Size distribution, biological characteristics and emerging contaminants of aerosols emitted from an urban wastewater treatment plant
Journal
Journal of Hazardous Materials
Journal Volume
388
Date Issued
2020
Author(s)
Abstract
Air-liquid exchange process could spread pathogens and pharmaceutical emerging pollutants into the air as aerosol particles in an Urban wastewater treatment plants (UWTPs). These particles can later be transported to places where such pollution is unforeseen. In this study, measurements were conducted in the aeration area of a UWTP in northern Taiwan. According to this investigation, nanoparticles are major contributors to both the number and volume concentration of particles. Most fluorescent particles may be bacterial aggregates or fungal species. Moreover, nine common emerging contaminants were analyzed and found in both air and water samples. Among these contaminants, the most abundant chemicals in the air were erythromycin-H2O (191.45 pg/m3) and methamphetamine (39.02 pg/m3). These results imply that UWTPs could be an emission source of emerging contaminants and bioaerosols, and the potential risk of inhalation exposure should be carefully evaluated. © 2019 Elsevier B.V.
Subjects
Bioaerosols; Emerging pollutants; Nanoparticles; Ultraviolet aerodynamic particle sizer (UV-APS); Urban wastewater treatment plant (UWTP)
Other Subjects
Aerosols; Biological water treatment; Contamination; Nanoparticles; Pollution; Reclamation; Sewage pumping plants; Wastewater treatment; Water treatment plants; Bioaerosols; Biological characteristic; Emerging contaminant; Emerging pollutants; Fluorescent particle; Ultraviolet aerodynamic particle sizers; Urban wastewater treatment plants; Volume concentration; Sewage treatment plants; erythromycin; methamphetamine; nanoparticle; water; chemical pollutant; concentration (composition); instrumentation; nanoparticle; pollutant source; wastewater; wastewater treatment plant; aeration; controlled study; measurement; municipal wastewater; particle size; Taiwan; waste water treatment plant; water contamination; aerosol; air pollutant; chemistry; city; environmental monitoring; Flavobacteriaceae; isolation and purification; microbiology; particle size; particulate matter; procedures; Pseudomonas; waste water; water management; Taiwan; Bacteria (microorganisms); Aerosols; Air Microbiology; Air Pollutants; Cities; Environmental Monitoring; Flavobacteriaceae; Particle Size; Particulate Matter; Pseudomonas; Taiwan; Waste Water; Water Purification
Type
journal article