Spatial distribution and mass loading of phthalate esters in wastewater treatment plants in China: An assessment of human exposure

2013 ◽

Vol 864-867 ◽

pp. 926-929

Author(s):

Ying Wang ◽

Yue Li ◽

Zhi Hao Wen ◽

Li Zao Liu

Keyword(s):

Wastewater Treatment ◽

Sewage Sludge ◽

Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽

Phthalate Esters ◽

Average Concentration ◽

Mass Loading ◽

Commercial Products ◽

The World ◽

Sludge Application

The widely use of phthalate esters (PAEs) in both industry and commercial products leads to their ubiquitous existence in the environment. In this study, sewage samples were collected from Several wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in Shanghai, China to investigate the levels and profiles of PAEs. Of the 16 PAEs, DMP, DEP, DnBP, DiBP, DCHP, DEHP, DnNP and DnOP were present in all sludge samples. DEHP and DnBP are found to be the dominant PAEs in sludge, and the average concentration of DEHP in this study is at a medium magnitude in the world. Following sludge application in farmland, the annual mass loading of PAEs is up to 32,000 kg. However, further studies are needed to explore the metabolites of PAEs in sludge since they are easily biodegraded in WWTP process.

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Comparison of Biodegradation of Fats and Oils by Activated Sludge on Experimental and Real Scales

Water ◽

10.3390/w11061286 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (6) ◽

pp. 1286 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Pedro Cisterna-Osorio ◽

Patricia Arancibia-Avila

Keyword(s):

Wastewater Treatment ◽

Activated Sludge ◽

Wastewater Treatment Plant ◽

Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽

Treatment Plant ◽

Fats And Oils ◽

Mass Loading ◽

Physical Treatment ◽

Treatment Unit ◽

Wastewater Treatment Systems

Fats and oils are the most common pollutants in wastewater, and are usually eliminated through physical processes in wastewater treatment plants, generating large amounts of fats and residual oils that are difficult to dispose of and handle. The degradation of fatty wastewater was studied in a real wastewater treatment plant and a laboratory scale treatment unit. The wastewater treatment plant, located in Chile, was designed for a population of 200,000 inhabitants. It includes an aerobic digester that receives fat and oils retained in a degreaser and treats the fats and oils together with biomass. The biodegradation of fats and oils was analyzed in both wastewater treatment systems. Key parameters were monitored such as the concentration of fats and oils in the influents and effluents, mass loading, and the efficiency of biodegradation. The mass loading range was similar in both wastewater treatment systems. In the experimental activated sludge plant, the biodegradation of fats and oils reached levels in the range of 64% to 75%. For the wastewater treatment plant with an aerobic digester, the levels of biodegradation of fats and oils ranged from 69% to 92%. Therefore, considering the efficiency of the elimination of fats and oils, the results indicated that physical treatment should be replaced with biological treatment so that the CO2 generated by the biodegradation will be incorporated into the carbon cycle and the mass of fats and oils in landfills will be reduced.

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