Work

Priority list of emerging contaminants in domestic wastewater treatment plants and their removal by different secondary treatment methods

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: In this study, the contributions of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) to emerging contaminants in the environment were monitored. Samples were collected at nine WWTPs with sampling on three separate days at each WWTP. The WWTPs used the different secondary treatment methods as follows: conventional activated sludge (WWTPs 1, 2, 8, and 9), aerobic contact oxidation (WWTPs 5 and 6), and oxidation ditch (WWTPs 3, 4, and 7). A significant matrix effect was observed in primary effluent samples but not in secondary and final effluent samples. The matrix effect was more pronounced during sample preparation using solid-phase extraction. Triethylene glycol dimethyl ether and glycidyl methacrylate had high removal rates (> 50%) with all three treatment methods. By contrast, tebuconazole and bromobutide had low removal rates or were not removed by any of the treatment methods. Thirteen compounds in various chemical classes were prioritized on the basis of their concentrations in the final effluent relative to their predicted no-effect concentrations. These compounds were surfactants (diethanolamine and N-methyldodecylamine), an industrial solvent (dicyclohexylamine), herbicides (2,4-dicholorophenoxyacetic acid, bromobutide, and butachlor/pretilachlor), an antiseptic (triclosan [and its chlorinated adducts]), industrial chemicals (hexamethylene diacrylate, pyridine, and decanoic acid), plasticizers (tributyl phosphate and tricresyl phosphate), and a corrosion inhibitor (N,N-dimethyldodecylamine). Our results imply that WWTPs are sources of these compounds in the environment. These compounds could threaten ecosystems in receiving waterbodies and future studies should monitor release of these emerging contaminants from WWTPs.

Source: Journal of Hazardous Materials Advances

DOI: 10.1016/j.hazadv.2025.100969

Authors: Aishwarya Pandey, Ikuro Kasuga, Hiroaki Furumai, Futoshi Kurisu

Institutions: National Institute for Environmental Studies, The University of Tokyo, Chuo University

Language: English

Topic: Pharmaceutical and Antibiotic Environmental Impacts

Subfield: Pollution

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Clean water and sanitation, Responsible consumption and production, Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,400