Nitrosamines in pilot-scale and full-scale wastewater treatment plants with ozonation. (1st April 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gerrity, Daniel; Pisarenko, Aleksey N.; Marti, Erica; Trenholm, Rebecca A.; Gerringer, Fred; Reungoat, Julien; Dickenson, Eric
• Is Part Of: Water research. Volume 72(2015)
• Page Start: 251
• Page End: 261
• Publication Date: 2015-04-01
• Subjects: Wastewater -- Ozone -- Nitrosamine -- N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) -- Potable reuse; AFU arbitrary fluorescence unit -- AMU atomic mass unit -- AOP advanced oxidation process -- ASPE automated solid phase extraction -- BAC biological activated carbon -- BOD biochemical oxygen demand -- BPR biological phosphorus removal -- CA California -- CAS conventional activated sludge -- CCL3 Contaminant Candidate List 3 -- CDPH California Department of Public Health -- CEC contaminant of emerging concern -- DN denitrification -- DOC dissolved organic carbon -- DWEL drinking water equivalent level -- EBCT empty bed contact time -- EEM excitation emission matrix -- EfOM effluent organic matter -- EPA Environmental Protection Agency -- GA Georgia -- GF gravity filtration -- IRIS Integrated Risk Information System -- KY Kentucky -- MBR membrane bioreactor -- MDL method detection limit -- MF microfiltration -- MO Missouri -- MRL method reporting limit -- N nitrification -- N/A not available or not applicable -- NDBA N-nitrosodibutylamine -- NDEA N-nitrosodiethylamine -- NDMA N-nitrosodimethylamine -- NDPhA N-nitrosodiphenylamine -- NDPrA N-nitrosodipropylamine -- NMEA N-nitrosomethylethylamine -- NMOR N-nitrosomorpholine -- NPIP N-nitrosopiperidine -- NPYR N-nitrosopyrrolidine -- NV Nevada -- OD oxidation ditch -- PAC powdered activated carbon -- QLD Queensland -- RO reverse osmosis -- RSD relative standard deviation -- SRT solids retention time -- SUVA specific UV254 absorbance -- TOC total organic carbon -- TX Texas -- UDMH unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine -- UF ultrafiltration -- U.S. United States -- UV ultraviolet; Water -- Pollution -- Research -- Periodicals; 363.7394
• DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2014.06.025
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0043-1354

Abstract

Abstract: Ozone-based treatment trains offer a sustainable option for potable reuse applications, but nitrosamine formation during ozonation poses a challenge for municipalities seeking to avoid reverse osmosis and high-dose ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. Six nitrosamines were monitored in full-scale and pilot-scale wastewater treatment trains. The primary focus was on eight treatment trains employing ozonation of secondary or tertiary wastewater effluents, but two treatment trains with chlorination or UV disinfection of tertiary wastewater effluent and another with full advanced treatment (i.e., reverse osmosis and advanced oxidation) were also included for comparison. N -nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) and N -nitrosomorpholine (NMOR) were the most prevalent nitrosamines in untreated (up to 89 ng/L and 67 ng/L, respectively) and treated wastewater. N -nitrosomethylethylamine (NMEA) and N -nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) were detected at one facility each, while N -nitrosodipropylamine (NDPrA) and N -nitrosodibutylamine (NDBA) were less than their method reporting limits (MRLs) in all samples. Ozone-induced NDMA formation ranging from <10 to 143 ng/L was observed at all but one site, but the reasons for the variation in formation remain unclear. Activated sludge, biological activated carbon (BAC), and UV photolysis were effective for NDMA mitigation. NMOR was also removed with activated sludge but did not form during ozonation. Graphical abstract: Highlights: NDMA and NMOR were the most prevalent nitrosamines at the 11 study sites. NMEA and NDEA were detected at one facility each; NDPrA and NDBA were always <MRL. Ozone-induced NDMA formation ranged from <10 to 143 ng/L. Ozone-induced NDMA formation was lower in nitrified wastewater and at O3 /DOC < 0.5. Biodegradation was effective for NDMA and NMOR mitigation.