Four decades since the ban, old urban wastewater treatment plant remains a dominant source of PCBs to the environment

Quantitative thermodynamic exposure assessment of PCBs available to sandworms (Alitta virens) in activated carbon remediated sediment during ongoing sediment deposition

Marine mesoscale studies with sandworms (Alitta virens) were conducted to isolate important processes governing the exposure and bioaccumulation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) at contaminated sediment sites. Ex situ equilibrium sampling with silicone-coated jars, and in situ passive sampling with low-density polyethylene (LDPE) were used to determine the performance of an activated carbon (AC) amendment remedy applied to the bed sediment. A quantitative thermodynamic exposure assessment ('QTEA') was performed, showing that PCB concentrations in polymers at equilibrium with the surficial sediment were suited to measure and assess the remedy effectiveness with regard to PCB bioaccumulation in worms. In practice, monitoring the performance of sediment remedies should utilize a consistent and predictive form of polymeric sampling of the sediment. The present study found that ex situ equilibrium sampling of the surficial sediment was the most useful for understanding changes in bioaccumulation potential as a result of the applied remedy, during bioturbation and ongoing sediment and contaminant influx processes. The ultrathin silicone coatings of the ex situ sampling provided fast equilibration of PCBs between the sediment interstitial water and the polymer, and the multiple coating thicknesses were applied to confirm equilibrium and the absence of surface sorption artifacts. Overall, ex situ equilibrium sampling of surficial sediment could fit into existing frameworks as a robust and cost-effective tool for contaminated sediment site assessment.

Occurrence and Fate of Substituted p-Phenylenediamine-Derived Quinones in Hong Kong Wastewater Treatment Plants

para-Phenylenediamine quinones (PPD-Qs) are a newly discovered class of transformation products derived from para-phenylenediamine (PPD) antioxidants. These compounds are prevalent in runoff, roadside soil, and particulate matter. One compound among these, N-1,3-dimethylbutyl-n'-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine quinone (6PPD-Q), was found to induce acute mortality of coho salmon, rainbow trout, and brook trout, with the median lethal concentrations even lower than its appearance in the surface and receiving water system. However, there was limited knowledge about the occurrence and fate of these emerging environmental contaminants in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), which is crucial for effective pollutant removal via municipal wastewater networks. In the current study, we performed a comprehensive investigation of a suite of PPD-Qs along with their parent compounds across the influent, effluent, and biosolids during each processing unit in four typical WWTPs in Hong Kong. The total concentrations of PPDs and PPD-Qs in the influent were determined to be 2.7-90 and 14-830 ng/L. In the effluent, their concentrations decreased to 0.59-40 and 2.8-140 ng/L, respectively. The median removal efficiency for PPD-Qs varied between 53.0 and 91.0% across the WWTPs, indicating that a considerable proportion of these contaminants may not be fully eliminated through the current processing technology. Mass flow analyses revealed that relatively higher levels of PPD-Qs were retained in the sewage sludge (20.0%) rather than in the wastewater (16.9%). In comparison to PPDs, PPD-Qs with higher half-lives exhibited higher release levels via effluent wastewater, which raises particular concerns about their environmental consequences to aquatic ecosystems.

Polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorine pesticides in surface sediments from river networks, South Korea: Spatial distribution, source identification, and ecological risks

In this study, the nationwide monitoring of 65 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and 23 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in surface sediments was conducted at 77 sites in river networks in South Korea. The concentrations of ∑PCBs were relatively high in industrial sites (0.0297-138 ng/g dry weight (dw); mean 15.1 ng/g dw; median 5.44 ng/g dw), followed by industrial and agricultural (not detected (ND)-15.2 ng/g dw; mean 1.23 ng/g dw; median 0.513 ng/g dw), other sites (0.0369-0.209 ng/g dw; mean 0.116 ng/g dw; median 0.101 ng/g dw), and agricultural (0.0119-0.359 ng/g dw; mean 0.117 ng/g dw; median 0.0476 ng/g dw). The distribution and composition of PCBs in sediments are affected by past use of commercial products, atmospheric deposition, wastewater effluents, and manufacturing processes. The concentrations of ∑OCPs in industrial sites ranged from 0.0587 to 8.70 ng/g dw (mean 1.85 ng/g dw; median 0.989 ng/g dw), followed by industrial and agricultural (ND-8.54 ng/g dw; mean 0.739 ng/g dw; median 0.343 ng/g dw), other sites (0.0247-0.143 ng/g dw; mean 0.0939 ng/g dw; median 0.114 ng/g dw), and agricultural (0.00838-0.931 ng/g dw; mean 0.232 ng/g dw; median 0.0752 ng/g dw). Hexachlorobenzene and pentachlorobenzene are unintentionally generated in industries and combustion processes. Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes and chlordane were dominantly distributed by historical use, whereas recent inputs (i.e., long-range transport and atmospheric deposition) were related to aldrin, heptachlor, and hexachlorocyclohexanes. The ecological risks determined by the sediment quality guidelines and mean probable effect level quotients were acceptable, except at two sites.

Quality of fish sludge as fertiliser to spring cereals: Nitrogen effects and environmental pollutants

The aim of this study was to contribute to development of organic fertiliser products based on fish sludge (i.e. feed residues and faeces) from farmed smolt. Four dried fish sludge products, one liquid digestate after anaerobic digestion and one dried digestate were collected at Norwegian smolt hatcheries in 2019 and 2020. Their quality as fertilisers was studied by chemical analyses, two 2-year field experiments with spring cereals and soil incubation combined with a first-order kinetics N release model. Cadmium (Cd) and zinc (Zn) concentrations were below European Union maximum limits for organic fertilisers in all products except one (liquid digestate). Relevant organic pollutants (PCB7, PBDE7, PCDD/F + DL-PCB) were analysed for the first time and detected in all fish sludge products. Nutrient composition was unbalanced, with low nitrogen/phosphorus (N/P) ratio and low potassium (K) content relative to crop requirements. Nitrogen concentration in the dried fish sludge products varied (27-70 g N kg-1 dry matter), even when treated by the same technology but sampled at different locations and/or times. In the dried fish sludge products, N was mainly present as recalcitrant organic N, resulting in lower grain yield than with mineral N fertiliser. Digestate showed equally good N fertilisation effect as mineral N fertiliser, but drying reduced N quality. Soil incubation in combination with modelling is a relatively cheap tool that can give a good indication of N quality in fish sludge products with unknown fertilisation effects. Carbon/N ratio in dried fish sludge can also be used as an indicator of N quality.

The last 50 years of organic contamination of a highly anthropized tributary of the Po River (Italy)

We examined the temporal profiles of many organic micropollutants analysed in a sediment core sampled from a highly anthropized tributary of the Po River, the Lambro River. Analysed for extractable organic halogens (EOX), total petroleum hydrocarbons (C₁₀-C₄₀TPH), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), common legacy pollutants (DDTs, PCBs), halogenated flame retardants (PBDEs, DBDPE, TBBPA-bis, TCBPA, TBBPA, HBCDs), organotins (TBT, TPhT), antimicrobials (TCS, TCC), fragrances (AHTN, HHCB) and phthalates (DMP, DEP, DnBP, BBP, DEHP, DnOP), the dated sediment core revealed the historical record of 50 years of chemical contamination discharged into the Lambro and thereby the Po River. In this regard, the peak levels of PCBs and DDTs found in Lambro sediments were also identified in other sediment cores collected from the Po River prodelta in the Adriatic Sea, thus hundreds of kilometres downstream (Combi et al., 2020). The highest risk to aquatic organisms was associated with decades of high levels of C₁₀-C₄₀ TPH, PBDEs, PCBs, PAHs, DDTs, EOX, TCC, AHTN and DEHP, which in different periods of the contamination history, showed exceedances of guideline/threshold values. C₁₀-C₄₀ TPH and TCC, for example, were very high in the 1960s, whereas PCBs, DDTs, and PBDEs, peaked from the 1980s onward. The corresponding sums of PEC quotients ranged between 0.48 and 28.63, with a mean value (±SD) for the entire recording period of 10.62 ± 9.83. Environmental legislations and improved wastewater treatments were the main drivers of the recent downward trends observed for most of the chemicals investigated. Floods in turn resulted in macroscopic yet temporary improvements in the chemical quality of the tributary, conveying contaminated sediments into the Po River.

Codeployment of Passive Samplers and Mussels Reveals Major Source of Ongoing PCB Inputs to the Anacostia River in Washington, DC

Remedial investigations of sites contaminated with legacy pollutants like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) have traditionally focused on mapping sediment contamination to develop a site conceptual model and select remedy options. Ignoring dissolved concentrations that drive transport and bioaccumulation often leads to an incomplete assessment of ongoing inputs to the water column and overestimation of potential effectiveness of sediment remediation. Here, we demonstrate the utility of codeployment of passive equilibrium samplers and freshwater mussels as dual lines of evidence to identify ongoing sources of PCBs from eight main tributaries of the Anacostia River in Washington, DC, that has been historically polluted from industrial and other human activities. The freely dissolved PCB concentrations measured using passive samplers tracked well with the accumulation in mussels and allowed predictions of biouptake within a factor of 2 for total PCBs and a factor of 4 for most congeners. One tributary was identified as the primary source of PCBs to the water column and became a focus of additional ongoing investigations. Codeployment of passive samplers and mussels provides strong lines of evidence to refine site conceptual models and identify ongoing sources critical to control to achieve river water quality standards and reduce bioaccumulation in the aquatic food web.

Equilibrium Porewater Measurement of PCBs and PAHs Using Direct Water Extraction and Comparison with Passive Sampling

The freely dissolved concentration of hydrophobic pollutants in sediment porewater (C_pw) is a critical driver for exposure to aquatic organisms, bioaccumulation, toxicity, and flux across interfaces. In this research, we compared direct porewater extraction and passive sampling for C_pw measurements of a range of PCBs and PAHs in field-collected sediments. The direct water extraction method provided accurate quantification of C_pw for low to moderately hydrophobic PCB and PAH compounds (log K_ow < 6.5) that compared well with independent measurements performed using four passive sampling methods. Direct water extraction was adequate to assess narcosis toxicity of PAHs to benthic organisms that is driven by the concentrations of low to moderately hydrophobic PAHs (naphthalene to chrysene), even for a hypothetical sediment that had a tenth of the PAH concentrations of the study sediments and was assessed to be nontoxic. Prediction of PCB bioaccumulation in benthic organisms agreed within 50% for all measurement methods, but it was apparent that for less contaminated sediments, the direct water extraction method would likely have detection limit challenges, especially for the strongly hydrophobic PCBs. To address the uncertainty of the C_pw measurement of the strongly hydrophobic compounds and naphthalene, a new extrapolation approach is demonstrated that can be applicable for both direct water extraction and passive sampling methods.

Temporal trends of perfluoroalkyl substances in an Australian wastewater treatment plant: A ten-year retrospective investigation

Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a problematic group of chemicals used in various industrial and household products. They have been extensively detected in wastewater as a result of day-to-day product usage. Due to concerns about their safety, voluntary and regulatory action to limit the manufacture and use of some individual PFAS has occurred since the year 2000. The impact that this intervention has had on the use and potential exposure of Australians has not been measured. Wastewater serves as a powerful tool to assess the chemical use or consumption patterns of a population over time. We accessed a ten-year wastewater archiving program to conduct a temporal analysis of PFAS trends in an urban Australian population between the years 2010 and 2020. Results showed a decline in the concentrations for most PFAS, and a change in the PFAS profile from perfluorosulfonic acids and long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids, to the short-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids and PFOS-replacement degradation products such as 5:3 FTCA. Intermittent pulses of PFAS that were significantly higher than 'background' levels (i.e., representing the PFAS input from primarily households) were observed, suggesting continuing industrial PFAS input within the wastewater catchment. This study highlights the long-term consequences of the diffuse use of persistent chemicals in products, and their ability to continue to enter the wastewater stream for decades.

Biochar amendment to advance contaminant removal in anaerobic digestion of organic solid wastes: A review

Anaerobic digestion (AD) has been widely applied to convert organic solid wastes into biogas, a renewable energy, and digestate, a bio-fertilizer, to sustain waste management. Nevertheless, several vexing contaminants in OSWs restrict digestate application in agriculture. Biochar has been evidenced to effectively improve AD by promoting organic biodegradation and alleviating the accumulation of inhibitory substances (e.g. ammonia and volatile fatty acids). Furthermore, biochar could advance contaminant removal in AD given its highly porous, conductive and alkaline features. Thus, this review aims to highlight the role of biochar amendment to advance contaminant removal in AD of OSWs. Key contaminants, such as antibiotics, heavy metals, microplastics, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, furfural and 5-hydroxy methyl furfural (5-HMF) that ubiquitously present in OSWs were demonstrated. The underlying mechanisms of biochar to amend the removal of these contaminants by AD were discussed. Furthermore, future perspectives to the development of biochar-assisted AD for OSWs treatment were provided.

Interaction between polychlorinated biphenyls and dissolved organic matter of different molecular weights from natural and anthropic sources

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are compounds of significant interest due to high toxicity, persistence, long-range atmospheric transport, and bioaccumulation. These compounds can interact with components present in the environment, including dissolved organic matter (DOM) in soils and waters, thereby modifying its availability and movement. In this study, DOM was fractionated by ultrafiltration and characterized according to its hydrophobicity and hydrophilicity, then the interaction of a series of PCBs and different DOM fractions was evaluated. The DOM was collected from the surface waters of three sectors located along a river in the southern part of America. These sectors are subject to different anthropic activities, thus the DOM of sector 1, with the least anthropic influence, was mainly hydrophobic and with a high content of aromatic structures. In contrast, the DOM collected from sectors 2 and 3, where anthropic activity is highest, was slightly hydrophobic and hydrophilic, respectively. The DOM of these two sectors was mainly composed of low molecular weight macromolecules. These results revealed that more hydrophobic PCBs (i.e., 101, 118, 138, and 180) have a greater affinity to DOM with a higher molecular weight (i.e., >1 kDa). In turn, PCBs with lesser chlorination and hydrophobicity presented a greater affinity to DOM with a lower molecular weight. In conclusion, our study shows that the high molecular weight DOM is responsible for mobilizing PCBs with a high degree of chlorination.

Deconvoluting Thermodynamics from Biology in the Aquatic Food Web Model

Bioaccumulation of hydrophobic pollutants in an aquatic food web is governed by exposure concentrations in sediment and water phases and by complex trophic interactions among the various species. We demonstrate that biological interactions and exposure from the chemical environment can be deconvoluted for aquatic food webs to allow clearer assessments of the role of thermodynamic drivers from the sediment and surface water phases. We first demonstrate the feasibility of this deconvolution mathematically for hypothetical food webs with 3 and 4 interacting species and for more realistic real-world food webs with >10 species of aquatic organisms (i.e., the freshwater lake food web in Western Lake Erie [ON, Canada] and the marine food web in New Bedford Harbor [MA, USA]). Our results show both mathematically (for the simple food webs) and computationally (for the more complex food webs) that a deconvoluted food web model parameterized for site-specific conditions can predict the bioaccumulation of polychlorinated biphenyls in aquatic organisms same as existing complex food web models. The merit of this approach is that once the thermodynamic and biological contributions to food web bioaccumulation are computed for an ecosystem, the deconvoluted model provides a relatively simple approach for calculating concentrations of chemicals in organisms for a range of possible surface water and sedimentary concentrations. This approach is especially useful for calculating bioaccumulation of pollutants from freely dissolved concentrations measured using passive sampling devices or predicted by fate and transport models. The deconvoluted approach makes it possible to develop regulatory guidelines for a set of surface water and sediment (or porewater) concentration combinations for a water body that is able to achieve a risk-based target for fish concentration. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:2145-2155. © 2021 SETAC.

New approach for reproductive toxicity assessment: chromatoid bodies as a target for methylmercury and polychlorinated biphenyls in prepubertal male rats

This study investigated the reproductive toxicity of methylmercury (MeHg) and Aroclor (Sigma-Aldrich), alone or in combination, following exposure of prepubertal male rats considering the chromatoid body (CB) as a potential target. The CB is an important molecular regulator of mammalian spermatogenesis, primarily during spermatid cytodifferentiation. Male Wistar rats were exposed to MeHg and/or Aroclor , according the following experimental design: control group, which was administered in corn oil (vehicle) only; MeHg-treated group, which was administered 0.5mg kg-1 day-1 MeHg; Aroclor-treated group, which was administered 1mg kg-1 day-1 Aroclor; Mix-LD, group which was administered a low-dose mixture of MeHg (0.05mg kg-1 day-1) and Aroclor (0.1mg kg-1 day-1); and Mix-HD group, which was administered a high-dose mixture of MeHg (0.5mg kg-1 day-1) and Aroclor (1.0mg kg-1 day-1). MeHg was diluted in distilled water and Aroclor was made up in corn oil (volume 1mL kg-1). Rats were administered the different treatments from PND23 to PND53 by gavage, . The morphophysiology of CBs was analysed, together with aspects of steroid hormones status and regulation, just after the last treatment on PND53. In addition, the long-term effects on sperm parameters were assessed in adult animals. MeHg exposure increased mouse VASA homologue (MVH) protein levels in seminiferous tubules, possibly affecting the epigenetic status of germ cells. Aroclor produced morphological changes to CB assembly, which may explain the observed morphological defects to the sperm flagellum and the consequent decrease in sperm motility. There were no clear additive or synergistic effects between MeHg and Aroclor when administered in combination. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that MeHg and Aroclor have independent deleterious effects on the developing testis, causing molecular and morphological changes in CBs. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to show that CBs are targets for toxic agents.

Concentrations of organic contaminants in industrial and municipal bioresources recycled in agriculture in the UK

Many types of bioresource materials are beneficially recycled in agriculture for soil improvement and as alternative bedding materials for livestock, but they also potentially transfer contaminants into plant and animal foods. Representative types of industrial and municipal bioresources were selected to assess the extent of organic chemical contamination, including: (i) land applied materials: treated sewage sludge (biosolids), meat and bone meal ash (MBMA), poultry litter ash (PLA), paper sludge ash (PSA) and compost-like-output (CLO), and (ii) bedding materials: recycled waste wood (RWW), dried paper sludge (DPS), paper sludge ash (PSA) and shredded cardboard. The materials generally contained lower concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) relative to earlier reports, indicating the decline in environmental emissions of these established contaminants. However, concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) remain elevated in biosolids samples from urban catchments. Polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins/dibenzofurans (PBDD/Fs) were present in larger amounts in biosolids and CLO compared to their chlorinated counterparts and hence are of potentially greater significance in contemporary materials. The presence of non-ortho-polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in DPS was probably due to non-legacy sources of PCBs in paper production. Flame retardent chemicals were one of the most significant and extensive groups of contaminants found in the bioresource materials. Decabromodiphenylether (deca-BDE) was the most abundant polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) and may explain the formation and high concentrations of PBDD/Fs detected. Emerging flame retardant compounds, including: decabromodiphenylethane (DBDPE) and organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs), were also detected in several of the materials. The profile of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) depended on the type of waste category; perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnDA) was the most significant PFAS for DPS, whereas perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) was dominant in biosolids and CLO. The concentrations of polychlorinated alkanes (PCAs) and di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) were generally much larger than the other contaminants measured, indicating that there are major anthropogenic sources of these potentially hazardous chemicals entering the environment. The study results suggest that continued vigilance is required to control emissions and sources of these contaminants to support the beneficial use of secondary bioresource materials.

Wastewater treatment, reuse, and disposal-associated effects on environment and health

This paper presents the review of the literature published in the year 2019 related to treatment and reuse of wastewater and effects on the environment and human health. The scientific review on the treatment and reuse of wastewaters is divided into various sections in the paper. The review sections cover wastewater management, reuse, removal of microorganisms, and chemical constituents. Besides, the review also covers research focused on wastewater treatment plants, disposal, and the management of wastewater sludge as well as biosolids in the environment. PRACTITIONER POINTS: This paper highlights the review of scientific literature published in the year 2019.Review provide issues related to health risks associated with human and the general environment on the reuse of wastewater, treatment as well as disposal.The literature review covers selected papers relevant to the topic.

PDGFRα/β-PI3K-Akt pathway response to the interplay of mitochondrial dysfunction and DNA damage in Aroclor 1254-exposed porcine granulosa cells

Metabolic dysfunction and genomic instability are known to affect female fertility. Aroclor 1254 (A1254) is an endocrine disruptor that affects mitochondrial function following ingestion, inhalation, or dermal exposure. Numerous studies to date have addressed associations between A1254 toxicity and chronic neurological disorders, while A1254 exposure is little known to have a toxic effect on the female reproductive system. Furthermore, interactive mechanisms between metabolic dysfunction and the repair of DNA damage deserve further investigation. In this paper, an in vitro porcine primary granulosa cell (GC) culture model was used to investigate the mechanisms of exposure and effects of the exogenous chemical carcinogen A1254 on reproductive toxicology. High-throughput RNA sequencing obtained 2329 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) to be analyzed using COG classification, GO, and KEGG. When combined with immunofluorescence, Western blot analysis, and real-time RT-PCR analysis, this data showed that the mitochondrial-ROS-driven feed-forward loop increased phospho-PDGFRα/β, which stimulates apoptosis by suppressing the PI3K-Akt pathway. We also noticed that inhibition of the Akt-PDP1-PDK1 axis attenuated mitochondrial function. In contrast, following iPath analysis, partial metabolic pathways were enhanced. Importantly, we found that A1254 activated a DNA damage response, the major regulators of which belong to the PI3K-related protein kinases (PIKKs) and oncogenes, which led to the "Warburg effect". It is not easy to restore the damage that A1254 causes to metabolism through dysregulation and the Warburg effect, owing to the fact that oncogenes can regulate cytoplasmic metabolism. Therefore, we suspect that the PDGFR-PI3K-Akt pathway may be a latent interaction between mitochondrial dysfunction and the response of DNA damage.

Removal of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) from waters and wastewaters by the use of ionizing radiation

The most important advantages of the use of ionizing radiation over other AOPs are exceptionally efficient in situ generation of very reactive oxidizing free radicals ^•OH from water radiolysis and very unique simultaneous generation of strongly reducing hydrated electrons. They allow to carry out Advanced Oxidation and Reduction Processes (AO/RPs) simultaneously. Carrying out only oxidative or reductive processes is also possible by the use of appropriate scavengers of free radicals in irradiated solutions. For the application of these processes for environmental protection purposes gamma-rays from radioisotope sources or beams of accelerated electrons are most commonly used. In the case of particularly resistant POPs some chemical additives to the irradiated solutions may enhance the yield of decomposition. This review based on 125 references reported so far presents the applications of the discussed technology in removing POPs from waters and wastewaters, including pesticides listed among POPs, dioxins, polychlorinated biphenyls, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and selected perfluorinated surfactants.

Post-aerobic treatment to enhance the removal of conventional and emerging micropollutants in the digestion of waste sludge

Low content of micropollutants in sewage sludge, essential to allow its safe re-use in agriculture, requires effective removals during the digestion phase. To this purpose, we investigated the performance of the anaerobic-aerobic sequential digestion process applied to real waste sludge in the removal of several classes of standard pollutants, i.e. extractable organic halogens (EOXs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate and alkylphenolethoxylates. In addition, emerging pollutants were also investigated based on their widespread occurrence and on their physicochemical characteristics and eco-toxicological relevance: quaternary ammonium compounds, a number of pharmaceuticals and selected biocides. The anaerobic step was conducted at mesophilic conditions, while two operating temperatures were tested for the post-aerobic treatment, i.e. 20 and 37 °C, respectively. Results showed that the post-aerobic digestion step enhanced the removal of all investigated standard and emerging micropollutants, even in presence of high accumulation in the anaerobic digestate (occurred for some PAHs and PCB congeners). Increased removals (up to 30%) have been generally observed at 37 °C aerobic temperature in comparison with tests at T = 20 °C for all investigated organic micropollutants, with the only exception of halogenated compounds (i.e. EOXs and PCBs). Low biodegradability and high bioaccumulation of the investigated pollutants were successfully faced by the sequential process, which has been demonstrated as an effective alternative solution to produce digested sludge for safe agricultural re-use.