Fate and significance of phthalates and bisphenol A in liquid by-products generated during municipal solid waste mechanical-biological pre-treatment and disposal. (June 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fudala-Ksiazek, Sylwia; Pierpaoli, Mattia; Luczkiewicz, Aneta
• Is Part Of: Waste management. Volume 64(2017)
• Page Start: 28
• Page End: 38
• Publication Date: 2017-06
• Subjects: Municipal solid waste -- Treatment technology -- Landfill leachates and technological wastewater -- Emerging pollutants -- Micropollutants -- Endocrine disruptors; Hazardous wastes -- Periodicals; Refuse and refuse disposal -- Periodicals; 363.728
• DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2017.03.040
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0956-053X

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: MBT wastewaters are usually neglected in the liquid by-product stream generated at MSWPs. MBT wastewaters are highly contaminated by organic matter and ammonia nitrogen. PAE and BPA concentrations in MBT wastewaters are generally higher than those in landfill leachates. All liquid by-products generated at MSWPs require proper treatment to avoid micropollutant dissemination. Abstract: Samples of liquid by-products generated by municipal solid waste plants (MSWPs) were tested for the presence of phthalates (PAEs) and bisphenol A (BPA). The results indicated that the wastewater generated during mechanical (sorting unit - SU) and biological (composting unit - CU) pre-treatment (MBT) of residual (mixed) solid waste is a significant source of these compounds. The concentrations of PAEs (up to 32222 μg/L) and BPA (up to 1795 μg/L) in the SU and CU wastewaters were generally higher than those in landfill leachates tested in this and other studies. To date, MBT wastewaters have been poorly studied and are usually overlooked. However, in this study, despite their relatively small quantities, they constituted an important load of ammonia (up to 1610 mg/L) and organic matter (COD up to 52980 mg/L). Thus, to apply an effective treatment, it is critical to monitor the current quality and quantity of all liquid by-products generated at MSWPs and to prioritize the (micro)pollutants of concern.