The conventional approach for the environmental assessment of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) is typically based on the removal efficiency of organic load and nutrients as well as the quantification of energy and chemicals consumption. Current wastewater treatment research entails the monitoring of direct emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) and emerging pollutants such as pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs), which have been rarely considered in the environmental assessment of a wastewater treatment facility by life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology. As a result of that, the real environmental impacts of a WWTP may be underestimated. In this study, two WWTPs located in different climatic regions (Atlantic and Mediterranean) of Spain were evaluated in extensive sampling campaigns that included not only conventional water quality parameters but also direct GHG emissions and PPCPs in water and sludge lines. Regarding the GHG monitoring campaign, on-site measurements of methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) were performed and emission factors were calculated for both WWTPs. GHG direct emissions accounted for 62% of the total global warming potential (GWP), much more relevant than indirect CO2 emissions associated with electricity use. Regarding PPCPs, 19 compounds were measured in the main streams: influent, effluent and sludge, to perform the evaluation of the toxicity impact categories. Although the presence of heavy metals in the effluent and the sludge as well as the toxicity linked to the electricity production may shade the toxicity impacts linked to PPCPs in some impact categories, the latter showed a notable influence on freshwater ecotoxicity potential (FETP). For this impact category, the removal of PPCPs within the wastewater treatment was remarkably important and arose as an environmental benefit in comparison with the non-treatment scenario.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.02.073 | DOI Listing |
Nanotechnology
January 2025
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, Fayetteville, Arkansas, 72701-4002, UNITED STATES.
Over the past few decades, significant efforts have been dedicated to advancing technologies for the removal of micropollutants from water. Achieving complete pure water with a single treatment process is challenging and nearly impossible. One promising approach among various alternatives is adopting hybrid technology, which is considered as a win-win technology.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPLoS One
January 2025
School of Medicine, Institute of Health Science, Jigjiga University, Jigjiga, Ethiopia.
Background: One of the tropical illnesses that is often overlooked is soil-transmitted helminths, or STHs. In tropical and subtropical nations, where poor sanitation and contaminated water sources are common, they mostly impact the most vulnerable populations.
Objective: The aim of this study was to ascertain the prevalence of STHs and related risk factors among the people living in Jigjiga town, Somali region, Eastern Ethiopia.
Water Sci Technol
January 2025
Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Department of Building and Environmental Technology, P.O. Box 5003, 1430 Ås, Norway.
The need for stringent phosphorus removal from domestic wastewater is increasing to mitigate eutrophication, while efficient phosphate reuse is critical due to the global phosphate crisis. Combining aluminum sulfate (ALS) with high molecular weight organic polymers achieved 95-99% removal of particles, turbidity, and phosphates, reducing ALS usage by 40%. We propose mechanisms to explain the enhanced treatment efficiency.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWater Sci Technol
January 2025
Qingdao Branch of Luoyang Ship Material Research Institute, 149-1, Zhuzhou Road, Laoshan District, Qingdao, Shandong, China; Sunrui Marine Environment Engineering Co., Ltd, Qingdao, Shandong, China.
Nowadays, performance studies on the amperometric total residual oxidant (TRO) sensor are only in the bench test stage and have not been conducted under specific maritime conditions with Ballast Water Management System (BWMS). In this study, the application of the amperometric TRO sensor in land-based biological efficacy (BE) testing, operation and maintenance (O&M) testing, as well as shipboard (SB) testing, was explored by comparing with the existing di-phenylene-diamine (DPD) TRO sensor. The results showed that the average TRO measurement deviation between the amperometric sensor and the DPD sensor was within ±10% in valid BE test cycles and the O&M testing exceeding 47 operating hours.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWater Sci Technol
January 2025
Department of Chemical Engineering, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium.
One of the most costly stages of activated sludge wastewater treatment plants is the treatment and dewatering of waste sludge. Chemical conditioning of sludge, as one of the most widespread methods to enhance sludge dewaterability, accounts for a significant portion of operational expenses due to the consumption of expensive polymeric compounds. This research aims to assess the cost-effectiveness of ochre soil, modified with hydrochloric acid, as an affordable mineral for conditioning waste sludge in an activated sludge system.
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