Biocides in wastewater treatment plants: Mass balance analysis and pollution load estimation.
This study aimed to investigate the occurrence and removal of 19 biocides in ten different wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), then estimate the usages and emissions per capita of 19 biocides based on mass balance analysis approach. The results showed that target biocides were universally detected in the WWTPs and their receiving rivers, and 19 for liquid samples and 18 for solid samples. The prominent compound for liquid was DEET (N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide), with its maximum concentration of 393ng/L in influent; while that for solid was triclocarban with its maximum concentration of 2.11×103ng/g in anaerobic sludge. Most biocides were readily removed from the liquid phase of ten WWTPs, and the mean removal rate to ∑19 biocides was up to 75%. The removals of target biocides were attributed to biodegradation and adsorption onto activated sludge. The mean input per capita for ∑19 biocides based on influent was 907μg/d/person, while the emissions per capita were 187μg/d/person for effluent, and 121μg/d/person for excess sludge. As demonstrated, the biocides contamination of the receiving rivers could pose potential ecological risks for aquatic organisms. Therefore, advanced wastewater treatment technologies should be developed to reduce the emission of biocides into the receiving environment.
State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, PR China; South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Environment Protection, Guangzhou 510655, PR China.
Wang-Rong
WR
Liu
State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, PR China.
Yuan-Yuan
YY
Yang
State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, PR China.
You-Sheng
YS
Liu
South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Environment Protection, Guangzhou 510655, PR China.
Li-Juan
LJ
Zhang
State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, PR China.
Jian-Liang
JL
Zhao
State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, PR China.
Qian-Qian
QQ
Zhang
State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, PR China.
Min
M
Zhang
State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, PR China.
Jin-Na
JN
Zhang
State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, PR China.
Yu-Xia
YX
Jiang
State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, PR China. Electronic address: guangguo.ying@gmail.com.
Guang-Guo
GG
Ying
D002681:China; D004202:Disinfectants / Q000032:analysis*; D045483:Rivers / Q000737:chemistry; D018505:Waste Management; D062065:Wastewater / Q000032:analysis*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
D004202:Disinfectants; D062065:Wastewater; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
Biocides; Mass balance; Pollution load; Removal; Wastewater treatment plants