Kilpinen Kristoffer, Tisler Selina, Jørgensen Mathias B, Mortensen Peter, Christensen Jan H
Analytical Chemistry Group, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871 Frederiksberg C, Denmark; Eurofins Environment Denmark, Ladelundvej 85, DK-6600 Vejen, Denmark.
Analytical Chemistry Group, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871 Frederiksberg C, Denmark.
Sci Total Environ. 2024 Dec 20;957:177555. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.177555. Epub 2024 Nov 20.
Effluent wastewater from conventional wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) is a source of environmental micropollutants. This study investigated temporal trends of organic micropollutants in effluent wastewater, aiming to identify underlying drivers and their implications for treatment efficiency. From September to December 2022, we collected 168 effluent and 10 influent samples. These samples were concentrated using a three-layer solid-phase extraction method and analyzed by liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS). Both targeted and suspect screening approaches were employed, allowing for the full quantification of 64 micropollutants and the identification of 90 additional compounds through suspect screening. Correlations revealed distinct groups of micropollutants with similar temporal trends, indicating common sources or behaviors during treatment. Notably, caffeine and paracetamol showed strong correlations with influent flow rates, indicating their removal efficiency is significantly influenced by hydraulic conditions. PFAS compounds, tire-wear chemicals, and biocides correlated with rain events. Micropollutants were categorized into nine groups based on their temporal trends, linking them to sources and persistence in the WWTP. Industrial discharges significantly contributed to spikes in pharmaceuticals like amitriptyline and citalopram. Metabolite analysis effectively distinguishing between sources of consumption and industrial discharge. These findings underscore the need for regulatory frameworks addressing a broader range of micropollutants. Key events such as rain and industrial discharges impact micropollutant composition and concentrations in effluent wastewater. Our study provides insights into their dynamics within WWTPs, informing improved treatment strategies.
传统污水处理厂（WWTPs）的出水废水是环境微污染物的一个来源。本研究调查了出水废水中有机微污染物的时间趋势，旨在确定潜在驱动因素及其对处理效率的影响。在2022年9月至12月期间，我们采集了168份出水样本和10份进水样本。这些样本采用三层固相萃取法进行浓缩，并通过液相色谱-高分辨率质谱（LC-HRMS）进行分析。采用了靶向筛选和可疑物筛选方法，能够对64种微污染物进行全面定量，并通过可疑物筛选鉴定出另外90种化合物。相关性分析揭示了具有相似时间趋势的不同微污染物组，表明在处理过程中有共同的来源或行为。值得注意的是，咖啡因和对乙酰氨基酚与进水流量显示出很强的相关性，表明它们的去除效率受水力条件的显著影响。全氟和多氟烷基物质（PFAS）化合物、轮胎磨损化学品和杀生物剂与降雨事件相关。微污染物根据其时间趋势被分为九组，将它们与污水处理厂中的来源和持久性联系起来。工业排放显著导致了阿米替林和西酞普兰等药物的峰值。代谢物分析有效地区分了消费来源和工业排放来源。这些发现强调了需要建立监管框架来应对更广泛的微污染物。降雨和工业排放等关键事件会影响出水废水中微污染物的组成和浓度。我们的研究提供了对它们在污水处理厂内动态的见解，为改进处理策略提供了依据。
