scholarly journals Adding the Mureş River Basin (Transylvania, Romania) to the List of Hotspots with High Contamination with Pharmaceuticals

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (23) ◽  
pp. 10197
Author(s):  
Alexandru Burcea ◽  
Ioana Boeraş ◽  
Claudia-Maria Mihuţ ◽  
Doru Bănăduc ◽  
Claudiu Matei ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
River Basin ◽  
Hazard Quotient ◽  
Organic Pollutant ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Pharmaceutical Compounds ◽  
Emerging Pollutants ◽  
Logarithmic Scale ◽  
Limit Of Quantification ◽  
Wwtp Effluent ◽  
Pharmaceutical Contamination

Background: The Mureș River Basin is a long-term heavily polluted watershed, in a situation of climate changes with decreasing water flow and related decreasing dilution capacity. Here, a mixture of emerging pollutants such as pharmaceuticals were targeted to reveal potential risks regarding the natural lotic ecosystems. Due to the continuous discharge into the environment, pharmaceuticals are gaining persistent organic pollutant characteristics and are considered emerging pollutants. Based on the hazard quotient, this research highlights the dangerous concentrations of carbamazepine, ibuprofen, furosemide, and enalapril in river water. Results: High levels of four pharmaceutical compounds (carbamazepine, ibuprofen, furosemide, and enalapril) and some of their derived metabolites (enalaprilat, carboxyibuprofen, 1-hydroxyibuprofen, and 2-hydroxyibuprofen) were reported in our study in the Mureș River Basin. Overall, pharmaceutical concentrations were found to be highest in the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluent, median downstream of the WWTP, and lowest upstream of the WWTP, as was expected. For all pharmaceutical compounds tested, we recorded concentrations above the limit of quantification (LOQ) in at least one of the sites tested. Carbamazepine exhibited the highest mean values upstream, downstream, and at the WWTP. As expected, the highest concentrations for all the studied pharmaceutical compounds were detected in the WWTP effluent. All Hazard Quotient (HQ) values were below one (on a logarithmic scale in base 10), with the highest values in the WWTP and the lowest in the river upstream of the WWTP. The HQ intervals were in the same range for furosemide, carbamazepine, and ibuprofen at each of the three different sites: upstream WWTP effluent, and downstream. The interval for enalapril stands out as having the lowest HQ at all three sites. Conclusions: Based on these results, the large and complex hydrographical system Mureș River Basin was transformed from a grey area, with little information about pharmaceutical contamination, to a hotspot in terms of contamination with emerging pollutants. Pharmaceutical compound concentrations were found to be the highest in WWTP effluents. The WWTP effluent concentrations were among the highest in Europe, indicating that treatment plants are the primary source of water pollution with pharmaceuticals compounds. The detected levels were higher than the safety limit for carbamazepine and ibuprofen. The determined HQ values imply that the measured levels do pose a threat to the environment for the studied pharmaceuticals. Based on the obtained results, human communities can assess, monitor, predict, and adapt in time to these already-present regional challenges and risks for sustainable use of natural resources, including water and associated products and services.

Influence of Excess Biological Sludge Disintegration Processes on Pharmaceutical Compounds, Hormones and PAH Concentrations from Anaerobic Stabilized Sludge

2020 ◽  
Vol 71 (6) ◽  
pp. 346-354
Author(s):  
Ioana Alexandra Ionescu ◽  
Viorel Patroescu ◽  
Mihai Stefanescu ◽  
Vasile Iancu ◽  
Florentina Laura Chiriac ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons ◽  
Aromatic Hydrocarbons ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Pharmaceutical Compounds ◽  
Emerging Pollutants ◽  
Urban Wastewater ◽  
Biological Sludge ◽  
Polycyclic Aromatic ◽  
Urban Wastewater Treatment

This paper shows the influence of certain biological sludge disintegration processes over the concentrations of emerging pollutants, including classes of structurally different compounds such as pharmaceuticals, hormones and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from anaerobic stabilized sludge. Three processes for sludge disintegration were tested: ultrasonic, ultrasonic + electrokinetic and ultrasonic + electrokinetic + microbubble generation. Activated sludge from an urban wastewater treatment plant was used in the experiments. Both pharmaceuticals from the analgesic and antipyretic classes, as well as the identified hormones (estrone) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), were sensitive to the disintegration processes applied, the experimental results showing the decrease of their concentration correlated with the increase of the disintegration energy.

Applying Probabilistic Water Quality Standards in River Basin Water Quality Optimization Models

1974 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-29
Author(s):  
M. B. Bayer
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
River Basin ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Minimum Cost ◽  
Water Quality Standards ◽  
Quality Optimization ◽  
Basin Water ◽  
Do Concentration ◽  
Water Quality Models

Abstract This paper describes a method of applying probabilistic DO (dissolved oxygen) and BOD (biochemical oxygen demand) standards in river basin water quality models. Maximum likelihood estimators for the DO and BOD concentrations variances for each reach are used to obtain a lower bound for BOD so that the probability of violating specified DO and BOD standards is less than Θ per cent in any reach. These boundary values for DO and BOD concentrations are incorporated into a nonlinear water quality optimization model for finding the minimum cost set of wastewater treatment plant efficiencies required to meet DO and BOD standards. The method also provides the minimum DO concentration and the maximum BOD concentration which may be expected to occur 1-Θ of the time for any reach.

Factorial Design Optimisation of Solid Phase Extraction for Preconcentration of Parabens in Wastewater Using Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 436-446
Author(s):  
Vallerie A. Muckoya ◽  
Philiswa N. Nomngongo ◽  
Jane C. Ngila
Keyword(s):  
Solid Phase Extraction ◽  
Formic Acid ◽  
Factorial Design ◽  
Solid Phase ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Phase Extraction ◽  
Limit Of Quantification ◽  
Analytical Technique ◽  
Relative Standard ◽  
Simulated Wastewater

Background: Parabens are synthetic esters used extensively as preservatives and/or bactericides in personal care personal products. Objective: Development and validation of a novel robust chemometric assisted analytical technique with superior analytical performances for the determination of ethylparaben, methylparaben and propylparaben, using simulated wastewater matrix. Methods: An automated Solid Phase Extraction (SPE) method coupled with liquid chromatographymass spectrometry was applied in this study. A gradient elution programme comprising of 0.1% formic acid in deionised water (A) and 0.1% formic acid in Methanol (B) was employed on a 100 x 2.1 mm, 3.0 μm a particle size biphenyl column. Two-level (2k) full factorial design coupled with response surface methodology was used for optimisation and investigation of SPE experimental variables that had the most significant outcome of the analytical response. Results: According to the analysis of variance (ANOVA), sample pH and eluent volume were statistically the most significant parameters. The method developed was validated for accuracy, precision, Limits of Detection (LOD) and Limit of Quantification (LOQ) and linearity. The LOD and LOQ established under those optimised conditions varied between 0.04-0.12 μgL−1 and 0.14-0.40 μgL−1 respectively. The use of matrix-matched external calibration provided extraction recoveries between 78-128% with relative standard deviations at 2-11% for two spike levels (10 and 100 μgL-1) in three different water matrices (simulated wastewater, influent and effluent water). Conclusion: The newly developed method was applied successfully to the analyses of parabens in wastewater samples at different sampling points of a wastewater treatment plant, revealing concentrations of up to 3 μgL−1.

Model-based comparison of two ways to enhance WWTP capacity under stormwater conditions

2009 ◽  
Vol 60 (7) ◽  
pp. 1875-1883 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Ahnert ◽  
J. Tränckner ◽  
N. Günther ◽  
S. Hoeft ◽  
P. Krebs
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Combined Sewer Overflows ◽  
Worst Case ◽  
Wwtp Effluent ◽  
Combined Sewer ◽  
Total Ammonia ◽  
Rain Events ◽  
Simulated Time ◽  
Simulated Time Series ◽  
Receiving Water

Two different approaches to increase the fraction of combined water treated in the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) which would otherwise contribute to combined sewer overflows (CSO) are presented and compared based on modelling results with regard to their efficiencies during various rain events. The first option is to generally increase the WWTP inflow according to its actual capacity rather than pre-setting a maximum that applies to worst case loading. In the second option the WWTP inflow is also increased, however, the extra inflow of combined water is bypassing the activated sludge tank and directly discharged to the secondary clarifier. Both approaches have their advantages. For the simulated time series with various rain events, the reduction of total COD load from CSOs and WWTP effluent discharged to the receiving water was up to 20% for both approaches. The total ammonia load reduction was between 6% for the bypass and 11% for inflow increase. A combination of both approaches minimises the adverse effects and the overall emission to the receiving water.

Source apportionment of riverine nitrogen transport based on catchment modelling

1996 ◽  
Vol 33 (4-5) ◽  
pp. 109-115 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hans B. Wittgren ◽  
Berit Arheimer
Keyword(s):  
Source Apportionment ◽  
River Basin ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Arable Land ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
River Mouth ◽  
Point Sources ◽  
Nitrogen Transport ◽  
Total N ◽  
Management Measures

Source apportionment of river substance transport, i.e. estimation of how much each source in each subbasin contributes to the river-mouth transport, is a vital step in achieving the most efficient management practices to reduce pollutant loads to the sea. In this study, the spatially lumped (at sub-catchment level), semi-empirical PULSE hydrological model, with a nitrogen routine coupled to it, was used to perform source apportionment of nitrogen transport in the Söderköpingsån river basin (882 km2) in south-eastern Sweden, for the period 1991–93. The river basin was divided into 28 subbasins and the following sources were considered: land leakage from the categories forest, arable and ley/pasture; point sources, and; atmospheric deposition on lake surfaces. The calibrated model yielded an explained variance of 60%, based on comparison of measured and modelled river nitrogen (Total N) concentrations. Eight subbasins, with net contributions to the river-mouth transport exceeding 3 kg ha−1 yr−1, were identified as the most promising candidates for cost efficient nitrogen management. The other 20 subbasins all had net contributions below 3 kg ha−1 yr−1. Arable land contributed 63% of the nitrogen transport at the river mouth and would thus be in focus for management measures. However, point sources (18% contribution to net transport) should also be considered due to their relatively high accessibility for removal measures (high concentrations). E.g., the most downstream subbasin, with the largest wastewater treatment plant in the whole river basin, had a net contribution of 16 kg ha−1 yr−1. This method for source apportionment may provide authorities with quantitative information about where in a river basin, and at which sources, they should focus their attention. However, once this is done, an analysis with higher resolution has to be performed in each of the interesting subbasins, before decisions on actual management measures can be taken.

scholarly journals Microplastics Removal from Treated Wastewater by a Biofilter

Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 1085 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fan Liu ◽  
Nadia Nord ◽  
Kai Bester ◽  
Jes Vollertsen
Keyword(s):  
Particle Number ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Complete Removal ◽  
Pilot Scale ◽  
Particle Mass ◽  
Treated Wastewater ◽  
Secondary Effluent ◽  
Global Environmental Issue ◽  
Wwtp Effluent ◽  
Global Environmental

Microplastic (MP) pollution is a global environmental issue, and traditionally treated wastewater has been identified as a source of land-based microplastics into the aquatic environment. This study evaluated the performance of a pilot-scale biofilter to polish wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluent before it enters the environment. The filter was divided into four zones, allowing the concentration of microplastics to be followed through the filter. It was fed with secondary effluent from a conventional WWTP in Denmark. The raw effluent from the WWTP contained 917 items m−3 which corresponded to a mass concentration of 24.8 µg m−3. After the top layer of the biofilter, the concentration had decreased to a median value of 197 item m−3 and 2.8 µg m−3, indicating an overall removal efficiency of 79% in terms of particle number and 89% in terms of particle mass. We also observed a tendency that MP of larger size and higher particle mass were more likely to be retained. After the last filtration zone, all MP larger than 100 µm had been removed. The results of this study demonstrate that biofilters are able to lower the MP abundance in treated wastewater significantly, but a complete removal is not ensured, hence some MP, particularly small-sized ones, can still be discharged into the receiving environment.

scholarly journals Application of aerated submerged spongebed biofilter for raw water pre-treatment in drinking water installation

2019 ◽  
Vol 270 ◽  
pp. 04008
Author(s):  
Margareta Novia Asih Christami ◽  
Setyo Sarwanto Moersidik ◽  
El Khobar M Nazech ◽  
Yenny Silvia
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Government Regulation ◽  
Organic Pollutant ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Drinking Water Treatment ◽  
Treatment Recommendation ◽  
Raw Water ◽  
Total Phosphate ◽  
Drinking Water Standard ◽  
Pre Treatment

Pesanggrahan River has been contaminated by domestic wastewater. High contamination of Pesanggrahan River with the maximum observed TSS (243,8 mg/L), COD (165,2 mg/L), Total Phosphate (0,74 mg/L), and NH3-N (1,04 mg/L) has exceeded the Raw Water for Drinking Water standard based on Government Regulation Number 82 the Year 2001. Aerated Submerged Sponge-bed Biofilter can be proposed as pre-treatment recommendation for Drinking Water Treatment Plant processing due to its environment-friendly property and ability to reduce the organic pollutant. A lab-scale experiment with the modified volume of 15% media was applied in a 6L reactor with 7 L/min oxygen supply. Retention time variation was evaluated at 1, 1,5, and 2 hours. It was found that the highest removal efficiency occurred at HRT 1,5 hours with the reduction capability of 75,5±0,12% TSS; 59,1±0,14% COD; 57,1±0,27% Total Phosphate; and 45,5±0,37% NH3-N. On the same HRT (1,5 hours), ammonia reduction obtained at k(0-order)= 0,005 g/m2day. This biofilter also decreased the optimum coagulant (PAC) concentration needed.

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