European-wide spatial analysis of sewage treatment plants and the possible benefits to nature of advanced treatment to reduce pharmaceutical emissions

Water Research, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 241, P. 120157 - 120157

Published: May 31, 2023

Pharmaceuticals are known to widely occur in the environment and affect health of ecosystems. Sewage treatment plants (STPs) main emission pathways for pharmaceuticals, which often not sufficiently removed during wastewater treatment. In Europe, STP requirements specified under Urban WasteWater Treatment Directive (UWWTD). The introduction advanced techniques, such as ozonation activated carbon, UWWTD is expected be an important option reduce pharmaceutical emissions. this study, we present a European-wide analysis STPs reported UWWTD, their current level potential remove set 58 prioritised pharmaceuticals. Three different scenarios were analysed show 1) effectiveness, 2) effectiveness at full compliance, 3) when implemented with capacity >100.000 person equivalents. Based on literature individual emissions ranged from average 9% primary 84% applying Results our calculations that pharmaceuticals can reduced 68% large updated treatment, but spatial differences exist. We argue adequate attention should also paid regards preventing environmental impacts <100.000 p.e. Circa 44% total effluent emitted near Natura2000 sites (EU nature protection areas). Of all surface waters receiving ecological status has been assessed Water Framework Directive, 77% have less than good. Relatively only applied into coastal waters. This used further model concentrations European waters, identify more might required protect EU aquatic biodiversity.

Language: Английский

---

Towards Environmental Sustainability: Wastewater Management and Sewer Networks for Protecting Groundwater in Rural Settlements

Urban Science, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 9(3), P. 80 - 80

Published: March 12, 2025

Sewer networks are essential in supporting the sustainable development of rural settlements. However, many municipalities face difficulties due to inadequate or missing sanitation systems. Thus, contamination municipal water supplies has become a pressing issue. In present study, process sewer network establishment and its impacts on groundwater was assessed case Hungarian settlement. It found that, following realization wastewater agglomeration 2015, 85% households municipality were connected by 2023. Results indicate that uninsulated septic tanks used before system resulted high rate sewage leakage. 3D models using RockWorks software show dome more than 1 m vicinity tank. The discharge had significant impact quality; NH4+ concentrations (>90 mg/L) within tank above limit value (0.5 total area detected. Na+ NO3− also reflect severe discharge. Significant positive changes quality have been detected sewerage. Our results highlight importance similar investments draw attention can be achieved. very decrease levels both at level, which, addition precipitation patterns, is mainly attributable cessation outflow. Between 2013 2022, average level declined 3.8 Therefore, long-term monitoring investment essential.

Language: Английский

---

EU-compliant wastewater recycled phosphorus: How much national cereal demand can it meet?

Journal of Cleaner Production, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 429, P. 139482 - 139482

Published: Nov. 3, 2023

Finding alternative phosphorus sources is imperative to address negative environmental and societal impacts caused by its current inefficient use. However, the direct use of in sewage sludge agriculture controversial. This paper uses Denmark, Germany, Spain as case examples assess relevant legislation boundary conditions agricultural production identify opportunities barriers for utilisation recycled from wastewater on a regional level. Only five out 22 recycling technologies considered were full compliance with across all three countries, these then assessed their potential supply major crops within countries. We application four scenarios: 1) struvite; 2) vivianite iron supply; 3) calcium phosphate precipitation; 4) ashes precipitation. The most suitable scenario identified Denmark was precipitation, whereas suitable, Germany. found that 2018, average 0.38, 0.29 0.05 kg per capita Danish, German, Spanish regions. These quantities could meet 9.1, 21.7, 10.0 percent required produce cereals each country (specifically wheat, barley, rye). Given legal constraints, treatment plant connections agronomic context, contribution non-negligible many sub-national Still, access circularity clear product specifications transport logistics among regions will be necessary.

Language: Английский

---

Responses of Freshwater Invertebrates to Imhoff Tank Sewage Effluents: A Preliminary Study in Four Watercourses with Different Ecological Status (Abruzzo, Central Italy)

Sustainability, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 16(6), P. 2452 - 2452

Published: March 15, 2024

In many EU countries, a large proportion of domestic effluents is treated in small, decentralized wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) which often lack appropriate technologies. The low efficiency these systems and their incorrect maintenance contribute to environmental deterioration, with quantity inadequately sewage dispersed the soil or discharged into superficial watercourses. Abruzzo region (Central Italy), almost all rivers streams receive from Imhoff tanks only primary treatments. ecological impacts have rarely been investigated. This paper aimed evaluate response freshwater invertebrates receiving watercourses different status. Our results showed that negatively affected structure composition communities, reduction richness abundance more sensitive taxa an increase most tolerant ones. These negative effects were accentuated during flow periods moderate To improve status limit diffusion pathogens micropollutants freshwater, efficient (secondary treatments, possibly nature-based solutions) sustainable (water reuse sludge recycling) approach WWTPs urgently needed.

Language: Английский

---

Tracing Localised Nutrient Pollution Events to Posidonia oceanica Epiphyte Community Assemblages, in the Eastern Aegean Sea

Research Square (Research Square), Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Sept. 6, 2024

The occurrence of localised eutrophication events in small coastal communities the Mediterranean threatens seagrass ecosystem functionality, necessitating reliable identification onset and magnitude these processes. This study examined suitability epiphyte assemblages on Posidonia oceanica leaves as an indicator anthropogenic nutrient enrichment, for first time eastern Aegean Sea. Seagrass biometric meadow parameters were studied at control potentially disturbed sites (n=3), addition to community composition structure a depth 5 m during winter 2022. Sites classified using modified version Land Use Simplified Index. Potentially meadows exhibited decreased leaf length shoot density, increased cover biomass. Epiphyte shifted significantly, with clear differences observed red coralline algae, filamentous brown bryozoans, annelids. Results highlighted that reduced water quality, which is discontinuous therefore difficult tackle single direct measurement column, from point diffuse sources including sewage outlet, agricultural activity tourism, strongly affected bed condition. Here, substantial was observed, causing (shading) indirect (intensified grazing; physical instability) effects. revealed communities, combination index, serve accurate cost-effective indicators pollution. Regular monitoring could aid detecting higher loading early stage prevent long-term decline.

Language: Английский

---

Advancing the Sustainability of the Pharmaceutical Industry: TAML/Peroxide Destroys Trace Pharmaceuticals where Unprecedented Efficiencies Increase with Decreasing TAML Concentrations

ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 12(39), P. 14482 - 14491

Published: Sept. 19, 2024

Language: Английский

---