Characterization of aerosol emissions from wastewater aeration basins

Abstract

The emission of particulate matter (PM 10 and PM 2.5 ) and ammonia (NH 3 ) by aeration processes at wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) with and without odor control units was examined. Local concentrations of PM 2.5 , PM 10 , and NH 3 at the aeration basins were within urban ranges. Emission fluxes of NH 3 and PM 2.5 for a medium-sized WWTP were determined to be 136 g day À1 and 43 g day À1 , respectively, which are not substantial emission fluxes for urban environments. Odor control treatment using a granulated activated carbon bed reduced aerosol and NH 3 emissions substantially. Detection of sterols, in particular the fecal sterol campesterol, in the PM clearly demonstrates aerosolization of wastewater components in the aeration process. The presence of campesterol in PM 2.5 at a remote fenceline location in a WWTP facility illustrates that wastewater components are aerosolized in the fine PM fraction and transported beyond the facilities.Implications: Wastewater treatment plants are potential emission sources of particulate matter and gases. This study characterized particulate matter emissions from aeration basins and quantified emissions fluxes of particulate matter and NH 3 . While fine and coarse particles as well as NH 3 are being emitted, the overall emissions are small compared to other urban sources. However, fecal steroid presence in particles at the fence of a treatment plant demonstrates that wastewater material is getting aerosolized and transported beyond the facilities.

Biogenic acids produced on epoxy linings installed in sewer crown and tidal zones

“…Although the direct inhibition of sulphur oxidising bacteria by H 2 S alone has not been noted, the reaction of SO 4 2À oxidised from H 2 S with another malodorous sewer gas, NH 3 , to form (NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 has been shown to inhibit both SOB (Nixon, 1997) and SRB (Pikaar et al, 2014). Ammonia gas was not monitored in this study, however this gas with H 2 S and volatile organic compounds make up typical constituents of sewer gases (Hernandez et al, 2012;Kim et al, 2013;Upadhyay et al, 2013) and may have also impacted the growth of both SRB and SOB. Our results show the potential roles played by the organic acid and H 2 S metabolites in the growth and metabolism of fungi and acidophilic bacteria.…”

SARS-CoV-2 in environmental perspective: Occurrence, persistence, surveillance, inactivation and challenges

“…The faulty sewage-drainage system was linked to the SARS-CoV-1 outbreak among the residents living in the surrounding buildings [95] wherein aerosolized particles play a major role in virus spreading [96] . The transportation of CoV in water potentially increases the virus spread through the aerosol formation [97] particularly during wastewater discharge and flow in the drainage system, pumping stations and WWTPs.…”

“…Unit operation in WWTP such as biological oxidation normally employed for treatment of sewage/wastewater influences the aerosol formation due to aeration operation. Particulate matter emissions from aeration basins demonstrated that wastewater material is getting aerosolized and transported beyond the facilities [97] . The potential for viruses to be aerosolized was studied and monitored by spiking Ebola virus surrogates (MS2 and Phi6) in wastewater systems (toilets, lab-scale aeration basin, and lab-scale model of converging sewer pipes) [110] .…”

Systematic Review of Potential Occupational Respiratory Hazards Exposure Among Sewage Workers

“…The SSI using the dry electrostatic precipitator method recorded the highest contribution emission of PM 2.5. Next, 24 stationary air samples were taken from a WWTP study in the United States (37). In this strong-quality study, it was found that the emission of PM 2.5, PM 10, and NH 3 at both types of aeration basin (open and closed system) were within turban range.…”