Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1007/s11356-024-33259-0
Licence creative commons licence
Title (Primary) Sources of persistent and mobile chemicals in municipal wastewater: a sewer perspective in Leipzig, Germany
Author Seelig, A.H.; Zahn, D. ORCID logo ; Reemtsma, T.
Source Titel Environmental Science and Pollution Research
Year 2024
Department EAC
Language englisch
Topic T9 Healthy Planet
Supplements https://static-content.springer.com/esm/art%3A10.1007%2Fs11356-024-33259-0/MediaObjects/11356_2024_33259_MOESM1_ESM.pdf
Keywords PMT source identification; Supercritical fluid chromatography-mass spectrometry; Organic micropollutants; Control at source; REACH chemicals; Ionic liquids; Pharmaceuticals; Dibutyl phosphate
Abstract Persistent and mobile (PM) chemicals spread in the water cycle and have been widely detected, yet information about their sources is still scarce. In this study, 67 PM chemicals were analyzed in 19 wastewater samples taken in the sewer system of the city of Leipzig, Germany, covering different industrial, clinical, and domestic discharges. A total of 37 of these analytes could be detected, with highly variable median concentrations between substances (median: 0.5–800 µg L−1) and for single substances between samples (e.g., 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane) by up to three orders of magnitude, with the highest single concentration exceeding 10 mg L−1 (p-cumenesulfonic acid). The emission of PM chemicals into the sewer system was classified as stemming from diffuse (14 analytes) or point sources (23 analytes), while 9 analytes fulfill both criteria. Many so-called industrial chemicals were also discharged from households (e.g., tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate or 1H-benzotriazole). Examples for analytes showing specific sources are tetrafluoroborate (traffic-related industry and metal production and finishing), ε-caprolactam (large-scale laundry), or cyanuric acid (likely swimming pool). Furthermore, a correlation between 1-cyanoguanidine and guanylurea was observed for the traffic-related industry. This study outlines that sewer sampling can provide valuable information on the sources of PM chemicals. This knowledge is a prerequisite for their future emission control at source or substitution as an alternative to end-of-pipe treatment in municipal wastewater treatment plants.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=29011
Seelig, A.H., Zahn, D., Reemtsma, T. (2024):
Sources of persistent and mobile chemicals in municipal wastewater: a sewer perspective in Leipzig, Germany
Environ. Sci. Pollut. Res. 10.1007/s11356-024-33259-0