Removal of Estrogens in Kuwaiti Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants

Abstract

Presence of estrogens in the environment is gaining great attention worldwide due to their potential adverse effects on aquatic ecosystems and public health. Estrogens pollution is generally related to incomplete removal at wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). To ascertain the status of estrogens pollution in Kuwait, this study evaluated the removals of estrogens at municipal WWTPs in Kuwait. The solid-phase extraction gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method was used for the determination of estrogens concentrations in influent and effluent streams of three main municipal WWTPs (Kabd, Suliabiya and Umm-Al-Haiman). Obtained results indicated that concentration of estrogens in the influent streams ranged from 0.0 to 474 ng/l, while that in the effluent streams were between 0.0 to 233 ng/l. Both influent and effluent concentrations showed high variations around mean values. Average removal rates of total estrogens were found to be 13%, 79%, 68%, for Kabd, Suliabiya and Umm-Al-Haiman, respectively. This study indicated that operation of municipal WWTPs in Kuwait needs to be upgraded/optimized in order to maximize estrogens’ elimination. It also revealed that Kuwait needs to regulate discharges of estrogens from WWTPs in order to prevent further pollution of marine environment and groundwater.