Sulfhydryl groups as potential biomarkers of water pollution

Abstract

Thiols represent a source of environmental pollution especially wastewater. The present work aims to evaluate the degradation of sulfur in two biological treatment plants in Tunisia: conventional plant of Rades Malienne, and vertical and horizontal flow from the Grombalia plant. We analyzed (1) wastewater properties, (2) the hydrosulfur (thiol) group, (3) membrane processes ultrafiltration technique and (4) characterization of the quality of wastewater from different plants. We used ultrafiltration membrane assisted ZnO and TiO2 NPs application on real effluents from different biological treatment plants. STEP1 is found to be more loaded with sulphur. Application of AC-ZnO membrane gives 99.07% and 99.55% of sulfur removal from wastewater of STEP1 and STEP3. STEP3 is 50 times less charged on sulfur than STEP1. We suggested that when the sulphur content is high, this leads to an increase in mineral elements. This could be explained by the interactions between thiols and the major elements that cause mineral pollution.