Removal of emerging contaminants from wastewater by various treatment technologies in wastewater treatment plants

Abstract

The widespread presence of emerging contaminants in water systems has raised concern for the scientific community and policy makers, as they can cause harmful effects on the ecosystem and human life. This group of compounds includes illicit drugs, pharmaceuticals, personal care products, pesticides, microplastics, phthalates, and poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), among others. A significant number of these compounds are present in influent wastewater at various concentration levels from ng/L to mg/L, because of household and industry discharges and other sources. The wastewater treatment plants are not designed to remove all these compounds and, thus, their emission into the aquatic system is a real possibility. This chapter is focused on the removal efficiencies of various classes of chemical compounds in WWTPs by physical technologies (e.g., adsorption and filtration), chemical technologies (e.g., oxidation, ozonation, and advanced oxidation processes), biological technologies (e.g., activated sludge, membrane bioreactor, aerobic bioreactor, and anaerobic bioreactor) and hybrid systems. It studies the occurrence of some of the most used compounds in influent wastewater and their removal according to different treatment technologies. It is very important to collect data on the fate of emerging contaminants through WWTPs, in order to improve the wastewater treatment plants technologies and to take measures to protect the ecosystem and human health.