Seelig Alina H, Zahn Daniel, Reemtsma Thorsten
Department of Environmental Analytical Chemistry, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Permoserstrasse 15, 04318, Leipzig, Germany.
Institute of Analytical Chemistry, University of Leipzig, Linnéstrasse 3, 04103, Leipzig, Germany.
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2024 Apr 18. doi: 10.1007/s11356-024-33259-0.
Persistent and mobile (PM) chemicals spread in the water cycle and have been widely detected, yet information about their sources is still scarce. In this study, 67 PM chemicals were analyzed in 19 wastewater samples taken in the sewer system of the city of Leipzig, Germany, covering different industrial, clinical, and domestic discharges. A total of 37 of these analytes could be detected, with highly variable median concentrations between substances (median: 0.5-800 µg L) and for single substances between samples (e.g., 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane) by up to three orders of magnitude, with the highest single concentration exceeding 10 mg L (p-cumenesulfonic acid). The emission of PM chemicals into the sewer system was classified as stemming from diffuse (14 analytes) or point sources (23 analytes), while 9 analytes fulfill both criteria. Many so-called industrial chemicals were also discharged from households (e.g., tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate or 1H-benzotriazole). Examples for analytes showing specific sources are tetrafluoroborate (traffic-related industry and metal production and finishing), ε-caprolactam (large-scale laundry), or cyanuric acid (likely swimming pool). Furthermore, a correlation between 1-cyanoguanidine and guanylurea was observed for the traffic-related industry. This study outlines that sewer sampling can provide valuable information on the sources of PM chemicals. This knowledge is a prerequisite for their future emission control at source or substitution as an alternative to end-of-pipe treatment in municipal wastewater treatment plants.
持久性和迁移性（PM）化学物质在水循环中扩散且已被广泛检测到，但有关其来源的信息仍然匮乏。在本研究中，对德国莱比锡市下水道系统采集的19个废水样本中的67种PM化学物质进行了分析，这些样本涵盖了不同的工业、临床和生活排放源。总共检测到了其中37种分析物，各物质之间的中位数浓度变化很大（中位数：0.5 - 800 μg/L），单个物质在不同样本间的浓度变化（如1,4 - 二氮杂双环[2.2.2]辛烷）可达三个数量级，最高单一浓度超过10 mg/L（对异丙基苯磺酸）。PM化学物质向下水道系统的排放被归类为源于分散源（14种分析物）或点源（23种分析物），而9种分析物符合这两个标准。许多所谓的工业化学品也从家庭中排放出来（如磷酸三（2 - 氯乙基）酯或1H - 苯并三唑）。显示特定来源的分析物示例包括四氟硼酸盐（与交通相关的行业以及金属生产和加工）、ε - 己内酰胺（大型洗衣店）或氰尿酸（可能来自游泳池）。此外，观察到与交通相关行业中1 - 氰基胍和胍基脲之间存在相关性。本研究概述了下水道采样可为PM化学物质的来源提供有价值的信息。这些知识是未来在源头控制其排放或替代市政污水处理厂终端处理的替代方法的前提条件。
