia Gusmaroli
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA-CERCA), C. Emili Grahit 101, 17003 Girona, Spain; Universitat de Girona, Plaça de Sant Domènec, 3, 17004 Girona, Spain
| | - Francesca Malpei
- Politecnico di Milano, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (DICA), Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | | | - Gianluigi Buttiglieri
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA-CERCA), C. Emili Grahit 101, 17003 Girona, Spain; Universitat de Girona, Plaça de Sant Domènec, 3, 17004 Girona, Spain
| | - Manuela Antonelli
- Politecnico di Milano, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (DICA), Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Andrea Turolla
- Politecnico di Milano, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (DICA), Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133 Milano, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Liang C, Carvalho PN, Bester K. Effects of substrate loading on co-metabolic transformation pathways and removal rates of pharmaceuticals in biofilm reactors. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 853:158607. [PMID: 36089036 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 09/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
This study focused on the effects of substrate (raw wastewater) on the biological removal of 20 pharmaceuticals in moving bed biofilm reactors. This is the first study discriminating experimentally between effects of adaptation (45 d) and stimulation (100 h) on the removal of micropollutants. The results presented in this paper show: i) Tramadol and venlafaxine are subject to microbial N-oxidation (besides the known demethylation). ii) Changes in substrate loading, changed the preferential degradation pathways, e.g., from N-oxidation (under starvation) to N-demethylation of both model compounds: tramadol and venlafaxine, during adaptation and stimulation to high substrate supply. iii) In starving biofilms, the effects of stimulation on removal rates are minor (-100 to +150 %) in comparison to those caused by adaptation (-100 to +700 %). iv) Adaptation to high loadings resulted in increased removal rates (up to 700 % in selected cases) v) Adaptation to high loadings followed by high loading of stimulation, resulted in the highest increase of removal rates (+49 % to +1800 %) for hard-to-degrade compounds (e.g., diclofenac). All in all, this study shows that the efficiency of biofilm reactors is heavily dependent on their adaptation to substrate.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chuanzhou Liang
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Luoshi Road 122, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China; Department of Environmental Science, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, Roskilde 4000, Denmark
| | - Pedro N Carvalho
- Department of Environmental Science, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, Roskilde 4000, Denmark; WATEC - Centre for Water Technology, Aarhus University, Ny Munkegade 120, Aarhus 8000, Denmark
| | - Kai Bester
- Department of Environmental Science, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, Roskilde 4000, Denmark; WATEC - Centre for Water Technology, Aarhus University, Ny Munkegade 120, Aarhus 8000, Denmark.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Dos Santos CR, Lebron YAR, Moreira VR, Koch K, Amaral MCS. Biodegradability, environmental risk assessment and ecological footprint in wastewater technologies for pharmaceutically active compounds removal. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2022; 343:126150. [PMID: 34678454 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2021.126150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Revised: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Several studies have investigated the removal of pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs) by wastewater treatment technologies due to the risk that these compounds pose to the environment. In this sense, advanced biological processes have been developed for micropollutants removal, such as membrane bioreactors and moving bed biofilm reactors. Thus, this review holistically evaluated the biodegradation of 18 environmentally hazardous PhACs. Biological processes were assessed including removal efficiencies, environmental risk, and ecological footprint (consumption of resources and energy, atmospheric emissions, and waste generation). The maximum concentration of PhACs for a low or negligible risk scenario in treated wastewater and the potential of biological processes to meet this goal were assessed. Among the evaluated PhACs, the most biodegradable was paracetamol, while the most recalcitrant was diclofenac. Combination of conventional processes and advanced biological processes proved to be the most efficient way to remove several PhACs, mainly the osmotic membrane bioreactor.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Rodrigues Dos Santos
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, 30270-901 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Yuri Abner Rocha Lebron
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, 30270-901 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Victor Rezende Moreira
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, 30270-901 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Konrad Koch
- Chair of Urban Water Systems Engineering, Technical University of Munich, Am Coulombwall 3, 385748 Garching, Germany
| | - Míriam Cristina Santos Amaral
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, 30270-901 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Kennes-Veiga DM, Gónzalez-Gil L, Carballa M, Lema JM. Enzymatic cometabolic biotransformation of organic micropollutants in wastewater treatment plants: A review. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2022; 344:126291. [PMID: 34752884 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2021.126291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Biotransformation of trace-level organic micropollutants (OMPs) by complex microbial communities in wastewater treatment facilities is a key process for their detoxification and environmental impact reduction. Therefore, understanding the metabolic activities and mechanisms that contribute to their biotransformation is essential when developing approaches aiming to minimize their discharge. This review addresses the relevance of cometabolic processes and discusses the main enzymatic activities currently known to take part in OMPs removal under different redox environments in the compartments of wastewater treatment plants. Furthermore, the most common methodologies to decipher such enzymes are discussed, including the use of in vitro enzyme assays, enzymatic inhibitors, the analysis of transformation products and the application of several -omic techniques. Finally, perspectives on major challenges and future research requirements to improve OMPs biotransformation are proposed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David M Kennes-Veiga
- CRETUS, Department of Chemical Engineering, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
| | - Lorena Gónzalez-Gil
- Defence University Centre, Spanish Naval Academy, Plaza de España, 36920 Marín, Spain
| | - Marta Carballa
- CRETUS, Department of Chemical Engineering, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Juan M Lema
- CRETUS, Department of Chemical Engineering, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
A Mechanistic Model to Assess the Fate of Naphthalene and Benzo(a)pyrene in a Chilean WWTP. Processes (Basel) 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/pr9081313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a family of organic compounds of widespread presence in the environment. They are recalcitrant, ubiquitous, prone to bioaccumulation, and potentially carcinogenic. Effluent from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) constitutes a major source of PAHs into water bodies, and their presence should be closely monitored, especially considering the increasing applications of potable and non-potable reuse of treated wastewater worldwide. Modeling the fate and distribution of PAHs in WWTPs is a valuable tool to overcome the complexity and cost of monitoring and quantifying PAHs. A mechanistic model was built to evaluate the fate of PAHs in both water and sludge lines of a Chilean WWTP. Naphthalene and benzo(a)pyrene were used as models of low-MW and high-MW PAHs. As there were no reported experimental data available for the case study, the influent load was determined through a statistical approach based on reported values worldwide. For both naphthalene and benzo(a)pyrene, the predominant mechanism in the water line was sorption to sludge, while that in the sludge line was desorption. Compared to other studies in the literature, the model satisfactorily describes the mechanisms involved in the fate and distribution of PAHs in a conventional activated sludge WWTP. Even though there is evidence of the presence of PAHs in urban centers in Chile, local regulatory standards do not consider PAHs in the disposal of WWTP effluents. Monitoring of PAHs in both treated effluents and biosolids is imperative, especially when considering de facto reuse and soil amendment in agricultural activities are currently practiced downstream of the studied WWTP.
Collapse
|
8
|
Tozar T, Boni M, Staicu A, Pascu ML. Optical Characterization of Ciprofloxacin Photolytic Degradation by UV-Pulsed Laser Radiation. Molecules 2021; 26:2324. [PMID: 33923649 PMCID: PMC8073987 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26082324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 04/10/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Ciprofloxacin is one of the most prescribed antibiotics in treating bacterial infections, becoming an important pollutant of the wastewaters. Moreover, ciprofloxacin is hard to be destroyed by conventional water treatment processes; therefore, efficient treatments to destroy it are needed in water decontamination. This study offers insights into the performance of 266 nm laser beams on the photodegradation of ciprofloxacin. An Nd:YAG laser was used that emitted 266 nm at an energy of 6.5 mJ (power of 65 mW) and ciprofloxacin water solutions were irradiated up to 240 min. The irradiated solutions were investigated by UV-Vis and FTIR absorption spectroscopy, pH assay, and laser-induced fluorescence. An HPTLC densitometer was used to characterize the laser-induced fluorescence and fluorescence lifetime of photodegradation products. The UV-Vis absorption, FTIR, and laser-induced fluorescence spectra showed the degradation of ciprofloxacin. Moreover, HPTLC densitometry offered the fluorescence and fluorescence lifetime of ciprofloxacin and its three photoproducts as well as their relative quantification. From the FTIR spectra, the molecular structure of two out of three photoproducts was proposed. In conclusion, the laser irradiation method provided the efficient photodegradation of ciprofloxacin, whereas the analytical techniques offered the proper means to monitor the process and detect the obtained photoproducts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana Tozar
- Laser Department, National Institute for Laser, Plasma and Radiation Physics, 409 Atomistilor, 077125 Magurele, Ilfov, Romania; (M.B.); (A.S.); (M.L.P.)
| | - Mihai Boni
- Laser Department, National Institute for Laser, Plasma and Radiation Physics, 409 Atomistilor, 077125 Magurele, Ilfov, Romania; (M.B.); (A.S.); (M.L.P.)
| | - Angela Staicu
- Laser Department, National Institute for Laser, Plasma and Radiation Physics, 409 Atomistilor, 077125 Magurele, Ilfov, Romania; (M.B.); (A.S.); (M.L.P.)
| | - Mihail Lucian Pascu
- Laser Department, National Institute for Laser, Plasma and Radiation Physics, 409 Atomistilor, 077125 Magurele, Ilfov, Romania; (M.B.); (A.S.); (M.L.P.)
- Faculty of Physics, University of Bucharest, 405 Atomistilor, 077125 Magurele, Romania
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Liao Q, Rong H, Zhao M, Luo H, Chu Z, Wang R. Interaction between tetracycline and microorganisms during wastewater treatment: A review. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 757:143981. [PMID: 33316507 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.143981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Revised: 11/15/2020] [Accepted: 11/15/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Tetracycline (TC) is a commonly used human and veterinary antibiotic that is mostly discharged into wastewater in the form of the parent compounds. At present, wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) use activated sludge processes that are not specifically designed to remove such pollutants. Considering the biological toxicity of TC in aquatic environment, the migration and fate of TC in the process of wastewater treatment deserve attention. This paper reviews the influence of TC on the functional bacteria in the sludge matrix and the development of tetracycline-resistant genes, and also discusses their adsorption removal rates, their adsorption kinetics and adsorption isotherm models, and infers their adsorption mechanism. In addition, the biodegradation of TC in the process of biological treatment is reviewed. Co-metabolism and the role of dominant bacteria in the degradation process are described, along with the formation of degradation byproducts and their toxicity. Furthermore, the current popular integrated coupling-system for TC degradation is also introduced. This paper systematically introduces the interaction between TC and activated sludge in WWTPs. The review concludes by providing directions to address research and knowledge gaps in TC removal from wastewater.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Quan Liao
- School of Civil Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Hongwei Rong
- School of Civil Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China; Key Laboratory for Water Quality and Conservation of the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou 510006, China.
| | - Meihua Zhao
- School of Civil Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
| | - Huayong Luo
- School of Civil Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Zhaorui Chu
- School of Civil Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Randeng Wang
- School of Civil Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Ávila C, García-Galán MJ, Borrego CM, Rodríguez-Mozaz S, García J, Barceló D. New insights on the combined removal of antibiotics and ARGs in urban wastewater through the use of two configurations of vertical subsurface flow constructed wetlands. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 755:142554. [PMID: 33059136 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Revised: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/19/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The occurrence and removal of 49 antibiotics and 11 selected antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) were investigated in 2 vertical subsurface flow (VF) constructed wetlands (1.5 m2 each): an unsaturated (UVF) unit and a partially saturated (SVF) unit (0.35 m saturated out of 0.8 m) operating in parallel and treating urban wastewater. Thirteen antibiotics were detected in influent wastewater, 6 of which were present in all samples. The SVF showed statistical significance on the removal of 4 compounds (namely ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, pipemidic acid and azithromycin), suggesting that the wider range of pH and/or redox conditions of this configuration might promote the microbial degradation of some antibiotics. In contrast, the concentration of the latter (except pipemidic acid) and also clindamycin was higher in the effluent than in the influent of the UVF. Five ARGs were detected in influent wastewater, sul1 and sul2, blaTEM, ermB and qnrS. All of them were detected also in the biofilm of both wetlands, except qnrS. Average removal rates of ARGs showed no statistical differences between both wetland units, and ranged between 46 and 97% for sul1, 33 and 97% for sul2, 9 and 99% for ermB, 18 and 97% for qnrS and 11 and 98% for blaTEM.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Ávila
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), C/Emili Grahit 101, E-17003 Girona, Spain; Universitat de Girona. Girona, Spain; AIMEN Technology Center, c/ Relva, 27 A - Torneiros, E-36410 Porriño, Pontevedra, Spain
| | - María J García-Galán
- GEMMA-Group of Environmental Engineering and Microbiology. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya-BarcelonaTech, c/ Jordi Girona, 1-3, Building D1, E-08034 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Carles M Borrego
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), C/Emili Grahit 101, E-17003 Girona, Spain; Group of Molecular Microbial Ecology, Institute of Aquatic Ecology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Sara Rodríguez-Mozaz
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), C/Emili Grahit 101, E-17003 Girona, Spain; Universitat de Girona. Girona, Spain
| | - Joan García
- GEMMA-Group of Environmental Engineering and Microbiology. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya-BarcelonaTech, c/ Jordi Girona, 1-3, Building D1, E-08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Damià Barceló
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), C/Emili Grahit 101, E-17003 Girona, Spain; Universitat de Girona. Girona, Spain; Department of Environmental Chemistry, IDAEA-CSIC, C/ Jordi Girona 18-26, E-08034 Barcelona, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Martínez-Quintela M, Arias A, Alvarino T, Suarez S, Garrido JM, Omil F. Cometabolic removal of organic micropollutants by enriched nitrite-dependent anaerobic methane oxidizing cultures. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2021; 402:123450. [PMID: 32731114 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.123450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Revised: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The innovative and recently discovered n-damo process, based on anaerobic methane oxidation with nitrite, was developed in a membrane-based bioreactor and evaluated in terms of organic micropollutants (OMPs) removal. The main singularity of this study consisted in the evaluation of organic micropollutants (OMPs) removal in the biological reactor. A strategy consisting on progressively increasing the nitrogen loading rate in order to increase the specific denitrification activity was followed to check if the selected OMPs were co-metabolically biotransformed. Significant nitrite removal rate (24.1 mg N L-1 d-1) was achieved after only 30 days of operation. A maximum specific removal of 186.3 mg N gVSS-1 d-1 was obtained at the end of the operation, which is one of the highest previously reported. A successfully n-damo bacteria enrichment was achieved, being Candidatus Methylomirabilis the predominant bacteria during the whole operation attaining a maximum relative abundance of about 40 %. The natural hormones (E1 and E2) were completely removed in the bioreactor. The specific removal rates of erythromycin (ERY), fluoxetine (FLX), roxithromycin (ROX) and sulfamethoxazole (SMX) were successfully correlated with the specific nitrite removal rates, suggesting a co-metabolic biotransformation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Martínez-Quintela
- Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Santiago de Compostela, Campus Vida, E-15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
| | - Adrián Arias
- Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Santiago de Compostela, Campus Vida, E-15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Teresa Alvarino
- Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Santiago de Compostela, Campus Vida, E-15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Galician Water Research Center Foundation (Cetaqua Galicia). Emprendia Building, University of Santiago de Compostela, Campus Vida, E-15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Sonia Suarez
- Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Santiago de Compostela, Campus Vida, E-15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Juan Manuel Garrido
- Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Santiago de Compostela, Campus Vida, E-15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Francisco Omil
- Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Santiago de Compostela, Campus Vida, E-15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Liang DH, Hu Y. Application of a heavy metal-resistant Achromobacter sp. for the simultaneous immobilization of cadmium and degradation of sulfamethoxazole from wastewater. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2021; 402:124032. [PMID: 33077268 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.124032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Revised: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Little information is available regarding the kinetics, products, and pathways of simultaneous SMX degradation and Cd(II) immobilization from wastewater. In this study, a novel bacterium (Achromobacter sp. L3) with SMX degradation and Cd(II) immobilization capabilities was isolated. The boundary conditions of SMX degradation were as follows: initial pH 6-8, temperature 25-30 °C, and SMX concentration 10-40 mg/L-1. The boundary conditions of Cd(II) immobilization were as follows: initial pH 7-9, temperature 25-35 °C, and SMX concentration 10-30 mg/L-1. The maximum SMX degradation and Cd(II) removal were 91.98% and 100%, respectively. The SMX degradation and Cd(II) immobilization data fitted well with the pseudo-first-order kinetic model, indicating that the two pollutants conform to the same degradation rule. Moreover, the microbial degradation, sediment adsorption, and intermediates identified in the experiments were used to explore the mechanisms of SMX and Cd(II) removal. These results indicate that microbial removal and sediment adsorption play equally important roles in Cd(II) immobilization; however, microbial degradation plays a decisive role in SMX degradation. Furthermore, the relationship between aerobic denitrification, SMX degradation, and Cd(II) immobilization was proposed. These results may provide valuable insights for treatment of wastewater polluted by antibiotics and heavy metals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dong Hui Liang
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Centre, Guangzhou 510006, PR China; The Key Lab of Pollution Control and Ecosystem Restoration in Industry Clusters, Ministry of Education, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Centre, Guangzhou 510006, PR China.
| | - Yongyou Hu
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Centre, Guangzhou 510006, PR China; The Key Lab of Pollution Control and Ecosystem Restoration in Industry Clusters, Ministry of Education, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Centre, Guangzhou 510006, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Nguyen PY, Carvalho G, Reis MAM, Oehmen A. A review of the biotransformations of priority pharmaceuticals in biological wastewater treatment processes. WATER RESEARCH 2021; 188:116446. [PMID: 33038717 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2020.116446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2020] [Revised: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater effluent discharges have been considered as one of the main sources of synthetic chemicals entering into the aquatic environment. Even though they occur at low concentrations, pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs) can have an impact on ecological toxicity that affects aquatic organisms. Moreover, new regulations in development toward preserving water quality reinforces the increasing need to monitor and abate some PhACs in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), where they are typically only partially eliminated. Unlike most previous reviews, we have focussed on how the main biological and chemical molecular factors impact the biotransformations of key PhACs in biological WWTP processes. Biotransformations have been found to be an important contributor towards the removal of PhACs from WWTP effluents. This review paper critically assesses these aspects and the recent advances that have been achieved in wastewater treatment processes for biodegradation of 7 PhACs; namely the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) diclofenac (DCF); the macrolide antibiotics azithromycin (AZM), erythromycin (ERY) and clarithromycin (CLR); the two natural estrogens estrone (E1) and 17β-estradiol (E2), and the synthetic estrogen 17α-ethinylesradiol (EE2). These represent the micropollutants of the EU Watch list in Decision 2015/495/EU that are most relevant to WWTPs due to their frequent detection. The metabolic pathways, transformation products and impact of relevant factors to biological WWTP processes is addressed in this review. The biokinetics of PhAC biodegradation in different engineered bioprocesses is also discussed. Promising technologies and operational strategies that are likely to have a high impact on controlling PhAC releases are highlighted and future research needs are also proposed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- P Y Nguyen
- UCIBIO, REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal.
| | - Gilda Carvalho
- Advanced Water Management Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Maria A M Reis
- UCIBIO, REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - Adrian Oehmen
- School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Hamid H, Li LY, Grace JR. Effect of substrate concentrations on aerobic biotransformation of 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonate (6:2 FTS) in landfill leachate. CHEMOSPHERE 2020; 261:128108. [PMID: 33113640 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.128108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2020] [Revised: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Biotransformation of 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonate (FTS) results in the formation of short-chain (C4 - C6) perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs) in landfill leachate. Although leachate substrate concentrations (i.e., organic carbon, ammonia) vary widely, their effects on 6:2 FTS biotransformation and PFCAs formation are unknown. This study investigated the effect of organic carbon and ammonia concentration in 6:2 FTS aerobic biotransformation and PFCA formation in leachate. Biotransformation experiments were conducted with sediment collected from a landfill leachate ditch, to which deionized (DI) water and various amounts of leachate were added. Microbial community analysis using 16S rRNA indicated that while phylum Proteobacteria dominated the bacterial composition throughout the 60 days, Actinobacteria increased with time. Many genera from Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria can synthesize a wide array of enzymes, indicating that these phyla are likely to play an important role in 6:2 FTS biotransformation. Higher biotransformation of 6:2 FTS was observed in leachate-added microcosms (∼21%), compared to DI water microcosm (∼14%), likely reflecting the substrate dependency of 6:2 FTS biotransformation. Substrate limiting conditions in DI water microcosm resulted in slightly greater formation of ∑(C4 - C6) PFCAs (∼14 mol%), compared with leachate added microcosms (10-13 mol%). The findings suggest that dilution of landfill leachate, (e.g., during wet seasons), likely results in reduced 6:2 FTS biotransformation and increased PFCAs formation compared to dry conditions. Observed formation of C7 - C8 PFCAs in the live microcosms suggested that landfills act as secondary sources of legacy PFCAs (e.g., perfluorooctanoic acid) in the environment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Hamid
- Civil Engineering, University of British Columbia, 6250 Applied Science Lane, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Loretta Y Li
- Civil Engineering, University of British Columbia, 6250 Applied Science Lane, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada.
| | - John R Grace
- Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of British Columbia, 2360 East Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Li C, Gu Z, Zhu S, Liu D. 17β-Estradiol removal routes by moving bed biofilm reactors (MBBRs) under various C/N ratios. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 741:140381. [PMID: 32599404 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.140381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Revised: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 06/18/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
This study evaluated the contribution of biotic and abiotic routes to the 17β-estradiol (E2) removal in moving bed biofilm reactors (MBBRs), and uncovered the interrelation between the E2 removal routes and biofilm characteristics, which was not researched in previous literature. Three MBBRs with different C/N ratios (0 for C/N0; 2 for C/N2; and 5 for C/N5) were operated in continuous mode. A 65-day degradation demonstrated that the MBBRs had high potential to remove E2 regardless of the C/N (E2 removal greater than 99% for all MBBRs; P > 0.05). Further batch tests showed that the E2 removal mainly resulted from heterotrophic activities for all MBBRs, accounting for approximately 85% for all MBBRs (P > 0.05), followed by nitrification (10-11%) and adsorption (4-5%). Importantly, lower adhesive force likely led to higher E2 adsorption onto biofilms. Besides, enhanced ammonia oxidizing rate (AOR) was consistent with the high contribution of nitrification to the E2 attenuation. Importantly, heterotrophic activity was positively correlated with its contribution to E2 removal (r = 0.99, P < 0.05). To sum, the results obtained in this study helped to understand the E2 removal routes in nitrifying biofilm systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Changwei Li
- Institute of Agricultural Bio-Environmental Engineering, College of Biosystems Engineering and Food Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhefeng Gu
- Institute of Agricultural Bio-Environmental Engineering, College of Biosystems Engineering and Food Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Songming Zhu
- Institute of Agricultural Bio-Environmental Engineering, College of Biosystems Engineering and Food Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Dezhao Liu
- Institute of Agricultural Bio-Environmental Engineering, College of Biosystems Engineering and Food Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Svendsen SB, El-Taliawy H, Carvalho PN, Bester K. Concentration dependent degradation of pharmaceuticals in WWTP effluent by biofilm reactors. WATER RESEARCH 2020; 186:116389. [PMID: 32916616 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2020.116389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Revised: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Conventional wastewater treatment lacks the ability to remove many pharmaceuticals. This is leading to emissions to the natural aquatic environment, where these compounds pose a risk to the aquatic organisms. An advanced wastewater treatment technique that has shown promising results is Moving Bed Biofilm Reactors (MBBR). Initial degradation velocity and degradation rate constants of the pharmaceuticals are important parameters for designing an optimal MBBR system; however, the degradation efficiency varies across studies and one of the most plausible causes might be initial concentration. Thus, to verify the effect of initial concentration, the degradation of a mixture of 18 pharmaceuticals at different initial concentrations was studied. For this study MBBR's with very low BOD loading were used as they were conditioned with effluent water. The experiment was set up as a MBBR batch incubation, using effluent wastewater as medium, spiked with the 18 pharmaceuticals in seven different concentration levels (approximately 0-300 µg L-1). The degradation of 14 out of 18 pharmaceuticals was concentration-dependent. The initial degradation velocity of the pharmaceuticals was either proportional to the initial concentration or was following a typical Michaelis-Menten kinetic. The degradation velocity of one compound, i.e., sulfamethizole might have been inhibited at high concentrations. The degradation rate constants from single first-order fittings (KSFO) for some compounds deviated from the expected behavior at low concentrations (below 10 µg L-1). This is suggested to be caused by simplicity of the Michaelis-Menten model, not taking possible occurrence of co-metabolism and mass-transfer limitations into account at low concentrations. This study underlines the fact that K values cannot be interpreted without paying attention to the tested concentration level. Furthermore, it shows that the used MBBRs was able to handle high concentrations of pharmaceuticals, and that the most efficient removal occurs at concentrations above 100 µg L-1.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sif B Svendsen
- Department of Environmental Science, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgsvej 399, Roskilde 4000, Denmark; WATEC - Centre for Water Technology, Aarhus University, Ny Munkegade 120, Aarhus 8000, Denmark
| | - Haitham El-Taliawy
- Department of Environmental Science, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgsvej 399, Roskilde 4000, Denmark
| | - Pedro N Carvalho
- Department of Environmental Science, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgsvej 399, Roskilde 4000, Denmark; WATEC - Centre for Water Technology, Aarhus University, Ny Munkegade 120, Aarhus 8000, Denmark
| | - Kai Bester
- Department of Environmental Science, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgsvej 399, Roskilde 4000, Denmark; WATEC - Centre for Water Technology, Aarhus University, Ny Munkegade 120, Aarhus 8000, Denmark.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Delli Compagni R, Polesel F, von Borries KJF, Zhang Z, Turolla A, Antonelli M, Vezzaro L. Modelling the fate of micropollutants in integrated urban wastewater systems: Extending the applicability to pharmaceuticals. WATER RESEARCH 2020; 184:116097. [PMID: 32911442 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2020.116097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2020] [Revised: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/20/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Pharmaceutical active compounds (PhACs) are a category of micropollutants frequently detected across integrated urban wastewater systems. Existing modelling tools supporting the evaluation of micropollutant fate in such complex systems, such as the IUWS_MP model library (which acronym IUWS stands for Integrated Urban Wastewater System), do not consider fate processes and fractions that are typical for PhACs. This limitation was overcome by extending the existing IUWS_MP model library with new fractions (conjugated metabolites, sequestrated fraction) and processes (consumption-excretion, deconjugation). The performance of the extended library was evaluated for five PhACs (carbamazepine, ibuprofen, diclofenac, paracetamol, furosemide) in two different integrated urban wastewater systems where measurements were available. Despite data uncertainty and the simplicity of the modelling approach, chosen to minimize data requirements, model prediction uncertainty overlapped with the measurements ranges across both systems, stressing the robustness of the proposed modelling approach. Possible applications of the extended IUWS_MP model library are presented, illustrating how this tool can support urban water managers in reducing environmental impacts from PhACs discharges.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Delli Compagni
- Department of Civil and Environment Engineering (DICA), Politecnico di Milano, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20129, Milan, Italy.
| | - Fabio Polesel
- DTU Environment, Technical University of Denmark, Bygningstorvet, Building 115, 2800, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark; DHI A/S, Agern Allé 5, 2970, Hørsholm, Denmark
| | - Kerstin J F von Borries
- DTU Environment, Technical University of Denmark, Bygningstorvet, Building 115, 2800, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Zhen Zhang
- DTU Environment, Technical University of Denmark, Bygningstorvet, Building 115, 2800, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Andrea Turolla
- Department of Civil and Environment Engineering (DICA), Politecnico di Milano, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20129, Milan, Italy
| | - Manuela Antonelli
- Department of Civil and Environment Engineering (DICA), Politecnico di Milano, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20129, Milan, Italy.
| | - Luca Vezzaro
- DTU Environment, Technical University of Denmark, Bygningstorvet, Building 115, 2800, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Kim D, Nguyen LN, Oh S. Ecological impact of the antibiotic ciprofloxacin on microbial community of aerobic activated sludge. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2020; 42:1531-1541. [PMID: 31420762 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-019-00392-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2019] [Accepted: 08/08/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated the effects and fate of the antibiotic ciprofloxacin (CIP) at environmentally relevant levels (50-500 µg/L) in activated sludge (AS) microbial communities under aerobic conditions. Exposure to 500 µg/L of CIP decreased species diversity by about 20% and significantly altered the phylogenetic structure of AS communities compared to those of control communities (no CIP exposure), while there were no significant changes upon exposure to 50 µg/L of CIP. Analysis of community composition revealed that exposure to 500 µg/L of CIP significantly reduced the relative abundance of Rhodobacteraceae and Nakamurellaceae by more than tenfold. These species frequently occur in AS communities across many full-scale wastewater treatment plants and are involved in key ecosystem functions (i.e., organic matter and nitrogen removal). Our analyses showed that 50-500 µg/L CIP was poorly removed in AS (about 20% removal), implying that the majority of CIP from AS processes may be released with either their effluents or waste sludge. We therefore strongly recommend further research on CIP residuals and/or post-treatment processes (e.g., anaerobic digestion) for waste streams that may cause ecological risks in receiving water bodies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dogun Kim
- Department of Civil Engineering, Kyung Hee University, 1732 Deogyeong-daero, Giheung-Gu, Yongin-Si, Gyeonggi-do, 17104, Republic of Korea
| | - Luong N Nguyen
- Center for Technology in Water and Wastewater, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - Seungdae Oh
- Department of Civil Engineering, Kyung Hee University, 1732 Deogyeong-daero, Giheung-Gu, Yongin-Si, Gyeonggi-do, 17104, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Hamid H, Li LY, Grace JR. Aerobic biotransformation of fluorotelomer compounds in landfill leachate-sediment. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 713:136547. [PMID: 31958722 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.136547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2019] [Revised: 01/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/03/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Consumer products containing fluorotelomer polymers are a source of fluorotelomer compounds to the environment following their disposal at landfills. The fate and transformation of fluorotelomer compounds are unknown in landfill leachates. This study investigates the aerobic biotransformation of 8:2 fluorotelomer alcohol (FTOH) and 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonate (FTS) in landfill leachate-sediment microcosms using batch tests. Spiked 8:2 FTOH, 6:2 FTS and their known biotransformation products were quantified in sediment-leachate and headspace over 90 days under aerobic conditions. 8:2 FTOH and 6:2 FTS biotransformation was slow (half-life >>30 d) in landfill leachate-sediment microcosm, suggesting persistence of fluorotelomer compounds under the conditions investigated. Significant volatilization (>20%) of 8:2 FTOH was observed in the microcosm headspace after 90 days. C6 - C8 and C4 - C6 perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs) were the most abundant products for 8:2 FTOH and 6:2 FTS, respectively. PFCAs accounted for 4-9 mol% of the initially spiked parent compounds at 90 days. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) was the single most abundant product of 8:2 FTOH (>2.8 mol% at 90 days). The unaccounted mass (20 to 35 mol%) of the initially spiked parent compounds indicated formation of fluorotelomer intermediates and sediment-bound residue. Overall the findings suggest that aerobic biotransformation of fluorotelomer compounds acts as a secondary source of long- and short-chain (≤C7) PFCAs in the environment. Partitioning of semi-volatile fluorotelomer compounds (e.g., 8:2 FTOH) to the gas-phase indicates possible long-range transport and subsequent release of PFCAs in pristine environments. Short-chain fluorotelomer replacements (e.g., 6:2 FTS) result in a higher abundance of short-chain PFCAs in landfill leachate. Future research is needed to understand the long-term exposure effects of short-chain PFCAs to humans, aquatic life and biota.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Hamid
- Civil Engineering, University of British Columbia, 6250 Applied Science Lane, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Loretta Y Li
- Civil Engineering, University of British Columbia, 6250 Applied Science Lane, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada.
| | - John R Grace
- Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of British Columbia, 2360 East Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Nord NB, Bester K. Can the removal of pharmaceuticals in biofilters be influenced by short pulses of carbon? THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 707:135901. [PMID: 31972906 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.135901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2019] [Revised: 11/04/2019] [Accepted: 12/01/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Biofilters, similar to those already used for, e.g., removing particles from stormwater and combined sewer overflow can remove organic micropollutants from polluted waters. This study investigated the effects on removal of pharmaceuticals with pulse loadings of increased amounts of pre-settled raw wastewater to four individual biofilters containing different materials (sand, filtralite, stonewool, and sand amended with 1% peat). The effect of increasing BOD concentration to the removal rate constants could be divided into two groups; 1) compounds influenced by increasing loading of BOD: atenolol, propranolol, venlafaxine, citalopram, metoprolol, iohexol, and diclofenac 2) compounds only little or not influenced by increasing concentration of BOD: sulfamethoxazole, sulfamethizole, trimethoprim, iomeprol, and carbamazepine. Though BOD clearly had effects on the degradation, no indications towards a complete stop of the degradation were observed under any circumstances. The different biofilter materials influenced (indirectly) the removal of micropollutants: While the overall best performance was seen in the filtralite biofilter, the stonewool biofilter generally had the lowest removal rate constants. Furthermore, we observed different metabolic pathways of metoprolol in the four different biofilters under formation (and removal) of metoprolol acid, α-hydroxymetoprolol, and O-desmethylmetoprolol.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Brogård Nord
- Department of Environmental Science, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, Roskilde 4000, Denmark
| | - Kai Bester
- Department of Environmental Science, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, Roskilde 4000, Denmark.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Wang Y, Fan L, Khan SJ, Roddick FA. Fugacity modelling of the fate of micropollutants in aqueous systems - Uncertainty and sensitivity issues. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 699:134249. [PMID: 31522051 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.134249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2019] [Revised: 08/15/2019] [Accepted: 09/01/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The application of multimedia fugacity models is useful to facilitate understanding of the behaviour of emerging contaminants during wastewater treatment, as well as after their release to the environment. In this paper, twenty-two fugacity modelling applications (reported over 1995-2019) describing the distribution of organic micropollutants in wastewater treatment plants and surface water bodies were analysed in terms of model application and modelling strategy. Disparities and similarities in strategies including selection of micropollutants, data sources for internal and external model inputs, sensitivity and uncertainty analysis, as well as model validation were discussed. This review confirmed that fugacity modelling is very applicable for providing qualitative predictions of the fate and removal of organic micropollutants in the various aqueous systems. However, it was also noted that there are issues related to the uncertainties and sensitivities of fugacity models such as the sources of model inputs and selection of default settings. The issues associated with the uncertainties in the investigated fugacity models are pointed out. Recommendations are given regarding the selection of the sources of model inputs, sensitivity analysis strategies and model validation methods. This review presents the challenges and opportunities for improving multimedia fugacity models, and so paves the way for future research in this field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yufei Wang
- School of Engineering, RMIT University, GPO Box 2476, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia
| | - Linhua Fan
- School of Engineering, RMIT University, GPO Box 2476, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia
| | - Stuart J Khan
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, UNSW, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Felicity A Roddick
- School of Engineering, RMIT University, GPO Box 2476, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Zhang L, Carvalho PN, Bollmann UE, Ei-Taliawy H, Brix H, Bester K. Enhanced removal of pharmaceuticals in a biofilter: Effects of manipulating co-degradation by carbon feeding. CHEMOSPHERE 2019; 236:124303. [PMID: 31310978 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.07.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2019] [Revised: 07/01/2019] [Accepted: 07/04/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Biofilm reactors are a promising biotechnology to eliminate pharmaceuticals from wastewater during tertiary treatment or in water works for drinking water production. This study aimed at investigating the effects of pulsed carbon feeding for promoting the co-degradation of indigenous pharmaceuticals from pre-treated wastewater in a fixed-bed porous biofilm reactor (slow sand filter). The addition of acetate (carbon source) resulted in three different enhancement/limitation effects, which were compound dependent: 1) atenolol and iohexol experienced enhanced co-degradation followed by constant (acetate independent) degradation; 2) metoprolol, iomeprol, diclofenac, propranolol and sulfamethizole co-degradation dependent on aerobic turnover, but inhibited at higher acetate concentrations (60-300 mg C/L); 3) sulfadiazine, sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim were removed independently of oxygen and acetate concentration. Carbamazepine, ditriazoic acid, iopromide; tramadol and venlavaxine were not removed at any acetate dosage. Biofilm reactors can be employed for polishing treated wastewater, and the addition of a primary carbon source can enhance the performance of the bioreactor.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liang Zhang
- Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Pedro N Carvalho
- Department of Environmental Science, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgsvej 399, 4000, Roskilde, Denmark; WATEC, Aarhus University Centre for Water Technology, Ny Munkegade 120, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Ulla Elisabeth Bollmann
- Department of Environmental Science, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgsvej 399, 4000, Roskilde, Denmark; WATEC, Aarhus University Centre for Water Technology, Ny Munkegade 120, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Haitham Ei-Taliawy
- Department of Environmental Science, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgsvej 399, 4000, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Hans Brix
- Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark; WATEC, Aarhus University Centre for Water Technology, Ny Munkegade 120, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Kai Bester
- Department of Environmental Science, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgsvej 399, 4000, Roskilde, Denmark; WATEC, Aarhus University Centre for Water Technology, Ny Munkegade 120, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Rolph CA, Villa R, Jefferson B, Brookes A, Choya A, Iceton G, Hassard F. From full-scale biofilters to bioreactors: Engineering biological metaldehyde removal. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 685:410-418. [PMID: 31176226 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.05.304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2019] [Revised: 05/19/2019] [Accepted: 05/20/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Polar, low molecular weight pesticides such as metaldehyde are challenging and costly to remove from drinking water using conventional treatment methods. Although biological treatments can be effective at treating micropollutants, through biodegradation and sorption processes, only some operational biofilters have shown the ability to remove metaldehyde. As sorption plays a minor role for such polar organic micropollutants, biodegradation is therefore likely to be the main removal pathway. In this work, the biodegradation of metaldehyde was monitored, and assessed, in an operational slow sand filter. Long-term data showed that metaldehyde degradation improved when inlet concentrations increased. A comparison of inactive and active sand batch reactors showed that metaldehyde removal happened mainly through biodegradation and that the removal rates were greater after the biofilm was acclimated through exposure to high metaldehyde concentrations. This suggested that metaldehyde removal was reliant on enrichment and that the process could be engineered to decrease treatment times (from days to hours). Through-flow experiments using fluidised bed reactors, showed the same behaviour following metaldehyde acclimation. A 40% increase in metaldehyde removal was observed in acclimated compared with non-acclimated columns. This increase was sustained for >40 days, achieving an average of 80% removal and compliance (<0.1 μ L-1) for >20 days. An initial microbial analysis of the acclimated and non-acclimated biofilm from the same filter materials, showed that the microbial community in acclimated sand was significantly different. This work presents a novel conceptual template for a faster, chemical free, low cost, biological treatment of metaldehyde and other polar pollutants in drinking water. In addition, this is the first study to report kinetics of metaldehyde degradation in an active microbial biofilm at a WTW.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Raffaella Villa
- Cranfield University, Bedfordshire MK43 0AL, UK; De Montfort University, Leicester, LE1 9BH, UK.
| | | | - Adam Brookes
- Anglian Water, Thorpewood House, Peterborough PE3 6WT, UK
| | - Andoni Choya
- Cranfield University, Bedfordshire MK43 0AL, UK; Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Gregg Iceton
- Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE17RU, UK
| | | |
Collapse
|
24
|
Delli Compagni R, Polesel F, von Borries KJF, Zhang Z, Turolla A, Antonelli M, Vezzaro L. Modelling micropollutant fate in sewer systems - A new systematic approach to support conceptual model construction based on in-sewer hydraulic retention time. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2019; 246:141-149. [PMID: 31176178 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2019.05.139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2018] [Revised: 04/11/2019] [Accepted: 05/28/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Conceptual sewer models are useful tools to assess the fate of micropollutants (MPs) in integrated wastewater systems. However, the definition of their model structure is highly subjective, and obtaining a realistic simulation of the in-sewer hydraulic retention time (HRT) is a major challenge without detailed hydrodynamic information or with limited measurements from the sewer network. This study presents an objective approach for defining the structure of conceptual sewer models in view of modelling MP fate in large urban catchments. The proposed approach relies on GIS-based information and a Gaussian mixture model to identify the model optimal structure, providing a multi-catchment conceptual model that accounts for HRT variability across urban catchment. This approach was tested in a catchment located in a highly urbanized Italian city and it was compared against a traditional single-catchment conceptual model (using a single average HRT) for the fate assessment of reactive MPs. Results showed that the multi-catchment model allows for a successful simulation of dry weather flow patterns and for an improved simulation of MP fate compared to the classical single-catchment model. Specifically, results suggested that a multi-catchment model should be preferred for (i) degradable MPs with half-life lower than the average HRT of the catchment and (ii) MPs undergoing formation from other compounds (e.g. human metabolites); or (iii) assessing MP loads entering the wastewater treatment plant from point sources, depending on their location in the catchment. Overall, the proposed approach is expected to ease the building of conceptual sewer models, allowing to properly account for HRT distribution and consequently improving MP fate estimation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Delli Compagni
- Department of Civil and Environment Engineering (DICA), Politecnico di Milano, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20129, Milan, Italy
| | - Fabio Polesel
- DTU Environment, Technical University of Denmark, Bygningstorvet, Building 115, 2800, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark; DHI A/S, Agern Allé, 2970, Hørsholm, Denmark
| | - Kerstin J F von Borries
- DTU Environment, Technical University of Denmark, Bygningstorvet, Building 115, 2800, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Zhen Zhang
- DTU Environment, Technical University of Denmark, Bygningstorvet, Building 115, 2800, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Andrea Turolla
- Department of Civil and Environment Engineering (DICA), Politecnico di Milano, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20129, Milan, Italy
| | - Manuela Antonelli
- Department of Civil and Environment Engineering (DICA), Politecnico di Milano, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20129, Milan, Italy.
| | - Luca Vezzaro
- DTU Environment, Technical University of Denmark, Bygningstorvet, Building 115, 2800, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Wei Z, Li W, Zhao D, Seo Y, Spinney R, Dionysiou DD, Wang Y, Zeng W, Xiao R. Electrophilicity index as a critical indicator for the biodegradation of the pharmaceuticals in aerobic activated sludge processes. WATER RESEARCH 2019; 160:10-17. [PMID: 31129377 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2019.05.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2019] [Revised: 05/14/2019] [Accepted: 05/18/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Improving biodegradation of pharmaceuticals during wastewater treatment is critical to control the release of emerging micropollutants to natural waters. In this study, biodegradation of six model pharmaceuticals was investigated at different initial concentrations in two discrete activated sludge systems, and moreover, the correlation was explored between the biodegradation rate and key molecular properties of the contaminants. First, the biodegradation rates of the pharmaceuticals were measured fitting a pseudo first-order kinetic model to the experimental kinetic data. The degradation rate constants (kbio) were found to negatively correlate to the initial concentration of the chemicals, indicating an inhibitory effect on the microorganisms by the pharmaceuticals. Further examinations of the rate data against the key molecular properties of the pharmaceuticals revealed, for the first time, that the electrophilicity index (ω), a measure of electrophilic power, served as a better indicator of the biodegradability and predictive parameter for the kbio than the conventional log KOW (a measure of hydrophobicity) in the two discrete aerobic activated sludge systems. However, the correlation strength (goodness‒of‒fit) between ω and kbio deteriorated when the reactor turned from aerobic to anoxic and anaerobic conditions, suggesting that electron transfer from pharmaceutical molecules to enzymes was inhibited when dissolved oxygen was deficit or absent. Our results show that ω can potentially serve as a straightforward and robust indicator for predicting the biodegradability of pharmaceutical in conventional activated sludge processes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zongsu Wei
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, School of Metallurgy and Environment, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China; Chinese National Engineering Research Center for Control & Treatment of Heavy Metal Pollution, Changsha, 410083, China; Section for Biological and Chemical Engineering, Department of Engineering, Aarhus University, Hangøvej 2, DK-8200, Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Wei Li
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, School of Metallurgy and Environment, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China; Chinese National Engineering Research Center for Control & Treatment of Heavy Metal Pollution, Changsha, 410083, China
| | - Dongye Zhao
- Section for Biological and Chemical Engineering, Department of Engineering, Aarhus University, Hangøvej 2, DK-8200, Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Youngwoo Seo
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, 43606, United States
| | - Richard Spinney
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, United States
| | - Dionysios D Dionysiou
- Environmental Engineering and Science Program, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, 45221, United States
| | - Yong Wang
- School of Civil and Resource Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Weizhi Zeng
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, School of Metallurgy and Environment, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China; Chinese National Engineering Research Center for Control & Treatment of Heavy Metal Pollution, Changsha, 410083, China
| | - Ruiyang Xiao
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, School of Metallurgy and Environment, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China; Chinese National Engineering Research Center for Control & Treatment of Heavy Metal Pollution, Changsha, 410083, China.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
|
27
|
Oberoi AS, Jia Y, Zhang H, Khanal SK, Lu H. Insights into the Fate and Removal of Antibiotics in Engineered Biological Treatment Systems: A Critical Review. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2019; 53:7234-7264. [PMID: 31244081 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.9b01131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 362] [Impact Index Per Article: 72.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Antibiotics, the most frequently prescribed drugs of modern medicine, are extensively used for both human and veterinary applications. Antibiotics from different wastewater sources (e.g., municipal, hospitals, animal production, and pharmaceutical industries) ultimately are discharged into wastewater treatment plants. Sorption and biodegradation are the two major removal pathways of antibiotics during biological wastewater treatment processes. This review provides the fundamental insights into sorption mechanisms and biodegradation pathways of different classes of antibiotics with diverse physical-chemical attributes. Important factors affecting sorption and biodegradation behavior of antibiotics are also highlighted. Furthermore, this review also sheds light on the critical role of extracellular polymeric substances on antibiotics adsorption and their removal in engineered biological wastewater treatment systems. Despite major advancements, engineered biological wastewater treatment systems are only moderately effective (48-77%) in the removal of antibiotics. In this review, we systematically summarize the behavior and removal of different antibiotics in various biological treatment systems with discussion on their removal efficiency, removal mechanisms, critical bioreactor operating conditions affecting antibiotics removal, and recent innovative advancements. Besides, relevant background information including antibiotics classification, physical-chemical properties, and their occurrence in the environment from different sources is also briefly covered. This review aims to advance our understanding of the fate of various classes of antibiotics in engineered biological wastewater treatment systems and outlines future research directions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Yanyan Jia
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering , The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology , Clear Water Bay , Hong Kong
| | | | - Samir Kumar Khanal
- Department of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering , University of Hawaii at Ma̅noa , 1955 East-West Road , Honolulu , Hawaii 96822 , United States
| | | |
Collapse
|
28
|
Gonzalez-Gil L, Krah D, Ghattas AK, Carballa M, Wick A, Helmholz L, Lema JM, Ternes TA. Biotransformation of organic micropollutants by anaerobic sludge enzymes. WATER RESEARCH 2019; 152:202-214. [PMID: 30669042 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2018.12.064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2018] [Revised: 11/30/2018] [Accepted: 12/27/2018] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Biotransformation of organic micropollutants (OMPs) in wastewater treatment plants ultimately depends on the enzymatic activities developed in each biological process. However, few research efforts have been made to clarify and identify the role of enzymes on the removal of OMPs, which is an essential knowledge to determine the biotransformation potential of treatment technologies. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to investigate the enzymatic transformation of 35 OMPs under anaerobic conditions, which have been even less studied than aerobic systems. Initially, 13 OMPs were identified to be significantly biotransformed (>20%) by anaerobic sludge obtained from a full-scale anaerobic digester, predestining them as potential targets of anaerobic enzymes. Native enzymes were extracted from this anaerobic sludge to perform transformation assays with the OMPs. In addition, the effect of detergents to recover membrane enzymes, as well as the effects of cofactors and inhibitors to promote and suppress specific enzymatic activities were evaluated. In total, it was possible to recover enzymatic activities towards 10 out of these 13 target OMPs (acetyl-sulfamethoxazole and its transformation product sulfamethoxazole, acetaminophen, atenolol, clarithromycin, citalopram, climbazole, erythromycin, and terbutryn, venlafaxine) as well as towards 8 non-target OMPs (diclofenac, iopamidol, acyclovir, acesulfame, and 4 different hydroxylated metabolites of carbamazepine). Some enzymatic activities likely involved in the anaerobic biotransformation of these OMPs were identified. Thereby, this study is a starting point to unravel the still enigmatic biotransformation of OMPs in wastewater treatment systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lorena Gonzalez-Gil
- Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Engineering, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Rúa Lope Gómez de Marzoa, Santiago de Compostela, E-15782, Spain.
| | - Daniel Krah
- Federal Institute of Hydrology (BfG), Am Mainzer Tor 1, Koblenz, D-56068, Germany
| | - Ann-Kathrin Ghattas
- Federal Institute of Hydrology (BfG), Am Mainzer Tor 1, Koblenz, D-56068, Germany
| | - Marta Carballa
- Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Engineering, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Rúa Lope Gómez de Marzoa, Santiago de Compostela, E-15782, Spain
| | - Arne Wick
- Federal Institute of Hydrology (BfG), Am Mainzer Tor 1, Koblenz, D-56068, Germany
| | - Lissa Helmholz
- Federal Institute of Hydrology (BfG), Am Mainzer Tor 1, Koblenz, D-56068, Germany
| | - Juan M Lema
- Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Engineering, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Rúa Lope Gómez de Marzoa, Santiago de Compostela, E-15782, Spain
| | - Thomas A Ternes
- Federal Institute of Hydrology (BfG), Am Mainzer Tor 1, Koblenz, D-56068, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Abtahi SM, Petermann M, Juppeau Flambard A, Beaufort S, Terrisse F, Trotouin T, Joannis Cassan C, Albasi C. Micropollutants removal in tertiary moving bed biofilm reactors (MBBRs): Contribution of the biofilm and suspended biomass. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 643:1464-1480. [PMID: 30189563 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.06.303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2018] [Revised: 06/23/2018] [Accepted: 06/25/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The performance of tertiary moving bed biofilm reactors (MBBRs) was evaluated in terms of micropollutants (MPs) removal from secondary-treated municipal wastewater. After stepwise establishment of a mature biofilm, monitored by scanning electron and confocal microscopies, abiotic and biotic removals of MPs were deeply studied. Since no MPs reduction was observed by the both photodegradation and volatilization, abiotic removal of MPs was ascribed to the sorption onto the biomass. Target MPs i.e. Naproxen, Diclofenac, 17β-Estradiol and 4n-Nonylphenol, arranged in the ascending order of hydrophobicity, abiotically declined up to 2.8%, 4%, 9.5% and 15%, respectively. MPs sorption onto the suspended biomass was found around two times more than the biofilm, in line with MPs' higher sorption kinetic constants (ksor) found for the suspended biomass. When comparing abiotic and biotic aspects, we found that biotic removal outperformed its counterpart for all compounds as Diclofenac, Naproxen, 17β-Estradiol and 4n-Nonylphenol were biodegraded by 72.8, 80.6, 84.7 and 84.4%, respectively. The effect of the changes in organic loading rates (OLRs) was investigated on the pseudo-first order degradation constants (kbiol), revealing the dominant biodegradation mechanism of co-metabolism for the removal of Diclofenac, Naproxen, and 4n-Nonylphenol, while 17β-Estradiol obeyed the biodegradation mechanism of competitive inhibition. Biotic removals and kbiol values of all MPs were also seen higher in the biofilm as compared to the suspended biomass. To draw a conclusion, a quite high removal of recalcitrant MPs is achievable in tertiary MBBRs, making them a promising technology that supports both pathways of co-metabolism and competitive inhibition, next to the abiotic attenuation of MPs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S Mehran Abtahi
- Université de Toulouse, INPT, UPS, Laboratoire de Génie Chimique, 4 Allée Emile Monso, F31432 Toulouse, France.
| | - Maike Petermann
- Université de Toulouse, INPT, UPS, Laboratoire de Génie Chimique, 4 Allée Emile Monso, F31432 Toulouse, France
| | - Agathe Juppeau Flambard
- Université de Toulouse, INPT, UPS, Laboratoire de Génie Chimique, 4 Allée Emile Monso, F31432 Toulouse, France
| | - Sandra Beaufort
- Université de Toulouse, INPT, UPS, Laboratoire de Génie Chimique, 4 Allée Emile Monso, F31432 Toulouse, France
| | - Fanny Terrisse
- Biovitis S.A., Le Bourg, 15400 Saint-Étienne-de-Chomeil, France
| | - Thierry Trotouin
- Veolia, Centre régional Toulouse Pyrénées, 22 avenue Marcel Dassault, 31506 Toulouse, France
| | - Claire Joannis Cassan
- Université de Toulouse, INPT, UPS, Laboratoire de Génie Chimique, 4 Allée Emile Monso, F31432 Toulouse, France
| | - Claire Albasi
- Université de Toulouse, INPT, UPS, Laboratoire de Génie Chimique, 4 Allée Emile Monso, F31432 Toulouse, France.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Lakshminarasimman N, Quiñones O, Vanderford BJ, Campo-Moreno P, Dickenson EV, McAvoy DC. Biotransformation and sorption of trace organic compounds in biological nutrient removal treatment systems. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 640-641:62-72. [PMID: 29857321 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.05.145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2018] [Revised: 04/25/2018] [Accepted: 05/11/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
This study determined biotransformation rates (kbio) and sorption-distribution coefficients (Kd) for a select group of trace organic compounds (TOrCs) in anaerobic, anoxic, and aerobic activated sludge collected from two different biological nutrient removal (BNR) treatment systems located in Nevada (NV) and Ohio (OH) in the United States (US). The NV and OH facilities operated at solids retention times (SRTs) of 8 and 23 days, respectively. Using microwave-assisted extraction, the biotransformation rates of the chosen TOrCs were measured in the total mixed liquor. Sulfamethoxazole, trimethoprim, and atenolol biotransformed in all three redox regimes irrespective of the activated sludge source. The biotransformation of N, N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide (DEET), triclosan, and benzotriazole was observed in aerobic activated sludge from both treatment plants; however, anoxic biotransformation of these three compounds was seen only in anoxic activated sludge from NV. Carbamazepine was recalcitrant in all three redox regimes and both sources of activated sludge. Atenolol and DEET had greater biotransformation rates in activated sludge with a higher SRT (23 days), while trimethoprim had a higher biotransformation rate in activated sludge with a lower SRT (8 days). The remaining compounds did not show any dependence on SRT. Lyophilized, heat inactivated sludge solids were used to determine the sorption-distribution coefficients. Triclosan was the most sorptive compound followed by carbamazepine, sulfamethoxazole, DEET, and benzotriazole. The sorption-distribution coefficients were similar across redox conditions and sludge sources. The biotransformation rates and sorption-distribution coefficients determined in this study can be used to improve fate prediction of the target TOrCs in BNR treatment systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Oscar Quiñones
- Water Quality Research and Development Division, Southern Nevada Water Authority, Henderson, NV 89015, USA
| | - Brett J Vanderford
- Water Quality Research and Development Division, Southern Nevada Water Authority, Henderson, NV 89015, USA
| | - Pablo Campo-Moreno
- Cranfield Water Science Institute, Cranfield University, Cranfield, Beds MK43 0AL, UK
| | - Eric V Dickenson
- Water Quality Research and Development Division, Southern Nevada Water Authority, Henderson, NV 89015, USA
| | - Drew C McAvoy
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Ooi GTH, Tang K, Chhetri RK, Kaarsholm KMS, Sundmark K, Kragelund C, Litty K, Christensen A, Lindholst S, Sund C, Christensson M, Bester K, Andersen HR. Biological removal of pharmaceuticals from hospital wastewater in a pilot-scale staged moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) utilising nitrifying and denitrifying processes. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2018; 267:677-687. [PMID: 30071459 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2018.07.077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2018] [Revised: 07/10/2018] [Accepted: 07/14/2018] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Hospital wastewater contains high concentrations of pharmaceuticals, which pose risks to receiving waters. In this study, a pilot plant consisting of six moving bed biofilm reactors (MBBRs) in series (with the intention to integrate Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) removal, nitrification and denitrification as well as prepolishing Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) for ozonation) was built to integrate pharmaceutical removal and intermittent feeding of the latter reactors aimed for micropollutant removal. Based on the experimental resultss, nitrifying MBBRs achieved higher removal as compared to denitrifying MBBRs except for azithromycin, clarithromycin, diatrizoic acid, propranolol and trimethoprim. In the batch experiments, nitrifying MBBRs showed the ability to remove most of the analysed pharmaceuticals, with degradation rate constants ranging from 5.0 × 10-3 h-1 to 2.6 h-1. In general, the highest degradation rate constants were observed in the nitrifying MBBRs while the latter MBBRs showed lower degradation rate constant. However, when the degradation rate constants were normalised to the respective biomass, the intermittently fed reactors presented the highest specific activity. Out of the 22 compounds studied, 17 compounds were removed with more than 20%.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gordon T H Ooi
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Bygningstorvet 115, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark; Institute of Environmental Science, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgsvej 399, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Kai Tang
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Bygningstorvet 115, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Ravi K Chhetri
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Bygningstorvet 115, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Kamilla M S Kaarsholm
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Bygningstorvet 115, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Kim Sundmark
- Krüger Veolia, Gladsaxevej 262, 2860 Søborg, Denmark
| | - Caroline Kragelund
- Department of Water and Environment, Danish Technological Institute, Kongsvang Alle 29, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Klaus Litty
- Department of Water and Environment, Danish Technological Institute, Kongsvang Alle 29, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Alice Christensen
- Department of Water and Environment, Danish Technological Institute, Kongsvang Alle 29, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Sabine Lindholst
- Department of Water and Environment, Danish Technological Institute, Kongsvang Alle 29, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | | | - Magnus Christensson
- Veolia Water Technologies AnoxKaldnes, Klosterängsvägen 11A, SE-226 47 Lund, Sweden
| | - Kai Bester
- Institute of Environmental Science, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgsvej 399, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Henrik R Andersen
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Bygningstorvet 115, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark.
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Kaeseberg T, Zhang J, Schubert S, Oertel R, Krebs P. Abiotic, biotic and photolytic degradation affinity of 14 antibiotics and one metabolite - batch experiments and a model framework. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2018; 241:339-350. [PMID: 29843016 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2018.05.074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2017] [Revised: 05/11/2018] [Accepted: 05/21/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
In this study, degradation affinities of 14 antibiotics and one metabolite were determined in batch experiments. A modelling framework was applied to decrypt potential ranges of abiotic, biotic and photolytic degradation coefficients. In detail, we performed batch experiments with three different sewages in the dark at 7 °C and 22 °C. Additionally, we conducted further batch experiments with artificial irradiation and different dilutions of the sewage at 30 °C - de novo three different sewages were used. The batch experiments were initially spiked with a stock solution with 14 antibiotics and one metabolite to increase background concentrations by 1 μg L-1 for each compound. The final antibiotic concentrations were sub-inhibitory with regard to sewage bacteria. The here presented modelling framework based on the Activated Sludge Model No. 3 in combination with adsorption and desorption processes. The model was calibrated with monitored standard sewage compounds before antibiotic degradation rates were quantified. The model decrypted ranges of abiotic, biotic and photolytic degradation coefficients. In detail, six antibiotics were not abiotic degradable at 7 °C, five antibiotics not at 22 °C and only 2 antibiotics at 30 °C. Finally, nine antibiotics were not significantly biodegradable at 7 °C and 22 °C. The model determined the link between adsorption characteristics and biodegradation rates. In detail, the rate was significantly affected by the bio-solid partition coefficient and the duration until adsorption was balanced. All antibiotics and the metabolite were photolytic degradable. In general, photolytic degradation was the most efficient elimination pathway of presented antibiotics except for the given metabolite and penicillin antibiotics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Kaeseberg
- Institute of Urban Water Management, Technische Universität Dresden, 01062 Dresden, Germany.
| | - Jin Zhang
- Institute of Groundwater and Earth Sciences, Jinan University, 510632 Guangzhou, China.
| | - Sara Schubert
- Institute of Hydrobiology, Technische Universität Dresden, 01062 Dresden, Germany; Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, 01062 Dresden, Germany
| | - Reinhard Oertel
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, 01062 Dresden, Germany
| | - Peter Krebs
- Institute of Urban Water Management, Technische Universität Dresden, 01062 Dresden, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Lorenzo P, Adriana A, Jessica S, Carles B, Marinella F, Marta L, Luis BJ, Pierre S. Antibiotic resistance in urban and hospital wastewaters and their impact on a receiving freshwater ecosystem. CHEMOSPHERE 2018; 206:70-82. [PMID: 29730567 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.04.163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2018] [Revised: 04/18/2018] [Accepted: 04/27/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The main objective of this study was to investigate the antibiotic resistance (AR) levels in wastewater (WW) and the impact on the receiving river. Samples were collected once per season over one year in the WW of a hospital, in the raw and treated WW of two wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), as well as upstream and downstream from the release of WWTPs effluents into the Zenne River (Belgium). Culture-dependent methods were used to quantify Escherichia coli and heterotrophic bacteria resistant to amoxicillin, sulfamethoxazole, nalidixic acid and tetracycline. Six antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) were quantified in both particle-attached (PAB) and free-living (FLB) bacteria. Our results showed that WWTPs efficiently removed antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) regardless of its AR profile. The ARGs levels were the highest in the hospital WW and were significantly reduced in both WWTPs. However, ARB and ARGs abundances significantly increased into the Zenne River downstream from the WWTPs outfalls. The variation in the relative abundance of ARGs through WW treatment differed depending on the WWTP, fraction, and gene considered. The sul1 and sul2 genes in PAB fraction showed significantly higher relative abundances in the effluent compared to the influent of both WWTPs. This study demonstrated that WWTPs could be hotspots for AR spread with significant impacts on receiving freshwater ecosystems. This was the first comprehensive study investigating at the same time antibiotics occurrence, fecal bacteria indicators, heterotrophic bacterial communities, and ARGs (distinguishing PAB and FLB) to assess AR levels in WW and impacts on the receiving river.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Proia Lorenzo
- Ecologie des Systèmes Aquatiques, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Campus de la Plaine, CP 221, Boulevard du Triomphe, 1050 Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Anzil Adriana
- Ecologie des Systèmes Aquatiques, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Campus de la Plaine, CP 221, Boulevard du Triomphe, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Subirats Jessica
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), c/ Emili Grahit 101, 17003 Girona, Spain
| | - Borrego Carles
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), c/ Emili Grahit 101, 17003 Girona, Spain
| | - Farrè Marinella
- Water and Soil Quality Research Group, Department of Environmental Chemistry, IDAEA-CSIC, Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Llorca Marta
- Water and Soil Quality Research Group, Department of Environmental Chemistry, IDAEA-CSIC, Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Balcázar Jose Luis
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), c/ Emili Grahit 101, 17003 Girona, Spain
| | - Servais Pierre
- Ecologie des Systèmes Aquatiques, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Campus de la Plaine, CP 221, Boulevard du Triomphe, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Yang Y, Zhang S, Yang J, Bai C, Tang S, Ye Q, Wang H. Superabsorbent hydrogels coating increased degradation and decreased bound residues formation of carbendazim in soil. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 630:1133-1142. [PMID: 29554735 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.02.178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2017] [Revised: 02/14/2018] [Accepted: 02/14/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The intensive use of pesticides has caused serious environmental pollution and ecological issues. Thus, it is imperative to explore an efficient way to minimize the pesticide residues and pollution. In the present study, we employed the superabsorbent hydrogels (SHs)-coated pesticide 14C-carbendazim (H-14C-MBC) to investigate the fate of MBC in aerobic soils and to assess the soil microbial state during incubation. The results showed that after coating with SHs, MBC dissipation was improved significantly by 34.2-54.1% compared with that in the control (p<0.05), reducing the persistence of MBC in soil matrix. At 100d, the release of 14C-CO2 was enhanced by 68.0% and 46.6% in neutral loamy soil and basic saline soil, respectively, with respect to the control, resulting in more complete degradation and detoxification of MBC. Additionally, the bound residue in soils, which was associated with potential environmental risk and pollution, was reduced by 15.2% and 14.2%, respectively, compared with that in control soils. The microbial diversity of post-H-14C-MBC soil varied, and microbial composition and abundance remained different from the control, even with the refreshment of soil stability and fertility compared with the blank soil. These results demonstrate the environmental behavior of SHs-coated MBC in soils, and illustrate that SHs-encapsulated formulations would be a promising measure for reducing the soil-residue pollution and environmental risk of pesticides.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yatian Yang
- Institute of Nuclear Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Nuclear Agricultural Sciences of Ministry of Agriculture and Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310029, China.
| | - Sufen Zhang
- Institute of Nuclear Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Nuclear Agricultural Sciences of Ministry of Agriculture and Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310029, China.
| | - Jingying Yang
- Institute of Nuclear Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Nuclear Agricultural Sciences of Ministry of Agriculture and Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310029, China.
| | - Chan Bai
- Institute of Nuclear Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Nuclear Agricultural Sciences of Ministry of Agriculture and Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310029, China
| | - Shenghua Tang
- Institute of Nuclear Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Nuclear Agricultural Sciences of Ministry of Agriculture and Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310029, China.
| | - Qingfu Ye
- Institute of Nuclear Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Nuclear Agricultural Sciences of Ministry of Agriculture and Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310029, China.
| | - Haiyan Wang
- Institute of Nuclear Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Nuclear Agricultural Sciences of Ministry of Agriculture and Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310029, China.
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Gonzalez-Gil L, Mauricio-Iglesias M, Serrano D, Lema JM, Carballa M. Role of methanogenesis on the biotransformation of organic micropollutants during anaerobic digestion. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 622-623:459-466. [PMID: 29220770 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2017] [Revised: 12/01/2017] [Accepted: 12/01/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Several studies showed that some organic micropollutants (OMPs) are biotransformed during anaerobic digestion (AD). Yet, most of them aim at reporting removal efficiencies instead of understanding the biotransformation process. Indeed, how each of the main AD stages (i.e., hydrolysis, acidogenesis, and methanogenesis) contribute to OMP biotransformation remains unknown. This study focuses on investigating the role of methanogenesis, the most characteristic step of AD, to OMP removal. More specifically, the sorption and the biotransformation of 20 OMPs by methanogenic biomass were analyzed determining their concentrations in both liquid and solid phases. Sorption onto methanogenic biomass displayed a similar behavior as reported for digested sludge. Most of the OMPs were biotransformed to a medium extent (35-70%) and only sulfamethoxazole was completely removed. Comparing these results with those reported for the complete AD process, methanogenesis was proven to play a key role, accounting for more than 50% of the OMP biotransformation (except for roxithromycin) during AD. An increase in the organic loading rate from 1 to 2gCOD/Ld, typical loads employed in sewage sludge anaerobic digesters, did not exert a clear cometabolic effect on the OMPs biotransformation. It is hypothesized that biotransformation occurs in both liquid and solid phases because no link between the partition coefficient (Kd) and the overall biotransformation efficiency was found. These findings allow a better understanding of the OMPs fate under anaerobic conditions, which is necessary to design efficient biological mitigation strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lorena Gonzalez-Gil
- Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Engineering, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Rúa Lope Gómez de Marzoa, E-15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
| | - Miguel Mauricio-Iglesias
- Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Engineering, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Rúa Lope Gómez de Marzoa, E-15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
| | - Denisse Serrano
- Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Engineering, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Rúa Lope Gómez de Marzoa, E-15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Department of Water and Environmental Sciences, Instituto Tecnológico de Sonora, 5 de febrero 818 sur, Colonia Centro, 85000 Ciudad Obregón, Mexico.
| | - Juan M Lema
- Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Engineering, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Rúa Lope Gómez de Marzoa, E-15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
| | - Marta Carballa
- Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Engineering, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Rúa Lope Gómez de Marzoa, E-15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Tran NH, Reinhard M, Gin KYH. Occurrence and fate of emerging contaminants in municipal wastewater treatment plants from different geographical regions-a review. WATER RESEARCH 2018; 133:182-207. [PMID: 29407700 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2017.12.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 665] [Impact Index Per Article: 110.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2017] [Revised: 11/30/2017] [Accepted: 12/13/2017] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Emerging contaminants, such as antibiotics, pharmaceuticals, personal care products, hormones, and artificial sweeteners, are recognized as new classes of water contaminants due to their proven or potential adverse effects on aquatic ecosystems and human health. This review provides comprehensive data on the occurrence of 60 emerging contaminants (ECs) in influent, treated effluent, sludge, and biosolids in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). In particular, data on the occurrence of ECs in the influents and effluents of WWTPs are systematically summarized and categorized according to geographical regions (Asia, Europe, and North America). The occurrence patterns of ECs in raw influent and treated effluents of WWTPs between geographical regions were compared and evaluated. Concentrations of most ECs in raw influent in Asian region tend to be higher than those in European and North American countries. Many antibiotics were detected in the influents and effluents of WWTPs at concentrations close to or exceeding the predicted no-effect concentrations (PNECs) for resistance selection. The efficacy of EC removal by sorption and biodegradation during wastewater treatment processes are discussed in light of kinetics and parameters, such as sorption coefficients (Kd) and biodegradation constants (kbiol), and physicochemical properties (i.e. log Kow and pKa). Commonly used sampling and monitoring strategies are critically reviewed. Analytical research needs are identified, and novel investigative approaches for future monitoring studies are proposed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ngoc Han Tran
- NUS Environmental Research Institute, National University of Singapore, 5A Engineering Drive 1, T-Lab Building, Singapore 117411, Singapore.
| | - Martin Reinhard
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Stanford University, CA 94305, USA
| | - Karina Yew-Hoong Gin
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, National University of Singapore, 1 Engineering Drive 2, Singapore 117576, Singapore.
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Gao N, Liu CX, Xu QM, Cheng JS, Yuan YJ. Simultaneous removal of ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, sulfamethoxazole by co-producing oxidative enzymes system of Phanerochaete chrysosporium and Pycnoporus sanguineus. CHEMOSPHERE 2018; 195:146-155. [PMID: 29268173 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2017.12.062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2017] [Revised: 11/18/2017] [Accepted: 12/10/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Pycnoporus sanguineus could remove 98.5% ciprofloxacin (CIP), 96.4% norfloxacin (NOR), 100% sulfamethoxazole (SMX), and 100% their mixture through biotransformation within 2 d, while Phanerochaete chrysosporium could only remove 64.5% CIP, 73.2% NOR, and 63.3% SMX through biosorption and biotransformation within 8 d, respectively. The efficiencies of antibiotic bioremoval under co-culture were more than that under the pure culture of P. chrysosporium but less than that under the pure culture of P. sanguineus. However, only 2% CIP and 3% NOR under co-culture were detected in the mycelia. In vitro enzymatic degradation and in vivo cytochrome P450 inhibition experiments revealed that laccase and cytochrome P450 could play roles in the removal of above all antibiotics, while manganese peroxidase could only play role in SMX removal. Transformation products of CIP and NOR under the pure culture of P. chrysosporium could be assigned to three different reaction pathways: (i) defluorination or dehydration, (ii) decarboxylation, and (iii) oxidation of the piperazinyl substituent. Additionally, other pathways, (iv) monohydroxylation, and (v) demethylation or deethylation at position N1 also occurred under the co-culture and pure culture of P. sanguineus. Antibacterial activity of antibiotics could be eliminated after treatments with pure and co-culture of P. chrysosporium and P. sanguineus. The cytotoxicity of the metabolites of SMX and NOR under co-culture was lower than that under the pure culture of P. sanguineus, indicating co-culture is a more environmentally friendly strategy to eliminate SMX and NOR.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nan Gao
- Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Yaguan Road 135, Jinnan District, Tianjin, 300350, PR China; SynBio Research Platform, Collaborative Innovation Centre of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Yaguan Road 135, Jinnan District, Tianjin, 300350, PR China
| | - Chun-Xiao Liu
- Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Yaguan Road 135, Jinnan District, Tianjin, 300350, PR China; SynBio Research Platform, Collaborative Innovation Centre of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Yaguan Road 135, Jinnan District, Tianjin, 300350, PR China
| | - Qiu-Man Xu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Animal and Plant Resistance, College of Life Science, Tianjin Normal University, Binshuixi Road 393, Xiqing District, Tianjin, 300387, PR China.
| | - Jing-Sheng Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Yaguan Road 135, Jinnan District, Tianjin, 300350, PR China; SynBio Research Platform, Collaborative Innovation Centre of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Yaguan Road 135, Jinnan District, Tianjin, 300350, PR China.
| | - Ying-Jin Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Yaguan Road 135, Jinnan District, Tianjin, 300350, PR China; SynBio Research Platform, Collaborative Innovation Centre of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Yaguan Road 135, Jinnan District, Tianjin, 300350, PR China
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Li J, Gao J, Thai PK, Sun X, Mueller JF, Yuan Z, Jiang G. Stability of Illicit Drugs as Biomarkers in Sewers: From Lab to Reality. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2018; 52:1561-1570. [PMID: 29285935 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.7b05109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Systematic sampling and analysis of wastewater samples are increasingly adopted for estimating drug consumption in communities. An understanding of the in-sewer transportation and transformation of illicit drug biomarkers is critical for reducing the uncertainty of this evidence-based estimation method. In this study, biomarkers stability was investigated in lab-scale sewer reactors with typical sewer conditions. Kinetic models using the Bayesian statistics method were developed to simulate biomarkers transformation in reactors. Furthermore, a field-scale study was conducted in a real pressure sewer pipe with the systematical spiking and sampling of biomarkers and flow tracers. In-sewer degradation was observed for some spiked biomarkers over typical hydraulic retention time (i.e., a few hours). Results indicated that sewer biofilms prominently influenced biomarker stability with the retention time in wastewater. The fits between the measured and the simulated biomarkers transformation demonstrated that the lab-based model could be extended to estimate the changes of biomarkers in real sewers. Results also suggested that the variabilities of biotransformation and analytical accuracy are the two major contributors to the overall estimation uncertainty. Built upon many previous lab-scale studies, this study is one critical step forward in realizing wastewater-based epidemiology by extending biomarker stability investigations from laboratory reactors to real sewers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiaying Li
- Advanced Water Management Centre, The University of Queensland , St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Jianfa Gao
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences, The University of Queensland , Brisbane, Queensland 4108, Australia
| | - Phong K Thai
- International Laboratory for Air Quality and Health, Queensland University of Technology , Brisbane, Queensland 4001, Australia
| | - Xiaoyan Sun
- Advanced Water Management Centre, The University of Queensland , St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Jochen F Mueller
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences, The University of Queensland , Brisbane, Queensland 4108, Australia
| | - Zhiguo Yuan
- Advanced Water Management Centre, The University of Queensland , St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Guangming Jiang
- Advanced Water Management Centre, The University of Queensland , St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Baalbaki Z, Torfs E, Yargeau V, Vanrolleghem PA. Predicting the fate of micropollutants during wastewater treatment: Calibration and sensitivity analysis. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2017; 601-602:874-885. [PMID: 28582733 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.05.072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2016] [Revised: 04/11/2017] [Accepted: 05/08/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The presence of micropollutants in the environment and their toxic impacts on the aquatic environment have raised concern about their inefficient removal in wastewater treatment plants. In this study, the fate of micropollutants of four different classes was simulated in a conventional activated sludge plant using a bioreactor micropollutant fate model coupled to a settler model. The latter was based on the Bürger-Diehl model extended for the first time to include micropollutant fate processes. Calibration of model parameters was completed by matching modelling results with full-scale measurements (i.e. including aqueous and particulate phase concentrations of micropollutants) obtained from a 4-day sampling campaign. Modelling results showed that further biodegradation takes place in the sludge blanket of the settler for the highly biodegradable caffeine, underlining the need for a reactive settler model. The adopted Monte Carlo based calibration approach also provided an overview of the model's global sensitivity to the parameters. This analysis showed that for each micropollutant and according to the dominant fate process, a different set of one or more parameters had a significant impact on the model fit, justifying the selection of parameter subsets for model calibration. A dynamic local sensitivity analysis was also performed with the calibrated parameters. This analysis supported the conclusions from the global sensitivity and provided guidance for future sampling campaigns. This study expands the understanding of micropollutant fate models when applied to different micropollutants, in terms of global and local sensitivity to model parameters, as well as the identifiability of the parameters.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zeina Baalbaki
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, 3610 University St., Montreal, QC H3A 0C5, Canada
| | - Elena Torfs
- modelEAU, Département de génie civil et de génie des eaux, Université Laval, 1065 Avenue de la médecine, Québec City, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada.
| | - Viviane Yargeau
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, 3610 University St., Montreal, QC H3A 0C5, Canada
| | - Peter A Vanrolleghem
- modelEAU, Département de génie civil et de génie des eaux, Université Laval, 1065 Avenue de la médecine, Québec City, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Peng L, Kassotaki E, Liu Y, Sun J, Dai X, Pijuan M, Rodriguez-Roda I, Buttiglieri G, Ni BJ. Modelling cometabolic biotransformation of sulfamethoxazole by an enriched ammonia oxidizing bacteria culture. Chem Eng Sci 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ces.2017.08.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
|
41
|
Polesel F, Torresi E, Loreggian L, Casas ME, Christensson M, Bester K, Plósz BG. Removal of pharmaceuticals in pre-denitrifying MBBR - Influence of organic substrate availability in single- and three-stage configurations. WATER RESEARCH 2017; 123:408-419. [PMID: 28689125 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2017.06.068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2017] [Revised: 06/22/2017] [Accepted: 06/23/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Due to the limited efficiency of conventional biological treatment, innovative solutions are being explored to improve the removal of trace organic chemicals in wastewater. Controlling biomass exposure to growth substrate represents an appealing option for process optimization, as substrate availability likely impacts microbial activity, hence organic trace chemical removal. This study investigated the elimination of pharmaceuticals in pre-denitrifying moving bed biofilm reactors (MBBRs), where biofilm exposure to different organic substrate loading and composition was controlled by reactor staging. A three-stage MBBR and a single-stage reference MBBR (with the same operating volume and filling ratio) were operated under continuous-flow conditions (18 months). Two sets of batch experiments (day 100 and 471) were performed to quantify and compare pharmaceutical removal and denitrification kinetics in the different MBBRs. Experimental results revealed the possible influence of retransformation (e.g., from conjugated metabolites) and enantioselectivity on the removal of selected pharmaceuticals. In the second set of experiments, specific trends in denitrification and biotransformation kinetics were observed, with highest and lowest rates/rate constants in the first (S1) and the last (S3) staged sub-reactors, respectively. These observations were confirmed by removal efficiency data obtained during continuous-flow operation, with limited removal (<10%) of recalcitrant pharmaceuticals and highest removal in S1 within the three-stage MBBR. Notably, biotransformation rate constants obtained for non-recalcitrant pharmaceuticals correlated with mean specific denitrification rates, maximum specific growth rates and observed growth yield values. Overall, these findings suggest that: (i) the long-term exposure to tiered substrate accessibility in the three-stage configuration shaped the denitrification and biotransformation capacity of biofilms, with significant reduction under substrate limitation; (ii) biotransformation of pharmaceuticals may have occurred as a result of cometabolism by heterotrophic denitrifying bacteria.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Polesel
- DTU Environment, Technical University of Denmark, Bygningstorvet B115, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark.
| | - Elena Torresi
- DTU Environment, Technical University of Denmark, Bygningstorvet B115, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark; Veolia Water Technologies AB, AnoxKaldnes, Klosterängsvägen 11A, SE-226 47 Lund, Sweden
| | - Luca Loreggian
- DTU Environment, Technical University of Denmark, Bygningstorvet B115, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark; Environmental Engineering Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Station 6, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Mònica Escolà Casas
- Department of Environmental Science, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Magnus Christensson
- Veolia Water Technologies AB, AnoxKaldnes, Klosterängsvägen 11A, SE-226 47 Lund, Sweden
| | - Kai Bester
- Department of Environmental Science, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Benedek Gy Plósz
- DTU Environment, Technical University of Denmark, Bygningstorvet B115, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark; Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Torresi E, Polesel F, Bester K, Christensson M, Smets BF, Trapp S, Andersen HR, Plósz BG. Diffusion and sorption of organic micropollutants in biofilms with varying thicknesses. WATER RESEARCH 2017; 123:388-400. [PMID: 28686941 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2017.06.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2017] [Revised: 06/08/2017] [Accepted: 06/09/2017] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Solid-liquid partitioning is one of the main fate processes determining the removal of micropollutants in wastewater. Little is known on the sorption of micropollutants in biofilms, where molecular diffusion may significantly influence partitioning kinetics. In this study, the diffusion and the sorption of 23 micropollutants were investigated in novel moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) carriers with controlled biofilm thickness (50, 200 and 500 μm) using targeted batch experiments (initial concentration = 1 μg L-1, for X-ray contrast media 15 μg L-1) and mathematical modelling. We assessed the influence of biofilm thickness and density on the dimensionless effective diffusivity coefficient f (equal to the biofilm-to-aqueous diffusivity ratio) and the distribution coefficient Kd,eq (L g-1). Sorption was significant only for eight positively charged micropollutants (atenolol, metoprolol, propranolol, citalopram, venlafaxine, erythromycin, clarithromycin and roxithromycin), revealing the importance of electrostatic interactions with solids. Sorption equilibria were likely not reached within the duration of batch experiments (4 h), particularly for the thickest biofilm, requiring the calculation of the distribution coefficient Kd,eq based on the approximation of the asymptotic equilibrium concentration (t > 4 h). Kd,eq values increased with increasing biofilm thickness for all sorptive micropollutants (except atenolol), possibly due to higher porosity and accessible surface area in the thickest biofilm. Positive correlations between Kd,eq and micropollutant properties (polarity and molecular size descriptors) were identified but not for all biofilm thicknesses, thus confirming the challenge of improving predictive sorption models for positively charged compounds. A diffusion-sorption model was developed and calibrated against experimental data, and estimated f values also increased with increasing biofilm thickness. This indicates that diffusion in thin biofilms may be strongly limited (f ≪ 0.1) by the high biomass density (reduced porosity).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elena Torresi
- DTU Environment, Technical University of Denmark, Bygningstorvet B115, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark; Veolia Water Technologies AB, AnoxKaldnes, Klosterängsvägen 11A, SE-226 47 Lund, Sweden.
| | - Fabio Polesel
- DTU Environment, Technical University of Denmark, Bygningstorvet B115, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Kai Bester
- Department of Environmental Science, Århus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Magnus Christensson
- Veolia Water Technologies AB, AnoxKaldnes, Klosterängsvägen 11A, SE-226 47 Lund, Sweden
| | - Barth F Smets
- DTU Environment, Technical University of Denmark, Bygningstorvet B115, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Stefan Trapp
- DTU Environment, Technical University of Denmark, Bygningstorvet B115, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Henrik R Andersen
- DTU Environment, Technical University of Denmark, Bygningstorvet B115, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Benedek Gy Plósz
- DTU Environment, Technical University of Denmark, Bygningstorvet B115, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark; Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
A systematic model identification method for chemical transformation pathways - the case of heroin biomarkers in wastewater. Sci Rep 2017; 7:9390. [PMID: 28839237 PMCID: PMC5571155 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-09313-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2017] [Accepted: 07/17/2017] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
This study presents a novel statistical approach for identifying sequenced chemical transformation pathways in combination with reaction kinetics models. The proposed method relies on sound uncertainty propagation by considering parameter ranges and associated probability distribution obtained at any given transformation pathway levels as priors for parameter estimation at any subsequent transformation levels. The method was applied to calibrate a model predicting the transformation in untreated wastewater of six biomarkers, excreted following human metabolism of heroin and codeine. The method developed was compared to parameter estimation methods commonly encountered in literature (i.e., estimation of all parameters at the same time and parameter estimation with fix values for upstream parameters) by assessing the model prediction accuracy, parameter identifiability and uncertainty analysis. Results obtained suggest that the method developed has the potential to outperform conventional approaches in terms of prediction accuracy, transformation pathway identification and parameter identifiability. This method can be used in conjunction with optimal experimental designs to effectively identify model structures and parameters. This method can also offer a platform to promote a closer interaction between analytical chemists and modellers to identify models for biochemical transformation pathways, being a prominent example for the emerging field of wastewater-based epidemiology.
Collapse
|
44
|
Norvill ZN, Toledo-Cervantes A, Blanco S, Shilton A, Guieysse B, Muñoz R. Photodegradation and sorption govern tetracycline removal during wastewater treatment in algal ponds. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2017; 232:35-43. [PMID: 28214443 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2017.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2016] [Revised: 01/30/2017] [Accepted: 02/03/2017] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
The degradation of the antibiotic tetracycline, supplied at 100µgL-1 in domestic wastewater, was studied in an outdoor, pilot scale, high rate algal pond (HRAP). Effective operation was demonstrated with the biomass concentration and the chemical oxygen demand removal efficiency averaging 1.2±0.1gTSSL-1 and 80±4%, respectively, across all operational periods. Tetracycline removal exceeded 93% and 99% when the HRAP was operated at hydraulic retention times of 4 and 7days, respectively. Batch tests and pulse testing during HRAP operation repeatedly evidenced the significance of photodegradation as a removal mechanism. Sorption dominated tetracycline removal during the night, but accounted for less than 6% of the total pollutant removal based on sorbed tetracycline extracted from biomass. Overall, these results provide the first demonstration of efficient antibiotic removal, occurring mainly via indirect photodegradation, during relevant HRAP operation (low pollutant concentration, domestic wastewater and natural sunlight).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zane N Norvill
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology, University of Valladolid, Dr. Mergelina s/n, Valladolid 47011, Spain; School of Engineering and Advanced Technology, Massey University, Private Bag 11 222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
| | - Alma Toledo-Cervantes
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology, University of Valladolid, Dr. Mergelina s/n, Valladolid 47011, Spain
| | - Saul Blanco
- The Institute of the Environment, La Serna, 58, 24007 Leon, Spain
| | - Andy Shilton
- School of Engineering and Advanced Technology, Massey University, Private Bag 11 222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
| | - Benoit Guieysse
- School of Engineering and Advanced Technology, Massey University, Private Bag 11 222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
| | - Raul Muñoz
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology, University of Valladolid, Dr. Mergelina s/n, Valladolid 47011, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Tang K, Escola Casas M, Ooi GT, Kaarsholm KM, Bester K, Andersen HR. Influence of humic acid addition on the degradation of pharmaceuticals by biofilms in effluent wastewater. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2017; 220:604-610. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2017.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2016] [Revised: 01/10/2017] [Accepted: 01/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
|
46
|
Yang Y, Wang H, Huang L, Zhang S, He Y, Gao Q, Ye Q. Effects of superabsorbent polymers on the fate of fungicidal carbendazim in soils. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2017; 328:70-79. [PMID: 28103488 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2016.12.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2016] [Revised: 12/27/2016] [Accepted: 12/28/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) have been extensively used as soil amendments to retain water, and they often coexist with pesticides in agricultural fields. However, effects of SAPs on the fate of pesticides in soil remain poorly understood. In this study, a laboratory experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of SAPs on the transformation of 14C-carbendazim in soils. The results showed that compared to the SAPs-free control, 11.4% relative reduction of 14C-carbendazim extractable residue was observed in red clayey soil with SAPs amendment after 100days of incubation (p<0.05). Carbendazim dissipation was enhanced by 34.7%, while no obvious difference was found in loamy soil and saline soil (p>0.05). SAPs changed the profiles of major metabolites (2-aminobenzimidazole and 2-hydroxybenzimidazole) to some extent. After 100days of SAPs treatment, the mineralization of 14C-carbendazim was significantly reduced by 37.6% and 41.2% in loamy soil and saline soil, respectively, relative to the SAPs-free treatment (p<0.05). SAPs increased the bound residue of carbendazim by 11.1-19.1% in comparison with SAPs-free controls. These findings suggest SAPs amendments significantly affected the fate of carbendazim and attention should be given to the assessment of environmental and ecological safety of pesticides in SAPs-amended soils.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yatian Yang
- Institute of Nuclear Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Nuclear Agricultural Sciences of Ministry of Agriculture and Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310029, China
| | - Haiyan Wang
- Institute of Nuclear Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Nuclear Agricultural Sciences of Ministry of Agriculture and Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310029, China.
| | - Lei Huang
- Institute of Nuclear Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Nuclear Agricultural Sciences of Ministry of Agriculture and Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310029, China
| | - Sufen Zhang
- Institute of Nuclear Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Nuclear Agricultural Sciences of Ministry of Agriculture and Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310029, China
| | - Yupeng He
- Institute of Nuclear Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Nuclear Agricultural Sciences of Ministry of Agriculture and Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310029, China
| | - Qi Gao
- Institute of Nuclear Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Nuclear Agricultural Sciences of Ministry of Agriculture and Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310029, China
| | - Qingfu Ye
- Institute of Nuclear Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Nuclear Agricultural Sciences of Ministry of Agriculture and Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310029, China.
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Nguyen PY, Carvalho G, Reis AC, Nunes OC, Reis MAM, Oehmen A. Impact of biogenic substrates on sulfamethoxazole biodegradation kinetics by Achromobacter denitrificans strain PR1. Biodegradation 2017; 28:205-217. [DOI: 10.1007/s10532-017-9789-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2016] [Accepted: 03/07/2017] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
|
48
|
Gonzalez-Gil L, Carballa M, Lema JM. Cometabolic Enzymatic Transformation of Organic Micropollutants under Methanogenic Conditions. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2017; 51:2963-2971. [PMID: 28198617 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.6b05549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Anaerobic digestion (AD) has been shown to have the biological potential to decrease concentrations of several organic micropollutants (OMPs) in sewage sludge. However, the mechanisms and factors behind these biotransformations, which are essential for elucidating the possible transformation products and to foster the complete removal of OMPs via operational strategies, remain unclear. Therefore, this study investigated the transformation mechanisms of 20 OMPs during the methanogenic step of AD with a focus on the role of acetate kinase (AK), which is a key enzyme in methane production. The results from lab-scale methanogenic reactors showed that this step accounts for much of the reported OMP biotransformation in AD. Furthermore, enzymatic assays confirmed that AK transforms galaxolide, naproxen, nonylphenol, octylphenol, ibuprofen, diclofenac, bisphenol A, and triclosan. Except for galaxolide, for which further studies are required to refine conclusions, the OMP's chemical structure was a determinant for AK action because only compounds that contain a carboxyl or hydroxyl group and have moderate steric hindrance were enzymatically transformed, likely by phosphorylation. For these seven compounds, this enzymatic mechanism accounts for 10-90% of the measured methanogenic biotransformation, suggesting that other active enzymes of the AD process are also involved in OMP biotransformation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lorena Gonzalez-Gil
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Institute of Technology, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela , Campus Vida, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Marta Carballa
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Institute of Technology, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela , Campus Vida, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Juan M Lema
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Institute of Technology, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela , Campus Vida, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Lautz LS, Struijs J, Nolte TM, Breure AM, van der Grinten E, van de Meent D, van Zelm R. Evaluation of SimpleTreat 4.0: Simulations of pharmaceutical removal in wastewater treatment plant facilities. CHEMOSPHERE 2017; 168:870-876. [PMID: 27836282 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2016.10.123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2016] [Revised: 10/25/2016] [Accepted: 10/29/2016] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
In this study, the removal of pharmaceuticals from wastewater as predicted by SimpleTreat 4.0 was evaluated. Field data obtained from literature of 43 pharmaceuticals, measured in 51 different activated sludge WWTPs were used. Based on reported influent concentrations, the effluent concentrations were calculated with SimpleTreat 4.0 and compared to measured effluent concentrations. The model predicts effluent concentrations mostly within a factor of 10, using the specific WWTP parameters as well as SimpleTreat default parameters, while it systematically underestimates concentrations in secondary sludge. This may be caused by unexpected sorption, resulting from variability in WWTP operating conditions, and/or QSAR applicability domain mismatch and background concentrations prior to measurements. Moreover, variability in detection techniques and sampling methods can cause uncertainty in measured concentration levels. To find possible structural improvements, we also evaluated SimpleTreat 4.0 using several specific datasets with different degrees of uncertainty and variability. This evaluation verified that the most influencing parameters for water effluent predictions were biodegradation and the hydraulic retention time. Results showed that model performance is highly dependent on the nature and quality, i.e. degree of uncertainty, of the data. The default values for reactor settings in SimpleTreat result in realistic predictions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- L S Lautz
- Department of Environmental Science, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University Nijmegen, P.O. Box 9010, 6500 GL Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - J Struijs
- Department of Environmental Science, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University Nijmegen, P.O. Box 9010, 6500 GL Nijmegen, The Netherlands; JSScience, Zeist, The Netherlands
| | - T M Nolte
- Department of Environmental Science, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University Nijmegen, P.O. Box 9010, 6500 GL Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - A M Breure
- Department of Environmental Science, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University Nijmegen, P.O. Box 9010, 6500 GL Nijmegen, The Netherlands; National Institute of Public Health and the Environment, PO Box 1, 3720 BA Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - E van der Grinten
- National Institute of Public Health and the Environment, PO Box 1, 3720 BA Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | | | - R van Zelm
- Department of Environmental Science, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University Nijmegen, P.O. Box 9010, 6500 GL Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Torresi E, Escolà Casas M, Polesel F, Plósz BG, Christensson M, Bester K. Impact of external carbon dose on the removal of micropollutants using methanol and ethanol in post-denitrifying Moving Bed Biofilm Reactors. WATER RESEARCH 2017; 108:95-105. [PMID: 27871747 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2016.10.068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2016] [Revised: 10/20/2016] [Accepted: 10/24/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Addition of external carbon sources to post-denitrification systems is frequently used in wastewater treatment plants to enhance nitrate removal. However, little is known about the fate of micropollutants in post-denitrification systems and the influence of external carbon dosing on their removal. In this study, we assessed the effects of two different types and availability of commonly used carbon sources -methanol and ethanol- on the removal of micropollutants in biofilm systems. Two laboratory-scale moving bed biofilm reactors (MBBRs), containing AnoxKaldnes K1 carriers with acclimated biofilm from full-scale systems, were operated in continuous-flow using wastewater dosed with methanol and ethanol, respectively. Batch experiments with 22 spiked pharmaceuticals were performed to assess removal kinetics. Acetyl-sulfadiazine, atenolol, citalopram, propranolol and trimethoprim were easily biotransformed in both MBBRs (biotransformations rate constants kbio between 1.2 and 12.9 L gbiomass-1 d-1), 13 compounds were moderately biotransformed (rate constants between 0.2 and 2 L gbiomass-1 d-1) and 4 compounds were recalcitrant. The methanol-dosed MBBR showed higher kbio (e.g., 1.5-2.5-fold) than in the ethanol-dosed MBBR for 9 out of the 22 studied compounds, equal kbio for 10 compounds, while 3 compounds (i.e., targeted sulfonamides) were biotransformed faster in the ethanol-dosed MBBR. While biotransformation of most of the targeted compounds followed first-order kinetics, removal of venlafaxine, carbamazepine, sulfamethoxazole and sulfamethizole could be described with a cometabolic model. Analyses of the microbial composition in the biofilms using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing revealed that the methanol-dosed MBBR contained higher microbial richness than the one dosed with ethanol, suggesting that improved biotransformation of targeted compounds could be associated with higher microbial richness. During continuous-flow operation, at conditions representative of full-scale denitrification systems (hydraulic residence time = 2 h), the removal efficiencies of micropollutants were below 35% in both MBBRs, with the exception of atenolol and trimethoprim (>80%). Overall, this study demonstrated that MBBRs used for post-denitrification could be optimized to enhance the biotransformation of a number of micropollutants by accounting for optimal carbon sources and extended residence time.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elena Torresi
- Veolia Water Technologies AnoxKaldnes, Klosterängsvägen 11A, SE-226 47, Lund, Sweden; Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Bygningstorvet B115, 2800, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Mònica Escolà Casas
- Department of Environmental Science, Århus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Fabio Polesel
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Bygningstorvet B115, 2800, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Benedek G Plósz
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Bygningstorvet B115, 2800, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark.
| | - Magnus Christensson
- Veolia Water Technologies AnoxKaldnes, Klosterängsvägen 11A, SE-226 47, Lund, Sweden.
| | - Kai Bester
- Department of Environmental Science, Århus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000, Roskilde, Denmark.
| |
Collapse
|