title: EDCs, estrogenicity and genotoxicity reduction in a mixed (domestic + textile) secondary effluent by means of ozonation: a full-scale experience.
abstract: WWTP (wastewater treatment plant) effluents are considered to be a major source for the release in the aquatic environment of EDCs (Endocrine-Disrupting Compounds), a group of anthropogenic substances able to alter the normal function of the endocrine system. The application of conventional processes (e.g. activated sludge with biological nitrogen removal) does not provide complete elimination of all these micropollutants and, consequently, an advanced treatment should be implemented. This experimental work was conducted on the tertiary ozonation stage of a 140,000 p.e. activated sludge WWTP, treating a mixed domestic and textile wastewater: an integrated monitoring, including both chemical (nonylphenol, together with the parent compounds mono- and di-ethoxylated, and bisphenol A were chosen as model EDCs) and biological (estrogenic and genotoxic activities) analyses, was carried out. Removal efficiencies of measured EDCs varied from 20% to 70%, depending on flow conditions (ozone dosage being 0.5 gO3/gTOC). Biological tests, furthermore, displayed that the oxidation stage did not significantly reduce (only by 20%) the estrogenicity of the effluent and revealed the presence and/or formation of genotoxic compounds. These results highlight the importance of the application of an integrated (biological+chemical) analytical procedure for a global evaluation of treatment suitability; poor performances recorded in this study have been attributed to the presence of a significant industrial component in the influent wastewater.
authors: Department of Civil Engineering, Architecture, Land, Environment and Mathematics, University of Brescia, via Branze 43, I-25123 Brescia, Italy. giorgio.bertanza@ing.unibs.it
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Bertanza
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Papa
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Pedrazzani
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Repice
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Mazzoleni
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Steimberg
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Feretti
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Ceretti
authors: I
authors: I
authors: Zerbini
mesh_terms: D020552:Comet Assay; D052244:Endocrine Disruptors / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry*; D052918:Environmental Restoration and Remediation / Q000379:methods*; D004967:Estrogens / Q000737:chemistry; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D007558:Italy; D015162:Micronucleus Tests; D009153:Mutagens / Q000737:chemistry; D010126:Ozone / Q000737:chemistry*; D052616:Solid Phase Extraction; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*; D018508:Water Purification / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D052244:Endocrine Disruptors; D004967:Estrogens; D009153:Mutagens; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D010126:Ozone