Abstract
Municipal wastewater contains significant amounts of organic substances of both natural and anthropogenic origin. Wastewater treatment removes most of contaminants, however new substances are formed as a result of biochemical changes taking part during the treatment process; some of them remain in the final effluent and may pose a threat to life and health of living organisms. Humic substances (HS), which include soluble fulvic acids (FA) are contaminants commonly found in wastewater. This is why the research attempted to examine the content of fulvic acids in mechanically treated wastewater at the Płaszów Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) in Kraków. The study was conducted to assess the quantities of the pollution load coming to the plant. FA were separated (isolated) at a hydrophobic ion exchanger, and then subjected to qualitative analysis to determine their elemental composition and degree of contamination with metals and other substances. Studies were also conducted in the infrared spectrum to determine the effects of internal structure of fulvic acids. Humic acids (HA) are precursors of chloroorganic compounds and other carcinogenic, mutagenic and teratogenic substances in oxidation and disinfection processes. Therefore the problem of FA in the final effluent is important, because of their amount and location of a wastewater discharge point.
Highlights
According to a lot of authors humic substances (HS) are the most widely distributed organic materials in the environment [1]
The study involved analysis of fulvic acids (FA) extracted from primary effluent at the Płaszów Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) with the characteristics as follows: COD =240.72 mg O2/L, Ntot = 64.96 mg N/L and Ptot = 6.37 mg P/L
The primary effluent from the Płaszów WWTP was analysed for a presence of fulvic acids
Summary
According to a lot of authors humic substances (HS) are the most widely distributed organic materials in the environment [1]. HS are natural products resulting from decomposition of organic matter (plants and animals) found in soils, sediments and natural waters Their colour depends on their origin, concentrations and pH of the solution; it may change from yellow to dark brown. In general HS are a mixture of different organic molecules They have been known for over 200 years, their permanent chemical structure have not been established yet, and many models of their structure are known [4]. Their chemical form depends on: conditions under which process of peat runs, hydration of the local environment, type and duration of humification [5]. This is closely connected with a variety of their physicochemical properties
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