Profiles and removal efficiency of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by two different types of sewage treatment plants in Hong Kong

Man, Yu Bon; Chow, Ka Ming; Cheng, Zhang; Mo, Wing Yin; Chan, Yung Hau; Lam, James C.W.; Lau, Frankie Tat Kwong; Fung, Wing Cheong; Wong, Ming Hung

doi:10.1016/j.jes.2016.04.020

Cited by 33 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…The hydrophobic nature of PAHs, as indicated by their high K ow , implied that they were more likely to (ad)sorb onto solids rather than remained dissolved [ 35 ]. It is generally believed that sorption to particulate and dissolved organic matter, rather than biodegradation, is the major removal mechanism for PAHs during the primary treatment phase [ 36 , 37 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Removal Efficiency and Risk Assessment of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in a Typical Municipal Wastewater Treatment Facility in Guangzhou, China

Liu

et al. 2017

IJERPH

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Abstract:The loading and removal efficiency of 16 US EPA polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were examined in an inverted A 2 /O wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) located in an urban area in China. The total PAH concentrations were 554.3 to 723.2 ng/L in the influent and 189.6 to 262.7 ng/L in the effluent. The removal efficiencies of ∑PAHs in the dissolved phase ranged from 63 to 69%, with the highest observed in naphthalene (80% removal). Concentration and distribution of PAHs revealed that the higher molecular weight PAHs became more concentrated with treatment in both the dissolved phase and the dewatered sludge. The sharpest reduction was observed during the pretreatment and the biological phase. Noncarcinogenic risk, carcinogenic risk, and total health risk of PAHs found in the effluent and sewage sludge were also assessed. The effluent BaP toxic equivalent quantities (TEQ BaP ) were above, or far above, standards in countries. The potential toxicities of PAHs in sewage effluent were approximately 10 to 15 times higher than the acceptable risk level in China. The health risk associated with the sewage sludge also exceeded international recommended levels and was mainly contributed from seven carcinogenic PAHs. Given that WWTP effluent is a major PAH contributor to surface water bodies in China and better reduction efficiencies are achievable, the present study highlights the possibility of utilizing WWTPs for restoring water quality in riverine and coastal regions heavily impacted by PAHs contamination.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Removal Efficiency and Risk Assessment of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in a Typical Municipal Wastewater Treatment Facility in Guangzhou, China

Liu

et al. 2017

IJERPH

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“…Comparisons of concentrations for PAHs, Me-PAHs, and NPAHs in influent and effluent of WWTPs worldwide are displayed in Table 2 . The level of PAHs in this study was much lower than those in Maresme, Catalonia, Spain (14.29 µg/L) [ 26 ], Hefei City, situated beside Nanfei River, China (5.76 µg/L) [ 27 ], and Heraklion, Greece (11.07 µg/L) [ 28 ], but higher than the level in Hong Kong, China (0.30 µg/L) [ 29 ], Tai’an, China (1.16 µg/L) [ 30 ], Zhejiang, China (0.45 µg/L) [ 31 ], Guangzhou, China (0.93 µg/L) [ 8 ], Harbin, China (4.08 µg/L) [ 32 ], Jerez de la Frontera, Spain (1.92 µg/L) [ 33 ], Heraklion, Crete, south Greece (0.79 µg/L) [ 34 ], Higashi-Hiroshima City, Japan (0.219 µg/L)[ 35 ]. The degree of Me-PAHs in this research was greater than the Northwest of Beijing (0.22 µg/L) [ 36 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 77%

“…The concentrations of total PAHs, Me-PAHs, and NPAHs in the effluent were with different researches as well. The degree of PAHs in this study were greater than those of Hong Kong, China (0.02 µg/L) [ 29 ], Hiroshima City (0.043 µg/L)[ 35 ] Tai’an City China (0.13 µg/L)[ 30 ], Zhejiang Province, China (0.01 µg/L) [ 31 ], Guangzhou, China (0.19 µg/L) [ 8 ], Nakdong river Korea (0.44 µg/L) [ 37 ], Jerez de la Frontera, Spain (0.50 µg/L) [ 33 ], however, lower than those of Hefei City, China (2.24 µg/L) [ 27 ], Harbin, Northeast China (0.86 µg/L) [ 32 ], Maresme, Catalonia, Spain (3.91 µg/L) [ 26 ], Thessaloniki, northern Greece (5.64 µg/L) [ 28 ]. The degree of Me-PAHs in the effluent in this research was greater than northwest of Beijing (0.06 µg/L) [ 36 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 84%

Occurrence, Removal, and Mass Balance of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Their Derivatives in Wastewater Treatment Plants in Northeast China

Mohammed

Zhang

Jiang

et al. 2021

Toxics

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polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), 33 Methylated PAHs (Me-PAHs), and 14 nitrated PAHs (NPAHs) were measured in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) to study the removal efficiency of these compounds through the WWTPs, as well as their source appointment and potential risk in the effluent. The concentrations of ∑PAHs, ∑Me-PAHs, and ∑NPAHs were 2.01–8.91, 23.0–102, and 6.21–171 µg/L in the influent, and 0.17–1.37, 0.06–0.41 and 0.01–2.41 µg/L in the effluent, respectively. Simple Treat 4.0 and meta-regression methods were applied to calculate the removal efficiencies (REs) for the 63 PAHs and their derivatives in 10 WWTPs and the results were compared with the monitoring data. Overall, the ranges of REs were 55.3–95.4% predicated by the Simple Treat and 47.5–97.7% by the meta-regression. The results by diagnostic ratios and principal component analysis PCA showed that “mixed source” biomass, coal composition, and petroleum could be recognized to either petrogenic or pyrogenic sources. The risk assessment of the effluent was also evaluated, indicating that seven carcinogenic PAHs, Benzo[a]pyrene, Dibenz[a,h]anthracene, and Benzo(a)anthracene were major contributors to the toxic carcinogenic equivalents (TEQs) in the effluent of WWTPs, to which attention should be paid.

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“…An enrichment of PAHs over time can be explained by the longer retention time of secondary sludge in comparison with primary sludge. Previous studies reported a large range in the total concentration of PAHs in sewage sludge from Asian, African, and European countries, varying from below detection to 33,000 ng/g dry weight (Cai et al 2007;Man et al 2016;Poluszyńska et al 2017 [1,2,3c,d]pyrene) should be <6 mg kg -1 dry matter. If the ratio is >0.50, the combustion of kerosene, grass, coal, and wood results in the PAH contamination.…”

Section: Organic Pollutantsmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…An enrichment of PAHs over time can be explained by the longer retention time of secondary sludge in comparison with primary sludge. Previous studies reported a large range in the total concentration of PAHs in sewage sludge from Asian, African, and European countries, varying from below detection to 33,000 ng/g dry weight (Cai et al 2007;Man et al 2016;Poluszyńska et al 2017 [a,h]anthracene, benzo[g,h,i]perylene, benzo[j]fluoranthene) should be <6 mg kg -1 dry matter. According to EU regulation, concentration of total PAHs (acenapthene, phenanthrene, fluorene, plouranthene, pyrene, benzo[b;j;k]fluoranthene, benzo [a]pyrene, benzo[g,h,i]perylene, indeno[1,2,3c,d]pyrene) should be <6 mg kg -1 dry matter.…”

Section: Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (Pahs) Contents and Sourcesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Use of sewage sludge in agricultural soils: Useful or harmful

Delibacak¹,

Voronina²,

Morachevskaya³

et al. 2020

Eurasian Journal of Soil Science (Ejss)

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Sewage sludge is an important type of organic wastes among the various categories of solid waste. Organic matter resources in soils are relatively low and frequently require replenishment. Therefore, the use of sewage sludge in agricultural soils is a desirable method of their utilisation. The addition of sewage sludge to soils may be an inexpensive and effective alternative to the methods applied currently (mineral fertilisation, manure etc.). In spite of the undisputable advantages resulting from the application of sewage sludge in agriculture, it also involves some serious threats. Among those we should mention the presence of pathogens, heavy metals, and organic pollutants. In the current scenario of increasing global population, the generation of solid wastes like biosolids is bound to increase remarkably. Improper and unscientific disposal of biosolids results in several environmental issues such as surface and groundwater contamination, degradation of land, and food chain contamination. According to the principles of waste management hierarchy, agricultural recycling of biosolids will be a more environmentally preferred option over the traditional disposal methods. Utilizing the potential of biosolids to recycle valuable plant nutrients and as an effective soil amendment will not only help in sustainable management of this waste but also in minimizing the negatives associated with its traditional disposal. Every country must obey their regulations and legislations for managing their sewage sludge as a basic solution for use of sewage sludge in agricultural soil.

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Profiles and removal efficiency of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by two different types of sewage treatment plants in Hong Kong

Cited by 33 publications

References 31 publications

Removal Efficiency and Risk Assessment of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in a Typical Municipal Wastewater Treatment Facility in Guangzhou, China

Removal Efficiency and Risk Assessment of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in a Typical Municipal Wastewater Treatment Facility in Guangzhou, China

Occurrence, Removal, and Mass Balance of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Their Derivatives in Wastewater Treatment Plants in Northeast China

Use of sewage sludge in agricultural soils: Useful or harmful

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