US EPA

3993852 

Journal Article 

Removal Efficiency and Risk Assessment of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in a Typical Municipal Wastewater Treatment Facility in Guangzhou, China 

Liu, Z; Li, Q; Wu, Q; Kuo, DTF; Chen, S; Hu, X; Deng, M; Zhang, H; Luo, M 

2017 

Yes 

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
ISSN: 1661-7827
EISSN: 1660-4601 

MDPI AG 

BASEL 

14 

8 

861 

English 

28763031 

10.3390/ijerph14080861 

WOS:000408684300031 

https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85026835709&doi=10.3390%2fijerph14080861&partnerID=40&md5=ceb81c99ec3959ebf550f304386b1f7d
Exit
 

The loading and removal efficiency of 16 US EPA polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were examined in an inverted A²/O wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) located in an urban area in China. The total PAH concentrations were 554.3 to 723.2 ng/L in the influent and 189.6 to 262.7 ng/L in the effluent. The removal efficiencies of ∑PAHs in the dissolved phase ranged from 63 to 69%, with the highest observed in naphthalene (80% removal). Concentration and distribution of PAHs revealed that the higher molecular weight PAHs became more concentrated with treatment in both the dissolved phase and the dewatered sludge. The sharpest reduction was observed during the pretreatment and the biological phase. Noncarcinogenic risk, carcinogenic risk, and total health risk of PAHs found in the effluent and sewage sludge were also assessed. The effluent BaP toxic equivalent quantities (TEQBaP) were above, or far above, standards in countries. The potential toxicities of PAHs in sewage effluent were approximately 10 to 15 times higher than the acceptable risk level in China. The health risk associated with the sewage sludge also exceeded international recommended levels and was mainly contributed from seven carcinogenic PAHs. Given that WWTP effluent is a major PAH contributor to surface water bodies in China and better reduction efficiencies are achievable, the present study highlights the possibility of utilizing WWTPs for restoring water quality in riverine and coastal regions heavily impacted by PAHs contamination. 

Inverted A2/O process; Municipal effluents; Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; Risk assessment; Sludge; Wastewater treatment