High levels of perfluorochemicals in Taiwan's wastewater treatment plants and downstream rivers pose great risk to local aquatic ecosystems
Journal
Chemosphere
Journal Volume
80
Journal Issue
10
Pages
1167-1174
Date Issued
2010
Author(s)
Abstract
We studied perfluorochemicals (PFCs) in the influents and effluents of two municipal wastewater treatment plants (MWWTPs) and in the effluents of an industrial wastewater treatment plant (IWWTP). The impact of IWWTP effluents on the receiving rivers (the Nanmen and Keya Rivers) was evaluated by measuring PFC levels in the surface waters of both rivers and the sediments of the Nanmen River. Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) (293ngL-1) and perfluorohexanoic acid (406ngL-1) were identified as the compounds present in greatest concentrations in the influents and effluents of both MWWTPs, which are largely influenced by domestic sources. High concentrations of PFCs (up to 10000ngL-1) were found in IWWTP effluents and receiving rivers, with more perfluoroalkyl sulfonates (PFASs) found than perfluoroalkylcarboxylic acids (PFCAs). This study confirms the IWWTP as the point source of the persistent contamination of the Nanmen and Keya Rivers. Sediments of the Nanmen River were also impacted by IWWTP discharges, with high concentrations of PFOS (up to 90000ngkg-1). PFCAs with longer carbon chains exhibited preferred partitioning onto the sediments. The occurrence of higher PFC concentrations in Taiwan's aquatic media compared to other countries stresses the necessity for PFC risk management. Accordingly, a preliminary risk assessment was performed using the predicted no-effect concentration (PNEC) and indicative maximum permissible concentration (iMPC). The likelihood of ecological risk due to PFOS was plausible at a risk quotient of 1.21, as calculated using iMPC. Given our findings of high environmental PFC concentrations, rapid and meaningful steps should be taken to reduce entry of PFCs into Taiwan's aquatic environment. © 2010 Elsevier Ltd.
Subjects
Contamination; Occurrence; Perfluorochemicals; Risk assessment; Sediment; Wastewater treatment plant
Other Subjects
Aquatic ecosystems; Contamination; Effluents; Industrial plants; Industrial water treatment; Reclamation; Risk assessment; Risk management; Rivers; Sediments; Sewage pumping plants; Wastewater treatment; Water treatment plants; Industrial wastewater treatment plants; Maximum permissible concentration; Municipal wastewater treatment plants; Occurrence; Perfluorochemicals; Predicted no-effect concentrations; Preliminary risk assessment; Wastewater treatment plants; River pollution; carbon; perfluoro compound; perfluoroalkyl sulfonate; perfluoroalkylcarboxylic acid; perfluorobutanesulfonic acid; perfluorodecanoic acid; perfluorododecanoic acid; perfluoroheptanoic acid; perfluorohexanesulfonic acid; perfluorohexanoic acid; perfluorononanoic acid; perfluorooctanesulfonic acid; perfluoroundecanoic acid; surface water; unclassified drug; carboxylic acid; concentration (composition); effluent; environmental impact assessment; fluorocarbon; fluvial deposit; freshwater ecosystem; industrial waste; partitioning; point source pollution; risk assessment; river discharge; river pollution; sediment pollution; surface water; waste facility; wastewater; water treatment; aquatic environment; article; concentration (parameters); controlled study; effluent; nonhuman; prediction; risk assessment; risk management; river; sediment; Taiwan; waste water management; water analysis; water contamination; Taiwan
Type
journal article