Occurrence and fate of acrylamide in water-recycling systems and sludge in aggregate industries

Abstract

Acrylamide is a hazardous substance having irritant and toxic properties as well as carcinogen, mutagen, and impaired fertility possible effects. Acrylamide might be found in the environment as a consequence of the use of polyacrylamides (PAMs) widely added as a flocculant for water treatment. Acrylamide is a monomer used to produce polyacrylamide (PAM) polymers. This reaction of polymerization can be incomplete, and acrylamide molecules can be present as traces in the commercial polymer. Thus, the use of PAMs may generate a release of acrylamide in the environment. In aggregate industries, PAM is widely involved in recycling process and water reuse (aggregate washing). Indeed, these industries consume large quantities of water. Thus, European and French regulations have favored loops of recycling of water in order to reduce water withdrawals. The main goal of this article is to study the occurrence and fate of acrylamide in water-recycling process as well as in the sludge produced by the flocculation treatment process in aggregate production plants. Moreover, to strengthen the relevance of this article, the objective is also to demonstrate if the recycling system leads to an accumulation effect in waters and sludge and if free acrylamide could be released by sludge during their storage. To reach this objective, water sampled at different steps of recycling water process has been analyzed as well as different sludge corresponding to various storage times. The obtained results reveal no accumulation effect in the water of the water-recycling system nor in the sludge.

Direct injection method for HPLC/MS/MS analysis of acrylamide in aqueous solutions: application to adsorption experiments

“…The high percentage of adsorption found at low AMD concentrations could be attributed to the analytical uncertainty that should be high at this concentration level. Our results explain why no accumulation of AMD can occur in sludge samples and confirm the findings of Junqua et al (2014). …”

“…Backe et al (2014) detected acrylamide concentrations of 0.28 μg/L in waters from the holding pond of sand and gravel mines. Junqua et al (2014) and Backe et al (2014) both found very low concentrations of AMD in water-reused process. Nevertheless, Junqua et al (2014) pointed out the relevance to study AMD mobilization and runoff as well as its degradation in water and sludge.…”

“…Junqua et al (2014) and Backe et al (2014) both found very low concentrations of AMD in water-reused process. Nevertheless, Junqua et al (2014) pointed out the relevance to study AMD mobilization and runoff as well as its degradation in water and sludge. For these reasons, it is of importance to accurately measure AMD levels from granulate industries and to study the behavior of acrylamide (immobilization and degradation) in contact with the mineral phases from the operation site.…”

“…In the water of a sludge discharge pipe (from a quarry site), acrylamide was detected at a concentration equal to 1.19 μg/L (US Department of Health and Human Services 2008). In water and sludge samples from aggregate industry, Junqua et al (2014) measured low acrylamide levels in most of the water samples. When acrylamide concentration was significant (superior to limit of quantification (LOQ)), the concentration did not exceed 16.4 μg/L (at Responsible editor: Ester Heath Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s11356-014-3774-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.…”

Transfer and degradation of polyacrylamide-based flocculants in hydrosystems: a review

“…The low affinity of AMD to soil and clay minerals in particular is likely due to its high hydrosolubility and small size (Sojka et al 2007). Analysis of a lake water, directly connected to groundwaters, suggest a likely transfer of AMD due to its infiltration in soils (Junqua et al 2013). The half-life of acrylamide monomer in rivers ranges from weeks to months (Brown et al 1980).…”