Abstract
The utilization of reclaimed water is a reliable and sustainable approach to enhance water supply in water-deficient cities. However, the presence of micro-organic pollutants (MPs) in reclaimed water has potential adverse effects on aquatic ecosystems and human health. In this study, we investigated the occurrence of 12 target MPs in the influent and reclaimed water collected from a local wastewater treatment plant, and the ultraviolet (UV)–chlorine process was applied to analyze its ability to remove MPs. The results showed that all 12 MPs were detected in both the influent and the reclaimed water, with the concentrations ranging from 25.5 to 238 ng/L and 8.6 to 42.5 ng/L, respectively. Over 52% of all the target MPs were readily degraded by the UV–chlorine process, and the removal efficiency was 7.7% to 64.2% higher than the corresponding removal efficiency by chlorination or UV irradiation only. The degradation efficiency increased with the increasing initial chlorine concentration. The pH value had a slight influence on the MP degradation and exhibited different trends for different MPs. The formation of known disinfectant byproducts (DBPs) during the UV–chlorine process was 33.8% to 68.4% of that in the chlorination process, but the DBPs’ formation potentials were 1.3 to 2.2 times higher. The toxicity assay indicated that UV–chlorine can effectively reduce the toxicity of reclaimed water.
Highlights
China, the largest developing country and one of the most important economic entities in the world, faces increasingly serious water scarcity and water pollution problems
All the target micro-organic pollutants (MPs) with concentrations between 8.6 and 42.5 ng/L were detected from the reclaimed water, and even the wastewater was treated by the biotreatment process followed by tertiary treatment processes
Dozens to hundreds of ng/L of the 12 target MPs were detected from the influent of the local water treatment plant
Summary
The largest developing country and one of the most important economic entities in the world, faces increasingly serious water scarcity and water pollution problems. In order to solve these problems, the State Council of China promulgated and implemented the Action Plan for Prevention and Treatment of Water Pollution in 2015. The utilization rate of reclaimed water, which has been proven as a reliable, safe, and sustainable approach to enhance water supply security [1] in water-deficient cities, should reach above 20% by 2020. According to the annual statistical yearbook for urban construction, 4.92 × 1010 m3 wastewater was discharged, more than 94.5% of the wastewater was treated by wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), and 22.8% of the treated wastewater was used to yield reclaimed water in 2017 [6].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
