Detection of Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products in Agricultural Soils Receiving Biosolids Application

Increasing research has suggested that biosolids generated from municipal wastewater treatment can be a major sink for many pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) and their land application potentially introduces these contaminants into the terrestrial and aquatic environments. In this study, methods were developed for the analysis of 14 PPCPs in biosolids and soils using pressurized liquid extraction, solid phase extraction and liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry. Recoveries were over 50% for all analytes except diphenhydramine (?30%) in soils. Soil properties or type of biosolids showed minor effects on method recoveries. Estimated method limits of quantification (LOQ) range from 0.1–15 ng g^–1 for soil and 0.3–27 ng g^–1 for biosolids. A field study utilizing the methods revealed that other than carbamazepine‐10,11‐epoxide, all targeted compounds were detected in biosolids. Diphenhydramine, fluoxetine, triclosan and triclocarban were detected up to the μg g^–1 range with the highest concentration of 23 μg g^–1 for triclocarban. Seven of the PCCPs found in biosolids were also detected in agricultural soils amended with these biosolids and several (carbamazepine, diphenhydramine, and triclocarban) appeared to be persistent in soils. Triclocarban was also found most abundant in soils with the highest average concentration of 0.2 μg g^–1 while the rest of compounds were in the lower ng g^–1 range. Generally, the concentrations found on the fields were 2–3 degrees of magnitude lower than in the biosolids, which is likely to be due to dilution, degradation and leaching processes.     

Preparative isolation and characterization of heavy metal complexes from acid mine drainage and surface wastewater

A preparative method was developed to sample dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and heavy metals (Ni, Mn) from polluted surface waters. Main focus was set on the preparative production of freeze‐dried samples mainly composed of organic ligands from heavy metal complexes. First characterizations were done in the aqueous phase. Finally, freeze‐dried samples provide stable organic matter for multiple characterizations. Acid mine drainage of the former mining area of Ronneburg (Germany) hold elevated concentrations of heavy metals and low concentrations of DOC. Municipal wastewater, passing the spoil pile, held elevated concentrations of DOC and low concentrations of heavy metals. Dissolved components smaller than 0.45 μm and larger than 1 nm were concentrated by nanofiltration. Organic heavy metal complexes were isolated from this solution by size‐exclusion chromatography (SEC). Different size classes of molecules were collected from the column effluent, depending on their elution time, and were characterized by UV spectroscopy, ICP‐OES, and DOC measurements. All samples held organic heavy metal compounds with different retention times. The organic heavy metal complexes in acid mine drainage had higher retention times than complexes from municipal wastewater. Most interestingly, we found different affinities of heavy metals to different size classes of DOC. This affinity of the heavy metals differs with size and origin of the DOC.     

沉积物中有机质的环境行为研究进展

水体沉积物是重金属,有毒有机化合物等环境污染物及C,N,P等营养元素的汇和释放源,而有机质对灾些污染物和营养元素在沉积物中的迁移,转化等地球化学行为中起着至关重要的作用,本文就近期有关沉积物中有机质的环境地球化学行为为方面的研究进行了综述,重点评述了有关沉积物中有机质本身的来源,性质,迁移和矿化及其环境效应等方面的研究进展。     

The Potential Use of Bali Wastewater for Crop Production Based on Moscow Region Experience

The article offers a new approach to the selection of a treatment plant, based on the optimization of biogeochemical matter flows. The existing treatment facilities of Bali are analyzed. The authors propose several process schemes for domestic wastewater treatment, depending on the technology of utilization of biogenic elements from the wastewater for agricultural production. These are based on water treatment technologies that have been in use in Moscow for more than 100 years.     

Thermal Drying and Alkaline Treatment of Biosolids: Effects on Nitrogen Mineralization

Biosolids from the Cañeveralejo WWTP were dehydrated by filter press and then applied two processes to reduce pathogens (PRP): thermally dried biosolid (TDB) and alkalinized biosolid (AB). Untreated, dehydrated biosolid (DB) was used as a control. We evaluated the impact of thermal drying and alkaline treatments on nitrogen mineralization in these substrates. Moreover, agronomic rates for biosolid applications to sugarcane were estimated for each of the treatments leading to application rates of 35.8, 36.4, and 54.5 t/ha for DB, TDB, and AB, respectively, to meet the nitrogen requirement (200 kg N/ha) for sugarcane cultivation (Saccharum officinarum). The results showed that the biosolid rates used increased the mineral nitrogen content of soils by an average of 93.8 and 439.8 mg/kg for all biosolids and the PRP (thermal drying and alkaline treatment) in biosolids had significant effects on mineralization rate, showing better results for the TDBs.     

鄱阳湖网箱养殖区沉积物有机质来源分析

通过对鱼苗时期鄱阳湖网箱养殖区沉积物、饵料及鱼粪等样品总有机碳(TOC)含量、总氮(TN)含量、碳氮比(C/N)、δ^13 C及δ^15 N的测定,分析探讨了鄱阳湖网箱养殖区沉积物有机质来源,量化了网箱养殖废物对养殖区沉积物有机质的贡献.结果表明,网箱养殖区沉积物的δ^13 C和δ^15 N值分别为-27.67‰~-25.65‰和5.19‰~7.27‰,饵料的δ^13 C和δ^15 N值分别为-24.73‰和10.28‰,鱼粪的δ^13 C和δ^15 N值分别为-26.30‰和15.54‰.网箱养殖区沉积物有机质来源主要有残饵、浮游生物及其他来源,其贡献率分别为48.3%±11.4%、25.6%±11.3%及26.0%±5.8%,而鱼粪的贡献几乎可以忽略不计.在水动力平流引起的扩散及沉积物的再悬浮的影响下,网箱养殖源有机质的扩散距离达1500 m.在鱼苗时期,鱼类网箱养殖的残饵是鄱阳湖网箱养殖区沉积物有机质的主要来源.     

太湖北部沉积物金属和营养元素的垂向变化及其影响因素

通过对太湖北部2个柱状沉积物进行了210Pb、粒度、金属元素、有机碳、总氮、总磷及磷的形态分析,探讨了其垂向分布特征及其影响因素. 粒度分析表明,沉积物呈现随深度变浅而变细的总体趋势. 210Pb分析显示该区域表层沉积物扰动较为强烈,并存在侵蚀现象. Cu、Zn、Ni、Li、V、Fe、Al垂向上的变化主要与粘土含量呈正相关,其含量表明金属污染不显著. 沉积物C/N比值显示有机质主要为陆源性质,磷以无机磷占绝对组分,有机磷含量向表层明显升高,反映了表层沉积物有机磷的输入较多或更好的保存条件.     

Degradation of organic matter from wastewater using advanced primary treatment by O3 and O3/UV in a pilot plant

The oxidation of organic matter from wastewater using ozone, ultraviolet radiation and ozone/UV oxidation was evaluated in a pilot plant, applying a continuous effluent arising from the Autonomous Metropolitan University wastewater treatment plant. The oxidation was measured as the efficiency to remove organic load, measured as chemical oxygen demand. The use of ozone and UV was evaluated separately and in combination through a continuous process. Three different ozone doses (0.6–1.2 mg O₃/L) and three different UV radiation fluencies (6.7–20.12 mJ/cm²) were assessed. A synergistic effect of the combined process ozone/UV was demonstrated, and a maximal chemical oxygen demand reduction was achieved both processes. Due to residence times used (less than 1 min), 36% of chemical oxygen demand reduction was obtained when ozone treatment was evaluate separately and only 9% using ultraviolet radiation.     

Sediment concentrations of heavy metals in the Homa Lagoon (Eastern Aegean Sea): Assessment of contamination and ecological risks

The concentrations of heavy metals and organic carbon in sediment of the Homa Lagoon which is one of the most productive lagoons and commercial important active fish trap in the Eastern Aegean Sea, were investigated in order to describe the temporal and spatial distributions of metals. These results were used to evaluate possible ecological risks that could be a problem for the environment of the lagoon in the future. Sediments were enriched with Cr, Ni and considered as heavily polluted per the SQG. The C_f of Ni and Cr were presented moderate level of contamination in this area. The C_d levels indicated moderate degree of contamination at station B, C, D and E due to agricultural drainage water, industrial and domestic wastewater, are transported by the Gediz River. Sediments from Homa Lagoon were most toxic for Ni due to exceedances of the TEL and PEL values.     

Diagenesis and anthropogenesis of metals in the recent Holocene sedimentary record of the Ría de Vigo (NW Spain)

To contribute to establishing a historical baseline for future evaluations of the environmental quality of the Ría de Vigo (NW Spain), we report metal contents determined in eight gravity cores obtained at representative locations in 1990 - before the installation of any wastewater treatment plants - and in fractions thereof that were obtained by the BCR sequential extraction method. The results suggest that early diagenesis had been influenced by both hydrodynamic conditions and organic matter input (the latter especially in areas devoted to mariculture), and that anthropogenic inputs had also affected the concentrations and between-fraction distribution of Cu, Pb, Zn and other metals in surficial sediments.     

The Pollution Load from the River Odra in Comparison to That in Other Polish Rivers in 1988–1997

The discharge of organic matter, nutrients, and heavy metals from the river Odra into the Baltic Sea is compared with the combined discharge of the same substances from other Polish rivers into the Baltic during 1988–1997. The impact of the summer flood of 1997 is also discussed. The discharges of organic matter, nitrogen and phosphorus compounds were closely correlated with the flow rate. The annual loads of these nutrients measured in 1988 and 1996 under similar flow conditions decreased by 15 to 40% in these rivers as a result of the reduction of point sources. A steady decrease in the heavy metal load, independent of weather conditions, has been recorded during the past decade. Zinc decreased by up to 85% in the Odra and 99% in the Wisła. Although the water outflow from the Odra was half that of the Wisła, it transported a proportionally higher load of chemical compounds. Despite the differences in flow rates, the contribution of both rivers to the total riverine phosphorus discharge was approximately the same. The total water outflow during the flood (from 1 July to 28 August 1997) increased by 65% near the mouth of the Odra in comparison to 1996. The phosphate discharge increased by 34%, that of nitrite nitrogen by 88%     

鄱阳湖西侧周边农村水塘夏季表层沉积物氮、磷、有机质分布特征及评价

水塘作为农村重要的水生态系统,其环境状况与人们生产生活和健康密切相关。为了解鄱阳湖西侧周边农村水塘沉积物的有机质和营养盐赋存状况,于2018—2019年对鄱阳湖流域西侧附近4个县的23个水塘进行沉积物营养盐的分析,同时通过相关分析和差异性分析对其来源进行解析,并采用综合污染指数评价法和主成分分析法对水塘沉积物的污染程度进行评价。结果表明：水塘沉积物污染物含量较高,其有机质、有机碳（TOC）、总氮（TN）和总磷（TP）含量分别为5.81%±2.16%、2.46%±1.02%、（6.48±2.35） mg/g和（1.89±0.80） mg/g。3种形态的无机氮中铵态氮含量最高,其次为硝态氮和亚硝态氮。沉积物TP受到洗涤废水的影响较大,清淤和活化显著减轻了沉积物TN和TOC污染。综合污染指数评价结果表明重度污染和中度污染的水塘占比分别为95.65%和4.35%,其平均评价结果为重度污染,表明水塘沉积物污染严重。而主成分分析结果表明P18水塘污染最重,而P6水塘污染最轻。综合污染指数与主成分分析总得分的相关系数为0.92,表明两者的评价结果较为一致。本研究通过分析鄱阳湖西侧农村水塘的沉积物营养...     

城市富营养化湖泊的外源污染负荷与贡献解析——以武汉市后官湖为例

为探究城市湖泊富营养化的污染负荷来源及其贡献率,选择长江流域中下游典型富营养化湖泊(武汉后官湖)为研究对象,结合实测法、平均浓度法与排污系数法,解析了后官湖的外部污染来源(包括点源和面源,面源又进一步划分为农村生活、农业种植、水产养殖、畜禽养殖和城市径流).结果表明:化学需氧量(COD)主要来源于点源,入湖贡献为54%;总磷主要来源于面源,入湖贡献为71%.进一步筛选面源中污染物的主要来源发现,总磷主要来自农业种植和水产养殖,入湖贡献分别为41%和30%;面源中COD、氨氮和总氮贡献最大的是城市径流,入湖贡献率分别为61%、53%和37%.行政区污染排放贡献率中,COD、氨氮、总氮和总磷排放贡献率最大的分别为沌口街办(25. 24%)、蔡甸街办(23.28%)、永丰街办(24.04%)和大集街办(26.15%).开展沌口街办和永丰街办的点源治理可有效消减入湖COD与氨氮负荷,而大集街办的农业面源污染防治则是后官湖流域总磷治理的重点.     

Human‐induced sedimentation patterns of a channelized lowland river

Channelization of the severely polluted Odra and Vistula Rivers in Poland induced intensive accumulation of fine‐grained deposits rich in organic matter and heavy metals. These sediments have been identified in vertical profiles in a narrow zone along river banks both in groyne‐created basins and on the floodplain. Grain size, organic matter, zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), copper (Cu) content and cesium‐137 (¹³⁷Cs) was used for sediment dating and, stratigraphy and chemistry have been diagnostic features for these deposits, named industrial alluvium. In the most polluted river reaches stabilized by bank reinforcements and groynes, 2‐m‐thick slack water groyne deposits are composed of uniform strata of polluted silts with organic matter content over 10%, Zn content over 1000 mg/kg and average Cu and Pb over 100 mg/kg. The average rate of sediment accretion in groynes is higher than on the floodplain and reaches 5 cm/yr. Stratification which appears at higher levels in the groyne fields and on the levees reflects a change from in‐channel to overbank deposition and is typified by dark layers separated by bright, sandy, and less polluted strata. Stratified, 4‐m‐thick, sediment sequences have been found in groyne fields of incised river reaches. The average rate of sediment accretion in these reaches is of the order of 5 cm/yr. In stable and relatively less polluted river reaches, vertical‐accretion organic deposits are finely laminated and the average rate of deposition amounts to a few millimeters per year. Investigations indicate that groyne construction favors conditions for long‐term storage of sediments at channel banks. For this reason, groynes should be considered as structures that efficiently limit sudden release of sediment‐associated heavy metals stored in channels and in floodplains of the historically polluted rivers. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Evidence of methylmercury production and modification of the microbial community structure in estuary sediments contaminated with wastewater treatment plant effluents

The Seine’s estuary (France) waters are the receptacle of effluents originating from wastewater treatment plants (WWTP). In this estuary, mudflats are deposition zones for sediments and their associated contaminants, and play an essential role in the mercury (Hg) biogeochemical cycle mainly due to indigenous microorganisms. Microcosms were used to assess the impact of WWTP-effluents on mercury methylation by monitoring Hg species (total dissolved Hg in porewater, methylmercury and total mercury) and on microbial communities in sediments. After effluent amendment, methylmercury (MeHg) concentrations increased in relation with the total Hg and organic matter content of the WWTP-effluents. A correlation was observed between MeHg and acid-volatile-sulfides concentrations. Quantification of sulfate-reducing microorganisms involved in Hg methylation showed no increase of their abundance but their activity was probably enhanced by the organic matter supplied with the effluents. WWTP-effluent spiking modified the bacterial community fingerprint, mainly influenced by Hg contamination and the organic matter amendment.     

Spatial distribution of cadmium and lead in the sediments of the western Anzali wetlands on the coast of the Caspian Sea (Iran)

Spatial distribution patterns of total cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb), their bioavailable fractions and total organic matter in sediment from Anzali wetlands are provided. Total sediment Pb was higher than Cd (34.95 versus 0.024 μg/g dry weight). The geoaccumulation index indicated that the sediment was “uncontaminated”, but some stations were categorized as “unpolluted” to “moderately polluted”. Less than 0.01 of Pb existed in exchangeable and carbonate fractions. The sum of exchangeable and carbonate-bound fractions of Cd was 42%, suggesting that Cd poses high risk to the aquatic ecosystems. Total Cd and Pb exhibited positive relationships with total organic matter. Considering spatial distribution maps of total and bioavailable fractions of metals suggested that high concentrations of metals does not necessarily indicate high bioavailable fraction. The methodologies we used in this study can be in more effective management of aquatic ecosystems, as well as ecological risk assessment of metals, and remediation programs.     

Investigation on the Levels of Heavy Metals,Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons,and Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Sewage Sludge Samples and Ecotoxicological Testing

This article reports the levels of heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in sewage sludges taken from two wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in Konya (Turkey) as well as their toxicity. The concentrations of heavy metals, including Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn in sludge samples from plant #2 did not exceed the limits described in both Turkish and European Union (EU) regulations. The similar result was observed in samples obtained from plant #1, except for sludge taken in May 2010. The ΣPAHs concentration ranging from 960 to 7680 µg/kg dry matter shows that sewage sludges from plant #1 could be used for agricultural purpose. However, sewage sludges from plant #2 (ΣPAHs: 1077–17 509 µg/kg dry matter) was not suitable for using in agriculture. The concentrations of ΣPCBs in all investigated sludges from plant #1 (7.46–709.36 µg/kg dry matter) and plant #2 (14.12–788.47 µg/kg dry matter) were lower than the limits reported in Turkish and EU regulations. The probable sources of PAHs and PCBs in sludges were also determined. The ecotoxicological tests examined on Vibrio fischeri and Lepidium sativum organisms showed that sludges from plant #1 had no significant toxic effect, while sludges from plant #2 had acute toxic property. Finally, all the results showed that sewage sludges from plant #1 had potential for being used in agriculture.     

Fractionation of Ni,Cr and Cu from Soil by Sequential Extraction Procedure and Determination by Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry

Five‐step sequential extractions were employed to fractionation of Ni, Cr and Cu in soil polluted by anthropogenic activities and determine the mobility of the metals. Twelve samples were collected on an agricultural area that was located near an airport and intercity roads in Elazig‐Turkey. Exchangeable, organically bounded, carbonate bounded, adsorbed species on Fe and Mn oxides and residual species (except silicates) of Ni, Cr and Cu were extracted into solution by using CaCl₂, Na₄P₂O₇, Na₂EDTA, NH₂OH–HCl and HNO₃–H₂O₂, respectively. Mobile metal concentrations in fractions and total recoverable in soils were determined by using inductively coupled plasma‐optical emission spectrometry (ICP‐OES). Total recoverable Ni, Cr and Cu concentrations were in the range of 40–119, 45–126 and 23–72 mg kg^?1, respectively. It was observed that total concentrations of metals in some of the samples were higher than the permitted values. The sum of the mobile percentages of metals was found to be lower than 50%. The Ni, Cr and Cu percentages for exchangeable species are in the ranges of 0.18–1.64, 0.03–0.59 and 0.42–2.53%, respectively.     

System Performance in UASB Reactors Receiving Increasing Levels of Sulfate

Glucose‐fed high‐rate UASB reactors were tested at three COD/SO₄ ratios and hydraulic retention times to promote sulfate reducing activity and observe the effects on reactor performance. Different COD/SO₄ ratios (20, 10, and 5) resulted in changes in organic matter removal, methane production, alkalinity, dissolved sulfide and biomass concentrations and profile. The COD removal dropped from 95 to 80–84 % at the lowest COD/SO₄ ratio. Sulfate was removed at 79 to 89 % at the highest ratio and dropped to 72 to 74 % with increasing sulfate loading. Alkalinity was produced at higher levels with increasing sulfate loading. Specific methane production dropped with decreasing hydraulic retention times. Sulfate‐reducing activity used a maximum of 11.7 % of organic matter at the highest sulfate loading level, producing a slight shift to sulfate‐reducing activity in the substrate competition between sulfate‐reducing bacteria and methanogens. Increased sulfate loading at COD/SO₄ ratios of 10 and 5 caused deterioration of the concentration profile of the sludge, resulting in biomass washout and decreased volatile fraction of biosolids in the reactors.