scholarly journals Structural diversity of organic contaminants in sewage sludge: a comparison of sewage fingerprints from Germany and China

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann-Kathrin Wluka ◽  
Yuehua Huang ◽  
Laura Coenen ◽  
Larissa Dsikowitzky ◽  
Jan Schwarzbauer

AbstractSewage sludge is formed during wastewater treatment and in recent years, the amount of sewage sludge increased rapidly all over the world. This sewage sludge is attractive for usage in agriculture as an inexpensive nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer. However, there is only very limited knowledge about the spectrum of organic pollutants that might occur in sewage sludge and is probably posing a threat to the environment. We therefore conducted GC–MS based non-target screening analyses in order to identify a wide spectrum of organic contaminants in sludge samples from several wastewater treatment plants and to figure out corresponding finger-prints of pollution. The plants are located in Germany and China and have various capacities ranging from 35,000 to 1.1 million population equivalents. The special focus was to reveal information on the structural variety of individual organic compounds in sludge samples from the two countries. Several emerging pollutants including some fragrances, pharmaceutical educts, vitaminoids, technical additives were identified accompanied by compounds of biogenic origin. Some of these compounds have rarely been reported as constituents of sewage sludge to date and, consequently, are relevant candidates for more specific assessments including the ecotoxicological long-term effects. Based on the results of this study, it seems mandatory to establish non-target screening analyses on a regularly base as a tool for a comprehensive identification of the variety of anthropogenic organic constituents. Following, such contaminant spectrum can act as basis for further environmental risk assessments as well as to provide individual fingerprints for evaluation of impacts on ecosystems.

2017 ◽  
Vol 76 (4) ◽  
pp. 832-846 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann-Kathrin Wluka ◽  
Laura Coenen ◽  
Jan Schwarzbauer

There is a lack of knowledge in environmental pollution of the anthropogenic contaminants in wastewater and surface water. Several organic compounds merit special attention, because of their potential risk to the aquatic environment. Therefore, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry-based screening analyses were performed in order to identify anthropogenic organic contaminants and to reveal information on the structural diversity of individual compounds and to characterize their environmental behavior. Wastewater samples from wastewater treatment plants in Germany, representing various capacities, and surface water samples from corresponding receiving waters were analyzed. Numerous substances were identified in the samples. Several compounds were treated inadequately during wastewater treatment, and their identification in surface waters highlights their potential impact on the aquatic environment. Contaminants were selected according to available information about their environmental relevance (e.g. persistence, bioaccumulation potential), their possible application or usage and their occurrence within the environment. Based on the results of this study, it is recommended that non-target screening analyses be undertaken to identify the structural diversity of anthropogenic organic contaminants and that further investigations of specific anthropogenic compounds be undertaken as a high priority.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Małgorzata Jadwiga Kacprzak

Abstract Introduction of the circular economy package as a result of the necessity to protect natural resources has also forced a new approach for effective wastewater and biowaste treatment and management. Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) have become crucial elements of regional bioeconomy - mainly through energy (waste to energy) and matter (nutrients-energy-water) recovery as an element of sustainable development of a smart city. In Poland in 2019 operated 3278 municipal wastewater treatment plants. To achieve specific effluent goals for BOD, nitrogen and phosphorus, different adaptations and modifications have been made. Modernization of technological lines of wastewater treatment has led to a significant improvement in the quality of treated sewage, at the largest WWTPs in Warsaw, Cracow or Gdansk. Eleven WWTPs produce approx. 34% of the total volume of approx. 337 GWh of electricity from biogas in Poland. The potential of producing electricity from biogas in WWTPs in Poland can be estimated at approx. 700–850 GWh per year. According to the data of the Statistics Poland in 2019 in Poland approx. 25% of sewage sludge was used directly in agriculture and for land reclamation. Simultaneously more than 100 WWTPs produce compost at high quality. However only few produce organic/organic-mineral fertilizers, mainly with addition of calcium.


2008 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Luchien Luning ◽  
Paul Roeleveld ◽  
Victor W.M. Claessen

In recent years new technologies have been developed to improve the biological degradation of sewage sludge by anaerobic digestion. The paper describes the results of a demonstration of ultrasonic disintegration on the Dutch Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) Land van Cuijk. The effect on the degradation of organic matter is presented, together with the effect on the dewatering characteristics. Recommendations are presented for establishing research conditions in which the effect of sludge disintegration can be determined in a more direct way that is less sensitive to changing conditions in the operation of the WWTP. These recommendations have been implemented in the ongoing research in the Netherlands supported by the National Institute for wastewater research (STOWA).


1990 ◽  
Vol 22 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 53-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Rabinowitz ◽  
T. D. Vassos ◽  
R. N. Dawson ◽  
W. K. Oldham

A brief review of recent developments in biological nitrogen and phosphorus removal technology is presented. Guidelines are outlined of how current understanding of these two removal mechanisms can be applied in the upgrading of existing wastewater treatment plants for biological nutrient removal. A case history dealing with the upgrading of the conventional activated sludge process located at Penticton, British Columbia, to a biological nutrient removal facility with a design flow of 18,200 m3/day (4.0 IMGD) is presented as a design example. Process components requiring major modification were the headworks, bioreactors and sludge handling facilities.


Chemosphere ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 66 (2) ◽  
pp. 353-361 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiayin Dai ◽  
Muqi Xu ◽  
Jiping Chen ◽  
Xiangping Yang ◽  
Zhenshan Ke

2003 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 529-542
Author(s):  
Olfat El-Sebaie ◽  
Ahmed Hussein ◽  
Mohamed Ramadan ◽  
Magda Abd El-Atty ◽  
Helaly Helaly

2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 154-163 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Berthod ◽  
G. Roberts ◽  
A. Sharpe ◽  
D. C. Whitley ◽  
R. Greenwood ◽  
...  

Understanding the partitioning behaviour of active pharmaceutical ingredients between sludge and aqueous phases in wastewater treatment plants is important for environmental regulation.


Author(s):  
Daniela CIUPEANU CĂLUGĂRU

For turning to a high degree of favorability of sludge from wastewater treatment plants, currently the reintroduction in the natural circuit of this waste is an urgent priority. Knowing precisely the composition of chemical and biological sludge from waste water in accordance with the law and the rules of their application, along with modern wastewater treatment appropriate technologies play a key role on environmental protection. Involvement by precise rules, the content of heavy metals in relation to the maximum permitted by law, translate in to particularly advantageous results in terms of environmental quality.


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