1
|
Iordachescu L, Rullander G, Lykkemark J, Dalahmeh S, Vollertsen J. An integrative analysis of microplastics in spider webs and road dust in an urban environment-webbed routes and asphalt Trails. J Environ Manage 2024; 359:121064. [PMID: 38703647 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.121064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Lucian Iordachescu
- Aalborg University, Section of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Department of the Built Environment, Thomas Manns Vej 23, 9220, Aalborg Øst, Denmark.
| | - Gabriella Rullander
- Uppsala University, Department of Earth Sciences, Villavägen 16, 752 36, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jeanette Lykkemark
- Aalborg University, Section of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Department of the Built Environment, Thomas Manns Vej 23, 9220, Aalborg Øst, Denmark
| | - Sahar Dalahmeh
- Uppsala University, Department of Earth Sciences, Villavägen 16, 752 36, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jes Vollertsen
- Aalborg University, Section of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Department of the Built Environment, Thomas Manns Vej 23, 9220, Aalborg Øst, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Cossio C, Perez-Mercado LF, Norrman J, Dalahmeh S, Vinnerås B, Mercado A, McConville J. Impact of treatment plant management on human health and ecological risks from wastewater irrigation in developing countries - case studies from Cochabamba, Bolivia. Int J Environ Health Res 2021; 31:355-373. [PMID: 31475566 DOI: 10.1080/09603123.2019.1657075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [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: 06/20/2019] [Accepted: 08/14/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater irrigation is a common practice in developing countries due to water scarcity and increasing demand for food production. However, there are health risks and ecological risks associated with this practice. Small-scale wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) intend to decrease these risks but still face management challenges. This study assessed how the management status of five small-scale WWTPs in Cochabamba, Bolivia affects health risks associated with consumption of lettuce and ecological risks due to the accumulation of nutrients in the soil for lettuce and maize crops. Risk simulations for three wastewater irrigation scenarios were: raw wastewater, actual effluent and expected effluent. Results showed that weak O&M practices can increase risk outcomes to higher levels than irrigating with raw wastewater. Improving O&M to achieve optimal functioning of small-scale WWTPs can reduce human health risks and ecological risks up to 2 log10 DALY person-1 year-1 and to 2 log10 kg nitrogen ha-1 accumulated in soil, respectively.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Cossio
- Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Göteborg, Sweden
- Centro de Aguas y Saneamiento Ambiental, Universidad Mayor de San Simón, Cochabamba, Bolivia
| | - Luis Fernando Perez-Mercado
- Centro de Aguas y Saneamiento Ambiental, Universidad Mayor de San Simón, Cochabamba, Bolivia
- Department of Energy and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jenny Norrman
- Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Göteborg, Sweden
| | - Sahar Dalahmeh
- Department of Energy and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Björn Vinnerås
- Department of Energy and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Alvaro Mercado
- Centro de Aguas y Saneamiento Ambiental, Universidad Mayor de San Simón, Cochabamba, Bolivia
| | - Jennifer McConville
- Department of Energy and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Barton MA, Simha P, Magri ME, Dutta S, Kabir H, Selvakumar A, Zhou X, Lv Y, Martin T, Kizos T, Triantafyllou E, Kataki R, Gerchman Y, Herscu-Kluska R, Alrousan D, Dalahmeh S, Goh EG, Elenciuc D, Głowacka A, Korculanin L, Tzeng RV, Ray SS, Ganesapillai M, Niwagaba C, Prouty C, Mihelcic JR, Vinnerås B. Attitudes of food consumers at universities towards recycling human urine as crop fertiliser: A multinational survey dataset. Data Brief 2021; 35:106794. [PMID: 33604424 PMCID: PMC7875816 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2021.106794] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
We present here a data set generated from a multinational survey on opinions of university community members on the prospect of consuming food grown with human urine as fertiliser and about their urine recycling perceptions in general. The data set comprises answers from 3,763 university community members (students, faculty/researchers, and staff) from 20 universities in 16 countries and includes demographic variables (age bracket, gender, type of settlement of origin, academic discipline, and role in the university). Questions were designed based on Ajzen's theory of planned behaviour to elicit information about three components of behavioural intention-attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control. Survey questions covered perceived risks and benefits (attitudes), perceptions of colleagues (injunctive social norm) and willingness to consume food grown with cow urine/faeces (descriptive social norm), and willingness to pay a price premium for food grown with human urine as fertiliser (perceived behavioural control). We also included a question about acceptable urine recycling and disposal options and assessed general environmental outlook via the 15-item revised New Ecological Paradigm (NEP) scale. Data were collected through a standardised survey instrument translated into the relevant languages and then administered via an online form. Invitations to the survey were sent by email to university mailing lists or to a systematic sample of the university directory. Only a few studies on attitudes towards using human urine as fertiliser have been conducted previously. The data described here, which we analysed in "Willingness among food consumers at universities to recycle human urine as crop fertiliser: Evidence from a multinational survey" [1], may be used to further understand potential barriers to acceptance of new sanitation systems based on wastewater source separation and urine recycling and can help inform the design of future sociological studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Melissa A. Barton
- Department of Energy and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 7032, SE–75007 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Prithvi Simha
- Department of Energy and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 7032, SE–75007 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Maria Elisa Magri
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Shanta Dutta
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Humayun Kabir
- Department of Agricultural Economics, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh
| | | | - Xiaoqin Zhou
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Yaping Lv
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Tristan Martin
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, UMR ECOSYS, Avenue Lucien Bretignières, 78850 Thiverval-Grignon, France
| | - Thanasis Kizos
- Department of Geography, University of the Aegean, GR-81100 Mytilene, Greece
| | | | - Rupam Kataki
- Department of Energy, Tezpur University, Napam, Tezpur 784 028 Assam, India
| | - Yoram Gerchman
- Department of Biology and Environment, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa at Oranim, Tivon 36006, Israel
- Oranim College, Kiryat Tivon 36006, Israel
| | | | - Dheaya Alrousan
- Department of Water Management and Environment, Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment, The Hashemite University, P.O. Box 150459, Zarqa 13115, Jordan
| | - Sahar Dalahmeh
- Department of Energy and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 7032, SE–75007 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Eng Giap Goh
- Faculty of Ocean Engineering Technology and Informatics, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia
| | | | - Aleksandra Głowacka
- Faculty of Agrobioengineering, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, 15 Akademicka Street, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
| | - Laura Korculanin
- IADE – Universidade Europeia, Av. D. Carlos I, 4, 1200-649 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Rongyu Veneta Tzeng
- International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics (IIIEE), Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Saikat Sinha Ray
- Institute of Environmental Engineering and Management, National Taipei University of Technology, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Mahesh Ganesapillai
- Mass Transfer Group, School of Chemical Engineering, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India
| | - Charles Niwagaba
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT), Makerere University, P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Christine Prouty
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa, Florida 33620, United States
| | - James R. Mihelcic
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa, Florida 33620, United States
| | - Björn Vinnerås
- Department of Energy and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 7032, SE–75007 Uppsala, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Dalahmeh S, Björnberg E, Elenström AK, Niwagaba CB, Komakech AJ. Corrigendum to "Pharmaceutical pollution of water resources in Nakivubo wetlands and Lake Victoria, Kampala, Uganda" [Sci. Total Environ. (2020) 136347]. Sci Total Environ 2020; 748:138544. [PMID: 32303366 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.138544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Sahar Dalahmeh
- Department of Energy and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Box 7032, SE 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Emma Björnberg
- Department of Energy and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Box 7032, SE 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Anna-Klara Elenström
- Department of Energy and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Box 7032, SE 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Charles B Niwagaba
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Makerere University, Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Allan John Komakech
- Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Makerere University, Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Dalahmeh S, Björnberg E, Elenström AK, Niwagaba CB, Komakech AJ. Pharmaceutical pollution of water resources in Nakivubo wetlands and Lake Victoria, Kampala, Uganda. Sci Total Environ 2020; 710:136347. [PMID: 31923689 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.136347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [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: 11/13/2019] [Revised: 12/23/2019] [Accepted: 12/24/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated the occurrence and removal in wastewater and water bodies in Nakivubo wetland area and Inner Murchison Bay, Lake Victoria, of common prescription and non-prescription pharmaceutically-active substances (PhACs) sold in Kampala city, Uganda. A questionnaire was sent to 20 pharmacies in Kampala, to identify the most commonly sold PhACs in the city. During two sampling campaigns, samples were collected from Bugolobi wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) influent and effluent and surface water samples from Nakivubo channel, Nakivubo wetland and Inner Murchison Bay. The concentrations of 28 PhACs, organic matter, solids and nutrients in water samples were analysed. Ciprofloxacin (antibiotic), cetirizine (anti-allergy), metformin (anti-diabetes), metronidazole (antibiotic) and omeprazole (gastric therapy) were reported by pharmacies to be the PhACs most commonly sold in the study area. Chemical analysis of water samples revealed that trimethoprim (antibiotic) and sulfamethoxazole (antibiotic) were the dominant PhACs in water from all sites except Lake Victoria. Other PhACs such as atenolol (anti-hypertensive), carbamazepine (anti-epileptic) and diclofenac (anti-inflammatory) were also found at all study sites except Lake Victoria. ∑PhACs in effluent from Bugolobi WWTP (13000-37,600 ng L-1) was higher than in the corresponding influent (4000-28,000 ng L-1), indicating poor removal of PhACs within the WWTP. ∑PhACs decreased by a factor of 2-6 between Bugolobi WWTP effluent and Nakivubo channel (5700 ng L-1), due to dilution and sorption to channel sediment, and by a factor of 1-3 between the Nakivubo channel and Nakivubo wetland (3900-5400 ng L-1), due to sorption to sediment and uptake by plants in the wetland. No detectable levels of PhACs were found in water from Lake Victoria. Overall, this investigation demonstrated that PhACs in wastewater enter Nakivubo water system. Thus, Bugolobi WWTP needs to be upgraded to improve PhACs removal from wastewater. Considering the high occurrence of antibiotics in the water system in Kampala, development and spread of antimicrobial resistance within the area should also be investigated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sahar Dalahmeh
- Department of Energy and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Box 7032, SE 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Emma Björnberg
- Department of Energy and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Box 7032, SE 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Anna-Klara Elenström
- Department of Energy and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Box 7032, SE 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Charles B Niwagaba
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Makerere University, Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Allan John Komakech
- Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Makerere University, Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Gros M, Ahrens L, Levén L, Koch A, Dalahmeh S, Ljung E, Lundin G, Jönsson H, Eveborn D, Wiberg K. Pharmaceuticals in source separated sanitation systems: Fecal sludge and blackwater treatment. Sci Total Environ 2020; 703:135530. [PMID: 31767294 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.135530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [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: 09/19/2019] [Revised: 11/12/2019] [Accepted: 11/13/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated, for the first time, the occurrence and fate of 29 multiple-class pharmaceuticals (PhACs) in two source separated sanitation systems based on: (i) batch experiments for the anaerobic digestion (AD) of fecal sludge under mesophilic (37 °C) and thermophilic (52 °C) conditions, and (ii) a full-scale blackwater treatment plant using wet composting and sanitation with urea addition. Results revealed high concentrations of PhACs in raw fecal sludge and blackwater samples, with concentrations up to hundreds of μg L-1 and μg kg-1 dry weight (dw) in liquid and solid fractions, respectively. For mesophilic and thermophilic treatments in the batch experiments, average PhACs removal rates of 31% and 45%, respectively, were observed. The average removal efficiency was slightly better for the full-scale blackwater treatment, with 49% average removal, and few compounds, such as atenolol, valsartan and hydrochlorothiazide, showed almost complete degradation. In the AD treatments, no significant differences were observed between mesophilic and thermophilic conditions. For the full-scale blackwater treatment, the aerobic wet composting step proved to be the most efficient in PhACs reduction, while urea addition had an almost negligible effect for most PhACs, except for citalopram, venlafaxine, oxazepam, valsartan and atorvastatin, for which minor reductions (on average 25%) were observed. Even though both treatment systems reduced initial PhACs loads considerably, significant PhAC concentrations remained in the treated effluents, indicating that fecal sludge and blackwater fertilizations could be a relevant vector for dissemination of PhACs into agricultural fields and thus the environment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Meritxell Gros
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Box 7050, SE-75007 Uppsala, Sweden; Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), C/Emili Grahit 101, 17003 Girona, Spain; University of Girona, Girona, Spain.
| | - Lutz Ahrens
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Box 7050, SE-75007 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Lotta Levén
- Agrifood and Bioscience, Research Institutes of Sweden (RISE), Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Alina Koch
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Box 7050, SE-75007 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Sahar Dalahmeh
- Department of Energy and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Emelie Ljung
- Agrifood and Bioscience, Research Institutes of Sweden (RISE), Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Göran Lundin
- SP Process Development, Technical Research Institute of Sweden, Södertälje, Sweden
| | - Håkan Jönsson
- Department of Energy and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Uppsala, Sweden
| | - David Eveborn
- Agrifood and Bioscience, Research Institutes of Sweden (RISE), Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Karin Wiberg
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Box 7050, SE-75007 Uppsala, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Perez-Mercado LF, Lalander C, Joel A, Ottoson J, Dalahmeh S, Vinnerås B. Biochar filters as an on-farm treatment to reduce pathogens when irrigating with wastewater-polluted sources. J Environ Manage 2019; 248:109295. [PMID: 31376612 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2019.109295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [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: 02/12/2019] [Revised: 06/20/2019] [Accepted: 07/17/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Microbial contamination of vegetables due to irrigation with wastewater-polluted streams is a common problem around most cities in developing countries because wastewater is an available source of water and nutrients but wastewater treatment is often inadequate. On-farm treatment of polluted water is a feasible option to manage microbial risks in a multi-barrier approach. Current evidence indicates good suitability of biochar filters for microbe removal from wastewater using the hydraulic loading rate (HLR) designed for sand filters, but their suitability has not been tested under on-farm conditions. This study evaluated the combined effect of several variables on removal of microbial indicators from diluted wastewater by biochar filtration on-farm and the correlations between removal efficiency and HLR. Columns of biochar with three different effective particle diameters (d10) were fed with diluted wastewater at 1x, 6x, and 12x the design HLR and two levels of water salinity (electrical conductivity, EC). Influent and effluent samples were collected from the columns and analyzed for bacteriophages (ɸX174 and MS2), Escherichia coli, Enterococcus spp., and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Microbe removal decreased with increasing HLR, from 2 to 4 to 1 log10 for bacteria and from 2 to 0.8 log10 for viruses, while S. cerevisiae removal was unaffected. Effective particle diameter (d10) was the main variable explaining microbe removal at 6x and 12x, while EC had no effect. Correlation analysis showed removal of 2 log10 bacteria and 1 log10 virus at 3x HLR. Thus biochar filters on-farm would not remove significant amounts of bacteria and viruses. However, the design HLR was found to be conservative. These results, and some technical and management considerations identified, can assist in the development of a scientific method for designing biochar filters for on-farm and conventional wastewater treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luis Fernando Perez-Mercado
- Department of Energy and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7032, 75007 Uppsala, Sweden; Center for Water and Environmental Sanitation (Centro de Aguas y Saneamiento Ambiental, CASA), Universidad Mayor de San Simon, Calle Sucre y Parque Latorre, Cochabamba, Bolivia.
| | - Cecilia Lalander
- Department of Energy and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7032, 75007 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Abraham Joel
- Department of Soil and Environment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7014, 75007 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jakob Ottoson
- Department of Risk Benefit Assessment, National Food Agency, 75126 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Sahar Dalahmeh
- Department of Energy and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7032, 75007 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Björn Vinnerås
- Department of Energy and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7032, 75007 Uppsala, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Dalahmeh S, Tirgani S, Komakech AJ, Niwagaba CB, Ahrens L. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in water, soil and plants in wetlands and agricultural areas in Kampala, Uganda. Sci Total Environ 2018; 631-632:660-667. [PMID: 29539594 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.03.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2017] [Revised: 03/02/2018] [Accepted: 03/02/2018] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Occurrence and concentrations of 26 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) were evaluated in wastewater, surface water, soil and crop plants (yam (Dioscorea spp.), maize (Zea mays) and sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum)) in Nakivubo wetland and Lake Victoria at Kampala, Uganda. ∑PFAS concentrations in effluent from Bugolobi wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) were higher (5.6-9.1ngL-1) than in the corresponding influent (3.4-5.1ngL-1), indicating poor removal of PFASs within the WWTP. ∑PFAS concentrations decreased by a factor of approximately five between Nakivubo channel (8.5-12ngL-1) and Lake Victoria (1.0-2.5ngL-1), due to dilution, sorption to sediment and uptake by plants in the wetland. ∑PFAS concentrations were within the range 1700-7900pgg-1 dry weight (dw) in soil and 160pgg-1 dw (maize cobs) to 380pgg-1 dw (sugarcane stems) in plants. The dominant PFASs were perfluorohexanesulfonate (PFHxS) in wastewater, perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) in surface water, perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) in soil and perfluoroheptanoate (PFHpA) and PFOA in different plant tissues, reflecting PFAS-specific partitioning behaviour in different matrices. Soil-water partitioning coefficient (log Kd) in wetland soil under yam was lowest for short-chain PFHxA (1.9-2.3Lkg-1) and increased with increasing chain length to 2.8-3.1Lkg-1 for perfluoroundecanoate (PFUnDA) and 2.8-3.1Lkg-1 for perfluoroctanesulfonate (PFOS). The log Koc values ranged between 2.2 and 3.6Lkg-1, with the highest log Koc estimated for long-chain perfluorocarbon PFASs (i.e. PFUnDA 3.2-3.5Lkg-1 and PFOS 3.2-3.6Lkg-1). The concentration ratio (CR) between plants and soil was <1 for all PFASs and plant species, with the highest CR estimated for PFHpA (0.65-0.67) in sugarcane stem and PFBS (0.53-0.59) in yam root. Overall, this investigation demonstrated PFASs entry into the terrestrial food chain and drinking water resources in Kampala, Uganda. Source identification, assessment of impacts on human health and the environment, and better wastewater treatment technologies are needed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sahar Dalahmeh
- Department of Energy and Technology, Swedish University of Agriculturfal Sciences (SLU), Box 7032, SE 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Sana Tirgani
- Department of Energy and Technology, Swedish University of Agriculturfal Sciences (SLU), Box 7032, SE 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Allan John Komakech
- Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Makerere University, Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Charles B Niwagaba
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Makerere University, Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Lutz Ahrens
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Box 7050, SE 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Cossio C, McConville J, Rauch S, Wilén BM, Dalahmeh S, Mercado A, Romero AM. Wastewater management in small towns - understanding the failure of small treatment plants in Bolivia. Environ Technol 2018; 39:1393-1403. [PMID: 28537128 DOI: 10.1080/09593330.2017.1330364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [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: 02/06/2017] [Accepted: 05/05/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater management in developing countries is a challenge, especially in small towns with rapid population growth. This study aims at assessing the performance and management of five treatment plants (TPs) in rural areas of Cochabamba, Bolivia. Pollutants' concentrations, wastewater flows, hydraulic and organic loads and hydraulic retention times were determined in three small treatment plants (2000-10,000 population equivalent [p.e.]; flow > 432 m3/d) and two very small treatment plants (<2000 p.e.; flow < 432 m3/d). The performance assessment was based on operational parameters, treatment efficiency and effluent quality. Management data were collected through semi-structured interviews with managers of local water associations. The results support that the poor performance of the TPs is due to lack of operational expertise and financial resources for adequate operation and maintenance (O&M). Additionally, effective treatment was affected by the type of technology used and whether the plant design included plans for O&M with available resources. This study contributes to a better understanding of actual operating conditions of wastewater TPs in small towns, thus providing needed information regarding technology selection, design, implementation and operation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Cossio
- a Water Environment Technology, Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering , Chalmers University of Technology , Gothenburg , Sweden
- c Centro de Aguas y Saneamiento Ambiental , Universidad Mayor de San Simón , Cochabamba , Bolivia
| | - Jennifer McConville
- b Environmental Engineering, Department of Energy and Technology , Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) , Uppsala , Sweden
| | - Sebastien Rauch
- a Water Environment Technology, Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering , Chalmers University of Technology , Gothenburg , Sweden
| | - Britt-Marie Wilén
- a Water Environment Technology, Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering , Chalmers University of Technology , Gothenburg , Sweden
| | - Sahar Dalahmeh
- b Environmental Engineering, Department of Energy and Technology , Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) , Uppsala , Sweden
| | - Alvaro Mercado
- c Centro de Aguas y Saneamiento Ambiental , Universidad Mayor de San Simón , Cochabamba , Bolivia
| | - Ana M Romero
- c Centro de Aguas y Saneamiento Ambiental , Universidad Mayor de San Simón , Cochabamba , Bolivia
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Dalahmeh S, Ahrens L, Gros M, Wiberg K, Pell M. Potential of biochar filters for onsite sewage treatment: Adsorption and biological degradation of pharmaceuticals in laboratory filters with active, inactive and no biofilm. Sci Total Environ 2018; 612:192-201. [PMID: 28850838 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.08.178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [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: 07/06/2017] [Revised: 08/16/2017] [Accepted: 08/17/2017] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated the potential of biochar filters as a replacement or complement for sand filters for removal of pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs) from wastewater in onsite sewage facilities (OSSF). Specifically, the study investigated the effects of biodegradation, adsorption and a combination of these processes on removal of four model PhACs from wastewater in biochar filters operated under hydraulic loading conditions mimicking those found in onsite infiltration beds. Concentrations and removal of the four PhACs (i.e. carbamazepine, metoprolol, ranitidine and caffeine) were investigated over 22weeks in four treatments: biochar (BC) with active or inactive biofilm (BC-active-biofilm, BC-inactive-biofilm), biochar without biofilm (BC-no-biofilm) and sand with active biofilm (Sand-active-biofilm). The adsorption of carbamazepine was high in BC-no-biofilm (99% removal after 22weeks), while biodegradation was very low in Sand-active-biofilm (7% removal after 22weeks). Removal of carbamazepine in BC-active-biofilm was high and stable over the 22weeks (>98%), showing a significant role of biofilm in filter biogeneration. However, carbamazepine removal declined over time in BC-inactive-biofilm, from 99% in week 13 to 73% in week 22. Metoprolol was poorly degraded in Sand-active-biofilm (37% after 22weeks), while adsorption seemed to be the major pathway for removal of metoprolol in biochar. Ranitidine and caffeine were efficiently removed by either adsorption (97% and 98%, respectively, after 22weeks) or biodegradation (99% and >99%, respectively, after 22weeks). In conclusion, biochar is a promising filter medium for OSSF, especially for persistent PhACs such as carbamazepine and metoprolol.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sahar Dalahmeh
- Department of Energy and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Box 7032, SE 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Lutz Ahrens
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Box 7050, SE 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Meritxell Gros
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Box 7050, SE 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden; Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), C/Emili Grahit 101, Girona, Spain
| | - Karin Wiberg
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Box 7050, SE 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Mikael Pell
- Department of Molecular Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Box 7015, SE 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Karlsson SC, Langergraber G, Pell M, Dalahmeh S, Vinnerås B, Jönsson H. Simulation and verification of hydraulic properties and organic matter degradation in sand filters for greywater treatment. Water Sci Technol 2015; 71:426-433. [PMID: 25714643 DOI: 10.2166/wst.2015.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
To evaluate the treatment performance of vertical flow sand filters, the HYDRUS wetland module was used to simulate treatment in an experimental set-up. The laboratory filters were intermittently dosed with artificial greywater at a hydraulic loading rate of 0.032 m³ m⁻² day⁻¹ and an organic loading rate of 0.014 kg BOD5 m⁻² day⁻¹. The hydraulic properties of the filter were characterised, as were inflow and outflow concentrations of chemical oxygen demand (COD), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), ammonia, nitrate and total nitrogen. The inverse simulation function of the HYDRUS software was used to calibrate the water flow model. The observed effect of water flowing faster along the column wall was included in the inverse simulations. The biokinetic model was calibrated by fitting heterotrophic biomass growth to measurements of potential respiration rate. Emphasis was put on simulating outflow concentrations of organic pollutants. The simulations were conducted using three models of varying degree of calibration effort and output accuracy. The effluent concentration was 245 mg COD L⁻¹ for the laboratory filters, 134 mg COD mg L⁻¹ for the model excluding wall flow effects and 338 mg COD mg L⁻¹ for the model including wall flow effects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Susanna Ciuk Karlsson
- Department of Energy and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), P.O. Box 7032, Uppsala SE-750 07, Sweden E-mail:
| | - G Langergraber
- Institute for Sanitary Engineering and Water Pollution Control, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU), Muthgasse 18, Vienna A-1190, Austria
| | - M Pell
- Department of Microbiology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), P.O. Box 7032, Uppsala SE-750 07, Sweden
| | - S Dalahmeh
- Department of Energy and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), P.O. Box 7032, Uppsala SE-750 07, Sweden E-mail:
| | - B Vinnerås
- Department of Energy and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), P.O. Box 7032, Uppsala SE-750 07, Sweden E-mail:
| | - H Jönsson
- Department of Energy and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), P.O. Box 7032, Uppsala SE-750 07, Sweden E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Lalander C, Dalahmeh S, Jönsson H, Vinnerås B. Hygienic quality of artificial greywater subjected to aerobic treatment: a comparison of three filter media at increasing organic loading rates. Environ Technol 2013; 34:2657-2662. [PMID: 24527627 PMCID: PMC3827671 DOI: 10.1080/09593330.2013.783603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [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: 11/21/2012] [Revised: 03/04/2013] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
With a growing world population, the lack of reliable water sources is becoming an increasing problem. Reusing greywater could alleviate this problem. When reusing greywater for crop irrigation it is paramount to ensure the removal of pathogenic organisms. This study compared the pathogen removal efficiency of pine bark and activated charcoal filters with that of conventional sand filters at three organic loading rates. The removal efficiency of Escherichia coli O157:H7 decreased drastically when the organic loading rate increased fivefold in the charcoal and sand filters, but increased by 2 log10 in the bark filters. The reduction in the virus model organism coliphage phiX174 remained unchanged with increasing organic loading in the charcoal and sand filters, but increased by 2 log10 in the bark filters. Thus, bark was demonstrated to be the most promising material for greywater treatment in terms of pathogen removal.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Lalander
- Department of Energy and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Sahar Dalahmeh
- Department of Energy and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Håkan Jönsson
- Department of Energy and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Björn Vinnerås
- Department of Energy and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Halalsheh M, Dalahmeh S, Sayed M, Suleiman W, Shareef M, Mansour M, Safi M. Grey water characteristics and treatment options for rural areas in Jordan. Bioresour Technol 2008; 99:6635-6641. [PMID: 18299193 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2007.12.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2006] [Revised: 11/26/2007] [Accepted: 12/01/2007] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Low water consumption in rural areas in Jordan had resulted in the production of concentrated grey water. Average COD, BOD and TSS values were 2568mg/l, 1056mg/l and 845mg/l, respectively. The average grey water generation was measured to be 14L/c.d. Three different treatment options were selected based on certain criterions, and discussed in this article. The examined treatment systems are septic tank followed by intermittent sand filter; septic tank followed by wetlands; and UASB-hybrid reactor. Advantages and disadvantages of each system are presented. It was concluded that UASB-hybrid reactor would be the most suitable treatment option in terms of compactness and simplicity in operation. The volume of UASB-hybrid reactor was calculated to be 0.268m(3) with a surface area of 0.138m(2) for each house having 10 inhabitants on average. Produced effluent is expected to meet Jordanian standards set for reclaimed water reuse in irrigating fruit trees.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Halalsheh
- Water and Environmental Research and Study Center, University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|