Assessing the Effectiveness of Microelement Removal in the South Tertiary Wastewater Plant, Riyadh KSA

Leda G Bousiakou,W A Farooq,A S Almuzaini,H Kalkani,Walid Tawfik,Hosham A Alghamdi,E Manzou,Rabia Qindeel

doi:10.12944/cwe.10.3.07

Abstract

This work focuses on the monitoring of trace element removal from the Riyadh South Tertiary Wastewater Treatment plant using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Considering that the final effluent originating from the plant is directed for irrigation purposes towards the farms of Al- Dirayia, Dirab and Wadi Hanifa it is important to consider the possible presence of elevated microelement concentrations that could pose potential threats to the human health. All samples were collected from the initial entrance to the plant representing the raw influent as well as the final exit after chlorination, i.e. the final effluent used for irrigation purposes. Results showed that the concentration of aluminium (Al), phosphorus (P), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn) and lead (Pb) were initially elevated at their entrance to the plant compared to the recommended values by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the World Health Organisation (WHO), while zinc (Zn), chromium (Cr), molybdenum (Mo), selenium (Se), cobalt (Co), uranium ( U), mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), and cadmium (Cd) were within permissible levels. All microelements showed significant reduction of concentration with values well below the maximum recommendations. The observed results are important for assessing the functions and effectiveness of the treatment methods of the plant as well as ensuring that the final effluent is appropriate for agricultural use.

Highlights

Environmental engineering and novel energy technologies are at the forefront of research[1,2,3,4] as part of a key strategy towards sustainability and a cleaner environment
Results showed that the concentration of aluminium (Al), phosphorus (P), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn) and lead (Pb) were initially elevated at their entrance to the plant compared to the recommended values by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the World Health Organisation (WHO), while zinc (Zn), chromium (Cr), molybdenum (Mo), selenium (Se), cobalt (Co), uranium ( U), mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), and cadmium (Cd) were within permissible levels
Our study evaluates the final effluent and removal efficiency of trace elements from the South tertiary wastewater treatment plant in Riyadh Saudi Arabia, where composite samples were collected at the following points: raw influent (1) and final effluent (2) as seen in Figure 1 below

Summary

Introduction

Environmental engineering and novel energy technologies are at the forefront of research[1,2,3,4] as part of a key strategy towards sustainability and a cleaner environment. One of the main concerns within the field of renewable energies and environmental engineering is wastewater treatment In arid regions such as the Saudi Arabian peninsula, where 20% of wastewater is used for irrigation purposes it is especially important to monitor wastewater plant operations as well as introducing novel ways in water treatment and disinfection. Continuous plant assessment and close monitoring of the final effluent especially when its used for irrigation purposes[23] is of prime importance for human health as well as the immediate suggestion of remedial measures. For this purpose our study employs ICP-MS as it is a fast, multielemental technique with highly accurate detection capabilities

Materials and methods

Findings

Conclusions