Chlorphenole und Nonylphenole in Klärschlämmen. Teil II: Hat die Belastung mit Pentachlorphenol und Nonylphenolen abgenommen?

Chlorophenols and Nonylphenols in Sewage Sludges. Part II: Did Contents of Pentachlorophenol and Nonylphenols Reduce? Sewage sludges were analyzed for pentachlorophenol and isomeric 4-nonylphenols. These environmental pollutants are not regulated by the German sewage sludge regulations (Klärschlammverordnung) but are subsequently controlled by the pentachlorophenol prohibition ordinance and the industry’s voluntary declaration of renouncing the use of alkylphenol ethoxylates. The samples analyzed originated from sewage treatment plants in the state Rheinland-Pfalz from 1994 till 1995. The analytical results are presented graphically by histograms and numerically by quantiles (median, 90%-percentile).The results are compared to those we formerly obtained from all West German states from 1987 till 1989. To verify the statistical significance of median differences, we used the Wilcoxon test suitable for non parametric data distributions. All histograms show non symmetrical frequency distributions. In almost all 101 analyzed samples, pentachlorophenol was found at a median of 19 μg/kg related to dry matter (d.m.) and a 90%-percentile of 86 μg/kg related to d.m. Compared with the past, there seems to be a tendency to lower values which, however, cannot be proved statistically. In almost all sewage sludge samples, nonylphenols could be found at a median of 4.6 mg/kg related to d.m. and a 90%-percentile of 24.8 mg/kg. In contrast to the past, these values are very low; nonylphenols in sewage sludges have significantly reduced. This may be a hint that the industry’s voluntary dec-laration has been taken seriously.     

Polarographische Bestimmung von Nickel und Chrom in Klärschlämmen Polarographic Determination of Nickel and Chromium in Sewage Sludge

The contents of Ni and Cr in sewage sludge with high and low amounts of heavy metals were investigated by polarography. The DIN-digestion (aqua regia) was used, and the resulting solution was treated with H₂O₂/UV (90 °C, 60 min) for further destroying of the organic material. Besides, the solution of the DIN-digestion was examined with AAS (flame) and ICP-OES. With the determination of Ni it was shown that after digestion with aqua regia no further treatment with H₂O₂/UV is necessary. Contrariwise it was found that for the determination of Cr a H₂O₂/UV photolysis is necessary followed by further steps to get good agreement with AAS and ICP results as well as with the certified values of a sludge of the Community Bureau of Standards.     

Wachstum gentechnisch veränderter E. coli K—12-Zellen in Klärschlamm aus zwei Kläranlagen Growth of Genetically Modified E. coli K - 12 Cells in Sewage Sludge of Two Different Sewage Treatment Plants

The release of genetically engineered microorganisms may occur from research laboratories of production plants. The most important pathway of release is via the sewage system and the sewage treatment plants into surface waters. The growth of these organisms might represent a risk to the environment. Therefore the growth of a genetically engineered strain of E. coli K-12 was investigated. Aqueous supernatant from sewage sludge of two domestic sewage plants was used as medium. This medium was treated with sterile filtration and amended with nutrients. The test strain E. coli K-12 W3110i^qM15Nal^r(pBR322) did not show permanent growth under the conditions employed. The result is interpreted by the presence of bacteriophages and the poor nutritional conditions in the medium.     

Vergleich ausgewählter Elutionsverfahren zur Beurteilung der Mobilität von Metallen

Comparison of Selected Elution Procedures for the Valuation of the Mobility of Metals from Sediment and Sewage Sludge Several methods of extraction are generally used to evaluate environmental or ecological toxicity and deposition of waste material. In this paper, the application of the German standard methods DIN 38414-S7, DIN 38414-S4, pH_stat method, “Schweizer method” (elution test, Switzerland), and some variants of the pH_stat method on two very different samples are described. A rudimental sediment and a municipal sewage sludge are chosen as sample materials. The metal contents of extract solutions are determined by ICP-OES. The results of the DIN-S4 extractions depend definitely on the mechanic way of movement, i.e. the amount of heavy metals which are mobilized out of the samples differs considerably. In fact, DIN-S7 in combination with DIN-S4 is not sufficient to estimate the mobility of heavy metals. Solid samples should only be evaluated by applying a combination of several methods of extraction. The usefulness of the pH_stat method for an evaluation is discussed.