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Shuliakevich A, Schröder K, Nagengast L, Muz M, Pipal M, Brückner I, Hilscherova K, Brack W, Schiwy S, Hollert H. Morphological and behavioral alterations in zebrafish larvae after exposure to contaminated river sediments collected in different weather conditions. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 851:157922. [PMID: 35961394 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157922] [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: 04/20/2022] [Revised: 07/31/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are the primary source of micropollutants in aquatic ecosystems. Many micropollutants tend to bind to sediments and persist until remobilizion by bioturbation or flood events. Advanced effluent treatment by ozonation has been proven to eliminate most micropollutants. The present study characterizes sediments' toxic potential regarding zebrafish embryo development, which highly complex nervous system is vulnerable to exposure to neurotoxic substances. Furthermore, behavioral changes can be induced even at low pollutant concentrations and do not cause acute toxicity. The study area includes stretches of the main waterbody, the Wurm River (sampling sites W1-W5), and its tributary the Haarbach River (sampling sites H1, and H2) in North-Rhine Westphalia, Germany. Both waterbodies serve as recipients of WWTPs' effluents. The effluent entering the Haarbach River is conventionally treated, while the Wurm River receives ozonated effluent from the Aachen-Soers WWTP. Seven sampling sites up- and downstream of the WWTPs were investigated in June of two subsequent years. The first sampling campaign in 2017 was characterized by prolonged dry weather. The second sampling campaign in 2018 occurred after prolonged rain events and the release of the rainwater overflow basin. Direct exposure of zebrafish embryos to native sediments using the sediment contact test represented an ecologically realistic scenario and showed no acute sublethal effects. Exposure of the zebrafish embryo to freeze-dried sediments representing the ecotoxicological status of sediments during flood events unfolded acute sublethal toxicity. Behavioral studies with zebrafish larvae were an essential part of environmental neurotoxicity testing. Zebrafish larvae exposed to sediments' concentrations causing no acute effects led to behavioral changes signalizing neurotoxic substances in sediments. Polyaromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls, and nitroaromatic compounds were identified as potential toxicity drivers, whereby the rainwater overflow basin served as a possible source of pollution. Mixture toxicity, effect-directed analysis, and further sediment monitoring are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aliaksandra Shuliakevich
- Goethe University Frankfurt/Main, Department Evolutionary Ecology and Environmental Toxicology, Max-von-Laue-Strasse 13, 60438 Frankfurt/Main, Germany
| | - Katja Schröder
- RWTH Aachen University, Institute of Biology V, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Laura Nagengast
- RWTH Aachen University, Institute of Biology V, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Melis Muz
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Department of Effect-Directed Analysis, Permoserstrasse 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Marek Pipal
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Ira Brückner
- Eifel-Rur Waterboard (WVER), Eisenbahnstr. 5, 52354 Düren, Germany
| | - Klara Hilscherova
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Werner Brack
- Goethe University Frankfurt/Main, Department Evolutionary Ecology and Environmental Toxicology, Max-von-Laue-Strasse 13, 60438 Frankfurt/Main, Germany; Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Department of Effect-Directed Analysis, Permoserstrasse 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sabrina Schiwy
- Goethe University Frankfurt/Main, Department Evolutionary Ecology and Environmental Toxicology, Max-von-Laue-Strasse 13, 60438 Frankfurt/Main, Germany
| | - Henner Hollert
- Goethe University Frankfurt/Main, Department Evolutionary Ecology and Environmental Toxicology, Max-von-Laue-Strasse 13, 60438 Frankfurt/Main, Germany.
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Wolf Y, Oster S, Shuliakevich A, Brückner I, Dolny R, Linnemann V, Pinnekamp J, Hollert H, Schiwy S. Improvement of wastewater and water quality via a full-scale ozonation plant? - A comprehensive analysis of the endocrine potential using effect-based methods. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 803:149756. [PMID: 34492496 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.149756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Revised: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Micropollutants (MPs), especially endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs), are mainly released from WWTPs into surface water bodies and can subsequently lead to adverse effects in biota. Treatment with ozone proved to be a suitable method for eliminating such MPs. This method was implemented at the WWTP Aachen-Soers by commissioning the largest full-scale ozonation plant in Europe at the moment. Recently, effect-based methods (EBMs) have been successfully proved for compliance monitoring, e.g. estrogenic compounds. Therefore, the impact of ozone treatment on endocrine potential (agonistic and antagonistic) of treated wastewater was investigated using the ERα- and AR CALUX assays. Additionally, the impact on the receiving stream and a potential preload of the water body was assessed. Therefore, the current study could deal as a case study for small rivers being highly impacted by WWTPs. The estrogenic potential was nearly fully eliminated after ozone treatment. Contrary, the antagonistic (anti-estrogenic and anti-androgenic) potential did not show a clear elimination pattern after ozone treatment independent of the applied ozone dosage and control system. Therefore, further investigations are required regarding the antagonistic potential. Additionally, preloading of the receiving stream was found during the study period. One significant impact is a rain overflow basin (ROB) located upstream of the WWTP effluent. The highest endocrine potential was found after a ROB overflow (2.7 ng EEQ/L, 2.4 μg TMX-EQ/L, 104 μg FLU-EQ/L), suggesting that such runoff events after a heavy rainfall may act as a driver of endocrine loading to the water body. This manuscript contributes significantly to the basic understanding of the efficiency of eliminating the endocrine potential of ozone treatment by, e.g., showing that there is a further need for improving the removal efficiency of antagonistic potential. Moreover, it highlights the need to include other point sources, such as ROBs, to assess polluted surface waters comprehensively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yvonne Wolf
- Department of Ecosystem Analysis, Institute for Environmental Research, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Sophie Oster
- Department of Ecosystem Analysis, Institute for Environmental Research, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany; iES Institute for Environmental Science, University of Koblenz-Landau, Landau, Germany
| | - Aliaksandra Shuliakevich
- Department Evolutionary Ecology and Environmental Toxicology (E(3)T), Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | | | - Regina Dolny
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Volker Linnemann
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Johannes Pinnekamp
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Henner Hollert
- Department Evolutionary Ecology and Environmental Toxicology (E(3)T), Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany.
| | - Sabrina Schiwy
- Department Evolutionary Ecology and Environmental Toxicology (E(3)T), Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
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Rodríguez-Molina D, Berglund F, Blaak H, Flach CF, Kemper M, Marutescu L, Gradisteanu GP, Popa M, Spießberger B, Weinmann T, Wengenroth L, Chifiriuc MC, Larsson DGJ, Nowak D, Radon K, de Roda Husman AM, Wieser A, Schmitt H. Carriage of ESBL-producing Enterobacterales in wastewater treatment plant workers and surrounding residents - the AWARE Study. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2021:10.1007/s10096-021-04387-z. [PMID: 34902088 PMCID: PMC8667530 DOI: 10.1007/s10096-021-04387-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
To investigate whether wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) workers and residents living in close proximity to a WWTP have elevated carriage rates of ESBL-producing Enterobacterales, as compared to the general population. From 2018 to 2020, we carried out a cross-sectional study in Germany, the Netherlands, and Romania among WWTP workers (N = 344), nearby residents (living ≤ 300 m away from WWTPs; N = 431) and distant residents (living ≥ 1000 m away = reference group; N = 1165). We collected information on potential confounders via questionnaire. Culture of participants' stool samples was performed with ChromID®-ESBL agar plates and species identification with MALDI-TOF-MS. We used logistic regression to estimate the odds ratio (OR) for carrying ESBL-producing E. coli (ESBL-EC). Sensitivity analyses included stratification by country and interaction models using country as secondary exposure. Prevalence of ESBL-EC was 11% (workers), 29% (nearby residents), and 7% (distant residents), and higher in Romania (28%) than in Germany (7%) and the Netherlands (6%). Models stratified by country showed that within the Romanian population, WWTP workers are about twice as likely (aOR = 2.34, 95% CI: 1.22-4.50) and nearby residents about three times as likely (aOR = 3.17, 95% CI: 1.80-5.59) to be ESBL-EC carriers, when compared with distant residents. In stratified analyses by country, we found an increased risk for carriage of ESBL-EC in Romanian workers and nearby residents. This effect was higher for nearby residents than for workers, which suggests that, for nearby residents, factors other than the local WWTP could contribute to the increased carriage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daloha Rodríguez-Molina
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology and NetTeaching Unit, Institute and Clinic for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Ziemssenstr. 5, 80336, Munich, Germany.
- Institute for Medical Information Processing, Biometry, and Epidemiology - IBE, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.
- Pettenkofer School of Public Health, Munich, Germany.
| | - Fanny Berglund
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Biomedicine, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Centre for Antibiotic Resistance Research (CARe), University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Hetty Blaak
- Centre of Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Carl-Fredrik Flach
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Biomedicine, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Centre for Antibiotic Resistance Research (CARe), University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Merel Kemper
- Centre of Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Luminita Marutescu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest and the Academy of Romanian Scientists, Bucharest, Romania
- Earth, Environmental and Life Sciences Section, Research Institute of the University of Bucharest, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Gratiela Pircalabioru Gradisteanu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest and the Academy of Romanian Scientists, Bucharest, Romania
- Earth, Environmental and Life Sciences Section, Research Institute of the University of Bucharest, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Marcela Popa
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest and the Academy of Romanian Scientists, Bucharest, Romania
- Earth, Environmental and Life Sciences Section, Research Institute of the University of Bucharest, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Beate Spießberger
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF) Partner Site Munich, Munich, Germany
- Max Von Pettenkofer Institute, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, LMU University Hospital Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Tobias Weinmann
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology and NetTeaching Unit, Institute and Clinic for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Ziemssenstr. 5, 80336, Munich, Germany
| | - Laura Wengenroth
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology and NetTeaching Unit, Institute and Clinic for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Ziemssenstr. 5, 80336, Munich, Germany
| | - Mariana Carmen Chifiriuc
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest and the Academy of Romanian Scientists, Bucharest, Romania
- Earth, Environmental and Life Sciences Section, Research Institute of the University of Bucharest, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
| | - D G Joakim Larsson
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Biomedicine, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Centre for Antibiotic Resistance Research (CARe), University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Dennis Nowak
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology and NetTeaching Unit, Institute and Clinic for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Ziemssenstr. 5, 80336, Munich, Germany
- German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Comprehensive Pneumology Center Munich (CPC-M), Munich, Germany
| | - Katja Radon
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology and NetTeaching Unit, Institute and Clinic for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Ziemssenstr. 5, 80336, Munich, Germany
| | - Ana Maria de Roda Husman
- Centre of Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Andreas Wieser
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF) Partner Site Munich, Munich, Germany
- Max Von Pettenkofer Institute, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, LMU University Hospital Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Heike Schmitt
- Centre of Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
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Westhaus S, Weber FA, Schiwy S, Linnemann V, Brinkmann M, Widera M, Greve C, Janke A, Hollert H, Wintgens T, Ciesek S. Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in raw and treated wastewater in Germany - Suitability for COVID-19 surveillance and potential transmission risks. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 751:141750. [PMID: 32861187 PMCID: PMC7434407 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 247] [Impact Index Per Article: 82.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 08/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/15/2020] [Indexed: 04/15/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater-based monitoring of the spread of the new SARS-CoV-2 virus, also referred to as wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE), has been suggested as a tool to support epidemiology. An extensive sampling campaign, including nine municipal wastewater treatment plants, has been conducted in different cities of the Federal State of North Rhine-Westphalia (Germany) on the same day in April 2020, close to the first peak of the corona crisis. Samples were processed and analysed for a set of SARS-CoV-2-specific genes, as well as pan-genotypic gene sequences also covering other coronavirus types, using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Additionally, a comprehensive set of chemical reference parameters and bioindicators was analysed to characterize the wastewater quality and composition. Results of the RT-qPCR based gene analysis indicate the presence of SARS-CoV-2 genetic traces in different raw wastewaters. Furthermore, selected samples have been sequenced using Sanger technology to confirm the specificity of the RT-qPCR and the origin of the coronavirus. A comparison of the particle-bound and the dissolved portion of SARS-CoV-2 virus genes shows that quantifications must not neglect the solid-phase reservoir. The infectivity of the raw wastewater has also been assessed by viral outgrowth assay with a potential SARS-CoV-2 host cell line in vitro, which were not infected when exposed to the samples. This first evidence suggests that wastewater might be no major route for transmission to humans. Our findings draw attention to the need for further methodological and molecular assay validation for enveloped viruses in wastewater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Westhaus
- Institute of Medical Virology, University Hospital, Goethe University Frankfurt, Paul-Ehrlich-Str. 40, D-60590 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Frank-Andreas Weber
- FiW e.V., Research Institute for Water and Waste Management at RWTH Aachen, Kackertstraße 15-17, D-52056 Aachen, Germany
| | - Sabrina Schiwy
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology and Environmental Toxicology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, D-60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Volker Linnemann
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, RWTH Aachen University, Mies-van-der-Rohe-Strasse 1, D-52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Markus Brinkmann
- School of Environment and Sustainability (SENS), University of Saskatchewan, 117 Science Place, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5C8, Canada; Global Institute for Water Security (GIWS), University of Saskatchewan, 11 Innovation Blvd, Saskatoon, SK S7N 3H5, Canada; Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, 44 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B3, Canada
| | - Marek Widera
- Institute of Medical Virology, University Hospital, Goethe University Frankfurt, Paul-Ehrlich-Str. 40, D-60590 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Carola Greve
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE-TBG), 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Axel Janke
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE-TBG), 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Henner Hollert
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology and Environmental Toxicology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, D-60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE-TBG), 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
| | - Thomas Wintgens
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, RWTH Aachen University, Mies-van-der-Rohe-Strasse 1, D-52074 Aachen, Germany; University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland, School of Life Sciences, Institute for Ecopreneurship, Hofackerstrasse 30, CH-4132 Muttenz, Switzerland.
| | - Sandra Ciesek
- Institute of Medical Virology, University Hospital, Goethe University Frankfurt, Paul-Ehrlich-Str. 40, D-60590 Frankfurt, Germany.
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Aumeier BM, Graul H, Müller AK, Lackmann C, Wünsch R, Wintgens T, Hollert H, Wessling M. The hydrothermal solution for self-sustaining drinking water purification at point of use. WATER RESEARCH 2020; 170:115338. [PMID: 31841769 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2019.115338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2019] [Revised: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 11/23/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Decentralized drinking water purification complements water supply in areas with unreliable or absent infrastructure. The exacerbating consequences of climate change in form of droughts and floods force remote households to tap various water sources. Hence, household-based processes must be versatile to cope with e.g. contaminated ground water and turbid surface waters. Purification at household level must be self-sustaining in order to enable independence from continuous supply of power and consumables. In this study, we design a process accordingly and we prove its technical feasibility on pilot scale. The two-step process utilizes gravity-driven ultrafiltration and activated carbon adsorption to purify water, whereas the process regeneration is accomplished by combining Temperature Enhanced Backwash and Temperature Swing Adsorption to clean the membrane and adsorber, respectively. We obtained stable operation over >40 days with a sustained flowrate of ∼5 Lh-1 and consistent product quality (turbidity ≤0.2 NTU) for all relevant water matrices: synthetic ground water, river water and even secondary effluent. We achieved a high removal of the spiked model micropollutant amitrole, environmental endocrine disruptors and bulk dissolved organics of ∼93%, >65% and ∼69%, respectively, at the optimal water recovery for river water of ∼80%. In-situ regeneration promises long-term, self-sufficient operation without exhaustion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedikt M Aumeier
- RWTH Aachen University, Aachener Verfahrenstechnik, Chemical Process Engineering, Forckenbeckstrasse 51, 52074, Aachen, Germany.
| | - Hanna Graul
- RWTH Aachen University, Aachener Verfahrenstechnik, Chemical Process Engineering, Forckenbeckstrasse 51, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Anne-Katrin Müller
- RWTH Aachen University, Department of Ecosystem Analysis, Institute for Environmental Research, Worringerweg 1, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Carina Lackmann
- RWTH Aachen University, Department of Ecosystem Analysis, Institute for Environmental Research, Worringerweg 1, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Robin Wünsch
- University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland, School of Life Sciences, 4132, Muttenz, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Wintgens
- University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland, School of Life Sciences, 4132, Muttenz, Switzerland; RWTH Aachen University, Institute of Environmental Engineering, Mies-van-der-Rohe-Strasse 1, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Henner Hollert
- RWTH Aachen University, Department of Ecosystem Analysis, Institute for Environmental Research, Worringerweg 1, 52074, Aachen, Germany; Goethe University Frankfurt, Department of Evolutionary Ecology and Environmental Toxicology, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Matthias Wessling
- RWTH Aachen University, Aachener Verfahrenstechnik, Chemical Process Engineering, Forckenbeckstrasse 51, 52074, Aachen, Germany; DWI - Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials, Forckenbeckstr. 50, 52074, Aachen, Germany.
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Krakkó D, Gombos E, Licul-Kucera V, Dóbé S, Mihucz VG, Záray G. Enhanced photolytic and photooxidative treatments for removal of selected pharmaceutical ingredients and their degradation products in water matrices. Microchem J 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.microc.2019.104136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Brack W, Escher BI, Müller E, Schmitt-Jansen M, Schulze T, Slobodnik J, Hollert H. Towards a holistic and solution-oriented monitoring of chemical status of European water bodies: how to support the EU strategy for a non-toxic environment? ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES EUROPE 2018; 30:33. [PMID: 30221105 PMCID: PMC6132835 DOI: 10.1186/s12302-018-0161-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2018] [Accepted: 08/25/2018] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
The definition of priority substances (PS) according to the Water Framework Directive (WFD) helped to remove many of these chemicals from the market and to reduce their concentrations in the European water bodies. However, it could not prevent that many of these chemicals have been replaced by others with similar risks. Today, monitoring of the PS-based chemical status according to WFD covers only a tiny fraction of toxic risks, extensively ignores mixture effects and lacks incentives and guidance for abatement. Thus, we suggest complement this purely status-related approach with more holistic and solution-oriented monitoring, which at the same time helps to provide links to the ecological status. Major elements include (1) advanced chemical screening techniques supporting mixture risk assessment and unraveling of source-related patterns in complex mixtures, (2) effect-based monitoring for the detection of groups of chemicals with similar effects and the establishment of toxicity fingerprints, (3) effect-directed analysis of drivers of toxicity and (4) to translate chemical and toxicological fingerprints into chemical footprints for prioritization of management measures. The requirement of more holistic and solution-oriented monitoring of chemical contamination is supported by the significant advancement of appropriate monitoring tools within the last years. Non-target screening technology, effect-based monitoring and basic understanding of mixture assessment are available conceptually and in research but also increasingly find their way into practical monitoring. Substantial progress in the development, evaluation and demonstration of these tools, for example, in the SOLUTIONS project enhanced their acceptability. Further advancement, integration and demonstration, extensive data exchange and closure of remaining knowledge gaps are suggested as high priority research needs for the next future to bridge the gap between insufficient ecological status and cost-efficient abatement measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Werner Brack
- Department of Effect-Directed Analysis, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research UFZ, Permoserstr. 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Ecosystem Analysis, Institute for Environmental Research, ABBt-Aachen Biology and Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Beate I. Escher
- Department of Cell Toxicology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research UFZ, Permoserstr. 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
- Environmental Toxicology, Center for Applied Geosciences, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, 72074 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Erik Müller
- Department of Effect-Directed Analysis, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research UFZ, Permoserstr. 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Mechthild Schmitt-Jansen
- Department of Bioanalytical Ecotoxicology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research UFZ, Permoserstr. 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Tobias Schulze
- Department of Effect-Directed Analysis, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research UFZ, Permoserstr. 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | | | - Henner Hollert
- Department of Ecosystem Analysis, Institute for Environmental Research, ABBt-Aachen Biology and Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany
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