Levels and distributions of polychlorinated biphenyls in sewage sludge of urban wastewater treatment plants

Concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls （PCBs） have been measured in sewage sludge samples from 8 urban wastewater treatment plants in Beijing, China. The PCB congeners were analyzed by isotope dilution high resolution gas chromatography/high resolution mass spectrometry method. The concentration of PCBs ranged from 65.6 to 157 ng/g dry weight （dw）, with a mean value of 101 ng/g dw. The dioxin-like PCB WHO-TEQs （World Health Organization-Toxic Equivalents） of the sludge were lower than 1 pg /g dw. Consequently, all the concentrations of PCBs in sludge samples were below the upper limit for land application according to the Chinese legislation law for agriculture use. The PCB homologue profiles in sludge samples were dominated by tri-CBs and tetra- CBs. Similar distributions have been found in one of the Chinese PCB commercial products. The patterns of dioxin-like and indicator congeners observed in this study were quite similar in all samples. The predominant congener for dioxin-like and indicator PCBs were PCB-118 and PCB-28, respectively, while PCB-126 had the highest TEQ value.

Community analysis of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria in activated sludge of eight wastewater treatment systems

We investigated the communities of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria （AOB） in activated sludge collected from eight wastewater treatment systems using polymerase chain reaction （PCR） followed by terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism （T-RFLP）, cloning, and sequencing of the α-subunit of the ammonia monooxygenase gene （amoA）. The T-RFLP fingerprint analyses showed that different wastewater treatment systems harbored distinct AOB communities. However, there was no remarkable difference among the AOB T- RFLP profiles from different parts of the same system. The T-RFLP fingerprints showed that a full-scale wastewater treatment plant （WWTP） contained a larger number of dominant AOB species than a pilot-scale reactor. The source of influent affected the AOB community, and the WWTPs treating domestic wastewater contained a higher AOB diversity than those receiving mixed domestic and industrial wastewater. However, the AOB community structure was little affected by the treatment process in this study. Phylogenetic analysis of the cloned amoA genes clearly indicated that all the dominant AOB in the systems was closely related to Nitrosomonas spp. not to Nitrosospira spp. Members of the Nitrosomonas oligotropha and Nitrosomonas communis clusters were found in all samples, while members of Nitrosomonas europaea cluster occurred in some systems.

Optimum municipal wastewater treatment plant design with consideration of uncertainty

A newly developed model for the optimum municipal wastewater treatment plant(MWTP) design is presented. Through introducing the interval variables, the model attempts to consider the effects of uncertainties caused by the fluctuation of the wastewater quality and quantity during the design of MWTP. The model solution procedure is illustrated in detail, and a numerical example is given to verify the feasibility and advantage of the model. Furthermore, the possibility of the model application is briefly outlined.

The Effect of Wastewater Treatment Plants on Retainment of Plastic Microparticles to Enhance Water Quality—A Review

Microplastics, plastic pieces of ≤5 mm in size, are ubiquitous in ther environment and can be found in both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. This manuscript reviews the literature on the fate of microplastics in wastewater treatment and briefly highlights novel developments in the removal of microplastics from aqueous systems.

Design and Comparison of Wastewater Treatment Plant Types (Activated Sludge and Membrane Bioreactor), Using GPS-X Simulation Program: Case Study of Tikrit WWTP (Middle Iraq)

Mathematical models and simulation are considered a powerful tool in engineering practice. Those tools are becoming increasingly used for the improvement of wastewater treatment plants design because the conceptual design is complex and ill-defined. In this paper, three alternatives: 1) complete mix activated sludge without nitrogen removal (CAS);2) complete mix activated sludge with nitrogen removal (CAS-N) and;3) membrane bioreactor (MBR) processes were designed into two steps: first concept design to calculate the size of process units, then second implement modeling and simulation to improve the accuracy of the conceptual design. In brief, the treatment process design has been verified by using the activated sludge model No. 1 (ASM1) in GPS-X (v.7) simulation software. This application helps not only in sizing the treatment units but also in understanding the plant’s capacity. In the same time, it can assist in studying the future expansion works required for increased hydraulic and organic loadings. For this purpose, Tikrit WWTP was selected as a case study. The used model was validated by comparing the designed values of the plant and the modeling data. The verification of the obtained results from both hand calculations and the results of the program showed a good agreement. A significant difference in the volume of secondary treatment was obtained from design calculations, where the CAS without denitrification system was 9244 m3 (aerobic and secondary tanks), CAS with denitrification system was 11,324 m3 (anoxic, aerobic and secondary tanks) and for MBR system was 7468 m3 (anoxic, aerobic and immersed membrane tanks). From the obtained results point of view, it can be concluded that mathematical models can be considered as worthy tools to complement the established wastewater treatment plant design procedures.

Full scale application of combined SBF-AS process for municipal wastewater treatment in small towns and cities in China

The combined submerged biofilm （ SBF）-activated sludge （AS） process for treatment of municipal wastewater in a small city in China is described in this paper. The process exhibited high removal efficiencies for carbonaceous substances, nitrogen and phosphorus which mainly took place in the combined SBF-AS biore- actor. The SBF-AS bioreactor was divided into pre-anoxic, anaerobic, anoxic and aerobic zones from inlet to outlet, in which fixed biofilm carriers were packed. Excellent performance had been obtained under normal operating conditions in more than one year of operation in Dong＇ e municipal WWTP, Shandong province, with mean removal efficiencies of BOD5 93.4%, COD 88%, SS 92%, NH4 - N 82. 1%, TP 75% and TN 66.7%, and quite high effluent quality such as BOD5 6 to 10 rag/L, COD 20 to 40 rag/L, SS 5 to 10 rag/L, TN 10 to 20 rag/L, NH4 - N 4 to 8 mg/L and TP 0. 6 to 1.0 mg/L. The effluent was reused multi-purposely, such as toilet flushing, green belt watering and artificial lake pounding. Simultaneous nitrification and denitrification took place due to the DO gradient in biofilm in aerobic zone of the SBF-AS bioreactor, which made TN removal efficiency improved remarkably in system. Some activated sludge was returned from final clarifiers to the bioreactor for phosphorus removal. The process had the advantages of low investment and low operational/ maintenance （O/M） costs, low sludge yield and was preferably employed in small towns and cities.

Total concentrations and different fractions of heavy metals in sewage sludge from Guangzhou, China

Dewatered municipal sludge samples were collected from five municipal wastewater treatment plants （WWTPs） and one industrial WWTP in Guangzhou, China. A number of agricultural parameters and total metal concentrations in the sludge were determined. Metal speciation was also studied. The results showed that sewage sludge had high organic carbon, and was rich in such nutrients as N and P. The concentrations of Mn, Zn, and Cu were the highest, followed by Ni, Pb, and Cr, Cd had the lowest concentration. In addition, the concentrations of the aforementioned heavy metals in the sludge samples were higher than those recorded in the background data for crop soils. With the exception of Cu and Cd from site S1, and Ni from sites S1, $2, and $5, all other metal concentrations conformed to permissible levels prescribed by the national application standard of acid soil in China （GB 18918--2002）. The results of the BCR sequential extraction showed that the concentrations of Mn and Zn were predominant in acid-soluble/exchangeable and reducible fractions. Cu was principally distributed in oxidizable and residual fractions, whereas Cr was present in oxidizable and residual fractions, Pb was found in the state of residual fractions, and the distribution of Ni and Cd did not show significant characteristics.

Methane and nitrous oxide emissions from municipal wastewater treatment plants in China:A plant-level and technology-specific study

Wastewater treatment is an important source of greenhouse gases(GHGs).Yet large uncertainties remain in the quantification of GHG emissions from municipal wastewater treatment plants(MWWTPs)in China.A high-resolution and technology-specific emission inventory is still lacking to support mitigation strategies of MWWTPs.Here we develop a plant-level and technology-based MWWTP emission inventory for China covering 8703 plants and 19 treatment technology categories by compiling and harmonizing the most up-to-date facility-level databases.China's methane(CH_(4))and nitrous oxide(N_(2)O)emissions from MWWTPs in 2020 are estimated to be 150.6 Gg and 22.0 Gg,respectively,with the uncertainty range of-30%to 37%and-30%to 26%at 95%confidence interval.We find an emission inequality across cities,with the richest cities emitting two times more CH_(4)and N_(2)O per capita from municipal wastewater treatment than the poorest cities.The emitted CH_(4)and N_(2)O are dominated by Anaerobic/Anoxic/Oxic-,Sequencing Batch Reactor-,Oxidation Ditch-,and Anoxic/Oxic-based MWWTPs of less than 20 years old.Considering the relatively young age structure of China's MWWTPs,the committed emissions highlight the importance of reducing on-site GHG emissions by optimization of operating conditions and innovation management.The emission differences among our estimates,previous studies,and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change guidelines are largely attributed to the uncertainties in emission factors,implying the urgent need for more plant-integrated measurements to improve the accuracy of emission accounting.

Troubleshooting and Optimization of High-Strength Inhibitory Chemical Wastewater Treatment Process

Wastewaters from the chemical industry are usually of high-strength and may contain minor inhibitory and recalcitrant organics that are at times not readily identifiable. This paper describes the experience of a biological waste water treatment plant （WWTP） processing a COD concentration of 43000 mg·L^-1 wastewater from an oxochemical manufacturing plant. Stage improvements of the plant process by dilution of the inhibitory influent using other chemical wastewater streams resulting in a synergistic process effect, and removal of inhibitory organics by phase separation via acidification, effectively achieved process optimization producing a high quality effluent. In particular, the COD removal efficiency of granular sludge based anaerobic reactors increased from 56% to 90%. The final effluent COD decreased from 250mg·L^-1 to 50mg·L^-1, consistently meeting the COD concentration of 100 mg·L^-1 regulatory discharge limit. The success of the process enhancements supports the hypothesis that long-chain quaternary carboxylic acids act as substrate inhibitors in the biological process.

Why Should We Bother on Measurement in Wastewater Treatment Operation?

The question of wastewater treatment and control is reflected from a very specific viewpoint: the low priority given to accurate and useful measurements within wastewater treatment. The matter is discussed from four various perspectives, that may be labelled “Legal understanding”;“Needs for accurate measurement results already in the planning and design stage”;“The measurement problem and human behaviour”;“The understanding of the short term and long term dynamics and changes in pollution and flow loads on a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP)”. All these aspects bring about much improved needs for an accurate and frequent measurement scheme both for pollutants and flows entering a WWTP. The conclusion is stated as follows: A far more and well elaborated on-line measurement system at the plants would become a needed tool for improved water environment protection at lower costs.

Occurrence,distribution,and potential influencing factors of sewage sludge components derived from nine full-scale wastewater treatment plants of Beijing,China

Millions of tons of waste activated sludge（WAS） produced from biological wastewater treatment processes cause severe adverse environmental consequences. A better understanding of WAS composition is thus very critical for sustainable sludge management. In this work, the occurrence and distribution of several fundamental sludge constituents were explored in WAS samples from nine full-scale wastewater treatment plants（WWTPs） of Beijing, China. Among all the components investigated, active heterotrophic biomass was dominant in the samples（up to 9478 mg/L）, followed by endogenous residues（6736 mg/L）,extracellular polymeric substances（2088 mg/L）, and intracellular storage products（464 mg/L）among others. Moreover, significant differences（p 〈 0.05） were observed in composition profiles of sludge samples among the studied WWTPs. To identify the potential parameters affecting the variable fractions of sludge components, wastewater source as well as design and operational parameters of WWTPs were studied using statistical methods. The findings indicated that the component fraction of sewage sludge depends more on wastewater treatment alternatives than on wastewater characteristics among other parameters. A principal component analysis was conducted, which further indicated that there was a greater proportion of residual inert biomass in the sludge produced by the combined system of the conventional anaerobic/anoxic/oxic process and a membrane bioreactor. Additionally, a much longer solids retention time was also found to influence the sludge composition and induce an increase in both endogenous inert residues and extracellular polymeric substances in the sludge.

Occurrence and migration of microplastics and plasticizers in different wastewater and sludge treatment units in municipal wastewater treatment plant

Microplastics(MPs)and plasticizers,such as phthalate esters(PAEs),were frequently detected in municipal wastewater treatment plants(MWTP).Previous research mainly studied the removal of MPs and PAEs in wastewater.However,the occurrence of MPs and PAEs in the sludge was generally ignored.To comprehensively investigate the occurrence and the migration behaviors of MPs and PAEs in MWTP,a series of representative parameters including the number,size,color,shape of MPs,and the concentrations of PAEs in wastewater and sludge were systematically investigated.In this study,the concentrations of MPs in the influent and effluent were 15.46±0.37 and 0.30±0.14 particles/L.The MP removal efficiency of 98.1%was achieved and about 73.8%of MPs were accumulated in the sludge in the MWTP.The numbers of MPs in the sludge before and after digestion were 4.40±0.14 and 0.31±0.01 particles/g(dry sludge),respectively.Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy(ATR FT-IR)analysis showed that the main types of MPs were polyethylene terephthalate(PET),polypropylene(PP),polyethylene(PE),and polystyrene(PS).Six PAEs,including phthalate(DMP),diethyl phthalate(DEP),diisobutyl phthalate(DIBP),ortho dibutyl phthalate(DBP),butyl benzyl phthalate(BBP),and bis(2-ethyl)hexyl phthalate(DEHP),were detected in the MWTP.The concentrations of total PAEs(ΣPAEs)in the influent and effluent were 76.66 and 6.28μg/L,respectively.The concentrations ofΣPAEs in the sludge before and after digestion were 152.64 and 31.70μg/g,respectively.In the process of thermal hydrolysis,the number and size of MPs decreased accompanied by the increase of the plasticizer concentration.

我国城镇污水处理厂污泥产率系数现状及影响因素分析

以我国城镇污水处理厂生态环境统计和监测数据为基础,分析了我国城镇污水处理厂经验污泥产率系数(YQ)和以去除COD导致的污泥增殖来计算的污泥产率系数(YCOD),研究了进水COD、设计处理规模、处理工艺、区域分布等单一因素以及多因素与污泥产率系数的响应关系。结果表明,我国城镇污水处理厂YQ平均值为1.33×10-4 t/m3,YCOD平均值为0.81 kg/kg,YQ、YCOD总体呈正偏态分布;YQ平均值与进水COD、设计处理规模正相关,YCOD平均值与进水COD、设计处理规模负相关;YQ、YCOD平均值对应的COD区间范围为150~250 mg/L,设计处理规模为1×104~1×105 m3/d的污水处理厂YQ、YCOD与平均值最为接近,相对偏差分别为2.8%、-4.3%;A2/O工艺、氧化沟类、普通活性污泥法、A/O工艺的YQ、YCOD与平均值接近,相对偏差范围分别为-1.8%~1.9%、-2.3%~5.8%;华东和华中地区的YQ,华东、西南地区YCOD与平均值基本持平;多因素方差分析显示进水COD为YQ和YCOD的显著影响因素。

城市污水处理过程污泥膨胀识别与抑制综述

污泥膨胀是活性污泥法污水处理过程中常见的一类异常工况,且具有严重危害性,研究污泥膨胀的识别和抑制方法对城市污水处理过程正常运行意义重大.本文主要针对城市污水处理过程中污泥膨胀的识别和抑制方法进行综述.首先,文章概述了城市污水处理过程,介绍了污泥膨胀的概念、主要特点、类型和成因;其次,概述了基于微生物生理特征、机理模型、图像识别和数据驱动的污泥膨胀识别方法,分析其发展现状并指出优缺点;然后,概述了基于过程调控和机理特征的污泥膨胀抑制方法,分析其发展现状并对比优缺点;最后,总结全文,指出了城市污水处理过程污泥膨胀识别和抑制面临的主要问题,并对其研究趋势进行了展望.

基于自适应宽度学习算法的城市污水处理污泥膨胀识别

针对污水处理过程的污泥膨胀难以精准识别的问题,提出了一种基于自适应宽度学习算法(adaptive broad learning algorithm,ABLA)的污泥膨胀识别方法。首先,结合城市污水处理过程的运行数据,采用主元分析法选取与污泥体积指数(sludge volume index,SVI)相关的特征变量;其次,建立了一种基于ABLA的污泥膨胀识别模型,利用自适应伪逆算法更新模型参数,提高了识别精度,并验证了模型的收敛性;最后,将所提模型应用于实际的污水处理过程中,利用污水处理厂的实际运行数据对其进行实验验证。实验结果表明,基于ABLA的污泥膨胀识别模型能够实现污泥膨胀的精准识别。

纯膜MBBR+磁混凝沉淀工艺在广东省某城市污水厂提标改造中的应用

广东省某城市污水处理厂于2003年建成并投入运营,该污水处理厂原工艺为“厌氧UASB+高负荷生物滤池+固体接触池+生物絮凝沉淀池”,随着污水排放标准的不断提升,该污水处理厂提标改造工作迫在眉睫。经过对多种工艺综合比选,确定将原工艺提标改造为“纯膜MBBR+磁混凝沉淀”,对提标改造工程开展工程设计,剖析提标改造后污水处理厂的运行效果。结果表明:以“纯膜MBBR+磁混凝沉淀”为主体的提标改造工艺优势显著,可节省面积约为2600 m^(2),提标改造后污水处理厂能够连续稳定运行,出水水质满足《城镇污水处理厂污染物排放标准》(GB 18918—2002)一级A标准和《水污染物排放限值》(DB 44/26—2001)第二时段一级标准的较严值。

氟调酸在我国典型城市污水处理厂中的浓度分布及排放

氟调酸(fluorotelomer carboxylic acids,FTCAs)是全氟烷基羧酸(perfluoroalkyl carboxylates,PFCAs)的前体物,同时也是替代加工助剂.本研究应用固相萃取-液相色谱-三重四极杆质谱仪联用的检测分析方法,探究了中国5个城市9座城市污水处理厂进水、二沉池出水、三级处理出水和污泥中6种FTCAs和12种PFCAs的分布及排放特征.FTCAs在城市污水处理厂进水中的浓度为0.52—2.00×10^(3) ng·L^(-1),受纳工业废水的城市污水处理厂进水中FTCAs的浓度高于其他主要受纳生活污水的城市污水处理厂,表明工业废水的排放会影响城市污水处理厂中FTCAs的浓度水平.生物处理工艺对FTCAs和PFCAs的去除率分别为43%—93%和-40%—69%.∑FTCAs在三级处理出水及污泥中的总排放量为13.6 g·d^(-1),6:2 FTCA和8:2 FTCA为主要的组成物质.三级处理出水中FTCAs及PFCAs的风险商分析表明三级处理出水中6:2 FTCA、PFHxA、PFOA、PFNA和PFDA可能对鱼类存在潜在风险.本研究为我国城市污水处理厂中新污染物的管控提供了数据基础.

城镇污水处理厂抗生素抗性基因的环境传播途径与机制

城镇污水处理厂是抗生素抗性基因(ARGs)发生转移、传播的重要场所,同时也是环境中ARGs污染的主要来源。对城镇污水处理厂中ARGs向环境介质中的传播途径、影响因素与传播机制进行了综述。结果表明,ARGs可通过出水排放、污泥土地施用、再生水灌溉、气溶胶逸散等途径迁移至环境介质(如受纳水体、土壤、空气)中;ARGs在环境介质中的扩散和存留行为受介质理化性质影响;ARGs在环境介质中主要通过可移动遗传元件(MGEs)介导的水平基因转移(HGT)传播耐药性。

协同除臭技术在罗芳污水处理厂中的工程应用

罗芳污水处理厂位于深圳边境,毗邻中国香港,紧邻居民区,“邻避效应”明显,项目采用生物原位除臭系统、末端除臭系统和新风系统对该污水处理厂进行除臭,其中末端除臭系统由封闭工程、臭气精准收集输送工程、协同臭气处理工程等构成。文章简要介绍了3大除臭系统的主要除臭原理,并阐述了该3大除臭系统在该污水处理厂的应用效果。臭气处理后切实提升了周边的环境质量,能够满足设计执行的排放标准,实际运行优于《城镇污水处理厂污染物排放标准》(GB 18918—2002)一级标准,成为破解“邻避效应”的典范。

不同负荷梯度对污水厂活性污泥的产酸性能分析

活性污泥发酵产酸有利于实现污泥资源化利用。文中以污水厂活性污泥为研究对象,在污水厂现场采用半连续碱性发酵方法,探究了先低梯度再高梯度长周期提负荷过程中污泥的产酸性能。结果表明:低梯度提负荷运行阶段,第112 d污泥的酸化率达到最大值,且乙酸占比为71.67%,游离氨(FA)质量浓度为(208±39)mg/L,低于250 mg/L,对微生物无抑制性。在高梯度提负荷阶段,第192 d污泥的水解率提高至41%,丁酸与戊酸的占比增加,FA质量浓度逐渐升高至450 mg/L时产酸性能下降。低梯度的优势菌Guggenheimella(24.88%)演变为高梯度的unclassified_Clostridiales(37.08%)。此外,当负荷为3250 mg TSS/(L·d)时,挥发性脂肪酸(VFAs)达到最大值(3339 mg COD_(Cr)/L)。经过50 d的稳定运行,污泥的产酸率为(606±30)mg COD_(Cr)/(g VSS)。合适的负荷梯度有助于污泥中有机物在碱性条件下(pH值=10.0±0.05)长期稳定连续生成VFAs。