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Efficiency of Removal of Compounds with Estrogenic Activity During Wastewater Treatment: Effects of Various Removal Techniques

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Xenobiotics in the Urban Water Cycle

Part of the book series: Environmental Pollution ((EPOL,volume 16))

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Abstract

The effluents from wastewater treatment plants are known to contribute significantly to the total emission of estrogenic compounds, both from natural and anthropogenic sources, into the aquatic environment. As a logical consequence, occurrence of these compounds affects the quality of our surface waters in general, while they may be able to interfere with aquatic wildlife through endocrine disruption.

In a comprehensive monitoring programme, the removal of natural estrogenic hormones, bisphenol A, nonylphenol and nonylphenol ethoxylates was investigated for a number of Dutch wastewater treatment plants. For quantification of these contaminants at very low levels (low ng/L for the hormones and bisphenol A, low μg/L for nonylphenol and its ethoxylates), both GC-MS and LC-MS techniques were applied. In addition, overall estrogenic activity in samples taken from various steps in the treatment cycle was determined by application of the ER-CALUX assay.

Apart from a standard approach for wastewater treatment, several additional treatment techniques, that is sand filtration, active coal filtration, membrane bioreactors (in series and stand-alone) were investigated as well.

None of the treatment techniques was able to remove all of the estrogenic activity. In the sewage treatment plant effluents, only estrone, bisphenol A, nonylphenol and nonylphenol ethoxylates were regularly detected, while 17β-estradiol was measured incidentally. In general, implementation of most additional treatment techniques further reduced the estrogenic activity to levels below 1 ng EEQ/L.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry & Biology, Institute for Environmental Studies, VU University, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081, HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    M. H. Lamoree

  2. Grontmij | Aquasense, Kruislaan 411a, 1098, SJ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    J. G. M. Derksen

  3. BioDetection Systems, Sciencepark 116, 1098, XG, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    S. C. van der Linden

  4. STOWA - Foundation for Applied Water Research, Arthur van Schendelstraat 816, 3511, ML, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    C. A. Uijterlinde

  5. University of Amsterdam, Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, Nieuwe Achtergracht 166, 1018, VW, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    P de Voogt

  6. KWR Watercycle Research Institute, Groingenhaven 7, 3433, PE, Nieuwegein, The Netherlands

    P de Voogt

Authors
  1. M. H. Lamoree
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  2. J. G. M. Derksen
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  3. S. C. van der Linden
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  4. C. A. Uijterlinde
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  5. P de Voogt
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Correspondence to M. H. Lamoree .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Cyprus, Kallipoleos 75, Nicosia, 1678, Cyprus

    Despo Fatta-Kassinos

  2. Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Aalborg University, Sohngaardsholmsvej 57, Aalborg, 9000, Denmark

    Kai Bester

  3. Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University Medical Center Freiburg, Bresisacher Straße 115b, Freiburg, D 79106, Germany

    Klaus Kümmerer

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Lamoree, M.H., Derksen, J.G.M., van der Linden, S.C., Uijterlinde, C.A., de Voogt, P. (2010). Efficiency of Removal of Compounds with Estrogenic Activity During Wastewater Treatment: Effects of Various Removal Techniques. In: Fatta-Kassinos, D., Bester, K., Kümmerer, K. (eds) Xenobiotics in the Urban Water Cycle. Environmental Pollution, vol 16. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-3509-7_15

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