COST Action ES1403: New and Emerging challenges and opportunities in wastewater REUSe (NEREUS) (original) (raw)
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The risks associated with wastewater reuse and xenobiotics in the agroecological environment
Science of The Total Environment, 2011
Treated wastewater reuse for irrigation, landscape and surface or groundwater replenishment purposes is being widely implemented. Although the reuse practice is accompanied by a number of benefits relating to the enhancement of water balances and soil nutrition by the nutrients existing in the treated effluents, a number of unanswered questions are still related to this practice. Besides the lack of knowledge in respect to possible elemental interactions that may influence the accumulation of heavy metals and other elements in the soil and the subsequent uptake by plants and crops, during the last several years, the technological progress in respect to analytical chromatographic methods has enabled the identification and quantitation of a number of organic xenobiotic compounds in treated wastewater. Therefore it is now known that the effluents' remaining organic matter most usually expressed as Chemical Oxygen Demand consists of a number of biorecalcitrant organic xenobiotic compounds including potential endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs), pharmaceuticals, etc. It is also widely accepted that the currently applied treatment processes for urban wastewater abatement fail to completely remove such contaminants and this lead to their subsequent release in the terrestrial and aquatic environment through disposal and reuse applications. The number of studies focusing on the analysis and the toxicological assessment of such compounds in the environment is constantly increasing the aim being to bridge the various knowledge gaps associated with these issues. The existing knowledge in respect to the relevant existing legislation framework, the types of elements and chemicals of concern, the uptake of xenobiotic pollutants and also that of other neglected chemical elements along with their potential environmental interactions constitute the focus of the present review paper. The review addresses the problems that might be related to the repeated treated wastewater release in the environment for reuse applications in respect to the wastewater residual load in heavy metals, accumulating in soil and plants and especially in their edible parts, in xenobiotic compounds, including EDCs, pharmaceuticals and personal care products, drugs' metabolites, illicit drugs, transformation products, and also genes resistant to antibiotics.
IV International Symposium on Ecologically Sound Fertilization Strategies for Field Vegetable Production, 2010
The effects, in greenhouse conditions, of Purified Urban Wastewater (PW) from Almería (Spain), in the fertigation of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) on sandy mulch soil, were evaluated. Primary, secondary (active sludges) and tertiary (Chlorination + ozonation) purification treatments were applied to wastewater. Irrigation treatments applied were PW, natural Ground Water (GW), Fertilizer PW (FPW) and Fertilizer GW (FGW). The vegetal biomass, yield and fruit quality were controlled. Heavy metals (Cr, Cd, Pb, Ni, Mn, Cu and Zn), arsenic (As) and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) in water, soil, leaf, and fruit were analysed. The PW presented heavy metal, As and PAH contents acceptable for its use in drip irrigation. In the soil, fertigated with PW, the concentration of heavy metals and As did not increase, whilst the PAH concentration decreased. The PW treatment supplied enough nutrients to obtain yield and fruit quality equal to that of GW with fertilization. A significant saving on N, P and K fertilizers (37%, 66% and 12% respectively) was achieved by using PW. The Cd, Pb and As contents of the fruit did not show risk for human consumption. The total PAH concentrations in the fruit were low, the highest of which was phenathrene, with no carcinogenic signification.
POLLUTANTS IN WASTEWATER EFFLUENTS: IMPACTS AND REMEDIATION PROCESSES
Due to extensive industrialization and increase in population density and urbanized societies, the world is faced with problems related to the management of wastewater. On a daily basis, the effluents generated from domestic and industrial activities constitute a main cause of pollution of receiving water bodies, which is a great burden on water quality management. Some of these pollutants are pathogenic microorganisms, phosphorus and nitrogen, hydrocarbons, heavy metals, endocrine disruptors and organic matter. The majority of water related infections, such as cholera, typhoid fever, diarrheoa and others are caused by the presence of pathogenic microorganisms in water. The diseases caused by bacteria, viruses and protozoa are the most common health hazards associated with untreated waters. The main sources of these microbial contaminants in wastewater are human and animal wastes Also, the presence of these phosphorus and nitrogen in excess amounts could lead to the eutrophication of water sources, which may also create environmental conditions that favour the growth of toxin-producing cyanobacteria. Chronic exposure to some of such toxins produced by these organisms can cause a host of other diseases. In addition, the danger of nonbiodegradable and recalcitrant pollutants in water is their ability to persist in natural ecosystems for an extended period and have their ability to accumulate in successive levels of the biological food chain. As a result of these negative effects, a number of processes are in place for the treatment of wastewater effluents before discharge into receiving water bodies. This review was therefore aimed at providing an insight into the major pollutants in wastewater effluents and the various treatment processes.
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1977
The recent concern about the possible health effects of reuse of waste water for potable supply was prefaced by numerous discussions of the topic during the 1950s. Berger' discussed whether it is feasible to treat sewage so that the water recovered may serve all municipal purposes, including human consumption. Specifically, that report described reuse of a high proportion of sewage for potable supply during a several-month period in Ottumwa, Iowa,' in 1940, and in Chanute3 and Lyndon, Kansas,' in 1956. At that time, the main emphasis was on health risks due to microbiologic contamination of the reclaimed water. In 1959, Essen, Federal Republic of Germany had to use the Ruhr River for its water supply; the river contained up to 86% of effluent, which caused nonbacterial gastroenteritis among 7% of the population of the cityS during that crisis.
Wastewater Treatment and Reuse: a Review of its Applications and Health Implications
Water, Air, & Soil Pollution
Water scarcity is one of the major problems in the world and millions of people have no access to freshwater. Untreated wastewater is widely used for agriculture in many countries. This is one of the world-leading serious environmental and public health concerns. Instead of using untreated wastewater, treated wastewater has been found more applicable and ecofriendly option. Moreover, environmental toxicity due to solid waste exposures is also one of the leading health concerns. Therefore, intending to combat the problems associated with the use of untreated wastewater, we propose in this review a multidisciplinary approach to handle wastewater as a potential resource for use in agriculture. We propose a model showing the efficient methods for wastewater treatment and the utilization of solid wastes in fertilizers. The study also points out the associated health concern for farmers, who are working in wastewater-irrigated fields along with the harmful effects of untreated wastewater....
Proceedings of the Water Environment Federation, 2014
Elevated levels of disinfection by-products (DBPs), detected in Cairo residential water supply during the past decade, were the motivation to study the process of DBP formation at the water treatment plant (WTP) stage. It is hoped that an in-depth understanding of natural organic matter (NOM) characteristics and DBP formation/removal in an existing WTP will yield a baseline as well as insights for the development of optimum strategies for cost-effective reduction of potentially harmful drinking water compounds such as Trihalomethanes (THMs) and Haloacetic acid (HAAs). The objectives of this research were to: investigate the degree of removal of the various NOM fractions in conventional WTPs and identify the factors that may possibly enhance their removal; and investigate the levels of formed DBPs within conventional WTPs when pre-chlorination and postchlorination are applied. Water samples were collected from El-Fustat WTP in Cairo from 4 different points along the treatment process and covering the four different seasons of a year. NOM was quantified by classical surrogate parameters such as total organic carbon (TOC), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and ultraviolet absorbance (UVA 254); and characterized more precisely according to its hydrophobic-hydrophilic properties using resin fractionation. THMs, HAAs and other water quality analyses were conducted for all collected samples. Measurements of NOM fractions following each treatment unit indicate that the hydrophobic fraction is significantly removed by the coagulation/flocculation/ sedimentation processes (56% to 13% in the various seasons) whereas the transphilic, and hydrophilic fractions were removed to much lower degree (51% to 10%) and (15% to 4%), respectively. The hydrophobic fraction had formed flocs with the added alum more than the other two fractions. No further removal of NOM takes place in rapid sand filtration or post-chlorination units. Although the THMs values recorded for the entire study were complying with the Egyptian guidelines, it is not guaranteed that tap concentrations will comply to the guidelines limits. This is because THM/THMFP does not exceed 39%, leaving room for 61% to be reacted in pipe lines and storage tanks until it reaches the customers taps. In addition, HAAs concentrations at the plant effluent were much higher than the regulating limits, alarming the WTP to exert more effort to reduce THMs, and HAAs values.
The biotransformation of Emerging Chemicals of Concern in treated urban wastewater solids. A Review
2016
Abstract The Gisborne District Council (GDC) in New Zealand implemented a wastewater treatment plant in 2011, using a Biological Trickling Filter (BTF) as the secondary treatment process. This plant handles domestic and small commercial waste, with major food industry waste being treated separately. Tertiary treatment options are being explored to replace the current marine disposal, in response to cultural concerns of the local Māori population regarding waste disposal into the sea. This study reviews existing and emerging methods for treating wastewater, focusing on biotransformation processes to remove contaminants from both liquid and solid effluents. The BTF operates by utilizing biofilms composed of bacteria, algae, plants, and small organisms to break down contaminants, a process known as biotransformation. Despite the BTF's effectiveness in reducing certain contaminants, the presence of Emerging Chemicals of Concern (ECCs) like pharmaceuticals, steroid hormones, plasticizers, and other pollutants requires further attention. A study was commissioned to assess ECC levels throughout the wastewater treatment process, using both chemical analysis and bioassays to evaluate biological activities like estrogenic and dioxin-like effects. This literature review examines various tertiary treatment methods, including anaerobic digestion, dry anaerobic digestion, ozone treatment, vermiculture, composting, mycoremediation, phytoremediation, and the use of constructed wetlands. It also considers the land application of biosolids as a fertilizer and soil amendment. The review aims to guide the Waste Water Technical Advisory Group (WTAG) in selecting effective tertiary treatments for complete Alternative Use and Disposal (AUD) of treated wastewater and biosolids. Recommendations include integrating methods that enhance the removal of ECCs to ensure environmentally safe disposal practices. The findings will contribute to sustainable wastewater management strategies that align with local cultural values and environmental standards.
Effluent Organic Matter (EfOM) in Wastewater: Constituents, Effects, and Treatment
Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology, 2006
Wastewater reuse is being increasingly emphasized as a strategy for conservation of limited resources of freshwater and as a mean of safeguarding the aquatic environment due to contaminants present in wastewater. Although secondary and tertiary treated wastewater is often discharged into surface waters, it can not be used for reuse purposes without further treatment. One of the parameters of concern for human and environmental health is components of organic matter originating from wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluents. This effluent organic matter (EfOM) should be carefully characterized in order to find an optimum treatment method for water reuse. This review presents the components of EfOM present in WWTP effluents and various treatment methods that may be employed for reduction of EfOM. These processes include flocculation, adsorption, biofiltration, ion exchange, advanced oxidation process, 2 and membrane technology. The removal efficiency is discussed in terms of removal of total organic carbon, endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), different polarity fractions (such as hydrophobic and hydrophilic) and molecular weight distribution of organic matter.
Sustainability of Wastewater Reclamation and Reuse
2011
Sustainable wastewater management means meeting both current and future needs for secure disposal or reuse with a minimal health risk and ecological damage. However, the comprehensive reuse of treated wastewater in water scarce regions ultimately may cause a long-term concentration buildup of toxic chemicals in the closed-loop cycle of water supply and wastewater treatment and reuse. The problems of emerging pathogens and trace organic constituents such as pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), some of which are considered endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs), may require the use of a quaternary treatment stage as an integral part of reclamation schemes to ensure drinking water quality effluents even for non-potable reuse applications. The quaternary stage may integrate a combination of processes such as activated carbon (AC) adsorption, advanced oxidation processes (AOP), and tight membrane separation processes such as Nano-filtration and Reverse Osmosis (NF, RO). The...