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Possible scenarios of environmental transport, occurrence and fate of helminth eggs in light weight aggregate wastewater treatment systems

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Abstract

This work discusses the potential routes of transport, possible occurrence and predicted fate of parasite eggs corresponding to human pathogens in on-site wastewater treatment systems with Light Weight Aggregates (LWA) media. The discussion is mainly based on scientific evidences supported by practical outcomes derived from a survey of helminth eggs in the specific LWA materials—typical filter media of constructed wetlands (CWs) treating domestic wastewater in Norway. The scientific evidences showed that the greatest reduction in the egg concentrations occurs in septic tanks. The eggs that could pass through the tank trap can be accumulated and effectively eliminated in the filter media of CWs. The practical outcomes did not show any accumulation and the consequent contamination of the LWA media with helminth eggs. Because the outcomes characterised a survey that was carried out for the first time ever on the above-specified filter media and was not replicated, the absence of parasite eggs in the CW filters cannot be definitely stated. However, it could be theoretically assumed that the possibility of finding human parasite eggs originated from domestic wastewater in the LWA filters should be negligible.

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Acknowledgments

The preparation of this work was supported in part by the Research Council of Norway (Research Programme “Recycling of organic waste—effects on soil quality, plant nutrition supply and environmental impact”, Grant No. 173496/I30) and the EEA/Norwegian Financial Mechanisms (Project “Innovative solutions for wastewater management in rural areas”, PL0271).

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  1. Soil and Environment Division, Bioforsk, The Norwegian Institute for Agricultural and Environmental Research, Frederik A. Dahls vei 20, 1432, Aas, Norway

    Adam M. Paruch

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Paruch, A.M. Possible scenarios of environmental transport, occurrence and fate of helminth eggs in light weight aggregate wastewater treatment systems. Rev Environ Sci Biotechnol 9, 51–58 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11157-009-9181-z

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