| 1. |
- Armitage, James M, et al.
(author)
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A model assessment of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin and dibenzofuran sources and fate in the Baltic Sea.
- 2009
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In: Science of the Total Environment. - : Elsevier BV. - 0048-9697 .- 1879-1026. ; 407:12, s. 3784-3792
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The contamination of the Baltic Sea with polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) has resulted in restrictions on the marketing and consumption of Baltic Sea fish, making this a priority environmental issue in the European Union. To date there is no consensus on the relative importance of different sources of PCDD/Fs to the Baltic Sea, and hence no consensus on how to address this issue. In this work we synthesized the available information to create a PCDD/F budget for the Baltic Sea, focusing on the two largest basins, the Bothnian Sea and the Baltic Proper. The non-steady state multimedia fate and transport model POPCYCLING-Baltic was employed, using recent data for PCDD/F concentrations in air and sediment as boundary conditions. The PCDD/F concentrations in water predicted by the model were in good agreement with recent measurements. The budget demonstrated that atmospheric deposition was the dominant source of PCDD/Fs to the basins as a whole. This conclusion was supported by a statistical comparison of the PCDD/F congener patterns in surface sediments from accumulation bottoms with the patterns in ambient air, bulk atmospheric deposition, and a range of potential industrial sources. Prospective model simulations indicated that the PCDD/F concentrations in the water column will continue to decrease in the coming years due to the slow response of the Baltic Sea system to falling PCDD/F inputs in the last decades, but that the decrease would be more pronounced if ambient air concentrations were to drop further in the future, for instance as a result of reduced emissions. The study illustrates the usefulness of using monitoring data and multimedia models in an integrated fashion to address complex organic contaminant issues.
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| 2. |
- Blum, Kristin M., et al.
(author)
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Non-target screening and prioritization of potentially persistent, bioaccumulating and toxic domestic wastewater contaminants and their removal in on-site and large-scale sewage treatment plants
- 2017
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In: Science of the Total Environment. - : Elsevier. - 0048-9697 .- 1879-1026. ; 575, s. 265-275
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- On-site sewage treatment facilities (OSSFs), which are used to reduce nutrient emissions in rural areas, were screened for anthropogenic compounds with two-dimensional gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC × GC–MS). The detected compounds were prioritized based on their persistence, bioaccumulation, ecotoxicity, removal efficiency, and concentrations. This comprehensive prioritization strategy, which was used for the first time on OSSF samples, ranked galaxolide, α-tocopheryl acetate, octocrylene, 2,4,7,9-tetramethyl-5-decyn-4,7-diol, several chlorinated organophosphorus flame retardants and linear alkyl benzenes as the most relevant compounds being emitted from OSSFs. Twenty-six target analytes were then selected for further removal efficiency analysis, including compounds from the priority list along with substances from the same chemical classes, and a few reference compounds. We found significantly better removal of two polar contaminants 2,4,7,9-tetramethyl-5-decyn-4,7-diol (p = 0.0003) and tris(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate (p = 0.005) in soil beds, a common type of OSSF in Sweden, compared with conventional sewage treatment plants. We also report median removal efficiencies in OSSFs for compounds not studied in this context before, viz. α-tocopheryl acetate (96%), benzophenone (83%), 2-(methylthio)benzothiazole (64%), 2,4,7,9-tetramethyl-5-decyn-4,7-diol (33%), and a range of organophosphorus flame retardants (19% to 98%). The environmental load of the top prioritized compounds in soil bed effluents were in the thousands of nanogram per liter range, viz. 2,4,7,9-tetramethyl-5-decyn-4,7-diol (3000 ng L− 1), galaxolide (1400 ng L− 1), octocrylene (1200 ng L− 1), and α-tocopheryl acetate (660 ng L− 1).
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| 3. |
- Blum, Kristin M., et al.
(author)
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Persistence, mobility and bioavailability of emerging organic contaminants discharged from sewage treatment plants
- 2018
-
In: Science of the Total Environment. - : Elsevier. - 0048-9697 .- 1879-1026. ; 612, s. 1532-1542
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Little is known about the impact of emissions of micropollutants from small and large-scale sewage treatment plants (STPs) on drinking water source areas. We investigated a populated catchment that drains into Lake Malaren, which is the drinking water source for around 2 million people including the inhabitants of Stockholm, Sweden. To assess the persistence, mobility, bioavailability and bioaccumulation of 32 structurally diverse emerging organic contaminants, sediment, integrated passive and grab water samples were collected along the catchment of the River Fyris, Sweden. The samples were complemented with STP effluent and fish samples from one sampling event. Contaminants identified as persistent, mobile, and bioavailable were 4,6,6,7,8,8-hexamethyl-1,3,4,7-tetrahydrocyclopenta[g] isochromene (galaxolide), 2,4,7,9-tetramethyl-5-decyn-4,7-diol, tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate, tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate, and tris(1-chloro-2-propyl) phosphate. Galaxolide and 2,4,7,9-tetramethyl-5-decyn-4,7-diol were additionally found to be bioaccumulative, whereas n-butylbenzenesulfonamide was found to be only persistent and mobile. The total median mass flux of the persistent and mobile target analytes from Lake Ekoln into the drinking water source area of Lake Malaren was estimated to be 27 kg per year. Additionally, 10 contaminants were tentatively identified by non-target screening using NIST library searches and manual review. Two of those were confirmed by reference standards and further two contaminants, propylene glycol and rose acetate, were discharged from STPs and travelled far from the source. Attenuation of mass fluxes was highest in the summer and autumn seasons, suggesting the importance of biological degradation and photodegradation for the persistence of the studied compounds.
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| 4. |
- Dalahmeh, Sahar, et al.
(author)
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Potential of biochar filters for onsite sewage treatment: Adsorption and biological degradation of pharmaceuticals in laboratory filters with active, inactive and no biofilm
- 2018
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In: Science of the Total Environment. - : Elsevier BV. - 0048-9697 .- 1879-1026. ; 612, s. 192-201
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This study investigated the potential of biochar filters as a replacement or complement for sand filters for removal of pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs) from wastewater in onsite sewage facilities (OSSF). Specifically, the study investigated the effects of biodegradation, adsorption and a combination of these processes on removal of four model PhACs from wastewater in biochar filters operated under hydraulic loading conditions mimicking those found in onsite infiltration beds. Concentrations and removal of the four PhACs (i.e. carbamazepine, metoprolol, ranitidine and caffeine) were investigated over 22 weeks in four treatments: biochar (BC) with active or inactive biofilm (BC-active-biofilm, BC-inactive-biofilm), biochar without biofilm (BC-no-biofilm) and sand with active biofilm (Sand-active-biofilm). The adsorption of carbamazepine was high in BC-no-biofilm (99% removal after 22 weeks), while biodegradation was very low in Sand-active-biofilm (7% removal after 22 weeks). Removal of carbamazepine in BC-active-biofilm was high and stable over the 22 weeks (>98%), showing a significant role of biofilm in filter biogeneration. However, carbamazepine removal declined over time in BC-inactive-biofilm, from 99% in week 13 to 73% in week 22. Metoprolol was poorly degraded in Sand-active-biofilm (37% after 22 weeks), while adsorption seemed to be the major pathway for removal of metoprolol in biochar. Ranitidine and caffeine were efficiently removed by either adsorption (97% and 9S%, respectively, after 22 weeks) or biodegradation (99% and >99%, respectively, after 22 weeks). In conclusion, biochar is a promising filter medium for OSSF, especially for persistent PhACs such as carbamazepine and metoprolol. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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| 5. |
- Dürig, Wiebke, et al.
(author)
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Application of a novel prioritisation strategy using non-target screening for evaluation of temporal trends (1969-2017) of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) in archived lynx muscle tissue samples
- 2022
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In: Science of the Total Environment. - : Elsevier BV. - 0048-9697 .- 1879-1026. ; 817
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Most environmental monitoring studies of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) focus on aquatic species and target specific classes of CECs. Even with wide-scope target screening methods, relevant CECs may be missed. In this study, non-target screening (NTS) was used for tentative identification of potential CECs in muscle tissue of the terrestrial top predator Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx). Temporal trend analysis was applied as a prioritisation tool for archived samples, using univariate statistical tests (Mann-Kendall and Spearman rank). Pooled lynx muscle tissue collected from 1969 to 2017 was analysed with an eight-point time series using a previously validated screening workflow. Following peak detection, peak alignment, and blank subtraction, 12,941 features were considered for statistical analysis. Prioritisation by time-trend analysis detected 104 and 61 features with statistically significant increasing and decreasing trends, respectively. Following probable molecular formula assignment and elucidation with MetFrag, two compounds with increasing trends, and one with a decreasing trend, were tentatively identified. These results show that, despite low expected concentration levels and high matrix effects in terrestrial species, it is possible to prioritise CECs in archived lynx samples using NTS and univariate statistical approaches.
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| 6. |
- Ferrero, Pablo Gago, et al.
(author)
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Impact of on-site, small and large scale wastewater treatment facilities on levels and fate of pharmaceuticals, personal care products, artificial sweeteners, pesticides, and perfluoroalkyl substances in recipient waters
- 2017
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In: Science of the Total Environment. - : Elsevier BV. - 0048-9697 .- 1879-1026. ; 601-602, s. 1289-1297
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- One of the main risks associated with effluents from both wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and on-site sewage treatment facilities (OSSFs) is the release of micropollutants (MPs) in receiving water bodies. However, the impact of MPs present in the effluents of OSSFs in the aquatic environment has not been studied so far. The current study evaluates the impact of the effluents of OSSFs and small-to-large scale WWTPs on natural waters. The discharge of 74 MPs was assessed including pharmaceuticals, personal care products, pesticides, artificial sweeteners and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs). The sampling was carried out within a Swedish catchment and included three sites that are exclusively affected by OSSFs and other sites that are mainly affected by WWTPs or a mixture of sources (7 sites, 28 samples). Results show that although OSSFs serve a much smaller total number of people, the MPs emitted from OSSFs reached the aquatic environment in significant quantities (concentrations of >150 ng L-1 of Sigma MPs). The composition profiles for sites affected by WWTPs were similar and were dominated by sucralose (27% of the Sigma MPs), caffeine (27% of the Sigma MPs), lamotrigine (10% of the Sigma MPs), desvenlafaxine (5% of the Sigma MPs), and diclofenac (4% of the Sigma MPs). In contrast, the sites affected by OSSFs showed high variability, exhibiting a different profile from those affected by WWTPs and also from each other, demonstrating that OSSFs are not homogeneous sources of MPs. Some specific compounds, such as diethyltoluamide (DEET) and caffeine, were proportionally much more important at sites affected by OSSFs than at sites affected by WWTPs (representing a much higher percentage of the Sigma MPs in the OSSFs). In contrast, PFASs did not show high concentration variation among the different sampling sites and the composition profiles were relatively similar, indicating that these substances follow different routes of entry into the aquatic environment. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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| 7. |
- Gao, Qiuju, et al.
(author)
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Impact of on-site wastewater infiltration systems on organic contaminants in groundwater and recipient waters
- 2019
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In: Science of the Total Environment. - : Elsevier. - 0048-9697 .- 1879-1026. ; 651, s. 1670-1679
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- On-site sewage treatment facilities, particularly septic systems combined with soil infiltration, can be an important source of emerging organic contaminants in groundwater and surface water and thus represent a significant source of environmental and human exposure. Two infiltration systems in Åre municipality, Sweden, were examined to assess the occurrence of contaminants in groundwater and their fate and transport during infiltration. Groundwater samples, recipient surface water samples, and wastewater samples from septic tanks were collected from 2016 to 2017 covering all climatological seasons. These samples were analysed for a total of 103 contaminants, including pharmaceuticals, personal care products, organic phosphorus flame-retardants, plasticisers, perfluoroalkyl substances, and food additives. Fourteen of 103 contaminants showed 100% detection frequency in groundwater at concentrations in the low ng L−1 to low μg L−1 range. Of the compounds analysed, tris(2‑butoxyethyl) phosphate, sucralose, caffeine, and benzophenone showed high abundancy with maximum concentrations in the μg L−1 range. The data were normalised for dilution using chloride and sucralose as commonly applied tracers; however, the level of sucralose decreased significantly during infiltration and it is thus suboptimal as a sewage water tracer. Large differences between the two infiltration sites were observed in detection frequencies and concentrations in groundwater, which could be attributed to the system design and the contaminant's migration time from release to sampling point. Seasonal variation was observed for selected chemicals, and the more hydrophobic chemicals showed a higher tendency for attenuation, indicating sorption as a major retention mechanism. A moderate environmental risk to aquatic organisms was estimated in adjacent surface water for galaxolide, tris(1‑chloro‑2‑propyl) phosphate, and tris(2‑butoxyethyl) phosphate. Due to this site-dependency and potential environmental risks, further studies are needed on infiltration systems in different settings and on alternative treatment techniques to reduce the contaminant discharge from on-site sewage treatment facilities.
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| 8. |
- Gros Calvo, Meritxell, et al.
(author)
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Pharmaceuticals in source separated sanitation systems : Fecal sludge and blackwater treatment
- 2019
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In: Science of the Total Environment. - : Elsevier B.V.. - 0048-9697 .- 1879-1026.
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This study investigated, for the first time, the occurrence and fate of 29 multiple-class pharmaceuticals (PhACs) in two source separated sanitation systems based on: (i) batch experiments for the anaerobic digestion (AD) of fecal sludge under mesophilic (37 °C) and thermophilic (52 °C) conditions, and (ii) a full-scale blackwater treatment plant using wet composting and sanitation with urea addition. Results revealed high concentrations of PhACs in raw fecal sludge and blackwater samples, with concentrations up to hundreds of μg L−1 and μg kg−1 dry weight (dw) in liquid and solid fractions, respectively. For mesophilic and thermophilic treatments in the batch experiments, average PhACs removal rates of 31% and 45%, respectively, were observed. The average removal efficiency was slightly better for the full-scale blackwater treatment, with 49% average removal, and few compounds, such as atenolol, valsartan and hydrochlorothiazide, showed almost complete degradation. In the AD treatments, no significant differences were observed between mesophilic and thermophilic conditions. For the full-scale blackwater treatment, the aerobic wet composting step proved to be the most efficient in PhACs reduction, while urea addition had an almost negligible effect for most PhACs, except for citalopram, venlafaxine, oxazepam, valsartan and atorvastatin, for which minor reductions (on average 25%) were observed. Even though both treatment systems reduced initial PhACs loads considerably, significant PhAC concentrations remained in the treated effluents, indicating that fecal sludge and blackwater fertilizations could be a relevant vector for dissemination of PhACs into agricultural fields and thus the environment.
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| 9. |
- Gustavsson, Jakob, et al.
(author)
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Screening of organic flame retardants in Swedish river water
- 2018
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In: Science of the Total Environment. - : Elsevier BV. - 0048-9697 .- 1879-1026. ; 625, s. 1046-1055
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Alternative flame retardants (FRs) have now replaced legacy FRs (such as polybrominated diphenyl ethers, PBDEs), but little is known about their fate in the aquatic environment. In this study, a range of legacy FRs (0 = 10) and alternative FRs, including halogenated FRs (HFRs, n = 32) and organophosphorus FRs (OPFRs, n = 19), were screened in water samples collected from 23 rivers covering the whole latitudinal range of Sweden. Of the 61 targeted ERs, 26 were detected in at least one of the river samples, with Sigma FR concentrations ranging up to 170 ng L-1 (mean 31 +/- 45 ng L-1). In general, higher concentrations and a larger variety of FRs were detected in southern Sweden (Sigma ER = 60 +/- 56 ng L-1) compared with the north (3 ER 9.0 +/- 16 ng L-1). In the south, HFRs were dominant, constituting on average 59% of Sigma Rs, whereas in the north, OPFRs were dominant, constituting on average 82% of 11, Sigma Rs. This difference was best explained by higher population density in the south. The total daily flux of FRs into the Baltic Sea was estimated to be similar to 31 kg and comprised mainly tetrabromobisphenol-A (TBBPA), 3,4,5,6-tetrabromophthalic anhydride (TEBP-Anh), and 2,4,6-tribromophenol (TBP). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of environmental occurrence of TEBP-Anh, which was detected in two rivers and is suggested to originate from airports located near the sampling sites. (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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| 10. |
- Gustavsson, Jakob, et al.
(author)
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Seasonal trends of legacy and alternative flame retardants in river water in a boreal catchment
- 2019
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In: Science of the Total Environment. - : Elsevier BV. - 0048-9697 .- 1879-1026. ; 692, s. 1097-1105
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Boreal forests store large amounts of atmospherically deposited (semi-)persistent organic pollutants ( POPs). The terrestrial POPs may be exported to streams and rivers through processes that are heavily impacted by seasonality. In this screening study, concentrations of 4 legacy and 45 alternative flame retardants (FRs) were determined in the dissolved and particulate phase in streams within a relatively pristine boreal catchment in northern Europe (Krycklan Catchment Study; 3 sites) and in rivers more impacted by human activities further downstream towards the Baltic Sea (3 sites). The sampling included the main hydrological seasons (snow-free, snow-covered, and spring flood) and was conducted during two consecutive years (2014-2016). Of the 49 analyzed Ills, 11 alternative halogenated FRs (HFRs), 13 alternative organophosphorus FRs (OPFRs), and 4 legacy polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were detected in at least one sample. The average bulk (dissolved + particulate) concentrations of Sigma FRs (including all sites) were highest for Sigma HFRs (38 +/- 70 ng L-1), followed by the Sigma OPFRs (3.9 +/- 4.9 ng L-1) and the Sigma PBDEs (0.0040 +/- 0.016 ng L-1). Bulk concentrations of HFRs, OPFRs, and PBDEs were highly variable with season and sampling location, e.g., during spring flood, bulk concentrations were up to 600 times, 3.7 times, and 4.9 times higher for HFRs, OPFRs and PBDEs, respectively, than during periods of lower flow. Bulk concentrations of Sigma OPFRs, were elevated at all sites similar to 6 days before the actual start of the spring flood in 2015, suggesting that hydrophobicity fractionation had occurred within the snowpack. Similar to previous studies of other POPs in the same headwater catchment, there was a general trend that levels of Sigma FRs were higher at the mire site than at the forested site. Annual fluxes of FRs were found to be similar to 15 times higher downstream the city of Umea compared to at the outlet of the pristine catchment. This study should be regarded as a screening study considering the large number of diverse FRs analyzed and variability in the results. (C) 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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