Season and side-chain length affect the occurrences and behaviors of phthalic acid esters in wastewater treatment plants

• Published in: Journal of hazardous materials 2024-08, Vol.475, p.134934, Article 134934
• Main Authors: Wang, Cong, Ning, Xiaojun, Wan, Na, Xu, Shengjun, Jiang, Cancan, Bai, Zhihui, Ma, Junyu, Zhang, Xupo, Wang, Xiaoping, Zhuang, Xuliang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biodegradation, Environmental; Emerging pollutants; Esters - analysis; Esters - chemistry; Fate; Mass balance; Phthalic Acids - analysis; Removal efficiency; Seasons; Sewage - chemistry; Source and destination; Waste Disposal, Fluid - methods; Wastewater - chemistry; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis; Water Pollutants, Chemical - chemistry; Water Purification - methods
• ISSN: 0304-3894; 1873-3336; 1873-3336
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134934

Emerging pollutants (EPs) are prevalent in aquatic environments globally. Researchers strive to understand their occurrence and behavior prior to their release into the environment. In this study, we examined five wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), collected 50 wastewater samples and 10 sludge samples. We explored the sources and destinations of phthalic acid esters (PAEs) within these WWTPs using mass balance equations. Wastewater treatment diminished the frequency and concentration of PAEs, and decreased the fraction of short-chain PAEs. We confirmed the increased concentration of PAEs post-primary treatment and modified the mass balance equation. Calculations suggest that weaker “the mix” in winter than in summer and stronger sedimentation in winter than in summer resulted in high efficiency of PAEs removal by winter wastewater treatment. The mass flux of biodegradation was influenced by the combination of biodegradation efficiency and the strength of the particular type of PAEs collected, with no seasonal differences. Mass fluxes for sludge sedimentation were mainly influenced by season and were higher in winter than in summer. This study enhances our understanding of emerging pollutants in manual treatment facilities and offers insights for optimizing wastewater treatment methods for water professionals. [Display omitted] •Modified mass balance equations are used to study the behaviors of compounds.•Add “mix in” to sources of PAEs in wastewater treatment plants.•PAEs biodegradation flux lacks seasonal variation due to a combination of efficiencies and collection intensity.•Both short- and long-chain PAEs showed higher sedimentation efficiency and flux in winter than in summer.