scholarly journals Micropollutant-loaded powdered activated carbon released from waste water treatment plants: a risk for sediment-dwelling organisms?

2021 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marion Woermann ◽  
Julios Armand Kontchou ◽  
Bernd Sures
Keyword(s):  
Activated Carbon ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Water Cycle ◽  
Waste Water Treatment ◽  
Additional Treatment ◽  
Powdered Activated Carbon ◽  
Lumbriculus Variegatus ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Global Water Cycle ◽  
Receiving Waters

Abstract Background In order to protect aquatic environments and to reduce the presence of micropollutants in the global water cycle, wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) often implement an additional treatment step. One of the most effective measures is the use of powdered activated carbon (PAC) as an adsorbent for micropollutants. This method provides sufficient elimination rates for several micropollutants and has been successfully employed in many WWTPs. Despite this success, there might be a drawback as the retention of the PAC in the WWTP can be challenging and losses of micropollutant-loaded PAC into the aquatic environment may occur. Upon emission, micropollutant-loaded PAC is expected to settle to the benthic zone of receiving waters, where sediment-dwelling organisms may ingest these particles. Therefore, the present study investigated possible adverse effects of micropollutant-loaded PAC from a WWTP as compared to unloaded (native) and diclofenac-loaded PAC on the sediment-dwelling annelid Lumbriculus variegatus. Results Native PAC induced the strongest effects on growth (measured as biomass) and reproduction of the annelids. The corresponding medium effective concentrations (EC50) were 1.7 g/kg and 1.8 g/kg, respectively. Diclofenac-loaded PAC showed lower effects with an EC50 of 2.5 g/kg for growth and EC50 of 3.0 g/kg for reproduction. Although tested at the same concentrations, the micropollutant-loaded PAC from the WWTP did not lead to obvious negative effects on the endpoints investigated for L.variegatus and only a slight trend of a reduced growth was detected. Conclusion We did not detect harmful effects on L. variegatus caused by the presence of MP-loaded PAC from a WWTP which gives an auspicious perspective for PAC as an advanced treatment option.

scholarly journals A Review on the Removal of Carbamazepine from Aqueous Solution by Using Activated Carbon and Biochar

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (21) ◽  
pp. 11760
Author(s):  
María Alejandra Décima ◽  
Simone Marzeddu ◽  
Margherita Barchiesi ◽  
Camilla Di Marcantonio ◽  
Agostina Chiavola ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Activated Carbon ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Water Cycle ◽  
Drinking Water Treatment ◽  
Physicochemical Characteristics ◽  
Operational Conditions ◽  
Adsorption Processes ◽  
Increasing Temperature ◽  
Water Treatments ◽  
Kinetics And Isotherms

Carbamazepine (CBZ), one of the most used pharmaceuticals worldwide and a Contaminant of Emerging Concern, represents a potential risk for the environment and human health. Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are a significant source of CBZ to the environment, polluting the whole water cycle. In this review, the CBZ presence and fate in the urban water cycle are addressed, with a focus on adsorption as a possible solution for its removal. Specifically, the scientific literature on CBZ removal by activated carbon and its possible substitute Biochar, is comprehensively scanned and summed up, in view of increasing the circularity in water treatments. CBZ adsorption onto activated carbon and biochar is analyzed considering several aspects, such as physicochemical characteristics of the adsorbents, operational conditions of the adsorption processes and adsorption kinetics and isotherms models. WWTPs usually show almost no removal of CBZ (even negative), whereas removal is witnessed in drinking water treatment plants through advanced treatments (even >90%). Among these, adsorption is considered one of the preferable methods, being economical and easier to operate. Adsorption capacity of CBZ is influenced by the characteristics of the adsorbent precursors, pyrolysis temperature and modification or activation processes. Among operational conditions, pH shows low influence on the process, as CBZ has no charge in most pH ranges. Differently, increasing temperature and rotational speed favor the adsorption of CBZ. The presence of other micro-contaminants and organic matter decreases the CBZ adsorption due to competition effects. These results, however, concern mainly laboratory-scale studies, hence, full-scale investigations are recommended to take into account the complexity of the real conditions.

scholarly journals Reuse of effluent discharged from tannery wastewater treatment plants by powdered activated carbon and ultrafiltration combined reverse osmosis system

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 97-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Am Jang ◽  
Jong-Tae Jung ◽  
Hayoung Kang ◽  
Hyung-Soo Kim ◽  
Jong-Oh Kim
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Activated Carbon ◽  
Reverse Osmosis ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Powdered Activated Carbon ◽  
Tannery Wastewater ◽  
Combined System ◽  
Treatment Processes

We evaluate the applicability of a reverse osmosis (RO) system that combines powdered activated carbon (PAC) and ultrafiltration (UF) to treat the effluent discharged from tannery wastewater treatment plants. Conventional treatment processes such as neutralization, clariflocculation, and biological processes are used to clean the effluent before feeding to the PAC and UF combined RO system. The efficiency of the combined system was evaluated using the chemical oxygen demand Mn (CODMn), color, pH, turbidity, total nitrogen, total phosphate, and conductivity. The PAC was effective in greatly reducing the CODMn and color. The turbidity and silt density index of the UF permeate satisfied the water quality indices required for the RO feed. The RO system was constantly maintained at approximately 75% RO recovery, and the RO permeate satisfied the water quality requirements for reusing the processed water. Therefore, the PAC-UF combined RO system can be used to process effluent discharged from tannery wastewater treatment plants for reuse.

Recirculation of powdered activated carbon for the adsorption of dyes in municipal wastewater treatment plants

1999 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 191-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Nicolet ◽  
U. Rott
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Activated Carbon ◽  
Municipal Wastewater ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Great Part ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Powdered Activated Carbon ◽  
Municipal Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Positive Side ◽  
Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants

The use and recirculation of powdered activated carbon (PAC) as an advanced treatment for colour removal in municipal wastewater treatment plants is presented. Studied wastewaters consist of domestic effluents with a high portion of dyehouse residual waters. The particularity of the treatment is that PAC is not disposed of before being recirculated several times. Therefore, it enables the use of a great part of the total adsorption capacity of the PAC. A positive side effect is that halogenated and refractory organic compounds, which are not degraded by micro-organisms in a conventional municipal wastewater treatment plant, are removed too. This paper describes results which were obtained in batch experiments and in a pilot plant during two years of observation, and concludes with advantages and drawbacks of this technology.

scholarly journals Sustainable Wastewater Treatment Using Electrocoagulation Process Coupled With Powdered Activated Carbon

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Farooq Sher ◽  
Sania Zafar Iqbal ◽  
Tahir Rasheed ◽  
Kashif Hanif ◽  
Jasmina Sulejmanović ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Activated Carbon ◽  
Pilot Plant ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Thermal Analyses ◽  
Powdered Activated Carbon ◽  
Volume Index ◽  
Electrochemical Technique ◽  
Operational Parameters ◽  
Sedimentation Tank

Abstract In this research an electrochemical technique in combination with powdered activated carbon (PAC) for the removal of micropollutants by adsorption as an advanced stage purification step from effluents of pilot plant wastewater treatment plants (WWTP). The effluents of sedimentation tank comprised of wastewater plus PAC (WWPAC). The pilot plant mainly consists of two parts; the first one consists of electrocoagulation (EC) reactor and the second consists of electrophoretic deposition (EPD) discs and electroflotation (EF) setup. The electrocoagulation (EC) reactor is a fiber box consisting of two chambers and thirty four plates of one material (either Fe or Al) on the whole in one EC reactor while one cell has seventeen plates. Both types of electrodes have been tested with the outflow of sedimentation tank. The outflow from the sedimentation tank has been entered into the EC reactor for the determination of EC reactor efficacy for the successful accomplishment of EC process at the designed pilot plant for WW treatment. The effect of different operational parameters; PAC dosage (20 mg), electrode nature (Fe and Al), current density (0.34–2.02 A/m2) has been studied to find out the optimum conditions. Sludge volume index (SVI) of the sludge, thermogravimetric (TG), differential thermal analyses (DTA) and particle size distribution (PSD) of the flocs generated after the EC process has also been studied. The turbidity, pH and conductivity of effluents before and after EC treatment has also been carried out. This pilot plant research gave promising results for future work in advance wastewater treatment direction.

scholarly journals Is micropollutant-loaded powdered activated carbon from a wastewater treatment plant toxic to the bivalve Corbicula sp.?

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marion Woermann ◽  
Sonja Zimmermann ◽  
Bernd Sures
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Activated Carbon ◽  
Filtration Rate ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Water System ◽  
Aquatic Organisms ◽  
Exposure Period ◽  
Additional Treatment ◽  
Powdered Activated Carbon ◽  
Negative Consequences

Abstract Background In order to reduce emissions of micropollutants (MPs) via effluents of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), additional treatment steps are suggested and already deployed in selected WWTPs. Next to advanced oxidation processes, the application of powdered activated carbon (PAC) is considered a promising and suitable option as MP removal rates of 80% and more can be achieved. However, this method might also hold a drawback as a complete retention of PAC applied within the WWTP cannot always be guaranteed. Hence, small amounts of MP-loaded PAC can enter receiving waters with potentially negative consequences for aquatic organisms. The present study investigated possible effects of MP-loaded PAC from a WWTP as compared to unloaded, native PAC on the bivalve Corbicula sp. in a 10-week exposure experiment. The PAC types were administered in concentrations of 1, 10 and 100 mg/L in a semi-static sediment–water system. Results Molecular biomarker responses for xenobiotic metabolism (i.e., glutathione-S-transferase (GST)) and oxidative stress (i.e., catalase (CAT) activity and lipid peroxidation) were analyzed and in none of the treatments, significant differences to the control could be detected, except for the CAT activity in the 1 mg/L PACWWTP treatment. Moreover, the filtration rate of individual bivalves was measured after 5 and 10 weeks of exposure and compared to the initial filtration rate with the result that the presence of PAC did not affect the filtration rate of Corbicula sp. In summary, despite the selection of sensitive endpoints and a comparatively long exposure period, no significant effects were detected for unloaded and MP-loaded PAC even at the highest test concentration, which is far away from environmental relevance. Conclusions These results give an auspicious perspective for the application of PAC in WWTPs. Even when small PAC leakages from WWTPs occur, adverse effects for aquatic organisms appear to be neglectable based on our findings.

Adsorption of Diclofenac, Sulfamethoxazole and Levofloxacin with Powdered Activated Carbon

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erki Lember ◽  
Karin Pachel ◽  
Enn Loigu
Keyword(s):  
Activated Carbon ◽  
Residence Time ◽  
Biological Treatment ◽  
Treatment Process ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Adsorption Property ◽  
Powdered Activated Carbon ◽  
Pharmaceutical Residues ◽  
Adsorption Processes ◽  
Global Concern

The presence of pharmaceutical residues in the receiving waterbodies of wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) and in the environment has become a global concern. We can now say for certain that, having metabolised in our bodies, partially modified or unmodified pharmaceuticals will reach WWTP. However, WWTP are not designed for the removal of such com-pounds. Only a small fraction of pharmaceuticals decompose during biological treatment or are adsorbed in sediment. There-fore, it is essential to find a treatment process that is capable of removing pharmaceutical residues. The aim of the present study was to research the removal of three pharmaceuticals found in the environment, namely diclofenac (DCF), sulfamethoxazole (SMX) and levofloxacin (LFX), through the use of powdered activated carbon (PAC). To this end, adsorption tests were con-ducted where the adsorption capacity was estimated according to the adsorbent dose and the residence time of the process. LFX had the highest adsorption rate: the removal effectiveness was 77% in a residence time of 5 minutes and in 60 minutes a stable indicator was achieved whereby 94% of LFX had become adsorbed. The worst adsorption property was observed for SMX, as 68% of SMX was adsorbed in a residence time of 60 minutes. According to the conducted tests, the Freundlich adsorption isotherms and constants characterising the adsorption were found where the DCF K was 23.8, the SMX K was 34.3 and the LFX K was 106.1. This test demonstrated that the pharmaceuticals selected for the experiment could easily be subjected to adsorption processes and could be removed by means of PAC.

A parallel optimisation of adsorption and regeneration properties of activated biochars for wastewater treatment

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Wurzer ◽  
Pierre Oesterle ◽  
Stina Jansson ◽  
Ondrej Masek
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Activated Carbon ◽  
Adsorption Capacity ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Functional Materials ◽  
Additional Treatment ◽  
Treatment Temperature ◽  
Research Centre ◽  
Maximum Adsorption Capacity ◽  
Hydrothermal Conditions

<p>The emergence of micropollutants, such as pharmaceuticals in wastewater, presents a potential risk for human health as well as the aquatic environment. Current wastewater treatment plants are generally not capable of removing these pollutants without additional treatment steps. Adsorption on activated carbon is an effective way to remove these contaminants, however, the use of non-renewable feedstocks as well as low regeneration efficiencies increase the environmental costs of this method<sup>1</sup>. Biochar as a renewable carbon platform material can be specifically designed to overcome these drawbacks<sup>2</sup>.</p><p>This study is aimed at designing activated mineral biochar composites with enhanced adsorption capacity for pharmaceuticals while simultaneously optimising their regeneration performance. Two standard biochars from the UK Biochar Research Centre produced at 550°C from softwood and wheat straw were activated in CO<sub>2</sub> at 800°C. Additionally, activated mineral biochar composites were produced by the addition of ochre – a Fe-rich mining waste – prior to pyrolysis and activation.</p><p>The activated biochars and activated mineral biochar composites were analysed for their maximum adsorption capacity for two micropollutants - caffeine and fluconazole - and compared to a commercial activated carbon as a reference material. While the activated carbon outperformed all biochar samples, the addition of ochre increased the performance of the activated biochar samples. The regeneration performance was tested in a subsequent experiment. The materials were first loaded with a mix of 10 pharmaceuticals covering antibiotics, fungicides and antidepressants. The loaded biochars were then subjected to a novel regeneration method directly utilising wet adsorbents in contrast to common methods requiring prior drying. Similar to a powerful pressure cooker, solvolytic conversion conditions of water at temperatures ranging from 160 to 320°C and elevated pressures of 15 to 120 bar were used to regenerate the biochars. Hydrothermal treatment at 320°C was found to successfully degrade the adsorbed micropollutants across all biochars. The mineral biochar composites showed increased pollutant degradation most likely due to the catalytic effects of Fe in hydrothermal conditions, lowering the necessary treatment temperature to 280°C.</p><p>The results show that while designing biochar for certain applications, a simultaneous focus on both the application as well as the regeneration of the material can give a more comprehensive picture of the overall requirements for further optimisation of biochar adsorbents.</p><p> </p><ol><li>Thompson, K. A. et al. Environmental Comparison of Biochar and Activated Carbon for Tertiary Wastewater Treatment. Environ. Sci. Technol. (2016). doi:10.1021/acs.est.6b03239</li> <li>Liu, W. J., Jiang, H. & Yu, H. Q. Development of Biochar-Based Functional Materials: Toward a Sustainable Platform Carbon Material. Chem. Rev. <strong>115,</strong> 12251–12285 (2015).</li> </ol>

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