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Newell ME, Babbrah A, Aravindan A, Rathnam R, Kiernan R, Driver EM, Bowes DA, Halden RU. Prevalence rates of neurodegenerative diseases versus human exposures to heavy metals across the United States. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 928:172260. [PMID: 38583622 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
Novel means are needed to identify individuals and subpopulations susceptible to and afflicted by neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs). This study aimed to utilize geographic distribution of heavy metal sources and sinks to investigate a potential human health risk of developing NDDs. Known or hypothesized environmental factors driving disease prevalence of Alzheimer's Disease (AD), Parkinson's Disease (PD), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are heavy metals, including arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), manganese (Mn) and mercury (Hg). Lead (Pb) has been associated with AD and ALS. Analyzable mediums of human exposure to heavy metals (i.e., toxic metals and metalloids), or proxies thereof, include infant blood, topsoil, sewage sludge, and well water. U.S. concentrations of heavy metals in topsoil, sewage sludge, well water, and infant blood were mapped and compared to prevalence rates of major NDDs. Data from federal and state agencies (i.e., CDC, EPA, and the US Geological Survey) on heavy metal concentrations, age distribution, and NDD prevalence rates were geographically represented and statistically analyzed to quantify possible correlations. Aside from an expected significant association between NDD prevalence and age (p < 0.0001), we found significant associations between the prevalence of the sum of three major NDDs with: Pb in topsoil (p = 0.0433); Cd (p < 0.0001) and Pb (p < 0.0001) in sewage sludge; Pb in infant blood (p < 0.0001). Concentrations in sewage sludge of Cd and Pb were significantly correlated with NDD prevalence rates with an odds ratio of 2.91 (2.04, 4.225 95%CI) and 4.084 (3.14, 5.312 95%CI), respectively. The presence of toxic metals in the U.S. environment in multiple matrices, including sewage sludge, was found to be significantly associated with NDD prevalence. This is the first use of sewage sludge as an environmental proxy matrix to infer risk of developing NDDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Engstrom Newell
- Arizona State University, USA; Biodesign Center for Environmental Health Engineering, USA; School for Engineering of Matter, Transport and Energy, USA
| | - Ayesha Babbrah
- Arizona State University, USA; Biodesign Center for Environmental Health Engineering, USA; Barrett The Honors College, USA
| | - Anumitha Aravindan
- Arizona State University, USA; Biodesign Center for Environmental Health Engineering, USA
| | - Raj Rathnam
- Arizona State University, USA; Biodesign Center for Environmental Health Engineering, USA; Barrett The Honors College, USA
| | - Rya Kiernan
- Arizona State University, USA; Biodesign Center for Environmental Health Engineering, USA
| | - Erin M Driver
- Arizona State University, USA; Biodesign Center for Environmental Health Engineering, USA
| | - Devin A Bowes
- Arizona State University, USA; Biodesign Center for Environmental Health Engineering, USA
| | - Rolf U Halden
- Arizona State University, USA; Biodesign Center for Environmental Health Engineering, USA; School for Engineering of Matter, Transport and Energy, USA; Barrett The Honors College, USA; School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, USA; OneWaterOneHealth, USA; Correspoding author at: Biodesign Institute Building B, 1001 S McAllister Ave B249, Tempe, AZ, USA 85287..
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Wongkiew S, Aksorn S, Amnuaychaichana S, Polprasert C, Noophan PL, Kanokkantapong V, Koottatep T, Surendra KC, Khanal SK. Bioponic systems with biochar: Insights into nutrient recovery, heavy metal reduction, and microbial interactions in digestate-based bioponics. WASTE MANAGEMENT (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2024; 178:267-279. [PMID: 38422680 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2024.02.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 02/04/2024] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Bioponics is a nutrient-recovery technology that transforms nutrient-rich organic waste into plant biomass/bioproducts. Integrating biochar with digestate from anaerobic wastewater treatment process can improve resource recovery while mitigating heavy metal contamination. The overarching goal of this study was to investigate the application of biochar in digestate-based bioponics, focusing on its efficacy in nutrient recovery and heavy metal removal, while also exploring the microbial community dynamics. In this study, biochar was applied at 50 % w/w with 500 g dry weight of digestate during two 28-day crop cycles (uncontrolled pH and pH 5.5) using white stem pak choi (Brassica rapa var. chinensis) as a model crop. The results showed that the digestate provided sufficient phosphorus and nitrogen, supporting plant growth. Biochar amendment improved plant yield and phosphate solubilization and reduced nitrogen loss, especially at the pH 5.5. Furthermore, biochar reduced the heavy metal accumulation in plants, while concentrating these metals in the residual sludge. However, owing to potential non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks, it is still not recommended to directly consume plants cultivated in digestate-based bioponic systems. Additionally, biochar amendment exhibited pronounced impact on the microbial community, promoting microbes responsible for nutrient solubilization and cycling (e.g., Tetrasphaera, Herpetosiphon, Hyphomicrobium, and Pseudorhodoplanes) and heavy metal stabilization (e.g., Leptolinea, Fonticella, Romboutsia, and Desulfurispora) in both the residual sludge and plants. Overall, the addition of biochar enhanced the microbial community and facilitated the metal stabilization and the cycling of nutrients within both residual sludge and root systems, thereby improving the overall efficiency of the bioponics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumeth Wongkiew
- Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand; Water Science and Technology for Sustainable Environment Research Unit, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
| | - Satja Aksorn
- Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Suchana Amnuaychaichana
- Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Chongrak Polprasert
- Thammasat School of Engineering, Thammasat University, Pathumthani, Thailand
| | - Pongsak Lek Noophan
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Vorapot Kanokkantapong
- Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand; Waste Utilization and Ecological Risk Assessment Research Unit, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Thammarat Koottatep
- Environmental Engineering and Management, School of Environment, Resources and Development, Asian Institute of Technology, Pathumthani, Thailand
| | - K C Surendra
- Department of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, USA; Global Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies, 44600 Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Samir Kumar Khanal
- Department of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, USA; Department of Environmental Engineering, Korea University Sejong Campus, Sejong-ro 2511, Sejong, Korea (Affiliate Faculty)
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Hatinoglu D, Lee J, Fortner J, Apul O. Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles as Additives for Microwave-Based Sludge Prehydrolysis: A Perspective. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:12191-12200. [PMID: 37550081 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c00673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater treatment plants are critical for environmental pollution control. The role that they play in protecting the environment and public health is unquestionable; however, they produce massive quantities of excess sludge as a byproduct. One pragmatic approach to utilizing excess sludge is generating methane via anaerobic digestion. For this, a prehydrolysis step can significantly improve digestion by increasing biogas quality and quantity while decreasing final sludge volumes. One of the many prehydrolysis approaches is to deliver heat into sludge via microwave irradiation. Microwave-absorbing additives can be used to further enhance thermal degradation processes. However, the implications of such an approach include potential release of said additive materials into the environment via digested sludge. In this perspective, we present and discuss the potential of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) as recoverable, hyperreactive microwave absorbers for sludge prehydrolysis. Due to their size and characteristics, SPIONs pack spin electrons within a single domain that can respond to the magnetic field without remanence magnetism. SPIONs have properties of both paramagnetic and ferromagnetic materials with little to no magnetic hysteresis, which can enable their rapid recovery from slurries, even in complicated reactor installations. Further, SPIONs are excellent microwave absorbers, which result in high local heat gradients. This perspective introduces the vision that SPION properties can be tuned for desirable dielectric heating and magnetic responses while maintaining material integrity to accomplish repeated use for microwave-enhanced pretreatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dilara Hatinoglu
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Maine, Orono, Maine 04469, United States
| | - Junseok Lee
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, United States
| | - John Fortner
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, United States
| | - Onur Apul
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Maine, Orono, Maine 04469, United States
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Pozzebon EA, Seifert L. Emerging environmental health risks associated with the land application of biosolids: a scoping review. Environ Health 2023; 22:57. [PMID: 37599358 PMCID: PMC10440945 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-023-01008-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Over 40% of the six million dry metric tons of sewage sludge, often referred to as biosolids, produced annually in the United States is land applied. Biosolids serve as a sink for emerging pollutants which can be toxic and persist in the environment, yet their fate after land application and their impacts on human health have not been well studied. These gaps in our understanding are exacerbated by the absence of systematic monitoring programs and defined standards for human health protection. METHODS The purpose of this paper is to call critical attention to the knowledge gaps that currently exist regarding emerging pollutants in biosolids and to underscore the need for evidence-based testing standards and regulatory frameworks for human health protection when biosolids are land applied. A scoping review methodology was used to identify research conducted within the last decade, current regulatory standards, and government publications regarding emerging pollutants in land applied biosolids. RESULTS Current research indicates that persistent organic compounds, or emerging pollutants, found in pharmaceuticals and personal care products, microplastics, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have the potential to contaminate ground and surface water, and the uptake of these substances from soil amended by the land application of biosolids can result in contamination of food sources. Advanced technologies to remove these contaminants from wastewater treatment plant influent, effluent, and biosolids destined for land application along with tools to detect and quantify emerging pollutants are critical for human health protection. CONCLUSIONS To address these current risks, there needs to be a significant investment in ongoing research and infrastructure support for advancements in wastewater treatment; expanded manufacture and use of sustainable products; increased public communication of the risks associated with overuse of pharmaceuticals and plastics; and development and implementation of regulations that are protective of health and the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A Pozzebon
- California Conference of Directors of Environmental Health, P.O. Box 2017, Cameron Park, CA, 95682-2017, USA
| | - Lars Seifert
- California Conference of Directors of Environmental Health, P.O. Box 2017, Cameron Park, CA, 95682-2017, USA.
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Deng Y, Xu J. A bi-level optimized approach for promoting the mixed treatment of municipal sludge and food waste. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:41120-41141. [PMID: 36631617 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-24683-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The mixed treatment of municipal sludge and food waste can generate renewable energy, solve the environmental and economic challenges caused by this waste, and has attracted significant research attention. Using environmentally friendly anaerobic co-digestion of municipal sludge and food waste can improve the effects of anaerobic mono-digestion and produce more biogas. However, as the municipal sludge and food waste managers are different, balancing the interests of both managers is needed to encourage anaerobic co-digestion development. By fully considering the interests of the local authority, the waste water treatment plants, and the food waste anaerobic digestion treatment plants, this paper developed a bi-level optimization approach based on Stackelberg equilibrium theory to resolve the conflicts between the different stakeholders, in which uncertain parameters were used to describe the uncertainties. The proposed model was then applied to a real case in Chongqing, China, to test its practicality, and scenario analyses under different policy parameter values were conducted to provide guidance for local authorities, waste water treatment plants, and food waste treatment plants. The proposed approach was found to provide balanced strategies for all three stakeholders, increase the renewable energy output of municipal sludge and food waste treatment 14.2 times, and reduce carbon emissions by 50%, thereby protecting the environment and achieving a circular economy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yawen Deng
- Business School, Sichuan University, Yihuan Road, Chengdu, 610064, Sichuan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiuping Xu
- Business School, Sichuan University, Yihuan Road, Chengdu, 610064, Sichuan Province, People's Republic of China.
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Dutta N, Giduthuri AT, Usman Khan M, Garrison R, Ahring BK. Improved valorization of sewage sludge in the circular economy by anaerobic digestion: Impact of an innovative pretreatment technology. WASTE MANAGEMENT (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2022; 154:105-112. [PMID: 36228329 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2022.09.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 09/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Anaerobic digestion (AD) of sewage sludge shows low carbon conversion efficiency (CCE) due to the poor biodegradability of sewage sludge. The lack of digestibility is specifically linked to the waste-activated sludge (WAS) making up the majority of sewage sludge along with a smaller portion of primary sludge, depending on the wastewater treatment plant configuration. In this study, we examine the Advanced Wet Oxidation & Steam Explosion process (AWOEx) for improving the CCE of digested sewage sludge (DSS) by thermophilic AD. The effect of the pretreatment temperature in the range between 160 and 185 °C at a fixed residence time of 20 min with and without oxygen added at a dosage of 5 % of the organics present was tested. Methane yield improved by 97.92 % to 183.91 ± 4.93 mL/g vS over the untreated DSS (control), whose methane yield was 92.92 ± 9.07 mL/g vS We have demonstrated for the first time that 84 % of the organics in sewage sludge can successfully be transformed into biogas following AWOEx pretreatment, which can contribute significantly to the circular economy instead of greenhouse gas emissions from landfilling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nalok Dutta
- Bioproducts, Sciences and Engineering Laboratory, Washington State University, Tri-Cities, Richland, WA 99354, United States
| | - Anthony T Giduthuri
- Bioproducts, Sciences and Engineering Laboratory, Washington State University, Tri-Cities, Richland, WA 99354, United States; The Gene and Linda Voiland School of Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99163, United States
| | - Muhammand Usman Khan
- Bioproducts, Sciences and Engineering Laboratory, Washington State University, Tri-Cities, Richland, WA 99354, United States; Department of Energy Systems Engineering, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | | | - Birgitte K Ahring
- Bioproducts, Sciences and Engineering Laboratory, Washington State University, Tri-Cities, Richland, WA 99354, United States; The Gene and Linda Voiland School of Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99163, United States; Department of Biological Systems Engineering, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99163, United States.
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7
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Arteaga JFM, Kaurin A, Lestan D. Removal of toxic metals from sewage sludge by EDTA in a closed-loop washing process. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 307:135917. [PMID: 35940403 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.135917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Revised: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Sewage sludge (SS) is a potential resource for P and other nutrients, but often contaminated with metals. SS containing Pb-102, Zn-968, Cu-267, Cr-101, Mn-222, and Fe-8374 mg kg-1 was washed in a batch process for 1 h with a recycled washing solution containing 50 mmol L-1 of recycled EDTA and 50 mmol L-1 H2SO4, solid/liquid ratio 1/7 (w/V). After solid/liquid separation, the washed SS was further rinsed 3-times with cleansed recycled solutions. EDTA and process solutions were recycled/cleansed in a pH gradient of 12.5-2.0 imposed by addition of CaO and H2SO4 (the ReSoil® method). EDTA, recycled as ineffective Ca-EDTA, was activated by capturing Ca with H2SO4. The process was closed-looped, no wastewater was generated, solid waste was centrifuged away. 10 consecutive SS washing batches preserved the quality of the process solutions. Metals were mainly removed from the SS organic fraction, the average removal was Pb-35, Zn-59, Cu-60, Cr-19, Mn-25, and Fe-1%. Washing reduced the leachability of Cu and Cr from SS by 13.4 and 3.5 times, but increased the leachability of Pb, Zn, Mn, and Fe by 2.5, 3.8, 1.9, and 1.6 times, respectively. Metal concentrations in the leachates were below the limits stipulated as hazardous. The content of accessible P and K in washed SS decreased by 24 and 45%, and the total N decreased by 10%. Overall, the results prove the feasibility of the novel SS washing process.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anela Kaurin
- Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Domen Lestan
- Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia; Envit Ltd., Trzaska Cesta 330, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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Kahilu GM, Bada S, Mulopo J. Physicochemical, structural analysis of coal discards (and sewage sludge) (co)-HTC derived biochar for a sustainable carbon economy and evaluation of the liquid by-product. Sci Rep 2022; 12:17532. [PMID: 36266312 PMCID: PMC9584926 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-22528-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
This study focused on the hydrothermal treatment (HTC) of coal tailings (CT) and coal slurry (CS) and the co-hydrothermal treatment (Co-HTC) of CT, CS and sewage sludge to assess the potential for increasing the carbon content of the hydrochar produced as an enabler for a sustainable carbon economy. The optimal combination methodology and response surface methodology were used to study the relationship between the important process parameters, namely temperature, pressure, residence time, the coal-to-sewage-sludge ratio, and the carbon yield of the produced hydrochar. The optimized conditions for hydrochar from coal tailing (HCT) and hydrochar from coal slurry (HCS) (150 °C, 27 bar, 95 min) increased fixed carbon from 37.31% and 53.02% to 40.31% and 57.69%, respectively, the total carbon content improved from 42.82 to 49.80% and from 61.85 to 66.90% respectively whereas the ash content of coal discards decreased from 40.32% and 24.17% to 38.3% and 20.0% when compared CT and CS respectively. Optimized Co-HTC conditions (208 °C, 22.5bars, and 360 min) for Hydrochar from the blend of coal discards and sewage sludge (HCB) increased the fixed carbon on a dry basis and the total carbon content from 38.67% and 45.64% to 58.82% and 67.0%, when compared CT and CS respectively. Carbonization yields for HCT, HCS, and HCB were, respectively, 113.58%, 102.42%, and 129.88%. HTC and Co-HTC increase the calorific value of CT and CS, to 19.33 MJ/kg, 25.79 MJ/kg, respectively. The results further show that under Co-HTC conditions, the raw biomass undergoes dehydration and decarboxylation, resulting in a decrease in hydrogen from 3.01%, 3.56%, and 3.05% to 2.87%, 2.98%, and 2.75%, and oxygen from 8.79%, 4.78, and 8.2% to 5.83%, 2.75%, and 6.00% in the resulting HCT, HCS, and HCB, respectively. HTC and Co-HTC optimal conditions increased the specific surface area of the feedstock from 6.066 m2/g and 6.37 m2/g to 11.88 m2/g and 14.35 m2/g, for CT and CS, respectively. Total pore volume rose to 0.071 cm3/g from 0.034 cm3/g, 0.048 cm3/g, and 0.09 cm3/g proving the ability of HTC to produce high-quality hydrochar from coal discards alone or in conjunction with sewage sludge as precursors for decontamination of polluted waters, soil decontamination applications, solid combustibles, energy storage, and environmental protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gentil Mwengula Kahilu
- grid.11951.3d0000 0004 1937 1135DSI-NRF SARChI Clean Coal Technology Research Group, School of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, University of the Witwatersrand, Wits, Johannesburg, 2050 South Africa ,grid.11951.3d0000 0004 1937 1135Sustainable Energy and Environment Research Group, School of Chemical Engineering, University of Witwatersrand, Wits, PO Box 3, Johannesburg, 2050 South Africa
| | - Samson Bada
- grid.11951.3d0000 0004 1937 1135DSI-NRF SARChI Clean Coal Technology Research Group, School of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, University of the Witwatersrand, Wits, Johannesburg, 2050 South Africa
| | - Jean Mulopo
- grid.11951.3d0000 0004 1937 1135Sustainable Energy and Environment Research Group, School of Chemical Engineering, University of Witwatersrand, Wits, PO Box 3, Johannesburg, 2050 South Africa
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Della Torre C, Liberatori G, Ghilardi A, Del Giacco L, Puccini M, Ferraro F, Vitolo S, Corsi I. The zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryo-larval contact assay combined with biochemical biomarkers and swimming performance in sewage sludge and hydrochar hazard assessment. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 302:119053. [PMID: 35227847 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Hydrothermal carbonization is considered a powerful technology to convert sewage sludge (SS) into a valuable carbonaceous solid known as hydrochar (HC). Up to now criteria for landfill application of SS and HC are based only on physicochemical properties and levels of pollutant residues. Nevertheless, to ensure their safe environmental applications it is mandatory to develop biosensors which can provide relevant information on their toxic potential for natural ecosystems. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the suitability of a contact assay using zebrafish embryo/larvae combined with sub-lethal end-points to evaluate the hazard associated with SS and related HC exposure. A suite of biomarkers was also applied on larvae, related to detoxification and oxidative stress as the activity of Ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase, glutathione-S-transferase, and catalase, the content of reactive oxygen species and the behavioral assay using the DanioVision™ chamber. Legacy priority pollutants were also measured either in SS and HC tested samples and in contact waters. The exposure to SS caused higher lethality compared to HC. No significant changes in the activity of oxidative stress markers was observed upon exposure to both matrices. The behavioral test showed a hypoactivity condition in larvae exposed to both SS and HC with the effects of SS stronger than HC. Chemical analysis revealed the presence of trace elements and halogenated compounds in either SS, HC. Heavy metals were also released in contact waters, while volatile hydrocarbons (C6-C10) and halogenated compounds resulted below LOD (<0.05 μ L-1). Our study highlights the suitability of zebrafish embryotoxicity test, coupled with behavioral traits, as screening tool for assessing potential risks, associated with the landfill application of both SS and HC, for aquatic wildlife.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Giulia Liberatori
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Anna Ghilardi
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milano, Milano, Italy; Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Luca Del Giacco
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Monica Puccini
- Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Ferraro
- Laboratori pH - Gruppo TÜV SÜD, Loc. Sambuca Tavarnelle Val Di Pesa, Italy
| | - Sandra Vitolo
- Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Ilaria Corsi
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
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10
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Potential Use of Wastewater Treatment Plant Sludge in Fabrication of Burnt Clay Bricks. SUSTAINABILITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/su14116711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Water treatment plants produce a huge amount of sludge, which are ultimately disposed to the nearest water channel, leading to harmful effects. This unmanaged wastewater treatment plant sludge (WTS) results in social and environmental concerns. Therefore, the utilization of WTS in construction activities can be a viable option for the management of waste sludge, leading to sustainable infrastructures. The main aim of this study was to investigate the potential of WTS in the manufacturing of clay bricks at an industrial scale. WTS was procured from the Rawal Lake water treatment plant, Pakistan. Clay was collected from a local industrial brick kiln site. Brick specimens with varying percentages of WTS (i.e., 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 30% and 40%) were casted and their mechanical and durability characteristics were evaluated. It was observed that the bricks incorporating WTS showed higher compressive and flexural strengths compared to that of the normal clay bricks. For instance, brick specimens incorporating 5% WTS by weight of clay showed a 10% increase in compressive strength. Furthermore, brick specimens incorporating 20% of WTS by clay weight satisfied the strength requirements as per local building codes for masonry construction. Scanning electronic microscopic (SEM) images confirm the porous microstructure of brick specimens manufactured with WTS, which results in 12% lighter clay bricks as compared to conventional clay bricks. Moreover, the durability characteristics of brick specimens incorporating WTS showed better performance. It can be concluded that bricks fabricated with a high proportion of WTS (i.e., 20%) will minimize the environmental overburden and lead to more durable and economical masonry construction.
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11
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Adhikari S, Halden RU. Opportunities and limits of wastewater-based epidemiology for tracking global health and attainment of UN sustainable development goals. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2022; 163:107217. [PMID: 35395576 PMCID: PMC9815123 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) emerged as a powerful, actionable health management tool during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hypothesizing future uses, we explored its potential for real-time, tracking of progress in attaining United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) globally as a non-expensive method using existing infrastructure. We inventoried (i) literature-documented sewerage infrastructure, (ii) demographics of populations served, and (iii) WBE markers informative of 9 SDGs. Among the 17 different sustainable development goals listed by the UN 2030 agenda, more than half of these may be monitored by using WBE monitoring at centralized treatment infrastructure as tabulated in this study. Driven mainly by COVID-19, WBE currently is practiced in at least 55 countries, reaching about 300 million people. Expansion of WBE to 109,000 + treatment plants inventoried in 129 countries would increase global coverage 9-fold to 34.7% or 2.7 billion, leaving out 5 billion people not served by centralized sewerage systems. Associations between population demographics and present-day infrastructure are explored, and geospatial regions particularly vulnerable to infectious disease outbreaks are identified. The results suggest that difference in the differential outcomes in well-being is an outcome of the sanitation infrastructure inequalities and lack of sanitation infrastructure creates doubly disadvantaged populations at risk of poor hygiene and cut off from the early-warning benefits of conventional WBE. This is the first study to explore the feasibility and potential barriers to the use of WBE for tracking the attainment of SDGs globally with at least 9 out of 17 SDGs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sangeet Adhikari
- School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA; Biodesign Center for Environmental Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
| | - Rolf U Halden
- School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA; Biodesign Center for Environmental Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA; OneWaterOneHealth, Nonprofit Project of the Arizona State University Foundation, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA; Global Futures Laboratory, Arizona State University, 800 S. Cady Mall, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA.
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12
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Li X, Jie B, Lin H, Deng Z, Qian J, Yang Y, Zhang X. Application of sulfate radicals-based advanced oxidation technology in degradation of trace organic contaminants (TrOCs): Recent advances and prospects. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2022; 308:114664. [PMID: 35149402 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.114664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The large amount of trace organic contaminants (TrOCs) in wastewater has caused serious impacts on human health. In the past few years, Sulfate radical (SO4•-) based advanced oxidation processes (SR-AOPs) are widely recognized for their high removal rates of recalcitrant TrOCs from water. Peroxymonosulfate (PMS) and persulfate (PS) are stable and non-toxic strong oxidizing oxidants and can act as excellent SO4•- precursors. Compared with hydroxyl radicals(·OH)-based methods, SR-AOPs have a series of advantages, such as long half-life and wide pH range, the oxidation capacity of SO4•- approaches or even exceeds that of ·OH under suitable conditions. In this review, we present the progress of activating PS/PMS to remove TrOCs by different methods. These methods include activation by transition metal, ultrasound, UV, etc. Possible activation mechanisms and influencing factors such as pH during the activation are discussed. Finally, future activation studies of PS/PMS are summarized and prospected. This review summarizes previous experiences and presents the current status of SR-AOPs application for TrOCs removal. Misconceptions in research are avoided and a research basis for the removal of TrOCs is provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingyu Li
- School of Environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200093, China
| | - Borui Jie
- School of Environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200093, China
| | - Huidong Lin
- School of Environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200093, China
| | - Zhongpei Deng
- School of Environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200093, China
| | - Junyao Qian
- School of Environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200093, China
| | - Yiqiong Yang
- School of Environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200093, China.
| | - Xiaodong Zhang
- School of Environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200093, China.
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Kaviani Rad A, Balasundram SK, Azizi S, Afsharyzad Y, Zarei M, Etesami H, Shamshiri RR. An Overview of Antibiotic Resistance and Abiotic Stresses Affecting Antimicrobial Resistance in Agricultural Soils. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19084666. [PMID: 35457533 PMCID: PMC9025980 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19084666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Revised: 01/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Excessive use of antibiotics in the healthcare sector and livestock farming has amplified antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as a major environmental threat in recent years. Abiotic stresses, including soil salinity and water pollutants, can affect AMR in soils, which in turn reduces the yield and quality of agricultural products. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of antibiotic resistance and abiotic stresses on antimicrobial resistance in agricultural soils. A systematic review of the peer-reviewed published literature showed that soil contaminants derived from organic and chemical fertilizers, heavy metals, hydrocarbons, and untreated sewage sludge can significantly develop AMR through increasing the abundance of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARBs) in agricultural soils. Among effective technologies developed to minimize AMR’s negative effects, salinity and heat were found to be more influential in lowering ARGs and subsequently AMR. Several strategies to mitigate AMR in agricultural soils and future directions for research on AMR have been discussed, including integrated control of antibiotic usage and primary sources of ARGs. Knowledge of the factors affecting AMR has the potential to develop effective policies and technologies to minimize its adverse impacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdullah Kaviani Rad
- Department of Soil Science, School of Agriculture, Shiraz University, Shiraz 71946-85111, Iran;
| | - Siva K. Balasundram
- Department of Agriculture Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, University Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia
- Correspondence: (S.K.B.); (M.Z.)
| | - Shohreh Azizi
- UNESCO-UNISA Africa Chair in Nanosciences and Nanotechnology, College of Graduate Studies, University of South Africa, Pretoria 0003, South Africa;
- Nanosciences African Network (NANOAFNET), iThemba LABS-National Research Foundation, Cape Town 7129, South Africa
| | - Yeganeh Afsharyzad
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Modern Sciences, The Islamic Azad University of Tehran Medical Sciences, Tehran 19496-35881, Iran;
| | - Mehdi Zarei
- Department of Soil Science, School of Agriculture, Shiraz University, Shiraz 71946-85111, Iran;
- Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Higher Education Center of Eghlid, Eghlid 73819-43885, Iran
- Correspondence: (S.K.B.); (M.Z.)
| | - Hassan Etesami
- Department of Soil Science, University of Tehran, Tehran 14179-35840, Iran;
| | - Redmond R. Shamshiri
- Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy, 14469 Potsdam-Bornim, Germany;
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14
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Miralles-Marco A, Wang M, Park JS, Gatidou G, Nika MC, Bialorucki S, Kalantzi OI, Thomaidis NS, Stasinakis AS, Petreas M. Exploring the integrity of targeted PFASs in extracted wastewater samples during transport and storage stages. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 282:131065. [PMID: 34102491 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.131065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2020] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Little information exists on the effects of shipping and handling on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in environmental samples. Thus, we evaluated the integrity of dried wastewater extracts and the sensitivity of our high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) instrument to perform such analyses by monitoring 13 representative PFASs in samples extracted, evaporated, and stored at room temperature up to one month. Relative to zero-day recoveries of six detected PFASs ranged between 94 and 124% (RSD <38%) for influents, between 88 and 126% (RSD <18%) for effluents after 28 days. Larger variabilities are tentatively associated with the lack of specific mass-labeled standards and the interactions between analytes and remaining matrix components over time. In a second stage, a mix of local and international dry-shipped wastewater samples were analyzed and the same PFASs were quantified. Up to six PFASs were identified, with median concentrations ranging from 1.3 (perfluoro butyl sulfonate (PFBS)) to 7.7 ng/L (perfluoro hexanoic acid (PFHxA)) and from 1.5 (PFBS) to 13.8 ng/L (PFHxA) in local influents and effluents respectively; and from 0.7 (perfluoro hexyl sulfonate (PFHxS)) to 52.8 ng/L (PFHxA) and from 0.5 (PFHxS) to 21.4 ng/L (PFHxA) in Greek influents and effluents, respectively. The importance of this study lies on the need to consider the wider recovery shifts and expanded variability ranges of PFASs derived from the transport and storage times of dried extracts, particularly when applied to HRMS and wide-scope screening approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Miralles-Marco
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, 625 00, Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Miaomiao Wang
- Environmental Chemistry Laboratory, California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), Berkeley, CA, 94710, United States
| | - June-Soo Park
- Environmental Chemistry Laboratory, California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), Berkeley, CA, 94710, United States; Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, 94143, United States
| | - Georgia Gatidou
- Water and Air Quality Laboratory, Department of Environment, University of the Aegean, 81100, Mytilene, Greece
| | - Maria-Christina Nika
- Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15771, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Olga-Ioanna Kalantzi
- Water and Air Quality Laboratory, Department of Environment, University of the Aegean, 81100, Mytilene, Greece
| | - Nikolaos S Thomaidis
- Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15771, Athens, Greece
| | - Athanasios S Stasinakis
- Water and Air Quality Laboratory, Department of Environment, University of the Aegean, 81100, Mytilene, Greece
| | - Myrto Petreas
- Environmental Chemistry Laboratory, California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), Berkeley, CA, 94710, United States
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15
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Qiu C, Xu W, Wang Y, Yang J, Su X, Lin Z. Hydrothermal alkaline conversion of sewage sludge: optimization of process parameters and characterization of humic acid. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:57695-57705. [PMID: 34091839 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-14711-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Sewage sludge (SS) dewatering is a key step in sludge disposal, which plays an important role in reducing sludge volume, facilitating transportation and subsequent treatment. In this paper, a facile hydrothermal-alkaline treatment for SS was proposed, which can be used for sludge dewatering and humic acid (HA) recycling at the same time. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to determine the optimal conditions, and a mathematical model was established to accurately predict the changes of sludge water content and the extraction rate of HA. Under the optimal conditions of 170 °C/42 min/0.05 (for hydrothermal temperature, hydrothermal time, and mass ratio of KOH to wet sludge, respectively), the water content decreased to 46.7% and the extraction rate of HA (with a purity of 96.2%) was 89.1%. The improvement of the dewatering performance effectively facilitates the subsequent disposal of the sludge. The hydrothermal-alkaline method not only realizes the efficient dehydration of the sludge, but also obtains HA from the sludge extract. The obtained HA has potential economic value in the fields of agriculture, biological medicine, environment, and the like.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Qiu
- School of Environment and Energy, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Solid Wastes Pollution Control and Recycling, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510006, People's Republic of China
- China-Singapore International Joint Research Institute, Guangzhou, 510000, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenbing Xu
- Dongjiang Environmental Company Limited, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518057, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanjie Wang
- Dongjiang Environmental Company Limited, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518057, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiakuan Yang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, People's Republic of China
| | - Xintai Su
- School of Environment and Energy, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Solid Wastes Pollution Control and Recycling, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510006, People's Republic of China.
- China-Singapore International Joint Research Institute, Guangzhou, 510000, People's Republic of China.
| | - Zhang Lin
- School of Environment and Energy, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Solid Wastes Pollution Control and Recycling, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510006, People's Republic of China
- China-Singapore International Joint Research Institute, Guangzhou, 510000, People's Republic of China
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16
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Causal Analysis of Ecological Impairment in Land Ecosystem on a Regional Scale: Applied to a Mining City Daye, China. LAND 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/land10050530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
We adopted a weight of evidence approach to establish a causal analysis of an impaired land ecosystem on a regional scale; namely, Daye, a traditional mining city in China. Working processes, including problem statements, a list of candidate causes, and a conceptual model were developed to represent a causal hypothesis for describing land degradation. Causal criteria were applied to integrate multiple lines of evidence. Then, various pieces of evidence were scored to either strengthen or weaken our causal assumptions. Results showed that habitat alteration, heavy metal accumulation, organic pollutants, water eutrophication, and nutrient runoff were the probable causes of land ecosystem impairment in Daye. Meanwhile, noxious gas, toxicants, altered underground runoff, atmospheric deposition, and acid rain were identified as possible causes. The most unlikely causes were altered hydrology, altered earth surface runoff, and soil erosion. Soil salinization, soluble inorganic salts, biological species invasion, and pathogens were deferred as delayed causes due to lack of adequate information. The causal analysis approach was applied to identify the primary causes of land degradation and implement accurate protective measures in an impaired land ecosystem.
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17
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Dubey M, Mohapatra S, Tyagi VK, Suthar S, Kazmi AA. Occurrence, fate, and persistence of emerging micropollutants in sewage sludge treatment. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 273:116515. [PMID: 33493756 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.116515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Revised: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Sludge generated at sewage treatment plants is of environmental concern due to the voluminous production and the presence of a high concentration of emerging contaminants (ECs). This review discusses the fate of ECs in sewage sludge treatment with an emphasis on fundamental mechanisms driving the degradation of compounds based on chemical properties of the contaminant and process operating conditions. The removal of ECs in sewage sludge through various treatment processes of sludge stabilization, such as anaerobic digestion (AD), composting, and pre-treatment methods (thermal, sonication, and oxidation) followed by AD, are discussed. Several transformation mechanisms and remediation strategies for the removal of ECs in sludge are summarized. The study concludes that pH, sludge type, and the types of functional groups are the key factors affecting the sorption of ECs to sludge. During conventional waste stabilization processes such as composting, the degradation of ECs depends on the type of feedstock (TOC, N, P, C/N, C/P) and the initial concentration of the contaminant. In AD, the degree of degradation depends on the hydrophilicity of the compound. The estrogenicity of the sludge may sometimes increase due to the conversion to estrogenic compounds. The pre-treatment techniques can increase the partitioning of ECs in the soluble fraction resulting in enhanced biodegradation up to 10-60%. However, the formation of by-products and loss of OH· to scavenging under high organic content during advanced oxidation processes can make the process uneconomical and require further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Dubey
- Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, 247667, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Sanjeeb Mohapatra
- NUS Environmental Research Institute, National University of Singapore, 1-Create Way, #15-02 Create Tower, 138602, Singapore
| | - Vinay Kumar Tyagi
- Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, 247667, Uttarakhand, India.
| | - Surindra Suthar
- School of Environment & Natural Resources, Doon University, Dehradun, 248001, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Absar Ahmad Kazmi
- Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, 247667, Uttarakhand, India
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18
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Chen M, Oshita K, Mahzoun Y, Takaoka M, Fukutani S, Shiota K. Survey of elemental composition in dewatered sludge in Japan. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 752:141857. [PMID: 32896790 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 08/16/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The elemental composition of 120 dewatered sludge samples from 32 wastewater treatment plants in Japan was analyzed, and the influential factors determining sludge elemental composition were clarified. Through Hayashi's quantification method I, the relationship and influence of each element to the dominant categories were confirmed, and the correlation between the elements was also analyzed. The Van Krevelen diagram was used to determine the similarity in organic contents between sludge and biomass/fossil fuels. Principal component and cluster analyses were used to verify the identification of influential factors. Finally, a standard composition of dewatered sludge in Japan was defined based on different sewage collection systems and digestion processes, shown to have the greatest influence on sludge composition. The potential of sludge for agricultural and cement industrial recycling was also assessed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minhsuan Chen
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, C-cluster, Kyotodaigaku-katsura, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto 615-8540, Japan
| | - Kazuyuki Oshita
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, C-cluster, Kyotodaigaku-katsura, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto 615-8540, Japan.
| | - Yahya Mahzoun
- Research and Development Center, Swing Engineering Corporation, 4-2-1, Honfujisawa, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8502, Japan
| | - Masaki Takaoka
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, C-cluster, Kyotodaigaku-katsura, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto 615-8540, Japan
| | - Satoshi Fukutani
- Institute for Integrated Radiation and Nuclear Science, Kyoto University, 2, Asashiro-Nishi, Kumatori, Sennan, Osaka 590-0494, Japan
| | - Kenji Shiota
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, C-cluster, Kyotodaigaku-katsura, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto 615-8540, Japan
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19
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Faleye TOC, Driver E, Bowes D, Adhikari S, Adams D, Varsani A, Halden RU, Scotch M. Pan-Enterovirus Amplicon-Based High-Throughput Sequencing Detects the Complete Capsid of a EVA71 Genotype C1 Variant via Wastewater-Based Epidemiology in Arizona. Viruses 2021; 13:v13010074. [PMID: 33430521 PMCID: PMC7827028 DOI: 10.3390/v13010074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Revised: 01/02/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
We describe the complete capsid of a genotype C1-like Enterovirus A71 variant recovered from wastewater in a neighborhood in the greater Tempe, Arizona area (Southwest United States) in May 2020 using a pan-enterovirus amplicon-based high-throughput sequencing strategy. The variant seems to have been circulating for over two years, but its sequence has not been documented in that period. As the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has resulted in changes in health-seeking behavior and overwhelmed pathogen diagnostics, our findings highlight the importance of wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE ) as an early warning system for virus surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Temitope O. C. Faleye
- Biodesign Center for Environmental Health Engineering, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA; (T.O.C.F.); (E.D.); (D.B.); (S.A.); (R.U.H.)
| | - Erin Driver
- Biodesign Center for Environmental Health Engineering, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA; (T.O.C.F.); (E.D.); (D.B.); (S.A.); (R.U.H.)
| | - Devin Bowes
- Biodesign Center for Environmental Health Engineering, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA; (T.O.C.F.); (E.D.); (D.B.); (S.A.); (R.U.H.)
| | - Sangeet Adhikari
- Biodesign Center for Environmental Health Engineering, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA; (T.O.C.F.); (E.D.); (D.B.); (S.A.); (R.U.H.)
| | - Deborah Adams
- Biodesign Center for Personalized Diagnostics, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA;
| | - Arvind Varsani
- Biodesign Center for Fundamental and Applied Microbiomics, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA;
| | - Rolf U. Halden
- Biodesign Center for Environmental Health Engineering, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA; (T.O.C.F.); (E.D.); (D.B.); (S.A.); (R.U.H.)
- OneWaterOneHealth, Nonprofit Project of the Arizona State University Foundation, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
| | - Matthew Scotch
- Biodesign Center for Environmental Health Engineering, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA; (T.O.C.F.); (E.D.); (D.B.); (S.A.); (R.U.H.)
- Correspondence:
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20
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Youssef NH, Al-Huqail AA, Ali HM, Abdelsalam NR, Sabra MA. The role of Serendipita indica and Lactobacilli mixtures on mitigating mycotoxins and heavy metals' risks of contaminated sewage sludge and its composts. Sci Rep 2020; 10:15159. [PMID: 32938964 PMCID: PMC7495000 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-71917-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Accumulation of the Municipal Sewage Sludge (MSS) is considered as one of the most harmful renewable ecological and human health problems. MSS is a renewable resource that could be used as a soil organic amendment. This study aims to reduce the Heavy Metals (HMs) from the sludge content and sludge compost. Furthermore, this study is considered the first to assess the mycotoxins content in sludge and sludge compost via a new biological treatment using the fungus Serendipita indica or a mixture of lactic acid bacteria, thus providing safer nutrients for the soil amendment for a longer time and preserving human health. The HMs and mycotoxins were determined. The results exhibited that the biotic remediation of bio-solid waste and sewage sludge compost succeeded; a new bio-treated compost with a very low content of heavy metals and almost mycotoxins-free contents was availed. Also, the results indicated that the Lactobacilli mixture realized the best results in reducing heavy metals contents and mycotoxins. Afterward, S. indica. biotic remediation of bio-solid waste and sewage sludge compost minimized the health risk hazards affecting the human food chain, allowing for the different uses of sludge to be safer for the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nesrine H Youssef
- Regional Center for Food and Feed, Agricultural Research Center, Alexandria, Egypt.
| | - Asma A Al-Huqail
- Chair of Climate Change, Environmental Development and Vegetation Cover, Botany and Microbiology Department, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Hayssam M Ali
- Chair of Climate Change, Environmental Development and Vegetation Cover, Botany and Microbiology Department, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia.,Timber Trees Research Department, Sabahia Horticulture Research Station, Horticulture Research Institute, Agriculture Research Center, Alexandria, 21526, Egypt
| | - Nader R Abdelsalam
- Agricultural Botany Department, Faculty of Agriculture (Saba Basha), Alexandria University, Alexandria, 21531, Egypt.
| | - Mayada A Sabra
- Agricultural Botany Department, Faculty of Agriculture (Saba Basha), Alexandria University, Alexandria, 21531, Egypt
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21
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Hart OE, Halden RU. Computational analysis of SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 surveillance by wastewater-based epidemiology locally and globally: Feasibility, economy, opportunities and challenges. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 730:138875. [PMID: 32371231 PMCID: PMC7175865 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.138875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 350] [Impact Index Per Article: 87.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2020] [Revised: 04/19/2020] [Accepted: 04/19/2020] [Indexed: 04/13/2023]
Abstract
With the economic and practical limits of medical screening for SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 coming sharply into focus worldwide, scientists are turning now to wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) as a potential tool for assessing and managing the pandemic. We employed computational analysis and modeling to examine the feasibility, economy, opportunities and challenges of enumerating active coronavirus infections locally and globally using WBE. Depending on local conditions, detection in community wastewater of one symptomatic/asymptomatic infected case per 100 to 2,000,000 non-infected people is theoretically feasible, with some practical successes now being reported from around the world. Computer simulations for past, present and emerging epidemic hotspots (e.g., Wuhan, Milan, Madrid, New York City, Teheran, Seattle, Detroit and New Orleans) identified temperature, average in-sewer travel time and per-capita water use as key variables. WBE surveillance of populations is shown to be orders of magnitude cheaper and faster than clinical screening, yet cannot fully replace it. Cost savings worldwide for one-time national surveillance campaigns are estimated to be in the million to billion US dollar range (US$), depending on a nation's population size and number of testing rounds conducted. For resource poor regions and nations, WBE may represent the only viable means of effective surveillance. Important limitations of WBE rest with its inability to identify individuals and to pinpoint their specific locations. Not compensating for temperature effects renders WBE data vulnerable to severe under-/over-estimation of infected cases. Effective surveillance may be envisioned as a two-step process in which WBE serves to identify and enumerate infected cases, where after clinical testing then serves to identify infected individuals in WBE-revealed hotspots. Data provided here demonstrate this approach to save money, be broadly applicable worldwide, and potentially aid in precision management of the pandemic, thereby helping to accelerate the global economic recovery that billions of people rely upon for their livelihoods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga E Hart
- Biodesign Center for Environmental Health Engineering, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, 1001 S. McAllister Avenue, Tempe, AZ 85287-8101, USA
| | - Rolf U Halden
- Biodesign Center for Environmental Health Engineering, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, 1001 S. McAllister Avenue, Tempe, AZ 85287-8101, USA; OneWaterOneHealth, Arizona State University Foundation, 1001 S. McAllister Avenue, Tempe, AZ 85287-8101, USA; AquaVitas, LLC, 9260 E. Raintree Dr., Ste 140, Scottsdale, AZ 85260, USA.
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Hart OE, Halden RU. Computational analysis of SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 surveillance by wastewater-based epidemiology locally and globally: Feasibility, economy, opportunities and challenges. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020. [PMID: 32371231 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.138875.7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
With the economic and practical limits of medical screening for SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 coming sharply into focus worldwide, scientists are turning now to wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) as a potential tool for assessing and managing the pandemic. We employed computational analysis and modeling to examine the feasibility, economy, opportunities and challenges of enumerating active coronavirus infections locally and globally using WBE. Depending on local conditions, detection in community wastewater of one symptomatic/asymptomatic infected case per 100 to 2,000,000 non-infected people is theoretically feasible, with some practical successes now being reported from around the world. Computer simulations for past, present and emerging epidemic hotspots (e.g., Wuhan, Milan, Madrid, New York City, Teheran, Seattle, Detroit and New Orleans) identified temperature, average in-sewer travel time and per-capita water use as key variables. WBE surveillance of populations is shown to be orders of magnitude cheaper and faster than clinical screening, yet cannot fully replace it. Cost savings worldwide for one-time national surveillance campaigns are estimated to be in the million to billion US dollar range (US$), depending on a nation's population size and number of testing rounds conducted. For resource poor regions and nations, WBE may represent the only viable means of effective surveillance. Important limitations of WBE rest with its inability to identify individuals and to pinpoint their specific locations. Not compensating for temperature effects renders WBE data vulnerable to severe under-/over-estimation of infected cases. Effective surveillance may be envisioned as a two-step process in which WBE serves to identify and enumerate infected cases, where after clinical testing then serves to identify infected individuals in WBE-revealed hotspots. Data provided here demonstrate this approach to save money, be broadly applicable worldwide, and potentially aid in precision management of the pandemic, thereby helping to accelerate the global economic recovery that billions of people rely upon for their livelihoods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga E Hart
- Biodesign Center for Environmental Health Engineering, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, 1001 S. McAllister Avenue, Tempe, AZ 85287-8101, USA
| | - Rolf U Halden
- Biodesign Center for Environmental Health Engineering, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, 1001 S. McAllister Avenue, Tempe, AZ 85287-8101, USA; OneWaterOneHealth, Arizona State University Foundation, 1001 S. McAllister Avenue, Tempe, AZ 85287-8101, USA; AquaVitas, LLC, 9260 E. Raintree Dr., Ste 140, Scottsdale, AZ 85260, USA.
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Nagarajan D, Lee DJ, Chen CY, Chang JS. Resource recovery from wastewaters using microalgae-based approaches: A circular bioeconomy perspective. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2020; 302:122817. [PMID: 32007309 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2020.122817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2019] [Revised: 01/10/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2020] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The basic concepts of circular bioeconomy are reduce, reuse and recycle. Recovery of recyclable nutrients from secondary sources could play a key role in meeting the increased demands of the growing population. Wastewaters of different origin are rich in energy and nutrients sources that can be recovered and reused in a circular bioeconomy perspective. Microalgae can effectively utilize wastewater nutrients for growth and biomass production. Integration of wastewater treatment and microalgal cultivation improves the environmental impacts of the currently used wastewater treatment methods. This review provides comprehensive information on the potential of using microalgae for the recovery of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and other micronutrients from wastewaters. Major factors influencing large scale microalgal wastewater treatment are discussed and future research perspectives are proposed to foster the future development in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dillirani Nagarajan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; Department of Chemical Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Duu-Jong Lee
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Chemical Engineering, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Yen Chen
- University Center for Bioscience and Biotechnology, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Jo-Shu Chang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, College of Engineering, Tunghai University, Taichung, Taiwan; Center for Nanotechnology, Tunghai University, Taichung, Taiwan.
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24
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Hart OE, Halden RU. Modeling wastewater temperature and attenuation of sewage-borne biomarkers globally. WATER RESEARCH 2020; 172:115473. [PMID: 31972412 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2020.115473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2019] [Revised: 01/01/2020] [Accepted: 01/03/2020] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Accurate modeling of in-sewer degradation of sewage-borne epidemiological biomarkers requires information on local wastewater temperature. We applied a deterministic, physical model to map theoretical wastewater temperature on a monthly scale worldwide and incorporated in the model estimated changes in the decay rate of 31 biomarkers of public health relevance frequently used in wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE). Over the course of a year, 75% of the world's global wastewater temperatures were estimated to fall into the temperature range of 6.9-34.4 °C. These non-fitted results obtained purely a priori were in good agreement with empirical observations (n = 400), as indicated by coefficients for Pearson (0.81; 0.76) and Spearman (0.86; 0.78) correlations for annual minima and maxima, respectively. Application of the Q10 rule for biochemical reaction rates showed that, depending on wastewater temperature, half-lives of sewage-borne biomarkers will change significantly (range: 27%-7,010%) from the baseline at ambient conditions (21 ± 1 °C; 100%). Importantly, these temperature-related modulations of in-sewer biomarker decay changed the size of the area observable by WBE; in the extreme, changes in the distal reach observable by WBE were predicted to be as large as 49-fold over the course of a year at a given location. This first model of spatial and temporal variability in wastewater temperature has multiple suggested applications, including (i) utility for explaining literature-reported discrepancies in the detectability and levels of sewage-borne biomarkers, (ii) identification of optimal and sub-optimal wastewater-borne biomarkers depending on their varying half-lives over the course of the year at the sampling location of interest, and (iii) estimating the effective size of the sewershed capture zone in WBE studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga E Hart
- Biodesign Center for Environmental Health Engineering, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, 1001 S. McAllister Avenue, Tempe, AZ, 85287-8101, USA
| | - Rolf U Halden
- Biodesign Center for Environmental Health Engineering, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, 1001 S. McAllister Avenue, Tempe, AZ, 85287-8101, USA.
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25
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Kor-Bicakci G, Abbott T, Ubay-Cokgor E, Eskicioglu C. Occurrence of the Persistent Antimicrobial Triclosan in Microwave Pretreated and Anaerobically Digested Municipal Sludges under Various Process Conditions. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25020310. [PMID: 31940954 PMCID: PMC7024389 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25020310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2019] [Revised: 01/06/2020] [Accepted: 01/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Treatment of emerging contaminants, such as antimicrobials, has become a priority topic for environmental protection. As a persistent, toxic, and bioaccumulative antimicrobial, the accumulation of triclosan (TCS) in wastewater sludge is creating a potential risk to human and ecosystem health via the agricultural use of biosolids. The impact of microwave (MW) pretreatment on TCS levels in municipal sludge is unknown. This study, for the first time, evaluated how MW pretreatment (80 and 160 °C) itself and together with anaerobic digestion (AD) under various sludge retention times (SRTs: 20, 12, and 6 days) and temperatures (35 and 55 °C) can affect the levels of TCS in municipal sludge. TCS and its potential transformation products were analyzed with ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry. Significantly higher TCS concentrations were detected in sludge sampled from the plant in colder compared to those in warmer temperatures. MW temperature did not have a discernible impact on TCS reduction from undigested sludge. However, AD studies indicated that compared to controls (no pretreatment), MW irradiation could make TCS more amenable to biodegradation (up to 46%), especially at the elevated pretreatment and digester temperatures. At different SRTs studied, TCS levels in the thermophilic digesters were considerably lower than that of in the mesophilic digesters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gokce Kor-Bicakci
- UBC Bioreactor Technology Group, School of Engineering, University of British Columbia Okanagan Campus, Kelowna, BC V1V 1V7, Canada; (G.K.-B.); (T.A.)
- Civil Engineering Faculty, Environmental Engineering Department, Istanbul Technical University, Maslak, 34469 Istanbul, Turkey;
| | - Timothy Abbott
- UBC Bioreactor Technology Group, School of Engineering, University of British Columbia Okanagan Campus, Kelowna, BC V1V 1V7, Canada; (G.K.-B.); (T.A.)
| | - Emine Ubay-Cokgor
- Civil Engineering Faculty, Environmental Engineering Department, Istanbul Technical University, Maslak, 34469 Istanbul, Turkey;
| | - Cigdem Eskicioglu
- UBC Bioreactor Technology Group, School of Engineering, University of British Columbia Okanagan Campus, Kelowna, BC V1V 1V7, Canada; (G.K.-B.); (T.A.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-250-807-8544
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26
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Zhang J, Wang L, Kannan K. Polyethylene Terephthalate and Polycarbonate Microplastics in Pet Food and Feces from the United States. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2019; 53:12035-12042. [PMID: 31525038 DOI: 10.1021/acs.estlett.9b00601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Human exposure to microplastics has been a topic of interest, but measurements of exposure are limited. Pet animals are sentinels of human exposure, as they share a common living environment with humans. In this study, 58 pet (cat and dog) foods and 78 pet feces samples were collected from Albany, NY, USA, for the analysis of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polycarbonate (PC) by alkali-assisted thermal depolymerization and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) methods. PET was detected at concentrations in the range of <1,500 ng/g to 12,000 ng/g (median: <1,500 ng/g) and <1,500 to 4,600 ng/g (median: <1,500 ng/g) in cat and dog foods, respectively. The concentrations of PET in cat (<2,300-340,000 ng/g, median: 61,000 ng/g) and dog (7700-190,000 ng/g, median: 30,000 ng/g) feces were 1-2 orders of magnitude higher than those in pet food samples. A significant positive correlation was found between the concentrations of the monomers (i.e., TPA and BPA) and the corresponding MPs in cat feces. The calculated mean estimated daily intake of PET and PC (calculated from pet food) was lower than that of the mean cumulative daily intake (calculated from pet feces), which suggested that diet is a minor source of exposure to PET and PC in pets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junjie Zhang
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, and Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health , State University of New York at Albany , Empire State Plaza , P.O. Box 509, Albany , New York 12201-0509 , United States
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering , Nankai University , Tianjin 300350 , China
| | - Lei Wang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering , Nankai University , Tianjin 300350 , China
| | - Kurunthachalam Kannan
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, and Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health , State University of New York at Albany , Empire State Plaza , P.O. Box 509, Albany , New York 12201-0509 , United States
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27
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Sadaria AM, Labban CW, Steele JC, Maurer MM, Halden RU. Retrospective nationwide occurrence of fipronil and its degradates in U.S. wastewater and sewage sludge from 2001 - 2016. WATER RESEARCH 2019; 155:465-473. [PMID: 30870636 PMCID: PMC6506233 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2019.02.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2018] [Revised: 02/19/2019] [Accepted: 02/23/2019] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
The insecticide fipronil is under regulatory scrutiny worldwide for its toxicity to pollinators and aquatic invertebrates. We conducted the first U.S. nationwide, longitudinal study of sewage sludges for fiproles, i.e., the sum of fipronil and its major degradates (fipronil sulfone, sulfide, amide, and desulfinyl). Archived sludges (n = 109) collected in three campaigns over 15 years were analyzed by isotope dilution liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry, revealing ubiquitous fiprole occurrence (0.2-385.3 μg/kg) since 2001 and a significant increase (2.4 ± 0.3 fold; p < 0.005) both from 2001 to 2006/7 and from 2001 to 2015/6, but not a significant increase from 2006/7 to 2015/6 (p = 0.275). A geospatial analysis showed fiprole levels in municipal sludges to be uncoupled from agricultural use of fipronil on cropland surrounding sampled municipalities, thus pointing to non-agricultural uses (i.e., spot-on treatment and urban pest control) as a major source of fiprole loading to wastewater. Whereas anaerobic digestion was correlated with increases in fipronil sulfide at the expense of parental fipronil (p < 0.001), total fiprole levels in sewage sludges were similar regardless of the solids treatment approach applied (p = 0.519). Treatment plant effluent available from 12 facilities in 2015/6 contained fiproles at 0.3-112.9 ng/L, exceeding the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) aquatic invertebrate life benchmark for chronic fipronil exposure (11 ng/L) in 67% of cases. Whereas the USEPA identified fipronil in sludge only recently (2015), retrospective analyses and modeling conducted here show contaminant ubiquity and nationwide increases of fiprole mass (compared to 2001 levels) in U.S. municipal sludge (1140 ± 230 kg in 2015/6), and treated effluent nationwide (1970 ± 390 kg in 2015/6) over the past 15 years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akash M Sadaria
- Arizona State University, School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Cameron W Labban
- Arizona State University, Biodesign Center for Environmental Health Engineering, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Joshua C Steele
- Arizona State University, School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Megan M Maurer
- Arizona State University, Biodesign Center for Environmental Health Engineering, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Rolf U Halden
- Arizona State University, Biodesign Center for Environmental Health Engineering, Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona State University, School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Tempe, AZ, USA.
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28
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Chen J, Venkatesan AK, Halden RU. Alcohol and nicotine consumption trends in three U.S. communities determined by wastewater-based epidemiology. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 656:174-183. [PMID: 30504019 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.11.350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2018] [Revised: 11/23/2018] [Accepted: 11/24/2018] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE), an emerging tool for monitoring public health in near real-time, is used extensively in Europe but applications to U.S. populations are still scarce. In this longitudinal study, raw wastewater was collected monthly from three U.S. cities as 24-h weekday composites and analyzed for evidence of alcohol and tobacco consumption. Over the 11-month sampling period, biomarkers of stimulant use were detected in wastewater by isotope dilution liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry in units of μg/L (ethyl sulfate, 1.6-25.1; nicotine, 0.6-26.7; cotinine, 0.2-3.8; and 3‑hydroxycotinine, 0.3-3.8). Average consumption rates in the three communities were calculated using detected biomarker levels in conjunction with wastewater flow rates, metabolic excretion factors, and population size data. Computed average per-capita consumption rates estimated for the sub-population aged 15 and above for alcohol (13.4 ± 5.6 L/y/person) and daily consumption of nicotine by smokers (14.2 ± 3.6 cigarettes/d/person) were in good agreement with U.S. survey data (9.0 L/y/person; 14.2 cigarettes/d/smoker). The WBE approach also captured impacts of temporal population influx on substance consumption patterns. This first U.S. WBE study to track recreational use of stimulants longitudinally and concurrently in multiple American cities highlights opportunities for collecting robust public health information from wastewater anonymously, economically and in near real-time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Chen
- The Biodesign Center for Environmental Health Engineering, Biodesign Institute and School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Arizona State University, 781 E. Terrace Mall, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA; School of Biological and Health System Engineering, Arizona State University, P.O. Box 879709, Tempe, AZ 85287-9709, USA
| | - Arjun K Venkatesan
- The Biodesign Center for Environmental Health Engineering, Biodesign Institute and School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Arizona State University, 781 E. Terrace Mall, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
| | - Rolf U Halden
- The Biodesign Center for Environmental Health Engineering, Biodesign Institute and School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Arizona State University, 781 E. Terrace Mall, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA.
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29
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Wang Y, Kannan P, Halden RU, Kannan K. A nationwide survey of 31 organophosphate esters in sewage sludge from the United States. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 655:446-453. [PMID: 30472646 PMCID: PMC6318040 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.11.224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2018] [Revised: 11/12/2018] [Accepted: 11/15/2018] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Organophosphate esters (OPEs) are used as flame retardants and plasticizers in a wide range of consumer products. Nevertheless, studies on the occurrence and inventory of OPEs in sewage sludge are limited. In this study, 20 OP triesters and 11 diesters were measured in 75 archived sewage sludge samples collected from 67 wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) across the United States (US). The median concentrations of ∑20OP-triesters and ∑11OP-diesters in sludge were 1290 and 78.4 ng/g dry weight (dw), respectively. Sludge samples originating from the Western and Northeastern US contained higher concentrations of OP triesters than did those from the Midwestern and Southern US. Sludge samples from WWTPs with larger treatment capacity (>38 million liters per day) contained higher concentrations of OP diesters (p < 0.05). OP diesters in sludge originated from two sources, triester degradation and direct inputs. Land application of sludge to US soils was estimated to result in annual mass inputs of 12,400-14,900 kg/year of OP triesters and 663-796 kg/year of OP diesters. A hazard assessment was performed for 14 OPEs found in sludge, which suggested a low level of risk at the current land application practices of sludge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Wang
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY 12201, United States
| | - Pranav Kannan
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY 12201, United States
| | - Rolf U Halden
- Center for Environmental Health Engineering, The Biodesign Institute and School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, United States
| | - Kurunthachalam Kannan
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY 12201, United States; Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, State University of New York at Albany, Albany, NY 12201, United States.
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30
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Zhu H, Halden RU, Kannan K. A nationwide survey of the occurrence of melamine and its derivatives in archived sewage sludge from the United States. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2019; 245:994-999. [PMID: 30682756 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2018.11.089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2018] [Revised: 11/23/2018] [Accepted: 11/26/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Melamine-based resins are used extensively in laminates, plastics, coatings, glues, and dinnerware. Little is known, however, about the occurrence of melamine and its derivatives in the environment. In this study, a nationwide survey of melamine and its derivatives, namely ammeline, ammelide, and cyanuric acid, was conducted, using archived sewage sludge samples collected from 68 wastewater treatment plants in the United States (U.S.). The sum concentrations of four target compounds in sludge ranged from 34 to 1800 ng/g dry weight (dw), with a mean concentration of 240 ng/g dw; melamine (46%) and cyanuric acid (40%) collectively accounted for 86% of the total mass of analytes. No significant geographical variation in the concentrations of melamine and its derivatives in sewage sludge was found. The estimated emission of melamine and its derivatives via land-application of sludge was approximately 1600 kg/yr in the U.S. The hazard quotient values for melamine in sludge-amended soils ranged from 2.2 × 10-5 to 4.4 × 10-3, indicating that the current levels of melamine in sludge pose a minimal risk to the soil environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongkai Zhu
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, and Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, State University of New York at Albany, Empire State Plaza, P.O. Box 509, Albany, NY 12201-0509, United States
| | - Rolf U Halden
- Center for Environmental Health Engineering, The Biodesign Institute and School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, United States
| | - Kurunthachalam Kannan
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, and Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, State University of New York at Albany, Empire State Plaza, P.O. Box 509, Albany, NY 12201-0509, United States; Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Science and Experimental Biochemistry Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, 22254, Saudi Arabia.
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31
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Magee HY, Maurer MM, Cobos A, Pycke BFG, Venkatesan AK, Magee D, Scotch M, Halden RU. U.S. nationwide reconnaissance of ten infrequently monitored antibiotics in municipal biosolids. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 643:460-467. [PMID: 29945081 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.06.206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2018] [Revised: 06/15/2018] [Accepted: 06/17/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Ten infrequently monitored antibiotics in biosolids were examined in archived American sewage sludges (n = 79) collected as part of the 2006/2007 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Targeted National Sewage Sludge Survey. This study inspected the occurrence of amoxicillin, ampicillin, erythromycin, furazolidone [proxy metabolite: 3-(2-nitrobenzylidenamino)-2-oxazolidinone (NP-AOZ)], nalidixic acid, oxolinic acid, oxytetracycline, spiramycin, sulfadimidine, and sulfadimethoxine in sewage sludges after nearly a decade in frozen storage. Six antibiotics were detected at the following average concentrations (ng/g dry weight): amoxicillin (1.0), nalidixic acid (19.1), oxolinic acid (2.7), erythromycin (0.6), oxytetracycline (4.5), and ampicillin (14.8). The remaining four were not detected in any samples (<method detection limit, ng/g dry weight): sulfadimethoxine (<0.5), sulfadimidine (<1.0), spiramycin (<2.0), and NP-AOZ (<20.0). This study provides the first data on spiramycin, NP-AOZ, and nalidixic acid in U.S. sewage sludges. This study also provides new data on the losses of 5 antibiotics during long term frozen storage (-20 °C) in comparison to the 2006/2007 U.S. EPA Targeted National Sewage Sludge Survey.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hansa Y Magee
- Arizona State University, Biodesign Center for Environmental Health Engineering, Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona State University, Department of Biomedical Informatics, College of Health Solutions, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Megan M Maurer
- Arizona State University, Biodesign Center for Environmental Health Engineering, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - April Cobos
- Arizona State University, Biodesign Center for Environmental Health Engineering, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Benny F G Pycke
- Arizona State University, Biodesign Center for Environmental Health Engineering, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Arjun K Venkatesan
- Arizona State University, School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Tempe, AZ, USA; Stony Brook University, Center for Clean Water Technology, Department of Civil Engineering, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Daniel Magee
- Arizona State University, Biodesign Center for Environmental Health Engineering, Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona State University, Department of Biomedical Informatics, College of Health Solutions, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Matthew Scotch
- Arizona State University, Biodesign Center for Environmental Health Engineering, Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona State University, Department of Biomedical Informatics, College of Health Solutions, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Rolf U Halden
- Arizona State University, Biodesign Center for Environmental Health Engineering, Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona State University, School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Tempe, AZ, USA.
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32
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Wang X, Andrade N, Shekarchi J, Fischer SJ, Torrents A, Ramirez M. Full scale study of Class A biosolids produced by thermal hydrolysis pretreatment and anaerobic digestion. WASTE MANAGEMENT (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2018; 78:43-50. [PMID: 32559930 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2018.05.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2017] [Revised: 04/27/2018] [Accepted: 05/14/2018] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Biosolids are the solid by-product of wastewater treatment and contain high-organic matter and nutrient content, which can be utilized in food production and gardening. In 2014, this study's target nutrient recovery facility (NRF) in the Mid-Atlantic region of the U.S. adopted thermal hydrolysis pretreatment (THP) and anaerobic digestion (AD) to upgrade biosolids from Class B (lime-stabilized) to Class A. The pathogen, nutrients, and metals contents were compared with that of Class B biosolids from the same facility throughout a one-year period. Following optimization and equilibrium, stable biosolids were produced that satisfied all Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Class A biosolids standards. Class A biosolids produced had fecal coliform density consistently below the 1000 MPN/g d.w. limit set by the EPA, at 35.85 ± 81.10 MPN/g d.w. (n = 301). Metal concentrations were greater in Class A than Class B biosolids as a result of biosolids mass reduction, but these levels were substantially lower than regulatory limits. Metal concentrations were (in mg/kg d.w.): As = 6.43 ± 0.400 (n = 141), Cd = 3.39 ± 0.117 (n = 147), Cr = 88.4 ± 2.00 (n = 148), Cu = 401 ± 9.81 (n = 148), Pb = 68.1 ± 2.19 (n = 148), Hg = 1.21 ± 0.116 (n = 148), Mo = 14.9 ± 0.321 (n = 148), Ni = 23.8 ± 0.911 (n = 146), Se = 10.0 ± 0.573 (n = 140), Zn = 778 ± 14.9 (n = 148), K = 850 ± 21.7 (n = 134). In addition, Class A biosolids were rich in total nitrogen (N) and higher in total phosphorus (TP), but low in potassium (K) content. Concentration of K was 850 ± 21.7 mg/kg d.w. (n = 134), TKN was 52,000 ± 13,300 mg/kg d.w. (n = 43), TP was 34,500 ± 6130 mg/kg d.w. (n = 42), and ammonia-N was 7860 ± 1350 mg/kg d.w. (n = 43).
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuanzhao Wang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Natasha Andrade
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA.
| | - Jessica Shekarchi
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Sarah J Fischer
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Alba Torrents
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Mark Ramirez
- DC Water, District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority, 5000 Overlook Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC 20032, USA
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Jiang L, Yang Y, Jia LX, Liu Y, Pan B, Lin Y. Effects of earthworm casts on sorption-desorption, degradation, and bioavailability of nonylphenol in soil. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2018; 25:7968-7977. [PMID: 29302909 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-017-1130-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2017] [Accepted: 12/26/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Up to hundreds of milligrams per kilogram (dry weight) of nonylphenol (NP) reportedly entered the soil and sediment through the agricultural reuse of biosolids, pesticide application, etc. Organic pollutants in soil could not only further trigger groundwater contamination via leaching (that highly depends upon sorption-desorption and degradation phenomena) but also harm food safety by crop uptake (that mainly rests with the bioavailability of pollutants in soil). Thus, we first investigated the effects of earthworm casts (EWCs) on the sorption-desorption, degradation, and bioavailability of NP in soil under laboratory microcosm conditions, and then, analyzed the FT-IR spectra of EWC and soil samples (with and without EWC). The application of EWC could notably increase the sorption capacity of soils for NP and in turn significantly inhibited the desorption of NP from soil; responsively lengthened the half-time of NP in the soil; and reduced the uptake and translocation of NP in tomato seedlings and promoted their growth during the first 3 weeks. Finally, FT-IR spectra of EWC and soil samples indicated that the application of EWC increased the content of N, P, and organic matter in soil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Jiang
- Environment and Plant Protection Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou, 571101, China
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Tropical Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Haikou, 571101, China
| | - Yi Yang
- Environment and Plant Protection Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou, 571101, China
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Tropical Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Haikou, 571101, China
| | - Lin Xian Jia
- Environment and Plant Protection Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou, 571101, China
- College of Environment and Plant Protection, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China
| | - Ying Liu
- Environment and Plant Protection Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou, 571101, China
| | - Bo Pan
- Environment and Plant Protection Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou, 571101, China
| | - Yong Lin
- Environment and Plant Protection Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou, 571101, China.
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Belhaj D, Athmouni K, Jerbi B, Kallel M, Ayadi H, Zhou JL. Estrogenic compounds in Tunisian urban sewage treatment plant: occurrence, removal and ecotoxicological impact of sewage discharge and sludge disposal. ECOTOXICOLOGY (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2016; 25:1849-1857. [PMID: 27660067 DOI: 10.1007/s10646-016-1733-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/15/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The occurrence, fate and ecotoxicological assessment of selected estrogenic compounds were investigated at Tunisian urban sewage treatment plant. The influents, effluents, as well as primary, secondary and dehydrated sludge, were sampled and analyzed for the target estrogens to evaluate their fate. All target compounds were detected in both sewage and sludge with mean concentrations from 0.062 to 0.993 μg L-1 and from 11.8 to 792.9 μg kg-1dry weight, respectively. A wide range of removal efficiencies during the treatment processes were observed, from 6.3 % for estrone to 76.8 % for estriol. Ecotoxicological risk assessment revealed that the highest ecotoxicological risk in sewage effluent and dehydrated sludge was due to 17β-estradiol with a risk quotient (RQ) of 4.6 and 181.9, respectively, and 17α-ethinylestradiol with RQ of 9.8 and 14.85, respectively. Ecotoxicological risk after sewage discharge and sludge disposal was limited to the presence of 17β-estradiol in dehydrated-sludge amended soil with RQ of 1.38. Further control of estrogenic hormones in sewage effluent and sludge is essential before their discharge and application in order to prevent their introduction into the natural environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dalel Belhaj
- Department of Life Sciences, Laboratory of Biodiversity and Aquatic Ecosystems, Ecology and Planktonology, University of Sfax-Tunisia, FSS, Street Soukra Km 3.5, BP 1171, Sfax, CP 3000, Tunisia.
| | - Khaled Athmouni
- Department of Life Sciences, Laboratory of Biodiversity and Aquatic Ecosystems, Ecology and Planktonology, University of Sfax-Tunisia, FSS, Street Soukra Km 3.5, BP 1171, Sfax, CP 3000, Tunisia
| | - Bouthaina Jerbi
- ENIS. Engineering laboratory of Environment and Ecotechnology. LR16ES19, University of Sfax-Tunisia, Street Soukra Km 3.5. BP 1173, Sfax, CP 3038, Tunisia
| | - Monem Kallel
- ENIS. Engineering laboratory of Environment and Ecotechnology. LR16ES19, University of Sfax-Tunisia, Street Soukra Km 3.5. BP 1173, Sfax, CP 3038, Tunisia
| | - Habib Ayadi
- Department of Life Sciences, Laboratory of Biodiversity and Aquatic Ecosystems, Ecology and Planktonology, University of Sfax-Tunisia, FSS, Street Soukra Km 3.5, BP 1171, Sfax, CP 3000, Tunisia
| | - John L Zhou
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway, NSW, 2007, Australia
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Meng XZ, Venkatesan AK, Ni YL, Steele JC, Wu LL, Bignert A, Bergman Å, Halden RU. Organic Contaminants in Chinese Sewage Sludge: A Meta-Analysis of the Literature of the Past 30 Years. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2016; 50:5454-66. [PMID: 27144960 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.5b05583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
The production of sewage sludge is increasing in China but with unsafe disposal practices, causing potential risk to human health and the environment. Using literature from the past 30 years (N = 159), we conducted a meta-analysis of organic contaminants (OCs) in Chinese sludge. Most data were available from developed and populated regions, and no data were found for Tibet. Since 1987, 35 classes of chemicals consisting of 749 individual compounds and 1 mixture have been analyzed, in which antibiotics and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were the most targeted analytes. For 13 classes of principal OCs (defined as chemicals detected in over five studies) in sludge, the median (expressed in nanograms per gram dry weight) was the highest for phthalate esters (27 900), followed by alkylphenol polyethoxylates (12 000), synthetic musks (5800), antibiotics (4240), PAHs (3490), ultraviolet stabilizers (670), bisphenol analogs (160), organochlorine pesticides (110), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (100), pharmaceuticals (84), hormones (69), perfluorinated compounds (21), and polychlorinated biphenyls (15). Concentrations of PAHs in sludges collected between 1998 and 2012 showed a decreasing trend. Study findings suggest the need for a Chinese national sewage sludge survey to identify and regulate toxic OCs, ideally employing both targeted as well as nontargeted screening approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang-Zhou Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University , 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Arjun K Venkatesan
- Biodesign Center for Environmental Security, The Biodesign Institute, Global Security Initiative and School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Arizona State University , 781 E. Terrace Mall, Tempe 85287, United States
| | - Yi-Lin Ni
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University , 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, China
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Imperial College London , London SW7 2AZ, U.K
| | - Joshua C Steele
- Biodesign Center for Environmental Security, The Biodesign Institute, Global Security Initiative and School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Arizona State University , 781 E. Terrace Mall, Tempe 85287, United States
| | - Ling-Ling Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University , 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Anders Bignert
- Department of Environmental Research and Monitoring, Swedish Museum of Natural History , Bo 50007, Stockholm 104 05, Sweden
| | - Åke Bergman
- Swedish Toxicology Sciences Research Center (Swetox) , Forskargatan 20, Södertälje 151 36, Sweden
| | - Rolf U Halden
- Biodesign Center for Environmental Security, The Biodesign Institute, Global Security Initiative and School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Arizona State University , 781 E. Terrace Mall, Tempe 85287, United States
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Arnold C. Pipe Dreams: Tapping into the Health Information in Our Sewers. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2016; 124:A86-A91. [PMID: 27135177 PMCID: PMC4858403 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.124-a86] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
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Venkatesan AK, Halden RU. Modeling the pH-mediated extraction of ionizable organic contaminants to improve the quality of municipal sewage sludge destined for land application. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2016; 550:736-741. [PMID: 26849337 PMCID: PMC4769932 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.01.119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2015] [Revised: 01/17/2016] [Accepted: 01/19/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
A model was developed to assess the impact of adding acids and bases to processed municipal sewage sludge (MSS) to mobilize contaminants, facilitating their removal from sludge by flushing prior to land application. Among 312 organic contaminants documented to occur in U.S. MSS, 71 or 23% were identified as ionizable organic contaminants (IOCs), contributing a disproportionately large fraction of 82% of the total mass of sludge-borne contaminants. Detected IOCs included 57 pharmaceuticals and personal care products, 12 perfluorinated compounds, one surfactant and one pesticide. Annually, about 2000t of IOCs were estimated to be released to U.S. soils via land-application of MSS. A partitioning model developed to assess the impact of pH on hydrophobic sorption revealed that between 36 and 85% of the mass of individual classes of IOCs potentially could be desorbed from MSS via pH adjustment and flushing. Thus, modeling results suggest that a sequential pH treatment [acidic (~pH2) followed by basic (~pH12) treatment] has the potential to reduce the burden of harmful IOCs in MSS applied on U.S. land by up to 40±16t annually. This approach may serve as a cost-effective treatment process that can be implemented easily in existing sludge treatment infrastructure in the U.S. and worldwide, serving to significantly improve the quality of MSS destined for land application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arjun K Venkatesan
- Center for Environmental Security, The Biodesign Institute, Global Security Initiative, Arizona State University, 781 E. Terrace Mall, Tempe, AZ 85287, United States
| | - Rolf U Halden
- Center for Environmental Security, The Biodesign Institute, Global Security Initiative, Arizona State University, 781 E. Terrace Mall, Tempe, AZ 85287, United States.
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Thomaidi VS, Stasinakis AS, Borova VL, Thomaidis NS. Assessing the risk associated with the presence of emerging organic contaminants in sludge-amended soil: A country-level analysis. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2016; 548-549:280-288. [PMID: 26802356 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.01.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2015] [Revised: 01/08/2016] [Accepted: 01/08/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Greece was used as case study and the environmental risk associated with the existence of 99 emerging organic contaminants (EOCs) in sludge-amended soil was estimated using risk quotient (RQ) approach. Data on the concentration levels of EOCs in sewage sludge was collected after literature review. Chemical analyses were also conducted for 50 pharmaceuticals and illicit drugs in sludge samples from Athens Sewage Treatment Plant. Risk assessment was based on both terrestrial and aquatic acute toxicity data, using both the maximum and the average measured concentrations of the target compounds. EC50/LC50 values were collected through literature review or using the ECOSAR program in cases that experimental values were not available. Triclosan seems to pose an environmental risk on the soil environment, as its RQ values exceeded 1, both in terrestrial and aquatic toxicity data based risk assessment. Calculations based on aquatic toxicity data showed that another eleven compounds had RQs higher than 1, most of them belonging to the classes of synthetic phenolic compounds and siloxanes. Tetradecamethylhexasiloxane presented the highest RQ, while high RQs were also calculated for decamethylcyclopentasiloxane and caffeine. No environmental risk for the terrestrial environment is expected due to the individual action of illicit drugs, perfluorinated compounds and benzotriazoles. The sludge source and the day of sampling affected the estimated threat due to nonylphenolic compounds; however these factors did not affect the estimated risk for siloxanes, caffeine and ofloxacin. Calculation of RQ values for the mixture of EOCs, using either the maximum or the average concentrations, far exceeded 1 (253 and 209, respectively), indicating a presumable threat for the terrestrial environment due to the baseline toxicity of these compounds. Countries that reuse sludge for agricultural purposes should include specific EOCs in national monitoring campaigns and study more thoroughly on their effects to the terrestrial environment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Viola L Borova
- Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15771 Athens, Greece
| | - Nikolaos S Thomaidis
- Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15771 Athens, Greece
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Venkatesan AK, Hamdan AHM, Chavez VM, Brown JD, Halden RU. Mass Balance Model for Sustainable Phosphorus Recovery in a US Wastewater Treatment Plant. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY 2016; 45:84-9. [PMID: 26828163 DOI: 10.2134/jeq2014.11.0504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
In response to limited phosphorus (P) reserves worldwide, several countries have demonstrated the prospect of recovering significant amounts of P from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). This technique uses enhanced biological P removal (EBPR) to concentrate P in sludge followed by chemical precipitation of P as struvite, a usable phosphate mineral. The present study models the feasibility of this enhanced removal and recovery technique in a WWTP in Arizona with design parameters typical of infrastructure in the United States. A mass balance was performed for existing treatment processes and modifications proposed to estimate the quantity of P that could be recovered under current and future flow conditions. Modeling results show that about 71 to 96% of the P being lost potentially could be recovered as struvite. About 491 ± 64 t yr of struvite may be recovered after process modification, which corresponds to $150,000 ± $20,000 yr in P sales to fertilizer industries. The process was projected to be economically feasible, with a payback period of 45 ± 30 yr in the studied WWTP and a much shorter duration of 3 ± 1 yr for WWTPs already using an EBPR process. Furthermore, modeling results suggest that P recovery can improve the quality of biosolids by favorably reducing the P:N ratio. Implementation of this strategy at US WWTPs may increase national security by reducing dependence of limited P resources. Considering all aspects of the recovery process with respect to environmental, economic, and social implications, the examined technique is concluded to represent a cost-attractive and sustainable method for P management in US WWTPs.
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Yu X, Xue J, Yao H, Wu Q, Venkatesan AK, Halden RU, Kannan K. Occurrence and estrogenic potency of eight bisphenol analogs in sewage sludge from the U.S. EPA targeted national sewage sludge survey. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2015; 299:733-9. [PMID: 26298263 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2015.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2015] [Revised: 07/03/2015] [Accepted: 07/06/2015] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
As health concerns over bisphenol A (BPA) in consumer products are mounting, this weak estrogen mimicking compound is gradually being replaced with structural analogs, whose environmental occurrence and estrogen risks are not well understood yet. We used high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) to determine the concentrations of eight bisphenol analogs in 76 sewage sludge samples collected by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2006/2007 from 74 wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in 35 states. Bisphenols were detected at the following concentration ranges (ng/g dry weight) and detection frequencies: BPA (6.5-4700; 100%); bisphenol S (BPS; <1.79-1480; 84%); bisphenol F (BPF; <1.79-242; 68%); bisphenol AF (BPAF; <1.79-72.2; 46%); bisphenol P (BPP; <1.79-6.42; <5%), bisphenol B (BPB; <1.79-5.60; <5%), and bisphenol Z (BPZ; <1.79--66.7; <5%). Bisphenol AP (BPAP) was not detected in any of the samples (<1.79 ng/g dw). Concentrations of BPA in sewage sludge were an order of magnitude higher than those reported in China but similar to those in Germany. The calculated 17β-estradiol equivalents (E2EQ) of bisphenols present in sludge samples were 7.74 (0.26-90.5) pg/g dw, which were three orders of magnitude lower than the estrogenic activity contributed by natural estrogens present in the sludge. The calculated mass loading of bisphenols through the disposal of sludge and wastewater was <0.02% of the total U.S. production. As the usage of BPA is expected to decline further, environmental emissions of BPS, BPF, and BPAF are likely to increase in the future. This study establishes baseline levels and estrogenic activity of diverse bisphenol analogs in sewage sludge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohua Yu
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, and Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, State University of New York at Albany, Empire State Plaza, P.O. Box 509, Albany, NY 12201-0509, USA; Department of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing 100044, China
| | - Jingchuan Xue
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, and Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, State University of New York at Albany, Empire State Plaza, P.O. Box 509, Albany, NY 12201-0509, USA
| | - Hong Yao
- Department of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing 100044, China
| | - Qian Wu
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, and Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, State University of New York at Albany, Empire State Plaza, P.O. Box 509, Albany, NY 12201-0509, USA
| | - Arjun K Venkatesan
- Center for Environmental Security, The Biodesign Institute, Global Security Initiative, Arizona State University, 781 E. Terrace Mall, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
| | - Rolf U Halden
- Center for Environmental Security, The Biodesign Institute, Global Security Initiative, Arizona State University, 781 E. Terrace Mall, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
| | - Kurunthachalam Kannan
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, and Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, State University of New York at Albany, Empire State Plaza, P.O. Box 509, Albany, NY 12201-0509, USA; Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Science and Experimental Biochemistry Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
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Verlicchi P, Zambello E. Pharmaceuticals and personal care products in untreated and treated sewage sludge: Occurrence and environmental risk in the case of application on soil - A critical review. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2015; 538:750-67. [PMID: 26327643 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.08.108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 258] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2015] [Revised: 08/18/2015] [Accepted: 08/18/2015] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
This review is based on 59 papers published between 2002 and 2015, referring to about 450 treatment trains providing data regarding sludge concentrations for 169 compounds, specifically 152 pharmaceuticals and 17 personal care products, grouped into 28 different classes. The rationale of the study is to provide data to evaluate the environmental risk posed by the spreading of treated sludge in agriculture. Following discussion of the legislative scenario governing the final disposal of treated sludge in European countries and the USA, the study provides a snapshot of the occurrence of selected compounds in primary, secondary, mixed, digested, conditioned, composted and dried sludge originating in municipal wastewater treatment plants fed mainly with urban wastewater as well as in sludge-amended soil. Not only are measured values reported, but also predicted concentrations based on Kd values are reported. It emerges that in secondary sludge, the highest concentrations were found for fragrances, antiseptics and antibiotics and an attenuation in their concentrations occurs during treatment, in particular anaerobic digestion and composting. An in-depth literature survey of the (measured and predicted) Kd values for the different compounds and treated sludge are reported and an analysis of the influence of pH, redox conditions, sludge type was carried out. The data regarding measured and predicted concentrations of selected compounds in sludge-amended soil is then analyzed. Finally an environmental risk assessment posed by their occurrence in soil in the case of land application of sludge is examined, and the results obtained by different authors are compared. The most critical compounds found in the sludge-amended soil are estradiol, ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, tetracycline, caffeine, triclosan and triclocarban. The study concludes with a focus on the main issues that should be further investigated in order to refine the environmental risk assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Verlicchi
- Department of Engineering, University of Ferrara, Via Saragat 1 44122 Ferrara, Italy; Technopole Terra and Acqua Tech, Via Borsari 46, 44123 Ferrara, Italy.
| | - E Zambello
- Department of Engineering, University of Ferrara, Via Saragat 1 44122 Ferrara, Italy.
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Xue J, Venkatesan AK, Wu Q, Halden RU, Kannan K. Occurrence of Bisphenol A Diglycidyl Ethers (BADGEs) and Novolac Glycidyl Ethers (NOGEs) in Archived Biosolids from the U.S. EPA's Targeted National Sewage Sludge Survey. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2015; 49:6538-6544. [PMID: 25922885 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.5b01115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Epoxy resins incorporating bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (BADGE) and novolac glycidyl ether (NOGE) are used in a wide range of applications, including adhesives, structural and electrical laminates. However, little is known about the occurrence of BADGE, NOGE, and their derivatives in the environment. Using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, BADGE, bisphenol F glycidyl ether (BFDGE), 3-ring NOGE, and eight of their derivatives (BADGE·2 H2O, BADGE·H2O, BADGE·HCl·H2O, BADGE·2 HCl, BADGE·HCl, BFDGE·2 H2O, and BFDGE·2 HCl) were determined in archived biosolid samples collected from 68 wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) from the northeastern, midwestern, western, and southern regions of the USA. BADGE·2 H2O was the most frequently detected (DR = 99%) and the most abundant compound found (median: 93.6 ng/g dry weight [dw]) in this family. The highest total concentrations of target chemicals, ranging from 83.6 to 2490 ng/g dw, were found in biosolids collected from the northeastern United States. The sum of geometric mean (GM) concentration of BADGE, NOGE, and their derivatives in biosolids increased with the treatment capacity of WWTPs. Based on the measured concentrations in biosolids and predicted mass in wastewater, it was estimated that approximately 3.5% of the total production of BADGEs was emitted through WWTP discharges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingchuan Xue
- †Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, and Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, State University of New York at Albany, Albany, New York 12201, United States
| | - Arjun K Venkatesan
- ‡Center for Environmental Security, The Biodesign Institute, Global Security Initiative, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
| | - Qian Wu
- †Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, and Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, State University of New York at Albany, Albany, New York 12201, United States
| | - Rolf U Halden
- ‡Center for Environmental Security, The Biodesign Institute, Global Security Initiative, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
| | - Kurunthachalam Kannan
- †Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, and Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, State University of New York at Albany, Albany, New York 12201, United States
- §Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Science and Experimental Biochemistry Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 22254, Saudi Arabia
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Bean HD, Pleil JD, Hill JE. Editorial: New analytical and statistical approaches for interpreting the relationships among environmental stressors and biomarkers. Biomarkers 2014; 20:1-4. [DOI: 10.3109/1354750x.2014.985254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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Venkatesan A, Halden RU. Contribution of polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PBDD/Fs) to the toxic equivalency of dioxin-like compounds in archived biosolids from the U.S. EPA's 2001 national sewage sludge survey. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2014; 48:10843-9. [PMID: 25157505 PMCID: PMC4167052 DOI: 10.1021/es503110j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2014] [Revised: 08/21/2014] [Accepted: 08/26/2014] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
The World Health Organization recently proposed the inclusion of brominated congeners in addition to chlorinated congeners when computing the toxic equivalency (TEQ) of dioxin-like compounds (DLCs) in assessments of human health risks. In the present study, 12 polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans (PBDD/Fs) were analyzed by gas chromatography/high resolution mass spectrometry in the composited, archived biosolids that were collected in 32 U.S. states and the District of Columbia from 94 wastewater treatment plants by the United States Environmental Protection Agency in its 2001 national sewage sludge survey. Two PBDDs and five PBDFs were detected in the biosolids composites at varying frequencies (40-100%) with a total mean concentration of 10,000 ng/kg dry weight (range: 630-42,800), of which 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-hepta-BDF constituted about 95% by mass. Relative to commercial polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) formulations, the ratio of PBDD/Fs to PBDEs in biosolids was 55-times higher (∼ 0.002% vs ∼ 0.11%), which indicates potential PBDE transformation or possibly additional sources of PBDD/Fs in the environment. The TEQ contribution of PBDD/Fs was estimated at 162 ng/kg 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) (range: 15-672), which is equivalent to 75% (range: 12-96%) of the total TEQ in biosolids. The TEQ of DLCs released annually to U.S. soils as a result of the land application of biosolids was estimated at 720 g (range: 530-1600 g). Among all known DLCs determined in biosolids, brominated analogs contributed 370% more TEQ than did chlorinated congeners, which indicates the need to include brominated DLCs in the exposure and risk assessment of land-applied biosolids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arjun
K. Venkatesan
- Center
for Environmental
Security, The Biodesign Institute, Security and Defense Systems Initiative, Arizona State University, 781 East Terrace Mall, Tempe, Arizona 85287-5904, United States
| | - Rolf U. Halden
- Center
for Environmental
Security, The Biodesign Institute, Security and Defense Systems Initiative, Arizona State University, 781 East Terrace Mall, Tempe, Arizona 85287-5904, United States
| |
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