Sorption of emerging organic pollutants on wastewater sludge

ABSTRACT

The agricultural use of wastewater sludge promotes the recycling of nutrients and organic matter, bringing benefits to the plant development and the soil and water conservation. However, there is a growing concern about organic pollutants that may be in wastewater sludge. The presence of pharmaceuticals (antibiotics, tranquilizers, antiepileptics), hormones (natural and synthetic), musk fragrances, bactericides, and other organic pollutants in various environmental compartments is an emerging issue due to the lack of information on the potential impact associated with their occurrence, their fate and ecotoxicological effects. These compounds, termed emerging organic pollutants, may be removed during sewage treatment due to degradation, biological transformation, volatilization and/or sorption onto sludge particles. These processes are influenced by the physical-chemical properties of the pollutant and the conditions of sewage treatment. Information on physical and chemical characteristics, such as potential acidity and hydrophobicity, are important for understanding the patterns of removal and to adopt measures that favor the removal of these pollutants, such as changes in operating conditions and/or adoption of technologies. This literature review presents the physico-chemical emerging organic pollutants characteristics and their potential sorption on wastewater sludge.

Keywords:
biosolids; micropollutants; Conama Resolution 375/06.