Influence of solids and hydraulic retention times on microbial diversity and removal of estrogens and nonylphenols in a pilot-scale activated sludge plant.

The removal of EDCs in activated sludge processes can be enhanced by increasing solid and hydraulic retention times (SRT and HRT); it has been suggested that the improvement in removal is due to changes in microbial community structure (MCS). Though the influence of SRT and HRT on chemical removal and MCS has been studied in isolation, their synergistic impact on MCS and the removal of estrogens and nonylphenols in activated sludge remains unknown. Hence, we investigated how both parameters influence MCS in activated sludge processes and their ulterior effect on EDC removal.

Uptake, Elimination and Effects of Cosmetic Microbeads on the Freshwater Gastropod .

The presence of plastic cosmetic microbeads in the environment due to their extensive use in society and inevitable dispersal into wastewater is concerning. Therefore, it is vital to understand the processes of microplastic uptake and elimination by aquatic organisms, and to further assess their potential to cause harmful effects and wider impacts. We therefore investigated the short-term (48-h) and long-term (21-d) uptake, elimination, and effects of exposure to polyethylene microbeads (a mixture of fragments and spheres extracted from commercially available facial scrubs) on the freshwater snail, .

Steroid hormones in the aquatic environment.

Steroid hormones are extremely important natural hormones in all vertebrates. They control a wide range of physiological processes, including osmoregulation, sexual maturity, reproduction and stress responses. In addition, many synthetic steroid hormones are in widespread and general use, both as human and veterinary pharmaceuticals.

A Comparison of Different Approaches for Characterizing Microplastics in Selected Personal Care Products.

Any uncertainty in determining numbers of microplastics in the environment may be a barrier to assessing their impact and may stem from various aspects of methodologies used to quantify them. We undertook a comparison of approaches to quantify and characterize microplastics in 4 personal care products. The aim was not only to determine how many particles were present but to assess any differences due to the methods used.

The effect of wastewater effluent derived ligands on copper and zinc complexation.

The shift toward bioavailability-based standards for metals such as copper and zinc not only improves the ecological relevance of the standard but also introduces significant complexity into assessing compliance. This study examined differences in the copper and zinc complexation characteristics of effluents from a range of different sewage treatment works and in relation to so-called 'natural' samples. This information is essential to determine whether the inclusion of effluent-specific complexation characteristics within the regulatory framework could enhance the environmental relevance of compliance criteria.