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Zhang Y, Lin X, Xia T, Chen H, Huang F, Wei C, Qiu G. Effects of intensive chlorine disinfection on nitrogen and phosphorus removal in WWTPs. Sci Total Environ 2024; 918:170273. [PMID: 38280590 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2023] [Revised: 12/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 01/29/2024]
Abstract
The increased use of disinfection since the pandemic has led to increased effective chlorine concentration in municipal wastewater. Whereas, the specific impacts of active chlorine on nitrogen and phosphorus removal, the mediating communities, and the related metabolic activities in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) lack systematic investigation. We systematically analyzed the influences of chlorine disinfection on nitrogen and phosphorus removal activities using activated sludge from five full-scale WWTPs. Results showed that at an active chlorine concentration of 1.0 mg/g-SS, the nitrogen and phosphorus removal systems were not significantly affected. Major effects were observed at 5.0 mg/g-SS, where the nitrogen and phosphorus removal efficiency decreased by 38.9 % and 44.1 %, respectively. At an active chlorine concentration of 10.0 mg/g-SS, the nitrification, denitrification, phosphorus release and uptake activities decreased by 15.1 %, 69.5-95.9 %, 49.6 % and 100 %, respectively. The proportion of dead cells increased by 6.1 folds. Reverse transcriptional quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) analysis showed remarkable inhibitions on transcriptions of the nitrite oxidoreductase gene (nxrB), the nitrite reductase genes (nirS and nirK), and the nitrite reductase genes (narG). The nitrogen and phosphorus removal activities completely disappeared with an active chlorine concentration of 25.0 mg/g-SS. Results also showed distinct sensitivities of different functional bacteria in the activated sludge. Even different species within the same functional group differ in their susceptibility. This study provides a reference for the understanding of the threshold active chlorine concentration values which may potentially affect biological nitrogen and phosphorus removal in full-scale WWTPs, which are expected to be beneficial for decision-making in WWTPs to counteract the potential impacts of increased active chlorine concentrations in the influent wastewater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yixing Zhang
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Xueran Lin
- Guangzhou Sewage Purification Co., Ltd, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Tang Xia
- Guangzhou Sewage Purification Co., Ltd, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Hang Chen
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Fu Huang
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Chaohai Wei
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Solid Wastes Pollution Control and Recycling, Guangzhou 510006, China; The Key Lab of Pollution Control and Ecosystem Restoration in Industry Clusters, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Guanglei Qiu
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Solid Wastes Pollution Control and Recycling, Guangzhou 510006, China; The Key Lab of Pollution Control and Ecosystem Restoration in Industry Clusters, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou 510006, China.
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Gewurtz SB, Auyeung AS, De Silva AO, Teslic S, Smyth SA. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in Canadian municipal wastewater and biosolids: Recent patterns and time trends 2009 to 2021. Sci Total Environ 2024; 912:168638. [PMID: 37984658 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
The concentrations of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were determined in raw influent, final effluent, and treated biosolids at Canadian wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) to evaluate the fate of PFAS through liquid and solids trains of typical treatment process types used in Canada and to assess time trends of PFAS in wastewater between 2009 and 2021. Data for 42 PFAS in samples collected from 27 WWTP across Canada were used to assess current concentrations and 48 WWTPs were included in the time trends analysis. Although regulated and phased-out of production by industry since the early 2000s and late 2000s/early2010s, respectively, perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoate (PFOA), and other long-chain PFAS continue to be widely detected in Canadian wastewater and biosolids. Short-chain PFAS that are not currently regulated in Canada were also widely detected. In general, elevated concentrations of several PFAS were observed at WWTPs that receive landfill leachate. Except for PFOS, concentrations of long-chain perfluoroalkyl carboxylates (PFCAs) and perfluoroalkane sulfonates (PFSAs) generally decreased over time in influent, effluent, and biosolids, which is attributable to industrial production phase-outs and regulations. Concentrations of PFOS did not decrease over time in wastewater media. This indicates that regulatory action and industrial phase-outs of PFOS are slow to be reflected in wastewater. Concentrations of short-chain PFCAs in wastewater influent and effluent consistently increased between 2009 and 2021, which reflect the use of short-chain PFAS as replacements for phased-out and regulated longer-chained PFAS. Short-chain PFAS were infrequently detected in biosolids. Continued periodic monitoring of PFAS in wastewater matrices in Canada and throughout the world is recommended to track the effectiveness of regulatory actions, particularly activities to address the broad class of PFAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah B Gewurtz
- Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington, Ontario L7S 1A1, Canada
| | - Alexandra S Auyeung
- Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington, Ontario L7S 1A1, Canada
| | - Amila O De Silva
- Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington, Ontario L7S 1A1, Canada
| | - Steven Teslic
- Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington, Ontario L7S 1A1, Canada
| | - Shirley Anne Smyth
- Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington, Ontario L7S 1A1, Canada.
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Silori R, Kumar M, Madhab Mahapatra D, Biswas P, Prakash Vellanki B, Mahlknecht J, Mohammad Tauseef S, Barcelo D. Prevalence of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals in the urban wastewater treatment systems of Dehradun, India: Daunting presence of Estrone. Environ Res 2023; 235:116673. [PMID: 37454796 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
We quantified the occurrences and seasonal variations of the target endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) at four (two major municipals, and two academic institutions) WWTPs in Dehradun city, Uttarakhand, India. The results showed estrone in higher concentrations at μgL-1 levels in influent among the WWTPs, compared to triclosan (TCS) at ngL-1 levels. An astounding concentration of 123.95 μgL-1 was recorded for the estrone in the influent, which is to date the highest ever recorded, globally. Statistical data treatment was performed to test the distribution of the data (Shapiro-Wilk, Anderson-Darling, Lilliefors, and Jarque-Bera tests), and the significant difference between the mean of the wastewater sample population (ANOVA: F statistics, p values, Mann-Whitney test, Tukey's and Dunn's post hoc analysis). Statistical data treatment indicated EDCs concentration with a bi-modal distribution. The Shapiro-Wilk, Anderson-Darling, Lilliefors, and Jarque-Bera tests elucidate a non-normal distribution for the EDCs sample data. A statistically significant difference (F = 8.46; p < 0.0001) in the seasonal data for the abundance of the target EDCs at the WWTPs have been observed. Highest and significantly different mean EDCs concentrations were recorded during the monsoon, compared to the spring (p = 0.025) and summer (p = 0.0004) seasons in the influent waters. The mean influent concentrations of TCS and estrone in monsoon were 66.45 ngL-1 and 78.02 μgL-1, respectively. Maximum removals were recorded for TCS, while maximum negative removal of ∼293% was observed for estrone in the WWTPs. Particularly, the high levels of estrone in the wastewater pose a significant threat as estrone presence could be led to feminization, dysregulation of reproduction in organisms, and carcinogenesis processes in the environment. This study critically highlights the limitation of the WWTPs in the treatment, degradation, and assimilation of EDCs leading to their hyperaccumulation at WWTP effluents, thereby posing a substantial threat to nearby aquatic ecosystems, human health, and the ecological balance of the region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahul Silori
- Sustainability Cluster, School of Advanced Engineering, UPES, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, 248007, India
| | - Manish Kumar
- Sustainability Cluster, School of Advanced Engineering, UPES, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, 248007, India; Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Campus Monterey, Monterrey, 64849, Nuevo Leon, Mexico.
| | - Durga Madhab Mahapatra
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Energy Cluster, School of Advanced Engineering, UPES, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, 248007, India; Department of Biological and Ecological Engineering, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Pinakshi Biswas
- Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Bhanu Prakash Vellanki
- Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Jürgen Mahlknecht
- Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Campus Monterey, Monterrey, 64849, Nuevo Leon, Mexico
| | - Syed Mohammad Tauseef
- Sustainability Cluster, School of Advanced Engineering, UPES, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, 248007, India
| | - Damia Barcelo
- Sustainability Cluster, School of Advanced Engineering, UPES, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, 248007, India; Water and Soil Quality Research Group, Department of Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), Jordi Girona 1826, Barcelona, 08034, Spain
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Yue Y, Li L, Qu B, Liu Y, Wang X, Wang H, Chen S. Levels, consumption, and variations of eight artificial sweeteners in the wastewater treatment plants of Dalian city, China. Sci Total Environ 2023; 892:163867. [PMID: 37201820 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Artificial sweeteners (ASs) are emerging contaminants in the environment, primarily derived from wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluents. In this study, the influents and effluents of three WWTPs in the Dalian urban area, China, were analyzed for the distribution of 8 typical ASs to investigate their seasonal fluctuations in the WWTPs. The results showed that acesulfame (ACE), sucralose (SUC), cyclamate (CYC), and saccharin (SAC) were both detected in the influent and effluent water samples of WWTPs, with concentrations ranging from not detected (ND) to 14.02 μg·L-1. In addition, SUC was the most abundant ASs type, accounting for 40 %-49 % and 78 %-96 % of the total ASs in the influent and effluent water, respectively. The WWTPs revealed high removal efficiencies of CYC, SAC, and ACE, while the SUC removal efficiency was poor (26 % ± 36 %). The ACE and SUC concentrations were higher in spring and summer, and all ASs showed lower levels in winter, which may be caused by the high consumption of ice-cream in warmer months. The per capita ASs loads in the WWTPs were determined in this study based on the wastewater analysis results. The calculated per capita daily mas loads for individual ASs ranged from 0.45 g·d-1·1000p-1 (ACE) to 2.04 g·d-1·1000p-1 (SUC). In addition, the relationship between per capita ASs consumption and socioeconomic status showed no significant correlation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Yue
- Dalian Ocean University, Dalian 116023, China; Key Laboratory of Environment Controlled Aquaculture (Dalian Ocean University), Ministry of Education, Dalian 116023, China
| | - Li Li
- Dalian center for certification and food and drug control, Dalian 116023, China
| | - Baocheng Qu
- Dalian Ocean University, Dalian 116023, China; Key Laboratory of Environment Controlled Aquaculture (Dalian Ocean University), Ministry of Education, Dalian 116023, China.
| | - Ying Liu
- Dalian Ocean University, Dalian 116023, China; Key Laboratory of Environment Controlled Aquaculture (Dalian Ocean University), Ministry of Education, Dalian 116023, China
| | - Xuankai Wang
- Dalian Ocean University, Dalian 116023, China; Key Laboratory of Environment Controlled Aquaculture (Dalian Ocean University), Ministry of Education, Dalian 116023, China
| | - Houyu Wang
- Dalian Ocean University, Dalian 116023, China; Key Laboratory of Environment Controlled Aquaculture (Dalian Ocean University), Ministry of Education, Dalian 116023, China
| | - Siyu Chen
- Dalian Ocean University, Dalian 116023, China; Key Laboratory of Environment Controlled Aquaculture (Dalian Ocean University), Ministry of Education, Dalian 116023, China
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5
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Parashar N, Hait S. Recent advances on microplastics pollution and removal from wastewater systems: A critical review. J Environ Manage 2023; 340:118014. [PMID: 37121002 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.118014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) (plastic particles <5 mm) are globally acknowledged as a serious emerging micropollutant, which passes through various pathways in natural habitats and eventually ends up in our food chain. In this context, the present study critically reviews recent advances in MPs sampling and detection, occurrence, fate, and removal in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) by delineating their characteristics that manifest toxicity in the environment via effluent discharge. While there is currently no standard protocol in place, this work examined and compared the latest approaches adopted for improved sampling, sample processing, and characterization of MPs via fluorescence imaging and certified reference materials for method validation. MPs concentration from different sources in the WWTPs varies considerably ranging between 0.28 and 18285 MPs/L (raw wastewater), 0.004-750 MPs/L (effluent), and 0.00023-10380 MPs/kg (sludge). Assessment of MPs removal efficiency across different treatment stages in various in WWTPs has been performed and elucidated their removal mechanisms. The overall MPs removal efficiency in primary, secondary, and tertiary treatment stages in WWTPs reported to be around 57-99%, 78.1-99.4%, and 90-99.2%, respectively. Moreover, the review covers advanced treatment methods for removing MPs, including membrane bioreactors, coagulation/flocculation, ultrafiltration, rapid sand filtration, ozonation, disc filtration, and reverse osmosis, which have been found to be highly effective (>99%). Membrane bioreactors have been proclaimed to be the most reliable secondary treatment technique for MPs removal. Coagulation (92.2-95.7%) followed by ozonation (99.2%) as a tertiary treatment chain has been demonstrated to be the most efficient in removing MPs from secondary-treated wastewater effluent. Further, the review delineates the effect of different treatment stages on the physical and chemical characteristics of MPs, associated toxicity, and potential impact factors that can influence the MPs removal efficiency in WWTPs. Conclusively, the merits and demerits of advanced treatment techniques to mitigate MPs pollution from the wastewater system, research gaps, and future perspectives have been highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neha Parashar
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Patna, Bihar, 801 106, India
| | - Subrata Hait
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Patna, Bihar, 801 106, India.
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6
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Chen H, Zheng Y, Zhou K, Cheng R, Zheng X, Ma Z, Shi L. Carbon emission efficiency evaluation of wastewater treatment plants: evidence from China. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2023:10.1007/s11356-023-27685-9. [PMID: 37243766 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-27685-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
A scientific evaluation of the carbon emission efficiency is crucial for ensuring the sustainable development of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). In this paper, we applied a non-radial data envelopment analysis (DEA) model to calculate the carbon emission efficiency of 225 WWTPs located in China. The results showed that the average carbon emission efficiency of China's WWTPs was 0.59, indicating that the efficiencies of most samples still require improvement. The carbon emission efficiency of WWTPs from 2015 to 2017 decreased because of the decrease in technology efficiency. Among the influencing factors, different treating scales had positive impact on carbon emission efficiency improvement. WWTPs with anaerobic oxic process and the first-class A standard were likely to have higher carbon emission efficiency in the 225 WWTPs. By incorporating direct and indirect carbon emissions into WWTP efficiency evaluation, this study helped decision-makers and related water authorities to better understand the contribution of WWTPs to the aquatic and atmospheric environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huixin Chen
- School of Environment & Natural Resources, Renmin University of China, No. 59 Zhongguancun Street, Haidian District Beijing, Beijing, 100872, China
| | - Yunong Zheng
- School of Mathematics, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, 230009, Anhui, China
| | - Kai Zhou
- Policy Research Center for Environment and Economy, Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People's Republic of China, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Rong Cheng
- School of Environment & Natural Resources, Renmin University of China, No. 59 Zhongguancun Street, Haidian District Beijing, Beijing, 100872, China.
| | - Xiang Zheng
- School of Environment & Natural Resources, Renmin University of China, No. 59 Zhongguancun Street, Haidian District Beijing, Beijing, 100872, China
- Collaborative Innovation and Industrial Development Research Center for Membrane Technology, Renmin University of China, Beijing, 100872, China
| | - Zhong Ma
- School of Environment & Natural Resources, Renmin University of China, No. 59 Zhongguancun Street, Haidian District Beijing, Beijing, 100872, China
| | - Lei Shi
- School of Environment & Natural Resources, Renmin University of China, No. 59 Zhongguancun Street, Haidian District Beijing, Beijing, 100872, China
- Collaborative Innovation and Industrial Development Research Center for Membrane Technology, Renmin University of China, Beijing, 100872, China
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Liu W, Liu T, Liu Z, Luo H, Pei H. A novel deep learning ensemble model based on two-stage feature selection and intelligent optimization for water quality prediction. Environ Res 2023; 224:115560. [PMID: 36842699 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.115560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Accurate prediction of effluent total nitrogen (E-TN) can assist in feed-forward control of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) to ensure effluent compliance with standards while reducing energy consumption. However, multivariate time series prediction of E-TN is a challenge due to the complex nonlinearity of WWTPs. This paper proposes a novel prediction framework that combines a two-stage feature selection model, the Golden Jackal Optimization (GJO) algorithm, and a hybrid deep learning model, CNN-LSTM-TCN (CLT), aiming to effectively capture the nonlinear relationships of multivariate time series in WWTPs. Specifically, convolutional neural network (CNN), long short-term memory (LSTM), and temporal convolutional network (TCN) combined to build a hybrid deep learning model CNN-LSTM-TCN (CLT). A two-stage feature selection method is utilized to determine the optimal feature subset to reduce the complexity and improve the accuracy of the prediction model, and then, the feature subset is input into the CLT. The hyperparameters of the CLT are optimized using GJO to further improve the prediction performance. Experiments indicate that the two-stage feature selection model learns the optimal feature subset to predict best, and the GJO-CLT achieves the best performance for different backtracking windows and prediction steps. These results demonstrate that the prediction system excels in the task of multivariate water quality time series prediction of WWTPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenli Liu
- Dept. of Construction Management, School of Civil and Hydraulic Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430074, China.
| | - Tianxiang Liu
- Dept. of Construction Management, School of Civil and Hydraulic Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430074, China.
| | - Zihan Liu
- Dept. of Construction Management, School of Civil and Hydraulic Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430074, China.
| | - Hanbin Luo
- Dept. of Construction Management, School of Civil and Hydraulic Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430074, China.
| | - Hanmin Pei
- Dept. of Construction Management, School of Civil and Hydraulic Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430074, China.
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Raza S, Kang KH, Shin J, Shin SG, Chun J, Cho HU, Shin J, Kim YM. Variations in antibiotic resistance genes and microbial community in sludges passing through biological nutrient removal and anaerobic digestion processes in municipal wastewater treatment plants. Chemosphere 2023; 313:137362. [PMID: 36427585 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.137362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 11/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) represents a relentless, silent pandemic. Contributing to this are wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), a potential source of antibiotic resistance genes' (ARGs) transmission to the environment, threatening public health. The presence of ARGs in pathogenic bacteria and their release into the environment by WWTPs threatens the public health. The current study investigated changes in ARGs' abundance in biological nutrient removal (BNR) processes and anaerobic digestion (AD) reactors of two WWTPs. Also, microbial community structure, which is known to shape the distribution and abundance of ARGs, was also analyzed. The relative abundance of eight ARGs (tetX, tetA, tetM, TEM, sul1, sul2, ermB and qnrD) was quantified as ARGs' copies/16 S rRNA gene copies using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Microbial community composition was assessed by 16 S rRNA microbiome sequencing analysis. TetX was prevalent among the eight ARGs, followed by TEM and sul1. However, its abundance was decreased in the AD sludges compared to BNR sludges. Proteobacteria was the major bacterial phylum found in all the sludge samples, while Arcobacter, 12up and Acidovorax were the predominant genera. Acinetobacter and Flavobacterium were significantly more abundant in the BNR sludges, while 12up and Aeromonas were predominant in AD sludges. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed a clear difference in dominant ARGs and bacteria between the sludges in the processes of BNR and AD of the two WWTPs. Clinically relevant bacterial genera, Klebsiella and Enterococcus, found in both the BNR and AD sludges, were significantly correlated with the tetX gene. Throughout this study, the relationship between microbial communities and specific ARGs was revealed, illustrating that the composition of the microbial community could play a vital role in the abundance of ARGs. These results will better inform future studies aimed at controlling the spread of ARGs and their potential hosts from WWTPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahbaz Raza
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Hanyang University, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 04763, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyeong Hwan Kang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Hanyang University, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 04763, Republic of Korea
| | - Juhee Shin
- Department of Energy Engineering, Future Convergence Technology Research Institute, Gyeongsang National UniversityJinju, Gyeongnam, 52828, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Gu Shin
- Department of Energy Engineering, Future Convergence Technology Research Institute, Gyeongsang National UniversityJinju, Gyeongnam, 52828, Republic of Korea; Department of Energy System Engineering, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Gyeongnam, 52828, Republic of Korea
| | - Jihyun Chun
- Department of Marine Environmental Engineering, Gyeongsang National University, Tongyeong, Gyeongnam, 53064, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun Uk Cho
- Department of Marine Environmental Engineering, Gyeongsang National University, Tongyeong, Gyeongnam, 53064, Republic of Korea
| | - Jingyeong Shin
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Hanyang University, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 04763, Republic of Korea; Bio Resource Center, Institute for Advanced Engineering, Yongin, Gyeonggi-do, 17180, Republic of Korea.
| | - Young Mo Kim
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Hanyang University, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 04763, Republic of Korea.
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Khan AUH, Naidu R, Dharmarajan R, Fang C, Shon H, Dong Z, Liu Y. The interaction mechanisms of co-existing polybrominated diphenyl ethers and engineered nanoparticles in environmental waters: A critical review. J Environ Sci (China) 2023; 124:227-252. [PMID: 36182134 DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2021.10.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Revised: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
This review focuses on the occurrence and interactions of engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) and brominated flame retardants (BFRs) such as polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in water systems and the generation of highly complex compounds in the environment. The release of ENPs and BFRs (e.g. PBDEs) to aquatic environments during their usage and disposal are summarised together with their key interaction mechanisms. The major interaction mechanisms including electrostatic, van der Waals, hydrophobic, molecular bridging and steric, hydrogen and π-bonding, cation bridging and ligand exchange were identified. The presence of ENPs could influence the fate and behaviour of PBDEs through the interactions as well as induced reactions under certain conditions which increases the formation of complex compounds. The interaction leads to alteration of behaviour for PBDEs and their toxic effects to ecological receptors. The intermingled compound (ENPs-BFRs) would show different behaviour from the parental ENPs or BFRs, which are currently lack of investigation. This review provided insights on the interactions of ENPs and BFRs in artificial, environmental water systems and wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), which are important for a comprehensive risk assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anwar Ul Haq Khan
- Global Centre for Environmental Remediation (GCER), College of Engineering Science and Environment, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Cooperative Research Centre for Contamination Assessment and Remediation of the Environment (CRC CARE), ATC Building, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia.
| | - Ravi Naidu
- Global Centre for Environmental Remediation (GCER), College of Engineering Science and Environment, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Cooperative Research Centre for Contamination Assessment and Remediation of the Environment (CRC CARE), ATC Building, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Raja Dharmarajan
- Cooperative Research Centre for Contamination Assessment and Remediation of the Environment (CRC CARE), ATC Building, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Cheng Fang
- Global Centre for Environmental Remediation (GCER), College of Engineering Science and Environment, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Cooperative Research Centre for Contamination Assessment and Remediation of the Environment (CRC CARE), ATC Building, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Hokyong Shon
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney (UTS), City Campus, Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Zhaomin Dong
- School of Space and Environment, Beihang University, Beijging 100191, China
| | - Yanju Liu
- Global Centre for Environmental Remediation (GCER), College of Engineering Science and Environment, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Cooperative Research Centre for Contamination Assessment and Remediation of the Environment (CRC CARE), ATC Building, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia.
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Nava AR, Daneshian L, Sarma H. Antibiotic resistant genes in the environment-exploring surveillance methods and sustainable remediation strategies of antibiotics and ARGs. Environ Res 2022; 215:114212. [PMID: 36037921 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.114212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Antibiotic Resistant Genes (ARGs) are an emerging environmental health threat due to the potential change in the human microbiome and selection for the emergence of antibiotic resistant bacteria. The rise of antibiotic resistant bacteria has caused a global health burden. The WHO (world health organization) predicts a rise in deaths due to antibiotic resistant infections. Since bacteria can acquire ARGs through horizontal transmission, it is important to assess the dissemination of antibioticresistant genes from anthropogenic sources. There are several sources of antibiotics, antibiotic resistant bacteria and genes in the environment. These include wastewater treatment plants, landfill leachate, agricultural, animal industrial sources and estuaries. The use of antibiotics is a worldwide practice that has resulted in the evolution of resistance to antibiotics. Our review provides a more comprehensive look into multiple sources of ARG's and antibiotics rather than one. Moreover, we focus on effective surveillance methods of ARGs and antibiotics and sustainable abiotic and biotic remediation strategies for removal and reduction of antibiotics and ARGs from both terrestrial and aquatic environments. Further, we consider the impact on public health as this problem cannot be addressed without a global transdisciplinary effort.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy R Nava
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
| | - Leily Daneshian
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
| | - Hemen Sarma
- Bioremediation Technology Research Group, Department of Botany, Bodoland University, Rangalikhata, Deborgaon, Kokrajhar (BTR), Assam, 783370, India.
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11
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Saawarn B, Mahanty B, Hait S, Hussain S. Sources, occurrence, and treatment techniques of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in aqueous matrices: A comprehensive review. Environ Res 2022; 214:114004. [PMID: 35970375 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.114004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Revised: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a class of synthetic organic pollutants, have prompted concerns about their global prevalence and possible health effects. This review consolidates the most recent data on different aspects of PFAS, such as their occurrence, and prominent sources. The current literature analysis of PFAS occurrence suggests significant variation in their concentration ranging from 0.025 to 1.2 × 108 ng/L in wastewater, 0.01 to 8.9 × 105 ng/L in surface water, and <0.01 to 1.3 × 104 ng/L in groundwater globally. Since conventional treatment techniques are inadequate in remediating PFAS, innovative treatment approaches based on their removal or mineralization mechanism have been comprehensively reviewed. Advanced treatment technologies have shown degradation or removal of PFAS to be around 6 and > 99.9% in different aqueous matrices. However, due to significant drawbacks in their applicability in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), a novel treatment train approach has emerged as an effective alternative. This approach synergistically integrates multiple remediation techniques while addressing the impediments of individual treatments. Furthermore, nanofiltration (NF270) combined with electrochemical degradation has been demonstrated to be the most efficient (>98%) treatment train approach in PFAS remediation. If implemented in WWTPs, nanofiltration followed by adsorption using activated carbon is also a viable method for PFAS removal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhavini Saawarn
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Patna, Bihar, 801 106, India
| | - Byomkesh Mahanty
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Patna, Bihar, 801 106, India
| | - Subrata Hait
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Patna, Bihar, 801 106, India.
| | - Sahid Hussain
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Patna, Bihar, 801 106, India
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Li S, Ondon BS, Ho SH, Jiang J, Li F. Antibiotic resistant bacteria and genes in wastewater treatment plants: From occurrence to treatment strategies. Sci Total Environ 2022; 838:156544. [PMID: 35679932 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
This study aims to discuss the following: (1) occurrence and proliferation of antibiotic resistance in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs); (2) factors influencing antibiotic resistance bacteria and genes in WWTPs; (3) tools to assess antibiotic resistance in WWTPs; (4) environmental contamination of antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) from WWTPs; (5) effects of ARB and ARGs from WWTPs on human health; and (6) treatment strategies. In general, resistant and multi-resistant bacteria, including Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli, exist in various processes of WWTPs. The existence of ARB and ARGs results from the high concentration of antibiotics in wastewater, which promote selective pressures on the local bacteria present in WWTPs. Thus, improving wastewater treatment technology and avoiding the misuse of antibiotics is critical to overcoming the threat of proliferation of ARBs and ARGs. Numerous factors can affect the development of ARB and ARGs in WWTPs. Abiotic factors can affect the bacterial community dynamics, thereby, affecting the applicability of ARB during the wastewater treatment process. Furthermore, the organic loads and other nutrients influence bacterial survival and growth. Specifically, molecular methods for the rapid characterization and detection of ARBs or their genes comprise DNA sequencing, real-time PCR, simple and multiplex PCR, and hybridization-based technologies, including micro- and macro-arrays. The reuse of effluent from WWTPs for irrigation is an efficient method to overcome water scarcity. However, there are also some potential environmental risks associated with this practice, such as increase in the levels of antibiotic resistance in the soil microbiome. Human mortality rates may significantly increase, as ARB can lead to resistance among several types of antibiotics or longer treatment times. Some treatment technologies, such as anaerobic and aerobic treatment, coagulation, membrane bioreactors, and disinfection processes, are considered potential techniques to restrict antibiotic resistance in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengnan Li
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria of the Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China; State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province 150090, China
| | - Brim Stevy Ondon
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria of the Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Shih-Hsin Ho
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province 150090, China
| | - Jiwei Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria of the Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Fengxiang Li
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria of the Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China.
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13
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Alegbeleye O, Daramola OB, Adetunji AT, Ore OT, Ayantunji YJ, Omole RK, Ajagbe D, Adekoya SO. Efficient removal of antibiotics from water resources is a public health priority: a critical assessment of the efficacy of some remediation strategies for antibiotics in water. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2022; 29:56948-57020. [PMID: 35716301 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-21252-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
This review discusses the fundamental principles and mechanism of antibiotic removal from water of some commonly applied treatment techniques including chlorination, ozonation, UV-irradiation, Fenton processes, photocatalysis, electrochemical-oxidation, plasma, biochar, anaerobicdigestion, activated carbon and nanomaterials. Some experimental shortfalls identified by researchers such as certain characteristics of degradation agent applied and the strategies explored to override the identified limitations are briefly discussed. Depending on interactions of a range of factors including the type of antibiotic compound, operational parameters applied such as pH, temperature and treatment time, among other factors, all reviewed techniques can eliminate or reduce the levels of antibiotic compounds in water to varying extents. Some of the reviewed techniques such as anaerobic digestion generally require longer treatment times (up to 360, 193 and 170 days, according to some studies), while others such as photocatalysis achieved degradation within short contact time (within a minimum of 30, but up to 60, 240, 300 and 1880 minutes, in some cases). For some treatment techniques such as ozonation and Fenton, it is apparent that subjecting compounds to longer treatment times may improve elimination efficiency, whereas for some other techniques such as nanotechnology, application of longer treatment time generally meant comparatively minimal elimination efficiency. Based on the findings of experimental studies summarized, it is apparent that operational parameters such as pH and treatment time, while critical, do not exert sole or primary influence on the elimination percentage(s) achieved. Elimination efficiency achieved rather seems to be due more to the force of a combination of several factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oluwadara Alegbeleye
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Rua Monteiro Lobato, 80, Campinas, SP, 13083-862, Brazil.
| | | | - Adewole Tomiwa Adetunji
- Department of Agriculture, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Wellington, Western Cape, 7654, South Africa
| | - Odunayo T Ore
- Department of Chemistry, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria
| | - Yemisi Juliet Ayantunji
- Department of Microbiology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria
- Advanced Space Technology Applications Laboratory, Cooperative Information Network, National Space Research and Development Agency, Ile-Ife, P.M.B. 022, Nigeria
| | - Richard Kolade Omole
- Department of Microbiology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria
- Microbiology Unit, Department of Applied Sciences, Osun State College of Technology, Esa-Oke, Nigeria
| | - Damilare Ajagbe
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Oklahoma State University, Oklahoma, USA
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Xu X, Zhang L, Jian Y, Xue Y, Gao Y, Peng M, Jiang S, Zhang Q. Influence of wastewater treatment process on pollution characteristics and fate of microplastics. Mar Pollut Bull 2021; 169:112448. [PMID: 34022558 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Revised: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The increasing abundance of microplastics (MPs) in rivers and oceans continues to face major challenges. In particular, MPs with smaller particle sizes are difficult to identify and quantify when they reach the environment. This study investigated four typical wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), including urban WWTPs and industrial WWTP with different treatment technologies. The results showed that the average abundance of MPs in the influent and effluent was 538.67 ± 22.05 n/L to 1290 ± 65.26 n/L and 20.44 ± 1.19 n/L to 40.67 ± 11.12 n/L. The primary and secondary treatment processes can effectively remove MPs between 51.04% and 72.82% from wastewater. After tertiary treatments, the removal efficiency was further increased to more than 90%. The study aims to explore the removal mechanism of MPs in each stage of the wastewater treatment process and to reveal the fate of MPs in WWTPs, and help to understand their future monitoring to optimize the wastewater treatment process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Xu
- School of Environmental & Safety Engineering, Changzhou University, Jiangsu, Changzhou 213164, China; State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Jiangsu, Nanjing 210093, China.
| | - Ling Zhang
- School of Environmental & Safety Engineering, Changzhou University, Jiangsu, Changzhou 213164, China
| | - Yun Jian
- School of Environmental & Safety Engineering, Changzhou University, Jiangsu, Changzhou 213164, China
| | - Yingang Xue
- School of Environmental & Safety Engineering, Changzhou University, Jiangsu, Changzhou 213164, China
| | - Yu Gao
- School of Environmental & Safety Engineering, Changzhou University, Jiangsu, Changzhou 213164, China
| | - Mingguo Peng
- School of Environmental & Safety Engineering, Changzhou University, Jiangsu, Changzhou 213164, China
| | - Shanqing Jiang
- School of Environmental & Safety Engineering, Changzhou University, Jiangsu, Changzhou 213164, China
| | - Qiuya Zhang
- School of Environmental & Safety Engineering, Changzhou University, Jiangsu, Changzhou 213164, China
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15
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Wang S, Liu Q, Li J, Wang Z. Methane in wastewater treatment plants: status, characteristics, and bioconversion feasibility by methane oxidizing bacteria for high value-added chemicals production and wastewater treatment. Water Res 2021; 198:117122. [PMID: 33865027 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2021.117122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Methane is a type of renewable fuel that can generate many types of high value-added chemicals, however, besides heat and power production, there is little methane utilization in most of the wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) all round the world currently. In this review, the status of methane production performance from WWTPs was firstly investigated. Subsequently, based on the identification and classification of methane oxidizing bacteria (MOB), the key enzymes and metabolic pathway of MOB were presented in depth. Then the production, extraction and purification process of high value-added chemicals, including methanol, ectoine, biofuel, bioplastic, methane protein and extracellular polysaccharides, were introduced in detail, which was conducive to understand the bioconversion process of methane. Finally, the use of methane in wastewater treatment process, including nitrogen removal, emerging contaminants removal as well as resource recovery was extensively explored. These findings could provide guidance in the development of sustainable economy and environment, and facilitate biological methane conversion by using MOB in further attempts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuo Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Anaerobic Biotechnology, School of Environment and Civil Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; Jiangsu Engineering Laboratory for Biomass Energy and Carbon Reduction Technology, Wuxi 214122, China; Jiangsu College of Water Treatment Technology and Material Collaborative Innovation Center, Suzhou 215009, China
| | - Qixin Liu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Anaerobic Biotechnology, School of Environment and Civil Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Ji Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Anaerobic Biotechnology, School of Environment and Civil Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; Jiangsu Engineering Laboratory for Biomass Energy and Carbon Reduction Technology, Wuxi 214122, China; Jiangsu College of Water Treatment Technology and Material Collaborative Innovation Center, Suzhou 215009, China.
| | - Zhiwu Wang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, Manassas, VA 20110, USA.
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16
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Schwermer CU, Uhl W. Calculating expected effects of treatment effectivity and river flow rates on the contribution of WWTP effluent to the ARG load of a receiving river. J Environ Manage 2021; 288:112445. [PMID: 33823442 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.112445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Concentrations of genetic markers for antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) were measured in the effluents of three Norwegian wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and in a receiving river upstream and downstream of the discharge point of one WWTP. Calculations based on mass balances were carried out to evaluate the impact of river flow rates and treatment effectivity on the WWTP's contribution to the load of genetic markers in the river. At average river flow rates, the WWTP effluent contributes 5-15% to the genetic marker load of the respective river. However, at minimum river flow rates, the WWTP effluent contributes 22-55% to the loads of different genetic markers. Scenarios of an improved or worsened removal of genetic markers in the WWTP showed that a further 1-log removal using additional treatment would be sufficient to improve considerably the river water quality with respect to genetic markers. Then, at an average flow rate, the contribution of the WWTP effluent to the load of the river would be less than 2%. However, in the case of low treatment effectivity or malfunction of the WWTP, the marker load of the river would increase dramatically. Even at average flow rate, 75-92% of the marker load would then originate from the WWTP. The results demonstrate the importance of considering the flow rates and hydrologic characteristics of the recipient water body when deciding on priorities regarding the upgrade of WWTPs for further removal of ARGs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Wolfgang Uhl
- Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA), Gaustadalléen 21, 0349, Oslo, Norway; Aquateam COWI AS, Karvesvingen 2, 0579, Oslo, Norway; Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, S. P Andersens vei 5, 7491, Trondheim, Norway.
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17
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Bouchaala L, Charchar N, Sahraoui H, Gherib A. Assessment of wastewater biological treatment efficiency and mapping of WWTPs and LTPs in Algeria. J Environ Health Sci Eng 2021; 19:1153-1169. [PMID: 34150302 PMCID: PMC8172726 DOI: 10.1007/s40201-021-00682-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE In this study, we present the evaluation of wastewater biological treatment by WWTPs (wastewater treatment plants) and LTPs (lagoon-based treatment plants) in Algeria using the results of analyzes of the samples of 108 stations, this work falls within the framework of a survey carried out by the research center in biotechnology (CRBt) in collaboration with ONA (National office of sanitation), and it reflects our interest in preserving the environment, in particular aquatic ecosystems, and determining the different sources of pollution and the most effective methods to cope with and for those that are well managed. METHODS The analyzes concerned various parameters of 108 stations. Temperature and pH were measured directly, in situ, using multi-parameter field probes. For the other parameters (MS, BOD5, COD, NO3, NO2, NH4, TP) the measurements were carried out in the laboratory according to standard and spectrophotometric methods. As well as through the reports of our field visits to the stations and the monitoring of purification processes. RESULTS The results obtained show us that wastewater biological treatment is effective to a certain extent, whether in a WWTPs or LTPs. We have recorded that the reduction rates of the various pollutants from wastewater, are more efficient at the outlet of WWTPs than those of LTPs, even if we noted, at WWTP level, outgoing values that do not comply with the standards for reuse and preservation of the receiving environment and higher than the Algerian standard for certain parameters. CONCLUSION These results indicate that any use of this treated water, especially in agriculture, must take into account their specificity and the extent of its future impact, in particular the case where values are higher than the Algerian and WHO standards. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40201-021-00682-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- L. Bouchaala
- Biotechnology Research Center (C.R.Bt), Constantine, Algeria
- Environmental Research Center (CRE), Annaba, Algeria
| | - N. Charchar
- Biotechnology Research Center (C.R.Bt), Constantine, Algeria
| | - H. Sahraoui
- Biotechnology Research Center (C.R.Bt), Constantine, Algeria
| | - A. Gherib
- Biotechnology Research Center (C.R.Bt), Constantine, Algeria
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Cao J, Yang E, Xu C, Zhang T, Xu R, Fu B, Feng Q, Fang F, Luo J. Model-based strategy for nitrogen removal enhancement in full-scale wastewater treatment plants by GPS-X integrated with response surface methodology. Sci Total Environ 2021; 769:144851. [PMID: 33736239 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.144851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Revised: 12/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/25/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Model simulation is an effective approach to optimize the operational performance of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). This study presents a novel strategy to enhance the total nitrogen (TN) removal in WWTPs by GPS-X integrated with response surface methodology. The sensitivities of 61 parameters were screened and analyzed, and 6 critical parameters (i.e., μmax A, KA/a, μmax H, KH/ss, YH and μmaxPAO) were selected for further adjustment. The accuracy of GPS-X for WWTPs modeling was validated by static and dynamic simulations with actual operational data. The results showed that the DO concentration diffused in different biological compartments exhibited significant effects on the denitrification rate. The TN removal is also associated with SRT. The significance and optimization orders of key parameters were analyzed. With the optimization of DO in biological units and SRT, the nitrification and denitrification rates were improved to 97.1 and 85.3% respectively, saving 17.9% energy consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiashun Cao
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China; College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China; Guohe Environmental Research Institute (Nanjing) Co, Ltd, Nanjing 211599, China
| | - E Yang
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China; College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China
| | - Chengzhi Xu
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China; College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China
| | - Teng Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China; College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China
| | - Runze Xu
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China; College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China
| | - Boming Fu
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China; College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China
| | - Qian Feng
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China; College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China; Guohe Environmental Research Institute (Nanjing) Co, Ltd, Nanjing 211599, China
| | - Fang Fang
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China; College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China; Guohe Environmental Research Institute (Nanjing) Co, Ltd, Nanjing 211599, China
| | - Jingyang Luo
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China; College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China; Guohe Environmental Research Institute (Nanjing) Co, Ltd, Nanjing 211599, China.
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19
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Yang Y, Xing S, Chen Y, Wu R, Wu Y, Wang Y, Mi J, Liao X. Profiles of bacteria/phage-comediated ARGs in pig farm wastewater treatment plants in China: Association with mobile genetic elements, bacterial communities and environmental factors. J Hazard Mater 2021; 404:124149. [PMID: 33069996 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.124149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2020] [Revised: 09/06/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
In this study, the profiles of bacteria/phage-comediated antibiotic resistance genes (b/pARGs) were monitored in water samples collected from 45 pig farm wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in seven different regions of China. We found that 8 major types and 112 subtypes of b/pARGs were detected in all the water samples, and the detected number ranged from 53 to 92. The absolute abundances of bARGs and pARGs in the influent were as high as 109 copies/mL and 106 copies/mL, respectively. Anaerobic anoxic/oxic (AAO) and anaerobic short-cut nitrification/denitrification (ASND) treatment plants can effectively reduce the absolute abundance and amount of b/pARGs. Anaerobic treatment plants cannot reduce the absolute abundance of pARGs, and even increase the amount of pARGs. Mobile genetic elements (MGEs), bacterial communities and environmental factors were important factors impacting the b/pARG profile. Among these factors, the bacterial community was the major driver that impacted the bARG profile, while bacterial community and MGEs were the major codrivers impacting the pARG profile. This study was the first to investigate the profiles of b/pARGs in pig farm WWTPs in China on such a large scale, providing a reference for the prevention and control of ARG pollution in agricultural environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiwen Yang
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, South China Agriculture University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Sicheng Xing
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, South China Agriculture University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Yingxi Chen
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, South China Agriculture University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Ruiting Wu
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, South China Agriculture University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Yinbao Wu
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, South China Agriculture University, Guangzhou 510642, China; Key Laboratory of Tropical Agricultural Environment, Ministry of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, South China Agriculture University, Guangzhou 510642, China; Key Laboratory of Tropical Agricultural Environment, Ministry of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Jiandui Mi
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, South China Agriculture University, Guangzhou 510642, China; Key Laboratory of Tropical Agricultural Environment, Ministry of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Xindi Liao
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, South China Agriculture University, Guangzhou 510642, China; Key Laboratory of Tropical Agricultural Environment, Ministry of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China.
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20
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Jiang J, Wang X, Ren H, Cao G, Xie G, Xing D, Liu B. Investigation and fate of microplastics in wastewater and sludge filter cake from a wastewater treatment plant in China. Sci Total Environ 2020; 746:141378. [PMID: 32795763 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2020] [Revised: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) have been widely detected in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) due to their small particle size, wide distribution, and difficulty in removal. Previous studies, however, mostly focused on MPs in wastewater, thereby neglecting sludge. To comprehensively understand the changes of MPs in WWTPs, we investigated the quantity and characteristics of MPs in wastewater and sludge of a WWTP in Harbin, a typical inland city in China, and calculated the MPs removal rate. The results showed that there were 126.0 ± 14.0 particles/L MPs in the influent and 30.6 ± 7.8 particles/L in the effluent, about 75.7% MPs were removed and transferred to the sludge during this WWTP. The abundance of MPs in dewatered sludge and sludge filter cake was 36.3 ± 5.7 and 46.3 ± 6.2 particles/g (dry sludge), the sludge disposal scale of this WWTP can reach 1300 tons/day, which was equivalent to about 7.74 × 1012 microplastic particles accumulated in sludge per year. These sludges were used as fertilizers in the soil, which will cause secondary pollution of MPs. Raman spectroscopic analysis showed that about 89.5% of particles were plastic polymers, such as polyesters, polyamide (PA), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyethylene (PE), which suggested that MPs may be derived from laundry and personal care products. Therefore, we recommend that more work should be devoted to how to control the release of MPs at the source and the reuse of sludge after treatment by WWTPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiahui Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, P. O. Box 2614, 73 Huanghe Road, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Xiaowei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, P. O. Box 2614, 73 Huanghe Road, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Hongyu Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, P. O. Box 2614, 73 Huanghe Road, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Guangli Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, P. O. Box 2614, 73 Huanghe Road, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Guojun Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, P. O. Box 2614, 73 Huanghe Road, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Defeng Xing
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, P. O. Box 2614, 73 Huanghe Road, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Bingfeng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, P. O. Box 2614, 73 Huanghe Road, Harbin 150090, China.
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21
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Wang B, Jiao E, Guo Y, Zhang L, Meng Q, Zeng W, Peng Y. Investigation of the polyphosphate-accumulating organism population in the full-scale simultaneous chemical phosphorus removal system. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2020; 27:37877-37886. [PMID: 32617817 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-09912-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2020] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The simultaneous chemical phosphorus removal (SCPR) process has been widely applied in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) due to the high phosphorus removal efficiency through the synergy of biological and chemical phosphorus removal (BPR and CPR). However, phosphorus removal reagents could affect the bacterial community structure in the SCPR system and further affect the BPR process. The BPR phenotypes and community structures in the SCPR system, especially the population of polyphosphate-accumulating organisms (PAOs), are not completely clear. In order to clarify these problems, the phosphorus removal performance and the PAO population in a full-scale SCPR system were investigated. Results showed that diverse PAOs still existed in the SCPR system though the BPR phenotypes were not observed. However, the relative abundances of Accumulibacter and Tetrasphaera, the two most important genera of PAOs, were only 0.59% and 0.20%, respectively, while the relative abundances of Competibacter and Defluviicoccus, two genera of glycogen-accumulating organisms (GAOs), were as high as 5.77% and 1.28%, respectively. Batch tests showed that PAOs in the SCPR system still had a certain polyphosphate accumulating metabolic activity, which could gradually recover after stopping the addition of chemical reagents. This study provided a microbiological basis for the SCPR system to recover the enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) performance under suitable conditions, which could reduce the dosage of chemical reagents and the operational cost.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baogui Wang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Department of Environmental Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, No.100 Pingleyuan, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100124, China
| | - Erlong Jiao
- Beijing Drainage Group Co., Ltd., Beijing, 100037, China
| | - Yu Guo
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Department of Environmental Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, No.100 Pingleyuan, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100124, China
| | - Lifang Zhang
- Beijing Drainage Group Co., Ltd., Beijing, 100037, China
| | - Qingan Meng
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Department of Environmental Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, No.100 Pingleyuan, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100124, China
| | - Wei Zeng
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Department of Environmental Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, No.100 Pingleyuan, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100124, China.
| | - Yongzhen Peng
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Department of Environmental Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, No.100 Pingleyuan, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100124, China
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22
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Li Q, Lan Y, Liu Z, Wang X, Wang X, Hu J, Geng H. Cyclic volatile methylsiloxanes (cVMSs) in the air of the wastewater treatment plants in Dalian, China - Levels, emissions, and trends. Chemosphere 2020; 256:127064. [PMID: 32454352 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.127064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Revised: 05/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Passive air samplers comprising sorbent-Tenax-TA thermal desorption tubes were applied for monitoring cyclic volatile methyl siloxanes (cVMSs) in the air above the aeration tanks of eight wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs, including five "open" and three "close" plants) in Dalian, China. The aim was to investigate the inputs of cVMSs from WWTPs to the air throughout a year (June 2016-July 2017). The ∑cVMS concentrations were averaged at 3.14 ± 6.84 μg·m-³ with D5 as the dominant compound (contributing to 63.8% of the ∑cVMS concentration). The annual average concentrations of D4, D5, and D6 in the air of the "close" WWTPs were 5.33 ± 4.63, 13.4 ± 14.4, and 1.05 ± 1.47 μg·m-³, and 1.31 ± 1.29, 1.57 ± 2.01, and 0.301 ± 0.340 μg·m-³ in the air from the "open" WWTPs, respectively. For both the close and open aeration tanks, the concentration of ∑cVMSs was the highest in summer and the lowest in winter, showing a significant correlation with ambient temperature (linear regression; p < 0.01). A simplified Gaussian dispersion model and a single chamber model were introduced to estimate annual emissions (kg·yr-1) of cVMSs from "open" and "close" WWTPs, ranging from 86.9 to 165 kg yr-1 and from 203 to 278 kg yr-1, respectively. Examining the relationship between the per capita emissions of cVMSs and average property prices, our results indicated that a greater amount of personal care products were used/discharged by people with relatively higher socioeconomic status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingbo Li
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian, 116026, China.
| | - Yongchao Lan
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian, 116026, China
| | - Zhongyi Liu
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian, 116026, China
| | - Xianyu Wang
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences, The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, Queensland, 4102, Australia
| | - Xiaofeng Wang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian, 116026, China.
| | - Jiaochan Hu
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian, 116026, China
| | - Hong Geng
- China Academy of Transportation Sciences, Beijing, 100029, China
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Ma B, Xu X, Ge S, Li B, Wei Y, Zhu H, Nan X, Peng Y. Reducing carbon source consumption through a novel denitratation/anammox biofilter to remove nitrate from synthetic secondary effluent. Bioresour Technol 2020; 309:123377. [PMID: 32315917 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2020.123377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2020] [Revised: 04/11/2020] [Accepted: 04/11/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
This study presents a novel denitratation/anammox biofilter (DABF) for nitrate removal from secondary effluent, where denitratation (NO3-→NO2-) is coupled with anammox (NO2- +NH4+→N2) instead of denitritation (NO2-→N2). Total nitrogen (TN) was removed by 81.90% in this DABF when the average effluent TN concentration was 7.82 mg/L. Meanwhile, organic carbon source consumption and backwash sludge production in the DABF were reduced by 63% and 70%, respectively, compared to conventional denitrifying biofilter (DNBF). Nitrogen banlance analysis indicates that 93% of the nitrogen gas produced in DABF was via anammox. Batch tests confirmed that the DABF biofilm reduced nitrite using ammonium as the electron donor, and accumulated nitrite during denitratation, thus providing nitrite for the anammox bacteria. Moreover, high-throughput sequencing approach also revealed that the anammox bacteria Candidatus Brocadia dominated the community, which could also be responsible for the stable processes in DABF by interacting with the other denitrifying bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Ma
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Forestry Environmental Processes and Ecological Regulation of Hainan Province, School of Ecology and Environment, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Xinxin Xu
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Shijian Ge
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, School of Environmental and Biological Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210094, China
| | - Beiying Li
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Forestry Environmental Processes and Ecological Regulation of Hainan Province, School of Ecology and Environment, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
| | - Yan Wei
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Forestry Environmental Processes and Ecological Regulation of Hainan Province, School of Ecology and Environment, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
| | - Hongbo Zhu
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Xi Nan
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Yongzhen Peng
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China.
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24
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Jiang R, Liu J, Huang B, Wang X, Luan T, Yuan K. Assessment of the potential ecological risk of residual endocrine-disrupting chemicals from wastewater treatment plants. Sci Total Environ 2020; 714:136689. [PMID: 31978772 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.136689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2019] [Revised: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Residual chemicals discharged from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and subsequent ecological risk are important in production safety when reuse of the effluent water occurs. Thus, this work provides an investigation of the occurrence and removal of dissolved Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in 38 WWTPs in Guangdong Province, China. The results indicate that EDCs are widely distributed in the investigated WWTPs, while nonylphenols (NPs) are the predominant chemical among the target EDCs, accounting for >98% of the concentration in the influent and >97% of the concentration in the effluent. Moreover, 4 main types of wastewater treatment processes (oxidation ditch, A2/O, conventional activated sludge and microaeration oxidation ditch followed by A2/O) were found to be inefficient for removing dissolved EDCs, with a mean removal rate of approximately 25%. The potential environmental risk was predicted for residual EDCs. Specifically, 17α-ethynylestradiol (EE2) was considered to be the most hazardous chemical among the target EDCs, with a median risk quotient (RQ) of 8.94. In addition, β-estradiol (E2) and estrone (E1) have median RQs of 1.14 and 0.27, and NPs have median RQs of 0.61 (algae), 0.37 (inverberate) and 0.25 (fish), respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruirun Jiang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Coastal Engineering, School of Marine Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Jiahui Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Coastal Engineering, School of Marine Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China; State Key Lab of Bioresource and Biocontrol, School of Life Science, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Bi Huang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Coastal Engineering, School of Marine Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China; State Key Lab of Bioresource and Biocontrol, School of Life Science, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Xiaowei Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Coastal Engineering, School of Marine Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Tiangang Luan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Coastal Engineering, School of Marine Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China; State Key Lab of Bioresource and Biocontrol, School of Life Science, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China; Institute of Environmental and Ecological Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Ke Yuan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Coastal Engineering, School of Marine Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China.
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25
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Shi Y, Liu J, Zhuo L, Yan X, Cai F, Luo W, Ren M, Liu Q, Yu Y. Antibiotics in wastewater from multiple sources and surface water of the Yangtze River in Chongqing in China. Environ Monit Assess 2020; 192:159. [PMID: 32016688 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-020-8108-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Accepted: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Antibiotic contamination attracts growing concerns because of their deleterious effects on the ecosystem and human health. In this study, 43 antibiotics in wastewater from a variety of sources and water of the Yangtze River in Chongqing City in western China were measured. Thirty compounds were detected, and their concentrations were highest in leachates from the municipal solid waste treatment facilities (landfills and incineration plants) with total concentrations of 3584-57,106 ng/L. The total concentrations in influents of municipal and industrial wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) were comparable (401-7994 ng/L versus 640-8945 ng/L). The concentrations in raw sewage from swine farms (with a total of 10,219-39,195 ng/L) and poultry farms (1419-36,027 ng/L) were noticeably higher than those from other farms (54.0-5516 ng/L). Fluoroquinolones were the dominant antibiotics contributing over 50% in all the sources, and sulfonamides and imidazole fungicides contributed 3.2-34%, whereas tetracyclines and macrolides had minor contributions. The overall antibiotic removal rates were highest in solid waste treatment facilities (88% on average), comparable between municipal and industrial WWTPs (61%), and lowest in animal farms (39%). The mass loads to the investigated municipal WWTPs via influent wastewater ranged from 7.80 to 1531 kg/year (53.2-2482 μg/day per capital). The influent mass loads to the industrial WWTPs and farms were 3.7-50 kg/year and 0.9-5437 g/year, respectively. We estimated that the mass inventories of antibiotics from these sources to the environment via effluent discharges were approximately 2044 kg for municipal WWTPs, 61 kg for industrial WWTPs, and 34 kg for animal farms in the whole city. Antibiotic concentrations in the Yangtze River water were substantially low (< 492 ng/L, with a mean of 57.8 ng/L) suggesting dissipation during the movement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yungang Shi
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Health Risk Assessment, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Guangzhou, 510655, China
- Chongqing Solid Waste Management Center, Chongqing, 401147, China
| | - Jialie Liu
- Chongqing Solid Waste Management Center, Chongqing, 401147, China
| | - Li Zhuo
- Chongqing Solid Waste Management Center, Chongqing, 401147, China
| | - Xiao Yan
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Health Risk Assessment, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Guangzhou, 510655, China
| | - Fengshan Cai
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Health Risk Assessment, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Guangzhou, 510655, China
| | - Weikeng Luo
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Health Risk Assessment, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Guangzhou, 510655, China
| | - Mingzhong Ren
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Health Risk Assessment, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Guangzhou, 510655, China
| | - Qiang Liu
- Chongqing Solid Waste Management Center, Chongqing, 401147, China.
| | - Yunjiang Yu
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Health Risk Assessment, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Guangzhou, 510655, China.
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26
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Zhang B, Ning D, Yang Y, Van Nostrand JD, Zhou J, Wen X. Biodegradability of wastewater determines microbial assembly mechanisms in full-scale wastewater treatment plants. Water Res 2020; 169:115276. [PMID: 31731242 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2019.115276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2019] [Revised: 10/25/2019] [Accepted: 11/03/2019] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are critical for maintaining sustainable development in modern societies, wherein microbial populations residing in activated sludge (AS) are responsible for the removal of pollutants from wastewater. The biodegradability [biological oxygen demand/chemical oxygen demand (B/C ratio)] of influent, as a measure of the degree of available energy and toxicity to microorganisms in AS, has been hypothesized to drive AS microbial community assembly. However, the validity of this hypothesis has not been tested in full-scale WWTPs. In this study, we assessed the pollutant removal loads, the microbial community diversity, the relative importance of deterministic and stochastic assembly processes, and bio-interactions within the communities by analyzing 195 AS samples comprising nearly 5 000 000 16S rRNA sequences. Our results indicate that the effects of B/C ratio on pollutant removal loads can be perfectly reflected through biological properties, implying that B/C ratio determined WWTPs performance through affecting microbial community. Very low and/or very high B/C ratios result in low microbial diversity, strong stochastic processes, and large, complex networks, leading to low pollutant removal load of treatment. A B/C ratio of around 0.5 was optimal for system stability and efficiency. Based on the results of this study, the authors propose using the B/C ratio as an indispensable index to assess system performance and to provide an indicator of an impending process upset before function deteriorates significantly. This study provides a specific measure that can be used to evaluate strategies for process optimization and operation of WWTPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing Zhang
- Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control State Key Joint Laboratory, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, 100084, Beijing, PR China
| | - Daliang Ning
- Institute for Environmental Genomics and Department of Botany and Microbiology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, USA
| | - Yunfeng Yang
- Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control State Key Joint Laboratory, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, 100084, Beijing, PR China
| | - Joy D Van Nostrand
- Institute for Environmental Genomics and Department of Botany and Microbiology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, USA
| | - Jizhong Zhou
- Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control State Key Joint Laboratory, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, 100084, Beijing, PR China; Institute for Environmental Genomics and Department of Botany and Microbiology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, USA
| | - Xianghua Wen
- Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control State Key Joint Laboratory, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, 100084, Beijing, PR China.
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27
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Rogowska J, Cieszynska-Semenowicz M, Ratajczyk W, Wolska L. Micropollutants in treated wastewater. Ambio 2020; 49:487-503. [PMID: 31292910 PMCID: PMC6965340 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-019-01219-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2018] [Revised: 05/16/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Compounds such as pharmaceuticals, or personal care products are only partially removed in wastewater treatment processes. Large number of these compounds and their degradation products is out of any control. A small number of compounds are covered by legal regulations. Among the compounds non-regulated by law, the target compounds, as well as non-target compounds can be distinguished. In the scientific literature, number of reports on various target compounds' determination is increasingly growing. This paper provides an up-to-date review on micropollutants present in treated wastewater and their concentrations found in literature in the years 2015-2019. Because the obtained results of chemical analyses do not adequately reflect the risks to ecosystems and consequently humans, the results of chemical analyses have been supplemented by a review of ecotoxicological studies. In addition, legal issues linked to contamination of treated wastewater and research related to identification of non-target compounds in treated effluents have been discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justyna Rogowska
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Gdansk, Debowa Str. 23A, 80-204 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Monika Cieszynska-Semenowicz
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Gdansk, Debowa Str. 23A, 80-204 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Wojciech Ratajczyk
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Gdansk, Debowa Str. 23A, 80-204 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Lidia Wolska
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Gdansk, Debowa Str. 23A, 80-204 Gdansk, Poland
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28
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Xu X, Ma B, Lu W, Feng D, Wei Y, Ge C, Peng Y. Effective nitrogen removal in a granule-based partial-denitrification/anammox reactor treating low C/N sewage. Bioresour Technol 2020; 297:122467. [PMID: 31796378 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2019.122467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Revised: 11/13/2019] [Accepted: 11/17/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The partial-denitrification/anammox (PDA) process is a promising method to achieve mainstream anammox in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). To investigate the feasibility of developing a granule-based process for effective nitrogen removal via PDA, an upflow anaerobic sludge bed reactor was used as a PDA reactor treating low C/N sewage for over 200 days. Granules were formed with an average particle size of 1.92 mm. Metagenomic analysis revealed that the two most abundant genera in granules were Thauera (17.46%) and Candidatus Brocadia (6.24%) which played important roles in achieving partial-denitrification and anammox, respectively. Effective nitrogen removal was achieved with an average effluent TN concentration of 8.74 mg/L when influent TN concentration and COD/TN ratio were 42.56 mg/L and 1.52, respectively. Nitrogen removal via anammox accounted for 90% of dinitrogen production in the PDA reactor. Finally, a granule-based combined process of PDA with nitrification was proposed for achieving anammox in mainstream WWTPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinxin Xu
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Bin Ma
- School of Ecology and Environment, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China.
| | - Wenkang Lu
- School of Ecology and Environment, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
| | - Dianbao Feng
- School of Ecology and Environment, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
| | - Yan Wei
- School of Ecology and Environment, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
| | - Chengjun Ge
- School of Ecology and Environment, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
| | - Yongzhen Peng
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
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29
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Xu X, Jian Y, Xue Y, Hou Q, Wang L. Microplastics in the wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs): Occurrence and removal. Chemosphere 2019; 235:1089-1096. [PMID: 31561299 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.06.197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2019] [Revised: 06/16/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
WWTPs may be one of the important ways for MPs to enter surface water. In the present study, the influent and effluent from eleven WWTPs in Changzhou were collected and analyzed. At the same time, the abundance, size, color, and shape of MPs in influent and effluent were investigated. The average abundance of MPs in the influent and effluent were 196.00 ± 11.89 n/L and 9.04 ± 1.12 n/L respectively, and the MPs removal efficiency of eleven WWTPs was almost over 90% in which it could be up to 97.15%. MPs were divided into four particle size based on abundance changes, and the size of MPs with the highest abundant was mainly concentrated at 0.1-0.5 mm. Among these MPs, fibers were the main shape in wastewater, followed by fragments, flakes, spheres and films. The colors of MPs in wastewater were various and 14 types of plastics were detected from wastewater using attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). Moreover, Rayon and PET were the dominant polymer types in eleven WWTPs. The research results provided basic data for the research and supervision of MPs pollution in WWTPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Xu
- School of Environmental & Safety Engineering, Changzhou University, Jiangsu, Changzhou, 213164, China; State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Jiangsu, Nanjing, 210093, China.
| | - Yun Jian
- School of Environmental & Safety Engineering, Changzhou University, Jiangsu, Changzhou, 213164, China
| | - Yingang Xue
- School of Environmental & Safety Engineering, Changzhou University, Jiangsu, Changzhou, 213164, China; Changzhou Environmental Monitoring Center, Jiangsu, Changzhou, 213001, China
| | - Qingtong Hou
- School of Environmental & Safety Engineering, Changzhou University, Jiangsu, Changzhou, 213164, China
| | - LiPing Wang
- School of Environmental & Safety Engineering, Changzhou University, Jiangsu, Changzhou, 213164, China.
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Du S, Yu D, Zhao J, Wang X, Bi C, Zhen J, Yuan M. Achieving deep-level nutrient removal via combined denitrifying phosphorus removal and simultaneous partial nitrification-endogenous denitrification process in a single-sludge sequencing batch reactor. Bioresour Technol 2019; 289:121690. [PMID: 31253382 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2019.121690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2019] [Revised: 06/16/2019] [Accepted: 06/18/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The feasibility of coupling denitrifying phosphorus removal (DPR) with simultaneous partial nitrification-endogenous denitrification (SPNED) was investigated in a single-sludge sequencing batch reactor for deep-level nutrient removal from municipal and nitrate wastewaters. After 160-day operation, the DPR process simultaneously reduced most PO43--P and NO3--N anoxically, and the SPNED process achieved further total nitrogen (TN) removal at low dissolved oxygen condition with TN removal efficiency of 90.8%. The effluent NH4+-N, PO43--P and TN concentrations were 1.0, 0.1 and 7.2 mg/L, respectively. Microbial analysis revealed that Dechloromonas (6.7%) dominated DPR process, whereas the gradually enriched Nitrosomonas (4.5%) and Candidatus Competibacter (6.8%) conducted SPNED process accompanied with sharply eliminated Nitrospirae (1.4%). Based on these findings, a novel strategy was proposed to achieve further nutrient removal in conventional treatment through integrating the DPR-SPNED process. As a result, ∼100% of extra carbon and ∼10% of oxygen consumptions would be reduced with satisfactory effluent quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiming Du
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, PR China
| | - Deshuang Yu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, PR China
| | - Ji Zhao
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Engineering Research Center of Beijing, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, PR China
| | - Xiaoxia Wang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, PR China.
| | - Chunxue Bi
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, PR China
| | - Jianyuan Zhen
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, PR China
| | - Mengfei Yuan
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, PR China
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Hao X, Wang X, Liu R, Li S, van Loosdrecht MCM, Jiang H. Environmental impacts of resource recovery from wastewater treatment plants. Water Res 2019; 160:268-277. [PMID: 31154124 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2019.05.068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2019] [Revised: 04/23/2019] [Accepted: 05/21/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Conventional wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) clean wastewater and minimize water pollution; but, while doing so, they also contribute to air pollution and need energy/material input with associated emissions. However, energy recovery (e.g. anaerobic digestion) and resource recovery (e.g. water reuse) allow us to offset the adverse environmental impacts of wastewater treatment. Life cycle assessments (LCA) have been used more and more to evaluate the environmental impacts of WWTPs and to suggest improvement options. There is a need to search for resource recovery applications that genuinely realize a net-zero impact on the total environment of WWTPs. In this work, a scheme with highly efficient energy and resource recovery (especially for thermal energy) is proposed and evaluated. The environmental impact of a conventional WWTP in comparison with the scheme proposed here, with energy/resource recovery included, was calculated, and discussed with reference to LCA methodology. In the process of using LCA, it was necessary to choose a regional situation to focus on. In this case, a Chinese situation was focused as a reference, but the qualitative information gained is of worldwide relevance. The results clearly revealed that conventional WWTP does not benefit the total environment as a whole while the new scheme benefited the total environment via resource/energy recovery-based processes. Among others, thermal energy recovery played a significant role towards a net-zero LCA analysis (contributing around 40%) which suggests that more attention and research should be focused on it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaodi Hao
- Sino-Dutch R&D Centre for Future Wastewater Treatment Technologies/Beijing Advanced Innovation Center of Future Urban Design, Beijing University of Civil Engineering & Architecture, 1 Zhanlanguan Road, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100044, PR China.
| | - Xiangyang Wang
- Sino-Dutch R&D Centre for Future Wastewater Treatment Technologies/Beijing Advanced Innovation Center of Future Urban Design, Beijing University of Civil Engineering & Architecture, 1 Zhanlanguan Road, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100044, PR China
| | - Ranbin Liu
- Sino-Dutch R&D Centre for Future Wastewater Treatment Technologies/Beijing Advanced Innovation Center of Future Urban Design, Beijing University of Civil Engineering & Architecture, 1 Zhanlanguan Road, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100044, PR China
| | - Shuang Li
- Beijing Capital Co., Ltd, 21 Chegongzhuang Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100044, PR China
| | - Mark C M van Loosdrecht
- Sino-Dutch R&D Centre for Future Wastewater Treatment Technologies/Beijing Advanced Innovation Center of Future Urban Design, Beijing University of Civil Engineering & Architecture, 1 Zhanlanguan Road, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100044, PR China; Dept. of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, van der Maasweg 9, 2629, HZ Delft, the Netherlands
| | - Han Jiang
- Beijing Capital Co., Ltd, 21 Chegongzhuang Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100044, PR China
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Li ZH, Hang ZY, Lu M, Zhang TY, Yu HQ. Difference of respiration-based approaches for quantifying heterotrophic biomass in activated sludge of biological wastewater treatment plants. Sci Total Environ 2019; 664:45-52. [PMID: 30739852 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2019] [Revised: 01/31/2019] [Accepted: 02/01/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Estimation of heterotrophic biomass concentration in activated sludge is essential to the design, operation and management of activated sludge process for wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), and many methods have been developed for such a purpose. In this study, three respiration-based methods: the Exponential-growth-rate-based method (Exp-M), the Maximum-respiration-rate-based method (Max-M) and the Endogenous-respiration-rate-based method (End-M), which are frequently used for determining kinetic parameters in activated sludge models, were comparatively examined using experimental results from both full-scale municipal WWTPs and laboratory-scale reactors. Our study revealed the pros and cons of each method, which is valuable for method selection in different applications. The End-M can estimate all the fraction of biomass. However, the proper control of measuring condition is of great challenge. The Exp-M can only determine the exponential growth part of biomass as conditions employed during measuring may make a considerable part of biomass in a nongrowth status, resulting underestimation or even failure of calculation. The Max-M can determine the viable biomass including the nongrowth part, and it is recommended for rapid assessment of biomass. The Max-M was modified after the introduction of a coefficient SOURSRT=0 (the specific oxygen utilization rate when the sludge retention time was assumed zero) and was validated by using the experimental results reported in previous studies. Because of its simplicity and much improved accuracy, the modified Max-M method is able to provide more useful information about activated sludge compositions and has a promising application potential in wastewater treatment plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Hua Li
- Key Laboratory of Northwest Water Resource, Environment and Ecology, Ministry of Education, School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an 710055, China.
| | - Zhen-Yu Hang
- Key Laboratory of Northwest Water Resource, Environment and Ecology, Ministry of Education, School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an 710055, China
| | - Meng Lu
- Key Laboratory of Northwest Water Resource, Environment and Ecology, Ministry of Education, School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an 710055, China
| | - Tian-Yu Zhang
- Department of Mathematical Sciences, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717-2400, USA
| | - Han-Qing Yu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Urban Pollutant Conversion, Department of Chemistry, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
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Guerranti C, Martellini T, Perra G, Scopetani C, Cincinelli A. Microplastics in cosmetics: Environmental issues and needs for global bans. Environ Toxicol Pharmacol 2019; 68:75-79. [PMID: 30877953 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2019.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 124] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2018] [Revised: 02/15/2019] [Accepted: 03/06/2019] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Despite the microbeads from cosmetic products do not contribute with high percentages to the microplastic pollution, they can pose a threat to the environment, being discharged into the water bodies and just partially blocked by the wastewater treatment plants. As environmental associations have been fighting for the abolition of microplastics in PCCPs, in many countries measures have been taken and bans are already operational or in process. Some cosmetic companies have voluntarily renounced the use of microbeads and some voluntary certifications of PCCPs prohibit their use. PCCPs recently analysed can contain levels of microbeads reaching 50,391 per g and can contribute with every single use to the introduction of 229,000 microbeads into the domestic sewage. Given the spread and danger of these pollutants, the problem is global and unthinkable to be solved by banning microplastic-containing products only in some countries, thus a general ban would be necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Guerranti
- Consorzio Interuniversitario per lo Sviluppo dei Sistemi a Grande Interfase (CSGI), University of Florence, Via della Lastruccia 3, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019, FI, Italy.
| | - T Martellini
- Consorzio Interuniversitario per lo Sviluppo dei Sistemi a Grande Interfase (CSGI), University of Florence, Via della Lastruccia 3, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019, FI, Italy; Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff", University of Florence, Via della Lastruccia 3, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019, FI, Italy
| | - G Perra
- Independent Researcher, Ecotoxicologist, Italy
| | - C Scopetani
- Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff", University of Florence, Via della Lastruccia 3, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019, FI, Italy
| | - A Cincinelli
- Consorzio Interuniversitario per lo Sviluppo dei Sistemi a Grande Interfase (CSGI), University of Florence, Via della Lastruccia 3, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019, FI, Italy; Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff", University of Florence, Via della Lastruccia 3, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019, FI, Italy
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Vieira A, Galinha CF, Oehmen A, Carvalho G. The link between nitrous oxide emissions, microbial community profile and function from three full-scale WWTPs. Sci Total Environ 2019; 651:2460-2472. [PMID: 30336436 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.10.132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2018] [Revised: 09/28/2018] [Accepted: 10/10/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Few attempts have been made in previous studies to link the microbial community structure and function with nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions at full-scale wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). In this work, high-throughput sequencing and reverse transcriptase-qPCR (RT-qPCR) was applied to activated sludge samples from three WWTPs for two seasonal periods (winter and summer) and linked with the N2O emissions and wastewater characteristics. The total N2O emissions ranged from 7.2 to 937.0 g N-N2O/day, which corresponds to an emission factor of 0.001 to 0.280% of the influent NH4-N being emitted as N2O. Those emissions were related to the abundance of Nitrotoga, Candidatus Microthrix and Rhodobacter genera, which were favored by higher dissolved oxygen (DO) and nitrate (NO3-) concentrations in the activated sludge tanks. Furthermore, a relationship between the nirK gene expression and N2O emissions was verified. Detected N2O emission peaks were associated with different process events, related to aeration transition periods, that occurred during the regular operation of the plants, which could be potentially associated to increased emissions of the WWTP. The design of mitigation strategies, such as optimizing the aeration regime, is therefore important to avoid process events that lead to those N2O emissions peaks. Furthermore, this study also demonstrates the importance of assessing the gene expression of nosZ clade II, since its high abundance in WWTPs could be an important key to reduce the N2O emissions.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Vieira
- iBET - Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Av. República, Qta. do Marquês, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal; ITQB - Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Quinta do Marquês, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
| | - C F Galinha
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Portugal
| | - A Oehmen
- UCIBIO-REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Portugal; School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - G Carvalho
- UCIBIO-REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Portugal; Advanced Water Management Centre (AWMC), The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
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Zeng W, Zhang L, Fan P, Guo J, Peng Y. Community structures and population dynamics of "Candidatus Accumulibacter" in activated sludges of wastewater treatment plants using ppk1 as phylogenetic marker. J Environ Sci (China) 2018; 67:237-248. [PMID: 29778158 DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2017.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2017] [Revised: 09/03/2017] [Accepted: 09/04/2017] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Candidatus Accumulibacter has been identified as dominant polyphosphate-accumulating organisms (PAOs) in enhanced biological phosphorus (P) removal (EBPR) from wastewater. This study revealed the relevance of community structure, abundance and seasonal population dynamics of Candidatus Accumulibacter to process operation of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in China using ppk1 gene as phylogenetic marker. All sludge samples had properties of denitrifying P removal using nitrate as an electron acceptor. Accumulibacter abundance in the anaerobic-anoxic-oxic (A2O) process was the highest (26% of total bacteria), and higher in winter than in summer with a better EBPR performance. Type-II was the dominant Accumulibacter in all processes, and type-I accounted for a small proportion of total Accumulibacter. The abundance of Clade-IIC as the most dominant clade reached 2.59×109 cells/g MLSS and accounted for 87.3% of total Accumulibacter. Clade IIC mainly contributed to denitrifying P removal. Clades IIA, IIC and IID were found in all processes, while clade-IIF was only found in oxidation ditch process through phylogenetic analysis. High proportion of clade IID to total Accumulibacter led to poor performance of aerobic P-uptake in inverted A2O process. Therefore, Accumulibacter clades in WWTPs were diverse, and EBPR performance was closely related to the clade-level community structures and abundances of Accumulibacter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zeng
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Department of Environmental Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China.
| | - Limin Zhang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Department of Environmental Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Pengchao Fan
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Department of Environmental Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Jingjing Guo
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Department of Environmental Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Yongzhen Peng
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Department of Environmental Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
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Chen J, Pycke BFG, Brownawell BJ, Kinney CA, Furlong ET, Kolpin DW, Halden RU. Occurrence, temporal variation, and estrogenic burden of five parabens in sewage sludge collected across the United States. Sci Total Environ 2017; 593-594:368-374. [PMID: 28346910 PMCID: PMC5510738 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.03.162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2017] [Revised: 03/16/2017] [Accepted: 03/18/2017] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Five parabens used as preservatives in pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) were measured in sewage sludges collected at 14 U.S. wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) located in nine states. Detected concentration ranges (ng/g, dry weight) and frequencies were as follows: methyl paraben (15.9 to 203.0; 100%), propyl paraben (0.5 to 7.7; 100%), ethyl paraben (<0.6 to 2.6; 63%), butyl paraben (<0.4 to 4.3; 42%) and benzyl paraben (<0.4 to 3.3; 26%). The estrogenicity inherent to the sum of parabens detected in sewage sludge (ranging from 10.1 to 500.1pg/kg 17β-estradiol equivalents) was insignificant when compared to the 106-times higher value calculated for natural estrogens reported in the literature to occur in sewage sludge. Temporal monitoring at one WWTP provided insights into temporal and seasonal variations in paraben concentrations. This is the first report on the occurrence of five parabens in sewage sludges from across the U.S., and internationally, the first on temporal variations of paraben levels in sewage sludge. Study results will help to inform the risk assessment of sewage sludge destined for land application (biosolids).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Chen
- Biodesign Center for Environmental Security, Biodesign Institute, School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Arizona State University, 781 E. Terrace Mall, Tempe, AZ 85287, United States
| | - Benny F G Pycke
- Biodesign Center for Environmental Security, Biodesign Institute, School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Arizona State University, 781 E. Terrace Mall, Tempe, AZ 85287, United States
| | - Bruce J Brownawell
- School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-5000, United States
| | - Chad A Kinney
- Chemistry Department, Colorado State University-Pueblo, 2200 Bonforte Blvd., Pueblo, CO 81001, United States
| | - Edward T Furlong
- U.S. Geological Survey, Denver Federal Center, P.O. Box 25585, Denver, CO 80225, United States
| | - Dana W Kolpin
- U.S. Geological Survey, 400 S. Clinton Street, Iowa City, IA 52240, United States
| | - Rolf U Halden
- Biodesign Center for Environmental Security, Biodesign Institute, School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Arizona State University, 781 E. Terrace Mall, Tempe, AZ 85287, United States.
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Wu M, Que C, Tang L, Xu H, Xiang J, Wang J, Shi W, Xu G. Distribution, fate, and risk assessment of antibiotics in five wastewater treatment plants in Shanghai, China. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2016; 23:18055-18063. [PMID: 27259954 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-016-6946-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2016] [Accepted: 05/20/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The project studied the occurrence, fate, and seasonal variation of 14 antibiotics, from five wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in Shanghai. The results indicated that ofloxacin, sulfamethoxazole, and oxytetracycline were the predominant antibiotics, with maximum concentrations of 1208.20, 959.13, and 564.30 ng/L in influents, while 916.88, 106.60, and 337.81 ng/L in effluents, respectively. The level of antibiotics in WWTPs obviously varied with seasonal changes, and higher detectable frequencies and concentrations were found in winter. The daily mass loads per capita of amoxicillin, enrofloxacin, and oxytetracycline in the study were all higher than those in other regions/countries, such as Hong Kong, Australia, and Italy. The elimination of antibiotics through these WWTPs was incomplete, and a wide range of removal efficiencies during the different treatment process and seasons were observed (-500.56 to 100 % in winter and -124.24 to 94.21 % in summer). Sulfonamides were relatively easy to be removed in WWTPs and the ultraviolet (UV) process can effectively improve the removal efficiency. Risk assessment of antibiotics in effluents was estimated. Only AMOX's hazard quotient (HQ) was higher than 0.01. Even though the environmental risks in the study were estimated to be low, the potential negative effects on aquatic ecosystems should call our attention as continually discharge in the long term.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minghong Wu
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, 99 Shangda Road, Shanghai, 200444, China
- Shanghai Applied Radiation Institute, Shanghai University, 99 Shangda Road, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Chenjing Que
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, 99 Shangda Road, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Liang Tang
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, 99 Shangda Road, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Hui Xu
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, 99 Shangda Road, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Jiajia Xiang
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, 99 Shangda Road, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Jiajun Wang
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, 99 Shangda Road, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Wenyan Shi
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, 99 Shangda Road, Shanghai, 200444, China.
| | - Gang Xu
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, 99 Shangda Road, Shanghai, 200444, China.
- Shanghai Applied Radiation Institute, Shanghai University, 99 Shangda Road, Shanghai, 200444, China.
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Marques R, Rodriguez-Caballero A, Oehmen A, Pijuan M. Assessment of online monitoring strategies for measuring N2O emissions from full-scale wastewater treatment systems. Water Res 2016; 99:171-179. [PMID: 27155989 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2016.04.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2016] [Revised: 04/15/2016] [Accepted: 04/20/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Clark-Type nitrous oxide (N2O) sensors are routinely used to measure dissolved N2O concentrations in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), but have never before been applied to assess gas-phase N2O emissions in full-scale WWTPs. In this study, a full-scale N2O gas sensor was tested and validated for online gas measurements, and assessed with respect to its linearity, temperature dependence, signal saturation and drift prior to full-scale application. The sensor was linear at the concentrations tested (0-422.3, 0-50 and 0-10 ppmv N2O) and had a linear response up to 2750 ppmv N2O. An exponential correlation between temperature and sensor signal was described and predicted using a double exponential equation while the drift did not have a significant influence on the signal. The N2O gas sensor was used for online N2O monitoring in a full-scale sequencing batch reactor (SBR) treating domestic wastewater and results were compared with those obtained by a commercial online gas analyser. Emissions were successfully described by the sensor, being even more accurate than the values given by the commercial analyser at N2O concentrations above 500 ppmv. Data from this gas N2O sensor was also used to validate two models to predict N2O emissions from dissolved N2O measurements, one based on oxygen transfer rate and the other based on superficial velocity of the gas bubble. Using the first model, predictions for N2O emissions agreed by 98.7% with the measured by the gas sensor, while 87.0% similarity was obtained with the second model. This is the first study showing a reliable estimation of gas emissions based on dissolved N2O online data in a full-scale wastewater treatment facility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo Marques
- UCIBIO, REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Campus de Caparica, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal; ICRA, Institut Català de Recerca de l'Aigua, Parc Científic i Tecnològic de la Universitat de Girona, 17003 Girona, Spain
| | - A Rodriguez-Caballero
- ICRA, Institut Català de Recerca de l'Aigua, Parc Científic i Tecnològic de la Universitat de Girona, 17003 Girona, Spain
| | - Adrian Oehmen
- UCIBIO, REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Campus de Caparica, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal.
| | - Maite Pijuan
- ICRA, Institut Català de Recerca de l'Aigua, Parc Científic i Tecnològic de la Universitat de Girona, 17003 Girona, Spain
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Zhang QH, Yang WN, Ngo HH, Guo WS, Jin PK, Dzakpasu M, Yang SJ, Wang Q, Wang XC, Ao D. Current status of urban wastewater treatment plants in China. Environ Int 2016; 92-93:11-22. [PMID: 27045705 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2016.03.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 249] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2015] [Revised: 02/17/2016] [Accepted: 03/19/2016] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
The study reported and analyzed the current state of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in urban China from the perspective of treatment technologies, pollutant removals, operating load and effluent discharge standards. By the end of 2013, 3508 WWTPs have been built in 31 provinces and cities in China with a total treatment capacity of 1.48×10(8)m(3)/d. The uneven population distribution between China's east and west regions has resulted in notably different economic development outcomes. The technologies mostly used in WWTPs are AAO and oxidation ditch, which account for over 50% of the existing WWTPs. According to statistics, the efficiencies of COD and NH3-N removal are good in 656 WWTPs in 70 cities. The overall average COD removal is over 88% with few regional differences. The average removal efficiency of NH3-N is up to 80%. Large differences exist between the operating loads applied in different WWTPs. The average operating loading rate is approximately 83%, and 52% of WWTPs operate at loadings of <80%, treating up to 40% of the wastewater generated. The implementation of discharge standards has been low. Approximately 28% of WWTPs that achieved the Grade I-A Discharge Standard of Pollutants for Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant (GB 18918-2002) were constructed after 2010. The sludge treatment and recycling rates are only 25%, and approximately 15% of wastewater is inefficiently treated. Approximately 60% of WWTPs have capacities of 1×10(4)m(3)/d-5×10(4)m(3)/d. Relatively high energy consumption is required for small-scale processing, and the utilization rate of recycled wastewater is low. The challenges of WWTPs are discussed with the aim of developing rational criteria and appropriate technologies for water recycling. Suggestions regarding potential technical and administrative measures are provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Q H Zhang
- Key Lab of Northwest Water Resource, Environment and Ecology, Ministry of Education, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an 710055, China; School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an 710055, China.
| | - W N Yang
- School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an 710055, China
| | - H H Ngo
- Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology, Sydney, PO Box 123, NSW 2007, Australia.
| | - W S Guo
- Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology, Sydney, PO Box 123, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - P K Jin
- School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an 710055, China
| | - Mawuli Dzakpasu
- School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an 710055, China
| | - S J Yang
- Key Lab of Northwest Water Resource, Environment and Ecology, Ministry of Education, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an 710055, China
| | - Q Wang
- Key Lab of Northwest Water Resource, Environment and Ecology, Ministry of Education, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an 710055, China
| | - X C Wang
- Key Lab of Northwest Water Resource, Environment and Ecology, Ministry of Education, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an 710055, China
| | - D Ao
- Key Lab of Northwest Water Resource, Environment and Ecology, Ministry of Education, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an 710055, China
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Wen Q, Yang L, Duan R, Chen Z. Monitoring and evaluation of antibiotic resistance genes in four municipal wastewater treatment plants in Harbin, Northeast China. Environ Pollut 2016; 212:34-40. [PMID: 26840514 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2016.01.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2015] [Revised: 01/15/2016] [Accepted: 01/15/2016] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
The development and proliferation of antibiotic resistance in pathogenic and environmental microorganisms is of great concern for public health. In this study, the distribution and removal efficiency of intI1 and eight subtypes of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) for tetracycline, sulfonamides, beta-lactams resistance in four municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in Harbin, which locates in Songhua River basin in cold areas of China, were monitored by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR. The results showed that intI1 and 6 ARGs except for blaTEM and blaSHV were detected in wastewater and sludge samples and 0.3-2.7 orders of magnitude of ARGs removal efficiency in the four WWTPs were observed. The investigation on the removal of ARGs of different treatment units in one WWTP showed that the biological treatment unit played the most important role in ARGs removal (1.2-1.8 orders of magnitude), followed by UV disinfection, while primary physical treatment units can hardly remove any ARGs. Although all the WWTPs can remove ARGs effectively, ARGs concentrations are still relatively high in the effluent, their further attenuation should be investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinxue Wen
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology (SKLUWRE, HIT), Harbin 150090, PR China.
| | - Lian Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology (SKLUWRE, HIT), Harbin 150090, PR China
| | - Ruan Duan
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology (SKLUWRE, HIT), Harbin 150090, PR China
| | - Zhiqiang Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology (SKLUWRE, HIT), Harbin 150090, PR China.
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Hao X, Liu R, Huang X. Evaluation of the potential for operating carbon neutral WWTPs in China. Water Res 2015; 87:424-431. [PMID: 26072280 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2015.05.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2015] [Revised: 05/25/2015] [Accepted: 05/26/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Carbon neutrality is starting to become a hot topic for wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) all over the world, and carbon neutral operations have emerged in some WWTPs. Although China is still struggling to control its water pollution, carbon neutrality will definitely become a top priority for WWTPs in the near future. In this review, the potential for operating carbon neutral WWTPs in China is technically evaluated. Based on the A(2)/O process of a typical municipal WWTP, an evaluation model is first configured, which couples the COD/nutrient removals (mass balance) with the energy consumption/recovery (energy balance). This model is then applied to evaluate the potential of the organic (COD) energy with regards to carbon neutrality. The model's calculations reveal that anaerobic digestion of excess sludge can only provide some 50% of the total amount of energy consumption. Water source heat pumps (WSHP) can effectively convert the thermal energy contained in wastewater to heat WWTPs and neighbourhood buildings, which can supply a net electrical equivalency of 0.26 kWh when 1 m(3) of the effluent is cooled down by 1 °C. Photovoltaic (PV) technology can generate a limited amount of electricity, barely 10% of the total energy consumption. Moreover, the complexity of installing solar panels on top of tanks makes PV technology almost not worth the effort. Overall, therefore, organic and thermal energy sources can effectively supply enough electrical equivalency for China to approach to its target with regards to carbon neutral operations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaodi Hao
- Key Laboratory of Urban Stormwater System and Water Environment/R&D Centre for Sustainable Wastewater Treatment (Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture), Ministry of Education, Beijing 100044, PR China.
| | - Ranbin Liu
- Key Laboratory of Urban Stormwater System and Water Environment/R&D Centre for Sustainable Wastewater Treatment (Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture), Ministry of Education, Beijing 100044, PR China
| | - Xin Huang
- Key Laboratory of Urban Stormwater System and Water Environment/R&D Centre for Sustainable Wastewater Treatment (Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture), Ministry of Education, Beijing 100044, PR China
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Tran NH, Gan J, Nguyen VT, Chen H, You L, Duarah A, Zhang L, Gin KYH. Sorption and biodegradation of artificial sweeteners in activated sludge processes. Bioresour Technol 2015; 197:329-338. [PMID: 26342347 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2015.08.083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2015] [Revised: 08/21/2015] [Accepted: 08/23/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
There is limited information on the occurrence and removal of artificial sweeteners (ASs) in biological wastewater treatment plants, and in particular, the contribution of sorption and biodegradation to their removal. This study investigated the fate of ASs in both the aqueous and solid phases in a water reclamation plant (WRP). All the four targeted ASs, i.e. acesulfame (ACE), sucralose (SUC), cyclamate (CYC) and saccharine (SAC), were detected in both the aqueous and solid phases of raw influent and primary effluent samples. The concentrations of CYC and SAC in secondary effluent or MBR permeate were below their method detection limits. ACE and SUC were persistent throughout the WRP, whereas CYC and SAC were completely removed in biological treatment (>99%). Experimental results showed that sorption played a minor role in the elimination of the ASs due to the relatively low sorption coefficients (Kd), where Kd<500L/kg. In particular, the poor removal of ACE and SUC in the WRP may be attributed to their physiochemical properties (i.e. logKow<0 or logD<3.2) and chemical structures containing strong withdrawing electron functional groups in heterocyclic rings (i.e. chloride and sulfonate).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ngoc Han Tran
- NUS Environmental Research Institute, National University of Singapore, T-Lab Building, #02-01, 5A Engineering Drive 1, Singapore 117411, Singapore.
| | - Jie Gan
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, National University of Singapore, 1 Engineering Drive 2, Singapore 117576, Singapore
| | - Viet Tung Nguyen
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, National University of Singapore, 1 Engineering Drive 2, Singapore 117576, Singapore; PUB, WaterHub, 82 Toh Guan Road East, Singapore
| | - Huiting Chen
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, National University of Singapore, 1 Engineering Drive 2, Singapore 117576, Singapore
| | - Luhua You
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, National University of Singapore, 1 Engineering Drive 2, Singapore 117576, Singapore
| | | | | | - Karina Yew-Hoong Gin
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, National University of Singapore, 1 Engineering Drive 2, Singapore 117576, Singapore.
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Alfonsín C, Lebrero R, Estrada JM, Muñoz R, Kraakman NJRB, Feijoo G, Moreira MT. Selection of odour removal technologies in wastewater treatment plants: a guideline based on Life Cycle Assessment. J Environ Manage 2015; 149:77-84. [PMID: 25463573 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2014.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2014] [Revised: 10/09/2014] [Accepted: 10/13/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
This paper aims at analysing the environmental benefits and impacts associated with the treatment of malodorous emissions from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). The life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology was applied to two biological treatments, namely biofilter (BF) and biotrickling filter (BTF), two physical/chemical alternatives, namely activated carbon tower (AC) and chemical scrubber (CS), and a hybrid combination of BTF + AC. The assessment provided consistent guidelines for technology selection, not only based on removal efficiencies, but also on the environmental impact associated with the treatment of emissions. The results showed that biological alternatives entailed the lowest impacts. On the contrary, the use of chemicals led to the highest impacts for CS. Energy use was the main contributor to the impact related to BF and BTF, whereas the production of glass fibre used as infrastructure material played an important role in BTF impact. Production of NaClO entailed the highest burdens among the chemicals used in CS, representing ∼ 90% of the impact associated to chemicals. The frequent replacement of packing material in AC was responsible for the highest environmental impacts, granular activated carbon (GAC) production and its final disposal representing more than 50% of the impact in most categories. Finally, the assessment of BTF + AC showed that the hybrid technology is less recommendable than BF and BTF, but friendlier to the environment than physical/chemical treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Alfonsín
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Institute of Technology, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain.
| | - Raquel Lebrero
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology, Escuela de Ingenierías Industriales, Sede Dr. Mergelina, University of Valladolid, Dr Mergelina s/n, 47011 Valladolid, Spain.
| | - José M Estrada
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology, Escuela de Ingenierías Industriales, Sede Dr. Mergelina, University of Valladolid, Dr Mergelina s/n, 47011 Valladolid, Spain; School of Engineering, London South Bank University, UK.
| | - Raúl Muñoz
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology, Escuela de Ingenierías Industriales, Sede Dr. Mergelina, University of Valladolid, Dr Mergelina s/n, 47011 Valladolid, Spain.
| | - N J R Bart Kraakman
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Julianalaan 67, 2628 BC Delft, The Netherlands; CH2M Hill, Level 7, 9 Help Street, Chatswood, NSW 2067, Australia.
| | - Gumersindo Feijoo
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Institute of Technology, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain.
| | - M Teresa Moreira
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Institute of Technology, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain.
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Loos R, Carvalho R, António DC, Comero S, Locoro G, Tavazzi S, Paracchini B, Ghiani M, Lettieri T, Blaha L, Jarosova B, Voorspoels S, Servaes K, Haglund P, Fick J, Lindberg RH, Schwesig D, Gawlik BM. EU-wide monitoring survey on emerging polar organic contaminants in wastewater treatment plant effluents. Water Res 2013; 47:6475-87. [PMID: 24091184 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2013.08.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 660] [Impact Index Per Article: 60.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2013] [Revised: 07/03/2013] [Accepted: 08/17/2013] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
In the year 2010, effluents from 90 European wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) were analyzed for 156 polar organic chemical contaminants. The analyses were complemented by effect-based monitoring approaches aiming at estrogenicity and dioxin-like toxicity analyzed by in vitro reporter gene bioassays, and yeast and diatom culture acute toxicity optical bioassays. Analyses of organic substances were performed by solid-phase extraction (SPE) or liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) followed by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS) or gas chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry (GC-HRMS). Target microcontaminants were pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), veterinary (antibiotic) drugs, perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), organophosphate ester flame retardants, pesticides (and some metabolites), industrial chemicals such as benzotriazoles (corrosion inhibitors), iodinated x-ray contrast agents, and gadolinium magnetic resonance imaging agents; in addition biological endpoints were measured. The obtained results show the presence of 125 substances (80% of the target compounds) in European wastewater effluents, in concentrations ranging from low nanograms to milligrams per liter. These results allow for an estimation to be made of a European median level for the chemicals investigated in WWTP effluents. The most relevant compounds in the effluent waters with the highest median concentration levels were the artificial sweeteners acesulfame and sucralose, benzotriazoles (corrosion inhibitors), several organophosphate ester flame retardants and plasticizers (e.g. tris(2-chloroisopropyl)phosphate; TCPP), pharmaceutical compounds such as carbamazepine, tramadol, telmisartan, venlafaxine, irbesartan, fluconazole, oxazepam, fexofenadine, diclofenac, citalopram, codeine, bisoprolol, eprosartan, the antibiotics trimethoprim, ciprofloxacine, sulfamethoxazole, and clindamycine, the insect repellent N,N'-diethyltoluamide (DEET), the pesticides MCPA and mecoprop, perfluoroalkyl substances (such as PFOS and PFOA), caffeine, and gadolinium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Loos
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Institute for Environment and Sustainability, Via Enrico Fermi, 21020 Ispra, Italy.
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Xiang N, Zhao X, Meng XZ, Chen L. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in a conventional wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) from Shanghai, the Yangtze River Delta: implication for input source and mass loading. Sci Total Environ 2013; 461-462:391-396. [PMID: 23747554 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2013.05.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2013] [Revised: 05/09/2013] [Accepted: 05/09/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
The concentrations of 19 polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) congeners in a conventional wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) were determined to investigate the occurrence and fate of PBDEs during wastewater treatment processes. The level of total PBDEs ranged from 1.68 to 4.64 ng/L in wastewater, with BDE209 accounting for the largest proportion, followed by penta- and octa-BDE congeners. PBDEs were found to mainly exist in the particulate phase of wastewater, which rendered sedimentation efficient for the removal of PBDEs, while the removal efficiencies might be varied for congeners with different Br atom numbers. Because of similar congener profiles, in-house dust was considered to be an important source for PBDEs in the WWTP. According to the mass loading estimation, over 60% of total PBDEs entering the WWTP accumulated in the dewatered sludge, resulting in the total PBDE release of 43.8 kg/year via sewage sludge in Shanghai. And the annual release via effluent was estimated to be 5.5 kg, less but shouldn't be neglected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Xiang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
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